WO2000032715A1 - Dispositif de prehension adapte a l'utilisateur forme d'une composition de gel thermoreversible - Google Patents

Dispositif de prehension adapte a l'utilisateur forme d'une composition de gel thermoreversible Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000032715A1
WO2000032715A1 PCT/US1999/027434 US9927434W WO0032715A1 WO 2000032715 A1 WO2000032715 A1 WO 2000032715A1 US 9927434 W US9927434 W US 9927434W WO 0032715 A1 WO0032715 A1 WO 0032715A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grip
gel composition
thermoreversible gel
writing instrument
customizable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/027434
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael T. Nowak
Barry W. Chadwick
Lev Bromberg
Toyoichi Tanaka
Original Assignee
Bic Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bic Corporation filed Critical Bic Corporation
Priority to AU17373/00A priority Critical patent/AU1737300A/en
Publication of WO2000032715A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000032715A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape

Definitions

  • This invention relates to temperature sensitive gels, and especially relates to gels which substantially solidify at body temperature and which are used as grips.
  • pens whose barrel is typically tubular and formed of metal or plastic, may have various diameter barrels, an ergonomic shape, and even a rubber grip.
  • men's razors typically have a substantially square geometry handle with or without a grip
  • women's razors may have a square or flat handle (i.e. somewhat rectangular or oval), triangular, other geometric cross-section to enhance maneuverability during use and to inhibit slipping.
  • the customizable grip comprises: a thermoreversible gel composition disposed within thermally conductive container, wherein said container is disposed on a grip portion of an object which will be contacted with a hand.
  • the method for forming a writing instrument having a customizable grip comprises: forming a barrel having a grip portion, disposing a writing composition concentrically within said barrel, forming a thermally conductive container, and disposing a thermoreversible gel composition within said container.
  • Figure 1 is a frontal view of an embodiment of a writing instrument comprising the customizing grip of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a combination of frontal and side views of another embodiment of a writing instrument comprising the customizing grip of the present invention
  • Figures 3 and 4 are frontal views of other embodiments of writing instruments comprising the customizing grip of the present invention.
  • Figures 5 and 6 are side views illustrating embodiments of razors comprising the customizing grip of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a lighter comprising the customizing grip of the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a graph of the effect of Carbolpol on the gelation of the gelling compound; and Figures 9 and 10 are graphs of the effect of Avicel on the gelation of the gelling compound.
  • the present invention relates to a unique grip, such as for use on a writing instrument, lighter, razor handle, hand tools, power tools, sports equipment, and other instruments or devices which would have grips in contact with a human body, which, upon being held, customizes, i.e. molds, to accommodate each individual's grip. Once the grip is no longer held (i.e. provided a temperature in the range of about 15°C to about 40°C), the grip returns to its original shape. Consequently, upon each use of the instrument the grip customizes to the individual's hold.
  • This grip comprises a flexible container having a thermoreversible gel therein.
  • thermoreversible gel of the present invention comprises an aqueous solution of about 1 weight percent (wt%) to about 50 wt% of a gelling compound having a liquid, or soft or viscous gel state wherein the liquid has a loss modulus (G") greater than its storage modulus (G') at temperatures below about 15°C, while being a gel having G' greater than G" by at least about 150% at temperatures above about 15°C.
  • the gelling compound should be capable of forming temperature sensitive hydrogen bonds, a thermally reversible non-permanent physical association between polymer chains, or possess both water soluble and water insoluble segments.
  • Possible gelling compounds which could be employed with the present invention include, but are not limited to, poly(vinyl alcohol) crosslinked by poly(ethylene oxide), boric acid and other hydrogen bonding agents; syndiotactic poly(methacrylic acid), and poly(vinyl alcohol); ethyl(hydroxyethyl)cellulose blended with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; block-copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), among others, and combinations thereof, with gelling compounds which have a transition temperature range from the liquid to the gel states of 0.1 to 8°C preferred.
  • thermoreversible gel of the present invention further comprises a rheology modifier which thickens the gelling compound such that at low temperatures, such as below about 17°C, the thermoreversible gel will retain a viscosity of at least about 1,000 centipoise (cps), such that it can more readily be incorporated into the various embodiments of the present invention including a writing instrument, razor handle, etc.
  • Rheology modifiers include a material or combination of materials capable of increasing the viscosity of the gelling compound while not inhibiting the gelling compound's ability to form a gel upon the application of heat.
  • rheology modifier typically, an amount of rheology modifier below a level which the modifier would prevent the transition from a viscous gel to an elastic gel upon the application of heat, can be employed. Consequently, up to about 20 weight percent (wt%) rheology modifier or more if other additives are employed can be used, with below about 20 wt% rheology modifier preferred.
  • thermoreversible gel of the present invention can further comprise other additives, including, but not limited to, acids, alcohols, amines, surfactants, salts, anti- bacterial agents, dyes such as thermochronin dyes, pigments, ultraviolet absorbers, fluorescent agents, and others, such as a filler, and combinations thereof.
  • the filler can be employed to render the gel white, opaque, or colored. As with the rheology modifier or any other additive, the filler must not prevent the viscous gel from transitioning to an elastic gel state.
  • Some possible fillers include, but are not limited to, silica, polyacrylic acid, cellulosic polymers, polyurethane, associative thickeners, proteins, among others, and combinations thereof.
  • the amount of filler is based upon the desired feel of the grip. Typically up to about 40 wt% of the total composition (gel, thickener, water, and filler) can be filler, with about 10 wt% to about 30 wt% filler preferred, and about 17 wt% to about 25 wt% especially preferred.
  • the thermoreversible gel it can either be sterilized in a conventional fashion, such as using heat (i.e. autoclaving), radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, and/or chemicals, such as ethyl oxide, among others, or an antibacterial agent can be added to the composition.
  • the anti-bacterial agent should not effect the gelation capabilities of the composition.
  • Possible anti-bacterial agents include: azides, such as sodium azide, conventional biocides, or combinations thereof.
  • Preparation of the composition comprises: mixing the various components under low shear. Preferably the components are mixed together at low temperature, preferably about 5°C, so as to form a substantially homogeneous, viscous gel. Once mixed, the composition can be disposed in any container having an appropriate geometry, a smooth or textured exterior surface, and sufficient structural integrity to restrain the composition under normal use conditions.
  • Possible containers have various sizes and geometries and should: (1) be flexible, capable of allowing the gel to conform to the individual's grip; (2) be inert with relation to the composition; (3) be moisture resistant for the given environment; (4) possess a low moisture vapor barrier, for example less than about 0.001 grams per square centimeter per 24 hours (g/cm 2 /24 hrs) at 50°C; (5) possess a high heat transfer rate, for example a rate similar to that of aluminum foil (247 watts per degree Kelvin (W/°K)), i.e., about 225 W/°K or greater; and (6) possess sufficient structural integrity to withstand normal use conditions, with a burst strength greater than about 800 pounds per square inch (psi) desired, and greater than about 1,000 psi preferred.
  • W/°K watts per degree Kelvin
  • Possible containers include, but are not limited to, bags, laminates, bladders such as doughnut bladders, toroid bladders, thermally weldable bladders, among others.
  • These containers can be formed from materials including, but not limited to, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyethylenes, cellulose, acrylics, polyolefms, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalates, polystyrenes, ethylene vinyl alcohols, polyurethanes, polyesters, polypropylenes, polyvinyl acetates (including partially saponified polyvinyl acetate), polyvinyl alcohols, aluminum (or other metallic films), and mixtures and laminates thereof, among other materials which are inert with relation to the gel composition.
  • container materials include, but are not limited to, Surlyn ® , Bynel ® , Elvax ® , Nucrel ® , Appeel ® , and Saran ® (commercially available from E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE) alone or in combination, and laminates thereof with materials such as papers, foils (including, but not limited to metal foils), ethylene vinyl alcohols, polyethylenes (high and/or low density), polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, and others.
  • the container heat transfer characteristics can be improved by combining the container materials with high heat conductivity materials, such as metals, and/or by utilizing a metal lining within the container.
  • the metal liner is inert with respect to the thermoreversible gel composition and is located so as not to inhibit the flexibility of the container.
  • above-mentioned materials could form the portion of the container directly contacted by a hand, and the metal lining could form the opposite side of the container which is in intimate contact with the barrel of the writing instrument.
  • the desired geometry, size, and specific orientation of the metal liner is dependent upon the heat transfer characteristics and the liner's effect on the container's flexibility.
  • Other container characteristics can be adjusted through various techniques, including, but not limited to: (a) increasing the thickness of the polymer layer forming the container (the bladder thickness is based upon the type of item and the stresses associated with the item's normal use; typically the layer can be up to a few millimeters thick, with less than about 1 mm thick preferred); (b) introducing crystallinity into the polymer container as may be achieved by orientation, such as in a stretch blow molding process (biaxial stretching) or control of blow-up ratio in a film extrusion process; (c) utilization of various fillers and/or stabilizers; (d) utilization of polymer blends and/or copolymers; (e) coating of one polymer with another; and/or (f) lamination of one or more polymer layers together and/or with reinforcing layers, heat conducting layers, and others, in adhesive, extrusion, coextrusion or other processes.
  • orientation such as in a stretch blow molding process (biaxial stretching) or control of blow-up ratio in a film
  • thermoreversible gel composition Disposed within the container is preferably a sufficient amount of thermoreversible gel composition to enable the grip to mold to the individual's hold, with the specific amount of thermoreversible gel composition being dependent on the size of the item and its grip.
  • a sufficient amount of thermoreversible gel composition to enable the grip to mold to the individual's hold, with the specific amount of thermoreversible gel composition being dependent on the size of the item and its grip.
  • up to about 30 grams of the composition will be employed for most hand-held items, with about 0.1 to about 20 grams per bladder preferred.
  • the following examples are meant to be exemplary, not limiting.
  • the writing instrument of Figure 1 illustrates a textured bladder 1 with a composition comprising 20 wt% Pluronic F127 (a block-copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) available from BASF Company, Mount Olive, NJ), 3 wt% Avicel, and 20 wt% silica gel (60 A pore, 35 - 75 micrometer particle available from Analtech, Newark, DE).
  • the bladder 1 is disposed around barrel 5, which houses an ink cartridge or lead (not shown).
  • the composition is disposed within bladders 1' (see Figure 2) having thicknesses "a" of about 25 millimeters (mm) and "b" of about 40 mm, and a width of about 8 mm.
  • these bladders 1' can comprise the same or different container composition and/or the same or different thermoreversible gel composition.
  • the exact container and thermoreversible gel chosen for each location can be tailored to the conditions typically encountered by that portion of the grip (e.g., temperature, pressures, stresses, etc.).
  • the composition could be prepared by combining Pluronic F127, deionized water having a temperature of water 5°C, silica gel, and Avicel in a paddle blade mixer (air or electric) with moderate agitation.
  • the composition can be sterilized under ionizing radiation for about 1 minute in an ultraviolet electron beam.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate other writing instruments employing bladders having disposed in different locations on the writing instrument.
  • the size, geometry, and location of the bladder on an item, and the amount of composition employed within the bladder is dependent upon the size and geometry of the item.
  • An alternative composition comprises 18 wt% Pluronic F127, Pluronic F68 (another block-copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide available from BASF Company, Mount Olive, NJ), 2 wt% Avicel, 20 wt% silica gel, and 0.05 wt% sodium azide.
  • This composition could be prepared by combining Pluronic F127 and Pluronic F68, with water. Silica gel and Avicel can then be added to the aqueous Pluronic solution. In order to inhibit bacterial growth within the bladder, the composition can be sterilized in an autoclave.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show two different possible embodiments which can be employed with razors.
  • the bladder 1 " forms the majority of the handle of the razor 7.
  • a stem 11 can optionally be employed within the bladder 1" for additional structural integrity.
  • the bladder 1' is disposed on the handle 15 as desired.
  • Figure 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention where a bladder 1' is disposed in the frontal portion of a lighter 17.
  • thermoreversible composition can be formed using conventional techniques, such as molding and the like.
  • a writing instrument can be formed in a conventional fashion wherein a barrel having a grip portion is formed with a writing composition (e.g. lead, ink, or the like) concentrically disposed therein.
  • a thermoreversible gel composition is then formed and disposed in a container located on the grip portion of the barrel.
  • the composition of the present invention can be used to form numerous customized grips for a variety of objects, including, but not limited to, writing instruments, golf club grips, bicycle grips, lighters, razors, stroller grips, steering wheels, fishing pole handles, lawn and garden equipment grips, power tool grips, and any other grips which are grasped with a hand or other object which will provide a sufficient amount of heat to render the composition in a state such that its storage modulus is greater than its loss modulus.
  • the composition of the present invention has a sufficient viscosity at low temperatures to substantially maintain its shape while being soft and somewhat malleable, and is stiff at slightly higher temperatures, rigidly retaining its shape, even under pressure. Heat provided by a hand gripping the container causes the thermoreversible gel to customize to the grip and to solidify in that shape, rendering the grip ergonomically correct. Once the user releases the grip, the gel cools, converts back to its original flowable state.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de préhension unique, adaptable à l'utilisateur qui est formé d'un gel thermoréversible et d'un contenant thermiquementonducteur. Ce dispositif de préhension, qui peut être utilisé sur des articles tels que des instruments d'écriture, des outils mécaniques, des rasoirs, des briquets et des articles de sport, entre autres, adapte spécifiquement le dispositif de préhension à l'utilisateur. En utilisation, la chaleur dégagée par une main se saisissant du contenant modifie le gel thermoréversible de telle sorte qu'il adapte le dispositif de préhension à l'utilisateur et qu'il se solidifie dans cette même forme, le dispositif de préhension étant ainsi correct du point de vue ergonomique. Lorsque l'utilisateur lâche le dispositif de préhension, le gel se refroidit et revient à son état fluide de départ.
PCT/US1999/027434 1998-12-03 1999-11-18 Dispositif de prehension adapte a l'utilisateur forme d'une composition de gel thermoreversible WO2000032715A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU17373/00A AU1737300A (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-18 Customized grip using a thermoreversible gel composition

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11074598P 1998-12-03 1998-12-03
US60/110,745 1998-12-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000032715A1 true WO2000032715A1 (fr) 2000-06-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/027434 WO2000032715A1 (fr) 1998-12-03 1999-11-18 Dispositif de prehension adapte a l'utilisateur forme d'une composition de gel thermoreversible

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1737300A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000032715A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002041953A1 (fr) 2000-11-23 2002-05-30 Speedo International Limited Masques et lunettes
US6968599B2 (en) * 2003-04-17 2005-11-29 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
WO2006134559A1 (fr) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Appareil comprenant un element de prehension
GB2431222A (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-18 H K Innovations Ltd Assembly with article and housing comprising a malleable portion
US7234205B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2007-06-26 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
GB2477169A (en) * 2010-01-21 2011-07-27 Stewart Sean Lewis Hand tool aid
FR2961437A1 (fr) * 2010-06-22 2011-12-23 Maped Instrument d'ecriture a configuration modifiable
EP2813295A1 (fr) * 2013-06-13 2014-12-17 Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH Outil à main ayant un revêtement en PVC fluorescent
DE202018102819U1 (de) 2018-05-20 2018-05-30 Carl Schöller Schreibstift

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4785495A (en) * 1987-08-17 1988-11-22 Dellis Edward A Moldable hand grips
DE4436964A1 (de) * 1994-10-15 1996-04-18 Stoecker Schneidwaren Gmbh & C Handgriff für Werkzeug
WO1996028056A1 (fr) * 1995-03-15 1996-09-19 Gel Sciences, Inc. Structures adaptables
DE29721565U1 (de) * 1997-11-19 1998-02-12 Gwozdz Henryk Kugelschreiber bzw. Füllfederhalter mit einer sich an die Fingerform anpassenden Griffstelle
WO1998037509A1 (fr) * 1997-02-24 1998-08-27 Patrick Malcolm Shearn Dispositif moulable de pointage informatique et procede d'utilisation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4785495A (en) * 1987-08-17 1988-11-22 Dellis Edward A Moldable hand grips
DE4436964A1 (de) * 1994-10-15 1996-04-18 Stoecker Schneidwaren Gmbh & C Handgriff für Werkzeug
WO1996028056A1 (fr) * 1995-03-15 1996-09-19 Gel Sciences, Inc. Structures adaptables
WO1998037509A1 (fr) * 1997-02-24 1998-08-27 Patrick Malcolm Shearn Dispositif moulable de pointage informatique et procede d'utilisation
DE29721565U1 (de) * 1997-11-19 1998-02-12 Gwozdz Henryk Kugelschreiber bzw. Füllfederhalter mit einer sich an die Fingerform anpassenden Griffstelle

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002041953A1 (fr) 2000-11-23 2002-05-30 Speedo International Limited Masques et lunettes
US7996961B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2011-08-16 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
US6968599B2 (en) * 2003-04-17 2005-11-29 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
US7234205B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2007-06-26 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
US7634839B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2009-12-22 Shedrain Corporation Pliable handle
WO2006134559A1 (fr) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Appareil comprenant un element de prehension
GB2431222A (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-18 H K Innovations Ltd Assembly with article and housing comprising a malleable portion
GB2477169A (en) * 2010-01-21 2011-07-27 Stewart Sean Lewis Hand tool aid
GB2477169B (en) * 2010-01-21 2014-12-10 Stewart Sean Lewis Hand tool aid with resistant members
FR2961437A1 (fr) * 2010-06-22 2011-12-23 Maped Instrument d'ecriture a configuration modifiable
EP2399757A1 (fr) 2010-06-22 2011-12-28 Maped Instrument d'écriture à configuration modifiable
EP2813295A1 (fr) * 2013-06-13 2014-12-17 Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH Outil à main ayant un revêtement en PVC fluorescent
WO2014198825A1 (fr) * 2013-06-13 2014-12-18 Stanley Works (Europe) Gmbh Outil doté d'un revêtement pvc fluorescent
DE202018102819U1 (de) 2018-05-20 2018-05-30 Carl Schöller Schreibstift
WO2019224066A1 (fr) 2018-05-20 2019-11-28 Carl Schoeller Stylo

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Publication number Publication date
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