Claims
- 1. A method for producing a molded thermoplastic product having an aesthetic effect, comprising the steps of:extruding at least one thermoplastic in sheet form, said extruded thermoplastic having at least one visible surface; providing a color-containing thermoplastic resin system comprising at least one thermoplastic resin that is compatible with said extruded thermoplastic; applying said color-containing system to said visible surface of said extruded thermoplastic to produce a treated visible surface; and applying a compressive force to said treated visible surface of said extruded thermoplastic to form the molded thermoplastic product.
- 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said surface of said extruded thermoplastic is maintained at a temperature sufficient to allow said color-containing system to adhere or bond to said surface of said thermoplastic during said method.
- 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compressive force is sufficient to promote adherence of said color-containing system to said surface of said extruded thermoplastic.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said extruded thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyacetals, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrenes, styrene-acrylonitriles, styrene-maleic anhydrides, nylons, polycarbonates, polybutylene terephthalates, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, acrylics, and mixtures thereof.
- 5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said extruded thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of: acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers; acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymers; polyvinyl chloride; blends of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers and nylon in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of polyvinyl chloride and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers in the ratio of about 20:80 to about 80:20 weight percent; and blends of acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers and acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymers in the ratio of about 20:80 to about 80:20 weight percent.
- 6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said color-containing system is comprised of at least one pigment and at least one thermoplastic binder or carrier.
- 7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said color-containing system is comprised of at least one dye and at least one thermoplastic binder or carrier.
- 8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compressive force is supplied by processing said extruded thermoplastic through at least one set of rolls.
- 9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said extruded thermoplastic is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 440° F. to about 480° F. prior to the application of said color-containing system.
- 10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said color-containing system is maintained at a temperature in the range of about ambient temperature to about 280° F. prior to application onto the surface of said extruded thermoplastic.
- 11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said color-containing system comprises a plurality of particles.
- 12. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said binder is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyacetals, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrenes, styrene-acrylonitriles, styrene-maleic anhydrides, nylons, polycarbonates, polybutylene terephthalates, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, acrylics, and mixtures thereof.
- 13. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said binder is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of: acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers; acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymers; polyvinyl chloride; blends of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers and nylon in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers in the ratio of about 5:95 to about 95:5 weight percent; blends of polyvinyl chloride and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers in the ratio of about 20:80 to about 80:20 weight percent; and blends of acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers and acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymers in the ratio of about 20:80 to about 80:20 weight percent.
- 14. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said particles of said color-containing system are of from about −10 to about +5000 U.S. Standard mesh size.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation in part of application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/975,020 filed Nov. 20, 1997, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5670237 |
Shultz et al. |
Sep 1997 |
A |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/975020 |
Nov 1997 |
US |
Child |
09/320056 |
|
US |