Abstract: A process of fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; B) overlaying a layer comprising fiber and a thermoplastic material (preferably by winding commingled filaments, rovings or yarns) onto the thermoplastic liner to obtain a composite intermediate structure (the fiber and thermoplastic material can be heated if desired during the overlaying, e.g. winding, step); C) heating the composite intermediate structure in a mold while applying at least one force thereto tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the mold and composite vessel until the composite vessel is solidified; and F) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: An intermodal vehicle hauler, particularly, for the storage and transport of automotive vehicles such as passenger automobiles and the like. The vehicle hauler is generally rectangular in shape and is comprised of a pair of side walls, a roof and a floor, which are all made of a reinforced plastic composite materials. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls and even the roof may also be formed in a manner so that they are light translucent thereby enabling some light exposure to the interior of the vehicle hauler to facilitate loading and unloading of automotive vehicles.

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: A method and apparatus for continuously fabricating three-dimensional (3D) filament reinforced foam insulation slabs. Rows of X or longitudinal filaments are fed longitudinally into a machine in spaced, stacked horizontal planes. Rows of Y or transverse filaments are fed transversely into the machine in spaced, stacked horizontal planes. Z or vertical filaments are fabricated into units of four vertical spaced lengths of strands which fit into each of the vertical column squares formed by the X-Y filaments to form the continuous X-Y-Z orthogonal array. Urethane or equivalent foam is discharged onto a moving belt beneath the filamentary array which is moved in the same direction and at the same rate as the belt carrying the foam. The foam material froths or foams upwardly through the filamentary array as they move along to the next station for curing. After sufficient cure, the foamed array is cut from the frames and into desired length, forming planks.

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 method and apparatus for continuously fabricating three-dimensional (3D) filament reinforced foam insulation slabs. Rows of X or longitudinal filaments are fed longitudinally into a machine in spaced, stacked horizontal planes. Rows of Y or transverse filaments are fed transversely into the machine in spaced, stacked horizontal planes. Z or vertical filaments are fabricated into units of four vertical spaced lengths of strands which fit into each of the vertical column squares formed by the X-Y filaments to form the continuous X-Y-Z orthogonal array. Urethane or equivalent foam is discharged onto a moving belt beneath the filamentary array which is moved in the same direction and at the same rate as the belt carrying the foam. The foam material froths or foams upwardly through the filamentary array as they move along to the next station for curing. After sufficient cure, the foamed array is cut from the frames and into desired length, forming planks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously weaving fibers or filaments, particularly glass fiber filaments, into a scrim cloth, to serve as reinforcement in the fabrication of filament reinforced foam insulation slabs. The scrim cloth consisting of uniformly spaced filaments in the X (longitudinal) direction and Y (transverse) direction is fabricated by traversing the Y filaments between hooks attached to long moveable oppositely spaced side panels and by paying off bands of spaced X filaments at various locations between the Y traversing mechanism. One layer of scrim cloth is fabricated at each station, the desired number of stations for the respective layers being located sequentially along the length of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the making of a three dimensional filament reinforced foam insulation member. Generally parallel arrays of vertically stacked fabric or cloth having filaments running in an X-Y axis are reinforced by third axis Z directional filaments pre-cut to a desired length and inserted down through openings referred to as vertical columns hereinafter through the said array. The Z filaments are air directed through the stack of open weave. After the formation of the filament reinforced weave the assembly is impregnated with foam to form a unitary member. The apparatus to form the article and carry out the method above consists of a conveyor carrying stacked open weave fabric through an open ended enclosure wherein there are provided first vertical tubes and second vertical tubes. The second vertical tubes are injected into the stack or array of open weave. The first vertical tubes are telescopically inserted into the tops of the said second vertical tubes.

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.