Patent US5266259A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5266259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molding a reinforced plastics component
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1992-09-17
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Granted: 1993-11-30
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Expires: 2012-09-17
Abstract
Abstract In order to mold structural components where a resin is introduced into a mold containing a fibrous preform 24, the mold or tool halves 10, 12 are made as shells and have individually controllable heating circuits 34, 38, 52 around the mold surface. Different parts of the mold can therefore be held at different temperatures in order to ensure adequate resin flow to wet the whole of the preform.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan R. Harrison
- 👤 Kenneth Kendall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:25
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C37/00; B29C37/006; B29C37/0064; B29C33/00; B29C33/02; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/46; B29C70/48; B29C70/54; B29C70/546; B29C33/0011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of molding a reinforced plastics component, the method comprising the steps of placing a fibrous reinforcement preform in the mold cavity of a shell tool, introducing a liquid plastics resin to the mold cavity through a gate and maintaining the gate and the edge of the mold at temperatures above the temperature of the body of the mold, so that the resin is able to flow freely at the edges of the mold to wet the preform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of molding a reinforced plastics component, the method comprising the steps of placing a fibrous reinforcement preform in the mold cavity of a shell tool, introducing a liquid plastics resin to the mold cavity through a gate and maintaining the gate and the edge of the mold at temperatures above the temperature of the body of the mold, so that the resin is able to flow freely at the edges of the mold to wet the preform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said placing step comprises providing a shell tool which comprises two tool halves which meet around an edge region, said edge region being arranged to leave a passage through which air can be dispelled from said mold cavity, said passage being in the form of a narrow gap between the surfaces of the tool halves themselves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said maintaining step comprises providing said edge region with heating means so that the temperature of said tool in said edge region can be raised.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said placing step comprises providing in the passage between said tool halves, in the edge region and working outwards from said mold cavity, a very narrow gap through which air can flow and through which resin can just flow, followed by an expansion space, followed by a controlled mating face through which air can flow but through which resin cannot flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said placing step comprises providing in the passage between said tool halves, in the edge region and working outwards from said mold cavity, a very narrow gap through which air can flow and through which resin can just flow, followed by an expansion space, followed by a controlled mating face through which air can flow but through which resin cannot flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said placing step comprises providing tool halves mounted in case aluminum frames.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said placing step comprises providing tool halves mounted in case aluminum frames.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said placing step comprises providing tool halves mounted in case aluminum frames.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said placing step comprises providing tool halves mounted in case aluminum frames.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-29 | 1997-05-31 | 1997-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-31 | 2001-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-29 | 2005-05-31 | 2005-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |