Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A composition comprising an intimate mixture of glass beads and finely divided material, wherein the glass beads have a mean diameter of not more than 80 micrometers and a size range spread which is at least half the mean diameter of the beads, and wherein said finely divided material is hydrophobic, inorganic, substantially chemically inert with respect to the beads, has a specific surface of at least 50 m 2 /g, and is present in said mixture in an effective amount not exceeding 5% by weight of the beads, whereby the bulk settled density of the mixture is greater than that of the glass beads alone and greater quantities of said composition can be incorporated in a specific amount of polymer resin for any selected viscosity than the quantity of glass beads alone which results in that viscosity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A composition comprising an intimate mixture of glass beads and finely divided material, wherein the glass beads have a mean diameter of not more than 80 micrometers and a size range spread which is at least half the mean diameter of the beads, and wherein said finely divided material is hydrophobic, inorganic, substantially chemically inert with respect to the beads, has a specific surface of at least 50 m 2 /g, and is present in said mixture in an effective amount not exceeding 5% by weight of the beads, whereby the bulk settled density of the mixture is greater than that of the glass beads alone and greater quantities of said composition can be incorporated in a specific amount of polymer resin for any selected viscosity than the quantity of glass beads alone which results in that viscosity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the beads have been treated with an agent which improves adherence between the beads and a resin matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the beads include organo-silane groups.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein the mean diameter of the beads does not exceed 65 micrometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition according to claim 4, wherein at least 80% by weight of the beads have a diameter less than 44 micrometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein the bulk settled density of the mixture is between 55% and 80% of the density of the glass from which the beads are formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said finely divided material has a specific surface of at least 100 m 2 /g.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said finely divided material consists essentially of silica.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said finely divided material is present in an amount of at least 0.02% by weight of the beads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
A composition according to claim 1, including a polymer resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition according to claim 10, wherein the polymer resin is selected from the group consisting of polyester resin and epoxy resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to claim 11, wherein the surfaces of the beads include organo-silane groups.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A composition according to claim 1 wherein the mixture of glass beads and finely divided material has been reacted with a treatment agent so as to modify the surfaces of the beads and improve adherence between the beads and a resin matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
Polymeric material incorporating as filler a composition according to claim 1.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of modifying the surface properties of glass beads in a composition which consists essentially of glass beads intimately mixed with a finely divided material which is hydrophobic, inorganic and substantially chemically inert with respect to the beads and which has a specific surface of at least 50 m 2 /g in an effective amount not exceeding 5% by weight of the beads, the glass beads having a mean diameter of not more than 80 micrometers, and a size range spread which is at least half the mean diameter of the beads, comprising intimately mixing the glass beads with the finely divided material to form a composition, and treating the composition by reacting with a treatment agent which modifies the surfaces of the beads to improve adherence between the beads and a resin matrix whereby the bulk settled density of the mixture is greater than that of the glass beads alone.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of modifying the surface properties of glass beads in a composition which consists essentially of glass beads intimately mixed with a finely divided material which is hydrophobic, inorganic and substantially chemically inert with respect to the beads and which has a specific surface of at least 50 m 2 /g in an effective amount not exceeding 5% by weight of the beads, the glass beads having a mean diameter of not more than 80 micrometers, and a size range spread which is at least half the mean diameter of the beads, comprising intimately mixing the glass beads with the finely divided material to form a composition, and treating the composition by reacting with a treatment agent which modifies the surfaces of the beads to improve adherence between the beads and a resin matrix whereby the bulk settled density of the mixture is greater than that of the glass beads alone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said treatment agent comprises a silane composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said silane treatment is carried out in a solution having a pH in the range 4.5 to 6.5.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the glass beads have a mean diameter not exceeding 65 micrometers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein at least 80% by weight of the beads have a diameter less than 44 micrometers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the bulk settled density of the composition is between 55% and 80% of the density of the glass from which the beads are formed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the finely divided material has a specific surface of at least 100 m 2 /g.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the finely divided material consists essentially of silica.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the finely divided material is present in an amount of at least 0.02% by weight of the beads.