Patent ID: 6555045
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A process for forming a fiber-reinforced resin structure against a mold surface by vacuum bag forming comprising:(a) grooving the entire mold surface, including any planar- and irregular-shaped portions thereof, to form unobstructed resin distribution conduits therein extending thereacross, the resin distribution conduits being formed to intersect one another in a criss-cross pattern; (b) distributing a fiber-reinforced ply adjacent the mold surface; (c) placing a flexible covering over the fiber-reinforced ply and the mold surface to form a chamber therebetween; (d) evacuating the chamber; and (e) dispensing resin through the flexible covering into the evacuated chamber such that the resin enters the resin distribution conduits flowing in an uninterrupted pattern and is thereby distributed across the entire mold surface about the ply.