Patent US4041192A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4041192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of enhancing high polymers, particularly textiles
Assignee: Textilkombinat VEB
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Filing: 1975-04-15
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances is disclosed. The method involves treating a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over the entire surface thereof in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across the surface of the polymer. This may be accomplished by forming chemically active species, e.g., ions or free radicals, in the polymer which vary in concentration across the surface of the latter and at least once contacting the surface of the polymer with a substance, for instance, a monomer such as a vinyl compound, which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with the chemically active species. The chemically active species may be formed by irradiating the surface of the polymer with high energy radiation, for example, a beam of electrons. Different possibilities exist for achieving a varying concentration of the chemically active species across the surface of the polymer. One possibility resides in subjecting the surface of the polymer to both a homogeneous and a non-homogeneous irradiation. Another possibility resides in subjecting the surface of the polymer to a homogeneous irradiation and then eliminating at least some of the chemically active species in selected regions of the surface of the polymer. Still another possibility resides in directing a radiation beam at the surface of the polymer and varying the direction and/or the intensity of the beam. Numerous permutations within this framework exist.
Inventors
- 👤 Adolf Heger
- 👤 Helmar Passler
- 👤 Frank Bennemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:25
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06M; D06M14/00; D06M14/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising grafting a substance over said surface portion substantially homogeneously, and said substantially homogeneous grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species and substantially homogeneously contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, the treating step also comprising grafting a substance over localized regions of said surface portion only, and said localized grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species, eliminating the latter in the regions of said surface portion other than said localized regions and substantially homogeneously contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with the chemically active species in said localized regions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising grafting a substance over said surface portion substantially homogeneously, and said substantially homogeneous grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species and substantially homogeneously contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, the treating step also comprising grafting a substance over localized regions of said surface portion only, and said localized grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species, eliminating the latter in the regions of said surface portion other than said localized regions and substantially homogeneously contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with the chemically active species in said localized regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the irradiating step is at least in part carried out prior to the contacting step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the irradiating step is at least in part carried out during the contacting step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the irradiating step is at least in part carried out subsequent to the contacting step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said surface portion is subjected to tension during at least part of the treating step.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising grafting a substance over said surface portion substantially homogeneously, and the treating step also comprising grafting a substance over localized regions of said surface portion only, said localized grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species, eliminating said chemically active species in the regions of said surface portion other than said localized regions and substantially homogeneously contacting with surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising grafting a substance over said surface portion substantially homogeneously, and the treating step also comprising grafting a substance over localized regions of said surface portion only, said localized grafting comprising substantially homogeneously irradiating said surface portion so as to cause the formation of chemically active species, eliminating said chemically active species in the regions of said surface portion other than said localized regions and substantially homogeneously contacting with surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said substantially homogeneous grafting is carried out prior to said localized grafting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said substantially homogeneous grafting is carried out subsequent to said localized grafting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the substance which is substantially homogeneously grafted over said surface portion is the same as that which is grafted over said localized regions only.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the substance which is substantially homogeneously grafted over said surface portion is different from that which is grafted over said localized regions only.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein at least one of the grafting steps comprises contacting said surface portion with a liquid medium which includes the substance to be grafted over said surface portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein at least one of the grafting steps comprises contacting said surface portion with a gaseous medium which includes the substance to be grafted over said surface portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the substance which is grafted over said surface portion in at least one of the grafting steps comprises a monomer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 13, wherein said monomer comprises a vinyl compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said vinyl compound comprises a member of the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide and styrene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said surface portion is rinsed between said substantially homogeneous grafting and said localized grafting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 16, wherein said surface portion is dried between said substantially homogeneous grafting and said localized grafting.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the eliminating step comprises heating said other regions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the heating step comprises contacting said surface portion with a heated, profiled, rotating member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the eliminating step comprises subjecting said other regions to the action of a laser beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said surface portion is subjected to tension during at least one of the grafting steps.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species at substantially every point of said surface portion in such a manner that the concentration of said chemically active species varies across said surface portion, and only once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species so that graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion is obtained substantially simultaneously with variations in graft density across said surface portion.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species at substantially every point of said surface portion in such a manner that the concentration of said chemically active species varies across said surface portion, and only once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species so that graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion is obtained substantially simultaneously with variations in graft density across said surface portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 22, wherein the forming step comprises directing a radiation beam at said surface portion and varying the intensity of said beam.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 22, wherein the forming step comprises irradiating at least part of said surface portion with electrons.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 24, wherein at least some of said electrons have an energy between about 40 KeV and 3 MeV.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species in varying concentration across said surface portion and at least once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, and the forming step comprising irradiating said surface portion by directing a beam of radiation at said surface portion and at least partially shielding selected regions of said surface portion from said radiation beam, the shielding step comprising interposing between the radiation source and said surface portion a perforate member having a thickness less than the maximum distance which said radiation can penetrate into said member.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species in varying concentration across said surface portion and at least once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, and the forming step comprising irradiating said surface portion by directing a beam of radiation at said surface portion and at least partially shielding selected regions of said surface portion from said radiation beam, the shielding step comprising interposing between the radiation source and said surface portion a perforate member having a thickness less than the maximum distance which said radiation can penetrate into said member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 26, wherein the contacting step comprises contacting said surface portion with a liquid medium which includes said substance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 26, wherein the contacting step comprises contacting said surface portion with a gaseous medium which includes said substance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 26, wherein said substance comprises a monomer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 29, wherein said monomer comprises a vinyl compound.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 30, wherein said monomer comprises a member of the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide and styrene.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species in varying concentration across said surface portion and at least once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, and the forming step comprising irradiating said surface portion and eliminating at least some of said chemically active species at selected regions of said surface portion.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of enhancing the properties and appearance of polymeric substances, particularly textiles, comprising treating a surface portion of a polymer so as to effect graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent of said surface portion in such a manner that variations in graft density occur across said surface portion, whereby the properties of said surface portion are enhanced due to graft polymerization over substantially the entire extent thereof and a textured appearance is imparted to said surface portion due to said variations in graft density, the treating step comprising forming chemically active species in varying concentration across said surface portion and at least once contacting said surface portion with a substance which undergoes a graft polymerization reaction with said species, and the forming step comprising irradiating said surface portion and eliminating at least some of said chemically active species at selected regions of said surface portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the irradiating step comprises directing a beam of radiation at said surface portion and shielding the regions of said surface portion other than said localized regions from the radiation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the irradiating step comprises directing a radiation beam at said surface portion and controlling the direction of said radiation beam so that only said localized regions are irradiated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the irradiating step comprises directing a radiation beam at said surface portion and varying the intensity of said radiation beam.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the irradiating step comprises directing a radiation beam at said surface portion, controlling the direction of said radiation beam so that only said localized regions are irradiated and varying the intensity of said radiation beam.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein th eliminating step comprises heating said selected regions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the heating step is carried out such that only some of said chemically active species are eliminated at said selected regions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the heating step is carried out such that substantially all of said chemically active species are eliminated at said selected regions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the heating step comprises contacting said surface portion with a heated, profiled, rotating member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the eliminating step comprises subjecting said selected regions to the action of a laser beam.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the forming step comprises directing a beam of radiation at said surface portion and controlling the direction of said beam so that only localized regions of said surface portion are irradiated.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the intensity of said beam is varied.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2907675A
Cited
US3088791A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |