Scott B Hardenbrook

US Patent:

47612568, Aug 2, 1988

Filed:

Jan 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/006830

Inventors:

Scott B. Hardenbrook - Kent NY
Louis P. Harasta - Rochester NY
Stephen T. Faulkenberry - Conesus NY
Richard D. Bomba - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B29C 6722

US Classification:

264 455

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to the continuous production of microcellular plastic web material having integral unmodified laminar skin. In accordance with the invention a web of plastic material impregnated with an inert gas is delivered continuously to a degassing device in which the degree to which gas diffuses out of the surfaces of the web can be selectively and continuously controlled, whereupon the web enters a foaming station where it is reheated to induce foaming. The temperature of the reheated web and the duration of the foaming process prior to quenching are also selectively controllable to produce the desired web characteristics. The gas-impregnated plastic web can be produced initially by any of several novel means including a continuous device for impregnating a previously formed web and several versions of die devices which operate either by rapidly quenching the extruded gas-impregnated plastic material before any significant foaming has occurred or by maintaining the material above its foaming pressure within the die until the material has cooled to below the temperature at which foaming occurs.

US Patent:

47285591, Mar 1, 1988

Filed:

Jul 16, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/074175

Inventors:

Scott B. Hardenbrook - Kent NY
Cynthia L. Desmond - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B32B 300

US Classification:

428159

Abstract:

A container component is made from microcellular foam material, no more than approximately 30 mils thick, having a core of very small uniformity distributed cells to provide uniform opacity that is locally eliminated by the application of heat and pressure to create window areas at least 60% as thick as the surrounding material.