Abstract: A thermoformable polymer blend composition comprising at least 50% by weight of an olefin polymer such as polyethylene or polypropylene, from 10 to 48% by weight of a styrene polymer and from 2 to 40% by weight of a thermoplastic styrenic block copolymer rubber, preferably a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, which acts as a compatibilizer for the olefin and styrene polymers in the blend. This blend can be formed on conventional machinery to give products having the beneficial properties of both types of polymers.

Abstract: A thermoformable polymer blend composition comprising at least 50% by weight of an olefin polymer such as polyethylene or polypropylene, from 10 to 48% by weight of a styrene polymer and from 2 to 40% by weight of a thermoplastic styrenic block copolymer rubber, preferably a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, which acts as a compatibilizer for the olefin and styrene polymers in the blend. This blend can be formed on conventional machinery to give products having the beneficial properties of both types of polymers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stacking a plurality of plastic cups disposed within individual plastic envelopes including a frame, a conveyor on the frame, a stuffer swingably movable on the frame to stuff a portion of the envelope into the cup and move it into nested relation with the next adjacent downstream one of the cups to form a stack.

Abstract: A bulk package for stacked and nested ice cream cones is provided for transporting and dispensing the cones in which a plurality of folded foam sandwich structures each defining a row of cells holding one cone stack to a cell are inserted into an outer container to form a matrix of cells therein. In one embodiment, the sandwich structures and the outer container are sized such that a forced fit is developed between them to cause the cells to close down on and immobilize the stacked cones. The outer container is split open on two opposed sides at the point of use of the cones to relieve the forced fit and permit vending of the cones from the cells by gripping individual cone apices. The outer container is provided with an easy to split sidewall structure, if desired. In another embodiment the force fit is secured by comb-shaped clamps which close down the cells. Spacers are provided in both embodiments to hold the plastic sandwich structures in place when a lid is placed on the outer container.

Abstract: An energy saving food serving system for rethermalization of the food and for delivery prepared meals to locations remote from the place of preparation, such as to patients to hospitals and nursing homes. The system includes a mobile cart having its own rechargeable power pack that is utilized to propel the cart. The cart has separate bays, each having a tier of racks for carrying individual food serving trays. Each tray has one or more thermally isolated heat transfer devices which are selectably energized when the tray is in place on a rack in the cart. Preferably, each tray has a pair of heaters referred to herein as plate and bowl heaters and adapted to be operated by control means in either a continuous mode of operation or a rethermalization mode of operation.

Abstract: A trim press for severing articles differentially pressure formed in a thermoplastic sheet comprising a pair of dynamically balanced trim die members mounted for movement toward and away from each other between spaced apart positions and closed positions engaging opposite sides of the sheet to sever the article from the sheet. One of the trim die members includes an opening therethrough for receiving the article as it is being trimmed and for passing the article therethrough after it is trimmed and part receiver means stationarily mounted in alignment with the opening for receiving the articles from the moving trim die member.

Abstract: A foam plastic disposable tray and cover typically used for take-out dinners at fast food establishments. The tray and cover are joined by an integral hinge along one side edge. At a location remote from the hinge, tabs and undercut tab seats are formed in the tray and cover respectively that releasably latch the cover in a closed position on the tray.

Abstract: A sundae dish having a bottom dish and a cover that are identical. The rim structure of each dish is part male and part female, and each is provided with a locking element. The two parts of the container are self aligning by virtue of their rim structures so that when one is inverted on the other, the locking elements are aligned for convenient locking of the container.

Abstract: A disposable plastic lid having a generally round closure wall and a depending skirt, with a stacking facility formed in the closure wall comprising a circular recess concentric with the wall and which recess has downwardly extending feet, substantially equal in circumferential extent and uniformly spaced about the periphery of the recess whereby the feet of one lid rest on the bottom wall of the recess of the next lower lid in the stack.

Abstract: A tamper-proof closure for a container including an endwall and an annular, threaded sidewall. The sidewall includes an internal projection for mating with a part of the container to prevent turning of the closure when the closure is mounted on said container. A tear tab is provided on the sidewall radially outwardly of the projection. The sidewall includes tear facilitating portions on circumferentially opposite sides of the tear tab to enhance tearing of the sidewall on opposite sides of the tear tab to permit the tear tab and the projection to be swung outwardly to a removed position in which the closure can be turned. Another aspect of the invention includes a method of making the closure.

Abstract: A foamed plastic food container having a dish and cover interconnected by a hinge at one end and a latching means at the other end. The hinge is biased towards the open position. The latching means comprises a male flange-like member raised above the rim of the dish and a female member on the cover. The female member comprises an outwardly protruding chamber having an indentation sloping inward toward a shelf, with a U-shaped slot being cut into the indentation and shelf. The slot is substantially wider than the width of the flange thereby permitting easy closing and opening.

Abstract: A thermoplastic container is provided with a venting structure to enhance the delivery therefrom of food products, including toppings and the like, in an en mass or molded form from the container. A deep drawn rupturable tip is formed in a concave bottom web of the container which can be ruptured by a fingernail or fork tine to vent the bottom of the contents to atmosphere and enhance dispensing of the entire contents by inverting the container. The tip is of lesser depth than the bottom concavity to permit stacking of containers one upon the other and normal positioning on a flat surface.

Abstract: A food serving system for delivering prepared meals to locations remote from the point of preparation, such as to patients in hospitals and nursing homes, which includes a mobile cart having its own low voltage rechargeable power pack that may be utilized to make the cart self powered. The cart has a tier of racks for carrying removable, generally flat, individual, food serving trays. The trays may be disposable or reusable. Each tray is provided with one or more thermally isolated heat transfer devices which may be energized when the tray is placed on a rack in the cart. The trays are constructed to carry conventionally styled, removable dishes, bowls, cups, etc., that may be either disposable or reusable, and the dishes and bowls containing foods to be maintained at a reduced or elevated temperature are placed on the heat transfer devices.

Abstract: In a foamed plastic food container having an integral dish and cover, triangular pedestals are formed in the bottom wall of the dish. The height of the pedestals is equal to the stacking height of the container to prevent compacting during storage. Channels between the pedestals allow air circulation about the food in the container to prevent the food from becoming soggy.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the rotary position of any selected one of a plurality of rotatable die bolts to control the position of a die lip and the size of a die opening adjacent the die lip comprising a reciprocable drive member movable in a to-and-fro path of travel and a plurality of bolt actuating members mounted on the drive member for movement therewith and for movement relative thereto between positions removed from the bolts and bolt drive positions in driving relation with any selected one of the bolts.

Abstract: Sheet supporting apparatus for a continuous sheet, differential pressure thermoforming machine comprising laterally spaced apart sheet support members for supporting the lateral edges of a formable sheet and for moving the sheet in a forward path of travel. The apparatus includes an open top, air receiving, sheet support box disposed interjacent the laterally spaced sheet support members upstream of a differential pressure mold, and mechanism for introducing air under pressure to the inside of the box for supporting a midportion of the sheet of plastic.