Patent ID: 6207002
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A method of impregnating with a curable resin a quantity of resin-absorbent material included as part of an elongate flexible tube, said flexible tube having a pair of opposite ends and a length and an outer layer including an air-impermeable membrane disposed about said resin-absorbent material, the method comprising the steps of:(a) closing both of said opposite ends of said flexible tube;(b) inserting a plurality of vacuum applicators through said air-impermeable membrane at respective locations spaced apart from each other along substantially all of said length of said flexible tube;(c) connecting each of said vacuum applicators to a vacuum source;(d) applying a vacuum from said vacuum source through all of said plurality of vacuum applicators simultaneously for a sufficient time to evacuate air from substantially the entire length of said flexible tube;(e) thereafter, inserting within said flexible tube at a first one of said ends a predetermined amount of said curable resin; and(f) beginning at or near said first end, passing said flexible tube between squeezing members and forcing a portion of said resin to flow towards the other of said ends as said flexible tube passes between said squeezing members.