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Method and apparatus for glow discharge plasma treatment of polymer materials at atmospheric pressure

Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
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Filing: 1993-10-29
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2013-10-29
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Abstract

Abstract Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability, wickability, and other characteristics by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in air or modified gas atmospheres comprising helium or argon.

Inventors

  • 👤 John R. Roth
  • 👤 Peter P. Tsai
  • 👤 Larry C. Wadsworth
  • 👤 Chaoya Liu
  • 👤 Paul D. Spence

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 08:07
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/14; B64; B64C; B64C23/00; B64C23/005; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32009; H01J37/32082; H01J37/32174; H01J37/32431; H01J37/32733; H01J37/32752; H01J37/32761; H01J37/3277; H05; H05B; H05B7/00; H05B7/16; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/44; B29C2059/145; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/10; B29K2023/12; H01J2237/00; H01J2237/32; H01J2237/33; H01J2237/336

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 90 words
A method for improving the surface characteristics of a web comprising the steps of generating in a gas maintained at about atmospheric pressure a sustained, uniform glow discharge plasma having active species between a pair of spaced electrodes, wherein said generating step includes energizing said electrodes at a voltage of at least about 1 kV rms at frequencies of about 1 to 100 kHz, and positioning said web between said electrodes and within said plasma for a period of time and pressure differentially driving the active species through said web.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 90 words
A method for improving the surface characteristics of a web comprising the steps of generating in a gas maintained at about atmospheric pressure a sustained, uniform glow discharge plasma having active species between a pair of spaced electrodes, wherein said generating step includes energizing said electrodes at a voltage of at least about 1 kV rms at frequencies of about 1 to 100 kHz, and positioning said web between said electrodes and within said plasma for a period of time and pressure differentially driving the active species through said web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as described by claim 1 wherein a volume defined by the space between said electrodes is charged with said gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is helium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is a mixture of helium and air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is a mixture of argon and air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is a mixture of argon and helium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is atmospheric air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
A method as described by claim 2 wherein said gas is nitrous oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said voltage is in the range of about 1 kV to 5 kV rms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said voltage is in the range of about 1.5 kv to 9.5 kV
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said gas is a noble gas.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

EP0068775A1 Cited
EP0117561A2 Cited
JPS61200133A Cited
JPS62235339A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-04-03 1998-10-03 1999-04-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-04-03 2002-10-03 2003-04-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-04-03 2006-10-03 2007-04-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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