Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of manufacturing a starch derived shaped article comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a hot melt by heating a composition comprising (a) a high amylosic material, or a derivative thereof, said derivative being selected from the group consisting of amylosic ethers, amylosic esters and combinations thereof and (b) water, the water being present in an amount of less then 24% by weight, at an elevated temperature and pressure below the temperature and pressure at which the material or derivative decomposes to provide a homogeneous melt; (2) extruding the hot melt from an extruder to form a shaped article; and (3) subjecting the hot melt to a subatmospheric pressure prior to issue from the extruder whereby to remove water from the shaped article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of manufacturing a starch derived shaped article comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a hot melt by heating a composition comprising (a) a high amylosic material, or a derivative thereof, said derivative being selected from the group consisting of amylosic ethers, amylosic esters and combinations thereof and (b) water, the water being present in an amount of less then 24% by weight, at an elevated temperature and pressure below the temperature and pressure at which the material or derivative decomposes to provide a homogeneous melt; (2) extruding the hot melt from an extruder to form a shaped article; and (3) subjecting the hot melt to a subatmospheric pressure prior to issue from the extruder whereby to remove water from the shaped article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the subjecting of step (3) is at a pressure of 0 to 200 mbar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the high amylosic material is derived from maize plants.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylated, hydroxypropylated and acetylated derivatives.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition for preparing a hot melt comprises 0 to about 9.0% by weight of added water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said composition comprises from about 3% to about 8% by weight of added water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said composition comprises about 5.5% by weight of added water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the composition for preparing a hot melt comprises an amylosic composition containing from about 9% to about 15% of moisture and no added water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition for preparing a hot melt comprises a plasticizer in an amount of about 0 to 30% by weight of the composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition for preparing a hot melt comprises stabilizers selected from the group consisting of carbon black, alumina and calcium carbonate, coloring agents, preservatives, bactericides or a combination thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the high amylosic material comprises plasticizer in an amount of about 0 to 30% by weight of the high amylosic material, said composition being in the form of free flowing particles prior to being formed into the hot melt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the high amylosic material further comprises stabilizers selected from the group consisting of carbon black, alumina and calcium carbonate, coloring agents, preservatives, bactericides or a combination thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, glycerol and glycerol acetate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the hot melt is formed by subjecting the composition to a temperature in the range of about 120° C. to about 210° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the hot melt is extruded through a die having a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 130° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the shaped article is a rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the shaped article is a film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the film is extruded by blown film techniques.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the film is co-formed with at least one layer of a first polymeric material so as to form a laminate comprising the starch derived film and a layer of the first polymeric material coating on at least one face thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the film is co-formed with a first and second polymeric material to form a laminate comprising a tie layer intermediate the film and the layer of the first polymeric material, said tie layer consisting of the second polymeric material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the first polymeric material is selected from the group comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, or co-polymers thereof; polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester, ionomer resins, acrylates and nylons.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the second polymeric material is a blend of modified or functionalized polymers selected from the group of the first polymeric materials.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein the starch derived film is co-extruded with the polymeric material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the starch derived film is extruded into a solution of the polymeric material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the film is subsequently heated and stretched.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
A starch derived shaped article produced by the process according to claim 1.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the starch derived film is coated immediately after extrusion with the polymeric material by way of spraying.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the starch derived film is coated immediately after extrusion with the polymeric material by way of brushing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the film is co-formed with at least one layer of a hydrophobic polymeric material so as to form a laminate comprising the starch-derived film and a layer of hydrophobic polymeric material coating on at least one face thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the high amylosic material used in step (1) is itself the product of a method according to claim 1.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (4) preparing a hot melt by heating at an elevated temperature and pressure the shaped article from stage (2) and less than 24% by weight water to provide a homogenous melt; (5) extruding the hot melt of step (4) to form a shaped article; and (6) subjecting the hot melt of step (4) to a subatmospheric pressure prior to issue from the extruder whereby to remove water from the hot melt prior to formation of an extrudate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the high amylosic material has less amylopectin and more amylose than typical high amylose starches derived from U.S. cultivars.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
61 words
A starch based shaped film obtained by extruding in an extrusion direction a composition comprising a high amylosic material and an amount of water, said film having an average tensile strength parallel to the extrusion direction in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 1300 psi and an average elongation before failure of from about 80% to about 240%.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
A starch based shaped film obtained by extruding in an extrusion direction a composition comprising a high amylosic material and an amount of water, said film having an average tensile strength parallel to the extrusion direction in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 1300 psi and an average elongation before failure of from about 80% to about 240%.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 33 being incorporated in a laminate structure wherein a layer of a first polymeric material is coated on at least one face of the film.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of agriculture comprising the step of covering a tract of land with a biodegradable mulch film prepared by (1) preparing a hot melt by heating a composition comprising (a) a high amylosic material, or derivative thereof, said derivative being selected from the group consisting of amylosic esters, amylosic ethers and combinations thereof and (b) water, said water being present in an amount of less than 24% by weight, at an elevated temperature and pressure below the temperature and pressure at which the material or derivative decomposes to provide a homogeneous melt; (2) extruding the hot melt from an extruder to form a film; and (3) subjecting the hot melt to a subatmospheric pressure prior to issue from the extruder, whereby to remove water from the film.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of agriculture comprising the step of covering a tract of land with a biodegradable mulch film prepared by (1) preparing a hot melt by heating a composition comprising (a) a high amylosic material, or derivative thereof, said derivative being selected from the group consisting of amylosic esters, amylosic ethers and combinations thereof and (b) water, said water being present in an amount of less than 24% by weight, at an elevated temperature and pressure below the temperature and pressure at which the material or derivative decomposes to provide a homogeneous melt; (2) extruding the hot melt from an extruder to form a film; and (3) subjecting the hot melt to a subatmospheric pressure prior to issue from the extruder, whereby to remove water from the film.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of agriculture comprising the step of covering a tract of land with a biodegradable starch derived mulch film, said film having an average tensile strength parallel to the extrusion axis in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 1300 psi and an average elongation before failure of from about 80% to about 240%.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of agriculture comprising the step of covering a tract of land with a biodegradable starch derived mulch film, said film having an average tensile strength parallel to the extrusion axis in the range of from about 1000 psi to about 1300 psi and an average elongation before failure of from about 80% to about 240%.