USRE40941EExpiredUtility

Monolithic polymer composition having a releasing material

43
Assignee: CSP TECHNOLOGIES INCPriority: Apr 19, 1995Filed: Nov 13, 2003Granted: Oct 20, 2009
Est. expiryApr 19, 2015(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Ihab M. Hekal
F26B 21/331C08L 23/0861C08L 23/10C08L 71/02B65D 81/264B65D 81/266C08L 77/00C08L 69/00B01J 20/28014C08L 29/04B01J 20/28033C08J 9/26B29C 45/16C08L 101/00C08L 23/02B01J 20/28042
43
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
308
References
96
Claims

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 releasing material is blended into the polymer so that the releasing 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 releasing 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.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol, PVOH, polyvinvlpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds, glucose, fructose and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, nematocides, fungicides and rodenticides;
 wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels.  
 
     
     
       2. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       3. The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       4. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol PVOH, polyvinylpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds, glucose, fructose, and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of fragrance flavor and perfume sources; 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       5. The article of manufacture of  claim 4  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       6. The article of manufacture of  claim 4  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       7. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol, PVOH, polyvinylpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds, glucose, fructose, and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial, corrosion inhibitors, ripening and antiripening agents; wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       8. The article of manufacture of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       9. The article of manufacture of  claim 7  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       10. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, nematocides, fungicides and rodenticides; 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and having interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       11. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       12. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       13. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressures and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of fragrance, flavor and perfume sources; 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and having interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       14. The article of manufacture of  claim 13  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       15. The article of manufacture of  claim 13  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       16. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components: a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure; a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial, corrosion inhibitors ripening and antiripening agents; 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and having interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       17. The article of manufacture of  claim 16  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       18. The article of manufacture of  claim 16  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       19. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
 (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;  
 (b) a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol, PVOH, polyvinylpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds, glucose, fructose, and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, nematocides, fungicides and rodenticides;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       20. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       21. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       22. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components: (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;
 (b) a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol, PVOH, polyvinylpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds glucose, fructose, and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of fragrance, flavor and perfume sources;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       23. The article of manufacture of  claim 22  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       24. The article of manufacture of  claim 22  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       25. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
 (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;  
 (b) a hydrophilic agent is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition and is selected from the group consisting of polyglycols, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), EVOH, pentaerithritol, PVOH, polyvinylpyrollidine, vinylpyrollidone or poly(N-methyl pyrollidone), and saccharide based compounds, glucose, fructose, and their alcohols, mannitol, dextrin, and hydrolized starch and mixtures thereof; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial, corrosion inhibitors, ripening and anti-ripening agents;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       26. The article of manufacture of  claim 25  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       27. The article of manufacture of  claim 25  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       28. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
 (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;  
 (b) a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° c. and atmospheric pressure and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of pesticides, nematocides, fungicides and rodenticides;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       29. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       30. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       31. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
 (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;  
 (b) a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of fragrance, flavor and perfume sources;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       32. The article of manufacture of  claim 31  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       33. The article of manufacture of  claim 31  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       34. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
 (a) a polymer having a solubility in water below about 0.1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure;  
 (b) a hydrophilic agent having a solubility in water above about 1% at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure and is at least about 10%   5 % by weight of the polymer  composition; and  
 (c) a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial, corrosion inhibitors ripening and anti-ripening agents;  
 
       wherein the composition comprises at least three phases and has interconnecting channels with the releasing agent in or adjacent to these channels. 
     
     
       35. The article of manufacture of  claim 34  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       36. The article of manufacture of  claim 34  wherein the hydrophilic agent is a polyglycol. 
     
     
       37. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of antimicrobials, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that controls the transmission between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material and wherein the agent is hydrophilic, wherein an affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent.     
     
     
       38. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of aromatic medicines, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that controls the transmission between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material, wherein an affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent and wherein the agent is hydrophilic.     
     
     
       39. The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       40. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       41. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       42. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer mixture.   
     
     
       43. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       44. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       45. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       46. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       47. The article of manufacture of  claim 1  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       48. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       49. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       50. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       51. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       52. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the hydrophilic agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       53. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       54. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       55. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       56. The article of manufacture of  claim 10  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       57. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       58. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       59. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       60. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       61. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the hydrophilie agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       62. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       63. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       64. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       65. The article of manufacture of  claim 19  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       66. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       67. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       68. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       69. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       70. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the hydrophilic agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       71. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       72. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       73. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       74. The article of manufacture of  claim 28  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       75. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of biologically active ingredients, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that acts as a transmission bridge between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material and wherein the agent is hydrophilic, wherein the affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent.     
     
     
       76. The article of manufacture of  claim 75 , wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       77. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       78. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       79. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       80. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the hydrophilic agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       81. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       82. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       83. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       84. The article of manufacture of  claim 75  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       85. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of antimicrobials, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that acts as a transmission bridge between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material and wherein the agent is hydrophilic, wherein the affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent.     
     
     
       86. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition comprising at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of aromatic medicines, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that acts as a transmission bridge between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material and wherein the agent is hydrophilic, wherein an affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent.     
     
     
       87. An article of manufacture comprising a monolithic composition formed by combining at least the following components:
   a water - insoluble polymer;        a releasing material selected from the group consisting of biologically active ingredients, wherein the releasing material is composed of a particle and the particle is at least about  5   %  by weight of the composition;        an agent that controls the transmission between an exterior of the polymer and the interiorly located releasing material and wherein the agent is hydrophilic, wherein an affinity between the agent and the releasing material is greater than between the polymer and the releasing material; and        wherein the composition comprises an interconnecting channel composed of the agent.     
     
     
       88. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the releasing agent is least about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       89. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       90. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the polymer is about  68 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       91. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the polymer is about  35 %  to about  68   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       92. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the hydrophilic agent is about  12 %  of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       93. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       94. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the releasing agent is about  60 %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       95. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the releasing agent is about  40 %  to about  60   %  by weight of the polymer composition.   
     
     
       96. The article of manufacture of  claim 87  wherein the releasing agent is about  53 %  by weight of the polymer composition.

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