초록 ▼

Selectively cold-water responsive compositions constructed of combinations of polymers including at least one hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one cold-water soluble polymer are provided. Additionally, methods of making and using selectively cold-water sensitive compositions are descri

Selectively cold-water responsive compositions constructed of combinations of polymers including at least one hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one cold-water soluble polymer are provided. Additionally, methods of making and using selectively cold-water sensitive compositions are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises combining a polylactide and a cold-water soluble polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of the polymer having the higher melting point, and below the decomposition point of the polymer having the lower decomposition point, to form a homogeneous polymer blend is also provided. The cold-water responsive properties of the compositions of the present invention may be varied include water dispersible, water disintegratable, and water weakenable.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of making a selectively cold-water responsive homogenous polymer blend composition, comprising melt blending at least 1 weight percent polylactide and at least 45 weight percent of cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of polyvinyl alcohol, and bel

1. A method of making a selectively cold-water responsive homogenous polymer blend composition, comprising melt blending at least 1 weight percent polylactide and at least 45 weight percent of cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of polyvinyl alcohol, and below the decomposition temperature of polyvinyl alcohol, to form a homogeneous polymer blend composition that is either weakenable, disintegratable or dispersible in water at ambient temperature, wherein the cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol is soluble in water at 25° C.; wherein the average pore size of the islands of polylactide varies from approximately 0.1 to approximately 5.0 micrometers. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol and the polylactide are melt blended at temperatures ranging from about 180° C. to about 200° C. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein approximately 1-35% by weight polylactide and approximately 65-99% by weight polyvinyl alcohol are combined based on the weight of the polylactide and the polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein such composition is selectively cold water dispersible. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises approximately 35-45% by weight polylactide and approximately 65-55% by weight polyvinyl alcohol based on the weight of the polylactide and the polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein such composition is selectively cold water disintegratable. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises approximately 45-55% by weight polylactide and approximately 55-45% by weight polyvinyl alcohol based on the weight of the polylactide and the polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein such composition is selectively cold water weakenable.