Abstract: A method for high speed continuous production of reinforced plastic sheets and reinforced plastic sheet laminate structures which may have widths ranging from relatively narrow to very wide. One or more layers of resin impregnated, fiber-containing, reinforced plastic composite material is brought into contact with surfaces of one or more endwise abutted relatively flat panels. The panel or panels are then passed between a pair of continuously rotating belts. A pressurized air body is formed in a plenum chamber which faces the interiorly presented surface of at least one of the belts and which air body is between the housing forming the plenum chamber and the interior surface of the belt. Preferably, a similar housing creates a pressurized air body between such similar housing and the other of the belts. In this way, the pressurized body of air forces the belts into intimate contact with the layers forming the reinforced plastic laminate structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing reinforced plastic sheets and reinforced plastic sheet laminate structures on a high speed continuous basis and which sheets and laminate structures may have widths ranging from relatively narrow to very wide. The apparatus comprises a means for bringing one or more layers of resin impregnated, fiber-containing, reinforced plastic composite material into contact with each other or into contact with surfaces of one or more endwise abutted relatively flat panels.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic composite articles which have a non-constant cross-sectional shape over their length, such that a first portion of the article has a different cross-sectional shape than a second portion of the article, and which portions may be integral with each other. In one embodiment, the article may have a non-constant cross-sectional shape with a constant cross-sectional volume over its length. In another embodiment, the article may have a non-constant cross-sectional shape and non-constant cross-sectional volume over its length. An apparatus and a method which utilizes a die having a die channel of non-constant cross-sectional shape is employed. In the apparatus, a pair of first and second die-forming members are used, and form in one or both of the die-forming members a die channel having a first portion of a cross-sectional shape which is different than a cross-sectional of a second die channel portion over the length of the die channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing fiber reinforced plastic composite articles which have a length and where the shape of and volume of material in the composite across its length is not necessarily uniform. The apparatus receives filament containing reinforcing material, as for example, strands of filament reinforcing material impregnated with a hardenable binder such as a curable resin. The apparatus also includes a device for forming cores or plugs from a bulk-molding compound, roughly in the form of the desired shape of a portion of the article to be produced. Thereafter, the resin impregnated fiber containing reinforcing strands are disposed about each of the plugs which are draped over a continuous string to from a chain of the plugs on the string. The impregnated strands preferably enclose the plugs to form a composite therewith.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic composite articles which have a non-constant cross-sectional shape over their length, such that a first portion of the article has a different cross-sectional shape than a second portion of the article, and which portions may be integral with each other. In one embodiment, the article may have a non-constant cross-sectional shape with a constant cross-sectional volume over its length. In another embodiment, the article may have a non-constant cross-sectional shape and non-constant cross-sectional volume over its length. An apparatus and a method which utilizes a die having a die channel of non-constant cross-sectional shape is employed. In the apparatus, a pair of first and second die-forming members are used, and form in one or both of the die-forming members a die channel having a first portion of a cross-sectional shape which is different than a cross-sectional of a second die channel portion over the length of the die channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing reinforced plastic sheets and reinforced plastic sheet laminate structures on a high speed continuous basis and which sheets and laminate structures may have widths ranging from relatively narrow to very wide. The apparatus comprises a means for bringing one or more layers of resin impregnated, fiber-containing, reinforced plastic composite material into contact with each other or into contact with surfaces of one or more endwise abutted relatively flat panels. The apparatus is provided with a pair of continuously rotating belts having a gap there between which receives the laminated sheets. A housing forming a plenum chamber faces the interiorly presented surface of one of the belts and causes a body of pressurized air to be formed between the housing and the interiorly presented surfaces of the belt. Preferably, a similar housing creates a pressurized air body between such similar housing and the other of the belts.

Abstract: A method for high speed continuous production of reinforced plastic sheets and reinforced plastic sheet laminate structures which may have widths ranging from relatively narrow to very wide. One or more layers of resin impregnated, fiber-containing, reinforced plastic composite material is brought into contact with surfaces of one or more endwise abutted relatively flat panels. The panel or panels are then passed between a pair of continuously rotating belts. A pressurized air body is formed in a plenum chamber which faces the interiorly presented surface of at least one of the belts and which air body is between the housing forming the plenum chamber and the interior surface of the belt. Preferably, a similar housing creates a pressurized air body between such similar housing and the other of the belts. In this way, the pressurized body of air forces the belts into intimate contact with the layers forming the reinforced plastic laminate structure.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic tapered tubular rod products and the method and apparatus for producing the same. Tapered steel mandrels of desired length and cross-sectional shape are connected in endwise alignment to form a continuously moving mandrel structure. The mandrels each have an enlarged head and a tapered nose at the opposite end thereof so that the nose extends into a recess formed in the enlarged head of the next proceeding mandrel. These mandrels are fed through a multiplicity of winding wheels in which filament containing strands issued from spools on the wheels are helically wound upon the mandrels. The winding wheels are individually programmable so that the geometry of the reinforcement can be varied ply by ply to obtain the desired longitudinal thickness and the desired torsional stiffness in the end product.

Abstract: A digitizing system for programmably digitizing a control apparatus which provides control information to a machine having a work member movable through a plurality of axes with respect to a work surface. Thus, the control apparatus may adopt the form of a numeric control apparatus which operates a tape placement machine having a shiftable gantry or carriage and which, in turn, carries a tape placement head. This tape placement head would move with respect to a receiving surface such as a mandrel in a plurality of axes in order to deposit a composite tape on the work receiving surface. A digitizing head is replaceable for a tape placement roller on the tape placement head. A tracing member is disposed on the work surface and the digitizing head contains several sensing members, such as photoelectric sensing members, to follow the tracing member. Control signals are then generated to the control apparatus informing the control apparatus of the positional movements of the digitizing head.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fabricating on-site storage structures with reinforced composite materials, as well as the storage structures produced in accordance with the apparatus and method. In one aspect of the invention, reinforcing material which comprises at least one layer of fiber containing strand material, and one or more layers of fiber containing mat material are resin impregnated and passed through a draw-die orifice. Upon passing through the draw-die orifice this material is deposited in a continuously formed spiral where the turns forming the spiral are registered with each other. A cure of the resin material is initiated as the impregnated reinforcing material passes through the draw-die orifice. The cure is initiated by means of a curing device which applies dielectric energy to the impregnated reinforcing material, to thereby form a rigid spiral turn which becomes bonded to the next adjacent registered layer.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic pipe and similar tubular members are formed by centrifugally casting filamentary strand materials, such as glass roving, in a rotating cylindrical mold. A solvent dispersed mold release agent may be sprayed into the mold prior to the application of the filament. Thereafter, a spray of catalyzed binder resin is added to the filamentary material. A lance is extended into the mold and contains feeding tubes for depositing the filamentary strand, as well as nozzles for depositing the resin on the surface of the mold. Also, the lance contains extra nozzles for the addition of particulate matter such as sand to achieve desired structural quality and economic fabrication of the tubular member. The amount of the components added and the timing of the component addition is determined by the desired end product to be achieved.