Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A water-soluble copolymer formed by copolymerizing (a) from 95 to 10 mol% of N-vinylformamide and (b) from 5 to 90 mol% of vinyl acetate and/or vinyl propionate, and then hydrolyzing from 30 to 100 mol% of the formyl groups from the copolymerized units (a) to form amino groups and from 30 to 100 mol% of the acetyl or propionyl groups from the copolymerized units (b) to form hydroxyl groups, and which has a K value of from 50 to 250 (determined by the Fikentscher method in 5% strength by weight aqueous sodium chloride solution at a polymer concentration of 0.5% by weight).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A water-soluble copolymer formed by copolymerizing (a) from 95 to 10 mol% of N-vinylformamide and (b) from 5 to 90 mol% of vinyl acetate and/or vinyl propionate, and then hydrolyzing from 30 to 100 mol% of the formyl groups from the copolymerized units (a) to form amino groups and from 30 to 100 mol% of the acetyl or propionyl groups from the copolymerized units (b) to form hydroxyl groups, and which has a K value of from 50 to 250 (determined by the Fikentscher method in 5% strength by weight aqueous sodium chloride solution at a polymer concentration of 0.5% by weight).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A water-soluble copolymer as claimed in claim 1, wherein from 70 to 95 mol% of the hydrolyzable groups are hydrolyzed from each of the monomer units (a) and (b) of the copolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is initiated by a free radical polymerization initiator which is at least one member selected from the group consisting of peroxides, redox catalysts, and azo compounds which decompose to give free radicals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 3, wherein said free radical polymerization initiator is 2,2-azobis-(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 3, wherein said free radical polymerization initiator is 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is carried out under atmospheric pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is carried out under reduced pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is carried out under superatmospheric pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is carried out in a solvent or diluent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said copolymerization is carried out in water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said hydrolysis is carried out by contacting said copolymer with an acid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 11, wherein said acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 1, wherein said hydrolysis is carried out by contacting said copolymer with a base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The water-soluble copolymer of claim 13, wherein said base is sodium hydroxide.