Patent US6732735B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6732735B1
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US
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Reticulated coatings
Assignee: Ranier Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-11-26
•
Granted: 2004-05-11
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Expires: 2018-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a reticulated coating on a substrate includes providing an agglomerate dispersion of a first polymer in a polar liquid carrier on a surface of the substrate, and evaporating the liquid carrier to form the coating.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Snell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:04
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D175/00; C09D175/04; A; A61; A61B; A61B42/00; A61B42/10; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L17/00; A61L17/14; A61L17/145; A61L27/00; A61L27/28; A61L27/34; A61L29/00; A61L29/08; A61L29/085; A61L31/00; A61L31/08; A61L31/10; C08; C08L; C08L7/00; C08L75/00; C08L75/04; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2476; C08L1/00; C08L25/00; C08L25/02; C08L25/04; C08L25/06; C08L33/00; C08L33/04; C08L33/06; C08L33/10; C08L33/12; C08L39/00; C08L39/04; C08L39/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/917; Y10S128/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of forming a reticulated coating on a substrate, comprising: forming an agglomerate dispersion of a pre-formed first polymer in a polar liquid carriers; applying the agglomerate dispersion to the surface of the substrate; and evaporating the polar liquid carrier to form the reticulated coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of forming a reticulated coating on a substrate, comprising: forming an agglomerate dispersion of a pre-formed first polymer in a polar liquid carriers; applying the agglomerate dispersion to the surface of the substrate; and evaporating the polar liquid carrier to form the reticulated coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reticulated coating is adapted to render the surface of the substrate substantially tack-free or anti-blocking when dry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reticulated coating is substantially free of substances capable of causing undesirable allergic hypersensitivity reactions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reticulated coating has a minimum Ra value of at least 0.5 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the reticulated coating has an Ra value in the range of 0.5-100 μm, preferably 1-50 μm, more preferably, 2-25 μm and most preferably about 5 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reticulated coating is also lubricious, preferably having a low coefficient of friction when wet or dry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion is applied to the surface of the substrate by spraying or dipping.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion is formed from a colloidal dispersion of the first polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the colloidal dispersion is an aqueous dispersion containing micelles of the first polymer component having an average particle size in the range of 0.1-100 nm, preferably 1-75 nm, and most preferably about 50 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion is formed in the presence of an electrolyte, preferably a metal salt or an ammonium salt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion is formed by vigorous agitation of a mixture of the first polymer and the polar liquid carrier in the presence of a surfactant and/or an electrolyte.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion is formed in the presence of a surfactant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the average size of the particles in the agglomerate dispersion is in the range of 0.1-100 μm, preferably 0.5-25 μm, and most preferably 1-15 μm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated particles of the first polymer are substantially evenly dispersed in the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first polymer is capable of forming a substantially stable solution with the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the substantially stable solution is a colloidal solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the first polymer is capable of forming micelles in the polar liquid carrier, ideally having an average particle size in the range of 0.1-100 nm, preferably 1-75 nm, and most preferably about 50 nm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first polymer comprises a thermoplastic, a thermosetting resin or an elastomer, preferably a polyurethane or a natural rubber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the polar liquid carrier is an aqueous liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the substrate is substantially smooth or non-reticulated, prior to application of the coating.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the surface of the substrate has an Ra value of less than 0.5 μm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion further comprises a second polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the second polymer is capable of interacting with the polar liquid carrier in such a way that the first polymer is induced to form an agglomerate dispersion in the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the second polymer forms an intimate network with the polar liquid carrier, thereby reducing the ability of the polar liquid carrier to interact with the first polymer and causing the first polymer to form an agglomerate dispersion in the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the second polymer has at least one polar group capable of interacting with the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the second polymer has a plurality of polar groups capable of solvation by the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the polar liquid carrier solvates or forms solvation spheres with the second polymer in preference to the first polymer, thereby causing the first polymer to form an agglomerate dispersion in the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the first polymer is initially present in the form of micelles and the second polymer causes the micelles to aggregate, thereby forming an agglomerate dispersion of the first polymer in the polar liquid carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as claimed in any one of claim 22 , wherein the polar liquid carrier is aqueous and is capable of hydrogen bonding with polar groups on the second polymer, such that the ability of the polar liquid carrier to hydrogen bond with polar groups on micelles of the first polymer is reduced, thereby causing the micelles to aggregate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in any one of claim 22 , wherein the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(N-vinyl caprolactam), hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and mixtures thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of washing the coated substrate to remove unwanted residues.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion comprises a second polymer and the washing step removes substantially all of the second polymer from the coating.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the second polymer comprises hydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the agglomerate dispersion comprises a second polymer and the second polymer is substantially undissolved by the washing step, remaining present in the coating.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the second polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a third polymer to the surface of the substrate, prior to providing the surface with the agglomerate dispersion of the first polymer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the third polymer forms a tie-coating, to improve adherence of the agglomerate dispersion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the first and the third polymers comprise the same thermoplastic, thermosetting resin or elastomer, preferably a polyurethane or a natural rubber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the third polymer is applied to the surface of the substrate in solution or suspension.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the surface of the substrate is dried before being provided with the agglomerate dispersion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 40 , wherein the surface of the substrate is dried at a temperature of 15-150° C. for a period of 1-60 minutes, preferably at 50-100° C. for 1-30 minutes, and most preferably at about 80° C. for about 5-10 minutes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a surfactant to the coated surface of the substrate, preferably one comprising a silicone or an organosiloxane polymer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
A reticulated coating obtainable by a method as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of preparing a film article having a reticulated coating, which comprises the steps of providing a dipping former of the article, dipping the former into a solution of a polymeric material to form the film article, and forming a reticulated coating on a surface of the film article by a method as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 44 , wherein the film article is a condom or a glove.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
A film article obtainable by a method as claimed in claim 44 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article having a reticulated coating formed by providing an agglomerate dispersion of a pre-formed first polymer in a polar liquid carrier on a surface of the substrate, and evaporating the liquid carrier to form the coating.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article having a reticulated coating formed by providing an agglomerate dispersion of a pre-formed first polymer in a polar liquid carrier on a surface of the substrate, and evaporating the liquid carrier to form the coating.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
An article as claimed in claim 47 , wherein the coating has a reticulated component particle size of 1-25 μm and an R a value of 1-10 μm, preferably a reticulated component particle size of 2-12 μm and an R a value of about 5 μm.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article as claimed in claim 47 , being a condom, a medical glove, a wound dressing, a cathether, an angioplasty balloon, a stent, a valve, or a surgical suture.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
A condom or a medical glove having a reticulated coating formed from an agglomerate dispersion of polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyurethane and hydroxyethylcellulose, in aqueous solution.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
A condom or a medical glove having a reticulated coating formed from an agglomerate dispersion of polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyurethane and hydroxyethylcellulose, in aqueous solution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-11 | 2007-11-10 | 2008-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-11 | 2011-11-10 | 2012-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-11 | 2015-11-10 | 2016-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |