US4550001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing shaped articles having improved surfaces
Assignee: Novartis Corp
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Filing: 1984-03-09
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Granted: 1985-10-29
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Expires: 2004-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing shaped articles having improved surfaces, characterized by subjecting a shaped article of a polymer derived from a monomeric material comprising an acrylate and/or methacrylate to at least one of a hot water treatment, an aqueous alkali solution treatment and an aqueous acid solution treatment. Shaped articles obtained by this process have an advantage that when the surfaces thereof are stained the removal of the stains is quite easy. Moreover, they are hydrophilic and have excellent wettability by water. Therefore, said shaped articles are extremely suitable for use as contact lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Taro Suminoe
- 👤 Tetsuo Ito
- 👤 Yasuhiro Kiyomatsu
- 👤 Takao Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:19
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/12; B; B29; B29C; B29C71/00; B29C71/0009; C08J2333/00; C08J2333/04; C08J2333/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A process for producing a shaped article having an improved surface, comprising subjecting a shaped article consisting of a substantially nonhydrous polymer derived from a monomer mixture comprising at least 80 mole % of at least one monomer selected from acrylates and methacrylates, 0.5 to 10 mole % of a polyfunctional monomer, and 0 to 5% by volume of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to at least one treatment selected from a treatment with an aqueous solution of an inorganic salt, an organic salt or a combinatin of them at a temperature of 90° C. to boiling point at atmospheric pressure or at a temperature of 100° C. to boiling point under pressure, a treatment with an aqueous alkali solution of 5 to 50% by weight at a temperature of 30° C. to 120° C. and a treatment with an aqueous acid solution of 5 to 90% by weight at a temperature of 60° to 100° C., the said treatment with an aqueous alkali solution or an aqueous acid solution improving the 0.01-50-μm thick surface portion of the shaped article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A process for producing a shaped article having an improved surface, comprising subjecting a shaped article consisting of a substantially nonhydrous polymer derived from a monomer mixture comprising at least 80 mole % of at least one monomer selected from acrylates and methacrylates, 0.5 to 10 mole % of a polyfunctional monomer, and 0 to 5% by volume of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to at least one treatment selected from a treatment with an aqueous solution of an inorganic salt, an organic salt or a combinatin of them at a temperature of 90° C. to boiling point at atmospheric pressure or at a temperature of 100° C. to boiling point under pressure, a treatment with an aqueous alkali solution of 5 to 50% by weight at a temperature of 30° C. to 120° C. and a treatment with an aqueous acid solution of 5 to 90% by weight at a temperature of 60° to 100° C., the said treatment with an aqueous alkali solution or an aqueous acid solution improving the 0.01-50-μm thick surface portion of the shaped article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said acrylates and methacrylates are selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl, acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, 1-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, i-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, i-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, i-butyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate and n-octyl methacrylate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the polyfunctional monomer is selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional acrylates, polyfunctional methacrylates, olefin glycol diacrylates, polyolefin glycol diacrylates, olefin glycol diacrylates, polyolefin glycol diacrylates, olefin glycol dimethacrylates and polyolefin glycol dimethacrylates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of sulfites, sulfates, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates and halides of metals of Groups Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IVa, VIb, VIIb and VIII of the Periodic Table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the organic salt is selected from the group consisting of formates, acetates and citrates of metals of Groups Ia and IIa of the Periodic Table.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the inorganic salt or the organic salt is 2% by weight to saturated concentration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the shaped article is subjected to an aqueous alkali solution treatment or an aqueous acid solution treatment or both.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein after the aqueous alkali solution treatment, the aqueous acid solution treatment is conducted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the shaped article which has been washed with water and dried is further treated with a polyhydric alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process for producing a shaped article having an improved surface comprising subjecting a shaped article consisting of a substantially nonhydrous polymer derived from a monomer mixture comprising at least 80 mole % of at least one monomer selected from acrylates and methacrylates to a hot water treatment wherein the hot water is steam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process for producing a shaped article having an improved surface comprising subjecting a shaped article consisting of a substantially nonhydrous polymer derived from a monomer mixture comprising at least 80 mole % of at least one monomer selected from acrylates and methacrylates to a hot water treatment wherein the hot water is steam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the shaped article is a contact lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the shaped article is a contact lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of sulfites, sulfates, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates and halides of metals of Groups Ia and Ib of the Periodic Table.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the organic salt is selected from the group consisting of formates, acetates and citrates of metals of Group Ia of the Periodic Table.
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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) | 1988-10-28 | 1989-04-29 | 1989-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-28 | 1993-04-29 | 1993-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-28 | 1997-04-29 | 1997-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |