Patent · US Expired

Polymer compositions containing thermoplastic starch

US6605657B1 · kind B1 · utility

41Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 27, 1999
Grant dateAug 12, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC08L23/04
  • WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.