A New Fluoropolymer for Stronger Wires and Molded Parts
This patent describes a specific type of plastic, a copolymer made with tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to be easily molded and used in things like electrical wires and compressed parts, thanks to its precise chemical makeup and properties.
Original patent title: “Copolymer, injection molded body, member to be compressed, and covered wire”
This patent describes a specific type of plastic, a copolymer made with tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to be easily molded and used in things like electrical wires and compressed parts, thanks to its precise chemical makeup and properties. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a special plastic called a copolymer. This plastic is made from two main ingredients: tetrafluoroethylene and a small amount of perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). The key is the exact amount of the perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) unit, which is between 2.8% and 3.5% by mass of all the monomer units. It also has a specific "melt flow rate" of 31 to 38 g/10 min, meaning it flows easily when melted for manufacturing. Another important feature is that it has very few "functional groups" (50 or less per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms), which are special chemical bits that can affect how the plastic behaves. This specific combination of properties makes it suitable for injection molded items, parts that need to be compressed, and coatings for electrical wires. For example, this material could be used to create the tough, heat-resistant insulation around a high-performance electrical cable in an airplane.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover copolymers where the perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) unit content is outside the specific range of 2.8 to 3.5% by mass.
- Does not cover copolymers with a melt flow rate below 31 g/10 min or above 38 g/10 min.
- Does not cover copolymers having more than 50 functional groups per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms.
- Does not cover copolymers with more than 50 of the specific functional groups listed (e.g., -CF=CF2, -CF2H) per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms.
- Does not cover general fluoropolymers without these precise compositional and physical property limits.
- Does not cover materials not intended for injection molding, compression, or wire coating applications.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in precisely controlling the copolymer's composition, specifically the narrow range of perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) content, the specific melt flow rate, and the very low number of functional groups. This exact combination likely allows for easier processing through injection molding while maintaining the high performance expected of fluoropolymers, which are typically difficult to mold.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-performance electrical wire insulation
Automotive sensor housings
Chemical processing equipment components
Medical device parts requiring chemical resistance
Seals and gaskets for harsh environments
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Fluoropolymers, like the one described, are crucial for applications requiring high heat resistance, chemical inertness, and excellent electrical insulation. This specific formulation aims to improve processing, particularly through injection molding, while maintaining or enhancing these critical properties. Such materials are vital in demanding environments, ensuring reliability and safety in electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment where standard plastics would fail.
Filed
March 29, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Daikin, Chemours (a DuPont spin-off), and 3M are major players in fluoropolymer development and manufacturing. These companies continuously innovate to create specialized plastic materials for various industrial applications, including high-performance wires and molded components. Their research often focuses on optimizing material properties for specific manufacturing processes and end-use environments.
Market impact
The development of specialized fluoropolymers directly impacts industries requiring materials with extreme durability, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation. Patents like this contribute to the ongoing improvement of product reliability and miniaturization in electronics, and enable more robust components in automotive and aerospace sectors. Such advancements can lead to longer product lifespans and enhanced safety in critical applications, potentially reducing maintenance costs and material waste across various industries.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a special plastic called a copolymer. This plastic is made from two main ingredients: tetrafluoroethylene and a small amount of perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). The key is the exact amount of the perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) unit, which is between 2.8% and 3.5% by mass of all the monomer units. It also has a specific "melt flow rate" of 31 to 38 g/10 min, meaning it flows easily when melted for manufacturing. Another important feature is that it has very few "functional groups" (50 or less per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms), which are special chemical bits that can affect how the plastic behaves. This specific combination of properties makes it suitable for injection molded items, parts that need to be compressed, and coatings for electrical wires. For example, this material could be used to create the tough, heat-resistant insulation around a high-performance electrical cable in an airplane.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in precisely controlling the copolymer's composition, specifically the narrow range of perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) content, the specific melt flow rate, and the very low number of functional groups. This exact combination likely allows for easier processing through injection molding while maintaining the high performance expected of fluoropolymers, which are typically difficult to mold.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover copolymers where the perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) unit content is outside the specific range of 2.8 to 3.5% by mass.
- Does not cover copolymers with a melt flow rate below 31 g/10 min or above 38 g/10 min.
- Does not cover copolymers having more than 50 functional groups per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms.
- Does not cover copolymers with more than 50 of the specific functional groups listed (e.g., -CF=CF2, -CF2H) per 10^6 main-chain carbon atoms.
- Does not cover general fluoropolymers without these precise compositional and physical property limits.
- Does not cover materials not intended for injection molding, compression, or wire coating applications.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$29K – $92K
Midpoint $58K · 16.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). A New Fluoropolymer for Stronger Wires and Molded Parts (U.S. Patent No. 12,735,562). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735562/copolymer-injection-molded-body-member-to-be-compressed-and-covered-wire
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A New Fluoropolymer for Stronger Wires and Molded Parts cover?
This patent describes a specific type of plastic, a copolymer made with tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to be easily molded and used in things like electrical wires and compressed parts, thanks to its precise chemical makeup and properties.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Fluoropolymers, like the one described, are crucial for applications requiring high heat resistance, chemical inertness, and excellent electrical insulation. This specific formulation aims to improve processing, particularly through injection molding, while maintaining or enhancing these critical properties. Such materials are vital in demanding environments, ensuring reliability and safety in electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment where standard plastics would fail.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover copolymers where the perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) unit content is outside the specific range of 2.8 to 3.5% by mass.
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