Patent ID: 8048244
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: B29B,D04H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an article from a plurality of fiber bundles comprising the steps of: providing a first supply of fiber bundles and a second supply of fiber bundles, wherein the first supply of fiber bundles and the second supply of fiber bundles each include bonding fibers and each comprise different fiber compositions; determining a feed rate for the first supply of fiber bundles to an injector assembly and determining a feed rate for the second supply of fiber bundles to an injector assembly, with the first supply of fiber bundles meeting the second supply of fiber bundles at the injector assembly for mixing therein; sequentially injecting fiber bundles from the injector assembly to predetermined positions within a mold member; altering the feed rate for at least one of the first supply of fiber bundles and the second supply of fiber bundles as fed to the injector assembly heating the fiber bundles within the mold member to facilitate the adhesion of bonding fibers to, in turn, integrate the fiber bundles into an article; and removing the fiber bundles from the mold member.