The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 09, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 07, 1996
Sukh Bassi, Atchison, KS (US);
Clodualdo C Maningat, Platte City, MO (US);
Rangaswamy Chinnaswamy, Kansas City, MO (US);
Li Nie, Kansas City, MO (US);
Midwest Grain Products, Atchison, KS (US);
Abstract
A method of forming solid, non-edible biodegradable, grain protein-based articles is provided wherein a grain protein formulation is heated to a maximum temperature of up to about 80.degree. C. to create a substantially homogeneous and flowable mixture which can be formed into biodegradable articles. The formulation includes from about 20-85% by weight of grain protein, from about 5-75% by weight starch, up to about 14% by weight water, from about 10-40% by weight plasticizer, and at least about 0.01 by weight of a reducing agent such as sodium bisulfite for cleaving disulfide bonds present in the grain protein. Optional ingredients such as fillers, fiber, lubricant/mold release agents and colorants can also be used. The formulations can be processed in extrusion or injection molding equipment to create solid articles.