Thomas R Christie

US Patent:

8445604, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Nov 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/948204

Inventors:

Wei Li - Mason OH, US
Richard A Tedford - Loveland OH, US
Bruce J Thoman - Lebanon OH, US
Thomas Robert Christie - Milford OH, US

Assignee:

International Paper Company - Memphis TN

International Classification:

C08G 63/00

US Classification:

525437, 22059217, 22059228, 428480, 525 542, 525 5424, 525410, 525411, 525415, 525418, 525419, 525450

Abstract:

The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Tvalue of up to about 160 C. (e. g. , in the range of from about 50 to about 150 C. ); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150 C. (for example, up to about 120 C. ); and (c) optionally, a Tin the range of from about 70 to about 160 C. (e. g. , in the range of from about 80 to about 150 C. ). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.

US Patent:

20090274920, Nov 5, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/434819

Inventors:

Wei Li - Mason OH, US
Zheng Tan - Mason OH, US
Thomas Robert Christie - Batavia OH, US
Bruce J. Thoman - Lebanon OH, US
Richard A. Tedford - Loveland OH, US
Mark Fagan - Loveland OH, US

Assignee:

International Paper Company - Memphis TN

International Classification:

B32B 27/06
B29C 47/00
B29C 47/88

US Classification:

428481, 2641761, 26421112, 2642101

Abstract:

The present invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition useful for manufacturing biodegradable in which, the process comprising: (1) providing a renewable polymer and/or natural fiber having: (a) a Tvalue of up to about 90 C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90 C.; (2) providing a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Tof greater than about 60 C.; and (b) a heat distortion index greater than about 50 C., wherein the Tvalue and heat distortion index of the heat-resistant polymer is greater than that of the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber; and (3) coextruding the heat-resistant polymer and the renewable polymer to provide a thermoformable composite comprising a core comprising the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber, wherein the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber comprises at least about 50% by weight of the composite and a heat-resistant outer layer comprising the heat-resistant polymer which substantially surrounds the core.

US Patent:

20140091490, Apr 3, 2014

Filed:

Oct 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644252

Inventors:

- Memphis TN, US
Ganesan Kumar - Loveland OH, US
Thomas Christie - Milford OH, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY - MEMPHIS TN

International Classification:

C08J 5/00

US Classification:

264138, 264234, 2642101

Abstract:

A process for thermoforming a discrete section of an amorphous pliable thermoplastic sheet in a temperature-controlled thermoforming mold to provide a discrete thermoformed section having one or more discrete shaped articles formed therein and to heat the shaped articles to a temperature below the Tbut above the Tof the polylactic acid polymer in the sheet to induce crystallization of the polylactic acid polymer in the shaped articles. While unconstrained by the thermoforming mold, the discrete thermoformed section is tempered at a temperature such that the polylactic acid polymer in the shaped articles achieves a degree of crystallization of at least about 5% (as measured by X-ray diffraction) to thereby increase heat resistance of the shaped articles.