Dixie Consumer Products LLC

Fort James Corporation

Mircea T Sofronie

Albert D Johns

Mark B Littlejohn

Thomas W Zelinski

William R Pucci

Richard J Rogers

Jay S Lester

Erik J Sjogren

Eric J Berg

Kenneth J Zirbel

Luke G Stumpf

Bruce R Smith

Stephen K Milligan

Gary J Reif

Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.

Pressware stop ramp and method for using the same

A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes an obliquely angled, continuous ring, and/or annular stop member between an inner die member and an outer die ring. Increased surface area of contact between stop components provides greater wear resistance, and the angled contact face maintains alignment of the die components.

Forming die assembly with enhanced stop

A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.

Segmented pressware die set with anti-twist guide keys

A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes a lightweight knockout assembly having a long and narrow ejection member positioned within a slotted adapter plate. The provision of a lightweight knockout assembly reduces frictional wear-related maintenance and downtime.

Lightweight knockout for forming die assembly

Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.

Disposable servingware containers with flange tabs

A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.

Tooling system

In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.

Rotating inertial pin blank stops for pressware die sets

A pressing apparatus for producing a food service paperboard container from a paperboard blank so that the paperboard container possesses an overturned rim provided with folds includes a first die and a second die that are movable relative to one another. The first die includes a first base and a first platform that is movable with respect to the first base, with the first base having a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank. The second die is positioned in opposing relation to the first die and includes a second base and a second platform that is movable with respect to the second base. The second die is movable with respect to the first die and the second base has a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank so that the outer periphery of the paperboard blank is pressed between the curved surface of the first base and the curved surface of the second base. A first cast-in heater is mounted within a recess in the first die and includes a resistor wire embedded within a thermally conductive cast-in material. A second cast-in heater is mounted within a recess in the second die and includes a resistor wire embedded within a thermally conductive cast-in material.

Food serving paperboard container pressing apparatus employing cast-in electrical heaters

In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.

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Easton, PA, United States of America

Mircea T Sofronie