US5359026A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Poly(lactide) copolymer and process for manufacture thereof
Assignee: Cargill Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-30
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2013-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A copolymerized poly(lactide) polymer. A lactide is copolymerized with an epoxidized fat, oil, or mixture thereof thereby resulting in poly(lactide) copolymers having improved processing properties over prior poly(lactide)s.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick R. Gruber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:34
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/3179; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A polymer composition comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising: (a) lactide; and, (b) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an expoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A polymer composition comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising: (a) lactide; and, (b) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an expoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein said copolymerizing agent comprises epoxidized linseed oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer composition according to claim 2 having a polydispersion index of at least 2.9.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer composition according to claim 2 having a polydispersion index of at least 4.0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A polymer composition according to claim 2 having a weight average molecular weight of at least 296,000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer composition according to claim 1 having a polydispersion index of at least 2.9.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A polymer composition according to claim 6 having a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,200,000.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A polymer composition according to claim 23 wherein: (a) said copolymerizing agent comprises epoxidized soybean oil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A polymer composition according to claim 8 having a weight average molecular weight of at least 400,000.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A polymer composition according to claim 8 having a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,200,000.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the mixture, from which the polymer composition is formed, further comprises monomer cyclic esters selected from the group consisting essentially of: dioxanones, lactones, dioxan(dione)s, ester-amides and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A polymer composition according to claim 1 which has a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,200,000.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A polymer composition according to claim 1 which is melt stable to processing through an extruder having a portion thereof that is in contact with the polymer composition, at a temperature of at least 285° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process for manufacturing a poly(lactide) copolymer; said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mixture comprising: (i) lactide; and, (ii) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule; and, (b) polymerizing the lactide and the copolymerizing agent to produce a copolymerized poly(lactide) having a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 1,200,000 and a polydispersion index of at least 2.9.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process for manufacturing a poly(lactide) copolymer; said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mixture comprising: (i) lactide; and, (ii) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule; and, (b) polymerizing the lactide and the copolymerizing agent to produce a copolymerized poly(lactide) having a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 1,200,000 and a polydispersion index of at least 2.9.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of forming a polymer film; said method including a step of: (a) extruding a polymer composition comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising: (i) lactide; and, (ii) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of forming a polymer film; said method including a step of: (a) extruding a polymer composition comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising: (i) lactide; and, (ii) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said step of extruding comprises a step of forming a cast film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said step of extruding comprises a step of forming a blown film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A polymer composition comprising the product of a reaction mixture wherein the non-catalyst, reactive components of the mixture consist essentially of: (a) lactide material selected from the group consisting essentially of lactide and polylactide; and (b) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A polymer composition comprising the product of a reaction mixture wherein the non-catalyst, reactive components of the mixture consist essentially of: (a) lactide material selected from the group consisting essentially of lactide and polylactide; and (b) about 0.1 to 10%, by weight, of a copolymerizing agent comprising an epoxidized material containing two or more epoxy groups per molecule.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
8 words
A film comprising the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
8 words
A diaper comprising the film of claim 19.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
8 words
A sheet comprising the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A coated paper comprising paper coated with the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
A blow molded article comprising the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
A thermoformed article comprising the polymer of claim 1 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
An injection molded article comprising the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
9 words
A non-woven fabric comprising the polymer of claim 1.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The polymer of claim 1 wherein said reactants further comprise: (iii) catalyst means for catalyzing the polymerization of lactide to form poly(lactide) polymer chains, said catalyst means incorporated into the biodegradable polymer during polymerization.
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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) | 1997-10-24 | 1998-04-25 | 1998-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-24 | 2002-04-25 | 2002-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-24 | 2006-04-25 | 2006-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |