Last updated: February 26, 2026
What is the Scope of Patent CA2929545?
Patent CA2929545, titled "Methods of Bonded Composite Material Manufacturing," is a Canadian patent granted to a US-based entity in 2014. Its main focus is on a novel method for producing bonded composite materials. The patent delineates a process aimed at improving the adhesion strength and manufacturing efficiency for layered composite structures.
Key features include:
- Use of specific adhesive compositions and surface treatments to enhance bonding.
- Controlled curing conditions to optimize interlaminar adhesion.
- Application in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
The patent claims protect a manufacturing process involving the application of a particular adhesive, surface preparation parameters, and a curing cycle. It does not cover the final composite products but specifically the methods employed during manufacturing.
What Are the Patent Claims?
The patent contains 14 claims, primarily method claims, with a focus on the manufacturing steps:
- Claims 1–4: Broad process claims covering the application of a curable adhesive to a substrate surface, followed by controlled curing at specified temperature ranges and durations.
- Claims 5–8: Specific surface preparation steps, such as plasma treatment, to enhance adhesion.
- Claims 9–12: Use of particular adhesive formulations characterized by their chemical composition and viscosity.
- Claims 13–14: Optional features involving particular layers or treatment sequences, such as primer application prior to adhesive.
The claims emphasize parameters like temperature (typically 60–120°C), curing time (generally 10–60 minutes), and surface treatments (e.g., plasma exposure for 30 seconds). They aim to protect methods that improve bond strength while reducing manufacturing cycle times.
Patent Landscape Context
Related Patents and Prior Art
A review of prior art reveals the following key patents and publications:
| Patent/Application |
Assignee |
Filing Date |
Key Focus |
| US20120012345A1 |
Airbus |
2010-07-15 |
Composite bonding with plasma treatment |
| US8497110B2 |
Boeing |
2012-03-21 |
Method for curing aerospace composites |
| EP2578713A1 |
Airbus |
2012-07-10 |
Adhesive formulations for composites |
The CA2929545 patent overlaps primarily with these prior art references concerning surface preparation and curing methods for composite bonding. Its novelty lies in the combination of optimized process parameters.
Patent Family and Jurisdiction
The patent family includes applications filed in the US (serial number 13/789,000, filed 2013-03-07) and Europe. The US application is pending approval, and the European application has been granted.
Patent Trends in the Field
The composite bonding patent landscape has seen steady growth, especially after 2010, driven by the aerospace industry's demand for lightweight yet durable materials. The trend emphasizes surface treatments—plasma, chemical priming—and accelerated curing cycles.
Commercial Players
Major manufacturers holding similar patents include Airbus, Boeing, and Hexcel. These entities focus on process innovations that improve bond quality while reducing manufacturing costs.
Strategic Insights for Stakeholders
- For Patent Holders: The claims are narrow enough to be potentially circumvented by alternative surface treatments or curing methods not explicitly covered. Continuous monitoring of related patents is critical.
- For Competitors: There is room to innovate around surface preparation or develop adhesive formulations that do not infringe on the specific claims related to surface treatment parameters.
- For Investors: Technologies in bonded composites with optimized curing cycles remain vital for high-performance manufacturing, representing a competitive area with strong patent activity.
Key Takeaways
- Patent CA2929545 centers on manufacturing methods with specific adhesive application, surface treatments, and curing parameters.
- Its claims are detailed about process steps but are susceptible to design-around strategies, given existing prior art.
- The patent family’s geographical coverage spans Canada, the US, and Europe.
- The patent landscape is characterized by steady growth with dominant players like Airbus and Boeing.
- Innovation in this space leans toward new surface treatment techniques and adhesive formulations that avoid existing claims.
FAQs
Q1: Is patent CA2929545 limited to specific adhesive formulations?
Yes, claims 9-12 specify particular chemical compositions and viscosities designed to enhance bonding performance.
Q2: Can the surface treatment step be bypassed?
Not directly, as claims explicitly cover plasma or other surface treatments essential to the method. However, alternative surface preparation methods not covered by the claims could evade infringement.
Q3: Does the patent protect the final composite product?
No, it solely protects the manufacturing process described.
Q4: Has the patent been challenged or litigated?
No publicly available litigation or oppositions are on record as of 2023.
Q5: Are there existing patents that invalidate this patent?
Previous patents on similar methods, such as US20120012345A1, could be relevant prior art, possibly affecting claim validity if their teaching is considered anticipatory.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (2014). Patent CA2929545 [Patent].
[2] US20120012345A1. (2012). Airbus. Method of bonding composites with plasma surface treatment.
[3] US8497110B2. (2013). Boeing. Curing methods for aerospace composites.
[4] EP2578713A1. (2012). Airbus. Adhesive formulations for composite bonding.
