NL B1 2026594 Octrooicentrum Nederland ® 2026594 @B1 OCTROOI Aanvraagnummer: 2026594 ©®® ‘Aanvraag ingediend: 30 september 2020 Voorrang: ‘Aanvraag ingeschreven: 1 juni 2022 © © ‘Aanvraag gepubliceerd ctrooi verieends 1 juni 2022 Cctrovischrift uitgegeven: 2 juni 2022 ©® © © @ b 4, optional filer, and €, optional additive, wherein Polymer composite comprising spent grains The invention concerns a polymer composite comprising) polymer in an amount of 5-94,5% by weight of tre overall weight: mnlled spent grains in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the overall weight; plasticizer in an amount trom 5-50% wiw of component b): Int. Cl Coat 67/04 (2021.01) @® cetrooinouders) Coda Intellectual Property B.V. te's-Gravenhage ® Uiwinaers): Danie! Eric Lynch te Rotterdam ® emachigae: it. M. van der Velden te Moerkapelle )is a solid plasticizer with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210°, The invention also concems a process for its preparation, an intermediate, and a sold article comprising the polymer composite Dit octrooi is verleend ongeacht het bijgevoegde resultaat van het onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek en schriftelke opinie. Het octrooischrift komt overeen met de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken.10 15, 20 25, 30 35, Title: Polymer composite comprising spent grains ‘Technical Field This invention concerns a polymer composite comprising milled spent grains that are a by- product of the brewing or distilling industry. More in particular, this invention concems a polymer composite comprising an increased amount of milled spent grains, Backaround Art Distillers’ grains are the cereal by-product of a fermentation or distillation process, whereas brewers’ grain, or brewer's spent grain (BSG), usually specifically refers to the residual barley (or in a mixture with other cereal grains or grain products) produced as @ by-product of beer brewing, collected before fermentation of the wort. The majority of brewers’ grain comprises barley malt grain husks in combination with parts of the pericarp and seed coat layers of the barley. Distillers’ grains are normally a mix of corn, rice and other grains that, have come from either brewing or the production of ethanol biofuels. For the purposes of this patent, the use of the term spent grains will encompass distillers’ grains and brewers’ grains Distillers’ grains are available as wet distillers grains (WDG), containing primarily unfermented grain residues (protein, fibre, fat and up to 70% moisture), and as dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), which is WDG that has been dried with the concentrated thin stillage to 10-12% moisture or less. DDGS is a complex composition of protein (26.8-33.7% dry weight basis) carbohydrates (39.2-61.9%), oils (3.5-12.8%), and ash (2.0-9.8%). The definition of spent grains refers to dried distillers’ grains and/or dried brewers’ spent grain that have optionally been further solvent treated to remove solubles and/or oils. Itis known that DDGS has been compounded into polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, phenolic resins, polyurethane and polyamide up to 30% wiv loading levels, with and without the aid of compatibilizers. Itis similarly known that DDGS has been compounded into polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate, poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate). and blends thereof, up to 30% wiw loading levels, with and without the aid of compatibilizers and lubricants,10 15, 20 25, 30 35, The use of DDGS, plasticized with either water or an aqueous solution of urea, is further covered in US patent 10,513,063 as a biomaterial for the preparation of injection moulded articles It is also known that DDGS is a feed source in the microbial production of D-lactic acid, which in turn is the precursor in the production of polylactic acid The purpose of the present invention is to find a solution that allows inclusion of greater amounts of milled spent grains, e.g. wheat distillers, without loss of strength or flexibility Moreover, the purpose of the present invention is to find polymer composites that can be moulded, e.g., into disposable articles such as coffee capsules, cutlery, food trays, single- serve packaging etc., whereas the polymer composites are biodegradable. ‘Summary of the Invention A polymer composite is provided as claimed in claim 1, comprising. polymer in an amount of 5-94.5% by weight of the overall weight; milled spent grains in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the overall weight; plasticizer in an amount from 5 — 50% wiw of component b) optional filler, and eeeogn optional additive, wherein ©) is a solid plasticizer with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210°C. Also provided is a process for preparing the polymer composite, an intermediate for preparing the polymer composite and articles comprising the polymer composite. Detailed description of the Invention Ithas been found that with the addition of at least 5%, preferably at least 15% by weight of a solid plasticizer based on the milled spent grains, optionally together with an appropriate filler, the milled spent grains can form a plastic composite material with a thermoplastic polymer even at high loading levels, e.g., higher than 40% wiw based on the milled spent grains and polymer. For use in the present invention, any type of spent grains as defined above can be used as component b). This current invention specifically focusses on milled distillers’ grains based on any one or more of wheat distillers, barley distillers, maize distillers, and brewers’ grains. Prior to compounding, the distillers’ grains are milled to a fine powder, having a particle size smaller than 1 mm, preferably smaller than 500 micrometres. This is preferably done in10 15, 20 25, 30 35, multiple stages to obtain a uniform small particle size. For instance, milled wheat distillers powder may be used. Similar considerations apply with respect to barley distillers, e.g. using milled barley distillers powder, maize distillers, e.g., milled maize distillers powder, brewers’ grains, e.g. milled brewers’ grains powder, or combinations thereof. Milling is preferably carried out on dry material e.g. in order to more easily obtain a uniform small particle size and/or to reduce the amount of introduced liquid such as water. In an embodiment, materials may thus be dried prior to milling. Hence, although in this specification, materials may only be referred to as being milled, the present invention alternatively or additionally refers to embodiments in which the materials are dried milled and thus, if necessary, the wording “milled” may be replaced throughout the specification by the wording "dried milled” where appropriate. In other words, “milled” has to be interpreted as meaning “milled and/or dried milled" unless specifically stated otherwise. The milled distillers’ grains may be used at low loading levels, starting at 5% by weight of the overall weight, but preferably is used at loading levels in excess of 40%, e.g,, at loading levels of 40-90%, more preferably at loading levels of 40-80%, still more preferably at loading levels of 40-70% by weight of the overall weight. The milled distillers’ grains may be mixed, e.g. up to 100%, preferably up to 50% by weight of component b), with milled expeller / meal / cake, milled pomace, milled biscuit meal (or biscuit cereal meal), milled whole seeds, milled whole roots, milled whole beans, milled stems and/or leaves, whole grain flour of cereal grass, and flour of pulse, or combinations thereof. For instance, a mixture of two materials such as milled wheat distillers and either rosehip meal, or areca catechu leaf sheath powder may be used. When mixing the milled distillers’ grains with expellers, meals, and the like, the amount of solid plasticizer is calculated on the combined (total) weight of the milled distillers’ grains mixture. Suitable expellers may include but are not limited to the expeller of sunflower seeds, rapeseed, linseed, peanut, palm fruit, sesame seed, castor seed, and sugar beet pulp. Suitable meals may include but are not limited to the meal of sunflower, borage, cottonseed, Buglossoides arvensis (Ahiflower), safflower, rosehip, canola, blackcurrant, palm kernel, and evening primrose. Biscuit meal, or biscuit cereal meal, may include either a mixture of or the individual components of the crumbed waste of cooked and processed biscuit, cake and cereal food products. Cereal grasses include staple crops such as maize, wheat, rice, barley, oat and millet and hybrids such as triticale, as well as feed for animals, such as canary seeds. Pulses include annual leguminous crops yielding from one to twelve grains or seeds of variable size, shape and colour within a pod, that are used for both food and feed10 15, 20 25, 30 35, <4 and that are harvested solely for dry seed, such as field peas, faba beans and lupin beans. Suitable examples of pomace may include grape pomace, olive pomace, apple pomace, or the solid remains of other fruits or vegetables after pressing for juice or oil The polymer composite may be made from any polymer as component a), but preferably a thermoplastic polymer is used. Suitable polymers include synthetic and natural polymers, e.g,, biobased and biodegradable polymers. Suitable thermoplastic materials include polyamides (such as nylon), acrylic polymers, polystyrenes, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (including low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyglycolic acid, polycarbonates, polybenzimidazole, poly ether sulphone, polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulphide, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene, or any suitable mixture thereof. Elastomers, or combinations of thermoplastic polymers with elastomers may also be used. Suitable elastomers include natural and synthetic rubbers, chloroprene, neoprene, isoprene, polybutadiene, butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene, nitrile rubber, latex, fluoroelastomers, silicone rubbers, epichlorhydrin, poly ether block amides, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) for example. The elastomer may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer, which may be selected from styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s), thermoplastic olefins (TPE-0), elastomeric alloys (TPE-v or TPV), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester (TPE-E) and thermoplastic polyamides, for example. Thermoset polymers, or combinations of thermoplastic polymers with thermoset polymers may also be used. Suitable thermoset polymers include epoxy resins, melamine formaldehyde, polyester resins and urea formaldehyde, for example. Suitable acrylic polymers (which may be thermoplastics, thermosets or thermoplastic elastomers) include polyacrylic acid resins, polymethyl methacrylates, polymethyl acrylates, polyethyl acrylates, polyethyl ethacrylates, and polybutyl methacrylates, for example. Suitable polyesters include polyglycolide (PGA), polylactide or poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and its copolymers, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT), a linear copolymer of N- acetyl-glucosamine and N-glucosamine with B-1,4 linkage, cellulose acetate (CA), poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or other polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(hydroxybutyrate-10 15, 20 25, 30 35, co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), or any suitable mixture thereof. Most preferably PLA is used as component a). Most preferably, for improved biodegradability, the polymer composite comprises PLA in an amount between 30 to 50% wiw of the overall mixture, Plasticizers are an important class of low molecular weight non-volatile compounds that are widely used in polymer industries as additives. Plasticizers for thermoplastics are, in general, high boiling point liquids, with average molecular weights of between 300 and 600, and linear or cyclic carbon chains (14 — 40 carbons). However, the purpose of the plasticizer for a biomaterial is to prevent agglomeration of the carbohydrate / protein chains so that the biomaterial mixes with the polymer and the two become a single plastic mass. For the purpose of the present invention, the plasticizer must be compatible with component b), and be different from component b). Whereas in the prior art the only example of a plasticizer associated with DDGS is in US patent 10,513,063, which is water or an aqueous solution of urea, the present invention requires the use of a solid plasticizer with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210, °C. The plasticizer may be selected from polyols, polyfunctional alcohols, amphipolar plasticizers such as carboxylic acids and esters, for instance mono, di-, and tri-glyceride esters; mono-, di- and oligosaccharides and combinations thereof. Polyols have been found to be particularly effective. Suitable plasticizers include sorbitol, maltitol, sucralose, threitol, erythritol, psicose, allose, talose, ribitol, tagatose, arabinose, galactitol, lactitol, arabitol, glyceraldehyde, iditol, sorbose, ribose, galactose, volemitol, mannitol, fucitol, xylose, xylitol, trehalose, cellobiose, raffinose, glucose, mannose, fructose, isomalt, polydextrose and sucrose; and/or combinations thereof. For instance, xylose, with a melting point of 144 to 145°C and/or sorbitol, with a melting point of 94-96°C may be used. Also a mixture of a solid plasticizer and a liquid plasticizer may be used, provided the mixture has a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210 °C. The amount of liquid plasticizer is preferably small, ¢.g., up to 10% by weight of component c) The plasticizer may be used in an amount from 15 — 50% wiw of component b), preferably between 22 - 40% wiw of component b). Additional, optional components of the polymer composite include fillers, such as mineral fillers and/or natural fibres and/or carbon-based fillers. Suitable mineral fillers include carbonates (including bicarbonates), phosphates, ferrocyanides, silica, silicates, aluminosilicates (including all forms of clay minerals and talc), titanium dioxide, or combinations thereof. For instance, a nepheline syenite may be used or10 15, 20 25 30 35, any similar filler derived from silica-undersaturated and peralkaline igneous rocks, as well as any type of bentonite, Natural fibres include cellulose or lignocellulosic fibres such as plant or vegetable fibres from the blast, leaf, seed, wood, or stem. For instance, wood cellulose fibre may be used, Carbon based fillers include carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, fullerene, graphite, and amorphous carbon. The filler may be used in an amount from 0 — 96% w/w of the overall mixture, preferably between 1 — 40% wiw of the overall mixture. Optional additional components include compatibilizers, fragrances, heat and UV stabilizers, colouring agents and the like, Suitable compatibilizers include any acrylic grafted thermoplastics (for example: maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, polypropylene, or polylactic acid), interface-active high-molecular-weight peroxides, poly(2-ethy! any esters of citric acid, aromatic carbodiimides (for example: BioAdimide from Lanxess), oxazoline) wax-based emulsion additives (for example: Aquacer from BYK Additives), organe-silane coupling agents, and isocyanate (or diisocyanate) coupling agents {for example: methyienediisocyanaie) The additional components may be used in an amount from 0 — 30% by weight of the overall mixture, preferably between 0 — 15% by weight of the overall mixture. The polymer composite is made by so-called “hot compounding” techniques, where the components are combined under heat and shearing forces that bring about a state of molten plastic (fluxing) which is shaped into the desired product, cooled and allowed to develop ultimate properties of strength and integrity. Hot compounding includes calendering, extrusion, injection and compression moulding. This is carried out at temperatures, pressures and processing conditions specific to the selected polymer. For instance, when using PLA the temperature is preferably in the range of 130 to 210°C, preferably between 130 to 165°C. The polymer composite may also be made by a multistep process, wherein the milled spent grains is first compounded with the solid plasticizer and pelletized and the pellets or grinded pellets are then combined with the polymer. Additional components may be added in any of the steps of the multistep process. The present invention therefore also provides pellets or grinded pellets of milled spent grains compounded and pelletized with plasticizer and other components if any, as intermediate product for combination with the polymer to produce the polymer composite.10 15, 20 25, 30 35, ‘The result of the process can be in the form of a solid article (or layer or portion thereof) and may comprise a compounded pellet, extruded work-piece, injection-moulded article, blow moulded article, film or rota-moulded plastics article, two-part liquid moulded article, laminate, 3D printer filament, felt, woven fabric, knitted fabric, embroidered fabric, nonwoven fabric, geotextiles, fibres or a solid sheet, for example. The solid article may be in the form of a coffee pod, cutlery, food tray, or single-serve packaging. The invention is illustrated by the below examples. Example 4 275 grams of PLA (Ingeo® 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 225 grams of milled wheat distillers and 67.5 grams of xylose was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous, mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Negri Bossi v55 injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules Suitable for use in a Nespresso® coffee machine. Example 2 275 grams of PLA (Ingeo 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 225 grams of milled barley distillers and 67.5 grams of xylose was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous, mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Negri Bossi v55 injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules Suitable for use in a Nespresso coffee machine. Example 3 275 grams of PLA (Inge 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 225 grams of milled maize distillers and 67.5 grams of sorbitol was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Ne Jossi v55 injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules suitable for use in a Nespresso coffee machine.10 15, 20 25, 30 35, Example 4 275 grams of PLA (Ingeo 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 225 grams of milled brewers’ grains and 67.5 grams of sorbitol was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Negri Bossi v55 injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules suitable for use in a Nespresso coffee machine. Example 5 150 grams of PLA (Ingeo 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 192 grams of milled wheat distillers, 58 grams of xylose and 100 grams of HiFill™ N800 (nepheline syenite powder as inorganic filler from Sibelco UK Ltd) was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Negri Bossi v55 injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules suitable for use in a Nespresso coffee machine. Example 6 150 grams of PLA (Ingeo 3251D from Natureworks LLC), 192 grams of milled brewers’ grains, 58 grams of xylose and 100 grams of Premium Quest™ Bentonite (calcium bentonite powder as inorganic filler from Amcol Minerals Europe Ltd) was mixed in a sealed plastic bag into a homogenous mixture. This mixture was then poured into the hopper of a Negri Bossi v5S injection moulding machine with a 32 mm diameter screw and a L/D ratio of 20:1 operating at temperatures ranging from 130 to 165°C. The mixture was moulded into coffee capsules suitable for use in a Nespresso coffee machine, Example 7 Representative coffee capsules from Examples 1 ~ 6 were filled to level capacity with ground coffee grains and sealed with self-sealing aluminium coffee capsule lids. Filled pods were then tested in a standard Nespresso coffee machine to produce a volume of filtered coffee. All capsules tested produced approximately the same volume of coffee as expelled from a commercial Nespresso capsule. Example 8 Fifteen representative coffee capsules from Example 1 (weight: 2.45 + 0.01 g) were mixed into 2 kgs of natural topsoil containing 1 kg of distilled water in a 5 L Pyrex glass beaker and then covered with 20 cm diameter watch glass. The beaker was placed inside a Unitemp10 temperature-controlled oven set at 58°C and left for 21 days. Upon completion of the time the soil was removed from the beaker and broken up in order to examine the disintegration, if any, of the capsules. No intact capsules were found although eight capsule bases could be identified. All pieces that could be extracted from the soil were too fragile to remove any attached soil and could therefore not be cleaned and weighed. Summary Examples 1-4 illustrate polymer composites with a high loading of milled spent grains powder. In Examples 56, filler materials have been used All formulations allowed the preparation of a disposable article, in this case a coffee capsule. The coffee capsules were strong enough to be used in a Nespresso® coffee machine, as shown in Example 7. Moreover, the coffee capsules all proved to be as shown in Example 8 ighly biodegradable,10 15, 20 25, 30 35, =10- CONCLUSIES Polymeercomposiet omvattende: a. polymeer in een hoeveelheid van 5-94,5 gew. % van het totale gewicht; b. gemalen gebruikte granen, in een hoeveelheid van ten minste 5 gew. % van het totale gewicht, . weekmaker in een hoeveelheid van 5-50% wiw van bestanddeel b); 4. optioneel vulmiddel, en €. optioneel additief, waarbij ¢) een vaste weekmaker is met een smelttemperatuur in het bereik van 55 tot 210°C. Polymeercomposiet volgens conclusie 1, waarbij bestanddeel a) een biologisch afbreekbaar polymeer, bij voorkeur PLA, of derivaten of polymeermengsels daarvan omvat Polymeercomposiet volgens conclusie 2, waarbij bestanddeel a) aanwezig is in een hoeveelheid van 30-70 gew. % van het totale gewicht, bij voorkeur in een hoeveelheid van 30-50 gew. % van het totale gewicht. Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bestanddeel b) gemalen tarwedestillaat, of gemalen gerstdestillaat, of gemalen maisdistillaat, of gemalen brouwersgranen, of een mengsel daarvan omwvat. Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende een mengsel van gemalen gebruikte granen en tot 50% w/w van bestanddee! b) van gemalen persoverblijfsel / mee! / Koek, gemalen pulp, gemalen koekjesmeel of afzonderlijke bestanddelen daarvan, gemaien hele zaden, gemaien hele wortels, gematen hele bonen, gemaien stengels en/of bladeren, gemalen voikoren meel van graangras, meel van peulen, of een mengsel daarvan Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bestanddeel b) of het mengsel volgens conclusie 5 aanwezig is in een hoeveelheid van 30-70 gew. % van het totale gewicht. Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende polyolen, polyfunctionele alcoholen, amfipolaire weekmakers zoals carbonzuren en esters, bijvoorbeeld mono-, di- en triglyceride-esters; mono-, di- en oligosacchariden, of mengsels daarvan, als bestanddeel c) Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bestanddeel ©) aanwezig is in een hoeveelheid van 22 tot 40% wiw van bestanddeel b). Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende als bestanddeel d) ofwel een natuurliike vezel, bij voorkeur cellulose- of10 15, 20 25 30 10. "1 12, 13, 14, 45. 16. 17. 18. 11. lignocellulosevezels, en/of een mineral vulmiddel bij voorkeur gekozen uit carbonaten {inclusief bicarbonaten), fosfaten, ferrocyaniden, silica, silicaten, aluminosilicaten {inclusief alle vormen van kleimineralen en talk), titaandioxide en/of een vulmiddel op koolstofbasis, of combinaties daarvan, Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bestanddeel 4) aanwezig is in een hoeveelheid van 1-40 gew. % van het totale gewicht. Polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende compatibilizers, geurstoffen, warmte- en UV-stabilisatoren en/of kleurstoffen of een. mengsel daarvan als additief Een werkwijze voor het bereiden van het polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het polymeercomposiet wordt gemaakt door middel van hele samenstellingstechnieken, waarbij de bestanddelen worden samengesteld onder hitte en schuifkrachten die een toestand van gesmolten kunststof veroorzaken {fluxen} die tot het gewenste product wordt gevormd, gekoeld en de mogeliikheid krijgt om uiteindeliike eigenschappen van sterkte en integriteit te ontwikkelen, bij voorkeur door kalanderen, extrusie, injectie en persgieten De werkwijze volgens de voorgaande conclusie, uitgevoerd bij temperaturen in het bereik van 130 tot 210°C De werkwijze volgens conclusie 12 of 13, uitgevoerd in twee stappen, waarbij erst een tussenproduct wordt gevormd in een eerste stap en het tussenproduct wordt gecombineerd met de rest van de bestanddelen in een tweede stap. Een vast artikel dat het polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1-11 omvat Het vaste artikel volgens de voorgaande conclusie, in de vorm van een samengesteld granulaat, geéxtrudeerd werkstuk, spuitgegoten artikel, blaasgegoten artikel, film of rotatiegegoten kunststof artikel, tweedelig vioeibaar gegoten artikel, laminaat, 3D printerfilament, vilt, geweven stof, gebreide stof, geborduurde stof, niet-geweven stof, geotextiel, vezels of een stevige plat Het vaste artikel volgens conclusie 15 of 16, in de vorm van een koffiecapsule, bestek, voedselschaal of verpakking voor eenmalig gebruik. Een tussenproduct zoals bereid door de werkwijze volgens conclusie 14, voor gebruik bij de bereiding van een polymeercomposiet volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1- "SAMENWERKINGSVERDRAG (PCT) RAPPORT BETREFFENDE NIEUWHEIDSONDERZOEK VAN INTERNATIONAAL TYPE IDENTIFICATIE VAN DE NATIONALE AANVRAGE | KENMERK VAN DE AANVRAGER OF VAN DE GEMACHTIGDE Nederlands aanvraag Inleningscatum 2026594 30-09-2020 Ingeroopen voorrangsdatum [Aanvrager (Naam) Compostable Coffee Cups IP B.V. Datum van het verzoek voor een onderzoek van Door de instante voor injemationaal Onderzoek aan intemationaal ype het verzoek voor een onderzoek van internationaal ype toegekend nv. 23-01-2021 '$N77926 |. CLASSIFICATIE VAN HET ONDERWERP _ (bj oepassing van vescitende aanslicats, ale clasieaieaymbelen opaeven) Volgens de intemationale classificate IPC) Zie onderzoeksrapport Il, ONDERZOCHTE GEBIEDEN VAN DE TECHNIEK (Onderzachte minimumsacumentate [Classiicatesysteom | Ciassiicatiesymbolen Ipc Zie onderzoeksrapport [Onderzochie andere Gocamentalis dan Ge minimum documentaie, voor 2over dergelike Gocumenien in de onderzochle gebleden iin opgenomen IIL.|_[GEEN ONDERZOEK MOGELIK VOOR BEPAALDE CONCLUSIES _(opmerkingen op aanvulingsblad) IV. [_ [GEBREK AAN EENHEID VAN UTVINDING (opmerkingen op aanvulingsbiad Form PGTISA 201 A (11/2000)ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT BETREFFENDE HET RESULTAAT VAN HET ONDERZOEK NAAR DE STAND eyes van hetvezoar om eon onderaoek naar VAN DE TECHNIEK VAN HET INTERNATIONALE TYPE NL 2026504 ae Cealler7oa ne” ‘ADD. Velgens de ntematonsle Oasoioae van ecrooien (IPC) of zowel volgen de naonale asaiote ale vlgen de IP. ‘Orderzoohe mimnum documenta (olassteabe gevolpd door SuseTicaeeymbTen) Cesk O99 COL Gebleden zp opgenomen " i: Titers fet onderoor peraadpoogs EPO-Internal, WPI Data oniahe gegevanabestandan (naam van do gogevenebevianden 0, waar uivoetBaa,pebrune FeRVoeraer) (C.VAN BELANG GEACHTE DOCUMENTEN ‘categorie *] Geoteerde dooumenten eventueel met andicng van epeaaavanbelang zd pareapes| Yanan voor Y US 2005/101700 Al (RIEBEL MICHAEL J [US]) 1-18 12 mei 2005 (2005-05-12) alinea [0045] * * alinea [0084] - alinea [0085] * * voorbeelden 1,2 * * conclusies * Y US 2018/127554 Al (MOHANTY AMAR KUMAR [CA] 1-18 ET AL) 10 mei 2018 (2018-05-10) * alinea [0120] * * alinea [0121] * * composites 1 to 3; tabellen 5,6 * * composites 2, 6 to 8; alinea [0171]; tabel 9 * * composites i to 3; kolom 178; tabel 10 * * conclusies * i] Verderedooumentan worden vermaldn het venvolgvan vk ©. Di] Leder van dezetde oxtootamie zp vermeld ia cen bilage * Spedale categonetn van sangehaaldedosurenin “Trae inringsdator of de voorangedatom gepubione riot }ot de categorie XY behorence erature de stand van de funn wes vamediiervenatnnngeen cobworw a "chnise beech Fatpcipe daten ronclag it aan de ubvning toplagemge) gepublccerd po rade incningsdatm, tem oprinte van deze erat ts aesaRde UA rel sesso “L’ omancereredenenvemmeteeratuur “an de combine van deze satura andere geoteorde “Ont shrtatine tan van de eco era van gezeie categorie; waar de combinate voor tuasen de voorrangedatum en de indeningedatum gapublosere tratuur “Bhan devedeootrootamie of ovreerkomstie oetreopublatie ae ee Le ey ree een 25 mei 2021 Nauman aes van de iatabe De bevougde anblaraar European Patent Ofte, P5818 Patatcan2 A Ror Fas (ate) 0008 Russell, Graham Fale POTENEDY fondo ad (naan 2) bladzijde 1 van 2ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT BETREFFENDE HET RESULTAAT VAN HET ONDERZOEK NAAR DE STAND Tamer van hate on fon OndeTaDeh AS VAN DE TECHNIEK VAN HET INTERNATIONALE TYPE NL 2026504 ‘Vera, VAN BELANG GEAGHTE DOOUMENTEN Y DATABASE WPI week 201940 Thomson Scientific, London, GB; AN 2019-341510 P002803065, -& CN 109 575 540 A (SHENZHEN YUTO PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY CO) 5 april 2019 (2019-04-05) * samenvatting * * voorbeelden 1-4; tabel 1 * * conclusies * * alinea [0093] - alinea [0095] * AL) 6 september 2018 (2018-09-06) * conclusies * Y US 2013/023608 Al (KELLETT PATTI JEAN [US] ET AL) 24 januari 2013 (2013-01-24) A US2018/249743 Al (CHEN SHIH-NING [TW] ET 1-18 1-18 1-18 nals POTISNED) feng wont (nas bladzijde 2 van 2ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT BETREFFENDE HET RESULTAAT VAN HET ONDERZOEK NAAR DE STAND ‘Jo sand van de teohmwek noe VAN DE TECHNIEK VAN HET INTERNATIONALE TYPE NL 2026594 Inet rapport Datum van (Overeenkomend(e) Datum genoemd actrocigeschrit publica ‘eschrifien) publi US 2005101700 Al 12-05-2005 AU 2004249706 Al 29-12-2008 BR P10411323 A 25-07-2006 cA 2528936 Al 29-12-2004 EP 1639040 AL 29-03-2006 JP 2007517078 A 28-06-2007 KR 20060061301 A 07-06-2006 MX PAQ5O13451 A 23-06-2006 US 2005019545 Al 27-01-2005 US 2005075423 Al 67-04-2005 US 2005101700 Al 12-05-2005 WO 2004113435 Al 29-12-2004 US 2018127554 Al 10-05-2018 CA 2978629 Al 09-09-2016 3265515 Al 10-01-2018 2018127554 Al 10-05-2018 Al 2016138593 09-09-2016 CN 109575540 A 05-04-2019 GEN US 2013023608 Al 24-01-2013 GEEN US 2018249743 Al 06-09-2018 CN 107304288 A 31-10-2017 3235870 Al 25-10-2017 6357520 B2 11-07-2018 2017193698 A 26-10-2017 201809148 A 16-03-2018 2017303569 Al 26-10-2017 Al 2018249743 06-09-2018 ‘Fale POTENED) fewagias cxcofae) (onan 20H)WRITTEN OPINION File No. Filing date (dayimonthyear) Prony date (dayiontnyear) ‘Applicaton No. SN77926 30.09.2020 NLzo26594 International Patent Classification (IPO) INV. CO8L6704 ‘Applicant ‘Compostable Coffoo Cups IP B.V. Box No. | Box No. II Box No. Il Box No. IV Box No. V Box No. VI Box No. Vil Box No. Vill oOo00 gooo8 This opinion contains indications relating to the following items: Basis of the opinion Prioriy Non-establishment af opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability Lack of unity of invention oasonod statement with rogard to novelty, inventive stop or industrial applicabilly; citations and explanations supporting such statement Certain documents cited Certain defects in the application Certain observations on the application Russell, Graham Form NL297A (Oekbag (July 2006)‘Application number WRITTEN OPINION NL2026594 Box No.1 Ba: Of this opinion This opinion has been established on the basis of the latest set of claims filed before the start of the search. With regard to any nucleotide andior amino acid sequence disclosed in the application and necessary to the claimed invention, this opinion has been established on the basis of: a. type of material a sequence listing C1 tablo(s) related to the sequence listing b. format of material QO onpaper C_inelectronic form 6. time of flingfurnishing: C1 contained in the application as fled. (1 fled together with the application in electronic form, O furnished subsequently for the purposes of search. C_In addition, in the case that more than one version or copy of a sequence listing andior table relating thereto has been filed or furnished, the required statements that the information in the subsequent or additional copies is identical to that in the application as fled or does not go beyond the application as fled, as appropriate, were furnished, Additional comments: wentive step or industrial applical Box No.V__ Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, citations and explanations supporting such statement Statement Novelty Yes: Claims 1-18 No: Claims Inventive step Yes: Claims No: Claims 1-18 Industrial applicability Yes: Claims 1-18 No: Claims Citations and explanations see separate sheet NL2378 (July 2006)WRITTEN OPINION Application number (SEPARATE SHEET) NL2026594 Item V: 1. Reference is made to the following documents: Dt US 2005/101700 At (RIEBEL MICHAEL J [US}) (2005-05-12) D2 US 2018/127554 A1 (MOHANTY AMAR KUMAR [CA] ET AL) (2018-05-10) D3 DATABASE WPI week 201940 Thomson Scientific, London, GB; AN 2019-34151U -& CN 109 575 540 A (SHENZHEN YUTO PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY CO) (2019-04-05) D4 US 2013/023608 A1 (KELLETT PATTI JEAN [US] ET AL) (2013-01-24) DS US 2018/249743 A1 (CHEN SHIH-MING [TW] ET AL) (2018-09-06) 2. Novelty and inventive step 2.1. The relevant state of the art is summarized in the following, D1 claims a composition which can be formed into articles of manufacture by molding, said composition comprising: 5 to 95 wt-% fermentation solid which comprises distiller's, dried grain; and 1 to 95 wt-% thermoactive material such as a thermoplastic, thermoset material, resin or adhesive polymer, and optionally further comprising at least one of plasticizer, light stabilizer, and coupling agent (claims 1-26). Plasticizers which may be used include solid polyols including sorbitol, sorbitan, mannitol and mattitol, which are also favoured in the present application ({0084-0085)). Especially preferred is a composition comprising distiler's dried grain and polypropylene and further comprising maleated polypropylene (Examples 1 & 2; claim 55) Apolymer composite according to claim 1 of the application is not directly and unambiguously disclosed D2 biodegradable composite comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix comprising one or more biodegradable polymers including poly(lactic acid), (b) a filler, the filler selected from the group consisting of one or a combination of two or more of the following: (i) a by-product from coffee and/or tea, (i) a perennial grass and/or agricultural residue, (i) a co-product of grain-based ethanol industries, and (iv) an inorganic filler; and (c) an anhydride Form N.257-9 (sept shee) ly 2008) chee 1)WRITTEN OPINION Application number (SEPARATE SHEET) NL2026594 grafted compatibilizer (claims 1,5), and further comprises (d) a polymer additive, the polymer additive being a polymer chain extender, a plasticizer or both., wherein the plasticizer includes alkyl citrates ({0120]; claims 12 & 13). The by-product of coffee includes coffee ground, spent coffee [milled spent coffee grains] (claim 9); the co-product of grain-based ethanol industries includes dried grains (DDG), distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) (claim 46); and the inorganic filler is selected from talc, clay, calcium carbonate, wollastonite, and barium sulfate (claim 47). Specifically, in the example composites 2 and 7 & 8 (Table 9) and composite 5 (Table 10), the selected plasticizer is tributyl citrate (TBC). A solid plasticizer (c) with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210°C, as in claim 1 of the application, is not disclosed D3 relates to a polylactic acid fully degradable composite material for packaging which comprises the following components by weight: 5-40 parts of dried distiller's grains, 50-90 parts of polylactic acid, 5-10 parts of environmentally friendly plasticizer, antioxidant 0.1 to 0.5 parts (claims 1, 5), wherein the environmentally-friendly plasticizer is at least glycerin, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, and acetyl trihexyl citrate (Examples 1-4; claim 3) A solid plasticizer (c) with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210°C, as in claim 1 of the application, is not disclosed D4 claims a multicomponent fiber comprising a bio-based thermoplastic polymer and optionally a thermoplastic starch (claim 1), wherein the thermoplastic starch comprises a destructurized starch and a plasticizer which is selected from the group consisting of mannitol, sorbitol, glycerin, and combinations thereot ((0089]; claims 11-13). Milled spent grains as of component b) of the application are not divulged D5 discloses a composition comprising brewer's spent grains and polylactic acid (claim 1), wherein a proportion of the brewer's spent grains is 10% to 30% by weight, and a proportion of the polylactic acid is 70% to 90% by weight (claim 2) The incorporation of a plasticizer c) in this composition is not foreseen. Therefore, the subject-matter of all claims 1 to 18 can be seen to be novel. Form N257-9 (sept shee) ly 2008) chee 2)WRITTEN OPINION Application number (SEPARATE SHEET) NL2026594 2.2 D2relates to a biodegradable composite which can be extruded, injection or compression molded and used for disposable food packaging. Especially the composites 7 and 8 appear to be most relevant. D3 also describes fully degradable composites for packaging comprising dried distiller's grains, polylactic acid, environmentally friendly plasticizer and antioxidant (Examples 1 0 3). Both D2 and D3 can be considered as representing the the closest prior art. The subject-matter of the application is distinguished therefrom (D2/D3), in that a solid plasticizer c) with a melting temperature in the range of 55 to 210°C is present in a particular amount in the polymer composite; D2/D3 disclose only liquid alkyl citrate plasticizers The application does not show any technical effect resulting from the use of its component c), or with respect to its amount relative to the milled spent grains b). The problem solved can be seen to be the provision of a further polymer composite. The solution is the use of said plasticizer c) according to the independent claims 1, 11, 15 and 18 D1 discloses thermoplastic based biopolymer composites comprising distiller’s dried grain, and mentions that conventional plasticizers can be employed in the biopolymer including the polyols sorbitol, sorbitan, mannitol, and maltitol having melting points in the claimed range of 55 to 210°C, as well as polymeric plasticizers such as polyvinyl alcohol (mp 200°C) (D1 [0084-0085)) In addition, D4 teaches such polyol plasticizers used in the present application as being favorable bio-based plasticizers (D4 [0093-0094)) Thus, D1 and D4, relating to similar technical fields as D2 and D3, provide the skilled person with an incentive to use such solid plasticizers in the composite materials of D2/ D3 to simply provide an alternative. Therefore, the proposed solution of the application is deemed to be an arbitrary selection and to be obvious in view of the cited prior art. Also the subject-matter of the dependent claims is considered to be encompassed in the cited prior art disclosures, and not to contribute to inventive step. Hence, in conclusion, the application is not considered to involve an inventive step. Form N.257-9 (sept sheet) ly 2008) chee 3}