US20160160563A1 - Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Products Having Increased Weatherability, System and Method - Google Patents

Abstract

Climbing products containing rails decorated using veil products colored, patterned, painted or in combination with marking methods such as company names and logos and resin formulation designed to withstand exposure to UV radiation with minimal change in appearance which create specific appearances for applications, enhance weathering performance, and facilitate processing efficiency. A combination of a filler free resin and coated veil systems to create a synergistic weather resistance surface with self-contained color, pattern, picture, logo or combination of said same for climbing products. A system for producing components. Various methods, system, a ladder rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/699,254 filed Jan. 29, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,266,289, which is nonprovisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/775,304 filed Feb. 21, 2006, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to the pultrusion of rail. More specifically, the present invention relates to the pultrusion of rail using resin without filler to increase the weatherability of the rail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Fiberglass reinforced plastic ladder rails are traditionally produced by the pultrusion process. In this process, reinforcements are gathered systematically, impregnated with a curable resin, formed into a shape and cured continuously by the addition of heat in a metallic die. The process has been in existence for over fifty years with little change in the basics design of the process. During the past ten years, the federal government has through the Environmental Protection Agency and through Air Quality Standards caused the operators of the pultrusion process to reassess the methods they use to handle VOC containing resins in the pultrusion process. This has evolved several different methodologies for impregnating reinforcement that minimize the contact of the impregnating resin with the atmosphere and also reducing the exposure of workers to the volatile chemicals.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention pertains to climbing products containing rails decorated using veil products colored, patterned, painted or in combination with marking methods such as company names and logos and resin formulation designed to withstand exposure to UV radiation with minimal change in appearance which create specific appearances for applications, enhance weathering performance, and facilitate processing efficiency.
• The present invention pertains to a combination of a filler free resin and coated veil systems to create a synergistic weather resistance surface with self-contained color, pattern, picture, logo or combination of said same for climbing products. Resins can be generically of polyester, acrylic, epoxy, urethane, acrylate, and or combinations of said resins. Veils may be dyed, printed, pigmented, transfer coated or combinations of said methods familiar to one skilled in the state of the art. Veil compositions may be glass, polyester, paper, jute or other dispersed fiber systems capable of maintaining mechanical and dimensional performance throughout the ladder section production process.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously placing specific amounts of internal structural resin into a product by balancing the volume flow of input internal structural resin in an enclosed impregnation system to the size of the product and the line speed of the manufacture process.
• The present invention pertains to the use of a central reinforcement to carry structural resin and maintain distribution of structural resin through the impregnation process to the curing die.
• The present invention pertains to the use of specific reinforcement systems and impregnation processes to self-limit the amount of structural resin introduced into a laminate during the impregnation process by using the absorptivity and compression characteristic of the internal reinforcement to carry said resin through the process and transfer said resin to adjacent unwet structural layers prior to the curing process of the resin in the manufacturing process.
• The present invention pertains to a method for changing part color without stopping production which minimizes total raw material lost and product lost to mixed appearance.
• The present invention pertains to a method of folding veils such that the crossovers between veils are located and controlled at a prescribed position on the part.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producing on separate streams of a single machine colored parts of differing color.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producing parts with differing colors in controlled positions around the perimeter of the said parts.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producing on separate streams of a single machine colored parts of differing color while continuously producing parts with differing colors in controlled positions around the perimeter of the said parts.
• The present invention pertains to a system for producing components. The system comprises means for producing rail having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a 100 gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM cycle. The system comprises means for cutting the rail.
• The present invention pertains to a ladder rail. The rail comprises a web. The rail comprises a first flange extending from the web. The rail comprises a second flange extending from the web. The web and first and second flanges made of fiberglass and resin and together forming the rail having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a 100 gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM G154 cycle 4.
• The present invention pertains to a method for producing components. The method comprises the steps of producing rail having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a 100 gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM G154 cycle 4. There is the step of cutting the rail.
• The present invention pertains to a system for producing a ladder rail. The system comprises a pultrusion system. The pultrusion system comprises a prewet which wets a middle mat with a resin and filler. The pultrusion system comprises an impregnator which compresses a first veil outer layer, a second veil outer layer, a first mat layer, a second mat layer, a first roving layer and a second roving layer with the middle mat, and which wets only the first veil outer layer, the second veil outer layer, the first mat layer and the second mat layer with resin without filler.
• The present invention pertains to a ladder rail. The rail comprises a first veil layer. The rail comprises a first mat layer having a first color in contact with the first veil layer. The rail comprises a first roving layer in contact with the first mat layer. The rail comprises a middle mat layer in contact with the first roving layer. The rail comprises a second roving layer in contact with the middle mat and together the middle mat and first roving layer having a second color. The rail comprises a second mat layer having the first color in contact with the second roving layer. The rail comprises a second veil layer in contact with the second mat layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
• In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the pultrusion process.
• FIG. 2 shows a section of a pultruded profile.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic of the basic pultrusion process.
• FIG. 4 shows the relative thickness of the layers of pultruded section.
• FIG. 5 shows a seven layer laminate.
• FIG. 6 shows through a three layer laminate.
• FIG. 7 shows a side view of the pultrusion piece.
• FIG. 8ashows a preform injection design.
• FIG. 8bshows a graph of the pressure in the weir versus the pressure along taper in impregnation section.
• FIG. 9 shows a schematic of the controller impregnation.
• FIG. 10 shows section C ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 11 shows section B ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 12 shows section A ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 13 shows a prewet station.
• FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of the internal top half of the prewet station.
• FIG. 15 shows a top view of the internal bottom half of the prewet station.
• FIG. 16 shows a side sectional view of the pre-wet station.
• FIG. 17 shows a front view of the slot where Q is greater than R.
• FIG. 18 shows a front view of the slot where Q is much greater than R.
• FIG. 19 shows a front view of the slot where Q equals R.
• FIG. 20 is a front view of a prewet station with a variable slot version.
• FIG. 21 is a side view of a prewet station with a variable slot version.
• FIG. 22 is a perspective front view of a continuous former.
• FIG. 23 is a perspective back view of the continuous former.
• FIG. 24 is a graph of the prewet resin versus the pump capacity.
• FIG. 25 shows a climbing product of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically toFIG. 25 thereof, there is shown climbingproducts55 containingrails16 decorated using veil products colored, patterned, painted or in combination with marking methods such as company names and logos and resin14 formulation designed to withstand exposure to UV radiation with minimal change in appearance which create specific appearances for applications, enhance weathering performance, and facilitate processing efficiency. A logo and/or a picture are part of the veil itself.
• The present invention pertains to a combination of a filler free resin14 andcoated veil systems10 to create a synergistic weather resistance surface with self-contained color, pattern, picture, logo or combination of said same for climbing products. Resins14 can be generically of polyester, acrylic, epoxy, urethane, acrylate, and or combinations of said resins14. Veils may be dyed, printed, pigmented, transfer coated or combinations of said methods familiar to one skilled in the state of the art. Veil compositions may be glass, polyester, paper, jute or other dispersed fiber systems capable of maintaining mechanical and dimensional performance throughout theladder section52 production process.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously placing specific amounts of internal structural resin14 into a product by balancing the volume flow of input internal structural resin14 in anenclosed impregnation system10 to the size of the product and the line speed of the manufacture process.
• Preferably, there is an enclosure design, such as an injection die that continuously distributes the resin14 in planned uniform or non-uniform volume across the width of thepart40 to match the volume of reinforcement in the specific locations throughout the cross section of thepart40.
• The present invention pertains to the use of a central reinforcement to carry structural resin14 and maintain distribution of structural resin14 through the impregnation process to the curing die.
• The present invention pertains to the use ofspecific reinforcement systems10 and impregnation processes to self-limit the amount of structural resin14 introduced into a laminate during the impregnation process by using the absorptivity and compression characteristic of the internal reinforcement to carry said resin14 through the process and transfer said resin14 to adjacent non-impregnated structural layers prior to the curing process of the resin14 in the manufacturing process.
• Preferably, the method insures placement of said resin14 such that the surface resin14 and any structural resins14 do not intermix yet co-cure to a laminate whose structural and functional properties are sufficient for use in climbing products. (ladders)
• The present invention pertains to a method for changingpart40 color without stopping production which minimizes total raw material lost and product lost to mixed appearance.
• Preferably, the color is changed by introducing veils of differing color around the perimeter of thepart40. Preferably, said veils are introduced without attaching said veils to the veils of the previous color(s) in the process.
• The present invention pertains to a method of folding veils such that the crossovers between veils are located and controlled at prescribed positions on thepart40.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producing on separate streams of a single machine coloredparts40 of differing color.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producingparts40 with differing colors in controlled positions around the perimeter of the saidparts40.
• The present invention pertains to a method for continuously producing on separate streams of a single machine coloredparts40 of differing color while continuously producingparts40 with differing colors in controlled positions around the perimeter of the saidparts40.
• The present invention pertains to asystem10 for producing components. Thesystem10 comprises means for producingrail16 having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a hunter gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM cycle. Thesystem10 comprises means for cutting therail16.
• The present invention pertains to aladder rail16. Therail16 comprises aweb18. Therail16 comprises afirst flange20 extending from theweb18. Therail16 comprises a second flange22 extending from theweb18. Theweb18 and first andsecond flanges20,22 made of fiberglass and resin14 and together forming therail16 having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a hunter gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM G154 cycle 4.
• The present invention pertains to a method for producing components. The method comprises the steps of producingrail16 having a delta E less than 20 with a 60 degree gloss, as measured by a hunter gloss meter, of greater than 70 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering in a QUV chamber using bulb A with an ASTM G154 cycle 4. There is the step of cutting therail16.
• The present invention pertains to asystem10 for producing aladder rail16. Thesystem10 comprises apultrusion system10. Thepultrusion system10 comprises aprewet24 which wets a middle mat with a resin14 and filler. Thepultrusion system10 comprises an impregnator26 which compresses a first veilouter layer12, a second veilouter layer28, afirst mat layer30, asecond mat layer32, a firstroving layer34 and a secondroving layer36 with the middle mat, and which wets only the first veilouter layer12, the second veilouter layer28, thefirst mat layer30 and thesecond mat layer32 with resin14 without filler.
• The resin14 in theprewet24 can be the same or different, i.e., color, from the resin14 in theimpregnator26.
• Preferably, the first and second outer veil layers contain all the colorant needed to color theladder rail16. Preferably, the first and second outer veil layers combined with the resin14 without filler form a corrosion and weathering barrier such that saidladder rail16 maintains a delta E of less than 20 and 60 degree gloss of 60 after exposure to 1000 hr of ASTM G154 Cycle 4 irradiation in a QUV accelerated weathering machine.
• The first and second outer veil layers can contain more than one color. The first and second outer veil layers can contain pictures and printed letters or words.
• The present invention pertains to aladder rail16. Therail16 comprises a first veil layer. Therail16 comprises afirst mat layer30 having a first color in contact with the first veil layer. Therail16 comprises a firstroving layer34 in contact with thefirst mat layer30. Therail16 comprises amiddle mat layer38 in contact with the firstroving layer34. Therail16 comprises a secondroving layer36 in contact with the middle mat and together the middle mat and firstroving layer34 having a second color. Therail16 comprises asecond mat layer32 having the first color in contact with the secondroving layer36. Therail16 comprises a second veil layer in contact with thesecond mat layer32.
• Preferably, thefirst mat layer30, and thesecond mat layer32 having resin14 without filler; and the first and secondroving layers34,36 and themiddle mat layer38 having resin14 with filler.
• In the operation of the invention, colored veil offers a low cost approach for meeting commercial objectives of improved fiberglass product performance, particularly that of weathering characteristics.
• Colored veil advantages relative to ladder and climbing products that use reinforced fiberglass plastic (FRP) components are centered on improved weather resistance and the reduction of manufacturing change-over costs from color to color with traditional pigmented resin14 processes. An un-colored, unfilledclear resin system10 is used together with pre-colored veil to produce the composite component in substitution for color-pigmented resin14 with un-colored veil.
• Manufacturing equipment and tooling configurations that provide separate resin14 delivery to the periphery of the composite's cross section and to the cross section's interior is utilized to:
• 1. Improve weathering characteristics by using higher performance resin14 formulation on the component's exterior.
• 2. Lowered cost by using standard resin14 formulations in the interior cross sectional area and reductions in manufacturing change-over time and associated material scrap.
• 3. Flexible manufacturing for prototype samples, marketing promotions, and special orders.
• 4. Efficiencies of demand balance of production lines where a production machine can pultrude composite streams in different, separate colors simultaneously, rather than limited to a single color from a common pigmented resin14 bath supply.
• 5. Pre-colored and pre-printed veil allows introduction of graphics, patterns, color combinations, logos, and brand names into the product's appearance.
• Process Description
• The methods are generically some form of closed or partially closed impregnation bath or die run at either ambient or elevated pressure. These “injection” dies have been disclosed in various patent literature (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,427 by Gauchel et. al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,013 by Beckman and Gauchel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,075 by Gauchel et. al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,582 by Davies et. Al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,622 by Goldsworthy; all of which are incorporated by reference herein, and which describe Pultrusion). Each of these patents teaches methods for placing resin14 or resins14 into or uniformly through the part's40 cross section. Davies discusses using discrete roving packets to selectively place a second resin14 locally within apart40. Gauchel and Beckman discuss methods for selectively impregnatingvarious parts40 of the reinforcement package by either separate die technology ofseparate weir42 technology. Goldsworthy uses multiple impregnation ports and internal injection systems to place resin14 into the reinforcement pack. In all cases no attempt is made to insure that the multiple resins14 are maintained in discrete layers through the thickness ofpart40 along the length of thepart40.
• In this invention, the teachings referenced above are improved by creating mass flow conditions which cause multiple resins14 to remain in specific areas within the part40 (placement of resin14 is accomplished by contacting resins14 with selected reinforcements in the stacking sequence (donor layers) of thepart40, i.e. the middle mat, supplying the resin14 at a known rate sufficient to remove the air from the reinforcement when it is compressed and compressing the reinforcement to a given thickness distribution along the width of the mat. For samples of constant cross section and glass content the impregnated reinforcement would be compression uniformly across the width. The degree of compaction is determined mathematically by calculating the amount of resin14 needed to fully saturate the reinforcement at the thickness it will be compacted to in thefinal part40 plus the amount of resin14 needed to transfer from the preimpregnated mat to the adjacent layers (acceptor layers). This amount is determined from the amount of glass in the acceptor layers and the final thickness of the acceptor layers in the curedpart40. (All glass roving layers are optimally impregnated with standard density resin14 at a weight percent of approximately 75%. Glass Mat layers compacted to their final thickness in the die are fully saturated at about 35% by weight.)
• Transfer to the acceptor layer is only accomplished as the reinforcing pack is compressed in the forming process prior to introduction of the topcoat in the injection die. The design of the forming station and impregnation die is such that the reinforcement pack is compressed to within 0-5 mils of the thickness of thepart40 in the curing die prior to addition of the second resin14.
• If more than two resins14 are used, the thickness would be compressed such that layers to be impregnated by the first resin and the donor layer of the second resin are compressed to a calculated thickness such that the first layer and its receptor layers are impregnated with the initial resin14 and the second donor layer is compressed to the proper thickness to accept the proper amount of resin14 to impregnate itself plus its acceptor layers. The process is repeated depending on the number of resins14 that are being introduced to thepart40.
• Along with process improvement, a materials modification of using a combination of surfacing veil to which has been added dies/pigments/paints to selectively or uniformly color the part's40 exterior and a resin14 formula designed from resin14 types known to have the combination of weathering performance and processing capability in the pultrusion process and additive packages which minimize degradation of the resin14 on weathering and placing said resin14 a veil on the exterior of thepart40 to create apart40 with weathering characteristics superior (as measured by change in appearance—gloss and color change (delta E value from spectrophotometer)—after exposure to known quantities of light in a QUV-accelerated weathering apparatus to the current state of the art for materials produced from the pultrusion process.
• While modified surfacing veils have been used to develop functional characteristics in pultruded parts, they have not be used with high performance unfilled resins14. The reason was that to use the high performance resins14 throughout the part thickness was not cost effective. But if the modified veil and high performance resins14 are used with the process modifications of this invention, only a thin layer of high performance resin14 needs to be used to create a functionally weathering layer, see above description of resin14 placement method. Because this invention allows varying the thickness of the layer of reinforcement available for impregnation by the clear outside corrosion resin14 by either selection of the thickness of the outside reinforcement and/or control of the amount of inside resin(s)14 placed on the donor layer(s) of thepart40, a cost effective laminate may be obtained which has better measurable response to accelerated weathering while maintaining the needed structural performance for climbing products as measured by performance in ANSI14.5 testing protocols, incorporated by reference herein.
• Other aspects of this invention relate to the synergy between the use of colored veil, selective resin14 placement and process techniques. These interactions create improvements in scheduling flexibility, product diversity and manufacturing efficiencies which lead to increased productivity. One example of the improvement in process scheduling that occurs whenparts40 of varying color can be run simultaneously on one machine. Currently all streams on a given pultruder runparts40 with the same color resin14 supplied to each stream from a single holding tank—excess resin14 is collected and recycled to the input holding tank and reused. To run individual steams with different color resin14 multiple holding pots with separate pumps and resin14 recycle hardware would be required. Not only would this be expensive but because of the limited space on the machine difficult and cumbersome to the operator. Introducing colored veil allows the existing hardware to be used because only non-colored resins14 are required. Each stream on a multi-steam machine is capable of running its own color as determined by the color of this input veil used in thepart40.
• Likewise products with multicolors, patterns or pictures can be produced using the appropriate incoming veil manufactured by standard veil printing and dying techniques to colors which when put through therail16 making process produce colors that are selected to match standards desired by marketing for specific ladders—example a deep blue for the electricians ladder actually starts with a veil whose color appears to be too red and too purple to create the desired color. Color shifts through the process are determined experimentally and vary by color.
• Changing colors also becomes extremely easy. Changing standard veils is commonly done during processing. The veils are allowed to run out in a random manner and are replaced as needed. This can be done on the fly with little or no scrap and no down time. With colored veils the only modification is that if a color change is occurring all veils on thepart40 need to be changed within a small distance of each other to minimize scrap do tomulticolored parts40. Otherwise, no shutdown for cleaning or transfer of one colored resin14 out of thesystem10 and placement of the new color intosystem10 is required—no scrap or unused resin14—no loss of productivity while the resin14 change occurs—no mess associated with cleaning guides48 and resin14 return pans etc.
• With proper guidance methods, veils do not even require attachment between ends of preceding and subsequent veils, thus eliminating more work for the machine operator.
• If entire operations are converted to this process, other synergies occur in the mixing and resin14 delivery systems which further improve the cost effectiveness of the product. One topcoat and one structural resin14 formula can be used for all colors and shapes with the colored veil process we would have only oneprewet24 formula and one topcoat formula for all colors and locations. The mix room would makeprewet24 and topcoat only not multiples of each. Thus, knowing the relative requirements of each resin14 for eachpart40, resin14 mixing volumes may be optimized so that minimal excess of any resin14 is obtained during the mixing operation. All topcoats are equal and can be sent to any line. Likewise, all structural resin14 batches are the same and can be utilized by every machine. No more having too much blue and not enough yellow to meet a varying demand. Color is now dependant on long term stable veils systems capable of being inventoried without fear of loss by reaction.
• Cleanup between color changes is virtually eliminated. Preventive maintenance on lines and pumps replaces requirements for purging systems with solvent and unpigmented resins14 to clean lines in order to run a light color after a dark one.
• Running colored or printed veils requires ungrading the quality of reinforcement placement during the pultrusion process. Veil placement must be maintained constant so that any overlaps occur in the proper location. The upside of the placement issue is that with proper placement techniques veils no longer need to be as wide. Current veils are extra wide to take into account lateral shrinkage and to make sure there is a bunching of veil at the tips of flanges. This means that the standard veils are between 0.5 and 1.0 wider than need to cover the perimeter of thepart40. Colored veils shrink less during the process and the placement is more consistent because a veiless surface cannot be allowed to occur. Bunching is also not wanted on the tipps with colored veil because it causes the tips to be a different color than the rest of thepart40. The consistent placement is created with an added veil folding device(s) which allow the veil to fold only one way. Reducing veil width creates a measurable materials savings.
• In regard to weathering cycle, see ASTMG154 Cycle 4, incorporated by reference herein. Relative weathering performance for yellow part

• 1. Previous standard overcoat	Delta E = 40 1000 hrs QUV
  2. Standard Through color/RI =	35
  3. Colored veil with stand resin =	35
  4. Colored veil with no filler resin	12
  (the present invention) =
  1000 hrs QUV = 1 year south Florida for the cycle we are using Delta E above 20 is cut off for acceptable performance

• Processing with colored veil takes color change from multiple hours to about a minute
• Colored veil allows different colors on same machine simultaneously
• Colored veil allows different colors on same part. The gloss of therail16 is greater than 70.
DEFINITIONS
• • Donor layer: A layer of reinforcement(s): the donor layer may consist of multiple reinforcements such as mat plus roving or multiple mats but is normally a single mat that is impregnated directly with resin14 in an uncompressed or partially compressed state such that the amount of resin14 transferred to the layer is sufficient to fully impregnate itself plus impregnate the acceptor layer(s) adjacent to it in the cured laminate. The characteristics of a donor layer are that it is uniformly compressible, compressibility versus pressure is known and reproducible, structure is such that it can accept and give up resin14 easily as compressed, and that its structure is such that it will maintain a non-uniform resin14 distribution over the time frame of the impregnation, combination and forming processes so that a distributed resin14 volume may be transferred to the acceptor layers.
  • Acceptor layer: A layer of reinforcement usually roving which is put into the combination and forming process in an unimpregnated or partially impregnated state. Impregnation of the acceptor level occurs as it is combined with a donor layer and the donor layer/acceptor layer(s) package is compressed in the forming and final impregnation stations of the process.
  • Combination process: A segment of the total pultrusion process that brings layers of reinforcement together into a reinforcement package. The combination process normally is placement only with little or no compaction of the layers.
  • Forming process: A segment of the total pultrusion process that takes the fully combined reinforcement package (including impregnated donor layers) and shapes them from a flat or slightly curves shape to a shape similar to the shape of the curing die but slightly larger in all dimension.
• Final Impregnation Process:
• • A segment of the total pultrusion process that compacts the reinforcement package causing the donor layers to release resin14 to the acceptor layers and brings the reinforcing package to the size of the curing die, and simultaneously adds topcoat resin14 under pressure and removes and remaining air from the reinforcement package. This results in a fully impregnated reinforcement package with donor resin14 distributed throughout the donor acceptor layers and topcoat resin14 distributed in the outside topcoat containment layers (normally this would be the veil and the outside mat layers of our standard seven layer laminate, but we could use other types of reinforcements under the veil to contain the topcoat resin14)
• Pultrusion Process
• Sizing the opening in theprewet24 die
• 1. What is the amount of resin14 required to fully saturate a layer of given thickness for common pultrusion reinforcements?
• Requires knowing the volume occupied by the reinforcement layer in a cured pultrusion laminate

• Reinforcement Type	Thickness in Pultruded laminate (in)

  1 oz continuous filament mat	.020
  .625 oz Holinee Madiglioni Mat	.020
  .75 oz continous filament Mat	.017
  uniform layer of roving (250 yield)	.0224

• • and it also requires knowing the percentage of the reinforcement layer the reinforcement actual occupies (the rest is occupied by the resin14)

• Equilibrium Glass Volume fraction Inpultruded layer

  	1 oz continuous filament mat	.23
  	.625 oz Holinee Madiglioni Mat	.151
  	uniform layer of roving (250 yield)	.60

• One then can calculate the split in thickness between reinforcement and resin14.

• Thickness occupied by reinforcement

  And resin 14 in pultruded layer

  	Reinforcement (in)	Resin(in)

  1 oz continuous filament mat	.0046	.0154
  .625 oz Holinee Madiglioni Mat	.0031	.0169
  uniform layer of roving (250 yield)	.00134	.009

• • 2. From the above data one can now size the preimpregnationstation exit slot50. If a 0.625 Holinee mat is used as a donor layer for two acceptor layers of 250 roving, the Holinee mat must contain on exit of the preimpregnation chamber enough resin14 to fully saturate all three layers. This would be 0.0154 in of resin14 for the mat itself plus 0.018 in of resin14 for the roving layers (2×0.009). Thus, the total thickness of the mat on exit of preimpregnation chamber should be 0.0031 for the glass in the mat+0.0334 for the resin14=0.0364 inches. Since Holinee mat in the unimpregnated state is 0.079, the mat will accept and hold this amount of resin14 with minimal transfer of resin14 during the combination and forming process. Only when compaction of the mat to less than a thickness of 0.0364 inch will resin14 transfer from the donor mat to the acceptor rovings.Formers46 are designed with a 1.5 factor on all dimensions so that the thickness available in the former46 for a holinee layer is 0.020×1.5=0.0300. Thus, thirty-three percent of the total transfer to the acceptor roving takes place prior to the final impregnation chamber.
• Composition for Best Practice for this Invention:
• • 1. Use of 0.625 oz/sq ft Holinee mat as central donor.
  • 2. Use of 2 1 oz/sq ft Continuous Filament Mats (from either OC or CSG) as
  • Outside structural layers
  • 3. Use of 2 layers of continuous roving (250 yd/lb yield—multiple sources) placed such that each layer contains 11 rovings per linear inch of width
  • 4. Use of 2 layers of dyed polyester veil from Precision Fabrics Group (PRG) each layer weighs 1.65-2.5 oz/square yd. depending on color. For orange a weight of 1.75 oz/yd gave the best compromise of initial color and retention on weathering.
  • 5.Prewet24 formulation based on AOC P 920-300 DCPD end capped polyester resin14 with 18-25 pphr fillers such as kaolin clay, calcium carbonate or combinations of calcium carbonate and clay; [The most used mixture is 14.25 pphr of Wilklay SA-1 kaolin clay and 14.25 pphr of Hubercarb W3 calcium carbonate] 1 pphr of internal release[Axel IntPul 24] and 0.9 part of peroxide initiator(s) [we use three initiators—a low temperature, mid temperature and high temperature combination (luperox 223V75, tertiary amyl peroxyethylhexanote, and tertiarybutylperoxybenzoate) in a 6:2:1 ratio].
  • 6. A topcoat resin14 with the same ingredients and ratios except the fillers are removed.
• Holinee mat is pulled through aprewet24 station with anexit slot50 width of 0.036+/−0.003 inches. Theprewet24 station is supplied with sufficient resin14 such that the reservoir within theprewet24 station remains full and resin14 does not exit theinput slot50 where the mat enters theprewet24 station. This input flow is determined for each prewet24 station from calibration runs of Mass flow versus flow setting, the size of thepart40 and the amount of resin14 being transferred to the donor layer.
• Calibration Method:
• • 1. Weigh 3 containers
  • 2. Set flow gage onprewet24 pump to setting A
  • 3. Pump resin14 into Container for 2 minutes
  • 4. Reweigh container and calculate mass flow (weight/min)
  • 5. Repeat step 2-4 for settings B and C
  • 6. Using results, plot chart of mass flow versus setting for particular pump/prewet24 station combination
  • 7. Using chart and weight requirements for donor layer select setting forprewet24 pump which is balanced to output requirement.
• Referring toFIG. 1, the pultrusion process, very similar to extrusion, is the only continuous process for the production of composite profiles. In pultrusion, reinforcing materials (glass, Kevlar or carbon fibers) in the form of continuous rovings, mats and other types of fabrics, are pulled through a resin14 matrix bath or other impregnation device, then carefully guided through a pre-shaping station followed by a heated, high precision, die in which the resin14 matrix sets at high temperature to form the final product. Finally, the hardened profile is continuously pulled past a saw, activated to cut it into pre-determined lengths.
• Pultruded Composites
• A pultruded composite is generally made up of reinforcing materials (glass, Kevlar, carbon fibres) held together by a rigid resin14 matrix (polyester, vinylester, epoxy thermosetting resin14). Often, surface veils are incorporated to improve weathering and corrosion resistance.
• FIG. 2 shows atypical section52 of a pultruded profile for general use.
• While pultrusion machine design varies withpart40 geometry, the basic pultrusion process concept is described inFIG. 3.
• The creels position the reinforcements for subsequent feeding into theguides48. The reinforcement must be located properly within the composite and controlled by the reinforcement guides48.
• The resin14impregnator26 saturates (wets out) the reinforcement with a solution containing the resin14, fillers, pigment, and catalyst plus any other additives required. The interior of the resin14impregnator26 is carefully designed to optimize the “wet-out” (complete saturation) of the reinforcements.
• On exiting the resin14impregnator26, the reinforcements are organized and positioned for the eventual placement within the cross section form by the preformer. The preformer is an array of tooling which squeezes away excess resin14 as the product is moving forward and gently shapes the materials prior to entering the die. In the die the thermosetting reaction is heat activated (energy is primarily supplied electrically) and the composite is Cured (hardened).
• On exiting the die, the cured profile is pulled to the saw for cutting to length. It is necessary to cool thehot part40 before it is gripped by the pull block (made of durable urethane foam) to prevent cracking and/or deformation by the pull blocks. Two distinct pulling systems are used: a caterpillar counter-rotating type and a hand-over-hand reciprocating type.
• Theentire part40 of the invention that is being described takes place from the exit of the guide plate to the entrance of the curing die. The rest of the pultrusion process is essentially unchanged.
• FIG. 4 shows the relative thickness of the various layers of the pultrusion. The outer layer is formed of the colored veil which is thinner relative to the inner layers. As an example, the thickness of the colored veil layer is about 0.005 inches.
• FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a seven layer laminate. The impregnated outer mat layers will take on the combined color (appearance of the glass composition and of the filler resin14). The central roving mat roving layer takes on the color of the filler resin14, which can be off white. The veils are the color they are dyed.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a three layer laminate. The colored veil outer layers can have the color they are dyed, while the mat layer in contact with the outer veil layer can be slightly green. The inner rovings and mat layers are saturated with filler resin14 and can be white. The colored veil and mat layers are typically 0.024-0.030 inches thick while the inner rovings and mat layers are typically 0.065-0.070 inches thick. The overall thickness of the laminate is typically between 0.113-0.130 inches thick. The formed laminate ofFIG. 6 is shown inFIG. 7.
• Referring toFIGS. 8aand 8b, they are a schematic of a generalized injection die with resin14 overflow return lines. The objective of the impregnation die is to finish the impregnation of the reinforcement pack started by theprewet24. In order to do this the impregnation die is designed with a slight taper. The taper compacts the reinforcement pack such that theprewet24 resin14 in the donor mat is transferred to the acceptor layers of the reinforcement pack while leaving the outer layers (mat and colored veil unimpregnated and available to accept resin14 from theweir42 and act as a continuous path for air removal from the reinforcement pack within the injection die to the atmosphere. By carefully designing the thickness tapers of the injection die such that the minimum thickness is equivalent to the thickness the reinforcement pack would be compacted to within the curing die and this thickness occurs at the downstream end of the weir42 (resin14 input device) a pressure gradient is set up within the impregnated area of the reinforcing pack which forces the flow of fluid (air and/or resin14) toward the entrance of die. As long as an uninterrupted path is maintained between the leading edge of the resin14 in thewedge44 and the entrance of the impregnating die air will flow out of the entrance of the die and no voids will enter the curing die. If however toomuch prewet24 is applied to the donor layer and or the design of the taper in the injection die is incorrect and resin14 blocks the outer layers of the reinforcing pack, air with be trapped in the pack and transferred to the curing die where it will form either a blister or crack in the cured laminate as it exits the curing die. Theprewet24 is designed by controlling pressure and dimensions to transfer limited amounts of resin14 so that as the partially impregnated reinforcing pack is compacted in the injection die taper there is insufficient volume of resin14 to impregnate all the layers between the donor layer and the die surface. The injection die is designed so the taper is continuous and gradual so that transfer from donor layer to acceptor layers would be uniform. Both designs are balanced so that the result is a system which allows for continuous air removal as thefinal part40 of the reinforcing pack is impregnated with the topcoat resin14 in the impregnation die.
• FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional side view of the preform injection die design. Partially impregnated reinforcement enters the right side of the preform. Air that is carried into the preform with the reinforcement also escapes back out the opening. Excess resin14 that is squeezed out of the reinforcement is collected and returned for reuse through openings in the preform near the entrance. Theslot50 through which the reinforcement passes forms a taperedwedge44 in the die starting essentially at about its center. The fully impregnated reinforcement passes through theweir42 which receives resin14 under pressure that is inputted from a pressure pot. After the impregnated reinforcement passes through theweir42 and receives the resin14 in theweir42, it passes out of the preform and moves to the curing die.FIG. 8B shows the pressure in the die of the preform as a function of location in the die. The pressure is highest between theweir42 and the exit, where it is essentially constant, or slightly increasing. The pressure before theweir42 is essentially of a constant slope increasing along the taperedwedge44. Before the taperedwedge44 the pressure is essentially constant in the die and about that of atmospheric pressure.
• Theweir42 has the following constraints.
• • 1. it must be of a size to transfer sufficient resin14 to thepart40 to fill the unwet layers (width fixed by 3. below, this normally set depth—(the Q in theslot50 should be higher than the required Q to wet the part40).
  • 2. it must be of sufficient length such that the entire perimeter of thepart40 is wet.
  • 3. A guideline that contact time of 1 second would be good however it is preferably 0.5 secs. contact time=weir42 width/line speed for example a one inchwide weir42 run at 100 inches per min would have a contact time of 1/100 minutes or 0.6 seconds
  • 4. It can't be too wide; otherwise, the veils catch and roll inside theweir42 and there can be no dead spots where material could accumulate and cure. (This defines shape.)
• A clear distinction between the composition of resin14 in the rovings layers and the composition of resin14 in the outer mat layers is maintained by the physics of the process. It insures the resin14 without filler in the outer mat layers is not mixed with resin14 with filler from the donor layer so the increased weatherability of therail16 produced is maintained.
• Because the resin14 and filler from the donor layer in the rovings layer is there first and the pressure required to move it is higher than the back pressure along the unimpregnated outer mat—resin14 fromimpregnation weir42 follows a path—the one of least resistance—only into the outer mat layers.
• The compaction of the reinforcing pack has already pushed the resin14 in the central donor mat into the acceptor roving layers. This process occurs prior to the external veil and roving seeing the high pressure resin14 at theweir42. With a taper of 0.003 in/in and thickness at theweir42 of <0.001 in larger than the final dimensions in the curing die, all but the final 2 mils of compaction of the donor layer occurs before 5 inches behind theweir42. This means that the resin14 from the donor layer should have reached within 0.002 inches of the outside edge of the roving layer.
• Referring toFIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6 because there is control where theprewet24 resin14 and the topcoat resin14 goes within thepart40 the cross section of apart40 made with this type of process is easily distinguished from apart40 made by conventional wetting methods. This is especially true with systems where a pigmented veil is used as the source of color within thepart40. If one polishes the cross section of aladder rail16 using normal polishing methods (reference) the layers of reinforcement within thepart40 are visible by optical microscopy, the layers may be separated by machining away layers and leaving a specific layer exposed on the surface of thepart40. Each layer may be isolated and visually examined and/or examined using other instrumented or non-instrumented methods (burn off to determine if the outer layers have filler). One skilled in the art can look at the cross section and see if some form of colored veil is contained in the process even without help of the microscope. Thus, samples of ladders manufactured by competitors who would ignore this patent could be found out with minimum difficulty in the laboratory and even be screened by visually looking a cut edges of therail16 without destroying thepart40. A diamond or carbide cut off saw is used to create a 1 thick piece of thesection52. Thissection52 is put in clear epoxy resin14; cure and polish the surface of the cast segment—using techniques developed for polishing metal surfaces for grain analysis. The polished surfaces can be looked at under optical microcopy and each layer distinguished as to type. Because the topcoat resin14 andprewet24 resin14 formulas are different colors their location within the thickness can be observed. In most cases, the resin's14 interface at the roving/outer mat interface is easily seen. Sample preparation techniques are described in Preparation and Examination of Aluminum Samples for Failure Analysis. By. Brad Peirson. School of Engineering. Grand Valley State University.Laboratory Modules 1 & 2. EGR 250 Materials Science, incorporated by reference herein.
• FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of theprewet24 station, with theslot50 being the fixed version. Critical issues regarding the use of theprewet24 station are the following.
• • 1. Theslot50 is fixed between the uncompressed thickness of reinforcement and thickness required for maximum transfer to thesection52.
  • 2. The transfer is controlled by input mass flow and ability of keeper D to prevent flow out the rear of the die.
  • 3. As long as the input mass flow and output on the reinforcement through slot A is balanced, a constant amount of resin14 will be transferred to the donor reinforcement.
  • 4. Slot A may be a constant thickness or changed in thickness to match the needs of the receptor layers for resin14 along the width of thepart40. Letter A, as shown inFIG. 16, is one half the height of the slot. In all cases the keeper D is less than the either Q or R, whichever is smaller. This forces the flow forward.
  • 5. The resin14 transfer is varied with speed by adjusting mass flow input from pump or pressure in the tank.
• FIG. 15 shows a top view of the bottom half internally of theprewet24 station.
• FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the top half internally of theprewet24 station.
• FIG. 16 is a side view of a cross-section of the bottom half of theprewet24 station,
• A equals one half the height of the slot
• B equals one half the depth of the reservoir
• C equals one half the height of theprewet24
• D equals half the height of Q or R, whichever is smaller, and to minimize backflow
• E is the entrance to the taper
• F is the resin entrance.
• Explanation of the drawing of the three types ofslots50, as shown inFIGS. 17-19.
• If you look at the type of “U” channel Werner makes, they can be broken down into three categories: heavy weight extension andstep rail16, lightweight extension rail16 and lightweight step rail16. The characteristics of each type ofrail16 are that they are all standard seven layer laminates with the same thickness of veil and mat. What is changed is the amount and distribution of roving throughout the width of thepart40.
• In the heavy duty step and extension rails16, the amount per inch of roving in the flange areas of the U channel are much greater than the relative amount per inch in theweb18. [Section57821 would be typical of this type ofrail16. The flange thickness is 0.222 inches of which 0.154 in of the thickness is two 0.077 in roving layers. Theweb18 of this section is 0.165 inch thick. It contains two roving layers of 0.0485 in thickness.] Thus, the center donor mat must transfer almost twice the volume per in of resin14 into the flange areas of the acceptor layers as it transfers into theweb18 area of the acceptor layers in order to fully saturate both areas equivalently without putting excess resin14 in theweb18 area which could cause air entrapment in the injection die.
• The drawing of theslot50 with much thicker outside segments represents the method by which this distribution of resin14 within the donor mat is achieved. The mat would be fully saturated in theprewet24 in its uncompressed thickness. The mat would then be differentially stripped by theslot50 and allowed to return to its uncompacted state as it exits theprewet24 die. Air would replace the resin14 that was removed by the stripping action of theslot50 as the mat returns to its natural thickness. By stripping more from theweb18 than the flange sections of the donor mat the proper distribution of resin14 is developed such that there is sufficient resin14 available in the proper location to fully impregnate the acceptor roving layers even though the layers are not uniform across the width of thepart40.
• Theslot50 with slightly larger outside segments acts the same way as theprevious slot50 and used for light weight extension rails16 such as 62418 where the flange roving layers are about 30% greater in thickness than theweb18 layers.
• Theuniform slot50 is used forlightweight step rail16 where theweb18 and the flange are essentially equal in thickness and roving layers are almost uniform across thepart40 width. Part 63101 is an example of this.
• In all cases theslot50 design is such that as the donor mat exits theprewet24 it contains the proper amount of resin14 that when the reinforcement pack is compress by the injection die to within mils of its final thickness in the curing die sufficient resin14 will be transferred from the donor mat to the acceptor rovings so that the acceptor rovings are fully saturated withprewet24 resin14.
• All the design calculations forslot50 thicknesses and distribution along the width are done by looking at the designs of thesections52 and understanding the thicknesses to which various materials will compress under the pressures induced in the curing die during the pultrusion process. A. McCarty and J. G. Vaughan, A Pressure Rise Inside a Cylindrical Pultrusion Die for Graphite/Epoxy Composites, @ Polymers and Polymer Composites, 8 (4) 231-244, 2000. Brief, incorporated by reference herein, discusses the pressure distribution within the curing die. Microscopic analysis of layer thicknesses has also helped establish these numbers. The calculation now becomes a simple mass balance assuming that no air is allowed into the final product (void volumes in pultrusions are normally less than 1% for injection die parts). Volumes of resins14 are converted into thickness of donor mat andslots50 are designed accordingly. The key to making it all work is to not oversaturate the donor or overcompress the donor acceptor package prior to the curing die.
• Referring toFIG. 9, unimpregnated middle mat (I) is pulled at constant speed throughprewet24 station (X).Prewet24 station (X) is supplied with a controlled mass flow ofprewet24 resin14 (II) which is balanced to the resin14 requirements of thesection52 and set by the operator using calibrated flow guidelines described previously. The impregnated donor layer (middle mat) (XI) exits the pulling station X and is combined (stacked) with top and bottom roving layers (III) and top and bottom mat layers (IV) using the first of two horizontal and vertical positioners (V). The combined section (XII) proceeds to second horizontal vertical position V at which the outside veils (VI) are added to the top and bottom of the pack. The pack continues to positive veil placement device (VII) which folds the lower veil around the outer edges of the pack and over the edges of the top veil. (For colored veil, this prevents any non-colored reinforcement from being visible on the surface of thepart40 and causes the overlap of the top and bottom color veils to occur at a constant position and with a constant amount of overlapped area.)
• The positive placement device is congruent to the entrance of the part former (VIII). As the pack continues through the part former (VIII), the pack is folded from aflat section52 to a “u” channel shape. During that change in geometry, the pack is compressed slightly but not stretched (mats would tear).
• From the exit of the folder, the “u” shape pack enters the “tapered” impregnation chamber IX. Where the top coat resin14 is added and remaining air removed as described by Gauchel and Lehman. (The key to this on any other process that uses injection is the placement of the resins14 such that air is forcibly removed from reinforcement pack. Continuous path(s) for air removable must be maintained or blisters will be evident on thefinal part40. Both continuous strand mat and unwet roving act as paths for air from theimpregnation weir42 in the impregnation (IX) to the space between the entrance of theimpregnator26 and the exit of the folder. For a properly running impregnation system, the outer layers of the reinforcing package at this position should remain free of resin14, so air can be removed. For thin parts such as window lineals ran at high speed, the air sounds like a train as it rushes out of the back of the impregnating die.Parts40 may be as thin as 0.040 inches in wall thickness on a closedhollow section52.
• FIG. 9 shows a schematic of the controller impregnation. The unimpregnated donor layer enters theprewet24 station whereprewet24 resin14 is introduced. The now impregnated donor layer passes out of theprewet24 resin14 station where it is joined with the un-impregnated top mat layer, a top roving layer, the bottom roving layer and the bottom mat layer. Horizontal and vertical layer placement guides48 guide the different layers together to the impregnated donor layer, As they are pulled along, the top veil and bottom veil layers are added to them which are again guided by horizontal and vertical layer placement guides48. A top veil and bottom veil has tensioning guides48 to maintain the tension on the top and bottom veil layers. All the layers then pass through a positive veil placement device and then enter the former46. The cross-section of theslot50 through which the layers enter the former46 is essentially rectangular while the cross-section of theslot50 from which the layers exit the former46 has a C shape. The former46 converts the flat with or cross-section of the layers to a C channel cross-section and partially compacts the layers to initiate a transfer of resin14 from the donor layer to the acceptor layers. From the former46, the layers move to theimpregnator26. Theimpregnator26 has a tapered cross-section. High-pressure resin14 is impregnated into the layers at theweir42 located just next to the point of maximum compaction. The resin14 is injected into theweir42 for wetting the outer layers, as described above.
• FIG. 10 shows section C ofFIG. 9.FIG. 11 shows section B ofFIG. 9, andFIG. 12 shows section A ofFIG. 9.FIG. 12 shows the five layers that have been brought together at that point of the process. The saturatedmiddle mat38 with resin is the donor layer and the proving layers34,36 on each side of themiddle mat38 are acceptor layers.
• Prewet24 Station Variable Slot Version
• Referring toFIGS. 20 and 21, slot A is adjustable to different thickness to apply exactly the amount of resin14 needed. Must be adjusted for each speed or adjusted to maximum speed and allowed to transfer extra resin14 or start up as speed increases.
• Compaction bolts adjust slot A and keeper D as in previous drawing such that resin14 moves forward out of slot A with reinforcement. Inlet pressure keeps reservoir full on an as needed basis. Pressure or flow rate can be sporadic as long as reservoir has sufficient resin14 to saturate reinforcement (mat) a sit exits slot A.
• Referring toFIGS. 22 and 23, there is shown a front view and a back view, respectively, of a continuous former46. The former46 converts the flat shaped reinforcing pack to the approximate shape of the formedpart40. The former46 compacts the reinforcing pack slightly to prevent transfer ofprewet24 resin14 from the donor layer to acceptor layers. Approximately 30% of transition is accomplished in the former46. If there is too much compaction, it results in an increased pull the forced by as much as 50%.
• Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A method for making a part comprising the steps of:

forming a pultruded section having veil with a pultruder having different colors; and

cutting the section to form the part having different colors on the part.

2. The combination of a filler free resin and coated veil system to create a synergistic weather resistance surface with self-contained color, pattern, picture, logo or combination of said same for climbing products.

3. A system as described inclaim 2 including resins made of polyester, acrylic, epoxy, urethane, acrylate, or combinations thereof.

4. A system as described inclaim 3 including veils dyed, printed, pigmented, transfer coated or combinations thereof.

5. A system as described inclaim 4 wherein veil compositions are glass, polyester, paper, jute or other dispersed fiber systems.

6. A system for producing a ladder rail comprising:

a pultrusion system, the pultrusion system comprising:

a prewet which wets a middle mat layer with a resin and filler; and

an impregnator which compresses a first veil outer layer, a second veil outer layer, a first mat layer, a second mat layer, a first roving layer and a second roving layer with the middle mat layer, and which wets only the first veil outer layer, the second veil outer layer, the first mat layer and the second mat layer with resin without filler.

7. A system as described inclaim 6 wherein the resin in the prewet is the same color as the resin in the impregnator.

8. A system as described inclaim 6 wherein the resin in the prewet is different color from the resin in the impregnator.

9. A system as described inclaim 6 wherein the first and second outer veil layers contain all the colorant needed to color the ladder rail.

10. A system as described inclaim 9 wherein the first and second outer veil layers combined with the resin without filler form a corrosion and weathering barrier such that said ladder rail maintains a delta E of less than 20 and 60 degree gloss of 60 after exposure to 1000 hours of ASTM G154 Cycle 4 irradiation in a QUV accelerated weathering machine.

11. A system as described inclaim 6 wherein the first and second outer veil layers contain more than one color.

12. A system as described inclaim 6 wherein the first and second outer veil layers contain pictures and printed letters or words.

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