IP Library Granted Patent US 9,848,719
Granted Patent B2
US 9,848,719 · App. 15/400,872 · Granted Dec 26, 2017

Disposable fluted paperboard plates and method of making same

Inventors: Mark B. Littlejohn (Appleton, WI); Michael A. Breining (Neenah, WI); Larry A. Mejeur (Lawrence, MI)
Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
A47G19/03B65D1/34B31B50/44B31B2100/00B31B2110/10B31B2110/20B31B2120/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,848,719
App. No.
15/400,872
Granted
Dec 26, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.

Claims (47)

1. A paperboard plate formed from a paperboard blank, comprising:

a bottom portion;

an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall portion, wherein the sidewall portion comprises a plurality of flutes arranged substantially around an outer perimeter of the bottom portion to define a fluted perimeter, wherein the flutes are present at fewer than about 3.5 flutes per inch of the fluted perimeter;

a radial profile having a single transition of about 15° to about 50° disposed between the bottom portion and the sidewall portion; and

a plate diameter to flute length ratio of greater than about 6, wherein the plate has a basis weight of greater than 75 pounds per ream.

2. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the plate has a basis weight of about 75 pounds per ream to about 140 pounds per ream.

3. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the plate has a basis weight of about 85 pounds per ream to about 115 pounds per ream.

4. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the single transition is about 15° to about 45°.

5. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the fluted perimeter comprises of from about 40 to about 80 flutes, and the fluted perimeter comprises a plurality of crests and troughs without any inter-pleating therebetween.

6. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the plate diameter is about 9 inches, and the single transition has a radius of curvature ranging from about 0.1 inches to about 0.015 inches.

7. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the plate diameter is about 9 inches and the plate diameter to flute length ratio is of from about 6.5 to about 9.5.

8. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the plate has from about 1.5 to about 2.25 flutes per inch of perimeter.

9. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is generally planar.

10. The paperboard plate of claim 1 , further comprising a polymeric coating comprising polyethylene at least partially disposed on a top side of the paperboard blank, and the plate comprises the coating on its top side.

11. The paperboard plate of claim 10 , wherein the polymeric coating has a thickness of about 0.1 mil to about 2 mil.

12. The paperboard plate of claim 10 , wherein the coating provides resistance to grease, water, or oil.

13. A plate formed from a paperboard blank, comprising:

a central portion;

a sidewall extending from the central portion;

a radial profile having a single angular transition disposed between the central portion and the sidewall, wherein:

the angular transition is of about 15° to about 50°;

the sidewall comprises less than about 3.5 flutes per inch,

the plate has a basis weight of greater than 75 pounds per ream, and

the plate has a ratio of the central portion diameter to flute length greater than about 6.

14. The plate of claim 13 , further comprising a coating comprising polyethylene at least partially disposed on a top side of the paperboard blank, and the plate comprises the coating on its top side.

15. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the plate diameter is about 9 inches, and the plate has a basis weight of greater than about 75 pounds per ream.

16. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the angular transition is about 15° to about 45°.

17. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the sidewall consists of about 40 to about 80 flutes disposed about a perimeter thereof.

18. The plate of claim 14 , wherein the coating provides resistance to at least one of grease, water, and oil.

19. The plate of claim 14 , wherein the coating has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 2 mil.

20. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the ratio of the central portion diameter to flute length ratio is of from about 6.5 to about 9.5.

21. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the number of flutes per inch of a perimeter of the sidewall is of from about 1.5 to about 2.25.

22. The plate of claim 13 , wherein the central portion is generally planar.

23. A plate formed from a paperboard blank, comprising:

a central portion;

a sidewall extending from a perimeter of the central portion;

a single angular transition of from about 15° to about 60° disposed between the central portion and the sidewall;

at least one inflection disposed on the sidewall; and

of from about 40 to about 80 flutes disposed on the side wall at less than about 3.5 flutes per inch, wherein:

the sidewall has no pleats;

the central portion diameter is about 9 inches;

a ratio of the central portion diameter to flute length is greater than about 6; and

the plate has a basis weight of greater than about 75 pounds per ream.

24. The plate of claim 23 , wherein each inflection comprises a curve.

25. The paperboard plate of claim 23 , wherein the plate has a basis weight of about 75 pounds per ream to about 140 pounds per ream.

26. The paperboard plate of claim 23 , wherein the plate has a basis weight of about 85 pounds per ream to about 115 pounds per ream.

27. The paperboard plate of claim 23 , wherein the plate has a basis weight of about 85 pounds per ream to about 130 pounds per ream.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2017
From: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLC
To: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 043695/0984 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2017
From: LITTLEJOHN, MARK B.; BREINING, MICHAEL A.; MEJEUR, LARRY A.
To: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 040891/0111 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 11778232 · Jul 16, 2007
Provisional Application 60807533 · Jul 17, 2006
Related Publication 20170112305A1 · Apr 27, 2017