Monolithic polymer composition having a water absorption material
DCFirst Claim
1. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
between about 10% to about 70% by weight of a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure; and
at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;
wherein at least the hydrophilic agent is heated above its melt point in combination with the polymer and desiccating agent;
wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components;
wherein the desiccating agent is substantially distributed within the hydrophilic agent; and
wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed in channels within the polymer.
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Abstract
The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer having interconnecting channels. The interconnecting channels act as controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A hydrophilic agent is blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, a water-absorbing material is blended into the polymer so that the water-absorbing material is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the hydrophilic agent forms passages in the product through which a desired composition is communicable to the water-absorbing material that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.
153 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
between about 10% to about 70% by weight of a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure; and
at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;wherein at least the hydrophilic agent is heated above its melt point in combination with the polymer and desiccating agent; wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; wherein the desiccating agent is substantially distributed within the hydrophilic agent; and wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed in channels within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
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5. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
between about 10% to about 70% by weight of a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure; and
at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and having interconnecting channels with the desiccating agent primarily within the channels; wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; wherein the desiccating agent is substantially distributed within the hydrophilic agent; and wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
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9. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
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(a) at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
(b) between about 10% to about 70% by weight of a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure; and
(c) at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;
wherein at least the hydrophilic agent is heated above its melt point in combination with the polymer and desiccating agent; wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; wherein the desiccating agent is substantially distributed within the hydrophilic agent; and wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed in channels within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
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(a) at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
(b) between about 10% to about 70% by weight of a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure; and
(c) at least about 5% by weight of desiccating agent;
wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and having interconnecting channels with the desiccating agent primarily within the channels; wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; wherein the desiccating agent is substantially distributed within the hydrophilic agent; and wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
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(a) at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
(b) at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;
wherein a hydrophilic agent has been at least partially removed from the composition and having interconnecting channels with the desiccating agent primarily within the channels; wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; and wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
C. and atmospheric pressure;
at least about 5% by weight of a desiccating agent;
wherein a hydrophilic agent has been at least partially removed from the composition and having interconnecting channels with the desiccating agent primarily within the channels;
wherein the percent by weight of each component is based on the total weight of the three components; and
wherein the hydrophilic agent is substantially distributed within the polymer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
- at least about 20% by weight of a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25°
Specification