US4904735A — Processing aid for polymers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 116 words

Polymer blend composition having improved processibility and comprising: (a) a major portion of a difficultly melt-processible polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer, and (b) a minor portion of: (1) at least an effective amount, to improve processibility , of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of (a) is either in a melted form if crystalline, or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous, and (2) at least an effective amount, to improve processibility, of at least one tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and at least one monomer copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of (a).

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 116 words

Polymer blend composition having improved processibility and comprising: (a) a major portion of a difficultly melt-processible polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer, and (b) a minor portion of: (1) at least an effective amount, to improve processibility , of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of (a) is either in a melted form if crystalline, or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous, and (2) at least an effective amount, to improve processibility, of at least one tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and at least one monomer copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of (a).

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 10 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein (a) is a hydrocarbon polymer.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

Composition of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of one or more monoolefins of the formula RCH═CH 2 wherein R is H or alkyl.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 10 words

Composition of claim 3 wherein alkyl is C 1-8 alkyl.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

Composition of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a high density polyethylene.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

Composition of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a low density polyethylene.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

Composition of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a linear low density polyethylene copolymer.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

Composition of claim 2 where the polymer is a copolymer comprised of polymer repeat units of ethylene, propylene and a non-conjugated diene.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of (b)(1) is no more than 0.5 wt. %, based on the weight of (a).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

Composition of claim 9 wherein the amount of (b)(1) is 0.002-0.08 wt. %, based on the weight of (a).

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

Composition of claim 9 wherein the amount of (b)(2) is 0.002-0.08 wt. %, based on the weight of (a).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein, in component (b)(1), the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1.5.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein the melting or softening point of component (b)(1) is in the range 120°-300 C.. or below.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 13 wherein the melting or softening point of component (b)(1) is in the range 120°-200° C. or below.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein component (b)(1) is a fluorocarbon copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene or a perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

Composition of claim 15 wherein component (b)(1) is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer selected from hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene or 1- or 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

Composition of claim 16 wherein the copolymer includes polymer repeat units of a bromo- or iodo group-containing monomer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein component (b)(2) is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 35 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein component (b)(2) is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and one or more monomers selected from ethylene, a perfluoroolefin, a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) or a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) containing a functional group.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 19 wherein the monomer is ethylene.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 19 wherein the monomer is hexafluoropropylene.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 11 words

Composition of claim 19 wherein the monomer is perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether).

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

Composition of claim 19 wherein the functional group is --SO 2 F or --CO 2 CH 3 .

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of component (b)(1) to component (b)(2) is within the range 2:98 to 95:5.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 24 wherein the weight ratio of component (b)(1) to component (b)(2) is within the range 10:90 to 90:10.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 121 words

Processing aid composition for a difficultly melt-processible polymer, said composition consisting essentially of: (a) a major portion of a hydrocarbon polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer, and (b) a minor portion of, with the parts totaling 100 parts: (1) 2-95 parts by weight of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer is either in a melted form if crystalline or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous; and (2) 98-5 parts by weight of a tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a monomer which is copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of the difficulty melt-processible polymer.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 121 words

Processing aid composition for a difficultly melt-processible polymer, said composition consisting essentially of: (a) a major portion of a hydrocarbon polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer, and (b) a minor portion of, with the parts totaling 100 parts: (1) 2-95 parts by weight of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer is either in a melted form if crystalline or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous; and (2) 98-5 parts by weight of a tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a monomer which is copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of the difficulty melt-processible polymer.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the combined amounts of component (b)(1) and component (b)(2) comprise 1-25 wt. % of the composition.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 27 wherein the combined amounts of component (b)(1) and component (b)(2) comprise 1-10 wt. % of the composition.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 13 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the hydrocarbon polymer is a difficulty melt-processible polymer.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 29 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the hydrocarbon polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of one or more monoolefins of the formula RCH═CH 2 wherein R is H or alkyl.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 10 words

Composition of claim 30 wherein alkyl is C 1-8 alkyl.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the amount of component (b)(1) is 10-90 parts and the amount of component (b)(2) is 90-10 parts.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen in component (b)(1) is at least 1:1.5.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein the melting or softening point of component (b)(1) is in the range 120°-300° C. or below.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

Composition of claim 34 wherein the melting or softening point of component (b)(1) is in the range 120°-200° C. or below.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 22 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein component (b)(1) is a fluorocarbon copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene or a perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 42 words

Composition of claim 36 wherein component (b)(1) is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer selected from hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene or 1- or 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 18 words

Compositon of claim 37 wherein the copolymer includes polymer repeat units of a bromo- or iodo group-containing monomer.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein component (b)(2) is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 35 words

Composition of claim 26 wherein component (b)(2) is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and one or more monomers selected from ethylene, a perfluoroolefin, a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) or a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) containing a functional group.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 40 wherein the monomer is ethylene.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 9 words

Composition of claim 40 wherein the monomer is hexafluoropropylene.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 11 words

Composition of claim 40 wherein the monomer is perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether).

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

Composition of claim 40 wherein the functional group is or --SO 2 F or --CO 2 CH 3 .

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 120 words

Extrusion process comprising melt extruding a difficultly melt-processible polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer and having incorporated therein an effective amount, to improve processibility, of a processing aid consisting essentially of, with the parts totaling 100 parts: (a) 2-95 parts by weight of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer is either in a melted form if crystalline or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous; and (b) 98-5 parts by weight of a tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a monomer which is copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 120 words

Extrusion process comprising melt extruding a difficultly melt-processible polymer comprising at least one mono-olefin polymer and having incorporated therein an effective amount, to improve processibility, of a processing aid consisting essentially of, with the parts totaling 100 parts: (a) 2-95 parts by weight of a fluorocarbon copolymer which at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer is either in a melted form if crystalline or is above its glass transition temperature if amorphous; and (b) 98-5 parts by weight of a tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer or copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a monomer which is copolymerizable therewith, wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen is at least 1:1, and which is solid at the melt-processing temperature of the difficultly melt-processible polymer.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 19 words

Process of claim 45 wherein the mole ratio of fluorine to hydrogen in component (a) is at least 1:1.5.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 21 words

Process of claim 45 wherein the melting or softening point of component (a) is in the range 120°-300° C. or below.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 21 words

Process of claim 47 wherein the melting or softening point of component (a) is in the range 120°-200° C. or below.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 22 words

Process of claim 45 wherein component (a) is a fluorocarbon copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene or a perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 42 words

Process of claim 49 wherein component (a) is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer selected from hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene or 1- or 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 18 words

Process of claim 50 wherein the copolymer includes polymer repeat units of a bromo- or iodo group-containing monomer.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 9 words

Process of claim 45 wherein component (b) is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 34 words

Process of claim 45 wherein component (b) is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and one or more monomers selected from ethylene, a perfluoroolefin, a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) or a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) containing a functional

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 9 words

Process of claim 53 wherein the monomer is ethylene.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 9 words

Process of claim 53 wherein the monomer is hexafluoropropylene.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 11 words

Process of claim 53 wherein the monomer is perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether).

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 18 words

Process of claim 53 wherein the functional group is --SO 2 F or --CO 2 CH 3 .

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 22 words

Process of claim 45 wherein the amount of component (a) is 10-90 parts and the amount of component (b) is 90-10 parts.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 13 words

Composition of claim 18 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is low molecular weight and non-fibrillating.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 13 words

Composition of claim 18 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene has been subjected to ionizing radiation.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 13 words

Composition of claim 39 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is low molecular weight and non-fibrillating.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 13 words

Composition of claim 39 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene has been subjected to ionizing radiation.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 13 words

Process of claim 52 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is low molecular weight and non-fibrillating.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 13 words

Process of claim 52 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene has been subjected to ionizing radiation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-02-26	1993-08-28	1994-02-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-02-26	1997-08-28	1998-02-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-02-26	2001-08-28	2002-02-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Processing aid for polymers

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