Water-permeable polymer-treated cane reeds for wind instruments

A method for treating the natural cane reed used in woodwind musical instruments, comprising contacting said reed with a polymer treatment liquid, wherein said reed absorbs at least one-third of the amount of polymer absorbed by an equivalent untreated reed contacted with said liquid for 10 hr at 22° C. and 1 atmosphere pressure, said amount of polymer being based upon the percentage increase in dry weight of said reed, and wherein said reed remains substantially water-permeable, yet is rendered resistant to degradation by saliva.

A method for treating the natural cane reed used in woodwind musical instruments, comprising the steps of:

• providing a non-toxic waterborne polymer treatment liquid, contacting at least the proximal portion of said reed with said liquid, wherein at least 1% by weight of polymer is delivered into said reed, based upon the percentage increase in dry weight of that portion of said reed contacted by said liquid, ceasing contact between said reed and said liquid, removing said liquid from the surface of said reed, and allowing the polymer components within said reed to dry or cure and become water-insoluble, wherein said reed remains substantially water-permeable, yet is rendered resistant to degradation by saliva.

A polymer-impregnated natural cane reed for a musical instrument, wherein at least the proximal portion of said reed has been impregnated by a liquid comprising a non-toxic polymeric material that is water-insoluble upon drying or curing within said reed, and wherein the impregnated portion of said reed is at least 25% as permeable to water as an identical portion of an equivalent untreated reed, yet is resistant to degradation by saliva.

A polymer-impregnated natural cane reed for a musical instrument, wherein at least the proximal portion of said reed has been impregnated by a liquid comprising a non-toxic polymeric material that is water-insoluble upon drying or curing within said reed, and wherein the impregnated portion of said reed contains at least 1% by weight of said polymer material, based upon the percentage increase in dry weight of said impregnated portion, and wherein said impregnated portion remains substantially water-permeable, yet said impregnated portion is resistant to degradation by saliva.