Methods of forming an article from a molten plastic composition comprising a polymer and a blowing agent. The methods include injecting the molten plastic composition into a mould, allowing the plastic composition to form a first solid skin adjacent to an in contact with a first cavity-forming surface of the mould and a second solid skin adjacent to and in contact with a second cavity-forming surface of the mould, and then opening the mould before the molten plastic composition between the first and second solid skins in at least one portion of the circumference of a region of the mould cavity defining an annular cross-section of the cavity has solidified.

A package comprises an entirety of a tray (10) having an open side and a ring-shaped cover rim (20) which is located at the open side of the tray (10), at an outer circumferential rim (16) of the tray (10), and which is connected to the tray (10) through a relatively weak breaking portion (30). For the purpose of manufacturing the package, a mold (41) is provided. Also, a sheet (40) is provided and placed in the mold (41), wherein a movement of the sheet (40) is forced in two different directions. The cover rim (20) is formed with an inner ring (21) in which an inward bulge (28) is realized, along at least a portion of the circumference thereof, as an aids in establishing a clamping connection between the cover rim (20) and the tray (10) once the cover rim (20) has been broken away from the tray (10).

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

A polymeric article includes a body and encoded visual indicia formed on the body. The encoded visual indicia may be scanned to generate instructions. A method of providing the polymeric article includes applying polymeric materials to a mold to provide an article-blank web having formed therein an article preform of a desired shape with encoded visual indicia formed in the article preform.

Embodiments herein relate to an ultrasonically weldable polymeric lid for a microwaveable polymeric container. In an embodiment, a lid for microwaveable containers can include a polymeric ring. The polymeric ring can define a central aperture having an inner diameter. The polymeric ring can also include a recessed shelf contacting the inner diameter of the central aperture and an ultrasonic bonding surface disposed to the outside of the recessed shelf. The lid can include a peelable film disposed on the recessed shelf and occluding the central aperture. The peelable film can be removably bonded to the recessed shelf, and can include a tab attached to an edge of the peelable film. In some cases the lid can contain substantially no metal content. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A tray sealer that includes a control unit and a sealing station is presented. The sealing station comprises a tool upper part, a clamping frame and a tool lower part. The interior of the tool upper part comprises a dome-shaped die for deforming a top film. The dome-shaped die comprises at least a first channel and the tool upper part comprises a second channel. The dome-shaped die may have an inner contact surface. The clamping frame may clamp the top film in position on the tool upper part in a gas-tight manner so as to define an upper chamber within the tool upper part. In one embodiment, a vacuum sensor is operably connected to the control unit and is disposed between the dome-shaped die and a vacuum generator. The control unit may detect a tear in the film using a pressure profile generated by the vacuum sensor.

The present application relates to a thermoforming device. According to an embodiment, the thermoforming device includes a gaseous medium damper for damping a relative movement of the lower mold and the upper mold and/or a gaseous medium damper for damping a relative movement of the lower mold and the ejector plate.

Disclosed is a one-piece, short stemmed, blow molded drinking vessel. The vessel includes a stem with a first end and a second end, a partial hollow cavity disposed therein, and a height that allows holding of the stem using a fore finger and a thumb, a bowl with a lip configured on top, and has a continuous bowl surface that laterally stretches between the lip to its maximum predefined diameter, thereafter shrinks to merge with the first end of the stem forming a beverage retaining region, a base with a predefined diameter, the second end of the stem is merged centrally over a top surface of the base, and a removable sealing unit adapted for covering the lip of the bowl in order to ensure the beverage contained within the beverage retaining region doesn't come in contact with air and doesn't spill out during transportation.

The claimed invention provides a method for molding a decorative cup with a hard exterior shell and a molded cup with a hard exterior shell such that the ink of the decoration and the adhesive are encapsulated between the molding material and the hard exterior shell.

A method of forming a part from a blank includes positioning the blank within a forming die. Water is introduced between the blank and the forming die. The water is heated to form steam between the blank and the forming die. The blank is reshaped within the forming die to form the part while the steam is disposed between the blank and the forming die. The steam forms a cushion between the blank and the forming die to reduce friction therebetween. A lubricant is not applied to the blank prior to being positioned in the forming die. Therefore, the formed part does not require a washing step after being formed.