Ozone applicator and method for polymer oxidation

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are described for distributing gas which may be applicable in the field of polymer oxidation and melt curtain ozonation in particular. Ozone applicators and other features of ozonation apparatuses, which may be used separately or in combination, are also described.

1 . An ozone applicator comprising an elongated inner shell disposed within an elongated outer shell, wherein said inner shell surrounds an interior space, for receiving an inlet stream of ozone-containing gas, and said inner shell has at least one opening for flowing the gas from said interior space into an intermediate space formed between said inner shell and said outer shell, and said outer shell has an outlet in the form of a plurality of openings for discharging the gas from said applicator. 
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said outer shell has a plurality of openings that are holes distributed along at least a portion of the length of said outer shell. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one opening of said inner shell is in the form of one or more elongated apertures extending along a portion of the length of said inner shell. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one opening of said inner shell is in the form of a single elongated aperture extending over the midpoint of said inner shell. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one opening of said inner shell does not align with said plurality of openings of said outer shell. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one opening of said inner shell is aligned substantially opposite said plurality of openings of said outer shell. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , having a length of at least about 24 inches. 
     
     
         8 . An ozone applicator comprising an elongated inner shell disposed within an elongated outer shell, wherein said inner shell surrounds an interior space, for receiving an inlet stream of ozone-containing gas, and said inner shell has at least one opening for flowing the gas from said interior space into an intermediate space formed between said inner shell and said outer shell, and said outer shell has at least one outlet for discharging the gas from said applicator. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said inner shell has a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of openings are holes distributed along at least a portion of the length of said inner shell. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said outlet of said outer shell is in the form of a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of said outer shell. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one opening of said inner shell does not align with said at least one outlet of said outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one opening is aligned substantially opposite said at least one outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 8 , having a length of at least about 24 inches. 
     
     
         15 . An ozone applicator comprising a single elongated shell surrounding an interior space for receiving an inlet stream of ozone-containing gas, wherein said shell has a plurality of openings disposed about part of its surface, within an acute arc of a cross-sectional shape of said shell. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of openings are holes disposed along at least a portion of the length of said shell. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein said holes are disposed along a portion that is centered with respect to the length of said shell. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein said holes are disposed in separate, longitudinally extending lines about said surface in a staggered conformation. 
     
     
         19 . A method of oxidizing a polymer to improve its adhesion to a substrate, the method comprising exposing a surface of the polymer to an ozone-containing gas discharged from the applicator of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the surface is essentially flat and is formed as a molten extrudate. 
     
     
         21 .- 31 . (canceled)