Novel degradable polymers

Abstract

A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition made from a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, or a mixture thereof, where the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight and also including an Ionomer-type copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight. Methods of making articles from such compositions. Methods of disposal of such compositions in hot liquid and alkaline conditions. A method of disposing of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable product by contacting the product with a hot alkaline liquid for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or disperse the product, the product comprised of either a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, or a mixture thereof, wherein the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight, an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight, or a mixture thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising: 
 a) an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion; and    b) an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion,    wherein the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the acrylic acid portion of the first polymer and the methacrylic acid portion of the first polymer each, independently, comprise from 15 to 25 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formed into a film.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formed into a fluid container.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is insoluble in liquids of pH 7.0 or below and below 37° C.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is insoluble in liquids of pH 7.0 or below and below 90° C.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is insoluble in liquids below pH 8.0.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A method of disposing of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable product comprising contacting the product with a hot alkaline liquid for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or disperse the product, wherein the product comprises a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, wherein the acrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the acrylic acid portion of the first polymer comprises from 15 to 25 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first polymer is from 30 to 100 parts by weight of the product and the filler is from 70 to 0 parts by weight of the product.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A method of disposing of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable product comprising contacting the product with a hot alkaline liquid for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or disperse the product, wherein the product comprises a first polymer of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, wherein the methacrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the methacrylic acid portion of the first polymer comprises from 15 to 25 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first polymer is from 30 to 100 parts by weight of the product and the filler is from 70 to 0 parts by weight of the product.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the composition further comprises a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         23 . A method of disposing of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable product comprising contacting the product with a hot alkaline liquid for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or disperse the product, wherein the product comprises an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the acrylic acid portion of the Ionomer and the methacrylic acid portion of the Ionomer each, independently, comprise from 15 to 25 wt. % of the total copolymer weight.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the Ionomer is from 30 to 100 parts by weight of the product and the filler is from 70 to 0 parts by weight of the product.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the composition further comprises a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         29 . A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising: 
 a) a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, wherein the acrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight; and    b) a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.    
     
     
         30 . A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising: 
 a) a first polymer of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, wherein the methacrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight;    b) a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.    
     
     
         31 . A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising: 
 a) an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight; and    b) a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof.    
     
     
         32 . A laminate comprising: 
 a) a first layer of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, wherein the acrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight; and    b) a second layer of a soluble or dispersable composition.    
     
     
         33 . The laminate of  claim 32 , wherein the second layer comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         34 . The laminate of  claim 32 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         35 . The laminate of  claim 34 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         36 . A laminate comprising: 
 a) a first layer of a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising a first polymer of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, wherein the methacrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight; and    b) a second layer of a soluble or dispersable composition.    
     
     
         37 . The laminate of  claim 36 , wherein the second layer comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         40 . A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising: 
 a) a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, or a mixture thereof, wherein the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight; and    b) an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight,    wherein the composition further comprises a filler of talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler.    
     
     
         41 . A product formed from a hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition comprising one or more of: 
 a) a first polymer of: 
 I) an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, wherein the acrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight;  
 ii) an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, wherein the methacrylic acid portion comprises from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight; or  
 iii) an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight; and  
   b) a second polymer of polystyrene, nylon, polyacetyl, a polyester, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene olefin copolymer, PCL, or a mixture thereof, wherein the product is a suction canister, a mayo stand cover, a table cover, or a hamper bag.    
     
     
         42 . The laminate of  claim 32 , wherein the first layer further comprises an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight.  
     
     
         43 . The laminate of  claim 36 , wherein the first layer further comprises an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight.  
     
     
         44 . A laminate comprising: 
 a) a first layer of an Ionomer copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight; and    b) a second layer of a soluble or dispersable composition.    
     
     
         45 . The laminate of  claim 44 , wherein the second layer comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising a filler.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the filler comprises BaSO 4 , CaSiO 3 , CaCO 3 , glass fiber, talc, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay), kaolin, silica, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, calcium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, zeolite, acid clay, calcium metasilicate, calcium oxide, ceramic, borosilicate glass, or other pulp/organic filler, or a mixture thereof.