Foamed starch polymer
AssigneeBio-Tec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH
InventorIvan Tomka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In order to produce a substantially biologically degradable polymer foam, a thermoplastic or disaggregated starch or a polymer mixture of thermoplastic or disaggregated starch with at least one biologically degradable hydrophobic polymer is used. In addition, the material is mixed with a biologically degradable fibrous or capsular material capable of binding water by capillary action, said material being at least partially treated or saturated with water before being mixed with the polymer. The polymer/material mixture thus obtained is processed under controlled pressure and temperature so that the water bound by capillarity in the material is released and causes the polymer to foam.
Claims23
A process for the production of a substantially biologically degradable polymer foam, characterized by the fact that thermoplastic or disaggregated starch or a polymer mixture of thermoplastic or disaggregated starch with at least one biologically degradable hydrophobic polymer, said starch or polymer mixture having a water content of less than 5 wt % is mixed with a material consisting essentially of a biologically degradable fibrous or capsular material which is capable of binding water by capillary action and which was at least partially treated with water, and the polymer/material mixture is foamed by applying such pressure and temperature that the water bound by capillary action in the material is liberated so as to effect the foaming of the polymer.
A process for the production of a polymer mixture suitable for the production of a biologically degradable polymer foam, characterized by the fact that thermoplastic starch or a polymer mixture containing thermoplastic starch and a hydrophobic polymer having a water content of less than 1 wt. % are mixed with up to 30 wt. % of ramie fibers substantially saturated with water at a temperature range of 130-.degree.170.degree. C.
A biologically degradable polymer foam, comprising foamed thermoplastic starch containing ramie fibers.
A polymer mixture suitable for the production of a biologically degradable polymer foam, characterized by a thermoplastic starch mixture with ramie fibers substantially saturated with water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.