Biodegradable racquet string

Abstract

Biodegradable strings, for example, for use in racquet sports, fishing line, and trimming line, are described. The biodegradable string includes a petroleum based material and a biodegradable additive blended with the petroleum based material. The petroleum based material may be nylon, polyester, or polyurethane, and the biodegradable additive may be less than 5% of the racquet string by weight. The biodegradable string may include one or more filaments containing the biodegradable additive. The biodegradable string may be of a round, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal shape, and may be capable of withstanding high tension.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biodegradable racquet string comprising:
 a petroleum based material; and   a biodegradable additive blended with the petroleum based material.   
     
     
         2 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein the petroleum based material comprises one of nylon, polyester, or polyurethane. 
     
     
         3 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable additive comprises between 0.2 percent and 4 percent of the racquet string by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein the racquet string comprises a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         5 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of filaments are wound together. 
     
     
         6 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of filaments are wrapped around one or a center monofilament or a center multifilament. 
     
     
         7 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 4 , wherein each filament of the plurality of filaments comprises the petroleum based material and the biodegradable additive. 
     
     
         8 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 4 , wherein at least one filament of the plurality of filaments comprises the biodegradable additive. 
     
     
         9 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein the racquet string comprises a monofilament. 
     
     
         10 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the racquet string has one of a round, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal shape. 
     
     
         11 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one color additive. 
     
     
         12 . The biodegradable racquet string of  claim 1 , wherein the racquet string is capable of withstanding at least 120 pounds of tension.