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 cleaning system having pulverulent foaming cleanser (e.g., acid, alkali metal carbonate and surfactant) is sealed within a water soluble (e.g., PVOH) deformable pouch frictionally retainable within the core of a roll of bath tissue. Upon placement of the pouch in the bowl, water in the bowl penetrates the water soluble wall of the pouch, generating foam which provides cleaning action by activating and carrying cleansing chemicals, not only below the water line of the bowl, but also considerably above it. When used routinely with each change of bath tissue roll, such a cleaning can extend the time between required manual cleanings considerably.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member.

Abstract: There is provided a container having both male and female sealing regions disposed about its periphery in a pattern making it possible to seal a container with another container having substantially identical sealing regions. The male sealing regions used in the practice of the present invention may take the form of a U-shaped ridge which is undercut along at least one leg of the U in a radial direction. Typically, a container will be thermoformed from lightweight thermoplastic material giving the U-shaped ridge considerable flexibility. The female sealing regions used in the practice of the invention may take the form of an undercut channel adapted to receive and match the undercut U-shaped ridges found in the male portion of the container wherein the walls and base of the channel are sufficiently flexible that the undercut portions of the U-shaped ridge are urged into engagement with the undercut portions of the channel.

Abstract: There is provided a container having both male and female sealing regions disposed about its periphery in a pattern making it possible to seal a container with another container having substantially identical sealing regions. The male sealing regions used in the practice of the present invention may take the form of a U-shaped ridge which is undercut along at least one leg of the U. Typically, a container will he thermoformed from lightweight thermoplastic material giving the U-shaped ridge considerable flexibility. The female sealing regions used in the practice of the invention may take the form of an undercut channel adapted to receive and match the undercut U-shaped ridges found in the male portion of the container wherein the walls and base of the channel are sufficiently flexible that the undercut portions of the U-shaped ridge are urged into engagement with the undercut portions of the channel and the crest of the ridge is urged into the channel.

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: An improved lidded container includes a receptacle portion with a brim having a plurality of lateral substantially straight brim wall segments provided with medial sealing beads extending between corners of the brim. The medial sealing beads are characterized in that they project away from the respective walls upon which they are disposed a maximum distance at a central portion of the wall and the medial sealing beads extend over a major portion of the length of the lateral sealing wall upon which they are disposed. Most preferably, the beads are tangent with and terminate at rounded corners between the wall segments.

Abstract: There is provided a container having both male and female sealing regions disposed about its periphery in a pattern making it possible to seal a container with another container having substantially identical sealing regions. The male sealing regions used in the practice of the present invention may take the form of a U-shaped ridge which is undercut along at least one leg of the U in a radial direction. Typically, a container will be thermoformed from lightweight thermoplastic material giving the U-shaped ridge considerable flexibility. The female sealing regions used in the practice of the invention may take the form of an undercut channel adapted to receive and match the undercut U-shaped ridges found in the male portion of the container wherein the walls and base of the channel are sufficiently flexible that the undercut portions of the U-shaped ridge are urged into engagement with the undercut portions of the channel.

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: 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: An integrally formed ensemble of interconnected, separable containers and associated lids is adapted for use as disposable containers for condiments, sauces, and the like. The interconnected assembly typically includes a first plurality of containers arranged in a first linear array and a second plurality of containers arranged in a second linear array wherein the first linear array and the second linear array are secured to each other by way of a plurality of tear portions. First and second pluralities of lids are hinged to the containers and outwardly disposed with respect thereto such that the lids and containers are balanced during a fill operation.

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 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 disposable cup comprises a side wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one air pocket formed on the inner surface. The air pockets are formed by shrink film being adhered to the inner surface in at least one pattern and adapted to pull away from the inner surface in accordance with the pattern upon application of heat at a temperature range sufficient to cause the formation of air pockets. The formed air pockets thermally insulate a portion of the outer cup surface located directly behind the air pockets.

Abstract: A crush-resistant, preferably thermoformed, disposable lid is provided for plates, platters, bowls and the like. The lid includes a dome and a downwardly extending sidewall provided with a plurality of outwardly convex flutes formed in the sidewall with a characteristic cylindrical diameter. The sidewall extends from the dome to an engagement portion adapted to be secured to the plate, platter or bowl about an engagement perimeter of the lid. There are typically fewer than about 1.85 flutes per inch of engagement perimeter and the flutes are characterized by a ratio of the characteristic cylindrical diameter of the flutes to the engagement perimeter of the lid of at least about 0.0125.

Abstract: A disposable cup comprises a side wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one air pocket formed on the inner surface. The air pockets are formed by shrink film being adhered to the inner surface in at least one pattern and adapted to pull away from the inner surface in accordance with the pattern upon application of heat at a temperature range sufficient to cause the formation of air pockets. The formed air pockets thermally insulate a portion of the outer cup surface located directly behind the air pockets.

Abstract: There is provided a container having both male and female sealing regions disposed about its periphery in a pattern making it possible to seal a container with another container having substantially identical sealing regions. The male sealing regions used in the practice of the present invention may take the form of a U-shaped ridge which is undercut along at least one leg of the U. Typically, a container will be thermoformed from lightweight thermoplastic material giving the U-shaped ridge considerable flexibility. The female sealing regions used in the practice of the invention may take the form of an undercut channel adapted to receive and match the undercut U-shaped ridges found in the male portion of the container wherein the walls and base of the channel are sufficiently flexible that the undercut portions of the U-shaped ridge are urged into engagement with the undercut portions of the channel and the crest of the ridge is urged into the channel.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a bowl with a generally planar central portion, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall defines an annular sealing region with an annular sealing portion, a stop ridge and a laterally extending retaining shelf. A lid is provided with a peripheral portion adapted to be retained by the annular base sealing portion and to be secured by the stop ridge. In one preferred embodiment, the lid is a planar paperboard lid provided with a tab and the annular sealing portion of the base is an undercut groove in its sidewall.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member. A matching sealing lid is typically provided with a dome, a flexible sidewall and an annular sealing portion configured to cooperate with the base stop ridge and the sealing surface of the serving member in order to seal the container.