# US 9,517,578 B2 · Method for manufacturing biodegradable moldings in particular tableware and packages

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- Number: US 9,517,578 B2
- Document ID: US9517578B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/672,872
- Filed: 2015-03-30
- Published: 2015-08-13
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-28
- Assignees: Aston Investment Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzianlnoscia
- Applicants: Aston Investment Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia
- Inventors: Jerzy Wysocki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517578B2

## CPC

- B29C 35/049: {using steam or damp}
- A47G 21/00: Table-ware (crumb trays A47L13/52; table knives B26B)
- D21J 1/00: Fibreboard (preparation of pulp compositions or addition of chemical agents D21B, D21C, D21H; formation of the wet web D21F)
- D21J 3/00: Manufacture of articles by pressing wet fibre pulp, or papier-mâché, between moulds
- Y02W 90/10: Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)
- D21J: FIBREBOARD; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM CELLULOSIC FIBROUS SUSPENSIONS OR FROM PAPIER-MACHE (manufacture of articles by dry processes B27N)
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

Method for manufacturing biodegradable moldings, in particular tableware and packages, with application of the method of evoking the water vapor pressure inside the mold consists in that loose bran, preferably the wheat bran, of granulation from 0.01 up to 2.80 mm in the amount of 95-100% of weight containing more than 14% of water structurally bound in the form of moisture, if needed, is mixed in the dry form with additional substances in the amount of up to 5% of weight in total, and the measured amount of dry material obtained in that way is placed in one of the parts of multipart mold, then the mold is closed and the mixture is subject to the simultaneous operation of temperature and pressure of the scope 1-10 MPa. The mold is heated up to temperature above 120° C., then the mold is closed, and then is depressurized, thus forming a gap between the edges of the mold not wider than 0.5 mm, and then the mold, if needed, is closed again, and the depressurization cycles are repeated. After the last cycle the mold is opened and the number of depressurizations is at least 1, and the entire process of depressurization and closing the mold takes a few seconds and is completed according to the program of the machinery digitally controlling the mold movement depending on the expected parameters of the final product.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for manufacturing biodegradable moldings with application of the method of evoking water vapor pressure inside the mold comprising the following steps
(a) mixing loose bran, of granulation from 0.01 up to 2.80 mm in the amount of 95-100% of weight containing more than 14% of water structurally bound in the form of moisture, to obtain the loose material;
(b) heating the mold to temperature higher than 120° C.;
(c) placing in one of the parts of the multipart mold measured amount of the loose material obtained in (a);
(d) closing the mold and subjecting the mixture of bran to a simultaneous operation of temperature and pressure in the scope of about 1-10 MPa;
(e) depressurizing the mixture without complete opening of the mold by forming a gap between the edges of the mold not wider than 0.5 mm, wherein the depressurizing is performed at least one time;
(f) optionally closing the mold and repeating steps (d), (e), and/or (f),
wherein each step (d) lasts 1-2 seconds and each step (e) lasts 0.5-1 second, and the entire process of closing (d) and depressurizing (e) takes a few seconds and is carried out according the program of the machinery digitally controlling the mold movement depending on the expected parameters of the final product; and
(h) opening the mold after the last cycle,
thereby manufacturing biodegradable moldings having a density of at least 1.400 g/cm3.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the loose bran is mixed in a dry form with a mixture of impregnating substances and/or flavor and/or fragrance additives and/or non-fibrous fillers and/or humectants and/or colorants in the amount of up to 5% of weight to obtain the loose material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable moldings are tableware and packages.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the loose bran is wheat bran.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the mold is a two part mold.