Method for making shapeable microcellular poly lactic acid articles
US8926876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249978
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for making a shapeable article from poly(lactic acid) includes treating solid poly(lactic acid) that results in the solid poly(lactic acid) having a crystallinity of at least 20% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid) and a gas concentration of 6% to 16% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid); and heating the solid poly(lactic acid) having said minimum crystallinity and gas concentration to produce a cellular poly(lactic acid) article that is shapeable. The shapeable cellular poly(lactic acid) article is advantageous in that the article can be further shaped by heat and/or pressure (or vacuum), such as via thermoforming, into a variety of useful products.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.