Recyclable Disposable Tableware Fabricated From Rapidly Renewable Resources

Abstract

The invention provides improved tableware, comprised of plates, bowls and cups, which are formed from paperboard sheets comprised of rapidly renewable resources and are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. The paperboard sheets are comprised of bamboo, bagasse or any combination or singularity thereof, and are coated with a polymer such as biopolyethylene, also known as renewable polyethylene, polyethylene (PE) or polylactide (PLA), and decorated with FDA approved inks and dyes, and are formed in such a manner that the resulting tableware is capable of containing a liquid without filtration or seepage upon the user.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]Not applicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONI. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to single-use tableware, More specifically, the present invention relates to recyclable, disposable tableware which is entirely biodegradable or compostable and made from specific rapidly renewable resources, those being bagasse and or bamboo, without the inclusion of previously recycled materials and utilizing only FDA approved inks and dyes for decoration.[0003]II. Related Art[0004]Various tableware and disposable food containers are known in the art and are commercially available. The vast majority of said products are manufactured from plastics, Styrofoam, or paper products which include wood pulp and other petroleum-based chemicals. Rapidly renewable resources such as bagasse (the dry, pulpy, fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice) and bamboo, an extremely fast-gr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention addresses the limitation of prior art disposable cups, bowls and similar tableware by providing a product which is manufactured from recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, rapidly renewable resources, specifically any combination of bamboo or bagasse or the singularity of either component, which grow abundantly and far more rapidly than trees. Such materials are processed in a manner which results in paperboard rolls which are coated with a polymer such as Bioethylene, also known as renewable polyethylene, polyethylene (PE) or polylactide (PLA), and then subsequently cut into the appropriate parts. These parts are then assembled into the final product utilizing a recyclable, biodegradable and compostable adhesive, such any commonly available plant-based starch or equivalents thereof which results in durable cups, plates, bowls and similar tableware which has the ability to contain a liquid for an extended duration without the liquid filtering through the structure so as to prevent unintended spillage or seepage on the end user.

[0010]The cup, which is assembled in a commonly understood process from cut pieces from paperboard sheets, specifically utilizes a rolled support ring along the top edge which aids in the stability and durability of the final product and also facilitates its use as a means to consume the liquid product inside.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, great care must be taken when recycled paper is used as a source material, so that unsafe levels of these chemicals are not consumed or otherwise introduced to the end user.

Although these products are frequently adorned with the phrase “please recycle,” in actuality, these products are often not capable of being recycled, or cannot be easily recycled without chemical assistance, and they are not made entirely of rapidly renewable resources which are readily available as are bamboo and sugarcane, and instead contribute to global deforestation and petroleum consumption.

The phase “please recycle” is then simply a hopeful suggestion to the consumer, but is often inapplicable to the product.

Additionally, these products are not made from materials which are biodegradable or compostable.

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