End use applications of biodegradable polymers

An adhesive product comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR18## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR19## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A flammable product comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR21## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR22## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A packaging product comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR24## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.2 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR25## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A clothing product comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR27## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR28## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A garden product comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR30## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR31## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A filter comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR33## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR34## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A bag comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR36## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR37## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A container comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR39## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR40## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.

A coating comprising a hydrolytically degradable polymer, said polymer comprising:

• (a) a backbone chain;
• (b) first repeating units of the formula ##STR42## where, independently for each such first repeating unit:
• X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Z.sub.1 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Z.sub.2 combined have at most one carbon atom;
• Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain;
• and the molecular weight of such a first repeating unit is less than about 145;
• and
• (c) from about 1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of said polymer, of second repeating units of the formula ##STR43## where, independently for each such second repeating unit:
• X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently O or NR' and R' is independently H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a hydrocarbyl derivative;
• R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 combined have at least four carbon atoms;
• Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 are each independently one or more constituent group extending from the backbone chain and being covalently bonded to an associated carbon atom in the backbone chain, at least one of Z.sub.3 and Z.sub.4 being oxygen which forms a carbonyl group with the associated carbon atom in the backbone chain.