Systems for producing pressware

A system for producing pressware, comprising:

• a stationary platen coupled to a support structure and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a passageway extending through the stationary platen between the upper surface and the lower surface;
• an upper moveable platen disposed above the stationary platen and configured to move toward and away from the upper surface of the stationary platen;
• a lower moveable platen disposed below the stationary platen and configured to move toward and away from the lower surface of the stationary platen;
• a punch platen disposed between the upper moveable platen and the stationary platen, configured to move toward and away from the stationary platen, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a passageway extending through the punch platen between the upper surface and the lower surface;
• an upper tool assembly comprising an upper forming die coupled to the upper moveable platen, an upper shear coupled to the punch platen and disposed at least partially around the passageway of the punch platen, and a lower shear coupled to the stationary platen and disposed at least partially around the passageway of the stationary platen, wherein the upper forming die is configured to move to at least partially extend into the passageway of the punch platen, and wherein the upper shear is configured to move to at least partially extend into the passageway of the stationary platen;
• a lower tool assembly comprising a lower forming die coupled to the lower moveable platen, wherein the upper forming die and the lower forming die are configured to come together within the passageway of the stationary platen;
• and
• a nozzle configured to provide a gaseous flow below the lower surface of the stationary platen for moving pressed products laterally off the lower forming die while the system feeds a web of material to be pressed between the upper forming die and the lower forming die.

A system for producing pressware, comprising:

• a stationary platen coupled to a support structure and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a passageway extending through the stationary platen between the upper surface and the lower surface;
• an upper moveable platen disposed above the stationary platen and configured to move toward and away from the upper surface of the stationary platen;
• a lower moveable platen disposed below the stationary platen and configured to move toward and away from the lower surface of the stationary platen;
• a forming die assembly comprising an upper forming die and a lower forming die, wherein the lower forming die comprises a lower knockout and a contour rim that at least partially encompasses the lower knockout, wherein the upper forming die is coupled to the upper moveable platen, the lower forming die is coupled to the lower moveable platen, and the upper forming die and the lower forming die are configured to come together within the passageway of the stationary platen, whereby the contour rim and the lower knockout are configured to move with the lower moveable platen towards and away from the upper forming die, and the lower knockout is configured to move independent of the contour rim;
• a punch platen disposed between the upper moveable platen and the stationary platen and configured to move toward and away from the stationary platen;
• a shearing die comprising an upper shear and a lower shear, wherein the upper shear is coupled to the punch platen, the lower shear is coupled to the stationary platen on the upper surface and at least partially around the passageway of the stationary platen, and the upper shear is configured to move to at least partially extend into the passageway of the stationary platen;
• and
• a nozzle configured to provide a gaseous flow below the lower surface of the stationary platen for moving pressed products laterally from the lower forming die while the system feeds a web of material to be pressed between the upper forming die and the lower forming die.