US 11,686,050 B2
Methods, apparatus, and chemical compositions for selectively coating fiber-based food containers
Yoke Dou Chung, Chandler, AZ (US); Yiyun Zhang, Gilbert, AZ (US); Ric Gonzalez, Chandler, AZ (US); Steve Lucero, Chandler, AZ (US); and Min Wang, Gilbert, AZ (US)
Assigned to Footprint International, LLC, Gilbert, AZ (US)
Filed by Footprint International, LLC, Gilbert, AZ (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/726,180.
Application 16/726,180 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/220,371, filed on Jul. 26, 2016, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2020/0208353 A1, Jul. 2, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. D21J 1/04 (2006.01); D21J 1/06 (2006.01); B65D 25/34 (2006.01); B05B 1/02 (2006.01); B65D 81/34 (2006.01); D21J 1/10 (2006.01); B05B 13/02 (2006.01); B65D 1/34 (2006.01); B05B 1/06 (2006.01); D21J 7/00 (2006.01); D21H 17/28 (2006.01); D21H 17/17 (2006.01); B29C 41/50 (2006.01); D21H 23/50 (2006.01); D21H 23/22 (2006.01); B05D 1/02 (2006.01); B05B 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC D21J 1/04 (2013.01) [B05B 1/02 (2013.01); B05B 1/06 (2013.01); B05B 13/0221 (2013.01); B05D 1/02 (2013.01); B29C 41/50 (2013.01); B65D 1/34 (2013.01); B65D 25/34 (2013.01); B65D 81/3453 (2013.01); D21H 5/0005 (2013.01); D21H 5/0047 (2013.01); D21H 17/17 (2013.01); D21H 17/28 (2013.01); D21J 1/06 (2013.01); D21J 1/10 (2013.01); D21J 7/00 (2013.01); B05B 1/044 (2013.01); B05D 2203/22 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of manufacturing a microwave bowl of the type characterized by a substantially flat, circular, bottom region bounded by a circumferential sidewall, comprising the steps of:
providing a wire mesh mold approximating the shape of the bowl;
preparing an aqueous fiber based slurry comprising at least one of hardwood virgin fiber and softwood virgin fiber;
adding an embedded moisture barrier to the slurry;
immersing the mold in the slurry;
drawing a vacuum across the mold within the slurry until a desired thickness of fiber particles accumulates at a surface of the mold;
removing the accumulated particles from the mold;
drying and pressing the accumulated particles in a press to thereby form the bowl;
transferring the bowl from the press to a coating station; and
applying a topical oil barrier layer to at least a portion of the bowl at the coating station;
wherein the coating station comprises a spray system and a conveyor configured to move the bowl along a direction of travel underneath the spray system, and the spray system comprises: a first nozzle configured to discharge a full cone spray pattern onto the bottom region of the bowl; and a second nozzle configured to discharge a hollow cone spray pattern onto the inside surface of the circumferential sidewall.