IP Library Granted Patent US 9,272,465
Granted Patent B2
US 9,272,465 · App. 13/662,526 · Granted Mar 1, 2016

High-quality flame-retardant decorative finish for interior panels

Inventors: John Christopher Wilde (Mill Creek, WA); Gary D. Benham (Marysville, WA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
B29C63/481B32B38/0012B32B38/145B32B2038/002B32B2307/3065B32B2325/00B32B2375/00B32B2605/18B32B2607/00B64C1/066Y10T428/24149Y10T428/24851Y10T428/24868
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,272,465
App. No.
13/662,526
Granted
Mar 1, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high-quality, fire-resistant, decorative finish for panels made of composite material, such as aircraft interior panels. Starting with a flat or complex contoured panel, a flame-retardant filler primer is applied to the panel surface. This filler primer is then sanded to a very smooth solid surface. In a separate process, a polymeric film is printed with a desired pattern or image. The polymeric film is then bonded to the primed panel surface using an adhesive. The non-printed side of the polymeric film is bonded to the panel. A thin highly durable polymeric coating (clear or tinted) is then applied to the exposed printed side.

Claims (36)

1. A method of finishing a panel, comprising:

applying a filler material comprising one or more flameproofing agents on a surface of a panel to form a filled panel surface;

smoothening said filled panel surface;

printing a pattern or an image on one side of a polymeric film comprising a first polymeric material;

bonding another side of said polymeric film to said smoothened filled panel surface; and

coating said one side of said polymeric film with a coating material comprising a second polymeric material,

wherein said bonding step comprises:

applying a layer of adhesive material on said smoothened panel surface;

pressing said another side of said polymeric film against said smoothened panel surface with said adhesive material therebetween; and

curing said adhesive material.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said first polymeric material comprises polyvinyl fluoride and said second polymeric material comprises polyurethane.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said printing comprises application of ink that comprises one or more flameproofing agents.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second polymeric material comprises one or more flameproofing agents.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said panel comprises a composite honeycomb sandwich panel.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said panel comprises a composite laminate.

7. A method of finishing a panel, comprising:

applying a filler material comprising one or more flameproofing agents on a surface of a panel to form a filled panel surface;

smoothening the filled panel surface;

printing a pattern or an image on one side of a polymeric film comprising a first polymeric material;

applying a layer of adhesive material on the filled and smoothened panel surface;

pressing another side of the polymeric film against the filled and smoothened panel surface with the adhesive material therebetween;

curing the adhesive material until the another side of the polymeric film is bonded to the filled and smoothened panel surface; and

coating the one side of the polymeric film with a coating material comprising a second polymeric material.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the first polymeric material is polyvinyl fluoride and the second polymeric material is polyurethane.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the filled panel surface is smoothened by sanding.

10. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the layer of adhesive material is applied by spraying.

11. The method as recited in claim 7 , further comprising installing the panel in an interior of an aircraft fuselage.

12. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the panel is an interior panel.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising installing the panel in an interior of an aircraft fuselage.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the panel is an interior panel.

15. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the filled panel surface is smoothened by sanding.

16. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the layer of adhesive material is applied by spraying.

17. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein said printing comprises application of ink that comprises one or more flameproofing agents.

18. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein said second polymeric material comprises one or more flameproofing agents.

19. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein said panel comprises a composite honeycomb sandwich panel.

20. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein said panel comprises a composite laminate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2012
From: WILDE, JOHN CHRISTOPHER; BENHAM, GARY D.
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 029203/0424 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140120303A1 · May 1, 2014