US3888804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymers
Assignee: Bio Degradable Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-21
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1993-06-21
Abstract
Abstract Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymers that are susceptible to attack by common microorganisms after exposure to sunlight in a natural atmospheric environment. The polymers include polystyrene and polyethylene polymers and copolymers modified with one or more chemical additives to initiate and to enhance photodegradation.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl E Swanholm
- 👤 Robert G Caldwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:04
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/04; C08K5/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S260/00; Y10S260/43; Y10S521/00; Y10S521/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
POLYMERIC MATERIAL PHOTODEGRADABLE UPON DISPOSAL BY EXPOSURE TO RADIATION WITHIN THE SPECTRUM OF THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTENT OF SUNLIGHT IN AN ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF A HYDROCARBON POLYMER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSITING OF POLYSTYRENE AND RUBBER MODIFIED POLYSTYRENE; AND A PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF COMPOUNDS REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULAS
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
POLYMERIC MATERIAL PHOTODEGRADABLE UPON DISPOSAL BY EXPOSURE TO RADIATION WITHIN THE SPECTRUM OF THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTENT OF SUNLIGHT IN AN ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF A HYDROCARBON POLYMER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSITING OF POLYSTYRENE AND RUBBER MODIFIED POLYSTYRENE; AND A PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF COMPOUNDS REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULAS
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of benzophenone, 4,4-di-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, 4-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, anthraquinone, anthrone, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 1-chlorobenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer is cellular polystyrene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hindered phenol not containing a carbonyl group and being of the type commonly used as an antioxidant in the proportions of 1 to 3 parts of said hindered phenol to 3 parts by weight of said photosensitizing agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of degrading into a microbially consumable intermediate product an article of manufacture containing as constituents the mixture of claim 1, which comprises the step of exposing said article to radiation within the spectrum of the ultraviolet content of sunlight in the presence of oxygen for a period sufficient to initiate molecular degradation of said polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Microbially consumable packaging material comprising a predominance of the photodegradation product of a hydrocarbon polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and rubber-modified polystyrene; a photosensitizing agent activatable by light within the spectrum of the ultraviolet content of sunlight selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formulas
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
Microbially consumable packaging material comprising a predominance of the photodegradation product of a hydrocarbon polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and rubber-modified polystyrene; a photosensitizing agent activatable by light within the spectrum of the ultraviolet content of sunlight selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formulas
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |