Abstract: A disposable single use beverage package includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom. The bottom portion, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. The basket is tapered to facilitate stacking of multiple baskets. At least one rib includes a ledge positioned in a center region configured to limit an amount by which an upper basket is insertable into a lower basket to thereby define a space between respective bottoms of the upper basket and the lower basket.

Abstract: A carrier has a bottom, a plurality of side panels connected to the bottom, and a handle panel. The handle panel is connected to one of the side panels or the bottom. The handle panel includes a fold line, a first aperture, a second aperture, a first perforated line in continuation of the first aperture and the second aperture, and a second perforated line defining a finger opening in the handle panel. Pressure applied on the first perforated line tears apart material to produce a third aperture in continuation of the first aperture and the second aperture. Pressure applied inside the second perforated line dislocates material to produce the finger opening. When the third aperture is open in continuation of the first aperture and the second aperture, the handle panel folds along the fold line over a container to facilitate penetration of a handle of the container through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture.

Abstract: A system includes a sheet holder configured to hold a sheet of blanks, the sheet of blanks including a first blank and a second blank attached to the first blank. A conveyor mechanism is configured to transport the sheet of blanks from the sheet holder to a separator mechanism. The separator mechanism is configured to apply a pulling force to the first blank. A resistance component is configured to apply a resistance force to the second blank to resist the pulling force. The pulling force and the resistance force are configured to separate the first blank from the second blank.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a thermally expandable material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A carrier has a bottom, a plurality of side panels connected to the bottom, and a handle panel. The handle panel is connected to one of the side panels or the bottom and includes a first slot being angled relative to a plane formed by the bottom, and a second slot being angled relative to the plane formed by the bottom and being angled relative to the first slot. The handle panel folds over a container to accommodate the shape of the container and to facilitate penetration of a handle of the container through the first slot. The handle panel folds over the container to accommodate the shape of the container and to facilitate penetration of the handle of the container through the second slot.

Abstract: An adjustable sleeve is disclosed that employs a pivot region which allows rotation of the first end of the sleeve relative to the second end of the sleeve. Rotation about the pivot region allows the sleeve size to adapt to many different sizes and tapers of containers. Rotation results in increasing a diameter of the top of the sleeve and decreasing a diameter of the bottom of the sleeve, and vice versa.

Abstract: A carton including a top and bottom portion adapted to secure an item within the top and bottom portion in a closed configuration. The carton also includes an information tab defined in a first surface of the top portion. The information tab is defined via series of perforated edges. An information tab cover on the carton is defined by a series of perforated edges that enable at least partial separation of the information tab from the carton. When the carton is in an unassembled configuration, a surface of the information tab is exposed to enable placement of information on the information tab. When the carton is in an assembled configuration the information tab cover covers the surface of the information tab so that the information placed on the information tab is not visible.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a insulating material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A system includes a sheet holder configured to hold a sheet of blanks, the sheet of blanks including a first blank and a second blank attached to the first blank. A conveyor mechanism is configured to transport the sheet of blanks from the sheet holder to a separator mechanism. The separator mechanism is configured to apply a pulling force to the first blank. A resistance component is configured to apply a resistance force to the second blank to resist the pulling force. The pulling force and the resistance force are configured to separate the first blank from the second blank.

Abstract: A beverage container includes right, left, front, and rear sidewalls that define a closed space there between. The right sidewall defines an opening. The beverage container also includes a bag for storing fluids that is positioned within the closed space. The bag includes a spout for dispensing the fluids. At least a portion of the spout extends through the opening in the right sidewall. The beverage container includes first and second lid members that extend from respective top edges of the front sidewall and the rear sidewall, respectively. The first and second lid members cover the bag when in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a side edge of at least one of the lid members is positioned behind at least a portion of the spout and is configured to prevent the spout from falling into the closed space.

Abstract: A food tray formed of a unitary sheet of material includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, first sidewall, and a second sidewall that define an opening through which an item is placed in the food tray. First and second flaps extend from respective top edges of the first and second sidewalls and are configured to be folded toward an interior of the food tray. The first and second flaps each define slots. First and second lid members extend from respective top edges of the front wall and the rear wall and are configured to be folded toward the interior of the food tray. The first and second lid members define a pair of tabs on respective side edges that are configured to engage the slots defined by the first and second flaps.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer sheet material includes, at some point during passage of the sheet material through a machine system, heating the multilayer sheet material with a microwave heater to expand a heat-expandable adhesive or coating applied to or within the multilayer sheet material. Various types of multilayer substrates may be created depending on the steps used and the application of the heat-expandable adhesive or coating. Additionally, a monolayer sheet may be coated with a pattern of heat-expandable coating before passage of the monolayer sheet through the machine system that heats the monolayer sheet to expand the heat-expandable coating applied to the monolayer sheet. The microwave heater used by the machine system may be a planar type and have a plurality of microwave guides surrounding a space through which the sheet material(s) pass. The microwave heater may be operable at multiple frequencies.

Abstract: A container sleeve includes a sheet of material that defines a first edge member and a second edge member. The container sleeve defines an upper cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member, and a lower cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. The container sleeve further defines a center cross member positioned between the upper cross member and the lower cross member. The center cross member includes a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. A center region of the cross member is configured to be positioned away from a center region of the upper cross member and a center region of the lower cross member to enable the insertion of a container into an opening defined between the upper cross member, the lower cross member, and the center cross member.

Abstract: A basket for holding beverage grounds includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The bottom edge, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. A filter material is positioned in the plurality of openings. A removable outer sleeve is formed on an outside surface of the frame. The outer sleeve is configured to cover at least the plurality of openings to thereby provide an air-tight seal within the frame.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for packaging flatbread, a flatbread sandwich or other food item. The container is made from a single, flat piece of paperboard having four sides and a pair of perforated lines formed therein running between two first sides and generally in the middle of the paperboard. The perforated lines come together at end portions thereof to meet at edges of the first sides to facilitate folding the flat paperboard in half along the perforated lines to close the container around a food item placed therein. Scored lines are formed spaced from the first and second sides to facilitate folding to form end and top portions of the container. Diagonal slots may be formed in corners of the flat paperboard that define hook structures capable of mutual engagement for securing closed the second sides around the food item.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer sheet material includes, at some point during passage of the sheet material through a machine system, heating the multilayer sheet material with a microwave heater to expand a heat-expandable adhesive or coating applied to or within the multilayer sheet material. Various types of multilayer substrates may be created depending on the steps used and the application of the heat-expandable adhesive or coating. Additionally, a monolayer sheet may be coated with a pattern of heat-expandable coating before passage of the monolayer sheet through the machine system that heats the monolayer sheet to expand the heat-expandable coating applied to the monolayer sheet. The microwave heater used by the machine system may be a planar type and have a plurality of microwave guides surrounding a space through which the sheet material(s) pass. The microwave heater may be operable at multiple frequencies.