US5700344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biodegradable/compostable hot melt adhesives comprising polyester of lactic acid
Assignee: HB Fuller Licensing and Financing Inc
•
Filing: 1997-01-21
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Granted: 1997-12-23
•
Expires: 2017-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A hot melt adhesive composition can be made using a polyester derived from 2-propanoic acid (lactic acid). A thermoplastic resin grade polyester can be formulated into a functional adhesive using adhesive components. A lower molecular weight material can be used as a tackifying resin with a biodegradable/compostable resin in a formulated hot melt adhesive. The adhesive material can be made pressure sensitive and can be made entirely by a degradable by combining the polyester polymer with other biodegradable/compostable ingredients. The resulting adhesive composition that can be used in a variety of applications. The biodegradable/compostable adhesive material can be used as a substitute for non-biodegradable materials made from commercial polymers that resist attack by bacteria, fungi and other microbial populations. The hot melt adhesives can be used in (e.g.) packaging and the manufacture of disposable articles which are made from degradable materials. The entire disposable article can be made from adhesives and structural materials that are fully biodegradable/compostable.
Inventors
- 👤 Garry J. Edgington
- 👤 Christopher M. Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:11
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L75/00; C08L75/04; C08L75/06; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08; C08L67/00; C08L67/04; C09; C09J; C09J167/00; C09J167/04; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of using a biodegradable/compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: a) about 10-50 wt-% of biodegradable/compostable thermoplastic resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than about 30,000 grams per mole; and b) about 20-90 wt-% of a biodegradable tackifying resin composition comprising a polylactic acid composition having a molecular weight (Mn) of less than about 20,000 grams per mole and a T g of less than about 60° C. II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of using a biodegradable/compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: a) about 10-50 wt-% of biodegradable/compostable thermoplastic resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than about 30,000 grams per mole; and b) about 20-90 wt-% of a biodegradable tackifying resin composition comprising a polylactic acid composition having a molecular weight (Mn) of less than about 20,000 grams per mole and a T g of less than about 60° C. II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive additionally comprises about 1-50 wt-% of a biodegradable/compostable plasticizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tackifying resin comprises 40-100 mole-% of L-lactic acid and 0-60 mole-% of D-lactic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the plasticizer comprises an ester composition derived from an aromatic or aliphatic mono-, di- or tri-carboxylic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the plasticizer comprises a fatty oil.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of using a biodegradable/compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: q) about 10-50 wt-% of a resin grade thermoplastic polylactic acid resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than about 30,000 grams per mole; and r) about 20-90 wt-% of a tackifying resin composition comprising a polymer of lactic acid having a molecular weight (Mn) less than about 20,000 grams per mole and a T g of about -20° to 60° C.; II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of using a biodegradable/compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: q) about 10-50 wt-% of a resin grade thermoplastic polylactic acid resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than about 30,000 grams per mole; and r) about 20-90 wt-% of a tackifying resin composition comprising a polymer of lactic acid having a molecular weight (Mn) less than about 20,000 grams per mole and a T g of about -20° to 60° C.; II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic resin comprises greater than 90 mole-% lactic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the tackifying resin comprises about 95 wt-% of lactic acid monomer and has a T g of about 0° to 50° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the T g of the thermoplastic resin is about 50° to 65° C., the T g of the tackifying resin is about -10° to 50° C. and the T g of the adhesive is about -25° C. to 25° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the adhesive additionally comprises about 1-50 wt-% of a biodegradable/compostable plasticizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the biodegradable/compostable thermoplastic resin comprises a polymeric material having a molecular weight (Mn) of greater than 40,000 grams per mole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the tackifying resin comprises 50-100 mole-% of L-lactic acid and 0-50 mole-% of D-lactic acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the tackifying resin comprises 50-95 mole-% of L-lactic acid and 1-50 mole- % of D-lactic acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the plasticizer comprises an ester composition derived from an aromatic or an aliphatic mono-, di- or tri-carboxylic acid.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of using a biodegradable compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: a) about 10-50 wt-% of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of a polyester urethane resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than 30,000 and a linear polyester resin comprising 1-95 wt-% of a hydroxy butyric acid composition and about 5-35 wt-% of a hydroxy valeric acid composition and mixtures thereof; and b) about 20-90 wt-% of a tackifying resin composition comprising a polymer of lactic acid having a molecular weight (Mn) less than about 30,000 grams per mole and a T g of less than 110° C.; II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of using a biodegradable compostable composition as a hot melt adhesive comprising the steps of: I. providing a composition comprising: a) about 10-50 wt-% of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of a polyester urethane resin having a molecular weight (Mn) greater than 30,000 and a linear polyester resin comprising 1-95 wt-% of a hydroxy butyric acid composition and about 5-35 wt-% of a hydroxy valeric acid composition and mixtures thereof; and b) about 20-90 wt-% of a tackifying resin composition comprising a polymer of lactic acid having a molecular weight (Mn) less than about 30,000 grams per mole and a T g of less than 110° C.; II. applying the adhesive to at least one substrate; and III. forming a bond among the substrates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tackifying resin has a T g of about 10° to 80° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 which additionally comprises about 1-50 wt-% of a compatible biodegradable/compostable plasticizer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the biodegradable/compostable thermoplastic resin comprises a polymeric material having a molecular weight (Mn) of greater than 40,000 grams per mole.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tackifying resin comprises 40-100 mole-% of L-lactic acid and 0-60 mole-% of D-lactic acid having a molecular weight (M n ) less than 20,000 grams per mole.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the plasticizer comprises an ester composition derived from an aliphatic or aromatic mono-, di- or tri-carboxylic acid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one substrate is a film selected from the group consisting of compostable polylactic acid, compostable polyvinyl alcohol, compostable starch-polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one substrate is a compostable nonwoven.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the compostable nonwoven is a polylactic acid nonwoven.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is applied to at least one substrate in various applications selected from the group consisting of case and carton sealing, bookbinding, bottle labeling, film laminating and disposable article construction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the disposable articles are selected from the group consisting of infant diapers, incontinent pads and sanitary articles.
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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) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |