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US 8,617,681 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for producing labeled, plastic foam containers, and product of same
AssigneeGrupo Convermex, S.A. de C.V.
InventorBenito Alvarez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing labeled, plastic foam containers, such as a labeled EPS cup uses a heated pocket to thermally bond a label to a plastic cup. Also described is a labeled plastic foam container, such as a labeled EPS cup, having high quality printing capabilities, sufficient stiffness, acceptable insulation and barrier properties and reduced production cost.
Claims13
A labeled, plastic foam container manufactured by the following steps:
- applying an outer sleeve to an exterior surface of an unlabeled, preformed plastic foam portion;
- heating a work piece that defines a cavity that corresponds in shape to the exterior surface of the plastic foam portion;
- positioning the work piece so that the cavity surrounds the exterior surface of the plastic foam portion to which the outer sleeve is applied;
- heating the exterior surface of the plastic foam portion to which the outer sleeve is applied with the cavity by conductive heat transfer from the work piece to the exterior surface of the plastic foam portion as the plastic foam portion is disposed within the cavity, at a temperature and a time sufficient to bond the outer sleeve to the exterior surface of the plastic foam portion;
- and
- removing the outer sleeve and plastic foam portion,
- wherein the plastic foam portion has a density of less than 0.08 g/cm3, and
- wherein the resulting labeled, plastic foam container has an overall density in a range of 0.05720-0.1888 g/cm3.
5 more elements
A labeled, plastic foam container, comprising:
- a plastic foam portion defining a cup shape with a lip portion, bottom portion, and sidewall;
- and
- a label comprising at least one of a metal foil, a plastic film and a paper sleeve,
- wherein the plastic foam portion has a density of less than 0.08 g/cm3, and
- wherein the labeled, plastic foam container has an overall density in a range of 0.05720-0.1888 g/cm3.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.