Patents by Inventor Mark J. Hepfinger

Mark J. Hepfinger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5322866
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method of preparing and extruding biodegradable starch blends into biodegradable products in such a way that preprocessing steps, such as gelatinizing or destructurizing of the starch, are not required. Unprocessed raw starch is combined with biodegradable copolymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), a nucleating agent, and a plasticizer. The combination may be processed using a twin-screw mixer, and blown into a film. The method described in this invention alleviates pre-preparation steps, reduces the cost and time required to prepare and extrude starch-based biodegradable materials, eliminates the need to use expensive pre-processed starch, and results in a substantially completely biodegradable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jean M. Mayer, Mark J. Hepfinger, Elizabeth A. Welsh