Application US20200256016

Methods and Apparatus For Manufacturing Fiber-Based Produce Containers
[+] Show Details

US20200256016

1. A method of manufacturing a food container, comprising: (10) (5)

forming a mesh in the shape of a mold corresponding to the food container;

immersing the mesh in a fiber-based slurry;

drawing a vacuum across the mesh to cause fiber particles to accumulate at the mesh surface; and

thereafter removing the mesh and the accumulated fiber particles from the slurry bath;

wherein the slurry comprises a moisture barrier component in the range of 1%-10% by weight.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurry comprises a moisture barrier component in the range of about 4%. (0)

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the moisture barrier component comprises alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). (0)

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the moisture barrier component comprises alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) 80. (0)

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the moisture barrier component comprises long chain diketenes. (0)

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurry comprises a coloring agent comprising one of a cationic dye and a fiber reactive dye. (0)

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurry further comprises a dye absorption agent comprising one of salt and soda ash. (0)

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the mesh having the accumulated fiber particles in one of a wet or dry process. (0)

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurry further comprises a starch component in the range of 1%-7% by weight. (4) (0)

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising drying the accumulated fiber particles to form a food container. (2) (0)

20. A food container manufactured according to the method of claim 1. (0)

View Abstract and Specification Size

PDF with Images and Document Face >

Full Text Publication >