Reinforced sheet material and method of manufacture of reinforced sheet material

Abstract

A method of manufacture of reinforced sheet material comprises providing a first support layer of sheet material 22 which comprises four edge regions, applying to the first support layer an elongate r

Claims

1. A method of manufacture of reinforced sheet material comprising providing a first support layer of sheet material which comprises four edge regions in a configuration in which two edge regions are opposite one another and spaced by the other two edge regions which also are positioned opposite one another, the method further comprising applying to the first support layer of sheet material an elongate reinforcing element which extends continuously to and fro between the two edge regions of a first pair of oppositely positioned edge regions and to and fro between the two edge regions of the other pair of oppositely positioned edge regions.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method comprises applying to the first support layer an elongate reinforcing element that comprises a plurality of filaments which define an interstitial space that extends along the length of the elongate reinforcing element.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a layer of porous material is provided on said first support layer prior to application of the elongate reinforcing element.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein following application of the elongate reinforcing element a second support layer of sheet material is applied over the elongate reinforcing element to sandwich the elongate reinforcing element between the first and second support layers.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein a layer of porous material is applied over the elongate reinforcing element prior to application of the second support layer.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising provision of a platen to receive said first support layer, said platen comprising a plurality of winding posts that extend from the surface of the platen and about which the continuous length of the elongate reinforcing element is wound so as to extend continuously to and fro between the two edge regions of a first pair of oppositely positioned edge regions of the first support layer of sheet material and to and fro between the two edge regions of the other pair of oppositely positioned edge regions.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the first support layer is applied to the platen to extend around a plurality of the winding posts.

8. A method according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein at least one winding post is spaced from the outer edge of the first support layer9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein one or each of two winding posts is employed to hold in position an end of the elongate reinforcing element.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein at least one end of the elongate reinforcing element is provided with a hook formation and wherein said hook formation is employed to secure the end of the elongate reinforcing element to a winding post.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising use of a pre-cut length of elongate reinforcing element each end of which if provided with a hook formation for attachment to a winding post.

12. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein following removal of the first support layer from the platen at least some of the holes formed at the winding post positions are provided with a filler or insert.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said filler or insert is applied in a manner to cover exposed turn around positions of the elongate reinforcing element.

14. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 13 wherein before or after winding of the elongate reinforcing element around the winding posts at least one apertured edge reinforcement strip is positioned with a winding post extending through a said aperture.

15. A reinforced sheet material as manufactured by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. A flexible reinforced sheet material comprising a first support layer of polymeric material and a reinforcement wherein the first support layer of polymeric material comprises four edge regions in a configuration in which two edge regions are opposite one another and spaced by the other two edge regions which also are positioned opposite one another, and wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one elongate reinforcing element which extends continuously to and fro between the two edge regions of a first pair of oppositely positioned edge regions and to and fro between the two edge regions of the other pair of oppositely positioned edge regions.

17. A reinforced sheet material according to claim 16 wherein only a single said elongate reinforcing element extends continuously to and fro between the two edge regions of a first pair of oppositely positioned edge regions and to and fro between the two edge regions of the other pair of oppositely positioned edge regions.

18. A reinforced sheet material according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the elongate reinforcing element comprises a plurality of filaments that define an interstitial space that extends along the length of the reinforcing element and wherein said interstitial space is impregnated with polymeric material of said first support layer or of a second support layer at a side of the elongate reinforcing element opposite that side which faces the first support layer.

19. A reinforced sheet material according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the reinforced sheet material comprises one or more apertures or recess regions inwards of one or more edge regions and wherein the elongate reinforcing element is exposed at a said aperture or recess region.

20. A reinforced sheet material according to any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the elongate reinforcing element lies wholly inwards of each of the edge regions such that the elongate reinforcing element is not exposed at any of said edge regions21. A reinforced sheet material according to any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein a layer of porous material is adjacent the elongate reinforcing element.

22. A reinforced sheet material according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the elongate reinforcing element lies sandwiched between said first support layer and a second support layer and wherein a layer of porous material is positioned between the second support layer and the elongate reinforcing element.

23. A reinforced sheet material according to any one of claims 16 to 22 wherein at least one edge region is provided with spaced apart edge reinforcing strips which inhibit folding of the reinforced sheet material at one or more regions.STORCL1

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