US5248702A
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: 1992-08-21
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Granted: 1993-09-28
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Expires: 2012-08-21
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
2026-10-27 11:14
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; Y10; Y10S; Y10S521/00; Y10S521/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A starch product adapted for use as a packing filler or the like, said product comprising an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient body having a matrix comprising from about 93-99.5% by weight starch supplemented with from about 0.1-1% by weight of a particulate bubble-nucleating agent having a particle size of from about 5-100 microns and a surface area of from about 190-450 m 2 /g, said product having a bulk density of from about 0.6-2 lb/ft 3 , a bulk compressibility of from about 0.04-0.4 kilo-newtons, a bulk resiliency of from about 40-75%, and cells having an average diameter of from about 0.5-5 mm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A starch product adapted for use as a packing filler or the like, said product comprising an expanded, cellular, compressible and resilient body having a matrix comprising from about 93-99.5% by weight starch supplemented with from about 0.1-1% by weight of a particulate bubble-nucleating agent having a particle size of from about 5-100 microns and a surface area of from about 190-450 m 2 /g, said product having a bulk density of from about 0.6-2 lb/ft 3 , a bulk compressibility of from about 0.04-0.4 kilo-newtons, a bulk resiliency of from about 40-75%, and cells having an average diameter of from about 0.5-5 mm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The starch product of claim 1, said starch being selected from the group consisting of modified and unmodified wheat and corn starches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The starch product of claim 2, said starch being selected from the group consisting of wheat and high amylose corn starches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The starch product of claim 1, said agent being selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide and amorphous silicas and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The starch product of claim 1, said agent being present at a level of from about 0.1-1% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The starch product of claim 1, said product being annular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The starch product of claim 1, said product being generally C-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The starch product of claim 1, said bulk density being from about 1.2-1.6 lb/ft 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The starch product of claim 1, said compressibility being from about 0.13-0.36 kilo-newtons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The starch product of claim 1, said resiliency being from about 45-70%.
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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) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |