Patent ID: 9327438
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K

Claim Text:
1. A method for forming a thermoplastic starch-based composition, the method comprising: melt extruding a thermoplastic composition through a die to form an extrudate, wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a starch polymer and a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is a polyhydric alcohol or a sugar alcohol; subjecting the extrudate to at least one water-cooling stage in which the extrudate is contacted with water for a first period of time; and thereafter, subjecting the water-cooled extrudate to at least one air-cooling stage in which the extrudate is contacted with air for a second period of time, wherein the air-cooled extrudate has a moisture content of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 parts per million, wherein a film formed from the thermoplastic starch-based composition exhibits a percent strain at break in the cross-machine direction of about 550% or more.