Biodegradable polymer compositions methods for making same and articles therefrom

• US 7,037,959 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biotechnology Research And Development Corporation (Dow, Inc.), United States Department Of Health And Human Services (Government of the United States of America), United States Department Of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: Biotechnology Research And Development Corporation (Dow, Inc.), The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Willett, Julious L., Garlotta, Donald, Doane, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nutter, Nathan M.
• Application Number:
  US09/536,555
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: 524/47, 524/13, 524/14, 524/15, 524/16, 524/27, 524/35, 524/48, 524/52, 524/53, 524/54, 524/55
• US Class Current: 524/13
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/00 Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor extrusion blow-moulding B29C49/04
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/12 Cellulose acetate
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 101/16 the macromolecular compounds being biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/06 Biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2205/02 containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/18 Polyesters or polycarbonates according to C08L67/00 - C08L69/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 3/02 Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/02 Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/06 Unsaturated polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 91/06 Waxes
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 19/58 Polymers or oligomers of diolefins, aromatic vinyl monomers or unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof

Abstract

A polymer composition includes a first component being a hydroxy-functional polymer, a second component being a natural polymer and a third component being a thermoplastic polyester. The first component, second component and third component are compounded to form a polymer composition.

Claims

1. A polymer composition comprising:

a first component being an adipic polyester;

a second component being a natural polymer; and

a third component being a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the first component, second component and third component are combined to form the polymer composition.

2. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the natural polymer is starch.

3. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 2 wherein the starch is granular.

4. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polyester is at least one of poly(lactic acid), cellulose acetate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxy(butyrate-co-valerate)(PHBV), poly(butylene succinate adipate), poly(butylene succinate), aliphatic-aromatic copolymer, and poly(ethylene terphathalate)(PET).

5. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second component is present in an amount up to about 74 wt. %.

6. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first component is present in an amount up to about 40 wt. %.

7. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the third component is present in an amount up to about 80 wt. %.

8. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 including a fourth component being at least one of an external lubricant, nucleating agent and plasticizer.

9. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the natural polymer has a moisture content of less than about 15 wt. %.

10. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the polymer composition is biodegradable.

11. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the polymer composition is processed into an article that keeps its shape at temperatures of up to and more than about 100°

C.

12. A polymer composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the polymer composition is annealed to increase high temperature stability.

13. A polymer composition comprising:

a first component being a hydroxy-functional polymer;

a second component being a natural polymer; and

a third component being a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the first component, second component and third component are combined to form the polymer composition and wherein the hydroxy-functional polymer is a poly(hydroxy ester ether)(PHEE)in an amount of about 1 wt. %.