US4261940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the manufacture of a foamable thermoplastic resin stick and a foamed element made therefrom
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-05
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Granted: 1981-04-14
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Expires: 1999-03-05
Abstract
Abstract Sticks of foamable thermoplastic material are provided with grooves in at least one surface. These grooves extend width-wise of the stick. In addition, the grooves are disposed in equi-spaced relation along one surface of the stick, or in spaced-apart series or groups on only one surface, or in series or groups on opposite surfaces and in spaced-apart relation. Upon foaming, the sticks form foamed elements of various shapes, each of which has at least one curvilinear portion such as, for example, a corkscrew shape, an annular shape or shapes with reverse bends.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Bussey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:05
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/56; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0027; B29C48/0012; B29C48/03; B29C48/12; B29C48/13; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29K2105/10; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7138; B29L2031/714; B29L2031/772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making foamable thermoplastic elements comprising the steps of extruding a thermoplastic material containing a foaming agent through a die opening of predetermined shape; passing the extruded material through a cooling zone to cool the extruded material to a latent foaming state; and forming a plurality of grooves in at least one surface of the extruded latent foaming material width-wise of the axis of extrusion of the extruded material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making foamable thermoplastic elements comprising the steps of extruding a thermoplastic material containing a foaming agent through a die opening of predetermined shape; passing the extruded material through a cooling zone to cool the extruded material to a latent foaming state; and forming a plurality of grooves in at least one surface of the extruded latent foaming material width-wise of the axis of extrusion of the extruded material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cooling zone includes a water bath and said step of forming the grooves occurs following passage of the extruded material from the water bath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 further comprising the step of severing the extruded material into desired lengths following said step of forming the grooves in the extruded material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making foamed thermoplastic elements comprising the steps of extruding a thermoplastic material containing a foaming agent through a die opening of predetermined shape; passing the extruded shape through a cooling zone to cool the extruded material to a latent foaming state; forming a plurality of closely spaced grooves in at least one surface of the extruded material width-wise of the axis of extrusion of the extruded material to form zones of weakening therein; thereafter servering the extruded latent foamable material to form at least one elongated stick having a plurality of closely spaced grooves in at least one surface thereof; and heating the stick to cause foaming of the stick whereby the stick expands and coils to form a thermoplastic element having a continuous skin and a plurality of spines projecting therefrom.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making foamed thermoplastic elements comprising the steps of extruding a thermoplastic material containing a foaming agent through a die opening of predetermined shape; passing the extruded shape through a cooling zone to cool the extruded material to a latent foaming state; forming a plurality of closely spaced grooves in at least one surface of the extruded material width-wise of the axis of extrusion of the extruded material to form zones of weakening therein; thereafter servering the extruded latent foamable material to form at least one elongated stick having a plurality of closely spaced grooves in at least one surface thereof; and heating the stick to cause foaming of the stick whereby the stick expands and coils to form a thermoplastic element having a continuous skin and a plurality of spines projecting therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 which further includes the step of pulling the extruded material from the die opening to cause bubbles of expanding agent in the material to stretch whereby subsequent foaming of a stick results in the greatest expansion occurring radially of the axis of the stick.
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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) | 1984-04-13 | 1984-10-13 | 1985-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-13 | 1988-10-13 | 1989-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-13 | 1992-10-13 | 1993-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |