US3870610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cold plasma treatment of materials
Assignee: WR Grace and Co Conn
•
Filing: 1973-02-27
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A low temperature plasma is used to treat the surfaces of polymeric materials and textile fibers to improve their useful properties. For example, plastic film surfaces show greatly improved wettability and ink adhesion after treatment and textile fibers such as wool yarn show a reduction in shrinkage. The low temperature or ''''cold'''' plasma can be produced with various gases including air at low pressures with excitation produced by an alternating field oscillating in the radiofrequency range.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W Baird
- 👤 Jr William G Baird
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:08
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/14; D; D06; D06M; D06M10/00; D06M10/02; D06M10/025; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2067/00; B29K2077/00; B29K2313/00; D06M2101/00; D06M2101/02; D06M2101/10; D06M2101/12; D06M2200/00; D06M2200/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
providing at least one vacuum trap for said region to permit said material to enter and exit said region; and,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
providing at least one vacuum trap for said region to permit said material to enter and exit said region; and,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for treating polymeric materials comprising the steps of: a. evacuating a confined region to a pressure less than 100 torr; b. creating and maintaining a cold plasma within said region, the ionized species comprising said plasma being created within said region and not being transported therefrom; and, c. exposing at least one side of said material directly to said plasma within said region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for treating polymeric materials comprising the steps of: a. evacuating a confined region to a pressure less than 100 torr; b. creating and maintaining a cold plasma within said region, the ionized species comprising said plasma being created within said region and not being transported therefrom; and, c. exposing at least one side of said material directly to said plasma within said region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A PROCESS FOR TREATING POLYMERIC MATERIALS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. EVACUATING A CONFINED REGION TO A PRESSURE LESS THAN 100 TORR; B. CREATING AND MAINTAINING A COLD PLASMA WITHIN SAID REGION, THE IONIZED SPECIES COMPRISING SAID PLASMA BEING CREATED WITHIN SAID REGION AND NOT BEING TRANSPORTED THEREFROM; AND, C. EXPOSING AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF SAID MATERIAL DIRECTLY TO SAID PLASMA WITHIN SAID REGION.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A PROCESS FOR TREATING POLYMERIC MATERIALS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. EVACUATING A CONFINED REGION TO A PRESSURE LESS THAN 100 TORR; B. CREATING AND MAINTAINING A COLD PLASMA WITHIN SAID REGION, THE IONIZED SPECIES COMPRISING SAID PLASMA BEING CREATED WITHIN SAID REGION AND NOT BEING TRANSPORTED THEREFROM; AND, C. EXPOSING AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF SAID MATERIAL DIRECTLY TO SAID PLASMA WITHIN SAID REGION.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is formed in air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
continuously exposing at least one surface of said plastic film to said plasma.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
continuously exposing at least one surface of said plastic film to said plasma.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is formed in helium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said plasma is caused by excitation of the gas molecules and electrons by polarity reversals in the radiofrequency range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polymers of ethylene, propylene, ethylene terepthlate, and amides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said material is a continuous plastic film and including the steps of:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said plastic film is polyethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A polymeric film having a modified surface which is substantially improved for adhesion to ink, said surface having been treated by the method of claim 1.
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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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |