Method and apparatus on-line measurement of polymer properties

Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for on-line measurement of polymer properties such as moisture content, ethylene content, Epoxidized Soy Bean Oil (ESBO) content, calcium stearate content and ethylidene norbornene (ENB) content.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for analyzing at least one property of a sample comprising: 
 (a) a conveying device for conveying said sample along a predetermined path of travel through an inspection zone,    (b) a light source associated with said inspection zone for emitting light onto said sample, wherein said light source is not in contact with said sample,    (c) light collection optics associated with said inspection zone for detecting light reflected off of said sample,    (d) at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting said reflected light from said light collection optics to a spectrometer,    (e) a spectrometer located remotely from said conveying device for generating a reflectance spectrum, and    (f) a computer adapted to: 
 (i) derive a predictive model relating said reflectance spectrum and said property of said sample, and  
 (ii) predict a value for said property of said sample from said predictive model and said reflectance spectrum.  
   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one property is selected from moisture content, ethylene content, Epoxidized Soy Bean Oil (ESBO) content, ethylidene norbornene (ENB) content, calcium stearate content and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said sample is a polymer.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said sample is a rubber.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said spectrometer is a Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FTNIR) spectrometer  
   
   
       14 - 26 . (canceled)