Abstract: Unitary blank can include a first body portion, a second body portion joined to the first, a third body portion joined to the second, and a fourth body portion joined to the third. A first flap can extend from the fourth body portion and can have a first engagement portion adjacent to the fourth body portion, a second engagement portion opposite the fourth body portion, and a central portion defined therebetween. At least one inwardly folding panel can be disposed between adjacent body portions along a corresponding body fold line. First, second, third, and fourth base portions can extend from the first, second, third, and fourth body portion, respectively. Food containers and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: Food container includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first and second body portions are joined proximate opposing sides thereof to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the interior. The container has a flat configuration with the first and second body portions in a generally planar condition and an expanded configuration with the first and second body portions in a contoured condition. First side flaps extending from the opposing sides of the first body portion are folded inwardly into the interior of the container. At least one of the first side flaps has an engagement feature disposed thereon disposed to engage the opposing first side flap when the container is the expanded configuration to form an interior dividing wall within the interior of the container. A unitary blank for forming a food container is also provided.

Abstract: Disposable tray includes a base and a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall extends upwardly from the base to define an interior. The perimeter wall includes a set of opposing first sidewalls and a set of opposing second sidewalls. Each of the opposing first sidewalls having a first maximum height above the base and each of the opposing second sidewalls having a second maximum height above the base. The tray further includes a divider wall extending upwardly from the base. The divider wall extends between the set of opposing second sidewalls to define a plurality of compartments. The divider wall intersects each of the opposing second sidewalls proximate the second maximum height. The second maximum height is greater than the first maximum height.

Abstract: Method to increase strength of a rolled rim container having a sidewall defining a perimeter, a base at a first end of the sidewall, and an opening defined at a second end of the sidewall opposite the base. A portion of the sidewall at the second end is provided with or can be rolled to form a rolled rim. The rolled rim defines an interface along the perimeter between an outer surface of the sidewall and an exposed surface of the rolled rim. A bead material is applied along the interface between the exposed surface of the rolled rim and the outer surface of the sidewall. The bead material is cured to form a bead between the exposed surface of the rolled rim and the outer surface of the sidewall. Rolled rim containers and systems for forming the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Insulating cup includes an inner body and an outer body. The inner body has an inner sidewall defining a top opening and an inner bottom portion, and the inner sidewall includes a first circumferential rib and a second circumferential rib. The outer body has an outer sidewall surrounding at least a substantial portion of the inner sidewall and engaging the first circumferential rib and the second circumferential rib to define an insulating space therebetween, and the outer body has an outer bottom portion disposed below the inner bottom portion to define a surface-engaging edge.

Abstract: Container includes a base and a lid. The base has a base rim forming a base channel including a bottom wall, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall to define a channel space, a lock projection extending into the channel space from a first portion of the base rim, and a lever projection extending substantially outwardly from a second portion of the base rim. The lid has a lid rim forming a lid channel including a bottom wall, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall. The lid has a closed position in which the lid channel is aligned with and disposed at least partially within the channel space. The lever projection is configured to pivot upon application of an external force to cause the lock projection to move out from the channel space and to urge at least a portion of the lid rim out of the base channel.

Abstract: Unitary blank can include a first body portion, a second body portion joined to the first, a third body portion joined to the second, and a fourth body portion joined to the third. A first flap can extend from the fourth body portion and can have a first engagement portion adjacent to the fourth body portion, a second engagement portion opposite the fourth body portion, and a central portion defined therebetween. At least one inwardly folding panel can be disposed between adjacent body portions along a corresponding body fold line. First, second, third, and fourth base portions can extend from the first, second, third, and fourth body portion, respectively. Food containers and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Base for a food container includes a base member having a perimeter and a central region, a retaining ring of height H and width W formed between the perimeter and the central region, and extending upwardly from the central region, and a plurality of recesses in the retaining ring, each recess extending across the width W of the retaining ring from the perimeter toward the central region of the base member. Container further includes a lid having a perimeter configured to engage the perimeter of the base member. Method of making a food container is also provided.

Abstract: Container including a bottom and sidewalls with undulating pattern of peaks and valley. At least one stacking feature is provided to allow a plurality of containers to be stacked. In one embodiment, the stacking feature is disposed proximate a bottom edge of the sidewall at a peak. In another embodiment, the stacking feature is a stack flap disposed proximate a top edge of the container. Alternatively, the stacking feature is a stack ring having a shape which corresponds to the sidewall perimeter and has an inwardly protruding lip.

Abstract: A container which includes a base (12) that can hold food and a lid (14) that closes on the base, which clearly indicates if the lid has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base and closed the lid. The base and lid each have trapping portions (20, 22) and pull-open portions (24, 32) with a tear-tab, or tear-open barrier (80). To close the lid, a clerk projects a tab (30) on the pull-open portion of the lid through a slot (26) in the pull-open portion of the base, and then presses down the entire trapping portion of the lid into the trapping portion of the base. The lid cannot be lifted up because the tear-open barrier (80) forming the top wall of the slot lies over the tab. To open the container, a person must tear the barrier so he/she can pull up the tab 30 and open the lid. The fact that the barrier has been torn is obvious.

Abstract: A blank for a container having a rolled rim, comprising a hollow body of polyolefin material, having an open first end and an opposite second end with a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and a rim formed at the first end of the hollow body. The rim includes a flange extending outwardly from the sidewall, the flange defining a flange thickness and having an inner portion proximate the sidewall and an outer portion opposite the inner portion. The rim further includes a skirt extending downwardly from the outer portion of the flange, the skirt defining a skirt thickness and having an upper portion proximate the flange and a lower portion opposite the upper portion, the flange thickness being greater than the skirt thickness.

Abstract: An insulating lid includes a cover having an outer edge and a base. The base includes an upper surface, a lip projecting upwardly from the upper surface about an outer perimeter of the base to define an inner area, and a plurality of spacer members extending upwardly from the upper surface positioned within the inner area. The plurality of spacer members are configured to space the cover a distance from the upper surface of the base to define an insulating space between the cover and the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: Base for a food container includes a base member having a perimeter and a central region, a retaining ring of height H and width W formed between the perimeter and the central region, and extending upwardly from the central region, and a plurality of recesses in the retaining ring, each recess extending across the width W of the retaining ring from the perimeter toward the central region of the base member. Container further includes a lid having a perimeter configured to engage the perimeter of the base member. Method of making a food container is also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

Abstract: Method of making a multilayer article including providing a first substrate and providing a second substrate. The method further includes disposing an expandable insulating material on an inner surface of at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the expandable insulating material is in a first condition during disposing. The second substrate is adhered to the first substrate with the expandable insulating material therebetween to form a blank, wherein an insulating space is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate with the expandable insulating material therein and the insulating space includes a first volume. The method further includes forming the blank into the article and expanding the expandable insulating material to a second condition by application of energy, wherein the expandable insulating material in the second condition increases the insulating space to a second volume.

Abstract: Tray includes a first base portion having an upper surface defining a first tier and a second portion having an upper surface defining a second tier. The first tier and the second tier are separated by a height. The upper surface of the first portion and the upper surface of the second portion each have a plurality of spaced-apart wells defined therein. Each well is sized and shaped to receive a food item and has an upper edge with an engagement recess formed therein. The engagement recess is sized to allow a food item within the well to be gripped for removal. The tray can further include a trapping feature to secure a lid, and thus form a container.

Abstract: A thermally insulated container is disclosed. The container comprises an inner layer having a bottom portion with a bottom closure attached to the bottom portion. The container further comprises an outer layer wrapped around the inner layer. The container further comprises an insulating middle layer sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer. The middle layer has at least one aperture formed therein.