# US 2017/0254802 A1 · Universal Solvent Indicating System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0254802 A1 - Document ID: US20170254802A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/589,727 - Filed: 2017-05-08 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-20 - Assignees: Brady Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Brady Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew Kasper; Michael Labelle; Nicholas Krogman; Bethany Grillo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254802A1 ## CPC - G01N 33/525: {Multi-layer analytical elements} - G01N 31/22: using chemical indicators (G01N31/02 takes precedence) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A saturation indication system includes a sorbent body with a film backing being irreversibly bonded to the sorbent body. A universal indicating ink formulation is at least partially coated onto the film backing such that the ink formulation is disposed between the film backing and the sorbent body. The universal indicating ink formulation includes a resin and a dye dispersed in the resin. The dye is configured to indicate a state of saturation of the sorbent body, with the resin and the dye being soluble in a plurality of categories of sorbates consisting of hydrophobic sorbates, hydrophilic sorbates, neutral sorbates, and amphiphilic sorbates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A saturation indication system comprising: a sorbent body having an upper surface and a lower surface and being configured to absorb a sorbate; a film backing being irreversibly bonded to the lower surface of the sorbent body; and a universal indicating ink formulation partially coated onto the film backing such that the universal indicating ink formulation is disposed between the film backing and the sorbent body, the universal indicating ink formulation including: a resin, a dye dispersed in the resin, the dye is configured to indicate a state of saturation of the sorbent body, wherein the resin and the dye are soluble in a plurality of categories of sorbates consisting of hydrophobic sorbates, hydrophilic sorbates, neutral sorbates, and amphiphilic sorbates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the dye is stationary within the resin before the sorbate saturates the resin of the universal indicating ink formulation, wherein the dye disperses into the sorbent body after the sorbate saturates the resin, and wherein dispersion of the dye is indicative that the resin has been contacted by the sorbate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the sorbent body is a meltblown polypropylene sorbent pad and the film is a spunbond polypropylene film integrated into the meltblown polypropylene sorbent pad. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The saturation indication system of claim 3, wherein the spunbond polypropylene film is integrated into the meltblown polypropylene sorbent pad by bonding them together via ultrasonic welding. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, further comprising a covering ply coupled to one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the sorbent body, opposite the film backing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The saturation indication system of claim 5, wherein the covering ply is a spunbond polypropylene layer ultrasonically welded to the upper surface of the sorbent body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, further comprising a nonskid film coupled to the film backing, opposite the sorbent body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The saturation indication system of claim 7, wherein the nonskid film provides a non-permeable barrier inhibiting transport of the sorbate through the non-permeable barrier. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the film backing is irreversibly bonded to the lower surface of the sorbent body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The saturation indication system of claim 9, wherein the film backing covers a portion of a surface area of the lower surface of the sorbent body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the resin is made of at least one of acrylic, polyesters, rubbers, latexes, silicones, and styrene copolymers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the dye is at least one of anthracene, azo, anthraquinone, pyrazolone, and quinine dye. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the resin is opaque. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the sorbent body forms an opaque layer disposed above the universal indicating ink formulation and configured to conceal the universal indicating ink formulation before the dye is dispersed into the sorbent body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The saturation indication system of claim 1, wherein the universal indicating ink formulation contains 20 parts dye, 10 parts resin, 68.4 parts solvent, and 1.6 parts additive. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The saturation indication system of claim 15, wherein: the 20 parts dye includes 10 parts Red 2214 (Acid Red 1) and 10 parts Red 7335 (Solvent Red 24); the resin includes a styrene acrylic copolymer; the 68.4 parts of solvent includes 34.2 parts n-butyl acetate and 34.2 parts toluene; and the 1.6 parts additive is a hydroxyl functional carboxylic acid ester.