CA2131457A1 - Flowable, pressure-compensating material and process for producing same - Google Patents
Flowable, pressure-compensating material and process for producing sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA2131457A1 CA2131457A1 CA002131457A CA2131457A CA2131457A1 CA 2131457 A1 CA2131457 A1 CA 2131457A1 CA 002131457 A CA002131457 A CA 002131457A CA 2131457 A CA2131457 A CA 2131457A CA 2131457 A1 CA2131457 A1 CA 2131457A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- weight percent
- pressure
- recited
- composition
- weight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
- A47C31/001—Fireproof means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/06—Knee or foot
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
- A47C27/085—Fluid mattresses or cushions of liquid type, e.g. filled with water or gel
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/12—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with fibrous inlays, e.g. made of wool, of cotton
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
- C08J3/02—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques
- C08J3/09—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids
- C08J3/091—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids characterised by the chemical constitution of the organic liquid
- C08J3/095—Oxygen containing compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/01—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients characterized by their specific function
- C08K3/016—Flame-proofing or flame-retarding additives
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K7/00—Use of ingredients characterised by shape
- C08K7/22—Expanded, porous or hollow particles
- C08K7/24—Expanded, porous or hollow particles inorganic
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
- A41D31/28—Shock absorbing
- A41D31/285—Shock absorbing using layered materials
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2300/00—Characterised by the use of unspecified polymers
- C08J2300/10—Polymers characterised by the presence of specified groups, e.g. terminal or pendant functional groups
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10S428/92—Fire or heat protection feature
- Y10S428/921—Fire or flameproofing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/23—Sheet including cover or casing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/23—Sheet including cover or casing
- Y10T428/239—Complete cover or casing
Abstract
Abstract A flame-resistant, flowable, pressure-compensating composition is provided. The composition can include a flame retardant such as boric oxide, boric acid, borax, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt or mixtures thereof. The remainder of the composition can include silicone oil, glycerin or a wax/oil material.
Description
-,E~ l ?' ~ æ-r~ .4 ~ 3~c~NCAq:ING P. ' - ' FF4AL A~D ~RDCES~ Fo~ PRo~UC~ SAME
, 13~4~i~
~ hi~ in~rcntion reli~to~ s~Qnor~lly to thQ ~i~ld o~
5 padd~hg m~terial~, ~nd 'n par~:Lcular, to flowable, pre~sure-compen6ating materi~ nd methodo or producing such materials.
Backg~ound_ of ~he Inventioll Va~ious padding de~ lces ha~e ~een e~ployed in thc 10 past. ~:xamples include liquid- or gas-tllle~ ~laClders, e.g. water-filled cushions and pneu~atic pads; an~ gases or li~u~d6 disper~ed in a solid mater~al, e~g. foams and gQls.
Generally, su~h paddin~ devices op~ra~e on the principle of conformation to the shape of an ob~ect when placed under prQssure. Whe~ a force, such as a per~on~s ~ass, is pl~oe~
on such a ~adding d~vice, the ~evioe de~or~s so ~s to aon~orm to tho ~h~pe Or the pressure applying ob~ect in ordor to di6tribut- the force aver a~ large an area a~
poo~ible. Th~}s~ do~ic~6 porforzl~ adequ~tely when th-3 ob;ect 20 boing p~ddod hao a r~la~i~oly larg~, uniformly shaped sur~ace ~re4 ~ ~owever, when t~o ob j ect ~ing padded lncludes a ~el~lt~voly ~m~ll are~ ~,f cor~c~ntrat4d forco, sua~ as that cau~od by ~ prot~er~nee, the maj ority of ~;nown paadlng device~ do not per~or2~ to ~de~u~tely reduc~a the a~sccmrort or user~ ln m~ny ~ppliCA~iOn~. ~his i~
becaus- Su¢h paddlng devl~es exert gr~ter reopon~i~e pr~ssdro ~n t~e areY Or concentrYted rOrc-.
~,c;~ n~ r~ F~ 1c-~ s~ ac~3-~
The reAson for t~e greater pre0r,ur~ L6 th~t s~at~rialc - employed in prior ~rt p~dding deYice~ typi~ally h~ve ~ high degree Or "~e~.ory.~' As used he~ein, the term "~nory" will refer to that cnaracteristlc or a materla~ in which the 5 matexial returns to its ~rlglnal shape as a result of internal restoring forces wnen an external force is re~oved. Such ~aterials deform to the sha~e of an ob~ect which a~lies an external force by co~pressing. However, due to t~e internal res~orin~ forces, a pressure which is o proportional to the degree of com~ression is exerted againc~ o~joct which applies the ex'cer~al force. A
6harp prot~6~,rarlc~ ~o~npr4sses the padding devicæ more t~an t~e ~urrounding ~raa~ and, as a ro~ult, the padding devioe pr~sse:~ back with ~reater ~r~ssure in thc~ o areA~ o~ high 1~ c~mpres~ion. ~uch are~s of high presaure are e6p~cially unde3irabla when the protu~er~nce is ~ bona~ auoh as an anttlo or ~scnlal tuberoslty. ~h~ high pre3~uro ~::on le~d to discom~or~ an~ ar~er perloas or extended use, to actu~l dama~e to the tissue overlying tne protrudlng ~one.
, 13~4~i~
~ hi~ in~rcntion reli~to~ s~Qnor~lly to thQ ~i~ld o~
5 padd~hg m~terial~, ~nd 'n par~:Lcular, to flowable, pre~sure-compen6ating materi~ nd methodo or producing such materials.
Backg~ound_ of ~he Inventioll Va~ious padding de~ lces ha~e ~een e~ployed in thc 10 past. ~:xamples include liquid- or gas-tllle~ ~laClders, e.g. water-filled cushions and pneu~atic pads; an~ gases or li~u~d6 disper~ed in a solid mater~al, e~g. foams and gQls.
Generally, su~h paddin~ devices op~ra~e on the principle of conformation to the shape of an ob~ect when placed under prQssure. Whe~ a force, such as a per~on~s ~ass, is pl~oe~
on such a ~adding d~vice, the ~evioe de~or~s so ~s to aon~orm to tho ~h~pe Or the pressure applying ob~ect in ordor to di6tribut- the force aver a~ large an area a~
poo~ible. Th~}s~ do~ic~6 porforzl~ adequ~tely when th-3 ob;ect 20 boing p~ddod hao a r~la~i~oly larg~, uniformly shaped sur~ace ~re4 ~ ~owever, when t~o ob j ect ~ing padded lncludes a ~el~lt~voly ~m~ll are~ ~,f cor~c~ntrat4d forco, sua~ as that cau~od by ~ prot~er~nee, the maj ority of ~;nown paadlng device~ do not per~or2~ to ~de~u~tely reduc~a the a~sccmrort or user~ ln m~ny ~ppliCA~iOn~. ~his i~
becaus- Su¢h paddlng devl~es exert gr~ter reopon~i~e pr~ssdro ~n t~e areY Or concentrYted rOrc-.
~,c;~ n~ r~ F~ 1c-~ s~ ac~3-~
The reAson for t~e greater pre0r,ur~ L6 th~t s~at~rialc - employed in prior ~rt p~dding deYice~ typi~ally h~ve ~ high degree Or "~e~.ory.~' As used he~ein, the term "~nory" will refer to that cnaracteristlc or a materla~ in which the 5 matexial returns to its ~rlglnal shape as a result of internal restoring forces wnen an external force is re~oved. Such ~aterials deform to the sha~e of an ob~ect which a~lies an external force by co~pressing. However, due to t~e internal res~orin~ forces, a pressure which is o proportional to the degree of com~ression is exerted againc~ o~joct which applies the ex'cer~al force. A
6harp prot~6~,rarlc~ ~o~npr4sses the padding devicæ more t~an t~e ~urrounding ~raa~ and, as a ro~ult, the padding devioe pr~sse:~ back with ~reater ~r~ssure in thc~ o areA~ o~ high 1~ c~mpres~ion. ~uch are~s of high presaure are e6p~cially unde3irabla when the protu~er~nce is ~ bona~ auoh as an anttlo or ~scnlal tuberoslty. ~h~ high pre3~uro ~::on le~d to discom~or~ an~ ar~er perloas or extended use, to actu~l dama~e to the tissue overlying tne protrudlng ~one.
2~ The p~oblem can be described with xeference to a padd~ng device comprising a gas dispersed in a ~olid materi~l, e.g. ~oam. Tiny gas bubbles in foa~n a~::t like millions of coil "springs." W~en requi~ed to conform to an irregu~ar shape, ~uch a~ a hu~an body, the ~Prin~s" are compressod to v~ryin~ d~rees, each ~ushin~ ~ck on the ~ody ~ith a ~orce proportlonal to the a~ount Of oompr~ion. Intimate confor~ity is ~est o~tained with a rolativ-ly co~t ~oa=, ~hich can bo co=par?d to w?a~
~EP ~ 3p, ! ~,p rlp~ ~, al lS~,J~t~ iCI~5~ ,3~ ,3~ L L~
"spring ~ lhc pre~ ur~3 or; protub~xan~s, ~here the "5prlngsn ~re gr~!~tly comprc~acd, ~ill ~- r~lat:iv~ly high, posslb~y causlng pa~n and reduced circul~tion. The probl~m is even ~ore pronounced ir a stifrer foam i~ employed, because the "springs" are stronger.
Deformable silicone ~el padding ~evlces are dlscl~ed in ~.S. Patent No. 3,449,844 by Spence, l~sue~ June 17, 1~69; U.S. Patent No. 4,380,563 by Shaw, issue~ Aprll 1~, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 3,663,973 ~y Spence, issued May 23, 1~ 1972t ~.S. Patent ~o. 3,548,420 by Spence, issued December 22, 1970: U.S. Patent No. 3,308,491 by Spence, issued March 14, 1~67 U.S. Patent No. 4,019,209 by Spence issue~ April 26, 1977; and IJ S, Patent Nc. 4,668,564 by Orchard, issued ~ay 26, 1~87. ~n U.s. Pat~nt N~. ~,380,5~9, a silicone ge~
lS cont~ining gla~ ~icrobr~ad~ is discl~eed.
~ h- ~iliaone ~1 di~alo~d in thQs4 p~tents, being a cr~ss-linXed ~nd extended chain poly~r, i~ des~ribed as ha~ing ne~r totAl ~emory. Xn other w~rd-, it r~t~r~s t~
its original shzp~ when an ext~rnAl forcc i8 remo~ed~ ~h-int-rnal r~storln~ ~orc-s nece~sary to pro~id~ ~uch m~mory are undesirable ln ~o~e appllcations. In use, dL~ferenti~l pr~ssures will ~e~ult aependlng up~n the degree of deformation o~ the sillcone gel mat~rlal, with higher de~or~ation resulting in localized areas o~ hlgh pressure 2~ being exerted on thoe external pros~uro applying o~eot.
In order to alleviate the problem of differentlal pressure inherent with many prior art materials, ~lowable, ~ressure-corpensa~ing r~eerials were developed. Suc~
'E~ J; I-F'~ --HE--.JL,~I, F~ k~ 3 ~ 4 ~
materials and applications thereof are c~ cribed in U.S.
Pat~nt No. 3,402,~11 by Alden Hanson, issued Se~tember 24, 196~; U.5. Pat~nt ~o. ~,635,84~ by Alden Ranson, issued ~anu~ry 18, 1972r U.S. Patent No. ~,038,762 ~y S~ar., Jr., S lssued Alugust 2 ~ 1~71; U . 5 . Paten~ }Jo. 4, 08~ ,127 by Chris ~anson, lssued Ap~ 7 ~; U . 6 . Patent ~o . 4 ,10~, 928 by Swan, ~r. ~ issued August 22~ lg78J 1~.~. Pat~nt No.
! 4,144,658 ~y swan, Jr., issued M~rch 20~ 1~7~; U.6. Pat~nt No. 4,22~,546 by Swan, Jr., l~sued October 21, 19~OT and U.S. Patent No. 4,243,754 ~y swan, Jr., lssued J~nu~ry 6 , 1~81. These patents will collect1vely ~e xererred to th~ "~lowable, pressure-co~pensating materlal patents."
The preferred mater~als disClosed in U.S. Patent ~o.
~EP ~ 3p, ! ~,p rlp~ ~, al lS~,J~t~ iCI~5~ ,3~ ,3~ L L~
"spring ~ lhc pre~ ur~3 or; protub~xan~s, ~here the "5prlngsn ~re gr~!~tly comprc~acd, ~ill ~- r~lat:iv~ly high, posslb~y causlng pa~n and reduced circul~tion. The probl~m is even ~ore pronounced ir a stifrer foam i~ employed, because the "springs" are stronger.
Deformable silicone ~el padding ~evlces are dlscl~ed in ~.S. Patent No. 3,449,844 by Spence, l~sue~ June 17, 1~69; U.S. Patent No. 4,380,563 by Shaw, issue~ Aprll 1~, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 3,663,973 ~y Spence, issued May 23, 1~ 1972t ~.S. Patent ~o. 3,548,420 by Spence, issued December 22, 1970: U.S. Patent No. 3,308,491 by Spence, issued March 14, 1~67 U.S. Patent No. 4,019,209 by Spence issue~ April 26, 1977; and IJ S, Patent Nc. 4,668,564 by Orchard, issued ~ay 26, 1~87. ~n U.s. Pat~nt N~. ~,380,5~9, a silicone ge~
lS cont~ining gla~ ~icrobr~ad~ is discl~eed.
~ h- ~iliaone ~1 di~alo~d in thQs4 p~tents, being a cr~ss-linXed ~nd extended chain poly~r, i~ des~ribed as ha~ing ne~r totAl ~emory. Xn other w~rd-, it r~t~r~s t~
its original shzp~ when an ext~rnAl forcc i8 remo~ed~ ~h-int-rnal r~storln~ ~orc-s nece~sary to pro~id~ ~uch m~mory are undesirable ln ~o~e appllcations. In use, dL~ferenti~l pr~ssures will ~e~ult aependlng up~n the degree of deformation o~ the sillcone gel mat~rlal, with higher de~or~ation resulting in localized areas o~ hlgh pressure 2~ being exerted on thoe external pros~uro applying o~eot.
In order to alleviate the problem of differentlal pressure inherent with many prior art materials, ~lowable, ~ressure-corpensa~ing r~eerials were developed. Suc~
'E~ J; I-F'~ --HE--.JL,~I, F~ k~ 3 ~ 4 ~
materials and applications thereof are c~ cribed in U.S.
Pat~nt No. 3,402,~11 by Alden Hanson, issued Se~tember 24, 196~; U.5. Pat~nt ~o. ~,635,84~ by Alden Ranson, issued ~anu~ry 18, 1972r U.S. Patent No. ~,038,762 ~y S~ar., Jr., S lssued Alugust 2 ~ 1~71; U . 5 . Paten~ }Jo. 4, 08~ ,127 by Chris ~anson, lssued Ap~ 7 ~; U . 6 . Patent ~o . 4 ,10~, 928 by Swan, ~r. ~ issued August 22~ lg78J 1~.~. Pat~nt No.
! 4,144,658 ~y swan, Jr., issued M~rch 20~ 1~7~; U.6. Pat~nt No. 4,22~,546 by Swan, Jr., l~sued October 21, 19~OT and U.S. Patent No. 4,243,754 ~y swan, Jr., lssued J~nu~ry 6 , 1~81. These patents will collect1vely ~e xererred to th~ "~lowable, pressure-co~pensating materlal patents."
The preferred mater~als disClosed in U.S. Patent ~o.
3,402,411 co~pris~ from 20 to 25 weight percent i5 polyi~obutylene, fro~ 25 to 31.5 weight percent o~ an inert oil, ~.g. mineral oil ~r a satuxated ester oil or a ~ixture ther~o~ and ~ro~ 42 . 5 ~o 50 wei~ht percent inorgan~c fillo~. U.~. Patent N~. 3,635,849 di6closes a co~position aonsieting oe~6n~ially o~ ~r~m about 5 tc ~bout 45 weight 20 p-rcent of a polyol-~in, particularly polyi~obutylene, from abo~t 15 to About 70 woight posc~nt o~ a ~raffin and from ~bout 5 ~O ~bout 80 weight p~rc - nt oil. ~ightweight aggregnte ~aterl~l~, for ~xample, poly6tyr~no b~a~s or a he~vy aggregato such ~5 Fe304 can ~l~o be addedl The ~lowablc, prc~sure-co~p~n~Ating ~at~ialo ~liaclo~;Qa ln U.S. Patont No~. 4,038,762, 4,103,~28 and 4,243,754 lr,cluCle ~r~m 21.39 to 77.g~ wei~ht pesc~ent oil, 21.04 to 69.62 welgnt percent wax and 1 tc~ 9 weight perccnt -~P ~ ~E~ c ~ -,h -t~ .r~n ~ 3 ~icrob~ad~. a.S. Pater.t Nos. ~,144,6.,~ and 4,229~ S46 -~ dieclo6~ flcwabl~r pressure-co~e~.sating materials comprisin~ 10 ~o 60 w~ight p~rcent hollow, glass mi~robc~d~, 8.~ to 34 weight perc~nt waX and 26.5 to 81 weight percen oil. U.s. Patent No. 4,0~3,127 d~scloses a flowa~le, pressure-c~ensat~ng ~itting.~a~erial con~i~ting essentlally or aisGrete, lightweigh~, Jturdy mi~rob~ad6 distri~uted tnroughout a continuous ph~e of w~x ~hd oil.
In use, the flowa~le, pressure-compensating ~teri~io di~closed in the above-mentioned patents are typ~cAlly ~laced in a pliable packag~, such as getween two leak-proof resinous sheets which are sealed at the ed~es. The rlowable materials act hydraulically. An applied force causes flowable material to migrate ~ro~ areas of higher pressure s to area~ of lower ~ressure until pressure throughout the packAgo i~. uniform. Onc~ conformity has been achi~ed, ~oroe i~ dl~tri~ut-d s~ tantially aqually ove~ the entire 6urfac- o~ ~-hQ p~cXa~e thus allevia~ing the dif~er~ntial pre~ure probl~me a~ociated with prior devices. The 20 ~i~coesity of ~e flowablo mate~ial~ can ~e ~raried. ~i~her ~i5c05ity doc- n~t decreaoe th~ ~bility o~ thQ flowa~le matsrials to eonform to tho ~hape o~ th~a pr~ ~r~ applying ob~ e~t, c~nly th~ r~te at whi~h they will migrat~ tC~
con~orm. ~lowabls matc~ri~13 ure pre2~ently mark~t~d und~r 25 th~ tra~em~rX FLOI-IT~ by Aldon ~1: orcltorie~h ~ Inct. of Boulder~ Colorado U.S.A.
one of th~ dr~wbacks o~ some o~ the~e compositio~
tnat tne co~po~lti~ns lnclu~e ~Iterlals t~at ar~ m~bl-.
,r~ 31 Irp!~ 'ht-? ~ i Q'5~0~ H ~6~-~ n~ i 4~ i ~hi~ c~n ~Q p _ticul~rly disadvantageous ~nen the materiol i- uL~d i~ a padding devic~ that may come into contact with hc~t in regular UQ or ~y acciden~, fo~ ~xa~pl~ in an su'co~obile or ~irplana ~:Qat. It would be adv~ntageous to pr~ ide ~ co~po~ition whieh ha~: ~esirable flow and pressure-cOmpens~tins propertie~ whil~ r~ducin~ the risk ~f flre or co~busti~n .
Sum~rY o~_tne In~ ntio~
In accordanc~ witn the p~esent in~ntion, a novel flowable, pressure-compensating composition th~t i~ flame resi~tant is pro~ided. The composltion comprise~ a flammable materiaL, such as silicone oll, gly~erln o~ w~x and oil, and a flame re'ardant. Preferably, ~he co~po~iti~n also includes substantially spherical partlcles ~lsperse~
~5 throughout the composition.
Preferably, the co~position includes a llgul~
oomprising ~ilicone oil or glycerin and a ~naterial rOr incroacing the viscosity of the li~uid se~ected fro~ the group o~n6icting o~ Suar, ~gar, carboxymethylcellulose, zo hydroxypropyloQllulo~4, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyothylenooxide, fumod ~ a, attapulgite cla~s and mixtur~a ther~of. More ~r~ferably, th~ viccosi~y-inc~easin~
agent is f~m~d ~ilic~ or att~pulgito clay. Mor~ pr~ferably, t~ co~po~it~on inaludoo ~ub6tan~ially ~ph~r~cal pQrticles Z5 tnat are l~s5 th~n ~bout 300 ~icro~t~r~ ln dia~t~r.
Accorai~g to tho preoent invention, tho co~po~ition inclUdeS a rli~=e rct~ld~nt~ prel~er~bly borio oxi~e, borax, ~EG ~1 '91 ~ .HEP-L~ht',~ ',H 3~,3-q,~
boric acid, ~_cE~rbonate of ~oda, op60m :..alt, or mixtLres thereo~, t~ incre~se the ~lam~ r~3tardance o~ th¢
cosl~posltion. Pr~r~:cably, th~! flom~ r~t~dant ~roducD~ a gas or releases water when heated in orde~ to reduce 5 f l~ bil ity .
The present compo~itions provl~e a nuD~ f a~v~ntages. N~en a flame retardant such as boric oxl~e (B203), bicarbanate of soda l~a~Co3) o~ epsom salts (MgSO4 ~H20) is usad in the comp~sition, the composition o typicall~ has a hiqher degree of flame retardancy than ~at~rials that are oil and wax based or that contain ~ilicono oil or glycerin.
1~ prooc~ or producing ~lowable, Dr~ssure-co~npen~ting compo6ition~: s~ provlded. The process 13 includes the ~tepo of pxeparing a ~lurry co~prising a Viscos~ty-incre~sing o.gent, ~ liquid and ~ $1am- r~tardant, an~ mixing the co~pon~nts tog~thex until the ~i~ao~ity-incre~sing agen~ ls distributed sub~t~ntially e~nl~
throughout the llquld. ~e process ca~ al~o include mixing in 6ubstantially spherical p~rtlcles. The llquid proerably include~ between about 25 weight percent ana about 75 weight ~ercent glycerin or silicone oil based on the total co~position weight.
Glycerin, with a freezing point oi about -40' C, has th- advanta~o of not only low-ring the ~r~ezing point o~
th~ CQmpoaition, but it al~o p~ovide~ a ~viscosit~ bonus ~ff~ctll, which is de~cribed in more detail hereinbelow, vh~n ~l~o~ vlth c-rt-in v1scosity-lncreosing ~aterlols.
l3 ~ _.~ q~ 5 ~ ~t ---q''3~ f'~
Further, ~en jpherlcal particle~ ~re di6~er~ad throughout .
the composition, the particles are n~ prone to float t~
the ~op of the co~position (a condi~lon termcd ~flo~t out"), in spite of ~eing lesg dense than ~he remaind~r ~f the ~ompositicn. Also, the viscositie~ of ~he present glycerin co~positions are stable o~er ~road temperature rangres . ' ~ i~icone oil, with a freezing point of about -57~ C, ~ae th~ advantagc of l~wering the ree~ing point of the 0 compooition eVQn furth~r than glycerin and i~5 viscosity is ~t~ble over a broad~r ra~go o~ temperatures, Additionally, ~pherical parti~les, when u~d, ar~ not prone t~ floating out Or the composition.
Prer~rably, th- flow3ble, pr~cc~r~-co~pensating composltlon or the p~esent in~ention i5 plaaQd within an onclo6ure. In ~ prererred e~bod~men~, thq oompo~ition is placed bet~een two reslnous s~eets, w~ich A~e sub~equ~tly heat 3ealed together. I~ one embodlment o~ the i~cntion, the composition is ~reated to k1 11 ~i~roorganis~ ~nd 2 0 prevent their growth.
~tailed Description of th~Invention In accordance with the present inYention, a ~lowable, pres~ure-co~p~nsating compc~ition, and a process for maXlng th~ sa~, is ~ro~i~e~.
Ac~rding to an ~mbodi~ont, the pr~sent ~nvention, a ~lamQ re~ardant such as borio oxide (B~03), ~ori~ a~id ~B~ON~, borax ~N~B,07-1ON70), ~icarbonate o~ soda !NaHCo3~, -,EP ~ 4, "11 '-,I~Fi~ ''C~'~ -,h ~ n~ ~ 1 3 1 ~
epsom s~lts ~g~04 7~20) or mixtur~c thet~Qf is added to a ~lowable, pressure-co~p~n~ting oompo6iti4n.
Blca~bonate o~ sod~ ~nd ep~om oaltc are pre~Qrred fla~e retar~ants ror use in the present co~pooi~ion~. Both aompo~nds have t~e a~vantage of r~le~ing A non-VolatilQ
and non-oxygenatin~ gas or wa~er when heated, ~her~by gmothering fla~es. ~or example, epsom sal~ will rclea~
a guanti~y of steam when hea~e~. ~lcarbonate o~ so~
advantageously creates a char by-product wnen contasted with ~ e that also increases flam~ retardancy and bicarbonate of soda also has low toxi~ity. ~ has also been ~ouna ~hat bicarbonate of soda and epsom salts blend easlly and thoraughly ~ith th~ ~reSQnt ~ompositions.
I~ bo~i~ oxide, boric ac~d or borax is used as a flame retardant with a pressure-com~ensating composition cont~ining g'y~r$n, silicone oil, or a wax/oil co~po~l~ion, th~ flano r4tardant is preferably added in an ~ount from Rbout 5 w~ight porcent to about 15 weight percent b~ed ~n the total oompo6ition, more preferably Srom about 7 weight pe~a-nt to about 8 w-ight perOQnt based on t~e total ccmposition.
Ir ~lcar~onate or sod~ or ep~o~ t i6 ue~d a~ a flame retardant~ eacn ls pre~era~ly ~dded in ~n ~ount ~rom a~out S ~eight percent to about 30 woig~t percent, more pr~erably ~ro~ about lo welgnt pe~c~nt to ~bout 2S wcight perc-nt, most pref~rably rrom about 1~ wY~ght perccnt to a~out 20 weight percent.
'~Er ~ r~ HE~ P ~ .'. lf ~ ' `r ~f'~ ,.' ~hus, t}. nddi~ion ~ th~ ~aterials dccordin~ to the presenc lnverltion p~ovid~s fl~o r-tardancy tc~ com;?ositions whicn prevlously could bc fl~m~ble. The high d~gree of flame retardancy ~ncreases the nu~er of poten~ial ~e for 5 the flowable, pressure-w mpensating matcri~ uch a~, for example, in applications ln whlch hum~n ¢ontaat i6 h anticipated.
The flame retardant can be utlll~ed in fl~wablo, pressure-co~pensating co~positions that contaln a rlammable 10 material. Examples of such compositions inclu~e wax/oil comp~sitions, silicone oil-containing compositions and g~yc~in-containing Compo5itiOn#. More preferably, the pres~ura-co~pen~ating material includes silicone oil or glyoexin and a v~o~ity-increasing agent.
As used h~r^in, the ~erm "gly&erin" re~ers to the ~ril~y~ri~; alaohol kav~ng th~ ~he~ic~l ~or~ula tCH20~i)z~E~OH~
W2~1Ct~ i5 ~ o co~orlly re~rr~d to as glycerol. Althou~h glycerln i6 ~he pr~ferr~d al~ohol ~or u~ connection with tne p:resent invention, ~lternative aloohol6 sush as 20 other glycerol~ e., other tsihydric alcohol~
gly~ols (i . ., dihy~ric alcohols) c~n ~lao be e~nploy~d.
GlycQrin has a hygroscoplc na~cure an~l may coTnp~i~e ~ ~all amoun'c of water, e . g. abo~lt 4 percent. In ce~t~in in~tances, it is advanta~eous to includ~ an amount Or added 2S water in the liquid. Spher~cal particles are prerera~ly dispersed throughout tha co~posltion . Ad~iti onally, preseNatives can bQ included to prevent microblo~l oglcal attack ~nd che=ioal degradzltion.
--.EP,~ r~ rlF~ r~ p~ rlr-~ 3 1 ~ 3 ( ~ ~ b4 AS used .~erein, ~ilicono oil re~Q~ ~ to a silicone ` ~ased poly~er wlth su~stan~i~lly no ~ro~ Xin~. Such a polymer has substantlally no ~e~ory or i9 br-a~2ble With a relatively low shear'ing ~orce. ~sliconc oil can be disting~i~hed fro~ sil~cone gel in ~hat silicone gel ha6 memory. One example of a silioone oil ls ~oo, a~ilAble ro~ 30W Corning Corporation, ~idland, Mlc~lgan.
AS used herein, "wax and oil" or "~ax~oil~' refers to a comb~nation of w~x and oil such ~hat the wax and oil co~ponent present in t~e compa~ition preferably na~ a densi~y of from a~ou~ 0.5 to about 1.0 gJca, or, ~ore prefer~blyr ~rom about O . 75 to abo~t O.90 gJcc. When wax~oil co~position~ are utilized, the wax preferably ranges in an ~mount~ fr~ about 40 w~ight ~ercent to a~out 6~.3 we~ght percent, while th~ oil preferably ranges fram a~out 1.7 weight pcrcent to about 30 w~i~bt percent. If beads are utlllzed in th~ w~xJoil compo~ition, the beads are preferably prese~t in nn nmount le~ than ahout 30 weight percent.
'rhe ~ax component, ror exa~p~6, can be a ~uitablr~
natural, mineral, petroleum-base~ synth~tic, ~eget~ble, or ,~ni~l wax includlng insect wax ~uch as beeswAx ~for exampl~, SC 10979 beeswax ~yellow~, a~allable ~rom ~rgen~-~elch Scientific Co., Skokie, Illinois~, para~rln wax, or microcrystallino waX. 'rhe add~d or separate oll Gomponent o~ the material m~y be a suitable natura~, synthetlc, vegetable, or petroleum-based oil (for example, neutral bl~nd~n~ or bri~ht stock).
~,E~ ' 3-; 3~ ir~ -,i1E,~ ~ ~" . F~ C i ~ rlsh ~G~ a z i ~ l 4 ~ ~ P ~, ~,d ::
In or~ to facilitate contro~ o~ the r~w - ch~act~rictics of a ~ini~h~d wax/oil ~aterial, lt 1~
~ mport~nt ~c~ avoid the use of unsatur~ted natural or veget~le drying or ~emi-drying oils t:hat are un atura~d 5 ln ~u~;h a m~nner or to cuch a le~el as to oxidize, thicXen or nar~en si~nifican~ly (e.g., poly~erize or cross-linX) with tlme or condi~ion~ of ~tora~a or use, which in many instances ls reflected by the oil ha~ing an ex~essively high or unsatisfactory iodine nu~er.
lo While the re~alning ~escription relate~ prima~ily to glycerin-containing an~ silic~n~ o~l-con~aining compositions wi~h the ~iscosley-lncreasing ~e~t3, it ic to be ex~ressly un~erstood that co~posltlons including hydrio alcohols and/or wax and oil, as disc~6sed hereinabov~, ~re also included within ~he scope of the pre~ent lnven~aon.
~ hQ proce~s for producing the glycerin-containing er cilicone ~il-containing compositions g~ner~lly ln~olves mixing ~ho liquid, viscosity-inar-asing agen~, an~
desirea, th~ flame retardant until a homogenous ~ixture ~s 20 aehieved. Pref~ra~ly, spherical particles c~n also be includcd. 'rhe ep~oi~ic procees for producing c:ompositiong ln accord~nce with tho proGont invention will vary slightly ~epenaing upon ~h~ liguid and vi~cos~ty-increasing agent e~ploye~l. For exomple, one proc~aoc isi; prefarably e~loyed when guar~ agar, c~r~oxyme~hylcolluloGQ, hydroxypropyl-cell~lose, ~y~roxyethylc~ 10so ~nd~or polyothyl~neoxide (hereina~er collectively referred to ~ rganic vi5C~9~ty-increasing agents"~ ~re employed~ A ~lightly ~EP 3: 'q~ PII J~E?-~ r~1C I~ -,H ~6_,-9~ P. ~_~'6-1 diffexent pr~_es~ i5 employed when fun,~d silica and/or att~pulgite 018y~ (h~oinafter collectively referred to as "miner~ oo~ity-incr-a~ing agents~'~ are e~ployed. W~en the organic vi~co-ity-incr~a~ing agents are employed, the p~ or ~e co~positi~n c~n ~ adjustod in order to control th~ rate ln which tho ~i~oo~ity of tha ~luid increases, i.e. the '~lscoslty ~uildup~ ratc. Gener~lly, if th~ pH is lowered, the ~iscoslty buildup will pro~eed at a slower ra e. A low pH is also a~van~age~us when u~ing cortain 1~ preservati~es in the co~posltlon.
The VisCOSity-increasins agen~ ls a materl~l whioh, when mixed with the liquid, increasR~ the vi5c05ity 0~ the li~uid. Preferred organic vi~cos~ty-increaslng agents for use with the present composition include gums, cellulose-S ~ad matQrials and other polymers. Preferred viscoslty-incr~a~ing agent$ o~ this typo include guar, agar, h~droxy4thylc~11ulose, carboxymet~ylcel lulose, hydroxyp~opyicellulose and polye~hyleneoxide. Preferably, ~he organic vi6cosi~y-i~creaSing agent is present in an 20 a~ount from a~out O.5 ~ight percent ~o about 10 weight perc~nt, ~nd mo~e pr~erably rom about 1 wei~ht ~ercent to a~o~t 6 w~i~ht percon~, and ~o-t pr~rably fro~ about 1.2 weight percent to ~bout 4 w-;ght porcont, ba~ed on the total composltion w~$ght.
Hydroxyetnylaellu~osn, o~rboxym~thylcolluloso and hydxoxyp~opyl~ellulo~e, a~ w~ o~h~ oollulo80-bage~
materials, are avallable fro~ Agu~lon co~pany of Wil=ington, D~l~w~s~ C~rboxycethyloell=l=~e i- d~corib~d :~ ' ~E' ~-! 9'1 ~ EF:r~ P'~ r.~ 4 ~ . 7~ 6-1 ~n a repor~ . It~ tleO. ~Aquai~n (TM) Cell~LofiQ Gum, Sodium Car~oxyl~ethylcellul~se, Ph~slcal and Ch~ical Prop~rti~6~
copyrig~t 1988, available from Aqualon Company. Hydroxy-ethylcellulo~e is des~ibed in a report en~itled "Natrosol ~M), Hydroxyethylcellulose, ~ Non-Ion~c water-so~ e ~o~ymr~r, Physiea~ a~d Chemical Properties," revised JUly 87, available ~rom Aqualon ~o~pany.
When uci~g organic viscosity-increasing agents such as hydroxy~t~ylcellulo6e, it is preferable tha~ the organio ! 10 materi~l does not inoludo a hydrolyzing retardant layer 3n lt~ sur~ace, ~ ny co~eroially available brands do. A
~y~rolyzlng retard~nt lz~y-r ei~ OWEi down the VisOOSity-increas~ng process. When ~lyc-~in i utiliz~d in the co~position; t~e pr3cess can become too Eilow ~o be practical.
The pr~ferred liquids ror use t~gether ~ith organic:
vi~co~ity-increaei~ng agents in the present co~position include water and ~lycerin. An lmportant a~vantage ~ained ~rom the use of wa~er is tnat it inc~QaSeS the rlame rotardancy of the ~omposition. An i~portant advantage gainod ~ro~ the use of glycerin is that i~ lowers tne ~reo~ing point of the li~uid. Additionally, another i~portant advantago gainod from the use of glYcerin is that lt i8 ~uch ea~ier te oo~tain within a resinous ~aakag~, 2~ ~-c~u~e glyoerin ia ~ueh lo~ lik~ly to evapor~te through the ~ lnou~ ter~ al than ~ ~ wat6~r. An additional aavantag~ ghined from the us~ o~ gly~erin with org~nic '? ~ P~' :JHEP:'~h~ ,;SH ~6~-q, ~ 4 ~ ~ ~ f,~l visc~ity-_nc aaing ag~nt is that it pro~_des a "viscosity '~ bonu~ e~fect", de~3~rib~d b~lo~,r.
When utilizing organio vif;eo6ity in~reasing agents, the glycerln ls p~eferably prc~ent in an amoun~ i~t the xange Of from ~bout 42 weighS perçent to about 74 w~tight percent bas~d on tne total ~ompo~ n, ~ore preferably in an amount from about S7 welg~t percent tc ~out 69 weight percent of the total com~osltlort. Water is prefera!:)ly present in an a~ount in the range ~ro~ about ~ ~eight percent to ~bout 8 weight percent based on tne total composition, more preferably in an a~ount from a~out wei~ht percent to about ~ weight percen~ of the tota co~tpo~:ition ~
~h~ b~havior of so~e viscosity-increasing agen~s, such lS a3 highl~ cub~titut~d car~oxy~ethylcellulose, in mixed-~tol~nt ~y~t~t~ u¢h a~ glycerin/water, is s~milar to it~
beh~v~ or in wAter alono ~oWQV-r, in mixed systems, the vlscosity of tbe ~olvent afoct~ thQ ~ cosity of the solutlon~ For ex~t~ple, if a 60:40 mixtur~ o glycerin and 20 water (~hlctl ls 10 ~im~a t ~a ~i~cou~t a~t wator alone) i~ used as the solvent, tne resul~ing Yolution ~of w~ll-di~p~trsed c~rboxymothylcellulose wlll ~ t~n ~ an ~i~aoub a~ th~t comparable solution in water alone. ~hi~ bch~io~ i~
commonly r~ferred to as the ~vlscosity bonu~ o~fcct. ~
The total li~uid aontent ln tha or~anic ~i~co~ity-incroasing agent composi~ion i~ prererably in thtt r~nge ~
from a~out 50 weight percent to about 76 welg~ pe~cent based on the totdl coDposition weigh~, and 1: =ore SED ~ 3~ d~ E~ o~ r~ H R~ 13 ~ I
pre~e~ably p_~sent in ~n ~mount ~rom about ~o weight percent ~o about 70 w~gnt percent.
Th- organ~c viscosity-ln~reasing a~ent cQnt~ining composition is preferably produced by lnl~lally mixing the s organic viscosity-increasing agent and glycerin. Thi~
~lurry can then be ~.ixed with water and the re~alnder o~
th~ ingr~dients. Preferably the mixing is accomplished ln a blonder using an emulsifier or homogenization head. As will be appraciat~d by those skilled in the art, other mixing tech~ique~ can bo ~mploy~d.
In addition to or~anio vi~co~ity-increasing agen~s, it ~5 posslble to us~ minersl visco~ity-inar~asing agents, part~cularly w~en the liguid e~ployed i~ sili~one ~il.
Preferred m1neral viscosity-incxe~ing a~ent6 includ~ ~umlad IlS silicA~ such as Cab-~-S~l ~5~, av~ ble fro~ th~ Cabot ICorp~ration o~ Tuscola, Illlnols~ and ~tt~pulgite ~lay6, s~ch as Attagell 40~ or Attag~ll 50~, both avail~ble from the Englehard corp~ration of At~apulgus, Georgia.
Advantages of using mineral viscosity-increaslng agents ~o includA: the a~ents ~an be used with glycarin or s111co~e o~l ~lonQ, wi~hout any need to e~ploy water; the oompooi~lon can b4 ~Qale~ within a resinou~ package using h~ut~ ling t-ahnigu-~ ~hich provide good cl~an seals; and thc ~atorial-, partiaularly . attapul~ite clays, are rel~t~ely ~noxpenoi~. Th~ ad~antage o~ using gl~cerin or ~ilieono oil ~lono, w~th n~ add~d water, ls that a composition i~ obtAin~d hav~ng a VQry low frsezing point and ln addition, it i~ m~ah oa~i~r to contai~ ~uch liquids ED ~ r1 -H~-F ~ F ~ rl ~cH ~ 4 ~ P '~3'b~
within a res.~ous package. Addi~ion~lly,~l~ hac ~n fDund ~hat ~ineral ~iscosity-~ncr~asing agent3, p~rticularly attapulgite clay, have relatl~ely stable ~i8¢00ity ch~racteris~ics over a wide ran~e of ~e~,peratures and ar~
no~ prone to separating durinq use.
The mineral viscosity-increasin~ agents are preferably pre6ent in an a~ount from about Z weight percen~ to about 30 weigh~ p~rc~nt, based on ~he total composition weight.
~ore prcferabl~ tho ~ noral agents com~rise fro~ about 3 l~ weight perocnt to abou~ 20 w~ight percent of the total compos~tion weight, And mo6t prof~ra~ly ~r~m about 4 wei~ht percent to about 15 weight peroent of th- total composition weight. sllicone oil or glycerin c~ploy~d in connection with ~he mineral Ylscosi~y-lncrea5in~ ~gento i~ preforably prese~t in an amount from about 2~ weight percent to about 75 weight p~rcent, ~nd ~ore pr~rera~ly in an ~mo~nt fr~
about 50 weight perc~nt to about 74 welg~t percent, based on the tota~ composition weight. When ru~ed slli~a i5 emplDyed, it is preferable to also employ a s~r~actant, .
20 ~.g. Trithan X lC0~. ~ :
When mixin~ the ~ineral viscosity-increaSing agents with ~ho glycorin or ~ilicone oil, it is p~eferable to ~ix ~ portion o~ ~ho glycorin or ~ilicone oil with the ~ineral ViSC08~ ty-~norea~ing agont~ to ~orn an initia~ slurry and 2~ then ~d~ the root o~ the ~atorial~. ~h~ mixing can be accomplish~d using A blend~r wi~h an e~ul~ er or a ~omogenizati~n he~d. Alternati~ly, all o~ tho ~aterials ~y oe tlxec together ~t cnce.
~E~ 9~ E, -rf~ r~ r _ ,I .H ~ 3~
All ~f t,. e vi~aoaity-incr~a6ing agen~ of the present in~vent1on have the i:npos-t~nt characteY~iLtic o~ incre~sirsg ~e viscoslty or a rlui~, while still pe~it~ ing th- ~luid to flow. $he typical compositic~r~ of Ohe prese:nt inv~ntic~r~
is flowable and does not have total r~emory. In other words~ once deforned, it Wil~ not alw~ys return 40 it~
- ori~inal shape. However, some co~posltions ln accordclnce with the present invention can exhibit a smal~. aegree ~f gel strensth. ~rhe gel stru~ture can be broken merely by lo applying ~ small but suf~icient force.
The compositions o the presen~ invention are non-~wtonian, because their ~iscosities ch~nge when the shear rate change~. In ~ther words, the ratio of shear rate ~flow) to ~h4ar ~trQ~ ~f~rce) is not constant. The 15 compositio~ ar~ typi~al~y either ~seudo~lastic or t~ixotropic. A p6~udoplac~ic co~np~çitLon is one which I a~pears to h~ve n yield ~tre~o b4yond whi~h flow commence~
I an~ lncrea~es sh~rply with an in~r~a~ in stress, In ¦ practicè, the composition~ exhibit ~low at all she1r stresses, although the rati~ of ~low to ~O~OG inarQa~Qs negligibly untll t~e ~orce exceed~ the ~pparen~ yield str-ss. The ~low rate or a thixotropic sub~t~nco increa6~s with increasing duration of agltatlo~ as well ~ with increased shear stress. In otner words~ the fl~w rate i~
2S ti.me dep~ndent. When agitatio~ is stopp~d, lnternal she~r ~tross ean exhibit hysteresis. Upon re-agitatlon, l~s~
force is generally required to creat~ a gl~en rlow than is re~uired ~or tho first agitatior. ~he ~act t~at e~e pres~nt ~,E~ a: ?~ p~ -,hE'~ i, PI;lcS,~ 8~3~ 9; D -'~
material~ fl~ more readily ~he~ highel shear stress is . ~ appliod is advantageous in a nu~er o~ applications.
Iho partiele~ preferably employed in the pr~sent inventio~ aro proft~rably ~pheeical and hollow to lessen their dcn~ity and light~n th~ overall welght of the flow~ble, pre~ure-compen~ating composlt'on, or, if desired, can ~e ~olid or cellular. ~xpandable mie-obe~ds, as aescribed in U.~. Patcnt ~o~. 4,243,754, 4,108,928, and ~,038,76Z can al~o be e~ploy~d.
~he spherlsa~ pa~tlcles may be made fro~ A nu~ber of suitabl~ materials inclu~ln~ ror example silica gl~, ~aran poly~er, phenolic resln an~ c~r~on. ~et~iled descriptions o~ suitable spherical particles can ~e ~ound in the flowable, pre~sure-compensa~ing ma~e~ia~ patents, des~rib2d hereinabove. Glass beads are preferred ln cartain applications because of their relatively low cost.
Wh~n hi~h~r bead ~trength is desired, p~enolic resin or carbon headn ar~ pre~erxed.
~hon used in co~poSitionS where a low total weight is de~irQd, th~ ~pherical particles are pre~erably within the ~ize rangu of from about 1~ micrometers to about 300 ~icxometer~ in diamot~r. Thta dcn~ity o~ sphoerical particles can be, ~or ex~mple, ~rom about 0.05 to a~out 0.1~ grams p~r cubic centim~ter. Mor~ pAetiaularly, glacc ~pherical Z~ par~icles prefer~bly h~v~ ~ d~n~ity of fro~ about 0.23 gram~ per cubic Gentim~or to ~bout 0.3? g~m~ por oubic centlreter and phenollc r~-1D ~pherlce.l par~olo~
?~ 2~ E5-t ~l P~ h ''5-~ 1 h 1 3 i 4 ~) ~ P - - r~
prQfe_abl;~ h, e a density of about 0-1~ gra3~s per cu~ic --~ contim~ter .
~ pe~oific ~xamplec of ~uit~bl~2 ~pherical ~article~
include "3~ GlAss Bubble~ avai;ablQ fro~a 3~, st. ~aul, 5 Minnesot:s~ ~Ind "Microballo~n~`' availablo from Union carbide Specialty C:her~ als Di~i~ion, Danbury, Cc~nnooticut.
~ .e spher cal p~rticl.e~ are prefe~ably pre6an~ in an a~nount ~ro~o a~out ~. 01 to abou1; 32 weignt perccnt ba~ed on the total compositlon welght, and mo;re prof~rably in An 10 a~ount from about 15 to about 31 wei~ht percent and ~;till more preferably in amount from about zs welght percent t~
a~out 3 0 weight percent .
The spherical particles o~ the present co~posltion ~erform at least two important ftnctions. Pirst, the size, 15 shape and qu~ntity of the spherical particles lnfluense the ~!lo~t characteristics of the composition. Therefore, a co~poGit~ on can b~. tailored to have the de~ired flow cha~aatorlctic~ by selecting the appropriate Size, s~ape and amount o~ 1?art;iol~c~ se~c~nd, because of particle-to-20 pnrticle oo~tact, ~h~a 6phQrical parti~le~ can enhance ~he distribution of lo~dG plao~d on floxible packa~es cont~ining ~he pre~sent composition.
Another advantage o~ pheria~l particle6 smployod in the p~esent invention i:~ that they por~nit ~ deg~ee of 25 weig~t ~ont3: ol . ~or example, in ~Qst Appl icc~tions ~ ~ho co~po1itlon ShOUl~ waigh a~ llttle As poasi~7le. In ~uch instan~es, llg~twe~gnt nollow pa~ticles are pre:f~2r~ed, in o~er to lcwer tne overall ~ensl~y or l:he comp~sition.
E~ ?-- _'4: ' 3r ~ r~ cs~ ' H 6 t-~7r~ J P, '~
However, in Jma applioations a heavie. Compositicn i~
--~~ desircd. Exa~ple~ ~ cuch ~pplication~ include wei~ht belts to be ~tr~pped ~round part~ o~ a p~r~on'~ bc~dy (~.g., wrisi and Anlcle weights) ~nd padding devio~: wh-3ro it 15 5 ~esirea that the de~ice ' s own wei--ht hold it firmly ~ n place. When heavy ~o~positions a~e desired, solid p~rt~ale6 , co~prising dense ~aterlals are pr~erred. In auch ', applications, partic~es greater tnan 300 micrometer~ in diameter can be used effectively.
; 10 When e~ployed in padding device6, the rlame-res~stan~
flowable, pre~sure-co~pen6ating ~o~position is generally enclosed within ~ flexible, p~otectiv~ enclosure with a pre-deter~ined ~olu~e of the ~o~position retained therein.
Preferably, the enclosure is formed of sui~able flexible ~terial and des~rab}y is a pliab~e, thermoplastic, r~sinous ~ilm that can be heat-se~lQd after the composition i~ in~ort~d th~rowithin. Because o~ their rela~ively low ooot and do~irabl~ strength and flexibility chnracteri~i4s~ polyur~thanq and polyvinylchloride 120 ~terlAls ~re preferred for u6e a6 tho ~nolo~uro fil~.
IThe ~omposi~i~n i~ initi~ distribut~d ~ubc~antially ~uniror~ly throughout thc confine~ o~ th~ enclo~ur~, whic~
¦18 provi~ed by 5eAling (e.g., he~t ~e~ling) the film along the ~a~glnal e~ges. ~ de~ired, one c~n choosc to he~t seal t~e p~otectlvQ nclosure rOr tho aompo~it~Gn, ~ut 1eAVe a s~all vent opening ~nd ~ small rilling port, that a pr~det~rmined volume Or ~ne ~lowakle c~mpasition may be injected into the enclosurc t~rougn thc rllllng port, -,E~ P~ E~-r~ oc~ C~ `CH ,~ 3-9'9~ F 25 followed by ._a~ 6~aling bo~h the vent ~peninq and the -- filling port. Alternatively~ the oo~po~ition ~y ba placed on one sheet, a second ~hee~ m~y be pl~oed o~er tho co~positlon, and ~he outer edges se~led. A~ ~an ~e appreciated, lnternal sealing l~nes can a~so b~ formed to compart~entali2e the oompositlon wl~ln the enclosure.
One o~ the advantages of Using mineral vls~oslty-~ncreasing agents such as fu~ed silica tJr attapulgite clays as the Visc06ity-increasing agent~ is that the sealability of the film ~aC~age is im~roved. When Using cellulose based materials as th~ viscosity-increasinq age~t, su~h as hydroxyethyl~-llulost~, the corposition may ~plate-out" and conta~ina~ th~ coal.
~he d~ired fihal vi~006ity o~ ~he c~mpo~ltion can be sel~cted to ~uit ~ wide vari~ty of application~. S~
~pplic~ti~n~ requiro high ~i~c~ity oompo~i~ion~ and oth~rs rcqulre composit~ ons o~ mu~h lower vi~ccsity. For uoe in pa~d~ng ~evlces, vlscosities ln the range ~f ~o~ ~bout 30,000 centipoiSe to a~out 1,~0~,~00 centipolse are preferred. ~en the viscosity exceeds 1,O00,000 centlpolse, the compositi~n is often so viscous that it is dif~icult to ~ix and striation of the Co~pOsitiOh may o~ur.
In compositions containing water, the viscosity is g-nerally ~rovid~d by hydro~en bondins betwQen water and . .
2s the viscosity-~ncreas~nq a~ents. Thi~ hydrogen bonding is sufficient to k~ep th~ spherical particl~s disper~ed thr~ughout the compo.~ition. In prior art materials, su~h ilioonc gel disclosed in IJ. S . P~tent N~ . 4, 3UC, 569, . .F!' ~HE~-r~ c~ C"_~ :3~ ' F. ~6~
cros~-linkin~ reaotion~ wer~ b~lieved ne~ ~ preYent ~~` the microbe~d~ from flo~ing out.
In a prererred e~bodi~c~t of t~e pr~sent inv~ntion, steps can be taken ln order t~ prevent ~iorobiologioal attack and ~he~cai ~egradatlon Or the prcsent campositions. For exampl~, radiation s~erillzatlon can be perfor~ed. Preferably, ~he co~position is s~ected to radiation such as x-ray radiatlon or g~mma radiation in order to destroy microorganis~s present in the co~position~
An advantage of radiation treat~ent is that it can be per~orm~d ~fter the co~position has been ~laced in a paakag~, cuch a~ ~twee~ pliable sheets of re~inous ~t~ri~l .
An alt~rn~;~e meth~d u~ful ih preventing l~ m~crobiJl~ioal ~ttack i~ t~e use of a heat ~t~rilization step. For example, a padding de~ic~ c~p~ising the present composltion placea ln a polyvinylchlorid~ p~ck~ge e~n be heated to about 180F ~or ~ore than about 30 minutes, pre~erably between about 30 ana 45 ~lnutes. Preferably, this ~ethod i& employed in an autoclave hav$ng a nltrogen atmosphere.
Alte~natively, preservatives can be added to the co~po~ition in orae~ to preYent ~icrobiologic~l attack ~nd chemical de~radation. Exa~ple~ o. suitable preservatiYes as include ~ormaldQhyd-, ~ethyl- and proPYl~araben~ phenol, ~henylm~rcuri~ s-lts, sodium beh~oat~ sodium propionate, ~orbia acid a~d sr:~bates ~sodiuID and potassium salts).
Additi~nal~y~ proprlotary pr-~-rv~t~v~e suoh as ~usan 1lm1, -,EP ~ ''F~ r=lh~ r~ --H -~ ~9~~ P ' 54 ~5 availa~l~ rom Bu~knan Labcratory, Dowicide A and Dowicil 75, ~oO availabl~ fro~ Ihe D~w Chemical comPany, ~roxcl GX~ ~nd CR~ aval~able from ICI ~m~ri~a~ Ina., Merbac 35 and Te~tnm~ 38 availabl~ ~ro~ Me~c~Calg~n Corporation, Tnlmerosal a~ailable fro~ Eli hilly ~nd Co~pany and Vancide TH available from R.~. ~anderbilt Co.~ Ino. c~n be ~sed.
In order to ~unct~on properly, cert~in pre~er~tives (e.g. ben~oates and sorba~es) ~equire a low pH, i.e., acidic, environment. ~his can be ac~ieved ~y ad~lng an a~id, e.g. citric acid to the composition. cltrlc an~/or other desirable ac~d is added in an a~oun4 ~u~ficient to lower the pH ~o a range o~ about pH 4 to about pH 6 and pre~erably a~out pH 4.S to about p~ 5.5. In cer~ain instanoes, sUc~ ~s when ~ilica glass particles are smploy4d, the silica will raise tne ~ of the ~yst~.
~h~ro~or~ r~ acid is g~nQrally nece~sary to ach;e~e th~
d~slr-d p~ rango than for a comp~sition not havin~ ~ilica p~rtlaleo. Pr~fora~ly fro~ a~out 0.1 ~eight percent to ~bout 0.5 ~eight perc~t b~n~oat~ or ~or~ate i5 included in tho pre~ent co~po~ition~ baoed on tho total compositi~n welght.
In accordance with ~he p~es~nt in~ention, ~ proce66 ~or pro~uclng t~Q slllcone oil- ~s ~lyccrine-oont~ining composltionR ls provide~. A prererred ~mb~di~nt o~ the proCess include~ an lnltlal st~p or producin~ two slurrlc~.
For Qxa~ple~ ~ first slurry Or a mln~ral ~iscosl~y-increasing agQn~ and silicone 0~ 1 or glycerin or a rlrst slurry of organia viscosity-inCreasir.g agent an~ sllicone -,E-~ 3 ~ HE, ~ ~4~ 0~ J~
oil or ~lyc~rin c~n be providod. .. socond slurry, com~rlsing ~Dore l~quid, e . g. glycerin and~or wator or ~ilicone ~il, an~ ~he spherlcal particles, is then p~ovided~ Additi~es such as acld, preservative5 ~nd f' ~me 5 retardants can also be mixed With tn~s seco~ slurry. At the apPropri~te time, the two slurries are m1xe~ togetller.
Alternatively, all the componerlts may be mixed together at one time. Mixing can take place in ~echanical mixers suCh a~ bl~ders a~raila~le from L ightnin and Waring.
10 Alternativaly, ç:tatic mixing devices such as those av~ilable ~ro~ Ch~mix and f ro~n Lightr~in can be used .
A~; exp;~ined hereini~eforG ~ it oan be ad~rantageous to lower the p}l of t:he composition~ to a rang~ of about pH ~
to a~out p~ 6. One reason Eor thi~ i8 ~hat th~ ~ato oÇ
15 visceglty bUlldUp is slowe~ ~t lower pH ~ ~ for organic viscoeit~-increasing a~ents. T~is provide~ ~ greater amount of time ~or working wlth tne co~position be~ore i~
~ully sets up. For example, when the co~posltlon is placed in an enclosure, it is advantageous if tne composltlon maintains a low viscosity ~or a period of time to ~llow ~ts in~ertion into thQ en~losure. The viscosity buildup rate ¢an also b~ $10WQa by usin~ a low temperature liguid andJor by tho uce o~ che~ical retardant~. AlternativelY, excess w~tor oan initially ba e~played to lowar the vlscosity.
~S A~ter th4 oompoeLtion i~ placQ~ in th~ enclosu~e, exce~g w~t~r a~n ba allowod t~ avaporate un~il the desired vl~ao~ity is attair~d.
_EP r1: ql ~ Pî~ ~h~ Hrl~Fl-lss~ 6~-q,~ ? 6~1 Exa~ ~131~5 ~
r~ Compositions wAra prepar-d containing th~ ~ollo~ing matQrial~:
5 ~~Ç~ MAterial.
3 9 AttApulgito Clay ~AttAg~
~0~ bl~ ~ot~
Englehard Corporation) 58.1 Glycerln 1028 . O Spher~cal particles (~37 designation ~or Glas$
Bubbles available ~ro~ 3~) . o Bicarbonate of Soda (~aHCo3) ~ ' ' 1~ 2~UAl Wo~al~2ound~;l 3 . 4 Glyc~rin o. 2 Attapulgit~ ~la~
1.7 ~phc-r~aAl parti41Qs (El-37 fo:~ GlaG~ B~blo~ from ~
200 . 6 ~$cnY~bon~ of 80da (Na~CO3) ~lternatively, epsoDI ~alt (Mq904- 7~120) ~n b~
subotltuted ~or b~ ca~2: onate o~ sod~ in tho cbo~o composiSions. Both o~ these ~orm-llatlons 5urvived ;n air aspir~ted butane torc2~ me ror 2 o secondc without 25 burr.ing. BCth ~:ompositions selr-ex~ngulshe~.
~lrp !-~' 'IJ ~ ''F'~ SHE~-r!P~ r!S~ cH ,3F?-4'~
Co~pr~ltion No.
~5~ Ma~eria 7~ 8ilicon~ 4il (FLaOO fro~
Dow Corning ~orpor~tion) ~ph~oal pArtiale~ (B-37 r~r Glass ~ubbl~ ~r~ 3ff~
.,., :
If desired, a fla~e retardant an~/or a viscosity-increasing ~aterial, preferably a ~ine~al vlscoslty-increasing material, can be include~ in Co~position 3. ~:
10~ile Yarious e~bodiments of the p~esent im ention ha~a been described in detail, it is apparent that ~odifications and adaptations of th~se embodim~nts will : . :
occ~r to th~e skilled in the art. However, it is to be :
expr~cly ur.derstood that such modifications and ~5 Adap~ation~ ar~ within thQ spirit a~d scope of th~ presentinvent$on.
In use, the flowa~le, pressure-compensating ~teri~io di~closed in the above-mentioned patents are typ~cAlly ~laced in a pliable packag~, such as getween two leak-proof resinous sheets which are sealed at the ed~es. The rlowable materials act hydraulically. An applied force causes flowable material to migrate ~ro~ areas of higher pressure s to area~ of lower ~ressure until pressure throughout the packAgo i~. uniform. Onc~ conformity has been achi~ed, ~oroe i~ dl~tri~ut-d s~ tantially aqually ove~ the entire 6urfac- o~ ~-hQ p~cXa~e thus allevia~ing the dif~er~ntial pre~ure probl~me a~ociated with prior devices. The 20 ~i~coesity of ~e flowablo mate~ial~ can ~e ~raried. ~i~her ~i5c05ity doc- n~t decreaoe th~ ~bility o~ thQ flowa~le matsrials to eonform to tho ~hape o~ th~a pr~ ~r~ applying ob~ e~t, c~nly th~ r~te at whi~h they will migrat~ tC~
con~orm. ~lowabls matc~ri~13 ure pre2~ently mark~t~d und~r 25 th~ tra~em~rX FLOI-IT~ by Aldon ~1: orcltorie~h ~ Inct. of Boulder~ Colorado U.S.A.
one of th~ dr~wbacks o~ some o~ the~e compositio~
tnat tne co~po~lti~ns lnclu~e ~Iterlals t~at ar~ m~bl-.
,r~ 31 Irp!~ 'ht-? ~ i Q'5~0~ H ~6~-~ n~ i 4~ i ~hi~ c~n ~Q p _ticul~rly disadvantageous ~nen the materiol i- uL~d i~ a padding devic~ that may come into contact with hc~t in regular UQ or ~y acciden~, fo~ ~xa~pl~ in an su'co~obile or ~irplana ~:Qat. It would be adv~ntageous to pr~ ide ~ co~po~ition whieh ha~: ~esirable flow and pressure-cOmpens~tins propertie~ whil~ r~ducin~ the risk ~f flre or co~busti~n .
Sum~rY o~_tne In~ ntio~
In accordanc~ witn the p~esent in~ntion, a novel flowable, pressure-compensating composition th~t i~ flame resi~tant is pro~ided. The composltion comprise~ a flammable materiaL, such as silicone oll, gly~erln o~ w~x and oil, and a flame re'ardant. Preferably, ~he co~po~iti~n also includes substantially spherical partlcles ~lsperse~
~5 throughout the composition.
Preferably, the co~position includes a llgul~
oomprising ~ilicone oil or glycerin and a ~naterial rOr incroacing the viscosity of the li~uid se~ected fro~ the group o~n6icting o~ Suar, ~gar, carboxymethylcellulose, zo hydroxypropyloQllulo~4, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyothylenooxide, fumod ~ a, attapulgite cla~s and mixtur~a ther~of. More ~r~ferably, th~ viccosi~y-inc~easin~
agent is f~m~d ~ilic~ or att~pulgito clay. Mor~ pr~ferably, t~ co~po~it~on inaludoo ~ub6tan~ially ~ph~r~cal pQrticles Z5 tnat are l~s5 th~n ~bout 300 ~icro~t~r~ ln dia~t~r.
Accorai~g to tho preoent invention, tho co~po~ition inclUdeS a rli~=e rct~ld~nt~ prel~er~bly borio oxi~e, borax, ~EG ~1 '91 ~ .HEP-L~ht',~ ',H 3~,3-q,~
boric acid, ~_cE~rbonate of ~oda, op60m :..alt, or mixtLres thereo~, t~ incre~se the ~lam~ r~3tardance o~ th¢
cosl~posltion. Pr~r~:cably, th~! flom~ r~t~dant ~roducD~ a gas or releases water when heated in orde~ to reduce 5 f l~ bil ity .
The present compo~itions provl~e a nuD~ f a~v~ntages. N~en a flame retardant such as boric oxl~e (B203), bicarbanate of soda l~a~Co3) o~ epsom salts (MgSO4 ~H20) is usad in the comp~sition, the composition o typicall~ has a hiqher degree of flame retardancy than ~at~rials that are oil and wax based or that contain ~ilicono oil or glycerin.
1~ prooc~ or producing ~lowable, Dr~ssure-co~npen~ting compo6ition~: s~ provlded. The process 13 includes the ~tepo of pxeparing a ~lurry co~prising a Viscos~ty-incre~sing o.gent, ~ liquid and ~ $1am- r~tardant, an~ mixing the co~pon~nts tog~thex until the ~i~ao~ity-incre~sing agen~ ls distributed sub~t~ntially e~nl~
throughout the llquld. ~e process ca~ al~o include mixing in 6ubstantially spherical p~rtlcles. The llquid proerably include~ between about 25 weight percent ana about 75 weight ~ercent glycerin or silicone oil based on the total co~position weight.
Glycerin, with a freezing point oi about -40' C, has th- advanta~o of not only low-ring the ~r~ezing point o~
th~ CQmpoaition, but it al~o p~ovide~ a ~viscosit~ bonus ~ff~ctll, which is de~cribed in more detail hereinbelow, vh~n ~l~o~ vlth c-rt-in v1scosity-lncreosing ~aterlols.
l3 ~ _.~ q~ 5 ~ ~t ---q''3~ f'~
Further, ~en jpherlcal particle~ ~re di6~er~ad throughout .
the composition, the particles are n~ prone to float t~
the ~op of the co~position (a condi~lon termcd ~flo~t out"), in spite of ~eing lesg dense than ~he remaind~r ~f the ~ompositicn. Also, the viscositie~ of ~he present glycerin co~positions are stable o~er ~road temperature rangres . ' ~ i~icone oil, with a freezing point of about -57~ C, ~ae th~ advantagc of l~wering the ree~ing point of the 0 compooition eVQn furth~r than glycerin and i~5 viscosity is ~t~ble over a broad~r ra~go o~ temperatures, Additionally, ~pherical parti~les, when u~d, ar~ not prone t~ floating out Or the composition.
Prer~rably, th- flow3ble, pr~cc~r~-co~pensating composltlon or the p~esent in~ention i5 plaaQd within an onclo6ure. In ~ prererred e~bod~men~, thq oompo~ition is placed bet~een two reslnous s~eets, w~ich A~e sub~equ~tly heat 3ealed together. I~ one embodlment o~ the i~cntion, the composition is ~reated to k1 11 ~i~roorganis~ ~nd 2 0 prevent their growth.
~tailed Description of th~Invention In accordance with the present inYention, a ~lowable, pres~ure-co~p~nsating compc~ition, and a process for maXlng th~ sa~, is ~ro~i~e~.
Ac~rding to an ~mbodi~ont, the pr~sent ~nvention, a ~lamQ re~ardant such as borio oxide (B~03), ~ori~ a~id ~B~ON~, borax ~N~B,07-1ON70), ~icarbonate o~ soda !NaHCo3~, -,EP ~ 4, "11 '-,I~Fi~ ''C~'~ -,h ~ n~ ~ 1 3 1 ~
epsom s~lts ~g~04 7~20) or mixtur~c thet~Qf is added to a ~lowable, pressure-co~p~n~ting oompo6iti4n.
Blca~bonate o~ sod~ ~nd ep~om oaltc are pre~Qrred fla~e retar~ants ror use in the present co~pooi~ion~. Both aompo~nds have t~e a~vantage of r~le~ing A non-VolatilQ
and non-oxygenatin~ gas or wa~er when heated, ~her~by gmothering fla~es. ~or example, epsom sal~ will rclea~
a guanti~y of steam when hea~e~. ~lcarbonate o~ so~
advantageously creates a char by-product wnen contasted with ~ e that also increases flam~ retardancy and bicarbonate of soda also has low toxi~ity. ~ has also been ~ouna ~hat bicarbonate of soda and epsom salts blend easlly and thoraughly ~ith th~ ~reSQnt ~ompositions.
I~ bo~i~ oxide, boric ac~d or borax is used as a flame retardant with a pressure-com~ensating composition cont~ining g'y~r$n, silicone oil, or a wax/oil co~po~l~ion, th~ flano r4tardant is preferably added in an ~ount from Rbout 5 w~ight porcent to about 15 weight percent b~ed ~n the total oompo6ition, more preferably Srom about 7 weight pe~a-nt to about 8 w-ight perOQnt based on t~e total ccmposition.
Ir ~lcar~onate or sod~ or ep~o~ t i6 ue~d a~ a flame retardant~ eacn ls pre~era~ly ~dded in ~n ~ount ~rom a~out S ~eight percent to about 30 woig~t percent, more pr~erably ~ro~ about lo welgnt pe~c~nt to ~bout 2S wcight perc-nt, most pref~rably rrom about 1~ wY~ght perccnt to a~out 20 weight percent.
'~Er ~ r~ HE~ P ~ .'. lf ~ ' `r ~f'~ ,.' ~hus, t}. nddi~ion ~ th~ ~aterials dccordin~ to the presenc lnverltion p~ovid~s fl~o r-tardancy tc~ com;?ositions whicn prevlously could bc fl~m~ble. The high d~gree of flame retardancy ~ncreases the nu~er of poten~ial ~e for 5 the flowable, pressure-w mpensating matcri~ uch a~, for example, in applications ln whlch hum~n ¢ontaat i6 h anticipated.
The flame retardant can be utlll~ed in fl~wablo, pressure-co~pensating co~positions that contaln a rlammable 10 material. Examples of such compositions inclu~e wax/oil comp~sitions, silicone oil-containing compositions and g~yc~in-containing Compo5itiOn#. More preferably, the pres~ura-co~pen~ating material includes silicone oil or glyoexin and a v~o~ity-increasing agent.
As used h~r^in, the ~erm "gly&erin" re~ers to the ~ril~y~ri~; alaohol kav~ng th~ ~he~ic~l ~or~ula tCH20~i)z~E~OH~
W2~1Ct~ i5 ~ o co~orlly re~rr~d to as glycerol. Althou~h glycerln i6 ~he pr~ferr~d al~ohol ~or u~ connection with tne p:resent invention, ~lternative aloohol6 sush as 20 other glycerol~ e., other tsihydric alcohol~
gly~ols (i . ., dihy~ric alcohols) c~n ~lao be e~nploy~d.
GlycQrin has a hygroscoplc na~cure an~l may coTnp~i~e ~ ~all amoun'c of water, e . g. abo~lt 4 percent. In ce~t~in in~tances, it is advanta~eous to includ~ an amount Or added 2S water in the liquid. Spher~cal particles are prerera~ly dispersed throughout tha co~posltion . Ad~iti onally, preseNatives can bQ included to prevent microblo~l oglcal attack ~nd che=ioal degradzltion.
--.EP,~ r~ rlF~ r~ p~ rlr-~ 3 1 ~ 3 ( ~ ~ b4 AS used .~erein, ~ilicono oil re~Q~ ~ to a silicone ` ~ased poly~er wlth su~stan~i~lly no ~ro~ Xin~. Such a polymer has substantlally no ~e~ory or i9 br-a~2ble With a relatively low shear'ing ~orce. ~sliconc oil can be disting~i~hed fro~ sil~cone gel in ~hat silicone gel ha6 memory. One example of a silioone oil ls ~oo, a~ilAble ro~ 30W Corning Corporation, ~idland, Mlc~lgan.
AS used herein, "wax and oil" or "~ax~oil~' refers to a comb~nation of w~x and oil such ~hat the wax and oil co~ponent present in t~e compa~ition preferably na~ a densi~y of from a~ou~ 0.5 to about 1.0 gJca, or, ~ore prefer~blyr ~rom about O . 75 to abo~t O.90 gJcc. When wax~oil co~position~ are utilized, the wax preferably ranges in an ~mount~ fr~ about 40 w~ight ~ercent to a~out 6~.3 we~ght percent, while th~ oil preferably ranges fram a~out 1.7 weight pcrcent to about 30 w~i~bt percent. If beads are utlllzed in th~ w~xJoil compo~ition, the beads are preferably prese~t in nn nmount le~ than ahout 30 weight percent.
'rhe ~ax component, ror exa~p~6, can be a ~uitablr~
natural, mineral, petroleum-base~ synth~tic, ~eget~ble, or ,~ni~l wax includlng insect wax ~uch as beeswAx ~for exampl~, SC 10979 beeswax ~yellow~, a~allable ~rom ~rgen~-~elch Scientific Co., Skokie, Illinois~, para~rln wax, or microcrystallino waX. 'rhe add~d or separate oll Gomponent o~ the material m~y be a suitable natura~, synthetlc, vegetable, or petroleum-based oil (for example, neutral bl~nd~n~ or bri~ht stock).
~,E~ ' 3-; 3~ ir~ -,i1E,~ ~ ~" . F~ C i ~ rlsh ~G~ a z i ~ l 4 ~ ~ P ~, ~,d ::
In or~ to facilitate contro~ o~ the r~w - ch~act~rictics of a ~ini~h~d wax/oil ~aterial, lt 1~
~ mport~nt ~c~ avoid the use of unsatur~ted natural or veget~le drying or ~emi-drying oils t:hat are un atura~d 5 ln ~u~;h a m~nner or to cuch a le~el as to oxidize, thicXen or nar~en si~nifican~ly (e.g., poly~erize or cross-linX) with tlme or condi~ion~ of ~tora~a or use, which in many instances ls reflected by the oil ha~ing an ex~essively high or unsatisfactory iodine nu~er.
lo While the re~alning ~escription relate~ prima~ily to glycerin-containing an~ silic~n~ o~l-con~aining compositions wi~h the ~iscosley-lncreasing ~e~t3, it ic to be ex~ressly un~erstood that co~posltlons including hydrio alcohols and/or wax and oil, as disc~6sed hereinabov~, ~re also included within ~he scope of the pre~ent lnven~aon.
~ hQ proce~s for producing the glycerin-containing er cilicone ~il-containing compositions g~ner~lly ln~olves mixing ~ho liquid, viscosity-inar-asing agen~, an~
desirea, th~ flame retardant until a homogenous ~ixture ~s 20 aehieved. Pref~ra~ly, spherical particles c~n also be includcd. 'rhe ep~oi~ic procees for producing c:ompositiong ln accord~nce with tho proGont invention will vary slightly ~epenaing upon ~h~ liguid and vi~cos~ty-increasing agent e~ploye~l. For exomple, one proc~aoc isi; prefarably e~loyed when guar~ agar, c~r~oxyme~hylcolluloGQ, hydroxypropyl-cell~lose, ~y~roxyethylc~ 10so ~nd~or polyothyl~neoxide (hereina~er collectively referred to ~ rganic vi5C~9~ty-increasing agents"~ ~re employed~ A ~lightly ~EP 3: 'q~ PII J~E?-~ r~1C I~ -,H ~6_,-9~ P. ~_~'6-1 diffexent pr~_es~ i5 employed when fun,~d silica and/or att~pulgite 018y~ (h~oinafter collectively referred to as "miner~ oo~ity-incr-a~ing agents~'~ are e~ployed. W~en the organic vi~co-ity-incr~a~ing agents are employed, the p~ or ~e co~positi~n c~n ~ adjustod in order to control th~ rate ln which tho ~i~oo~ity of tha ~luid increases, i.e. the '~lscoslty ~uildup~ ratc. Gener~lly, if th~ pH is lowered, the ~iscoslty buildup will pro~eed at a slower ra e. A low pH is also a~van~age~us when u~ing cortain 1~ preservati~es in the co~posltlon.
The VisCOSity-increasins agen~ ls a materl~l whioh, when mixed with the liquid, increasR~ the vi5c05ity 0~ the li~uid. Preferred organic vi~cos~ty-increaslng agents for use with the present composition include gums, cellulose-S ~ad matQrials and other polymers. Preferred viscoslty-incr~a~ing agent$ o~ this typo include guar, agar, h~droxy4thylc~11ulose, carboxymet~ylcel lulose, hydroxyp~opyicellulose and polye~hyleneoxide. Preferably, ~he organic vi6cosi~y-i~creaSing agent is present in an 20 a~ount from a~out O.5 ~ight percent ~o about 10 weight perc~nt, ~nd mo~e pr~erably rom about 1 wei~ht ~ercent to a~o~t 6 w~i~ht percon~, and ~o-t pr~rably fro~ about 1.2 weight percent to ~bout 4 w-;ght porcont, ba~ed on the total composltion w~$ght.
Hydroxyetnylaellu~osn, o~rboxym~thylcolluloso and hydxoxyp~opyl~ellulo~e, a~ w~ o~h~ oollulo80-bage~
materials, are avallable fro~ Agu~lon co~pany of Wil=ington, D~l~w~s~ C~rboxycethyloell=l=~e i- d~corib~d :~ ' ~E' ~-! 9'1 ~ EF:r~ P'~ r.~ 4 ~ . 7~ 6-1 ~n a repor~ . It~ tleO. ~Aquai~n (TM) Cell~LofiQ Gum, Sodium Car~oxyl~ethylcellul~se, Ph~slcal and Ch~ical Prop~rti~6~
copyrig~t 1988, available from Aqualon Company. Hydroxy-ethylcellulo~e is des~ibed in a report en~itled "Natrosol ~M), Hydroxyethylcellulose, ~ Non-Ion~c water-so~ e ~o~ymr~r, Physiea~ a~d Chemical Properties," revised JUly 87, available ~rom Aqualon ~o~pany.
When uci~g organic viscosity-increasing agents such as hydroxy~t~ylcellulo6e, it is preferable tha~ the organio ! 10 materi~l does not inoludo a hydrolyzing retardant layer 3n lt~ sur~ace, ~ ny co~eroially available brands do. A
~y~rolyzlng retard~nt lz~y-r ei~ OWEi down the VisOOSity-increas~ng process. When ~lyc-~in i utiliz~d in the co~position; t~e pr3cess can become too Eilow ~o be practical.
The pr~ferred liquids ror use t~gether ~ith organic:
vi~co~ity-increaei~ng agents in the present co~position include water and ~lycerin. An lmportant a~vantage ~ained ~rom the use of wa~er is tnat it inc~QaSeS the rlame rotardancy of the ~omposition. An i~portant advantage gainod ~ro~ the use of glycerin is that i~ lowers tne ~reo~ing point of the li~uid. Additionally, another i~portant advantago gainod from the use of glYcerin is that lt i8 ~uch ea~ier te oo~tain within a resinous ~aakag~, 2~ ~-c~u~e glyoerin ia ~ueh lo~ lik~ly to evapor~te through the ~ lnou~ ter~ al than ~ ~ wat6~r. An additional aavantag~ ghined from the us~ o~ gly~erin with org~nic '? ~ P~' :JHEP:'~h~ ,;SH ~6~-q, ~ 4 ~ ~ ~ f,~l visc~ity-_nc aaing ag~nt is that it pro~_des a "viscosity '~ bonu~ e~fect", de~3~rib~d b~lo~,r.
When utilizing organio vif;eo6ity in~reasing agents, the glycerln ls p~eferably prc~ent in an amoun~ i~t the xange Of from ~bout 42 weighS perçent to about 74 w~tight percent bas~d on tne total ~ompo~ n, ~ore preferably in an amount from about S7 welg~t percent tc ~out 69 weight percent of the total com~osltlort. Water is prefera!:)ly present in an a~ount in the range ~ro~ about ~ ~eight percent to ~bout 8 weight percent based on tne total composition, more preferably in an a~ount from a~out wei~ht percent to about ~ weight percen~ of the tota co~tpo~:ition ~
~h~ b~havior of so~e viscosity-increasing agen~s, such lS a3 highl~ cub~titut~d car~oxy~ethylcellulose, in mixed-~tol~nt ~y~t~t~ u¢h a~ glycerin/water, is s~milar to it~
beh~v~ or in wAter alono ~oWQV-r, in mixed systems, the vlscosity of tbe ~olvent afoct~ thQ ~ cosity of the solutlon~ For ex~t~ple, if a 60:40 mixtur~ o glycerin and 20 water (~hlctl ls 10 ~im~a t ~a ~i~cou~t a~t wator alone) i~ used as the solvent, tne resul~ing Yolution ~of w~ll-di~p~trsed c~rboxymothylcellulose wlll ~ t~n ~ an ~i~aoub a~ th~t comparable solution in water alone. ~hi~ bch~io~ i~
commonly r~ferred to as the ~vlscosity bonu~ o~fcct. ~
The total li~uid aontent ln tha or~anic ~i~co~ity-incroasing agent composi~ion i~ prererably in thtt r~nge ~
from a~out 50 weight percent to about 76 welg~ pe~cent based on the totdl coDposition weigh~, and 1: =ore SED ~ 3~ d~ E~ o~ r~ H R~ 13 ~ I
pre~e~ably p_~sent in ~n ~mount ~rom about ~o weight percent ~o about 70 w~gnt percent.
Th- organ~c viscosity-ln~reasing a~ent cQnt~ining composition is preferably produced by lnl~lally mixing the s organic viscosity-increasing agent and glycerin. Thi~
~lurry can then be ~.ixed with water and the re~alnder o~
th~ ingr~dients. Preferably the mixing is accomplished ln a blonder using an emulsifier or homogenization head. As will be appraciat~d by those skilled in the art, other mixing tech~ique~ can bo ~mploy~d.
In addition to or~anio vi~co~ity-increasing agen~s, it ~5 posslble to us~ minersl visco~ity-inar~asing agents, part~cularly w~en the liguid e~ployed i~ sili~one ~il.
Preferred m1neral viscosity-incxe~ing a~ent6 includ~ ~umlad IlS silicA~ such as Cab-~-S~l ~5~, av~ ble fro~ th~ Cabot ICorp~ration o~ Tuscola, Illlnols~ and ~tt~pulgite ~lay6, s~ch as Attagell 40~ or Attag~ll 50~, both avail~ble from the Englehard corp~ration of At~apulgus, Georgia.
Advantages of using mineral viscosity-increaslng agents ~o includA: the a~ents ~an be used with glycarin or s111co~e o~l ~lonQ, wi~hout any need to e~ploy water; the oompooi~lon can b4 ~Qale~ within a resinou~ package using h~ut~ ling t-ahnigu-~ ~hich provide good cl~an seals; and thc ~atorial-, partiaularly . attapul~ite clays, are rel~t~ely ~noxpenoi~. Th~ ad~antage o~ using gl~cerin or ~ilieono oil ~lono, w~th n~ add~d water, ls that a composition i~ obtAin~d hav~ng a VQry low frsezing point and ln addition, it i~ m~ah oa~i~r to contai~ ~uch liquids ED ~ r1 -H~-F ~ F ~ rl ~cH ~ 4 ~ P '~3'b~
within a res.~ous package. Addi~ion~lly,~l~ hac ~n fDund ~hat ~ineral ~iscosity-~ncr~asing agent3, p~rticularly attapulgite clay, have relatl~ely stable ~i8¢00ity ch~racteris~ics over a wide ran~e of ~e~,peratures and ar~
no~ prone to separating durinq use.
The mineral viscosity-increasin~ agents are preferably pre6ent in an a~ount from about Z weight percen~ to about 30 weigh~ p~rc~nt, based on ~he total composition weight.
~ore prcferabl~ tho ~ noral agents com~rise fro~ about 3 l~ weight perocnt to abou~ 20 w~ight percent of the total compos~tion weight, And mo6t prof~ra~ly ~r~m about 4 wei~ht percent to about 15 weight peroent of th- total composition weight. sllicone oil or glycerin c~ploy~d in connection with ~he mineral Ylscosi~y-lncrea5in~ ~gento i~ preforably prese~t in an amount from about 2~ weight percent to about 75 weight p~rcent, ~nd ~ore pr~rera~ly in an ~mo~nt fr~
about 50 weight perc~nt to about 74 welg~t percent, based on the tota~ composition weight. When ru~ed slli~a i5 emplDyed, it is preferable to also employ a s~r~actant, .
20 ~.g. Trithan X lC0~. ~ :
When mixin~ the ~ineral viscosity-increaSing agents with ~ho glycorin or ~ilicone oil, it is p~eferable to ~ix ~ portion o~ ~ho glycorin or ~ilicone oil with the ~ineral ViSC08~ ty-~norea~ing agont~ to ~orn an initia~ slurry and 2~ then ~d~ the root o~ the ~atorial~. ~h~ mixing can be accomplish~d using A blend~r wi~h an e~ul~ er or a ~omogenizati~n he~d. Alternati~ly, all o~ tho ~aterials ~y oe tlxec together ~t cnce.
~E~ 9~ E, -rf~ r~ r _ ,I .H ~ 3~
All ~f t,. e vi~aoaity-incr~a6ing agen~ of the present in~vent1on have the i:npos-t~nt characteY~iLtic o~ incre~sirsg ~e viscoslty or a rlui~, while still pe~it~ ing th- ~luid to flow. $he typical compositic~r~ of Ohe prese:nt inv~ntic~r~
is flowable and does not have total r~emory. In other words~ once deforned, it Wil~ not alw~ys return 40 it~
- ori~inal shape. However, some co~posltions ln accordclnce with the present invention can exhibit a smal~. aegree ~f gel strensth. ~rhe gel stru~ture can be broken merely by lo applying ~ small but suf~icient force.
The compositions o the presen~ invention are non-~wtonian, because their ~iscosities ch~nge when the shear rate change~. In ~ther words, the ratio of shear rate ~flow) to ~h4ar ~trQ~ ~f~rce) is not constant. The 15 compositio~ ar~ typi~al~y either ~seudo~lastic or t~ixotropic. A p6~udoplac~ic co~np~çitLon is one which I a~pears to h~ve n yield ~tre~o b4yond whi~h flow commence~
I an~ lncrea~es sh~rply with an in~r~a~ in stress, In ¦ practicè, the composition~ exhibit ~low at all she1r stresses, although the rati~ of ~low to ~O~OG inarQa~Qs negligibly untll t~e ~orce exceed~ the ~pparen~ yield str-ss. The ~low rate or a thixotropic sub~t~nco increa6~s with increasing duration of agltatlo~ as well ~ with increased shear stress. In otner words~ the fl~w rate i~
2S ti.me dep~ndent. When agitatio~ is stopp~d, lnternal she~r ~tross ean exhibit hysteresis. Upon re-agitatlon, l~s~
force is generally required to creat~ a gl~en rlow than is re~uired ~or tho first agitatior. ~he ~act t~at e~e pres~nt ~,E~ a: ?~ p~ -,hE'~ i, PI;lcS,~ 8~3~ 9; D -'~
material~ fl~ more readily ~he~ highel shear stress is . ~ appliod is advantageous in a nu~er o~ applications.
Iho partiele~ preferably employed in the pr~sent inventio~ aro proft~rably ~pheeical and hollow to lessen their dcn~ity and light~n th~ overall welght of the flow~ble, pre~ure-compen~ating composlt'on, or, if desired, can ~e ~olid or cellular. ~xpandable mie-obe~ds, as aescribed in U.~. Patcnt ~o~. 4,243,754, 4,108,928, and ~,038,76Z can al~o be e~ploy~d.
~he spherlsa~ pa~tlcles may be made fro~ A nu~ber of suitabl~ materials inclu~ln~ ror example silica gl~, ~aran poly~er, phenolic resln an~ c~r~on. ~et~iled descriptions o~ suitable spherical particles can ~e ~ound in the flowable, pre~sure-compensa~ing ma~e~ia~ patents, des~rib2d hereinabove. Glass beads are preferred ln cartain applications because of their relatively low cost.
Wh~n hi~h~r bead ~trength is desired, p~enolic resin or carbon headn ar~ pre~erxed.
~hon used in co~poSitionS where a low total weight is de~irQd, th~ ~pherical particles are pre~erably within the ~ize rangu of from about 1~ micrometers to about 300 ~icxometer~ in diamot~r. Thta dcn~ity o~ sphoerical particles can be, ~or ex~mple, ~rom about 0.05 to a~out 0.1~ grams p~r cubic centim~ter. Mor~ pAetiaularly, glacc ~pherical Z~ par~icles prefer~bly h~v~ ~ d~n~ity of fro~ about 0.23 gram~ per cubic Gentim~or to ~bout 0.3? g~m~ por oubic centlreter and phenollc r~-1D ~pherlce.l par~olo~
?~ 2~ E5-t ~l P~ h ''5-~ 1 h 1 3 i 4 ~) ~ P - - r~
prQfe_abl;~ h, e a density of about 0-1~ gra3~s per cu~ic --~ contim~ter .
~ pe~oific ~xamplec of ~uit~bl~2 ~pherical ~article~
include "3~ GlAss Bubble~ avai;ablQ fro~a 3~, st. ~aul, 5 Minnesot:s~ ~Ind "Microballo~n~`' availablo from Union carbide Specialty C:her~ als Di~i~ion, Danbury, Cc~nnooticut.
~ .e spher cal p~rticl.e~ are prefe~ably pre6an~ in an a~nount ~ro~o a~out ~. 01 to abou1; 32 weignt perccnt ba~ed on the total compositlon welght, and mo;re prof~rably in An 10 a~ount from about 15 to about 31 wei~ht percent and ~;till more preferably in amount from about zs welght percent t~
a~out 3 0 weight percent .
The spherical particles o~ the present co~posltion ~erform at least two important ftnctions. Pirst, the size, 15 shape and qu~ntity of the spherical particles lnfluense the ~!lo~t characteristics of the composition. Therefore, a co~poGit~ on can b~. tailored to have the de~ired flow cha~aatorlctic~ by selecting the appropriate Size, s~ape and amount o~ 1?art;iol~c~ se~c~nd, because of particle-to-20 pnrticle oo~tact, ~h~a 6phQrical parti~le~ can enhance ~he distribution of lo~dG plao~d on floxible packa~es cont~ining ~he pre~sent composition.
Another advantage o~ pheria~l particle6 smployod in the p~esent invention i:~ that they por~nit ~ deg~ee of 25 weig~t ~ont3: ol . ~or example, in ~Qst Appl icc~tions ~ ~ho co~po1itlon ShOUl~ waigh a~ llttle As poasi~7le. In ~uch instan~es, llg~twe~gnt nollow pa~ticles are pre:f~2r~ed, in o~er to lcwer tne overall ~ensl~y or l:he comp~sition.
E~ ?-- _'4: ' 3r ~ r~ cs~ ' H 6 t-~7r~ J P, '~
However, in Jma applioations a heavie. Compositicn i~
--~~ desircd. Exa~ple~ ~ cuch ~pplication~ include wei~ht belts to be ~tr~pped ~round part~ o~ a p~r~on'~ bc~dy (~.g., wrisi and Anlcle weights) ~nd padding devio~: wh-3ro it 15 5 ~esirea that the de~ice ' s own wei--ht hold it firmly ~ n place. When heavy ~o~positions a~e desired, solid p~rt~ale6 , co~prising dense ~aterlals are pr~erred. In auch ', applications, partic~es greater tnan 300 micrometer~ in diameter can be used effectively.
; 10 When e~ployed in padding device6, the rlame-res~stan~
flowable, pre~sure-co~pen6ating ~o~position is generally enclosed within ~ flexible, p~otectiv~ enclosure with a pre-deter~ined ~olu~e of the ~o~position retained therein.
Preferably, the enclosure is formed of sui~able flexible ~terial and des~rab}y is a pliab~e, thermoplastic, r~sinous ~ilm that can be heat-se~lQd after the composition i~ in~ort~d th~rowithin. Because o~ their rela~ively low ooot and do~irabl~ strength and flexibility chnracteri~i4s~ polyur~thanq and polyvinylchloride 120 ~terlAls ~re preferred for u6e a6 tho ~nolo~uro fil~.
IThe ~omposi~i~n i~ initi~ distribut~d ~ubc~antially ~uniror~ly throughout thc confine~ o~ th~ enclo~ur~, whic~
¦18 provi~ed by 5eAling (e.g., he~t ~e~ling) the film along the ~a~glnal e~ges. ~ de~ired, one c~n choosc to he~t seal t~e p~otectlvQ nclosure rOr tho aompo~it~Gn, ~ut 1eAVe a s~all vent opening ~nd ~ small rilling port, that a pr~det~rmined volume Or ~ne ~lowakle c~mpasition may be injected into the enclosurc t~rougn thc rllllng port, -,E~ P~ E~-r~ oc~ C~ `CH ,~ 3-9'9~ F 25 followed by ._a~ 6~aling bo~h the vent ~peninq and the -- filling port. Alternatively~ the oo~po~ition ~y ba placed on one sheet, a second ~hee~ m~y be pl~oed o~er tho co~positlon, and ~he outer edges se~led. A~ ~an ~e appreciated, lnternal sealing l~nes can a~so b~ formed to compart~entali2e the oompositlon wl~ln the enclosure.
One o~ the advantages of Using mineral vls~oslty-~ncreasing agents such as fu~ed silica tJr attapulgite clays as the Visc06ity-increasing agent~ is that the sealability of the film ~aC~age is im~roved. When Using cellulose based materials as th~ viscosity-increasinq age~t, su~h as hydroxyethyl~-llulost~, the corposition may ~plate-out" and conta~ina~ th~ coal.
~he d~ired fihal vi~006ity o~ ~he c~mpo~ltion can be sel~cted to ~uit ~ wide vari~ty of application~. S~
~pplic~ti~n~ requiro high ~i~c~ity oompo~i~ion~ and oth~rs rcqulre composit~ ons o~ mu~h lower vi~ccsity. For uoe in pa~d~ng ~evlces, vlscosities ln the range ~f ~o~ ~bout 30,000 centipoiSe to a~out 1,~0~,~00 centipolse are preferred. ~en the viscosity exceeds 1,O00,000 centlpolse, the compositi~n is often so viscous that it is dif~icult to ~ix and striation of the Co~pOsitiOh may o~ur.
In compositions containing water, the viscosity is g-nerally ~rovid~d by hydro~en bondins betwQen water and . .
2s the viscosity-~ncreas~nq a~ents. Thi~ hydrogen bonding is sufficient to k~ep th~ spherical particl~s disper~ed thr~ughout the compo.~ition. In prior art materials, su~h ilioonc gel disclosed in IJ. S . P~tent N~ . 4, 3UC, 569, . .F!' ~HE~-r~ c~ C"_~ :3~ ' F. ~6~
cros~-linkin~ reaotion~ wer~ b~lieved ne~ ~ preYent ~~` the microbe~d~ from flo~ing out.
In a prererred e~bodi~c~t of t~e pr~sent inv~ntion, steps can be taken ln order t~ prevent ~iorobiologioal attack and ~he~cai ~egradatlon Or the prcsent campositions. For exampl~, radiation s~erillzatlon can be perfor~ed. Preferably, ~he co~position is s~ected to radiation such as x-ray radiatlon or g~mma radiation in order to destroy microorganis~s present in the co~position~
An advantage of radiation treat~ent is that it can be per~orm~d ~fter the co~position has been ~laced in a paakag~, cuch a~ ~twee~ pliable sheets of re~inous ~t~ri~l .
An alt~rn~;~e meth~d u~ful ih preventing l~ m~crobiJl~ioal ~ttack i~ t~e use of a heat ~t~rilization step. For example, a padding de~ic~ c~p~ising the present composltion placea ln a polyvinylchlorid~ p~ck~ge e~n be heated to about 180F ~or ~ore than about 30 minutes, pre~erably between about 30 ana 45 ~lnutes. Preferably, this ~ethod i& employed in an autoclave hav$ng a nltrogen atmosphere.
Alte~natively, preservatives can be added to the co~po~ition in orae~ to preYent ~icrobiologic~l attack ~nd chemical de~radation. Exa~ple~ o. suitable preservatiYes as include ~ormaldQhyd-, ~ethyl- and proPYl~araben~ phenol, ~henylm~rcuri~ s-lts, sodium beh~oat~ sodium propionate, ~orbia acid a~d sr:~bates ~sodiuID and potassium salts).
Additi~nal~y~ proprlotary pr-~-rv~t~v~e suoh as ~usan 1lm1, -,EP ~ ''F~ r=lh~ r~ --H -~ ~9~~ P ' 54 ~5 availa~l~ rom Bu~knan Labcratory, Dowicide A and Dowicil 75, ~oO availabl~ fro~ Ihe D~w Chemical comPany, ~roxcl GX~ ~nd CR~ aval~able from ICI ~m~ri~a~ Ina., Merbac 35 and Te~tnm~ 38 availabl~ ~ro~ Me~c~Calg~n Corporation, Tnlmerosal a~ailable fro~ Eli hilly ~nd Co~pany and Vancide TH available from R.~. ~anderbilt Co.~ Ino. c~n be ~sed.
In order to ~unct~on properly, cert~in pre~er~tives (e.g. ben~oates and sorba~es) ~equire a low pH, i.e., acidic, environment. ~his can be ac~ieved ~y ad~lng an a~id, e.g. citric acid to the composition. cltrlc an~/or other desirable ac~d is added in an a~oun4 ~u~ficient to lower the pH ~o a range o~ about pH 4 to about pH 6 and pre~erably a~out pH 4.S to about p~ 5.5. In cer~ain instanoes, sUc~ ~s when ~ilica glass particles are smploy4d, the silica will raise tne ~ of the ~yst~.
~h~ro~or~ r~ acid is g~nQrally nece~sary to ach;e~e th~
d~slr-d p~ rango than for a comp~sition not havin~ ~ilica p~rtlaleo. Pr~fora~ly fro~ a~out 0.1 ~eight percent to ~bout 0.5 ~eight perc~t b~n~oat~ or ~or~ate i5 included in tho pre~ent co~po~ition~ baoed on tho total compositi~n welght.
In accordance with ~he p~es~nt in~ention, ~ proce66 ~or pro~uclng t~Q slllcone oil- ~s ~lyccrine-oont~ining composltionR ls provide~. A prererred ~mb~di~nt o~ the proCess include~ an lnltlal st~p or producin~ two slurrlc~.
For Qxa~ple~ ~ first slurry Or a mln~ral ~iscosl~y-increasing agQn~ and silicone 0~ 1 or glycerin or a rlrst slurry of organia viscosity-inCreasir.g agent an~ sllicone -,E-~ 3 ~ HE, ~ ~4~ 0~ J~
oil or ~lyc~rin c~n be providod. .. socond slurry, com~rlsing ~Dore l~quid, e . g. glycerin and~or wator or ~ilicone ~il, an~ ~he spherlcal particles, is then p~ovided~ Additi~es such as acld, preservative5 ~nd f' ~me 5 retardants can also be mixed With tn~s seco~ slurry. At the apPropri~te time, the two slurries are m1xe~ togetller.
Alternatively, all the componerlts may be mixed together at one time. Mixing can take place in ~echanical mixers suCh a~ bl~ders a~raila~le from L ightnin and Waring.
10 Alternativaly, ç:tatic mixing devices such as those av~ilable ~ro~ Ch~mix and f ro~n Lightr~in can be used .
A~; exp;~ined hereini~eforG ~ it oan be ad~rantageous to lower the p}l of t:he composition~ to a rang~ of about pH ~
to a~out p~ 6. One reason Eor thi~ i8 ~hat th~ ~ato oÇ
15 visceglty bUlldUp is slowe~ ~t lower pH ~ ~ for organic viscoeit~-increasing a~ents. T~is provide~ ~ greater amount of time ~or working wlth tne co~position be~ore i~
~ully sets up. For example, when the co~posltlon is placed in an enclosure, it is advantageous if tne composltlon maintains a low viscosity ~or a period of time to ~llow ~ts in~ertion into thQ en~losure. The viscosity buildup rate ¢an also b~ $10WQa by usin~ a low temperature liguid andJor by tho uce o~ che~ical retardant~. AlternativelY, excess w~tor oan initially ba e~played to lowar the vlscosity.
~S A~ter th4 oompoeLtion i~ placQ~ in th~ enclosu~e, exce~g w~t~r a~n ba allowod t~ avaporate un~il the desired vl~ao~ity is attair~d.
_EP r1: ql ~ Pî~ ~h~ Hrl~Fl-lss~ 6~-q,~ ? 6~1 Exa~ ~131~5 ~
r~ Compositions wAra prepar-d containing th~ ~ollo~ing matQrial~:
5 ~~Ç~ MAterial.
3 9 AttApulgito Clay ~AttAg~
~0~ bl~ ~ot~
Englehard Corporation) 58.1 Glycerln 1028 . O Spher~cal particles (~37 designation ~or Glas$
Bubbles available ~ro~ 3~) . o Bicarbonate of Soda (~aHCo3) ~ ' ' 1~ 2~UAl Wo~al~2ound~;l 3 . 4 Glyc~rin o. 2 Attapulgit~ ~la~
1.7 ~phc-r~aAl parti41Qs (El-37 fo:~ GlaG~ B~blo~ from ~
200 . 6 ~$cnY~bon~ of 80da (Na~CO3) ~lternatively, epsoDI ~alt (Mq904- 7~120) ~n b~
subotltuted ~or b~ ca~2: onate o~ sod~ in tho cbo~o composiSions. Both o~ these ~orm-llatlons 5urvived ;n air aspir~ted butane torc2~ me ror 2 o secondc without 25 burr.ing. BCth ~:ompositions selr-ex~ngulshe~.
~lrp !-~' 'IJ ~ ''F'~ SHE~-r!P~ r!S~ cH ,3F?-4'~
Co~pr~ltion No.
~5~ Ma~eria 7~ 8ilicon~ 4il (FLaOO fro~
Dow Corning ~orpor~tion) ~ph~oal pArtiale~ (B-37 r~r Glass ~ubbl~ ~r~ 3ff~
.,., :
If desired, a fla~e retardant an~/or a viscosity-increasing ~aterial, preferably a ~ine~al vlscoslty-increasing material, can be include~ in Co~position 3. ~:
10~ile Yarious e~bodiments of the p~esent im ention ha~a been described in detail, it is apparent that ~odifications and adaptations of th~se embodim~nts will : . :
occ~r to th~e skilled in the art. However, it is to be :
expr~cly ur.derstood that such modifications and ~5 Adap~ation~ ar~ within thQ spirit a~d scope of th~ presentinvent$on.
Claims (63)
1. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition, comprising:
a) a liquid;
b) substantially spherical particles having a diameter of less than about 300 micrometers; and c) a flame retardant.
a) a liquid;
b) substantially spherical particles having a diameter of less than about 300 micrometers; and c) a flame retardant.
2. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said substantially spherical particles are present in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
3. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said liquid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glycerin, silicone oil and mixtures thereof.
4. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, wherein said liquid is present in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
5. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 4, wherein said liquid is present in an amount from about 50 weight percent to about 74 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
6. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, further comprising a material for increasing the viscosity of said liquid.
7. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 6, wherein said material is an organic viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of gums, cellulose-based materials, soluble oxide polymers and mixtures thereof.
8. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 7, wherein said organic viscosity-increasing material is selected from the group consisting of guar, agar, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethyleneoxide, and mixtures thereof.
9. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 7, wherein said organic viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
10. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 9, wherein said organic viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 6 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
11. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 10, wherein said organic viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from about 1.2 weight percent to about 4 weight percent based on the total compensation weight.
12. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 6, wherein said material is a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, attapulgite clays and mixtures thereof.
13. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 12, wherein said mineral viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from 2 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
14. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 13, wherein said mineral viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from 3 weight percent to about 20 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
15. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 14, wherein said mineral viscosity-increasing material is present in an amount from 4 weight percent to about 15 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
16. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, wherein said flame retardant is capable of producing a non-flammable gas when heated.
17. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 16, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof.
18. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 17, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
19. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 17, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 10 weight percent to about 25 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
20. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 17, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 20 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
21. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof.
22. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 21, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
23. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 21, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 7 weight percent to about 8 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
24. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1 further comprising an outer enclosure for containing said composition, wherein said enclosure is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl- and polyurethane-based materials.
25. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, wherein said composition has been treated to kill microorganisms contained therein.
26. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 1, wherein said liquid comprises wax and oil.
27. A pressure-composition as recited in Claim 26, wherein:
a) said wax is present in an amount from about 40 weight percent to about 69.3 weight percent; and b) said oil is present in an amount from about 1.7 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) said wax is present in an amount from about 40 weight percent to about 69.3 weight percent; and b) said oil is present in an amount from about 1.7 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
28. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition, comprising:
a) a liquid comprising a material selected from the group consisting of glycerin, silicon oil and mixtures thereof in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
b) a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica and attapulgite clay and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) a liquid comprising a material selected from the group consisting of glycerin, silicon oil and mixtures thereof in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
b) a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica and attapulgite clay and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
29. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 28, further comprising substantially spherical particles in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
30. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition, comprising:
a) a liquid comprising water and an alcohol selected from the group consisting of dihydric alcohols and trihydric alcohols;
b) an organic viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of gums, cellulose-based materials, soluble oxide polymers and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
wherein said alcohol is present in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent based on the total composition weight and said water is present in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) a liquid comprising water and an alcohol selected from the group consisting of dihydric alcohols and trihydric alcohols;
b) an organic viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of gums, cellulose-based materials, soluble oxide polymers and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
wherein said alcohol is present in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent based on the total composition weight and said water is present in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
31. A pressure-compensating as recited in Claims 30, wherein said organic viscosity-increasing material is selected from the group consisting of guar, agar, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethyleneoxide, and mixtures thereof.
32. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 30, further comprising substantially spherical particles having a diameter of less than about 300 micrometers.
33. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 30, wherein said water is present in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 6 weight percent and said alcohol is glycerin and is present in an amount from about 57 weight percent to about 69 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
34. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition, comprising:
a) wax;
b) oil; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixture thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) wax;
b) oil; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixture thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
35. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 34, wherein said wax is present in an amount from about 40 weight percent to about 69.3 weight percent based on the total composition weight and said oil is present in an amount from about 1.7 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
36. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 34, further comprising substantially spherical particles in an amount less than about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
37. A padding device comprising a flexible enclosure and a flowable, pressure-compensating composition substantially filling said enclosure, said flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising:
a) a liquid;
b) an organic viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of guar, agar, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethyleneoxide, and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixture thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) a liquid;
b) an organic viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of guar, agar, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethyleneoxide, and mixtures thereof, in an amount from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixture thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
38. A padding device as recited in Claim 37, wherein said liquid comprises:
a) glycerin in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and b) water in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent.
a) glycerin in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and b) water in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent.
39. A padding device as recited in Claim 37, wherein said pressure-compensating composition further comprises substantially spherical particles in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight;
40. A padding device as recited in Claim 37, wherein said liquid comprises:
a) an alcohol selected from the group consisting of dihydric alcohols, trihydric alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent; and b) water in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) an alcohol selected from the group consisting of dihydric alcohols, trihydric alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount from about 42 weight percent to about 74 weight percent; and b) water in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 8 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
41. A padding device comprising a flexible enclosure and a flowable, pressure-compensating composition substantially filling said enclosure, said flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising:
a) a liquid;
b) a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica and attapulgite clay, in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
a) a liquid;
b) a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica and attapulgite clay, in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight; and c) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof, wherein said flame retardant is present in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
42. A padding device as recited in Claim 41, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate of soda and epsom salt and mixtures thereof.
43. A padding device as recited in Claim 41, wherein said liquid comprises glycerin in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
44. A padding device as recited in Claim 41, wherein said liquid comprises an alcohol selected from the group consisting of dihydric alcohols, trihydric alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
45. A padding device as recited in Claim 41, wherein said liquid comprises silicon oil in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
46. A padding device as recited in Claim 41, wherein said pressure-compensating composition further comprises substantially spherical particles in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
47. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising:
a) silicon oil; and b) substantially spherical particles having a diameter of less than about 300 micrometers.
a) silicon oil; and b) substantially spherical particles having a diameter of less than about 300 micrometers.
48. A flowable, pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 47, wherein said silicon oil is present in an amount from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent and said substantially spherical particles are present in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
49. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 47, further comprising a material for increasing the viscosity of the silicon oil.
50. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 49, where in said material is a mineral viscosity-increasing material selected form the group consisting of fumed silica, attapulgite clays and mixtures thereof.
51. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 47, further comprising a flame retardant.
52. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 51, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt and mixtures thereof.
53. A pressure-compensating composition as recited in Claim 47, further comprising an outer enclosure for containing said composition, wherein said enclosure is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl- and polyurethane-based materials.
54. A pressure compensating composition as recited in Claim 47, wherein said composition has been treated to kill microorganisms contained therein.
55. A padding device comprising a flexible enclosure and a flowable pressure-compensating composition substantially filling said enclosure, said flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising:
a) a liquid comprising silicone oil;
b) substantially spherical particles; and c) a mineral viscosity-increasing material.
a) a liquid comprising silicone oil;
b) substantially spherical particles; and c) a mineral viscosity-increasing material.
56. A padding device as recited in Claim 55, wherein said mineral viscosity-increasing material is selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, attapulgite clay and mixtures thereof.
57. A padding device as recited in Claim 55, further comprising a flame retardant.
58. A padding device as recited in Claim 57, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt, and mixtures thereof.
59. A padding device comprising a flexible enclosure and a flowable pressure-compensating composition substantially filling said enclosure, said flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising:
a) a liquid comprising silicone oil; and b) a flame retardant.
a) a liquid comprising silicone oil; and b) a flame retardant.
60. A padding device as recited in Claim 59, wherein said flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of boric oxide, borax, boric acid, bicarbonate of soda, epsom salt, and mixtures thereof.
61. A padding device as recited in Claim 59, further comprising a viscosity increasing material.
62. A padding device as recited in Claim 59, further comprising a mineral viscosity increasing material selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, attapulgite clay and mixtures thereof.
63. A padding device as recited in Claim 59, wherein said pressure-compensating composition further comprises substantially spherical particles in an amount from about 15 weight percent to about 31 weight percent based on the total composition weight.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US844,518 | 1992-03-02 | ||
| US07/844,518 US5204154A (en) | 1989-09-21 | 1992-03-02 | Flowable, pressure-compensating material and process for producing same |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2131457A1 true CA2131457A1 (en) | 1993-09-03 |
Family
ID=25292941
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002131457A Abandoned CA2131457A1 (en) | 1992-03-02 | 1993-01-12 | Flowable, pressure-compensating material and process for producing same |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5204154A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2131457A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993017859A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5407481A (en) * | 1989-09-21 | 1995-04-18 | Alden Laboratories, Inc. | Flowable, pressure-compensating materials |
| US5362543A (en) * | 1993-02-23 | 1994-11-08 | Jay Medical, Ltd. | Pressure-compensating compositions and pads made therefrom |
| US5881409A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1999-03-16 | Teksource, Ll | Puff-quilted bladders for containing flowable cushioning medium |
| US5421874A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-06-06 | Genesis Composites, L.C. | Composite microsphere and lubricant mixture |
| US5592706A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1997-01-14 | Teksource, Lc | Cushioning device formed from separate reshapable cells |
| WO1996028057A1 (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 1996-09-19 | Gel Sciences, Inc. | Conforming shoe construction using gels and method of making the same |
| WO1996031433A1 (en) * | 1995-04-06 | 1996-10-10 | Alden Laboratories, Inc. | Hand, wrist and/or lower arm support pad and assemblies |
| US5869164A (en) | 1995-11-08 | 1999-02-09 | Rik Medical Llc | Pressure-compensating compositions and pads made therefrom |
| US5749111A (en) * | 1996-02-14 | 1998-05-12 | Teksource, Lc | Gelatinous cushions with buckling columns |
| US5711029A (en) * | 1996-06-21 | 1998-01-27 | Visco; Raymond D. | Protective apparatus for dispersing pressure applied at a joint |
| US5933891A (en) * | 1998-04-24 | 1999-08-10 | Invacare Corporation | Wheelchair seating system including trapezoidally sectioned fluid bag |
| GB2342857A (en) * | 1998-10-20 | 2000-04-26 | James Arthur Hill | Viscous fluid filled seat cushion |
| US6835763B2 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2004-12-28 | I-Tek, Inc. | Lightweight material for protective pads, cushions, supports or the like and method |
| US6648535B2 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2003-11-18 | Daniel A. Ferrara, Jr. | Cushioning element |
| US6583199B2 (en) | 2001-10-03 | 2003-06-24 | I-Tek, Inc. | Lightweight composite material for protective pads, cushions, supports or the like and method |
| US6756426B2 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2004-06-29 | I-Tek, Inc. | Lightweight composite material for protective pads, cushions, supports or the like and method |
| US7247263B2 (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2007-07-24 | Itc Minerals & Chemicals | Fire-barrier composition |
| EP2011818B1 (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2013-11-06 | Armacell Enterprise GmbH & Co. KG | Foamed thermoplastic product exhibiting superior fire properties |
| US8075981B2 (en) | 2007-08-23 | 2011-12-13 | Edizone, Llc | Alternating pattern gel cushioning elements and related methods |
| US8434748B1 (en) | 2007-10-03 | 2013-05-07 | Edizone, Llc | Cushions comprising gel springs |
| US8424137B1 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2013-04-23 | Edizone, Llc | Ribbed gel |
| US8628067B2 (en) | 2008-10-03 | 2014-01-14 | Edizone, Llc | Cushions comprising core structures and related methods |
| US8932692B2 (en) | 2008-10-03 | 2015-01-13 | Edizone, Llc | Cushions comprising deformable members and related methods |
| EP2949812A1 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-12-02 | Jokiel & Ullmann Consulting GbR | Mixture for preparing an impregnation liquor for the impregnation of papers and nonwoven hybrid fabrics |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2885360A (en) * | 1951-09-08 | 1959-05-05 | Minerals & Chemicals Corp Of A | Clay bodied organic liquids and a process for the preparation thereof |
| US3308491A (en) * | 1965-12-22 | 1967-03-14 | Stryker Corp | Cushion structure |
| US3402411A (en) * | 1966-01-12 | 1968-09-24 | Hanson Alden Wade | Process for making boots, sports equipment and hats |
| US3548420A (en) * | 1967-03-06 | 1970-12-22 | Stryker Corp | Cushion structure |
| US3449844A (en) * | 1967-05-05 | 1969-06-17 | Spenco Corp | Protective inner sole |
| US3635849A (en) * | 1969-09-08 | 1972-01-18 | University Patents Inc | Polyisobutylene paraffin wax and oil blends |
| US3663973A (en) * | 1970-12-16 | 1972-05-23 | Stryker Corp | Cushion structure |
| US3810265A (en) * | 1971-08-04 | 1974-05-14 | Castleman C | Viscosity control additive for water beds and other aqueous-filled furniture |
| US3862044A (en) * | 1972-03-29 | 1975-01-21 | Texaco Inc | Secondary recovery composition comprising water, hydrocarbon solvent and colloidal silica |
| US4038762A (en) * | 1976-03-02 | 1977-08-02 | Hanson Industries Inc. | Viscous, flowable, pressure-compensating fitting materials and their use, including their use in boots |
| US4108928A (en) * | 1976-03-02 | 1978-08-22 | Hanson Industries Inc. | Method of producing a viscous flowable pressure-compensating fitting composition from hollow thermoplastic microblends with the use of high frequency heating and dispensing the composition into a sealable, flexible, protective enclosure means |
| US4019209A (en) * | 1976-04-22 | 1977-04-26 | Spenco Medical Corporation | Artificial breast form and method of forming |
| US4144658A (en) * | 1976-09-16 | 1979-03-20 | Hanson Industries Inc. | Viscous, flowable, pressure-compensating fitting materials and their use, including their use in boots |
| US4083127A (en) * | 1977-03-17 | 1978-04-11 | Hanson Industries Incorporated | Adjustable, pressure-compensating, custom fitting pads having predetermined amount of fitting material and their use in boots |
| US4229546A (en) * | 1978-07-27 | 1980-10-21 | Hanson Industries Incorporated | Viscous, flowable, pressure-compensating fitting compositions having therein both glass and resinous microbeads |
| US4243754A (en) * | 1978-09-05 | 1981-01-06 | Hanson Industries Incorporated | Viscous, flowable, pressure-compensating fitting compositions |
| DE3103564A1 (en) * | 1981-02-03 | 1982-08-26 | Bayer Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | GEL UPHOLSTERY, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION AND USE THEREOF |
| US4380569A (en) * | 1981-08-03 | 1983-04-19 | Spenco Medical Corporation | Lightweight preformed stable gel structures and method of forming |
| US4668564A (en) * | 1985-12-26 | 1987-05-26 | Spenco Medical Corporation | Hydrogel materials for hot and cold therapy and method for forming same |
| US4793402A (en) * | 1986-04-08 | 1988-12-27 | Kubota Tekko Kabushiki Kaisha | Heat storage composition, latent heat storage capsules containing said heat-storage composition and temperature control apparatus using said capsules |
-
1992
- 1992-03-02 US US07/844,518 patent/US5204154A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1993
- 1993-01-12 WO PCT/US1993/000236 patent/WO1993017859A1/en active Application Filing
- 1993-01-12 CA CA002131457A patent/CA2131457A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5204154A (en) | 1993-04-20 |
| WO1993017859A1 (en) | 1993-09-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |