Abstract: The present application is generally directed to novel compositions and methods used to produce a biodegradable, starch-based, water-resistant article of manufacture. The teachings include a composition comprising a biodegradable fiber component in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 40% on a dry weight basis, starch component in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 94.5% on a dry weight basis, and an additive component in an amount ranging from more than 0% to about 15% on a dry weight basis. The additive component can comprise an epoxidized vegetable oil, a hydrogenated triglyceride, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) copolymer, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer or an amide wax are added to a cellulose-ester, shellac, and rosin based coating to increase moisture resistance and reduce brittleness. In other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: One embodiment is a composition comprising water; starch; natural fibrous materials; one or more additives to improve certain properties such as heat transfer, microbial resistance, scavenging activity or shelf life; a mold release agent; flavoring agents; coloring agents; and/or wax emulsions, proteins, or other natural polymeric compounds to adjust the product properties for particular applications.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer, an amide wax and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to increase moisture resistance. In other embodiments, a biodegradable polymer, an amide wax, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to drastically increase moisture resistance. In still other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: One embodiment is a composition comprising water; starch; natural fibrous materials; one or more additives to improve certain properties such as heat transfer, microbial resistance, scavenging activity or shelf life; a mold release agent; flavoring agents; coloring agents; and/or wax emulsions, proteins, or other natural polymeric compounds to adjust the product properties for particular applications.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer, an amide wax and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to increase moisture resistance. In other embodiments, a biodegradable polymer, an amide wax, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to drastically increase moisture resistance. In still other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to novel compositions and methods used to produce a biodegradable, starch-based, water-resistant article of manufacture. The teachings include a composition comprising a biodegradable fiber component in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 40% on a dry weight basis, starch component in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 94.5% on a dry weight basis, and an additive component in an amount ranging from more than 0% to about 15% on a dry weight basis. The additive component can comprise an epoxidized vegetable oil, a hydrogenated triglyceride, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) copolymer, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes a first and second outer layer each including a polymer; and an internal layer including an oxygen scavenger; where one of the first and second outer layers includes a blend of a polymer and an antifog agent, where the antifog agent includes one or more of glycerol fatty acid ester, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol alkyl ether, ethoxylated alkyl phenol, sorbitan ester, ethoxylated sorbitan ester, and alkanol; and wherein the first outer layer includes more than 3% and less than 8%, by weight of the first outer layer, of antifog agent. Unexpected improvements in oxygen scavenging and/or antifog properties of the film are obtained by the combination of the oxygen scavenger and antifog agent.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes a first and second outer layer each including a polymer; and an internal layer including an oxygen scavenger; wherein at least one of the first and second outer layers includes a blend of a polymer, a siloxane having a viscosity of from 1×107 centistokes to 5×107 centistokes, and an antiblock agent. A laminate is also disclosed, including a multilayer film having an oxygen scavenger layer, and a layer including a blend of a polymer, a siloxane having a viscosity of from 1×107 centistokes to 5×107 centistokes, and an antiblock agent.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a substituted or unsubstituted thiophene-containing electrically-conductive polymer and an organic solvent media; the media having a water content of >2 and <12 weight percent; wherein the electrically-conductive polymer is poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene styrene sulfonate); and wherein any inorganic solid particles present in said composition have a refractive index of <1.6.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising a substrate and an image layer comprising smectite clay particles intercalated with polyvinyl pyrrolidone and dispersed in polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a polymer composite comprising mixing smectite clay and polyvinyl pyrrolidone to form a first dispersion of intercalated clay, mixing said dispersion with polyethylene oxide to form a second dispersion, flowing said second dispersion into ketone so as to flocculate a polymer composite of polyethylene oxide and intercalated clay and recovering said flocculate, wherein the polyethylene oxide is rendered to reduced crystallinity.