A method for dielectrically heating foamable composition to foam and set the composition is described. In particular, radio frequency (RF) heating is used to heat the foamable composition to provide insulation in the manufacture of an article.

The present invention is directed to a deep draw microcellularly foamed polymeric container comprising a polymeric sidewall integrally connected to a polymeric base along a bottom edge. The polymeric sidewall and base are contiguous with each other and define a shape of an open top container. The polymeric sidewall and base have a contiguous inner microcellular foam structure (having average cell diameters ranging from about 5 to about 100 microns) surrounded by a smooth outer skin layer integrally connected therewith. The polymeric sidewall defines a container height and a top opening, wherein the top opening defines a top opening width, and wherein the polymeric base defines a container base width, and wherein the area defined by the top opening is greater than the area defined by the polymeric base, and wherein the ratio of the container height (h) to the top opening width (w) is greater than about 1:1 (h:w).

A method for dielectrically heating foamable composition to foam and set the composition is described. In particular, radio frequency (RF) heating is used to heat the foamable composition to provide insulation in the manufacture of an article.

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.

An insulative cup is formed of a multi-layer sheet. The multi-layer sheet comprises an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material, a film layer, and a polymeric lamination layer. The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is formed from a formulation comprising a base resin blend and a physical nucleating agent.

A multi-layer sheet includes an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material, a film, and a polymeric-lamination layer. The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material may be formed from a polymeric formulation comprising a base resin blend and a physical nucleating agent.

A multi-layer sheet includes an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material, a film, and a polymeric-lamination layer. The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material may be formed from a polymeric formulation comprising a base resin blend and a physical nucleating agent.

A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet including a first layer of an expanded foam material including a first polyolefin-based material including at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpected material including a second polyolefin-based material including at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer.

A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.

A container includes a cup formed to include and interior region and an insulated sleeve. The insulated sleeve is coupled to an outer surface of the cup.