Abstract: Biodegradable insulating structures and panel systems, and methods for producing and assembling the biodegradable insulating structures are provided. The biodegradable insulating structures include biodegradable foam panels formed from biobased polymer foam beads which include polylactic acid. The biodegradable foam panels have edges that form a seal with adjacent biodegradable foam panels to restrict thermal energy transfer at the edges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding a multilayered article employs a shearing rod connected to the end of an extruder screw. The shearing rod is rotated along with the extruder screw and shears the polymer materials being advanced along an annular space between the shearing rod and the inner surface of a bore in a housing. A first melt stream of polymer material is advanced by the extruder screw into the annular space. A second melt stream of polymer material is fed (e.g., from a second extruder) through a passage in the housing into the annular space to join with the first melt stream therein. The rotation of the shearing rod shears the melt streams and swirls them together to produce a multiplicity of layers of the polymer materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding a multilayered article employs a shearing rod connected to the end of an extruder screw. The shearing rod is rotated along with the extruder screw and shears the polymer materials being advanced along an annular space between the shearing rod and the inner surface of a bore in a housing. A first melt stream of polymer material is advanced by the extruder screw into the annular space. A second melt stream of polymer material is fed (e.g., from a second extruder) through a passage in the housing into the annular space to join with the first melt stream therein. The rotation of the shearing rod shears the melt streams and swirls them together to produce a multiplicity of layers of the polymer materials.