Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of forming an article comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture comprising l) powders selected from the group of metal powders, ceramic powders, and mixtures thereof, 2) a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C and about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel-forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm², and 3) a gel-forming material solvent; and, b) molding the mixture at a temperature sufficient to produce a self-supporting article comprising the powders and a gel comprising the gel-forming material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of forming an article comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture comprising l) powders selected from the group of metal powders, ceramic powders, and mixtures thereof, 2) a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C and about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel-forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm², and 3) a gel-forming material solvent; and, b) molding the mixture at a temperature sufficient to produce a self-supporting article comprising the powders and a gel comprising the gel-forming material.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
13 words
The method of claim l wherein the gel forming material comprises an agaroid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claim l wherein the powders comprise between about 50% to about 90% (by weight) of the mixture.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claim l wherein the gel forming material comprises between about 0.2% and about 6% by weight of the mixture.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claim l further comprising the step maintaining the mixture at a temperature above the gel point of the gel-forming material prior to the molding step (b).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the gel-forming material is an agaroid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture further comprises a glycol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the glycol is present in an amount up to about l0% by weight of the gel-forming material and the gel forming solvent in the mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
An injection molding process comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture comprising l) powders selected from the groups of metal powders, ceramic powders and mixtures thereof, 2) a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm², 3) a gel-forming material solvent, and 4) a carrier; b) injecting the mixture into a mold, the mixture being maintained prior to the injection step at a first temperature above the gel point of the gel forming agent; and, c) cooling the mixture in the mold to a second temperature below the gel point of the gel-forming agent to form a self supporting article comprising the powders and a gel comprising the gel forming material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
An injection molding process comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture comprising l) powders selected from the groups of metal powders, ceramic powders and mixtures thereof, 2) a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm², 3) a gel-forming material solvent, and 4) a carrier; b) injecting the mixture into a mold, the mixture being maintained prior to the injection step at a first temperature above the gel point of the gel forming agent; and, c) cooling the mixture in the mold to a second temperature below the gel point of the gel-forming agent to form a self supporting article comprising the powders and a gel comprising the gel forming material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
l0. A composition of matter comprising powder selected from the group of metal powder, ceramic powder and mixtures thereof and, mixed therewith, a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C and about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm².
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
l0. A composition of matter comprising powder selected from the group of metal powder, ceramic powder and mixtures thereof and, mixed therewith, a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0°C and about 22°C on a gel consisting essentially of about 4 wt% of the gel forming material and water, of at least about l00 g/cm².