Patent ID: 9394444
Filing Date: 2016-07-19
CPC Classification: C08F,C08H,C08J,C08L

Claim Text:
1. A reactive extrusion and molding method of producing a polymer composite in the form of a solid molded article, the method comprising: providing a polymer in a liquid state; providing a plant material that includes protein and carbohydrate, the plant material having a particle size less than 20 microns, and the plant material having a protein content less than 35%; providing a reactive protein denaturant; in a single-step extrusion process in extrusion equipment, forming a dispersion of the plant material and the reactive protein denaturant in a matrix of the liquid polymer, reacting to chemically bond the plant material to the reactive protein denaturant, and reacting to chemically bond the reactive protein denaturant to the polymer, to produce an extruded composite material, wherein the extrusion process is conducted at a temperature not higher than 360° F.; molding the extruded composite material in molding equipment to produce a molded article having a desired shape; and solidifying the molded article to produce the polymer composite in the form of a solid molded article.