Abstract: Thermoformed fluid material container closures, such as reclosable dome-shaped beverage lids, having an inner “plug fit” securement groove for removably securing the fluid material container closure to an upper rim of a beverage cup and which have a drip rate of about 1 g or less per 20 seconds. These closures such as beverage lids are made by a thermoforming process from a thermoformable web (e.g., sheet) to provide a generally dome-shaped upper fluid material-dispensing portion from polypropylene polymers having a flexural modulus of at least about 230,000 kpsi and in which a fluid-dispensing orifice in formed in the fluid material-dispensing portion which is substantially aligned with the machine direction (MD) of the thermoformable web.

Abstract: A process for thermoforming a discrete section of an amorphous pliable thermoplastic sheet in a temperature-controlled thermoforming mold to provide a discrete thermoformed section having one or more discrete shaped articles formed therein and to heat the shaped articles to a temperature below the Tm but above the Tg of the polylactic acid polymer in the sheet to induce crystallization of the polylactic acid polymer in the shaped articles. While unconstrained by the thermoforming mold, the discrete thermoformed section is tempered at a temperature such that the polylactic acid polymer in the shaped articles achieves a degree of crystallization of at least about 5% (as measured by X-ray diffraction) to thereby increase heat resistance of the shaped articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.

Abstract: An open-top cup comprises a bottom wall and a side wall having inner and outer surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom wall. An outwardly curled lip formed on the free edge of the side wall. A respective insulative layer having a moisture absorbing characteristic and a respective graphic layer are attached to the outer surface of the side wall. The insulative layer is sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall and the graphic layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a thermoformable composite by crosslinking PHA and PLA together in the presence of an additive to produce PHA and PLA blend and resins having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 180° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 160° C. The thermoformable composite is used to make a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, or food storage container. The thermoformable composite comprises from about 5% to about 95% by weight of polylactic acid (PLA), from about 5% to about 95% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, and from about 0.01% to about 60% additives wherein the PLA and PHAs being crosslink together by intermolecular means to enhance performance and processability.

Abstract: A biodegradable beverage filter cartridge having: a biodegradable fluid permeable beverage filter component; an openable lid component of biodegradable and/or recyclable material; and a beverage receptacle component composed of an exterior biodegradable heat-resistant structural polymer layer, an inner protective seal layer of biodegradable polymer, and an intermediate biodegradable and/or recyclable oxygen barrier layer between the exterior and inner layers and provided with a pierceable and/or a liquid permeable base portion and a sidewall portion extending generally upwardly from the base portion for securing the lid component to the beverage receptacle component and defining a beverage filter component receptacle area for receiving the beverage filter component. The cartridge may optionally include beverage material positioned within a beverage material receiving area of the beverage filter component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a themoformable composite by crosslinking PHA and PLA together in the presence of an additive to produce PHA and PLA blend and resins having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 180° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 160° C. The themoformable composite is used to make a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, or food storage container. The thermoformable composite comprises from about 5% to about 95% by weight of polylactic acid (PLA), from about 5% to about 95% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, and from about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.

Abstract: A paperboard cup holder for use with a hot coffee cup, the cup being tapered as in the form of a cross section of a right circular cone of relatively small taper angle. Such cups are generally of paperboard or plastic and are often used in vending machines and fast food retail outlets for serving hot coffee. The holder is formed from a flat, generally arcuate unitary paperboard blank having a convex outer edge and a concave inner edge. The arcuate length of the blank is substantially the same as the mid circumference of the cup, and the ends of the blank are glued together to form an annular holder. The upper edge of the blank integrally carries a plurality of flaps which bend 180 degrees to as to lie parallel with the main portion of the blank. The inter and outer surfaces of the paperboard blank are embossed, including the flaps. When the holder is slid onto a cup, the flaps are sandwiched between the outer (hot) surface of the cup and the main portion of the holder.

Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween.

Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween. In normal use conditions, the spacer elements do not contact the inner wall; however, the spacer elements prevent the outer wall from contacting the inner wall during non-standard use conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides articles comprising a thermoformable composite comprising: a core comprising a renewable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 90° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90° C.; and a heat-resistant outer layer substantially surrounding the core and comprising a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Ts of greater than about 60° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of greater than about 50° C.; wherein the renewable polymer comprises at least about 60% by weight of the composite, and wherein the heat-resistant polymer has a Ts value and heat distortion index greater than that of the renewable polymer. The present invention also provides methods for coextruding the heat-resistant polymer outer layer and renewable polymer core to provide a thermoformable composite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition useful for manufacturing biodegradable in which, the process comprising: (1) providing a renewable polymer and/or natural fiber having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 90° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90° C.; (2) providing a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Ts of greater than about 60° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index greater than about 50° C., wherein the Ts value and heat distortion index of the heat-resistant polymer is greater than that of the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber; and (3) coextruding the heat-resistant polymer and the renewable polymer to provide a thermoformable composite comprising a core comprising the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber, wherein the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber comprises at least about 50% by weight of the composite and a heat-resistant outer layer comprising the heat-resistant polymer which substantially surrounds the core.

Abstract: A lid is provided for use as a cover on a beverage container or other dispensing device, wherein the lid includes a dispensing spout therein for dispensing of the container contents therefrom. A flexible connector arm extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the lid and includes a fixed end fixedly attached to the lid at a first arcuate position thereof and a free end frangibly connected to the lid by a frangible tab located at a second arcuate position of the lid. The free end of the connector arm can be detached from the lid by tearing along a tear line provided in the connector arm spaced radially outwardly from the frangible tab. In this manner, detaching of connector arm from the lid occurs by a discrete tear line propagated through the connector arm, rather than through the lid flange, thereby allowing for detachment of the connector arm from the lid without compromising the integrity of the seal between the lid and the cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides articles comprising a thermoformable composite comprising: a core comprising a renewable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 90° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90° C.; and a heat-resistant outer layer substantially surrounding the core and comprising a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Ts of greater than about 60° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of greater than about 50° C.; wherein the renewable polymer comprises at least about 60% by weight of the composite, and wherein the heat-resistant polymer has a Ts value and heat distortion index greater than that of the renewable polymer. The present invention also provides methods for coextruding the heat-resistant polymer outer layer and renewable polymer core to provide a thermoformable composite.

Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween. In normal use conditions, the spacer elements do not contact the inner wall; however, the spacer elements prevent the outer wall from contacting the inner wall during non-standard use conditions.

Abstract: A reclosable lid for use with an open-top container is disclosed. The reclosable container lid comprises a cover including an annular top wall having a channel integrally formed therein. A drinking spout in the top wall is adapted to dispense the contents of the container. The reclosable lid uses a slide lock closure feature that prevents spillage during transportation of the open-top container and easy access for opening and drinking. The slide lock closure is configured to engage with the channel to slide longitudinally along the channel between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the slide lock closure opens the drinking spout and in the second position, the slide lock closure closes the drinking spout to inhibit dispensing the contents of the container.

Abstract: A barrier laminate packaging material comprising from its outermost surface to the innermost surface contacting the contents of the container to be prepared therefrom, a first exterior layer of a low density polyethylene polymer, a paperboard substrate, a first interior layer laminate coating of nylon with a tie resin layer, a blown film layer comprising a first low density polyethylene polymer layer, a tie layer, a first interior layer of EVOH, a second tie layer, a second interior layer of EVOH, a third tie layer and a second interior layer of low density polyethylene polymer, and an innermost product contacting layer of low density polyethylene.