Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of forming a semi-solid shaped article which method comprises (a) forming a mixture comprising (i) a monomeric alicyclic or aliphatic polyhydroxy compound having at least one hydroxy group per 4 carbon atoms, with (ii) a polymeric polyhydroxy compound which is insoluble in said monomeric polyhydroxy compound at room temperatures, but is soluble therein at elevated temperatures (b) forming the shaped article from said mixture (c) heated the shaped article to a temperature at which the polymeric polyhydroxy compound dissolves in the monomeric polyhydroxy compound, (d) and cooling the shaped article while maintaining the shape thereof steps (a) and (b) being effected at a temperature insufficient to dissolve the polymeric polyhydroxy compound in the monomeric polyhydroxy compound.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of forming a semi-solid shaped article which method comprises (a) forming a mixture comprising (i) a monomeric alicyclic or aliphatic polyhydroxy compound having at least one hydroxy group per 4 carbon atoms, with (ii) a polymeric polyhydroxy compound which is insoluble in said monomeric polyhydroxy compound at room temperatures, but is soluble therein at elevated temperatures (b) forming the shaped article from said mixture (c) heated the shaped article to a temperature at which the polymeric polyhydroxy compound dissolves in the monomeric polyhydroxy compound, (d) and cooling the shaped article while maintaining the shape thereof steps (a) and (b) being effected at a temperature insufficient to dissolve the polymeric polyhydroxy compound in the monomeric polyhydroxy compound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the polymeric polyhydroxy compound is present in relation to the monomeric polyhydroxy compound in the ratio 0.5:99.5 to 20:80 by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the monomeric compound is an aliphatic compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monomeric compound has at least 1 hydroxy group for each 3 carbon atoms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monomeric polyhydroxy compound comprises a polymer containing not more than five recurring units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monomeric polyhydroxy compound contains atoms other than carbon hydrogen and oxygen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymeric polyhydroxy compound contains at least one hydroxy group per aliphatic carbon atom, or per ring-carbon atom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the polymeric polyhydroxy compound is capable of absorbing water or an ionic solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that at least one agent for subsequent release to the surroundings is incorporated in said mixture or in said shaped article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monomeric polyhydroxy compound is a glycol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the glycol is ethylene glycol, propane diol, or butane diol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the monomeric polyhydroxy compound is glycerol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the polymeric polyhydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of guar and ethers or esters thereof, pectine and ethers or esters thereof and cellulose ethers and esters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the shaped article is heated in step (c) to a temperature of 100°-170° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 in which said heating is to 110° to 150° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the heating is to 120°-145° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the mixture comprises glycerol, xanthane, and hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the mixture comprises glycerol and hydroxypropyl guar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A slow release element comprising a semisolid article produced by the method of claim 9.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A slow release element as claimed in claim 19 which is hydrophilic and translucent.