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Methods for the preparation of porous fibers and membranes

Assignee: Membrana GmbH
•
Filing: 1983-01-10
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2003-01-10
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Abstract

Abstract The invention concerns porous fibers and membranes, methods for their preparation and for their use. The fibers are characterized by a smooth porous surface and an apparent density of between about 10 and 90% of the true density of the polymeric starting material employed. The process involves the formation of a homogeneous mixture of at least two components, one of which is a meltable polymer and another liquid inert with respect to the polymer. The mixture formed must be of a binary type, in which there is a temperature range of complete miscibility and a range in which there is a miscibility gap. The mixture is extruded at a temperature above the separation temperature into a bath containing at least some of the inert liquid which is at a temperature below the separation temperature. Upon introduction of the mixture into the bath, the fiber structure of the product is fixed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Klaus Gerlach
  • 👤 Erich Kessler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 12:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D71/00; B01D71/06; B01D71/26; B01D71/262; B01D69/00; B01D69/02; B01D69/08; B01D69/087; B29; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/20; B29C67/205; C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/28; D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/24; D01D5/247; C08J2201/00; C08J2201/04; C08J2201/054; C08J2201/0542; C08J2201/0543; C08J2201/0545; C08J2201/0546

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
A process for preparation of porous fibers and membranes in the form of flat foils, tube foils or hollow fibers, comprising forming a homogeneous mixture of at least two components, wherein one component is a meltable polymer and a second component is a liquid inert to said polymer which forms a binary mixture with said polymer in its liquid state, said binary mixture in liquid aggregate form exhibiting a temperature range of complete miscibility and a range with a miscibility gap; and extruding said mixture at a temperature above the temperature at which said components separate directly into a bath containing at least some of said inert liquid, said bath having a temperature below said separation temperature, whereby the fiber structure of said porous fiber is fixed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 127 words
A process for preparation of porous fibers and membranes in the form of flat foils, tube foils or hollow fibers, comprising forming a homogeneous mixture of at least two components, wherein one component is a meltable polymer and a second component is a liquid inert to said polymer which forms a binary mixture with said polymer in its liquid state, said binary mixture in liquid aggregate form exhibiting a temperature range of complete miscibility and a range with a miscibility gap; and extruding said mixture at a temperature above the temperature at which said components separate directly into a bath containing at least some of said inert liquid, said bath having a temperature below said separation temperature, whereby the fiber structure of said porous fiber is fixed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said fiber is washed after fixing with a solvent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
A process as defined in claim 2, wherein said solvent is acetone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature of said bath is at least 100° C. below said separation temperature of said binary mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said homogeneous mixture is extruded into a spinning tube arranged before said bath and filled with bath liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 12 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer is polypropylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said inert liquid is N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-hexadecylamine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer and said liquid are selected from the group of polymer/liquid systems consisting of low pressure polyethylene/1-dodecanol, high pressure polyethylene/methylnonylketone, and polymethylpentene/2-undecanol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said bath is a temperature-step bath comprising two or more separate baths, each of which has a different temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said mixture comprises between about 10 to 90 weight % polymer and about 90 to 10 weight % inert liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said components are continuously mixed prior to extrusion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said mixing is effected by means of a rod or pin mixer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 42 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein said bath is a temperature-gradient bath comprising one or more portions with a temperature gradient of the type in which the temperature from the beginning of the bath until the end is continuously reduced.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1860002A Cited
US2585444A Cited
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GB1044502A Cited
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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) 1989-01-13 1989-07-15 1990-01-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-01-13 1993-07-15 1994-01-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-01-13 1997-07-15 1998-01-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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