A blown film of soil biodegradable aliphatic polyesters produced primarily from diacid and diol monomers. The diacid monomers may be of any type including succinic acid, adipic acid, and hexanedioic acid. The diol monomer may be of any type including ethylene glycol, propanediol, butanediol, and hexanediol. Commercial aliphatic polyesters produced from diacid and diol monomers include polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate succinate (PBAS), and polybutylene adipate (PBA). Comonomers may also be added. Such comonomers include chemicals with a single carboxylic acid, hydroxy, or amine moiety, which act as chain terminators, chemicals with three or more carboxylic acid, epoxy, and/or hydroxy moieties which, act as branching agents.

A method and apparatus for obtaining a product chemistry from a solid block is provided. The product is housed within a dispenser, which utilizes a liquid and a gas to erode the block and produce a concentrate solution. The liquid and gas characteristics can be adjusted in the field to achieve a predetermined concentrate level in the solution. The introduction of air into the dispenser saves water, while producing higher concentrate levels.

A measuring scoop and its method for fabrication. In one embodiment, a planar element is fabricated of a foldable material. The planar element is generally circular, and is scored with three generally linear scores each having a first end substantially at the center of the element and a second end proximate an outer edge of the element. Folding the element about the scores produces a generally conically shaped object that can be used as a measuring scoop for food and other things. A handle protrudes into the interior of the scoop. In some embodiments, the two portions comprising the handle are held together securely by a tab in one portion that locks into a slit in the other portion.

A deformable sheet defines a handle and an operational element in which one or more scores, which may be straight, curved, or a combination of straight and curved, are cooperatively provided to enable deformation of the handle portion to convert the operational element into a strong, sturdy, and functional implement sufficient to meet the required application. When curved scores are present, they may be concave (outwardly curving) or convex (inwardly curving) with respect to the longitudinal midline of the operational element.

A composition that includes plant derived wax having a melting point of at least 70° C. can be used to waterproof cellulose based materials like paper and board. Suitable waxes include sugarcane wax and rice-bran wax. A surfactant such as stearic acid improves the adhesion of the composition to the underlying material. The resulting waterproof laminate can be economically recycled. Hot beverage cups made from the laminate are waterproof and recyclable without first being separated into components. Coffee pods and drinking straws that are waterproof and recyclable are manufactured with the waterproof laminate.

The prep table food bag includes an air tight sealed food bag that is suspended by a Gastronorm sized lip frame that sits on the pan rails of a prep table. The prep table food bag is able to function as an air tight sealed food bag package during storage and transport and is also able to function as a food pan on the pan rails of a prep table.

Edible tableware made from a baked dough capable of holding warm liquids for an extended period of time without leakage and a method of making the same. Edible tableware has recently become an area of interest due to a desire to provide more environmentally friendly options for disposable tableware. In disposable tableware, when using paper instead of plastic, the paper that is used to make the disposable tableware is liquid resistant due to a wax or plastic coating. Existing edible tableware has taken a similar approach and uses a heavy sugar glaze as a way of keeping liquids from penetrating into the baked part of the tableware. The use of a sugar glaze is not ideal because an imperfect glazing or too light of a glazing can result in liquid penetrating the baked portion and causing leakage and/or structural failure. Further, the extra sugar contained in the glazing may be undesirable to the consumer. Accordingly, there is a need for edible tableware that does not require a separate glaze for liquid resistance.

Utensil elements and methods for their fabrication. In one embodiment, a planar utensil element is fabricated of a foldable material, and has a length greater than a width. The planar utensil element comprises first and second scores, said scores being generally symmetrical about a midline running along the length of the planar utensil element, and indicative of where the planar element is to be folded in order to become a usable utensil. Folding the planar utensil element about the first and second scores produces a handle and a bowl. The handle is formed by two generally symmetrical halves joined together by interconnecting tabs in a “tab-lock” arrangement.

One embodiment provides a disposable tool. The disposable tool may include an exterior layer disposed over one or more dissolvable layers forming a shape of the disposable tool. The exterior layer is coated with an impermeable coating. The disposable tool includes one or more segments that are not coated with the impermeable coating. The disposable tool may be utilized for consumption of food or liquids or as an applicator, such as a tampon applicator.

A plate attachment assembly that includes a first plate shell and a second plate shell configured to interlock with one another. The first plate shell and the second plate shell each have a bottom wall and a surrounding sidewall with a flange disposed thereon. The first and second plate shells are operably configured to selectively removably couple together in a watertight configuration using a locking tab disposed on one of the plate shells and a raised sidewall disposed above the flange of the first plate shell.