Patent US5578119A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5578119A
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US
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Moldable sculpting medium
Assignee: Microsome
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1996-11-26
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A sculpting medium is provided comprising a filler of polymeric microspheres and optionally, a fibrous filler, a thixotropic hydrogel binder and water, all blended in a proportion such that the color of the medium is due primarily to the color(s) of the polymeric medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Short
- 👤 E. Glenn Tickner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:35
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44C; B44C3/00; B44C3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A colored water-based moldable sculpting medium comprising: a filler comprising permanently colored polymeric microspheres, a thixotropic hydrogel binder; and blended in a proportion that the color of said medium is primarily due to colors of the polymeric microspheres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
A colored water-based moldable sculpting medium comprising: a filler comprising permanently colored polymeric microspheres, a thixotropic hydrogel binder; and blended in a proportion that the color of said medium is primarily due to colors of the polymeric microspheres.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 1 wherein said binder is colorless.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 1 wherein said microspheres are hollow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein said microspheres are composed of a material selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, silicates, polyacrylics, polyamines, polyesters, an epoxy, or mixtures of two or more thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein at least some of said microspheres have the colors magenta, cyan or yellow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein at least some of said microspheres are white or black.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein said microspheres possess a mean diameter in the range of 50 to 600 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein said microspheres have a monocore gas interior.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein said microspheres have a multicore gas interior.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein said thixotropic hydrogel is sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or a mixture of the two.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 3 wherein at least some of said microspheres have the colors red, blue or yellow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 1 further comprising a fibrous filler comprising no more than 10% by volume of said medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 12 wherein said fibrous filler is a cellulose derivative, polyester, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, alone or in combination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium according to claim 1 comprising: ______________________________________
Polymeric microspheres
10-50% by weight
Thixotropic hydrogel 3-10%
Fibrous ancillary filler
0-10%
Humectant 0-10%
Preservative 0-2%
Water 60-80%.
______________________________________
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A medium according to claim 14 wherein said microspheres comprise hollow polymeric microspheres.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium according to claim 15 wherein said hollow polymeric microspheres comprise 10 to 25% by weight of said medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A medium according to claim 14 wherein said microspheres comprise solid polymeric microspheres.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium according to claim 17 wherein said solid polymeric microspheres comprise 30 to 50% by weight of said medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medium according to claim 1 wherein said hydrogel binder comprises sodium carbomethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, or a combination thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 19 further comprising an ancillary fibrous filler comprising no more than 10% by volume of said composition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sculpting medium according to claim 20 wherein said filler is a cellulosic derivative polyester, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, alone or in combination.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sculpting medium according to claim 1 wherein said hydrogel binder is also colored.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |