초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion. The method has the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion, curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment, and forming a saturated polymeric foam

The present invention is directed to a method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion. The method has the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion, curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment, and forming a saturated polymeric foam material. The water-in-oil emulsion has an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion comprising the steps of: a. forming a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component; b. depositing the water-in-oil emulsion on a moving belt

What is claimed is: 1. A method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion comprising the steps of: a. forming a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component; b. depositing the water-in-oil emulsion on a moving belt; C. transporting the water-in-oil emulsion on the belt to an oven; d. curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment in an oven with a quiescent atmospheric layer above the emulsion; and e. forming a flexible saturated polymeric foam material. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the monomer loss is less than 5% during curing. 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the saturated steam is in equilibrium with the emulsion. 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein a small head space above the emulsion in present in Step d. 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the head space is less than 80 mm. 6. A method of forming a polymeric foam material comprising the steps of: a. forming a water-in-oil emulsion; b. depositing the water-in-oil emulsion on a moving belt; c. transporting the water-in-oil emulsion on the belt to an oven; d. curing the emulsion in a saturated steam environment in an oven with a quiescent atmospheric layer above the emulsion; and e. forming a flexible saturated polymeric foam material. 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the oven is a serpentine design. 8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the oven has an exit and entrance point which are covered. 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the serpentine design is formed from belts. 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the belts are cleaned at ends of the paths. 11. A method of forming a polymeric foam material comprising the steps of: a. forming a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component; b. depositing the water-in-oil emulsion on a moving belt: c. transporting the water-in-oil emulsion on the belt to an oven; d. curing the monomer component in the emulsion in an oven comprising a serpentine design, a small head space above the emulsion, and a saturated steam environment in equilibrium with the emulsion; and e. forming a flexible saturated polymeric foam material.