# US 5,699,645 A · Molded biodegradable packaging

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- Number: US 5,699,645 A
- Document ID: US5699645A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/747,588
- Filed: 1996-11-13
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-11-13
- Assignees: Norel
- Inventors: Ronald Vaccarello
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699645A

## CPC

- B65B 55/20: Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

The disclosure is of portable apparatus for packaging articles, and cushioning the packages with biodegradable, starch based materials. The materials, packed as loose nuggets within the package, are converted to a single, unitary cushion in-situ to protect the article.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for packaging articles within a shipping container, which comprises:
means for holding a quantity of loose nuggets of a biodegradable, shaped material defined at least in part by an exposed starch surface;
conduit means in open communication with the means for holding, at a location wherein the loose nuggets will flow by gravity into the conduit means, said conduit means having a first open end in communication with the means for holding and a distal second end for the discharge of carried nuggets;
valve means on the conduit for controlling flow of the nuggets through the conduit;
moisture applying means located outside the second distal end of the conduit for applying a spray of moisture onto at least a portion of exposed starch surface of said nuggets after said nuggets have left said distal second end and are exposed to air, whereby the surfaces of said nuggets are gelatinized; and
means for supporting a shipping container for receiving said nuggets.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1 including means for applying a water mist to the nuggets leaving the conduit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Apparatus of claim 1 including an air amplifier to assist in conveying the nuggets through the conduit.