Starch-based, biodegradable packing filler and method of preparing same
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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11References Cited (Backward Citations)
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