Improved variegated composites and related methods of manufacture
AssigneeTrex Company, Inc.
InventorBlair Dolinar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure Embodiments of the invention include a composite. The composite includes a crystalline polymer, a plurality of wood fibers blended with the crystalline polymer, an outer surface, and an amorphous polymer visible on the outer surface. The amorphous polymer has a first color and the blend of the crystalline polymer and the plurality of wood fibers has a second color different from the first color. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing the wood-plastic composites such that one polymer is shifted in the composite relative to the other polymer.
Claims61
A composite, comprising:
- a first polymer;
- a plurality of wood fibers dispersed in the first polymer;
- an outer surface;
- and
- a second polymer adapted to not blend substantially with the first polymer;
- wherein the first polymer and the second polymer form a pattern on the outer surface of the composite.
A method of manufacturing a wood-plastic composite, comprising:
- providing a first polymer;
- providing a plurality of wood fibers;
- providing a second polymer not substantially soluble in the first polymer;
- melting the first polymer;
- blending the first polymer and the plurality of wood fibers to form a blend;
- adding the second polymer in an unmelted state to the blend to form a feed;
- and
- forming a profile body from the feed, the profile body further comprising a pattern formed by the first polymer and the second polymer.
A composite, comprising:
- a first polymer comprising polyethylene;
- a plurality of wood fibers dispersed in the first polymer;
- an outer surface;
- and
- a second polymer comprising polyethylene;
- wherein the first polymer and the second polymer form a pattern on the outer surface of the composite.
A composite, comprising:
- a first polymer comprising polyethylene;
- a plurality of wood fibers dispersed in the first polymer;
- an outer surface;
- and
- a second polymer comprising polypropylene;
- wherein the first polymer and the second polymer form a pattern on the outer surface of the composite.
A method of manufacturing a wood-plastic composite, comprising:
- providing a first polymer;
- providing a plurality of wood fibers;
- providing a second polymer;
- mixing the first polymer, the plurality of wood fibers, and the second polymer to form a feed;
- and
- forming a profile body from the feed, the profile body further comprising a pattern formed by the first polymer and the second polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.