- Patent Number:
9,045,642
- Appl. No:
13/691118
- Application Filed:
November 30, 2012
- Abstract:
A manufacturing method includes the steps of providing lignocellulosic fibers, providing a plastic material, and mixing the lignocellulosic fibers and the plastic material to obtain a composite material. The manufacturing method also includes, prior to the mixing step, a step for heat treatment of the lignocellulosic fibers wherein the lignocellulosic fibers are heated.
- Inventors:
Faurecia Interieur Industrie (Nanterre, FR)
- Assignees:
Faurecia Interieur Industrie (Nanterre, FR)
- Claim:
1. A method for manufacturing a composite material comprising lignocellulosic fibers in a matrix in plastic material, comprising steps for: providing lignocellulosic fibers; providing the plastic material; and mixing the lignocellulosic fibers and the plastic material for obtaining the composite material, the method comprising, a step for heat treatment of the lignocellulosic fibers, wherein the lignocellulosic fibers are heated, and a cooling step, wherein the heated lignocellulosic fibers are then cooled actively after the step for heat treatment but before the mixing step, characterized in that, in the heat treatment step, the lignocellulosic fibers are heated to a temperature above 160° C., wherein the heat treatment step and the cooling step are performed in a continuous processing device comprising a first heating segment and a second cooling segment and a cooling device for actively cooling fibers after the second cooling segment, wherein the cooling device further comprises an enclosure and a conveying device for continuously conveying the fibers from an inlet to an outlet, and wherein the conveying device is a worm screw .
- Claim:
2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the heat treatment step, the lignocellulosic fibers are heated to a temperature directly proportional to the oxygen deficiency of an enclosure for heating the lignocellulosic fibers.
- Claim:
3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 , wherein the step for providing lignocellulosic fibers comprises a step for refining a source of lignocellulosic fibers in order to obtain the lignocellulosic fibers.
- Claim:
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the lignocellulosic fibers are defibrillated during the refining step so as to generate fibrils from the lignocellulosic fibers.
- Claim:
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising use of a heating device for heating fibers in the first heating segment.
- Claim:
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cooling step is performed in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
- Claim:
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein, during the heat treatment step, the lignocellulosic fibers are heated under an oxygen-deficient controlled atmosphere. heat treatment step.
- Claim:
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lignocellulosic fibers are defibrillated so as to generate fibrils from the lignocellulosic fibers before the heat treatment step.
- Patent References Cited:
4822826 April 1989 Pommier et al.
5341580 August 1994 Teal
5451361 September 1995 Ruyter et al.
5678324 October 1997 Viitaniemi et al.
7100303 September 2006 Bernon et al.
2003/0064238 April 2003 Hasegawa
2004/0112465 June 2004 Jones
2005/0116377 June 2005 Hasegawa
0260183 March 1988
0622163 November 1994
1297933 April 2003
WO 9500423 January 1995
WO 2007056839 May 2007
- Other References:
Screw Conveyer Catalog & Engineering Manual, Screw Conveyor Corporation, Catalog No. 787E, 2010, pp. 1-64. cited by examiner
FR Search Report for FR 1160978 dated Aug. 1, 2012, 2 pages. cited by applicant
FR Written Opinion for FR 1160978 dated Aug. 1, 2012, 4 pages (not translated). cited by applicant
- Assistant Examiner:
Hill, Nicholas
- Primary Examiner:
Heincer, Liam J
- Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Reising Ethington P.C.
- Accession Number:
edspgr.09045642
Processing Request
No Comments.