Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in a reversible thermometer is disclosed which comprises a thermally responsive material capable of being supercooled at least for several minutes, and subject to a change in state from a solid to a liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature; means for visually observing the change in state; and a matrix forming material comprising an amorphous organic compound, the matrix forming material being insoluble in the thermally responsive material; whereby the thermally responsive material is dispersed within the matrix forcing material, the composition of matter being reversibly responsive to changes in temperature, and remaining in the liquid state for a time sufficient to permit a user of the composition to observe the change in state. The preferred matrix forming material is polyisobutylene, and the preferred thermally responsive material is a solid solution of ortho-chloronitrobenzene and ortho-bromonitrobenzene.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in a reversible thermometer is disclosed which comprises a thermally responsive material capable of being supercooled at least for several minutes, and subject to a change in state from a solid to a liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature; means for visually observing the change in state; and a matrix forming material comprising an amorphous organic compound, the matrix forming material being insoluble in the thermally responsive material; whereby the thermally responsive material is dispersed within the matrix forming material, the composition of matter being reversibly responsive to changes in temperature, and remaining in the liquid state for a time sufficient to permit a user of the composition to observe the change in state. The preferred matrix forming material is polyisobutylene, and the preferred thermally responsive material is a solid solution of ortho-chloronitrobenzene and ortho-bromonitrobenzene.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in a reversible thermometer is disclosed which comprises a thermally responsive material capable of being supercooled at least for several minutes, and subject to a change in state from a solid to a liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature; means for visually observing the change in state; and a matrix forming material comprising an amorphous organic compound, the matrix forming material being insoluble in the thermally responsive material; whereby the thermally responsive material is dispersed within the matrix forming material, the composition of matter being reversibly responsive to changes in temperature, and remaining in the liquid state for a time sufficient to permit a user of the composition to observe the change in state. The preferred matrix forming material is polyisobutylene, and the preferred thermally responsive material is a solid solution of ortho-chloronitrobenzene and ortho-bromonitrobenzene.

Abstract: A remote sterilization indicator is described. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need to visually inspect the indicator.

Abstract: A new and useful particulate magnesium phosphate product (MGP) and method of use therefor are disclosed for removing ammonia from aqueous solutions, e.g., recirculating dialysate solutions and intragastrointestinal fluids as may result from the hydrolysis of urea. This particulate magnesium phosphate product (MGP) acts as a remarkably effective scavenger wherein under equilibrium conditions only about six (6) grams of the novel product are required to bind the ammonia (more exactly, ammonium ions) liberated from one (1) gram of the urea, a result far superior to traditional zirconium phosphate (ZP) prior art materials which under ideal conditions require about 17-20 grams of ZP per gram of urea. The novel particulate magnesium phosphate product can be exploited in one embodiment as a replacement for the older ZP materials used to remove ammonia produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea in recirculating dialysis systems utilizing disposable cartridges.

Abstract: A slip resistant article such as an underpad comprises a moisture-absorbent layer and a water-impervious layer. One surface of the water-impervious layer is in contact with a mattress seat of a wheelchair and the like articles, and is treated with a material which has a high coefficient of friction to prevent the pad from slipping or sliding out of position relative to the surface of such articles when the patient moves about.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for protecting thermolabile goods from degradation or destruction from high temperatures by surrounding the goods with a compound having a melting point about 3.degree. to about 5.degree. C. lower than the thermosensitive temperature of the goods and a heat capacity sufficient to protect the goods when the temperature of the environment exceeds the temperature of the goods. A representative compound is sodium sulfate decahydrate also known as Glauber's salt. In a preferred embodiment, the compound prior to use is melted, absorbed in a bibulous material, and then sealed in a plastic bag. In still another preferred embodiment, the method surrounds the compound with a layer of outer insulation which is adjacent to the outside container, which is made of cardboard, paper, and/or wood.

Abstract: A new and useful composition of matter, solid at room temperature, is disclosed, comprising: (1) an effective amount of a suitable nucleating agent substantially uniformly dispersed in (2) a suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive for encapsulating a temperature-sensitive solid mixture having a given nucleation efficiency and which melts at a predetermined temperature, whereby the suitable nucleating agent is (a) inert to both the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the temperature-sensitive solid mixture, and (b) capable of raising the nucleation efficiency of said solid mixture. The novel composition of matter overcomes the extreme super-cooling achieved by temperature-indicating compositions of matter in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552 (which change color with a change in phase) without the use of classical nucleating agents being employed in such temperature-indicating compositions of matter.

Abstract: Novel and stable compositions of matter are disclosed which change color sharply upon a transition from a liquid state to a solid state or from a solid state to a liquid state, which change of state is at substantially a predetermined temperature corresponding to a temperature to be measured.The constituents of the novel compositions of matter comprise:1. a solvent (I) consisting of a single substance or a mixture of substances and adapted to change from a solid state at substantially a predetermined temperature to a liquid state and2. an indicator system (II) consisting of one or more substances different from (I), characterized in that(a) (II) is soluble in (I) when the latter is in the liquid phase, and(b) (II) changes color visible to the naked eye when (I) passes from the solid to the liquid phase or from the liquid to the solid phase.Thermometers containing said stable compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and useful all plastic disposable thermometer is disclosed, which dispenses with the prior art employment of an aluminum or other metal-based substrate. The novel thermometer can either be employed with opaque indicator means or with heat-sensitive compositions of matter that change color with a change in phase, such as those enumerated in copending application Ser. No. 946,935, filed Sept. 28, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552.

Abstract: A novel temperature indicating device is disclosed comprising: (a) a flat or gradually curved heat-conducting carrier having one or more cavities, each substantially filled with a novel composition of matter (NTICM), as described herein; or in the alternative, with (1) a `classical` composition of matter which changes from opaque to transparent upon a corresponding change from solid to liquid on top of an (2) indicator means located at the bottom of the cavity; said composition of matter, whether novel or not, being substantially without impurities and containing a substantially spherical void space between the bottom of the cavity; and (b) a transparent cover sheet means in sealing engagement with the heat conducting carrier means overlying and above the cavity, which spherical void space acts to magnify the color change if the novel compositions of matter are present or the presence of an indicator means upon melting of the `classical` compositions of matter in the cavity.

Abstract: A new and useful composition of matter is disclosed, having one utility for use in a disposable, reversible thermometer. The novel composition of matter comprises (1) a suitable heat-sensitive composition (for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552); (2) a suitable matrix-forming amorphous material; and (3) a suitable film-forming material that is more crystalline than the matrix-forming amorphous compound. Preferably, the composition also contains a solubilizing compound.

Abstract: Novel and stable compositions of matter are disclosed which change color sharply upon a transition from a liquid state to a solid state or from a solid state to a liquid state, which change of state is at substantially a predetermined temperature corresponding to a temperature to be measured.The constituents of the novel compositions of matter comprise:1. a solvent (I) consisting of a single substance or a mixture of substances and adapted to change from a solid state at substantially a predetermined temperature to a liquid state and2. an indicator system (II) consisting of one or more substances different from (I), characterized in that(a) (II) is soluble in (I) when the latter is in the liquid phase, and(b) (II) changes color visible to the naked eye when (I) passes from the solid to the liquid phase or from the liquid to the solid phase.Thermometers containing said stable compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pouch for containing the gas generating means in a Time-Temperature Indicator which comprises a rate controlling film formed into a sealed pouch having contained therein a frangible ampule containing the gas generating means, said ampule being enclosed in a porous medium, said medium containing an indicator composition responsive to the gas generated by the gas generating means, so as to indicate a color change thereby making the user aware that the gas ampule has been broken.

Abstract: Temperature time integrating indicator device in which a gas generating material located at one end of the device and activated at time of use of the device is absorbed by an indicating wick extending in the device in a direction away from the gas source, which wick changes color to denote a time-temperature integral and hence the temperature history of a product, there being a gas barrier means extending along the longitudinal sides of the wick for inhibiting gas transport to insure that substantially all gas absorbed by the wick makes first contact with the wick at the end nearest the gas source thus precluding first gas contact with the wick at more remote location with consequent erroneous temperature history indication.