초록 ▼

A process for fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) preforming (e.g., by winding fiber and at least one thermoplastic substance onto a thermoplastic liner) a thermoplastic shell which has at least one opening for access to the interior; B) extruding a circular cross section of a f

A process for fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) preforming (e.g., by winding fiber and at least one thermoplastic substance onto a thermoplastic liner) a thermoplastic shell which has at least one opening for access to the interior; B) extruding a circular cross section of a fluid parison of thermoplastic material (which preferably is chosen to have a melting point lower than that of the thermoplastic shell) into the interior of the thermoplastic shell through the opening; C) in a mold, applying at least one force (such as gas under pressure) which tends to urge the fluid parison toward the interior walls of the thermoplastic shell (which may be preheated prior to introduction into the mold) such that the fluid parison imparts heat to the thermoplastic shell; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic shell and the fluid parison consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the vessel until it is solidified; and F) removing the vessel from the mold. For some composite vessels, prior to step C), an insert may be introduced into the interior of the parison and positioned in alignment with the opening in the thermoplastic shell such that the insert is rendered integral with the composite vessel during step D). Suitable thermoplastic materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate. The resulting composite vessel exhibits superior mechanical and aesthetic properties.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process of making a composite vessel comprising the steps of:A) preforming a thermoplastic shell for the vessel, which thermoplastic shell has at least one opening for access to the interior thereof;B) extruding a generally circular cross section of a fluid parison of t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process of making a composite vessel comprising the steps of:A) preforming a thermoplastic shell for the vessel, which thermoplastic shell has at least one opening for access to the interior thereof;B) extruding a generally circular cross section of a fluid parison of thermoplastic material into the interior of the thermoplastic shell through the at least one opening therein;C) in a mold, applying at least one force which tends to urge the fluid parison toward the interior walls of the thermoplastic shell such that the fluid parison imparts sufficient heat to the thermoplastic shell to render the thermoplastic shell fluid;D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic shell and the fluid parison consolidate and the thermoplastic shell flows to the inner surface of the mold to form a composite vessel;E) cooling the composite vessel until it is solidified; andF) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.