| 摘要 |
The application discloses a variety of ways of making composites, particularly mats, in which a fabric layer and an uncured rubber layer are superimposed in a mould having opposed plates, and subjected to heat and pressure between the plates to cure the rubber and join it to the fabric. The fabric layer is preferably tufted, e.g. carpet. Preferred embodiments position an array of shaped fabric pieces over a surface of the rubber layer, leaving the rubber surface partly exposed. Methods and means are disclosed for protecting the fabric against the effects of moulding heat and also for keeping fabric pieces in position. These include positioning fabric pieces in recesses of a mould plate, providing heat-shield elements between the fabric pieces and the heated mould plate, providing movable pressure plates which bring the fabric pieces into contact against the rubber only when the mould is pressurised, and the use of spiked retaining formations to engage fabric pieces. Other methods disclosed relate to providing three-dimensional configuration on the fabric-covered surface, optionally with the rubber flowing through the fabric in a predetermined pattern, or with melting or fusing of a thermoplastic fabric. Characteristic moulding apparatus and characteristic composite products are aspects of the disclosure. |
