Kit providing thermally degradable compost bag

• US 5,111,933 A
• Filed: 04/16/1991
• Issued: 05/12/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tenneco Plastics Company
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Schwab, Frederick C., Di Biasi, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRICE, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US07/690,178
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 206/223, 383/1, 220/DIG. 30
• US Class Current: 206/223
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/24 Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with thermal insulation B65D81/38
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/1489 Refuse receptacles adapted or modified for gathering compostable domestic refuse
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 17/907 Small-scale devices without mechanical means for feeding or discharging material, e.g. garden compost bins
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/40 Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/30 Biodegradable

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method of providing a polymeric based compost bag formed with a relatively high percentage of thermal oxidative degradation catalyst, such as a transition metal salt, and, preferably, a process stabilizer. The stabilizer permits the use of high levels of the thermal oxidative degradation catalyst without the risk of premature accelerated degradation during manufacturing and storing. According to the present invention, the compost bags are packaged in containers which are impervious to gases and vapors thus depriving the pro-oxidant of the oxygen necessary to degrade the polymer. The package may also provide a barrier to the loss of stabilizer during storage. Also disclosed is a kit for the disposal of waste.

Claims

1. A kit useful for the disposal of refuse comprising:

a) at least one degradable container comprising a major portion of a polyethylene, a thermal oxidative degradation catalyst and an antioxidant; and

b) a vapor-proof package enveloping said container thereby preventing ambient oxygen from contacting said container, wherein said package comprises a compostable polymer.

2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein said vapor-proof package contains only one sack.