Desiccant entrained polymer
DCFirst Claim
1. An article of manufacture comprising a shaped article formed by:
- (a) mixing a polymer, a desiccating agent and a channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material;
(b) heating the mixture at a temperature at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and channeling agent are distributed within the polymer;
(c) cooling the mixture to form passages containing the channeling agent through which moisture is communicable with the desiccating agent.
24 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing moisture absorbing desiccant entrained polymers. A polymer is caused to assume a molten state, typically by applying heat and melting the polymer. To achieve certain results in the hardened end product, such as rigidity and durability, the polymer normally acts as a moisture barrier in a solidified state, both before and after melting. A desiccating agent is blended into the polymer so that the desiccating agent is distributed within the polymer. A channeling agent is also blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. The blending of the components is preferably done before the polymer is caused to assume a molten state. Together, the polymer, desiccating agent and channeling agent create a blended mixture. The mixture is solidified so that the channeling agent forms passages in the mixture through which moisture is communicable to desiccating agent that is entrained within the mixture. The solidified mixture may be used to form plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be used for producing laminated sheeting employed as package wrap.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. An article of manufacture comprising a shaped article formed by:
-
(a) mixing a polymer, a desiccating agent and a channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material; (b) heating the mixture at a temperature at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and channeling agent are distributed within the polymer; (c) cooling the mixture to form passages containing the channeling agent through which moisture is communicable with the desiccating agent. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
2. An article of manufacture comprising a shaped article formed by:
-
(a) heating a polymer; (b) mixing a desiccating agent and a channeling agent with the polymer material at a temperature at least above the melt point of the channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material; and (c) cooling the blend to form passages containing the channeling agent through which moisture is communicable with the desiccating agent.
-
-
18. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by:
-
(a) mixing a polymer, a desiccating and a channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material; (b) heating the mixture at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and channeling agent are distributed within the polymer; and (c) cooling the mixture to form channels containing the channeling agent.
-
-
19. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by:
-
(a) mixing a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polycarbonates and polyamides;
a desiccating agent selected from the group consisting of silica gel, molecular sieve and clay; and
a channeling agent selected from the group consisting of polyglycol, glycerin, ethylene-vinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol;(b) heating the mixture at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and channeling agent are distributed within the polymer; and (c) cooling the mixture to form a monolithic composition.
-
-
20. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by:
-
(a) mixing a polymer, a desiccating agent and a channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material; (b) exposing the mixture to a temperature at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and channeling agent are distributed within the polymer; and (c) forming a monolithic composition having channels containing the channeling agent. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
-
22. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by:
-
(a) mixing a polymer, a desiccating agent and a channeling agent, wherein the channeling agent is a hydrophilic material; (b) exposing the mixture to a temperature at least above the melt point of the channeling agent so that the desiccating agent and the channeling agent are distributed within the polymer; and (c) cooling the mixture to form a monolithic composition having channels containing the channeling agent. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification