Patent ID: 8178014
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B29C,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an elongated ethylenic foam structure, the method comprising: feeding a foamable polyethylene composition into an extruder; extruding the foamable polyethylene composition through the extruder at an elevated temperature to form an extruded foam rod or ribbon having a certain open-cell content and an external, substantially continuous, impervious skin; passing the extruded foam rod or ribbon through a roller system to compress the extruded foam rod or ribbon laterally before curing of the foam to increase the open-cell content thereof. the roller system comprising two pairs of opposing rollers, one of the two pairs of opposing rollers being perpendicularly disposed to another of the two pairs of opposing rollers; and curing the foam to form an open-cell foam rod or ribbon having an integral surface skin covering the open-cell foam rod or ribbon.