Patent US5756023A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5756023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of producing reformed crosslinked polyethylene articles
Assignee: United States Brass Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-30
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2016-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing reformed crosslinked polymer articles provides reformed crosslinked articles free of visible and objectionable folds, seams, and interfaces on reformed surfaces thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes the steps of extruding a silane-grafted polyethylene tube, heating an end of the tube, reforming the end of the tube to produce a radially enlarged sealing surface thereon, cooling the reformed tube, and curing the reformed tube to produce an increase in the degree of crosslinking of the polyethylene material.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Stachowiak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:38
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C57/00; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/001; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/12; B29C48/13; B29C71/00; B29C71/02; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2023/0691; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24; B29K2105/243; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reforming a polymer material having a first shape as extruded from an extruder, the method comprising the steps of: crosslinking the extruded material while it has the first shape, the material being equal to or less than 60% crosslinked; reforming the extruded material so that the extruded material has a second shape; and then further crosslinking the extruded material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reforming a polymer material having a first shape as extruded from an extruder, the method comprising the steps of: crosslinking the extruded material while it has the first shape, the material being equal to or less than 60% crosslinked; reforming the extruded material so that the extruded material has a second shape; and then further crosslinking the extruded material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material is a silane-grafted polyolefin material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the polyolefin material is polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said reforming step comprises the steps of: gauging a volume of the polymer material to be reformed; heating the gauged volume of polymer material; reforming the gauged volume of polymer material; and cooling the formed polymer material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said further crosslinking step comprises subjecting the formed polymer material to moisture for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said further crosslinking step further comprises heating the formed polymer material while the formed polymer material is subjected to said moisture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first shape is generally tubular, and wherein the second shape comprises a radially enlarged sealing surface formed on the first shape.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of reforming and crosslinking a silane-grafted polyolefin article, the method comprising the steps of: heating the polyolefin article when it is less than or equal to 60% crosslinked; reforming the heated polyolefin article between a pair of mating dies so that the heated polyolefin article is at least partially reshaped; cooling the reformed polyolefin article; and further crosslinking the reformed polyolefin article.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of reforming and crosslinking a silane-grafted polyolefin article, the method comprising the steps of: heating the polyolefin article when it is less than or equal to 60% crosslinked; reforming the heated polyolefin article between a pair of mating dies so that the heated polyolefin article is at least partially reshaped; cooling the reformed polyolefin article; and further crosslinking the reformed polyolefin article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said further crosslinking step comprises subjecting the reformed polyolefin article to moisture until the reformed polyolefin article is approximately 65-89% crosslinked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said further crosslinking step further comprises placing the reformed polyolefin article in a steam chamber for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the polyolefin article is a tube made of silane-grafted polyethylene.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming a radially enlarged sealing surface on a tube, the tube being made of a silane-grafted polyethylene material, the method comprising the steps of: gauging a volume of the tube to be formed; heating the volume of the tube to be formed; forming the heated volume of the tube into the radially enlarged sealing surface when the tube is less than equal to 60% crosslinked; cooling the formed volume of the tube; and further crosslinking the tube.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming a radially enlarged sealing surface on a tube, the tube being made of a silane-grafted polyethylene material, the method comprising the steps of: gauging a volume of the tube to be formed; heating the volume of the tube to be formed; forming the heated volume of the tube into the radially enlarged sealing surface when the tube is less than equal to 60% crosslinked; cooling the formed volume of the tube; and further crosslinking the tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein said further crosslinking step comprises exposing the tube to water until the tube is approximately 65-89% crosslinked.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said further crosslinking step is performed after said cooling step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said further crosslinking step further comprises disposing the tube in an enclosure and introducing steam into the enclosure.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |