US4536271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of plasma treating a polymer film to change its properties
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1983-12-29
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Granted: 1985-08-20
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Expires: 2003-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating a polymer film to alter its physical properties, comprising exposing the film to an ionized plasma in a vacuum environment with the ionizing gas producing one of surface etching, polymer cross-linking and coating of the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory P. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:54
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D1/00; B05D1/62; B05D3/00; B05D3/14; B05D3/141; B05D3/142; B05D3/144; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of strengthening a polymer film comprising the steps of: placing said film in a vacuum chamber containing a pair of electrodes; filling said chamber with a treatment gas under a pressure of 0.2-0.7 Torr; applying a voltage to said electrodes to initiate a discharge in and ionization of said treatment gas; and exposing said film to said ionized treatment gas for a predetermined period of time and thereby etching away a surface layer of said film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of strengthening a polymer film comprising the steps of: placing said film in a vacuum chamber containing a pair of electrodes; filling said chamber with a treatment gas under a pressure of 0.2-0.7 Torr; applying a voltage to said electrodes to initiate a discharge in and ionization of said treatment gas; and exposing said film to said ionized treatment gas for a predetermined period of time and thereby etching away a surface layer of said film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said treatment gas is an inorganic compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein said treatment gas is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, neon, helium and argon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said treatment gas is an organic compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein said treatment gas is selected from the group consisting of silanes, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromatics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said film is first exposed to said ionized treatment gas and is thereafter exposed to another ionized treatment gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said etching is to a depth of less than 1 micron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said film is selected from the group consisting of linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight high density polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said treatment gas is in a concentration of 1×10 -5 to 4×10 -5 gram moles per liter in said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the temperature of said ionized treatment gas is in a range of 50°-120° Celsius.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said treatment gas in an inert gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said treatment gas is an ethylene gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of removing said treatment gas from said chamber, introducing a different treatment gas into said chamber and applying a voltage to said electrodes to initiate a discharge and an ionization of said different treatment gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein said treatment gas is oxygen and said different treatment gas is an ethylene gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps of removing said treatment gas from said chamber and introducing a different treatment gas into said chamber which is not ionized.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein said treatment gas is oxygen and said different treatment gas is an ethylene gas.
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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) | 1988-08-19 | 1989-02-18 | 1989-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-19 | 1993-02-18 | 1993-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-19 | 1997-02-18 | 1997-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |