US2004071964A1PendingUtilityA1

Beneficiated fiber and composite

42
Priority: Oct 10, 2002Filed: Oct 10, 2002Published: Apr 15, 2004
Est. expiryOct 10, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jeffrey E. Nesbitt
D02G 3/00B32B 27/12B32B 3/10Y10T428/2933C08J 5/06B29C 70/10Y10T428/249924C08J 2207/12
42
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims

Abstract

A beneficiated fiber and composite including a fiber having a lumen with voids. A suspension including a bonding agent, chemical blowing agent, and catalyst is drawn into the lumen by a capillary action to beneficiate the fiber. The beneficiated fiber may be imbedded with a polymeric material to form the composite. The natural voids of the lumen are preserved by the suspension causing the fiber to maintain natural density and strength characteristics.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composite comprising: 
 a fiber having a lumen with voids;    a suspension drawn into the lumen to beneficiate the fiber; and    a polymeric material imbedded with the fiber;    whereby the natural voids of the lumen are preserved by the suspension causing the fiber to maintain natural density and strength characteristics.    
     
     
         2 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension includes a chemical blowing agent.  
     
     
         3 . The composite of  claim 2 , wherein the chemical blowing agent is azodicarbonamide.  
     
     
         4 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension includes a carrier.  
     
     
         5 . The composite of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier is a film-forming thermoplastic.  
     
     
         6 . The composite of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier is a film-forming thermosetting polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension includes a catalyst.  
     
     
         8 . The composite of  claim 5 , wherein the catalyst is calcium carbonate.  
     
     
         9 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber is a bast fiber.  
     
     
         10 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is a polyvinyl chloride foam.  
     
     
         11 . The composite of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive that is adsorbed onto a surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         12 . A method for making a beneficiated fiber comprising: 
 mixing a suspension with a fiber to form a homogeneous mixture;    drawing the suspension into a lumen of the fiber by a capillary action to beneficiate the fiber; and    cooling the beneficiated fiber.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising fluffing the beneficiated fiber.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fiber is a bast fiber.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension includes a carrier, a chemical blowing agent and a catalyst.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising adsorbing an additive onto a surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the additives are adsorbed onto the surface of the fiber by mixing at a temperature of approximately 350-500 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension in drawn into the lumen of the fiber by a continuous kneader/mixer  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the kneader/mixer is at a temperature of approximately 200-350 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising mixing the beneficiated fiber with a melted polymeric material forming a composite.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising extruding the beneficiated fiber and the polymeric material to form a composite structural member.  
     
     
         22 . A beneficiated fiber comprising: 
 a fiber having a lumen with voids; and    a suspension drawn into the lumen to beneficiate the fiber;    whereby the natural voids of the lumen are preserved by the suspension causing the fiber to maintain natural density and strength characteristics.    
     
     
         23 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 22 , wherein the suspension includes a chemical blowing agent, a carrier, and a catalyst.  
     
     
         24 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 23 , wherein the chemical blowing agent is azodicarbonamide.  
     
     
         25 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 23 , wherein the carrier is a film-forming thermoplastic.  
     
     
         26 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 23 , wherein the carrier is a film-forming thermosetting polymer.  
     
     
         27 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 23 , wherein the catalyst is calcium carbonate.  
     
     
         28 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 22 , wherein the fiber is a bast fiber.  
     
     
         29 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one additive that is adsorbed onto a surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         30 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 29 , wherein the additive is adsorbed onto the surface of the fiber by mixing.  
     
     
         31 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the additives are adsorbed onto the surface of the fiber by mixing at a temperature of approximately 350-500 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         32 . The beneficiated fiber of  claim 22 , wherein the fiber is beneficiated at a temperature of approximately 200-350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Join the waitlist — get patent alerts

Track US2004071964A1 — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.

We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.