Solid-walled Microcapsule From Synthetic Polymer Patents (Class 428/402.21)
  • Patent number: 7279121
    Abstract: A microcapsule is produced by dispersing a liquid organic dispersion in an aqueous medium to form a capsule particle in the aqueous medium, the liquid organic dispersion containing an acid group-containing resin, a colored particle and an organic solvent, and the capsule particle comprising a disperse system containing the liquid organic dispersion, and a wall encapsulating the disperse system, wherein the acid group of the resin has been at least partly neutralized with an alkanolamine. The wall comprises the resin, and the resin may be crosslinked or cured with a crosslinking agent. Moreover, the process may comprise crosslinking or curing the resin constituting the wall with the crosslinking agent, and further crosslinking or curing the residual crosslinking agent with a polyfunctional compound. Such a process can produce a microcapsule has a small and uniform particle size while encapsulating a disperse system dispersed a colored particle in an oil phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7264875
    Abstract: A microcapsule encapsulating a disperse system is produced by preparing a liquid organic dispersion containing a resin whose acid group has been neutralized, a colored particle, and an organic solvent; dispersing the liquid organic dispersion in an aqueous medium to produce a capsule particle in the aqueous medium, the capsule particle comprising a disperse system in which the colored particle is dispersed in the organic solvent, and a wall encapsulating the disperse system; and separating the capsule particle from the aqueous medium for dryness. The liquid organic dispersion may comprise, as an organic solvent, a hydrophobic organic solvent and a polar solvent dissolving the resin constituting the wall and being miscible to the aqueous medium. The wall of the capsule particle may be crosslinked or cured with a crosslinking agent. The microcapsule is utilized for an image display device in which the colored particle is electrophoretically movable in the oil phase by a potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Mitsuru Furomoto
  • Patent number: 7241497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-component fiber having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof. The multi-component fiber comprises a fiber body formed from a plurality of elongated members, at least one of the elongated members comprising a temperature regulating material dispersed therein. The temperature regulating material comprises a phase change material. The multi-component fiber may be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and may be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber may be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Outlast Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Monte C. Magill, Mark H. Hartmann, Jeffrey S. Haggard
  • Patent number: 7235196
    Abstract: A method for producing a display capsule includes the following steps. A multichromal bead having at least two surfaces differing from each other in optical and electrical characteristics is formed. A dispersing agent on an outer surface of the multichromal bead is applied, preferably via spray coating. The multichromal bead is then encapsulated. The invention is also directed to a method for producing multichromal capsules. A multichromal bead having at least two surfaces differing from each other in optical and electrical characteristics and further includes a charge control additive. A dispersing agent is applied on an outer surface of the multichromal bead to prevent diffusion of the charge control additive from the multichromal bead. The multichromal bead is encapsulated at an encapsulation reaction temperature greater than 40° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Enright, San-Ming Yang, Ahmed Alzamly, Naveen Chopra, Man C. Tam
  • Patent number: 7226961
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermochromic golf ball with a one- or multi-piece structure, which comprises a thermochromic compound. The thermochromic golf ball reversibly changes between two different color states with temperature. The thermochromic golf ball may be white when it is warmed to higher than a thermochromic temperature point, but shows a characteristic color when it is cooled to lower than the point. In a two-piece or three-piece ball, the thermochromic compound is present in either the outer cover or a transparent coat applied to the cover. The thermochromic pigment changes color when a critical point temperature is reached, thereby alerting the golfer that the current temperature of the golf ball may have power performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Fantom Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Hwan Park, Kyung Jung Kang, Gwang Hee Lee, Jung Gyu Moon, Chun Bae Ryu
  • Patent number: 7220785
    Abstract: This invention provides a mounting method for reliably connecting mounting components electrically. Specifically, an anisotropically conductive adhesive can be composed of crushable microcapsules and a second liquid in which the microcapsules are dispersed. Each microcapsule encloses a first liquid and a conductive particle. The first liquid can react with the second liquid at normal temperatures to cure the second liquid. This anisotropically conductive adhesive can be applied on a flexible printed circuit (FPC). Then, a drive IC is mounted and pressed on the FPC to crush the microcapsules between electrode pads provided on the drive IC and electrode pads provided on the FPC, thereby bonding the electrode pads. Subsequently, the anisotropically conductive adhesive is heated to plasticize a capsule wall of each microcapsule, thereby bonding the drive IC and the FPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Saito
  • Patent number: 7192993
    Abstract: A liquid self-healing coating, incorporating microcapsules filled with tailored repair formulations, repairs itself upon physical compromise after curing. In one embodiment, a commercially available paint primer is mixed with a pre-specified amount of these microcapsules. After the coating has cured on the substrate to which it is applied, any physical compromise of the cured coating results in the microcapsules bursting to release a liquid that fills and seals the compromised volume of the coating. In applications where paint is used to provide corrosion protection, the liquid contains anti-corrosion material as well as suitable diluents and film-forming compounds. In another embodiment, the microcapsules may be provided separately to enhance commercially available products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Srinivasan Sarangapani, Ashok Kumar, Curtis Thies, Larry D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7179490
    Abstract: A method of spherifying a sustained release ionic conjugate which contains a free carboxyl group-containing biodegradable polymer and a free amino group-containing drug which are ionically bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Francis Xavier Ignatious, Thomas Ciaran Loughman, Shalaby Wahba Shalaby, Franck Jean-Claude Touraud
  • Patent number: 7166355
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microcapsules with latent heat storage materials as capsule cores on gypsum plasterboards, gypsum plasterboards containing the same and a method for production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ekkehard Jahns, Hans-Jurgen Denu, Joachim Pakusch, Horst Seibert, Marco Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7153894
    Abstract: The invention relates phase-separated compositions comprising two miscible solvents. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions comprising liquid droplets of an internal phase comprising a solvent B and further compounds, said droplets being dispersed in an external phase comprising solvent A, wherein solvent A and solvent B are miscible. Such compositions find use in various technical fields, including encapsulation, vectorisation, protection of compounds, separations, and chemical reactions in a dispersed medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Rhodia Chimie
    Inventors: Mathieu Joanicot, Galder Cristobal, Maria Ruela Talingting, Jean-Francois Berret
  • Patent number: 7147915
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a microcapsule which can effectively and easily achieve: the prevention and adjustment of the bleeding-out of the encapsulated liquid substance from the capsule shell; and the enhancement and adjustment of the physical strength of the microcapsule; and to further provide a sheet and an electrophoretic display, both of which involve using the above microcapsules. As means of achieving these objects, the microcapsule according to the present invention is a microcapsule comprising a shell and a liquid substance that is encapsulated in the shell, with the microcapsule being characterized in that the shell contains fine particles having particle diameters of not larger than 1 ?m. And the sheet according to the present invention comprises the microcapsules according to the present invention and a binder resin or comprises the microcapsules according to the present invention and a base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kawai, Kazuhiro Anan, Makoto Matsumoto, Mitsuo Kushino
  • Patent number: 7122503
    Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved process for preparing a population of microcapsules having a substantially uniform size distribution, especially useful for manufacture of carbonless paper. The improved process teaches use of membrane material having a pre-selected pore size in the capsule manufacture process. A core material is provided along with a receiving solution for receiving the core material. The receiving solution is a nonsolvent for the core material. The core material is passed under pressure through the membrane into a moving or turbulent receiving solution forming uniform droplets of core material dispersed in the receiving solution. Wall-forming material is added to the receiving solution for coating the core material droplets. The coating on the droplets is polymerized forming microcapsules. This novel process also lends itself to microcapsule formation in a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Ronald Seehafer, George Arthur Stahler
  • Patent number: 7118921
    Abstract: Described is a carrier having a biomolecular interaction incorporated therein. The carrier is described as comprising a silica based glass and in an embodiment is a sol-gel derived glass. Also described are methods of incorporating biomolecular interaction within a carrier of the invention. Various types of biomolecular interaction are discussed as well as applications of carriers containing one or more biomolecular interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: John D. Brennan, Christopher V. W. Hogue
  • Patent number: 7112361
    Abstract: A decomposable thin film comprising a plurality of polyelectrolyte layers of alternating charge, wherein decomposition of the thin film is characterized by degradation of at least a portion of the polyelectrolyte layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David M. Lynn, Eduardo Vazquez, Robert Langer, Paula T. Hammond
  • Patent number: 7108914
    Abstract: A self-healing polymer composition 10 contains a polymer media 12 and a plurality of microcapsules of flowable polymerizable material 16 dispersed in the polymer media 12, where the microcapsules of flowable polymerizable material 16 contain a flowable polymerizable material 15 and have an outer surface 142 upon which at least one polymerization agent 13 is chemically attached. The microcapsules 16 are effective for rupturing with a failure of the polymeric media 12, and the flowable polymerizable material 15 reacts with the polymerization agent 13 when the polymerizable material 15 makes contact with the polymerization agent 13 upon rupture of the microcapsules 14. There is also provided a method of using the self-healing polymeric composition 10 to repair fractures in polymers, as well as articles of manufacture including the self-healing system, and the microencapsulated polymerizable particles 16 themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Skipor, Steve Scheifer, Bill Olson
  • Patent number: 7074883
    Abstract: Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc. II
    Inventor: Chiem V. Pham
  • Patent number: 7067190
    Abstract: A capsule containing a rotatable element and a dielectric liquid including a lubricant dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: San-Ming Yang, Ahmed Alzamly, Naveen Chopra, Peter M. Kazmaier, Man-Chung Tam, Thomas Enright
  • Patent number: 7046423
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating encapsulated particles from empty shells. One method involves providing a mixture including at least one dipolar particle encapsulated in a shell and at least one shell which does not encapsulate a dipolar particle. The mixture is positioned in a spatially inhomogeneous electric or magnetic field and at least one encapsulated dipolar particle is isolated from the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Armin R. Völkel, Peter M. Kazmaier, Naveen Chopra, Jürgen Daniel
  • Patent number: 7037582
    Abstract: A series of paraffin compounds, the phase change materials (PCMs), were microencapsulated in an interfacial polymerization process to form the double-shell microcapsules with relatively low shell permeability. The inner shell is formed through the reaction between polypropylene glycols and bifunctional polyisocyanates and the outer through the reaction between bifunctional polyisocyanates and polyamines added in the continuous aqueous phase. The so prepared microencapsulated paraffin compounds emulsion can be used as the medium for temperature management in many fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jiangwei Xing, Yi Li, Edward Newton, Kwok-Wing Yeung
  • Patent number: 7018711
    Abstract: Microcapsules having a capsule core comprising water-soluble organic substances, and a capsule coating which is a condensate of formaldehyde resins and/or alkyl ethers thereof, a process for their preparation, their use, and compositions comprising the microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Wulff, Ekkehard Jahns, Harald Röckel, Volker Schehlmann
  • Patent number: 7015156
    Abstract: The a present invention is related to an abrasive cleaning article, made of spread abrasive particles and microencapsulated particles of an aromatizing substance contained in urea-formaldehyde walls, through a three-dimensional non-woven web of fiber that are bonded to the web by a resin adhesive. The item, of any geometric shape, offers the user a sensation of cleanliness due to the constant presence of a “fresh” scent associated to the fiber; the scent remains during the whole life of the abrasive item since the microcapsules break partially during the normal use of the item. The invention also refers to the production process of such abrasive item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raul Maldonado, Efren Perez
  • Patent number: 7001589
    Abstract: The invention concerns composite nanospheres having a diameter ranging between about 50 and 1000 nm plus or minus 5%, preferably between about 100 and 500 nm plus or minus 5% and advantageously between 100 and 200 nm plus or minus 5%, and comprising an essentially liquid core consisting of an organic phase and inorganic nanoparticles, distributed inside the organic phase, and a skin consisting of at least a hydrophilic polymer derived from the polymerisation of at least one water soluble monomer, in particular N-alkylacrylamide or a N-N-dialkylacrylamide; conjugates derived from said nanospheres; their preparation methods and their uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Bio Merieux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Olivier Mondain-Monval, Abdelhamid Elaissari, Eric Bosc, Christian Pichot, Bernard Mandrand, Jérôme Bibette
  • Patent number: 6986979
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising microcapsules suspended in an aqueous media, said microcapsules comprising a water immiscible material contained within an encapsulating wall of polymeric material, wherein the aqueous media contains a stabilizer comprising an anionic polymer mixture comprising a first sulfonated polystyrene polymer and a second sulfonated polystyrene polymer wherein the ratio of the weight average polymer molecular weight of the first polymer to the second polymer is greater than 2. It further relates to an imaging element comprising said microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yongcai Wang, Paul M. Hoderlein, Peter D. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 6984449
    Abstract: The invention relates to pellets and a production process therefor. Pellets comprise at least one oily component, which is either an active component alone or comprises such an active component. The aim of the invention is to ensure that such active components can be provided at elevated concentration in a long-term stable form for subsequent administration or further processing using such inventive pellets. The at least one oily oxidation-sensitive or else readily volatile active component is distributed homogeneously and discretely in a matrix and encapsulated without a core with at least one water-soluble polysaccharide as filmforming agent. The individual pellets have a respective particle size of at least 100 ?m, preferably of at least 300 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: IPC Process Center GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karola Bretschneider, legal representative, Wolfgang Kempe, Marcel Minor, Marijke Adamse, Frank Bretschneider, deceased
  • Patent number: 6984450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber additive composition which contains at least one rubber additive (a), the at least one additive (a) being encased in coating material (b) accompanied by formation of microcapsules. The additive can in particular be sulphur or another vulcanization agent, a vulcanization accelerator and/or activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Schill & Seilacher (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Karl-Hans Menting, Christopher Stone
  • Patent number: 6974592
    Abstract: Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
    Inventor: Nianxi Yan
  • Patent number: 6969530
    Abstract: Described herein are microcapsules and emulsions prepared from low Bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Curtis, Wei Zhang, Yulai Jin
  • Patent number: 6967028
    Abstract: The present invention provides microspheres intended to be administered by injection comprising a protein active ingredient and an agent coating the active ingredient intended to prolong its release, wherein they are free of any trace of organic solvent and they can be obtained according to a coating method involving bringing the active ingredient and the coating agent into contact, with stirring, in a supercritical fluid, said coating agent being soluble in this supercritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: Mainelab, Laboratoires des Produits Ethiques Ethypharm
    Inventors: Claire Dulieu, Joël Richard, Jean-Pierre Benoit
  • Patent number: 6962716
    Abstract: A cost-effective, scalable technique for producing microspheres loaded with biologically active solid proteins is provided. The microspheres degrade over time and release biologically active VEGF, as demonstrated by the proliferation of HUVECs in vitro compared to negative controls. A defined concentration of microspheres can deliver a quantifiable level of VEGF with known release kinetics. The invention can be used with other growth factors and applied to tissue engineering applications such as the regeneration of peripheral nerve, bone, adipose tissue, and solid organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Timothy W. King, Charles W. Patrick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6955823
    Abstract: A process for making microcapsules of an oil which are in dispersion in water comprises the steps of; (i) forming an initial dispersion of the oil in water in the presence of a surfactant, (ii) heating the initial dispersion above its phase inversion temperature, to form a bicontinuous phase composition, (iii) allowing or causing the composition to cool to below the phase inversion temperature so as to form an emulsion of oil droplets in the water, and (iv) encapsulating the oil droplets. The oil preferably has dissolved in it an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible active ingredient selected from agrochemicals, cosmetics, fragrances, sun-screens, ink-jet dyes, pigments, toners, biocides and pharmaceutical and veterinary products including drug delivery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Derek Casson, Stephen Dawson, Neil George, Ian Malcolm Shirley
  • Patent number: 6932984
    Abstract: A method for microencapsulation of substances is provided. The substance(s) is/are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent of the kind that is partially miscible in water media. This organic solution is then mixed with an aqueous solution, which is saturated with an organic solvent and an emulsifier to form an emulsion. The emulsion is then poured into water under continuous agitation for the extraction of residual solvent. The formation of the solid capsules takes place during this extraction process. The capsules are undergone to further purification, whereby the microcapsules can be separated from the water and dried. By conditions of incubation of microcapsules in water-containing formulations the wall-softening process takes place. The unique system for controlled releasing the ingredients from microcapsules is based on the above-mentioned process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Tagra Biotechnologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Babtsov, Yury Shapiro, Emma Kvitnitsky
  • Patent number: 6905766
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel encapsulation compositions and methods. In particular, the invention relates to fluorescent capsule compositions, which consists of a layer of a polymer shell enclosing one or more fluorescent materials such as fluorescent microspheres and which are capable of emitting at least two distinct fluorescent signals. Also provided are methods for their preparation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in a variety of applications, including preparation of multiplexed arrays for industrial, chemical, immunological, and genetic manipulation and analysis especially as related but not limited to flow cytometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Don J. Chandler
  • Patent number: 6890592
    Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved process for preparing a population of microcapsules having a substantially uniform size distribution, especially useful for manufacture of carbonless paper. The improved process teaches use of membrane material having a pre-selected pore size in the capsule manufacture process. A core material is provided along with a receiving solution for receiving the core material. The receiving solution is a nonsolvent for the core material. The core material is passed under pressure through the membrane into a moving or turbulent receiving solution forming uniform droplets of core material dispersed in the receiving solution. Wall-forming material is added to the receiving solution for coating the core material droplets. The coating on the droplets is polymerized forming microcapsules. This novel process also lends itself to microcapsule formation in a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Ronald Seehafer, George Arthur Stahler
  • Patent number: 6890653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microcapsule dispersions comprising microcapsules having a capsule core comprising water-soluble organic substances, and a capsule coating which essentially consists of polyurethane and/or polyurea, in a hydrophobic solvent which consists of 50 to 100% by weight of glycerol ester oils and 0 to 50% by weight of solvents miscible with glycerol ester oils, and to a process for their preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Wulff, Ekkehard Jahns, Volker Schehlmann
  • Patent number: 6884432
    Abstract: Microspheres for controlled release of a bioactive agent are disclosed, and in particular, blend, cross-linkable poly(propylene fumarate) for immobilization and controlled drug delivery. The microsphere includes poly(propylene fumarate), a polymeric material other than poly(propylene fumarate) (e.g., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), and a bioactive agent. The bioactive agent is selected depending on the physiological effect desired. For example, in bone regeneration applications, the bioactive agent may be selected from osteoinductive agents, peptides, growth hormones, osteoconductive agents, cytokines and mixtures thereof. The bioactive agent is dispersed in the microsphere, the microsphere has a diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers, the poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) are distributed in the microsphere, and the microsphere releases the bioactive agent in a sustained manner after an initial burst release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Michael J. Yaszemski, Bradford L. Currier, Lichun Lu, Xun Zhu, Esmaiel Jabbari, Diederik H. R. Kempen
  • Patent number: 6884507
    Abstract: The present invention provides tough, high modulus, low density thermoset polyurethane compositions which are useful in general as, for example, cast structural materials and in a preferred embodiment can be cured directly onto an aircraft engine fan blade, thereby providing a lighter blade, without concomitant loss in structural integrity or blade performance due to, for example, resistance to foreign object impacts and fuel efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is comprised of bis-amine compounds reacted with isocyanate-functional polyether polymers in the presence of hollow polymeric microspheres. The thermoset polymer compositions are formed by casting into a mold which is formed by a cavity within the metallic or composite fan blade or guide vane in the form of a pocket and a removable caul sheet. After the elastomeric polyurethane foam is injected through at least one injector port into the mold, the foam is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Scott Roger Finn, Kevin Warner Flanagan, Joseph Timothy Stevenson, James Claude Carnahan
  • Patent number: 6884438
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanoparticles for the encapsulation of active constituents, the nanocapsules prepared being dispersible in aqueous phase in colloidal form, non-toxic, biocompatible, stable in colloidal suspension and economical. In the process, two non-oily solvents as used, together with a third, oily solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I
    Inventors: David Quintanar, Hatem Fessi, Eric Doelker, Eric Allemann
  • Patent number: 6881482
    Abstract: Methods of making microcapsules and microcapsules comprising a core material and a shell material with substantially different dielectric constants and dissipation factors. Exposure to appropriate electromagnetic energy selectively (a) heats the core material with the higher dielectric constant and dissipation factor, directly or indirectly fusing the shell material and forming microcapsules, or (b) hardens polymerized shell material, which has a high dielectric constant and dissipation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Niraj Vasisht
  • Patent number: 6881810
    Abstract: A microcapsule which includes a polymer as a capsule wall of the microcapsule, in which the polymer is obtained by polymerizing a dendritic branching molecule having a hydroxyl group in a terminal thereof, an isocyanate compound, and a compound having two or more active hydrogen atoms in a molecule thereof. A process for manufacturing a microcapsule includes the step of polymerizing an isocyanate compound, a dendritic branching molecule having a hydroxyl group in a terminal thereof, and a compound having two or more active hydrogen atoms in a molecule thereof, so as to form a capsule wall of the microcapsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Matsunami, Shintaro Washizu
  • Patent number: 6866906
    Abstract: The specification discloses a method for making a paper material having a reduced tendency to cut human skin. The method includes providing a papermaking furnish containing cellulosic fibers and from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % by weight dry basis expandable microspheres, forming a paperboard web from the papermaking furnish, drying the web, and calendaring the web to a caliper of from about 11.0 to about 18.0 mils and a density ranging from about 7.0 to about 12.0 lb/3000 ft2/mil. Papers formed according to the method and articles formed therefrom are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Williams, Peter M. Froass, David A. Boone, Richard D. Faber
  • Patent number: 6861016
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixing assembly. The static mixing assembly preferably includes a preblending static mixer and a manifold. The emulsion flows out of the static mixing assembly into a quench liquid whereby droplets of the emulsion form microparticles. The residence time of the emulsion in the static mixing assembly is controlled to obtain a predetermined particle size distribution of the resulting microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II
    Inventors: Shawn L. Lyons, Steven G. Wright
  • Patent number: 6858299
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion free high solids process for preparing crosslinked polymeric nanoparticles of 1-200 nm in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Eric G. Lundquist, Wayne Devonport
  • Patent number: 6858659
    Abstract: A composite material, contains a polymer, a polymerizer, a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules. The composite material is self-healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Board of Trustess of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Philippe H. Geubelle, Jeffrey S. Moore, Suresh R. Sriram, Michael R. Kessler, Eric N. Brown
  • Patent number: 6858660
    Abstract: A self-joining polymer composition, comprising a polymer, a plurality of amine pendant groups attached to the polymer and a plurality of microcapsules of flowable polymerizable material dispersed in the polymer where the microcapsules of flowable polymerizable material including microcapsules and flowable polymerizable material inside the microcapsules. The microcapsules are effective for rupturing with a failure of the polymer so the flowable polymerizable material cross-links with the reactable pendant groups upon rupture of the microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Scheifers, Andrew F Skipor, Aaron Brown
  • Patent number: 6855422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-component fiber having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof. The multi-component fiber comprises a fiber body formed from a plurality of elongated members, at least one of the elongated members comprising a temperature regulating material dispersed therein. The temperature regulating material comprises a phase change material. The multi-component fiber may be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and may be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber may be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventors: Monte C. Magill, Mark H. Hartmann, Jeffrey S. Haggard
  • Patent number: 6855335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing silica microcapsules and more particularly, to a process for preparing silica microcapsules comprising the steps of dissolving tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) into an aqueous solution containing a hydrolysis catalyst to control a degree of hydrolysis and contribute hydrophilicity or lipophilicity, adding a core material and an appropriate amount of aminopropyltrialkoxysilane(APS) as a gelling agent into the solution, and emulsifying and dispersing the resulting solution to a solution having a polarity opposite to that of the core material to microcapsulate by coating the core material with silica shell via a sol-gel reaction. The process for preparing microcapsules of the present invention reduces environmental pollution compared to conventional processes using an alkali gelling agent such as an ammonia solution, and are suitable for both organic or inorganic core materials having hydrophilic or lipophilic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Unitech Co., Ltd., Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Sang Il Seok, Bok Yeop Ahn
  • Publication number: 20040265589
    Abstract: A microcapsule in which a capsule wall of the microcapsule comprises a first polymer component. A surface of the capsule wall is modified with a second polymer component that is formed from a monomer having an ethylenic unsaturated bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Yamada, Yuuichi Fukushige, Kyoko Senga, Naoto Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 6833191
    Abstract: Microencapslated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Encap Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert G. Bayless
  • Publication number: 20040253442
    Abstract: The present invention is a method comprising: providing a substrate; solvent coating onto the substrate a composition comprising a curable, highly aromatic, organic matrix material and porogens which are cross-linked nanoparticles consisting essentially of residual monomeric units derived from alkenyl functional and/or alkynyl functional aromatic monomers; and heating the coated substrate to a temperature no greater than 390° C., preferably no greater than 370° C., to cure the matrix and remove substantially all of the porogen material in a relatively short period of time to form small uniform pores in the cured highly organic matrix material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Ervin Mubarekyan, Thomas H. Kalantar, H. Craig Silvis, Q. Jason Niu
  • Publication number: 20040245661
    Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of microcapsules consist sentially of a wall material and a core material in condensing a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate and/or methyl ethers thereof in an aqueous dispersion of a water-insoluble core material and in the presence of an acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer at acidic pH and at a temperature in the range of from 20° to 100° C., and hardening thereafter the melamine-formaldehyde precondensate to form the walls of the microcapsules at an elevated temperature, wherein the core material is dispersed in the precondensate/copolymer solution without initial partial condensation of the precondensate and copolymer and wherein the hydrophobe point of the precondensate and/or its methyl esters is less than 90° C., as well as microcapsules, paper and pressure-sensitive recording material comprising such microcapsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Ann Hunt, Robert Montgomery O'Neil