Method of cutting hollow filaments embedded in resinous mass
First Claim
1. In a method for preparing a fluid separation apparatus comprising polymeric, semi-permeable hollow filaments wherein at least one end segment of each of the hollow filaments is secured in a substantially fluid-tight relationship in a sealing means comprising curable resin capable of achieving high structural strength, the improvement comprising embedding the hollow filaments in a substantially liquid, curable resin;
- partially curing the resin under curing conditions which are not unduly deleterious to the hollow filaments to provide a solid, partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein, said partially-cured resinous mass having sufficient structural integrity that it can be cut without undue non-elastic flowing of the resinous mass but does not have a hardness which renders the cutting difficult;
cutting the partially-cured resinous mass generally transverse to the orientation of the hollow filaments with a sharp knife edge, said cutting exposing the bores of the hollow filaments and providing an openness of at least about 70 percent and said cutting being conducted at temperatures below those which unduly soften the hollow filaments such that the hollow filaments tend to smear closed during cutting; and
subjecting the cut, partially-cured resinous mass to curing conditions to substantially fully cure the resinous mass.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Hollow filaments, which are suitable for use in separating one or more components from a fluid mixture by selective permeation, are embedded, or potted, in a curable resinous mass, and the resinous mass is severed to expose fluid communication openings of the hollow filaments. In accordance with the invention the curable resinous mass is sufficiently partially-cured to provide a solid mass which can be severed but does not tend to smear when severed so as to obstruct fluid communication openings of the hollow filaments; however, the partial curing is insufficient to render the severings of the resinous mass unduly difficult. The resinous mass is then severed, e.g., by cutting, to provide the fluid communication openings in the hollow filaments embedded in the resinous mass. Advantageously, the fluid communication openings of substantially all of the filaments exposed by severing the resinous mass can be essentially unobstructed, and the integrity of the filaments and the resinous mass is substantially maintained during severing. The curing of the resinous mass can be completed after severing to provide a sealing means which has high structural strength.
123 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a method for preparing a fluid separation apparatus comprising polymeric, semi-permeable hollow filaments wherein at least one end segment of each of the hollow filaments is secured in a substantially fluid-tight relationship in a sealing means comprising curable resin capable of achieving high structural strength, the improvement comprising embedding the hollow filaments in a substantially liquid, curable resin;
- partially curing the resin under curing conditions which are not unduly deleterious to the hollow filaments to provide a solid, partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein, said partially-cured resinous mass having sufficient structural integrity that it can be cut without undue non-elastic flowing of the resinous mass but does not have a hardness which renders the cutting difficult;
cutting the partially-cured resinous mass generally transverse to the orientation of the hollow filaments with a sharp knife edge, said cutting exposing the bores of the hollow filaments and providing an openness of at least about 70 percent and said cutting being conducted at temperatures below those which unduly soften the hollow filaments such that the hollow filaments tend to smear closed during cutting; and
subjecting the cut, partially-cured resinous mass to curing conditions to substantially fully cure the resinous mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- partially curing the resin under curing conditions which are not unduly deleterious to the hollow filaments to provide a solid, partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein, said partially-cured resinous mass having sufficient structural integrity that it can be cut without undue non-elastic flowing of the resinous mass but does not have a hardness which renders the cutting difficult;
Specification