Color change nipple
AssigneeSafety 1st, Inc.
InventorsMichael I. Lerner, Michael S. Bernstein, James D. Hammer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wear indicator for a latex product having an underlying latex structure comprises an outer layer positioned over the latex structure. The outer layer comprises latex having a particulate filler for establishing pores in the layer and a soluble colorant that leaches out of the pores. The leaching of colorant is simulative of wear of the latex product since leaching of the colorant occurs through degrading environmental exposure.
Claims33
An indicator for a latex product having an underlying latex structure that indicates use cycles based upon progressive exposure to a solvent environment, the indicator comprising:
- an outer layer positioned over the latex structure, the outer layer comprising latex having a particulate filler for establishing pores in the layer, and a soluble colorant dispersed in the layer that leaches out of the pores upon exposure to the solvent, whereby leaching of soluble colorant out of the pores causes a color change that indicates progressive exposure to the solvent simulative of environmental degradation.
A method of indicating environmental exposure simulative of wear in a latex product comprising the steps of:
- providing a latex structure having an overlying indicating layer of latex including pores therein;
- providing a colorant in the indicating layer that leaches out of the pores upon environmental exposure over a predetermined period of exposure;
- and monitoring color change in the indicating layer in response to colorant leaching.
A method of constructing an indicator that displays progressive exposure to a solvent environment, simulative of a wear due to such exposure, in a latex product comprising:
- providing a latex structure;
- and
- applying an outer layer over the structure, the outer layer comprising latex having a particulate filler for establishing pores in the layer and a soluble colorant that leaches out of the pores upon exposure to the solvent.
A nipple that indicates progressive exposure to a solvent environment, simulative of wear, comprising:
- a nipple structure constructed of a pliable nipple material;
- and
- an indicating layer located on at least a part of the nipple structure, the indicating layer comprising a pliable nipple material having chemical characteristics similar to those of latex and including a particulate filler for establishing pores in the indicating layer and a soluble colorant that leaches out of the pores progressively upon exposure to the solvent environment.
A method of indicating progressive environmental exposure, simulative of wear, in a flexible, rubber-like, article having chemical characteristics similar to those of latex exposed to a solvent environment comprising:
- providing a flexible, rubber-like, material base structure;
- providing an indicating layer constructed of the flexible, rubber-like, material over at least a portion of the flexible, rubber-like, material base structure, including providing a particulate filler for forming pores in the indicating layer;
- providing soluble colorant in the indicating layer that leaches out of the pores upon exposure to the solvent environment over a predetermined period of exposure;
- and
- monitoring color change in the indicating layer in response to colorant leaching.
A flexible, rubber-like article that indicates progressive exposure to a solvent environment, simulative of wear, comprising:
- a flexible, rubber-like, material base structure;
- and
- an indicating layer constructed of the flexible, rubber-like, material having chemical characteristics similar to those of latex located on at least a part of the flexible, rubber-like, material base structure, the indicating layer including a particulate filler for establishing pores in the indicating layer and a soluble colorant that leaches out of the pores progressively upon exposure to the solvent environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.