US4753762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for forming improved foamed fibers
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1985-07-08
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Granted: 1988-06-28
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Expires: 2005-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming foamed fibers which comprises the steps of forming a melt of a polymer of fiber-forming molecular weight in which is admixed a blowing agent, and a closed-cell-forming additive, extruding said melt through a spinnerette, quenching said melt downstream of said spinnerette under conditions at which bubbles form in said melt, and drawing said melt as it is quenched to produce a foamed fiber having fine bubbles contained therein is disclosed. The product fibers may contain substantially only closed-cells and/or substantially uniform cross sectional area cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Hsin L. Li
- 👤 Theodore Largman
- 👤 Frank Mares
- 👤 Hendrikus J. Oswald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:19
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/04; D; D01; D01F; D01F1/00; D01F1/02; D01F1/08; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/24; D01D5/247; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/05; Y10S264/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of forming foamed fibers which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a melt of a thermoplastic polymer of fiber-forming molecular weight in which is admixed a blowing agent and a closed-cell-forming additive comprising a material selected from the group of: A, AB, ABA, BAB, and (AB).sub.x and mixtures thereof, wherein A is a block polymer having the general formula: ##STR2## where R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, amino alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxy polyether, polyether alcohol, polyether amine, and phenyl groups, R 3 -R 6 are independently selected from alkyl and phenyl groups or mixtures thereof, n is an integer, B is a polyether or polyether or polyamine, and x is an integer; (b) extruding said melt through a spinnerette; (c) quenching said melt downstream of said spinnerette under conditions at which bubbles form and are stabilized in said melt; and (d) drawing said melt as it is quenched, thus producing a foamed fiber having a void volume formed essentially from substantially closed cells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of forming foamed fibers which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a melt of a thermoplastic polymer of fiber-forming molecular weight in which is admixed a blowing agent and a closed-cell-forming additive comprising a material selected from the group of: A, AB, ABA, BAB, and (AB).sub.x and mixtures thereof, wherein A is a block polymer having the general formula: ##STR2## where R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, amino alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxy polyether, polyether alcohol, polyether amine, and phenyl groups, R 3 -R 6 are independently selected from alkyl and phenyl groups or mixtures thereof, n is an integer, B is a polyether or polyether or polyamine, and x is an integer; (b) extruding said melt through a spinnerette; (c) quenching said melt downstream of said spinnerette under conditions at which bubbles form and are stabilized in said melt; and (d) drawing said melt as it is quenched, thus producing a foamed fiber having a void volume formed essentially from substantially closed cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of forming a melt further comprising admixing a nucleating agent with the polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 wherein R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are methyl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein R 2 is an amino-substituted alkyl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein R 2 is a hydroxyl-substituted alkyl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the closed-cell-forming additive and the blowing agent are in amounts such that the ratio of closed-cell-forming additive to blowing agent is between about 5:1 and about 1:5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the blowing agent is provided in an amount of at least about 0.1% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the blowing agent is provided in an amount of at least about 0.2% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the nucleating agent is added in an amount of at least about 0.2 wt. %.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrenes and blends thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises nylon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the blowing agent comprises a material selected from the group of oxalic acid, azodicarbonamide and phenyltetrazole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said amino substituted alkyl includes from one to about three carbon atoms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said hydroxyl substituted alkyl includes from one to about three carbon atoms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 wherein R 1 and R 2 are selected from the group consisting of propylamine and propanol.
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GB1316465A
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DE2148588A1
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JPS53106770A
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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) | 1991-06-28 | 1991-12-28 | 1992-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-28 | 1995-12-28 | 1996-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-28 | 1999-12-28 | 2000-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |