The disclosed technology includes a biodegradable utensil and methods for manufacturing the same. The utensil can comprise a utility portion configured to manipulate a food item, a handle portion, and a transition portion disposed between the handle portion and the utility portion. The handle portion can comprise a body having a first thickness, thickness-reducing features each having a thickness less than the first thickness, and a bead extending along at least some of a length of the handle portion. The bead can be continuous and uninterrupted, can extend between a first thickness-reducing feature and a second thickness-reducing feature, and can have a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

Provided is a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin tube including a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin, the tube having a wall thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm. The difference between the melting point peak temperature and the melting point peak end temperature in differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin is preferably 10 C. or higher. Preferably, production of the tube includes the step of melting a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin in an extruder, then extruding the resin from an annular die, and introducing the resin into water, the annular die temperature being set to a temperature between the melting point peak temperature and the melting point peak end temperature in differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin.

Provided is a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin tube including a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin, the tube having a wall thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm. The difference between the melting point peak temperature and the melting point peak end temperature in differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin is preferably 10 C. or higher. Preferably, production of the tube includes the step of melting a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin in an extruder, then extruding the resin from an annular die, and introducing the resin into water, the annular die temperature being set to a temperature between the melting point peak temperature and the melting point peak end temperature in differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) resin.

An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a wine glass, and a method of making the same is disclosed. The drinking vessel basically comprises an outer vessel, an inner vessel and a ring. The inner and outer vessels each include a sidewall. The sidewalls are spaced apart. At least one of the outer vessel, the inner vessel and the ring are pre-molded to form an integral structure having a vestige of a molding gate used to mold the integral structure. At least one of the inner and outer vessels and the ring is molded in situ on the integral structure to cause portions thereof to melt and intermingle to form a non-superficial homogenous joint, with the ring forming the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.

A biodegradable food service item is disclosed, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. This substrate is made of cellulosic fibers. The food service item also includes a coating applied over the at least one food contact surface. This coating is made up of from about 25 to about 60 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. A method for making the biodegradable food service item is also disclosed.

A process for manufacturing edible and/or biodegradable articles, including: providing a mixture including from about 20% by weight to about 60% by weight of rice flour, up to about 2% by weight of at least one thickening agent selected from the group consisting of guar gum and derivatives of guar gum, from about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight of refined powdered cellulose, and from about 20% to about 80% by weight of water; placing the mixture in a mold; and cooking the mixture in the mold when the mold is closed, wherein pressure generated within the closed mold is released one or more times during said cooking to allow exhaust of a vapor generated inside the mold.

An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a wine glass, and a method of making the same is disclosed. The drinking vessel basically comprises an outer vessel, an inner vessel and a ring. The inner and outer vessels each include a sidewall. The sidewalls are spaced apart. At least one of the outer vessel, the inner vessel and the ring are pre-molded to form an integral structure having a vestige of a molding gate used to mold the integral structure. At least one of the inner and outer vessels and the ring is molded in situ on the integral structure to cause portions thereof to melt and intermingle to form a non-superficial homogenous joint, with the ring forming the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.

The biodegradable composition may contain at least one plant-based solid and at least one bio-derived polymer. The plant-based solid(s) may contain about 50% to about 80% by weight of the biodegradable composition and the bio-derived polymer(s) comprise about 10% to about 30% by weight of the biodegradable composition. The composition may be used to make various articles of manufacture including but not limited to lids, caps, covers, and the like for containers, vessels, receptacles, etc.

A container support apparatus can include a base body having a first portion, a second portion, and a boundary region between the first and second portions. The apparatus can include a first straight lateral connector member and a second straight lateral connector member, each formed at least in part from the first portion of the base body. The apparatus can include a bottom support member disposed in a coplanar position with the first portion of the base body in an undeployed state. The first and second lateral connector members can undergo downward angular pitching in conjunction with the bottom support member undergoing simultaneous vertical translation and planar rotation relative to the second portion of the base body during transition from the undeployed state to a deployed state, and the bottom support member can maintain a parallel orientation relative to the second portion of the base body during this transition.