Fiber-reinforced composite fire door

Abstract

The present invention provides fiber-reinforced composites, and components for buildings, such as door skins, that include fiber-reinforced composites. Also provided are methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites that may be used in building structures. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fiber-reinforced composite comprising long fibers of fiberglass and polyurethane produced using long-fiber injection (LFI) technology.

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and accordingly claims priority to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 112,540, filed Apr. 21, 2005, entitled, “Fiber-Reinforced Composites and Building Structures Comprising Fiber-Reinforced Composites,” which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 564,073, filed Apr. 21, 2004, entitled, “Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset Polymer Composites and Methods and Systems for Making Same,” U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 618,651, filed Oct. 14, 2004, entitled, “Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites and Methods and Systems for Making Same,” and from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 643,207, filed Jan. 12, 2005, entitled, “Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites.” The disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to fiber-reinforced compos...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides fiber-reinforced composites that have improved thermal stability, resistance to fire, flexibility and strength, reduced density, and reduced emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing. These composites can be used to produce building structures, such as doors, door skins, structural panels for walls and doors, shingles, shutters, siding, and parts of such structures. The invention also provides methods and systems for producing fiber-reinforced composites and building structures comprising fiber-reinforced composites.

Problems solved by technology

Still, conventional wooden building structures such as doors, wall panels, and windows, while aesthetically pleasing, may suffer from some disadvantages.

For example, solid wood doors can experience significant shrinking and swelling in response to extremes of temperature and humidity.

Also, there is a tendency for doors and door frames to be bumped by objects being transported through the doorway.

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