Biofoam II
US5360828A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08J2389/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Biofoam is a rigid, microcellular organic foam made from organic materials derived from natural products and biological organisms. Starting materials include agar, agarose, gelatin, algin, alginates, gellan gum, and microcrystalline cellulose. The organic material is dissolved in a polar solvent, typically water, and the mixture is gelled. The water in the gel pores is replaced at least once with another solvent to reduce the pore size of the final biofoam. The solvent in the gel pores may be replaced several times. After the final replacement of solvent, the gel is frozen and freeze-dried to form a biofoam. Translucent biofoams are formed by selecting a final solvent that forms very small crystals. A variety of crystalline, fibrous, amorphous, or metallic additives may be incorporated into the foam structure to produce lightweight composite materials with enhanced strength and insulating properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.