WO2007062516A1

WO2007062516A1 - Wet out box for fibre wetting and method of use of the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007062516A1
Application number: PCT/CA2006/001947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Pattern; Andrzej Falacinski; Shane Green; Tim Robinson
Original assignee: Resin Systems Inc.
Priority date: 2005-12-02
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: CA2529523A1

Abstract

A wet out box includes a container made from two abutting halves which are separable. A first seal face is carried by a first one of the two abutting halves. A second seal face is carried by a second one of the two abutting halves. A clamping system is provided to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of liquid resin within the container and wipe excess liquid resin from the fibres as fibres pass between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out.

Description

Wet Out Box for Fibre Wetting and Method of Use of the Same

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates a wet out box used for fibre wetting (infusion) and a method of use of the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Filament winding is a process in which liquid resin is applied to fibres or filaments and the fibres are wound onto a mould or mandrel. The resin sets and binds the fibres together, thereby forming a composite material. The wetting out (infusion) of fibres is an integral part of the filament winding process because the physical properties of the final composite material are dependant, in part, upon the degree of fibre wet out or infusion achieved.

[0003] The present industry standard for wetting fibres utilizes a resin bath. Fibres are either pulled directly through the bath or passed over a rotating drum that sits partially submerged in a resin bath. In the latter process, liquid resin coats the surface of the drum and is then transferred to the fibres as they contact the drum. In both processes the fibres are subsequently wiped of excess resin as they travel to a mandrel upon which they are wound with the excess resin being recycled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin and a method of using the same.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin, the box comprising:

a container made from two abutting halves which are separable;

a first seal face carried by a first one of the two abutting halves; a second seal face carried by a second one of the two abutting halves; and

a means to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of the liquid resin within the container;

wherein the container defines an inlet, an outlet and an infusion path between the inlet and the outlet, the first seal face and the second seal face forming a wiper seal at or near the outlet, the wiper seal being adapted to wipe excess liquid resin from the at least one fibre as the at least one fibre passes between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out.

[0007] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the infusion path is more vertical than horizontal.

[0008] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the container has an open top to allow the at least one fibre to enter the liquid resin. The two abutting halves may define a reservoir for the liquid resin at the open top of the container.

[0009] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the means for maintaining the two abutting halves in abutting relation is a clamping system. The clamping system may comprise means for selectively varying pressure exerted by the clamping system thereby permitting the sealing engagement between the first seal face and the second seal face to be adjusted. The means for selectively varying pressure may be generated by one of mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means. The clamping system may have the capacity to relieve the pressure exerted on the two abutting halves of the container in order to separate the two abutting halves at any time in order to access the interior of the container or in order to evacuate the contents of the container.

[0010] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the infusion path is substantially linear.

[0011] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the infusion path weaves around, over or under one or more bars. [0012] The present invention pertains to a wet out box as just defined wherein the container comprises an interior surface coated with a non-stick coating.

[0013] The present invention further provides a method of infusing at least one fibre with a liquid resin, comprising the steps of:

providing a wet out box according to the present invention;

loading the container with the liquid resin;

directing the at least one fibre into the container through the inlet, along the infusion path containing the liquid resin and out of the outlet while applying pressure to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of liquid resin within the container, whereby the wiper seal wipes excess liquid resin from the at least one fibre as the at least one fibre passes between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out.

[0014] The present invention pertains to a method of infusing at least one fibre with a liquid resin as just defined, wherein the infusion path is more vertical than horizontal allowing air purged from the at least one fibre to travel upwards through the liquid resin to exit from the surface of the resin.

[0015] The present invention pertains to a method of infusing at least one fibre with a liquid resin as just defined, wherein the infusion path is constricted at one or more points along its length to increase infusion of the liquid resin into the at least one fibre.

[0016] The wiper seal provides a zone of high pressure within the infusion path at the entrance to the seal area which increases the penetration of the resin into the fibres as the fibres pass between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out. The wiper seal also allows the wet out box to infuse fibres with low viscosity resins. The wet out box of the present invention advantageously minimizes or even eliminates resin loss by having the wiping of the fibres occur at a point on the wiping seal that is internal to the wet out box. The wet out box of the present invention may further eliminate the need to recycle the resin, as excess resin is prevented from leaving the box. [0017] Provision of two separable abutting halves which make up the container allows the container to be quickly and easily separated if required in order to release resin from the container or in order to view or clean the internal area of the container.

[0018] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

[0020] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of wet out box constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0021] FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 1, with the two halves separated.

[0022] FIGURE 3 is an exploded end elevation view, in section, of the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 2.

[0023] FIGURE 4 is an end elevation view, in section, of the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 1.

[0024] FIGURE 5 is a front elevation view of an interior face of one of the halves of the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 1.

[0025] FIGURE 6 is an end elevation view, in section, showing fibres passing through the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 1.

[0026] FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the wet out box illustrated in FIGURE 1 , with one configuration of the associated clamping assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention relates to a wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin and a method of using the same.

[0028] The following description is of a preferred embodiment.

[0029] The present invention provides a wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin, the box comprising:

a container made from two abutting halves which are separable;

a first seal face carried by a first one of the two abutting halves;

a second seal face carried by a second one of the two abutting halves; and

engagement means to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of the liquid resin within the container;

[0030] The container maybe made from two plates, each plate having an internal and an opposed external surface, however, other configurations are covered by the present invention. The internal surface of one plate may abut the internal surface of the other plate and the plates may be configured to define the inlet, outlet and infusion path of the container when in abutting relationship.

[0031] The first seal face and/or the second seal face may comprise one or more seals. Preferably, the first seal face comprises a first seal and the second seal face comprises a second seal, the first and second seals being aligned for sealing engagement when the first and second halves are maintained in abutting relationship by the engagement means. In this embodiment, the first seal and the second seal together form the wiper seal at or near the outlet of the container, the wiper seal being the area of the first and second seals where the at least one fibre passes between for removal of excess resin before exiting the container through the outlet. The first seal and second seal may be a rounded extruded seal made from a variety of elastomeric materials such as, but not limited to, butyl rubber, nitrile, vinyl, however other shapes and materials, such as but not limited to square seals, are also covered by the present invention.

[0032] Other sealing arrangements are also covered by the present invention provided the first seal face engages the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of the liquid resin within the container, for example a possible sealing arrangement may comprise only one of the first seal face or second seal face comprising a seal with the other seal face being configured to receive the seal in sealing engagement.

[0033] The width of the container can be specified to accommodate any number of fibres. The height of the container can be specified to increase or decrease the time it takes for the fibres to pass through the container. The volume of the container may be minimized to allow for rapid evacuation of the resin from the container as resin is removed from the container by the fibres passing through and carrying the resin from the container and thereby minimizing the residence time of the resin in the container. The volume of the container maybe minimized to allow for minimal loss of resin if the container is opened while resin is present in the container.

[0034] The liquid resin is for example, but not limited to, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, or vinylester resin or mixtures thereof. The at least one fibre may comprise for example but not limited to glass, carbon, or aramid, however there are a variety of other fibrous materials, which can be used as would be known to one of skill in the art. These include, but are not limited to, synthetic and natural fibres or fibrous materials, for example, but not limited to polyester, polyethylene, quartz, boron, basalt, ceramics and natural reinforcement such as fibrous plant materials, for example, jute and sisal.

[0035] By the term "infuse" or "infusion" it is meant to saturate the voids and interstices of a fibre with a liquid resin. The term "infuse" can be used interchangeably with the terms "impregnate", "wetting" and "wet out" as are commonly used in the art. [0036] The engagement means is preferably a clamping system to maintain the two halves in abutting relationship, however any means which provides the required pressure to maintain the two halves in abutting relationship with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of the liquid resin within the container is covered by the present invention, such as, but not limited to one or more clips or the like. The clamping system may comprise means, such as, but not limited to one or more clamps, for selectively varying pressure exerted by the clamping system thereby permitting the sealing engagement between the first seal face and the second seal face to be adjusted. The clamps or other means may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or the like provided they are able to apply varying pressure allowing for adjustment of the clamping system. Preferably the pressure exerted on the two abutting halves of the container by the clamping system can be relieved in order to separate the two abutting halves at any time in order to access the interior of the container or in order evacuate the contents of the container. This allows for quick release of the liquid resin from the container when required and also provides easy access to the interior of the container if required for cleaning and maintenance.

[0037] The present invention further provides a method of infusing at least one fibre with a liquid resin, comprising the steps of:

providing a wet out box according to the present invention;

loading the container with the liquid resin;

[0038] The at least one fibre is infused with liquid resin as it passes along the infusion path containing the liquid resin and excess liquid resin is wiped from the fibre by the wiper seal before the fibre exits the container, thereby maintaining the resin in the container and minimizing waste. The wiper seal may also maximize resin infusion of the at least one fibre by acting to force air from the fibre and force resin into the fibre.

[0039] The infusion path may be constricted at one or more points along its length. Any means suitable for constricting the infusion path may be used for example, but not limited to one or more bars provided on either an internal surface of the first half or an internal surface of the second half or both the internal surface of the first half and the internal surface of the second half. Constriction of the infusion path advantageously increases resin infusion of the at least one fibre by forcing air from the fibre and forcing resin into the fibre.

[0040] The preferred embodiment of a wet out box generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 7.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1, wet out box 10 comprises a container 12 made from two abutting halves: a first half 14 and a second half 16. The two halves 14 and 16 are separable as shown in Figure 2. Container 12 has opposed sides 18 and 20 and a bottom 22. Near the edge of the interior face of the first half 14 is a first seal 24, a corresponding second seal 26 is positioned near the edge of the interior face of the second half 16. In use when the container is loaded with resin 100, first seal 24 and second seal 26 are in sealing engagement to minimize leakage of the liquid resin from the container 12. In alternative embodiments only one seal or other sealing means maybe provided between the two halves 14 and 16 to minimize leakage of the liquid resin from the container 12.

[0042] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the two halves 14 and 16 abut together to form container 12, which defines a reservoir 36 and a passageway 105. The passageway 105 consists of an upper inlet 28 through which fibres 102 to be wetted enter and a lower outlet 30 in bottom 22 through which fibres 102 to be wetted exit. Arrows in Figure 6 indicate a wet out (infusion) path 104 that fibres 102 follow from upper inlet 28 to lower outlet 30. Wet out path 104 is typically more vertical than horizontal. As illustrated, it is shown as being substantially vertical, but it need not be, for example, it could have an angular component or be horizontal. Wet out path 104 may be substantially linear. Alternatively, wet out path 104 may weave around over and under bars 32 or other obstacles, as will hereinafter be further described. [0043] Referring to Figure 5, each of first half 14 and second half 16 of container 12 is made from a plate 34 of material that is machined to form half of a reservoir 36 and wet out path 104. Plate 34 can be machined from a number of materials, for example, but not limited to wood, plastic or metal. An interior surface 46 of plate 34 may or may not be coated with a non-stick material 48, for example, but not limited to Teflon™ or

Needox™ in order to facilitate cleaning. Peripheral slots 38 are provided in plate 34 for insertion of either first seal 24 or second seal 26. The peripheral slots 38 define an edge seal region 40 and a wiping seal region 42. The seals 24 and 26 are typically extruded profiles and may be replaceable in order to optimize the performance of the wet out box. Plate 34 may or may not also be provided with slots 44 to accommodate insertion of over and under bars 32, depending on the application. Over and under bars 32 are typically made from extruded elastomers, such as, but not limited to butyl rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or any other suitable elastomeric material.

[0044] Referring to Figure 6, the seals 24 and 26 act as a spacer between halves 14 and 16 of wet out box 10 and prevent fibres 102 from contacting the inside opposing faces of the container. The edge seal region 40 does not contact fibres 102. The wiper seal region 42 across bottom 22 of wet out box 10 contacts the fibres and is a critical surface for resin wet out (infusion). The thickness of the seals 24 and 26 in conjunction with the depth of slot 38 determine, in part, the volume of reservoir 36. Depending on the design of the box, one or more types of seals may be used in the wet out box 10. These seals can be made from a variety of elastomeric materials such as, but not limited to, butyl rubber, nitrile, vinyl, or other such materials and can therefore be tailored to meet the parameters required to optimize production cycles and fibre wet out or infusion. The profiles are extruded so that the seals 24 and 26 fit into slots 38.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, the width of wet out box 10 is relative to the number of fibres used in the process. The spacing between fibres 102 passing through reservoir 36 is ideally sufficient to allow for complete wet out (infusion) of the fibres. Wet out box 10 can be designed to accommodate a single roving or multiple rovings, dependant on the application.

[0046] Referring to Figure 6, the space between halves 14 and 16 of container 12 determines in part the depth of the wet out box and is designed to provide reservoir 36 with sufficient volume and also provide clearance between fibres 102 and the interior opposed sides 18 and 20 of passageway 105.

[0047] Referring to Figure 6, the height of wet out box 10 in part determines the volume of container 12. The height of wet out box 10 also determines the residence time of the fibres 102 passing through container 12 relative to the speed of the fibres are traveling.

The height of the resin in container 12 is defined by the distance from wiping seal region 42 at lower outlet 30 to the top of the resin in reservoir 36. The residence time is a function of the velocity of fibres 102 passing through container 12 and the height of the resin in container 12. Wet out box 10 can be designed to accommodate a variety of residence times based on the speed the application requires in order to completely wet out

(infuse) the fibres 102.

[0048] There are a various ways in which pressure may be applied to maintain the two abutting halves 14 and 16 in abutting relation. The applied pressure may be manual or automated in nature. Referring to Figure 7, a manual clamping assembly, generally identified by reference numeral 50 has been illustrated. Clamping assembly 50 has a series of clamps 52 which maintain abutting halves 14 and 15 in abutting relation. Each of clamps 52 has a rotating handle 54. Rotation of handle 54 serves to selectively vary pressure exerted by one of clamps 52. This adjustment is made to adjust the sealing engagement between first seal 24 and second seal 26 to minimize resin leakage while maintaining adequate wet out (infusion) of fibres 102 with liquid resin 100.

[0049] The use and operation of wet out box 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0050] Wet out box 10 is designed for use in a filament winding process. It is preferred that a substantially vertically downward wet out path 104 be traveled by fibres 102 during wet out (infusion). The process is characterized by low resin volumes and low residence time. First seal 24 and second seal 26 may be removable disposable seals, which form a seal that acts to maintain a volume of liquid resin in the container and to infuse fibres 102 with resin as fibres 102 pass between them. Two halves 14 and 16 are pressed together in abutting relation to create container 12 with reservoir 36. [0051 ] Wet out box 10 may be mounted on filament winding equipment (not shown) so that fibres 102 passing through wet out box 10 can be directed to the winding process immediately after being wet out. The fibres 102 used may be for example, but not limited to E-glass, S-glass, carbon fibres, basalt fibres, aramid fibres, or any other fibre associated with composite reinforcing material.

[0052] Referring to Figure 6, in use the container 12 is loaded with liquid resin 100, for example, but not limited to, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, or vinylester resin or mixtures thereof. One or more fibres 102 enter the container through reservoir 36 and pass into passageway 105 through upper inlet 28 and exit passageway 105 through lower outlet 30 in bottom 22. The fibres 102 are infused with the liquid resin 100 as they travel along the wet out path 104. Excess liquid resin is removed from the fibres 102 as they pass between the two seals 24 and 26 that are in sealing engagement in the wiper seal region 42.

[0053] The amount of resin that remains on fibres 102 after wet out (infusion) is controlled by a series of pressure points, indicated by arrows 108 in Figure 1, directed against the face of wet out box 10 to apply localized pressure onto the seal formed by the engagement between first seal 24 and second seal 26. This pressure can be adjusted during production runs in order to eliminate or minimize leakage, control wet out

(infusion), and to optimize the resin to fibre ratio of the final composite material. One example of applying pressure is illustrated in Figure 7; that being through a clamping system 50.

[0054] The low volume and short residence time of liquid resin 100 held in reservoir 36 and passageway 105 prevents the polymerisation of liquid resin 100 prior to liquid resin 100 being transferred out of wet out box 10 by infusion of fibres 102 passing through wet out box 10. For example, the residence time of the resin in wet out box 10 has been calculated to be approximately 35 seconds during full scale production. This configuration also allows for the complete evacuation of liquid resin 100 through lower outlet 30 at bottom 22 in order to empty wet out box 10 rapidly if required. Referring to Figure 2, two halves 14 and 16 of wet out box 10 are advantageously designed to be easily separated by removing the force applied in order to dismantle wet out box 10. [0055] Referring to Figure 6, first seal 24 and second seal 26 act to minimize and preferably prevent the loss of liquid resin 100 and act to force air from fibres 102 and force resin into fibres 102 in the wiper seal region 42. Referring to Figure 5, these seals may be easily and advantageously removable from slots 38 in plates 34 out of which first half 14 and second half 16 are formed.

[0056] Referring to Figure 6, where over and under bars 32 are used, the contact between over under bars 32 and fibres 102 passing over the surface of over and under bars 32 acts to force air from fibres 102 and force liquid resin 100 into fibres 102. Referring to Figure 5, over and under bars 32 are easily and advantageously removable from slots 40 in plates 34 out of which first half 14 and second half 16 are made.

[0057] Wet out box 10 may be designed to suit the process with which it is to be used. One of the key factors that effects the structure of wet out box 10 is the intended speed of the filament winding process. Once the speed of the process is known, wet out box 10 is made with sufficient height to allow a thorough wet out (infusion) of fibres passing through wet out box at the intended speed. Reservoir 36 is made of a sufficient size to continuously supply liquid resin 100 required for wet out at the intended speed. Once wet out box 10 is built, installed and operational, fine adjustments may be made by altering the force applied at critical pressure points that hold first half 14 and second half 16 in abutting relation to apply pressure upon first seal 24 and second seal 26. Referring to Figure 7, one way of making such adjustments is through a manual clamping system 50.

An automated system could also be used.

[0058] Wet out path 104 could be made horizontal, but there are advantages to providing a substantially vertical wet out path. The vertical orientation allows for purged air to rise freely to the surface. It also allows for new resin 100 to enter the top, with older resin leaving at the bottom. If the wet out box 10 is tipped on its side in a horizontal orientation, the resin would run out unless some type of extra reservoir is incorporated. The vertical orientation also allows for the box to run completely dry (the small volume of the reservoir allows this to happen quickly) to facilitate cleaning. Horizontal boxes have a "floor" on which the resin sits and has to be drained, for example by tipping the wet out box at an angle at which the resin begins to run from the reservoir. A horizontal wet out box 10 may lie flat and have an elevated reservoir. This would not affect the way the seal works. As long as there is a method of keeping the resin 100 in the wet out box 10, any angle would suffice, however, when wet out path 104 through wet out box 10 is more vertical than horizontal, with fibres 102 exiting through bottom 22, clean up is simplified. Gravity is used to drain liquid resin 100 from wet out box 10. Referring to Figure 2, the two halves 14 and 16 are then separated for internal cleaning. Depending on the material used to fabricate the halves 14 and 16, a non-stick coating may be utilized to prevent the resin from sticking to wet out box 10.

[0059] Although this method may be used with polyurethane resin, it has been shown that polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy or any other resin acting as a composite matrix can be used with this method.

[0060] The present invention will be further illustrated in the following examples.

Examples

[0061] The first example involves a single fibre being wet out at low speed. For the purposes of research, a narrow unit was constructed to wet out a single roving in order to wind sample rings for testing. Fibre was passed through this box at a rate of 20 feet per minute. The total width of the box was 3 inches, with the reservoir being 1 inch wide. The length of the box (in the direction of glass travel) was 7 inches. The seals used on this box were 1 inch wide strips of butyl rubber and were attached to the body of the box with glue. The material used to make this box was 1 inch thick multi-directional fibre (MDF) board. The wiping seal was created by an angled slot across the exit of the box such that the face of the wiping seal started flush with the inside surface of the box, and rose up to be flush with the height of the side seals. Pressure on the seal to control the degree of wiping was controlled by a simple C-clamping.

[0062] The second example involves 24 fibres being wet out at medium speed. For the purposes of proto typing, a medium width unit was constructed to wet out twenty four rovings in order to wind conveyor rollers. Fibre was passed through this box at a rate of

60 feet per minute. The total width of the box was 10 inches, with the reservoir being 8 inch wide. The length of the box (in the direction of glass travel) was 12 inches. The seals used on this box were of two designs. The side seals were 1/4 by 3/8 inch extruded vinyl. The wiper seal was a 1 and 1/2 inch wide tapered vinyl extrusion that was 3/16 inch at the narrow end rising to 3/8 at the seal end. The seals were inserted into slots machined into the body of the box. The material used to make this box was 1 inch thick ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Pressure on the seal to control the degree of wiping was controlled by a series of adjustable grips.

[0063] The third example involves two wet out boxes in parallel, each wetting out 96 fibres at high speed for a total of 192 rovings total. For the purposes of production, a pair of wide boxes were constructed to wet out at ninety six rovings each in order to wind utility poles. The dual boxes also incorporated over and under bars to facilitate fibre wet out. Fibre was passed through this box at a rate of 200 feet per minute. The total width of the box was 24 inches, with the reservoir being 22 inch wide. The length of the box (in the direction of glass travel) was 12 inches. The seal used on this box was a one piece 1/2 inch diameter round nitrile extrusion. The seal was inserted into a single slot that ran down the edge of the inside of each of the halves of the box, across the bottom, and back up the inside edge of the box. The material used to make this box was 1 inch thick ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Over/under bars were used to facilitate wetting of the fibre as the fibre passed through the reservoir. The over/under bars were made of the same nitrile extrusion as the seals. The over/under bars were located in slots cut into the body of the box and running perpendicular to the direction of the travel of the glass. Pressure on the seal to control the degree of wiping was controlled by an automated hydraulic clamping system.

[0064] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0065] The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wet out box for infusion of at least one fibre with a liquid resin, the box comprising: a container made from two abutting halves which are separable; a first seal face carried by a first one of the two abutting halves; a second seal face carried by a second one of the two abutting halves; and a means to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of the liquid resin within the container; wherein the container defines an inlet, an outlet and an infusion path between the inlet and the outlet, the first seal face and the second seal face forming a wiper seal at or near the outlet, the wiper seal being adapted to wipe excess liquid resin from the at least one fibre as the at least one fibre passes between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out.

2. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the infusion path is more vertical than horizontal.

3. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the container has an open top to allow the at least one fibre to enter the liquid resin.

4. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the means for maintaining the two abutting halves in abutting relation is a clamping system.

5. The wet out box as defined in Claim 4, wherein the clamping system comprises means for selectively varying pressure exerted by the clamping system thereby permitting the sealing engagement between the first seal face and the second seal face to be adjusted.

6. The wet out box as defined in Claim 5, wherein the means for selectively varying pressure is generated by one of mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means.

7. The wet out box as defined in Claim 4, wherein the clamping system has the capacity to relieve the pressure exerted on the two abutting halves of the container in order to separate the two abutting halves at any time in order to access the interior of the container.

8. The wet out box as defined in Claim 4, wherein the clamping system has the capacity to relieve the pressure exerted on the two abutting halves of the container in order to separate the two abutting halves at any time in order evacuate the contents of the container.

9. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the infusion path is substantially linear.

10. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the infusion path weaves around, over or under one or more bars.

11. The wet out box as defined in Claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an interior surface coated with a non-stick coating.

12. A method of infusing at least one fibre with a liquid resin, comprising the steps of: providing the wet out box as defined in Claim 1 ; loading the container with the liquid resin; directing the at least one fibre into the container through the inlet, along the infusion path containing the liquid resin and out of the outlet while applying pressure to maintain the two abutting halves in abutting relation with the first seal face engaging the second seal face in sealing engagement to maintain a volume of liquid resin within the container, whereby the wiper seal wipes excess liquid resin from the at least one fibre as the at least one fibre passes between the first seal face and the second seal face during fibre wet out.

13. The method as defined in Claim 12, wherein the infusion path is more vertical than horizontal allowing air purged from the at least one fibre to travel upwards through the liquid resin to exit from the surface of the resin.

4. The method as defined in Claim 12, wherein the infusion path is constricted at one or more points along its length to increase infusion of the liquid resin into the at least one fibre.