Biodegradable material based on polymer and cereal flour, method for making same and uses

• US 20010031297A1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulice Co.
• Original Assignee: Ulice Co.
• Inventors: Reynes, Pierre, Messager, Arnaud
• Granted Patent: US 7,148,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/277
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/466 Bio- or photodegradable packaging materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/00 Compositions of cellulose, modified cellulose or cellulose derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/06 Biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/10 Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/06 Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/26 Natural polymers, natural resins or derivatives thereof according to C08L1/00 - C08L5/00, C08L89/00, C08L93/00, C08L97/00 or C08L99/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 3/02 Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics

Abstract

A biodegradable material comprising a mixture of at least one polymer with at least one cereal grain flour and, optionally, one or more acceptable additives.

Claims

1. A biodegradable material comprising a mixture of at least one polymer with at least one cereal grain flour and, optionally, one or more acceptable additives.

2. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the cereal grain flour is selected from the group consisting of wheat flour, corn meal and mixtures thereof.

3. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the cereal grain flour is comprised of 0 to 100% by weight of wheat flour.

4. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the cereal grain flour has a high level of amylose and a low level of proteins.

5. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein amylopectin in the cereal grain flour represents a maximum of about 73% of starch present in the cereal grain flour.

6. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the polymer is not chemically modified and is selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes, polystyrenes and PVC.

7. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the polymer has a fluidity index between about 0.1 and about 300 g/10 min at 230°

C. under 2.16 kg.

8. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the polymer is a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of BIOPOL®

, BAK®

, ECO-PLA®

, BIOMAX®

, MATER-BI® and

ECOFLEX®

.

9. The biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of pigments, synthetic aromatics, natural aromatics, antistatic agents, oxidizing agents, compatibilizing agents and natural fibers selected from the group consisting of hemp, flax, corncobs and bran.

10. A process for preparing a biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, comprising mixing and heating at a temperature between about 10 and about 500°

C., a cereal grain flour with an average granulometry between about 0.1 and about 2000 μ

m, and having a percentage by weight of water between about 0 and about 30%, and at least one polymer and, optionally, an additive.

11. The process for molding a biodegradable material according to

claim 1

, comprising placing mixed and heated material into a mold.

12. The process according to

claim 11

, comprising single or multiple injections of material into the mold.

13. An object molded by a process according to

claim 11

.

14. An object made in whole or in part from a biodegradable material according to

claim 1

.