Abstract: A pressing apparatus for producing a food service paperboard container from a paperboard blank so that the paperboard container possesses an overturned rim provided with folds includes a first die and a second die that are movable relative to one another. The first die includes a first base and a first platform that is movable with respect to the first base, with the first base having a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank. The second die is positioned in opposing relation to the first die and includes a second base and a second platform that is movable with respect to the second base. The second die is movable with respect to the first die and the second base has a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank so that the outer periphery of the paperboard blank is pressed between the curved surface of the first base and the curved surface of the second base.

Abstract: There is provided a container having both male and female sealing regions disposed about its periphery in a pattern making it possible to seal a container with another container having substantially identical sealing regions. The male sealing regions used in the practice of the present invention may take the form of a U-shaped ridge which is undercut along at least one leg of the U. Typically, a container will he thermoformed from lightweight thermoplastic material giving the U-shaped ridge considerable flexibility. The female sealing regions used in the practice of the invention may take the form of an undercut channel adapted to receive and match the undercut U-shaped ridges found in the male portion of the container wherein the walls and base of the channel are sufficiently flexible that the undercut portions of the U-shaped ridge are urged into engagement with the undercut portions of the channel and the crest of the ridge is urged into the channel.

Abstract: An improved paperboard has been bulk enhanced by retaining a substantial portion of bulk-enhanced additives including expandable microspheres in a suitable distribution within the paperboard. The cellulosic paperboard web has an overall fiber weight (w) of at least 40 lbs. per 3000 square feet and, at a fiber density of 3, 4.5, 6.5, 7, 8.3, and 9 pounds per 3000 square foot ream at a fiberboard thickness of 0.001 inches, has a GM Taber stiffness of at least about 0.00246 w2.63 grams-centimeter/fiber mat density1.63, and a GM tensile stiffness of at least about 615+13.18 w pounds per inch. The high retention of the bulk enhancing additives is believed to result from the incorporation of suitable retention aids. The resulting paperboard has better GM Taber stiffness values and GM tensile stiffness than prior art paperboards. The paperboard also has increased strain to failure and is able to be formed into suitable paperboard containers without loss of integrity.

Abstract: A tear-back drink-through lid for a drinking cup sealingly engages the drinking cup at an annular mounting portion with a downwardly extending annular skirt. The tear-back section extends from the inner skirt to a hinge and has an outwardly extending raised protrusion. When the tear-back section is torn away from the lid and pivoted about the hinge, the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess and retained within the recess. The recess further includes a straw slot formed therein defined by two sloping converging sidewalls extending from the upper surface the lid at different angles to form a frangible juncture at the deepest portion of the recess.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.

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.

Abstract: A gravity-feed dispenser for a stack of sheets such as inter-folded napkins includes a generally rectangular housing provided with a front wall, a back wall, two sidewalls and a lower portion as well as a funnel portion coupled to the lower portion of the housing provided with a generally convergent profile such that a front wall of the funnel portion extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the front wall of the housing, a rear wall of the funnel portion extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the rear wall of the housing and two sidewalls of the funnel portion extend downwardly substantially in alignment with the sidewalls of the housing. A dispensing aperture defined by the funnel portion of the dispenser has an elongate portion extending substantially from one sidewall of the funnel portion to the other sidewall of the funnel portion thus defining an elongate axis of the aperture.

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: An ultra soft, bulky, multi-ply tissue having low overall sidedness and a geometric mean tensile strength of less than about 800 g/3? wherein an embossed ply has a TMI sidedness of at least about 0.45 and an embossed area of at least about 2%, which is capable of being made from non-premium furnish, and method for making such products are disclosed. An ultra soft, bulky, multi-ply tissue having low overall sidedness and a geometric mean tensile strength of less than about 35 g/3? per lb. of basis weight wherein an embossed ply has a TMI sidedness of at least about 0.45 and an embossed area of at least about 2%, which is capable of being made from non-premium furnish, and method for making such products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a near-premium quality paper product having good strength and absorbency characteristics and a product made by that method. The invention is also a method for retaining a high ash content within a paper web formed by conventional wet pressing. The present invention is also a method for retaining a high percentage of softening agent within a paper web that includes such an agent. Further, the present invention is a soft absorbent paper product having a high void volume. Finally, the invention is also a method for producing a soft, absorbent, and near premium paper product having a high void volume using an undulatory crepe blade having a multiplicity of serrulations in its rake surface which presents differentiated creping angles and/or rake angles as to the paper being creped.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet includes: depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; embossing the compacted web with a laser engraved roll provided with a hard rubber embossing surface having an embossing pattern with a depth of from about 5 mils to about 100 mils. The hard rubber embossing surface is biased toward a second embossing surface selected from the group consisting of the surface of a nip roll and a foraminous web support engaging a support embossing roll. The process further includes bonding the web.

Abstract: A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact-areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas.

Abstract: A countertop mounting base and bracket for a napkin dispenser includes a base with a generally planar upper surface provided with a sidewall having a stepped locking recess adapted to cooperate with a stepped tongue of a mounting bracket which is secured directly to the counter. The base and bracket allow for the quick release of a gravity feed napkin dispenser, for example, mounted on the countertop.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing a web having a first embossing roll having embossing elements and a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein at least a portion of the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. The embossing roll may be crowned, may have alignment means, and may be provided with precision gearing.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing a web having a first embossing roll having embossing elements and a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein at least a portion of the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. The embossing roll may be crowned, may have alignment means, and may be provided with precision gearing.

Abstract: A disposable drinking device comprising a cup is disclosed. The cup defines a cup cavity and comprises a cup opening communicated with the cup cavity and a cup brim annularly associated with the cup opening. The cup brim comprises a brim curl having a lip configuration and a flare configuration. When the brim curl is in the lip configuration, the brim curl arcuately and concavely extends away from the cup opening to form a brim lip. When the brim curl is in the flare configuration, the brim curl arcuately and convexly extends away from the cup opening to form a brim flare. The described configuration results in the cup brim being destroyed when the lid is removed from the cup, making subsequent re-capping impossible.