Methods for making containers from paperboard blanks having shrinkable films secured thereto. In one embodiment, a method for making a container may include applying adhesive about a paperboard substrate having first and second edges opposed to one another and third and a fourth edges opposed to one another, wherein the adhesive at least partially surrounds an area substantially free from adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard with adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The shrinkable film may be configured to shrink an amount along a first axis relative to an amount along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis in a ratio greater than 1:1. The third and fourth edges may be overlapped to form a sidewall which may include an inner surface that includes the shrinkable film. A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent second edge.
Systems for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a system can include an upper moveable platen, a lower moveable platen, a stationary platen, a punch platen, and one or more forming die assemblies. The upper moveable platen and the punch platen can be disposed above the stationary platen and the lower moveable platen can be disposed below the stationary platen. The upper moveable platen, the punch platen, and the lower moveable platen can be configured to move toward and away from the stationary platen. Each forming die assembly can include a set of upper and lower forming dies. The upper and lower forming dies can be coupled to the upper and lower moveable platens, respectively, and configured to press substrates to form pressware products within passageways extending through the stationary platen.
Forming die assemblies for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a forming die assembly can include an upper forming die, a lower forming die, and one or more lower forming springs coupled to the lower forming die, where the lower forming springs can be configured to spring load the lower forming die against the upper forming die when the forming die assembly is disposed in a closed position. The upper forming die can include an upper knockout, a forming punch, and a pressure ring aligned along a central axis of the forming die assembly, and the lower forming die can include a lower knockout and a contour rim aligned along the central axis of the forming die assembly. The lower surfaces of the upper forming die can form a punch profile and the upper surfaces of the lower forming die can form a forming profile.
Methods for securing a shrinkable film to a paperboard substrate and methods for making paperboard containers therefrom. In one or more embodiments, a band of adhesive may be applied about a perimeter of a paperboard substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposed to one another and a third edge and a fourth edge opposed to one another. The band of adhesive may at least partially surround a first area that is substantially free from the adhesive. A second area that may be substantially free from the adhesive may be located between the third edge and the first area. The first area and the second area may be separated by the band of adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard substrate with the adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The third edge and the fourth edge may be overlapped to form a sidewalk A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent the second edge. The first edge may be curled to form a brim.
Systems and methods for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method for producing pressware can include producing a pressware product between an upper forming die and a lower forming die contained within a forming die assembly, retracting at least a portion of the upper forming die from the pressware product, and ejecting the pressware product from the lower forming die while feeding a web material between the upper forming die and the lower forming die. The method can also include cutting a segment of the web material to produce a substrate, and pressing the substrate between the upper forming die and the lower forming die to produce another pressware product.
The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a front cover enclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge, and a dispensing trough positioned on the front cover. The dispensing wedge angles a leading cutlery utensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.
A reclosable cup lid that can include an upper surface having at least one recess formed therein, that is arcuate in shape. The reclosable cup lid can also include a tab configured to fit within the recess. The tab having an arcuate shape corresponding to the arcuate shape of the recess. The reclosable cup lid can also include an opening disposed within the recess to allow fluid flow therethrough. The tab can be adapted to move within the recess from a first position to a second position so that the opening is at least partially blocked when the tab is located in the first position and the opening is at least partially unobstructed when the tab is located in the second position.
B65D 47/06 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages
B65D 47/12 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubesClosures with discharging devices other than pumps with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
A stack of disposable cutlery. The stack can include a plurality of disposable cutlery utensils disposed adjacent one another to provide a stack of the cutlery utensils. At least one elongated retaining mechanism can be adhered to the stack. The at least one elongated retaining mechanism can include at least one tail freely protruding beyond the stack.
The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for use with a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing and a front cover. The front cover may include a dispensing opening and a spring loaded retainer such that the cutlery utensils may be loaded through the front cover and may be dispensed therefrom.
The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The cutlery dispenser may include a wrapped cutlery band comprising a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner. The cutlery dispenser also may include a nozzle assembly configured to allow the cutlery packets to be dispensed therethrough. The present disclosure also provides a method for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The method may include the step of providing a cutlery dispenser comprising a nozzle assembly and a wrapped cutlery band, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner. The method also may include the step of dispensing the cutlery packets through the nozzle assembly.
The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The cutlery dispenser may include a case configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The cutlery dispenser also may include a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case and configured to be dispensed therefrom. The present disclosure also provides a method for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The method may include the step of providing a cutlery dispenser including a case and a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case. The method also may include the step of expanding the case from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The method further may include the step of dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band from the case.
A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism that includes at least one belt configured to be driven and separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the at least one belt. The dispenser may further include a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils.
Embodiments of the invention provide an adapter suitable for use with cups and lids. In some embodiments, the adapter is designed so that a single lid with a predetermined diameter fits, by way of the adapter, with paper cups of different diameters. In some embodiments, an adapter including an inner diameter that corresponds to the upper diameter of the paper cup cooperates with the upper portion of the cup. The adapter also includes an outer diameter that corresponds to the predetermined diameter of the lid to ensure a secure fit between that particular sized cup and the plastic lid having a predetermined diameter.
A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism that includes at least one threaded separating member configured to be driven and separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the at least one threaded separating member. The dispenser may further include a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils.
A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism comprising at least one pair of indexing members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils. A dispensing mechanism may alternatively include a plurality of linked members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils.
An elongated apparatus for releasably retaining a plurality of utensils in a grouping includes an elongated base and at least one protrusion. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending from the elongated base. The at least one protrusion is configured to be removably coupled to a handle end of a utensil such that coupling of the handle end occurs via movement of the handle end along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base. Upon coupling of the handle end of the utensil to the at least one protrusion, the utensil is restricted from rotating about the longitudinal axis so long as the handle end of the utensil is coupled to the at least one protrusion.
A paper cup having a cup side wall bonded to a portion of a paper cup bottom wherein a seal promoter is present between at least a portion of the cup side wall and a portion of the cup bottom. At least a portion of the cup side wall and a portion of the cup bottom being coated with polyethylene such that the seal promoter is applied to a portion of at least one of the polyethylene coated surfaces. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a cup having a seal promoter applied to at least partially polyethylene treated cup side wall and/or cup bottom.
A utensil that includes a functional end and a handle associated with the functional end. The handle includes a longitudinal axis, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface includes at least one protrusion configured to separably couple the utensil to a second utensil. The second surface is configured to receive at least a portion of a third utensil. The at least one protrusion is configured such that the utensil and the second utensil are configured to be at least one of coupled and decoupled with respect to one another via relative movement in a plane parallel to a reference plane that intersects a plane extending between the first and second surfaces.
A module of cutlery may include a plurality of utensils that include a formable material, wherein at least two of the utensils are separably coupled to one another via at least one of an adhesive and a common portion of the formable material.
A cutlery utensil dispenser has a dispensing tray with a floor and a region housing a cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil has first and second portions and is moved by an engagement portion of an actuator from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the first orientation, the cutlery utensil rests on the floor in the region and is within the cutlery utensil dispenser, inaccessible to a user. In the second orientation, the second portion of the cutlery utensil projects from the cutlery utensil dispenser and is accessible to the user. A wall of the region has a fulcrum end dimensioned to engage the cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil rotates about the fulcrum end responsive to the engagement portion toward an exit of the dispenser.
A paper product includes a paperboard comprising a substrate layer, a filler layer, and a cap layer, wherein the filler layer is disposed between the substrate layer and the cap layer, wherein the filler layer includes a filler material, wherein the cap layer includes a polylactic acid based resin, and wherein the cap layer is substantially free of filler material.
B32B 27/10 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer next to another layer of a specific substance of paper or cardboard
B32B 27/20 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
A cutlery utensil dispenser having at least one utensil compartment and a dispensing mechanism is disclosed. Each utensil compartment is so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive member in operable communication with at least one driven member, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments. Actuation of the drive member causes simultaneous actuation of each driven member that causes a utensil to be dispensed from each compartment in repeatable succession one at a time. Also disclosed is a cutlery utensil dispenser having an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism, and a controller in operable communication with the motor. The controller includes a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command.
A basesheet for food wrap products. The base sheet can include a pulp-derived papermaking fiber and a fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber having a CSF value of less than about 175 mL.
Paper cup manufacture utilizing microencapsulated adhesive typically includes: (a) supplying a paperboard web to a coating line; (b) coating the web in the coating line with a liquid resistant coating in a first predetermined pattern on a first side thereof corresponding to interior surfaces of sidewalls of paperboard cups formed from the paperboard blanks; (c) coating the web in the coating line with a microencapsulated adhesive in a second predetermined pattern corresponding to seams of paperboard cups formed from the paperboard blanks, the microencapsulated adhesive thereby being applied in common registry with the liquid resistant coating in the coating line; and (d) cutting paperboard blanks from the web. The paperboard blanks are then (e) formed into the cup sidewall with the adhesive securing a seam.
Thermally insulated sidewalls, containers having thermally insulated sidewalls, and methods for making thermally insulted sidewalls are provided. The thermally insulated sidewall can include a base- sheet having a fold score (15) formed therein, the fold score separating the base sheet into a first section (10) and a second section (12). Each section can include a first end adjacent the fold score and a second end opposite the fold score. A distance between the first end and the second end of the second section is greater than a distance between the first end and the second end of the first section. And the sections are adapted to fold about the fold score to provide a seal area between at least a portion of the second ends of each section. Preferably, the seal area has a seal width of about 9.0 mm or more.
B65D 81/38 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
27.
PRESSED PAPERBOARD SERVINGWARE WITH ARCHED BOTTOM PANEL AND SHARP BRIM TRANSITION
A disposable servingware container (10) press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank has a characteristic diameter, (D), and includes a bottom panel (12) having an arched central crown (14) with a convex upper surface (14a), a first annular transition portion (16) extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel, with the proviso that a portion of the arched central crown defines a substantially continuous, convex arched profile (18) spanning at least 75% of the horizontal distance between center (20) of the container and the first annular transition. An optional sidewall portion (26) extends upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion, while a second annular transition portion (28) flares outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion defining a second radius of curvature, (R2). The ratio of R2/D is 0.0125 or less. An outer flange portion (32) extends outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion and forms the outer perimeter of the container.
The present invention relates generally to cup lids and, more particularly, to a thermoformed disposable cup lid with a drinking aperture (36) and a closure panel (152) displaceable along a generally radial direction between an open position wherein the aperture communicates with the interior of the lid and a closed position where the closure panel covers the aperture to reduce or substantially prevent spillage in use.
B65D 47/28 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, e.g. formed with slidable spouts having linear movement
B65D 47/32 - Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with means for venting
A forming apparatus (10) for producing paperboard pressware includes servo-driven blanking and product forming subsystems (40,60), and a computerized control system (90) to provide independent control of the servo-driven subsystems (20,40,60) for improved timing and positional accuracy. Independent and individual electronic control of the various component subsystems enables remote control and monitoring of production and machine functions.
A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.
A configuration of disposable cutlery comprises a plurality of disposable cutlery pieces suitable for loading in a disposable cutlery dispenser, wherein the plurality is not constrained by a cartridge when loaded into the cutlery dispenser, wherein the plurality is in a substantially unfanned orientation after loading of the plurality into a cutlery dispenser, and wherein each piece comprises a solid handle.
The present invention relates to insulated containers useful for serving, for example, hot beverages. Specifically, the present invention relates to multilayer containers comprising a corrugated sheet as an inner insulating liner, wherein the liner comprises interruptions.
B65D 3/22 - Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines with double wallsRigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines with walls incorporating air-chambersRigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines with walls made of laminated material
B65D 81/38 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
33.
DISPOSABLE FLUTED PAPERBOARD PLATES AND METHOD OF MAKING A STACK OF PAPERBOARD PLATES
A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.
The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary components. The complementary components are provided in stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the complementary components. One stack will have one complementary component located on the top end of the stack and the other complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids are packaged together for complementary use.
A47G 19/23 - Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service of stackable type
B65D 5/16 - Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body the tubular body being formed with an aperture or removable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents through one or more sides
B65D 21/036 - Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together for stacking containers one upon another in the upright or upside down position, e.g. with vertically projecting elements or recesses having closure means specially adapted for facilitating stacking
B65D 25/52 - Devices for discharging successive articles or portions of contents
B65D 77/00 - Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
35.
CONTAINER EMPLOYING INNER LINER AND VENTS FOR THERMAL INSULATION AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
The present invention provides a container (10) suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film (14) liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to freely flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film (14) with hot liquid or other suitable material. When the container is filled with material having a temperature of from about 130° F to up to about 212° F, the shrink film (14) is activated and the container (10) provides excellent insulation, thereby allowing the container to be held in a consumer' s hand for an extended period without causing burns or excessive discomfort. Methods of making this container (10) are also provided.
B65D 81/38 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
B31B 7/00 - Machinery characterised by making lined or internally-reinforced boxes or cartons
36.
FOAM-PAPERBOARD LAMINATES, ARTICLES INCORPORATING SAME AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
The present invention relates to foam-paperboard laminates (foam-paperboard laminates) prepared using an in situ foaming process. The foam-paperboard laminates of the present invention are formed by extruding LDPE polymer onto a moisture containing paperboard to provide a LDPE-coated paperboard material. Upon heating of the LDPE-coated paperboard, the moisture in the paperboard causes steam to act as a blowing agent for the LDPE and a LDPE foam is obtained. The foam is adhered to the paperboard by way of physical adhesion of the polymer to the paperboard. The foam-paperboard laminates of the present invention exhibit insulating and cushioning properties. The foam-paperboard laminates are suitable for use, for example, in insulating beverage cups, food service containers, packaging material, and in other products where laminates can be useful.
B32B 27/10 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer next to another layer of a specific substance of paper or cardboard
