Novamont S.p.a.

Timothy James Chapman

Philip Quinn

John Gough Errington

Anya Jane Hornsey

Maria Louise Hastings

Maria Louise Wake

Philip James Quinn

A method for the production of a biodegradable foamed productfrom a base material and a blowing agent. The base materials are mixed with a blowing agent and any other required additives. The mixture, after extrusion, is placed in a microwave transparent moldand processed in a microwave via distinct steps. The first step preheats the extrudate to a temperature just below the flash point. The second steprapidly heats the extrudate beyond the flash point causing the extrudate to foam in the mold. By utilizing this method it is possible to produce shaped articles with uniform properties and with packaging properties such as compressibility, resilience and shock absorption.

Method for the production of biodegradable foamed products

The method provided produces a bio-degradable foamed material with qualities of uniformity of mechanical and physical properties throughout the product including a foam thickness of up to one meter and a finished foam surface suitable for packaging applications. The parameters for producing such a product are selected from a range of variables which includes wall thickness, mold material, use of a susceptor and the type and composition of a susceptor, the number and arrangement of magnetrons and mold shape. Complex shapes produced by the process are also disclosed.

Bio-degradable foamed products

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Christchurch, New Zealand

Timothy James Chapman