US6096809A
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US
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Biologically degradable polymer mixture
Assignee: BioTec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1996-04-02
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2016-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A biologically degradable polymer mixture contains at least one starch biopolymer made from renewable raw materials, a plasticizer, and a polymer selected from the following materials: an aromatic polyester; a polyester-copolymer with both aliphatic and aromatic blocks; a polyesteramide; a polyglycol; a polyester urethane; and/or mixtures of these components.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Lorcks
- 👤 Winfried Pommeranz
- 👤 Harald Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:48
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L3/00; C08L3/02; B; B29; B29K; B29K2003/00; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/06; C08L67/00; C08L67/02; C08L67/03; C08L75/00; C08L75/04; C08L75/06; C08L77/00; C08L77/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, playvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, playvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1 formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 0.5% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1 formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer in a manner so as to reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 0.1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises a polyester copolymer of at least one polyol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 4, wherein the polyol is selected the group consisting of 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and mixtures thereof, and wherein the aromatic dicarboxylic acid is a terephthalate and, optionally, adipic acid or sebacic acid or both.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the polymer is a polyester copolymer of at least one polyol, at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 6, wherein the polyester copolymer is a polyalkylene terephthalate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one aliphatic polyester or copolyester.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 8, wherein the aliphatic polyester or copolyester comprises polycaprolactone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of additional plasticizers, stabilizers, antiflaming agents, additional biologically degradable biopolymers, organic fillers, and cross-linking agents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic starch is included in an amount in a range from about 10% to about 95% by weight of the composition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic starch is included in an amount in a range from about 30% to about 65% by weight of the composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the composition is formed by mixing and melting the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer at a temperature in a range from about 120° C. to about 260° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer in an extruder or kneader and wherein the composition is discharged from the extruder or kneader while in a melted state and subsequently cooled to a substantially solidified state and conditioned so as to reabsorb water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 15, wherein the composition is conditioned so as to include a water content in a range from about 1% to about 6% by weight of the substantially solidified composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 15, wherein the conditioned composition is in the form of a granulate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 15, wherein the composition is conditioned so as to include a water content in a range from about 3% to about 5% water by weight of the substantially solidified composition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that has been initially predried to below its natural water content.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that initially includes its natural water content, wherein the natural water content of the starch is reduced while the thermoplastic starch is in a melted state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
142 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
142 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 21, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that has been initially predried to below its natural water content.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 21, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that initially includes its natural water content, wherein the natural water content of the starch is reduced while the thermoplastic starch is in a melted state.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
166 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes; and a phase mediator comprising at least one condensation reaction product of the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch and at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyesters, polyester copolymers having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, polyester amides, polyethylene oxide polymers, polyglycols, and polyester urethanes; and a phase mediator comprising at least one condensation reaction product of the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer, wherein the composition is formed by melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter as declined in claim 24, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that has been initially predried to below its natural water content.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 24, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that initially includes its natural water content, wherein the natural water content of the starch is reduced while the thermoplastic starch is in a melted state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 24, wherein the composition, after being mixed and melted, is cooled with water so as to substantially solidify the composition and allowed to reabsorb water so that the substantially solidified composition has a water content in a range from about 1% to about 6% by weight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
172 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch an at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polyesters copolymer having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, wherein the composition is formed by first melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state, followed by cooling the melted composition with water in order to substantially solidify the composition and allowing it to reabsorb water so that the substantially solidified composition has a final water content in a range from about 1% to about 6% by weight.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
172 words
A composition of matter that is at least partially biodegradable comprising: thermoplastic starch formed by mixing starch an at least one plasticizing agent under conditions that result in the formation of a thermoplastic melt so that the thermoplastic melt has a water content of less than 5% while in a melted state, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, sugar alcohols, hydroxy acids, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and at least one polyesters copolymer having both aliphatic and aromatic blocks, wherein the composition is formed by first melting and mixing the thermoplastic starch and the at least one polymer under conditions that reduce or maintain the water content of the composition at less than about 1% by weight while in a melted state, followed by cooling the melted composition with water in order to substantially solidify the composition and allowing it to reabsorb water so that the substantially solidified composition has a final water content in a range from about 1% to about 6% by weight.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 27, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that has been initially predried to below its natural water content.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter as defined in claim 27, wherein the thermoplastic starch is formed from starch that initially includes its natural water content, wherein the natural water content of the starch is reduced while the thermoplastic starch is in a melted state.
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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) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |