Abstract: A thermoformed disposable food container having a wall caliper of from about 10 to about 80 mils consisting essentially of from about 30 to about 80 percent by weight of a matrix polymer composition consisting predominantly of a polypropylene polymer and optionally including a polyethylene polymer, from about 10 to about 50 percent mica, from about 2.5 to about 25 percent calcium carbonate, and up to about 5 weight percent titanium dioxide, exhibits enhanced rigidity when the calcium carbonate has a mean particle size of less than about 8 microns. The extrudable compositions are likewise useful for film, sheet and injection molding applications.

Abstract: An injection blow-molded disposable tumbler is formed from a polymeric material and includes a fortified upper rim having a thickness greater than the adjacent sidewall. The tumbler may be formed of a variety of resinous materials and exhibits improved toughness and crush resistance as well as aesthetic qualities particulary desired by consumers.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing a perforated web of sheet material includes an internal well which holds a dispensed segment of the paper web for separation by a user. The well may include a concave portion attached to an elongated upwardly inclined portion that extends to a discharge opening. A separating member in the well is provided so that the dispensed segment can be pulled against it to separate the segment at the tear lines with a substantially reduced pull force. The separating member may have a symmetrical configuration and an asymmetrical configuration. The separating member is pivotally configured so as to rotate towards or away the discharge opening for actuating the feed mechanism when a force is applied to a portion of a dispensed segment.

Abstract: The sidewall portion of a cup or other container for a heated beverage or other hot liquid comprises a relatively rigid outer wall and a relatively flexible inner liner. The wall and liner are attached together at respective upper and lower circumferential bands and at least an intermediate portion of the liner between the upper and lower circumferential bands is separable from the outer wall, to thereby form a sealed void between the outer wall and the inner liner which extends circumferentially along the entire comfort band and which defines a comfort band encircling at least a middle region of the cup. In one embodiment, a liner preform is placed on a tapered mandrel provided with selectively heated circumferential bands for sealing the upper and lower circumferential bands of the liner to an inner surface of the outer wall. Preferably, the container is a stackable disposable cup with a liner formed of a heat shrinkable material which is activated (i.e.

Abstract: A system for embossing a substantially continuous web of material including a supply for supplying at least one substantially continuous web of material, feeding the substantially continuous web of material, an embossing device for embossing a predetermined pattern in the web material and a takeup device for taking-up the embossed web material; wherein at least one roll of the system includes an elongated core formed of a substantially rigid material and an elongated sleeve formed of a material less rigid than the elongated core with the elongated sleeve being releasably secured to the core such that the elongated sleeve is axially and circumferentially fixed with respect to the core when in operation and can be selectively axially removed from the core. Preferably, the sleeve includes an embossing pattern laser engraved thereon so as to permit the embossing pattern being run by the system to be readily changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a utensil dispenser for dispensing a utensil. The dispenser includes a base, which defines at least one dispensing opening. At least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base. The dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil. The utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.

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 curl reducing adapter kit for a napkin dispenser used for dispensing interfolded napkins including an enclosure with a dispensing wall defining a dispensing slot and a slidably mounted, biased pressure carriage adapted to advance a stack of napkins in the enclosure toward the dispensing wall includes a tongue for mounting about the dispensing wall such that the tongue projects into the dispensing slot and narrows the slot. The tongue further includes a plurality of friction tabs configured to project inwardly into the enclosure from the upper inner lip of the dispensing slot and frictionally engage the napkins to limit bulge through the slot.

Abstract: A splash minimizing lid assembly for a container comprises a lid and a baffle insert with a number of openings. The lid comprises a continuous lid bead having a horizontal portion and a radially extending portion. The lid snaps onto the brim of the container and sandwiches the baffle insert between the horizontal portion of the lid bead and the brim. The bead is designed to accommodate the baffle insert which can be snapped into the bead, wherein the height of the bid should be sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the baffle insert and the brim of the container. The lid typically stacks or nests in a conventional manner separately from the baffle insert. The baffle insert can be snapped into the lid bead when the lid is used to close a container. The lid and the baffle insert can be manufactured from the same material.

Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive formulations as creping process aids for producing an absorbent creped cellulosic sheet having a high level of surface-perceived softness that comprises continuously forming a web of cellulosic papermaking fibers, adhering said web to a thermal drying means by means of adhesive compositions comprising polymers having at least one primary or secondary amine group in the backbone such as chitosan, plolyvinylamine, polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl amine and polyaminoamide in combination with crosslinking agents such as zirconium compounds having a valence of plus four including ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium acetate, zirconium carbonate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium phosphate, potassium zirconium carbonate, zirconium sodium phosphate and sodium zirconium tartrate and creping said treated web from said thermal drying means.

Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive formulations as creping process aids for producing an absorbent creped cellulosic sheet having a high level of surface-perceived softness that comprises continuously forming a web of cellulosic papermaking fibers, adhering said web to a thermal drying means by means of adhesive compositions comprising polymers having at least one primary or secondary amine group in the backbone such as chitosan, polyvinylamine, polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl amine and polyaminoamide in combination with crosslinking agents such as dialdehydes or zirconium compounds having a valence of plus four including ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium acetate, zirconium carbonate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium phosphate, potassium zirconium carbonate, zirconium sodium phosphate and sodium zirconium tartrate and creping said treated web from said thermal drying means.

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 is a tear-back, drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid includes a tear-back portion. A raised protrusion extends from an upper surface of the tear-back portion and has two opposite side walls that each includes a first latching member. A first recess is formed in a top wall of the lid radially inward from the tear-back portion and has two opposing side walls that each includes a second latching member. To retain the tear-back portion of the lid in an open position, the raised protrusion is inserted within the first recess so that the first latching members are pushed past the second latching members to engage the second latching members.

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: Disposable food contact compatible microwaveable containers having one or more micronodular surface are disclosed. These containers, including plates, bowls, cups, trays, buckets, soufflé dishes, and lids are prepared from a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polypropylene polyethylene copolymer or blends, and mixtures of these, mica, and pigment and are thermoformed into the shape of a the aforementioned containers exhibiting (a) a micronodular surface on at least one side of the surface; (b) a melting point of not less than about 250° F.; said containers being dimensionally stable and resistant to grease, sugar, and water at temperatures up to at least 250° F. and being of sufficient toughness to resist cutting by serrated polystyrene flatware.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology to provide embossing of recycled pulp, which may contain contaminants such as glue or paper particles, without adversely affecting the processing machinery. This enables the recycled pulp to be embossed in a manner similar to that of non-recycled pulp which provides an absorbency, softness and appearance to the finished product which compares favorably to paper products made from non-recycled pulp. The embossing is carried out by matched embossing rollers in which one of the rollers is relatively soft (Shore A hardness of 50-65) and the other roller is relatively hard (Shore A hardness above 90). Recycled pulp, even containing contaminants, may be embossed in this manner without causing excess wear or possible damage to the embossing rollers.