Protective article with cellulose-based expandable composite

1 . A protective article, comprising:

first and second walls, each of which includes:

superimposed plies enclosing an expansion space therebetween, and

an expandable composite disposed in the expansion space, the expandable composite comprising:

a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof, and

a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,

wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof,

wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof,

wherein the first and second walls are superimposed on each other to define a container cavity therebetween configured and dimensioned to contain therein a product to be shipped,

wherein the expansion spaces of the walls are superimposed on each other about the container cavity,

wherein the first and second walls are connected to each other on a plurality of sides of the container cavity, and

wherein the expandable composite is disposed in the expansion spaces in the form of a pattern comprising regular or irregular shapes, in the form of a continuous or discontinuous layer, and/or at one or more discrete regions and exhibits uniform or varying thicknesses or widths for providing cushioning to a product contained in the container cavity.

2 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein:

the walls are unsealed to each other at an open side of the container cavity, which open side is dimensioned to allow insertion of a product therethrough into the container cavity; and

the protective article further comprising a closure on the first wall configured for sealing the first wall to the second wall to seal closed the open side to retain a product in the cavity.

3 . The protective article of claim 2 , further comprising a web that includes the first and second walls connected to each other in a series of locations transversely across the web to define a plurality of connected protective packaging units configured to be separated from each other, each of the packaging units including a pair of the expansion spaces superimposed over each other about at least one container cavity.

4 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises cellulose.

5 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable adhesive is a cellulose-based adhesive.

6 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable adhesive is a starch-based adhesive.

7 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres comprise a blowing agent.

8 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres comprise a reactive component, a chemical catalyst, or a combination thereof.

9 . The protective article of claim 7 , wherein the blowing agent comprises air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane, neo-pentane, inert gas, or a combination thereof.

10 . The protective article of claim 1 ,

wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres comprise an outer shell and an inner core material, and

wherein the outer shell comprises cellulose.

11 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres comprise a hydrocarbon, water or a combination thereof.

12 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres are configured to be activated thermally.

13 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the activation causes the cellulose-based expandable microspheres to expand, thereby expanding the biodegradable matrix.

14 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable matrix is configured to solidify after expanding.

15 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the plies comprise biodegradable materials, and the protective article as a whole is made of at least 75% by weight of a biodegradable material.

16 . The protective article of claim 1 , wherein the microspheres are entrained in the biodegradable matrix.

17 . A protective article, comprising a first wall that includes:

a first ply defining an expansion area, and

an expandable composite in the expansion area, the expandable composite comprising:

a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof; and

a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,

wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof.

18 . The protective article of claim 17 , wherein the first wall includes a second ply superimposed on and connected to the first ply, such that the first and second plies define therebetween a first expansion space enclosing the expansion area, wherein the expandable composite is contained in the first expansion space.

19 . The protective article of claim 18 , further comprising a second wall that includes:

opposing substrate plies superimposed on, and connected to, each other to define a second expansion space therebetween; and

an additional amount of the expandable composite contained in the second expansion space;

wherein the first and second walls are superimposed on each other to define a container cavity therebetween configured and dimensioned to contain therein a product to be shipped,

wherein the expansion spaces of the walls are superimposed on each other about the container cavity, and

wherein the first and second walls are connected to each other on a plurality of sides of the container cavity.

20 . An expandable web comprising:

a first ply;

a second ply; and

an expandable composite in an expansion area between the first and second plies, the expandable composite comprising:

a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof; and

a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,

where in the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof.

21 . The expandable web of claim 20 , wherein the first ply and the second ply each is made of at least 75% by weight of a biodegradable material.

22 . A method for making an expandable protective article, comprising:

applying an expandable composite onto the surface of a first ply, the expandable composite comprising:

a biodegradable matrix, wherein the biodegradable matrix comprises a biodegradable polymer, a biodegradable adhesive, or a combination thereof, and

a plurality of cellulose-based expandable microspheres configured to cause the biodegradable matrix to expand upon activation of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres;

wherein the cellulose-based expandable microspheres contain more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the cellulose-based expandable microspheres,

wherein the expandable composite contains more than 50% of cellulose based on the total weight of the expandable composite,

wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises natural starch, synthetic starch, cellulose, biopolyesters, proteins, polysaccharides, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the biodegradable adhesive comprises a starch-based adhesive, a cellulose-based adhesive, a biopolyester-based adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, a polysaccharide-based adhesive, or a combination thereof; and

applying a second ply over the first ply such that the expandable composite is sandwiched between the first ply and the second ply.