A three-dimensional vacuum thermal insulation element having a compressed three-dimensional porous structure and a shell closed in an airtight manner. The shell includes a thermoformable barrier wall and encloses the porous structure arranged between two major surfaces of said barrier wall. The porous structure has a pressure of between less than 105 Pa and more than 10-2 Pa at ambient external temperature and pressure. The barrier wall is thermoformed at the site of said two major surfaces, between which the porous structure has a curved shape and/or reliefs and/or depressions.

A three-dimensional, vacuum thermal insulating element comprising a compressed three-dimensional porous structure, an envelope closed in an airtight manner comprising a thermoformable barrier wall, enclosing the porous structure, which is interposed between two major surfaces of the barrier wall, and where, at outside ambient temperature and pressure, a pressure between less than 10.sup.5 Pa and more than 10.sup.−2 Pa prevails. The barrier wall is thermoformed at said the two major surfaces, between which the porous structure is bent-shaped and/or has reliefs and/or depressions.

Provided is a laminated body of at least one metal foil and resin layers, which is suitable for drawing. The laminated body includes at least one metal foil and at least two resin layers. The laminated body has a thickness of 25 to 500 μm. In the laminated body, both surfaces of each metal foil are closely laminated to the resin layers, and the relationships: 60≤σY≤150, and 1.4≤σb/σY are satisfied, in which σY represents a nominal stress (MPa) at a nominal strain of 5% when a tensile test according to JIS K 7127: 1999 is performed on the laminated body, and σb represents a nominal stress (MPa) at a nominal strain at which the metal foil in the laminated body is broken when a tensile test according to JIS K 7127: 1999 is performed on the laminated body.

Provided is a laminated body of at least one metal foil and resin layers, which is suitable for drawing. The laminated body includes at least one metal foil and at least two resin layers. The laminated body has a thickness of 25 to 500 μm. In the laminated body, both surfaces of each metal foil are closely laminated to the resin layers, and the relationships: 60≤σY≤150, and 1.4≤σb/σY are satisfied, in which σY represents a nominal stress (MPa) at a nominal strain of 5% when a tensile test according to JIS K 7127: 1999 is performed on the laminated body, and σb represents a nominal stress (MPa) at a nominal strain at which the metal foil in the laminated body is broken when a tensile test according to JIS K 7127: 1999 is performed on the laminated body.

A method for painting a complex or compound curved three-dimensional surface of a portion of an article. The method comprises providing a paint film; providing sheet metal having opposite major surfaces; laminating the paint film onto a major surface of the sheet metal to form a painted sheet metal laminate comprising a first portion and a second portion; permanently deforming the first portion of the painted sheet metal laminate into a formed portion of the article having a complex or compound curved three-dimensional shape; applying an initial force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during an initial stage of said permanently deforming step; and applying a later force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during a later stage of said permanently deforming step. The later applied force is greater than the initially applied force.

A method for painting a complex or compound curved three-dimensional surface of a portion of an article. The method comprises providing a paint film; providing sheet metal having opposite major surfaces; laminating the paint film onto a major surface of the sheet metal to form a painted sheet metal laminate comprising a first portion and a second portion; permanently deforming the first portion of the painted sheet metal laminate into a formed portion of the article having a complex or compound curved three-dimensional shape; applying an initial force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during an initial stage of said permanently deforming step; and applying a later force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during a later stage of said permanently deforming step. The later applied force is greater than the initially applied force.

A method is provided for producing a composite part, in particular a flat composite part, having a foam core that has a first and second cover layer which are bonded to the foam core on a first surface and a second surface, respectively. The method has the following steps: (a) heating the cover layers and the foam core (b) positioning the cover layers on the surfaces of the foam core, (c) positioning the foam core and the cover layers in a press or a mold which forms the completed composite part, (d) reshaping the foam core and the cover layers in the press or in the mold, wherein the cover layers can be positioned on the surfaces of the foam core, (e) cooling and bonding the cover layers and the foam core in the press or in the mold, and (f) removing the composite part from the press or from the mold.

A method is provided for producing a composite part, in particular a flat composite part, having a foam core that has a first and second cover layer which are bonded to the foam core on a first surface and a second surface, respectively. The method has the following steps: (a) heating the cover layers and the foam core (b) positioning the cover layers on the surfaces of the foam core, (c) positioning the foam core and the cover layers in a press or a mold which forms the completed composite part, (d) reshaping the foam core and the cover layers in the press or in the mold, wherein the cover layers can be positioned on the surfaces of the foam core, (e) cooling and bonding the cover layers and the foam core in the press or in the mold, and (f) removing the composite part from the press or from the mold.

A method of producing a laminated article comprising placing a first metal skin, a core, and a second metal skin freely onto each other as discreet layers to provide a layered component; and forming the layered component into a shaped article via a die prior to producing a laminated article by applying pressure and heat to the shaped article, wherein at least the first skin moves relative to the core and/or second skin during the forming.

A method of producing a laminated article comprising placing a first metal skin, a core, and a second metal skin freely onto each other as discreet layers to provide a layered component; and forming the layered component into a shaped article via a die prior to producing a laminated article by applying pressure and heat to the shaped article, wherein at least the first skin moves relative to the core and/or second skin during the forming.