US5237004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermoplastic and thermoset polymer compositions
Assignee: Arkema France SA
•
Filing: 1991-04-02
•
Granted: 1993-08-17
•
Expires: 2011-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Polymer particles in a size range between 2 and 15 micrometers, and having a refractive index close to, but not identical with, that of a matrix polymer and optionally having one or more enclosing shells, the outer shell being compatible with the matrix polymer, impart light-diffusing properties to the matrix polymer without degrading its physical properties, while the particles having a closer refractive index match to the matrix polymer impart gloss reduction to the surface of the matrix polymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jiun-Chen Wu
- 👤 William J. Work
- 👤 David L. Dunkelberger
- 👤 Newman M. Bortnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:51
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08F; C08F265/00; C08F265/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S525/00; Y10S525/931; Y10S525/932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A thermoplastic composition having modified optical properties which comprises a thermoplastic matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of spherical polymer particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm and a size distribution such that at least 90% by weight of the polymer particles fall with ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermoplastic composition having modified optical properties which comprises a thermoplastic matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of spherical polymer particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm and a size distribution such that at least 90% by weight of the polymer particles fall with ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 2 to about 10 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 4 to about 10 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 5 to 10 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the refractive index of the polymer particles is within ±0.003 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The polymer composition of claim 5 wherein the matrix polymer is transparent or translucent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer particles comprise a rubbery alkyl acrylate copolymer, the alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, containing from 0 to about 10% and 0 to about 10% graftlinker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The polymer composition of claim 7 wherein the alkyl acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of the alkyl acrylate and one or more copolymerizable monovinyl monomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylates and vinyl arenes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The polymer composition of claim 8 wherein the copolymerizable monovinyl monomer comprise styrene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The polymer composition of claim 7 wherein the alkyl acrylate copolymer is surrounded by one or more shells, the outer of which is compatible with the matrix polymer, and which comprise from about 0.1 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymer composition of claim 8 wherein the shell(s) comprise from about 5 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymer composition of claim 8 wherein the shell(s) comprise from about 15 to about 35% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the light diffusivity of the composition is superior to that of the matrix polymer and the polymer particles have a refractive index within about ±0.2 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer composition of claim 13 wherein the refractive index of the particles is within about ±0.05 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer composition of claim 13 wherein the refractive index of the particles is within about ±0.03 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein from about 0.1% to about 10% of the polymer particles are distributed throughout the matrix polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A thermoset polymer composition having modified optical properties which comprises a thermoset matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of spherical polymer particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm and a size distribution such that at least 90% by weight of the polymer particles fall with ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
A thermoset polymer composition having modified optical properties which comprises a thermoset matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of spherical polymer particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm and a size distribution such that at least 90% by weight of the polymer particles fall with ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 2 to about 10 μm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 4 to about 10 μm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the average diameter of the polymer particles is from about 5 to 10 μm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the surface gloss of the composition is lower than that of the matrix polymer and the refractive index of the polymer particles is with ±0.003 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The polymer composition of claim 21 wherein the matrix polymer is transparent or translucent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the polymer particles comprise a rubbery alkyl acrylate copolymer, the alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, containing from 0 to about 10% graftlinker.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The polymer composition of claim 23 wherein the alkyl acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of the alkyl acrylate and one or more copolymerizable monovinyl monomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylates and vinyl arenes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The polymer composition of claim 24 wherein the copolymerizable monovinyl monomer comprise styrene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The polymer composition of claim 23 wherein the alkyl acrylate copolymer is surrounded by one or more shells, the outer of which is compatible with the matrix polymer, and which comprise from about 0.1 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymer composition of claim 24 wherein the shell(s) comprise from about 5 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The polymer composition of claim 24 wherein the shell(s) comprise from about 15 to about 35% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein the light diffusivity of the composition is superior to that of the matrix polymer and the polymer particles have a refractive index within about ±0.2 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer composition of claim 29 wherein the refractive index of the particles is within about ±0.05 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer composition of claim 29 wherein the refractive index of the particles is within about ±0.03 units of the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The polymer composition of claim 17 wherein from about 0.1% to about 10% of the polymer particles are distributed throughout the matrix polymer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
109 words
A light-diffusing polymer composition which comprises a matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm, a size distribution smaller than about ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer and where the particles have a refractive index (n D 25 ) within about ±0.05 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
109 words
A light-diffusing polymer composition which comprises a matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 40% of the total composition weight of particles of core/shell having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm, a size distribution smaller than about ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer and one or more shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer and where the particles have a refractive index (n D 25 ) within about ±0.05 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
156 words
A light-diffusing polymer composition which comprises a matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 10% of the total composition weight of particles of core/shell polymer having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm, a size distribution smaller than about ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate copolymer, the alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, the core containing from 0 to about 5% crosslinker and 0 to about 5% graftlinker (based on the total weight of the core) and having a refractive index (n D 25 ) within about ±0.05 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer, and one or more polymer shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer, which shells comprise from about 5 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
156 words
A light-diffusing polymer composition which comprises a matrix polymer and, distributed throughout the matrix polymer, from about 0.1% to about 10% of the total composition weight of particles of core/shell polymer having an average diameter of from about 2 to about 15 μm, a size distribution smaller than about ±20% of the average particle diameter, a core of rubbery alkyl acrylate copolymer, the alkyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, the core containing from 0 to about 5% crosslinker and 0 to about 5% graftlinker (based on the total weight of the core) and having a refractive index (n D 25 ) within about ±0.05 units of, but no closer than about ±0.003 units to, the refractive index of the matrix polymer, and one or more polymer shells, the outer shell of which is compatible with the matrix polymer, which shells comprise from about 5 to about 40% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 33 wherein the rubbery alkyl acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of the alkyl acrylate and one or more copolymerizable monovinyl monomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylate and vinyl arenes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the copolymerizable monovinyl monomers comprise styrene.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the alkyl acrylate is butyl acrylate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the core contains from about 0.05 to about 5% crosslinker.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the core contains from about 0.1 to about 1% crosslinker.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the crosslinker is a butylene glycoldiacrylate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the core contains from about 0.1 to about 5% graftlinker.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the core contains from about 0.5 to about 2.5% graftlinker.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the graftlinker is allyl methacrylate.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the average diameter of the particles is from about 5 to about 10 μm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the refractive index of the core is within about ±0.03 units of the matrix polymer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the shells comprise from about 15 to about 35% of the weight of the particles.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the outer shell is a polymer of an alkyl methacrylate, vinyl arene, vinyl carboxylate, alkyl acrylate or copolymer thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the matrix polymer is clear.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the matrix polymer has a glass-transition temperature above about 50° C.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the matrix polymer is a homopolymer from the group consisting of poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(styrene), poly(vinyl chloride), poly(cellulose acetate butylate), poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(glutarimides).
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
66 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the matrix polymer is a copolymer selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkyl acrylate) wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 8 carbon atoms, poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) wherein acrylonitrile polymer comprises up to 40% of the copolymer, poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(alpha-methylstyrene-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(alpha-methylstyrene-co-alkyl acrylate) wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 8 carbon atoms, poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl chloride-co-propylene).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
The light diffusing composition of claim 34 wherein the matrix polymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate with from about 1 to about 15% alkyl acrylate, the alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
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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) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |