Articles of composite construction and method of producing patterns thereon
US6274230A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2936
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for producing sharp surface visible patterns on composite articles formed of resin coated reinforcing strands employs a liquid uncured resin having a coloring component therein to produce an opaque resin of light color to mask the color of the reinforcing strands. An absorbent surface veil is applied to the surface of the article before curing the resin to produce an absorbent opaque surface layer of light color into which a pattern of contrasting color is then transferred by sublimating an ink or dye pattern from a pattern carrier into the opaque resin impregnated surface layer and veil. Articles ready for application of the surface pattern thereto by sublimation may be produced using pultrusion or hand lay-up methods. Distribution of the surface pattern partially or entirely through the thickness of the surface layer results in an article having a surface in which the pattern remains sharply visible despite surface wear.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.