US5094793A
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US
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Methods and apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1990-12-21
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2010-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces in a fluid mass which: (a) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, expand and contract the branch streams in a symmetrical fashion, and recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass; or (b) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass, and expand and contract the second stream in a symmetrical fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Schrenk
- 👤 Ranganath K. Shastri
- 👤 Ralph E. Ayres
- 👤 Daniel J. Gosen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:03
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/40; B01F25/42; B01F25/43; B01F25/432; B01F25/4323; B29C48/16; B29C48/18; B29C48/21; B29C48/305; B29C48/307; B29C48/36; B29C48/50; B29C48/695; B29C48/70; B29C48/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, said method comprising the steps of: dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams: repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along both of the x- and y-axes as the branch streams flow along the z-axis; individually symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of at least the two or more branch streams along the x-axis: individually symmetrically contracting the thickness of at least the two or more branch streams along the y-axis; and recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, said method comprising the steps of: dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams: repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along both of the x- and y-axes as the branch streams flow along the z-axis; individually symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of at least the two or more branch streams along the x-axis: individually symmetrically contracting the thickness of at least the two or more branch streams along the y-axis; and recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the branch streams are expanded uniformly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the branch streams are contracted uniformly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first composite stream is divided into a plurality of branch streams of substantially identical rectangular or square cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning the branch streams is accomplished without significantly altering their cross-sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning the branch streams includes divergently displacing the branch streams along the y-axis and convergently displacing the branch streams along the x-axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first composite stream is divided into an even number of branch streams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of the discrete, overlapping layers in the first composite stream are of a generally planar, substantially continuous nature and span the first composite stream along the x-axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the branch streams are recombined whereby the second composite stream comprises a greater number of discrete, generally planar and substantially continuous layers than the first composite stream.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream from a feedblock, the stream being comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said method consists essentially of: dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along the y-axis as the branch stream flow along the z-axis; recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream; symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of the second composite stream along the x-axis; and symmetrically contracting the thickness of the second composite stream in the y-direction.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream from a feedblock, the stream being comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said method consists essentially of: dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along the y-axis as the branch stream flow along the z-axis; recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream; symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of the second composite stream along the x-axis; and symmetrically contracting the thickness of the second composite stream in the y-direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the first composite stream is divided into a plurality of branch streams of substantially identical rectangular or square cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step of repositioning the branch streams is accomplished without significantly altering their cross-sections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step of repositioning the branch streams includes divergently displacing the branch streams along the y-axis and convergently displacing the branch streams along the x-axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the first composite stream is divided into an even number of branch streams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein at least some of the discrete, overlapping layers in the first composite stream are of a generally planar, substantially continuous nature and span the first composite stream along the x-axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the second composite stream after being expanded and contracted comprises a greater number of discrete, generally planar and substantially continuous layers than the first composite stream.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of making a multilayered plastic article, comprising the steps of: forming a second composite stream according to the method of claim 1; and molding the second composite stream into a desired configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of making a multilayered plastic article, comprising the steps of: forming, expanding and contracting a second composite stream according to the method of claim 12; and molding the second composite stream into a desired configuration.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
284 words
An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises: dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; a plurality of second conduits in fluid communication with the first conduits, with each second conduit having a progressively greater transverse dimension along the x-axis from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof, the inlet opening being positioned centrally in the apparatus; a plurality of third conduits in fluid communication with the second conduits, with each third conduit having a dimension in the y-direction which becomes progressively lesser from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof; and means for recombining the branch streams from the third conduits to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
284 words
An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises: dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; a plurality of second conduits in fluid communication with the first conduits, with each second conduit having a progressively greater transverse dimension along the x-axis from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof, the inlet opening being positioned centrally in the apparatus; a plurality of third conduits in fluid communication with the second conduits, with each third conduit having a dimension in the y-direction which becomes progressively lesser from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof; and means for recombining the branch streams from the third conduits to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises: dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; and a conduit wherein the branch streams are recombined and symmetrically expanded and contracted, said conduit defining a tetrahedral cavity through which the recombined branch streams flow, the cavity being formed by the intersection of sides of the conduit in the general form of four truncated isosceles or equilateral triangles.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises: dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; and a conduit wherein the branch streams are recombined and symmetrically expanded and contracted, said conduit defining a tetrahedral cavity through which the recombined branch streams flow, the cavity being formed by the intersection of sides of the conduit in the general form of four truncated isosceles or equilateral triangles.
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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) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |