US 12,233,607 B2
Process for manufacturing of free form inflatable bodies
Anton Rudolf Enserink, Oostvoorne (NL)
Assigned to Shapewave group B.V., Oostvoorne (NL)
Appl. No. 17/906,760
Filed by Shapewave group B.V., Oostvoorne (NL)
PCT Filed Mar. 23, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/025114
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 20, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/190789, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 30, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 1043609 (NL), filed on Mar. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0211563 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 65/08 (2006.01); A47C 27/08 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/06 (2006.01); B29C 65/14 (2006.01); B29C 65/48 (2006.01); B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29D 22/02 (2006.01); B29L 22/02 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/08 (2013.01) [A47C 27/081 (2013.01); B29C 65/06 (2013.01); B29C 65/1406 (2013.01); B29C 65/48 (2013.01); B29C 65/7817 (2013.01); B29C 66/1122 (2013.01); B29C 66/472 (2013.01); B29C 66/7292 (2013.01); B29C 66/81431 (2013.01); B29C 66/81435 (2013.01); B29C 66/81463 (2013.01); B29C 66/8432 (2013.01); B29C 66/863 (2013.01); B29C 66/98 (2013.01); B29D 22/02 (2013.01); B29L 2022/02 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for manufacturing free form inflatable bodies, comprising:
providing two opposing membranes to be hermetically bonded to each other or to other parts of an assembly at their circumference to form an inflatable chamber;
providing a feed of continuous link tape to source a plurality of link tapes of varying lengths;
calculating a link tape distribution with a computer algorithm to be applied for feeding, positioning and bonding of each individual link tape;
feeding precise lengths of the link tape using a motorized link tape positioning head with pinch rollers; and
a bond line activation of the feed of continuous link tape to said opposing membranes to form said plurality of link tapes of varying lengths and to internally link said membranes by the plurality of link tapes of varying lengths, such that each of the link tapes is at both ends bonded to one of said opposing membranes at a bond line in a distribution pattern according to the calculated link tape distribution, to allow the inflatable body to assume a desired exact and smooth complex curvature, and a predetermined rigidity upon inflation.