Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Battelle Memorial Institute

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Royce Medical Company

Robert S Whitmore, Jr

Vincent Daniel McGinniss

John Gavin MacDonald

Ronald S Nohr

Tracy E Grim

Steven Risser

Kenneth E Hughes

Kevin B Spahr

Stuart A Kingsley

David A Easter

Melissa S Roshon

Jack R Knox

David E Guza

Timothy J Carpenter

Vincent D McGinnis

K David Monson

Frank J Jelinek

Self-assembly is defined as the ability of an active ingredient (AI), when mixed with a polymer or polymers (solid or liquid state), to form either a complex or a strong attraction with the polymer/polymers, which influences the controlled release of the total system. This AI-polymer interaction or strong attraction can form in the solid state or in solution. The AI-polymer interaction also can form when applied to a filter paper, soil, seeds, or plant vegetation substrates, where the AI and polymer self-assembles into an AI-polymer-substrate matrix or complex that influences how the AI releases from the complex or matrix in a controlled manner.

Self-assembling polymer particle release system

A solid colored composition which includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb ultraviolet radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. By way of example, the solid colored composition can be a toner adapted to be utilized in an electrophotographic process. The toner includes the colorant and ultraviolet radiation transorber as just described, and a carrier. The carrier can be a polymer, and the toner may contain a charge carrier. The ultraviolet radiation in general will have wavelengths of from about 100 to about 375 nanometers. Especially useful incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation is produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp.

Solid colored composition mutable by ultraviolet radiation

An electrophotographic process wherein an image is formed with toner comprising a mutable colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber so that an image formed by the electrophotographic process can be altered in color or erased. The electrophotographic process comprises the steps of creating an image on a photoreceptor surface, applying a toner on the photoreceptor surface to form a toner image which replicates the image, transferring the toner image to a substrate, and fixing the toner image to the substrate. The toner comprises a mutable colorant, an ultraviolet radiation transorber, and a carrier comprising a polymer. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted, upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, to interact with the mutable colorant to irreversibly mutate the mutable colorant from an initial absorption maximum to a new absorption maximum different from the initial absorption maximum. The electrophotographic process may further comprise exposing the toner image on the substrate to ultraviolet radiation at a dosage level sufficient to irreversibly mutate the colorant and change the color of the toner image or render the image colorless. The substrate can then be reused to form a second toner image thereon.

Electrophotgraphic process utilizing mutable colored composition

A solid colored composition which includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb ultravioiet radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. By way of example, the solid colored composition can be a toner adapted to be utilized in an electrophotographic process. The toner includes the colorant and ultraviolet radiation transorber as just described, and a carrier. The carrier can be a polymer, and the toner may contain a charge carrier. The ultraviolet radiation in general will have wavelengths of from about 100 to about 375 nanometers. Especially useful incoherent pulsed ultraviolet radiation is produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp.

Substrate having a mutable colored composition thereon

The present invention is directed to improving thermoplastic and cross-linked polymeric networks. The inventive method comprises forming the polymeric network under gravitational conditions comprising from about 10.sup.-6 to about 10.sup.-2 g. Three modes of energy transfer have been recognized, inter alia, conduction, convection, and radiation. Polymeric networks formed under microgravity conditions (defined herein as gravitational conditions comprising from about 10.sup.-6 to about 10.sup.-2 g) do not obviate conduction and radiation modes of energy transfer. Convection energy transfer, however, is gravity dependent. Thus, convection currents can be suppressed in thermoplastic and cross-linked polymeric networks during network formation by forming the network under microgravity conditions. Suppression of convection currents reduces the incidences of voids in solvent cast thermoplastic polymeric membranes, which forms yet another aspect of the present invention. Particulate-filled thermoplastic and cross-linked polymeric networks will exhibit a more homogeneous distribution of particulates in the network by forming the network under microgravity conditions also, which forms yet a further aspect of the present invention.

Microgravity formation of polymeric networks

Improved thermooptical sensing devices are provided wherein at various predetermined sectons of an optical fiber is juxtaposed a material characterized by a temperature dependent index of refraction. This material forms a temperature sensitive area which controls the transmission of light through the optical fiber thereby allowing detection of temperature changes along the fiber. The materials may be crystalline thermoplastic polymers, modified organic polymers containing inorganic modifiers, polymer systems containing discrete phases of organic polymers and inorganic additives or thermochromic inorganic compounds.

Thermal refractive materials for optical sensor application

A soft goods type foldable, wrappable sleeve orthopedic cast immobilizes and conforms to the shape and configuration of a limb, or other part of the anatomy. The soft-goods type cast assembly is initially specially formed or configured to specifically fit a selected portion of the anatomy of a patient. The cast conforms to the anatomy through the use of airtight and moisture-proof pouches which encapsulate either (1) open cell or fiberglass matrices impregnated with a water-activated hardenable pre-polymer, or (2) the entire assembly. After the tightening of the cast around the limb, the application of water activates the urethane polymer which conforms to the configuration of the limb encased. Supplemental bendable ribs may be employed to splint the limb prior to activation of the hardenable material. The soft goods type cast is held in place by straps, and may be removed or adjusted by releasing or tightening the straps. The splinting elements may be removed and replaced. An inlet duct may have a capsule in it with some of the chemical material which aids in polymerization of the urethane. A venting duct may also be provided to permit the escape of air or gases. The water activated pre-polymer material may include two isocyanate pre-polymers of significantly different viscosities and equivalent weights.

Soft-goods type, formable orthopaedic cast

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Robert S Whitmore, Jr