US4016233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of making a flexible structural member
Assignee: General Cable Industries Inc
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Filing: 1975-03-10
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A process for making a flexible structural member is disclosed in which the member is formed from a mixture of scrap particles of thermoplastic wire and cable insulation, wood particles, comminuted paper, sawdust, and a suitable resin binder. The fabrication process is carried out by initially forming a mixture of reclaimed thermoplastic wire or cable insulation, a thermosetting binder, and one or more wood-like fillers, such as wood chips, comminuted paper, sawdust, and a mold release agent. The mixture is then placed in a mold and is subjected to heat and pressure to form a flexible structural member.
Inventors
- 👤 John Philip Pringle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:39
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B3/00; H01B3/18; H01B3/48; H01B3/52; B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/0026; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/50; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/704; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/50; B65H2701/51; B65H2701/512; B65H2701/5126; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A process for forming a flexible structural member comprising: a. admixing from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of particulate thermoplastic material wherein at least 50 percent of the particles have a particle dimension of from about 1/16 inch to about 1/4 inch with from about 70 to about 40 weight percent of a particulate wood filler material to form a first mixture; b. admixing from about 11 to about 18 weight percent of a thermosetting binder, based on the weight of the first mixture, to the first mixture to form a resultant mixture; c. placing the resulting mixture into a mold; and d. heating and compressing the resultant mixture at a temperature in a range from 250° F to about 450° F and at a pressure from about 75 psi to about 350 psi for a period of time effective to enable the particulate thermoplastic material to form flexible discrete zones whereby the flexible discrete zones bond together and to the particulate wood filler material and a flexible structural member is formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A process for forming a flexible structural member comprising: a. admixing from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of particulate thermoplastic material wherein at least 50 percent of the particles have a particle dimension of from about 1/16 inch to about 1/4 inch with from about 70 to about 40 weight percent of a particulate wood filler material to form a first mixture; b. admixing from about 11 to about 18 weight percent of a thermosetting binder, based on the weight of the first mixture, to the first mixture to form a resultant mixture; c. placing the resulting mixture into a mold; and d. heating and compressing the resultant mixture at a temperature in a range from 250° F to about 450° F and at a pressure from about 75 psi to about 350 psi for a period of time effective to enable the particulate thermoplastic material to form flexible discrete zones whereby the flexible discrete zones bond together and to the particulate wood filler material and a flexible structural member is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the particulate thermoplastic material is scrap thermoplastic wire and cable insulation and at least 50 percent by weight of the particulate thermoplastic material has an average particle dimension of 1/8 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein at least 50 percent by weight of the particulate wood filler material has a particle dimension from about 1/8 inch to about 3/8 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the resultant mixture comprises from about 27 to about 51 weight percent particulate thermoplastic material, from about 34 to about 63 weight percent particulate wood filler material, from about 10 to about 15 weight percent thermosetting binder, and an effective amount of a mold release agent to aid, after the heating and compressing step, in removing the resultant mixture from the mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the thermosetting binder is a phenolic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the molding is carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 300° F to about 350° F and at a pressure from about 150 psi to about 250 psi for a period of time of from about 8 minutes to about 20 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3806562A
Cited
US3671615A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |