Meltable color changeable indicators with organic polymer cores and methods of making such meltable indicators and composites thereof
AssigneeSensor International, LLC
InventorsGregory L. Heacock, Andrew Mills
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Color changeable indicator particles having a meltable, particulate organic core, and at least one color changeable indicator coated on the particulate organic core. Color changeable indicator particles can be incorporated into composite polymer materials while maintaining the efficacy and stability of the indicator. The indicators provide simple, reliable, and cost effective detection means for detecting ammonia and carbon dioxide, and may find use in applications such as food packaging and medical applications.
Claims41
A method of producing color changeable indicator particles comprising:
- providing at least one particulate organic polymer having a melting between about 25° C. and about 200° C.;
- combining the polymer with at least one color changeable indicator;
- adding a solvent and forming a dissolved solution;
- and
- evaporating the solvent to produce a dry powder comprising particles with an organic polymer core.
A method of producing a color changeable polymeric composite comprising:
- coating organic polymer particles having a melting point between about 25° C. and about 200° C. with at least one color changeable indicator to form color changeable indicator particles;
- combining the color changeable indicator particles with a second organic polymer having a melting point between about 25° C. and about 200° C. to form a combined powder;
- and
- extruding the combined powder.
A color changeable indicator particle comprising:
- a particulate organic core comprising a core polymer having a melting point below about 200° C.;
- and
- at least one color changeable indicator coated on the polymer.
A color changeable polymeric composite comprising:
- at least one organic polymer;
- and
- at least one color changeable indicator substantially homogeneously dispersed within the polymer
- wherein the polymeric composite has a melting point between about 25° C. and about 200° C.
An apparatus comprising:
- a disposable, limited, or restricted use device;
- and
- a color changeable polymeric composite comprising
- at least one organic polymer and
- at least one color changeable indicator substantially homogeneously dispersed within the polymer
- wherein the polymeric composite has a melting point between about 25° C. and about 200° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.