DE202012101536U1 - Utility article made of biodegradable plastic, in particular for use as outdoor tableware - Google Patents

Abstract

A commodity made of biodegradable plastic, the commodity being used in particular as outdoor tableware, and having a base body (1) made of biodegradable plastic which is at least partially provided with a water-soluble swelling layer (2) which supplies moisture to the base body (1).

Description

The invention relates to a commodity made of biodegradable plastic, wherein the commodity finds particular use as outdoor crockery.

With globalization around the world, the problem is that tourism and the use of petroleum-based plastics cause large-scale pollution of landscapes and oceans through non-degradable plastic waste. The commodities described here, in particular the combination outdoor harness described here for travel and leisure, should be made of compostable, non-toxic, food-grade bio-plastic using renewable raw materials. However, it is also possible to make other commodities from the biodegradable plastic.

There are numerous known solutions for the manufacture of articles made of biodegradable plastic.

From the printed materials DE 43 27 024 A1 are known thermoplastically processable aliphatic polyester amides that are biodegradable (compostable). These contain aliphatic ester and aliphatic amide structures and melting points of at least 75 ° C; the proportion by weight of the ester structures is between 30 and 70%, the proportion of amide structures between 70 and 30%. They can be used for the production of films and moldings.

Similar solutions using polyester amides are disclosed in the references DE 195 00 757 A1 . DE 195 00 756 A1 . DE 195 00 755 A1 . DE 195 00 754 A1 and DE 197 53 534 A1 described in which also based on polyester thermosets biodegradable moldings are produced.

In the publication DE 195 29 410 A1 a solution for the production of biodegradable thermoplastic fibers, films, membranes and other moldings is set forth in which biodegradable polysaccharide ether esters, such as. B. cellulose ether or starch ether esters, and the production of such Mischpfropfpolymerisate of polysaccharides, epoxides and dicarboxylic anhydrides and their processing are processed with the addition of plasticizers and / or after admixing of other biodegradable polymers.

The disadvantage of these solutions is that the process up to the beginning of biodegradation (rotting process) is very tedious and can be insufficiently influenced.

In DE 102 58 680 B4 For example, a method for producing a composite material in which a biodegradable plastic substrate is coated on at least one surface with at least one barrier layer is known. The barrier layer is deposited by chemical vapor deposition, using a pulsed plasma with a duty cycle of 0.01% to 10% and the plasma is generated by irradiation of time-modulated electromagnetic energy pulses, wherein the time modulation of the electromagnetic energy pulses to generate the Plasmas rectangular and / or triangular pulses are generated. This solution is relatively expensive and a barrier layer has a negative effect on the beginning of the rotting process.

A method for the production of moldings, in particular packaging bodies, with a barrier layer of biodegradable material is also out EP 0 850 270 B1 known. For this purpose, a viscous mass of biological fiber material, water and starch is baked in a baking pan and the molded body produced therewith impregnated with a biodegradable hydrophobic surface layer of plasticizer-free cellulose acetate and / or cellulose acetate propionate provided. In this variant, it is to be expected that the rotting process occurs very quickly, so that a repeated use of the moldings is not possible.

From the publication DE 198 02 718 C2 For example, compostable thermoplastic polymer blends and compositions are known which contain renewable raw materials and thermoplastic degradable polymers based on synthetic or natural raw materials. The thermoplastic polymer blends can be processed by the usual methods of the plastics processing industry for example films, bottles, trays, food trays for the sale of fast food products, sales or frozen packaging and injection molded products. These biodegradable articles are biodegradable or compostable according to the proposed standard DIN 54900 or OK Compost Certificate or ASTM D 5338 , These products can be coated with a waterproof paper tape, so that moist, greasy or hot goods can be easily placed in the serving bowls without softening the serving bowls.

A plastic laminate of several layers of plastic and another layer of biodegradable polyesteramides starch derivative is from the US 6,322,899 B1 known. This material is used as a container for packaging Shaped food (vessels, cans or cups). The production is relatively expensive.

The object of the invention is to develop a commodity from biodegradable plastic, which is used in particular as outdoor crockery application, which has high utility properties and can be used not only as a disposable product, but for a multiple use.

This object is achieved with the features of the first protection claim. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

The consumer goods according to the invention consist of biodegradable plastic, are used in particular as outdoor crockery application and have a base body of biodegradable plastic, which is at least partially provided with a water-soluble and the body moisture-supplying layer.

The articles of daily use or the outdoor harness described here, which is used in particular for travel and leisure, should preferably be made of compostable, non-toxic, food-grade bio-plastic using renewable raw materials to avoid that when leaving in the countryside and after the end of use (Disposal) Organisms in the soil and the landscape are damaged. Soil fertility is preserved. The fact that the water-soluble swelling layer after a certain time the moisture supply to the body, the decomposition and organic decomposition is set in motion. The water-soluble swelling layer consists of biopolymers, which are also biodegradable.

The building blocks of the biodegradable biopolymer of the swelling layer preferably consist of compounds or modified metabolic compounds in the form of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol, alginate, hyaluronic acid or combinations thereof.

By decreasing the water solubility of the biodegradable biopolymer with chain length, the onset of the rotting process can be adjusted over the chain length.

The natural crosslinking of the biodegradable biopolymers can be increased by addition of chemical catalysts and / or irradiation with short-wave light (preferably UV light).

The biodegradable biopolymers dissolved in water are applied to the base body in the form of a layer or a film, wherein the final cross-linking of the biodegradable biopolymers dissolved in water takes place after their application to the base body. The layer thus formed is highly tough and highly water resistant, but not waterproof.

• – durch die Kettenlängen der Polymere und/oder
• – Menge des Lösungsmittels (Wasser) und/oder
• – Zugabe chemischer Katalysatoren und/oder
• – Temperaturbehandlung beim Auftragen und Vernetzen und/oder
• – Kontrolle der Luftfeuchte während der Vernetzung und/oder
• – durch Bestrahlung mit kurzwelligem Licht.

The properties of the layer in the form of toughness and water resistance can be adjusted in particular as follows:

• - By the chain lengths of the polymers and / or
• - amount of the solvent (water) and / or
• - Addition of chemical catalysts and / or
• - Temperature treatment during application and crosslinking and / or
• - Control of humidity during networking and / or
• - by irradiation with short-wave light.

The utensil may be at least partially provided with an individual protective decorative layer which protects the underlying swelling layer and the base body and supplies water after a certain time. The decorative layer may extend over the areas that are provided with the swelling layer but also over the areas that have no swelling layer. The utensils should be provided at least on their visible areas with a decorative layer.

In addition, the commodity may at least partially have a final film or coating, by which food substances and / or color pigments do not adhere.

Preferably, the utensil or the Qutdoor dishes is designed as a vessel for receiving food and / or drinks, the vessel having a cover and can be combined with other commodities in the form of a lid and / or at least one plate and / or cutlery.

In this case, the vessel and / or the lid and / or the plate on a rounded edge region. The lid is advantageously cupped and usable as a dish or plate and releasably connectable to the vessel.

The combination harness (container, lid, plate .....) receives additional functional properties, such as a meal to be prepared with water.

There are many outdoor applications and travel provisions.

The consumer goods according to the invention are thus versatile. A particularly advantageous field of application is the use as outdoor dishes. The dishes then preferably consists of 3 parts in the form of plate, (drinking and dining) vessel for food and / or drinks. The vessel (combination food and drinks container) has a handle, a straight upright substantially vertically upwards side shape and can be offered in different volumes and sizes (eg.: 150/250/400 ml). An attached lid with an edge that can be used as a shell at the same time, closes the vessel from above. Alternatively, it is also possible to close the vessel by a film. The connection of the lid to the base body is preferably designed by a detachable connection. When leaving the objects in the landscape and after the end of use (disposal) organisms in soil and landscape must not be damaged. For this it is necessary to initiate natural decomposition processes with microorganisms in air and soil, which as a result produce a non-toxic end product. Soil fertility is preserved. In order to achieve this, water is added to the plastic base body with a water-soluble swelling layer, which activates the organic decomposition process. The self-degradation of a biopolymer works only under humid conditions, the ambient temperature determines the degradation rate. For this, the source layer must be structurally integrated. There are many applications for the so-coated consumer goods, preferably outdoors and as travel provisions. The visible surfaces, in particular the edge or side and lid surfaces, provide space for printing and for a decorative graphic design. Preferably, on the outer surfaces, in particular, a partially 3-part coating is applied:
It is located directly on the body, which consists of biodegradable plastic, a water-soluble swelling layer that supplies moisture to the body after a certain time and thus sets the rotting and organic decomposition in motion. In addition, an individual and protective decorative layer is applied, which protects the underlying swelling layer and the base body and in particular also supplies water after a certain time. As a conclusion, it should be ensured with a film or coating that food substances and color pigments do not adhere. The combination harness receives additional functional features, such as a meal which is initially dry and then prepares with water. With the invention, it is possible to use the commodities, which are made of high quality plastic, several times, without immediately a decomposition process is set in motion, z. B. during a summer season, and then dispose of them, only then begins the biodegradation process.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment and accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a set of three utensils in side view,

2 the section AA gem. 1 .

3 a three-dimensional view of the set.

4 a single representation of the lid 2 in the plan view,

5 the section BB according to 4 .

6 a representation of the detail C acc. 5 with a first coating variant,

7 a representation of the detail C acc. 5 with a second coating variant.

In the 1 to 3 is a set of three utensils and shown a vessel 1 with a high first edge area 1.1 and a handle 1.2 , The container 1 gets up through a lid 2 completed, the second edge area 2.1 has and with this close to the first edge region of the vessel 1 rests. The lid 2 Can be used as a dish or plate after losing weight. The third part of the set is a plate 3 , which also has a raised third edge area 3.1 has and a larger outer diameter than the vessel 1 and the lid 2 has. In the vessel food can be transported and prepared (possibly by adding water, in which case one person from the vessel, a large person from the lid 2 which then serves as a plate, and a third person from the plate 3 can eat.

A view of the lid 2 shows 4 and its section BB is in 5 shown. From the 5 it can be seen that the second edge area 2.1 extends in an arc outwards and downwards and in cross section with an end portion 2.2 angled outwards and downwards, creating a support shoulder 2.3 is formed, which rests on the vessel (not shown here) and wherein the end portion of the upper end of the first edge region 1.1 of the vessel (not shown here) encloses, so that the lid 2 is fixed on the side and can not slip.

6 shows the detail C according to 5 , from which the end area 2.2 of the lid 2 with the shoulder 2.3 is apparent.

The commodity in the form of the lid 2 (which is usable as a plate or shell), has a base G, to which in the second edge region 2.1 and in the ground area 2.4 outside a source layer 4 connects, which after a certain time the body G supplies moisture and thus sets the decay and organic decomposition in motion. Inside is at the second edge area 2.1 and at the bottom area 2.4 a foil or coating 5 which ensures that food substances and color pigments do not adhere. The source layer 4 and the coating 5 reach here only up to the end area 2.2 which is uncoated. According to 7 became the commodity in the form of the lid 2 completely with the source layer 4 provided and also completely a decorative layer 6 applied. The inside of the second edge area 2.1 and the floor area 2.4 was above the decorative layer 6 with a coating 5 provided that reduces or prevents the adhesion of food substances and color pigments. It is also possible to complete the commodity with a coating 5 to be provided, which is arranged above the swelling layer or above the decorative layer. The source layer 4 and / or the coating 5 and / or the decorative layer 6 can also be applied in the form of a film-like layer.

Analogous to that in the 6 and 7 described layer structure for the lid 2 can also use the vessel 1 and the plate 3 or other commodities are coated.

The set can be completed with a complete set of cutlery (knife, fork, spoon) or even with knife and fork or only with knife, fork or spoon depending on the food contained therein.

Also, the cutlery may have a base body made of biodegradable plastic, which is at least partially provided with a water-soluble and the body moisture-supplying swelling layer and additionally has a decorative layer which protects the underlying swelling layer and the body and after a certain time this water. Furthermore, the cutlery may be at least partially provided with a coating which reduces or prevents the adhesion of food substances and color pigments.

The application of the swelling layer and its composition are described below in one embodiment:
The swelling layer is a coating of biodegradable biopolymers, the building blocks of the biodegradable biopolymer consisting of compounds or modified metabolic compounds, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol, alginate, hyaluronic acid etc. These biodegradable biopolymers are basically water-soluble, the water solubility decreases with the chain length

In addition to the natural crosslinking of the biodegradable biopolymers, triggered by bridging or slow crosslinking of the side chains when dissolved in water, this natural crosslinking is increased by suitable means such as addition of chemical catalysts or irradiation with short-wave light, primarily UV light.

The biodegradable biopolymers dissolved in water are applied / applied to the base body in aqueous solution and optionally under heat. There, the final cross-linking takes place, wherein the coating in the form of the swelling layer is highly tough and highly water-resistant, but not waterproof.

• – geeigneter Kettenlängen der bioabbaubaren Biopolymere,
• – Menge des Lösungsmittels (Wasser),
• – gegebenenfalls Zugabe chemischer Katalysatoren,
• – geeignete Temperaturbehandlung beim Auftragen und Vernetzen,
• – Kontrolle der Luftfeuchte während der Vernetzung sowie
• – eventuelle Nachvernetzung durch Bestrahlung mit kurzwelligem Licht, vorrangig UV-Licht

erreicht. Denkbar ist auch die Herstellung einer folienähnlichen Schicht aus und nach den genannten Materialien bzw. Arbeitsschritten, deren Zuschnitt und Aufbringung auf den Grundkörper sowie eine nachfolgende Wärmebehandlung in gesteuerter feuchter Atmosphäre.These properties of the coating of the swelling layer in the form of toughness and water resistance are set as desired by choice and sequence of

• Suitable chain lengths of the biodegradable biopolymers,
• Amount of solvent (water),
• - optionally adding chemical catalysts,
• Suitable temperature treatment during application and crosslinking,
• - Control of air humidity during networking as well
• - possible post-crosslinking by irradiation with short-wave light, primarily UV light

reached. Also conceivable is the production of a film-like layer from and according to the materials mentioned or work steps, their cutting and application to the base body and a subsequent heat treatment in a controlled humid atmosphere.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vessel

1.1

first edge area

1.2

handle

2

cover

2.1

second border area

2.2

end

2.3

supporting shoulder

3

Plate

3.1

third edge area

4

swelling layer

5

coating

6

decorative layer

G

body

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4327024 A1 [0004]
• DE 19500757 A1 [0005]
• DE 19500756 A1 [0005]
• DE 19500755 A1 [0005]
• DE 19500754 A1 [0005]
• DE 19753534 A1 [0005]
• DE 19529410 A1 [0006]
• DE 10258680 B4 [0008]
• EP 0850270 B1 [0009]
• DE 19802718 C2 [0010]
• US 6322899 B1 [0011]

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN 54900 [0010]
• OK Compost Certificate [0010]
• ASTM D 5338 [0010]

Claims (23)

Utility article made of biodegradable plastic, the article of daily use being used in particular as outdoor tableware, and a main body ( 1 ) made of biodegradable plastic, at least partially with a water-soluble and the main body ( 1 ) Moisture-supplying swelling layer ( 2 ) is provided. Utility article according to claim 1, characterized in that the water-soluble swelling layer ( 2 ) consists of biodegradable biopolymers. A commodity according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the building blocks of the biodegradable biopolymer of the swelling layer of compounds or modified metabolic compounds in the form of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol, alginate, hyaluronic acid or combinations thereof. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water solubility of the biodegradable biopolymer decreases with the chain length. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a natural crosslinking of biodegradable biopolymers is increased by adding chemical catalysts and / or irradiation with short-wave light. Utility article according to claim 5, characterized in that the natural crosslinking of the biodegradable biopolymers is increased by irradiation with UV light. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that dissolved in water biodegradable biopolymers are applied in the form of a layer on the base body. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the final cross-linking of the biodegradable biopolymers dissolved in water takes place after their application to the base body and that the layer thus formed is highly tough and highly water-resistant, but not waterproof. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the properties of the layer in the form of toughness and water resistance are set by Chain lengths of the polymers and / or - amount of the solvent (water) and / or - Addition of chemical catalysts and / or - Temperature treatment during application and crosslinking and / or - Control of humidity during networking and / or - by irradiation with short-wave light. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the swelling layer is arranged in the form of a film on the base body. A commodity according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that this at least partially with a decorative layer ( 3 ) is provided. Utility article according to claim 11, characterized in that the decorative layer extends over the areas which are provided with a swelling layer. Utility article according to claim 11, characterized in that the decorative layer extends over the areas which are not provided with a swelling layer. A commodity according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it is provided at least on the visible areas with a decorative layer. Utility article according to claim 12, characterized in that the decorative layer protects the underlying swelling layer and the base body and supplies to a certain water. A commodity according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it at least partially a final film or coating ( 4 ), by which food substances and / or color pigments do not adhere. Utility article according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it is designed as a vessel for receiving food and / or drinks. Utility article according to claim 17, characterized in that the vessel has a cover. A commodity according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the vessel is combined with other commodities in the form of a lid and / or at least one plate and / or cutlery. Commodity article according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that Container and / or the lid and / or the plate has a rounded edge region / have. A commodity according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the lid is cup-shaped and usable as a shell. Commodity article according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the connection between the vessel and the lid is detachable. Commodity item according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that in this an initially dry meal by the addition of water is ready to eat feasible.

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