Abstract: An apparatus for pressforming a paperboard sheet into an articulable pressformed container. The apparatus includes a pair of male and female, matingly engagable dies, which have interfacing forming surfaces in the shape of a container for engaging a paperboard sheet. A first one of the dies has a plurality of ridges extending from the forming surface and a second one of the dies has a plurality of grooves within the forming surface. The grooves register with the ridges when the dies matingly engage for creating creases in the paperboard sheet. The invention also includes a method for simultaneously shaping the container and forming fold creases on the container thereby making the container articulable.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of paperboard tray forming machines which typically consist of an upper and lower die which interlock to deform a paperboard blank. The invention is an arcuate yoke having a pair of legs to which locating stops and side guide plates are rigidly attached. The die is angled to the earth so that a blank deposited onto the die is gravity biased toward the locating stops. The yoke is vibratingly driven and the blank is vibrated into position on the lower die by contacting the locating stops and side guide plates and vibrating to the blank's lowest position on the die.

Abstract: A paper tray forming machine with an improved blank centering device which consists of at least one finger which is moved upward and toward two passive stops. The finger may be shaped similarly to the blank's edge so that precise positioning occurs during the motion of the fingers.

Abstract: A paper tray forming machine with an improved blank centering device which consists of at least one finger which is moved upward and toward two passive stops. The finger may be shaped similarly to the blank's edge so that precise positioning occurs during the motion of the fingers.