Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of making a fiber-reinforced polymeric hollow article comprising: forming a flexible mold envelope having a pattern of channels in an external surface thereof; supporting said envelope on a solid mandrel disposed internally thereof; applying a curable resin and flexible fibrous material about said supported envelope and in the channels thereof; enclosing an assembly of said envelope and said mandrel with applied said resin and fibrous material within a rigid die; sealably enclosing said envelope and said rigid die to form a sealed enclosure; establishing a vacuum in said sealed enclosure while admitting at least atmospheric pressure internally of said envelope in such a way as to form a separation between said envelope and said rigid die; and curing said resin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of making a fiber-reinforced polymeric hollow article comprising: forming a flexible mold envelope having a pattern of channels in an external surface thereof; supporting said envelope on a solid mandrel disposed internally thereof; applying a curable resin and flexible fibrous material about said supported envelope and in the channels thereof; enclosing an assembly of said envelope and said mandrel with applied said resin and fibrous material within a rigid die; sealably enclosing said envelope and said rigid die to form a sealed enclosure; establishing a vacuum in said sealed enclosure while admitting at least atmospheric pressure internally of said envelope in such a way as to form a separation between said envelope and said rigid die; and curing said resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible mold envelope comprises a hollow rubber mold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible mold envelope comprises a collapsible mandrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first-mentioned enclosing step comprises transferring the assembly of said mandrel, envelope, and applied material together to a female die having opposing ends open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of heating said enclosed assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of heating and pressurizing said sealed assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of removing the solid mandrel after the step of establishing a vacuum in the sealed enclosure and before heating and pressurizing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sealing step comprises wrapping the solid mandrel with at least one impermeable film sheet and wrapping a second impermeable film sheet around the rigid die and sealing them together at their opposite ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sealing step comprises wrapping the solid mandrel with at least one impermeable film sheet and attaching said sheet to an inside surface of the rigid die after the assembly of applied material, envelope and solid mandrel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible fibrous material utilized therein is selected from the classes of graphite, boron, rayon, cotton, and fiberglass fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible fibrous material is in the form of filaments.