Method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge and panel obtained by performing the method
US8795465B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24504
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of making a sandwich-type composite panel having a living hinge from a stack of material is provided. The stack includes first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins heated to a softening temperature and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between the skins. The first skin is stretchable when heated to the softening temperature. A pressure is applied to the stack after the step of heating to form the composite panel. A portion of the composite panel is crushed at a predetermined location simultaneously with the step of applying to locally compact and separate the cellular core at the predetermined location to form two side portions of the panel and a crushed portion of the panel between the two side portions. The first skin stretches during the step of crushing while remaining intact between the two side portions. The skins bond together at the predetermined location to form the living hinge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.