US4057537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copolymers of L-(-)-lactide and epsilon caprolactone
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-28
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1995-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Copolymers which can be fabricated into films, fibers and structural shapes are prepared by copolymerizing an optically active lactide, i.e., L-(-)-lactide, and epsilon caprolactone in the presence of a tin ester of a carboxylic acid. A copolymer prepared from 75 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide and 25 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone is a thermoplastic elastomer. A copolymer prepared from 90 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide and 10 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone is a rigid, clear, thermoplastic solid.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Sinclair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:30
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle, thermally stable copolymer of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said copolymer being obtained by heating a mixture of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a catalyst, said mixture comprising about 75 to about 90 percent by weight of L-(-)-lactide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle, thermally stable copolymer of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said copolymer being obtained by heating a mixture of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a catalyst, said mixture comprising about 75 to about 90 percent by weight of L-(-)-lactide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle thermoplastic elastomer of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said elastomer being obtained by heating 75 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and 25 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a tin ester of a carboxylic acid containing up to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle thermoplastic elastomer of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said elastomer being obtained by heating 75 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and 25 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a tin ester of a carboxylic acid containing up to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermoplastic elastomer in accordance with claim 2 wherein the L-(-)-lactide and epsilon caprolactone are heated at about 135° to about 145° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A rigid, clear, non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle thermoplastic solid of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said solid being obtained by heating 90 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and 10 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a tin ester of a carboxylic acid containing up to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A rigid, clear, non-gummy, high impact, non-brittle thermoplastic solid of an optically active lactide and epsilon caprolactone, said solid being obtained by heating 90 parts by weight of L-(-)-lactide having a melting point below 100° C. and 10 parts by weight of epsilon caprolactone at a temperature above the melting point of L-(-)-lactide and below 200° C. in the presence of a tin ester of a carboxylic acid containing up to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rigid, clear, thermoplastic solid in accordance with claim 4 wherein the L-(-)-lactide and epsilon caprolactone are heated at about 130° to about 160° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermally stable copolymer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said catalyst is a tin ester of a carboxylic acid containing up to 18 carbon atoms.
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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) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |