Reinforced foamed-panel structure

Abstract

Abstract In the art of constructing reinforced foamed-panel structures, a method for treating the reinforcing elements of the panel structure during the manufacturing process with a self-contained force-generating foamable substance such that the elements can be shipped in an unexpanded state and a panel can be produced subsequently when required by activating the foamable substance. The force generating substance is a stable, but potentially reactive, foamable material coated on selected portions of the reinforcing elements with the foamable reactants of the material isolated from one another by impermeable barrier means. These barrier means are ruptured or dissolved by suitable means to trigger the foaming reaction that provides the force to deploy the reinforcing elements such that a foamed panel having suitably located reinforcing means is produced. Because the foamable means for producing the panel are self-contained and can be remotely activated, structures can be made using the panel as a foamed-in-place core and in which, also, the foaming of the panel locks the components of the structure together and, if desired, to the components of other structure such that the need for other fastening means is thereby rendered unnecessary.

Inventors

• 👤 W Strumbos

Bibliographic Details