Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for producing paperboard pressware includes servo-driven blanking and product forming subsystems, and a computerized control system to provide independent control of the servo-driven subsystems for improved timing and positional accuracy. Independent and individual electronic control of the various component subsystem enables remote control and monitoring of production and machine functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to tear-back thermoformed high impact polystyrene lids having from at least 10% to about 15% of filler and the specified configuration of the tear-back portion. In particular, the tear back lid comprises a tear back portion defined by two sets of tear back indentations and a left and a right notch cut into a skirt defined by the outer diameter of the lid. The combination of the filler amount and tear-back configuration allows an improved tearability for the filled polystyrene lids.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to insulated containers useful for serving, for example, hot beverages. Specifically, the present invention relates to multilayer containers comprising a corrugated sheet as an inner insulating liner wherein the liner comprises interruptions.

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 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 container ensemble for food packaging comprising a substantially planar lid member formed of a polymeric material which has a plurality of substantially planar lids which are integrally formed and separably joined to each other, each of the lids including a sealing channel around its perimeter and a skirt extending outwardly therefrom. The lid member is provided with tearable portions to facilitate separation. The other component of the ensemble is a cup member formed of a polymeric material defining a plurality of cups which are integrally formed and also separably joined to each other, the cups including a bottom, a sidewall, and a brim about an upper opening of each cup. Each cup has a skirt extending outwardly from its brim provided with tearable portions to facilitate separation.

Abstract: An improved lidded container includes a receptacle portion with a brim having a plurality of lateral substantially straight brim wall segments provided with medial sealing beads extending between corners of the brim. The medial sealing beads are characterized in that they project away from the respective walls upon which they are disposed a maximum distance at a central portion of the wall and the medial sealing beads extend over a major portion of the length of the lateral sealing wall upon which they are disposed. Most preferably, the beads are tangent with and terminate at rounded corners between the wall segments.

Abstract: A black pigmented disposable food container is preferably made from a polypropylene matrix polymer, optionally including polyethylene and further includes a mineral filler and a black colorant composition consisting essentially of a black iron oxide pigment and a green pigment.

Abstract: A method of making a texture-coated and/or insulation coated container from a flat paperboard blank in which a heat-hardenable liquid polymeric binder texturizing and/or insulating agent coating mixture is applied to one surface of the blank in a pattern of covered and open areas. This coating mixture is subjected to heat to cure the polymeric binder and expand the texturizing and/or insulating agent, optionally treated with moisture, and optionally heated to form the blank into the shape of a container, and the container produced by this method. The containers such as cups, plates, etc., are useful in food service. These containers have a coefficient of static friction which is about 0.2 to 2.0 and over and a kinetic coefficient of friction which is about 0.22 to 1.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to cup lids and, more particularly, to a thermoformed disposable cup lid with a drinking aperture and a closure panel displaceable along a generally radial direction between an open position wherein the aperture communicates with the interior of the lid and a closed position where the closure panel covers the aperture to reduce or substantially prevent spillage in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to pluralities of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member.

Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.