US 11,865,797 B2
Method of forming a sporting implement
Mathieu Ducharme, Prevost (CA); Jean-Frédérik Caron Kardos, Laval (CA); and Martin Chambert, Piedmont (CA)
Assigned to Bauer Hockey, LLC, Exeter, NH (US)
Filed by Bauer Hockey Ltd., Blainville (CA)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/566,081.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/730,232, filed on Sep. 12, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0079035 A1, Mar. 12, 2020
Int. Cl. B29C 70/48 (2006.01); B29C 70/52 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29K 309/08 (2006.01); B29L 31/52 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/48 (2013.01) [B29C 70/523 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29K 2309/08 (2013.01); B29L 2031/5227 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a sporting implement comprising:
coating a plurality of fibers with one of an epoxy, polyurethane, and an aerosol adhesive;
placing the plurality of fibers in an empty cavity formed in a first portion of a mold, the mold having an inlet and an outlet, the fibers being randomly dispersed in the cavity;
positioning a second portion of the mold in contact with the first portion such that the cavity cooperates with the second portion of the mold to define a chamber, wherein a vacuum pump is operably connected to the chamber, and a gas reservoir is operably connected to the chamber;
creating a vacuum in the chamber with the vacuum pump;
flushing the chamber with gas from the gas reservoir;
mixing a first material with a second material to form a thermoplastic resin;
injecting the thermoplastic resin into the chamber through the inlet, the resin being injected into the chamber at a temperature of between approximately 20° C. and approximately 60° C.;
closing the inlet and the outlet;
waiting until the thermoplastic resin has completely polymerized so as to form a fiber reinforced sporting element in the chamber; and
removing the sporting element from the chamber.