The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1998
James T Ligon, Sr, Almont, MI (US);
Matthew P Macker, Emmett, MI (US);
Ligon Brothers Manufacturing Company, Almont, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for extruding foam of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is a blend of olefin rubber and polyolefin resin, includes the steps of mixing the thermoplastic with water, introducing the mix to an extruder, melting and compressing the thermoplastic elastomer and water and extruding the resultant mix as foam. In more detail, a first quantity of thermoplastic elastomer in pellet form is mixed with a second quantity of water. The mixed water and thermoplastic is introduced to an extruder. The thermoplastic elastomer is melted and mixed with the water to a uniform mix of thermoplastic elastomer and water. The mix is extruded through a die, wherein the water expands in a vapor form to create foam cells with the cells having walls of the thermoplastic elastomer.