Gels exhibiting reversible opacity change
AssigneeSpectra Systems Corporation
InventorJeffrey L. Conroy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described are aqueous solutions of materials that can be formed into mechanically robust gels that exhibit reversible LCST behavior. The use of a curable crosslinking agent beneficially allows the LCST materials to be processed as solutions. Since the LCST material is a solution, the incorporation of additional components, including surfactants, which modify the LCST transition point is also facilitated. Finally, the blending of other formulation components, such as, but not limited to, optical brighteners, dyes, surfactants, and other components is greatly facilitated by the low viscosity nature of the solution.
Claims38
A Lower Critical Solution Temperature LCST formulation comprising:
- an aqueous solution of a material exhibiting LCST behavior;
- a water dispersable crosslinking agent;
- and,
- a crosslinking initiator.
A multi-layered structure comprised of a LCST formulation comprising:
- an aqueous solution of a material exhibiting LCST behavior
- a water dispersable crosslinking agent, and,
- a crosslinking initiator;
- said LCST formulation being disposed adjacent to at least one supporting layer.
A method for forming a gel comprising:
- preparing a starting solution comprised of an aqueous solution of a material exhibiting LCST behavior, a water dispersable crosslinking agent, a crosslinking initiator;
- and, curing said starting solution to form a gel having Lower Critical Solution Temperature properties.
A structure comprised of a LCST formulation comprising:
- an aqueous solution of a material exhibiting LCST behavior,
- a water dispersable crosslinking agent, and,
- a crosslinking initiator;
- wherein
- said structure has information recorded thereon,
- said structure is disposed upon an object, and,
- said information is read for sorting purposes.
A mail piece with a structure applied to said mail piece wherein:
- said structure has information recorded thereon;
- and,
- said information is read for sorting purposes;
- said structure being comprised of:
- an aqueous solution of a material exhibiting LCST behavior;
- a water dispersable crosslinking agent;
- and,
- a crosslinking initiator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.