Patent ID: 7462321
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: B29C,B29K,B63H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for thermoforming a three-dimensionally curved panel starting from a laminated sheet material including reinforcement fibers therein, said process comprising the steps of: providing a mold having a peripheral frame and a mold surface defined by a membrane including an elastically stretchable skin and a skeleton associated with said skin, the skeleton being formed by a grid of elastically bendable battens; selectively deforming said membrane defining said mold surface so as to impart to said mold surface a selectively deformed mold surface of a three dimensional curvature, during the step of selectively deforming said membrane, causing the battens to move in translation in a direction of the batton's length with respect to one another and with respect to said skin; securing said laminated sheet material including reinforcement fibers therein so that said sheet material is held by said frame of said mold; and heating said sheet material so that said sheet material becomes thermoformed on said selectively deformed mold surface.