CA2058289A1

CA2058289A1 - Bagging arrangement for synthetic resin component processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2058289A1
Application number: CA002058289A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert S. Wilson; William P. Davis
Original assignee: Short Brothers PLC
Current assignee: Short Brothers PLC
Priority date: 1990-04-06
Filing date: 1991-04-04
Publication date: 1991-10-07
Also published as: JPH04506640A; WO1991015351A1; IL97745A0; GB9007914D0; AU7560191A; GB9107090D0; EP0476101A1; GB2245216A; BR9105750A; GB2245216B

Abstract

Component processing apparatus for curing and/or moulding synthetic resin composites in the production of components comprises a component support (11) on which a component (15) is mounted and on which is formed at or in the region of its periphery a sealing edge (14) extending around the periphery of the support (11), and a bagging arrangement for use with the support (11) comprising a collapsible bagging blanket (8) which in use is extended across the component (15) and the component support (11) and which is tensioned to bring it into engagement with the sealing edge (14) on the support. The component support is made re-entrant beyond the sealing edge (14) to form a re-entrant zone and the blanket (8) is so formed as to receive and receives at its periphery draw means (19) by which the length of the blanket periphery can be varied from an extended length which allows the blanket (8) to be placed over the component (15) and the component support (11) and into a covering disposition in which it covers the component (15) and the component suppport (11) and in which the blanket periphery extends beyond the sealing edge (14) on the component support (11) to a reduced length which in the covering disposition of the blanket (8) brings the blanket periphery into the re-entrant zone and the blanket (8) against the sealing edge (14) on the component support (11).

Description

Ç~ , BAGGING ARRANGEMENT FOR SYNTHETIC
RESIN COMPONENT PROCESSING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to synthetic resin component processing apparatus and is particularly although not exclusively concerned with apparatus for curing and/or moulding synthetic resin composites in the production oP components.

Vacuum bag moulding is currently employed for the mouldin~ of complex components which cannot be made practically by other forms of moulding such as compression moulding. For the moulclincJ process, layer~
o~ composite ~aterial which m~ke up the component are laid up on a componen~ ~upport in required r~la~ve di~po~itlons. A bagcJincJ blank~t o~ a ~laxiblQ m~terL~l ls placed over thc a~embly Oe layer~ ~ormin~ th~
component and extend~ ~aro~s the component support against which it is sealed along the edges of the support. A vacuum is then applied with air being j withdrawn Xrom beneath the bag and the component assembly is then subjected to any one of a variety of processing ' cycles, for example by curing in an oven (heat and vacuum induced atmospheric pressure only) or an autoclave (heat, pressure and in certain cases vacuum induced atmospheric pressure), dependent upon the resin materials being used.
After treatment, the vacuum is released. The bagging blanket is then removed and the processed component replaced by a further component to be processed. The - processed component may then be subjected to any required post curing treatment.
.
It will be appreaiated that the baqging blankot mu~t be arranged to ~orm with the aomponenk support an e~ective ~aal around the periphery o~ the support to enable an effective vacuum environment to be obtained and to : SUB~liivl~ 5~

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~ WO91/15351 PCT/GB91/00521 ~ .. ,l~R~

, 2 prevent the ingress of air as a result of atmospheric pressure and any pneumatic pressure applied to the ' assembly during an autoclave cycle and various techniques have been employed to achieve these ends.
,', In prior US patent No 4664737 it has been proposed to provide an upstanding sealing edge around the periphery ', o~ the componer1t support and to br.ing the baggi~g blanket under tenslon over the s~liny edge. The blanket of the prior proposal is provided with a skirt in the form of a ,; net attached to and extending around the periphery of the blanket and a plurality of outstanding spaced pins are provided on the support so that when the blanket is i placed over the component ~nd the component support with the net hanging down ak thc periphary, the blanket can bc tensioned by pullln~ the net ovQr the ~ree end~ Oe i~ appropriate p~n~ and th~ ten~lon ~ub~ectuent.ly acl~u~t~d 1 necessary by repo~.itlonln~ oE the net on the pl~ Wlth ~ the blanket so tens.toned, an e~ct:lve initial seal i5 ;, provided ~etween the ~e~liny edye on the support and the blanket. When air is withdrawn ~rom beneath the blanket the pressure o~ atmospheric air on the blanket increases the seal between the blanket and sealing edge and ,~ provides the main sealing action.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ~, bagging blanket for use with a synthetic resin component processing apparatus which uses means alternative to a ` net for tensioning and positioning the blanket.

`~ According to the present invention, there is provided component processing apparatus comprising a component support on which a component is mounted and on which is formed at or in the reyion o~ its periphery a sealing edge extendin~f around th~ p~riphery o~ ~he support, ancl a bagging arrangemen~ for use with the support comprising a , collapsible bagging blanket which in use is extended ` ~.

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, WO91/15351 ~ ZC58~ PCT/GB91/00521 , 3 across the component and the component support and which is tension~d to bring it into engagement with the sealing edge on the support, characterised by the fact that the component support is re-entrant beyond the sealing edge to form a re-entrant zone and that the blanket is so formed as to receive and receives at its periphery draw means by which the e~ective length o~ the blanket periphery can be varied Prom an extended length which allows the blanket to be placed over the component and the component support and into a covering disposition in which it covers the component and the component support and in which the blanket periphery extends beyond the sealing edge on the component support to A reduaed length which in the covering disposition o~ the blanket brinc3s ~ the blanket periphery into the re-entran-t zona and the ;~ blanket again~t the sealing ed~e on the component support.

In a ~irst embodiment of the invention hereinafter to be de~cribed, the draw means permits the blanket periphery to maintain its extended length and is contractible to bring the blanket periphery to its reduced length.
Pre~erably, the draw means comprises an elongate draw element which is received by the blanket along the full ~, periphery of the blanket.

In a specific embodiment of the invention hereinafter to , be described, the draw element is exposed at one or more predetermlned exposed locations along the periphery of the blanket and the predetermined exposed location or one or more of the predetermined exposed locations i~s utilised as a draw location at which the e~fective length of the draw element can be reduced. O~her expo~ed loaations may be u~ efl ~o provide access ~or ancilliary equipment required Por the cure assembly, such or example as vacuum lines and thermocouple leads.

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The draw ele~ent may, if desired, be secured to the blanket at securing locations along the blan~et periphery whereby a reduction in the effective length of the draw element at a draw location produces a local reduction in the length of the blanket periphery.
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In a specific embodiment of the invention hereinafter to f be described, the periphery of the blanket is ~olded bac~
on itsel~ and so secured as to provide a passageway for the draw element through which the draw element passes and the periphery of the blanket is cut away at the exposed location or locations to expose the draw element.
Where a plurality o~ draw locations are provided, they may ~urthermore be so arranyed in spaced relation aro~lnd the periphery o~ the blanket that reduction ln tha len~th o~ the draw elemcnk can be made to provicle ~n oven ~en~ionincJ o~ the b.lankot over th~ ~omponont and ~h~
component ~upport.

In a specl~ic embodiment o~ the invention hereinafter to be described, there is provided at a draw location a draw device, through which the draw element passes to ~orm an open loop at the draw location and which includes loop enlarging means whereby the loop can be enlarged to reduce the effective length of the draw element. The draw device may conveniently comprise a support plate and the loop enlarging means may comprise a plurality of spaced pins extending away from one side of the plate.
j The draw element is then arranged to pass along the plate in a plane parallel to the plate so that it can be withdrawn on the side of the plate carrying the pins and formed into a loop by passage round one or more of the pins.

In a ~urther speai~ia embodiment o~ the inventlon hereinafter to be described, the draw device may comprise ?

- WO91/l535l PCT/GB91/0052l i8;~89 ..; .s one or more guide elements for forming the draw element into a loop and the loop enlarging means may comprise a member movable from a first predetermined disposition relative to the guide element or elements to a second predetermined disposition relative to the guide element or elements. The draw element is then arranged to pass through the guide element or elements to form a loop and the movable member is arranged to engage the loop to cause the loop to enlarge by movement oE the movable member ~rom the first predetermined disposition to the second predetermined disposition. The movable member may advantageously include resilient means for moving it from the ~irst predetermined position to the ~econd predetermined po~ition.

~n the ~ir~t embodiment o~ kh~ Lnvcntlon h~reinhe~ore re~erred to, the draw ~lem~nt m~y a.l~ernatively b@ Op~fl ended With the oppo~te ~nd~ th~roo~ located a~ a draw location where they can be drawn toyether in a tying operation to reduce khe e~ective length of the draw element.

In a second embodiment o~ the invention hereinafter to be described, the draw means maintains the blanket periphery at a reduced length and is extensible to permit the blanket periphery to extend to its extended length.
,....
In the second embodiment of the invention hereinbefore referred to, the draw means may comprise an inextensible portion in the form of an elongate draw element of ` inextensible material, and an extensible portion, such as ; a sprlng, connected thereto. The draw means may ; alternatively comprise an elongate draw element oP an '~ inextensible mate~ial and the extensibla portion ~ay th~n comprise a loop o~ the draw element which is biased by a ` spring into a reserve loop and which is released against ;i the action o~ the spring to extend the ef~ective length .` SUESTITU~_ SHE~T

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WO91/153~1 PCT/GB91/00521 ,, 6 of the draw element.

In yet another embodiment of the invention hereinafter to be described the draw element is open ended with the opposite ends thereof located at a draw location where they can be held in fixed relation by attachment to the component ~upport. The effective length of the draw elem~nt may be ~educed by means o~ a draw device at the draw location.

In the embodiments of the invention hereinafter to be described the sealing edge is provided by a sealing member extending continuously around the component support at or in the r~gion o~ the periphery Oe tho support. The ~ealing member is pre~er~bly o~ tri~ngular cros~-~cction with a bn~e thorQo~ yas-tight bond~d ~o thQ
~upport and wlth ~n opposlta ap~x provlcl.LncJ a 3~lin~J
odge ups~andiny rrom tho ~upport to prov.Ldc an lnl~lal ~eal betwe~n the blankct and the support, with the main seal being provided as a slick seal along the inside incllned ~ace o~ the sealing member.

The component structure may conveniently take the form of a flat table top supported by a sub-structure in such a way that the edges of the top extend beyond the sub-structure to provide the re-entrant zone. .~--Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig l is a schematic perspective view of a companentprocessing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, with some par~s cut away, Fig 2 is a schematic cross-section of a part only of the apparatus shown in Fig l, ~iUE~;TIT~TE~ S~E T

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WO 91/153~ PCT/GB91/00521 ~ 2~58~89 Figs 3, 4 and 5 are schematic views illustrating the way in which the blanket shown in Fig 1 is provided with a skirt portion which is folded back upon itself to form a passageway for a draw element for the blanket, Fig 6 is a schematic perspective view of the blanket shown in Figs 1 to 5, illustrating a plurality of draw locations where the draw ele-~ent ~or the blanket is ~xposed to provid~ ~or local ten~ionincJ of the blanket.

Fig 7 is a schematic scrap side elevation of a bagging blanket of the form shown in Fig 6, except insofar that the draw element is secured to the skirt portion of the blanket at locations between the draw locations, Fig ~ ls a ~ch~matic 5crap vi~w o~ a slmplo kcnsionlng device ~or u~o at draw locatlons o~ khe bl~nk~t illustrat~d ln Flg 7, Figs 9 and 10 are s~hematic cross-sections taken on the lines X-X and Y-Y in Fig 3 revealing the completed bond between the blanket body portion and the skirt portion, Fig 11 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an alternative attachment procédure for -attaching the skirt portion to the blanket periphery, Fig 12 is a schematic cross-section taken on the line Z-z in Fig ll, illustrating the completed bond between the blanket body portion and the skirt portion, . . .
Fig 13 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred tensioning device ~or use at a draw location of khe blanket, Fig 1~ is a schematlc elevation o~ the tensioning device shown in Fig 13, illustrating alternative paths ~or the ~' U ~ "~, T ~

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WO91/15351 ~58Z~ PCT/GBg1/00521 draw element around the pins of the device, Fig 15 is a schematic perspective, scrap view of the blanket and component support illustrated in Fig 1, showing a corner location and a side draw location, Figs 16 and 17 are schematic scrap sections of the blanket and component support ~hown in Fi~ 1, taken on the lines X-X and Y-~ in Fig 15, Figs 18 and 19; 20 and 21; 22 and 23; 24 and 25; and 26 and 27 are schematic views of further alternative tensioning dev.ices ~or use at draw locations o~ the blanket illustrated in Fig 1, Fig 28 i~ a schcmAtlc per~pactive viaw Oe a ten~lon.Ln~
devlce for pretcn~lonlnc3 a draw el~m~nt ~or u~ ln a ~econd embodiment Oe the in-v~ntlon, Fig 29 is a schematic scrap section of a part of the device shown in Fig 28, Figs 30 and 31 are schematic scrap views of further `.
alternative tensioning devices for use in the second : ' embodiment of the invention, Figs 32 and 33 are schematic serap views of adjustment devices for adjusting the length of the draw element used in the second embodiment of the invention, Figure 34 is a schematic side elevation of part o~ a component processing apparatus of the form shown ;ln Fig 1, except insofar that the draw element is open ended and the ends thereo~ are attached to the component ~upport, Fig 35 is a schematic perspective view of a simple attachment and ~ensioning device for use at the draw SUB~T~TUTE S~$~`.~'`'i WO 91tlS351 ,~89 PCI/GB91/00521 ~"~
locatio~ of the blanket illustrated in Fig 34.

Fig 36 is a schematic perspective view of a device which enables the draw element to be tensioned by attaching only one free end of the~draw element to the component support, Fig 37 is a ~chematic elevatlon o~ part of the apparatus shown in Fig 1, except insofar that one free end of the draw element is attached to the component support by means of the devices illustrated in Figs 35 and 36, and Fig 3~ is a ~chematic side elevation of part o~ a component support suitable ~or use wlth the bagginc3 arrangements illustrate~ in Fig~ 3~ and 37.

Re~erring ~lr~t ~o FlcJ 1, a c:ompon~nt proao~ln~
apparatu~ is shown ¢ompri~lnc~ a component ~upport :Lay-up 5tructure 11 including a Plat component ~upport plate 12 supportcd by a base 13. The component support plat~ 1~
carries in the region o~ its periphery a sealin~ member 14 which extends fully around the plate 12 but which is shown partly cut away in Fig 1. A component 15 for processing is mounted on the support plate 12 within the .
bounds of the sealing member 14. A blanket 8 also shown partly cut away includes a body portion 16 which is spread over the component 15 and the entire surface of the support plate 12 and a skirt portion 17 which extends .
over the edges of the four sides of the support plate 12.
. .
As best seen in Fig 2, the blanket body portion 16 drapes over the sealing member 14 and the skirt portion 17 o~
th~ blanket extends over the ed~e o~ the ~upport plat~ 12 along all ~our sides o~ the plate 1~. As 9hown in Fig 2, the skirt portion ~7 is ~olded back upon itself to form a passageway 18 extending for the ~ull length o~ the blanket periphery ~or reception o~ a draw elcment 1~.
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WO91/15351 ,~ 2~ PCT/GB91~00521 ... ~ ~

The draw element 19 can be tensioned in a manner hereinafter to be described to draw the skirt portion 17 beneath the support plate 12 and into a re-entrant zone 10 formed by the projection of the support plate 12 beyond the base 13 which supports it.

The blanket body portion 16 may be made from any one of the variety of cli~erent materials and i5 prefer~bly made from an el~tomeric matcrial, yivinc3 it hic3h tensile strength, the ability to stretch and retract rapidly with full recovery to its original dimensions and good tear resistance. The skirt portion 17 may also be made from any one of a large number of fabrics provided they are tear re~i~tant and both drapeable and ~lexible. Xt may ~urkhermore be o~ ~ny weave provided lt can be stitched and mu~t be re~istant to continuou~ ui~o at the temperA~urc~ to bo u~cl ln tho proce~sln~J Oe ~h~ -component. Suitabl@ yarn~ ~or th~ materlal ~ormlncJ ~he ekirt portion 17 are aromatla polyamide~ such ag Nornex and Kevlar (Registered Trade Marks), oxidised polyacrylonitrile ~PAN), ~ibreglass, linen, nylon and polyester. The yarn for st~tching must have a hl~h tensile strength and resistance to heat and abrasion eg Kevlar or a polyester.

The draw element 19 may be in the form of a rope and manufactured from any of a variety of materials provided it is flexible, heat resistant and has a high breaking strain. Such materials include Nomex, nylon (multi-filament or mono-filament), Kevlar, steel cable/chain or specially reinforced solid rubber/hollow hose, for example, in silicone, and may be even ~ome form of belting/strapping in any materials.

Re~erring now to Figs 3 to 5, the skirt portion ~7 may be secured to the periphery of the blanket body portion 16 by arranging for perforations 20 in the skirt portion 17 g~l~3STlTUTE SWF.~T

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W09l/l535l PCT/GB91/00521 5~3289 and securing it to the periphery of the blanket 16 by bonding using a honding strip 21 as shown. The skirt portion 17 is, as shown, then folded back on itself to form a double ply edge 22 shown in Fig 5, which is then double stitched to the main body of the skirt portion 17 to form the passageway 18.

The blanket 8 illustrated in Fig 1, 2 is also shown in Fig 6, ~rom which it will be seen more clearly that t~e ~kirt portion 17 is cu~ away ~t dr~w locations 22 and 23 along one side of the blanket and at a draw location 24 along an adjacent side of the blanket.

Additionally, the skirt portion 17 on the side remote ~rom ~he draw locations 22 and 23 i~ similarly cut away at corresponding draw location~, while a ~urth~r draw location is provided on th~ ~ldo Oe the bl~nk~k oppo~ite the draw locAtlon 2~. Furthermor~3, th~ ~klrt portlon ~7 iY interruptQd ak corn~r loc~t.Lon~ 2~, ~6, 27 a~fl 2fl ~.o ~acllitate th~ draping Oe ~he ~klrt portion 17 over the edge~ o~ the support plate 12.

In th~ embodiment o~ the invention shown in Fig 6, the draw element 19 is shown threaded through the passageways 18 formed in the skirt portion 17, with the two ~ree ends appearing at the corner location 25. With this arrangement, the blanket 16 is placedl as shown in Fig 1, over the component 15 and the support plate 12 and the free ends of the draw element 19 drawn together and secured to bring the skirt portion under the support plate 12 as shown in Fig 2. Tensioning devices hereinafter to be described are then used at the draw locations along the sides of the blanket 16 to provide a full and even tensioning of the blanket 16 so that it bears down in sealing contact with the sealing m~mber 1 ~or i~5 ~Ull ex~ent around the poriphery o~ the support plate 12. The draw element 19 may be made from any SUE~TiT T ~~ T

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~ Z ~ ,8 ~X ~ pCT/~B9l/0052l material which can withstand the treatment/cure environment and may range from steel to a lightweight composite.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig 7, the draw element 19 is held captive in sections of the passageway 18 at locations 29 between adjacent draw locations so that when the draw element 19 is tensioned at an intermediate location, s~y location 30, .
~he tensioning effect on the blanket 16 is localised. In this way localised adjustments of the tensioning of the blan~et 16 can be made simply by adjustment of individual ~ensioning devices at the di~ferent draw locations. A
simple ~orm o~ tensioning device i5 illustrated in Fig 8 and comprises a collar 31 through which th~ draw clamant l9 ig pas~ed to produce a loop 3~, the drnw el~mQnt 19 being increa~ingly t~n~.Lon~d by drawin~ more o~ thQ draw element 19 throuyh the ~oll~r 31. Thl~ slmpl~ dQvic~ h~s the ~eature that the draw cl~ment 19 can be easily tensioned and quickly released.

The attachment o~ the sklrt portion 17 to the blanket body portion 16 as illustrated in Fig 3 produces a secure bond as illustrated in Figs 9 and 10, with the blanket body portion 16, the skirt 17 and the bonding strip 21 being bonded together using an elastomeric sealant or adhesive 33. Alternatively, attachment of the skirt portion 17 to the blanket body portion 16 may be achieved as illustrated in Figs ll and 12 where an additio.nal reinforcing strip 9 of an elastomeric material is interposed between the outer strip 2} and the bla~ket body portion 16, with the end o~ the skirt portion 17 being arr~nged to pass over it and to be folded back against the lower ~ace o~ it to ~orm a secure attachment when the assembly i9 bonded together by the sealant 33.

Referring now to Fig 13, a tensioning device 3~ is shown SlJBSTlTlJTE SI~EE~

WO 91/15351 ~582,~t '- PCltC;B91/00521 i, .,: ;.. ~ - ' .

which comprises a flat plate 35 carrying a plurality of spaced pins 36 secured to the plate and extending from one face thereof. The plate 35 has also secured to it guide plate 136 mounted on pillars 37 which space vertical portions of the guide plate 136 ~rom the face of the plate 35 and space the horizontal top portion of the guide plate 136 from the upper edge of the plate 3S.

In use, the device 3~ shown in ~ig 13 is presented to the draw element 19 at a draw location o~ the blanket body portion 16 so that the draw element 19 engages under the guide plate 136 and can then be pulled down over the ~ront ~ace o~ the pl~ta 35 and pas~2d in a loop around one or more oe the pins 36 thereby tensioning the draw element 19 ~t the draw location. As be~t sc~n ln F,l~
the draw element 19 c~n b~ arran~d to takQ any ona o~ ~
number o~ path~ arouncl th~ pLn~ 36 to provLd~ ~or a wiclQ
range o~ loop~ o~ dl~rcrent ~lzo~ to permit adjustm~nt of the ten~ion in the draw element 19.

The plate 35 and the pins 36 may bc manu~actured ~rom a number o~ materials eg. steel, aluminium, rein~orced nylons etc ie. any material able to withstand the cure cycle and exhibit the required mechanical properties.

As best seen in Fig 15, the skirt portion 17 of the blanket is arranged to be cut away at corner locations of the blanket and a corner-pie~e 161, preferably of elastomeric material, is inserted to fill the cut away corner locations to enable proper seating of the blanket body portion over the support plate 12 and even tensioning of the blanket body portion over the sealing member 14. As will be seen ~rom Fig 16, the edge o~ the blanket at the corner locations is strengthened by a rein~orcing strip 38 which is bonded to the blanket using an elastomeric adhesive.

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WO91/15351 ,. . ~ ,;;. PCT/GB91/00521 z(~5~2~39 ~

A variety of different tensioning devices for tensioning the draw element l9 will now be described with reference to Figs 18 to 27. All require the draw element 19 to pass in the for~ of an open loop through the device and provide means for extending the length of the loop to draw in the draw element 19 and reduce its length at the appropriate draw loc~tion o~ the blan~et, thereby brinqing the element l9 under tension so that it is dra~Jn into the re-entrant zone lO beneath the support plate 12 as shown in Fig 2.

In Figs 18 and l9, it will be seen that the tensioning device shown compri~es a body portion ~0 with two dcpending arms ~l and 42 which are ~pac~d apart as ~hown and are joined toqeth@r ~t their lower ends by a b~.Lc1cJe pieCQ ~3. The hody portlon ~0 includQ bor~s ~ and ~5 and ln u~o o~ thQ d~vla~ the dr~w ~ n~nt l9 i~3 arranged to pa~ down through thQ bor~ ~1, ro-lncl the brlclcJ~ P1QC~
~3 and then back up throuqh the bore ~5 to ~orm an open looy. As shown in Fig l9, the device further includes a pivotal arm ~6 which can be turned by a handle ~7 through a qulck release ratchet mechanism ~not shown) from a position shown in Fig 18 in which it lies within the bounds of the plates 4l and 42 and parallel thereto up to a position at right angles thereto as illustrated in Fig l9. The loop in the draw element l9 formed in the device can thus be enlarged by turning the handle 47, thereby reducing the effective length of the draw element and bringing it under the tension required to hold the blanket in place on the support plate 12 and to provide an initial seal, between the blanket and the seal:ing member 14.

In the tensioning device lllust~a~ed in Flg ~0 and ~l, the draw elemen~ lg is arranged to pas~ through an opening 48 at one side of a body portion ~9 o~ the device, ~hen pass along a channel 50 on the end o~ a .

2~58289 ~CT/GB91/00521 f~s r~

dlsplaceable arm 51 pivoted at 52 on the main body portion 49 and then upwardly through a further openlng 59 formed on the other side of the body portion 49. The arm 51 is resiliently biased by a spring 53 away from the body portion 49 of the device. The draw element 19 is thus reduced in length at the draw location by the ~ormation Oe the loop within the device ancl t~nsioned by the biasincJ action of the plvotal arm 51.

A further alternative tensioning device is illustrated in Figs 22 and 23 and comprises an arm 5q having a boss 55 pivotal on a sha~t 56 which carries at its ends collars 57 and 58 through which tho drAw element 19 i5 passecl as shown. The arm 5~ i5 extended by a screw-threaded ~ha~t 59 carrying a shoe 60 havinc3 a chanllel G1 and the clr~w clemcnt 19 i9 as shown .Ln r~'.iCJ 23, arr~nyocl to p~ss ~rom the collar 57 throuqh the chanrlal 6~ and back throucJh the collar 5R, A reduction in th@ @~ect1v@ length oE the draw element 19 is then achieved by the provision of the loop within the device, which can be set by an ~ppropriate axial adjustment o~ the sha~t 59 which is s~rewed into the arm 54.

The tensioning device illustrated in Figs 24 and 25 is of the same general form as that shown in Figs 22 and 23, except insofar as the boss 55 is replaced by a yoke 62 which is pivotal on the shaft 56 carrying the collars 57 and 58. The tensioning arm 54 can then be removed from -the shaft 56 to release the draw element 19 and be repositioned when further tensioning of the draw element is required.

The tensioning arm 54 o~ the device shown in Figs 24 and 25 may .i~ desir2d be replaced by a modi~ied tensioning arm 54' shown in Figs 26 and 27. In this modification a shoe portion 64 is adjustably threaded on the end o~ a sha~t ~5, a head 6~ o~ which i5 slidabl~ arranged within .~

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a counterbore 67 in the arm 54~, which also encloses a ~ :
biasing spring 68 which nor~ally holds the shaft 6~ in the position shown in Fig 26. such spring loading of the shoe portion 64 enables the arm 54' carrying the yoke 62 to be displaced along the shaft 6~ effectively to shorten the tensioning arm and facilitate removal of the arm from ~he support shaft 56.

In a second embodiment o~ the invention now to be described, the skirt portion 17 o~ the blanket carries a dràw element l9 which is pretensioned to draw the periphery o~ the skirt portion 17 into the re-entrant zone lO and beneath the support plate 12 as shown in ~iqs l and 2 and is exten~ible to enable the skirt portion 17 to be extended to enable it to b~ drawn over th@ 5upport plate 12 when the blanket body portion 16 is p.l~eafl over the component 15 ~nd th~ ~upport P1~tQ 1~. The bl~nkQt with its sklrt portion 17 and ~hQ draw elem@nt 19 may conveniently take the form described with re~erenc~ to Figs l to 12, except inso~ar as ~he draw element 15 is arranged as a continuous element extending ~or the ~ull periphery of the skirt portion 17 and is formed into a reserve loop by a tensioning device, which may take any one of a number of different forms, three of which are illustrated in Figs 28 and 29, Fig 30 and Fig 31.

It will be seen from Figs 28 and 29 that the draw element l9 is arranged to pass over a jockey pulley 69 carried by a backing plate 70, then beneath and around a plunger 71 and then over. a second jockey pulley 72. As will be seen from Fig 29, the plunger 71 is carried on a shaPt 7~
having a piston element 74 which rides in a housing 7S
which is closed by a top 76 and which hoUses ~ coil spring 77, the arrangement being such that the plunger 71 is bia~ed downwardly by the spring 77 ~rom a seated position on the ~ase oP the housing 75, causing a reserve loop 78 to be ~ormed in the draw element 19 and bring:in~

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WO9l/ls3~ c< PCT/GB91/00521 Z(~ 289 s~~
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the draw element 19 under tension so that with the skirt portion 17 of the blanket in position, as shown in Figs 1 and 2 the skirt portion is drawn into the re-entrant zone beneath the plate 12 and the blanket body portion 16 into contact with the sealing member 14 on the top plate 12.
The draw element 19 can be lengthened by reducing the extent o~ the reserve loop 78 against the action of the ~pring 77 and the arrangement is made such that the extension provided enables the skirt porkion 17 to be passed over the edge of the top plate 12.

The tensioning device illustrated in Figs 28 and 29 allows not only for the cE~ective lcnythening o~ thc dr~
element 19 but al~o allows ~or adjustment o~ the ac~u~
length oP the element 19 thro~lcJhout thc .LL~e og th~
blanket.

~n alternative ten~onlng d~v.LcQ COE U~e 1n th@ se~oRd embodiment o~ the invention is illustrated in Fig 30 and comprises a body 79 which supports leaf springs ~0 ~nd 81 which carry ~ollars a2 and 83. ~n use, the draw el@ment 19 passes through the collar 82, through a channel on the body 79, across the top of the body 79, then downwardly through a Purther channel in the body 79 and finally through the collar 83.

The springs 80 and 81, in the disposition shown in Fig 30, hold the draw element 19 at a reduced length in which it brings the skirt portion 17 of the blanket into the re-entrant zone beneath the plate 12 and the body portion 16 of the blanket into engagement with the 5ealing member 14. The placing of the blanket with the skirt porkion 17 extending over the edge oP the plate 12 can then be a~hieved by extendinq the e~ctive longth o~ the draw element 19 by Plexing the leaP springs ao and 81 outwardly.

3;1 Z058Z~9 PCT/GB91/00521 ! t~ ,"~ J ~i;,"

In yet a further alternative tensioning device illustrated in Fig 31, the draw element 19 has opposit~
ends connected together by a coil spring 84 which holds the draw element 19 at a length in which it draws the skirt portion 17 of the blanket into the re-entrant zone beneath the support plate 12. The placing of the blanket on the component 15 with the skirt portion 17 extendinq over th~ e-.lge o~ the support plate 12 can then be achieved simply by extension of the coil spring 84.

The two tensioning devices described with reference to Figs 30 and 31 do not, however, allow for adjustment of the actual length of the draw element 19 during the liP~
of the blanket and ~djustment devices ~or this purpo~
may be provided a5 illustrated in Fic~s 32 and 33.

Xn the ~mbodiment o~ th~ inv~ntlon .Lllu~.trated ln l;'lg the ~ree end~ o~ the ~raw e.l@m@nk l9 flppear at draw loc~tion 90. Each ~ree ~n~ o~ th@ draw elemen~ 19 ie attached to khe base 13 of the component support by means o~ a clip 91 which anchors the free end oP the draw element to the edge o~ an ~ir~low aperture 92 ln the component support base 13.

Fig 35 illustrates a clip 91 suitable for attaching a free end of the draw element 19 to the component support base 13. The clip 91 has a head portion 93 for engaging the edge of the airflow aperture 92 and a lockable collar portion 94 which enables the draw element to be further tensioned when the free end of the draw element is secured to the component support base 13.

Since most component supports have a base 13 which incorporate ap~rtures to allow airPlow and ~acilitate accQss to ~he undorsid~ o~ ~ho compon~nt, ~he free ~nds of the draw element 19 may be attached to the component support base 13 by making use of those aperture5, without ..
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WO 91/15351 , , 2~S~Z~ PCT/GB91J00521 ~ .

requiring modification of the component support base 13.
However, under certain circumstances, when suitable sites are not available in the base 13 of the component support, the free ends of the draw element 19 may be anchored to special anchor handles fixed to the component support base 13.

F'ig 36 .lllustr~tes a dev.ice which allows the draw element 19 to be attached to ~he cornponent support base 13 by anchor.ing only one of the free ends of the draw element.
A ring 95 is secured to one free end of the draw element and the other free end of the draw element is passed through the ring 15.

In the embod.iment Oe the invention lllustrated .in F.L~J 37, the device lllustra~e~ in ~icJ 3~ i~ securod ko on~ ~ree ~nd o~ th~ dr~w ~lQm~nt 1~ and th@ othor ~r~ ~ncl o~ ~he draw elemon~ ~ is anahor~tl by m~Ani~ oL' cllp 91 to the edge oE aperture 92 in thc component isupport base.

Fig 38 illustrates A component support suitable Eor use in all embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described.

The bagging arrangement according to the present `
invention, although operating according to a different principle, has all the advantages of the blanket arrangement proposed in US patent No 4664737 together with the following advantages:

1. No modification or addition to the cure/mould support structure need be made.

2. A more uniPorm load distribution can be providecl on the elastomerlc blan~e~ with le5s rlsk o~ the securement system being torn away (or disbonded) ~rom the blanket during a critical cure cycle.

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WO 91/15351 2C58z8~ PCT/CB9t/00521 ., ~; , ~ ,. .

3. Manufacturing costs can be reduced by the use of off-the-shelf materials in the manufacture of the blanket.

4. The pretensioned bagging arrangement accordiny to the second embodiment of the invention is simpler an~
easier to apply.

-~ ~J E~ T ~ tj~ E1 - ,

Claims

1. component processing apparatus comprising a component support on which a component is mounted and on which is formed at or in the region of its periphery a sealing edge extending around the periphery of the support, and a bagging arrangement for use with the support comprising a collapsible bagging blanket which in use is extended across the component and the component support and which is tensioned to bring it into engagement with the sealing edge on the support, characterised by the fact that the component support is re-entrant beyond the sealing edge to form a re-entrant zone and that the blanket is so formed as to receive and receives at its periphery draw means by which the length of the blanket periphery can be varied from an extended length which allows the blanket to be placed over the component and the component support and into a covering disposition in which it covers the component and the component support and in which the blanket periphery extends beyond the sealing edge on the component support to a reduced length which in the covering disposition of the blanket brings the blanket periphery into the re-entrant zone and the blanket against the sealing edge on the component support.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the draw means permits the blanket periphery to maintain its extended length and is contractible to bring the blanket periphery to its reduced length.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the draw means comprises an elongate draw element which is received by the blanket along the full periphery of the blanket.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the draw element is exposed at one or more predetermined exposed locations along the periphery of the blanket.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined exposed location or one or more of the predetermined exposed locations is a draw location at which the effective length of the draw element can be reduced.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the draw element is secured to the blanket at securing locations along the blanket periphery whereby a reduction in the effective length of the draw element at a draw location produces a local reduction in the length of the blanket periphery.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the periphery of the blanket is folded back on itself and so secured as to provide a passageway for the draw element through which the draw element passes and the periphery of the blanket is cut away at the exposed location or locations to expose the draw element.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein draw locations are so arranged in spaced relation around the periphery of the blanket that reduction in the length of the draw element can be made to provide an even tensioning of the blanket over the component and the component support.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8 comprising a draw device at a draw location, through which the draw element passes to form an open loop at the draw location and which includes loop enlarging means whereby the loop can be enlarged to reduce the effective length of the draw element.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the draw device comprises a support plate and the loop enlarging means comprises a plurality of spaced pins carried by the support plate extending away from one side of the plate, and wherein the draw element is arranged to pass along the plate in a plane parallel to the plate so that it can be withdrawn on the side of the plate carrying the pins and formed into a loop by passage round one or more of the pins.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the draw device comprises one or more guide elements for forming the draw element into a loop and the loop enlarging means comprises a member movable from a first predetermined disposition relative to the guide element or elements to a second predetermined disposition relative to the guide element or elements, wherein the draw element passes through the guide element or elements to form the loop and wherein the movable member is arranged to engage the loop to cause the loop to enlarge by movement of the moveable member from the first predetermined disposition to the second predetermined disposition.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the moveable member includes resilient means for moving it from the first predetermined disposition to the second predetermined disposition.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the draw element is open ended with the opposite ends thereof located at a draw location where they can be drawn together in a tying operation to reduce the effective length of the draw element.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the draw means is arranged to maintain the blanket periphery at a reduced length and is extensible to permit the blanket periphery to extend to its extended length.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the draw means is pretensioned to draw the blanket periphery to its reduced length and is extensible to permit the blanket periphery to take up its extended length.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the draw means comprises an inextensible portion and an extensible portion connected thereto.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the extensible portion comprises a spring.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the inextensible portion is an elongate draw element of an inextensible material and wherein the extensible portion is a loop of inextensible material which is biased by a spring into a reserve loop and which is released against the action of the spring to extend the length of the draw element.

19. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the draw element is open ended with the opposite ends thereof located at a draw location where they can be held in fixed relation by attachment to the component support.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the draw means further comprises a draw device at the draw location wherein the effective length of the draw element can be reduced by means of the draw device.

21. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 20 wherein the sealing edge is provided by a sealing member extending continuously around the component support at or in the region of the periphery of the support.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the sealing member is of triangular cross-section with a base thereof gas tight bonded to the support and with an opposite apex providing a sealing edge upstanding from the support to provide an initial seal between the blanket and the support, and wherein the main seal is a slick seal along the inside inclined face of the sealing member.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 22 wherein the component support takes the form of a flat table top supported by a sub-structure in such a way that the edges of the top extend beyond the sub-structure to provide the re-entrant zone.

24. Component processing apparatus according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figs 1 to 27 and Figs 34 to 39.

25. Component processing apparatus according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figs 1 to 5 and 28 to 33.