Abstract: A lid, suitable for “take-away” hot and cold beverage containers, which reduces spillage of the container contents and allows the user to store the container contents for consumption at a later date. The lid comprises a main body portion, incorporating an aperture for discharging the container contents, and a flexible arm portion, connected to the body portion and having a closure member positioned thereon. When a user requires to store the contents of the container for consumption at a later date, the flexible arm portion can be bent over the top of the main body portion and the closure member engaged in the aperture so as to seal it. The main body portion may also include a recess, suitably shaped to receive the closure member, wherein, when the user requires to discharge the container contents through the aperture, the closure member can be engaged in the recess such that the arm portion does not interfere with the discharge of the container contents through the aperture.

Abstract: A container sidewall, such as for a cup or the like, made of a thermoplastic material is disclosed. The container utilizing the present invention is preferably designed having a closed bottom wall at one end, an open top at the opposite end, and the present sidewall extending between the bottom wall and the open top to define a height. The sidewall has a top portion adjacent the open top of the container, a first set of annular ribs disposed adjacent the top portion, a second set of annular ribs, a middle portion disposed between the first set and second set of annular ribs, and a bottom portion disposed adjacent the closed bottom wall of the container. The double band of ribs provide an increase in the strength-to-weight ratio of the container over single band prior art designs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crack-proof, and resilient article of the PET type that is produced from about 40% to about 90% regrind PET. The article is characterized in that it has an intrinsic viscosity between 0.54 and 0.68. The present invention is also directed to a method for recycling regrind PET for use in the production of a clear, crack-proof, and resilient article includes the steps of:(1) regrinding scrap thermoplastic PET upon isolation from the thermoformed articles into regrind PET;(2) blending the regrind PET with virgin PET to form a blend wherein the percentage of regrind PET in the blend ranges from about 40% to about 90% and the percentage of virgin PET in said blend ranges from about 60% to about 10%;(3) passing the blend of regrind PET and virgin PET through an extruder wherein no more than 10% of said regrind PET in the blend has been recrystallized, the extruder having a throat wherein the temperature ranges from about 550.degree. F. to about 650.degree. F.

Abstract: Molded plastic plates having a rolled edge rim and a method of rolling the edges of molded plastic plated. The plastic plates are pre-molded with lugs that project outwardly from the sides of the plates. The lugs of one plate contact the rim of the next successive plate in a stack of plates to create a gap between the plates stacked one on top of another. The gap allows each individual plate to be picked up by the threads on a plurality of threaded rollers which press on the rim of the plate to form the rolled edge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crack-proof, and resilient article of the PET type that is produced from about 40% to about 90% regrind PET. The article is characterized in that it has an intrinsic viscosity between 0.54 and 0.68. The present invention is also directed to a method for recycling regrind PET for use in the production of a clear, crack-proof, and resilient article includes the steps of:(1) regrinding scrap thermoplastic PET upon isolation from the thermoformed articles into regrind PET;(2) blending the regrind PET with virgin PET to form a blend wherein the percentage of regrind PET in the blend ranges from about 40% to about 90% and the percentage of virgin PET in said blend ranges from about 60% to about 10%;(3) passing the blend of regrind PET and virgin PET through an extruder wherein no more than 10% of said regrind PET in the blend has been recrystallized, the extruder having a throat wherein the temperature ranges from about 550.degree. F. to about 650.degree. F.

Abstract: Molded plastic plates having a rolled edge rim and a method of rolling the edges of molded plastic plated. The plastic plates are pre-molded with lugs that project outwardly from the sides of the plates. The lugs of one plate contact the rim of the next successive plate in a stack of plates to create a gap between the plates stacked one on top of another. The gap allows each individual plate to be picked up by the threads on a plurality of threaded rollers which press on the rim of the plate to form the rolled edge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crack-proof, and resilient article of the PET type that is produced from about 40% to about 90% regrind PET. The article is characterized in that it has an intrinsic viscosity between 0.54 and 0.68. The present invention is also directed to a method for recycling regrind PET for use in the production of a clear, crack-proof, and resilient article includes the steps of:(1) regrinding scrap thermoplastic PET upon isolation from the thermoformed articles into regrind PET;(2) blending the regrind PET with virgin PET to form a blend wherein the percentage of regrind PET in the blend ranges from about 40% to about 90% and the percentage of virgin PET in said blend ranges from about 60% to about 10%;(3) passing the blend of regrind PET and virgin PET through an extruder wherein no more than 10% of said regrind PET in the blend has been recrystallized, the extruder having a throat wherein the temperature ranges from about 550.degree. F. to about 650.degree. F.

Abstract: A lid for a drinking cup having a removable tab which includes a horizontal wall and a vertical wall extending downwardly from the horizontal wall at the inner end of the horizontal portion. A recess is disposed immediately inward of the removable tab to permit engagement of the vertical portion by the finger of a user. The recess preferably includes a bottom wall which slopes downwardly and outwardly from the center of the lid to the vertical portion of the tab and is separated by a slit from the bottom of the vertical wall of the tab.

Abstract: A cup dispensing system employs a housing having a pair of walls with relatively rigid inwardly inclined portions for supporting a stack of cups and enabling individual dispensing of cups.

Abstract: A drinking cup lid includes a top wall having a surface projecting downwardly therefrom for engagement by a finger in an automatic vending machine, and includes a folding tab for providing a drinking opening in the lid.

Abstract: A lid for a drinking cup includes an annular mounting portion for engaging the lip of the cup, an annular side wall extending upwardly from the mounting portion, and a top wall having a drinking opening formed in it. In the preferred embodiment, the top wall of the lid has a recess formed in it adjacent the drinking opening to accommodate the upper lid of the user.