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: In a pressware die set, a segmented punch for fabricating a pressed disposable food service article having a substantially planar bottom portion, a sidewall and a rim portion. In one embodiment, the punch is mounted to reciprocate cyclically between an open position and a forming position about an axis of reciprocation and includes outer punch surfaces for forming the sidewall and rim portions of the pressed disposable food service articles, as well as a substantially planar punch surface suitably mounted and dimensioned to engage the substantially planar bottom portion of the disposable food service article. The improved punch includes a knock-out stripper ring juxtaposed with the substantially planar punch surface, defining a knock-out surface and which is reciprocally mounted with respect to the central substantially planar punch surface such that the knock-out surface is contiguous with the substantially planar punch surface when the punch is in a forming position.

Abstract: A heat insulating paper cup having an improved seal. The cup can include a body member having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a bottom panel member having a upper surface and a bottom surface. The body member is coated (or in some instances partially coated) on its outside surface with a foamed low density polyethylene, and on its inside surface with an unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The bottom panel member is coated on its upper surface with a foamed or an unfoamed low density polyethylene or foamed or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The body member and bottom panel member are oriented and joined to form a heat seal at an interface between a portion of the unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the inside surface of the body member and a portion of unfoamed low density polyethylene or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the upper surface of the bottom panel member.

Abstract: A roll support sled is adapted to support a plurality of rolls of absorbent sheet, such as rolls of coreless tissue for mounting in a dispenser of the class including a pair of vertically oriented guide tracks for guiding the roll support sled in vertical motion for sequential dispensing of the rolls. At least one of the guide tracks of the dispenser defines a locking shoulder and the roll support sled includes: first and second spindles, first and second frame rails, one of which is movable, as well as a novel latch dog assembly. The latch dog assembly is inwardly biased and disposed adjacent at least one of the spindles. The latch dog is configured so that it is urged outwardly to a locking position upon disposing a roll of absorbent sheet about its adjacent spindle and is biased inwardly to a release position upon depletion of the roll of absorbent sheet material disposed about its adjacent spindle.

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: A drinking straw for consuming a beverage is prepared by: a) melt-extruding a polymeric material in the shape of a continuous tubular conduit suitable for preparing a plurality of drinking straws; b) cooling said continuous tubular conduit to a temperature below the softening point of the polymer; c) flattening the tubular conduit so as to collapse its structure into a substantially planar form, thereby constricting the central longitudinal cavity and reducing the volume of the continuous tubular conduit; d) cutting a length from the continuous conduit of suitable length for making the straw; and e) dilating the length cut from the conduit so as to restore the cross-sectional area of the central cavity and reconstitute the tubular structure of the straw. Advantages of the invention include minimizing storage space and shipping bulk, as well as reducing the need for packaging materials.

Abstract: A method of controlling a converting line having a rewinder, accumulator, and downstream equipment includes: providing upper and lower target limits for the accumulator level; determining the slowest maximum speed of the downstream equipment; determining the fastest minimum speed of the downstream equipment; monitoring the speed of the rewinder and the actual level of the accumulator; generating a master speed reference value to control the downstream equipment which: (i) corresponds to said slowest maximum speed of the downstream equipment if the actual accumulator level is greater than the upper target limit; or (ii) corresponds to the fastest minimum speed of the downstream equipment if the actual accumulator level is less than the lower target limit; or (iii) is based on the actual production speed of the rewinder if the actual accumulator level is less than the upper target limit and greater than the lower target limit for the accumulator.

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 sandwich wrap includes a heat seal coating which, after a sandwich has been wrapped into a package, and heat has been applied to the heat seal coating, produces a seal that prevents the package from accidentally becoming unwrapped during handling. A portion of the wrap located remotely of the heating surface remains unsealed, and can be peeled away to gain access to the sandwich.

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: The present invention is directed to rigid disposable food containers provided with a relatively steep sidewall with a generally linear profile and an outwardly flared arcuate flange portion. The containers are further characterized by a flange outer vertical drop wherein the ratio of the length of the vertical drop to the characteristic diameter of the container is greater than about 0.01. By virtue of unique geometry, the containers of the invention exhibit improved rigidity and/or rim stiffness yet have favorable runnability in pressware manufacturing systems characteristic of plates of lower strength.

Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.

Abstract: A sandwich wrap comprising a sheet wrap attached to a base strip The base strip is elonaated in a longitudinal direction and includes at least one tear line extending between the longitudinal ends. The base strip is longer than the sheet wrap in the longitudinal direction, while the sheet wrap is longer than the base strip in the lateral direction. The longitudinal ends of the base strip extend beyond the respective longitudinal edges of the sheet wrap. The sheet wrap is more pliable than the base strip.