Pressed paperboard servingware with improved rigidity and rim stiffness

• US 20060208054A1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zelinksi, Thomas W., Johns, Albert D., Littlejohn, Mark B., Van Handel, Gerald J., Breining, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,584,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/406
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/02 Plates, dishes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/03 for using only once, e.g. made of paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00361 placed on a tray like container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00648 Flange or lip
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00805 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00842 outside of the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence

Abstract

Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle α with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle β of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.

Claims

1. A disposable servingware container press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank, the container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion, the outer flange portion having;

(i) a downwardly sloping brim portion defining a declivity angle α

at its terminus with respect to a horizontal substantially parallel to the bottom portion and wherein the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to

(ii) a brim transition portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which brim transition portion, in turn, transitions to

(iii) an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

, of at least about 25 degrees;

(iv) the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

2. The container according to claim 1, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 160°

.

3. The container according to claim 1, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 120°

.

4. The container according to claim 1, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 90°

.

5. The container according to claim 1, where the eversion angle β

is from about 35°

to about 65°

.

6. The container according to claim 1, where the eversion angle β

is from about 45°

to about 55°

.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is about 80°

or less.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is about 75°

or less.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is about 70°

or less.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is about 65°

or less.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is at least about 25°

.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is at least about 30°

.

13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is at least about 40°

.

14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is at least about 50°

.

15. The container according to claim 1, wherein the declivity angle α

of the downwardly sloping brim portion is between about 50° and

about 60°

.

16. The container according to claim 1, wherein the brim transition portion has a radius of curvature of less than about ½

″

.

17. The container according to claim 1, wherein the brim transition portion has a radius of curvature of less than about ¼

″

.

18. The container according to claim 1, wherein the brim transition portion has a radius of curvature of less than about ⅛

″

.

19. The container according to claim 1, wherein the brim transition portion has a radius of curvature of about 1/16″

or less.

20. The container according to claim 1, wherein the brim transition portion has a radius of curvature of from about 1/32″

to about ⅛

″

.

21. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of at least about 0.005D.

22. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of at least about 0.007D.

23. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.005D to about 0.06D.

24. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.007D to about 0.03D.

25. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.01D to about 0.025D.

26. The container according to claim 1, wherein the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion is no more than about 50% of the brim height.

27. The container according to claim 1, wherein the annular evert portion has a substantially linear profile.

28. The container according to claim 27, wherein the annular evert portion extends outwardly in a substantially horizontal direction.

29. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, having a caliper of at least about 10 mils.

30. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, having a caliper of from about 10 to about 25 mils.

31. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, having a caliper of from about 12 to about 22.5 mils.

32. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, having a caliper of at least about 12 mils.

33. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, having a caliper of at least about 15 mils and being provided with a coating comprising a clay pigment.

34. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the second annular transition portion, or the outer flange portion is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae.

35. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, prepared from a radially scored paperboard blank wherein the pleats extend over a profile distance corresponding to at least a portion of the length of the scores of the paperboard blank from which the container is formed.

36. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, having a sidewall portion wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of a sidewall portion of the container.

37. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of the second annular transition portion of the container.

38. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of the outer flange portion of the container.

39. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the optional sidewall portion is present and wherein the sidewall portion, the second annular transition portion and the outer flange portion all include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extending around an annular region corresponding to at least a part of the respective profile of the sidewall portion, the second annular transition portion and the arcuate outer flange portion.

40. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats disposed in an annular arrangement which pleats include a substantially integrated fibrous structure formed from a plurality of rebonded paperboard lamellae generally extending over the length of the pleat.

41. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats the majority of which include a substantially integrated fibrous structure formed from a plurality of rebonded paperboard lamellae extending over at least a portion of their length.

42. The disposable servingware container according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of substantially integrated fibrous structures formed from rebonded paperboard define an annular rebonded paperboard array extending radially in an annular region corresponding to at least a part of the profile of the optional sidewall portion, if present, and the second annular transition portion or the outer arcuate flange portion.

43. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein said circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent layers are of generally the same thickness as adjacent areas of the servingware container.

44. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the brim transition portion, or the annular evert portion is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae.

45. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, wherein the annular evert portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extending around an annular region corresponding to at least a part of its profile.

46. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the container has from about 25 to about 80 radially extending pleats.

47. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the container has from about 30 to about 50 radially extending pleats.

48. The disposable servingware container according to claim 34, wherein the container has from about 35 to about 45 radially extending pleats.

49. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, in the form of a plate having a height to diameter ratio of from about 0.06 to about 0.12.

50. The disposable servingware container according to claim 1, in the form of a bowl or deep dish container having a height to diameter ratio of from about 0.1 to about 0.3.

51. A disposable servingware container press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank, the container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from said generally planar bottom portion;

a sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from said first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion extending outwardly from said sidewall portion;

said sidewall portion defining a generally linear, inclined sidewall profile over a length between said first annular transition portion and said second annular transition portion, the profile defining an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical from said generally planar bottom portion;

an arcuate brim portion having a convex upper surface extending outwardly with respect to said second annular transition portion, the radius of curvature of said arcuate brim portion being from about 0.005 to about 0.1 times the characteristic diameter of said disposable servingware container, the arcuate brim portion extending downwardly at its outer part to define at its terminus a declivity angle α

with respect to a horizontal substantially parallel to the bottom portion;

an inner flange portion extending between said second annular transition portion and said arcuate brim portion having a ratio of radial span to the characteristic diameter of from about 0 to about 0.1;

a brim transition portion at the lower edge of the downwardly sloping arcuate brim portion, there being thus defined a brim vertical drop which is the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, wherein the ratio of the brim vertical drop to the characteristic diameter of the container is greater than about 0.01, the brim transition portion, in turn, transitions to

an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping arcuate brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees,

the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim vertical drop.

52. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein said inclined sidewall profile has an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical from said generally planar bottom portion of from about 10°

to about 50°

.

53. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein said inclined sidewall profile has an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical from said generally planar bottom portion of from about 20°

to about 30°

.

54. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the flange outer vertical drop to the characteristic diameter of the container is greater than about 0.013.

55. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the flange outer vertical drop to the characteristic diameter of the container is greater than about 0.015.

56. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the radius of curvature of said arcuate outer brim portion to the characteristic diameter of said disposable servingware container is from about 0.0175 to about 0.1.

57. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the radius of curvature of said arcuate outer brim portion to the characteristic diameter of said servingware container is greater than about 0.025.

58. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the radius of curvature of said arcuate outer brim portion to the characteristic diameter of said disposable servingware container is from about 0.035 to about 0.07.

59. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the length of the generally linear inclined sidewall profile to the characteristic diameter of the disposable servingware container is greater than about 0.025.

60. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the length of the generally linear inclined sidewall profile to the characteristic diameter of the disposable servingware container is greater than about 0.03.

61. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein said arcuate outer flange portion is characterized by having a single radius of curvature.

62. The disposable servingware container according to 51, wherein the ratio of the radius of curvature of said arcuate outer flange portion to the characteristic diameter of said disposable servingware container is from about 0.035 to about 0.06.

63. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein said convex upper surface of the arcuate outer flange portion is configured so that it defines its radius of curvature over an included angle of from about 30°

to about 80°

.

64. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, wherein said servingware container is a bowl and wherein the ratio of the length of the generally linear inclined sidewall profile to the characteristic diameter of the bowl is from about 0.1 to about 0.3.

65. The disposable bowl according to claim 51, wherein the ratio of the length of the generally linear inclined sidewall profile to the characteristic diameter of the servingware container is from about 0.15 to about 0.25.

66. The disposable servingware container according to claim 51, including an inner flange portion extending between said second annular transition portion and said arcuate outer brim portion over a radial span, wherein the ratio of said radial span to the characteristic diameter of said servingware container is from about 0.01 to about 0.09.

67. A disposable food serving plate press-formed from a paperboard blank, the plate having a substantially planar center section as well as an overall height;

a first rim portion extending outward from and joined to said substantially planar center section, said first rim portion defining an upwardly facing arc A12, having a radius of curvature of R12;

a second rim portion outward from and joined to said first rim portion, said second rim portion defining a downwardly facing arc A22, having a radius of curvature of R22;

a third rim portion outward from and joined to said second rim portion, said third rim portion defining a downwardly facing arc A32, having a radius of curvature of R32, and having a tangent at its outer edge which is substantially parallel to the plane of said substantially planar center section;

a fourth rim portion outward from and joined to said third rim portion, said fourth rim portion defining a downwardly facing arc A42, having a radius of curvature of R42;

wherein the length of the arc S2 of said second rim portion is substantially less than the length of the arc S4 of said fourth rim portion which in turn is less than the length of arc S1 of said first rim portion and wherein the radius of curvature R42 of said fourth rim portion is less than the radius of curvature R32 of said third rim portion which is less than the radius of curvature R22 of said second rim portion; and

wherein the included angle defined by arc A12 exceeds 55 degrees and the included angle defined by arc A32 exceeds 45 degrees, the fourth rim portion also including an outer portion sloping downwardly at its terminus defining a declivity angle α

with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the center section;

a brim transition portion joined to the fourth rim portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping fourth brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which brim transition portion transitions to

an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping fourth rim outer portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees;

the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

68. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the angle of arc A42 is less than about 75 degrees.

69. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the length of said first arc is substantially equivalent to the length of said third arc and said first radius of curvature of said first arc is substantially equivalent to said third radius of curvature of said third arc.

70. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the height of the center of curvature of said first rim portion above the plane of said center section is substantially less than the distance by which the center of curvature of said second rim portion is below the plane of said center section.

71. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the horizontal displacement of the center of curvature of said second rim portion from the center of curvature of said first rim portion is at least about twice said first radius of curvature of said first rim portion.

72. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein said height of the center of curvature of said third rim portion above the plane of said center section is less than the height of the center of curvature of said fourth rim portion above the plane of said center section.

73. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the center of curvature of said second rim portion is located outwardly from the center of curvature of both said third and fourth rim portions.

74. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the height of the center of curvature of said third rim portion above the plane of said center section is less than about 0.3 times the radius of curvature of said fourth rim portion and the height of the center of curvature of said fourth rim portion above the plane of said center section is at least about 0.4 times said first radius of curvature of said first rim portion.

75. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the ratio of the length of said fourth radius of curvature to the diameter of said plate is at least about 0.03.

76. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the ratio of the length of said third radius of curvature to the diameter of said plate is at least about 0.050.

77. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the ratio of the length of said second radius of curvature to the diameter of said plate is at least about 0.2.

78. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the ratio of the length of said first radius of curvature to the diameter of said plate is at least about 0.045.

79. The disposable food serving plate according to claim 67, wherein the length of said first arc is substantially equivalent to the length of said third arc.

80. A disposable servingware container press formed from a paperboard blank, the container having a finished diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a generally planar inner portion;

an upwardly extending sidewall portion adjoining said generally planar inner portion;

an outwardly flaring rim portion adjoining said sidewall portion; and

an outwardly and downwardly extending annular outer lip portion adjoining said rim portion;

said lip portion extending downwardly at a declivity angle α

from horizontal of greater than about 45 degrees;

and a brim transition portion transitioning outwardly from the lip portion, a brim height, H′

, being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the outwardly and downwardly sloping outer annular lip portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which brim transition portion transitions to an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping lip portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees, the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height, H′

.

81. A disposable servingware container press-formed from a paperboard blank, the container having a finished diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a substantially planar inner portion;

a sidewall portion including;

a generally annular portion flaring upwardly and outwardly from a periphery of said planar inner portion and a first frusto-conical portion adjoining said annular portion, said first frusto-conical portion sloping outwardly and upwardly from said annular portion; and

a rim portion including an outwardly flaring arcuate annular portion adjoining an outer periphery of said first frusto-conical portion having a first portion thereof extending generally upwardly from said first frusto-conical portion and a second portion thereof flaring generally downwardly relative to a plane defined by said planar inner portion, a second frusto-conical portion extending downwardly and outwardly from said second portion of said arcuate annular portion relative to a plane defined by said planar inner portion and a lip portion extending outwardly and downwardly from said second frusto-conical portion at a declivity angle α

from horizontal of greater than 45 degrees;

and a brim transition portion transitioning outwardly from the lip, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the outwardly and downwardly extending lip portion transitions to the brim transition portion, said brim transition portion transitioning to

an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the outwardly and downwardly sloping lip portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees;

the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

82. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said first frusto-conical portion extends at an angle from about 55°

to about 70°

relative to the plane defined by said substantially planar inner portion.

83. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said first frusto-conical portion has a length greater than about 0.015D.

84. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said outwardly flaring arcuate annular portion includes a radius of curvature between about 0.015D and about 0.040D.

85. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said second portion of said outwardly flaring arcuate annular portion flares generally downwardly at an angle of approximately 6°

-12°

.

86. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said second frusto-conical portion extends downwardly at an angle of approximately 6°

-12°

.

87. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said lip portion includes an outwardly and downwardly flaring frusto-conical portion adjoining an outer-periphery of said second frusto-conical portion, said lip portion having a length of at least 0.003D.

88. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said lip extends downwardly at an angle between about 15°

to about 300 relative to a central axis generally normal to said planar inner portion.

89. The container as defined in claim 81, wherein said lip extends downwardly at an angle of approximately 22.5°

relative to a central axis generally normal to said planar inner portion.

90. The container as defined in claim 81, further comprising a plurality of pleats extending through said sidewall and rim.

91. A method of increasing the Rigidity of a disposable container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height, prepared from a generally planar paperboard blank, wherein the container has a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion;

the outer flange portion including a brim portion sloping downwardly at its terminus defining a declivity angle α

with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to is the bottom portion, the method of improving rigidity comprising press-forming;

(i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, and

(ii) an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees, the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

92. The method according to claim 91, effective to increase the Rigidity of the container by at least about 10% with respect to a container of like design which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

93. The method according to claim 91, effective to increase the Rigidity of the container by at least about 15% with respect to a container of like design which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

94. The method according to claim 91, effective to increase the Rigidity of the container by at least about 20% with respect to a container of like design which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

95. The method according to claim 91, effective to increase the rigidity of the container by at least about 25% with respect to a container of like design which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

96. The method according to claim 91, effective to concurrently increase the Rim Stiffness of the container.

97. The method according to claim 91, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 160°

.

98. The method according to claim 91, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 120°

.

99. The method according to claim 91, where the eversion angle β

is from about 30°

to about 90°

.

100. The method according to claim 91, where the eversion angle β

is from about 35°

to about 65°

.

101. The method according to claim 91, where the eversion angle β

is from about 45°

to about 55°

.

102. The method according to claim 91, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of at least about 0.005D.

103. The method according to claim 91, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of at least about 0.007D.

104. The method according to claim 91, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.005D to about 0.06D.

105. The method according to claim 91, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.007D to about 0.03D.

106. The method according to claim 91, wherein the outwardly extending evert portion extends outwardly from the annular flange transition portion a length of from about 0.01D to about 0.025D.

107. The method according to claim 91, wherein the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion is no more than about 50% of the brim height.

108. The method according to claim 91, wherein the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion is no more than about 25% of the brim height.

109. The method according to claim 91, wherein the annular evert portion has a substantially linear profile.

110. The method according to claim 91, wherein the annular evert portion extends outwardly in a substantially horizontal direction.

111. A method of increasing the Rim Stiffness of a disposable container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height, prepared from a generally planar paperboard blank, wherein the container has a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion;

the outer flange portion including a brim portion sloping downwardly at its terminus defining a declivity angle α

with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion, the method of improving Rim Stiffness comprising press-forming;

(i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, and

(ii) an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees,

the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

112. The method according to claim 111, effective to increase the Rim Stiffness by at least about 10% with respect to a like container which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

113. The method according to claim 111, effective to increase the Rim Stiffness by at least about 25% with respect to a like container which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

114. The method according to claim 111, effective to increase the Rim Stiffness by at least about 50% with respect to a like container which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

115. The method according to claim 111, effective to increase the Rim Stiffness by at least about 75% with respect to a like container which terminates with the downwardly sloping brim portion.

116. A method of making a disposable servingware container having an overall height from a generally planar paperboard blank comprising:

(a) positioning the paperboard blank in a heated pressware die set; and

(b) press-forming the container in the die set into a shape provided with a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion, the outer flange portion also having;

a downwardly sloping brim portion defining a declivity angle α

at its terminus with respect to a horizontal substantially parallel to the bottom portion and wherein the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to a brim transition portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which, in turn, transitions to an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees, the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

117. The method according to claim 116, wherein the paperboard blank is a scored paperboard blank.

118. The method according to claim 116, wherein at least one of the second annular transition portion, or the outer flange portion of the container is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae.

119. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container is prepared from a radially scored paperboard blank which forms pleats extending over a profile distance of the container corresponding to at least a portion of the length of the scores of the paperboard blank from which the container is formed.

120. The method according to claim 119, wherein the container has a sidewall portion wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of a sidewall portion of the container.

121. The method according to claim 116, wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats are formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae and the pleats extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of the second annular transition portion of the container.

122. The method according to claim 121, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of the outer flange portion of the container.

123. The method according to claim 116, wherein the optional sidewall portion is present and wherein the sidewall portion, the second annular transition portion and the outer flange portion of the container all include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extending around an annular region corresponding to at least a part of the respective profile of the sidewall portion, the second annular transition portion and the arcuate outer flange portion.

124. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats disposed in an annular arrangement which pleats include a substantially integrated fibrous structure formed from a plurality of rebonded paperboard lamellae generally extending over the length of the pleat.

125. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats the majority of which include a substantially integrated fibrous structure formed from a plurality of rebonded paperboard lamellae extending over at least a portion of their length.

126. The method according to claim 125, wherein the plurality of substantially integrated fibrous structures formed from rebonded paperboard define an annular rebonded paperboard array extending radially in an annular region corresponding to at least a part of the profile of the optional sidewall portion, if present, the second annular transition portion or the outer arcuate flange portion.

127. The method according to claim 126, wherein said circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent layers are of generally the same thickness as adjacent areas of the servingware container.

128. The method according to claim 116, wherein at least one of the brim transition portion or the annular evert portion of the container is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae.

129. The method according to claim 128, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending pleats formed from a plurality of paperboard lamellae rebonded into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent lamellae extend around an annular region corresponding to at least part of the profile of the annular evert portion of the container.

130. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container has from about 25 to about 80 radially extending pleats.

131. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container has from about 30 to about 50 radially extending pleats.

132. The method according to claim 116, wherein the container has from about 35 to about 45 radially extending pleats.

133. A disposable servingware container press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank, the container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion, the outer flange portion having;

(i) a downwardly sloping brim portion defining a declivity angle, a, at its terminus with respect to a horizontal substantially parallel to the bottom portion and wherein the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to

(ii) a brim transition portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which, in turn, transitions to

(iii) an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees;

(iv) the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height,

(v) provided further that the evert portion, the brim transition portion and at least a part of the downwardly sloping brim portion is provided with shading operative to cloak the geometry of the brim transition portion and the outwardly extending annular evert such that these features visually blend with the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container.

134. A disposable servingware container press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank, the container having a characteristic diameter, D, as well as an overall height and comprising:

a generally planar bottom portion;

a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the generally planar bottom portion;

an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion;

a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion;

an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion, the outer flange portion having;

(i) a downwardly sloping brim portion defining a declivity angle α

at its terminus with respect to a horizontal substantially parallel to the bottom portion and wherein the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to

(ii) a brim transition portion, a brim height being thereby defined as the difference between the overall height of the container and a height at which the downwardly sloping brim portion transitions to the brim transition portion, which, in turn, transitions to

(iii) an annular evert portion extending outwardly with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion at an eversion angle β

of at least about 25 degrees;

(iv) a flange stabilizing ring disposed on the downwardly sloping brim portion sized to engage an adjacent container in a stack of like containers to promote stack stability;

(v) the height of any upward extension of the evert portion above the brim transition portion being no more than about 75% of the brim height.

135. The container according to claim 134, wherein the stabilizing ring includes a plurality of stabilizing nodules formed by way of a forming contour provided with an annular groove.

136. The container according to claim 135, wherein the groove has a depth of from about 3 to about 10 mils.

137. The container according to claim 135, wherein the plurality of stabilizing nodules are formed on pleats of the container.

138. The container according to claim 135, having from about 25 to about 80 circumferentially spaced stabilizing nodules.

139. The container according to claim 135, having from about 30 to about 60 circumferentially spaced stabilizing nodules.

140. The container according to claim 135, having from about 35 to about 50 circumferentially spaced stabilizing nodules.

141. The container according to claim 135, wherein the groove is in a die forming contour and has an inner wall which is substantially vertical or slopes outwardly.

142. The container according to claim 134, wherein the stabilizing ring is formed on the underside of the container.

143. The container according to claim 134, wherein there is provided a spacer ring between the first and second annular transition portions sized to engage an adjacent like container in a stack so as to abate taper lock.