Biodegradable packaging component

Abstract

An example packaging component according to the present invention includes a first compressible portion and a second compressible portion. The first portion is configured to be compressed onto a first side of a component to conform to a surface geometry of the component, and the second portion configured to be compressed onto a second side of a component opposite the first side to conform to the surface geometry of the component. The first and second portions are configured to be bonded to one another in a bonded region without bonding to the component. An example packaged component and method of packaging a component are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging component, comprising:
 a first compressible portion and a second compressible portion, the first compressible portion configured to be compressed onto a first side of a component to conform to a surface geometry of the component and the second compressible portion configured to be compressed onto a second side of a component opposite the first side to conform to the surface geometry of the component, wherein the first and second portions are configured to be bonded to one another in a bonded region without bonding to the component.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging component of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are bonded to one another by an adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging component of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive includes at least one of water based glue, hot-melt, non-scratching rubber latex, and dry pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging component of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are bonded to one another by thermal or chemical bonding. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging component of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second component are bonded to one another by a tongue and groove configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging component of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions comprise a starch-based biodegradable material having an amylose content of more than 40% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging component of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions comprise a material having pores or cavities, the pores or cavities providing compressibility to the material. 
     
     
         8 . A packaged component comprising:
 a component;   a packing component configured to at least partially surround the component, the packing component comprising a first portion configured to be compressed onto a first side of the component and conform to a surface geometry of the component and a second portion configured to be compressed onto a second side of the component opposite the first side and conform to the surface geometry of the component, wherein the first and second portions are bonded to one another in a bonded region without bonding to the component.   
     
     
         9 . The packed component of  claim 8 , wherein the packing component captures more than 25% of the perimeter and less than 50% of the surface area of the component. 
     
     
         10 . The packed component of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion include a cutout for receiving the component. 
     
     
         11 . The packed component of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are bonded together by an adhesive in the bonded region, and the adhesive includes at least one of water based glue, hot-melt, non-scratching rubber latex, and dry pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The packed component of  claim 8 , wherein the component is glass. 
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging a component comprising:
 compressing a first portion of a packing component onto a first side of a component;   compressing a second portion of a packing component onto a second side of the component, the second side opposite the first side; and   bonding the first portion to the second portion in a bonded area such that neither the first portion nor the second portion are bonded to the component.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bonding is accomplished by an adhesive, the adhesive including at least one of water based glue, hot-melt, non-scratching rubber latex, and dry pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bonding is accomplished by thermal or chemical bonding. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising processing a starch-based biodegradable material to provide at least one of the first and second portions, such that the starch-based biodegradable material expands to provide pores or cavities. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the processing includes expanding the starch-based biodegradable material to form pellets, and loosely attaching the pellets together to provides spaces between the pellets. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adding a heat-expandable thermoplastic material to the biodegradable material prior to the processing, to enhance properties of the processed biodegradable material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pores or cavities allow for the compressing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the starch-based biodegradable material includes an amylose content of greater than 40% by weight, and wherein the amylose acts as a blowing agent which allows for the expansion.