Method and apparatus for the in-line production and conversion of composite strand material into a composite product
US5914080A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C70/38
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for the in-line production of composite strand material and the conversion of at least a portion of the strand material into a composite product. The apparatus (10) includes a combining station (48) where glass fibers (14) with a second polymeric material (66) are combined to form composite strand material (16), and at least one mold (54) for receiving a portion of the composite strand material and forming the portion into a composite product. The apparatus also includes transfer equipment for moving the composite strand material from the combining station to the mold, which may include a computer-controlled robotic arm (52). In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a collecting device (18) for accumulating the composite strand material (16) in looped form and equipment for delivering the accumulated portion from the collecting device to the mold (54). In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes a chopping device (72) for chopping portions of the composite strand material prior to placement into the mold (54).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.