IP Library Granted Patent US 6,886,233
Granted Patent B2
US 6,886,233 · App. 10/144,633 · Granted May 3, 2005

Method for decreasing the thickness of flexible expanded graphite sheet

Assignee: EGC Enterprises, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,886,233
App. No.
10/144,633
Granted
May 3, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for decreasing the thickness of a flexible expanded graphite sheet is provided that includes the steps of providing a a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a surface adhered to a substrate, pulling apart the sheet and the substrate with a force sufficient to separate the adhered flexible expanded graphite sheet into a removed layer and a remainder layer adhered to the substrate; and optionally repeating the foregoing steps until the remainder layer has a desired thickness.

Claims (38)

1. A method for decreasing the thickness of a flexible expanded graphite sheet, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a surface adhered to a substrate;

(b) pulling apart the sheet and the substrate with a force sufficient to separate the adhered flexible expanded graphite sheet into a removed layer and a remainder layer adhered to the substrate; and

(c) optionally repeating steps (a) and (b) until the remainder layer has a desired thickness.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the remainder layer is substantially uniform.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the remainder layer is non-uniform.

4. A method for decreasing the thickness of a flexible expanded graphite sheet, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a first thickness, a top surface, and a bottom surface adhered to a first substrate;

(b) adhering a second substrate to the top surface;

(c) separating the first and second substrates with a force sufficient to separate the flexible expanded graphite sheet into a first remainder layer adhered to the first substrate and a second remainder layer adhered to the second substrate; and

(d) optionally repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) until a remainder layer has a desired thickness thinner than the first thickness.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the thicknesses of the remainder layers are independent and are substantially uniform.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the thickness of the remainder layers are independent and are non-uniform.

7. A method for non-uniformly decreasing the thickness of a flexible expanded graphite sheet, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a top surface, and a bottom surface adhered to a first substrate;

(b) non-uniformly adhering a second substrate to the top surface; and

(c) separating the first and second substrates with a force sufficient to separate the flexible expanded graphite sheet into a first remainder layer adhered to the first substrate and a second remainder layer adhered to the second substrate; and

(d) optionally repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) until a remainder layer has a desired non-uniform thickness.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the thicknesses of the remainder layers are independently non-uniform.

9. A thin flexible expanded graphite sheet, produced by a process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a first thickness and a surface adhered to a substrate;

(b) pulling apart the sheet and the substrate with a force sufficient to separate the adhered flexible expanded graphite sheet into a removed layer and a remainder layer adhered to the substrate; and

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b), if necessary, until the remainder layer has a desired thickness that is thinner than the first thickness.

10. The sheet of claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the remainder layer is substantially uniform.

11. The sheet of claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the remainder layer is non-uniform.

12. A thin flexible expanded graphite sheet, produced by a process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a first thickness, a top surface, and a bottom surface adhered to a first substrate;

(b) adhering a second substrate to the top surface;

(c) separating the first and second substrates with a force sufficient to separate the flexible expanded graphite sheet into a first remainder layer adhered to the first substrate and a second remainder layer adhered to the second substrate; and

(d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c), if necessary, until a remainder layer has a desired thickness thinner than the first thickness.

13. The sheet of claim 12 , wherein the thicknesses of the remainder layers are independent and are substantially uniform.

14. The sheet of claim 12 , wherein the thicknesses of the remainder layers are independent and are non-uniform.

15. A thin flexible expanded graphite sheet having a non-uniform thickness, produced by a process comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a flexible expanded graphite sheet having a top surface, and a bottom surface adhered to a first substrate;

(b) non-uniformly adhering a second substrate to the top surface;

(c) separating the first and second substrates with a force sufficient to separate the flexible expanded graphite sheet into a first remainder layer adhered to the first substrate and a second remainder layer adhered to the second substrate; and

(d) optionally repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) until at least a portion of a remainder layer has a thickness of about 0.01 mils to less than about 0.5 mils.

16. The sheet of claim 15 , wherein the thicknesses of the remainder layers are independently non-uniform.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2018
From: MEDALLION CAPITAL, INC.
To: EGC OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 045389/0426 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2015
From: EGC ENTERPRISES, INC.
To: EGC OPERATING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 036580/0405 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: EGC OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
To: MEDALLION CAPITAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 033868/0856 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2002
From: RUTHERFORD, ROBERT B.; DUDMAN, RICHARD L.
To: EGC ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reel/Frame 012899/0268 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20030208894A1 · Nov 13, 2003