US4848915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for metering color concentrates to thermoplastic polymer melts
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-25
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Continuous strands of color concentrate are metered into the feed zone of a screw-melter polymer extruder where they are cut into pellets by the shearing action of the flights of a rotating screw against the extruder housing. These pellets are mixed within the extruder with a thermoplastic polymer to be colored and this mixture is then melted and extruded into a useful article, for example, a fiber for textile or carpeting end-use. Additionally, color concentrates can be first formed into continuous strands and stored conveniently on a spool for subsequent metering into the polymer extruder.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Fintel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:11
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B7/00; B29B7/80; B29B7/88; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/285; B29C48/288; B29C48/2888; B29C48/29; B29C48/03; B29C48/05; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0005; B29K2105/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a process for coloring thermoplastic polymer in a screw-melter extruder having a driven screw rotating within a barrel, said screw having flights in contact with the inner surface of the barrel wherein color concentrate pellets are mixed with the polymer within the screw-melter extruder prior to entry to said barrel, the improvement comprising: delivering said color concentrate from a source as a continuous strand to an inlet of said screw-melter extruder; passing said strand through said inlet into said barrel, said inlet forming an edge with the inner surface of said barrel; and shearing said strand into pellets between said flight and said edge within the barrel of said extruder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a process for coloring thermoplastic polymer in a screw-melter extruder having a driven screw rotating within a barrel, said screw having flights in contact with the inner surface of the barrel wherein color concentrate pellets are mixed with the polymer within the screw-melter extruder prior to entry to said barrel, the improvement comprising: delivering said color concentrate from a source as a continuous strand to an inlet of said screw-melter extruder; passing said strand through said inlet into said barrel, said inlet forming an edge with the inner surface of said barrel; and shearing said strand into pellets between said flight and said edge within the barrel of said extruder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said source is a spool having said continuous strand wound thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said source is a plurality of spools of continuous strand material of different color.
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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) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |