Appeal No. 1997-4044 Page 8
Application No. 08/504,233
Davis discloses a method for constructing an inflatable
elastomer mandrel for use in fabricating composite articles.
Davis teaches (column 2, lines 48-57) that
[i]t is another object of the present invention to
provide a method for fabricating a reusable,
inflatable/collapsible mandrel which can be quickly and
easily removed from composite parts which have at least
one opening that may be considerably smaller than the
overall width or diameter of the main body of the part.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a method for fabricating a seamless inflatable
mandrel which will maintain a desired thickness and shape
when subjected to varying internal pressures.
Davis further discloses (column 2, line 67, to column 3, line
23) that
[t]he methods of the present invention are designed to
fabricate a hollow, reinforced, inflatable, elastomer
mandrel with at least one opening or port through which a
gas may be supplied or removed to respectively inflate or
deflate the inflatable mandrel. The inflatable mandrel
constructed comprises layers of an elastomer containing
interspersed layers of fiber reinforcement. The
inflatable mandrel may be inflated to its expanded
condition by connection of a pressurized gas supply. The
actual steps for preparation of the surface of the
inflatable mandrel is dependent upon specific materials
and manufacturing processes selected for the composite
fabrication. Following the inflatable mandrel surface
preparation, the composite shell can be completed by the
desired manufacturing process such as filament winding,
braiding, tape rolling, hand lay-up, and resin transfer
molding. This composite shell is then consolidated,
cured, or set in a rigid state dependent upon subsequent
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