GB2330835A

GB2330835A - Synthetic resin articles containing nephrite jade

Info

Publication number: GB2330835A
Application number: GB9722964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jun-Han Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-30
Filing date: 1997-10-30
Publication date: 1999-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-30
Also published as: FR2770847A1; GB2330835B; SG68638A1; GB9722964D0; DE19753856A1; FR2770847B1

Abstract

Molded articles are made of synthetic resin wherein 5-15% by weight (based on total weight of resin raw material) of nephrite jade powder is added to the raw material before molding. The molded articles show excellent effects in, for example, treating pathological symptoms (e.g. headache, numb feeling, indigestion and insomnia), removing impurities (such as heavy metals), improving the quality of water, promoting the growth of plants and storing foods. The articles described include tableware, refrigerator interior boards, jewellery and tiles.

Description

SYNTHETIC RESIN AND PROCESS FOR PREPARATION THEREOF The present invention relates to a novel synthetic resin containing fine powder of nephrite jade, and a process for preparing the same.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a synthetic resin which has excellent effects in daily life for treating pathological symptoms (e.g. headache, numb feeling, indigestion or insomnia), removing impurities (such as heavy metals), improving the quality of water, promoting the growth of plants, by incorporating nephrite jade powder having the very fine combination weave fibrous microstructure of the cryptocrystalline tremolite type into the raw materials of a synthetic resin, for example thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), or thermosetting resins such as phenol and urea melamine, during the process for their preparation; or by incorporating nephrite jade powder during the manufacturing process for utensil goods, leisure or sports equipment, as well as containers or packaging for goods, during the process for manufacturing the goods.

As is generally known, jade is broadly divided into jadeite and nephrite jade.

Jadeite belongs to the pyroxene family and has a monoclinic system comprising silicic acid, aluminum oxide and soda. It is an intimate mass, and the hardness is comparable to that of crystal. It is transparent or translucent of black, blue green or green, colour. People usually call jadeite "jade".

Nephrite jade is an inorganic material having the monoclinic system of inosilicates. The quality of nephrite jade is determined by its fine structure, and the finer the fibre, the better is the quality (Journal of Mining Promotion, 1993, New Year issue, the Korea Mining Promotion Corporation).

According to a German medical literature reference (Mauda Palmer Die Verborgene,"KRAFF der KRISTALLE und der EDELSTEINE"], the two different ores, jadeite and nephrite jade, both comprise silicon and oxygen, as do most other jewels. However, Jadeite is formed of granular crystals while nephrite jade consists of many crystals and aggregates of microparticles having a fibrous, hair-like structure.

In particular, nephrite jade comprises three elements, Ca, Fe and Mg, which are good for the human body, while jadeite comprises sodium and aluminum components. Thus, it has been recently reported that nephrite jade, when attached to the body, provides a considerable effect on the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, circulatory system disorder, heart disease and kidney disorder.

A classic written work on traditional oriental medicine, "Treasures in oriental medicine

describes that if jade is added to black rice liquor, it alters the liquor to water, and intake of jade powder in a size like sesame seed is good for the discharge of waste material. Also it describes that when jade powder (1 part by volume), rice (1 part by volume) and white dew (3 parts by volume) are cooked to rice in a copper vessel, the jade powder becomes water (so called jade-liquid, the "divine jade water").

"Plants of Divine Agriculture

"Plants of Tang Age

and "List of Basic Plants

describes that intake of jade powder in a size like sesame seed enriches five viscera and six entrails and completely discharges the waste materials. In addition, it is effective in the digestive system by removal of heat from the stomach, and it is good for the treatment of bronchial asthma, body fever and heavy feeling in the chest as well as thirst. When jade powder is taken for a long time, the body becomes easy and light, the function of lungs is enhanced, and making voice by the vocal cords becomes easier. Also, it is good for the throat, nutrition of hair, functions of five viscera and six entrails and treatment of nervous diseases such as stress. Besides, the components of nephrite jade reveal excellent functions to the body without side effect. For example, intake of white jade powder is good for tension or cramps in the muscles and rubbing with nephrite jade on damaged skin for several days removes the scar. As described above, the main components of nephrite jade have been known from olden times to have excellent effects on the human body without substantial adverse effect. ["Treasures in oriental medicine

and "List of Basic Plants

However, as nephrite jade does not exist in a large amount in nature, its use is restricted to jewellery and personal ornaments such as necklaces, rings and bracelets, in spite of the well known excellent medical functions. In addition, the processing of nephrite jade requires the delicate efforts of experts having much experience, and nephrite jade is economically disadvantageous having a very high price, so that the development of general practical goods using nephrite jade is strongly desired.

The present inventor has noted the excellent medical effects of nephrite jade and intensively studied for many years, and as a result, discovered the fact that molded articles which have been molded by a conventional method but mixing nephrite jade powder of cryptocrystalline tremolite of 8180 with the raw material of the synthetic resin, during the preparation of the raw material or the process of manufacturing the synthetic resin product, provides usefulness of removing heavy metals, removing offensive odour, promoting the growth of plants, improving the quality of water as well as enhancing the physical properties of the product itself.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel synthetic resin having excellent medical and physical effects due to the inherent properties of nephrite jade (powder) when applied to utensil goods such as tableware, sports or leisure products, agricultural goods such as for facility gardening, fishery goods such as fish boxes, traffic goods such as automobile components, transportation goods, film for food package, medical goods such as parts of spectacles and electronic instruments such as electric or electronic parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing a synthetic resin having excellent effect by adding fine nephrite jade powder during the preparation of the raw material for synthetic resin or the manufacture of the resin product, with stirring or kneading.

Still another object of the present invention is to maximize the utilization of nephrite jade powder which is a remainder or waste in the mining or fine processing of nephrite jade ornaments.

Other objects or advantages of the present invention can be derived from the description of the specification and Examples.

In the Drawings: Fig. lA shows the crystalline structure of nephrite; jade used in the synthetic resin according to the present invention, by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Fig. 1B is an SEM photograph of silk not treated with nephrite jade-water.

Fig. 1C is an SEM photograph of silk treated with nephrite jade-water.

Fig. 2 shows an FT-IR spectrum of nephrite jade powder used in the present invention.

Fig. 3A shows the effect of nephrite jade on drip loss (%) when pork was stored in a container made of a synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention.

Fig. 3B shows the effect of nephrite jade on meat pH when pork was stored in a container made of a synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention.

Fig. 3C shows the effect of nephrite jade on the VBN content when pork was stored in a container made of a synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention.

Fig. 3D shows the effect of nephrite jade on the TBA value when pork was stored in a container made of a synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention.

Fig. 3E shows the effect of nephrite jade on meat colour (nE) when pork was stored in a container made of a synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention.

Fig. 4A shows the effect of a synthetic resin tile containing nephrite jade according to the present invention, on the glucose content in blood plasma of experimental animals (rats) having induced diabetes.

Fig. 4B shows the effect of nephrite jade on the hydroxybutyrate content in the same blood plasma.

Fig. 4C shows the effect of nephrite jade on the free fatty acid content in the same blood plasma.

Fig. 4D shows the effect of nephrite jade on the cholesterol content in the same blood plasma.

Fig. 4E shows the effect of nephrite jade on the triglyceride content in the same blood plasma.

Fig. 4F shows the effect of nephrite jade on the HDL-cholesterol content in the same blood plasma.

Fig. SA shows the effect of a synthetic resin tile containing nephrite jade according to the present invention on the body weight of SHR.

Fig. SB shows the effect of nephrite jade on the systolic blood pressure of the same SHR.

Fig. 5C shows the effect of nephrite jade on the hypotensive activity of the same SHR.

According to the present invention, various synthetic resin products are produced by a conventional method but by adding 5-15% by weight (based on total weight of resin raw material) of nephrite jade powder preferably having a particle size of 100-350 mesh to the raw material of resin so that nephrite jade powder is homogeneously distributed in the resin product, whereby the excellent effect of inherent nephrite jade is revealed when the products are used.

In the present invention, the processes for preparing the synthetic resin and molded articles thereof may be carried out in a variety of ways depending on the properties of the material or the intended use of the product by a person having ordinary skill in the art, and are not particularly restricted.

The molding process may be that of a thermoplastic resin such as injection molding, extrusion molding or blow molding, or that of a thermosetting resin such as cast molding.

A usual process for producing a product from a thermoplastic resin comprises injecting crushed raw material in granular form (in the present invention, the additional step of adding nephrite jade powder thereto and mixing is further included) into a mold; and applying pressure to the mold containing raw material softened with heating to manufacture a product having a certain shape. Generally, the process essentially requires the process of heating at 150-3000C in order to soften the raw material resin.

As nephrite jade has excellent heat resistance, it keeps its inherent effects without thermal change during the heating step.

In the present invention, the term "synthetic resin" is not limited to a certain type, but means any kind of synthetic resin which requires mixing of nephrite jade powder.

The thermoplastic synthetic resins as raw materials described in the specification include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, PVAL), polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl formal (PVFM), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyvinylidene chloride - polyvinyl chloride copolymer, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), styrenebutadiene copolymer (SB, HIPS), polystyrene foam (EPS, FS), acrylonitrile styrene copolymer (AS, SAM), acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene copolymer (ABS), ethylene - vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ionomer, polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl ether - polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polytrifluorochloroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyamide (PA, Nylon), polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile (AN), polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutyrene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal, polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene oxide, polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyacrylate (=polyacrylic ester), polymethacrylate (=polymethacrylic ester), polyurethane (PUR.AU.EU), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone (PSU) and polymethacrylonitrile.

Thermosetting synthetic resins include phenol-formaldehyde (PF), urea formaldehyde (UF), melamine - formaldehyde (MF), unsaturated polyester (UP), polydiallyl phthalate (PDAP, DAP), anilineformaldehyde, epoxy (EP), furan, xylene formaldehyde, sulfonamide - formaldehyde, silicone (SI), polyurethane foam, formaldehyde resin and ketone resin.

The synthetic resin products manufactured according to the present invention may be applied to a variety of personal ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets and rings, as well as to utensil goods such as tablewares.

The products according to the present invention can be prepared, in case of the preparation of plastics, as plastic film (for industrial use or agricultural use), plastic lump, plastic upper board, plastic bar, pipe and profile, plastic leather, plastic conveyor belt, vinyl wall paper, recycled plastic raw material (powder phase) and other plastic primary shaped products.

In the case of preparation of plastic foamed molded products, the synthetic resin according to the present invention can be applied to foamed polystyrene (styrofoam etc.), and industrial foamed molded products (including soft and hard products).

For reinforced plastic molded products, plastic machinery parts (adding durable, special reinforcing material), and other reinforced plastic molded products can be produced by the use of the synthetic resin according to the present invention, and for industrial plastic molded products, plastic electric or electronic machine parts, plastic autocar parts, plastic-made cabinets for home appliances (cabinets for T.V., audio or sewing machines), plastic furniture and other plastic industrial machine parts (pure plastics) can also be produced.

Also household plastic products such as plastic table and kitchen wares (tableware, dishes, cups, knives, spoons, interior/exterior decorating goods for refrigerators, and so forth), plastic hygiene and cosmetic articles (washbowls, bathtubs, soap cases, waste baskets and so on), plastic buttons, plastic personal ornaments and other household plastic molded products can be prepared, and plastic molded packaging vessels such as plastic boxes (fish boxes etc.), plastic bottles or similar vessels, and other plastic packaging vessels can be produced.

Specifically, molded products made of the synthetic resin of the present invention can be prepared as various products depending upon the classifications based on the synthetic resin raw materials as follows: PE: bottles, tubes, wire coatings, food packages, films and pipes; PS: dolls, kitchen articles, tableware, pipes, insulating materials, materials for packing, office supplies and parts for related industries such as autocar, electrics and electronics; PP: containers, pipes, films, artificial leather and packing materials; when blended with EPDM: rubber or glass, parts for autocar; AS: kitchen wares, telephone parts and pipes; PVC: pipes, films, bottles, dolls, recording disks, food containers and wire coatings.

Acryl: optical lenses, autocar supplies and protecting plates for T.V.; PA: bearings, hoses and films; PC: electric parts; Fluororesin: gaskets and coatings for frying pans; Polyester: various springs (elastic sheet), usage for metal inserts and gear bearings; PF: telephone parts, electric goods, cups and car handles; UF: buttons, lighting apparatus, clocks, containers, tablewares and radio cases; MF: bathtubs, buttons, safety hats and tablewares; Unsaturated Polyester: airplane parts, fuel tanks, pipes, car bodies, helmets and fishing rods; EP: autocar parts, electric parts and medical supplies; PDAP: electric parts, terminal boards and micro-switch boards; PUR: wire coatings and rubbers; S1: tapes, releasing agents and defoaming agents; Furan: laminated plates and materials for electric insulation; Xylene: laminated plate molded goods; Aniline: goods for electric insulation and laminated plate.

In addition, ABS, a high-quality resin which is positioned between common resin and engineering plastic, can be used to produce interior/exterior finishing materials for electric and electronic goods, and autocar parts as well as telephones, radios, toys, dolls, and; in the agricultural field, protection of chicken stalls against chilling, relieving agent for grain against vermin damage, vinyl houses and pots for tree planting; in the fishery field, containers, artificial seaweeds and fishing implements (ropes, fishing nets, floating elements); in the food field, vessels and packages for food; in the medical field, blood vessels, the gullet, the urethra, the ureter and articulation used inside of the body, and teeth, eyes, nose, ear and skin used on the outside of the body, as well as syringes and diapers; in the pharmaceutical field, coatings for granules and tablets; in the acoustic field, soundproofing agents and anti-vibration agents; in the optical field, spectacle lens, contact lens, safety glasses, sunglasses and parts thereof; in the textile field, nonwovens, carpets and rain coats; in the paper field, PE processed paper and plastic foam paper (ps paper); in the office supplies field, equipment such as desks and chairs and writing materials such as ball pens; in the household goods field, tablewares such as kitchen boards, dish washing stands and dishes, table supplies, and goods for babies such as dolls, toys and milk bottles, as well as baskets, vegetable boxes and bathroom goods; in the sports field, boats, sports cars, skates, tennis rackets and golf gloves; in the machine field, axial arms and brake shoes; in the aviation field, wings (main, rear, assist), fuselages, windows, bulletin boards and safety glasses; in the shipping field, ships, porthole frames, portholes and doors for cabins; in the autocar and vehicle fields, safety glasses, bumpers, adiabatic materials for car bodies and foamed cushions for sheets; in the communication field, telephones, switchboards and terminal boxes for telephones; in the electronic field, organic semiconductors; in the electric field, electric fans, washing machines, televisions, radios, refrigerators and hairdressing tools; in the building field, interior- and exteriorfinishing materials such as ceiling materials, wall materials, floor materials, tiles and boards for verandahs; in the engineering works field, mixtures (for example, cement), water-protecting plates and tree-planting in deserts; in the information and printing fields, synthetic resin types, synthetic resin reprints, synthetic resin electric molds and magnetic tapes; in the atomic energy field, reactor vessels and various coating materials; in the space development field, storage tanks for liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and; in the packing container field, plastic containers and plastic films which are alternatives to paper bags.

The molding process for a synthetic resin according to the present invention is a well-known method and follows the methods described in the Table below: Table

Injection moulding (thermoplastic resin) Press moulding (thermosetting resin) Raw Transfer moulding (thermosetting resin) Materials Extrusion moulding (thermoplastic resin) for the synthetic Blow moulding (thermoplastic resin) resin Vacuum moulding (thermoplastic resin) Compression moulding (thermoplastic resin film) Foaming moulding (thermoplastic resin) Deposit moulding (thermoplastic resin) The particle size of the nephrite jade powder used in the present invention may be selected taking into account the synthetic resin material and intended use of the molded article. Generally, nephrite jade powder having the particle size of 100-350 mesh is properly used. If the shape of the molded article is complicated, or increased ductility is required, for example, when the article has a small thickness, finer particles (about 250-350 mesh) are preferable used, while 100-500 mesh powder may be added in order to prepare a general molded article. If the particle size is higher than the above range, it is disadvantageous because the surface roughness of the article increases, while if the particle size is lower than the above range, difficulties occur in pulverization.

The amount of nephrite jade added to the raw materials (resin) is desirably 5-15%. If the amount is less than 5%, the effect of nephrite jade cannot be expected. The larger the amount, the better the effect of nephrite jade which occurs. However, if the amount is beyond the above range, the properties of the raw material resin (in particular, ductility) is reduced so as to make the article brittle, molding flowability is reduced, and the cost of the product is increased owing to the high price of the nephrite jade. Thus, the amount of 15% by weight or less is suitable.

The nephrite jade powder used in the present invention may be that originating from the remaining stone of nephrite jade after making products such as personal ornamental vessels or sculptures, in order to reduce the production cost to enhance the economics.

By using the resin, a variety of goods for practical use which have the inherent properties of nephrite jade may be obtained at far lower cost than that of products made of nephrite jade itself (for example, jade bowls).

The nephrite jade powder used in the present invention is cryptocrystalline tremolite of 8180, having a composition shown in the following Table 1, but the present invention is not restricted to this composition.

Table 1: Results of Semi-quantitative Analysis of the Nephrite - Jade Powder used in the Present Invention (%)

Silicon 34 Tin 0.024 Magnesium 10 Beryllium 0.00072 Calcium 4.9 Silver 0.0013 Iron 0.23 Titanium 0.0038 Aluminium 0.16 Nickel 0.0028 Copper 0. 17 Chromium 0.0030 Cobalt 0.046 Other elements 0 Manganese 0.14 The preparation of synthetic resin products which contain nephrite jade powder according to the present invention, and the effects demonstrated by the products are described in more detail with reference to the following Examples and Experimental Examples.

ExamPle 1 Nephrite jade powder (10 parts by weight) pulverized to 150 mesh particle size was admixed with 90 parts by weight of polyethylene, a kind of thermoplastic resin. The admixture was injected into an injection mold through a hopper, and heated to 1001300C to press into the mold with increasing ductility.

Molded articles of various type (a variety of vessels such as tablewares, interior finishing boards for refrigerators, personal ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets or rings, and other ornaments) were obtained after cooling the mold.

Example 2 Nephrite jade powder (10 parts by weight) pulverized to 150 mesh particle size was admixed with 90 parts by weight of polyethylene. The admixture was injected into an injection mold, and heated to 35 to 450C to press into the mold with increasing ductility by using a ram.

Molded articles of various type (tablewares, teacups, ornaments, necklaces, bracelets, rings or earrings) were obtained.

Example 3 Nephrite jade powder ( 10 parts by weight) pulverized to 300 mesh particle size was admixed with 90 parts by weight of polyethylene. The admixture was injected into an injection mold, and heated to 35 to 450C to press into the mold with increasing ductility by using a ram.

Molded articles of various type such as tablewares, teacups, ornaments, necklaces, bracelets, rings or earrings were obtained.

The synthetic resin products prepared as described above have high heat resistance and impact resistance. Besides, if they are used as tablewares the freshness of food can be maintained for a longer time by virtue of the far infrared rays generated from nephrite jade. In addition, when keeping the ornaments of the present invention on the human body, certain therapeutic effects appear in the body. In particular, if it is used as a material for the interior finishing boards of a refrigerator, a prominent electricity-saving effect is revealed. (See Experimental Examples below).

Experimental Example 1 This is to examine whether lead, heavy metals or other toxic materials exist in the nephrite powder used in the Examples of the present invention (FDA registration No. 2022038, Bio-Science Research Institute, Inc.).

Table 2 (Test for Lead Content)

Sample Nephrite Jade Powder Experimental Method Atomic Absorption Analysis Results Not Detected Table 3 (Test for Heavy Metals)

Sample Nephrite Jade Powder Experimental Method USP 23 Results Not Detected Table 4 (Test for Dissociation of Inorganic materials)

Sample Nephrite Jade Powder Experimental Method The sample (about 100g) was extracted with 1 litre of water in an autoclave, and the extract was analysed.

Results Listed Below

Analysed Material Result(ppm) Detection Limit (ppm) As ND 0.05 Ba ND 0.20 Cd 0.006 0.005 Cl ND 1 Cr ND 0.01 Cu ND 0.05 Fe ND 0.10 Pb ND 0.05 Mn ND 0.02 Hg ND 0.0005 NO3 ND 0.1 Se ND 0.05 Ag ND 0.01 S04 1.85 1 Zn ND 0.01 ND = Not detected, or the concentration lower than the detection limit As shown in the above experimental results, the nephrite jade powder used in the present invention does not contain any material having toxicity to the human body, such as lead, heavy metals or other materials. Thus, the articles prepared in the present invention are proved to be safe if they are used as tablewares.

Experimental ExamPle 2 The test cup (prepared according to Examples 1-3) and control cup (made of polyethylene) were filled with homogenized Grade A milk, and allowed to stand for 48 hours at ambient temperature. Then, the milk was subjected to analysis. The results are shown in Table 5 below.

Table 5

Tests Control Cup Test Cup Coliform Bacteria Absent/ml Absent/ml Lactobacillus 45000 cfu/ml 37000 cfu/ml Yeast & Mold Count 310 cfu/ml 280 cfu/ml Standard Plate Count over 3 x 106 cfu/ml over 3 x 106 cfu/ml Conclusion : The number of microorganisms which are harmful to the human body was reduced.

Experimental Example 3 The interior finishing board for a refrigerator prepared from Example 1 was installed in a freezing room and a refrigerating room of a refrigerator, and the power consumption of the refrigerator was measured. The result showed about 4.5 of power-saving effect as can be seen from Table 6 below: Table 6

Temperature of laboratory ('C) Exp.

I Temp. of refrigerating room () 3 0.5 Temp. Temp. of freezing room (C)-18 1 0.5 Experimental results Requested without the board with the board value of the present of the present invention invention Test item Monthly 220V j t32.

126.6% consumptionl freezing 153 L 152. 81 L usable room internal refrigerating 365 L 365.22 L internal room volume Total Total 518 L 518.03 L (+0.0%) * Experimental standard: Notice No. 95-370 of the Industrial Advancement Administration.

Experimental Example 4 The anion content of silk cotton (bed cotton) in which nephrite jade powder of the present invention has been impregnated was tested by Korea Raw Silk & Fabric Experimental Research Center.

The result showed that the jade-containing bed cotton generated beneficial anions as follows: Experimental item Exoerimental results (1) anion content (lonchromatography) (ppm) Cl 54.8 NO3 Not Detected 504 Not Detected Note: Extraction was carried out by extracting with distilled water at room temperature for 2 hours.

(2) Anti-biotic activity (KS K 0693) (decrease of microorganism: %) 99.9 Note: Microorganism used: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) (3) Antibiotic property (KS K 0692): (microorganism-inhibiting band: mm) 4 Note: Microorganism used: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) Experimental Example 5 The effect of nephrite jade on the growth of silkworms and the quality of the silk produced was examined. (See Fig. 1A, 1B and lC).

Materials and Methods 1. Species of silkworm: white gem silkworm 2. Period of growth: November to December 3. Method for growth: constant temperature and constant humidity, fed with mulberry leaves during all instars.

4. No. of silkworms: control group: 150 (x 2 repetition) treated group: 130 (x 2 repetition) 5. Treatment: control group: Mulberry leaves sprayed with distilled water are fed; treated group: Mulberry leaves sprayed with jade treated water are fed time to treat the silkworms: starting from 2nd instar.

Table 7: Rearing results performed with the jade powder water treatment No. of larvae larval period of total larval pupation replication examined the 5th instar period percentage day.hrs day.hrs % index 1 150 7.07 23.07 91. 3 Control 2 150 7.07 23.07 76.6 mean 150 7.07 23.07 s4. a 100 1 130 7.15 23.15 74.1 Treatment 2 130 7.15 23.15 68.2 mean 130 7.15 23.15 71.2 85 single cocoon cocoon shell cocoon shell replication cocoon yields weight weight percentage (kg/10,000) index g index cg index % index 1 17.9 2.08 43.0 20.7 z Control 2 15.0 1.96 39.0 19.9 mean 16.5 100 2.02 100 41.0 100 20.3 100 1 16.2 2.14 44.0 20.6 Treatment 2 14.6 2. 14 45.0 21.0 mean 15.4 93 2. 14 106 44.5 109 20.8 102 Table 8: The performances of cocoon reeling with jade powder water treatment cocoon cocoon nonbroken nonbreaking filament filament silk size filament reealbility length of bave length weight weight m cg d m cg control 1.222 33.7 2.48 8.47 23.4 69 treatment 11283 36.3 2.55 11005 28.5 78 percentage of neatness tenacity elongation weight of raw silk raw silk point g/d % kg control 16.68 95 3.80 17.4 2.75 treatment 16.96 96 3.93 18.0 2.61 Table 9: The change of larval weight with jade treatment weight of newly weight of newly weight of the exuviated larva from exuviated larva from 3rd day of the matured larvae the 3rd molting the 4th molting 5th instar control 0.46 1.85 20.80 47.4 treatment 0.47 1.94 23.03 522 Table 10: Decreasing effects of blood glucose content by jade solution amount of blood glucose decreasing effects of blood glucose injected injected with silkworm extracts witht maltose silkworm extracts amount (C=A-B) efficiency (N (Bl mg/100ml mg/100ml mg/100ml treated with 64.0±1.87 27.7±1.70 36.3 56.7 water treated with jade 69.6 ~ 1.62 20.7~1.62 48.9 70.3 solution : Before injection of silkworm extracts Results 1. The larva weight of the jade-treated group was higher than that of the control group in every instar. In particular, in the case of mature larva, the weight of the jade-treated group was higher by 0.48g per larva than that of the control group.

2. Pupation percentage of the jade-treated group was 71.2%, which was 15% lower than that of the control group. The amount of silk production by 10000 silk worms of the jade-treated group was 15.4%, which was 7% lower than that of the control group.

3. The single cocoon weight of the jade-treated group was 2.14g, which was higher by about 6% than that of the control group. In addition, the cocoon shell weight of the jade-treated group was 44.5 cg, which was higher by about 9% than that of the control group. The cocoon shell percentage of the jade-treated group was higher by 2% as expressed by index than that of the control group.

4. The reeling performance of the jade-treated group was generally better than that of the control group. In particular, the jade-treated group was excellent in view of the cocoon filament length, cocoon filament weight and reelablity (higher by 9% than that of the control group).

5. From the viewpoint of quality of silk yarn, the silk yarn of the jade-treated group was somewhat superior to that of the control group in thickness, strength, elongation and raw silk ratio. But the yield of silk production by 10000 silk worms was lower than that of the control group.

6. No substantial difference between the surface structure of the control group and the jade-treated group was revealed.

7. The decreasing effects of blood glucose content of the jade-treated group was 70.3, which was higher by 24% in terms of index than that of the control group.

8. The crystal structure of nephrite jade used in the experiment was a rod structure with a sharp end.

Experimental Example 6 The experiment was performed to investigate the effectof containers (bowls) made of the synthetic resin containing nephrite jade according to the present invention (Examples 1-3) on the freshness of pork when pork had been stored in the bowl.

The experiment was performed by Korea Food Research Institute.

Details are described below: Pork was stored either in a jade-containing synthetic resin bowl or in a plain bowl (control) for 0, 4, 7, 14 or 21 days at 0 C or 40C. One hundred grams (100g) of pork cut from the ham part was kept in each container, while the drip loss, meat colour, pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN: protein denaturation) and lipid oxidation (TBA) were measured. The results are shown in Table 11 below: Table 11

Temp( C) 0 4 Container Control Jade Control Jade Color(#E) 53.70#4.34 Day 0 pH 5.83#0.04 VBN 3.50#0.43 TBA 0.06310.013 Color(#E) 55.80~0.01 49.30~0.11 54.90~0.08 56.50~0.07 pH 5.46~0.04 5.42~0.00 5.59~0.01 5.69~0.01 Day 4 VBN 5.56~0.20 4.29~0.20 5.65~0.39 5.42~1.41 TBA 0.153~0.00 0.104~0.032 0.122~0.006 0.099~0.025 Drip loss(%) 0.14 0.57 0.54 0.01 Color (hE) 55.50 + 0.47 52.60 + 0.75 52.80 + 0.06 52.90~0.05 pH 5.77~0.03 5.84~0.01 5.56~0.01 5.65~0.01 Day 7 VBN 2.36~0.00 2.32~0.00 3.48~0.45 2.59~0.22 TBA 0.234~0.013 0.203~0.006 0.239~0.006 0.203~0.019 Dried loss(%) 1.02 0.17 1.90 0.43 Color(#E) 51.70~0.10 53.80~0.13 62.80~0.00 56.70~0.04 pH 5.50~0.01 5.67~0.03 6.71~0.00 5.91~0.02 Day 14 VBN 3.00~0.39 3.98~0.18 6.17~0.87 3.85~0.53 TBA 0.162~0.013 0.176~0.019 2.406~0.191 0.811~0.089 Drip loss(%) 0.92 0.27 2.70 0.19 Color(#E) 52.40~0.06 59.20~0.13 58.20~0.13 66.30~0.33 pH 6.41~0.01 6.07~0.00 7.24~0.00 6.69~0.01 Day 21 VBN 5.32U0.36 7.35~0.42 30.67~3.31 15.08~0.98 TBA 10.220~0.230 6.852~0.274 10.15~0.198 2.298~0.102 Drip loss(%) 1.11 0.35 0.85 0.25 VBN : mg% TBA : mg Mal/kg of meat Fig. 3A shows the effect of the jade container on drip loss (%) when pork was stored at OOC or 40C for 21 days.

Fig. 3B shows the effect of the jade container on meat pH when pork was stored at OOC or 40C for 21 days.

Fig. 3C shows the effect of the jade container on VBN content when pork was stored at 0 C or 4"C for 21 days.

Fig. 3D shows the effect of the jade container on TBA value when pork was stored at OOC or 40C for 21 days.

Fig. 3E shows the effect of the jade container on meat colour when pork was stored at OOC or 40C for 21 days.

As can be seen from the results, drip loss was much less in pork stored in the jade bowl and tended to be considerably reduced as time passed by, regardless of the storage temperature. As an important indicator of postmortem change of muscles, pH normally reduces immediately after slaughter and then remains as high as 6.5-6.3. In the present experiment, the type of the container did not seem to affect pH change (though pH at 4"C was higher than that at OOC) and the VBN value (which indicates the degree of protein denaturation) of pork directly. However, the TBA value (which indicates the degree of lipid oxidation) was kept lower in pork stored in the jade bowl regardless of the storage temperature. Meat colour was measured by a colour difference meter due to absorption and reflection of meat colour pigment. The eE value was lower in the control (plain bowl group) than in the jade bowl group at 0 C and no consistent tendency was observed in pork stored at 4 C though the aE value at 0 C was lower than that at 40C.

This might have resulted from higher metmyoglobin formation due to more dehydration caused by the high temperature.

From the experiment, if containers made of jade or packing materials (such as polyvinyl film) coated with jade powder are used in storing food, sanitary and quality might be maintained in the distribution of corruptible food, thereby lengthening the shelf life and enhancing the safety.

Experimental Example 7 The IR study of nephrite lade powder used in the present invention was performed. (See Fig. 2) Table 12

Sample Jade Powder Appearance White Powder Experimental Method KS L 100-94 Turning Strength (N/cm) 3.64 Emission Ratio (5-20 pm) 0.91 Emitted Energy (W/m', pm, 402C) 3.66 x 102 Note: The results by using an FT-IR Spectrometer, as compared to the measurement of Black Body (by Korea Experimental Research Center for Building Materials).

Experimental Example 8 The COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of the jade powder used in the present invention were tested. (by F.D.A of U.S.A. S. certified Experimental Research Center) Table 13

Sample Jade Powder Appearance White Powder Experimental Method Standard Methods Results Described Below

Water (Control) Jade-Treated BOD for 5 days 224 mg/l 223 mg/l COD 115 mg/l 110 mg/l Experimental Example 9 The experiment is to examine the effects of a jade mug prepared from Examples 1-3 of the present invention, which might change the taste attributes of a beverage (commercial instant coffee) when the beverage is served in a jade container. The experiment was performed by Department of Food & Nutrition of Chung-Ang University and Korea Food Research Institute. The details are described below: 1 > Object of the experiment To examine the change in taste, aroma, aftertaste and/or colour of coffee when it is served in a jade mug or a plain mug (control).

2 > Test method: Paired Preference Test - to test preference of one sample over the other sample - test attributes: taste, aroma, aftertaste, colour 3 > Sensory Panels - 20-25 senior students majored in food & nutrition at Chung-Ang University in Korea (who are experienced with the panel test and have knowledge on the test method) 4 > Test Period - March to June, 1996 - once a week - Totally 10 times were performed.

5 > Test container and type of beverage - A jade mug and a plain mug: both having same appearance beverage instant coffee (Taster's Choice) 6 > Sample preparation - 1 tea spoon of coffee was mixed to 1/2 cup of 100C water.

7 > Statistics: T-test (p < 0.05) Results 1. Taste: Coffee contained in the jade mug imparted a much less bitter taste (p10.05).

2. Colour & Aftertaste: The jade mug tended to give a better colour and aftertaste, but statistically non-significant.

3. Aroma: The plain mug gave a better coffee aroma than the jade mug, but statistically non-significant.

* Table 14 below shows the effect of the jade mug on the sensory attributes of coffee.

Table 14

Taste Aroma Aftertaste Color Conclusion The jade mug seems to make the taste of coffee mild (which is proved to be statistically significant). Aftertaste and colour of the coffee contained in the jade mug was similar to or better than that contained in a plain mug (not statistically significant). Aroma of coffee contained in a plain mug was better than that in jade mug (not statistically significant).

Experimental Example 10 The experiment is to investigate the effect of jade-containing synthetic-resin tiles and supernatant jade water after precipitation of jade powder on the reproduction and growth in rats when jade tiles were placed on the cage and jade water was fed instead of tap water. It was performed by Korea Food Research Institute. The details are described below.

Thirty male and female Sprague Dawley rats (9 weeks old) were assigned to each treatment. Rats of group A were housed in the cages placed with jade tile and provided with tap water.

Rats of group B were fed with supernatant jade water after precipitation of jade powder (2 mg/ml tap water), but no jade tile was placed on the cage. The rats of group C formed a control group (no jade tiles and no jade water). Rats were mated for nine days and then male rats separated and sacrificed for sperm concentration and motility tests. The results are shown in Table 15 below: Table 15: Effects of Jade Products on the Reproduction and Growth of Rats

Group A B C Parturition (No. of 9 9 8 rats) Litter size (#/#) 96 (57/39) 94(57/37) 102 (54/48) Litter size (head/# P 10.911.4 12.812.1 rat) Body weight at 4.73~1.10 5.79~0.95 5.35~0.35 birth (q) Mortality (No. of 4 4 3 head) Days from mating 23.8#1.4 (n=10) 25.1#1.7 (n=9) 25.5#3.7(n=8) to parturition Body weight at 43.45#8.04 42.73#8.76 42.07#10.71 weaning (g) Body weight at 294.0110.9 274.418.6 288.4126.7 slaughter (q) Testis weight (g) 3.90~0.21 3.57~0.30 3.99~0.15 Sperm concentration 6.32~2.4 4.80~1.3 4.60~1.9 (108/ml) Sperm motility (%) 91.0~4.2 92.0~2.7 88.0~7.6 From the findings, jade tile (group A) and jade water (group B) treatments had shown better parturition records.

Parturition rates of groups A and B (90%, respectively) were higher than those of group C (80%). The number of male puppies was higher in group A and B (3 puppies more, respectively), although rats of group C gave birth to several (6-8) more puppies. Also the length of time from mating to parturition was shorter in group A rats than the other two groups of rats.

Besides these findings, sperm concentration and motility in both rats of group A and B were superior to C. However, the effects of both jade tile and jade water treatments at the same time were not investigated in this study.

In conclusion, the results suggest that jade tile and jade water seem to affect the reproduction and growth of rats: either jade tile or jade water treatment groups had shown better indices of reproduction and growth. It would be very valuable to investigate these effects further for future application. These findings may be applied as basic data to the improvement of reproductive efficiency and to strengthen the sperm concentration and motility rate.

Experimental Example 11 The experiment is to investigate the relieving effect of various jade products on the symptoms of diabetes mellitus when various jade products were applied to streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus rats. It was performed by Korea Food Research Institute. The details are described below. (See Fig.s 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F) To thirty-two (32) Sprague Dawley rats weighing 252-292 9 were given streptozotocin [35-40 mg (per kg of body weight) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer of pH 4.0] peritoneally to induce diabetes. Seven days after administration of streptozotocin, rats showing blood glucose levels higher than 25 mg/dl were selected based on uropaper (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan). Four experimental groups of 5 rats each were employed for 50 days of experimental period. Group A rats were injected with 1.0 ml of distilled jade water peritoneally (pH 6.4) each day. Rats of group B were housed in cages placed with jade tiles on the bottom throughout the experiment. Rats of group C were fed with supernatant jade water after precipitation out of jade powder as everyday drinking water.

Group D rats as a control did not have any treatment. Diets fed were commercial rat chow, and the rats were cared for according to the general practices. Rats were sacrificed on day 50 and blood was collected from the abdominal aorta.

Plasma were prepared from centrifuging blood containing heparin at 5,000 rpm for 15 min, after standing the blood at room temperature for 30 min. Organs (liver, kidney) taken out were weighed and recorded. Measurements tested in blood plasma were HBA (plasma 13-hydroxybutyrate), FFA (free fatty acids), cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride. The content of HBA is qualitatively analyzed by measuring the increase of Absorbance (OD) of NADH, which is produced by oxidation by B-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, at 340 nm. Lipids in blood were measured by using a clinical kit (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan).

Table 16: Effects of Jade Products on the Body and organ weight Chanqes in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Body weight (g) Organ weight (g/100g body wt.) Group Beginning Ending Liver Kidney A 270.4~11.3 271.7~49.4 4.31~0.33 1.02~0.12 B 284.8~6.1 279.6~20.4 4.30~0.64 1.01~0.18 C 280A1132 315.7141.1 3.9610.75 0.8710.14 D 252.2~4.2 194.8~26.3 4.37~0.19 0.78~0.04 Table 17: Effects of Jade Products on the Changes of Biochemical Indices in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Glucose HBAa FFA@ TCc TG@ HDL@ Group (mg/100ml) ( mol/l) ( e@/ml) (mg/100ml) (mg/100ml) (mg/100ml) A 639.2~99.0a 0.782~0.481a 507.6~226.6a 166.2~69.4 410.7~50.1 32.35~5.94 B 495.1~228.1a@ 0.527~0.296a# 349.5~79.2a@ 161.3~45.3 122.5~43.5 29.49~1.71 C 354.1~154.2bc 0.425~0.172ab 287.3~71.7@ 145.4~29.1 87.9~29.2 30.55~8.28 D 196.8~16.3@ 0.276~0.036@ 291.0~131.2@ 158.2~12.2 86.8~3.4 31.37~3.84 p < 0.05 a -Hydroxybutyrate (ketone form) tFree fatty acid CTotal-cholesterol dTriglyceride (neutral lipid) eHigh-density low-protein cholesterol In terms of body weight, group C rats fed with jade water had shown higher body weight than other grOups, of which the body weight was reduced (B, D) or maintained (A) at the end of the experiment. Kidney weights are generally increased in DM patients, and this tendency also was observed in this experiment. Kidney weight of group C was the lowest among the treatments besides control. Liver weight was also increased owing to the induction of diabetes, but liver weight was the lowest in rats fed with jade water. Concentrations of blood glucose, ketone body and FFA were higher in the order of groups A, B, C and D. Blood plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentration had followed the same tendency (A > B > C > D) to the above parameters mentioned. From the results, rats fed with jade water (group C) showed comparatively lower values of all the parameters measured rather than the other two experimental groups, and blood cholesterol and FFA concentrations were lower in rats of group C than the control without any jade treatment.

TC (blood cholesterol) and TG (neutral lipid) concentration was in the order of A > B > C > D. The result of glycemic index by blood sugar reaction after meals changes dependent upon the researchers. However, in the experiment, though commercial blended feed (TMR) was fed without considering glycemic index of cereals, C group fed with jade water showed an effect for alleviating hyperlipidemia, one of the diabetic symptoms. There occurred no difference of HDL-cholesterol concentration between the test groups.

The administration of jade water to Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed effects of preventing the reduction of body weight, preventing enlargement of kidney or liver as well as alleviating hyperlipidemia, one of the diabetic symptoms.

Experimental Example 12 The study was performed to investigate the effects of nephrite jade on lowering blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats when jade bedding was placed instead of plain straw in rat cages. The experiment was performed by Korea Food Research Institute.

The details are described hereinbelow: Twelve of eight week old male SHR were assigned to either group A (jade bedding) consisting of 6 animals or B (control) of 6 animals. Group A were given jade bedding products placed in the bottom of the cage, while Group B, general straw. Rats were fed by commercial extrusion feed formula (Samyang Oil & Fats Co.), and general guidelines of sun-light control and breeding were followed. The experiment had been continued for 5 weeks including the 1 week period of adapting the rats to the holder for measuring blood pressure. Body weight and blood pressure were measured every week. After placing the animal in the holder, and stabilizing the animal in the incubator having temperature of 29~1 C for about 10 minutes, blood pressure was indirectly measured by tail pulse pick up method using a noninvasive blood pressure analyzer (IITC Inc., Woodland Hills, California). General standard for evaluating blood pressure in clinical tests was used.

Body weight of SHR rats increased during the experiment as can been seen from Fig. 5A, but it was not statistically significant between rats of group A (1.43 + 1.04 9) and B (1.50 + 0.27 9). In general, the growth rate of spontaneously hypertensive SHR is known to be lower than that of normal SHR.

The weekly change of systolic blood pressure (mmHg) of SHR treated with jade products for 4 weeks is shown in Table 18 below.

Table 18

Treatment Week A (Nephrite jade) B (Control) 0 202.6 + 9.19 199.8 + 11. 68 1 193. 1 7.72 205.9 + 8.50 2 191.7 + 6.97 213.0 + 11.75 3 187.3 + 8.65 212.7 + 16.69 4 187.1 + 8.89 208.5 + 17.61 Hypotensive effect (week) 0 - 2 - 10.5 ~ 3.21 + 13.4 ~ 3.75 2 - 4 - 4.6 1 5.36 - 4.5 1 5.45 The systolic blood pressure of jade treated rats (group A) tended to be reduced after a week of experiment by about 10 mmHg from 202.6 mmHg at the standard point as shown in Table 18 and Fig. 5B. From the third week, systolic blood pressure had been maintained almost consistently near 187 mmHg.

Throughout the study, a total of about 16 mmHg (more than 10 mmHg, evaluation standard of blood pressure change in clinical test) has been reduced in rats of group A, so that the change is thought to be significant. On the other hand, rats of group B showed increased systolic blood pressure up to 213 mmHg from 200 mmHg of the standard point during the first half of the study and then somewhat decreased during the second half of the study and showed somewhat stable tendency at about 209 mmHg at week 4.

As shown in Fig. 5C, rats of group A showed considerable reductions of systolic blood pressure (-10.5 mmHg) throughout the experiment and those of group B significant increase (+13.4 mmHg) during the first half of the study period. In addition, systolic blood pressure (-4.6, Table 19-2 (Object: 55 year old man)

Before wearing After wearing heart rate HR (SaO2) 83 BPM 85 BPM blood pressure NIBP SYS 181 mmHg 173 mmHg MEAN (142) mmHg (127) mmHg DIAS 111 mmHg 110 mmHg oxygen concentration (SaO2) 95 % 95 % pulse 83 BPM 85 BPM Table 19-3 (Object 64 year old man)

Before wearing After wearing heart rate HR(Sa02) 68 BPM 68 BPM blood pressure NIBP SYS 185 mmHg 176 mmHg MEAN (117) mmHg (125) mmHg DIAS (104) mmHg 105 mmHg oxygen concentration (spa02) 74 % 96 % pulse 68 BPM 68 BPM Experimental Example 14 In order to examine the effect of jade-containing personal ornaments (necklaces, rings and bracelets) prepared in Examples 1-3 on patients having various symptoms, the experiment was performed by Chinese Medicine Hospital in Beijing. The details are shown in the report of the Hospital as follows: Clinical report concerning personal ornaments containing nephrite jade powder mined from Chuncheon, Korea (by Chinese Medicine Hospital in Beiiina) 1. Sex and age male: 35 people female: 65 people < 35 years: 13 people 36-50 years: 36 people 2 66 years: 16 people 2. Progress of disease < 1 year: 25 cases 1-3 years: 28 cases 3-5 years: 38 cases 2 5 years: 9 cases 3. Type of disease 1) hypertension: 18 cases 2) irregular heart rate: 17 cases 3) complication of menopausal disorder and nervous breakdown: 33 cases 4) disease of cervical vertebra: 12 cases 5) coronary arteriosclerosis: 5 cases 6) other disease: 15 cases Total : 100 cases 4. Observation of main syndrome insomnia, ringing in the ears, dizziness, headache, oppressed symptom, uneasy symptom, arthralgia, hypertension Method of Observation 1. Selection of case of disease and standard for diagnosis Hypochondria, dizziness, palpitation, uneasiness, headache, disease symptomized by thirst and rheumatism (in terms of western medical science, hypertension, irregular heart rate, nervous breakdown, joint pain, diabetes and complication of menopausal disorder).

2. Method of observation a) The selection of case of disease was randomly performed.

Total 100 cases corresponding to the standard for diagnosis were selected and treated as objects of observation. b) Process of treatment: Observation was performed during two unit treatment periods (One month as a unit treatment period). c) Origin of jade ornaments: Jade ornaments provided by the Applicant were used.

5. Items of observation (1) Clinical observation: Main clinical symptoms before and after wearing the ornaments were observed. (insomnia, ringing in the ears, dizziness, headache, oppressed symptom, uneasy symptom, arthralgia, change of tongue, change of pulse, change of blood pressure) (2) Items of test Number of leukocytes, haemoglobins, thrombocytes, erythrocytes, urine sugar, blood sugar, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, X-ray and electrocardiogram were tested before and after wearing the jade products.

6. Criteria of remedial value According to "How to determine remedial value of Chinese medical treatment" published by Ministry of Sanitation, Pharmaceutical Department in 1988, the remedial values are evaluated as follows: prominent and continuous treating effect: 4 scores (++++) continuous and substantial effect: 3 scores (+++) occasional or irregular effect: 2 scores (++) rare effect: 1 score (+) no effect: 0 score (-) 7. Decision of remedial value depending on the integrated value of total scores (1) Symptoms disappear after treatment: complete remedy (2) Decrease of the integrated value more than 2/3: prominent effect (3) Decrease of the integrated value by 2/3-1/3: positive effect (4) Decrease of the integrated value less than 1/3: no effect Remedial value of main symptoms Table 20-1: Comparison of chanae of symptoms

Complete Prominent Positive No effect Total Symptom remedy(%) effect(%) effect (%) (%) efficiency(%) Insomnia 31.30 17.20 32.80 3.10 96.90 Ringing in 60.90 2.20 28.30 8.70 91.30 the ear Dizziness 46.00 20.60 20.60 12.70 87.30 Headache 51. 40 8.10 24.3 16.20 83.80 Oppressed 36.20 6.40 44.70 12.80 87. 20 symptom Uneasy 50.00 35.7 7.10 7. 10 92.90 symptom Arthralgia 20 35.00 40 40 60.00 Hypertension O : 50.00 22.22 22.22 77. 80 As can be shown in Table 20-1, the remedial effect on insomnia was very prominent. Total efficiency on insomnia was 96.9%; that on ringing in the ear was 91.3%; on uneasy symptom, 92.9; on dizziness, 87.30%; on oppressed symptom, 87.2%; on headache, 83.80; and prominent effect also revealed on arthralgia and hypertension.

Table 20-2: Comparison of remedial value for each disease

Disease Complete Prominent Positive No Total remedy(%) effect(5) effect(%) effect(%) efficiency(%) Hypertension 0 27.8 50.0 22.2 77.8 Coronary 0 20.0 60.0 22.0 80.0 arteriosclerosis Irregular heart rate 17.6 23.5 35.3 23.5 76.5 Nervous breakdown 12.1 33.3 39.4 15.2 84.8 Disease of cerivical 16.7 50.5 16.7 16.70 83.3 vertebra Others 26.7 6.7 26.7 40.0 60.0 Total 13 28 37 22 78 * note : % means the percentage of patients of the Hospital.

As can be seen from Table 20-2, total efficiency of wearing nephrite jade products for nervous breakdown including the complication of menopausal disorder was 84.8%; that for hypertension, 77.8; that for irregular heart rate, 76.5; and prominent effects on other diseases (diabetes, gastritis, arthralgia) were also revealed. Table 20-3: Comparison of change of integrated value

Mean value per one Total value person Before treatment 2075 2075 After treatment l 870 870 Difference 1205 1205 58.07% 58.07% Table 20-4: Comparison of total clinical remedial value

Complete Prominent Positive No Total Remedy effect effect effect efficiency Cases 13 28 37 22 78 % 13% 28% 37% 22% 78% As can be seen from Table 20-4, 13% of the patients showed complete remedy, 28% of the patients showed prominent effect, and 37% showed positive effect (total efficiency: 76%).

5. During the period of clinical observation, 100 cases did not show any adverse reaction, particularly on heart or liver.

Conclusion Total 100 cases have been observed, in view of hypertension, irregular heart rate, complication of menopausal disorder, disease of cervical vertebra and arthralgia. Among the 100 cases, 13 cases revealed complete remedy, 28 cases revealed prominent effect, 37 cases revealed positive effect and 22 cases showed no effect (total efficiency: 78%).

In view of main symptoms, 62 cases among 64 cases of insomnia showed certain effect (total efficiency: 96.9%); 42 cases among 46 cases of ringing in the ears showed certain effect (total efficiency: 91.3); 52 cases among 56 cases of uneasy symptom showed certain effect (total efficiency: 92.9%); 55 cases among 63 cases of dizziness showed certain effect (total efficiency: 87.3%); 41 cases among 47 cases of oppressed symptom showed certain effect (total efficiency: 87.2%).

Besides, prominent effect was revealed on headache, arthralgia and hypertension.

As described in above Experimental Examples, the nephrite jade powder used in the synthetic resin according to the present invention showed the following effects: 1 > In the test for freshness of pork, drip loss was much less in pork stored in a jade bowl and tended to be considerably reduced as time passed, regardless of the storage temperature. VBN (protein denaturation) and TBA value (which indicates the degree of lipid oxidation) was kept lower, too, in pork stored in a jade bowl; 2 > In the sensory test concerning taste, the jade mug seems to make the taste of coffee mild (which is proved to be statistically significant, p < 0.05); 3 > In the experiment to investigate the effect of jade products on the reproduction of rats (SD rat), the jade treated rats showed superior ability of parturition, reduced time from mating to parturition and superior sperm concentration and motility to the control group.

4 > In the experiment to investigate the relieving effect of jade on the symptoms of diabetes mellitus when various jade products were applied to streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus rats, rats fed by jade water showed lower lipid concentration in blood, so that jade products may be used to alleviate hyperlipidemia, one of the diabetic symptoms.

5 > In the study to investigate the effects of nephrite jade on lowering blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) when jade beddings were used, significant hypotensive effect has been shown as compared to the control group. It was confirmed that systolic blood pressure has been reduced by about 16 mmHg.

6 > As shown in Table 6 of Experimental Example 3, it was confirmed that the interior finishing board made of the synthetic resin according to the present invention imparted an excellent power-saving effect.

7 > As shown in Tables 20-1 to 20-4, jade-containing products showed prominent remedial effects on insomnia, dizziness, arthralgia and hypertension.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A molded article made of synthetic resin, which contains 5-15% by weight of nephrite jade powder.
2. A molded article according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin is a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or ABS resin.
3. A molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nephrite jade powder comprises a composition in weight % as follows:

Silicon 34 Tin 0.024 Magnesium 10 Beryllium 0.00072 Calcium
4.9 Silver 0.0013 Iron 0.23 Titanium 0.0038 Aluminium 0.16 Nickel 0.0028 Copper 0.17 Chromium 0.0030 Cobalt 0.046 Other elements 0 Manganese 0.14 4. A process for manufacturing a molded article made of a synthetic resin, wherein 5 - 15 % by weight (based on total weight of resin raw material) of nephrite jade powder having a particle size 100-350 mesh is added to the resin raw material.
5. A process according to claim 4, wherein the molded article to be manufactured is in the form of utensil goods, equipment for leisure or Sports, agricultural goods, fishery goods, medical goods, packages, vessels, electric/electronic goods, traffic goods, transportation goods, constructional goods, interior goods, or industrial goods.
6. A molded article as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the Examples.
7. A process as claimed in Claim 4 substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the Examples.
8. Use of nephrite jade powder characterized as cryptocrystalline tremolite of P180, as an ingredient of a synthetic resin composition in an amount of 5 to 15% based on the total weight of the resin in order to impart desirable properties to molded articles made from the composition.

8. Use of nephrite jade powder as an ingredient of a synthetic resin composition in order to impart desirable properties to molded articles made from the composition.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A molded article made of synthetic resin, which contains 5-15t by weight of nephrite jade powder characterized as cryptocrystalline tremolite of 180, based on the total weight of the resin.

2. A molded article according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin is a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin.

3. A molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nephrite jade powder comprises a composition in weight % as follows:

Silicon 34 Tin 0.024 Magnesium 10 Beryllium 0.00072 Calcium 4.9 Silver 0.0013 Iron 0.23 Titanium 0.0038 Aluminium 0.16 Nickel 0.0028 Copper 0.17 Chromium 0.0030 Cobalt 0.046 Other elements 0 Manganese 0.14 4. A process for manufacturing a molded article made of a synthetic resin, wherein 5 - 15 k by weight (based on total weight of resin raw material) of nephrite jade powder having a particle size 100-350 mesh is added to the resin raw material.

5. A process according to claim 4, wherein the molded article to be manufactured is in the form of utensil goods, equipment for leisure or sports, agricultural goods, fishery goods, medical goods, packages, vessels, electric/electronic goods, traffic goods, transportation goods, constructional goods, interior goods, or industrial goods.

6. A molded article as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the Examples.

7. A process as claimed in Claim 4 substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the Examples.