Abstract: A blank for a container configured to carry a plurality of articles can include a plurality of side panels configured to form a wall defining an interior space, a plurality of bottom panels connected to a the plurality of side panels and configured to interact with each other to form an autobottom. The autobottom can be configured to cover at least a portion of a bottom of the interior space in a formed position, and one or more divider handle assembly panels foldably connected to one or more of the bottom panels and configured to form a handle and to form at least one divider configured to divide the interior space into at least two compartments.

Abstract: A machine for filling a tertiary container with secondary containers is provided. The machine includes a frame and a tray loading station positioned to receive a plurality of streams of the secondary containers. The machine also includes a front gate at an upstream end of the tray loading station, the front gate moveable between a first position, in which the secondary containers are obstructed from passing downstream, and a second position, in which the secondary containers are not obstructed. The machine further includes a back stop proximate a downstream end of the tray loading station, the back stop moveable between a first, upstream position and a second, downstream position. The tray loading station is sized such that when a first row of secondary containers is positioned against the back stop in the first position, a portion of an upstream row of secondary containers is positioned directly above the front gate.

Abstract: A method includes separating a portion of a flattened tube of stock packing material to a custom length to form a pouch pre-form and closing a first end of the pouch pre-form leaving a second end of the pouch pre-form open. The method can include placing product into the pouch pre-form and closing the one open end of the pouch pre-form to form a closed pouch containing the product.

Abstract: A tray can include a plurality of first medialization features located at a top portion of the tray, and a plurality of second medialization features disposed at a bottom portion of the tray. The first medialization features can be configured to interact with the second medialization features of an adjacent stacked tray to cause medialization of the adjacent stacked tray to cause tray alignment and automated stacking of trays.

Abstract: A label applicator system includes a first label applicator moveably coupled to a track configured to be moved along the track and fixed at plurality of positions along the track and a second label applicator moveably coupled to the track configured to be moved along the track and fixed at plurality of positions along the track.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another to enclose an interior space. A corner panel of the plurality of panels forms an oblique angle relative to a first one of the plurality of panels connected to the corner panel and relative to a second one of the plurality of panels connected to the corner panel. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is affixed to a surface of or proximate to the corner panel.

Abstract: A panel interlocking arrangement for securing a pair of panels together comprising: first and second panels for placement in an overlapping position. The first and second panels are disposed at least in part in a face-contacting arrangement. A pair of locking elements are provided for locking engagement with each other to secure the first and second panels in the overlapping position. The pair of locking elements comprises a male locking element and female locking element. The female locking element is formed in the second panel and the male locking element is connected to the first panel.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard includes a first cellulosic fibered linerboard layer treated with a wet strength agent, a second cellulosic fibered linerboard layer, and a non-wicking corrugating medium attached to and disposed between the first cellulosic fibered linerboard layer and the second cellulosic fibered linerboard layer.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps are included, each end flap foldably connected to a respective one of the panels. The end flaps are overlapped with one another to enclose an end of the interior space. An air cell flap is foldably connected to at least one of the end flaps and/or one of the panels, wherein the air cell flap is within the interior space and is inwardly offset from the end flaps to define an air cell between the air cell flap and the end flaps to protect product within the interior space.

Abstract: A blank for constructing a container includes a front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel along a lower front horizontal fold line, and a side panel having a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel is foldably connected to at least one of the bottom panel or the front panel. The blank includes a top panel that is foldably connected to the side panel, and a rear panel foldably connected to the rear portion of the side panel along a rear vertical fold line. The front and rear portions of the side panel are separable from one another along a separation line such that the rear portion of the side panel and the rear panel are configured and adapted for removal.

Abstract: A retail ready packaging system includes a convertible carton with a first plurality of slots are defined in a bottom wall adjacent a first side wall, and a second plurality of slots defined in the bottom wall adjacent a second side wall. A plurality of cards are included, wherein each card is seated in one of the slots of the first plurality of slots and in an opposed one of the slots of the second plurality of slots. Each card has a respective foot panel foldably attached to a main panel of the card, wherein the foot panel sits adjacent the bottom wall, and wherein the main panel of the card extends upward from the foot panel toward a top wall of the carton.

Abstract: A method of forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The method includes forming a corner wall by folding a first pair of a plurality of reinforcing panels inwardly towards a respective side panel and into face-to-face contact with a second pair of the plurality of reinforcing panels, rotating the side panels and end panels to be substantially perpendicular to a bottom panel such that an interior surface of at least one reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels is in contact with an interior surface of the first side panel, and coupling at least one other reinforcing panel of the plurality of reinforcing panels to one of the end panels to form the container.

Abstract: A tray formed from a blank of sheet material includes a bottom panel, a top panel, first and second side panels, and a locking band connected to the bottom panel at opposite upper and lower edges thereof. The locking band extends across the top panel and holds an underlying portion of the top panel in face-contacting relationship with the bottom panel. The tray is configured to transition from a first, substantially flat configuration into a second, erect configuration in which the top panel defines a concave surface configured to hold in place a rounded item. The tray is configured to be transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration by sliding the top panel relative to the bottom panel.

Abstract: An article carrier includes a stack that includes layers of a cellulosic material and article-retention structures formed by the layers of the stack. Each one of the article-retention structures is configured to receive and to retain an article.

Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank includes a mandrel mounted to a frame. The mandrel includes a first side, an opposite second side, and an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a first presser arm, a folding arm, and a second presser arm each coupled to the frame. The first presser arm is positionable generally proximate the first side of the mandrel and is configured to wrap a first portion of the blank about the mandrel. The folding arm is positionable at least generally proximate the second side of the mandrel and is configured to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel. The second presser arm is disposed generally proximate the first presser arm and is configured to wrap a third portion of the blank about the mandrel.

Abstract: A machine a mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of a container, a first lift mechanism operatively coupled to a first servomechanism to wrap a first portion of a blank about the mandrel, a second lift mechanism operatively coupled to a second servomechanism to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel, and a folding arm coupled to the first lift mechanism and operatively coupled to a third servomechanism. A control system is in communication with the first servomechanism, the second servomechanism, and the third servomechanism and is configured to transmit a signal to each of the servomechanisms to independently control movement of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, and the folding arm to wrap at least the first and second portions of the blank about the mandrel to form the container.

Abstract: A method for forming a container using a machine includes extracting a blank from a magazine, transferring the blank in a blank transfer direction X, and positioning the blank on a deck. The method also includes translating a pick-up assembly from a first end to a second end along a horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the blank transfer direction X, the translating including transferring a web from a first location proximate the first end to a second location proximate the second end. The method further includes depositing, at the second location, the web into an at least partially overlying relationship with the blank to form a blank assembly, transferring the blank assembly along the deck in the blank transfer direction X while translating the pick-up assembly from the second end back to the first end, and wrapping the blank assembly around a mandrel to at least partially form the container.

Abstract: A method includes separating a portion of a flattened tube of stock packing material to a custom length to form a pouch pre-form and closing a first end of the pouch pre-form leaving a second end of the pouch pre-form open. The method can include placing product into the pouch pre-form and closing the one open end of the pouch pre-form to form a closed pouch containing the product.

Abstract: A product container includes a first compartment, including a first-compartment first edge, a second compartment, including a second-compartment first edge, and a hinged connection extending between the first-compartment first edge and the second-compartment first edge. The second compartment is pivotable about the hinged connection relative to the first compartment to convert the product container between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the first compartment and the second compartment are in a stacked configuration. In the open state, the first compartment and the second compartment are in a side-by-side configuration.

Abstract: A method for forming a container from a blank assembly including a tray blank and lid blank includes folding a first portion of the blank assembly about at least a first face of a first mandrel to form a partially formed container, and transferring the partially formed container towards a second mandrel using a transfer assembly that extends through the first face of the first mandrel. The method also includes transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel along a pair of guide rails extending between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, wrapping a second portion of the blank assembly about at least a first face of the second mandrel to form the container, wherein the first face of the second mandrel opposes the first face of the first mandrel with respect to a vertical direction, and ejecting the container from the second mandrel.