Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A process for preparing a substantially homogeneous acrylate-maleate copolymer of number average molecular weight from about 500 to 5000, which comprises: copolymerizing from about 35 to 65 mole percent acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer with from about 65 to 35 mole percent maleic anhydride monomer over a period of from about 0.3 to 10 hours at a temperature of from about 80° to 150° C. in the presence of from about 5 to 25 weight percent polymerization initiator, based on the total weight of said monomers, and from about 45 to 90 weight percent of chain-transfer solvent, based on the total weight of said monomers, initiator and solvent, said maleic anhydride monomer, said initiator and up to about 10 percent of said acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer being dissolved in said solvent and the remainder of said acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer being introduced over said period at a rate such that said monomer and said copolymer remain in solution in said solvent, said solvent being selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and ethers having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A process for preparing a substantially homogeneous acrylate-maleate copolymer of number average molecular weight from about 500 to 5000, which comprises: copolymerizing from about 35 to 65 mole percent acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer with from about 65 to 35 mole percent maleic anhydride monomer over a period of from about 0.3 to 10 hours at a temperature of from about 80° to 150° C. in the presence of from about 5 to 25 weight percent polymerization initiator, based on the total weight of said monomers, and from about 45 to 90 weight percent of chain-transfer solvent, based on the total weight of said monomers, initiator and solvent, said maleic anhydride monomer, said initiator and up to about 10 percent of said acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer being dissolved in said solvent and the remainder of said acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer being introduced over said period at a rate such that said monomer and said copolymer remain in solution in said solvent, said solvent being selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and ethers having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the resulting copolymer solution is maintained at said temperature for from about 10 to 120 minutes following said addition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said initiator is di-t-butyl peroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein from about 40 to 50 mole percent methacrylic acid monomer is copolymerized with from about 60 to 50 mole percent maleic anhydride monomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The process of claim 2 wherein from about 40 to 45 mole percent methacrylic acid monomer is added over a period of from about 2 to 4 hours to a solution of from about 60 to 55 mole percent maleic anhydride monomer, 10 to 20 weight percent di-t-butyl peroxide and 50 to 60 weight percent methyl isobutyl ketone at a temperature of from about 110° to 120° C., and said solution is held at that temperature for from about 15 to 90 minutes following said addition.