Lever Brothers Company

Johnson & Johnson Gmbh

Anthony Evans

Franklin Boardman

John M Lesniak

The instant invention relates to an orthopedic bandage which hardens by means of a free radical catalyzed polymerization reaction, wherein said reaction is initiated by an improved redox catalyst system, and an improved method for forming a cast from said orthopedic bandage. The bandage comprises a flexible carrier having a cast forming composition comprising a monomer (polymerizable by means of said improved redox catalyst system) supported thereon, which monomer may be a solid, water soluble vinyl monomer such as diacetone acrylamide (DAA), N isopropylacrylamide (N-IPA) or mixtures thereof. The improved catalyst system includes a copper salt in combination with a reducing agent such as ferrous sulfate, sodium sulfite, oxalic acid and the like. The preferred copper salt is cupric acetylacetonate. The polymerization of the above monomer may be initiated by contacting the cast forming composition with water, in the presence of said improved redox catalyst system, e.g. by dipping the bandage, including the improved redox catalyst system supported thereon, in tap water. In one embodiment of the invention, the bandage comprises the improved redox catalyst system in combination with the cast forming composition on the flexible carrier. This embodiment shows excellent storage stability, and can be sold as a single package system. Furthermore, the improved redox catalyst system, unlike the prior art redox catalysts used to initiate hardening of orthopedic bandages, provides a uniform rate of hardening even when initiated with tap waters having different impurities.

Orthopedic bandage having improved catalyst system

The use of certain complex carboxylic acids and the salts thereof in compositions capable of providing a moisturizing effect in skin and methods for their use is disclosed. The compositions comprise a water-in-oil emulsion containing an amount that is effective to provide a moisturizing effect when applied to the skin, of a compound selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-methyl-butyrolactone-.gamma.-carboxylic acid, the alkali metal salts of said acids and mixtures thereof; or selected from the group consisting of the succinic half acid esters of sucrose having a degree of substitution of at least about 5, the salts of said acids and mixtures thereof.

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Teaneck, NJ, United States of America

Anthony Evans