Patent ID: 8435614

Claim:
A solid biodegradable article prepared by the process comprising the steps of: a) providing hydrated wheat gluten in the form of a cohesive, elastic dough wherein the cohesive, elastic dough consists essentially of at least 8% by weight wheat gluten and wherein the wheat gluten comprises a protein having a primary structure and wherein the cohesive, elastic dough does not comprise plasticizer other than water; b) forming the cohesive, elastic dough into a shaped article; and c) placing the shaped article in an environment sufficient to remove excess water from the shaped article without modifying the primary structure of the wheat gluten protein, d) forming the article by: 1. flattening the cohesive, elastic dough; 2. positioning the flattened dough in a mold having a male portion and a female portion; and 3. compressing the flattened dough in the mold to form a shaped article; e) exposing the molded dough to a temperature of less than 25° C.; wherein the biodegradable article consists essentially of at least 8% by weight wheat gluten.