US 12,403,684 B2
Automated system and method for forming a laminated structure
Mark Greaney, Vista, CA (US); Todd Beach, San Diego, CA (US); Stephen Kraus, Kaohsiung (TW); Connie Hsiao, Kaohsiung (TW); Tyson Hsiao, Kaohsiung (TW); and Pei-yao Lin, Kaohsiung (TW)
Assigned to TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/645,873.
Application 18/645,873 is a continuation of application No. 18/179,848, filed on Mar. 7, 2023, granted, now 11,999,149.
Application 18/179,848 is a continuation of application No. 17/321,315, filed on May 14, 2021, granted, now 11,633,947, issued on Apr. 25, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0343031 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. B32B 41/00 (2006.01); B32B 37/02 (2006.01); B32B 37/14 (2006.01); B32B 38/00 (2006.01)
CPC B32B 38/105 (2013.01) [B32B 37/02 (2013.01); B32B 37/14 (2013.01); B32B 38/0036 (2013.01); B32B 41/00 (2013.01); B32B 2309/70 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a laminated structure, the method comprising steps of:
orienting a first panel and a backing layer secured to the first panel into a backing-separation orientation relative to an edge-engagement tool, wherein the first panel is made of an uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer and the backing layer is secured to a first-panel broad surface of the first panel via a backing-to-panel tack force between the backing layer and the uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer of the first panel;
positioning the first panel into a backing-separation position relative to the edge-engagement tool;
moving the edge-engagement tool, relative to the first panel and when the first panel is in the backing-separation orientation and the backing-separation position, so that backing-engagement features of the edge-engagement tool engage the backing layer, at only an edge portion of the backing layer, and just the edge portion of the backing layer separates from the first panel;
stacking the first panel onto a second panel, made of the uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer, such that the first panel is secured directly to the second panel via a panel-to-panel tack force between the uncured pre-impregnated fiber reinforced polymer of the first panel and the uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer of the second panel, and the first panel and the second panel form the laminated structure;
compressing together and heating the first panel and the second panel after the first panel is stacked onto the second panel such that the uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer is cured; and
after the step of compressing and heating the first panel and the second panel, applying a primer layer onto an outer surface of one of the first panel or the second panel and applying ink onto the primer layer.