Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a polymer film having a multilayer structure, the multilayer structure comprising an inner polymer layer interposed between first and second outermost polymer layers, wherein the inner polymer layer comprises a melt blend of a starch containing polymer composition comprising polyethylene, thermoplastic starch, and one or more compatibilisers, a metallocene polyethylene, and polyethylene.

<CIT> discloses a laminated film including an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are composed of a resin composition comprising thermoplastic resin and rice. The middle layer is composed of resin composition including rice and a resin component composed of ethylene-α-olefin copolymers and propylene resin.

<CIT> discloses a biodegradable composition comprising a synthetic resin, a biodegradable granular filler such as natural starch and preferably a substance autoxidizable to yield a peroxide which attacks the carbon to carbon linkages in the resin.

This disclosure is directed to articles that are formed with biodegradable materials. It is to be understood that reference to "articles" herein means "film articles". In particular, the disclosure describes strength characteristics and biodegradability of the articles formed with the biodegradable materials. Processes to produce the articles with biodegradable materials are also described. The articles of the present invention are produced from a mixture of materials, the mixture comprising: a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the starch-based polymeric material being included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, the mixture of materials including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch, wherein the first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and the second starch is derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and polyethylene in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials; wherein the article has a dart drop impact test value as determined according to ASTM D1709 that is greater than: (i) a first dart drop impact test value of a first article including the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch, and (ii) a second dart drop impact test value of a second article including the polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch. Optionally, a compatibilizer can also be used to form the articles.

In an implementation, a process to produce an article can include providing polyethylene;.

The same reference numbers in different figures generally indicates similar or identical items.

The present disclosure is directed to, among other things, articles that are formed from biodegradable materials, as well as systems and processes to produce such articles. the articles of the present invention are produced from a mixture of materials, the mixture comprising: a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the starch-based polymeric material being included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, the mixture of materials including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch, wherein the first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and the second starch is derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and polyethylene in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials; wherein the article has a dart drop impact test value as determined according to ASTM D1709 that is greater than: (i) a first dart drop impact test value of a first article including the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch, and (ii) a second dart drop impact test value of a second article including the polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch. In an implementation, articles can be formed by providing polyethylene; providing one or more starch-based polymeric materials including a mixture of starches including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch; mixing the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric material to produce a mixture of materials, the mixture comprising the starch-based polymeric material in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials; and polyethylene in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials; heating the mixture of materials at a temperature included in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>; and producing a film that has a dart drop impact test value as determined according to ASTM D1709 that is greater than: (i) a first dart drop impact test value of a first film including the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch, and (ii) a second dart drop impact test value of a second film including the polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch using the mixture of materials, the film having a dart drop impact test value from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The articles described herein can be produced in the form of films, and bags which are made using blown film equipment along with other articles that are produced using injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and other plastic manufacturing processes. "Film," as used herein, refers to a thin continuous article that includes one or more polymeric materials that can be used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as a barrier, and/or as a printable surface. "Bag," as used herein, refers to a container made of a relatively thin, flexible film that can be used for containing and/or transporting goods.

The techniques and processes described herein can be implemented in a number of ways. Example implementations are provided below with reference to the following figures.

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> of manufacturing an article including biodegradable materials. At <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include providing polyethylene. In addition, at <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include providing a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the starch-based polymeric material being included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, the mixture of materials including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch, wherein the first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and the second starch is derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca. The one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be provided in a particular form, such as pellets, powders, nurdles, slurry, and/or liquids. In specific embodiments, pellets can be used.

In addition, providing the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include feeding the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials into an extruder. For example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be fed into one or more hoppers of an extruder. In some cases, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be fed into the extruder at approximately the same time. In other situations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and polyethylene can be fed into the extruder at different times. Furthermore, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be fed into a chamber of the extruder. In an implementation, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be fed into the same chamber of the extruder. In another implementation, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be fed into different chambers of the extruder.

In various embodiments, the petrochemical based polymeric materials can include an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), an ultra-low-molecular-weight polyethylene (ULMWPE), a high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a high-density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE), a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE), a medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or a very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE). In specific embodiments, the petrochemical-based polymeric materials can include a LLDPE. In some cases, a LLDPE can be formed using a metallocene catalyst.

The starch-based polymeric material includes a mixture of starches, the starch-based polymeric material being included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, the mixture of materials including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch, wherein the first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and the second starch is derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca. In some cases, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can also include a plasticizer. Additionally, an amount of water can be present in the one or more carbohydrate-based polymeric materials.

In an implementation, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of starches, at least about <NUM>% by weight of starches, at least about <NUM>% by weight of starches, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of starches. In addition, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of starches, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of starches, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of starches, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of starches. In an illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of starches. In another illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of starches.

The starch can be present in a mixture of starches at an amount of at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, or at least about <NUM>% by weight. In addition, a starch can be present in a mixture of starches at an amount no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight. In some embodiments, a starch can be present in a mixture of starches in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, or from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

The one or more starch-based polymeric materials includes a mixture of a first starch and a second starch. In these cases, the starch-based polymeric material can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. Additionally, the starch-based polymeric material can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In an illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In another illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In an additional illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In a further illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. Also, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch.

With regard to the second starch included in a starch-based material having a mixture of a first starch and a second starch, the starch-based polymeric material can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. Additionally, the starch-based polymeric material can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In an illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In another illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In an additional illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In a further illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. Also, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch.

In some implementations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include a mixture of a first starch, a second starch, and a third starch. For example, the starch-based polymeric material can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In addition, the starch-based polymeric material can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In an illustrative example, the starch-based material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In another illustrative example, the starch-based material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In an additional illustrative example, the starch-based material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. In a further illustrative example, the starch-based material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the first starch. Additionally, in a carbohydrate-based polymeric material that includes a mixture of a first starch, a second starch, and a third starch, the starch-based polymeric material can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In an implementation, the starch-based polymeric material can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In an illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In another illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch. In an additional illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second starch.

Further, when the starch-based polymeric material includes a mixture of a first starch, a second starch, and a third starch, the starch-based polymeric material can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch. In an implementation, the starch-based polymeric material can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch. In an illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch. In another illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch. In an additional illustrative example, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the third starch.

A plasticizer optionally included in the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerin, polyhydric alcohol plasticizers, hydrogen bond forming organic compounds which do not have a hydroxyl group, anhydrides of sugar alcohols, animal proteins, vegetable proteins, aliphatic acids, phthalate esters, dimethyl and diethylsuccinate and related esters, glycerol triacetate, glycerol mono and diacetates, glycerol mono, di, and tripropionates, butanoates, stearates, lactic acid esters, citric acid esters, adipic acid esters, stearic acid esters, oleic acid esters, other acid esters, or combinations thereof. In specific implementations, the one or more carbohydrate-based polymeric materials can include glycerin.

In an implementation, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer. Additionally, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer. In an illustrative example, the one or more starche-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer. In another illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer. In an additional illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer.

In some cases, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight water, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight water, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight water, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight water, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight water. Additionally, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight water, at least about <NUM>% by weight water, at least about <NUM>% by weight water, or at least about <NUM>% by weight water. In an illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight water. In another illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight water. In an additional illustrative example, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight water.

At <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes mixing the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials to produce a mixture of materials. In some cases, the mixing of the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based materials can be performed using one or more mixing devices. In a particular implementation, a mechanical mixing device can be used to mix the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials. In an implementation, at least a portion of the components of the mixture of the materials can be combined in an apparatus, such as an extruder. In other implementations, at least a portion of the components of the mixture of the materials can be combined before being fed into the extruder.

The starch-based polymeric material is included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials from which the article of the present invention is produced. In various implementations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can be present in the mixture of materials an amount at least about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the materials, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials Additionally, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials. In an additional illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the one or more starch-based polymeric materials.

The polyethylene is included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials. In some implementations, the mixture of materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene. In addition, the mixture of materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene. In an illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene.

In some cases, the mixture of materials can include a blend of polyethylene and a second petrochemical based polymeric material, where the second petrochemical-based polymeric material can be compostable. That is, in some cases, the second petrochemical-based polymeric material can be compostable according to the ASTM D6400 standard at the time of filing of this patent application.

To illustrate, the polyethylene can include a linear low density polyethylene. In some cases, the polyethylene may not be compostable according to the ASTM D6400 standard.

Furthermore, when the mixture of materials includes polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, the mixture of materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material. Also, when the mixture of materials includes polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, the mixture of materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material. In an illustrative example when the mixture of materials includes polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material. In another illustrative example when the mixture of materials includes polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material. In an additional illustrative example when the mixture of materials includes polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the second petrochemical-based polymeric material.

In some embodiments, a compatibilizer can also be present in the mixture of materials. In a particular implementation, a compatibilizer can be mixed with the polyethylene and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and be included in the mixture of materials. The compatibilizer can be a modified polyolefin, such as a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, a maleic anhydride grafted polybutene, or a combination thereof. The compatibilizer can also include an acrylate-based co-polymer. For example, the compatibilizer can include an ethylene methyl acrylate co-polymer, an ethylene butyl-acrylate co-polymer, or an ethylene ethyl acrylate co-polymer. Additionally, the compatibilizer can include a poly(vinyl acetate)-based compatibilizer.

In an implementation, the mixture of materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. Additionally, the mixture of materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In an illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In another illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In an additional illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer.

In other implementations, the mixture of materials can include at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, or at least about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In addition, the mixture of materials can include no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In an illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In another illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In an additional illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer. In a further illustrative example, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer.

Furthermore, other additives can be included in the mixture of materials. For example, additives that aid in the biodegradation of an article can be included in the mixture of materials, such as Restore® by Enso, EcoPure® by Bio-Tec Environmental, ECM Masterbatch Pellets™ by ECM Biofilms, or Biodegradable <NUM> and/or Biodegradable <NUM> BioSphere®. Also, other additives that improve strength characteristics of the article can be added to the mixture of materials. Additives such as Biomax® Strong from Dupont can be used. In various embodiments, one or more additives can be included in the mixture of materials in an amount of at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, at least about <NUM>% by weight, or at least about <NUM>% by weight. In further embodiments, one or more additives can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount of no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, no greater than about <NUM>% by weight, or no greater than about <NUM>% by weight. In an illustrative example, one or more additives can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. In another illustrative example, one or more additives can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. In an additional example, one or more additives can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. In a further illustrative example, one or more additives can be present in the mixture of materials in an amount from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

At <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes heating the mixture of materials. In the process of the present invention, the mixture of materials is heated at a temperature included in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In an additional illustrative example, the mixture of materials can be heated at a temperature from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The mixture of materials can be heated in one or more chambers of an extruder. In some cases, one or more chambers of the extruder can be heated at different temperatures. In other cases, one or more chambers of the extruder can be heated at substantially a same temperature. In various embodiments, the extruder can have at least one chamber, at least two chambers, at least three chambers, at least four chambers, at least five chambers, at least six chambers, at least seven chambers, at least eight chambers, at least nine chambers, or at least ten chambers. In other embodiments, the extruder can have one chamber, two chambers, three chambers, four chambers, five chambers, six chambers, seven chambers, eight chambers, nine chambers, or ten chambers. In further embodiments, the extruder can have less than three chambers, less than four chambers, less than five chambers, less than six chambers, less than seven chambers, less than eight chambers, less than nine chambers, or less than ten chambers.

The speed of one or more screws of the extruder can be at least about <NUM> rotations per minute (rpm), at least about <NUM> rpm, at least about <NUM> rpm, at least about <NUM> rpm, or at least about <NUM> rpm. Additionally, the speed of one or more screws of the extruder can be no greater than about <NUM> rpm, no greater than about <NUM> rpm, no greater than about <NUM> rpm, no greater than about <NUM> rpm, no greater than about <NUM> rpm, or no greater than about <NUM> rpm. In an illustrative example, the speed of one or more screws of the extruder can be from about <NUM> rpm to about <NUM> rpm. In another illustrative example, the speed of one or more screws of the extruder can be from about <NUM> rpm to about <NUM> rpm. In an additional illustrative example, the speed of one or more screws of the extruder can be from about <NUM> rpm to about <NUM> rpm.

At <NUM>, an article is produced using the mixture of materials. In some cases, the article can include a film. In other cases, the article can be formed from a film. In still additional situations, the article can have a shape based on a design, such as a mold. In some cases, when the article is a film, the film can be formed using a dye and injecting a gas into the heated mixture of material to form the film. The film can then be molded and/or modified to be in the form of a bag or other article.

The article has from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. In an illustrative example, the article can have from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. In some cases, the article can include a mixture of polyethylene and a second petrochemical-based polymeric material, where the second petrochemical-based polymeric material is compostable.

Additionally, the article has from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of one of more starch-based polymeric materials. In an illustrative example, the article can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials. In another illustrative example, the article can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials.

In embodiments where the article is a film, the film can be comprised of a single layer, in some cases, and multiple layers, in other cases. One or more layers of the film can have a thickness of at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, or at least about <NUM>. Additionally, when the article is a film, one or more layers of the film can have a thickness of no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, or no greater than about <NUM>. In an illustrative example, when the article is a film, one or more layers of the film can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In another illustrative example, when the article is a film, one or more layers of the film can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In an additional illustrative example, when the article is a film, one or more layers of the film can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In a further illustrative example, when the article is a film, one or more layers of the film can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The article can have strength characteristics that are characterized through testing, such as a dart drop impact test (ASTM D1709), tensile strength at break test (ASTM D882), tensile elongation at break test (ASTM D882), a secant modulus test (ASTM D882), and an Elmendorf Tear test (ASTM D1922). The article of the present invention has a dart drop impact test value as determined according to ASTM D1709 that is greater than: (i) a first dart drop impact test value of a first article including the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch, and (ii) a second dart drop impact test value of a second article including the polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch. In an implementation, the article can have a dart drop impact test value of at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, or at least about <NUM>. In another implementation, the article can have a dart drop impact test value of no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, or no greater than about <NUM>. In an illustrative implementation, the article can have a dart drop impact test value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In another illustrative implementation, the article can have a dart drop impact test value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In an additional illustrative example, the article can have a dart drop impact test value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In a further illustrative example, the article can have a dart drop impact test value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In an implementation, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the machine direction of at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another implementation, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the machine direction of no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In an illustrative example, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the machine direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another illustrative example, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the machine direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi).

In an implementation, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the transverse direction of at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another implementation, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the transverse direction of no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In an illustrative example, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another illustrative example, the article can have a tensile strength at break test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi).

In an implementation, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction of at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, or at least about <NUM>%. In another implementation, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction of no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, or no greater than about <NUM>%. In an illustrative example, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In another illustrative example, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

In an implementation, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the transverse direction of at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, or at least about <NUM>%. In another implementation, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the transverse direction of no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, no greater than about <NUM>%, or no greater than about <NUM>%. In an illustrative example, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In another illustrative example, the article can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

In an implementation, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the machine direction of at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), or at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In another implementation, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the machine direction of no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), or no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In an illustrative example, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the machine direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In another illustrative example, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the machine direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil).

In an implementation, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the transverse direction of at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), or at least about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In another implementation, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the transverse direction of no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil), or no greater than about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In an illustrative example, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In another illustrative example, the article can have an Elmendorf tear force test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil). In an implementation, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the machine direction of at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another implementation, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the machine direction of no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In an illustrative example, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the machine direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another illustrative example, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the machine direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi).

In an implementation, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the transverse direction of at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or at least about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In another implementation, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the transverse direction of no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi), or no greater than about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi). In an illustrative example, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi).

In another illustrative example, the article can have a secant modulus of elasticity test value in the transverse direction from about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi) to about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> kpsi).

The articles formed from a mixture of two or more starches have values of strength properties that are greater than articles formed from a single starch. For example, an article including a mixture of two or more starches can have a dart drop impact test value that is at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, or at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch. In another example, an article including a mixture of two or more starches can have a dart drop impact test value that is no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch, or no greater than at least about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch. In an illustrative example, an article including a mixture of two or more starches can have a dart drop impact test value that is from at least about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch. In another illustrative example, an article including a mixture of two or more starches can have a dart drop impact test value that is from at least about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% greater than an article including a single starch.

The article including a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of a first starch and a second starch has a strength test value that is greater than a strength test value of a first article including a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of a first starch and a second strength test value of a second article including a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprising the second starch. For example, an article including a starch-based polymeric material having a mixture of a first starch and a second starch has a dart drop impact test value that is greater than a first dart drop impact test value of a first article including a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch and a second dart drop impact test value of a second article including a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprising the second starch.

In further implementations, the article including a starch-based polymeric material having a mixture of a first starch and a second starch can have a strength test value that is greater than a strength test value of an article formed from polyethylene without the starch-based polymeric material. For example, an article including a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of a first starch and a second starch can have a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction that is greater than a tensile elongation at break test value in the machine direction of an article formed from polyethylene without the starch-based polymeric material.

In an implementation, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In another implementation, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In an additional implementation, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

The biomethane potential testing can determine the potential for anaerobic biodegradation based on methanogenesis as a percent of total methanogenesis potential. In some cases, the biomethane potential testing can be used to predict biodegradability of the tested samples according to the ASTM <NUM> standard and the biomethane potential testing can be conducted using one or more conditions from the ASTM <NUM> standard. For example, the biomethane potential testing can take place at a temperature of about <NUM>. Additionally, the biomethane potential testing can have some conditions that are different from those of ASTM <NUM>. In an implementation, the biomethane potential testing can utilize an inoculum having from about <NUM>% by weight water to about <NUM>% by weight water and from about <NUM>% by weight organic solids to about <NUM>% by weight organic solids. In a particular illustrative example, the inoculum used in biomethane potential testing can have about <NUM>% by weight water and about <NUM>% by weight organic solids. Biomethane potential testing can also take place at other temperatures, such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM> or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In various implementations, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test that is greater than an amount of the one or more carbohydrate based polymeric materials present in the article. For example, an amount of biodegradation of an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test that is from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% greater than the amount of the one or more starch-based polymeric materials present in the article.

In other implementations, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to substantially all of one or more starch-based polymeric materials can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. Further, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to substantially all of one or more starch-based polymeric materials can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In additional implementations, an article being substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to substantially all of one or more starch-based polymeric materials can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

In addition, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article having no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In another implementation, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article having no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In an additional implementation, when subjected to biodegradation testing, an article having no greater than about <NUM>% by weight of a biodegradation enhancing additive and having from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene can have an amount of biodegradation after <NUM> days of testing under a biomethane potential test from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In various situations, biodegradation test values can also be determined using ASTM standards, such as ASTM D6400, ASTM D5338, ASTM <NUM>, ASTM <NUM>, ASTM D7475, or ASTM <NUM>.

In addition, an article can be subjected to compostability testing. Compostability of articles can be performed in accordance with the ASTM D6400 test at the time of filing of this patent application. In some cases, phytotoxicity corresponding to the biodegradation of articles can be measured, biodegradation of articles can be measured, an elemental/metals analysis with regard to the articles can be performed, or a combination thereof.

Articles produced using the process <NUM> can pass the phytotoxicity component of the ASTM D6400 test. For example, a biomass in which the article has at least partially degraded can be used to germinate plant seeds, such as cucumber seeds and/or soybean seeds. The length of the germinated plant seeds can be measured and compared to a threshold length to determine if the article passes the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test. In a particular implementation, a length of a cucumber seed germinated in a biomass of an article produced according to the process <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Additionally, a length of a soybean seed germinated in a biomass of an article produced according to the process <NUM> can be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

As part of the elemental analysis component of the ASTM D6400 test, an analysis of elements included in a biomass of articles produced using the process <NUM> can be performed. For example, amounts of at least the following elements can be measured: arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, and zinc. The amounts measured for each of the elements can be compared to a threshold amount to determine whether the sample passed the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test for the respective elements.

Also, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be measured and can be at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, or at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In addition, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, or no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In an illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In another illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In an additional illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. Additionally, when subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, or at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, or at least about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. Further, when subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions, or no greater than about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In an illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In another illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In an additional illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In a further illustrative example, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In some instances, when articles produced according to the process <NUM> are subjected to compostability testing under the ASTM D6400 standard, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days with respect to the theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions can be greater than the portion of the theoretical maximum amount of CO<NUM> that can be attributed to an amount of a starch-based polymeric material included in the articles. Thus, an amount of the CO<NUM> emitted in the chamber after <NUM> days can be attributed to an amount of a non-compostable petrochemical-based polymeric material under the ASTM D6400 standard.

Although <FIG> illustrates one illustrative example of certain steps of a process usable for producing an article as disclosed herein, it is to be appreciated that the configuration and inclusion of certain steps shown in <FIG> is only one example.

<FIG> illustrates components of an example manufacturing system <NUM> to produce articles including biodegradable materials. In some cases, the manufacturing system <NUM> can be used in the process <NUM> of <FIG>. In an illustrative example, the manufacturing system <NUM> is an extruder, such as a single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder.

In an implementation, polyethylene and one or more starch-based polymeric materials are provided via a first hopper <NUM> and a second hopper <NUM>. The one or more starch-based materials includes an amount of a first starch and an amount of a second starch. The first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca and the second starch is be derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca. Furthermore, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include an amount of a third starch that is different from the first starch and the second starch. In some implementations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include one or more plasticizers.

The one or more starch-based polymeric materials and the polyethylene can be mixed in a first chamber <NUM> to produce a mixture of materials. In some cases, the mixture of materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the one or more starch-based polymeric materials, from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the polyethylene, and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the one or more compatibilizers.

In the example implementation shown in <FIG>, the mixture of materials can pass through a number of chambers, such as the first chamber <NUM>, a second chamber <NUM>, a third chamber <NUM>, a fourth chamber <NUM>, a fifth chamber <NUM>, and an optional sixth chamber <NUM>. The mixture of materials can be heated in the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some cases, a temperature of one of the chambers can be different from a temperature of another one of the chambers. In an illustrative example, the first chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>; the second chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>; the third chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>; the fourth chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>; the fifth chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>; and the optional sixth chamber <NUM> is heated at a temperature between about <NUM> and about <NUM>.

The heated mixture can then be extruded using a dye <NUM> to form an extruded object, such as a film. A gas can be injected into the extruded object to expand it with a pressure between about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> bar) and about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> bar). The resulting tube <NUM> can be drawn up through rollers <NUM> to create a film <NUM> with a thickness between about <NUM> and <NUM>. In some cases, the film <NUM> can be comprised of a single layer. In other cases, the film <NUM> can be comprised of multiple layers For example, the film <NUM> can be comprised of at least <NUM> layers, at least <NUM> layers, or at least <NUM> layers. Additionally, the film <NUM> can be comprised of no greater than about <NUM> layers, no greater than about <NUM> layers, or no greater than about <NUM> layers. Optionally, the film <NUM> can be formed into one or more bags. A bag formed from the film <NUM> can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The bag can also include a cavity for holding items. In a particular implementation, a cavity of a bag formed from the film <NUM> can have a volume of at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, at least about <NUM>, or at least about <NUM>. Additionally, a cavity of a bag formed from the film <NUM> can have a volume no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>, no greater than about <NUM>. In an illustrative example, a cavity of a bag formed from the film <NUM> can have a volume from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In another illustrative example, a cavity of a bag formed from the film <NUM> can have a volume from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In an implementation, the film <NUM> is formed from a starch-based polymeric material. The starch-based polymeric material includes a mixture of starches. In some cases, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of starches. Additionally, the starch-based polymeric material can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a plasticizer, such as glycerin. The starch-based polymeric material can also include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight water.

In one example, the film <NUM> can be formed from a starch-based polymeric material that has from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a first starch, from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a second starch, and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a third starch. In an illustrative example, the first starch can include potato starch, the second starch can include corn starch, and the third starch can include tapioca starch. In another illustrative example, the first starch can include tapioca starch, the second starch can include corn starch, and the third starch can include potato starch. In an additional illustrative example, the first starch can include tapioca starch, the second starch can include potato starch, and the third starch can include corn starch.

In other implementations, the film <NUM> can be formed from a starch-based polymeric material that has from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a first starch, from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a second starch, and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a third starch. In an illustrative example, the first starch can include corn starch, the second starch can include potato starch, and the third starch can include tapioca starch.

In various implementations, the film <NUM> can be formed from a starch-based polymeric material that has from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a first starch and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a second starch. In an illustrative example, the first starch can include corn starch and the second starch can include potato starch or tapioca starch. In another illustrative example, the first starch can include potato starch and the second starch can include corn starch or tapioca starch. In an additional illustrative example, the first starch can include tapioca starch and the second starch can include corn starch or potato starch.

In addition to the starch-based polymeric material, the film <NUM> is formed from polyethylene. In an implementation, the film <NUM> can be formed from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the starch-based polymeric material and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. Furthermore, the film <NUM> can be formed from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer, such as a maleic anhydride-based compatibilizer.

Where the film <NUM> is formed from polyethylene and a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the film <NUM> can have a dart drop impact test value from about <NUM> to about <NUM> or from <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The film <NUM> includes a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, wherein the film <NUM> has a dart drop impact test value that is greater than a dart drop impact test value of a film including a starch-based polymeric material comprised of a single one of the starches in the mixture of starches. For example, in addition to including an amount of a polyethylene, the film <NUM> includes an amount of a starch-based polymeric material, such as an amount of a starch-based polymeric material having a mixture of a first starch and a second starch. In these cases, the film <NUM> has a dart drop impact test value that is greater than a dart drop impact test value of a first article including the amount of the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch. The film <NUM> also has a dart drop impact test value that is greater than a dart drop impact test value of a second article including the amount of polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch. When the film <NUM> includes a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of the first starch, the second starch, and a third starch, the film <NUM> can have a dart drop impact test value that is greater than a dart drop impact test value of a third article including the amount of the polyethylene and a third starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the third starch.

The amount of the first starch included in the first article, the amount of the second starch included in the second article, and/or the amount of the third starch included in the third article can be approximately the same as the amount of the starch-based polymeric material including the mixture of starches included in the film <NUM>. To illustrate, when the film <NUM> includes about <NUM>% by weight of the starch-based polymeric content that includes a mixture of starches, the first article, the second article, and/or the third article can include about <NUM>% by weight of the single starch. Thus, the amount of polyethylene included in the film <NUM> and the first article, the second article, and the third article is approximately the same and the total amount of the starch-based polymeric content included in the film <NUM> and the first article, the second article, and the third article is approximately the same. Additionally, other components of the film <NUM>, the first article, the second article, and the third article, such as a compatibilizer, can also be approximately the same. In these situations, the film <NUM> differs from the first article, the second article, and the third article because the starch-based polymeric content of the film <NUM> is comprised of multiple starches, while the starch-based polymeric content of the first article, the second article, and the third article is comprised of a single starch.

Also, the film <NUM> can have a tensile elongation at break value in the machine direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% and a tensile elongation at break value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. In particular, the film <NUM> can have a tensile elongation at break in the machine direction that is greater than a tensile elongation at break value in the machine direction of an article that is formed from polyethylene and free of starch-based polymeric materials. Furthermore, in implementations where the film <NUM> is formed from polyethylene and a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the film <NUM> can have an Elmendorf tear force value in the machine direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) and an Elmendorf tear force value in the transverse direction from about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil) to about <NUM>/mm (<NUM>/mil).

In a particular implementation, the film <NUM> can be substantially free of an additive to enhance biodegradation and be formed from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. In these situations, the film <NUM> can have biodegradation from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% according to biomethane potential testing after <NUM> days. In addition, after <NUM> days the film <NUM> can have biodegradation from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% according to biomethane potential testing. Further, after <NUM> days, the film <NUM> can have biodegradation from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% according to biomethane potential testing.

In a particular implementation, the film <NUM> can include a starch-based polymeric material including a first starch and a second starch and polyethylene where an amount of polymeric content that biodegrades after <NUM> days measured according to biomethane potential testing is greater than an amount of the first starch and the second starch. In some cases, substantially all of the starch-based polymeric material biodegrades after <NUM> days as measured according to biomethane potential testing. Further, an amount of biodegradation of the film <NUM> after <NUM> days measured according to biomethane potential testing can be from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% greater than an amount of the starch-based polymeric material. In addition, an amount of polymeric content that biodegrades after <NUM> days measured according to biomethane potential testing can be from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. Also, an amount of polymeric content that biodegrades after <NUM> days measured according to biomethane potential testing can be from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. In various implementations, the film <NUM> can be substantially free of a biodegradation enhancing additive, while in other implementations, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a biodegradation enhancing additive.

Additionally, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials or from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials. Also, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene or from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. In some cases, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a compatibilizer or from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the compatibilizer.

In a particular implementation, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene. In an illustrative implementation, the film <NUM> can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the one or more starch-based polymeric materials and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of polyethylene The one or more starch-based polymeric materials includes a first starch and a second starch and the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a first starch and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a second starch. In other implementations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a first starch and from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a second starch. In various implementations, the one or more starch-based polymeric materials can include a third starch and the third starch can comprise from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the one or more starch-based polymeric materials. Furthermore, the film <NUM> can be subjected to compostability testing under ASTM D6400 at the time of filing this patent application. In an implementation, the film <NUM> can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; have a composition including: from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, an amount of polyethylene from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, an amount of a compatibilizer from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and be substantially free of an additive to enhance biodegradation; and when the film <NUM> is subjected to compostability testing under ASTM D6400, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In another implementation, the film <NUM> can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; have a composition including: from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, an amount of polyethylene from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, an amount of a compatibilizer from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and an amount of an additive to enhance biodegradation from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight; and when the film <NUM> is subjected to compostability testing under ASTM D6400, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions.

In an additional implementation, the film <NUM> can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; have a composition including: from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, an amount of polyethylene from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, an amount of a compatibilizer from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and be substantially free of an additive to enhance biodegradation; and when the film <NUM> is subjected to compostability testing under ASTM D6400, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions. In a further implementation, the film <NUM> can have a thickness from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; have a composition including: from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, an amount of polyethylene from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, an amount of a compatibilizer from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and an amount of an additive to enhance biodegradation from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight; and when the film <NUM> is subjected to compostability testing under ASTM D6400, an amount of CO<NUM> emitted in the test chamber after <NUM> days can be from about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions to about <NUM>% of theoretical maximum CO<NUM> emissions.

Other architectures can be used to implement the described functionality, and are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, although specific distributions of responsibilities are defined above for purposes of discussion, the various functions and responsibilities might be distributed and divided in different ways, depending on circumstances.

The concepts described herein will be further described in the following examples with reference to the following figures, which do not limit the scope of the disclosure described in the claims.

A starch-based polymer containing <NUM>% tallow glycerin (<NUM>% pure glycerin), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water was mixed with LLDPE and anhydride-modified LLDPE in proportions of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%, respectively, by weight. Eleven samples were prepared and blown into films. The temperature settings of the extruder used are shown in Table <NUM>. B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5 refer to temperature settings at different locations of the barrel of the extruder and AD1, D1, and D2 refer to the temperature settings at different locations in the die section of the extruder.

The extruder blow settings are shown in Table <NUM>.

The resulting films contained <NUM>% glycerin, <NUM>% starch, <NUM>% LLDPE, and <NUM>% anhydride-modified LLDPE. The films then were tested using a falling dart impact test according to ASTM D1709. The strength test results of these tests are shown in Table <NUM>.

A starch-based polymer containing <NUM>% tallow glycerin (<NUM>% pure glycerin), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water was mixed with LLDPE and anhydride-modified LLDPE in proportions of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%, respectively, by weight. Two samples were prepared and blown into films. The temperature settings of the extruder used are shown in Table <NUM>.

In order to test the strength characteristics of various combinations of starch, <NUM> starch-based polymers containing <NUM>% tallow glycerin (<NUM>% pure glycerin), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water were mixed with LLDPE and anhydride-modified LLDPE in proportions of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%, respectively, by weight. The resulting mixtures were then extruded and blown into films. The resulting films contained <NUM>% glycerin, <NUM>% starch, <NUM>% LLDPE, and <NUM>% anhydride-modified LLDPE. The films were then tested using a falling dart drop impact test according to ASTM D1709. The combinations of starches tested and strength test results are shown in Table <NUM>. As can be seen from the results shown in Table <NUM>, samples formed from a mixture of starches have a dart drop impact test value that is greater than the dart drop impact test value of samples formed from a single starch.

Using the same protocols as described in Example <NUM>, <NUM> combinations of starches were tested. Specifically, <NUM> starch-based polymers containing <NUM>% tallow glycerin (<NUM>% pure glycerin), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water were mixed with LLDPE and anhydride-modified LLDPE in proportions of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%, respectively, by weight. The resulting mixtures were then extruded and blown into films. The resulting films contained <NUM>% glycerin, <NUM>% starch, <NUM>% LLDPE, and <NUM>% anhydride-modified LLDPE. The films were then tested using a falling dart impact test according to ASTM D1709. The combinations of starches tested and strength test results are shown in Table <NUM>. As with the results shown in Table <NUM>, the results of Table <NUM> show that samples formed from a mixture of starches have dart drop impact test values that are greater than the dart drop impact test values of samples formed from a single starch.

A starch-based polymer containing <NUM>% tallow glycerin (<NUM>% pure glycerin), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water was mixed with LLDPE and anhydride-modified LLDPE in proportions of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%, respectively, by weight. The starch was a blend of <NUM>% corn starch and <NUM>% potato starch, by weight. The resulting mixture was then extruded and blown into a film. The resulting film contained <NUM>% glycerin, <NUM>% starch, <NUM>% LLDPE, and <NUM>% anhydride-modified LLDPE. For comparison purposes, a second film containing <NUM>% LLDPE was also prepared. Using a variety of testing methods a number of strength characteristics were tested, the results of which are shown in Table <NUM>. In table <NUM>, transverse directions is abbreviated (TD) and machine directions is abbreviated (MD). The results shown in Table <NUM> indicate that the sample formed from the starch-based polymer blend has values for some of the strength tests that are greater than the values for some of strength tests performed with respect to the LLDPE sample.

Seven samples were tested for <NUM> days to determine biodegradability characteristics using biomethane potential testing, to determine the potential for anaerobic biodegradation based on methanogenesis as a percent of total methanogenesis potential. The biomethane potential test was intended to replicate the conditions of a full-scale anaerobic digester (landfill). The biomethane potential test was conducted at a temperature of about <NUM> using an inoculum having about <NUM>% by weight water and about <NUM>% by weight organic solids. The positive control sample was cellulose and the negative control sample was untreated polyethylene. The results of four samples (referred to as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) are shown in <FIG> and in Table <NUM>.

The results of biomethane potential testing for samples <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, and Table <NUM>.

The content and form of the samples tested can be found in Table <NUM>. The starch-based polymer material included <NUM>% glycerin (<NUM>% pure), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water. "Ecoflex" refers to the Ecoflex® plastic product from BASF.

Seven samples were tested for <NUM> days to determine biodegradability characteristics using biomethane potential testing conducted at a temperature of about <NUM> using an inoculum having about <NUM>% by weight water and about <NUM>% by weight organic solids, to determine the potential for anaerobic biodegradation based on methanogenesis as a percent of total methanogenesis potential. The positive control sample was cellulose and the negative control sample was untreated polyethylene. The results of sample numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (compositions shown in Table <NUM>) are shown in <FIG> and in Table <NUM>.

The biomethane potential testing results of sample numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (compositions shown in Table <NUM>) are shown in <FIG> and in Table <NUM>.

A film was tested for <NUM> days to determine biodegradability characteristics using biomethane potential testing conducted at a temperature of about <NUM> using an inoculum having about <NUM>% by weight water and about <NUM>% by weight organic solids, to determine the potential for anaerobic biodegradation based on methanogenesis as a percent of total methanogenesis potential. The positive control sample was cellulose and the negative control sample was untreated polyethylene. The film contained <NUM>% starch-based polymer material (containing <NUM>% glycerin (<NUM>% pure), <NUM>% starch, and <<NUM>% water); <NUM>% biosphere additive; <NUM>% Maleic Anhydride compatibilizer; and <NUM>% modified LLDPE. The results of the biomethane potential testing of sample number <NUM> are shown in <FIG> and in Table <NUM>.

Eight samples (sample numbers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>; compositions shown in Examples <NUM> and <NUM>) were tested for <NUM> days to determine biodegradability characteristics using biomethane potential testing conducted at a temperature of about <NUM> using an inoculum having about <NUM>% by weight water and about <NUM>% by weight organic solids, to determine the potential for anaerobic biodegradation based on methanogenesis as a percent of total methanogenesis potential. The positive control sample was cellulose and the negative control sample was untreated polyethylene. The results are shown in Table <NUM>. The results shown in Table <NUM> indicate that samples formed from a mixture of a starch-based polymer and a polyolefin based polymer biodegrades an amount that is greater than the amount of the starch-based polymer. In some cases, the sample that biodegraded more than an amount of the starch-based polymer present was free of a biodegradation enhancing additive.

Four samples (sample numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) were tested for compostability using the ASTM D6400 standard at the time of filing of this patent application. The ASTM D6400 standard specifies a phytotoxicity testing procedure, indicates that the biodegradation of articles is to be measured according to the ASTM D5338-<NUM> test, and that an elemental analysis is to utilize Table <NUM> of <NUM> C. Part <NUM>. The compositions of the samples and the biodegradation portion of the compostability test results are shown in Table <NUM>. The starch-based polymeric material was a blend of starches including <NUM>% corn starch and <NUM>% potato starch. The first petrochemical-based polymeric material was a linear low-density polyethylene produced using a metallocene catalyst. The compatibilizer for samples <NUM> and <NUM> was a Bynel® compatibilizer from DuPont® and the compatibilizer for samples <NUM> and <NUM> was an Amplify™ compatibilizer from Dow®. The biodegradation enhancing additive for samples <NUM> and <NUM> was from Biosphere® and the biodegradation enhancing additive for sample <NUM> was from ENSO. The second petrochemical-based polymeric material was ecoflex® from BASF, which is a fossil raw materials-based plastic that is compostable according to the ASTM D6400 standard. The <NUM> day biodegradability results indicated the test chamber carbon dioxide measurement as a percentage of a theoretical maximum amount of carbon dioxide for the sample after <NUM> days. The <NUM> day biodegradability results indicated the test chamber carbon dioxide measurement as a percentage of a theoretical maximum amount of carbon dioxide after <NUM> days. <FIG> shows the results of the biodegradation portion of the ASTM D6400 test performed according to ASTM D5338 for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the biodegradation portion of the ASTM D6400 test performed according to ASTM D5338 for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the biodegradation portion of the ASTM D6400 test performed according to ASTM D5338 for sample <NUM> and <FIG> shows the results of the biodegradation portion of the ASTM D6400 test performed according to ASTM D5338 for sample <NUM>. The results of the biodegradation portion of the ASTM D6400 test indicate that, after <NUM> days, an amount of first petrochemical-based polymeric material in samples <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> has degraded partially because the amount of carbon dioxide measured in the test chamber is greater than the percentage of the starch-based polymeric material included in these samples. Thus, at least a portion of the remainder of the carbon dioxide emissions is due to the degradation of the first petrochemical-based polymeric material. This observations includes sample <NUM>, which is free of a biodegradation enhancing additive.

<FIG> shows the results of the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test for sample <NUM>. Passing the phytotoxicity portion of the ASTM D6400 test indicates that the linear low density polyethylene included in the samples was being degraded without the production of harmful byproducts.

<FIG> shows the results of the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test based on Table <NUM> of <NUM> C. Part <NUM> for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test based on Table <NUM> of <NUM> C. Part <NUM> for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test based on Table <NUM> of <NUM> C. Part <NUM> for sample <NUM>. <FIG> shows the results of the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test for sample <NUM>. The results for the elemental analysis portion of the ASTM D6400 test based on Table <NUM> of <NUM> C. Part <NUM> also indicate the absence of harmful byproducts as the samples degraded.

Claim 1:
A film article produced from a mixture of materials, the mixture comprising:
a starch-based polymeric material including a mixture of starches, the starch-based polymeric material being included in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials, the mixture of materials including a first amount of a first starch and a second amount of a second starch, wherein the first starch is derived from one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and the second starch is derived from a different one of potato, corn, or tapioca; and
polyethylene in an amount of <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the mixture of materials;
wherein the film article has a dart drop impact test value as determined according to ASTM D1709 that is greater than: (i) a first dart drop impact test value of a first film article including the polyethylene and a first starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the first starch, and (ii) a second dart drop impact test value of a second film article including the polyethylene and a second starch-based polymeric material including a single starch comprised of the second starch.