METHOD OF PRODUCING REINFORCED, FORMED FABRICS
The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane ( 34 ) containing embedded reinforcing elements, which is prepared in overlapping portions on a conveyor belt ( 29 ) which passes over a preparation table ( 25 ). The membrane ( 34 ) and the reinforcing elements are then positioned under a press consisting of an upper air-filled chamber ( 1 ), the lower part thereof comprising a flexible element ( 4 ), and a lower water-filled chamber ( 14 ), the upper part thereof comprising a flexible element ( 17 ). According to the invention, a forming bar ( 10 ) is adjustably mounted in the upper chamber ( 1 ). When the aforementioned forming bar ( 10 ) is adjusted to adopt a particular shape, the different flexible elements can deform at the forming bar and the membrane and the reinforcing elements are hot pressed with a portion corresponding to the forming bar having a three dimensional shape, thereby defining the form of the fabric produced.
1 . A shaped fabric comprising:
reinforcing elements comprising filaments; and
an activated and polymerized resin encasing the filaments;
wherein the fabric comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein both the first surface and the second surface are free of a separate polymerized plastic sheet.
2 . The fabric of claim 1 , wherein additional reinforcing elements are present along predicted lines of force to which the fabric will be subjected.
3 . The fabric of claim 1 , wherein additional reinforcing elements are present in a region of the fabric that is predicted to be subject to higher forces.
4 . The fabric of claim 2 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially parallel to the predicted lines of force.
5 . The fabric of claim 2 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially perpendicular to the predicted lines of force.
6 . The fabric of claim 2 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the predicted lines of force.
7 . The fabric of claim 1 , wherein the fabric is formed primarily of reinforcing elements and resin.
8 . A fabric consisting essentially of:
reinforcing elements comprising filaments; and
an activated and polymerized resin encasing the filaments.
9 . A sail comprising a reinforced fabric, the reinforced fabric comprising:
reinforcing elements comprising filaments; and
an activated and polymerized resin encasing the filaments;
wherein the fabric comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein both the first surface and the second surface are free of a separate polymerized plastic sheet.
10 . The sail of claim 9 , wherein additional reinforcing elements are present along predicted lines of force to which the sail will be subjected.
11 . The sail of claim 9 , wherein additional reinforcing elements are present in a region of the sail that is predicted to be subject to higher forces.
12 . The sail of claim 10 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially parallel to the predicted lines of force.
13 . The sail of claim 10 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially perpendicular to the predicted lines of force.
14 . The sail of claim 10 , wherein the additional reinforcing elements are positioned substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the predicted lines of force.
15 . The sail of claim 9 , wherein the fabric is formed primarily of reinforcing elements and resin.
16 . A sail comprising a reinforced fabric, the reinforced fabric consisting essentially of:
reinforcing elements comprising filaments; and
an activated and polymerized resin encasing the filaments.