US5124371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biodegradable plastic composition, biodegradable plastic shaped body and method of producing same
Assignee: JSP Corp
•
Filing: 1990-11-13
•
Granted: 1992-06-23
•
Expires: 2010-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A biodegradable plastic composition is disclosed which includes a polycaprolactone and a poly- beta -hydroxybutyrate. Disclosed also is a biodegradable plastic shaped body formed of such a composition. The shaped body may be produced by melt-mixing a blend of a polycaprolactone, a poly- beta -hydroxybutyrate and a copolymerization catalyst to copolymerize a portion of the polycaprolactone with a portion of the poly- beta -hydroxybutyrate, thereby to obtain a caprolactone/ beta -hydroxybutyric acid copolymer-containing melt, which is subsequently shaped into a desired form.
Inventors
- 👤 Yutaka Tokiwa
- 👤 Akira Iwamoto
- 👤 Kiyoshi Takeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:34
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A biodegradable plastic composition comprising at least 70% by weight of a blend of a polycaprolactone and a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and 5-30% by weight of a copolymer of caprolactone and β-hydroxybutyric acid, based on the total weight of said polycaprolactone, said poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid and said copolymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A biodegradable plastic composition comprising at least 70% by weight of a blend of a polycaprolactone and a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and 5-30% by weight of a copolymer of caprolactone and β-hydroxybutyric acid, based on the total weight of said polycaprolactone, said poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid and said copolymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polycaprolactone and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate have number average molecular weights of 1,000-120,000 and 10,000-1,000,000, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of said polycaprolactone to said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate is 9:1 to 2:8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copolymer has a molar ratio of caprolactone to β-hydroxybutyric acid of 2:8 to 8:2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copolymer has a melting point of 80°-160° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A biodegradable plastic shaped body formed of a mixture containing a copolymer of caprolactone and β-hydroxybutyric acid and at least 70% by weight of a blend of a polycaprolactone and a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A biodegradable plastic shaped body formed of a mixture containing a copolymer of caprolactone and β-hydroxybutyric acid and at least 70% by weight of a blend of a polycaprolactone and a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of producing a shaped body formed of a biodegradable plastic material, comprising the steps of: providing a blend of a polycaprolactone, a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and a copolymerization catalyst effective to compolymerize said polycaprolactone with said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate; mixing said blend at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to melt said polycaprolactone and said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and to copolymerize a portion of said polycaprolactone with a portion of said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, thereby to obtain 5-30 wt. % of a caprolactone/β-hydroxybutyric acid copolymer in a melt in admixture with the remaining polycaprolactone and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate; and shaping said melt into a desired form.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of producing a shaped body formed of a biodegradable plastic material, comprising the steps of: providing a blend of a polycaprolactone, a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and a copolymerization catalyst effective to compolymerize said polycaprolactone with said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate; mixing said blend at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to melt said polycaprolactone and said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and to copolymerize a portion of said polycaprolactone with a portion of said poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, thereby to obtain 5-30 wt. % of a caprolactone/β-hydroxybutyric acid copolymer in a melt in admixture with the remaining polycaprolactone and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate; and shaping said melt into a desired form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mixing and shaping steps are effected with an extruder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |