US4783349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making fibre reinforced products
Assignee: Fiberite Inc
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Filing: 1985-02-19
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2005-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing a fibre reinforced structure by melt impregnation of continuous fibres with a thermoformable polymer melt comprising pre-wetting the filaments of the fibres with a composition containing a melt plasticizer for the thermoformable polymer, prior to introducing the pre-wetted fibres into the melt, optionally removing the plasticizer when the composition contains a polymer miscible with plasticizer to leave polymer coated filaments and introducing the pre-wetted filaments into a polymer melt, optionally a polymer melt containing a metal plasticizer for the melt and preferably removing the plasticizer from the composition by volatilization. The pre-wetted polymer coated filaments are useful materials as reinforcing fibres for use in processes other than direct melt impregnation. They can be used in the process known as film stacking impregnation or in processes involving initial impregnation using particulate polymers or alternatively in conventional extrusion compounding.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic N. Cogswell
- 👤 Geoffrey Cowen
- 👤 Eric Nield
- 👤 Roger M. Turner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:53
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; C08J5/04; C08J5/06; C08J3/00; C08J3/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of impregnating a fibrous structure, comprising continuous fibres with a polymer to provide a thermoformable fibre-reinforced composite comprising introducing the fibres into molten polymer to provide the polymer matrix of the composite chracaterised in that the filaments of the fibrous structure prior to introduction into the molten polymer are provided with a coating material selected from the group consisting essentially of: (a) a plasticiser which is capable of plasticising said impregnating polymer when the polymer is molten; (b) a mixture of a plasticiser which is capable of plasticising the impregnating polymer and up to 20% by weight of the plasticiser of a polymer miscible with said plasticiser and which polymer may be the same or different from the impregnating polymer; and (c) a coating resulting from coating the filaments with the composition of mixture (b) and removing the plasticiser to provide a polymer coated fibre.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of impregnating a fibrous structure, comprising continuous fibres with a polymer to provide a thermoformable fibre-reinforced composite comprising introducing the fibres into molten polymer to provide the polymer matrix of the composite chracaterised in that the filaments of the fibrous structure prior to introduction into the molten polymer are provided with a coating material selected from the group consisting essentially of: (a) a plasticiser which is capable of plasticising said impregnating polymer when the polymer is molten; (b) a mixture of a plasticiser which is capable of plasticising the impregnating polymer and up to 20% by weight of the plasticiser of a polymer miscible with said plasticiser and which polymer may be the same or different from the impregnating polymer; and (c) a coating resulting from coating the filaments with the composition of mixture (b) and removing the plasticiser to provide a polymer coated fibre.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the precoated fibre introduced to the molten polymer contains at least 1% by weight of the fibre of the plasticiser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to either of claims 1 in which the pre-coat is deposited on the fibre by passing the fibre through a molten plasticiser composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to any one of claims 1 in which the plasticiser is a material which can be volatilised from a melt of the polymer used to provide the matrix polymer at a temerature below the thermal decomposition temperature of the matrix polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to any one of claims 1 in which the plasticiser is a material which can be volatilised from the coating composition (b) below the thermal decomposition temperature of the polymer of the coating composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to any one of claims 1 in which the pre-coating comprises a crystalline polymer and the matrix polymer is an amorphous polymer.
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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) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |