Abstract: A shape-preserving device which is attached to the top and bottom mold section of a thermoforming machine which reciprocatingly thermoforms articles from a heat-softened plastic sheet. The device includes a cavity mold attached to one mold section and a remolding shoe assembly attached to the other. The remolding shoe assembly includes a floating remolding shoe attached to the outer end of a piston rod connected to a pressurized fluid-actuated pneumatic cylinder which is in unimpeded flow communication with a source of compressed air.

Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic produce tray characterized by having a series of spaced apart, concave ribs or saddles extending upward from the bottom into the side walls. The ribs are adapted to cradle substantially globular produce.

Abstract: An integral tray structure of expanded substantially rigid plastic foam material, typically polystyrene foam is formed to have a bottom plate surface, an upstanding surrounding, inclined rim and a laterally projecting flange formed on the rim, the flange having, around its periphery, spaced projections, and recess means which are so arranged that, upon inversion of a tray structure above another tray structure, a hollow, insulated chamber, to contain hot or cold food, is formed. The projecting and recess means can be used to lock the tray structures together, and the inclined rims permitting nesting of the tray structures within each other, for minimum space requirements of the tray structures themselves for transportation and storage. The projecting-recess means may be formed as tabs engaging notches, or perpendicularly projecting buttons engaging matching cut-outs.