Appeal No. 2006-2539 Page 2
Application No. 10/421,661
page 1. The rubber can be bonded to the rigid polymer by “mechanical bonding, by means
of an applied fluid adhesive, [or] by melt-bonding/chemical-bonding.” Id.
“Rigid polyvinylchloride (‘rigid PVC’) is, by far, the most widely used rigid
thermoplastic polymer to which rubber surface layers are bonded. Some rubber
compositions have melting points and chemical structures that are similar to rigid PVC.
Thus, melt-bonds formed when both components are brought together under pressure
at or very near their respective melt temperatures tend to be excellent.” Id., pages 2-3.
However, “in the production of some articles, the rigid PVC component must first be fully
cooled to lock in its desired dimensions before the surface layer of rubber is applied.
Under these circumstances, it is not possible to form a satisfactory melt-bond.” Id.,
page 3.
The specification discloses a method for making “a multilayer polymer structure
comprising a structural layer (A) of a rigid polymer composition, an intermediate layer
(B) of a polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and a topcoat
layer (C) of a polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer.” Id. The
method is said to be “particularly suitable for forming extruded articles such as
composite rigid PVC outdoor deck planking, which must retain its dimensional stability
during the application of the thermoplastic elastomer surface layer (C).” Id., page 4.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007