US3949031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making cellular articles
Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1973-08-09
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1993-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for making a cellular article in which at least some of a plurality of extruded, generally parallel streams of strand-forming organic, thermoplastic, polymeric material are periodically expanded to provide bulbous portions along the lengths thereof, with such bulbous portions contacting and bonding with adjacent streams during their expansion, after which the streams are set to provide an integral article.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore H. Fairbanks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/36; B29C44/46; B29C44/468; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1043; Y10T156/1044; Y10T156/1048; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/233; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24496; Y10T428/24504; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249971; Y10T428/249972; Y10T428/249975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method which includes the steps of extruding a plurality of spaced, continuous generally parallel streams of flowable strand-forming, organic, thermoplastic polymeric material, periodically expanding each of the spaced, extruded streams concomitantly with the continuous extrusion thereof and while the strand-forming material thereof is in a flowable condition to provide at spaced intervals along the length of each such stream bulbous portions which, during the formation thereof, contact and bond with streams which are adjacent thereto, and setting the extruded strand-forming material to solidify the streams into an integral structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method which includes the steps of extruding a plurality of spaced, continuous generally parallel streams of flowable strand-forming, organic, thermoplastic polymeric material, periodically expanding each of the spaced, extruded streams concomitantly with the continuous extrusion thereof and while the strand-forming material thereof is in a flowable condition to provide at spaced intervals along the length of each such stream bulbous portions which, during the formation thereof, contact and bond with streams which are adjacent thereto, and setting the extruded strand-forming material to solidify the streams into an integral structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein periodic expansion of the respective streams of strand-forming material is effected by intermittently injecting a fluid into such streams concomitantly with the extrusion thereof whereby the bulbous portions are of cellular structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the strand-forming material is a foamable material and wherein such foamable material is extruded under a varying pressure whereby the extruded streams are caused to periodically expand to provide bulbous portions of cellular structure along the lengths thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as defined in claim 3 in which the pressure applied to the foamable strand-forming material of adjacent streams is periodically varied in alternate relationship whereby the bulbous portions of each stream is bonded to adjacent streams between bulbous portions thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the strand-forming material is a foamable material and further including the step of advancing the set, integral structure away from the location of extrusion at a varying rate to thereby provide bulbous portions along the length of the respective streams which are being extruded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the foamable strand-forming material is an orientable polymeric material and further including the step of stretching the set, integral structure at least along one of its longitudinal and transverse directions to orient the molecules thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said fluid is a mixture of a gas and liquid.
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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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |