Internally-coated porous webs with controlled positioning of modifiers therein
AssigneeNextec Applications, Inc.
InventorJ. Michael Caldwell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved processes are provided for treating a porous substrate (especially a fabric) to produce novel internally coated porous materials. During treatment, a curable thixotropic material and one or modifying materials are applied to the porous substrate as an impregnant. The treatment imparts specific properties to the end product material. Selection of the modifier material is based on the particular end use application. Sufficient energy is directed to the impregnant and porous substrate to cause the impregnant to flow into the porous substrate and force the modifier to specific positions within the substrate.
Claims154
An article comprising a porous web that has been treated with a curable, shear thinnable, thixotropic polymeric material and with one or more modifiers, said material being at least partially cured, said modifiers being selectively positioned within the web, and at least some of the pores of said web being open.
A porous article comprising:
- a porous web having a plurality of web members with interstices therebetween;
- an at least partially cured material derived from a curable, shear thinnable, thixotropic polymeric material which forms:
- a thin film substantially encapsulating at least some of the web members leaving at least some of the interstices open, or
- a substantially continuous internal layer;
- and
- one or more modifiers, wherein said modifier(s) is selectively positioned within the web.
A method of controllably applying a combination of treating materials to a porous web, said method comprising:
- applying a curable shear thinnable, thixotropic material to said porous web;
- applying one or more modifiers to said porous web;
- and
- subjecting said thixotropic material and modifier(s) to sufficient energy to cause the thixotropic material and modifier(s) to flow into the porous web, and selectively position said modifier(s) within the web, wherein at least some of the interstitial spaces of said web remain open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.