Energy absorbing articles of extruded thermoplastic foams
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorsMartin H. Tusim, Martin C. Cornell, Kyung W. Suh, Christopher P. Christenson, Chung P. Park
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy absorbing article having a direction in which impact resistance is desired is formed of extruded thermoplastic foam exhibit anisotropic compressive strength. The extrusion direction of the thermoplastic foam is aligned substantially parallel with the direction in which impact resistance is desired to provide an energy absorbing article exhibiting a high ratio of compressive strength to weight.
Claims35
A method of absorbing impact, comprising:
- providing an extruded thermoplastic foam having greater compressive strength in a first direction than in any other direction;
- and
- impacting the extruded thermoplastic foam in a direction which is approximately aligned with the first direction in which compressive strength is greatest the foam being a coalesced strand foam.
A method of absorbing impact, comprising:
- obtaining an extruded thermoplastic foam having greater strength in a first direction than in any other direction;
- and
- incorporating the extruded thermoplastic foam into an energy absorbing article having a surface intended to absorb impact, the extruded thermoplastic foam being arranged in the article so that the first direction in which strength is greatest is approximately perpendicular to the surface intended to absorb impact.
An energy absorbing article, comprising:
- a surface in which impact resistance is desired;
- an extruded thermoplastic foam incorporated into the energy absorbing article, the extruded thermoplastic foam being a coalesced strand foam and having greater strength in a first direction than in any other direction;
- and
- the extruded thermoplastic foam being oriented so that the first direction in which strength is greatest is approximately aligned with the direction in which impact resistance is desired.
An automobile including an impact absorbing member exhibiting high impact resistance in a desired direction, said impact absorbing member comprising an extruded thermoplastic foam having greater strength in a first direction than in any other direction, the extruded thermoplastic foam being oriented so that the first direction in which strength is greatest is approximately aligned with the direction in which impact resistance is desired.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.