FOAMED STARCH COMPOSITIONS, ARTICLES AND METHODS

摘要

Articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a starchbound cellular matrix (8) reinforced with substantially uniformly dispersed fibers (21) and methods for manufacturing the articles. High strength articles that have adequate flexibility and toughness immediately or very shortly after being demolded without the need for subsequent conditioning are molded from compositions having a starch-based binder and fibers (21) that are uniformly dispersed by means of a high yield stress fluid fraction within the starchbased composition. Such articles can replace articles presently made from conventional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or other organic-based materials and have special utility in the mass-production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.