IP Library Granted Patent US 8,785,508
Granted Patent B2
US 8,785,508 · App. 13/377,848 · Granted Jul 22, 2014

Pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads and process for producing same

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,785,508
App. No.
13/377,848
Granted
Jul 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads comprising (A) a glycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and/or a polyglycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and (B) a glycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s) and/or a polyglycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s), in such a manner that a weight ratio [=(A)/(B)] between (A) and (B) in the polypropylene resin particles is 1.3 or more but 10 or less, and a total content [=(A)+(B)] is 0.3 parts by weight or more but 5 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polypropylene resin. The resin particles can be excellently used in in-mold foaming, without requiring washing with a chemical like nitric acid or metaphosphate soda, and can provide a polypropylene resin in-mold foamed product with good antistatic properties.

Claims (16)

1. A process for producing pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads, comprising:

introducing polypropylene resin particles, water, a dispersion agent, and a foaming agent in a pressure-resistant vessel, so as to prepare an aqueous dispersion, wherein the polypropylene resin particles has a polypropylene resin composition including (A) a glycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and/or a polyglycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and (B) a glycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s) and/or a polyglycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s), in such a manner that a weight ratio [=(A)/(B)] between (A) and (B) is not less than 1.3 but not more than 10, and a total content [=(A)+(B)] is not less than 0.3 parts by weight but not more than 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polypropylene resin;

pressuring the aqueous dispersion at a temperature range of a melting point of the polypropylene resin particles ±20° C., so as to cause the polypropylene resin particles to contain the foaming agent; and

releasing the aqueous dispersion into a low pressure atmosphere whose pressure is lower than inside the pressure resistant vessel.

2. The process as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent is carbon dioxide gas.

3. The process as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a polyglycerin for constituting the polyglycerin monoester of the C 6 to C 24 fatty acid is a polymer of not less than 2 glycerins but not more than 10 glycerins.

4. The process as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a polyglycerin for constituting the polyglycerin diester of the C 6 to C 24 fatty acid is a polymer of not less than 2 glycerins but not more than 10 glycerins.

5. The process as set forth in claim 1 , wherein an adhered dispersion agent content is 0.20 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads.

6. A process for processing a polypropylene resin in-mold foamed product whose surface inherent resistance that is measured in accordance with JIS K6911 after the polypropylene resin in-mold formed product is kept in a room conditioned at a temperature of 23° C. under 50% humidity for 24 hours is 5×10 11 Ω or less,

the process comprising the steps of:

introducing polypropylene resin particles, water, a dispersion agent, and a foaming agent in a pressure-resistant vessel, so as to prepare an aqueous dispersion, wherein the polypropylene resin

particles has a polypropylene resin composition including (A) a glycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and/or a polyglycerin monoester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid and (B) a glycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s) and/or a polyglycerin diester of a C 6 to C 24 fatty acid(s), in such a manner that a

weight ratio [(A)/(B)] between (A) and (B) is not less than 1.3 but not more than 10, and a total content [(A)+(B)] is not less than 0.3 parts by weight but not more than 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polypropylene resin;

pressuring the aqueous dispersion at a temperature range of a melting point of the polypropylene resin particles ±20° C., so as to cause the polypropylene resin particles to contain the foaming agent; and

releasing the aqueous dispersion into a low pressure atmosphere whose pressure is lower than inside the pressure resistant vessel to produce pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads; and

filling a mold with the pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads and heating the pre-expanded polypropylene resin beads in the mold.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Sep 12, 2013
From: KANEKA CORPORATION
To: KANEKA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031207/0283 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2011
From: KIGUCHI, TARO
To: KANEKA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027385/0473 →