Method and apparatus for applying a colorant to a thermoplastic to produce a visual effect
AssigneeBASF SE
InventorsJames H. Bennett, Steve Wasson, Gary Kogowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visual effect, such as a granite-look, is produced in a thermoplastic product by directly applying a sufficient amount of at least one color-containing thermoplastic resin system to the surface of an extruded sheet of a thermoplastic resin. The color-containing thermoplastic resin system is applied onto the extruded sheet after it emerges from the die and prior to it entering the rollstack.
Claims33
A method for producing a granite-like appearance or other visual or textural effect on a sheet-like molded thermoplastic product, comprising the steps of:
- extruding at least one thermoplastic in sheet form, said extruded thermoplastic having at least one visible surface;
- providing a color-containing thermoplastic resin system comprising at least one thermoplastic resin that is compatible with said extruded thermoplastic;
- applying said color-containing system to said visible surface of said extruded thermoplastic to produce a treated visible surface;
- and
- applying a compressive force to said treated visible surface of said extruded thermoplastic.
An apparatus for producing a granite-like appearance or other visual or textural affect on a sheet-like molded thermoplastic product, comprising:
- means for extruding a sheet of thermoplastic, said sheet of extruded thermoplastic having at least one visible surface;
- means for applying at least one color-containing thermoplastic resin system to said visible surface of said sheet of extruded thermoplastic;
- and
- means for applying a compressive force to said sheet of extruded thermoplastic.
A sheet-like molded thermoplastic product wherein:
- said thermoplastic is first extruded into a sheet having at least one visible surface;
- said surface having been treated with a sufficient amount of at least one color-containing thermoplastic resin system to impart a granite-like appearance or other visual or textural affect on said surface of said sheet of extruded thermoplastic, said treated surface also having been exposed to a compressive force sufficient to promote adherence of said color-containing resin system to said surface.
A thermoplastic product comprising a first layer or zone and a second layer or zone, said first layer or zone comprising an extruded thermoplastic sheet product formed from at least one thermoplastic, and said second layer or zone comprising a color-containing thermoplastic resin system adhering to said first layer or zone to impart a granite-like appearance or other visual or textural effect on a surface of said sheet of thermoplastic, said color-containing system of said second layer or zone comprising at least one pigment and at least one thermoplastic binder or carrier material, said first zone and said second zone having been compressed after said application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.