Biodegradable, programmable synthetic polymeric material and its preparation process

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a biodegradable synthetic polymeric material wherein the process has the steps of binding, pelletizing, extruding; and sealing. Moreover, the invention discloses degrading substances which participate in the first three steps (a, b, c) wherein the degrading substances comprise betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2), cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5), carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56), water, carbon monoxide, corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6), and a carboxylic acid of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing a biodegradable synthetic polymeric material, comprising the steps of: a. binding a first degrading substance from a storage tank through a pipe to a mechanic irrigation system, wherein the first degrading substance comprises betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2), cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5), carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56), water, carbon monoxide, corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6), and a 1 to 6 carbon atoms carboxylic acid; b. pelletizing the substance obtained in step a) along with a second degrading substance comprising betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2), cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5), water, and corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6), and c. extruding the mixture of the substance obtained in steps a) and b) through a mechanic sprinkler system, and d. sealing the final material obtained; wherein the biodegradable synthetic polymer material comprises betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) is between 15 and 25% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; the cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) is between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; the carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56) is between 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; the water is between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; the carbon monoxide is between 0.001% and 10% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; the corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6) is between 4 and 9%; and the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, propanoic acid, acetic acid and mixtures thereof; and wherein in step a) the binding container has a mechanic irrigation system where the degrading substance from step a) coming from a storage tank is evenly applied under pressure and in step b) the substance obtained from step b) is in constant recirculation between an upper tank and the receiving tray of the polymeric material through an auxiliary tank with a pumping centrifugal mechanic system and in step c), the mixture of first and second degrading substances from steps a)+b) is applied by a specific homogeneous spraying mechanic system wherein the first and second substances from steps a)+b) is subjected to a pressure between 120 and 220 psi (0.83 MPa to 1.52 MPa), and ejects the substance over the surface of the extruded polymeric film by molding.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step a) of binding, the degrading substance is present in the following proportions: betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 15 and 23% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56) between 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carbon monoxide between 0.001% and 10%, in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step b) of pelletizing, the degrading substance is present in the following proportions: cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 8 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 18 and 22% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; corn glucose C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6 between 4 and 9% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; and water between 40 and 58% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step c) of extruding, a degrading substance of steps a)+b) is added, which has a volume mixture ratio between the substance of a) and the substance of b) between 28% a) and 70% b) up to 70% a) and 28% b) and completing the volume with a 1 to 6 carbon atoms carboxylic acid or mixtures thereof.

5. A first polymer degrading substance comprising: betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 15 and 23% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56) 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; and carbon monoxide between 0.001% and 10% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance.

6. A second polymer degrading substance comprising: cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 8 and 15% wt.; betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 18 and 22%; corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6) between 4 and 9%; and water between 40 and 58%.

7. The polymer degrading substance comprising a first polymer according to claim 5 and a second polymer according to claim 6, wherein: the volume mixture ratio between the polymer degrading substance according to claim 5 and the polymer degrading substance according to claim 6 is between 28% and 70% of the polymer degrading substance according to claim 5 and between 70% and 28% of the polymer degrading substance according to claim 6: and, a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid and mixtures thereof.

8. A biodegradable, synthetic polymeric material obtained by the process according to claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises between 89% and 98.8% of the biodegradable, synthetic polymeric material and wherein: a) the first substance contains: betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 15 and 23% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56) between 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; and carbon monoxide between 0.001% and 10%, in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; and b) the second substance contains: cassava (yucca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 8 and 15% weight; betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 18 and 22% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; corn glucose C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6: between 4 and 9% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water: between 40 and 58%; and carboxylic acid selected from formic acid, propanoic acid and acetic acid and mixtures thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows the techno mechanic process for applying the degradable substance to the polymer in a binding process.

(2) FIG. 2 corresponds to the addition mechanism of more percentage of the degradable substance in the pellet part.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the extrusion process which superficially applies a mixture of the above degrading substances on the film being extruded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) An object of the present invention is a degrading organic additive for the recycled synthetic polymer and/or original which potentializes its decomposition in normal environmental conditions.

(5) The degrading additive according to the invention, allows the accelerated degradation of recycled synthetic plastic and/or original, wherein, for the first case (recycled) a mixture of two degrading substances according to the invention can be added in the binding, pellet and extrusion or in the second case, when it refers to an original material (new) wherein only the degrading substance is added in the last stage of extrusion where it is integrated thereto from its manufacture.

(6) In this regard, the invention also covers the process by which the manufacture of synthetic polymeric materials is performed, wherein the process comprises the steps of (a) binding, (b) pelletizing, (c) extruding, and (d) sealing and the addition of degrading substances which are involved in the first steps (a, b, c), for polymers such as polyamides, acrylics, polyesters, polyvinyls, elastanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, low density polystyrene, high density polystyrene, polypropylene, urethanes, etc.

(7) According to the process of the present invention, the chemical transformation of polymer in its molecular structure is sought, to program the waste of cohesion and molecular modification of the polymer by the presence of the degrading substance(s) in the mechanic process according to the invention.

(8) Even more, another object of the present invention is the polymeric material being obtained through the process of the invention, wherein said material contains the degrading substances also covered by the invention.

(9) By degradation of a polymer can be understood the significate changes undergo in its chemical structure (loss of one or more carbon atoms in an open chain or a cycle) under the action of determined environmental conditions, thus resulting in a loss of properties of the material until obtaining its entire degradation.

(10) According to the above, it is clear that the process and the degrading substances of the present invention allow to work with recycled and/or original (new) material from different sources. The polymer can be a low- or high-density polymer and its final use, could be, for example, a synthetic plastic bag for common packages through the use of recycled material.

(11) The manufacturing process of the plastic bag to be degraded is based on a conventional process, but with improved technologies in the industrial process, which ensures the maintenance of the physical and mechanical properties required by the polymer during its manufacture and then in its commercial performance, such as, por example, the conservation of properties such as elongation, hardness and strength comparable to non-degradable conventional materials.

(12) In this regard, the process of the present invention comprises the following steps a) Binding, b) Pelleting, c) Extruding, and d) Sealing.

(13) The process of the invention involves the participation of the degrading substances of the invention in the first three steps (a, b, c).

(14) The conditions for step a) of binding, is a temperature between 110 C. to 150 C., with normal atmospheric pressure. In this step of the process, a degrading substance according to the invention called A is added from a storage tank (1), through a pipeline to a mechanic irrigation system (7) located on the upper part of the distribution system or mechanism (8) of the binder (9) as shown in FIG. 1. The degrading substance according to the invention contains: betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2): between 15 and 23% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; cassava (yuca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5): between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56): between 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water: between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carbon monoxide: between 0.001% and 10%, preferable between 0.1% and 5% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance;

(15) In step a), the temperature adhering the synthetic polymeric material by its oscillating movement against the walls of the metal container in its mechanic process and the cut of said material through the inner blades of the container makes the degrading substance A to be adhered to its molecular structure. In the process of the invention, the binding container is incorporated through an irrigation system wherein the degrading substance A which is coming from an auxiliary tank is evenly applied under pressure in order to incorporate agents acting in degrading the future polymeric material.

(16) The conditions in step b) are related to the temperature in different displacement zones of the polymer by the extruding device as shown in FIG. 2, i.e. with the temperature controlled and constant of the endless screw containing it as shown in system 21 of the pelletizer shown in FIG. 2. This temperature must be in a range from 180 to 250 C., allowing thereby the polymer to be displaced from the hopper to the given extruder and depositing the pelletized material in the tray (17) of FIG. 2 which contains substance B to eb adhered to the polymer. In this step of the process, substance B is in constant recirculation between an upper tank (11) and the tray (17) receiving the polymeric material through an auxiliary tank with a centrifugal mechanic pumping system which makes the recirculation of substance B.

(17) The component corresponds to another degrading substance according to the invention, being called substance B and which is involved in this part of the process, the substance being characterized by containing: cassava (yuca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 8 and 15% weight; betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 18 and 22% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6) between 4 and 9% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; and water: between 40 and 58% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance.

(18) In step c) of the process of the invention, which corresponds to extruding, the temperature conditions in different displacement zones of the polymer by the device as shown in FIG. 3, i.e. with the temperature controlled and constant of the endless screw and the barrel (8) containing it. This temperature must be in a range from the hopper (7) according to FIG. 3, to the given extruder. In this step of the process, the mixture of the degrading substances A and B is applied by a specific mechanic homogeneous spraying system (5) where the substance A+B is subjected to a pressure between 120 and 220 psi (0.83 MPa and 1.52 MPa), preferably from 150 to 180 psi (1.03 MPa to 1.24 MPa) and ejects the substance on the surface of the polymeric film extruded at the molding. The volume mixture rate between substance A and substance B is between 28% A and 70% B up to 70% A and 28% B and completing its volume with a carboxylic acid of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as, for example, formic, acetic, propanoic acid and mixtures thereof.

(19) The betaine according to the invention, can be obtained in a synthetic manner or as a result of an extraction from a natural vegetable product such as, for example, beet.

(20) The total percentage of the degrading substances according to the invention, which are added in each of the manufacturing steps, is the sum thereof and is in a range from 1.2% to 11% and it is determined according to the needs of the customer.

(21) In an embodiment of the invention, step c) can be an injection, expanding or blowing step depending on the forming machine and the desired final product.

(22) The process of the invention, may comprise at the end of the set of above shown steps, one sealing step to finally have a degradable polymeric product, for example, a degradable plastic bag in the dimensions above specified described by the user or client.

(23) The invention is also directed to a synthetic, biodegradable polymeric material characterized by comprising a polymer between 89% and 98.8% and an additive comprising the substance A containing: betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2): between 15 and 23% (w/w) in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; cassava (yuca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5): between 10 and 17% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carrot carotene (C.sub.40H.sub.56): 10 and 15% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; water: between 35 and 48% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance; carbon monoxide: between 0.001% and 10%, preferably between 0.1% and 5% in relation to the weight of the total degrading substance, and a substance B containing: cassava (yuca) starch (C.sub.6H.sub.10O.sub.5) between 8 and 15% weight; betaine (C.sub.5H.sub.11NO.sub.2) between 18 and 22%; corn glucose (C.sub.6H.sub.12O.sub.6): between 4 and 9% and water: between 40 and 58% and carboxylic acid selected from formic acid, propanoic acid and acetic acid and mixtures thereof.