US4403012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballistic-resistant article
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1982-03-19
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Articles such as vests, helmets and structural elements containing a network of ultrahigh molecular weight, high strength, high modulus polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The fibers, and especially polyethylene fibers of 15, 20, 25, 30 or more g/denier tenacity, and 300, 500, 1000, 1500 or more g/denier tensile modulus impart exceptional ballistic resistance to the articles in spite of the melting points, e.g. 145°-151° C. for the polyethylene fibers and 168°-171° C. for the polypropylene fibers, which are high for these polymers, but substantially lower than the 200° C. or more melting point previously thought necessary for good ballistic resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Harpell
- 👤 Sheldon Kavesh
- 👤 Igor Palley
- 👤 Dusan C. Prevorsek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:55
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F6/00; C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; C08J5/04; C08J5/046; B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/32; F; F41; F41H; F41H1/00; F41H1/02; F41H5/00; F41H5/02; F41H5/04; F41H5/0471; F41H5/0485; C08J2323/00; C08J2323/02; C08J2323/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/902; Y10S428/911; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/2615; Y10T442/2623; Y10T442/2861; Y10T442/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A ballistic-resistant article of manufacture comprising a network of polyolefin fibers having, in the case of polyethylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 300 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier, and in the case of polypropylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 8 g/denier, said fibers being formed into a network of sufficient thickness to absorb the energy of a projectile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A ballistic-resistant article of manufacture comprising a network of polyolefin fibers having, in the case of polyethylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 300 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier, and in the case of polypropylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 8 g/denier, said fibers being formed into a network of sufficient thickness to absorb the energy of a projectile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 being in the form of a composite comprising said polyolefin fiber network and a matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 2 wherein said polyolefin fiber network comprises polyolefin fibers coated with an ethylene or propylene copolymer and said matrix comprises a thermoset resin, said copolymer having strong adhesion to said polyolefin fibers and to said thermoset resin matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 2 wherein said matrix comprises a thermoplastic having ethylene or propylene crystallinity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 4 wherein said polyolefin fiber is polyethylene and said thermoplastic matrix is polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 5 wherein said polyethylene fiber has a melting point of at least about 140° C. and said polyethylene polymer matrix has a melting point at least about 3° C. lower than the melting point of said polyethylene fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 5 wherein said polyethylene polymer matrix is polyethylene of a density between about 0.90 and about 0.94 g/cm 3 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ballistic-resistant article or claim 5 wherein said polyethylene polymer matrix is polyethylene of a density between about 0.94 and about 0.98 g/cm 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said fiber network comprises a first plurality of layers, with each layer comprising a second plurality of fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 9 wherein said second plurality of fibers are substantially aligned in each layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ballistic resistant article of claim 1 consisting essentially of a flexible network of said polyolefin fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |