US4672005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for improving polymer substrate properties, and modified polymers produced thereby
Assignee: Intera Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-22
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Granted: 1987-06-09
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Expires: 2004-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A process for improving the hygroscopic and soil release properties of a polymer substrate is provided in which the substrate is contacted with a suitable aqueous mixture containing a water soluble vinyl monomer and a hydrophobic vinyl monomer at a temperature of between about 40 DEG C. to 100 DEG C., and initiating polymerization of the water-soluble monomer by a chemical or physical initiator to form a vinyl polymer evenly disposed on the substrate. The hygroscopic and soil release properties of the substrate are thereby improved. The mixture may be in the form of an emulsion wherein the hydrophobic vinyl monomer is emulsified by an appropriate emulsifying agent. The invention also pertains to the improved substrates prepared in accordance with the present process.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Dyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:43
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06M; D06M14/00; D06M14/18; D06M14/26; D06M14/30; D06M14/34; D06M14/08; D06M14/10; D06M14/12; D06M14/14; D06M14/16; D06M14/28; D06M14/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31739; Y10T428/31743; Y10T428/3175; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31797; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/31909; Y10T428/31913; Y10T428/31928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A process for improving the surface properties of a polymer substrate which comprises: (a) contacting the substrate with an aqueous monomer mixture containing a water soluble vinyl monomer and a cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer; and (b) subsequently initiating polymerization of said monomers by an initiator to form a vinyl polymer on the substrate whereby the surface properties of the substrate are improved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process for improving the surface properties of a polymer substrate which comprises: (a) contacting the substrate with an aqueous monomer mixture containing a water soluble vinyl monomer and a cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer; and (b) subsequently initiating polymerization of said monomers by an initiator to form a vinyl polymer on the substrate whereby the surface properties of the substrate are improved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous mixture is maintained at a temperature within the range of about 40° C. to about 100° C. under agitation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the aqueous mixture is a suitable aqueous emulsion containing a water soluble vinyl monomer, a cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer which is emulsifiable, and an emulsifying agent of a composition which does not adversely interfere with the process and which is present in an amount sufficient to maintain said suitable aqueous emulsion but not to adversely interfere with said process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the monomer mixture contains a non-crosslinking hydrophobic vinyl monomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the vinyl polymer is evenly disposed on the substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the improvement in the hygroscopic properties of the substrate persists for at least 20 cycles of laundering in a conventional home washing machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: (i) immersing the substrate in water; (ii) adding the cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer and emulsifying agent to the water to form an aqueous emulsion of the cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer; (iii) agitating the system for a sufficient time for dispersal and contact of the components to occur; and (iv) adding water soluble vinyl monomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the initiation of polymerization is achieved by a chemical initiator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the initiation of polymerization is achieved by a physical impetus which starts and maintains polymerization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 wherein the suitable aqueous emulsion in step (a) is maintained below the polymerization temperature and contains an initiator which is activated by raising the temperature above the polymerization temperature in step (b).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which a catalyst is present to aid in initiating polymerization.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the temperature range during polymerization is between about 90° C. to 95° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the water soluble vinyl monomer is present in a concentration of between about 0.002 to 10 weight percent on weight of the aqueous emulsion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer is present in the suitable aqueous emulsion in a concentration of between about 0.02 to 2.0 weight percent on weight of the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the suitable aqueous emulsion is in contact with the substrate for at least about 30 seconds to 30 minutes prior to initiating polymerization.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which polymerization is achieved within about 30 seconds to 30 minutes after initiation in step (b).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the concentration of the water soluble vinyl monomer in the suitable aqueous emulsion is between about 0.002 to 10 weight percent on weight of the aqueous emulsion, the concentration of the cross-linking hydrophobic vinyl monomer is between about 0.02 to 2.0 weight precent on weight of the substrate, the suitable aqueous emulsion is in contact with the substrate for at least about 30 seconds to 30 minutes prior to initiating polymerization, and the polymerization is achieved within about 30 seconds to 30 minutes after initiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the substrate is polyester.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the substrate is polyester.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the substrate is polyester.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the substrate is a polyolefin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the substrate is a polyolefin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the substrate is a polyolefin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 21, 22 or 23 wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the substrate is a polyamide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 25 wherein the polyamide is selected from the group consisting of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the substrate is an acrylic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 1.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 4.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 17.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claims 18, 19 or 20.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 24.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The substrate having improved hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claims 25 or 27.
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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) | 1990-06-08 | 1990-12-08 | 1991-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-08 | 1994-12-08 | 1995-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-08 | 1998-12-08 | 1999-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |