Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 450° F., said method comprising: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) extruding the compact through a substantially uniform flow-type die at an elevated temperature below the crystallization temperature of said polymer using a moderate to high strain rate to make stock shapes having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 450° F., said method comprising: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) extruding the compact through a substantially uniform flow-type die at an elevated temperature below the crystallization temperature of said polymer using a moderate to high strain rate to make stock shapes having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the composition consists essentially of the liquid crystal polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the liquid crystal polymer is an aromatic polyester consisting essentially of p, p' bisphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further includes at least one of: talc, glass, alumina, mineral filler, metal and metal powder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the metal of said metal powder is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, magnesium, lithium and alloys thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein recitation (a) includes: (i) hot pressing the composition until it is at least about 90% dense.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein recitation (a) further includes degassing the composition prior to hot pressing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein recitation (a) includes: (i) cold pressing the composition; (ii) degassing the composition; and (iii) hot pressing the composition until it is substantially pore-free.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein recitation (b) includes: (i) heating the compact to at least about 400° F.; and (ii) extruding the compact through a streamline die.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein recitation (b) (i) includes: gradually heating the compact to its processing temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein recitation (b) (ii) includes: ram extruding the compact through a streamline die.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein recitation (b) proceeds between about 400°-650° F.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein recitation (b) proceeds between about 500°-600° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the strain rate for recitation (b) is greater than or equal to about 2 sec -1 and substantially less than a minimum strain rate for injection molding said composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the strain rate for recitation (b) is between about 5-20 sec -1 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the strain rate for recitation (b) is about 10 sec -1 .
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making a stock shape from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 500° F., said method comprising: (a) densifying the composition into a substantially pore-free compact; (b) heating the compact to a temperature above about 400° F. but below the crystallization temperature of said polymer by 50° F. or more; and (c) extruding the compact through a uniform flow-type die using a strain rate in the range of about 2-20 sec -1 , to produce a stock shape having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making a stock shape from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 500° F., said method comprising: (a) densifying the composition into a substantially pore-free compact; (b) heating the compact to a temperature above about 400° F. but below the crystallization temperature of said polymer by 50° F. or more; and (c) extruding the compact through a uniform flow-type die using a strain rate in the range of about 2-20 sec -1 , to produce a stock shape having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the composition consists essentially of the liquid crystal polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the liquid crystal polymer is an aromatic polyester consisting essentially of p, p' bisphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the composition further includes at least one of: talc, glass, alumina, mineral filler, aluminum powder, magnesium powder and lithium powder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 which includes: heating the compact to a temperature within the range of about 450°-650° F.; and extruding the compact at a strain rate in the range of about 5-15 sec -1 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21 which includes: gradually heating the compact to within about 500°-600° F.; and ram extruding the compact through a streamline die at a strain rate within about 8-14 sec -1 .
Claim 25
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making a thick stock shape from a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 450° F., said method comprising: (a) pressing the polymer into a substantially dense compact; (b) heating the compact to within a temperature range of about 400°-650° F.; and (c) extruding the compact through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate in the range of about 2-20 sec -1 to produce a stock shape weighing at least about four pounds and having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core with at least some degree of internal fibrousness.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making a thick stock shape from a liquid crystal polymer having a crystallization temperature above about 450° F., said method comprising: (a) pressing the polymer into a substantially dense compact; (b) heating the compact to within a temperature range of about 400°-650° F.; and (c) extruding the compact through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate in the range of about 2-20 sec -1 to produce a stock shape weighing at least about four pounds and having a substantially uniform structure from skin to core with at least some degree of internal fibrousness.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the polymer is an aromatic polyester which consists essentially of p, p' bisphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein recitation (b) includes gradually heating the compact to within about 500°-600° F.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 wherein recitation (c) includes ram extruding the compact through a streamline-type die at a strain rate within the range of about 5-10 sec -1 .