Patent ID: 6200404
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B05B,B28B,B29C,B29K,B32B,B65D,C04B,C08J,C08L,Y02W,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a starch-bound sheet comprising the steps of:(a) providing a starch-based mixture including water, initially ungelatinized starch granules, and an auxiliary water-dispersible organic polymer that is capable of reducing adhesion between the starch-based mixture and heated forming rollers upon gelatinization of the starch granules;(b) forming the starch-based mixture into an initial green sheet by passing the mixture between at least one set of heated forming rollers having a temperature such that a portion of the auiliy water-dispersible organic polymer forms a layer of reduced adhesion on the outer surfaces of the initial green sheet in order to prevent substantial adhesion of the starch-based mixture to the forming rollers upon gelatinization of the starch granules;(c) heating the initial green sheet to cause at least a portion of the starch granules to become gelatinized in order to form an intermediate green sheet; and(d) removing at least a portion of the water from the intermediate green sheet by evaporation so as to form a starch-bound sheet having a binding matrix that includes a mixture of substantially dried starch and auxiliary water-dispersible organic polymer.