Abstract: A film formed from a biodegradable polymer matrix within which is contained at least one fragrance is provided. The ability to incorporate a fragrance into the polymer matrix is achieved in the present invention by controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, including the nature of the fragrance, the nature of the biodegradable polymer, the manner in which the polymer matrix and fragrance are melt processed, etc. For example, the fragrance may be injected directly into the extruder and melt blended with the biodegradable polymer. In this manner, the costly and time-consuming steps of pre-encapsulation or pre-compounding of the fragrance into a masterbatch are not required. Furthermore, to obtain a balance between the ability of the fragrance to release the desired odor during use and likewise to minimize the premature exhaustion of the odor during melt processing, the fragrance is selected to have a boiling point (at atmospheric pressure) within a certain range, such as from about 125° C.

Abstract: A biodegradable packaging film is provided. The film is formed from a blend that contains a thermoplastic starch and polylactic acid. Starch is a relatively inexpensive natural polymer that is also renewable and biodegradable. Polylactic acid is likewise an inexpensive synthetic polymer that is biodegradable and renewable, yet also capable of providing increased tensile strength to the film. Although providing a good combination of biodegradability/renewability and increased tensile strength, the polylactic acid is also relatively rigid and can result in films having a relatively high stiffness (e.g., high modulus of elasticity) and low ductility. While more ductile than polylactic acid, the thermoplastic starch is often difficult to melt process in film forming processes and very sensitive to moisture and water vapor, reducing its ability to be used as a stand alone packaging film.

Abstract: A biodegradable packaging film is provided. The film is formed from a blend that contains a thermoplastic starch and polylactic acid. Starch is a relatively inexpensive natural polymer that is also renewable and biodegradable. Polylactic acid is likewise an inexpensive synthetic polymer that is biodegradable and renewable, yet also capable of providing increased tensile strength to the film. Although providing a good combination of biodegradability/renewability and increased tensile strength, the polylactic acid is also relatively rigid and can result in films having a relatively high stiffness (e.g., high modulus of elasticity) and low ductility. While more ductile than polylactic acid, the thermoplastic starch is often difficult to melt process in film forming processes and very sensitive to moisture and water vapor, reducing its ability to be used as a stand alone packaging film.

Abstract: A film formed from a water-soluble polymer matrix within which is contained at least one fragrance is provided. The film is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) so that upon contact with a sufficient amount of water, the polymer matrix loses its integrity over time to increasingly expose the fragrance to the ambient environment for releasing its odor. The ability to incorporate a fragrance into the polymer matrix is achieved in the present invention by controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, including the nature of the fragrance, the nature of the water-soluble polymer, the manner in which the polymer matrix and fragrance are melt processed, etc. For example, the fragrance may be injected directly into the extruder and melt blended with the water-soluble polymer. In this manner, the costly and time-consuming steps of pre-encapsulation or pre-compounding of the fragrance into a masterbatch are not required.