US5560962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structure having controlled water resistance
Assignee: Yield10 Bioscience Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-11
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Granted: 1996-10-01
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Expires: 2012-11-11
Abstract
Abstract A structure of controlled water resistance comprises a core of material having mechanical strength when dry but not when water-wet and a coating comprising biodegradable water resistant polymer. The polymer is preferably applied to the core by electrostatic coating of dry fine particles as laid down in microorganism cells or as clusters of such particles. The structure is useful in the form of disposable biodisintegrable articles.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. Brunger
- 👤 David J. Kemmish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/62; D; D21; D21H; D21H19/00; D21H19/10; D21H19/14; D21H19/24; D21H19/28; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/16; D21H23/00; D21H23/02; D21H23/22; D21H23/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for making a structure comprising a fibrous assembly core having mechanical strength when dry but not when water-wet and a coating comprising a water-resistant polymer, said method comprising electrostatically applying dry particles of the water-resistant polymer to at least one exterior surface of said core, in which the water-resistant polymer is a biodegradable microbiologically produced polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of repeating units of formula O-R-CO where R is an aliphatic chain of 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally carrying a C 1 -C 4 branch on the carbon atom next to oxygen in the polymer chain; and the particles of the water-resistant polymer are in the size range 0.2 to 500 microns as laid down in microorganism cells or clusters of such particles, and are used after removal of cell debris.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for making a structure comprising a fibrous assembly core having mechanical strength when dry but not when water-wet and a coating comprising a water-resistant polymer, said method comprising electrostatically applying dry particles of the water-resistant polymer to at least one exterior surface of said core, in which the water-resistant polymer is a biodegradable microbiologically produced polyhydroxyalkanoate consisting of repeating units of formula O-R-CO where R is an aliphatic chain of 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally carrying a C 1 -C 4 branch on the carbon atom next to oxygen in the polymer chain; and the particles of the water-resistant polymer are in the size range 0.2 to 500 microns as laid down in microorganism cells or clusters of such particles, and are used after removal of cell debris.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the core is of papier-mache.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the applied particles are of average size in the range 0.5 to 200 microns and the coating is 20 to 200 microns thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the polyhydroxyalkanoate contains 3 to 25 mol percent of hydroxyvalerate residues, the balance being hydroxybutyrate residues.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 which comprises forming a fluidized bed of said dry particles of water-resistant polymer and immersing said core in said fluidized bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 5 in which the structure has a 3-dimensional shape and there is applied to the core, before coating, a metal foil ground plate formed to said shape and applied to the parts of the core that are not to be coated.
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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) | 1999-10-01 | 2000-04-01 | 2000-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-01 | 2004-04-01 | 2004-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-01 | 2008-04-01 | 2008-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |