John P Fouser

US Patent:

20030020190, Jan 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/194678

Inventors:

John Fouser - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

John P. Fouser L.L.C. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

D01D005/092
D01D005/04
D01D005/06
D01F001/02
D01F006/18
D01F009/22

US Classification:

264/029200, 264/211140, 264/211000, 264/237000, 264/182000, 264/206000, 425/378200, 425/382200, 425/404000, 425/445000

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for the production of polyacrylontrile (PAN) polymer fibers from a polyacrylonitrile polymer, wherein a polyacrylonitrile polymer that comprises 90 weight percent or more polyacrylonitrile, optionally mixed with from about 30 to about 50 weight percent, based on the weight of the polymer, of a fugitive plasticizer, is heated, provided to an extruder in liquid form, extruded to form polyacrylonitrile fibers, and the fibers, immediately after the extrusion, are cooled, preferably in an air-cooled manifold, to a temperature of from about 110 to about 135 C. Fibers so produced have increased tensile strength, and thus are useful for more purposes, than typically produced polyacrylonitrile fibers.

US Patent:

58614427, Jan 19, 1999

Filed:

Aug 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/692696

Inventors:

Edmund H. Merz - Melbourne Beach FL
Roy A. White - Somers CT
John P. Fouser - San Francisco CA
Norman Fishman - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Solcar Polymer, Limited Partnership - Walpole MA

International Classification:

C08J 912
C08F 2044

US Classification:

521 64

Abstract:

Process of mixing a fugitive plasticizer, e. g. , ethylene carbonate, with moist particulate polyacrylonitrile then removing the water enabling adjustment of the melt viscosity for extrusion of the polyacrylonitrile into film, fiber, pellets and shaped articles. Stretching and heating the extruded polyacrylonitrile film or fiber causes the fugitive plasticizer to exude and vaporize from the film or fiber, carrying with it any remaining acrylonitrile monomer. The resulting film or fiber exhibits substantially increased molecular weight, thus enhancing the tensile strength and barrier properties of the polyacrylonitrile product. The process also produces polyacrylonitrile foam products. A novel cross-linking agent for polyacrylonitrile, divinyloxybutane, is disclosed. Thermostabilizing agents for polyacrylonitrile, N-maleimides and stilbene derivatives, are also disclosed.

US Patent:

55895204, Dec 31, 1996

Filed:

Feb 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/384448

Inventors:

Edmund H. Merz - Melbourne Beach FL
Roy A. White - Somers CT
John P. Fouser - San Francisco CA
Norman Fishman - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Solcas Polymer, Limited Partnership - Walpole MA

International Classification:

C08J 912

US Classification:

521 64

Abstract:

Process of mixing a fugitive plasticizer, e. g. , ethylene carbonate, with moist particulate polyacrylonitrile then removing the water enabling adjustment of the melt viscosity for extrusion of the polyacrylonitrile into film, fiber, pellets and shaped articles. Stretching and heating the extruded polyacrylonitrile film or fiber causes the fugitive plasticizer to exude and vaporize from the film or fiber, carrying with it any remaining acrylonitrile monomer. The resulting film or fiber exhibits substantially increased molecular weight, thus enhancing the tensile strength and barrier properties of the polyacrylonitrile product. The process also produces polyacrylonitrile foam products. A novel cross-linking agent for polyacrylonitrile, divinyloxybutane, is disclosed. Thermostabilizing agents for polyacrylonitrile, N-maleimides and stilbene derivatives, are also disclosed.

US Patent:

53045904, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Jan 21, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/822288

Inventors:

Edmund H. Merz - Melbourne Beach FL
Roy A. White - Somers CT
John P. Fouser - San Francisco CA
Norman Fishman - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Solcas Polymer, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

C08F 2044
C08J 912

US Classification:

524235

Abstract:

Process of mixing a fugitive plasticizer, e. g. , ethylene carbonate, with moist particulate polyacrylonitrile then removing the water enabling adjustment of the melt viscosity for extrusion of the polyacrylonitrile into film, fiber, pellets and shaped articles. Stretching and heating the extruded polyacrylonitrile film or fiber causes the fugitive plasticizer to exude and vaporize from the film or fiber, carrying with it any remaining acrylonitrile monomer. The resulting film or fiber exhibits substantially increased molecular weight, thus enhancing the tensile strength and barrier properties of the polyacrylonitrile product. The process also produces polyacrylonitrile foam products. A novel cross-linking agent for polyacrylonitrile, divinyloxybutane, is disclosed. Thermostabilizing agents for polyacrylonitrile, N-maleimides and stilbene derivatives, are also disclosed.