Abstract: A tray which is formed from a piece of resilient material, has a matrix of cells for holding food products such as apples. The tray has a plurality of arched ribs formed on the piece of resilient material for reinforcing the tray, each rib joining a predetermined pair of adjacent cells and having a compound surface structure to provide enhanced strength of rigidity.

Abstract: An egg carton integrally molded from a sheet of polystyrene material has a cover and a tray having a plurality of cells. Each cell has a bottom, and exterior and interior sidewalls extending from the bottom and surrounding said each cell and a hinge interconnecting the tray and the cover. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls of each cell are configured such that expansion of the cell is biased toward the interior of the egg carton.

Abstract: A blending apparatus for continuously and accurately blending a plurality of diverse, normally gaseous or volatile liquid components, preferably two or three, at low pressures. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus blends a first stream of volatile liquid component, preferably carbon dioxide with a liquid stream of any suitable hydrocarbon (including halogenated hydrocarbons) blowing agent in accordance with any predetermined ratio desired by those skilled in the art before introducing the blend into a suitable extrusion process for preparation of polymeric foams and the like. The apparatus combines the liquid components at a pressure substantially lower than the elevated pressure required during the extrusion process.

Abstract: A packaging tray formed of expanded polystyrene foam sheet material, having thick, curvilinearly interrupted perimeter edges. The edges are at least 10% thicker than the cross-sectional thickness of the major portions of the associated side walls of the tray. The perimeter edges are curvilinearly interrupted at at least two regular intervals along each side wall. The walls of the tray form corners which rise from the margins of the bottom panel of the tray at angles which can be greater than the angles at which the side walls rise from the bottom panel margins.

Abstract: A method for forming an opening in a container in which upper and lower keys, each having a shear surface, are mounted in the upper and lower mold portions, respectively, such that the shear surfaces face each other in substantially parallel alignment to form an opening in the container as the mold portions travel towards each other. The lower key is mounted about a pivot pin and spring oriented such that its shear surface rotates along an axis normal to a path of travel of the mold portions.

Abstract: A spring-oriented rotary shear key is used in a mold for forming a container with a latch opening, from a sheet of deformable material. The mold has upper and lower mold portions with die surfaces disposed facing each other and configured to press the sheet of deformable material inserted therebetween into a container. Upper and lower keys, each having a shear surface, are mounted in the upper and lower mold portions, respectively, such that the shear surfaces face each other in substantially parallel alignment to form an opening in the container as the mold portions travel towards each other. The lower key is mounted such that its shear surface rotates along an axis normal to a path of travel of the mold portions.