US4556603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making lightweight thermoplastic elastomer and product thereof
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1984-03-21
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Granted: 1985-12-03
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Expires: 2004-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition is prepared by mixing a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a styrene/butadiene block copolymer, an extender oil and, optionally, at least part of a dense, particulate filler such as silica, at an elevated temperature to form a viscous, liquid masterbatch and, thereafter, mixing hollow microspheres, such as hollow glass micropheres, and all or the remainder of a dense, particulate filler, if any, with the masterbatch at an elevated temperature to form the lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition. The thermoplastic elastomer composition is preferably formed into a flexible, lightweight sheet-type structure particularly suitable for use as a sound or heat insulating material for automotive, aircraft and construction uses.
Inventors
- 👤 Agmund K. Thorsrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:57
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08K; C08K7/00; C08K7/22; C08L; C08L53/00; C08L53/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/674; Y10T442/678; Y10T442/679
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of making a lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: (a) mixing a solid thermoplastic elastomer and an extender oil at an elevated temperature to form a viscous liquid masterbatch; and, thereafter, (b) mixing a hollow, microsphere particulate material and a dense, particulate filler with said masterbatch at an elevated temperature to form said lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of making a lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: (a) mixing a solid thermoplastic elastomer and an extender oil at an elevated temperature to form a viscous liquid masterbatch; and, thereafter, (b) mixing a hollow, microsphere particulate material and a dense, particulate filler with said masterbatch at an elevated temperature to form said lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer composition is formed into a flexible, lightweight sheet-type structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the mechanical strength of the sheet-type structure is improved by the addition of a coupling agent to the ingredients of the masterbatch of step (a).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the coupling agent is an inorganic silane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the coupling agent is an inorganic titanate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the mechanical strength of the sheet-type structure is improved by bonding a substrate to at least one side thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the substrate is a nonwoven fabric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the masterbatch additionally contains a heat stabilizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the masterbatch additionally contains an antiblocking/antisticking agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a conjugated diene/vinyl aromatic block copolymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the block copolymer is a styrene/butadiene block copolymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hollow microspheres are a hollow glass microsphere material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition made by: (a) mixing a solid, thermoplastic elastomer and an extender oil at an elevated temperature to form a liquid masterbatch; and, thereafter, (b) mixing a hollow, microsphere particulate material and a dense, particulate filler with said masterbatch at an elevated temperature to form said light weight, thermoplastic elastomer composition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A lightweight, thermoplastic elastomer composition made by: (a) mixing a solid, thermoplastic elastomer and an extender oil at an elevated temperature to form a liquid masterbatch; and, thereafter, (b) mixing a hollow, microsphere particulate material and a dense, particulate filler with said masterbatch at an elevated temperature to form said light weight, thermoplastic elastomer composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer composition is in the form of a flexible, lightweight, sheet-type structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the masterbatch additionally contains a coupling agent to improve the mechanical strength of the sheet-type structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product in accordance with claim 15 wherein the coupling agent is an inorganic silane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product in accordance with claim 15 wherein the coupling agent is an inorganic titanate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A product in accordance with claim 14 wherein a substrate is bonded to the sheet-type structure to improve the mechanical strength thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A product in accordance with claim 18 wherein the substrate is a nonwoven fabric.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the masterbatch additionally contains a heat stabilizer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the masterbatch additionally contains an antiblocking/antisticking agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a conjugated diene/vinyl aromatic block copolymer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A product in accordance with claim 22 wherein the block copolymer is a styrene/butadiene block copolymer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product in accordance with claim 13 wherein the hollow microspheres are hollow glass microspheres.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least part of at least one dense, particulate filler is added in mixing step (a) and the dense, particulate filler in mixing step (b) is the remainder of said dense, particulate filler thus added in mixing step (a).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A composition in accordance with claim 13 wherein at least part of at least one dense, particulate filler is added in mixing step (a) and the dense, particulate filler in mixing step (b) is the remainder of said dense, particulate filler thus added in mixing step (a).
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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) | 1988-12-02 | 1989-06-03 | 1989-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-02 | 1993-06-03 | 1993-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-02 | 1997-06-03 | 1997-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |