Abstract: A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes an obliquely angled, continuous ring, and/or annular stop member between an inner die member and an outer die ring. Increased surface area of contact between stop components provides greater wear resistance, and the angled contact face maintains alignment of the die components.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for making pressware features a vacuum belt feeder which accelerates and decelerates a feed blank for controlled insertion into a forming die as well as retainers to limit bounce back of the blank off of forward stops. A pneumatic ejector on the forming ram facilitates product removal.

Abstract: A method for forming a corrugated paperboard container and a container made therefrom having a first layer of flat paperboard to which is attached a second layer of contoured paperboard, said contoured layer having a plurality of flutes, each said flute including a first flute tip and a second flute tip, the flute rise being substantially vertical at the midpoint between said flute tips, said forming method comprising, placing the corrugated paperboard into a stamping die, the stamping die having a male die and a female cavity shaped in the shape in which the paperboard is to be formed; pressing the paperboard between the die and the cavity to apply a pressure to the paperboard; applying heat to the paperboard simultaneously with said application of pressure; and removing said die from the cavity.

Abstract: A grease and oil resistant container useful for baking foods contained therein at elevated temperatures which includes a bottom wall and an upturned side wall extending the periphery of the bottom wall having an inner layer of parchment paper and an outer layer of ovenable paperboard. Preferably, the side wall includes a rim that extends outwardly from the side wall in an arcuate path. The rim may include a peripheral lip which extends downwardly from the rim. The container is formed by deep drawing a flat, circular blank. The blank includes an ovenable paperboard base layer and an inner, food compatible parchment layer. In addition, prior to press forming the blank, a plurality of radially extending pleats are formed circumferentially about the outer area of circular blank which will aid in the formation of a substantially rigid side wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one-piece thermoformed plastic package blank having complementary first and second portions connected by a hinge, with a flange in one plane surrounding the portions and the hinge. The hinge in its central zone is at its maximum height above the flange plane, but is at a lower height in its end zones, tapering off to zero height at its ends, blending into the flange plane. The sidewalls of the hinge are of a negative draft slant undercut in the central zone, but are of a positive draft slant in the end zones of the hinge. To produce the finished package, the blank is die-cut to trim the flange and cut two "V"-shaped notches therein, each notch extending from the flange edge slightly into an end of the hinge, at the point of the "V". The resulting package has smooth hinge end edges and corners, without any sharp protrusions, and it folds properly and easily from open-mode to closed-mode, without application of considerable or excessive force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a container from a sheet of blank material, whereby a segmented male die member first forms the bottom and then the sidewall and rim of the container prior to the formation of the lip portion of the container while the blank is being restrained in a radial direction by the engagement of the blank by two opposing draw pad members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for progressively converting each blank of sheet material in a stream of moving blanks into a clamshell assembly having interconnected lid and bottom portions. The apparatus includes a female die assembly having first and second mold cavities, an upstream control system for aligning one portion of each blank at a lid-pressing station defined by the first mold cavity, and a downstream control system for aligning a remaining portion of each blank at a bottom-pressing station defined by the second mold cavity. A male die assembly is provided for simultaneously forming a lid portion in one blank of sheet material and a bottom portion in an adjacent blank of sheet material. In particular, during each pressing cycle, the male die assembly simultaneously presses an initial blank at the bottom-pressing station and a succeeding blank at the lid-pressing station to produce the equivalent of a whole clamshell assembly on a single stroke of the male die assembly.

Abstract: A flanged, dish shaped rectangular pressure responsive diaphragm is made from non-stretchable flat sheet stock in which the corners are formed with a tapering loop of excess material, and pleat folds take up the excess flange material to allow a tab portion to lie flat across the corner. Spacer strips and pieces are added to provide a uniform flange thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for simultaneously forming at least two interconnected deep-drawn containers in a single sheet of paper stock or the like. The apparatus includes a female die assembly formed to include a material-receiving cavity situated between spaced-apart first and second container-forming cavities. A blade assembly pushes a portion of the single sheet downwardly into the material-receiving cavity to provide a source of excess paperboard material from which the paper for adjacent containers can be drawn. A male die assembly moves to engage the female die assembly and draw at least the excess paperboard material deposited in the material-receiving cavity to form containers in the first and second container-forming cavities. A draw ring holds the sheet against the female die assembly during operation of the male die assembly.

Abstract: An improved tray particularly suited for packaging food is formed by drawing a unitary blank of paperboard and includes an outwardly extending flange along the upper edge of the tray to provide a face to which a plastic cover sheet is bonded. Arcuately shaped troughs are formed in the face of the flange at each corner of the tray and a plastic cover sheet for enclosing the top of the tray, after the tray is filled with food, is ultrasonically bonded to the arcuately shaped troughs at each corner with matching sonic sealing heads. The sonically vibrating heads divert foods accidentally spilled into the troughs during the filling process from the troughs thereby improving the bond between the film and the plastic surface of the tray. Heat is applied to the cover sheet at the flange after ultrasonic bonding to assure complete sealing of the cover sheet to the flange.

Abstract: A press includes a frame, a flywheel, a motor for driving the flywheel, and a shaft. A clutch is provided which is actuable for engaging the shaft to the flywheel. An eccentric is journaled upon the shaft and rotates therewith. The eccentric rotates in a block which is slidably mounted in a head to permit the block to move laterally within the head. The head is vertically movable in response to vertical movements of the block. The press also includes an upper die which is mounted on the head and a lower die which is resiliently supported upwardly on a base. Movement of the head engages and disengages the upper die and lower die.