Tear resistant gels and articles for every uses

• US 20050008669A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Elastomerics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John Y. Chen
• Inventors: Chen, John Y.
• Granted Patent: US 7,226,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/401
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 85/00 Artificial bait for fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/7812 Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/7843 Inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type

Abstract

Soft, tear resistant gel, gel composites and gel articles for various uses formed from one or a mixture of two or more block copolymers with or without one or more selected other polymers and additives in combination with one or more selected plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom.

Claims

1. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s);

and

(II) one or more of a selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F.

2. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) one or more selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @ 40°

C.

3. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

and;

(II) one or more selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @ 40°

C.

4. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and from

(II) about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of one or more selected plasticizer(s) in combination with or without

(III) a selected minor amount of one or more polymers or copolymers of poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene)_n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene)_n, poly(styrene-isoprene)_n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)_n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)_n, polystyrene, polybutylene, poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene), polypropylene, ethylene-styrene-styrene, or polyethylene, wherein said selected copolymer is a linear, radial, star-shaped, branched multiarm block copolymer or an interpolymer, wherein n is greater than one;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @ 40°

C.

5. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

and;

(II) one or more selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom; and

(III) in combination with a selected amount of one or more poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer(s) in effective amounts for said gelatinous compositions to have a greater temperature compression heat set as determined for 1.0 hour at 50°

C. in 180°

U bend than a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride composition of corresponding rigidity.

6. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

and;

(II) one or more selected plasticizer(s) being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom in combination with a selected amount of one or more poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer(s) having a styrene weight percent of at least about 39;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @ 40°

C.

7. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition having low self-adhesion formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) one or more selected plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

(III) in combination with a selected amount of one or more poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer(s) of sufficient styrene content and in effective minor amounts for said gelatinous elastomer composition to exhibit a low self-adhesion;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 450°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) in effective amounts for said gelatinous compositions to have a greater temperature compression heat set as determined for 1.0 hour at 50°

C. in 180°

U bend than a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

8. A fishing bait comprising a non-tacky soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) two or more selected plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 450°

F. in effective amounts to impart said gel with a non-tacky feel to the hand in combination with at least one said selected plasticizer(s) in effective amounts for said gelatinous compositions to have a greater temperature compression heat set as determined for 1.0 hour at 50°

C. in 180°

U bend than a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

9. A fishing bait comprising a non-tacky soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) one or more selected plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

in combination with or without

(III) one or more selected poly(ethylene-styrene) interpolymer(s) or poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) block copolymer of sufficient styrene content and in effective minor amounts for said gelatinous elastomer composition to exhibit a low self-adhesion;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 450°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) in effective amounts for said gelatinous compositions to have a greater temperature compression heat set as determined for 1.0 hour at 50°

C. in 180°

U bend than a conventional plastisol polyvinyl chloride fishing bait of corresponding rigidity.

10. A floss comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) one or more selected plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @ 40°

C.

11. A gel article comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

from

(II) about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of one or more selected plasticizer(s) in combination with or without

(III) a selected minor amount of one or more polymers or copolymers of poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene)_n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene)_n, poly(styrene-isoprene)_n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene)_n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene)_n, polystyrene, polybutylene, poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene), polypropylene, ethylene-styrene-styrene, or polyethylene, wherein said selected copolymer is a linear, radial, star-shaped, branched multiarm block copolymer or an interpolymer, wherein n is greater than one;

said gel article comprising a gel with one or multiple rigidity regions, said gel multiple rigidity regions having no physically separable boundaries; and

when said gel article is formed into a gel composite, wherein said gel being denoted by G, is in contact with a selected material M or in combination with one or more of a different gel, said gel composite is of the combination GnGn, GnGnGn, GnMn, GnMnGn, MnGnMn, MnGnGn, MnMnMnGnMn, MnGnGnMn, GnMnGnGn, GnGnMnMn, GnGnMnGnGn, GnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMnGnGn, GnMnGnMnMn, MnGnMnGnMnGn, GnGnMnMnGn, GnGnMnGnMn, GnGnMnGnMnGn, GnMnGnMnGn, MnMnMnGn or a permutation of one or more of said Gn with Mn;

wherein when n is a subscript of M, n is the same or different selected from the group consisting of paper, foam, plastic, fabric, metal, metal foil, concrete, wood, glass, glass fibers, ceramics, synthetic resin, synthetic fibers or refractory materials; and

wherein when n is a subscript of G, n denotes a different gel rigidity;

at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having an initial boiling point below about 490°

F., and at least one said selected plasticizer(s) having a viscosity below about 10 cST @? 40°

C.

13. A composite according to claim 11 formed into a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis formed by injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting, or dipping of said gel.

15. A composite according to claim 11 formed into a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis formed by injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting, or dipping of said gel;

said liner for lower extremity prosthesis of the L5664 (lower extremity socket insert, above knee), L5665 (socket insert, multi-durometer, below knee), L5666 (below knee, cuff suspension interface), L5667 (below knee, above knee, socket insert, suction suspension with locking mechanism) type devices as described by the American Orthotic &

Prosthetic Association (AOPA) codes, said gel formed a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis formed by injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting, or dipping of said gel.

14. A liner comprising a soft gelatinous elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer(s);

(II) one or more first plasticizers with or without one or more second plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom;

said gel formed a gel liner for lower limb or above the knee amputee prosthesis formed by injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting, or dipping of said gel.

16. An oral care article comprising:

a handle means for transferring one or more motion forces to a plaque removing means for contact with a surface having attached at one end of said handle means a gel force gauging component made from one or more gels made from SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS, SBS, SBEBS, SEB/EPS, S-EB-EB/SEBS, silicone, and polyurethane.

12. A composite according to claim 16 formed into a gel hand exercising grip, a gel shape floss suitable for use as a dental floss, a gel crutch cushion, a gel cervical pillow, a gel bed wedge pillow, a gel leg rest, a gel neck cushion, a gel mattress, a gel bed pad, a gel elbow pad, a gel dermal pad, a gel wheelchair cushion, a gel helmet liner, a gel cold and hot pack, a gel exercise weight belt, a gel traction pad or belt, a gel cushion for splints, a gel sling, a gel brace for the hand, wrist, finger, forearm, knee, leg, clavicle, shoulder, foot, ankle, neck, back, rib, a gel sole for orthopedic shoe, a gel shaped toy article, a gel optical cladding for cushioning optical fibers from bending stresses, a gel swab tip, a gel fishing bait, a gel seal against pressure, a gel thread, a gel strip, a gel yarn, a gel tape, a weave gel cloth, a gel fabrics, a gel balloon for valvuloplasty of the mitral valve, a gel trointestinal balloon dilator, a gel esophageal balloon dilator, a gel dilating balloon catheter use in coronary angiogram, a gel condom, a gel toy balloon, a gel surgical and examination glove, a self sealing enclosures for splicing electrical and telephone cables and wires, a gel film, a gel liner, a masks, a pads, a blood bags, a tubing, a male and female tubing connectors, and a needle protector sheath made by injection molding, extruding, spinning, casting, or dipping of said gel.

17. A vehicular safety system comprising an inflatable restraint gel cushion made from one or more selectively configured tear resistant gel diaphragms, said tear resistant gel diaphragm having a selected gel rigidity of from about 50 gram Bloom to about 1,200 gram Bloom.

18. A simulated food comprising a soft gelatinous food elastomer composition formed from

(I) 100 parts by weight of one or a mixture of two or more thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer(s);

(II) a selected plasticizer being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom; and

(IV) 1 to 200 parts by weight of one or more dry foods.

19. A gel article comprising a gel with at least two different rigidity regions, said gel rigidity regions having no physically separable boundaries.

20. A gel article comprising a gel with a first gel rigidity region continuous with a second gel rigidity region, said first gel rigidity region having a gel rigidity greater than said second gel rigidity region, said first and second gel rigidity regions separated by a continuous varying gel rigidity index region having physically inseparable boundaries.