公开(公告)号：US10322561B2

公开(公告)日：2019-06-18

申请号：US14930592

申请日：2015-11-02

Applicant: Grow Plastics LLC

Inventor： Michael Waggoner

IPC: B29C44/02 ,  B32B5/20 ,  C08J9/00 ,  F16J15/40 ,  B65D65/38 ,  C08J9/12 ,  C08J9/34 ,  C08J9/36 ,  B32B5/14 ,  B32B27/06 ,  B29K67/00 ,  B29K105/04 ,  B29L31/00 ,  B29C44/34

Abstract: Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.