Polymeric compositions containing ir-emitting/absorbing additives and shaped articles comprised thereof

Abstract

Polymeric compositions containing additives having properties of emission and/or absorption of radiation in the long infrared region, and articles shaped therefrom are produced, including yarns and textile articles such as fabrics or knits; such additives include organic additives or inorganic fillers which have a capacity for absorption/emission of radiation in the infrared region, in a wavelength range of from 2 μm to 20 μm, and also a polymeric substrate, with the proviso that the inorganic fillers may be selected from among oxides, sulfates, carbonates, phosphates and silicates, and such inorganic fillers having an average particle size of less than 2 μm.

1 . A method for increasing the elasticity of the skin of an individual, the method comprising:
 contacting the skin of said individual with an article which comprises a polymeric composition comprising a polymer and a combination of at least two inorganic fillers having been introduced into the polymer and having a capacity for emission and/or absorption of infrared radiation in the wavelength range of between 2 μm and 20 μm, wherein said inorganic fillers are selected from the group consisting of oxides, sulphates, carbonates, phosphates, and silicates, and wherein said inorganic fillers have an average particle size of less than 2 μm.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyolefins, cellulosic polymers, acrylic polymers, polyamides, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the cellulosic polymers are selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates, rayons, and viscoses. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is a polyamide or a polyamide copolymer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide 6/polyamide 66 copolymers. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic fillers of the polymeric composition have a particle size of less than 1.0 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the inorganic fillers of the polymeric composition have a particle size of less than 0.5 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxides are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and magnesium oxide. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sulphates are selected from the group consisting of barium sulphate, calcium sulphate, and strontium sulphate. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbonates are selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicate is selected from the group consisting of actinolite, tourmaline, serpentine, and aluminosilicates. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the aluminosilicate is kaolin. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the phosphate is selected from the group consisting of zirconium phosphates, apatite, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic fillers are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, barium sulphate, and a filler of the silicate group. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the polymeric composition comprises at least two inorganic fillers selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, barium sulphate, and tourmaline. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric composition comprises a combination of three inorganic fillers. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the proportion by weight of the three inorganic fillers is between 80:10:10 and 10:30:60. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the combination of three inorganic fillers is titanium dioxide/barium sulphate/tourmaline. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is greater than 1.0%. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is greater than or equal to 1.5%. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is greater than or equal to 2.5%. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is less than 9%. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is less than 6%. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the proportion by weight of the combination of inorganic fillers relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition is less than 4.5%. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is a textile article in the form of yarns, fibres, filaments, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is a fabric, a nonwoven, a knit, a film, or a powder. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric composition exhibits at least 1 peak in at least 7 of the following frequency ranges:
 3.00+/−0.30 μm;   6.20+/−0.50 μm   8.00+/−0.25 μm;   8.50+/−0.25 μm;   9.00+/−0.25 μm;   9.50+/−0.25 μm;   10.00+/−0.25 μm;   10.50+/−0.25 μm;   11.00+/−0.25 μm; and   14.60+/−2.10 μm.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual is an individual who has cellulite, and the skin is in an area of the body having the cellulite.