Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for producing a molded article simulating the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber, said method comprising: (1) blending a composition comprising styrene/butadiene linear or radial block copolymer elastomer having a polymerized styrene content in the range of about 20 to about 50 weight percent of total block copolymer and resinous polymer of vinyl substituted aromatic compound in the range of about 10 to about 60 parts resinous polymer per 100 parts block copolymer elastomer with a sufficient amount of polarizing agent to permit rapid heating using energy at microwave frequencies said polarizing agent chosen from the group consisting of simple and polymeric alkylene glycols and their mono- and dialkyl ethers, ethanolamines and isopropanolamines and their hydrocarbyl-substituted derivatives, liquid acrylonitrile butadiene polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene blends with homopolymers of polyvinyl chloride, styrene acrylonitrile copolymer, glyceryl diacetae, di(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, styrene acrylonitrile resin, and normally solid resinous ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; (2) introducing said composition into a mold that has at least one molding surface that mirrors the appearance of plantation crepe rubber; (3) closing the mold; (4) melting said composition using microwave energy; (5) subjecting said composition to molding conditions; (6) removing from the mold an object having at least one surface with the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for producing a molded article simulating the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber, said method comprising: (1) blending a composition comprising styrene/butadiene linear or radial block copolymer elastomer having a polymerized styrene content in the range of about 20 to about 50 weight percent of total block copolymer and resinous polymer of vinyl substituted aromatic compound in the range of about 10 to about 60 parts resinous polymer per 100 parts block copolymer elastomer with a sufficient amount of polarizing agent to permit rapid heating using energy at microwave frequencies said polarizing agent chosen from the group consisting of simple and polymeric alkylene glycols and their mono- and dialkyl ethers, ethanolamines and isopropanolamines and their hydrocarbyl-substituted derivatives, liquid acrylonitrile butadiene polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene blends with homopolymers of polyvinyl chloride, styrene acrylonitrile copolymer, glyceryl diacetae, di(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, styrene acrylonitrile resin, and normally solid resinous ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; (2) introducing said composition into a mold that has at least one molding surface that mirrors the appearance of plantation crepe rubber; (3) closing the mold; (4) melting said composition using microwave energy; (5) subjecting said composition to molding conditions; (6) removing from the mold an object having at least one surface with the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said compositon also comprises blowing agent dispersed throughout the composition said blowing agent activated by the elevated temperature during the molding process said composition with blowing agent being introduced into the mold in an amount such that the expansion of the composition as gas is produced from the activated blowing agent results in a microporous structure within a skin of normally dense polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said mold has at least one surface formed against natural plantation crepe rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of claim 2 wherein said composition with blowing agent is introduced into the mold in an amount that causes the mold to be about 80 percent to about 90 percent full.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of claim 1 or 2 wherein melting is accomplished by subjecting the compositon to microwave energy in the range of about 25 to about 120 MH z (megahertz) for a period ranging from about 4 seconds to about 4 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 2 wherein the amount of blowing agent is in the range of about 0.5 to 10 php of total polymeric mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of claim 6 wherein the amount of blowing agent is in the range of about 3 to about 6 php of total polymeric mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of claim 5 wherein sufficient pressure is maintained on the closed mold for a time sufficient to allow forming of a molded object within the mold after melting said composition mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said composition mixture also contains compounds chosen from among odorants, colorants, and fillers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A molded article simulating the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber produced by the method of claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A molded article simulating the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber produced by the method of claim 2.