US4110185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Irradiation sterilization of semi-crystalline polymers
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1976-11-10
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Granted: 1978-08-29
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Expires: 1996-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An article of a semi-crystalline polymer such as polypropylene, is sterilized by high energy irradiation, with the polymer containing a non-crystalline mobilizing additive which increases the free volume of the polymer, to thereby prevent embrittlement of the polymer during and subsequent to the irradiation. The additive has a density of from 0.6 to 1.9 g/cm 3 and a molecular weight from 100 to 10,000 g/mole.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Williams
- 👤 Terry Dunn
- 👤 Vivian Stannett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:08
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/12; C08J7/123; A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; B; B29; B29C; B29C71/00; B29C71/04; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/10; B29K2023/12; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A process for sterilizing a semi-crystalline polymer, comprising: subjecting to a sterilizing amount of high energy radiation a semi-crystalline polymer having a crystalline content of from 20-90% and having incorporated therein a mobilizing amount of a non-crystalline liquid mobilizing additive which increases the free volume of the polymer and retains the flexibility thereof to thereby produce a sterilized polymer which retains its flexibility.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process for sterilizing a semi-crystalline polymer, comprising: subjecting to a sterilizing amount of high energy radiation a semi-crystalline polymer having a crystalline content of from 20-90% and having incorporated therein a mobilizing amount of a non-crystalline liquid mobilizing additive which increases the free volume of the polymer and retains the flexibility thereof to thereby produce a sterilized polymer which retains its flexibility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is in the form of an article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mobilizing additive is miscible with the polymer and has a molecular weight of from 100 to 10,000 grams per mole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said mobilizing additive has a density of from 0.6 to 1.9 g/cm 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polypropylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the mobilizer is a hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the mobilizing additive is a phthalic ester.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mobilizing additive is at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oils, halogenated hydrocarbon oils, phthalic esters, polymer greases, vegetable oils and silicone oils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the polymer is polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the mobilizing additive is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 20%, by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A flexible sterilized article, comprising: a semi-crystalline polymer having a crystalline content of from 20-90%, said polymer having been irradiated with a sterilizing amount of high energy radiation while having incorporated therein a mobilizing amount of a non-crystalline mobilizing additive which increases the free volume of the polymer and retains the flexibility thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A flexible sterilized article, comprising: a semi-crystalline polymer having a crystalline content of from 20-90%, said polymer having been irradiated with a sterilizing amount of high energy radiation while having incorporated therein a mobilizing amount of a non-crystalline mobilizing additive which increases the free volume of the polymer and retains the flexibility thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the mobilizing additive is at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oils, halogenated hydrocarbon oils, phthalic esters, polymmer greases, vegetable oils and silicone oils.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 12 wherein the polymer is polypropylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 13 wherein said mobilizing additive is present in an amount of from 0.1% to 20%, by weight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the mobilizing additive is miscible with the polymer and has a molecular weight of from 100 to 10,000 grams per mole.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 15 wherein said mobilizing additive has a density of from 0.6 to 1.9 g/cm 3 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 15 wherein the polymer is polypropylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 17 in the form of a syringe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 17 in the form of a package film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |