Patent ID: 6030673
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B01F,B05B,B05C,B27N,B28B,B28C,B29C,B29K,B29L,B31B,B31D,B32B,B65D,C04B,C08J,C08L,E05D,E05Y,Y02A,Y02W,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
An article of manufacture comprising:a starch-bound cellular matrix formed by gelatinizing a starch-based binder in water and then causing the starch-based binder to substantially harden by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation to thereby form the starch-bound cellular matrix, wherein the starch-bound cellular matrix includes an outer skin portion having a density and an interior foam portion having a density that is significantly lower than the density of the outer skin portion, the starch-bound cellular matrix further including optional components dispersed therein; anda coating applied to at least a portion of the outer skin portion of the starch-bound cellular matrix selected from the group consisting of edible oils, drying oils, melamine, phenolic resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, terpene resins, urea-formaldehyde reins, styrene polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylates, polyamides, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methocel, polyethylene glycol, acrylics, acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers, starches, soybean protein, waxes, and mixtures thereof.