Abstract:
An actively sterile surface for a substrate and for use in a dynamicall y biological environment, such as for treating and preventing microbial infections, comprises a film consisting of at least an antimicrobial element and another electrochemically nobler element and which forms multitudinous galvanic cell s with electrolyte containing biological fluids, such as body fluids from wounds, etc., for releasing the antimicrobial element at the surface.
Abstract:
A method of conducting a promotional contest by providing a portal that establishes a field for detecting the presence of a field-disturbing element, providing packages respectively having and lacking a concealed field-disturbing element, and distributing the packages randomly to different individuals who carry the packages past the portal so that a package with a field-disturbing element causes the portal to produce a signal indicating a winner of the contest. A can for beverages or the like having a field-disturbing element concealed thereon, for use in such a promotional contest. The element may be mounted in a peelable foil closure member covering an aperture in the can lid.
Abstract:
A metal can (10) for holding a carbonated or otherwise pressurized beverage or the like is described, having a rigid metal lid (16) formed with an aperture (24), and a flexible closure member (28) extending over the aperture (24) peelably bonded to the lid (16). The closure member includes a portion that undergoes an irreversible change in appearance upon bending and is disposed to be bent by peeling of the closure.
Abstract:
A bilayer oxide film which comprises a preferably porous layer containing aluminum oxide and a non-porous layer comprising an oxide of a valve metal, e.g. tantalum. The layers are integral. The film is produced by forming a coating of aluminum or an anodizable aluminum alloy on a valve metal (or alloy), anodizing the resulting structure in an electrolyte (preferably one capable of converting the aluminum (or alloy) to a porous oxide film) in the presence of an adhesion-reducing agent (e.g. fluoride ions) that makes the resulting anodized bilayer film easily detachable from the remaining valve metal. The bilayer film is then detached from the valve metal, e.g. by adhering a flexible plastic film to the bilayer and using the film to peel off the bilayer from the valve metal. The resulting bilayer can be used for a variety of purposes, e.g. as a vapour or oxygen barrier, or as a coating containing magnetic particles used to make a magnetic recording medium.
Abstract:
TITLE: COLOUR CHANGE DEVICES INCORPORATING THIN ANODIC FILMS A laminated colour change device which exhibits an irreversible colour change upon delamination. The device comprises two layers capable of generating a colour by a light interference and absorption phenomenon that requires direct and intimate contact between the two layers. One of the layers is a colour-generating metal, such as a valve metal (e.g. tantalum), and the other is an overlying lighttransmitting film thin enough to cause light interference effects The film is produced by coating the colour generating metal with aluminum or an aluminum alloy and then anodizing (preferably porous anodizing) the aluminum to consumption in the presence of an adhesion-reducing agent, e.g. fluoride, that reduces the strength of attachment between the layers so that the laminate can be uniformly and reliably separated at the interface between the adjacent two layers. An overlying layer of transparent or translucent material is normally adhered to the laminate to facilitate the separation of the layers. when the thin film is detached from the colour-generating metal, the generated colour is lost, thus providing a colour change that is in effect irreversible. The device can be incorporated into a variety of closable articles or products to provide evidence of opening or tampering, or can be used for other purposes.
Abstract:
A process for coating a polymer sheet with a transparent coating having moisture and oxygen barrier properties. The process starts with a metal substrate made of, or having a surface coating of, a valve metal or valve metal alloy. The metal substrate is anodized to form an anodic film of the valve metal on the metal substrate. The anodic film is made readily detachable from the metal by carrying out the anodization step in the presence of an adhesion-reducing agent, e.g. a fluoride. The polymer sheet, usually in the form of a thin transparent layer, is then attached to the anodic film and the anodic film is detached from the metal. The transferred anodic film forms a thin dense oxide coating on the polymer sheet that acts as a barrier against oxygen and moisture transport. The invention can be used for making packaging sheets suitable for packaging foodstuffs, and the like.