Molded starch-bound containers and other articles having natural and/or synthetic polymer coatings
First Claim
1. An article of manufacture comprising:
- a starch-bound cellular matrix formed by gelatinizing a starch-based binder in water and then causing the starch-based binder to substantially harden by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation to thereby form the starch-bound cellular matrix, wherein the starch-bound cellular matrix includes an outer skin portion having a density and an interior foam portion having a density that is significantly lower than the density of the outer skin portion, the starch-bound cellular matrix further including optional components dispersed therein; and
a coating applied to at least a portion of the outer skin portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix selected from the group consisting of edible oils, drying oils, melamine, phenolic resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, terpene resins, urea-formaldehyde reins, styrene polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylates, polyamides, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methocel, polyethylene glycol, acrylics, acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers, starches, soybean protein, waxes, and mixtures thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a particle packed, highly inorganically filled, cellular matrix are disclosed. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together a starch-based binder, a solvent, inorganic aggregates, and optimal admixtures, e.g., fibers, mold-releasing agents, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures have a predetermined viscosity and are heated between molds at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled cellular, structure matrix. The molded articles may be placed in a high humidity chamber to obtain the necessary flexibility for their intended use. The articles may be manufactured to have properties substantially similar to articles presently made from conventional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or other organic materials. They have especial utility in the mass-production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. An article of manufacture comprising:
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a starch-bound cellular matrix formed by gelatinizing a starch-based binder in water and then causing the starch-based binder to substantially harden by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation to thereby form the starch-bound cellular matrix, wherein the starch-bound cellular matrix includes an outer skin portion having a density and an interior foam portion having a density that is significantly lower than the density of the outer skin portion, the starch-bound cellular matrix further including optional components dispersed therein; and a coating applied to at least a portion of the outer skin portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix selected from the group consisting of edible oils, drying oils, melamine, phenolic resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, terpene resins, urea-formaldehyde reins, styrene polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylates, polyamides, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methocel, polyethylene glycol, acrylics, acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers, starches, soybean protein, waxes, and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An article of manufacture comprising:
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a starch-bound cellular matrix formed by gelatinizing a starch-based binder in water and then causing the starch-based binder to substantially harden by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation to thereby forming the starch-bound cellular matrix, wherein the starch-bound cellular matrix further includes optional components dispersed therein, has a thickness less than about 1 cm, and degrades after prolonged exposure to water; and a coating applied to at least a portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix, wherein the coating comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polyamides, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, starches, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer, other biodegradable polyesters, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methocel, soybean protein, and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for manufacturing articles of manufacture having a starch-bound cellular matrix comprising:
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heating an aqueous starch-based mixture including starch and water in order to first gelatinize the starch and then cause it to substantially solidify as a result of evaporation of water therefrom to thereby form the starch-bound cellular matrix in a desired shape of the article of manufacture; and applying a laminate film coating to at least a portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for manufacturing articles of manufacture having a starch-bound cellular matrix comprising:
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heating an aqueous starch-based mixture including starch and water in order to first gelatinize the starch and then cause it to substantially solidify as a result of evaporation of water therefrom to thereby form the starch-bound cellular matrix in a desired shape of the article of manufacture; and applying a coating to at least a portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix selected from the group consisting of edible oils, drying oils, melamine, phenolic resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, terpene resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, styrene polymers, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylates, polyamides, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methocel, poyethylene glycol, acrylics, acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers, starches, soybean protein, waxes, and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification