Abstract: A method for infusing gas into a thermoplastic material includes positioning a sheet of a thermoplastic material into a vertical or substantially vertical position; positioning a sheet of a gas-permeable material into a vertical or substantially vertical position; and winding together the positioned sheet of thermoplastic material sheet and the positioned sheet of gas-permeable material to form a roll of the thermoplastic material interleaved with the gas-permeable material, the interleaved roll having a longitudinal axis oriented in a vertical or substantially vertical position. The method also includes exposing the interleaved roll to an atmosphere of a gas pressurized to infuse the thermoplastic material with the gas, while the longitudinal axis of the interleaved roll is oriented in a vertical or substantially vertical position; and then unwinding the gas-infused interleaved roll, while the longitudinal axis of the interleaved roll remains in a vertical or substantially vertical position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are roll fed air heated flotation ovens and related thermoforming systems, assemblies, and machines that enable the corrugation-free expansion of a gas impregnated thermoplastic web passing through an oven chamber (without use of a pin-chain assembly), as well as to related methods. In an embodiment, a gas impregnated thermoplastic web is conveyed and expanded through an elongated air heated oven chamber, wherein the elongated oven chamber includes a plurality of downwardly directed heated air nozzles positioned at regular intervals along and within the upper portion of the oven chamber, and a plurality of upwardly directed heated air nozzles positioned at regular intervals along and within the lower portion of the oven chamber, but staggered apart from the downwardly directed heated air nozzles such that the gas impregnated thermoplastic material web undulates in an up and down wavelike fashion, thereby minimizing sagging, bagging, puckering, and/or buckling of the web.

Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover, and a blocking wall that prevents direct access to a peripheral cover lip of the cover when the cover is in a closed position on the tray. The container includes at least one tab that prevents direct access to the peripheral cover lip and which is at least partially separable from the container along at least one line of weakness to provide access to the peripheral cover lip for removing the cover from the tray. The tab further includes an interference element that inhibits replacement of the tab into its original position with respect to the container after the at least one line of weakness have been severed.

Abstract: An apparatus (un-interleaver) for unwinding a roll of material interleaved with another material, and for separating the materials, includes a first platform, a second platform, a tension-sensor, an edge-sensor, and a controller. The controller monitors signals generated by the tension-sensor and the edge-sensor, and in response to the signals: a) causes the speed at which the second platform rotates to change to maintain a predetermined tension in the second material as the second material travels from the first platform toward the second platform, and b) causes the second platform to move relative to the first platform to align the edge of the second material traveling toward the roll of second material with the edge of the second material in the roll.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and at least partially defined by a line of weakness. When the cover is in the closed position, a user may pull the first tab to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray, wherein the line of weakness at least partially defining the first tab is configured to tear when the first tab is pulled to tear the hinge to separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are roll fed air heated flotation ovens and related thermoforming systems, assemblies, and machines that enable the corrugation-free expansion of a gas impregnated thermoplastic web passing through an oven chamber (without use of a pin-chain assembly), as well as to related methods. In an embodiment, a gas impregnated thermoplastic web is conveyed and expanded through an elongated air heated oven chamber, wherein the elongated oven chamber includes a plurality of downwardly directed heated air nozzles positioned at regular intervals along and within the upper portion of the oven chamber, and a plurality of upwardly directed heated air nozzles positioned at regular intervals along and within the lower portion of the oven chamber, but staggered apart from the downwardly directed heated air nozzles such that the gas impregnated thermoplastic material web undulates in an up and down wavelike fashion, thereby minimizing sagging, bagging, puckering, and/or buckling of the web.

Abstract: A container includes a tray having an outwardly extending tray flange and a rib projecting upwardly from at least a portion of the tray flange to at least partially define an open top and a cover terminating in an outwardly extending cover flange with a skirt projecting upwardly from the cover flange. When the cover is mounted to the tray to close an open top of the tray, a portion of the skirt lies on top of the rib, and an amount of the skirt that is pinchable is insufficient to apply the force required to overcome a peripheral seal between the cover and the tray to separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: A tamper evident and resistant container includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray defining a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container further includes a first tab provided on one of the cover or the tray and a second tab provided on the other of the cover or the tray. When the cover is in the closed position, the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a user may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: A method for joining two components includes positioning a thermoplastic polymer portion of a first component adjacent a thermoplastic polymer portion of a second component such that the first and second portions form an interface. At least one of the portions includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void. The method also includes exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer portions to form a bond at the interface that holds the portions together. The plurality of closed cells, and especially those adjacent the surface of the thermoplastic polymer portion that form the interface, help isolate thermally and/or chemically the surface from the remainder of the portion.

Abstract: A double-walled container including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and a base is provided. The inner sleeve is positioned within the outer sleeve. A sidewall cavity may be formed between an inner sleeve sidewall and an outer sleeve sidewall. The lower end of the outer sleeve forms an elongated loop located below a lowermost edge of the inner sleeve. A flange may extend from the elongated loop upwardly above the lowermost edge of the inner sleeve and is attached to the inner sleeve. The elongated loop may form a loop cavity. The loop cavity may be in fluid communication with the sidewall cavity.

Abstract: A double-walled container including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and a base is provided. The inner sleeve is positioned within the outer sleeve. A sidewall cavity may be formed between an inner sleeve sidewall and an outer sleeve sidewall. The lower end of the outer sleeve forms an elongated loop located below a lowermost edge of the inner sleeve. A flange may extend from the elongated loop upwardly above the lowermost edge of the inner sleeve and is attached to the inner sleeve. The elongated loop may form a loop cavity. The loop cavity may be in fluid communication with the sidewall cavity.

Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray to a radially outermost portion and having a first portion extending from a first side of the cover and a second portion extending from a first side of the tray, wherein the first and second portions are connected by at least one weakened line to define a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container is provided with a first tab which a user may grasp with one hand and a second tab which the user may grasp with another hand and the user may relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge along the at least one weakened line and separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: The invention is a recloseable lid for a drinking cup comprising a cap with a dispensing aperture through which liquid can pass. A plug is movably mounted to the cap and is sized to seal the dispensing aperture when a portion of the plug is inserted into the dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge defining a hinge axis and connecting the tray and cover for relative rotation about the hinge axis between a closed position and an opened position. The container also includes a first tab provided on one of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis and a second tab provided on the other of the cover and tray and located radially interiorly of the hinge axis, wherein the first and second tabs are spaced relative to each other such that a user may grasp the first tab with one hand and the second tab with another hand and relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge and separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover and a hinge extending from the cover and tray to a radially outermost portion and having a first portion extending from a first side of the cover and a second portion extending from a first side of the tray, wherein the first and second portions are connected by at least one weakened line to define a hinge axis about which the tray and cover relatively rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The container is provided with a first tab which a user may grasp with one hand and a second tab which the user may grasp with another hand and the user may relatively pull the first tab and the second tab away from each other to tear the hinge along the at least one weakened line and separate the cover from the tray.

Abstract: A thermoformed container comprising a tray having a bottom wall with a recess for storing food items, an open top for providing access to the recess and a cover sized to close the open top of the tray. The cover is hingedly connected to the tray, with both the cover and tray having cooperating structures that form a closure when the container is closed, with a vent structure provided in the container for venting the interior of the container.