US6277773B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric materials
Assignee: PORPEX OPERATING Co LLC
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Filing: 1999-12-13
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Granted: 2001-08-21
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Expires: 2019-12-13
Abstract
Abstract Polymeric monoliths having high stiffness and strength can be produced by heating an assembly of polymer fibres under a contact pressure to a temperature at which a proportion of the fibre is selectively melted and then compressing the assembly. Preferably at least 5% of the polymer is melted so that on compression the molten materials fills the voids within the assembly. The use of polyolefin fibres especially melt spun polyethylene fibres is preferred. The products are useful e.g. as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armour.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian MacMillan Ward
- 👤 Peter John Hine
- 👤 Keith Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A61L27/16; A61L27/50; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/006; B29C43/02; B29C43/14; B32B5/02; B32B5/024; C; C08; C08L; C08L27/00; C08L59/00; C08L67/00; C08L71/00; C08L71/08; C08L71/10; C08L71/12; C08L79/00; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/542; D04H1/544; F; F41; F41H; F41H5/00; F41H5/02; F41H5/04; F41H5/0471; F41H5/0485; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2023/0658; B29K2023/0683; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/25; B29K2223/00; B29K2223/04; B29K2223/06; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532; B32B2250/00; B32B2250/20; B32B2250/40; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/02; B32B2262/0253; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24826; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249924; Y10T428/24994; Y10T428/249942; Y10T428/249947; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A homogeneous polymeric product comprising an assembly of molecularly oriented thermoplastic melt spun, gel spun or solvent spun polymer fibers bound together by a recrystallized melt phase comprising from 5% to 50% by weight of the thermoplastic polymer in the product, wherein both fibers and recrystallized melt phase are derived from the molecularly oriented fibers of a precursor assembly of molecularly oriented thermoplastic melt spun, gel spun or solvent spun polymer fibres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A homogeneous polymeric product comprising an assembly of molecularly oriented thermoplastic melt spun, gel spun or solvent spun polymer fibers bound together by a recrystallized melt phase comprising from 5% to 50% by weight of the thermoplastic polymer in the product, wherein both fibers and recrystallized melt phase are derived from the molecularly oriented fibers of a precursor assembly of molecularly oriented thermoplastic melt spun, gel spun or solvent spun polymer fibres.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of homo- and copolymers of a polyolefin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein said molecularly oriented thermoplastic polymer fibres are polyethylene fibres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein said molecularly oriented thermoplastic polymer fibers are fibers of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a vinyl polymer, a polyester, a polyamide, a polyetherketone and a polyacetal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A product according to claim 4 wherein said polymer is polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein said recrystallized melt phase is of lower melting point than that of the fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein the molecularly oriented polymer fibers are fibers that have been melt spun or gel spun and then drawn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein the recrystallized melt phase is derived from between 5 to 20% by weight of the oriented polymer fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A product as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recrystallized melt phase comprises from 5 to 20% by weight of the thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein the product is in the form of a polymeric sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein the product is in the form of a monolith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product according to claim 1 wherein the fibers are melt spun or gel spun.
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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) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-02-19 | 2005-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-20 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-20 | 2013-02-19 | 2013-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |