Thermoplastic olefin composition, process of making the...

Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Mixing of two or more solid polymers; mixing of solid...

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C525S216000, C525S232000, C525S240000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06828384

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic olefin compositions, specifically to a thermoplastic olefin compositions for vacuum forming.
BACKGROUND
Vacuum forming includes both positive molds (i.e., male) and/or negative impressions (i.e., female). A typical vacuum forming process includes employing a negative pressure (i.e., a vacuum), between a sheet of material to be molded and the mold itself. The sheet is typically heated to a controlled softening temperature and subsequently stretched to conform to the mold contours to impart a desired shape of the part. This process may also be assisted by a plug assist and/or one or more vacuum holes in the mold. Once formed, the molded material is then cooled and the excess material removed (e.g., trimmed) to yield a final part and/or assembly.
Material properties that affect vacuum forming include melt flow rate, depth of draw, resistance to thinning, coefficient of friction, grain retention, and the like. However, material properties required for negative or female vacuum forming, also known as mold grain forming applications, are typically different from or even in opposite to those required for male vacuum forming applications. For example, in male vacuum forming, a high grain retention after vacuum forming is preferred. In contrast, in female vacuum forming, a relatively high melt flow rate to allow for greater depth of draw and increased resistance to excessive thinning, along with a lower coefficient of friction on tool surfaces are preferred. Accordingly, materials suitable for male vacuum forming may not necessarily be suitable for female vacuum forming. Since male vacuum forming is practiced almost to the exclusion of female vacuum forming, it would be beneficial to have materials suitable for female vacuum forming. Of particular benefit would be a thermoplastic olefin compositions suitable for female vacuum forming, preferably both male and female vacuum forming.
SUMMARY
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic olefin composition, comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene.
Also disclosed herein is a process of forming a thermoplastic olefin composition comprising: combining, based on the total weight of the composition, about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene, to produce the thermoplastic olefin composition.
Further disclosed herein is a thermoplastic olefin composition, comprising a reaction product of, based on the total weight of the composition: about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene.
Additionally disclosed herein is a process for vacuum forming an article, comprising: mixing about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene, about 30 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer, and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene to form a blend, based upon a total weight of the blend; and forming a sheet from the blend; heating the sheet to a softening temperature; disposing the sheet in a mold; and vacuum forming the sheet into an article.
Also disclosed herein is an article of manufacture comprising, based on the total weight: about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene.
In addition, disclosed herein is an automotive assembly comprising, based on the total weight of the assembly: about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene.
The above described and other features are exemplified by the following detailed description.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4275912 (1981-06-01), Bayer
patent: 4413856 (1983-11-01), McMahan et al.
patent: 4634735 (1987-01-01), Thiersault et al.
patent: 4679837 (1987-07-01), Bayer et al.
patent: 4998761 (1991-03-01), Bayer et al.
patent: 5091435 (1992-02-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5206294 (1993-04-01), Dawson
patent: 5219197 (1993-06-01), Rich et al.
patent: 5290078 (1994-03-01), Bayer et al.
patent: 5385375 (1995-01-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 5721314 (1998-02-01), Hausmann
patent: 5721315 (1998-02-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5783629 (1998-07-01), Srinivasan et al.
patent: 5783630 (1998-07-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5883188 (1999-03-01), Hwang et al.
patent: 5942576 (1999-08-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5959032 (1999-09-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5965667 (1999-10-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5985999 (1999-11-01), Dominguez et al.
patent: 6107404 (2000-08-01), Ryntz
patent: 6120714 (2000-09-01), Allan et al.
patent: 6153680 (2000-11-01), Shah et al.
patent: 6204328 (2001-03-01), Sanpei et al.
patent: 6218032 (2001-04-01), Berta
patent: 6245856 (2001-06-01), Kaufman et al.
patent: 6261489 (2001-07-01), Matsuki et al.
patent: 6515074 (2003-02-01), Kakarala et al.
http://www.kittermanplastics.com/vacuum.htm (Process: Vacuum Forming, pp. 1-2).
http://www.matrixplastics.com/thermo.htm (Thermoforming (Vacuum or Pressure), p. 1.
http://www.vistar-online.com/forming.html (Vistar Technologies, Inc., The Thermoforming Process—Vacuum/Pressure Forming, pp. 1-3).
http://www.formedplastics.com/pressure.html (Formed Plastics, Inc., Pressure/Vacuum Forming, pp. 1-2).
http://members.aol.com/GCCnssnway/vacuform.htm (Vacuum Forming, pp. 1-7).

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Thermoplastic olefin composition, process of making the... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Thermoplastic olefin composition, process of making the..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermoplastic olefin composition, process of making the... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3309350

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.