Plastic foam aggregate matrix made from recycled paper and fiber products

• US 5,106,880 A
• Filed: 10/30/1990
• Issued: 04/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jack V. Miller, Ruth E. Miller
• Original Assignee: Jack V. Miller, Ruth E. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Ruth E., Miller, Jack V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foelak, Morton
• Application Number:
  US07/606,736
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 521/54, 521/84.1, 521/109.1, 521/155, 521/40, 521/49, 106/122, 523/218
• US Class Current: 521/54
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2301/02 Cellulose; Modified cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 9/06 by a chemical blowing agent
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/02 Cellulose; Modified cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials

Abstract

A plastic foam material comprises an aggregate of discrete elements made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent. The discrete elements are suspended in a matrix also including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent. In a preferred embodiment the matrix is also made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and formed into a geometric shape. In another preferred embodiment the discrete aggregate elements are substantially closed-cell foam and the matrix is substantially open-cell foam. In yet another preferred embodiment the discrete aggregate elements are substantially closed-cell, and the foam matrix is also substantially closed-cell.

Claims

1. A plastic foam material comprising:

an aggregate of discrete parts made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent; and

a matrix enveloping said discrete parts, including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent, said matrix retaining the aggregate in a geometric shape.

3. A plastic foam material according to claim 1 or 2 in which the bubbles in the discrete parts are substantially closed-cell.

4. A plastic foam material according to claim 1 or 2 in which the matrix is substantially open-cell.

5. A plastic foam material according to claim 1 or 2 in which the matrix is substantially closed-cell.

2. A plastic foam material comprising:

an aggregate of discrete parts made of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent; and

a matrix made of of substantially individual cellulose fibers combined with a cellulose starch and including a plurality of bubbles produced by a gas-generating agent, said matrix retaining the aggregate in a geometric shape.