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US 12,570,454 B2Granted
Protective article with cellulose-based expandable composite
AssigneePregis LLC
InventorThomas D. Wetsch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to a protective article comprising first and second walls. Each of the walls includes superimposed plies enclosing an expansion space therebetween, and an expandable composite disposed in the expansion space. The expandable composite includes a biodegradable matrix, and a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres. The expandable microspheres are configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the expandable microspheres. The invention further relates to an expandable web comprising a first ply, second ply and an expandable composite deposited between the first ply and the second ply. The invention further relates to a method for making an expandable protective article.
Claims22
A protective article, comprising:
- first and second walls, each of which includes:
- superimposed plies enclosing an expansion space therebetween, and
- an expandable composite disposed in the expansion space, the expandable composite comprising:
- a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof, and
- a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,
- wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof,
- wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof,
- wherein the first and second walls are superimposed on each other to define a container cavity therebetween configured and dimensioned to contain therein a product to be shipped,
- wherein the expansion spaces of the walls are superimposed on each other about the container cavity,
- wherein the first and second walls are connected to each other on a plurality of sides of the container cavity, and
- wherein the expandable composite is disposed in the expansion spaces in the form of a pattern comprising regular or irregular shapes, in the form of a continuous or discontinuous layer, and/or at one or more discrete regions and exhibits uniform or varying thicknesses or widths for providing cushioning to a product contained in the container cavity.
10 more elements
A protective article, comprising a first wall that includes:
- a first ply defining an expansion area, and
- an expandable composite in the expansion area, the expandable composite comprising:
- a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof;
- and
- a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,
- wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and
- wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof.
6 more elements
An expandable web comprising:
- a first ply;
- a second ply;
- and
- an expandable composite in an expansion area between the first and second plies, the expandable composite comprising:
- a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof;
- and
- a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,
- where in the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and
- wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof.
8 more elements
A method for making an expandable protective article, comprising:
- applying an expandable composite onto the surface of a first ply, the expandable composite comprising:
- a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof, and
- a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres;
- wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,
- wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,
- wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and
- wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof;
- and
- applying a second ply over the first ply such that the expandable composite is sandwiched between the first ply and the second ply.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.