Abstract: A multilayer sheet, which is particularly well adapted for use as as a label sleeve on carbonated beverage containers, includes first and second coextruded unfoamed layers of polymer compositions each consisting essentially of polyolefin, polystyrene and a compatibility agent. The polyolefin and polystyrene are in a weight ratio in the range of about 30/70 to 70/30, and the compatibility agent is in the amount of about 5% to 10% by total weight. A pigment in the amount of about 10% to 15% by total weight may be included in one or both of the coextruded layers. The polyolefin preferably is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and mixtures thereof, and the compatibility agent preferably comprises a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. One of the unfoamed layers preferably is thicker and of higher strength than the other layer, while the other layer has a smooth uniform exterior surface.

Abstract: A plastic sheet for packaging meat products such as bacon that consists essentially of a laminate of first and second sheet substrates. The first substrate is a coextruded polystyrene substrate that consists of a non-foam layer and a foam layer that is thinner than the non-foam layer. The second substrate is a coextruded polystyrene substrate that consists of a non-foam layer and a foam layer that is thicker than the non-foam layer. The first and second substrates are secured to each other with the foam layers facing each other. The first substrate provides toughness and a smooth surface for printing information to be visible within the meat product package, and the second substrate provides stiffness at light weight.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet, which is particularly well adapted for use as as a label sleeve on carbonated beverage containers, includes first and second coextruded unfoamed layers of polymer compositions each consisting essentially of polyolefin, polystyrene and a compatibility agent. The polyolefin and polystyrene are in a weight ratio in the range of about 30/70 to 70/30, and the compatibility agent is in the amount of about 5% to 10% by total weight. A pigment in the amount of about 10% to 15% by total weight may be included in one or both of the coextruded layers. The polyolefin preferably is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and mixtures thereof, and the compatibility agent preferably comprises a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. One of the unfoamed layers preferably is thicker and of higher strength than the other layer, while the other layer has a smooth uniform exterior surface.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which comprises utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A coextruded label material is provided which comprises a styrenic unfoamed layer and a styrenic foam layer wherein the styrenic unfoamed layer is the predominant portion as contrasted to the styrenic foam layer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an additional clear or translucent unfoamed plastic layer is adhered to the unfoamed layer with printing interposed between the unfoamed layers. Printing is provided on the unfoamed layer of the coextruded material or other side of the additional clear or translucent unfoamed layer. A container package is provided wherein a label is cut from the label material and wrapped about a hollow container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming clear shrinkable film material for use as labels on containers. A blend of general purpose polystryene and styrene-butadiene or styrene butyl acrylate is extruded from an annular extruder die orifice to form a frustoconical tube which is stretched before cooling air is applied to form a clear film that has machine direction orientation and cross direction orientation that can be used as a shrinkable label on containers. As the tube is extruded, it is shielded from cooling air which is applied downstream from the extruder die orifice. The apparatus shields the hot annular extruded material adjacent the die orifice. The air is supplied downstream from an annular air orifice which is designed with a taper that allows ambient air to be freely drawn in and eliminates what would be a negative pressure zone immediately downstream of the air orifice while eliminating air turbulence and improving cooling.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming clear shrinkable film material for use as labels on containers. A blend of general purpose polystryene and styrene-butadiene or styrene butyl acrylate is extruded from an annular extruder die orifice to form a frustoconical tube which is stretched before cooling air is applied to form a clear film that has machine direction orientation and cross direction orientation that can be used as a shrinkable label on containers. As the tube is extruded, it is shielded from cooling air which is applied downstream from the extruder die orifice. The apparatus shields the hot annular extruded material adjacent the die orifice. The air is supplied downstream from an annular air orifice which is designed with a taper that allows ambient air to be freely drawn in and eliminates what would be a negative pressure zone immediately downstream of the air orifice while eliminating air turbulence and improving cooling.

Abstract: A device for forming a rolled rim at the unrimmed mouth of the body of a container having a body which is fabricated from a sheet of an expanded thermoplastic material, the device including a first member with a first annular rim-forming surface, and a second member which is reciprocable relative to the first member. The second member has a second annular rim-forming surface which forms a generally closed rim-forming chamber with the first annular rim-forming surface when the second member is in a first position relative to the first member, the second member being reciprocable to a second position in which the first annular surface and the second annular surface are separated to permit the withdrawal of a container with a rolled rim at the mouth from the first member.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic films so that the resultant product is adpated for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labells for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A device for forming a rolled rim at the unrimmed mouth of the body of a container having a body which is fabricated from a sheet of an expanded thermoplastic material, the device including a first member with a first annular rim-forming surface, and a second member which is reciprocable relative to the first member. The second member has a second annular rim-forming surface which forms a generally closed rim-forming chamber with the first annular rim-forming surface when the second member is in a first position relative to the first member, the second member being reciprocable to a second position in which the first annular surface and the second annular surface are separated to permit the withdrawal of a container with a rolled rim at the mouth from the first member.

Abstract: A surface treating device to be attached to the upstream end of a cooling and sizing mandrel used in the manufacture of a web of expanded polystyrene of a general purpose grade from a warm, tubular extrudate of such material, such treating device serving to prepare the dense, radially innermost surface of such tubular extrudate so that it can be drawn over the cooled, cooling and sizing mandrel in tight, surface to surface contact therewith to substantially reduce the amount of material from the web which accumulates on the cooling and sizing mandrel.