US5459258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polysaccharide based biodegradable thermoplastic materials
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1994-03-01
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2014-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A thermoplastic biodegradable material is prepared from a continuous hydrophobic polysaccharide phase and a discontinuous phase of dispersed unmodified polysaccharide or bicontinuous phases of both. The material is easily processed into a wide variety of articles of manufacture that have sufficient physical properties for the intended use, yet degrades into nontoxic components in a reasonable timeframe in landfills or elsewhere in the environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Merrill
- 👤 Ambuj Sagar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:30
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L3/00; C08L3/02; C08L3/04; C08L3/06; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/06; C08L3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
A thermoplastic biodegradable material comprising a hydrophobic, thermoplastic polysaccharide and at least about 30% by weight of a hydrophilic, unmodified, non-thermoplastic polysaccharide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermoplastic biodegradable material comprising a hydrophobic, thermoplastic polysaccharide and at least about 30% by weight of a hydrophilic, unmodified, non-thermoplastic polysaccharide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polysaccharide is unmodified starch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide is an esterified starch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The material of claim 3, wherein the ester moiety is of the formula RCO 2 --, wherein R is a straight or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polysaccharides are both starches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic, unmodified polysaccharide is a starch selected from the group consisting of corn starch, rice starch, and wheat starch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide comprises a starch selected from the group consisting of starch acetate, starch propionate, starch butyrate, starch valerate, starch acetate-co-butyrate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The material of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide is partially esterified.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
27 words
A method for making a thermoplastic biodegradable material comprising mixing a hydrophobic, thermoplastic polysaccharide with at least about 30% by weight of a hydrophilic, unmodified, non-thermoplastic polysaccharide.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
27 words
A method for making a thermoplastic biodegradable material comprising mixing a hydrophobic, thermoplastic polysaccharide with at least about 30% by weight of a hydrophilic, unmodified, non-thermoplastic polysaccharide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophilic polysaccharide is unmodified starch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide is an esterified starch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the ester moiety is of the formula RCO 2 --, wherein R is a straight or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl group.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polysaccharides are both starches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophilic, unmodified polysaccharide is a starch selected from the group consisting of corn starch, rice starch, and wheat starch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide comprises a starch selected from the group consisting of starch acetate, starch propionate, starch butyrate, starch valerate, starch acetate-co-butyrate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophobic polysaccharide is partially esterified.
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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) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |