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US 2026/0307323 A1Published application
Tray thermoforming apparatus
AssigneeCryovac, Inc.
InventorsBradley Neal Daley, Barry Lee Wardlaw, Robert Babrowicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermoforming apparatus and a method of manufacturing a fiber-based tray. The thermoforming apparatus having a male and a female portion. The male portion having a protruding section and a secondary protrusion which contacts a compressed fiber web of unwoven fiber material prior to the remaining portions of the protruding section. Advancement mechanisms retract the secondary protrusion such that the male and female portions compress the fiber web to thermoform a tray.
Claims14
A thermoforming apparatus comprising:
- a. a female portion having an upper surface and a recessed opening;
- b. a male portion have a protruding section and a secondary protrusion situated within the protruding section;
- and
- c. at least one advancement mechanism in communication with the secondary protrusion, the advancement mechanism causing the secondary protrusion to extend beyond the surface of the protruding section.
1 more element
A process for forming a fiber-based thermoformed tray comprising the steps of:
- a. advancing a compressed fiber web of unwoven fiber material between a female portion and a male portion;
- i. the female portion having an upper surface and a recessed opening;
- ii. the male portion have a protruding section and a secondary protrusion situated within the protruding section;
- iii. at least one advancement mechanism in communication with the secondary protrusion, the advancement mechanism causing the secondary protrusion to extend beyond the surface of the protruding section.
- b. bringing the secondary protrusion into contact with the compressed fiber;
- c. advancing the secondary protrusion causing the compressed fiber web to come in contact with a base section of the recessed opening of the female portion;
- d. advancing the male portion causing the compressed fiber web to come in contact with the recessed opening;
- e. applying sufficient force and heat to compress the fiber web between the female portion and the male portion to thermoform a tray;
- and
- f. separating the male portion and the female portion.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.