Methods and systems for producing pressware

A method of producing a pressware product from a web extending from a roll of material, the method comprising:

• directing the web, via a plurality of rollers, between a positive mold assembly comprising a positive mold and a punch and a negative mold assembly comprising a negative mold complementary to the positive mold and a die complementary to the punch;
• pressing, via a forming station actuator, the web between the positive mold assembly and a negative mold assembly to form the pressware product and trim the pressware product from the web;
• and
• pulling, via a suction cup, the pressware product from the negative mold assembly or the positive mold assembly.

A system for producing pressware products from a web of a roll of material, the system comprising:

• a plurality of rollers configured to pull the web from the roll;
• a forming tool configured to receive the web and including:
• a positive mold assembly comprising a plurality of positive molds and a plurality of punches, and
• a negative mold assembly comprising a plurality of negative molds complementary to the positive molds and a die complementary to the punches;
• a forming tool actuator configured to shift the positive mold assembly and the negative mold assembly vertically relative to one another to press the web between the positive mold assembly and the negative mold assembly to form the pressware products in the web and cut the pressware products from the web;
• and
• a plurality of suction cups movably suspended at a height above at least one of the positive mold assembly or the negative mold assembly and configured to engage the pressware products;
• and
• a picking station actuator configured to shift the suction cups away from one of the positive mold assembly or the negative mold assembly to remove the pressware products from the one of the positive mold assembly or the negative mold assembly.