Abstract: Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2015
Assignee:
ECO SPORTS, LLC
Inventors:
David R. Marcus, Jeff Pura, John Cartledge, Julius Stockfish
Abstract: Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 8, 2014
Publication date:
November 20, 2014
Applicant:
ECO SPORTS LLC.
Inventors:
David R. MARCUS, Jeff PURA, John CARTLEDGE, Julius STOCKFISH