US4615858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus producing decorative melt fracture patterns on polymeric products
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1985-05-16
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Granted: 1986-10-07
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Expires: 2005-05-16
Abstract
Abstract Beautifying patterns on the surface of extruded polymer products are produced by forcing molten polymer through a die which is coated with a controlled pattern of low surface energy material. Melt fracture of the polyethylene as it emerges from the die is produced at gaps in the coating material which may be silicon, inorganic or fluorine containing polymers.
Inventors
- 👤 Tien-Kuei Su
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:41
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/32; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/10; B29C48/001; B29C48/0018; B29C48/0019; B29C48/3001; B29C48/3003; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/003; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of producing beautifying patterns on the surface of extruded polymer products comprising: coating an extruding die with a controlled pattern of low surface energy material; and forcing molten polymer through said die to produce melt fracture texture in the product extruded through the uncoated part of said die.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of producing beautifying patterns on the surface of extruded polymer products comprising: coating an extruding die with a controlled pattern of low surface energy material; and forcing molten polymer through said die to produce melt fracture texture in the product extruded through the uncoated part of said die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said die has a central mandril inside a die body with an annular die gap between said mandril and said die body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said low surface energy material is applied to one of said central mandril and said die body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said controlled pattern includes a coating of low surface energy material having uniform width gaps extending in the direction of said annular die gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said coating is on said die body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said low surface energy material is a polymer containing an additive selected from the group consisting of silicon, inorganic polymers, and fluorine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said polymer is linear low density polyethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein the step of forcing molten polymer through said die comprises: blowing a thin film of said linear low density polyethylene through said die.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising: controlling the flow rate of said molten polymer through said die to control the pattern of melt fracture in said products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising: controlling the temperature of said molten polymer to control the pattern of melt fracture in said products.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus for producing beautifying patterns on the surface of extruded products comprising: an extruding die having a controlled pattern of low surface energy material in said die; and means for forcing molten polymer through said die to produce melt fracture texture in the product extruded through the uncoated part of said die.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus for producing beautifying patterns on the surface of extruded products comprising: an extruding die having a controlled pattern of low surface energy material in said die; and means for forcing molten polymer through said die to produce melt fracture texture in the product extruded through the uncoated part of said die.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein said die comprises: a central mandril; a die body surrounding said central mandril with an annular die gap between said central mandril and said die body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said controlled pattern of low surface energy material is on one of said central central and said die body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein said controlled pattern of low surface energy material comprises: a polymer coating on said die body having uniform width gaps extending in the direction of said annular die gap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein said controlled pattern of low surface energy material comprises: a polymer coating on said central mandril having uniform width gaps extending in the direction of said annular die gap.
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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) | 1989-10-06 | 1990-04-07 | 1990-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-06 | 1994-04-07 | 1994-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-06 | 1998-04-07 | 1998-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |