GB597214A - Improvements in or relating to polymerization method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Polymerizable or partially polymerized material is polymerized by confining it in a fluid-tight deformable container maintained under polymerizing conditions, i.e., elevated temperatures, and successively compressing different portions of the container to circulate and mix the material therein. The side walls of the container may be alternately and repeatedly pressed together adjacent opposite ends of the container to reciprocate the material from one end to the other, and the material may then be injected into a mould by squeezing through an orifice. Alternatively, the container may be open at both ends, and successive longitudinal portions may be successively compressed to mix the material and cause a continuous flow. Polymerizable materials specified are styrene and cyclohexyl methacrylate, and the container may be formed of laminated polyvinyl alcohol sheet, or of canvas internally lined with polyvinyl alcohol. Referring to Fig. 1, opposite ends of a deformable container 33 containing polymerizable material, are alternately compressed by piston mechanisms 10, which are operated alternately by compressed air from conduit 25 passing through valve means 24, which is operated by crank 28. Referring to Fig. 2, polymerizable material is passed through a long, deformable, open-ended container or tube 36. Rollers 39 are rotatably mounted on shafts 40, each of which has one end slidably mounted in a radial slot 41 in disc 42, and is biassed radially outward by spring 43. Each of the discs 42 is rotated anti-clockwise, each roller lagging the <PICT:0597214/III/1> <PICT:0597214/III/2> previous roller by about 120 degrees. The rotary rollers mounted as shown in Fig. 2 may be used in the apparatus of Fig. 1, and the pistons of Fig. 2 may be substituted for the rollers in the apparatus of Fig. 2. One of the rollers of Fig. 2 may be rotated oppositely to the others.ALSO:Polymerizable or partially polymerized material is polymerized by confining it in a fluid-tight deformable container maintained under polymerizing conditions, i.e. elevated temperatures, and successively compressing different portions of the container to circulate and mix the material therein. The side walls of the container may be alternately and repeatedly pressed together adjacent opposite ends of the container to reciprocate the material from one end to the other, and the material may then be injected into a mould by squeezing through an orifice. Alternatively, the container may be open at both ends, and successive longitudinal portions may be successively compressed to mix the material and cause a continuous flow. Polymerizable materials specified are styrene and cyclohexyl methacrylate and the container may be formed of laminated polyvinyl alcohol sheet, or of canvas internally lined with polyvinyl alcohol. Referring to <PICT:0597214/IV/1> <PICT:0597214/IV/2> Fig. 1, opposite ends of a deformable container 33, containing polymerizable material, are alternately compressed by piston mechanisms 10, which are operated alternately by compressed air from conduit 25 passing through valve means 24, which is operated by crank 28. Referring to Fig. 2, polymerizable material is passed through a long, deformable, open-ended container or tube 36. Rollers 39 are rotatably mounted on shafts 40, each of which has one end slidably mounted in a radial slot 41 in disc 42, and is biassed radially outward by spring 43. Each of the discs 42 is rotated anti-clockwise, each roller lagging the previous roller by about 120 degrees. The rotary rollers mounted as shown in Fig. 2 may be used in the apparatus of Fig. 1, and the pistons of Fig. 2 may be substituted for the rollers in the apparatus of Fig. 2. One of the rollers of Fig. 2 may be rotated oppositely to the others.