Patent US7297394B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7297394B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biodegradable films and sheets suitable for use as coatings, wraps and packaging materials
Assignee: BioTec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 2002-03-01
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Granted: 2007-11-20
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Expires: 2022-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from at least one "hard" biopolymer and at least one "soft" biopolymer. "Hard" biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. "Soft" biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel. Wraps will typically be manufactured to have good "dead-fold" properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an "unwrapped" form.
Inventors
- 👤 Kishan Khemani
- 👤 Harald Schmidt
- 👤 Simon K. Hodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:33
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; C08J5/18; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/02; C08L67/04; C08L77/00; C08L77/12; C08J2367/00; C08J2367/02; C08J2367/04; C08J2403/00; C08J2403/02; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/0008; C08K5/0016; C08L3/00; C08L3/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/231; Y10T428/234; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24124; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249955; Y10T428/249978; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An article of manufacture that is adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable comprising a biodegradable sheet or film having a single layer formed by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that includes: (i) at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer; and (ii) at least one type of filler particles, wherein the sheet or film is stretched during processing so as to result in cavitation comprising tiny cavities in the vicinity of the filler particles, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An article of manufacture that is adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable comprising a biodegradable sheet or film having a single layer formed by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that includes: (i) at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer; and (ii) at least one type of filler particles, wherein the sheet or film is stretched during processing so as to result in cavitation comprising tiny cavities in the vicinity of the filler particles, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the filler particles comprise at least one of inorganic filler particles and organic filler particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2 , wherein the inorganic filler particles have a concentration greater than about 10% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2 , wherein the inorganic filler particles have a concentration greater than about 20% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2 , wherein the inorganic filler particles have a concentration greater than about 30% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 50%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 70%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 80%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has a measured thickness in a range of about 0.0003″ to about 0.01″.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has a measured thickness in a range of about 0.0005″ to about 0.003″.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has a measured thickness in a range of about 0.001″ to about 0.002″.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sheet or film has a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least about 80 g/m 2 /day.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable thermoplastic composition includes at least one stiff thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer, and optionally at least one of fibers or a nonbiodegradable polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprises thermoplastic starch that is free of plasticizers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13 , wherein the stiff thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprises at least one stiff synthetic biodegradable polymer and wherein the soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprises at least one soft synthetic biodegradable polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the filler particles protrude from a surface of the sheet or film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 16 , wherein the particles that protrude from the surface of the sheet or film have particle size diameters that are greater than the thickness of the sheet or film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
158 words
A sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one hydrophobic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer, wherein the sheet or film is textured by a knurled or embossing-type roller so as to have dead-fold of at least about 70%, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
A sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one hydrophobic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer, wherein the sheet or film is textured by a knurled or embossing-type roller so as to have dead-fold of at least about 70%, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 18 , wherein the textured sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 80%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 18 , wherein the biodegradable thermoplastic composition comprises at least one stiff thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one soft synthetic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
172 words
A sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed as a single layer by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one type of filler particles included in an amount so that the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 70%, wherein the sheet or film is water-resistant and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
172 words
A sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed as a single layer by extruding, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one type of filler particles included in an amount so that the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 70%, wherein the sheet or film is water-resistant and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the sheet or film has dead-fold of at least about 80%.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the sheet or film has dead-fold of about 100%.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the filler particles are included in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the filler particles are included in an amount greater than about 20% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the filler particles are included in an amount greater than about 30% by weight of the biodegradable thermoplastic composition.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein the biodegradable thermoplastic composition comprises at least one stiff synthetic hydrophobic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one soft synthetic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sheet or film as defined in claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the filler particles protrude from a surface of the sheet or film.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
163 words
An article of manufacture comprising a single layer biodegradable sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed by extruding, blowing or casting a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one type of filler particles, wherein at least a portion of the filler particles protrude from a surface of the sheet or film, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
163 words
An article of manufacture comprising a single layer biodegradable sheet or film adapted for use as a food wrap that is both resistant to liquids and biodegradable, wherein the sheet or film is formed by extruding, blowing or casting a biodegradable thermoplastic composition that comprises at least one thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one type of filler particles, wherein at least a portion of the filler particles protrude from a surface of the sheet or film, wherein the sheet or film is thin and flexible so as to be easily wrapped around a food item and possesses sufficient dead-fold that it will remain wrapped around the food item absent application of an external force, wherein the sheet or film, prior to being used to wrap a food item, includes a first exposed surface that contacts the food item when wrapped around the food item and a second exposed surface on a side of the sheet or film opposite the first exposed surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 29 , wherein the filler particles comprise at least one type of inorganic filler particles, and wherein the sheet or film is stretched during processing so as to result in cavitation comprising tiny cavities in the vicinity of the filler particles.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of the filler particles have particle size diameters that exceed the thickness of the sheet or film.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of the thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprises at least one stiff synthetic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and at least one soft synthetic thermoplastic biodegradable polymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacture comprising a single layer film or sheet formed by extrusion, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition comprising: at least one stiff thermoplastic biodegradable polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C.; and at least one soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer having a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C., at least a portion of the soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprising an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester, the biodegradable thermoplastic composition including starch that is free of plasticizers and that retains a substantial portion of its crystallinity in order for the starch to (i) act as a filler within the film or sheet and/or (ii) act as a stiff thermoplastic polymer within the film or sheet and/or (iii) impart dead-fold to the film or sheet.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacture comprising a single layer film or sheet formed by extrusion, blowing or casting a thermoplastic melt formed from a biodegradable thermoplastic composition comprising: at least one stiff thermoplastic biodegradable polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C.; and at least one soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer having a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C., at least a portion of the soft thermoplastic biodegradable polymer comprising an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester, the biodegradable thermoplastic composition including starch that is free of plasticizers and that retains a substantial portion of its crystallinity in order for the starch to (i) act as a filler within the film or sheet and/or (ii) act as a stiff thermoplastic polymer within the film or sheet and/or (iii) impart dead-fold to the film or sheet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 33 , wherein the film or sheet has dead-fold of at least about 70%.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 33 , wherein the film or sheet has dead-fold of at least about 80%.
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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) | 2010-11-19 | 2011-05-21 | 2011-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-11-19 | 2015-05-21 | 2015-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-11-19 | 2019-05-21 | 2019-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |