Environmentally degradable polymer compositions
AssigneeOwens-Illinois, Inc.
InventorsLynn J. Taylor, John W. Tobias
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Abstract
There are disclosed novel degradable plastic compositions consisting essentially of an organic polymer containing at least one organic chelating agent. The agent is one which chelates metal so as to form a metal complex which acts to accelerate polymer degradation in the presence of oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, and/or elevated temperature. This invention is especially useful in the preparation of degradable packaging materials such as films, bags, containers, etc.
Claims8
A process for producing and degrading a polymeric composition comprising:
- a. incorporating into a polymeric material a metal chelating organic agent to form a polymeric composition, and
- b. subjecting said polymeric blend to a catalytic quantity of metal ions in the presence of oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or an elevated temperature to degrade said composition,
- c. the amount of said metal chelating organic agent incorporated in said polymeric material being sufficient to cause degradation of said polymeric composition when subjected to said metal ions in the presence of said oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or elevated temperature.
A process for manufacturing a container comprising a degradable polymeric composition and subsequently degrading said polymeric composition comprising:
- a. incorporating into a polymeric material a metal chelating organic agent to form said polymeric composition,
- b. forming said polymeric composition into a container, and
- c. subjecting said container to a catalytic quantity of metal ions in the presence of oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or an elevated temperature to degrade said polymeric composition.
- d. the amount of said metal chelating organic agent incorporated in said polymeric material being sufficient to cause degradation of said polymeric composition and said container when subjected to said metal ions in the presence of said oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or elevated temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.