US4214030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermoformable-crosslinkable ethylene polymer sheet per se and in laminate form and thermoformed sheet produced therefrom
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1978-06-06
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having a melt index of at least 1.5 is supported by a sheet of a polymer having a melt index of 0.9 or less. The support sheet provides support for the sheet of the crosslinkable polymer of ethylene during a thermoforming operation.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Rakes
- 👤 Joseph R. Harder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:34
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/32; B32B27/18; C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/04; C08K5/14; C09; C09D; C09D123/00; C09D123/02; C09D123/04; B32B38/00; B32B2038/0052; B32B2038/0076; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1043; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31507; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31797; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/3188; Y10T428/31884; Y10T428/31888; Y10T428/31891; Y10T428/31909; Y10T428/31913; Y10T428/31924; Y10T428/31931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene supported by a sheet of a support polymer where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent and where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene supported by a sheet of a support polymer where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent and where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene has a melt index in the range of about 1.5 to about 200 and a density in the range of about 0.92 to about 0.975.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support polymer has a melt index in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.9.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is laminated with the sheet of said support polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene having a melt index of about 30 and a density of about 0.967.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein said suitable crosslinking agent is an acetylenic diperoxy compound selected from the group consisting of hexynes having the formula ##STR4## octynes having the formula ##STR5## and octadiynes having the formula ##STR6## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzoyl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A sheet in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support polymer is is selected from a group consisting of polyamides, polycarbonates, homopolymers of mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, copolymers of at least two mono-1-olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, polyesters, polystyrene, and cellulosic polymers, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A thermoformed article produced from a composite sheet having at least first and second layers, said first layer comprising a crosslinked polymer of ethylene selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said second layer comprising a support polymer having a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to the temperature required to crosslink the crosslinkable polymer of ethylene from which said crosslinked polymer of ethylene was formed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A thermoformed article produced from a composite sheet having at least first and second layers, said first layer comprising a crosslinked polymer of ethylene selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said second layer comprising a support polymer having a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to the temperature required to crosslink the crosslinkable polymer of ethylene from which said crosslinked polymer of ethylene was formed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermoformed article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said cross-linked polymer of ethylene has a melt index in the range of about 1.5 to about 200 and a density in the range of about 0.92 to about 0.975.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermoformed article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support polymer has a melt index in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.9.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermoformed article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first layer is laminated with said second layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermoformed article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said cross-linked polymer of ethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene having a melt index of about 30 and a density of about 0.967.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A thermoformed article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support polymer is selected from a group consisting of polyamides, polycarbonates, homopolymers of mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, copolymers of at least two mono-1-olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, polyesters, polystyrene, and cellulosic polymers, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for producing a sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent, comprising the steps of: extruding a sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene; and supporting the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on a sheet of a support polymer where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for producing a sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from a group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent, comprising the steps of: extruding a sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene; and supporting the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on a sheet of a support polymer where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene has a melt index in the range of about 1.5 to about 200 and a density in the range of about 0.92 to about 0.975.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said support polymer has a melt index in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.9.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said step of supporting the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on a sheet of said support polymer comprises extruding the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene onto the sheet of said support polymer in such a manner that a layered composite sheet is formed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is laminated with the sheet of said support polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the extrusion of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 290° F. to about 320° F.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene having a melt index of about 30 and a density of about 0.967.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said suitable crosslinking agent is an acetylenic diperoxy compound selected from the group consisting of hexynes having the formula ##STR7## octynes having the formula ##STR8## and octadiynes having the formula ##STR9## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzoyl.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said support polymer is selected from a group consisting of polyamides, polycarbonates, homopolymers of mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, copolymers of at least two mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, polyesters, polystyrene, and cellulosic polymers, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of thermoforming a sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent, comprising the steps of: supporting said sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on a sheet of a support polymer, to thereby form a composite sheet where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene; heating said composite sheet to a temperature sufficient to produce significant crosslinking of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene, said temperature also being suitable to soften the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene and the sheet of said support polymer to the extent necessary for the thermoforming process; and thermoforming said composite sheet to produce a desired product.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of thermoforming a sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene where said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and at least one acyclic mono-1-olefin hydrocarbon having 3 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures of any two or more thereof, said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene having incorporated therein a suitable crosslinking agent, comprising the steps of: supporting said sheet of a crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on a sheet of a support polymer, to thereby form a composite sheet where said support polymer has a melt index which is sufficiently low to prevent said support polymer from being deformed when said support polymer is heated to a temperature suitable for crosslinking said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene; heating said composite sheet to a temperature sufficient to produce significant crosslinking of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene, said temperature also being suitable to soften the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene and the sheet of said support polymer to the extent necessary for the thermoforming process; and thermoforming said composite sheet to produce a desired product.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene has a melt index in the range of about 1.5 to about 200 and a density in the range of about 0.92 to about 0.975.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said support polymer has a melt index in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.9.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said step of supporting the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene on the sheet of said support polymer comprises extruding the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene onto the sheet of said support polymer in such a manner that a layered composite sheet is formed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the sheet of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is laminated with the sheet of said support polymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the extrusion of said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 290° F. to about 320° F.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene having a melt index of about 30 and a density of about 0.967.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein the temperature to which the composite sheet is heated is within the range of about 320° F. to about 450° F.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein said crosslinkable polymer of ethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene having a melt index of about 30 and a density of about 0.967.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said suitable crosslinking agent is an acetylenic diperoxy compound selected from the group consisting of hexynes having the formula ##STR10## octynes having the formula ##STR11## and octadiynes having the formula ##STR12## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzoyl.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein said support polymer is selected from a group consisting of polyamides, polycarbonates, homopolymers of mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, copolymers of at least two mono-1-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule, polyesters, polystyrene, and cellulosic polymers, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3876613A
Cited
US3989787A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |