The invention relates to a method of conductivity control comprising providing a photographic element having a lower surface antistatic layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat, imaging said photographic element, processing said photographic element in aqueous development solutions, and recovering said developed photographic element, wherein the lower surface resistivity of said photographic element attains a value xe2x89xa710 log ohm/sq. but  less than 13 log ohms/sq. after processing.

This invention relates to a method of controlling electrical conductivity of photographic products. In particular, the invention relates to a method of adjusting the electrical conductivity of a photographic element before and after wet chemical processing.
The problem of controlling electrostatic charge is well known in the field of photography. It is also generally known that electrostatic charge can usually be effectively controlled by incorporating an electrically-conductive xe2x80x9cantistaticxe2x80x9d layer into the film structure. An antistatic layer can be applied to either side of the film base as a subbing layer, that is, beneath the imaging layer or on the side opposite to the imaging layer. An antistatic layer can alternatively be applied as an outer coated layer either over the emulsion layers or on the side of the film base opposite to the emulsion layers (i.e., the backside of the film). For some applications, the antistatic agent can be incorporated into the emulsion layers. Alternatively, the antistatic agent can be directly incorporated into the film base itself Typically, however, the antistatic layer is employed on the backside of the film and frequently it underlies an abrasion resistant, protective topcoat.
A wide variety of electrically-conductive materials can be incorporated into antistatic layers to produce a wide range of conductivity. These can be divided into two broad groups: (i) ionic conductors and (ii) electronic conductors. In ionic conductors charge is transferred by the bulk diffusion of charged species through an electrolyte. Here the resistivity of the antistatic layer is dependent on temperature and humidity. Antistatic layers containing simple inorganic salts, alkali metal salts of surfactants, ionic conductive polymers, polymeric electrolytes containing alkali metal salts, and colloidal metal oxide sols (stabilized by metal salts), described previously in patent literature, fall in this category. These antistatic layers generally exhibit a substantial loss of antistatic function as a result of exposure to photographic processing solutions. Antistatic layers containing electronic conductors such as conjugated conducting polymers, conducting carbon particles, crystalline semiconductor particles, amorphous semiconductive fibrils, and continuous semiconducting thin films can be used more effectively than ionic conductors to dissipate static charge since their electrical conductivity is independent of relative humidity and only slightly influenced by ambient temperature. The antistatic properties of such electronic conductors may or may not be affected by photographic processing depending on the particular material. Of the various types of electronic conductors, electrically conducting metal-containing particles, such as semiconducting metal oxides, are particularly effective when dispersed in suitable polymeric film-forming binders in combination with polymeric non-film-forming particles as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,340,676; 5,466,567; 5,700,623. Binary metal oxides doped with appropriate donor heteroatoms or containing oxygen deficiencies have been disclosed in prior art to be useful in antistatic layers for photographic elements, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,275,103; 4,416,963; 4,495,276; 4,394,441; 4,418,141; 4,431,764; 4,495,276; 4,571,361; 4,999,276; 5,122,445; 5,294,525; 5,382,494; 5,459,021; 5,484,694 and others. Suitable claimed conductive metal oxides include: zinc oxide, titania, tin oxide, alumina, indium oxide, silica, magnesia, zirconia, barium oxide, molybdenum trioxide, tungsten trioxide, and vanadium pentoxide. Preferred doped conductive metal oxide granular particles include antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, and niobium-doped titania. Additional preferred conductive ternary metal oxides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,995 include zinc antimonate and indium antimonate. Other conductive metal-containing granular particles including metal borides, carbides, nitrides and suicides have been disclosed in Japanese Kokai No. JP 04-055,492.
The generation and accumulation of electrostatic charge on film or paper surfaces leads to a variety of problems associated with the manufacture and use of these products. For example, electrostatic charge promotes the attraction of dirt and dust which can lead to these particles being imaged on the film during exposure or printed or projected when these particles are attracted to an already exposed and processed product such as a negative, slide, or motion picture print film. The discharge of accumulated charge during or after the application of the sensitized emulsion layer(s) can produce irregular fog patterns or xe2x80x9cstatic marksxe2x80x9d in the emulsion.
The static problems have been aggravated by increases in the sensitivity of new emulsions, increases in coating machine speeds, and increases in post-coating drying efficiency. Electrostatic charge can accumulate during winding and unwinding operations, during transport through the coating machines and during finishing operations such as slitting and spooling.
Electrostatic charge can also be generated during the use of the finished photographic film product. In an automatic camera, the winding of roll film in an out of the film cartridge, especially in a low relative humidity environment, can result in static charging. Similarly, high speed automated film processing can result in static charge generation. Sheet films (e.g., x-ray films) are especially susceptible to static charging during removal from light-tight packaging.
The use of conductive or antistatic layers on photographic products has greatly minimized many of these abovementioned problems associated with electrostatic charge. However, only very recently has it become recognized that the use of a conductive layer can actually exacerbate some static-related problems. When an electrostatic charge is generated on an insulating surface which overlies a buried conductive layers or is on the side of the film opposite to a conductive layer, the conductive layer is unable to dissipate this surface charge. Instead, the conductive layer can xe2x80x9cimagexe2x80x9d the charge by polar charge formation (that is, the conductive layer is able to draw up an equal, but, opposite charge to that on the surface layer). The formation of this image charge or polar charge within the conductive layer effectively collapses the external field generated by the surface charge so that the field becomes internalized within the film. The presence of an external field could otherwise attract airborne dirt and dust particles to the film surface which can lead to several problems already discussed. In this case then, the presence of the conductive layer and the formation of polar charge helps to eliminate a static-related problem, namely dirt and dust attraction. However, an unwanted situation arises from this internal electric field as explained herein below.
A typical photographic product is provided with an insulating, image forming layer on its front surface and a conductive layer on its back surface. During conveyance, the image forming layer may develop a positive electrostatic charge as a result of contact with dissimilar materials such as rollers or other surfaces. The conductive layer then forms an image charge so that the electric field is internalized within the imaging element. This can lead to a variety of film sticking problems when the image charge within the conductive layer on one side of the film couples to the (opposite sign) surface charge on the other side of an adjacent lap of film within a roll or on another sheet of film that it is in contact with. An electrostatic attractive force is generated between these two oppositely charged sides of the film. This force of attraction increases as the distance between the two films is decreased and results in the sticking together of sheets of film or alternatively two adjacent laps of film. Examples where this film sticking has been observed include sheet films such as graphic arts films, microfiche, and x-ray films that contain a conductive layer whose conductive properties survive film processing. Such films become charged as a result of contact with rollers during film processing and can cause jams in the film processor or difficulties in handling the films after processing.
For motion picture print films containing a conductive layer such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,505, film sticking may cause jams in film projectors employing endless loop platter systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,891, 4,208,018, and others. Such problems of film sticking in such an endless loop platter system is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,030, wherein it is explained how multiple laps of film may be pulled simultaneously from the core of the film roll and become jammed in the platter system potentially damaging the projector system, the film, or both. Such a problem in motion picture print films is often referred to as xe2x80x9cbrainwrapxe2x80x9d as it is manifested in wrapping multiple layers of film around a central component known as the xe2x80x9cbrainxe2x80x9d in the projector platter.
Increasing the resistivity (or decreasing the conductivity) of the antistatic layer contained on the photographic element can reduce the tendency for the above sticking problems. However, by increasing the resistivity of the conductive layer one may also significantly reduce overall antistatic protection provided by the conductive layer. In particular, the layer may not be sufficiently conductive to prevent static marking of the film during high speed finishing operations such as film slitting, chopping, or perforating. Although it may be possible to optimize the resistivity of the film so that static protection in finishing operations is provided while film sticking such as brainwrap is eliminated by opting for an antistat that provides conductivity only before processing and not after processing. This is typically the case with most antistats, which are not electronic in nature. However, such films will be prone to dirt attraction after processing and can be considered as inferior products. Post processing dirt attraction is a particularly serious problem for motion picture print films, as even small specs of dirt on a print film gets magnified as noticeable defects when projected on a movie screen.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,030, it is proposed that through the use of two conductive layers coated on a photographic element one can achieve static protection before processing and avoid print sticking after processing.
However, the control of conductivity before and after processing is still a challenging problem in the photographic industry. There is a need to develop antistatic layers for photographic products wherein the antistatic layer provides low surface resistivity before processing to ensure static protection during sensitizing, conveyance and finishing operations but provides high surface resistivity after processing to avoid print sticking such as brain wrap observed with print films, without becoming too insulating so that problems such as post-processing dirt attraction, etc. are not encountered.
There is a need to develop antistatic layers for photographic products wherein the antistatic layer provides low surface resistivity before wet chemical processing but high surface resistivity, without becoming completely insulating, after wet chemical processing.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method to effectively control conductivity of photographic elements.
It is another object to provide an antistatic layer for photographic elements with low surface electrical resistivity before wet chemical processing. It is a further object to provide surface electrical resistivity xe2x89xa710 log ohm/sq. for the antistatic layer after wet processing.
It is an even further object not to render the antistatic layer completely insulating after wet processing by maintaining electrical resistivity  less than 13 log ohms/sq. after wet processing.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a method of conductivity control comprising providing a photographic element having a lower surface antistatic layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat, imaging said photographic element, processing said photographic element in aqueous processing solutions, and recovering said developed photographic element, wherein the lower surface resistivity of said photographic element attains a value xe2x89xa710 log ohm/sq. but  less than 13 log ohms/sq. after processing.
The invention provides a method for effective control of conductivity of photographic elements. Through this method a photographic element is afforded an antistatic layer of low surface electrical resistivity prior to wet processing, which ensures static protection during sensitizing, conveyance and finishing operations. The invention also allows for a surface resistivity xe2x89xa710 log ohm/sq. for the antistatic layer after processing, which eliminates post-processing sticking problems, such as those found in motion picture films, due to coupling of image charges between the imaging side and the antistatic back side with low surface resistivity. The invention, additionally allows for a post-processing surface resistivity of  less than 13 log ohms/sq. which provides post-processing static protection against problems such as dirt attraction.
The invention has numerous advantages. The invention provides low surface electrical resistivity to a photographic element before processing. Thus, it can provide static protection during support formation, sensitizing, conveyance, etc. throughout the life of the photographic product until development.
Additionally, the photographic product of the invention acquires a resistivity of xe2x89xa710 log ohms/sq. after processing. This desirable characteristic protects the product from post-processing film sticking such as brain-wraps found in motion picture films in endless loop platter systems during projection, due to coupling of image charges between the imaging side and the antistatic back side with low surface resistivity.
Moreover, the present invention achieves such a balanced resistivity control without completely losing electrical conductivity after development, by maintaining a post-processing resistitivity of  less than 13 log ohms/sq. and thus ensures minimized dirt attraction to the film during handling and end-use. This highly desirable post-processing electrical characteristic of the photographic support of the invention is completely unexpected. No specific theory, as to the mechanism of this characteristic, is apparent at this time.
Dirt attraction to processed film is a serious problem for both ordinary negatives and motion picture films. Dirt on negatives can get printed on images such as photographs causing consumer dissatisfaction. In motion picture films, even small specks of dirt can create noticeable defects when magnified and projected on a large screen. In the motion picture industry it is also common to transfer either the color negative film information or a positive print film information into a video signal using a telecine transfer device for subsequent use in television. Telecine devices scan each negative or positive film frame in order to convert the silver-halide image into a video image. Any attracted dirt on the original motion picture film can get scanned and incorporated in the video signal as a defect. Usually such defects need to be painstakingly removed frame-by-frame using digital methods to ensure a defect-free product. Obviously, such a process adds to the cost and is highly undesirable. The invention through its post-processing conductivity minimizes such dirt-related problems offering a superior product. These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description herein below.
The terms as used herein, xe2x80x9ctopxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cupperxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cemulsion sidexe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cfacexe2x80x9d mean the side or toward the side of a photographic member bearing the imaging layers. The terms xe2x80x9cbottomxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9clower sidexe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cbackxe2x80x9d mean the side or toward the side of the photographic member opposite from the side bearing the photosensitive imaging layers or developed image.
The photographic product of the invention comprises at least one layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat. Polyether based polymeric antistats are essentially materials containing polyalkoxylated compounds, which are well known in the art for their excellent melt-processabilty while retaining their antistatic property and overall physical performance. These materials can include various polymeric substances containing polyether blocks such as polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polybutylene oxides, polytetramethylene oxides, polyoxyalkylene glycols such as polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxytetramethylene glycol, the reaction products of polyalkoxylates with fatty -acids, the reaction products of polyalkoxylates with fatty alcohols, the reaction products of polyalkoxylates with fatty acid esters of polyhydroxyl alcohols (for instance polyalkoxylate reaction products of fatty acids, of fatty glycols, of fatty sorbitols, of fatty sorbitans, and of fatty alcohols), or, interpolymers and/or mixtures thereof. The polyether chains in the suitable polyalkoxylated compounds are of the formula (xe2x80x94OCxH2xxe2x80x94)n wherein x is from 2 to about 8, wherein the alkyl group is straight or branched, and wherein n is from 2 to about 1000. It is believed that ionic conduction along the polyether chains makes these polymers inherently dissipative, yielding surface resistivities in the range 108-1013 ohm/square. For the purpose of this invention any polyalkoxylated compounds containing oligomer, homopolymer, interpolymer and/or mixtures thereof can suitably be used as component A in this invention. However, preferred examples of such polyether polymeric antistatic materials are: those comprising polyamide blocks and polyether block(s), e.g;, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,331,786, 4,115,475, 4,195,015, 4,839,441, 4,864,014, 4,230,838 and 4,332,920 and product literature for Pebax supplied by Elf Atochem, polyetheresteramides, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,604,284; 5,652,326; 5,886,098, and thermoplastic polyurethanes containing a polyalkylene glycol moiety, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,053; 5,863,466, with the content of all of the aforementioned literature incorporated herein by reference. Most preferred polyether polymeric antistats are those comprising polyamide blocks and polyether block(s).
Polymers comprising polyamide blocks and polyether block(s) result from the copolycondensation of polyamide sequences containing reactive ends with polyether sequences containing reactive ends, such as, inter alia: 1) Polyamide sequences containing diamine chain ends with polyoxylakylene sequences containing dicarboxyl chain ends, 2) Polyamide sequences containing dicarboxyl chain ends with polyoxyalkylene sequences containing diamine chain ends obtained by cyanoethylation and hydrogenation of alpha.,.omega-dihydroxylated aliphatic polyoxylakylene sequences known as polyetherdiols, 3) Polyamide sequences containing dicarboxyl chain ends with polyetherdiols, the products obtained being, in this specific case, polyetheresteramides.
The polyamide sequences containing dicarboxyl chain ends result, for example, from the condensation of .alpha.,.omega.-aminocarboxylic acids from lactams or of dicarboxylic acids and diamines in the presence of a chain-limiting dicarboxylic acid. The polyamide blocks are advantageously formed from polyamide-6/12.
The number-average molecular mass or weight Mn of the polyamide sequences is between 300 and 15,000 and preferably between 600 and 5,000. The Mn of the polyether sequences is between 100 and 6,000 and preferably between 200 and 3,000.
The polymers containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks can also comprise units distributed randomly. These polymers can be prepared by the simultaneous reaction of the polyether and the precursors of the polyamide blocks.
For example, polyetherdiol, a lactam (or an alpha.,.omega.-amino acid) and a chain-limiting diacid can be reacted in the presence of a small amount of water. A polymer is obtained having essentially polyether blocks and polyamide blocks of highly variable length but also the various reactants, which have reacted randomly, distributed statistically along the polymer chain.
These polymers contain polyamide blocks and polyether blocks, whether they originate from the copolycondensation of polyamide and polyether sequences prepared beforehand or from a single-stage reaction, exhibit, for example, Shore D hardnesses which can be between 20 and 75 and advantageously between 30 and 70 and an intrinsic viscosity between 0.8 and 2.5, measured in metacresol at 25xc2x0 C.
Whether the polyether blocks derive from polyethylene glycol, from polypropylene glycol or from polytetramethylene glycol, they are either used as they are and copolycondensed with polyamide blocks containing carboxyl ends or they are aminated in order to be converted to polyetherdiamines and condensed with polyamide blocks containing carboxyl ends. They can also be mixed with polyamide precursors and a chain limiter in order to prepare polymers containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks having units distributed statistically.
The polyether can be, for example, a polyethylene glycol (PEG), a polypropylene glycol (PPG) or a polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG). The latter is also known as polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF).
Whether the polyether blocks are introduced into the chain of the polymer containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks in the form of diols or diamines, they are known for simplicity as PEG blocks or PPG blocks or alternatively PTMG blocks. It would not be departing from the scope of the invention if the polyether blocks contained different units, such as units derived from ethylene glycol, from propylene glycol or alternatively from tetramethylene glycol.
The polyamide blocks typically comprise condensation product of: one or a number of amino acids, such as aminocaproic, 7-aminoheptanoic, 11-aminoundecanoic and 12-aminododecanoic acids, or one or a number of lactams, such as caprolactam, oenantholactam and lauryllactam; one or a number of salts or mixtures of diamines, such as hexamethylenediamine,dodecamethylenediamine, meta-xylylenediamine, bis-(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane and trimethylhexamethylene-diamine, with diacids, such as isophthalic, terephthalic, adipic, azelaic, suberic, sebacic and dodecanedicarboxylic acids; or mixtures of some of these monomers, which result in copolyamides, for example polyamide-6/12 (or nylon-6/12) by condensation of caprolactam and lauryllactam. Polyamide mixtures can be used.
Preferably, the polymer having polyamide blocks and polyether blocks comprises a single type of block. Advantageously, polymers having polyamide-12 blocks and PEG blocks, and polymers having polyamide-6 blocks and PEG blocks are employed. One can however also employ blends of polymers having polyamide blocks and polyether blocks.
Polymers containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks particularly useful for this invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,331,786; 4,115,475; 4,195,015; 4,839,441; 4,864,0143; 4,230,838 and 4,332,920. Such polymers include products such as Pebax, available from Elf Atochem or similar materials. These types of polyether antistatic polymers have been shown to be fairly thermally stable and readily processable in the melt state in their neat form or in blends with other polymeric materials.
The antistat layer of the invention may preferably comprise thermally processable onium salts for higher conductivity. These salts can be chosen to be any compound with an onium moiety, such as ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, bismuthonium, oxonium, sulfonium, selenonium, telluronium, fluronium, chloronium, bromonium, iodonium, etc., which can be thermally processed, such as melt-blended, melt-compounded, melt-extruded, etc. at temperatures above 100xc2x0 C., without thermal degradation or decomposition. Particularly suitable thermally processable onium salts are those used as charge control agents in toners and developers in the photocopier business, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,027,847; 5,616,444; 5,604,069; 5,582,946; 5,561,020; 5,547,803; 5,516,616; 5,512,407; 5,508,140; 5,4917044; 5,464,719; 5,459,006; 5,198,320; 5,194,472; 5,069,994; 5,051,330; 4,855,396; 4,837,394; 4,837,393; 4,837,392; 4,837,391; 4,834,921; 4,834,920; 4,496,643; 4,806,284; 4,806,283; 4,803,017; 4,789,614; 4,490,455; 4,394,430; 4,338,390; 4,139,483; and references therein and incorporated in their entirety herein below. Onium salts most suitable for this invention are those selected from the group consisting of ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium and sulfonium salts.
The weight ratio of the polyether polymer: thermally processable onium salt in the antistatic layer of the invention can vary between 100:0 and 10:90, and preferably between 99:1 and 75:25 and more preferably between 95:5 and 85:15.
The antistatic layer of the invention may also comprise a binder polymer, which can provide additional desirable characteristics to the web, such as strength, stretchability, adhesion, barrier properties, low cost, etc. Such a binder polymer can be any thermoplastic polymer known in the art. Suitable classes of thermoplastic polymers preferred for this invention can include polymers of alpha-beta unsaturated monomers, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, cellulosic esters, polyvinyl resins, polysulfonamides, polyethers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyphenylenesulfides, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacetals, polysulfonates, polyolefins, polyester ionomers, and polyolefin ionomers. Interpolymers and/or mixtures of these polymers can also be used.
Illustrative of polymers of alpha-beta unsaturated monomers, which are suitable for use in this invention include polymers of ethylene, propylene, hexene, butene, octene, vinylalcohol, acrylonitrile, vinylidene halide, salts of acrylic acid, salts of methacrylic acid, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, vinyl chloride, styrene and the like. Interpolymers and/or mixtures of these aforementioned polymers can also be used in the present invention. Most preferred polymers from this category include polypropylenes and polystyrenes together with their interpolymers and/or mixtures, because of their cost and mechanical properties.
Illustrative polyesters which are suitable for use in this invention can be amorphous or crystalline polyesters including those which are derived from the condensation of aromatic, cycloaliphatic, and aliphatic diols with aliphatic, aromatic and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids and may be cycloaliphatic, aliphatic or aromatic polyesters. Exemplary of useful cycloaliphatic, aliphatic and aromatic polyesters which can be utilized in the practice of their invention are poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(cyclohexlenedimethylene terephthalate) poly(ethylene dodecate), poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), poly(ethylene(2,7-naphthalate)), poly(methaphenylene isophthalate), poly(glycolic acid), poly(ethylene succinate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly(ethylene sebacate), poly(decamethylene azelate), poly(ethylene sebacate), poly(decamethylene adipate), poly(decamethylene sebacate), poly(dimethylpropiolactone), poly(parahydroxybenzoate), poly(ethylene oxybenzoate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), poly(tetramethylene terephthalate, poly(hexamethylene terephthalate), poly(decamethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) (trans), poly(ethylene 1,5-naphthalate), poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (cis), and poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (trans), poly(1,4 cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) with different amounts of glycol and 1,4 cyclohexanedimethanol.
Polyester compounds prepared from the condensation of a diol and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferred for use in this invention. Illustrative of such useful aromatic carboxylic acids are terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and a o-phthalic acid, 1,3-napthalenedicarboxylic acid, 1,4 napthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-napthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,7-napthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenyldicarboxylic acid, 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenysulfphone-dicarboxylic acid, 1,1,3-trimethyl-5-carboxy-3-(p-carboxyphenyl)-idane, diphenyl ether 4,4xe2x80x2-dicarboxylic acid, bis-p(carboxy-phenyl) methane and the like. Of the aforementioned aromatic dicarboxylic acids, those based on a benzene ring (such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, orthophthalic acid) are preferred for use in the practice of this invention. Amongst these preferred acid precursors, terephthalic acid is particularly preferred acid precursor. Also preferred are amorphous polyesters such as poly(1,4 cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) with different amounts of glycol and 1,4 cyclohexanedimethanol and copolyesters prepared from the condensation of various proportions of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid with ethylene glycol and 1,4 cyclohexane dimethanol. Examples of such polyesters are products like PETG 6763 and PCTG 5445 available from Eastman Chemical Company.
Preferred polyesters for use in the practice of this invention include poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), poly(1,4 cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) with different amounts of glycol and 1,4 cyclohexanedimethanol as well as interpolymers and/or mixtures thereof.
Illustrative of polyamides which are suitable for use in this invention include synthetic linear polycarbonamides characterized by the presence of recurring carbonamide groups as an integral part of the polymer chain, which are separated from one another by at least two carbon atoms. Polyamides of this type include polymers, generally known in the art as nylons, obtained from diamines and dibasic acids having the recurring unit represented by the general formula:
xe2x80x94NHCOR1COHNR2xe2x80x94
in which R1 is an alkylene group of at least 2 carbon atoms, preferably from about 2 to about 11 or arylene having at least about 6 carbon atoms, preferably about 6 to about 17 carbon atoms; and R2is selected from R1 and aryl groups. Also, included are copolyamides and terpolyamides obtained by known methods, for example, by condensation of hexamethylene diamine and a mixture of dibasic acids consisting of terephthalic acid and adipic acid. Polyamides of the above description are well-known in the art and include, for example, the copolyamide of 30% hexamethylene diammonium isophthalate and 70% hexamethylene diammonium adipate, poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (nylon 6,6),poly(hexamethylene sebacamide) (nylon 6, 10), poly(hexamethylene 15 isophthalamide), poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide), poly(heptamethylene pimelamide) (nylon 7,7), poly(octamethylene suberamide) (nylon 8,8), poly(nonamethylene azelamide) (nylon 9,9) poly (decamethylene azelamide) (nylon 10,9), poly(decamethylene sebacamide) (nylon 10,10), poly(bis(4-amino cyclohexyl)methane-1,10-decane-carboxamide)), poly(m-xylylene adipamide), poly(p-xylene sebacamide), poly(2,2,2-trimethyl hexamethylene terephthalamide), poly(piperazine sebacamide), poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) and the like.
Other useful polyamides are those formed by polymerization of amino acids and derivatives thereof, as for example lactams. Illustrative of these useful polyamides are poly(4-aminobutyric acid) (nylon 4), poly(6-aminohexanoic acid) (nylon 6), poly(7-aminoheptanoic acid) (nylon 7), poly(8-aminooctanoic acid) (nylon 8), poly(9-aminononanoic acid) (nylon 9), poly(10-amino-decanoic acid) (nylon 10), poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) (nylon 11), poly(12-aminododecanoic acid) (nylon 12) and the like.
Most preferred polyamides for use in the practice of this invention include poly(caprolactam), poly(1 2-aminododecanoic acid), poly(hexamethylene adipamide), poly(m-xylylene adipamide), and poly(6-aminohexanoic acid) and interpolymers and/or mixtures thereof.
Illustrative of cellulose esters which are suitable for use in this invention include cellulose nitrate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and interpolymers and/or mixtures thereof. Illustrative of a polycarbonate suitable for use in this invention is bisphenol-A polycarbonate. Useful polyvinyl resins include polyvinyl chloride, poly (vinyl acetal) and interpolymers and/or mixtures thereof.
Most preferred binder polymer for the invention is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinylidene halide), poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, amorphous or crystalline polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate) and copolyesters prepared from the condensation of various proportions of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid with ethylene glycol and 1,4 cyclohexane dimethanol as well as various interpolymers and blends thereof . The weight ratio of the polyether polymer: binder polymer in the layer of the invention can vary between 100:0 to 1:99 but preferably between 90:10 to 10:90, and most preferably between 80:20 and 20:80, to optimize electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
The web of the present invention may also include other optional components. Such optional components include nucleating agents, fillers, plasticizers, impact modifiers, chain extenders, colorants, lubricants, antistatic agents, pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, talc, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, clay, etc., dispersants such as fatty amides, (e.g., stearamide), metallic salts of fatty acids, e.g., zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, etc., dyes such as ultramarine blue, cobalt violet, etc., antioxidants, fluorescent whiteners, ultraviolet absorbers, fire retardants, matte particles or roughening agents, such as silica, titanium dioxide, talc, barium sulfate, clay, and alumina, cross linking agents, voiding agents, compatibilizers, adhesion promoting agents and the like. These optional components and appropriate amounts are well known in the art and can be chosen according to need. Of these optional components, compatibilizers, adhesion promoting agents, pigments and particles are most preferred for their utility. Suitable compatibilizers can be any compatibilizer known in the art, which can ensure compatibility between the polyether polymeric antistat and the binder polymer.
The photographic support comprising the antistatic layer can comprise any number of other layers according to need. The multiplicity of layers may include any number of auxiliary layers such as antistatic layers, backmark retention layers, tie layers or adhesion promoting layers, abrasion resistant layers, conveyance layers, barrier layers, splice providing layers, UV absorption layers, antihalation layers, optical effect providing layers, waterproofing layers, fragrance providing layers, adhesive layers, imaging layers and the like.
The web comprising the antistatic layer can be formed by any method known in the art such as those involving extrusion, coextrusion, casting, orientation, heat setting, lamination, etc. It is preferred that the support of the invention is an oriented sheet formed by any suitable method known in the art such as by a flat sheet process or a bubble or tubular blowing process. The flat sheet process involves extruding or coextruding the materials of the sheet through a slit die and rapidly quenching the extruded or coextruded web upon a chilled casting drum so that the polymeric component(s) of the sheet are cooled rapidly below their solidification temperature without crystallizing. The quenched sheet is then biaxially oriented by stretching in mutually perpendicular directions at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer(s). The sheet may be stretched in one direction and then in a second direction or may be simultaneously stretched in both directions. The preferred range of stretch ratios in any direction is between 2:1 and 6:1. After the sheet has been stretched, it is heat set by heating to a temperature to improve the crystal structure of the polymers while restraining the sheet against retraction in both stretching directions.
In one embodiment of the invention, the web of the invention comprises an antistatic layer as a skin layer and a solid core layer formed with the following structure:
Solid core containing one or more layers
Skin layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat.
It is to be understood that any number of additional layers can be incorporated on either side or both sides of this web and/or in between the skin layer and the core to fulfill specific needs. The antistatic skin layer comprises a polyether polymeric antistat with or without other addenda described in detail herein above. The core layer comprises any thermoplastic polymer but preferably any of the polymers described herein above as binder polymers. Particularly suitable polymer for the core layer as per the invention is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinylidene halide), poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, amorphous or crystalline polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate) and copolyesters prepared from the condensation of various proportions of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid with ethylene glycol and 1,4 cyclohexane dimethanol as well as various interpolymers and blends thereof .
The solid core and the antistatic skin layer may be cast by co-extrusion followed by preheating, orientation, heat setting, etc., as a preferred method. The thickness of the preferred biaxially oriented web can vary between 10 xcexcm to 150 xcexcm. Below 15 xcexcm, the web may not be thick enough to minimize any inherent non-planarity in the support and would be more difficult to manufacture. The thickness of the skin layer relative to the total thickness of the web (i.e., core plus skin thickness) can be of any value but is preferred to be between 0. 1% to 25% of the total thickness, and more preferably between 1% and 20% of the total thickness.
The web of the invention may be subjected to any number of coatings and treatments, after extrusion, coextrusion, orientation, etc. or between casting and full orientation, to improve its properties, such as printability, barrier properties, abrasion resistance, heat-sealability, spliceability, adhesion to other supports and/or imaging layers. Examples of such coatings can be acrylic coatings for printability, polyvinylidene halide for heat seal properties, etc. Examples of such treatments can be flame, plasma and corona discharge treatment, to improve printability and adhesion. Further examples of treatments can be calendaring, embossing, patterning, etc. to obtain specific effects on the surface of the web.
The web of the invention can be directly used as a support for the photographic product or can be further incorporated in any other suitable support by lamination, extrusion coating, or any other method known in the art, for application in the photographic product. Typical photographic supports comprise cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyolefins, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, glass, natural and synthetic paper, resin-coated paper, voided polymers including polymeric foam, microvoided polymers and microporous materials, fabric, etc., and the web of this invention can be incorporated in any suitable support. The antistatic layer of the invention can be placed anywhere in the photographic support, e.g., on the top side, or the bottom side, or both sides. However, it is preferably placed on the bottom side.
The antistatic layer of the invention provides an electrical resistivity of  less than 12 log ohms/square, preferably  less than 11 log ohms/square and more preferably less than xe2x89xa610 log ohms/square before wet photographic processing for development; however, after wet photographic processing the resistivity of the antistatic layer attains a value of xe2x89xa710 log ohms/square but  less than 13 log ohms/square.
The photographic elements of this invention are photographic elements, such as photographic films, photographic papers or photographic glass plates, in which the image-forming layer is a radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer. Such emulsion layers typically comprise a film-forming hydrophilic colloid. The most commonly used of these is gelatin and gelatin is a particularly preferred material for use in this invention. Usefil gelatins include alkali-treated gelatin (cattle bone or hide gelatin), acid-treated gelatin (pigskin gelatin) and gelatin derivatives such as acetylated gelatin, phthalated gelatin and the like. Other hydrophilic colloids that can be utilized alone or in combination with gelatin include dextran, gum arabic, zein, casein, pectin, collagen derivatives, collodion, agar-agar, arrowroot, albumin, and the like. Still other useful hydrophilic colloids are water-soluble polyvinyl compounds such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), and the like.
The photographic elements of the present invention can be simple black-and-white or monochrome elements comprising a support bearing a layer of light-sensitive silver halide emulsion or they can be multilayer and/or multicolor elements.
Color photographic elements of this invention typically contain dye image-forming units sensitive to each of the three primary regions of the spectrum. Each unit can be comprised of a single silver halide emulsion layer or of multiple emulsion layers sensitive to a given region of the spectrum. The layers of the element, including the layers of the image-forming units, can be arranged in various orders as is well known in the art.
A preferred photographic element according to this invention comprises a support bearing at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a yellow image dye-providing material, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a magenta image dye-providing material and at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a cyan image dye-providing material.
In addition to emulsion layers, the elements of the present invention can contain auxiliary layers conventional in photographic elements, such as overcoat layers, spacer layers, filter layers, interlayers, antihalation layers, pH lowering layers (sometimes referred to as acid layers and neutralizing layers), timing layers, opaque reflecting layers, opaque light-absorbing layers and the like. Details regarding other layers of the photographic elements of this invention are contained in Research Disclosure, Item 36544, September, 1994.
The light-sensitive silver halide emulsions employed in the photographic elements of this invention can include coarse, regular or fine grain silver halide crystals or mixtures thereof and can be comprised of such silver halides as silver chloride, silver bromide, silver bromoiodide, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver chorobromoiodide, and mixtures thereof. The emulsions can be, for example, tabular grain light-sensitive silver halide emulsions. The emulsions can be negative-working or direct positive emulsions. They can form latent images predominantly on the surface of the silver halide grains or in the interior of the silver halide grains. They can be chemically and spectrally sensitized in accordance with usual practices. The emulsions typically will be gelatin emulsions although other hydrophilic colloids can be used in accordance with usual practice. Details regarding the silver halide emulsions are contained in Research Disclosure, Item 36544, September, 1994, and the references listed therein.
The photographic silver halide emulsions utilized in this invention can contain other addenda, conventional in the photographic art. Useful addenda are described, for example, in Research Disclosure, Item 36544, September, 1994. Useful addenda include spectral sensitizing dyes, desensitizers, antifoggants, masking couplers, DIR couplers, DIR compounds, antistain agents, image dye stabilizers, absorbing materials such as filter dyes and UV absorbers, light-scattering materials, coating aids, plasticizers and lubricants, and the like.
Depending upon the dye-image-providing material employed in the photographic element, it can be incorporated in the silver halide emulsion layer or in a separate layer associated with the emulsion layer. The dye-image-providing material can be any of a number known in the art, such as dye-forming couplers, bleachable dyes, dye developers and redox dye-releasers, and the particular one employed will depend on the nature of the element, and the type of image desired.
Dye-image-providing materials employed with conventional color materials designed for processing with separate solutions are preferably dye-forming couplers; i.e., compounds which couple with oxidized developing agent to form a dye. Preferred couplers which form cyan dye images are phenols and naphthols. Preferred couplers which form magenta dye images are pyrazolones and pyrazolotriazoles. Preferred couplers which form yellow dye images are benzoylacetanilides and pivalylacetanilides.
In accordance with the present invention, the photographic element described herein above is subjected to wet chemical processing, after light exposure for image capture.
Silver halide photographic materials are processed to generate a silver or dye image via a development stage followed by a series of baths to stabilize and provide permanence to the image. Such baths convert and remove unwanted materials from the coated photographic layers, which would either interfere with the quality of the final image or cause degradation of the image with time. In typical color systems the development stage is followed by a bleach stage to oxidize the developed silver to a form, which can be dissolved by a fixing agent in the same or a separate bath. Such silver removal stages are then followed by a washing stage using water, or other wash solution, or a stabilization stage using a stabilizer solution. Such stages remove residual chemicals and may also include conversion reactions between stabilizer solution components and materials within the coated layers. These stages are required to provide the required degree of permanence to the final image. Finally the photographic element is dried for end use by the customer.
Depending on the application, the photographic element of the present invention can be subjected to any suitable aqueous processing, such as C-41 processing for consumer films, a typical motion picture film processing or photographic paper processing, to obtain the desirable but unexpected post-processing electrical characteristics.
The following examples illustrate the practice of this invention. They are not intended to be exhaustive of all possible variations of the invention. Parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Method of adjusting conductivity after processing of photographs


A method and kit for enhancing the natural fertility process. The kit includes a vaginal douche that is used prior to intercourse to enhance the sperm transportation and sustaining properties of the cervical mucous. The douche contains a balanced electrolyte solution, polysaccharides, and pH buffers. The kit also includes nutriceuticals specifically formulated for both the male and female which include amino acids, minerals, vitamins, herbs, phytoestrogens, and antioxidants along with a specified dosing regimen. A basal body temperature thermometer and chart is provided with instructions to confirm when and if ovulation will/did occur. Commercially available urinary chemical reagent strips are provided with instructions so as to predict/confirm if and when ovulation will occur. A lubricating medium will also be provided and utilized at the time of intercourse which is nonspermicidal and which contains polysaccharides which influence natural sperm motility. A detailed instruction book regarding the method and practice is provided along with dietary and lifestyle recommendations which have been shown to affect natural fertility.

The present invention relates generally to a fertility kit used to enhance the natural fertility potential of both the male and female partner. It utilizes naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, herbs, and saccharides to assist with the normal ovulatory cycle in the female, improve the physicochemical properties of the cervical mucus, and improve the production of sperm in men along with improving the quality of the ejaculatory fluid derived from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Approximately 15 % of all married couples experience some form of infertility. Primary infertility occurs in a couple in which a child has not been successfully conceived for a period of greater than one year while performing intercourse during an appropriate schedule. Secondary infertility occurs in a couple which has previously successfully conceived and who has failed to subsequently conceive. Approximately 40 % of all infertility problems are associated with a male factor, 40 % are associated with a female factor, and the remaining 20 % occur in couples when either both partners have an identifiable infertility cause or there is no identifiable reason in either partner that explains their infertility.
Male factor infertility may be the result of complete lack of sperm production, azoospermia, which may be the result of primary testicular failure or secondary testicular failure resulting from a previous disease such as the mumps or secondary to chemotherapy administration. Other causes include obstruction of the vas deferen or ejaculatory ducts. Greatly diminished sperm production, oligospermia, may be the result of similar problems or secondary to spermatogenic problems at the level of the testicles.
The ejaculatory fluid may be greatly diminished in patients with congenital absence of the seminal vesicles or prostate. Spinal cord lesions can also lead to retrograde ejaculation as can various surgical procedures. This results in an overall diminishment in the ejaculatory volume and the number of sperm expelled into the vaginal vault at the time of intercourse. The number, morphology, and motility of the sperm can also be greatly affected by environmental exposures such as that which occurs with cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, excessive heat exposure, and repetitive low-grade trauma to the testicles. Similar findings are seen in subfertile men with varicoceles. Super oxide free radicals can accumulate within the sperm cell, which can then cause degredation of the cellular membrane and nuclear material. Sperm injured by these intracellular oxidative radicals have a greatly reduced fertility potential.
In women, infertility problems are more difficult to detect. Primary infertility may result from bilateral ovarian agenesis, polycystic ovarian disease, congenital chromosomal abnormalities, congenital agenesis of the uterus and vaginal vault, etc. Secondary infertility may result from pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, previous surgery, chemotherapy, etc. Anovulation has also been associated with an increased lean body mass ratio as seen in anorectic females and females partaking in strenuous activities/exercise. Conversely, significantly obese women are also found to be anovulatory. Intracellular oxidative free radicals also decrease the fertility potential of the egg.
Modern methods for infertility evaluation are found only in the clinical setting, typically within a medical practice. There are few books that are readily available to the public regarding information on fertility. Ovulation predictors, which are available over the counter, assess only one aspect of the fertility process and in no way enhance the natural process. To date, there is no readily available product that addresses steps which can be taken to enhance natural fertility without an exhaustive and expensive medical evaluation and treatment plan.
The current procedure in a fertility clinic includes evaluation of both the male and female partner. The male partner is evaluated with an initial sperm analysis which, if abnormal, is collected and analyzed on two additional occasions. At the same time, hormonal parameters associated with natural fertility are assessed. If the male is found to have abnormal seminal parameters with normal hormonal production, an investigation into his reproductive organs including an ultrasound of his testicles along with a prostate examination and possible ultrasound of this organ then ensue. If a varicocele is identified, this is surgically corrected. If this is not present and no obstruction is appreciated, a biopsy of the testicle is then performed. Depending upon the results of the biopsy, sperm may need to be harvested from an intratesticular site versus extratesticular sites such as the epididymis or vas deferens. This sperm would then be artificially introduced into a surgically acquired egg from the female utilizing either intracytoplasmic sperm injection versus in vitro fertilization with subsequent intrauterine or fallopian tube embryo transplantation at a later date.
If no male factor is found, the female proceeds with hormonal evaluation. If this appears normal, a transvaginal ultrasound is obtained to assess the perivaginal structures such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Evidence for obstruction, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc., is sought. If the exam is unremarkable, a hysterosalpingogram is performed by a radiology specialist. This assesses for obstruction of the oviducts. If this is unremarkable, the female commonly undergoes a laparoscopic surgical procedure to assess for any scarring of the fimbriae of the oviduct which may preclude capture of the ruptured ovarian follicle. Any adhesions and scars are removed at that time. A post-coital test may have also been performed that assess the viability of sperm on the uterine cervix 6-12 hours following intercourse. If these factors all remain normal, the patient is then provided with an antiestrogen regimen typically consisting of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin which induces multiple follicles to enlarge on the ovaries. Another medication is then provided to stimulate ovulation and a washed sperm specimen is then injected into the uterus. If this fails to be successful, multiple follicles can be induced to ovulate once again. These are then surgically retrieved and cultured in-vitro with a sperm sample. Viable conceptions are then evaluated a few days later. Multiple embryos are then inserted in hopes that at least one will remain viable and develop to term. It is not unusual for the cost of these procedures to exceed well over $20,000.
Thus, there is a need for a convenient, inexpensive fertility kit that will enhance a couple""s natural fertility processes. There is also a need for a kit that will provide a couple with all the material required and allow them to complete this in the privacy of their own home. There is also a need for educational material to be included within this kit so that a couple can be ensured of maximizing the natural fertility factors to their desired end.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and a kit which provide a couple with the ability to maximize their fertility potential by limiting any negative environmental factors or lifestyle factors and by enhancing the natural fertility factors which influence their fertility. Moreover, all materials are provided in a conveniently utilized product which is biologically appropriate, safe to use, inexpensive, and expedient in manner and is provided in an all inclusive fertility kit.
The invention as described above, does not directly create a successful conception. It does not proceed with any artificial measures so as to induce prolonged contact of sperm with the cervical os, as which is done with other conception products, nor does it artificially induce sperm into the female reproductive tract. The fertility kit, as described, does not induce ovulation nor does it induce the maturation of multiple ovarian follicles per fertility cycle. However, the present invention enhances the natural fertility factors of the recipient, helps counteract any negative influences which might be encountered via the environment or lifestyle, and provides instructions so as to alter one""s lifestyle and coital timing so as to maximize fertility potential.
The present method and kit comprises an integrated program in which all aspects are used concurrently. The methodology and instructions for the practice of performing the kit are included in an instructional/informational booklet provided with this kit. This will provide the consumer with detailed instructions on how to perform and to apply each aspect of the program and the appropriate timing that this should be undertaken. Furthermore, an overview of natural fertility will be provided along with a section outlining some of the environmental factors which are commonly encountered that can negatively influence natural fertility. Additionally, recommendations so as to counteract or avoid these factors will be provided. A brief description on how each aspect of the fertility kit affects natural fertility will also be provided.
Contained in the kit will be a 30-day supply of nutriceuticals for both the male and female partner. These will be specifically formulated for each gender. Appropriate instructions for the timing and utilization of these nutriceuticals will be provided. A douche system will also be provided which will be comprised of a douche bottle(s) and applicator tip(s). The douching solution will then be provided either premixed or in a form which can be easily reconstituted with the appropriate diluent. A lubricating jelly will also be provided which will be nonspermicidal and may also have a biologically active compound(s) which may enhance the function of the sperm and/or the physiochemical properties of the cervical mucous. The lubricating jelly will be provided within a jar, tube, easy open packet, etc. Method(s) for predicting/confirming ovulation will be included; such as chemical ovulation sticks, basal body temperature thermometers and charts, salivary electrolyte monitors, etc.
The instruction booklet of the present invention will include dietary recommendations to augment the nutriceuticals. It will recommend food substances which are found to have appropriate contents of similar compounds. It will also make recommendations to avoid dietary substances such as alcohol and caffeine and over-the-counter products such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatants which have been shown to impart a negative impact on natural fertility. Recommendations for the male to avoid exposure to high temperatures, solvents, prolonged pressure to the perineum as in bicycle riding, etc., will be discussed. For the female, the need to avoid excessive exercise, weight loss, or obesity will be discussed. The need to minimize the amount of personal stress will be discussed. The portion of the female""s menstrual cycle when she is most likely to be fertile will be outlined along with the method of determining whether or not ovulation occurs with her cycle. The male will be instructed to examine his ejaculate and determine if it is of the appropriate viscosity, color, and volume which are all an indirect indicator of fertility potential.
Nutriceuticals will be consumed by both the male and the female participants. A 30-day supply for each will be provided in the kit. The combination of male ingredients includes: L-Arginine, L-Cysteine, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, Astragalus, Pycnogenol, and vitamin B-6. This will be taken on a daily basis for the entire 30 days. A nutriceutical which improves the natural fertility process and is comprised of L-Arginine 50-500 mg (Increase sperm count and plays a role in sperm motility); L-Cysteine 10-100 mg (Sulfur-containing amino acid needed to produce the free radical scavenger glutathione); L-Cysteine is a powerful detoxifier of alcohol, tobacco smoke, and environmental pollutants, all of which can negatively impact sperm production and sperm function); selenium 10-400 mcg (an essential component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. A decreased selenium level has been associated with a decrease in sperm count and motility leading to an increase in infertility. Helps the body naturally cope with stress. Enhances vitamin E uptake.); Vitamin C 50-2000 mg (Important in sperm production. Keeps the sperm from clumping and makes them more motile. Also a very powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Helps the body naturally cope with stress.); vitamin E 100 iU-1000 iU (A powerful antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of lipids and subsequently helps maintain the integrity of cellular membranes. Improves oxygenation of the sex organs. Helps the body naturally cope with stress.); Zinc 10-100 mg (Decreased seminal levels of zinc are associated with diminished semen parameters and subsequent infertility. It is a strong antioxidant and is a constituent of the antioxidant enzyme xe2x80x9csuper oxide dismutasexe2x80x9d. Helps the body naturally cope with stress.) Astragalus (Natural herb which stimulates sperm motility.); Pycnogenol 10-100 mg (Natural herbal extract containing antioxidants. Helps the body naturally cope with stress.); Vitamin B-6 10-200 mg (Required for the synthesis of RNA and DNA which is critical to the production of gametes. Influences the production of the reproductive hormones FSH and LH, both necessary to ovulation and spermatogenesis.
The female nutriceutical will consist of: selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, Chasteberry, Dong Qui, soy, Blach Cohosh, and PABA. This will be taken for the first 15 days of the cycle. A prenatal vitamin will then be provided for the following 15 days. The douching solution will include a balanced electrolyte solution, acid buffers, saccharides, and other biologically active ingredients which may impart enhancement to sperm function or the physicochemical properties of the cervical mucus. The douche will then be utilized beginning on the fourth day prior to the time of ovulation. It will also be utilized two days prior to ovulation and at the time of ovulation. The solution will be applied intravaginally as per the instructions approximately 30 minutes prior to intercourse. Following intercourse, the female will be instructed to remain recumbent for the next two hours.
A lubricating jelly will be supplied that can be applied either intravaginally or topically. This will consist of a nonspermicidal lubricious compound which may include petroleum jelly, vegetable oil, glycerin, polycarbophil, hydroxy ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, silicone oil, carbomer, alginate, methylparaben, palm oil, cocoa butter, aloe vera, other plant oils, alginate propylene, unibase (Warner-Chilcott), mineral oil, a combination of polyethylene oxide, carboxypolymethylene, and methylparaben, and the like. Additional ingredients, such as pH stabilizers and antioxidants, may be added. Sodium hydroxide is preferably added to bring the pH to 7.4. Other pH stabilizers include EDTA or zwitterionic buffers (e.g. TES, PIPES, MOPS, HEPES). Antioxidants, or free radical scavengers such as vitamin E, may be added. The lubricant is preferably nonirritating and easily applied (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,121 to Ellington).
The present invention is also intended to document the natural fertility cycles of the female. Subsequently, a system(s) for ovulation prediction and detection is included. These products are well known in the industry. In general, these products detect either the increased levels of urinary lutenizing hormone (LH) which is an indirect indicator of the LH surge found in the serum which immediately precedes ovulation and induces the rupture of the mature ovarian follicle, and/or may also include a method to detect and chart the basal body temperature (BBT) of the female, which is determined first thing in the morning before arising with a temperature sensitive device such as a thermometer. This temperature is then cataloged and an appropriate graft is made during which time a typical biphasic shift in the BBT will be identified indicating that ovulation has occurred. The system(s) may also include a method of assessing the levels of salivary electrolytes which are known to change in concentration as the hormonal levels surge and shift at the time of ovulation. With this information, the female can determine if she most likely has a normal endocrine cycle indicative of a normal ovulatory cycle and also determine the period of time when she is potentially most fertile. This information can then be applied to the method and the practice employed by the kit to increase her natural fertility.


A hair cleanser comprising is a mixture of conditioners, cooling agents, emulsifiers, humectants, pH balancing agents, preservatives, thickeners, and vitamins. The cleanser may also include astringents, emollients, fragrances, re-fatting agents and botanicals.

The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic treatments and more particularly to cleansers for the hair.
It is common practice nowadays to wash the hair with a shampoo and then to apply what is called a conditioner or conditioning treatment. The shampoo is a mixture of chemicals intended to remove dirt, oil and sweat from the hair and scalp. The chemicals used in shampoos are necessarily harsh removing essential oils and leaving the hair dry, dull and unmanageable. Shampoos frequently contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Conditioners or conditioning treatments are intended to replace the oils washed out of the hair by shampoos. It is the job of conditioners to make the cleaned hair shiny and manageable.
It does not make much sense to harshly cleanse hair so that essential oils are removed and then to replace these oils. It would make much better sense to utilize a hair cleanser that does not remove oils in the first place. Development of a hair cleanser which can clean the hair without removing essential oils represents a great improvement in the field of hair treatments and satisfies a long felt need of the public.
The present invention is a hair cleanser which cleanses the hair but does not remove essential oils. The hair cleanser of this invention comprises is a mixture of conditioners, cooling agents, emulsifiers, humectants, pH balancing agents, preservatives, thickeners, botanicals and vitamins. The invention may also include astringents, emollients, fragrances, and re-fatting agents. The preferred formulation is:
Notes: 1) PEG stands for polyethylene glycol.
2) Panthenol is vitamin B5.
The present invention does not contain harsh chemicals. Instead it can be thought of as a mixture of conditioners. It has been found experimentally that this invention cleanses the hair and leaves the hair shinier, with more body, and more manageable.
An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying description of a preferred embodiment.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
Conditioners help to make the hair more shiny and manageable. The cooling agent makes the formulation feel cool on the scalp. An emulsifier is a compound which helps to suspend water insoluble components of the formulation in small globules. A humectant is substance which absorbs or retains moisture; examples are glycerol, propylene glycol, and sorbitol. The pH balancing agent controls the pH of the formulation so that it will not bum the scalp or hair. A preservative is added to prevent breakdown of the formulation during storage. Botanicals are natural products which are believed to have efficacious effects on the body. The thickener is added to increase the viscosity of the formulation.
The formulation may also contain up to 5.00% astringent, up to 0.40% emollients, up to 0.60% fragrance and up to 0.10% re-fatting agents. An astringent is a compound that tends to contract or draw together organic tissues. An emollient is a compound that is softening or relaxing to the skin. The re-fatting agent tends to replace fat that is may have been previously stripped from the scalp and hair.
The preferred formulation for the present invention has the following formulation:
Hydrolyzed wheat protein is a naturally derived protein that contains wheat oligosaccharides (carbohydrates) and constitutes a unique hydrating complex offering a combination of moisture-balancing and film-forming properties that work synergistically to give hair better body control, and skin, a smoother softer feel.
Aloe vera is included in the formulation for its cleansing properties. It cools the skin and conditions the hair. Glycerin is has soothing and moisturizing effects. The panthenol is a moisture balancer. The trimethylsilylamodimethicone adds sheen and shine to the hair. The menthol has stimulating, cooling and cleansing effects and increases blood circulation. The sweet almond oil is very moisturizing and works effectively on all skin types. The rosemary extract has anti-bacterial properties and cleans very effectively. The isothiazolinones are biocides which prevent spoilage of the product.
Samples of the above formulation were used experimentally on clients"" hair at a hair dressing salon in the Hollywood area for a some months prior to the submission of this application. Some clients knew that an experimental hair cleansing formulation was being used while others did not. All hair was cleansed as effectively as if a shampoo was used. Clients were uniform in their praise of the effect of this cleanser on their hair. They found that their hair was left shinier, more manageable and with more body that with other shampoo/conditioner combinations they had used. Many wanted to know what the formulation was and when it would be commercially available.
The hair cleanser formulation provided above replaces shampoos and conditioners. The formulation does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, detergents or other harsh chemicals. When used it does not remove natural oils from the hair and scalp. It does not remove color or dry out the hair.


A convertible travel case has a frame including an upright with a handle for grasping and a base with wheels for towing. A rigid case is mounted on the frame by a connector bracket having one portion pivotally connected with an upper part of the case and another portion slidably connected with the upright to permit the case to be shifted between a generally vertical storage position and a generally horizontal cart position. The frame and case have mating catch members at the bottom of the case. A releasable lock connects the connector bracket and the upright in a first raised position wherein the catch members are engaged to retain the case in the storage position, and a second lowered position wherein the catch members are disengaged and the lower end of the case is swung outwardly away from the frame with the connector bracket shifting downwardly along the upright to the cart position for supporting additional luggage on top of the case.

The present invention relates to a portable travel case, and in particular, a portable travel case that may be converted into a cart.
Portable suitcases are used extensively throughout the world in part due to the increased popularity of travel. These cases are used to store a traveler""s personal effects, while also providing the traveler with an easy means of transportation for these effects. Portable travel cases are generally well known and usually consist of a case member used for storage, a handle, and wheels so that the traveler may rollingly transport the portable case from one point to another.
Frequently however, these wheeled travel cases can be problematic because the traveler will place additional luggage on the case and then attempt to move the case from one destination to another. The additional luggage changes the center of gravity of the portable case, thereby creating an excessive burden on the traveler when transporting the case. Such excessive burdens are typically tolerated by able-bodied people, but are often intolerable for less than able-bodied people. In addition, because the portable case is not designed to carry the additional luggage, typically it is not well-secured and has a tendency to fall off. Further, because the portable travel case was not intended to transport the additional luggage, the traveler is faced with the difficulty of removing the extra baggage when the case needs to be collapsed for storage.
In an attempt to solve the problems mentioned above, portable suitcases have been developed that arc capable of being converted from a tow arrangement into a cart arrangement as illustrated and described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,385,220 and 5,368,143 to Pond et al. These cases however, have been problematic because they have not been designed to carry the heavy loads which are transported by today""s travelers. In addition, today""s travelers expect a portable case that is able to withstand a certain amount of misuse, and even abuse. They also expect their luggage to be easy to use, and ergonomically correct. Previously designed travel cases suffer from a general lack of durability. They are typically not capable of transporting heavy loads, are difficult to convert from a tow to a cart arrangement and back again, and lack the ergonomic features which today""s travelers demand.
Therefore, what is needed is a portable suitcase that can be converted into a cart which is capable of carrying substantial additional loads. Further, a case is needed which easily converts from the cart and tow position, and still further easily collapses into a storage position. Additionally, a case which easily locks into, and unlocks from these positions, with a minimum amount of interaction thereby providing ergonomic operation, is desired.
Accordingly, an apparatus solving the aforementioned disadvantages and having the aforementioned advantages is desired.
One aspect of the present invention is a convertible travel case that includes a frame having an upright portion with a handle to facilitate grasping the travel case, and a base portion with at least one ground-engaging wheel to facilitate towing the travel case. The frame also includes a frame catch member which is used to secure the case member. The case includes a generally rigid case member having a hollow interior, which is shaped to retain travel articles. The case member further includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and a case catch member which releasably engages the frame catch member. A connector bracket has a first portion pivotally connected to the case member adjacent the first end portion, and a second portion slidably connected with the frame upright to permit the case member to be shifted between a generally vertical storage position and a generally horizontal cart position. The convertible travel case also includes a releasable lock detachably connecting the connector bracket with the upright in a first raised position wherein the frame and case catch members are engaged to retain the case member in a storage position for travel, and a second lowered position wherein the frame and case catch members are disengaged and the second end portion of the case member is swung outwardly away from the frame with the connector bracket shifting downwardly along the frame upright to the cart position for supporting additional luggage on top of the ease member.
The present invention provides a travel case that quickly and easily converts to a rugged handcart which is capable of carrying heavy loads. When the invention is utilized as a travel case, the case itself is designed to securely transport and protect the property located within it. Additionally, the travel case includes a telescopingly adjustable handle which when extended, is used to facilitate transportation of the case through the attached wheels. When the handle is in its retracted position, the travel case is then dimensioned to meet the maximum allowable size for air travel carry-on luggage. When the travel case is to be used as a handcart, the handle is fully extended and the case itself is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position with the case itself acting as the platform of the hand cart. The handcart may then be loaded with additional bulky, heavy loads, allowing for simultaneous transportation of the case and the additional heavy loads.
Additionally, the handcart is designed to convert from the tow and cart position easily, and in a smooth fashion. This conversion is also carried out in a manner which is ergonomically correct, so as to avoid repetitive strain on the traveler. The cart is also designed to maintain a center of gravity that when loaded, will allow for the transportation of these heavy loads with relative ease. Therefore, a travel case has been invented which may easily convert to a handcart thereby allowing for additional articles to be transported with ease.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.


The invention pertains to pigment granulates for the coloring of building materials and processes to manufacture such granulates. The pigment granulates are granulated from a mixture containing the pigment, at least one wetting agent and/or binder and/or explosive, an agent to reduce the tendency to blister and/or an agent to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated.

The invention pertains to pigment granulate for the coloring of building material and processes for the manufacture of such granulates.
At present, mainly inorganic pigments, especially those based on different iron oxides, are used to color building materials, in particular cement-bound building materials, such as concrete. In this regard pigment granulates exhibit very substantial advantages compared to powders and pastes, e.g. in their handling, in their prevention of dust and the like, but also with respect to their dispersing properties.
The use of aqueous carbon preparations (containing 30 to 80% water) as pearl granulates for coloring in the cement industry is known from DE-A1 29 08 202. This technology cannot be applied to other pigments, and granulates with such water contents are fundamentally disadvantageous, also for applications in the building material field.
The granulation of pigments together with binders through spray granulation is known from DE-A1 29 40 156. Pigment granulates produced in this way are used to manufacture inks, to color plastics, lacquers, and the like. There is no connection to the coloring of building materials, asphalt, and the like.
Color granulates containing more than 5 to 50% by weight of water are known from EP-A2 0 191 278. Granulates with low water contents are not usable for building materials according to this technical theory.
Pigment granulates which can be used to color building materials and which can include other pigments than carbon are described in DE-A1 36 19 363 for the first time. Based on this state of the art, microgranulates are produced from such pigments through mixing with binders and subsequent spray drying. The binders are mainly organic binders, such as lignin sulfonate. These granulates are commercially successful.
Microgranulates without organic binders were proposed in DE-A1 39 18 694. In this specification, inorganic compounds, especially oxides and/or hydroxides and suitable hydrates are used as binders. Such products often exhibit problems in practice because they tend to disperse incompletely when worked into concrete and the like.
EP-A1 0 567 882 describes pelletized, compacted, and sprayed granulates containing binders, such as especially machine oil, wax, paraffin, and the like, which are to be used to color asphalt. In addition to the binders, substances like lignin sulfonate, molasses, starch, and the like can be used. According to this disclosure, substances like lignin sulfonate alone cannot be used as binders.
The compacting of iron oxide pigments with binders under very low molding pressures, in which case line forces of 15 kN/cm are not to be exceeded and densities between 0.5 g/cm3 and 3 g/cm3 are to be set, is known from EP-A1 0 650 939. These lightly compacted powder products are then ground to nuclei and powders, followed by a traditional pelletizing. The compacting stage does not appear to have any detectable influence on the properties of the granulate. In principle, it is a traditional pelletizing. Inorganic or organic substances, primarily oils and the like, are used as binders.
The manufacture of pigment granulates containing lactose as a binder through spray drying with residual moisture of less than 2.5% by weight is known from EP-A1 0 657 511.
In the context of this description, xe2x80x9cgranulatesxe2x80x9d means every material whose mean grain size in comparison to the original material has been increased by a treatment stage. Therefore, xe2x80x9cgranulatesxe2x80x9d means not only spray granulates and compacting granulates but, for example, also products of a moist treatment with subsequent pulverizing.
On account of their considerable advantages, in comparison to powders, pastes, and the like, granulates have been used for decades on a large scale industrially. Granulation has been accepted for a long time for the processing of pigments as well.
Experience acquired with pigment granulates in other areas cannot simply be transferred to the coloring of building materials, asphalt, and the like. In practice, granulates, which theoretically should be almost perfectly suitable, often prove inadequate because they do not combine all of the required properties.
Although an excellent solidity of the granulate is often achieved, which counteracts its destruction during packaging and transport and restricts the production of dust, on the other hand, its dispersability can be impaired, resulting in the desired homogeneous coloring and the required color intensity not being achieved.
On the other hand, granulates with excellent color intensity and easy dispersability are often too soft and disintegrate even before they are worked into the building material, which can result in increased dust production, in residue in the packaging, in reduced flowability and in correspondingly frequent incorrect dosages.
Of the many methods of granulation, spray granulation has become generally accepted in practice, while, for example, fluidized bed granulation, which is fully comparable theoretically, has not yet produced any usable granulates.
Proposals have recently become known to forego granulates completely and, instead, to use coated powders. WO 97/20892 is given as an example. It remains to be seen whether in this way broad particle size distributions due to clumping can be avoided and whether such coated powders can be used without producing the dust problems typical of the prior art before pigment granulates were introduced.
In order to promote the separation, suspension, and dispersion of pigment granulates, wetting and binding agents are used which are chosen in such a way that the granulate disintegrates with the desired dispersing effect. However, all of the dispersion-promoting wetting and binding mixtures have the disadvantage that they reinforce the tendency to blister, in particular in the case of cement-bound building materials. Regarding the phenomenon of, blistering, certain components of the building material mixture, in the case of concrete or cement above all limestone (CaCO3), travel gradually, for example as a result of weathering, dissolution, or aging of the material, in dissolved form to the surface where they produce, after the solvent has evaporated, an undesirable coating which constantly renews itself.
An essential objective of the invention is to propose, against this background, a process for the coloring of building materials by means of pigment granulates which promotes the coloring by the pigments and at the same time reduces the tendency to blister, especially of cement-bound building materials. Another objective of the invention is to present a process which allows the pigment contents to be increased in the mixture to be granulated.
The features defined in the independent claims achieve this objective.
Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.
The objective of the invention is achieved by the pigments, in particular in the form of pigment powder and/or pigment filter cakes, and the traditional wetting and binding agents also being mixed during the manufacture of the pigment granulates with at least one of the agents which reduce the tendency to blister, and/or an agent to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated, it being concluded surprisingly that these latter agents can have a synergistic effect, i.e., the agent to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated reinforces the blister-prevention effect of the respective (other) agents, the inventive process producing an outstanding homogeneity as well as an excellent color intensity.
In accordance with the invention, the agents reducing the tendency to blister are chosen from alkaline earth binding compounds. Preferably, alkaline earth bonding compounds are used which form salts or complexes, especially stable complexes, with alkaline earth ions, which salts or complexes are difficult to dissolve.
In the case of the inventive process, complexing agents include aminopolycarboxylic acids like EDTA, alkane-1,1-diphosphonic acids, polyoxycarboxylic acids, polyamines, crown ether, complexing polymers, and the like. The complexing polymers can be chosen from functionalized polystyrenes, polyacrylates, polyacryl nitriles, polyvinyl alcohols, or polyethyleneimines, which as functional groups exhibit residues of iminodiacetic acid, hydroquinoline, thiourea, guanidine, dithiocarbamate, hydroxamic acid, amidoxime, aminophosphoric acid, cyclical or non-cyclical polyamine, mercaptol, 1,3-dicarbonyl, or crown ethers.
Especially preferred in the inventive process are compounds which form, with alkaline earth ions, salts that are hard to dissolve, like oxine (8-quinolinol), polycarboxylic acids, preferably oxalic acid, or their corresponding salts as well as soaps. In the case of an especially preferred embodiment, soaps are used, for example traditional, commercial salts and of these soft soaps in particular. Soft soaps can include soft soaps and potash soaps. Preferably potash soaps are used, plant-oil-based potash soaps being especially preferred.
In accordance with the invention, in order to increase the solid content, especially of the pigment content, in the mixture to be granulated, agents are used which promote the liquefication of solid pigment following the addition of water as well as the shaping of the granules, especially with spray drying. The latter is especially advantageous if the above-mentioned compounds with surface active properties which reduce the tendency to blister (e.g., soaps) are contained in the mixture to be granulated. This preferred embodiment produces a synergistic effect because both the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated and the shaping of the granulate is promoted overproportionally and the tendency of building-material-bound components to blister is reduced overproportionally. However, the agents to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated can also be used advantageously if no agents which reduce the tendency to blister are used because, for example, in the case of spray drying, the spray costs of the granulate can be reduced substantially through the increase in the proportion of pigment in the sprayed pigment slurry. As well, the agents to reduce the tendency to blister can be used advantageously even if the shaping agents are not used.
The agent increasing the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated can be chosen from compounds which are not lipophilic. Preferably, it can be chosen from mono- or polyhydroxy compounds, mono- or polyhydroxy amine compounds, or carboxylates, or combinations of these compounds.
In the case of the inventive process for the manufacture of pigment granulates, monovalent, primary, secondary, or tertiary, alkyl-substituted or non-substituted alcohols can be used as monohydroxy compounds, such as, for example, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-l-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and the like. Alcohols from C3 up are preferred. In accordance with the invention, the polyhydroxy compounds used include polyhydric alkyl-substituted or non-substituted alcohols, for example diols, glycols, like ethylene glycol and polyalkylene glycols, glycerine, sugar alcohols, like sorbitol and ionositol, trimethylol propane, and the like. Preferably, 2-methyl-1-propanol and glycols are used in the case of this invention.
Furthermore, the monohydroxyamino compounds used in the inventive process for the manufacture of pigment granulates include monovalent, primary, secondary, or tertiary, alkyl-substituted or non-substituted amino alcohols, such as 2-amino-1-propanol, 2-amino-1-butanol, 3-amino-1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol, and the like. Amino alcohols from C3 up are preferred. Polyhydric alkyl-substituted or non-substituted alcohols, such as, for example, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-dihydroxypropane, and the like can be used as inventive polyhydroxyamino compounds. Aminoalkyl propanols containing C1 to C4 alkyl residues, especially C1 alkyl residues, such as, for example, 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol are used in a preferred embodiment of this invention.
Other compounds with relatively low molecular weights (preferably C1 to C100, more preferably C2 to C50, most preferably C3 to C25), which carry one or more hydrophilic groups, can also be used. These can be xe2x80x94NH2 and xe2x80x94OH, but also ether groups, carboxylic groups, acid functions, and the like, if necessary also in neutralized (salt) form.
The total quantity of the agents to reduce the tendency to blister used in the inventive process for the manufacture of pigment granulates is at least 0.01 percent by weight, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 percent by weight, and more preferably 0.1 to 0.2 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture to be granulated.
The total quantity of the agents to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated used in the inventive process for the manufacture of pigment granulates is at least 0.01 percent by weight, preferably 0.1 to 1 percent by weight, and especially preferred 0.3 to 0.7 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture to be granulated.
In accordance with the invention, the pigment can be mixed as a powder mixture or suspended in a solvent with at least one wetting agent and/or binder and or explosive, an agent to reduce the tendency to blister and/or an agent to increase the pigment content in the mixture to be granulated. Traditional processes, like compression, compacting, pressing, or briquetting, pelletized drying, spray drying, or fluidized bed drying as well as combinations of the aforesaid processes, can be used as granulation processes. Preferably, spray processes (e.g., spraying or fluidized bed drying)are used.
The wetting agent or binder or explosive for this granulate is chosen so that the granulate disintegrates with the desired dispersion effect. Water-soluble wetting agents and binders, like lignin sulfonate in particular, and the like, are especially suitable; binders with an explosive effect or genuine explosives are also suitable. These are mainly heavily hydrophilic polymers with a correspondingly large ability to absorb water, for example certain cellulose derivatives, dextrans, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and the like. Instead or in addition, hydrophilizing agents are used, such as, for example, PEG fatty acid esters and the like. Certain inorganic components, like reactive systems which produce gas when exposed to water, can also be used. Dry binders, like lactose, sugar, and the like, are less preferred, in general, but can be used advantageously for special applications.
An important optional component for inventive granulates is water glass, especially potash water glass, which is added to the aqueous starting mixture for granulation and works as a binder and thickening agent. Preferably, additives in the range below 1 percent by weight (based on the total mixture) are used.
The wetting agent, binder, and/or explosive is chosen in such a way that, when used for coloring, i.e., in the usual aqueous building material mixtures, the granulate becomes suspended and/or is dispersed sufficient quickly and completely. In this regard, the type of pigment, the granulation process, and the secondary processing also play a role, so the mixture suitable in each case is determined through corresponding simple tests.
In accordance with the invention, in all of the aforesaid embodiments of the invention the handling, the working into the building material, the dispersing properties, the color density, and the like can be further influenced advantageously by the surface of the granulate being treated prior to its being mixed with the building materials. In particular, the granulate can be coated with a separating agent and/or a wetting agent. These agents are chosen so that they do no result in clumping and caking of the granulate in the packaging, i.e., they are not too hygroscopic, for example. On the other hand, it is desired that they promote wetting.
The use of granulates during mixing with building materials corresponds to the customary, known procedures.

Pigment granulate for coloring building materials and method for producing the same