Patent ID: 6159516
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: C08B,C08L

Abstract:
A process for forming starch into a molded article using melt processing techniques which process comprises:(a) combining starch and water to form a mixture wherein the water content is in the range of about 20.0 to 40.0% by weight with respect to that of said starch;(b) introducing and heating said mixture in a vented barrel extruder to form extruded beads wherein the water content of said beads upon discharge from said extruder is less than the water content of said mixture entering said extruder; and(c) introducing the extruded beads of (b) to a heated injection molding machine and injection molding and cooling to form said molded article wherein the water content of said molded article is at or below about 20% by weight.