Abstract: Reclosable cup lids are provided herein. The reclosable cup lid can have a rim portion defining an outer perimeter. A sidewall can extend upwardly from the rim portion, and an upper surface can slope from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. A cavity can be disposed within the sidewall and above the upper surface. A drink aperture can be disposed within the cavity and formed through at least a portion of the upper surface to allow fluid flow therethrough. A slideable tab can be at least partially disposed within the cavity that can have at least two opposing sides that are generally straight, providing a track for the slideable tab.

Abstract: A reclosable cup lid that can include an upper surface having at least one recess formed therein, that is arcuate in shape. The reclosable cup lid can also include a tab configured to fit within the recess. The tab having an arcuate shape corresponding to the arcuate shape of the recess. The reclosable cup lid can also include an opening disposed within the recess to allow fluid flow therethrough. The tab can be adapted to move within the recess from a first position to a second position so that the opening is at least partially blocked when the tab is located in the first position and the opening is at least partially unobstructed when the tab is located in the second position.

Abstract: Methods for securing a shrinkable film to a paperboard substrate and methods for making paperboard containers therefrom. In one or more embodiments, a band of adhesive may be applied about a perimeter of a paperboard substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposed to one another and a third edge and a fourth edge opposed to one another. The band of adhesive may surround a first area that is substantially free from the adhesive. A second area that may be substantially free from the adhesive may be located along a portion of the third edge, between the first and second edges. The first area and the second area may be separated by the band of adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard substrate with the adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The third edge and the fourth edge may be overlapped to form a sidewall. A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent the second edge. The first edge may be curled to form a brim.

Abstract: Methods for making containers from paperboard blanks having shrinkable films secured thereto. In one embodiment, a method for making a container may include applying adhesive about a paperboard substrate having first and second edges opposed to one another and third and a fourth edges opposed to one another, wherein the adhesive at least partially surrounds an area substantially free from adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard with adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The shrinkable film may be configured to shrink an amount along a first axis relative to an amount along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis in a ratio greater than 1:1. The third and fourth edges may be overlapped to form a sidewall which may include an inner surface that includes the shrinkable film. A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent second edge.

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: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.

Abstract: A paperboard plate can include a bottom panel, a frustoconical sidewall extending upward and outward from the bottom panel, and four arcuate portions which have radius of curvatures R1, R2, R3, and R4. The plate can also include an inner brim section adjacent the frustoconical sidewall and having a width (W), an outer frustoconical brim section extending downward and out from the inner brim section, an outer perimeter section extending outward from the outer frustoconical brim section, the plate having an overall diameter (D). The radius of curvature (R3) can be less than 0.20 inches, a ratio of W/D can be 0.041 to 0.050, a ratio of R3/D can be 0.010 to 0.017, and the outer frustoconical brim section can extend downward and outward at an angle (A3) of 65° to 75° with respect to a vertical that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel.

Abstract: A disposable cup lid for use with a beverage container can include a base, an annular rim, a crown, and a dispensing section having a drinking aperture. The annular rim can be disposed about the base and can be configured to engage the beverage container. The crown can extend upward from the base and can include an upper surface, one or more inner sidewalls, and one or more outer sidewalls. The dispensing section can be located within a portion of the crown and can include an upper surface, one or more inner sidewalls, and one or more outer sidewalls. The dispensing section can include at least one generally straight portion of the inner sidewall that is directly opposed to at least one generally straight portion of the outer sidewall. The drinking aperture can be formed through the upper surface of the dispensing section for allowing the passage of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: Methods for securing a shrinkable film to a paperboard substrate and methods for making paperboard containers therefrom. In one or more embodiments, a band of adhesive may be applied about a perimeter of a paperboard substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposed to one another and a third edge and a fourth edge opposed to one another. The band of adhesive may at least partially surround a first area that is substantially free from the adhesive. A second area that may be substantially free from the adhesive may be located between the third edge and the first area. The first area and the second area may be separated by the band of adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard substrate with the adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The third edge and the fourth edge may be overlapped to form a sidewall. A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent the second edge. The first edge may be curled to form a brim.

Abstract: Forming die assemblies for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a forming die assembly can include an upper forming die, a lower forming die, and one or more lower forming springs coupled to the lower forming die, where the lower forming springs can be configured to spring load the lower forming die against the upper forming die when the forming die assembly is disposed in a closed position. The upper forming die can include an upper knockout, a forming punch, and a pressure ring aligned along a central axis of the forming die assembly, and the lower forming die can include a lower knockout and a contour rim aligned along the central axis of the forming die assembly. The lower surfaces of the upper forming die can form a punch profile and the upper surfaces of the lower forming die can form a forming profile.

Abstract: Systems for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a system can include an upper moveable platen, a lower moveable platen, a stationary platen, a punch platen, and one or more forming die assemblies. The upper moveable platen and the punch platen can be disposed above the stationary platen and the lower moveable platen can be disposed below the stationary platen. The upper moveable platen, the punch platen, and the lower moveable platen can be configured to move toward and away from the stationary platen. Each forming die assembly can include a set of upper and lower forming dies. The upper and lower forming dies can be coupled to the upper and lower moveable platens, respectively, and configured to press substrates to form pressware products within passageways extending through the stationary platen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method for producing pressware can include producing a pressware product between an upper forming die and a lower forming die contained within a forming die assembly, retracting at least a portion of the upper forming die from the pressware product, and ejecting the pressware product from the lower forming die while feeding a web material between the upper forming die and the lower forming die. The method can also include cutting a segment of the web material to produce a substrate, and pressing the substrate between the upper forming die and the lower forming die to produce another pressware product.

Abstract: Pressware products, such as disposable cutting boards and trays, are provided. A disposable cutting board can include an inner sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom panel, a flange portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a first annular transition extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second annular transition extending outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the flange. The bottom panel can have a surface area of about 300 cm2 to about 1,000 cm2, and the disposable cutting board can have a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm. The disposable cutting board can further have an FPI rigidity of about 85 grams or more and a product to blank perimeter (P1/P2) ratio of about 90% to about 99%.

Abstract: A paper cup having a cup side wall bonded to a portion of a paper cup bottom wherein a seal promoter is present between at least a portion of the cup side wall and a portion of the cup bottom. At least a portion of the cup side wall and a portion of the cup bottom being coated with polyethylene such that the seal promoter is applied to a portion of at least one of the polyethylene coated surfaces. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a cup having a seal promoter applied to an at least partially polyethylene treated cup side wall and/or cup bottom.

Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.

Abstract: A thermally insulated cup is formed from a single-walled paper or plastic inner cup and an insulating outer wrapper. The insulating outer wrapper comprises a paper base sheet or outer sidewall blank, optionally printed on one side, and a corrugated paper or foamed plastic insulating insert. The insulating insert is similar in shape to the outer sidewall blank but smaller in size. The insert is glued in a centered position to the non-printed side of the sidewall blank to form a two-layered insulating wrapper. Less than 20% of the area of the insert is glued to the base sheet. Specifically, no glue is applied to the area adjacent to the cut side edges of the insert, and as such these edges are not attached to the base sheet. The wrapper is then wrapped around the single walled inner cup. The side edges of the base sheet of the wrapper overlap and are sealed directly together to form a side seam. The side seam is itself adhesively secured to the side wall of the inner cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.

Abstract: A utensil that includes a functional end and a handle associated with the functional end. The handle includes a longitudinal axis, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface includes at least one protrusion configured to separably couple the utensil to a second utensil. The second surface is configured to receive at least a portion of a third utensil. The at least one protrusion is configured such that the utensil and the second utensil are configured to be at least one of coupled and decoupled with respect to one another via relative movement in a plane parallel to a reference plane that intersects a plane extending between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: An elongated apparatus for releasably retaining a plurality of utensils in a grouping includes an elongated base and at least one protrusion. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending from the elongated base. The at least one protrusion is configured to be removably coupled to a handle end of a utensil such that coupling of the handle end occurs via movement of the handle end along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base. Upon coupling of the handle end of the utensil to the at least one protrusion, the utensil is restricted from rotating about the longitudinal axis so long as the handle end of the utensil is coupled to the at least one protrusion.