Method of making an outer shell for hockey or lacrosse protective pads
View Patent ↗A method of making an outer shell, the method comprising: (a) providing first and second sheets, each of the first and second sheets being made of a layer of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane or polycarbonate extruded with a layer of non-woven fabric; (b) providing a third sheet made of high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam, the third sheet having top and bottom sides; (c) affixing a first layer of adhesive film on the top side of the third sheet; (d) affixing a second layer of adhesive film on the bottom side of the third sheet; (e) placing the third sheet between the first and second sheets such that the first layer of adhesive film of the third sheet contacts the layer of non-woven fabric of the first sheet and the second layer of adhesive film of the third sheet contacts the layer of non-woven fabric of the second sheet; (f) stitching together the first, second and third sheets in order to form a composite sheet; and (g) thermoforming the composite sheet for forming the outer shell wherein the outer shell has a shape suitable for a hockey or lacrosse leg pad, shoulder pads or elbow pad.
1. A method of making an outer shell, the method comprising:
(a) providing first and second sheets, each of the first and second sheets being made of a layer of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane or polycarbonate extruded with a layer of non-woven fabric;
(b) providing a third sheet made of high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam, the third sheet having top and bottom sides;
(c) affixing a first layer of adhesive film on the top side of the third sheet;
(d) affixing a second layer of adhesive film on the bottom side of the third sheet;
(e) placing the third sheet between the first and second sheets such that the first layer of adhesive film of the third sheet contacts the layer of non-woven fabric of the first sheet and the second layer of adhesive film of the third sheet contacts the layer of non-woven fabric of the second sheet;
(f) stitching together the first, second and third sheets in order to form a composite sheet; and
(g) thermoforming the composite sheet for forming the outer shell wherein the outer shell has a shape suitable for a hockey or lacrosse leg pad, shoulder pads or elbow pad.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the first layer of adhesive film on the top side of the third sheet comprises maintaining together the first layer of adhesive film and the third sheet at a temperature between 75° C. and 100° C. during 1 to 5 seconds.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the second layer of adhesive film on the bottom side of the third sheet comprises maintaining together the second layer of adhesive film and the third sheet at a temperature between 75° C. and 100° C. during 1 to 5 seconds.
4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a further layer of adhesive film is applied on the first layer of adhesive film and wherein the first and further layers of adhesive film and the third sheet are maintained together at a temperature between 75° C. and 100° C. during 1 to 5 seconds.
5. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a further layer of adhesive film is applied on the second layer of adhesive film and wherein the second and further layers of adhesive film and the third sheet are maintained together at a temperature between 75° C. and 100° C. during 1 to 5 seconds.
6. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a further layer of adhesive film is applied on the first or second layer of adhesive film.
7. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers of adhesive film are made of ethylene vinyl acetate thermoplastic or polyurethane.
8. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the density of the high-density polyethylene foam is between 0.09 to 0.15 gr/cm 3 .
9. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the density of the polystyrene foam is between 0.05 to 0.15 gr/cm 3 .
10. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam has a honeycomb structure.
11. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam forms a structural foam.
12. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam is made by structural foam molding.
13. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the high-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam is made by gas assist foam molding.
14. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising placing the composite sheet in an oven at a temperature between 125° C. and 175° C. during 10 to 20 minutes before step (g).
15. A method as defined in claim 14 , further comprising removing the composite sheet from the oven before step (g).
16. A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein thermoforming is made at a pressure between 25 PSI to 50 PSI during 60 to 80 seconds.
17. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein thermoforming is made at a pressure between 25 PSI to 50 PSI and a temperature between 125° C. to 175° C. during 60 to 80 seconds.