Abstract: A shipping and dispensing construct for engaging a plurality of product holding containers. The shipping and dispensing construct can comprise a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, and a back panel. One or more panels of the plurality of panels is for being attached to attachment features of the respective product holding containers of the plurality of product holding containers. Dispensing features can be for removal of a respective product holding container from the shipping and dispensing construct. The dispensing features can be in one or more panels of the plurality of panels.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and forming at least one closed end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps including at least one top end flap, at least one bottom end flap, and at least one side end flap. The carton includes attachment features for attaching the carton to at least one other carton, the attachment features including at least one attachment flap removably connected to an end flap of the plurality of end flaps for attaching the carton to a portion of the at least one other carton.

Abstract: A system and method of at least partially forming reinforced packages. The method comprises moving a construct in a machine direction on a construct conveyor. The construct conveyor can comprise a primary lug belt with a primary lug, the construct can be disposed on the primary lug belt, and the moving the construct can comprise moving the primary lug belt in the machine direction to push the construct in the machine direction. The method further can comprise positioning a liner on the construct conveyor so that the liner at least partially extends over the construct and moving the liner in the machine direction on a secondary lug belt of the construct conveyor. The secondary lug belt can comprise a secondary lug and the moving the liner can comprise moving the secondary lug belt in the machine direction to push the liner in the machine direction.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels comprising a back panel, a first front panel positioned opposite to the back panel, and a second front panel positioned opposite to the back panel. The carton can comprise a first compartment comprising a first interior space for at least partially receiving at least a first article of the plurality of articles and a second compartment comprising a second interior space for at least partially receiving at least a second article of the plurality of articles. At least a portion of at least the back panel and the first front panel can extend at least partially around the first interior space of the first compartment. At least a portion of at least the back panel and the second front panel can extend at least partially around the second interior space of the second compartment.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. An article protection insert comprises a plurality of features for engaging a respective article of the plurality of articles. At least one access feature is in the top panel for positioning the article protection insert to a position wherein the features engage at least one article of the plurality of articles.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a top panel having a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and having a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings, at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.

Abstract: A method of moving at least one container includes positioning at least one container at an upstream end of a system having at least one track assembly, a linear motor assembly, and at least one product engagement assembly, the at least one product engagement assembly having a shuttle member movably engaged with the linear motor assembly and the at least one track assembly, and an adapter assembly coupled to the shuttle member and comprising a product engagement member. The method further includes engaging the at least one container with the product engagement member, moving the at least one product engagement assembly at least partially along the linear motor assembly, and articulating the product engagement member relative to the shuttle member.

Abstract: A container for containing a cold fluid. The container includes a sidewall construct that includes an inner sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the container, an outer sleeve attached to the inner sidewall, and a cavity defined between the inner sidewall and the outer sleeve. The container also includes a closed bottom defining a bottom of the interior of the container, and insulating features that include the cavity and a plurality of annular bands, each annular band of the plurality of annular bands includes a spacer that extends in the cavity from the inner sidewall to the outer sleeve. Adjacent bands define a respective pocket of a plurality of pockets in the cavity such that the insulating features maintain a desired temperature of the cold fluid.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel for engaging the plurality of containers and at least one attachment feature in the central panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one attachment feature includes an opening in the central panel, a first retention feature, and a second retention feature. The first retention feature and the second retention feature includes a respective first retention edge and second retention edge of the central panel defining a respective first portion and a second portion of the opening and for engaging a respective first portion and a second portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the carrier.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a front panel and a central panel. The interior of the carrier can be divided into a front portion and a back portion by at least the central panel. A divider flap can be foldably connected to the central panel. The divider flap can extend at least partially from the central panel to the front panel. An attachment feature can comprise a hinge panel and an attachment tab. The hinge panel can be foldably connected to the divider flap along a first fold line, and the attachment tab can be foldably connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line. The attachment tab and the front panel can at least partially overlap one another.

Abstract: A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying tags with attached elastic anchor bands onto the tops of objects such as bottles in a high speed packaging application. The apparatus includes an infeed assembly for feeding a web, a conveyor assembly that receives a web and conveys it along a path in an upstream direction, a rotating selector wheel, a placement assembly, a pair of rotating jaw assembles, a vacuum cup of the selector wheel, and stretched elastic bands over the tops of respective bottles being conveyed along a path below the placing assembly. The elastic bands then snap onto the tops of their respective bottles to secure the tags to the bottles.