Multi-shape product

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9878487-B2
Application number	US-201113039757-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2011
Priority date	Mar 3, 2010
Publication date	Jan 30, 2018
Grant date	Jan 30, 2018

Abstract

Multi-shape products of the present disclosure comprise two components: a matrix component and a fiber component that is embedded or otherwise disposed in the matrix component. The matrix component exhibits certain shape memory properties. The fiber component interpenetrates the matrix component to facilitate fixing of the multi-shape product in various temporary shapes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-shape product, comprising:
a first component forming a matrix and comprised of a shape memory polymer having a shape memory recovery temperature;
a second component forming a fiber network having a plurality of fibers, a plurality of nodes where fibers contact each other, and a plurality of interstitial voids between the fibers, wherein said fibers comprise a polymer having a transition temperature that is within 50 degrees Celsius of said shape memory recovery temperature; and
wherein said fiber network is embedded in the matrix so that said matrix fills the plurality of interstitial voids.

2. A multi-shape product according to claim 1 , wherein the second component can be electro-spun.

3. A multi-shape product according to claim 2 , wherein the second component comprises a one or more semi-crystalline polymers.

4. A multi-shape product according to claim 2 , wherein the second component comprises poly(ε-caprolactone).

5. A multi-shape product according to claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a shape memory polymer.

6. A multi-shape product according to claim 5 , wherein the first component comprises epoxy.

7. A multi-shape product according to claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits sequential recovery through the plurality of temporary shapes to the permanent shape in response to continuous heating, wherein recovery from each of the temporary shapes initiates at one or more points during heating.

8. A multi-shape product according to claim 7 , wherein at each point one or more of the first component and the second component changes from a first state to a second state.

9. A multi-shape product according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more points comprise a first point proximate a glass transition temperature Tg of the first component.

10. A multi-shape product according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more points comprise a second point proximate a melting temperature Tm of the second component.

11. A multi-shape product, comprising:
a first component forming a matrix and comprised of a shape memory polymer having a shape memory recovery temperature;
a second component forming a fiber network having a plurality of fibers with an average diameter that is about 100 μm or less, a plurality of nodes where fibers contact each other, and a plurality of interstitial voids between the fibers, wherein said fibers comprise a polymer having a transition temperature that is within 50 degrees Celsius of said shape memory recovery temperature; and
wherein said fiber network is embedded in the matrix so that said matrix fills the plurality of interstitial voids.

12. A multi-shape product according to claim 11 , wherein the second component can be electro-spun.

13. A multi-shape product according to claim 11 , wherein the second component comprises a semi-crystalline polymer.

14. A multi-shape product according to claim 11 , wherein the second component comprises poly(ε-caprolactone).

15. A multi-shape product according to claim 11 , wherein the composition exhibits sequential recovery through the plurality of temporary shapes to the permanent shape in response to continuous heating, wherein recovery from each of the temporary shapes initiates at one or more points during heating.

16. A multi-shape product according to claim 15 , wherein at each point one or more of the first component and the second component changes from a first state to a second state.

17. A multi-shape product according to claim 15 , wherein the one or more points comprise a first point proximate a glass transition temperature Tg of the first component.

18. A multi-shape product according to claim 15 , wherein the one or more points comprise a second point proximate a melting temperature Tm of the second component.

Assignees

• Mather Patrick
• Luo Xiaofan
• Univ Syracuse

Inventors

• Mather Patrick
• Luo Xiaofan

Classifications

• B29C61/003

  characterised by the choice of material · CPC title

• B29C61/0633 Primary

  Preforms comprising reinforcing elements (B29C61/0625 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T428/249921

  Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component · CPC title

• Y10T428/269

  including synthetic resin or polymer layer or component · CPC title