Controlled gas release from a melt processable compatible polymer blend
AssigneesMicroactive Corp., Southwest Research Institute
InventorsStephen T. Wellinghoff, Joel J. Kampa, Douglas P. Hanson, Michael John Finnegan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates generally to compatible polymer blends that can be extruded or injection molded into films or other objects that will generate and release a gas such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or chlorine dioxide upon contact with moisture.
Claims27
A compatible polymer blend for retarding bacterial, fungal and viral contamination and mold growth comprising:
- anions capable of reacting with hydronium ions to generate a gas;
- a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 100° C.;
- and
- either a hydrophobic polymer and an acid releasing agent, or an acid releasing hydrophobic polymer,
- the compatible polymer blend being substantially free of water and capable of generating and releasing the gas upon hydration of the acid releasing agent or the acid releasing hydrophobic polymer.
A compatible polymer blend for retarding bacterial, fungal and viral contamination and mold growth comprising:
- anions capable of reacting with hydronium ions to generate a gas;
- a hydrophilic polymer having the structure:
- wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
- R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
- and wherein n is an integer which provides the polymer with a molecular weight of less than about 100,000 daltons;
- and
- either a hydrophobic polymer and an acid releasing agent, or an acid releasing hydrophobic polymer,
- the compatible polymer blend being substantially free of water and capable of generating and releasing the gas upon hydration of the acid releasing agent or the acid releasing hydrophobic polymer.
A process for preparing a compatible polymer blend having a melt temperature less than about 150° C., the process comprising:
- forming a mixture or slurry of a liquid, anions capable of reacting with hydronium ions to generate a gas, and a hydrophilic polyoxazoline polymer of the general formula:
- wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
- R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
- and wherein n is an integer which provides the polymer with a molecular weight of less than about 100,000 daltons;
- removing the liquid to form a glass;
- and
- melt blending the glass with either a hydrophobic polymer and an acid releasing agent, or an acid releasing hydrophobic polymer to form the compatible polymer blend.
A process for preparing a compatible polymer blend having a melt temperature less than about 150° C., the process comprising:
- providing a mixture comprising anions capable of reacting with hydronium ions to generate a gas, a hydrophilic polyoxazoline polymer and either a hydrophobic polymer and an acid releasing agent, or an acid releasing hydrophobic polymer;
- melt processing the mixture to form the compatible polymer blend,
- wherein the hydrophilic polyoxazoline polymer has the formula:
- wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
- R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
- and wherein n is an integer which provides the polymer with a molecular weight of less than about 100,000 daltons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.