Author: claimsbot

1. A method for preparing an expansile element formed of an environmentally-responsive hydrogel for implantation in an animal, the method comprising:
a) reacting a prepolymer solution including at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromer, at least one macromer or monomer comprising at least one pH sensitive ionizable functional group and an ethylenically unsaturated moiety, at least one polymerization initiator, and at least one solvent to prepare a hydrogel as the expansile element; and
b) treating said hydrogel to prepare an environmentally-responsive hydrogel that is responsive at physiological conditions,
wherein the expansile element has an unexpended bending resistance of from about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ionizable functional group comprises an acidic group.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said treating comprises incubating said hydrogel in an acidic environment to protonate said acidic groups.
4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said acidic group comprises a carboxylic acid, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ionizable functional group comprises a basic group.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said treating comprises incubating said hydrogel in a basic environment to de-protonate said basic group.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said basic group comprise an amine, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises water, ethyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said solvent comprises water.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one macromer or monomer comprising at least one ionizable functional group comprises a vinyl group, an acrylate, a methacrylate, an acrylamide, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromer comprises poly(ethylene glycol), derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromer comprises poly(ethylene glycol) di-acrylamide, poly(ethylene glycol) di-acrylate, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromer comprises poly(ethylene glycol) di-acrylamide.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said ethylenically unsaturated macromer is at a concentration of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the prepolymer solution.
15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said solvent is at a concentration of about 20% to about 80% by weight of the prepolymer solution.
16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said prepolymer solution further comprises adding at least one cross-linking agent comprising a compound with a plurality of ethylenically unsaturated moieties.
17. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymerization initiator comprises a reduction-oxidation polymerization initiator.
18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymerization initiator comprises N,N,N\u2032,N\u2032-tetramethylethylenediamine, ammonium persulfate, azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxides, 2,2\u2032-azobis(2-methylpropionaminide) dihydrochloride, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
19. A method according to claim 1 wherein said reacting further comprises adding a porosigen.
20. A method according to claim 3 wherein said acidic groups are capable of being de-protonated after implantation in an animal.
21. A method according to claim 5 wherein said basic groups are capable of being protonated after implantation in an animal.
22. A method according to claim 1 wherein said ethylenically unsaturated macromer comprises poly(ethylene glycol) di-acrylamide, said at least one macromer or monomer comprising at least one ionizable functional group comprises sodium acrylate, said at least one polymerization initiator comprises ammonium persulfate and N,N,N,\u2032,N\u2032 tetramethylethylenediamine, and said solvent comprises water.
23. A method according to claim 1 wherein said ethylenically unsaturated macromer has a molecular weight of about 400 gramsmole to about 35,000 gramsmole.
24. A method according to claim 1 wherein said environmentally-responsive hydrogel is substantially non-resorbable.
25. A method according to claim 1 wherein said environmentally-responsive hydrogel is substantially free of acrylamide.
26. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromer is non-ionic.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for optimizing package weight comprising:
a delivery fee table correlating package weight to delivery cost; and
a processor configured to:
(i) calculate a first total weight of a package on the basis of individual components of said package;
(ii) identify a target weight based on said first total weight and said delivery fee table;
(iii) identify one or more weight changing alternatives for at least one individual component of said package;
(iv) determine using said target weight if said weight changing alternative should be implemented; and
(v) determine a second total weight of said package.
2. The system of claim 1 further configured to calculate a delivery fee associated with said second total weight.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to: retrieve individual component unit weights for each of said components.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to:
identify an attribute of at least one of said individual components;
identify an alternative attribute of said one individual component; and
calculate a individual new weight of said individual component with said alternative attribute.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said attributes comprise one or more of font type, font size, page margins, media weight, paper size, fastening method, addition and deletion of inserts.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said delivery fee target is less than said first total weight.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said delivery fee target is greater than said first total weight.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to interface with an application program associated with at least one of said components.
9. A method of optimizing package weight comprising:
determining the individual weights of components of a parcel;
combining said individual weights of said components to determine a total weight of said package;
identifying possible modifications of said components and corresponding resulting weights achievable from said possible modifications; and
identifying one or more combinations of said possible modifications calculated to change said total weight to a new total weight having a specified relationship to a weight break point.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said weight break-point is associated with respective delivery fees.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprises the step of calculating a delivery fee associated with at least one of said combinations.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of determining the individual weights of components of a parcel include the steps of:
identifying said individual components; and
retrieving component unit weights.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of identifying possible modifications of said components further comprises the steps of:
identifying an attribute of at least one of said components;
identifying an alternative attribute of said one component; and
calculating a individual new weight of said component with said alternative attribute.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein said attributes comprise one or more of font type, font size, page margins, media weight, paper size, fastening method, or addition, and deletion of inserts.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein said specified relationship is one of (i) less than, and (ii) equal to.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of identifying possible modifications includes a step of interfacing with an application program associated with at least one of said components.
17. Computer readable code stored on computer media for optimizing package weight comprising:
a first subprocess for determining the individual weights of components of a parcel;
a second subprocess for calculating a total weight from said individual weights of said components;
a third subprocess for identifying possible modifications of said components and corresponding resulting weights achievable from said possible modifications; and
a fourth subprocess for identifying one or more combinations of said possible modifications calculated to change said total weight to a new total weight having a specified relationship to a weight break-point.
18. The computer readable code stored on computer media of claim 17 wherein said weight break-point is associated with respective delivery fees and calculating a delivery fee is associated with at least one of said combinations.
19. The computer readable code stored on computer media of claim 17 wherein said first subprocess for determining the individual weights of components of a parcel includes:
identifying said individual components; and
retrieving component unit weights.
20. The computer readable code stored on computer media of claim 17, wherein said second subprocess of identifying possible modifications of said components further includes:
identifying attribute of at least one of said components;
identifying an alternative attribute of said one component; and
calculating a individual new weight of said component with said alternative attribute.

1. A process comprising:
(a) reacting glycerol with a polyunsaturated component selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids, C1-4 alkyl esters thereof and mixtures thereof, under vacuum, in the presence of an enzyme and an agent selected from the group consisting of weakly acidic salts, weakly basic salts, complexing agents, salts of complexing agents, basic ion exchangers, weakly basic ion exchangers, salts of acidic ion exchangers, solvent and gas entraining agents, glycerol-binding adsorbers, and mixtures thereof, to form a product mixture comprising (i) a triglyceride of the polyunsaturated component and (ii) one or more other components selected from the group consisting of the enzyme, the agent, unreacted polyunsaturated component, unreacted glycerol and mixtures thereof; and
(b) separating the triglyceride and the one or more other components.
2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyunsaturated component comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, \u03b3-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, C1-4 alkyl esters thereof and mixtures thereof.
3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the enzyme is immobilized on a carrier.
4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of lipases, phospholipases, esterases and mixtures thereof.
5. The process according to claim 3, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of lipases, phospholipases, esterases and mixtures thereof.
6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out under a pressure of 200 mbar or less.
7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of weakly basic salts, salts of complexing agents, basic ion exchangers, and mixtures thereof.
8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of weakly acidic salts, weakly basic salts, complexing agents, salts of complexing agents, basic ion exchangers, weakly basic ion exchangers, salts of acidic ion exchangers, and wherein the agent is present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5% by weight.
9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, potassium acetate, potassium phosphate and mixtures thereof.
10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the agent comprises an entraining agent which forms an azeotrope with water or short-chain alcohols.
11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the agent comprises a glycerol-binding adsorber selected from the group consisting of silica gel, hydrophilic polymers and mixtures thereof.
12. A process comprising:
(a) reacting glycerol with a polyunsaturated component selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids, C1-4 alkyl esters thereof and mixtures thereof, under vacuum, in the presence of a first enzyme, to form an intermediate product;
(b) removing the first enzyme from the intermediate product;
(c) subjecting the intermediate product to a heat treatment to form a heat-treated intermediate product;
(d) adding a second enzyme to the heat-treated intermediate;
(e) heating the heat-treated intermediate in the presence of the second enzyme to form a product mixture comprising (i) a triglyceride of the polyunsaturated component and (ii) one or more other components selected from the group consisting of the enzyme, unreacted polyunsaturated component, unreacted glycerol and mixtures thereof; and
(f) separating the triglyceride and the one or more other components.
13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the first enzyme and the second enzyme are the same.
14. The process according to claim 12, wherein the polyunsaturated component comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, \u03b3-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, C1-4 alkyl esters thereof and mixtures thereof.
15. The process according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first enzyme and the second enzyme are immobilized on a carrier.
16. The process according to claim 12, wherein the first enzyme and the second enzyme are selected from the group consisting of lipases, phospholipases, esterases and mixtures thereof.
17. The process according to claim 15, wherein the first enzyme and the second enzyme are selected from the group consisting of lipases, phospholipases, esterases and mixtures thereof.
18. The process according to claim 12, wherein the reaction is carried out under a pressure of 200 mbar or less.
19. The process according to claim 12, wherein the heat-treatment is carried out at a temperature of from 80\xb0 C. to 160\xb0 C.
20. The process according to claim 12, wherein the reaction of glycerol with the polyunsaturated component is carried out in the further presence of an agent selected from the group consisting of weakly acidic salts, weakly basic salts, complexing agents, salts of complexing agents, basic ion exchangers, weakly basic ion exchangers, salts of acidic ion exchangers, solvent and gas entraining agents, glycerol-binding adsorbers, and mixtures thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A composite floor element comprised of wood and reinforced concrete for forming building floors, comprising at least two wood beams running parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the floor element and a reinforced concrete body, which has a plate portion resting on the wood beams, each of the at least two wood beams having a first end face and a second end face located at opposed ends thereof, said first and second end faces face away from one another, the reinforced concrete body further has first and second portions that form edge beams which extend at an angle to the wood beams and bear against the first and second end faces of the wood beams;
wherein the end faces of each of the wood beams are each formed with a rabbet and a side face of a respective one of the edge beams bearing against the end face of each of the wood beams has a corresponding rabbet, against which the rabbet of the end face of each of the wood beams bears; and
at least one connecting member connected to each of the wood beams at each of the two opposed end faces of each of the wood beams, each of the connecting members has a first portion which protrudes into a respective one of the end faces of one of a respective one of the wood beams and a second portion which protrudes beyond the respective end face of the respective one of the wood beams and is embedded in the concrete of the respective edge beam.
2. The floor element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each respective one of the connecting members has a rod part.
3. The floor element as claimed in claim 2, wherein each respective one of the connecting members has a threaded rod.
4. The floor element as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one nut is screwed onto a portion of the threaded rod that protrudes beyond the respective end face of the respective one of the wood beams.
5. The floor element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each respective one of the connecting members is glued into a bore introduced into a respective end face of the respective wood beam.
6. The floor element as claimed claim 1, wherein the floor element, in a central region located in a center area lengthwise of the wood beams, has a camber compared to an area at the ends of the wood beams.
7. The floor element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor element further comprises plastic parts, and the plastic parts are capable of melting in case of fire are embedded in the concrete of the reinforced concrete body.
8. The floor element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wood beams are laminated wood beams.
9. The floor element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor element is installed in floors between stories of a multi-story building.
10. The floor element as claimed in claim 9, wherein the building has at least three stories arranged above a ground floor.
11. A composite floor element comprised of wood and reinforced concrete for forming building floors, comprising at least two wood beams running parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the floor element and a reinforced concrete body, which has a plate portion resting on the wood beams, the reinforced concrete body further has first and second portions that form edge beams which extend at an angle to the wood beams and bear against two opposed end faces of the wood beams;
wherein the end faces of each of the wood beams are each formed with a rabbet and a side face of a respective one of the edge beams bearing against the end face of a respective one of the wood beams has a corresponding rabbet, against which the rabbet of the end face of the respective wood beam bears; and
at least one connecting member connected to each of the wood beams at each of the two opposed end faces of a respective one of the wood beams, the connecting member has a first portion which protrudes into the wood beam and a second portion which protrudes beyond the respective end face of the respective one of the wood beams and is embedded in the concrete of the respective edge beam, and for transmission of shear stresses between the wood beams and the plate portion of the reinforced concrete body, each of the wood beams has, on an upper side thereof, at least one indentation, into which a protrusion of the plate-shaped portion projects.
12. The floor element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper side of a respective one of the wood beams is provided with two or more indentations, which are spaced in the longitudinal direction and into each of which one of the protrusions of the plate-shaped portion of the reinforced concrete body projects.
13. A composite floor element comprised of wood and reinforced concrete for forming building floors, comprising at least two wood beams running parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the floor element and a reinforced concrete body, which has a plate portion resting on the wood beams, the reinforced concrete body further has first and second portions that form edge beams which extend at an angle to the wood beams and bear against two opposed end faces of the wood beams;
wherein the end faces of each of the wood beams are each formed with a rabbet and a side face of a respective one of the edge beams bearing against the end face of a respective one of the wood beams has a corresponding rabbet, against which the rabbet of the end face of the respective wood beam bears; and
at least one connecting member connected to each of the wood beams at each of the two opposed end faces of a respective one of the wood beams, the connecting member has a first portion which protrudes into the wood beam and a second portion which protrudes beyond the respective end face of the respective one of the wood beams and is embedded in the concrete of the respective edge beam, and for connection between the at least two wood beams running in parallel and the plate-shaped portion of the reinforced concrete body, connecting parts are provided, which are connected to the respective wood beam and protrude beyond an upper side of the wood beam and are embedded in the concrete of the plate-shaped portion of the reinforced concrete body.
14. The floor element as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connecting parts are screws, which are screwed into the respective wood beams.