US5208267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starch-based, biodegradable packing filler and method of preparing same
Assignee: Kansas State University
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Filing: 1992-01-21
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2012-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Starch-based biodegradable packaging fillers are provided which have high volumes, low weights, and excellent compressibility and resiliency properties. The products of the invention are fabricated by extrusion of a starch substrate, most preferably normal wheat starch, in the presence of minor amounts of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof and/or a particulate bubble-nucleating agent. Effective biodegradable packaging fillers can thus be fabricated without the use of expensive modified starch substrates; however, such substrates can also be employed if desired, and the additives of the invention improve these products as well. In preferred production procedures, the additives are mixed with the starch substrate, and the mixture is preconditioned and then extruded through a twin screw extruder.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E. Neumann
- 👤 Paul A. Seib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/05; B65D81/09; B65D65/00; B65D65/38; B65D65/46; B65D65/466; C; C08; C08L; C08L3/00; C08L3/02; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/06; C08L71/00; C08L71/02; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W90/00; Y02W90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
In a method of producing a starch product adapted for use as a packaging filler or the like, said method including the steps of extruding starch containing moisture under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure through a restricted orifice die in order to create an expanded, cellular compressible and resilient body having a starch matrix, the improvement which comprises mixing with said starch an amount of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a method of producing a starch product adapted for use as a packaging filler or the like, said method including the steps of extruding starch containing moisture under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure through a restricted orifice die in order to create an expanded, cellular compressible and resilient body having a starch matrix, the improvement which comprises mixing with said starch an amount of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, said polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof having an average molecular weight of at least about 1,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, said starch being selected from the group consisting of modified and unmodified wheat and corn starches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, said starch being selected from the group consisting of wheat and high amylose corn starches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, said polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof being selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyalkylene-acrylate copolymers, adducts of polyalkylene glycols with epoxide derivatives, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5, said polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof being selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of at least about 5,000, and polyethylene glycol adducts of bis-oxirane-bisphenol A.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, said polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof being present at a level of up to about 10% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, said level being from about 1-6% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8, said level being about 3% by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of adding a minor amount of a bubble-nucleating agent to said starch prior to extrusion thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The starch product of claim 10, said agent being selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide and amorphous silicas and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The starch product of claim 10, said agent having a particle size of from about 5-100 microns and a surface area of from about 190-450 m 2 /g.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The starch product of claim 10, said agent being present at a level of from about 0.1-1% by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The starch product of claim 13, said level being about 0.5% by weight.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-03 | 1996-11-02 | 1997-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-11-02 | 2001-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-03 | 2004-11-02 | 2005-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |