Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for making an article with shape-memory properties comprising the steps of heating a composition comprising at least one block copolymer, said composition characterized by at least two thermal transition temperatures, one of said transition temperatures being a predetermined lower transition temperature in the range of 20°C to 62°C, the other of said transition temperatures being an upper transition temperature above 62°C, said composition further characterized by the physical properties of a polymer selected from the group consisting of rigid, crystalline polymers and rigid, glassy polymers, below said predetermined lower transition temperature and the physical properties of a flexible, rubbery polymer at and above said predetermined lower transition temperature but below said upper transition temperature, to a temperature above said upper transition temperature, orienting said composition under stress into a first configuration, cooling said composition to below said predetermined lower transition temperature while said composition is in said first configuration, and cold forming said composition into a second configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said composition is in the dry state at below said predetermined lower transition temperature in which said composition is characterized by the physical properties of a polymer selected from the group consisting of rigid, crystalline polymers and rigid, glassy polymers, and said composition is in the hydrated state at above said predetermined lower transition temperature to 62°C in which said composition is characterized by the physical properties of a flexible, rubbery polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, styreneacrylonitrile copolymers, polyhydroxylethers, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethers, nitrocellulose, cellulose derivatives and polystyrene.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
35 words
A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said block copolymer is selected from the group consisting of block copolymers having a polyester block, block copolymers having a polyether block, and polyurethane/ ureas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to Claim 4, wherein said block copolymer comprises a polyester-polyether.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to Claim 4, wherein said block copolymer comprises polyester urethane and said plasticizer comprises phenoxy resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to Claim 4, wherein said block copolymer comprises a polyester-polyether and said plasticizer comprises phenoxy resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to Claim 7, wherein said composition comprises 30 to 70 weight percent of said phenoxy resin and 70 to 30 weight percent of said polyester-ether.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined transition temperature is at about body temperature and said first configuration is a catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined transition temperature is at about body temperature and said first configuration is a drug-release device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined transition temperature is at about body temperature and said first configuration is a thermal indicator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined glass transition temperature is in the range of from 10°C above body temperature to 62°C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toy or component of a toy with shape-memory properties made by the method of Claim 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
A toy component according to Claim 13 comprising doll hair.