Patent ID: 9238336
Filing Date: 2016-01-19
CPC Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,C08J

Claim Text:
1. A process for producing a sheet-shaped prepreg comprising: a fiber bundle introduction step that arranges tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles, each comprising a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers, wherein the tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles are arranged in a multilayer form in a thickness direction of each tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundle, while running said tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles continuously, and introducing them into a die to which a molten thermoplastic resin has been supplied; a fiber bundle thickness reduction step that widens each of said tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles arranged in said multilayer form by spreading to reduce a thickness of each tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundle, at one or both of stages before and after said introduction into said die; a resin impregnation step that impregnates said molten thermoplastic resin into each of said tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles reduced in thickness in said die; and a lamination step that laminates a plurality of tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles, into which said molten thermoplastic resin is being impregnated, in said die, or that laminates a plurality of tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles, into which said molten thermoplastic resin has been impregnated, in said die, and wherein a prepreg having a sheet-shaped shape as its whole shape is produced, and wherein, in said die, respective tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles are spread sequentially and respective tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles having been impregnated with said molten thermoplastic resin are laminated sequentially, using a plurality of fixed guides arranged in a running direction of said tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles, and a tunnel for tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles is provided to at least a part of said plurality of fixed guides used for said spreading and said lamination and all of or a part of said tape-shaped reinforcing fiber bundles are run through said tunnel.