US5346541A
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US
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Water dispersible formulations and materials and methods for influencing their water dispersibility
Assignee: NET/TECH International Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-18
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Granted: 1994-09-13
•
Expires: 2012-11-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to unexpected or surprising discoveries in the field of biodegradable, water-dispersible formulations and materials and methods for influencing their rate of dispersibility in water. In particular, the present invention relates to the unexpected discovery that the inclusion of effective amounts of short length cellulose fibers dispersed throughout a water soluble cellulose ether binder will result in a retardation or slowing of the water dispersibility of the formulation relative to a formulation containing long or long and short cellulose fibers in a cellulose ether binder. In an additional aspect, the present invention relates to the discovery that the inclusion of effective amounts of long length cellulose fibers dispersed throughout a water soluble cellulose ether binder will result in an enhancement or hastening of the water dispersibility of the formulation relative to a formulation containing a cellulose ether binder which does not contain long cellulose fibers. In still a further aspect, the present invention relates to the discovery that the inclusion of effective amounts of a gas-releasing agent increases the rate of water-dispersibility relative to formulations containing only a cellulose ether binder.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard J. Goldman
- 👤 Susan M. Roesch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:27
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/02; C08J3/03; C08J3/05; C08L; C08L1/00; D; D21; D21H; D21H17/00; D21H17/20; D21H17/21; D21H17/24; D21H17/25; D21H17/26; C08J2301/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing water dispersible materials consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder; about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing water dispersible materials consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder; about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said water dispersible cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose and carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The formulation according to claim 2 wherein said cellulose ether binder comprises about 3% to about 62% by weight of said formulation and said gas releasing agent comprises about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of said formulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said cellulose fibers comprise a mixture of long and short fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The formulation according to claim 1 wherein said gas releasing agent is sodium or potassium bicarbonate in combination with a biodegradable organic acid, the molar ratio of bicarbonate to organic acid ranging from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The formulation according to claim 1 further including at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing containers consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water soluble cellulose ether binder; about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of short and long cellulose fibers, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing containers consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water soluble cellulose ether binder; about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of short and long cellulose fibers, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said short cellulose fibers range in length from about 22 microns to about 280 microns in length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said long cellulose fibers range in size from about 300 microns to about 2 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said long cellulose fibers comprise at least about 50% by weight of said cellulose fibers in said formulation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said water dispersible cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose and carboxylmethylhydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said cellulose ether binder comprises about 2% to about 30% by weight of said formulation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said gas releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of peroxides, bicarbonate salts and carbonate salts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The formulation according to claim 14 wherein said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said gas releasing agent is sodium or potassium bicarbonate in combination with a biodegradable organic acid, the molar ratio of bicarbonate to organic acid ranging from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The formulation according to claim 16 wherein said molar ratio is 1:1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The formulation according to claim 8 wherein said cellulose ether binder is carboxymethylcellulose or carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose and said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide, said hydrogen peroxide comprising no greater than about 20% by weight of said binder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The formulation according to claim 8 optionally including at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing water dispersible materials consisting essentially of about 70% to about 99.99% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A water-dispersible formulation for use in manufacturing water dispersible materials consisting essentially of about 70% to about 99.99% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formulation according to claim 20 wherein said gas releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of peroxides, bicarbonate salts and carbonate salts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The formulation according to claim 20 wherein said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The formulation according to claim 20 wherein said gas releasing agent is sodium or potassium bicarbonate in combination with a biodegradable organic acid, the molar ratio of bicarbonate to organic acid ranging from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The formulation according to claim 20 further including at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 99% by weight of cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional long cellulose fibers to said formulation to increase water dispersibility.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 99% by weight of cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional long cellulose fibers to said formulation to increase water dispersibility.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein said water dispersible cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose and carboxylmethylhydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein said formulation includes at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of decreasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 99% by weight of a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional short cellulose fibers in said mixture of cellulose fibers of said formulation to decrease water dispersibility.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of decreasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 99% by weight of a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional short cellulose fibers in said mixture of cellulose fibers of said formulation to decrease water dispersibility.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 28 wherein said water dispersible cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose and carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 28 wherein said formulation includes at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation comprising about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 98.98% by weight cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, and at least about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional long cellulose fibers to said formulation to increase water dispersibility.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation comprising about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder and about 10% to about 98.98% by weight cellulose fibers comprising a mixture of long and short cellulose fibers, said long fibers being more than about 300 microns in length and said short fibers being less than about 300 microns in length, and at least about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding effective amounts of additional long cellulose fibers to said formulation to increase water dispersibility.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation comprising about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder, about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers said cellulose fibers being selected from the group consisting of long cellulose fibers, short cellulose fibers and mixtures thereof, and an amount of water effective to thoroughly mix said cellulose ether and said cellulose fibers into a dough, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent to said formulation and thereafter subjected said formulation to a mixing action or to heat at a temperature below about 140° C. to produce a foaming action before drying said formulation to remove said water.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation comprising about 1% to about 90% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder, about 10% to about 98.99% by weight cellulose fibers said cellulose fibers being selected from the group consisting of long cellulose fibers, short cellulose fibers and mixtures thereof, and an amount of water effective to thoroughly mix said cellulose ether and said cellulose fibers into a dough, said cellulose fibers being randomly dispersed throughout said cellulose ether binder, said method comprising adding about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent to said formulation and thereafter subjected said formulation to a mixing action or to heat at a temperature below about 140° C. to produce a foaming action before drying said formulation to remove said water.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said water dispersible cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose and carboxylmethylhydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 33 wherein said cellulose ether binder comprises about 3% to about 62% by weight of said formulation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said cellulose ether binder comprises about 2% to about 30% by weight of said formulation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said cellulose fibers comprise a mixture of long and short fibers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said gas releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of peroxides, bicarbonate salts and carbonate salts.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said gas releasing agent is sodium or potassium bicarbonate in combination with a biodegradable organic acid, the molar ratio of bicarbonate to organic acid ranging from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 39 wherein said molar ratio is 1:1.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said cellulose ether binder is carboxymethylcellulose or carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose and said gas releasing agent is hydrogen peroxide, said hydrogen peroxide comprising no greater than about 20% by weight of said binder.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein said formulation further includes at least one inert filler, plasticizer, crosslinking agent or surfactant.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 70% to about 99.99% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder, about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent and an amount of water effective to thoroughly mix said cellulose ether binder and said gas releasing agent, said method comprising subjecting said formulation to a mixing action or to heat at a temperature below about 140° C. to induce said gas releasing agent to release gas before drying said formulation to remove said water.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of increasing the water dispersibility of a formulation used in the manufacture of water dispersible materials, said formulation consisting essentially of about 70% to about 99.99% by weight of a water dispersible cellulose ether binder, about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of a gas releasing agent and an amount of water effective to thoroughly mix said cellulose ether binder and said gas releasing agent, said method comprising subjecting said formulation to a mixing action or to heat at a temperature below about 140° C. to induce said gas releasing agent to release gas before drying said formulation to remove said water.
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