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US5884671A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multi-layer fuel and vapor tube

Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
•
Filing: 1997-03-14
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Granted: 1999-03-23
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Expires: 2017-03-14
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Abstract

Abstract A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle composed of an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer made of an extrudable thermoplastic such as a polyamide such as Nylon 6; a thin intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer composed of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the polyamide outer layer; and an inner barrier layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer composed of an extrudable, melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar adhesion with the intermediate bonding layer, the thermoplastic preferably containing as a major constituent a fluoroplastic such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and the like.

Inventors

  • 👤 David L. Noone
  • 👤 Frank L. Mitchell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 16:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/045; B; B32; B32B; B32B1/00; B32B1/08; B32B25/00; B32B25/04; B32B25/08; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B32B27/18; B32B27/20; B32B27/30; B32B27/32; B32B27/34; F16L11/12; F16L11/127; F16L2011/047; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S138/00; Y10S138/03; Y10S138/07; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/139; Y10T428/1393

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer in sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable non-polyamide, melt-processible thermoplastic; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer in sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate bonding layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 95 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer in sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable non-polyamide, melt-processible thermoplastic; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer in sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate bonding layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The tubing of claim 1 wherein the inner layer is capable of dissipating electrostatic energy, the electrostatic dissipation capacity being sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The tubing of claim 1 wherein the inner layer contains quantities of a conductive material sufficient to provide electrostatic dissipation capability sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The tubing of claim 3 wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of elemental carbon, copper, silver, gold, nickel, silicon, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The tubing of claim 4 wherein the conductive material is present in an amount less than about 5% by volume of the thermoplastic material of the inner layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The tubing of claim 4 wherein the conductive material is blended into the melt-processible thermoplastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 145 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; wherein the inner layer contains quantities of a conductive material sufficient to provide electrostatic dissipation capability sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing, wherein the conductive material is elemental carbon and is incorporated during polymerization of monomers that make up the thermoplastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 145 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; wherein the inner layer contains quantities of a conductive material sufficient to provide electrostatic dissipation capability sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing, wherein the conductive material is elemental carbon and is incorporated during polymerization of monomers that make up the thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The tubing of claim 1 wherein the extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic of the thick outer layer consists essentially of zinc-chloride resistant Nylon 6.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 126 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; wherein the thermoplastic material employed in the intermediate layer exhibits at least some resistance to interaction with short-chain hydrocarbon molecules present in material conveyed through the tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 126 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; wherein the thermoplastic material employed in the intermediate layer exhibits at least some resistance to interaction with short-chain hydrocarbon molecules present in material conveyed through the tubing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 41 words
The tubing of claim 9 wherein the thermoplastic material employed in the intermediate layer includes as a major constituent an extrudable, melt processible thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl acetate and urethane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 135 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; and an exterior jacket overlying the outer layer, the exterior jacket composed of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of Nylon 11, Nylon 12, zinc chloride resistant Nylon 6, Santoprene, Kraton, Vichem, Sarlink and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 135 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the inner face of the outer layer; an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer; and an exterior jacket overlying the outer layer, the exterior jacket composed of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of Nylon 11, Nylon 12, zinc chloride resistant Nylon 6, Santoprene, Kraton, Vichem, Sarlink and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 112 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable 6 carbon block polyamide; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the polyamide outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting essentially of an extrudable, melt-processible fluoroplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer, the fluoroplastic selected from the group consisting of polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 112 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable 6 carbon block polyamide; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the inner face of the outer layer, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of an extrudable thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the polyamide outer layer; and an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting essentially of an extrudable, melt-processible fluoroplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the intermediate layer, the fluoroplastic selected from the group consisting of polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 50 words
The tubing of claim 12 further comprising an exterior jacket overlying the outer layer, the exterior jacket composed of a material consisting essentially of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of Nylon 11, Nylon 12, zinc chloride resistant Nylon 6, Santoprene, Kraton, Vichem, Sarlink, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
The tubing of claim 12 wherein the thermoplastic material of the inner layer is capable of dissipating electrostatic energy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
The tubing of claim 12 wherein the thermoplastic material of the inner layer contains quantities of a conductive material sufficient to provide electrostatic dissipation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 43 words
The tubing of claim 15 wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of elemental carbon, copper, silver, gold, nickel, silicon, and mixtures thereof and is present in an amount less than about 5% by volume of the extrudable thermoplastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
The tubing of claim 15 wherein the conductive material is blended into the melt-processible thermoplastic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 25 words
The tubing of claim 15 wherein the conductive material is elemental carbon and is incorporated during polymerization of monomers that make up the thermoplastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 33 words
The tubing of claim 12 wherein the extrudable thermoplastic of the intermediate layer is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl acetate and urethane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 1 wherein the inner layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the intermediate layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 20 wherein the intermediate layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the outer layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 44 words
The layered tubing of claim 21 wherein the intermediate layer is composed of a thermoplastic material which includes as a major constituent, an extrudable thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, blends of polyvinyl acetate and urethane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 30 words
The layered tubing of claim 22 wherein at least one layer is capable of dissipating electrostatic energy in an amount sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 29 words
The layered tubing of claim 22 wherein the outer layer is composed of an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, thermoplastic elastomers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 12 wherein the inner layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the intermediate layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 12 wherein the intermediate layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the outer layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The layered tubing of claim 12 wherein the inner layer is in direct underlying co-extruded adhesion with said intermediate layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 20 words
The layered tubing of claim 12 wherein the intermediate layer is in direct underlying co-extruded adhesion with the outer layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 122 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic 6 carbon block polyamide; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the outer layer interior thereto, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of a melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the outer layer, the melt-processible thermoplastic exhibiting at least some resistance to interaction with short-chain hydrocarbon molecules present in material conveyed through the tubing; an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of a melt-processible thermoplastic, the melt-processible thermoplastic material of the inner layer chemically differing from the melt-processible thermoplastic of the intermediate layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 122 words
A layered tubing for use in a motor vehicle, the tubing comprising: an outer layer having an inner and an outer face, the outer layer consisting essentially of an extrudable melt-processible thermoplastic 6 carbon block polyamide; an intermediate layer uniformly connected with the outer layer interior thereto, the intermediate layer consisting essentially of a melt-processible thermoplastic capable of sufficiently permanent laminar connection with the outer layer, the melt-processible thermoplastic exhibiting at least some resistance to interaction with short-chain hydrocarbon molecules present in material conveyed through the tubing; an inner layer uniformly connected with the intermediate layer, the inner layer consisting of a melt-processible thermoplastic, the melt-processible thermoplastic material of the inner layer chemically differing from the melt-processible thermoplastic of the intermediate layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 41 words
The tubing of claim 29 wherein the thermoplastic material of the intermediate layer includes as a major constituent an extrudable, melt-processible thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl fluroide, polyvinylidine fluoride, blends of polyvinyl acetate and urethane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 29 wherein the inner layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the intermediate layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 19 words
The layered tubing of claim 31 wherein the inner layer is in underlying co-extruded relationship with the outer layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 29 words
The layered tubing of claim 31 wherein the inner layer is capable of dissipating electrostatic energy in an amount sufficient to minimize accumulation of electrostatic charge in the tubing.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 30 words
The tubing of claim 32 wherein the melt-processible polyamide employed in the outer layer is selected from the group consisting of Nylon 11, Nylon 12, Nylon 6, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 15 words
The tubing of claim 34 wherein the tubing includes up to two additional concentric layers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 31 words
The layered tubing of claim 1 wherein the melt-processible thermoplastic employed in the inner layer is a fluoroplastic selected from the group consisting of polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and mixtures thereof.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-03-22 2002-09-21 2003-03-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-03-22 2006-09-21 2007-03-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-03-22 2010-09-21 2011-03-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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