US5147678A
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Modification of polymer surfaces by two-step reactions
Assignee: WESTERN ONTARIO COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, University of
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Filing: 1989-12-22
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2009-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Improved modification of polymer surfaces is achieved by two-step reactions on polymer surfaces, particularly where at least one of the steps is a "downstream" or remote plasma treatment. For example, polymers may be treated with various combinations of the following: (1) downstream nitrogen plasma treatment; (2) ozone treatment; (3) corona discharge treatment; (4) downstream oxygen plasma treatment; or (5) downstream hydrogen plasma treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Renate Foerch
- 👤 Duncan H. Hunter
- 👤 N. Stewart McIntyre
- 👤 Rana N. S. Sodhi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:09
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/12; C08J7/123; B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/10; B29C59/14; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2025/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a polymer, comprising the steps of: exposing said polymer to a plasma in a low pressure stream of nitrogen atoms in a primary reaction chamber; transferring said polymer from said primary reaction chamber to a secondary reaction site; and exposing said polymer to a secondary treatment at said secondary reaction site, where said secondary treatment is selected from the group consisting of remote plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment or ozone treatment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a polymer, comprising the steps of: exposing said polymer to a plasma in a low pressure stream of nitrogen atoms in a primary reaction chamber; transferring said polymer from said primary reaction chamber to a secondary reaction site; and exposing said polymer to a secondary treatment at said secondary reaction site, where said secondary treatment is selected from the group consisting of remote plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment or ozone treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1, in which said secondary treatment is ozone treatment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 2, in which the polymer is polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 2, in which the polymer is polystyrene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1, in which said secondary treatment is corona discharge treatment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 5, in which the polymer is polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 5, in which the polymer is polystyrene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said plasma has a main region and an after glow region, and said polymer, when in said primary reaction chamber, is positioned downstream from the plasma in terms of the direction of flow of the nitrogen stream, away from said main region of the plasma and in said afterglow region thereof.
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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) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |