Abstract: A package for free-flowing media comprising a molded pulp vessel partly or completely surrounding two or more film pouches or a film pouch having a plurality of chambers. An environmentally friendly package whose constituents can be reused without any great complexity.

Abstract: A molded article (10) made predominantly of pulp and comprising a bottom portion (13) and a body portion (12), wherein the angle ? between the outer surface of a side wall of the body portion (12) and the ground contact plane (B) of the bottom portion (13) is 85° or greater, and the height of the body portion (12) is 50 mm or more.

Abstract: Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.

Abstract: A polymeric container comprises a continuous body portion, a rim, first and second minor flaps, and first and second major flaps. The body portion is integrally-formed and non-foldable. The rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the continuous body portion. The first and second minor flaps are integrally connected to the rim along respective fold lines. The minor flaps form respective first and second minor flap securing portions. The first and second major flaps are integrally connected to the rim along respective fold lines. The major flaps form respective openable handle portions or handle openings therein, respective first end securing portions, and respective second end securing portions. The second openable handle portion or second handle opening is adapted to generally align with the first openable handle portion or first handle opening to form a handle.

Abstract: A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.

Abstract: A deep dish disposable container is preferably prepared from a radially scored paperboard blank and has a substantially planar bottom portion, an upwardly projecting sidewall portion and an outwardly extending flange portion. The flange and sidewall are provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending densified regions formed from a plurality of paperboard layers reformed into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent layers having a thickness generally equal to adjacent areas of the sidewall and flange portions to provide uniformity and strength. The deep dish container generally has a height to diameter ratio of from about 0.1 to about 0.16; whereas the radially scored paperboard blank has from about 50 to about 100 radial scores. The product is dimensioned and configured such that there is from about 0.015 to about 0.05 inches of excess paperboard per score about the flange portion in order to provide rigidity to the product.

Abstract: A packaging case 1 is formed of a unitary blank 1a of paper material. The unitary blank 1a has at least two fold lines 2a, 2b between which a back side wall 6a is formed and both sides of which a bottom wall 10 and a top wall 11 are formed. The unitary blank 1a has also incisions 3a, 3b formed on both ends of the fold lines 2a, 2b. The unitary blank is deep drawn to form side walls 6 on each periphery of the bottom wall 10 and the top wall 11 and form rims 8a, 8b protruding outwardly from each upper end of the side walls 6. The unitary blank is folded along the fold lines 2a, 2b so that the rims 8a, 8b come into contact with each other, whereby the bottom wall 10, the top wall 11, the back side wall 6a and the side walls 6 constitute an inner space.

Abstract: A food enclosing container that has a top member and a bottom member, each formed of absorbent, corrugated paperboard, wherein at least one of the members has pressformed sidewalls. The paperboard has at least three layers, a smooth first layer, a smooth third layer and a corrugated layer interposed between the first and third layers. The top member has an unsealed interior surface so that it can absorb moisture from a contained food product. The bottom member has a grease barrier layer within the interior of its paperboard preferably positioned on the top surface of the third layer. Each of the members have engageable peripheral rims, which have a releasable, rebondable cohesive applied to the rims to permit the members to be bonded together, separated and rebonded together.

Abstract: A pressed container is formed having a peripheral sidewall, a continuous bottom wall along the lower edge of the sidewall, and an outwardly directed peripheral rim along the upper edge of the sidewall and wherein an inwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall and an outwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall that cooperates with the inwardly directed bulge of an adjacent container when stacked in nesting relationship to uniformly stack the containers in nested relationship for easy separation of the containers.

Abstract: A multilayered molded container having at least a moisture-proof layer formed by papermaking which contains a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 90 to 200° C. and a viscosity of 20 to 10000 Pa·s as measured with a capillograph at a shear rate of 100 s−1 and a set temperature of 200° C.

Abstract: A cup carrier is described which has an integrally formed body portion having a base, walls and four cup-holding openings, wherein two of the cup holding openings define a first pair and two cup holding openings define a second pair, and the first pair of cup holding openings is provided at a first level relative to the base, and the second pair of openings is provided at a second level from the base which is higher from the base than the first level. The openings in one pair of the cup holding openings can be differently sized than the cup holding openings in the other pair to accommodate different sizes of drink cups.

Abstract: Disposable dishware and cookware may be constructed from corrugated paperboard. The corrugated paperboard provides voids filled with air to serve as a natural insulation barrier. In so doing the contents held by the dishware are maintained at a desired temperature longer without transferring temperature to the user. The voids may also serve as conduits or plenums to communicate hot air away from the cookware and thus provide for use at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A packaging case 1 is formed of a unitary blank 1a of paper material. The unitary blank 1a has at least two fold lines 2a, 2b between which a back side wall 6a is formed and both sides of which a bottom wall 10 and a top wall 11 are formed. The unitary blank 1a has also incisions 3a, 3b formed on both ends of the fold lines 2a, 2b. The unitary blank is deep drawn to form side walls 6 on each periphery of the bottom wall 10 and the top wall 11 and form rims 8a, 8b protruding outwardly from each upper end of the side walls 6. The unitary blank is folded along the fold lines 2a, 2b so that the rims 8a, 8b come into contact with each other, whereby the bottom wall 10, the top wall 11, the back side wall 6a and the side walls 6 constitute an inner space.

Abstract: A food container with a rigid base plate formed of a generally planar polymer sheet to have a plurality of stiffening projections extending out of the plane of the sheet, the stiffening projections including a first serpentine projection formed in a segmented, non-linear path and a second, shallower serpentine projection also formed in a segmented non-linear path, a peripheral gutter and a centrally located oval shaped projection free of interconnection with the first and second serpentine projections, with lands between the stiffening projections forming a generally planar top surface of the base plate. The food container also has a cover of polymer material and the cover and base plate are designed to nest for pre-use storage and stack when assembled in use.

Abstract: A cushioning molded product is provided which is produced by binding a vegetable fiber with a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to conduct molding. Further a process is provided for producing a cushioning molded product from a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a vegetable fiber, the process comprising (a) mixing or adhering the copolymer and the vegetable fiber, and (b) molding the resulting mixture into an intended shape by heating the mixture to bind the vegetable fiber with the copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming a corrugated container having a double wall construction. A blank is formed of a pair of corrugated layers sandwiched between and adhered to adjacent flat layers and having a sufficient moisture content to enable the blank to be formed. The blank can include printed indicia, thermoresistant coatings, release coatings, and other coatings applied to the blank to enhance the utility of the container formed from the blank. The blank is then inserted into a thermoforming machine in which a pair of heated dies compress the blank into the desired container shape.

Abstract: A food container comprising three or more plies, a first ply, a second ply, and at least a third ply. The first ply is oriented towards the hands and face of the user and receives food in use. The first ply is essentially continuous throughout its plane. The third ply is oriented towards the lap of the user or a table top in use. The second ply spaces the first and third plies apart. In a preferred embodiment, the food container may be made of a corrugated material. The food container may be made from a blank which is deformed out of its plane during manufacture.

Abstract: A three-compartment, disposable food serving plate includes three ribs in an asymmetric array angularly joined to the bottom and sidewall of the plate. The plate preferably includes a four radius, smooth profile from the bottom to the outer rim and is formed from mineral-filled polyolefin sheet. Mica-filled polypropylene is particularly preferred.

Abstract: Containers made from wood chips 11 are made by forming a wall by pressing together wood chips 11 mixed with a water-insoluble adhesive 4. The wall permits infiltration of a liquid from at least one surface thereof and holds the liquid inside. The containers are suited for use as food bowls having a heat-insulating quality and as flower pots providing an automatic continuous feed of water. The wood chips used as the material are obtained by crushing particles of wood resulting from lumbering into smaller pieces.

Abstract: A food container comprising three or more plies, a first ply, a second ply, and at least a third ply. The first ply is oriented towards the hands and face of the user and receives food in use. The first ply is essentially continuous throughout its plane. The third ply is oriented towards the lap of the user or a table top in use. The second ply spaces the first and third plies apart. In a preferred embodiment, the food container may be made of a corrugated material. The food container may be made from a blank which is deformed out of its plane during manufacture.

Abstract: A disposable food serving bowl formed of a mineral-filled polyolefin sheet has a substantially planar central portion, a sidewall portion and a characteristic volume V. The bowl is further characterized by way of a flange projecting outwardly from the sidewall which defines an outer arcuate rim portion with a radius of curvature subtending an outermost arc. The radius of curvature of the outermost arc is from about (V/20)⅓×0.15 to about (V/20)⅓×0.35.

Abstract: A tray and a blank for forming the tray for holding foodstuff or the like are disclosed. The tray is formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material, and includes a base and opposed side and end walls hingedly connected to the base. Means are provided to give fluid communication between the surface of the base that forms the tray interior and a void so that fluid present in the tray can drain into the void. The void is formed by a double skinned zone adjacent at least a portion of the intersection between the base and at least one of the side and/or end walls, the double skinned zone being provided by folded outer panels of the opposed side and/or end walls.

Abstract: The specification discloses a layered composite containing a barrier layer comprising clay homogeneously dispersed in a continuous phase of polymeric material. The barrier layer is especially useful in the manufacture of liquid food containers. The clay/polymer barrier layer is formed by dispersing the clay in molten polymeric material to form a homogeneously dispersed clay in a continuous polymer phase. The barrier layer is then applied adjacent one surface of a paperboard component of the composite at a thickness ranging from about 1 to 30 microns. The paperboard may be coated or uncoated at the time the barrier layer is applied, and additional polymeric barrier layers and tie or adhesive layers may be used in combination with the barrier layer to provide reduced oxygen and water vapor transport through the composite.

Abstract: A system for packaging of perishable food products involves initially packaging the food product in a receptacle containing an inert gas atmosphere and sealing a film to the receptacle. The inert gas atmosphere prevents deterioration of the food product subsequent to shipment from a central processing facility. The receptacle includes a sealing flange and a tab portion extending from the sealing flange, to which the film is sealed. To prepare the food product for display at a retail establishment, the tab and the film sealed thereto are removed from the package, to form an opening between the film and the receptacle. An atmosphere exchange operation is carried out through the opening, by inserting a nozzle through the opening and introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the receptacle cavity through the opening. The inert gas atmosphere initially contained within the receptacle is exhausted through the opening.

Abstract: A cup-shaped cake container formed by bending a paper sheet. The container has a bottom and a sidewall. Step portions are formed in the sidewall. The step portions act against the restoring force of the material. A curved transitional wall is formed between the bottom and the sidewall.

Abstract: A microwave steam tray is made of a thermo-formed co-polymer polypropylene quality food grade plastic. The microwave steam tray comprises a plastic container having a dish portion and a connected lid. The dish portion includes a bottom surface with four sidewalls extending therefrom to define a dish interior. A plurality of ribs are raised from the bottom surface to provide a cooking plane. Steam channels are formed between the ribs. The ribs extend radially from a moisture reservoir positioned within the dish interior. The moisture reservoir includes a retaining wall having a cup portion formed within the retaining wall. Recesses are formed within the retaining wall. Liquid based food products may be placed in the moisture cylinder during cooking. Steam generated from the moisture reservoir easily travels down the radial steam channels.

Abstract: Composite paperboard containers formed from a first substantially planar sheet of paperboard material having a content contacting surface and a back surface, a first embossed sheet of paperboard material having a plurality of raised portions adhered to the back surface of the first planar sheet and a second embossed sheet of paperboard material having a plurality of raised portions adhered to the first embossed sheet of paperboard material. Additional planar sheets or embossed sheets may be added as desired in order to achieve the desired flexural stiffness and thermal resistance.

Abstract: A multi-ply food container. The multi-ply food container has selective reinforcement at the center of the food container, and regions of a raised side wall and/or rim which are not reinforced. The reinforcement is preferably done by joining an additional ply to the food container.

Abstract: Two-piece cups formed, e.g., from a thermoformable plastics material, include a bottom wall disc which is bonded to an inwardly turned annular bottom flange of the side wall by an upwardly and inwardly sloped transition wall. The transition wall allows the bottom wall disc to be bonded to the sidewall flange in such a manner that the annular bottom edge is substantially unaffected by the heat and pressures during the bonding process. The bottom wall disc may be in the form of multiple concentrically disposed, annular bottom wall segments which are connected to one another by respective ones of a plurality of transition walls.

Abstract: A foil container formed from a single sheet of metal about orthogonal longitudinal and transverse axes, comprises a bottom panel, a continuous wall panel, and a continuous rim. The continuous wall panel encompasses the bottom panel and extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel. The continuous rim encompasses an upper edge of the continuous wall panel and projects laterally outwardly therefrom. The bottom panel is constructed and arranged bend strength and aesthetic appeal of the container. In one embodiment, the bottom panel forms a network of clusters including hexagonal ribs, hexagonal embossments, and bar ribs. In another embodiment, the bottom panel forms a plurality of closely spaced, concentric elliptical ribs that occupy a substantial portion of the bottom panel.

Abstract: A container designed for the easy transportation of a beverage and a meal or snack when closed, and for the convenient upright retention of the beverage when open. The container includes a beverage retention well positioned in the container's interior and a corresponding beverage holder, positioned above the retention well, in the container's lid.

Abstract: A paperboard material 101 is mainly composed of a paperboard having a weight of 200 to 450 g/m.sup.2, a density of 0.65 to 0.82 and a gas permeability of 50 to 200 sec. A first resin layer having liquid-impermeability and thermal resistance is formed entirely on the surface of the paperboard on the inner side of the receptacle, and a second resin layer having permeability to gas and liquid is formed entirely on the back surface of the paperboard. Radial score lines 117 are formed in the portion corresponding to the corners of the paperboard material 101 toward its outer periphery. The score lines 117 do not reach the outer periphery of the paperboard material 101 but terminate at the position at a distance "a" (1 to 3 mm). The score lines 117 are formed by pressing the paperboard with a pressing die from the side constituting the inner side of the receptacle toward the outer side.

Abstract: Molded pulp inner protective packaging for ammunition is provided. The packaging can be formed using a single molding operation without the need for drilling, punching or similar subsequent operations. Molded-in holes with sufficient precision to achieve reliable interference fit against ammunition is provided. In some cases, the single piece device includes flaps or other extensions foldable to provide support in two or more places for the ammunition. In one embodiment, precisely dimensioned rods extending from a substrate through a forming screen are used in producing molded-in holes of precise dimension.

Abstract: A two cup carrier is described which stably accommodates two cups of any different size in two cup-receiving sockets. The tray is stabilized and strengthened by stabilizing legs and by a support gusset provided between the two cup-receiving sockets.

Abstract: A molded tray having a lid section and a storage section, and a method for its manufacture. The molded tray is especially adapted for the storage and service of food products, such as may be made and sold at take-out restaurants. The device comprises a lid section and a storage section interconnected with a bending, or hinge, section. The hinge section is provided with an area of reduced thickness providing a hinge point, and permitting the lid section to overlie the storage section without significant elastic memory so that the lid remains in the closed position adjacent the storage section. The method comprises the deposition of pulp fibers on a carrier net, with a mask plate positioned to prevent deposition of pulp fiber in the location of the area of reduced thickness.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a decorative cardboard hollow shell to be filled with gifts such as Easter eggs, hearts, gift boxes, imitation fruit and the like, decorated outside and/or inside with pictorial elements and consisting of two half-shells with cuved surfaces. The half-shells have circumferential edges to which a non-pre-formed coatings are applied to form rim coatings that produces an inside and outside edge strip covering all rough transitions and cut edges of each cardboard hollow shell half, this rim coating forming a clean and decorative surface.

Abstract: A food service container comprises a tray and a lid preferably composed of a leak-resistant, absorptive moldable material such as molded fiber. The tray has a first body portion and a first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first body portion has a primary food storage compartment and at least one beverage cup holding pocket. The beverage cup holding pocket forms resilient, deflectable side wall sections allowing the pocket to firmly hold beverage cups of different sizes. The lid is hingedly mounted to the tray. The lid includes a second body portion and a second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the lid is in the closed position, the lid covers the primary food storage compartment.

Abstract: A packaging tray for use with food such as meat or fish formed from a hollow plastics material board, the base portion (14) of the tray having holes (16) formed in the upper portion thereof and the holes having a lip (18) which is at least partly removed on the top side. The tray is preferably formed from corrugated plastics material sheet of a recyclable material such as polyolefin. The holes are star-shaped and channels are formed through the lip in the interstices between adjacent points of the star allowing liquor to drain into the interior of the board but not back out again.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food storage device that is capable of storing food items for an extended period of time. This device includes a bottom wall that has a sidewall extending upward from its periphery forming a cavity therein. A removable platform is further contained within the cavity capable of supporting food items therein. The removable platform supported within the cavity by a support structure. The support structure embodied by either legs extending downward from the removable platform, pegs extending upward from the bottom wall or a ridge extending inwardly from the sidewall. The cavity is enclosed by a cover that is removably attached to the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method wherein on at least one side of the cardboard in the at least one wall panel (1), a number of creases (2, 3, 4) are provided in the cardboard through a die-cutting or pressing operation, which creases (2, 3, 4) are at least locally slightly spaced apart and extend parallel to each other at that location. The invention also relates to a box manufactured by means of the method according to the invention and to a die-cutting apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention to provide a blank for a box according to the invention.

Abstract: Two types of disposable pans made from a paper sheet material by press means are disclosed, particularly designed to prevent its paper configuration from easily deforming and/or to prevent its bottom portion from easy burning or scorching. The one type includes at least two parts, a bowl-like concave part having a bottom portion and an opening divergent part extended upwards from said concave parts. This type necessitates a specific supporting means when used with a cooking oven. The another type additionally includes a flange part interposed between said two parts and can be used without any supporting means. In order to prevent the paper configuration from easy deforming, a plurality of folds are provided on the opening divergent part to have the overlapped width small, and/or a synthetic resin is laminated on said paper sheet material.

Abstract: A beverage cup carrier includes multiple pockets arranged in laterally spaced relation. Each pocket includes a bottom wall, a plurality of conical side wall portions, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs. The side wall portions encompass the bottom wall and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The side wall portions are circumferentially spaced from each other and form surface portions of a curved surface of an imaginary inverted cone. The webs interconnect the side wall portions and extend radially inward from the curved surface of the imaginary inverted cone. Each of the webs includes a flat central section and a pair of opposing side sections connecting the central section to adjacent ones of the conical side wall portions. The central section extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The pair of opposing side sections of each of the webs form surface portions of a curved surface of a respective imaginary upright cone.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and then passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold apparatus and a process for forming a lid latching mechanism in a thermoplastic container. The lid latching mechanism features a large, trapezoidally-shaped opening hole. The trapezoidal shape has been found to reduce the amount of tearing that can occur along the edges of an opening formed during the thermoforming process. The opening is created by the engagement between a fixed shear key mounted in a first mold member and a movable shear key which has a trapezoidally-shaped cutting surface and is mounted in a second mold member. The movable key travels along an inclined path as the mold members close on a preheated thermoplastic sheet to form a container.

Abstract: A method for forming a corrugated paperboard and a container made therefrom is provided. The corrugated paper is formed with a first layer of flat paperboard to which a second layer of contoured paperboard is attached. The contoured layer of paperboard is further formed with a plurality of flutes, each flute including a first flute tip and a second flute tip, the flute being substantially vertical at the midpoint between the flute tips. The method of forming the corrugated paperboard container comprises placing the corrugated paperboard into a stamping dye which has a male dye portion and a female cavity shaped in the shape of which the paperboard is to be formed. The paperboard is then pressed between the dye and the cavity to apply a pressure to the paperboard. Heat is also applied to the paperboard simultaneously with the application of pressure. The dye is then removed from the cavity and the paperboard container is formed.

Abstract: A thermoplastic hinged container having stiffened side walls and having spaced channels in a shoulder/flange seal portion of the container base and mating stiffening lugs in an opposing lid portion to prevent warping of the container during closure and provide improved sealing.

Abstract: A pizza box having a top and bottom each formed of a single layer of biodegradable, insulating material, such as molded fiber. The bottom provides an insulating airspace between the hot pizza product and the bottom major surface area and another insulating airspace between the bottom undersurface and a resting surface. The top and bottom, when closed, provided a closed chamber with no external air circulation. Thermal conduction paths are reduced by the small surface area contact between the bottom and the product and the small surface contact area between the bottom and a resting surface. Additional features include a closed storage chamber without air vents, a truncated cone or truncated pyramid shape, moisture absorption by the top inner surface, liquid resistance by the bottom top surface, stackable tops and bottoms, air restricting closure walls, cutting channels which also add strength to the bottom and radiation reflective color.

Abstract: A package for a caramel apple, candy apple or the like includes a base having at least one recess for the receipt of an apple, a ridge extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the base, and a first substantially flat outer surface abutting the ridge, and a cover accommodating a stick protruding from the apple and having a shoulder extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the cover for sealing contact with the ridge of the base when the cover and the base are in a closed position, and a second substantially flat outer surface abutting the shoulder and being located adjacent the first substantially flat outer surface of the base to permit a single label to be affixed to an area of both of the first and the second substantially flat outer surfaces to maintain the package in a closed position and provide a tamper evident seal. Other embodiments of a protective package are also disclosed.