US5271886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for rapid pre-expension and molding of expandable polymer particles
Assignee: Lyondell Chemical Technology LP
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Filing: 1992-10-14
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Granted: 1993-12-21
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Expires: 2012-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for rapidly expanding and molding carbon dioxide-impregnated polymer particles is disclosed. The process involves expanding the impregnated particles in a moving stream of pressurized saturated steam or super-heated steam, directing the resulting stream of pre-expanded particles into a mold, and molding the particles into a foamed object. Apparatus suitable for use with the process is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William Collom
- 👤 Dennis Fuller
- 👤 Joseph Kinslow
- 👤 Bernard H. Meyer
- 👤 Richard H. Immel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:37
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/3442; B29C44/3446; B29C44/3453; B29C44/3461; B29C44/36; B29C44/38; B29C44/44; B29C44/445; C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/22; C08J9/228; B29C44/3415; B29C44/3426; C08J2325/00; C08J2325/02; C08J2325/04; C08J2325/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/09; Y10S264/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A rapid process for producing a molded foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polymer particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polymer particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded particles to produce a molded foam object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A rapid process for producing a molded foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polymer particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polymer particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded particles to produce a molded foam object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer particles are particles of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyphenylene oxide, polystyrene-polyphenylene oxide blends, polyoxymethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), methyl methacrylate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, crosslinked variations thereof, rubber-modified versions thereof, blends thereof, and interpenetrating networks thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer particles are polystyrene particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the heating fluid is super-heated steam maintained at a temperature within the range of about 250° F. to about 500° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the heating fluid stream includes an gaseous diluent selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
A rapid process for producing a molded foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polymer particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polymer particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded particles to produce a molded foam object; wherein the polymer particles are particles of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyphenylene oxide, polystyrene-polyphenylene oxide blends, polyoxymethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), methyl methacrylate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylenepropylene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, crosslinked variations thereof, rubber-modified versions thereof, blends thereof, and interpenetrating networks thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A rapid process for producing a molded foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polymer particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polymer particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded particles to produce a molded foam object; wherein the polymer particles are particles of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyphenylene oxide, polystyrene-polyphenylene oxide blends, polyoxymethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), methyl methacrylate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylenepropylene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, crosslinked variations thereof, rubber-modified versions thereof, blends thereof, and interpenetrating networks thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the polymer particles are polystyrene particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the heating fluid is super-heated steam maintained at a temperature within the range of about 250° F. to about 500° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the heating fluid stream includes an gaseous diluent selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A rapid process for producing a molded polystyrene foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polystyrene particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polystyrene particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded polystyrene particles to produce a molded polystyrene foam object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A rapid process for producing a molded polystyrene foam object, said process comprising: (a) rapidly expanding carbon dioxide-impregnated polystyrene particles in a moving stream that contains the particles and a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of pressurized saturated steam and super-heated steam; (b) immediately directing the resulting moving stream of pre-expanded polystyrene particles and heating fluid into a mold; and (c) immediately molding the pre-expanded polystyrene particles to produce a molded polystyrene foam object.
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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) | 1996-12-20 | 1997-06-21 | 1997-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-20 | 2001-06-21 | 2001-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-20 | 2005-06-21 | 2005-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |