Semi-continuous production of solid state polymeric foams
US5684055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S264/83
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for the semi-continuous production of microcellular foam articles. In a preferred embodiment, a roll of polymer sheet is provided with a gas channelling means interleaved between the layers of polymer. The roll is exposed to a non-reacting gas at elevated pressure for a period of time sufficient to achieve a desired concentration of gas within the polymer. The saturated polymer sheet is then separated from the gas channelling means and bubble nucleation and growth is initiated by heating the polymer sheet. After foaming, bubble nucleation and growth is quenched by cooling the foamed polymer sheet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.