| abstract |
Processes and dies (20a) for manufacturing an expanded biodegradable item are disclosed. Dies having a convex piece (21a) and a concave piece (22a) are employed. A pair of coating films (12) having moulding material (14) interposed between are arranged between the convex piece (21a) and the concave piece (22a), locked and heated. Simultaneously with obtaining a biodegradable foam moulded item by steam expansion moulding, the coating films (12) are softened and compression-bonded to a surface of the biodegradable foam moulded item. The process enables high precision production of a biodegradable moulded item having a satisfactory strength, even if it has a complex configuration, and exhibiting satisfactory water resistance, high biodegradability and excellent surface smoothness. |