Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-active method of mounting a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or a laminate in a semi-rigid metallic framing system along two parallel sides of a rectangular shaped sheet or laminate with the two shorter parallel sides being unconstrained. In the case of a square shaped sheet, two parallel sides are supported in the semi-rigid frame, and the other two parallel sides are unconstrained. The semi-rigid frame utilizes cylindrically shaped hardware (i.e., bolts, rivets, studs, etc.) to hold the sheet or laminate. The semi-rigid frame is designed, via section and material properties, to flex and hinge about fixed mounting points along the length of the frame.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying heat and pressure to a laminate assembly and to form a unitary product therefrom with increased processing efficiency. One implementation includes an apparatus that can decrease processing time by directly heating and cooling platens that press the laminate assembly. Additionally, the lamination press can allow the platens to flex about the laminate assembly, thereby applying substantially uniform pressure to the laminate assembly.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying heat and pressure to a laminate assembly and to form a unitary product therefrom with increased processing efficiency. One implementation includes an apparatus that can decrease processing time by directly heating and cooling platens that press the laminate assembly. Additionally, the lamination press can allow the platens to flex about the laminate assembly, thereby applying substantially uniform pressure to the laminate assembly.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features.

Abstract: An efficient lamination presses can rapidly provide both heating and cooling, as well as pressure to resin sheets to create a laminate end-product. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can comprise one or more components and apparatus that can apply uniform fluid pressure across one or more platens. The one or more platens, in turn, can flex about one or more contours in a layup assembly. For example, an exemplary platen can comprise a plurality of coupled platen extensions, which can flex or otherwise adjust about each other to help create flexibility in the platen, and thus, uniform pressure across a laminate assembly.

Abstract: An efficient lamination presses can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature of a laminate assembly to create final products with excellent structural and aesthetic properties. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can include a radiant heating assembly. The radiant heating assemblies can uniformly heat one or more platens using radiation. The platens in turn can comprise material having a high thermal conductivity, which can allow them to quickly transfer heat to a laminate assembly. The platens can further comprise one or more fluid channels that enable rapid cooling. The rapid heating and cooling capability can enable fast processing times for laminate panels at much lower energy levels than with conventional presses.

Abstract: An efficient lamination presses can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature of a laminate assembly to create final products with excellent structural and aesthetic properties. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can include a radiant heating assembly. The radiant heating assemblies can uniformly heat one or more platens using radiation. The platens in turn can comprise material having a high thermal conductivity, which can allow them to quickly transfer heat to a laminate assembly. The platens can further comprise one or more fluid channels that enable rapid cooling. The rapid heating and cooling capability can enable fast processing times for laminate panels at much lower energy levels than with conventional presses.

Abstract: An efficient lamination presses can rapidly provide both heating and cooling, as well as pressure to resin sheets to create a laminate end-product. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can comprise one or more components and apparatus that can apply uniform fluid pressure across one or more platens. The one or more platens, in turn, can flex about one or more contours in a layup assembly. For example, an exemplary platen can comprise a plurality of coupled platen extensions, which can flex or otherwise adjust about each other to help create flexibility in the platen, and thus, uniform pressure across a laminate assembly.

Abstract: A blast-resistant barrier comprising a plurality of units each including a panel having a thickness of greater than 20 to less than 40 millimeter is disclosed. The panel is in the form of a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or laminate that is positioned vertically between the source of a blast and the blast target, the laminate including at least two polycarbonate sheets and an optional image layer interposed therebetween. The panel is fixedly attached to a frame which is firmly embedded in concrete in a manner calculated to provide stiffness sufficient to absorb and withstand external forces resulting from said blast. In a preferred embodiment the panel includes at least two polycarbonate sheets laminated one to the other, optionally including an image layer interposed therebetween. In an additional embodiment, the frame is anchored securely to the target enabling dissipation of the blast force through the target's structure.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-active method of mounting a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or a laminate in a semi-rigid metallic framing system along two parallel sides of a rectangular shaped sheet or laminate with the two shorter parallel sides being unconstrained. In the case of a square shaped sheet, two parallel sides are supported in the semi-rigid frame, and the other two parallel sides are unconstrained. The semi-rigid frame utilizes cylindrically shaped hardware (i.e., bolts, rivets, studs, etc.) to hold the sheet or laminate. The semi-rigid frame is designed, via section and material properties, to flex and hinge about fixed mounting points along the length of the frame.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing, post-formable, reparable decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for manufacturing aesthetically pleasing, post-formable, reparable decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate article has a first thermoplastic layer selected from polyester and polycarbonate with first and second surfaces, a second thermoplastic layer selected from polyethylene and polypropylene has a third surface disposed toward the first surface, and a bonding agent is disposed between the first and third surfaces. In preparing the thermoplastic laminate article, the bonding agent is coated onto at least one of the first or third surfaces, the layers are then placed in a superposed relationship and thereafter sufficient heat and pressure are applied to the second surface and an outer surface of the second thermoplastic layer to cause the bonding agent to flow and spread between the first and third surfaces to form a bond between the first thermoplastic layer and the second thermoplastic layer.