Abstract: A beverage container holder formed from a water soluble starch based material in a configuration facilitating the wrap around engagement of a beverage container for the insulation thereof and convenience of the user. The cup holder may be provided in a generally planar sheet construction for facilitating the packaging, shipping and handling thereof and with an interlocking tab assembly for facilitating the securement around a beverage container, such as a coffee cup. Once used for insulating the hands of a user, the cup holder of the present invention may be discarded and disposed of with water or the like to comprise an environmentally convenient, water soluble, biodegradable assembly.

Abstract: A biodegradable structured packing formed from laminated layers of biodegradable filler. The filler is formed from a starch base and extruded into sheets. The surfaces of the sheets are treated with a substance such as water to promote tackification and bonding and pressed together to form a laminate assembly. The laminate assembly may then be used as is or then cut to any of a variety of shapes for packing and related purposes.