Patent ID: 7740779
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A process for continuously producing a highly oriented non-fibrous ultra high molecular weight polyethylene tape comprising: feeding particles of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene into a forming device, said forming device including an upper and lower rotating belt; applying pressure from said upper and lower rotating belts to said polyethylene particles between said upper and lower rotating belts to remove a substantial amount of air from said polyethylene particles and to bond said polyethylene particles into a continuous sheet; heating said continuous sheet to a temperature near the melting point of said polyethylene; rolling and stretching said heated sheet in a first calender unit to form a partially oriented polyethylene web; rolling and stretching said partially oriented polyethylene web in at least one additional calender unit to form a fully oriented polyethylene web; and drawing said fully oriented polyethylene web to form said highly oriented non-fibrous ultra high molecular weight polyethylene tape, said UHMWPE polyethylene tape including a modulus of at least 1,400 grams per denier.