The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 23, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2001
George F. Fanta, Morton, IL (US);
Frederick C. Felker, Morton, IL (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Articles produced from hydrophobic polymers (e.g., polyethylene) are surface-coated with thin films of starch in order to render the surfaces hydrophilic. The thin coatings form on the surfaces of plastic objects when the objects are placed in contact with hot, aqueous solutions of starch. These starch coatings are extremely adherent to the hydrophobic plastic surfaces under both wet and dry conditions, and they permit the surfaces to be uniformly wet with water. Resultant products have improved biocompatibility, improved compatibility with hydrophilic reagents, reduced build-up of electrostatic charge, reduced blocking, reduced friction, improved absorption of water-based dyes, and improved adhesion properties. The starch coatings are non-toxic, inexpensive and biodegradable.