US3862282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrodynamic reticulation of polyurethane foam
Assignee: Foamex LP
•
Filing: 1969-11-18
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1989-11-18
Abstract
Abstract Substantially all of the cellular membranes of polyurethane foam are ruptured by impinging a water jet upon at least one surface of a foam sheet, the applied hydrodynamic force being sufficient to rupture the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam. The resistance of the cellular membranes to rupture by the hydrodynamic force is lessened by stretching the foam sheet in at least one direction prior to impinging the water jet.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/56; B29C44/5627; B29C71/00; C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/36; C08J9/38; B29K; B29K2075/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29K2105/045; B29L; B29L2007/00; B29L2007/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/70; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/906; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/24992
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A PROCESS FOR MODIFYING POLYUREATHANE FOAM HAVING CELLULAR MEMBRANES TO ACHEIVE A RETICULATED FOAM STRUCTURE COMPRISING APPLYING A HYDRODYNAMIC FORCE TO THE FOAM SURFACE, THE FORCE BEING SUFFICIENT TO RUPTURE SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE CELLULAR MEMBRANE WITHOUT DESTROYING THE SKELETAL STRUCTURE OF THE FOAM.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A PROCESS FOR MODIFYING POLYUREATHANE FOAM HAVING CELLULAR MEMBRANES TO ACHEIVE A RETICULATED FOAM STRUCTURE COMPRISING APPLYING A HYDRODYNAMIC FORCE TO THE FOAM SURFACE, THE FORCE BEING SUFFICIENT TO RUPTURE SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE CELLULAR MEMBRANE WITHOUT DESTROYING THE SKELETAL STRUCTURE OF THE FOAM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for modifying flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising impinging a water jet upon at least one surface of a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam to apply a hydrodynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all oF the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for modifying flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising impinging a water jet upon at least one surface of a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam to apply a hydrodynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all oF the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 2 wherein the reticulated foam is characterized by a density change not greater than about 2 percent when compared to the unreticulated foam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 2 wherein the impinging water jet issues from a nozzle at a pressure of at least about 20 p.s.i.g. and impacts the foam surface with a force sufficient to rupture substantially all of the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 2 wherein the water jet is impinged upon the polyurethane foam sheet in pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 2 further including stretching the foam sheet in at least one direction prior to impinging the water jet upon the foam surface, the stretched cellular membranes having a diminished resistance to rupture by the applied hydrodynamic force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 6 wherein the foam sheet is stretched in two directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 6 wherein the foam sheet is stretched to below its ultimate elongation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process for modifyiing flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising the steps of: a. forming a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam having a thickness not greater than about one-eighth inch; b. stretching the foam sheet in at least one direction to lessen the resistance to rupture of the cellular membranes; and c. impinging a water jet upon at least one surface of the polyurethane foam sheet to apply a hydrodynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all of the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process for modifyiing flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising the steps of: a. forming a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam having a thickness not greater than about one-eighth inch; b. stretching the foam sheet in at least one direction to lessen the resistance to rupture of the cellular membranes; and c. impinging a water jet upon at least one surface of the polyurethane foam sheet to apply a hydrodynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all of the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 9 wherein the water jet is impinged upon the polyurethane foam sheet in pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for modifying polyurethane foam according to claim 9 wherein the sheet of polyurethane foam has a thickness not greater than about one-fourth inch and the water jet is impinged upon opposed surfaces of the polyurethane foam sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for modifying flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising impinging a fluid jet upon at least one surface of a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam to apply a dynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all of the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for modifying flexible polyurethane foam having cellular membranes to achieve a reticulated foam structure comprising impinging a fluid jet upon at least one surface of a sheet of flexible polyurethane foam to apply a dynamic force sufficient to rupture substantially all of the cellular membranes without destroying the skeletal structure of the foam.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |