The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 01, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2009
Mircea T. Sofronie, Easton, PA (US);
Albert D. Johns, Myrtle Beach, SC (US);
Mark B. Littlejohn, Appleton, WI (US);
Kenneth J. Zirbel, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Luke G. Stumpf, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Gary J. Reif, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Mircea T. Sofronie, Easton, PA (US);
Albert D. Johns, Myrtle Beach, SC (US);
Mark B. Littlejohn, Appleton, WI (US);
Kenneth J. Zirbel, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Luke G. Stumpf, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Gary J. Reif, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Dixie Consumer Products LLC, Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
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.