Steven Lynn Ireland

US Patent:

61836753, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

Jan 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/227112

Inventors:

Bari W. Brown - Ann Arbor MI
Steven P. Ireland - Delta OH

Assignee:

UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B29C 3110

US Classification:

264115

Abstract:

This process and apparatus use at least two chopper units. The fiber choppers may be laser beam choppers or existing standard chopper units. The process and apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced molded composite comprises providing a moldable composition, a first fiber chopper providing chopped fibers to the apparatus from a first direction, a second fiber chopper providing chopped fibers to the apparatus from a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction and molding the moldable composition and fibers in the apparatus under heat and pressure to form the molded composite. One industrial application for these choppers is compression molding of interior trim panels for automobile doors. The choppers spray chopped glass fiber strands into a resin mixture. The glass and a polyol, isocyanate (--NCO) urethane resin mixture at the proper glass loading, distribution and pattern is fed to the mold.

US Patent:

62178059, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

Sep 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/398648

Inventors:

Bari W. Brown - Ann Arbor MI
Steven P. Ireland - Delta OH

Assignee:

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B27N 500
D04H 504

US Classification:

264115

Abstract:

This process and apparatus use at least one chopper unit. The fiber choppers may be laser beam choppers or existing standard chopper units. The process and apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced molded composite comprises providing a moldable composition, sequentially spraying a moldable composition into the mold, subsequently providing chopped fibers to the moldable composition and depositing the moldable composition and chopped fibers in mold and molding the moldable composition and fibers in the apparatus under heat and pressure to form the molded composite. One industrial application for these choppers is compression molding of interior trim panels for automobile doors. The choppers spray chopped glass fiber strands into a resin mixture. The glass and a polyol, isocyanate (--NCO) urethane resin mixture at the proper glass loading, distribution and pattern is fed to the mold.