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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Recyclable, disposable, biodegradable tableware comprising paperboard sheets which are composed of rapidly renewable resources. 
     
     
         2 . The recyclable, disposable, biodegradable tableware of  claim 1 , comprising at least cups, plates and bowls. 
     
     
         3 . The recyclable, disposable, biodegradable tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the plate is formed from a contiguous structure from a paperboard sheet with a formed raised lip. 
     
     
         4 . The recyclable, disposable, biodegradable tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the bowl is formed from a contiguous structure from a paperboard sheet with a formed raised lip. 
     
     
         5 . The recyclable, disposable, biodegradable tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the cup is formed with an open top surrounded by an upper lip, and a continuous side wall extending between the base and the lip. 
     
     
         6 . The recyclable, disposable, tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the paperboard sheet which comprises the tableware is recyclable and biodegradable or compostable, and made exclusively from specific rapidly renewable resources. 
     
     
         7 . The recyclable, disposable, tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the entirety of the paperboard structure utilized in the manufacture is composed of bagasse, bamboo or any combination thereof, and excluding any recycled materials and wood pulp. 
     
     
         8 . The recyclable, disposable, tableware of  claim 2 , wherein the paperboard sheets from which the tableware are assembled comprise one or a plurality of decorative elements utilizing only FDA approved inks and dyes which apply artistic expression to the products. 
     
     
         9 . The recyclable, disposable, tableware of  claim 2 , where the entirety is fabricated through the assembly of shapes cut from recyclable, paperboard sheet rolls as opposed to construction through wet, slurry-based processes which are subsequently heated to dry and complete the formation. 
     
     
         10 . The recyclable, disposable, tableware of  claim 2 , where the exposed surfaces of the tableware are coated with biopolyethylene, polyethylene (PE), or polylactide (PLA), such that the tableware shall contain liquids and prevent liquids from permeating or otherwise filtering through the structure.