Patent ID: 7951323

Claim:
Process for forming a shaped multilayer laminate comprising: (a) providing a rigid multilayer laminate preform having at least one layer comprised of a partially cured thermosetting phenol and/or aminoplast resin; (b) positioning a mask which screens or reflects electromagnetic radiation between the preform and a source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a near infrared radiation range of between 0.8 μm to 1.5 μm so that at least one portion of the preform is exposed to the electromagnetic radiation; (c) subjecting the at least one exposed portion of the preform to the electromagnetic radiation for a time between 0.1 to 30 seconds and thereby heat the at least one exposed portion of the preform to an elevated temperature of between 40° C. and 250° C. sufficient to allow the at least one exposed portion of the heated preform to be shaped and to postpone further curing of the thermosetting resin; and (d) simultaneously with or subsequently to step (c), forming the at least one exposed portion of the heated preform into a desired shape so as to form the shaped multilayer laminate.