Biodegradable and water soluble packaging material

Claim 1

A method of making an expanded biodegradable, low density, packaging material which is substantially free of petroleum-based products comprising the steps of: a. mixing at least one grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water to form an initial mixture which is principally grain, an amount of binding agent effective to bind the final product together, and water in an amount effective to provide an expanding agent; b. extruding said mixture so as to mix, heat and shape said mixture, and said mixture being heated to a temperature between about 345°0 and 351° F.; c. permitting said mixture to expand to form a material which is suitable for packaging having a density in the range of 0.6 to 2.5 pounds per cubic feet, wherein said binding agent is present in the amount of 0.5% by weight; d. said water being present in an amount effective to raise the total water in the mixture to between about 14% and 16% for assuring subsequent expansion; and e. whereby the grain is corn grit in an amount between 80-97% by weight of said mixture.

Claim 2

A method of making an expanded biodegradable, low density, packaging material which is substantially free of petroleum-based products comprising the steps of: a. mixing at least one grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water to form an initial mixture which is principally grain, an amount of binding agent effective to bind the final product together, and water in an amount effective to provide an expanding agent; b. extruding said mixture so as to mix, heat and shape said mixture, and said mixture being heated to a temperature between about 345°0 and 351° F.; c. permitting said mixture to expand to form a material which is suitable for packaging having a density in the range of 0.6 to 2.5 pounds per cubic feet, wherein said binding agent is present in the amount of 0.5% by weight; d. said water being present in an amount effective to raise the total water in the mixture to between about 14% and 16% for assuring subsequent expansion; and e. whereby the grain is corn grit in an amount between 80-97% by weight of said mixture.

Claim 9

a method of making an expanded biodegradable, low density, packaging material which is substantially free of petroleum-based products comprising the steps of: a. mixing at least one grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water to form an initial mixture which is principally grain, an amount of binding agent effective to bind the final product together, and water in an amount effective to provide an expanding agent; b. extruding said mixture so as to mix, heat and shape said mixture, and said mixture being heated to a temperature between about 345° and 351° F.; c. permitting said mixture to expand to form a material which is suitable for packaging having a density in the range of 0.6 to 2.5 pounds per cubic feet, wherein said binding agent is present in the amount of 0.5% by weight; d. said water being present in an amount effective to raise the total water in the mixture to between about 14% and 16% for assuring subsequent expansion; and e. whereby the grain is corn grit in an amount between 80-97% by weight of said mixture; and wherein f. The corn grit consists essentially of: ______________________________________ Moisture 12.5-14.0% by weight Protein 6.5-8.0% Ash 0.20-0.30% Fat 0.5-1.0% Fiber 0.25-.40% Starch 76.0-80.0% ______________________________________ and has a particle size distribution as determined by standard U.S. sieve as follows: ______________________________________ Granulation: On US 16 0-5% On US 20 60-80% On US 30 15-35% On US 40 0-3% Thus US 40 0-2% ______________________________________ g. the initial mixture further includes a biodegradable anti-mold agent consisting essentially of calcium propinate in an amount between 0.01% and 0.03% by weight; h. the initial mixture further includes a water soluble coloring agent in an amount effective to color the packaging material; and i. the initial mixture also includes a wheat germ in an amount up to about 10% by weight.

Claim 10

a method of making an expanded biodegradable, low density, packaging material which is substantially free of petroleum-based products comprising the steps of: a. mixing at least one grain, a biodegradable binding agent and water to form an initial mixture which is principally grain, an amount of binding agent effective to bind the final product together, and water in an amount effective to provide an expanding agent; b. extruding said mixture so as to mix, heat and shape said mixture, and said mixture being heated to a temperature between about 345° and 351° F.; c. permitting said mixture to expand to form a material which is suitable for packaging having a density in the range of 0.6 to 2.5 pounds per cubic feet, wherein said binding agent is present in the amount of 0.5% by weight; d. said water being present in an amount effective to raise the total water in the mixture to between about 14% and 16% for assuring subsequent expansion; and e. whereby the grain is corn grit in an amount between 80-97% by weight of said mixture; and wherein f. The corn grit consists essentially of: ______________________________________ Moisture 12.5-14.0% by weight Protein 6.5-8.0% Ash 0.20-0.30% Fat 0.5-1.0% Fiber 0.25-.40% Starch 76.0-80.0% ______________________________________ and has a particle size distribution as determined by standard U.S. sieve as follows: ______________________________________ Granulation: On US 16 0-5% On US 20 60-80% On US 30 15-35% On US 40 0-3% Thus US 40 0-2% ______________________________________ g. the initial mixture further includes a biodegradable anti-mold agent consisting essentially of calcium propinate in an amount between 0.01% and 0.03% by weight; h. the initial mixture further includes a water soluble coloring agent in an amount effective to color the packaging material; and i. the initial mixture also includes a wheat germ in an amount up to about 10% by weight.