Particle Which Is Expandible, Process Of Preparing An Expandible Particle, Or Process Of Expanding A Particle To Form A Cellular Product Patents (Class 521/56)
  • Patent number: 5270445
    Abstract: A polyamide polymer and one of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol are formed into a solution by heating at 70 degrees Celsius for approximately two hours, the resulting solution is cooled to precipitate the polymer as particles from said solution. Alternatively, a non-solvent to said polymer may be added to effect precipitation of said polymer particles. The solvent is removed and the particles isolated and dried to form a dry powder. Fine particulate material such as a pigment, may be included with the polymer and solvent in formation of the solution. The resulting solution may be cooled at a rapid rate to precipitate the particles as polymer-encapsulated pigment particles of generally uniform size and morphology, the surface characteristics such as surface area being controlled. The precipitated polymer particles may be classified when dispersed in a dispersant medium, as mono-dispersed particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Hsin Hou
  • Patent number: 5270108
    Abstract: An insulated building panel for use in residential or commercial construction comprising a core of expanded polystyrene (EPS) bonded to at least two exterior skins of oriented strand board by a urethane laminating adhesive and treated with a sodium borate, such as disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, to preserve and protect the building panels from attack by many types of insects, molds, and fungi is disclosed. In an alternative embodiment, EPS for a variety of construction and insulating uses so protected are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: AFM Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas L. Savoy
  • Patent number: 5266603
    Abstract: A process for the production of particulate expandable styrene polymers which have a very low benzene concentration is described using perketal and/or monoperoxycarbonate polymerization initiators. The styrene polymers produced according to the invention can be foamed to give foamed particles and molded, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft - PB 15
    Inventor: Peter Holzmeier
  • Patent number: 5266602
    Abstract: An expandable styrene polymer comprisinga) a styrene polymer,b) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on a), of a saturated C.sub.3 - to C.sub.6 -hydrocarbon as blowing agent, and, if desired,c) conventional assistants in effective amounts, has a benzene content of less than 1 ppm and a styrene content of less than 2000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Walter, Wolfram Husemann, Dieter Naegele
  • Patent number: 5264553
    Abstract: A method for forming fine polymer particles, including core/shell polymer composite particles and polymer-encapsulated liposome particles. A polymer solution is formed using a selective solvent which enables the polymer to be precipitated from the solution upon a change in condition thereof. The change in condition may be effected by lowering of the temperature of the solution and/or introducing a non-solvent to the solution. With respect to the formation of the polymer-encapsulated liposome particles, the liposome particles are included when the polymer solution is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Hsin Hou
  • Patent number: 5262446
    Abstract: Polyolefin foams having a density of from 0.01 to 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 and having 2 to 1000 cells/mm.sup.2 and containing a resin acid, a lower alkyl ester of a resin acid or (hydro) abietyl phthalate as organic foaming aid have a homogeneous cell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Isidoor de Grave, Wolfram Koegel, Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 5252617
    Abstract: The invention relates to expandable polyurethane powder preparations containing blowing agents and to their use for the production of foamed polyurethane moldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Werner, Walter Meckel, Dirk Wegener
  • Patent number: 5240967
    Abstract: A method for improving the expandability of styrenic polymer particles is disclosed. The method comprises copolymerizing a styrenic monomer with an amount of an acrylate monomer effective to improve the expandability of the particles without adversely affecting their heat sensitivity. Polymer foams of low density can be prepared with reduced amounts of blowing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Fred M. Sonnenberg, Dennis M. Hajnik, William J. Poole
  • Patent number: 5236962
    Abstract: Crystalline polymers and copolymers of propylene in the form of spherical particles having a porosity (expressed in percentage of voids) greater than 15%. These polymers are useful in the preparation of masterbatch containing significant quantities of additives and/or pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Himont Incorporated
    Inventors: Gabriele Govoni, Mario Sacchetti, Antonio Ciarrocchi
  • Patent number: 5234962
    Abstract: Polyolefin foams having a density of from 0.01 to 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 and having 2 to 1000 cells/mm.sup.2 and containing a resin acid, a lower alkyl ester or a resin acid or (hydro) abietyl phthalate as organic foaming aid have a homogeneous cell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Isidoor de Grave, Wolfram Koegel, Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 5232707
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the extraction of volatile solvents entrained in a polymer-based pharmaceutical composition designed for sustained release of drug over an extended period of time prepared in microcapsule form wherein the composition comprises at least one hormonally active water-soluble polypeptide in an effective amount greater than a conventional single dose and a biocompatible, bioerodable encapsulating polymer, which process comprises the steps of contacting the composition to a stream of dense gas, that is, pressurized gas and then removing the dense gas, and volatile solvents contained therein, extracted from the pharmaceutical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Lokensgard
  • Patent number: 5231119
    Abstract: Crystalline olefin polymers and copolymers in the form of spherical particles having porosity (expressed in percentage of voids) higher than 15%, with more than 90% of the pores having a pore diameter greater than one micron. These polymeric particulate materials find many applications, including, e.g., the preparation of masterbatches containing significant quantities of additives and/or pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Himont Incorporated
    Inventors: Gabriele Govoni, Antonio Ciarrocchi, Mario Sacchetti
  • Patent number: 5229049
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing pre-expanded particles of polyolefin resin from strand pellets having Tm in melting temperature measured by DSC method, wherein the expansion ratio E of the pre-expanded particles of the resin, the length l and the average diameter d of the strand pellets after having been heated at a temperature (Tm-5.degree. C.) are in the following relational expression.0.04E+0.9.ltoreq.l/d<0.15E+1.3According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture uniform, spherical pre-expanded particles easily at a moderate cost and obtain a fine-looking expansion-molded articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 5225448
    Abstract: High molecular weight polyethyleneterephthalate resin is currently being used in vast quantities in manufacturing tire cord and in manufacturing trays for frozen foods which can be heated in either microwave or convection ovens. In some applications polyester resins having ultra-high molecular weights are required. For example, some techniques for producing polyester yarn by solution spinning demand ultra-high molecular weight polyester. Unfortunately, it becomes progressively more difficult and expensive to produce polyester resins having higher and higher molecular weights utilizing standard commercial polymerization techniques. This invention discloses a technique for preparing porous polyester beads which can be solid state polymerized very rapidly to ultra-high molecular weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Maier, Surendra K. Chawla
  • Patent number: 5225123
    Abstract: Method for making hollow microspheres of substantially uniform diameter and of substantially uniform wall thickness is disclosed. The walls of the hollow microspheres comprise sintered together particles which define interconnecting voids within the walls and a single central cavity in the interior of the microspheres and inner and outer microsphere wall surfaces. The interconnecting voids are continuous and extend from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The walls have substantially uniform void content and the interconnecting voids are substantially uniformly distributed in the walls of the hollow microspheres and the walls of the hollow microspheres are free of latent solid or liquid blowing gas materials and are substantially free of relatively thinned wall portions and bubbles. The method includes heating the microspheres for a sufficient period of time to close and seal the interconnecting void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Leonard B. Torobin
  • Patent number: 5216036
    Abstract: Foamable photodegradable suspension polymers of vinyl aromatic monomers may be prepared by dissolving a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a vinyl ketone in the vinyl aromatic monomer and suspension polymerizing the resulting mixture. The resulting polymer may be foamed and used in the manufacture of food containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Novacor Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Ervin R. Dun, John Kwok
  • Patent number: 5214073
    Abstract: A porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer is disclosed, which comprises recurring aromatic carbonate units and terminal hydroxyl and aryl carbonate groups, wherein these terminal groups are in a specific molar ratio and has specific number average molecular weight, surface area and crystallinity. The prepolymer can readily be converted by solid-state condensation polymerization to a porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate having excellent properties. The porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate of the present invention can readily be molded to obtain a shaped, porous, crystallized polycarbonate. The porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate and the shaped, porous, crystallized polycarbonate of the present invention have excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance and exhibit advantageously low water absorption so that these are suited for use as a filter material, an adsorbent or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isaburo Fukawa, Shinsuke Fukuoka, Kyosuke Komiya, Yoro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5214075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophilic, swellable polymers which consist of radicals of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 are defined as stated in the description, and of radicals of a crosslinking agent which have originated from monomers having at least two olefinically unsaturated double bonds, and which are characterized in that they are in the form of a highly porous, foam-like polyhedral structure, their preparation and their use as absorption agents for water and aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Cassella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Engelhardt, Gerlinde Ebert
  • Patent number: 5212143
    Abstract: Hollow porous microspheres of substantially uniform diameter and of substantially uniform wall thickness are disclosed. The walls of the hollow microspheres comprise sintered together particles which define interconnecting voids within the walls and a single central cavity in the interior of the microspheres and inner and outer microsphere wall surfaces. The interconnecting voids are continuous and extend from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The walls have substantially uniform void content and the interconnecting voids are substantially uniformly distributed in the walls of the hollow microspheres and the walls of the hollow microspheres are free of latent solid or liquid blowing gas materials and are substantially free of relatively thinned wall portions and bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Leonard B. Torobin
  • Patent number: 5205290
    Abstract: Substantially homogeneous aqueous suspensions of low density microspheres are presented as contrast media for imaging the gastrointestinal tract and other body cavities using computed tomography. In one embodiment, the low density microspheres are gas-filled. With computed tomography, the contrast media serve to change the relative density of certain areas within the gastrointestinal tract and other body cavities, and improve the overall diagnostic efficacy of this imaging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 5206271
    Abstract: Expandable styrene polymers which contain from 10 to 90% by weight of a crosslinked styrene-diene copolymer containing from 2 to 45% by weight of the diene, and from 1 to 10% by weight of a C.sub.3 -to C.sub.6 -hydrocarbon as blowing agent can be processed to give foams which have high resistance to aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hahn, Uwe Guhr, Hans Hintz, Hans Hoenl
  • Patent number: 5204377
    Abstract: A porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer is disclosed, which comprises recurring aromatic carbonate units and terminal hydroxyl and aryl carbonate groups, wherein these terminal groups are in a specific molar ratio, and has specific number average molecular weight, surface area and crystallinity. The prepolymer can readily be converted by solid-state condensation polymerization to a porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate having excellent properties. The porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate of the present invention can readily be molded to obtain a shaped, porous, crystallized polycarbonate. The porous, crystallized, aromatic polycarbonate and the shaped, porous, crystallized polycarbonate of the present invention have excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance and exhibit advantageously low water absorption so that these are suited for use as a filter material, an adsorbent or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isaburo Fukawa, Shinsuke Fukuoka, Kyosuke Komiya, Yoro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5190982
    Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic contrast agents composed of microparticles which contain a gas and polyamino-dicarboxylic acid-co-imide derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Raimund Erbel, Rainer Zotz, Volker Krone, Michael Magerstadt, Axel Walch
  • Patent number: 5190983
    Abstract: A process for producing hollow particles of crosslinked melamine resin having a uniform particles diameter, said process comprising subjecting a water-soluble methyl-etherified-melamine resin precondensate to condensation reaction in the presence of a curing catalyst in an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer with carboxyl groups or water-soluble copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, when the reaction liquid becomes turbid, adding to the reaction mixture a substance which dissolves or swells the melamine resin, and continuing the condensation reaction, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Honen Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Bito, Satoshi Konishi, Fumimasa Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 5190984
    Abstract: Foamable photodegradable suspension polymers of vinyl aromatic monomers may be prepared by dissolving a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a vinyl ketone in the vinyl aromatic monomer and suspension polymerizing the resulting mixture. The resulting polymer may be foamed and used in the manufacture of food containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Novacor Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Ervin R. Dan, John Kwok
  • Patent number: 5189069
    Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer of controlled particle size is prepared by polymerizing styrene and optionally polymerizable comonomers in a stirred aqueous suspension in the presence of monomer-soluble free radical initiator and dispersant to the extent that at least 70%, based on the total monomer, of the monomers are polymerized in the aqueous suspension initially to a conversion of at least 70% by weight; and then adding the remaining monomer, initiator and optional copolymerizable monomer and additives to the polymerization medium over one to three hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Speikamp, Adolf Kuhnle, Jurgen Bretschneider
  • Patent number: 5177115
    Abstract: An oil-resistant, expandable styrene polymer containsa) from 10 to 90% by weight of uncrosslinked polystyrene and/or an uncrosslinked styrene copolymer containing at least 50% by weight of copolymerized styrene,b) from 10 to 90% by weight of a crosslinked styrene polymer which contains at least 0.1% by weight, but less than 2% by weight, of a copolymerized monomer having at least two olefinic double bonds,c) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the sum of a) and b), of a C.sub.3 - to C.sub.6 -hydrocarbon as blowing agent, and, if desired,d) conventional additives in effective amounts,the mixture of a) and b) having a melt flow index MFI (200.degree. C., 5.0 kp) in accordance with DIN 53 735 of from 1 to 20 [g/10 min].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Hintz, Klaus Hahn, Uwe Guhr, Michael Riethues
  • Patent number: 5171757
    Abstract: Flame retardant vinylaromatic thermoplastic resin compositions are provided comprising 100 parts vinylaromatic polymer, 0.1 to 2.0 parts of at least one brominated aliphatic compound, 0.5 to 3.0 parts of at least one other and different brominated organic compound having a higher volatilization temperature and greater heat stability than said brominated aliphatic compound and from 0.05 to 5 parts of at least one melt flow promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: William G. Stobby, Kyung W. Suh
  • Patent number: 5169871
    Abstract: A process for forming polymer powders by dissolving one or more polymers in a suitable solvent, followed by atomizing the solution into a droplet atmosphere of a non-solvent to precipitate polymer particles. The particles are separated from the non-solvent, washed and dried to produce a powder with a rounded particle morphology, high internal porosity and surface area, and high apparent density.Polymer powders with these properties can be pressed to dense shaped articles suitable for sintering in automated presses because the powders have good low and compressibility characteristics. The process if particularly useful when applied to soluble polymers that are not readily shaped by melt processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corp.
    Inventors: O. Richard Hughes, Dieter Kurschus
  • Patent number: 5147895
    Abstract: A process for forming polymer powders by dissolving one or more polymers in a suitable solvent, followed by atomizing the solution into a droplet atmosphere of a non-solvent to precipitate polymer particles. The particles are separated from the non-solvent, washed and dried to produce a powder with a rounded particle morphology, high internal porosity and surface area, and high apparent density.Polymer powders with these properties can be pressed to dense shaped articles suitable for sintering in automated presses because the powders have good low and compressibility characteristics. The process if particularly useful when applied to soluble polymners that are not readily shaped by melt processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Corp.
    Inventors: O. Richard Hughes, Dieter Kurschus
  • Patent number: 5147937
    Abstract: Uniformly sized polymer particles of 1-50 .mu.m diameter are made by gradually combining a water-insoluble monomer mixture with an aqueous dispersion of emulsion-polymerized polymer particles in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer and an oil-soluble, free-radical polymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Frazza, Kim S. Ho, Alexander Kowalski, Robert R. Raney, Martin Vogel
  • Patent number: 5145878
    Abstract: In order to dry finely divided, expandable styrene polymers having a particle size of from 0.02 to 3 mm, the bead polymers, in the form of a slurry in water, are freed from the majority of the water and subsequently exposed to a gaseous medium. The drying is carried out in two steps, by jointly conveying the bead polymer and a first gas stream, warmed to from about 45.degree. to 120.degree. C., through a flow dryer, the ratio between the gas and the bead polymer being from 2 to 40 kg/kg, separating the bead polymer from the first gas stream, immediately transferring the bead polymer into a fluidized bed and treating the polymer with a second gas stream at from about 0.degree. to 75.degree. C. Styrene polymers obtained in this way are free-flowing and can be foamed without difficulty in commercially available prefoaming units. They are used, inter alia, in the construction industry, for example as aggregate for insulation plaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventors: Klaus Hahn, Matthias Dietrich
  • Patent number: 5137928
    Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic contrast agents composed of microparticles which contain a gas and polyamino-dicarboxylic acid-co-imide derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Raimund Erbel, Rainer Zotz, Volker Krone, Michael Magerstadt, Axel Walch
  • Patent number: 5137927
    Abstract: A composite foam of low thermal conductivity comprisesa) 20-80% by volume of silica aerogel particles having a mean diameter of from 0.1 to 20 mm and a density of from 0.08 to 0.40 g/cm.sup.3,b) 20-80% by volume of a styrene polymer foam which surrounds the particles of component a) and binds them to one another and has a density of from 0.01 to 0.15 g/cm.sup.3, and, if desired,c) conventional additives in effective amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernardo Wolff, Frieder Hohwiller, Guenther Seybold
  • Patent number: 5132330
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing expandable styrene type polymer particles is disclosed, which comprises the steps of adding a styrene type monomer to styrene type polymer seed particles suspended in an aqueous dispersing medium, continuously or intermittently to be polymerized while being absorbed thereby, and impregnating the resulting polymer particles with an easily volatile blowing agent to obtain expandable styrene type polymer particles, the improvement wherein styrene type polymer particles whose weight-average molecular weight (Mw.sub.1) is not more than 2/3 of the weight-average molecular weight (Mw.sub.2) of the resulting polymer particles are used as said styrene type polymer particles. The present invention provides expandable styrene type polymer particles excellent in moldability and foamed articles high in strength and fine in external appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Kiyoshi Mori, Toshiaki Sugita, Hideyuki Arakawa
  • Patent number: 5130341
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a production process of foamed polymer particles, wherein particles of a polymer, which contain a silica-alumina absorbent in which the molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is at least 1.15:1 are dispersed in a dispersion medium in the presence of carbon dioxide in a closed vessel, the resultant dispersion is heated to a temperature not lower than the softening temperature of the polymer to impregnate the polymer particles with carbon dioxide, and the polymer particles and the dispersion medium are then released into an atmosphere of a pressure lower than the internal pressure of the vessel, thereby expanding the polymer particles. The polymer may be an uncrosslinked propylene polymer, uncrosslinked, linear low-density polyethylene or crosslinked polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: JSP Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kuwabara, Kazuo Tsurugai, Masaharu Oikawa
  • Patent number: 5128380
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing expandable thermoplastic polymer particles which comprises conducting polymerization by adding a polymerizable monomer either continuously or intermittently to thermoplastic polymer particles having a uniform particle size suspended in water, the improvement wherein an amide compound is added when the added amount of the polymerizable monomer is not more than one half of the total amount to be added in the course of polymerization and resulting polymer particles are impregnated with an easily volatile blowing agent after completion of addition of the amide compound and the polymerizable monomer. According to the present invention, expandable thermoplastic particles which are capable of giving cells, fine and uniform in size, are obtainable even by expanding immediately after production without any aging period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Mori, Toshiaki Sugita, Yoshiyuki Hashiguchi, Masakichi Kishi
  • Patent number: 5128382
    Abstract: Supercritical drying has distinct advantages in generating microcellular materials. The dimensional stability of the polymer is not affected on drying because the supercritical process does not go through the two phase path and therefore the effect of capillary forces is absent. This helps in maintaining the morphology of the final polymer structure and better control over cell size.Organic microcellular foams were prepared by polymerizing directly in a near-critical fluid and pursuing the supercritical drying in the same reactor. The critical variables are the choice of a diluent with a strong enough solvent power to stabilize the polymer matrix, but with a low enough critical temperature to permit critical point drying without damage to the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Jarrell R. Elliott, Jr., Gokul Srinivasan, Manish Dhanuka, Ranjan Akhaury
  • Patent number: 5122545
    Abstract: Prefoamed synthetic resin particles are produced by dispersing foamable resin particles in a dispersing medium within a closed vessel, said foamable resin particles containing a water-soluble inorganic substance and a blowing agent therein, and then releasing the foamable resin particles and the medium into an atmosphere of a pressure lower than that inside the vessel, whereby the thus-released foamable resin particles are allowed to undergo foaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: JSP Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kuwabara, Hidehiro Sasaki, Masato Naito, Kazuo Turugai
  • Patent number: 5118718
    Abstract: Expandable styrene polymers of high expandability comprisea) a styrene polymer having a viscosity, measured in toluene, of from 55 to 80 [ml/g] and a melt flow index MFI (190.degree. C., 3.8 kp) of from 7.5 to 30 [g/10 min],b) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on a), of a C.sub.3 - to C.sub.6 -hydrocarbon as blowing agent, and, if desired,c) conventional assistants in effective amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Walter, Wolfram Husemann, Dieter Naegele
  • Patent number: 5116882
    Abstract: A process for making thermoplastic copolymer beads from vinyl aromatic monomers and vinyl phosphonic acid derivatives is disclosed. A process for making foamed articles from the beads is also disclosed. The foamed articles are useful for packaging and construction applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Grey, Laurel E. Schock, Diandre Armstead
  • Patent number: 5114640
    Abstract: A method for making low density (0.8-1.1 lb./cu.ft.) expanded polymeric products uses blowing agent in an amount of any from 2 to 4.4 weight percent and aging periods of from 1 to 80 hours after each expansion step. The process uses 2 to 5 expansion steps and a polymer having a particular polydispersity, weight average molecular weight and M.sub.z :M.sub.n, this polymer having a greater expandability than conventional polymers. The process requires only about half of the amount of blowing currently being used in commercially viable processes for making expanded polystyrene products. The process can be used with or without a molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Harclerode, John C. Knutsen, Barry J. Pekich, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss
  • Patent number: 5115066
    Abstract: A polystyrene polymer as well as an expandable polystyrene formulation comprises a polystyrene polymer having a particular molecular weight distribution. The polymer itself exhibits a polydispersity of from about 1 to less tha 2.0, a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 200,000 to about 300,000, and an M.sub.z :M.sub.n of from about 2 to less than about 3.0. Furthermore, the polystyrene polymer is branched to from 0 to less than 5 weight percent.The expandable polystyrene formulation comprises a polystyrene polymer exhibiting a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to less than 2.5, a weight average molecular weight of from greater than about 180,000 to about 300,000, an M.sub.z :M.sub.n of from about 2 to about 4.5. The polystyrene polymer is present in an amount of from about 94.5 weight percent to about 98 weight percent, based on the total weight of the formulation, and the polystyrene polymer is branched to from 0 to less than 5 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene K. Zimmermann, Bernhard Wagner, William E. Volz, William H. Harclerode, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss
  • Patent number: 5112875
    Abstract: A polystyrene polymer as well as an expandable polystyrene formulation comprises a polystyrene polymer having a particular molecular weight distribution. The polymer itself exhibits a polydispersity of from about 1 to less than 2.0, a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 200,000 to about 300,000, and an M.sub.z :M.sub.n of from about 2 to less than about 3.0. Furthermore, the polystyrene polymer is branched to from 0 to less than 5 weight percent.The expandable polystyrene formulation comprises a polystyrene polymer exhibiting a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to less than 2.5, a weight average molecular weight of from greater than about 180,000 to about 300,000, an M.sub.z :M.sub.n of from about 2 to about 4.5. The polystyrene polymer is present in an amount of from about 94.5 weight percent to about 98 weight percent, based on the total weight of the formulation, and the polystyrene polymer is branched to from 0 to less than 5 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene K. Zimmermann, Bernhard Wagner, William E. Volz, William H. Harclerode, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss
  • Patent number: 5110837
    Abstract: A method for making low density (0.8-1.1 lb/cu.ft.) expanded polymeric products uses blowing agent in an amount of only from 2 to 4.4 weight percent. The process uses 2 to 5 expansion steps together with a polymer having a particular polydispersity, weight average molecular weight and M.sub.z :M.sub.n, this polymer having a greater expandability than conventional polymers. The process requires only about half of the amount of blowing agent currently being used in commercially viable processes for making expanded polystyrene products. The process can be used with or without a molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Harclerode, William E. Volz, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss, Barry J. Pekich, John C. Knutsen
  • Patent number: 5110527
    Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene porous material and a process for producing the same are disclosed, the material comprising a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene having a number-average molecular weight of 2,000,000 or more and polytetrafluoroethylene having a number-average molecular weight of 1,000,000 or less, the material having been stretched at least uniaxially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Harada, Hiroshi Mano
  • Patent number: 5110836
    Abstract: A method for making low density (0.8-1.1 lb/cu.ft.) expanded polymeric products uses blowing agent in an amount of only from 2 to 4.4 weight percent and aging periods of from 1 to 80 hours after each expansion step. The process uses 2 to 5 expansion steps and a polymer having a particular polydispersity, weight average molecular weight and M.sub.z :M.sub.n, this polymer having a greater expandability than conventional polymers. The process requires only about half of the amount of blowing agent currently being used in commerically viable processes for making expanded polystyrene products. The process can be used with or without a molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Harclerode, John C. Knutsen, Barry J. Pekich, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss
  • Patent number: 5110524
    Abstract: A method for making low density (0.8-1.1 lb/cu. ft.) expanded polymeric products uses blowing agent in an amount of only from 2 to 4.4 weight percent. The process uses 2 to 5 expansion steps together with a polymer having a particular polydispersity, weight average molecular weight and M.sub.z :M.sub.n, this polymer having a greater expandability than conventional polymers. The process requires only about half of the amount of blowing agent currently being used in commercially viable processes for making expanded polystyrene products. The process can be used with or without a molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Harclerode, William E. Volz, John V. Wiman, John C. Voss, Barry J. Pekich, John C. Knutsen
  • Patent number: 5109033
    Abstract: Copolymer compositions based on vinyl aromatic monomers and derivatives of vinyl phosphonic acids are disclosed. The copolymer beads of the invention are advantageously used to make foamed articles useful for packaging and construction applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. Grey, Laurel E. Schock, Diandre Armstead
  • Patent number: 5104903
    Abstract: Bead-form expandable styrene polymers containing a styrene polymer having a mean molecular weight (weight average) of less than 130.multidot.10.sup.3 and a steep high-molecular-weight flank of the molecular-weight distribution curve, and 0.15 to 1.5 mol of a C.sub.3 - to C.sub.6 -hydrocarbon as blowing agent, and, if desired, customary additives in effective amounts, are distinguished by a particularly high expansion capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hahn, Uwe Guhr, Hans Hintz, Rolf Richter