IP Library Granted Patent US 12,642,194
Granted Patent B2
US 12,642,194 · App. 17/618,376 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Degradable extruded netting made from polymer blend compositions

Inventor: Jeffrey David Kirk (St. Paul, MN)
A01G13/32C08L67/02C08L67/04C08L2201/06C08L2203/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,642,194
App. No.
17/618,376
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Degradable extruded nettings are provided. Degradable extruded nettings may include a plurality of interconnected strands, at least some of the strands being made from a polymeric blend, the polymeric blend including a polylactic acid polymer composition, polybutylene succinate, and a degradation additive, the degradation additive including a degrader in a carrier resin are provided. Grass sod and methods for preparing grass sod using such degradable extruded nettings are also provided.

Claims (40)

1 . A polymeric blend composition suitable for preparing a degradable extruded netting, the polymeric blend composition comprising:

a polylactic acid composition in an amount ranging from about 55% to about 60% by weight;

a polybutyrate composition in an amount ranging from about 35% to about 40% by weight;

a compatibilizer composition in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight; and

a degradation additive in an amount ranging from about 2% to about 7% by weight, wherein the degradation additive comprises iron stearate and manganese stearate in a carrier resin.

2 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 comprising:

about 55% to about 58% by weight of the polylactic acid composition;

about 38% by weight of the polybutyrate composition;

about 2% by weight of a compatibilizer, wherein the compatibilizer is a polylactic acid-polybutyrate compatibilizer; and

about 2% to 5% by weight of the degradation additive.

3 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 2 comprising:

about 55% to about 57% by weight of the polylactic acid composition; and

about 3% to about 5% by weight of the degradation additive.

4 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the degradation additive further comprises a metal carboxylate in the carrier resin.

5 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the degradation additive comprises about 5% by weight of the iron stearate in the carrier resin, based on the total weight of the degradation additive.

6 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the polybutyrate composition comprises one or more polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) polymers.

7 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the polylactic acid composition comprises one or more polylactic acid polymers derived from plant starch.

8 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizer composition comprises a compatibilizer selected from polypropyleneglycol di glycidyl ether, epoxidized cottonseed oil (ECSO), or maleinized cottonseed oil (MCSO).

9 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 1 , wherein the degradation additive comprises iron stearate in an amount of about 2.5% by weight and manganese stearate in an amount of about 2.5% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the degradation additive.

10 . A polymeric blend composition suitable for preparing a degradable extruded netting, the polymeric blend composition comprising:

a polylactic acid composition in an amount ranging from about 55% to about 60% by weight;

a polybutyrate composition in an amount ranging from about 35% to about 40% by weight; and

a degradation additive in an amount ranging from about 2% to about 7% by weight, wherein the degradation additive comprises iron stearate and manganese stearate in a carrier resin.

11 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 10 , comprising:

about 55% to about 57% by weight of the polylactic acid composition

about 38% by weight of the polybutyrate composition; and

about 3% to about 5% by weight of the degradation additive.

12 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 10 , wherein the degradation additive further comprises a metal carboxylate in the carrier resin.

13 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 10 , wherein the degradation additive comprises about 5% by weight of the iron stearate in the carrier resin, based on the total weight of the degradation additive.

14 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 10 , wherein the polybutyrate composition comprises one or more polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) polymers.

15 . The polymeric blend composition of claim 10 , wherein the polylactic acid composition comprises one or more polylactic acid polymers derived from plant starch.

16 . Grass sod comprising:

grass grown in soil; and

degradable extruded netting in the soil, the degradable extruded netting including:

a plurality of interconnected strands, at least one of the plurality of interconnected strands being made from a polymeric blend, the polymeric blend comprising:

a polylactic acid composition in an amount ranging from about 55% to about 60% by weight;

a polybutyrate composition in an amount ranging from about 35% to about 40% by weight; and

a degradation additive in an amount ranging from about 2% to about 7% by weight, wherein the degradation additive comprises iron stearate and manganese stearate in a carrier resin.

17 . The grass sod of claim 16 , wherein the degradation additive comprises about 5% by weight of the iron stearate in the carrier resin, based on the total weight of the degradation additive.

18 . The grass sod of claim 16 , wherein the degradation additive further comprises a metal carboxylate in the carrier resin.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: KIRK, JEFFREY DAVID
To: CONWED PLASTICS LLC
Reel/Frame 061163/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: CONWED PLASTICS LLC
To: DELSTAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 061163/0446 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: CONWED PLASTICS LLC
To: SWM LUXEMBOURG
Reel/Frame 061163/0609 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62860931 · Jun 13, 2019
Related Publication 20220304254A1 · Sep 29, 2022
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