Abstract: Water instead of carbon dioxide is substituted for part of the volatile organic blowing agent, e.g., pentane, resulting in extruded foams having a smooth, lustrous drum side skin compared to foams containing only organic blowing agent or organic blowing agent plus carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming stacks of nested containers, such as cups and the like, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for isolating or separating stacks each consisting of a requisite count of isolated nested containers from a continuous supply of the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for cutting the web remaining from a plastic sheet containing thermoformed articles into strips, loosely indexing and aligning a plurality of thermoformed articles in each strip with article punches, sequentially isolating the articles from each other so that they have complete freedom of movement in both across-machine and machine directions, exactly registering the articles with the article punches in a selected sequence, precisely trimming the articles from the plastic web, and ejecting them from the apparatus.

Abstract: A thermoformed polymeric foam article, such as a cup or container, is disclosed having improved thermal insulation properties. Contact with hot water causes expansion of the foam wall, substantially decreasing foam density and providing greater heat retention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermoforming plastic foam articles comprising the sequential steps of (a) preheating the plastic foam, usually supplied in the form of a continuous sheet stock, (b) clamping, in a fixed position, that portion of the stock material which is to be thermoformed, (c) initially deforming the preheated foam stock with a portion of a male mold member to form a preform, (d) drawing a vacuum on the interior of the female mold member to assist in completion of the thermoforming operation, and (e) completing formation of the desired article by deformation of the preform between a male and female thermoforming device.