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: A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism comprising at least one pair of indexing members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils. A dispensing mechanism may alternatively include a plurality of linked members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils.

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 stack of disposable cutlery. The stack can include a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils. At least one elongated retaining mechanism can be adhered to the stack. The at least one elongated retaining mechanism can include at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack.

Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser has a housing that includes a first zone for holding a utensil to be dispensed, a second zone for receiving the utensil during dispensing, and a third zone for delivering the dispensed utensil to a user. The first, second and third zones are cooperatively configured and adapted to maintain, and present to the user, one end of the utensil ahead of an opposing end of the utensil during a dispensing operation.

Abstract: The present application provides a dispensing package for a number of articles therein. The dispensing package may include a tub and a reclosable lid enclosing the tub. The reclosable lid may include a dispensing aperture, one or more mating slots, and a spout flap forming a reclosable spout.

Abstract: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.

Abstract: Methods for making paperboard blanks and paperboard products therefrom are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a paperboard blank can include burning a paperboard substrate to form at least one aperture therethrough. The method can also include securing a film onto a first side of the paperboard substrate to produce a paperboard blank.

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: 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: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.

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: Disposable platters are provided. In at least one embodiment, a disposable platter can include a bottom panel made of paper, a sidewall that can extend upwardly from the bottom panel, an outer flange that can extend outwardly from the sidewall, a first transition that can extend upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second transition that can extend outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the outer flange, defining a radius of curvature, R2, therebetween. In some examples, the platter can have at least two sides of different lengths, a characteristic diameter, D, that is an average length of the sides, and a ratio of R2/D that is 0.0125 or less.

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.

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: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.