Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

Abstract: A solid state foaming process permits the use of up to 100% recycled pre- and post-consumer polymer for the manufacture of foamed polymer material and thermoformed foamed polymer articles. The process enables the optional formation of integral unfoamed skins of controllable depth and crystallinity on foamed polymeric materials suitable for a wide variety of applications. Because this process does not alter the underlying chemistry of the material all scrap from the manufacturing process may be reused without additive to form new foamed polymeric materials and articles.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides packages and containers produced by a solid state method for the manufacture of foamed polymeric material. The packages are suitable for pre-cooking or sterilization, insulated transport, cooking vessel, reheating, and storage of food. The gas impregnated thermoforming (GIT) process includes interleaving an article of raw polymeric material with a gas channeling means; exposing the article to a non-reacting gas at elevated pressure to achieve a desired concentration of gas within the polymer, thereby forming a partially gas-saturated article, separating it from the gas channeling means, then decompressing, foaming and forming it at a temperature below the material's melt temperature; and finally trimming it to produce a finished foamed polymeric material and recyclable scrap solid state process foamed polymer.

Abstract: An elongate vibratory conveyor for moving products is reciprocated by driving a motor with a cyclical nonuniform motion by supplying power nonuniformly to the motor. The conveyor is reciprocated in opposite lengthwise directions, without any substantial movement of the conveyor normal to the lengthwise direction. Motor control circuitry variably drives the motor automatically in response to feedback from a sensor which senses a motion related to the conveyor motion. The feedback signal is compared to a selected one of a set of predetermined different motion patterns, and the motor is driven by supplying power nonuniformly thereto in accordance with the selected motion pattern.

Abstract: A shuttle vehicle for transferring objects to and from another vehicle, especially a field harvester. The shuttle has a tower lift for raising a platform carrying objects such as pallets of folded containers to a high elevation forming a tunnel-like opening. The shuttle is equipped with horns and locking hooks to engage a field harvester so that the bed of the harvester is brought into alignment with the bed of the shuttle. Boxes from the shuttle are then pushed through the tunnel-like opening of the tower lift onto the flat bed of the shuttle. Once the harvester is unloaded, the support platform of the tower lift may be lowered and objects carried by the lift placed onto the harvester. In this manner, there is a two-way transfer of goods from one vehicle to the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically transplanting seedlings from cells in a seedling tray having open bottoms into a crop row in the ground of a field includes a vehicle operable for travel over the field, an opener shoe for creating a seedling-receiving furrow in the ground, a carriage mounted on the vehicle for receiving the seedling tray, a plant setter mechanism operable for controllably displacing a seedling from the seedling tray and depositing it in the furrow, wherein the plant setter mechanism includes an elongate impaler dimensioned for insertion through the upper surface of the seedling to hold it internally, the plant setter mechanism also including a displacement device for displacing the seedling in a substantially vertical orientation into the ground and a soil-packing device mounted on the vehicle operable for laterally redirecting soil from the furrow toward a deposited seedling so as to pack soil therearound.

Abstract: An automatic tying machine suitable for use in connection with an automatic broccoli bunching machine is illustrated. The tying machine comprises, in addition to the string carrying needle and knotter bill mechanism of the prior art machines, a placer foot that is separate from the needle, and a string retaining mechanism having two fingers, so that each string end of the loop may be independently held.