Abstract: An improved method of molding articles from air-laid webs wherein resin is deposited in a dry process onto cellulose fibers prior to air-laying. Cellulose material and a resin-containing airstream are simultaneously fed into a comminuting means such as a hammer mill. The cellulose particles thereby produced have a coating which adheres to the surface of the cellulose particles. The cellulose particles retain substantially all of the dry resin coating when pneumatically conveyed and air-laid into a web. The fiber web produced with the resin-coated particles is suitable for use in a conventional molding process whereby the web is molded under sufficient heat and pressure into a molded article having a uniform resin distribution resulting in improved strength and improved structural integrity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 1985
Date of Patent:
March 3, 1987
Assignee:
United Technologies Automotive Trim, Inc.