Abstract: A microwavable container includes an outer sleeve (12) and an inner tray (14) within the sleeve designed to carry a food product. A first active microwave energy heating element (28) is on the sleeve and disposed opposite the tray. A second active microwave energy heating element (74-102) is within the tray. The second microwave energy heating element has patterns of microwave energy interactive material on the bottom (60) and side walls (62) of the tray configured to permit a controlled degree of penetration of incident microwave energy through the bottom wall to channel microwave energy towards a central region of the tray and to promote browning of a food product carried by the tray about its periphery.

Abstract: A microwave energy heating element has a plurality of spaced microwave components generally arranged in a closed loop pattern. Each of the microwave components (42, 44) has a non-resonant length. When the heating element is in a loaded condition with a load juxtaposed thereto for capacitively coupling the microwave components together, the microwave components cooperatively redistribute impinging microwave energy. When the heating element is in an unloaded condition, the microwave components act independently remaining inert to impinging microwave energy.

Abstract: A partially-shielded paperboard tray for heating food in a microwave oven is made from a unitary blank having two sections hingedly joined at a common edge. One section, which forms the bottom stratum of the tray, has a layer of aluminum foil for shielding food along the peripheral wall of the tray from microwave radiation, but the section also has a large aperture to allow the radiation to heat the center of food placed over the aperture. The other section of the blank, which forms the top stratum of the tray, is transparent to microwave radiation and provides an imperforate food-contact surface for retaining food in the tray.

Abstract: A container body formed from two substantially identical interlocking container members with each of the container members comprising a substantially planer base portion and a plurality of opposing sidewalls connected to the base portion and tab portions extending from at least one pair of the opposing sidewalls with each of the tab portions including an opening and an adjacent interference element is set forth. The interference elements of a first of the two container members is received in respective openings of a second of the two container members for securing the second container member in an inverted condition with respect to the first container member.

Abstract: A device for use in participating in a contest wherein the device has a first layer integral with and superposed over a second layer having an outer surface on which spaced apart contest indicia are illustrated and a third layer superposed over and secured to the second layer to cover the contest indicia. The third layer is provided with openable cover portions which are located so that, when opened, the contest indicia will be exposed. The device preferably comprises a closed container which may be opened and filled with an edible product.

Abstract: A compartmented container made from a single blank of material containing a plurality of transverse dividers positioned to receive a single longitudinal partition from the bottom of the carton such that the number of substantially uniform separate cells are doubled. The container may be easily transported in mass quantities either partially assembled or completely unassembled. From its partially assembled state, the container can be fully erected with minimal post-shipping assembly activities which do not increase regardless of the number of compartments to be contained within the container.

Abstract: A gable top for a carton formed from a carton blank having an outer layer bonded to an intermediate layer by a first strength and an inner layer bonded to the intermediate layer by a second strength less than by a first strength and wherein the intermediate layer is of an esthetically pleasing color and formed into a gable top by sealing together facing portions of the inner layer so that when the gable top is separated to form a pour spout the inner surface of the pour spout will be aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A laminate for forming carton blanks wherein a desired aesthetic holographic appearance is sandwiched between a reversed printed transparent plastic film and a relatively rigid paperboard material. In another embodiment, printed matter and a clear lacquer are imposed on spaced portions of holographic etchings on a transparent film to eliminate the holographic etchings in those areas leaving a remaining portion of the holographic etchings. A metallized substrate covers the printed matter, the clear lacquer and the remaining holographic etchings which can then be laminated to a relatively rigid paperboard.

Abstract: A carton blank and a leakproof carton formed therefrom which carton has an outer enclosure formed from a relatively rigid material and having an openable top portion and a closed bottom portion and a leakproof inner liner having a central body portion secured to an opposed central body of the outer enclosure, a closed bottom and an openable closed top so that after portions of the material in the carton have been removed the top portion and adjacent portions of the inner liner's central body may be separated from the central body of the outer enclosure and folded downwardly to protect the remaining material in the carton. In one embodiment, after all the material has been removed from the carton, the leakproof inner liner may be completely removed from the outer enclosure.

Abstract: A carton formed from a carton blank so that the carton has an outer layer formed from a relatively rigid material and an inner layer formed from a relatively flexible fluid impervious material. The outer layer and the inner layer have superposed weakened portions secured together so that the carton may be opened along the superposed weakened portions in one simultaneous operation. Also, in another embodiment, a similar carton is provided with a pour spout.

Abstract: A carton blank for forming a leakproof carton comprising an outer enclosure formed from a relatively rigid material an openable top a closed bottom and a central body and a leakproof inner liner having a central body portion secured to the central body of the outer enclosure, a closed bottom and an openable closed top so that after portions of the material in the carton have been removed the top portion and adjacent portions of the inner liner's central body may be separated from the central body of the outer enclosure and folded downwardly to protect the remaining material in the carton. In one embodiment, after all the material has been removed from the carton, the leakproof inner liner may be completely removed from the outer enclosure.

Abstract: A carton, formed from a unitary sheet of a relatively rigid material having a sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material secured thereto and wherein a top portion of the sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material extends upwardly from a common plane formed below the fold lines of the top panels of the unitary sheet of a relatively rigid material, wherein the top portion of the sheet of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material has facing surfaces adjacent to the top edge thereof that can be folded over two times to form a folded portion lying substantially in a plane parallel to the common plane.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a laminate comprising a relatively rigid material having an inner surface with at least one portion thereof comprising a central body portion and wherein the central body portion of a relatively flexible material, preferably fluid impervious, is secured to the central body portion of the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible material has opposite edge portions not secured to other portions of the inner surface and to carton blanks formed therefrom. In some instances strips of another relatively flexible material are secured to the opposite edge portions but are not secured to the inner surface.

Abstract: A method for forming carton blanks from a continuous laminate having at least a layer of a relatively rigid material and a layer of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material by dividing the continuous laminate into individual carton blanks and at the same time making modified cut lines and fold lines in the individual carton blanks to form top and bottom panel portions, sidewall panel portions and a glue tab panel portion, wherein the modified cut lines extend through the relatively rigid material but not through the relatively flexible fluid impervious material and then removing only the relatively rigid material at various locations to leave the desired carton blank. In some instances, the laminate will contain continuous strips of a relatively flexible material between the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible fluid impervious material and secured only to the relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for locating a portion of a continuous web of material having graphics printed thereon at a correct location in a cutting and creasing machine for forming carton blanks by comparing the location of a section of the graphics on a portion of the continuous web with a preset location of where the section of graphics should be and generating a control signal for moving the portion in vector and parallel paths to the correct location in the cutting and creasing machine. The continuous web is moved by applying a force on opposite sides of the center line of the continuous web along a linear line wherein the linear lines are located so that the included angle between the linear lines in the direction of movement of the continuous web is less than 180 degrees. Also, the linear lines can be located so that the included angle between each linear line and the center line of the continuous web in the direction of movement of the continuous web is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A method for providing paperboard to paperboard facing surfaces for forming an effective seal for cartons formed from a laminate of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material and a relatively rigid paperboard material.

Abstract: A carton blank comprising a relatively rigid material having an inner surface, having a central body portion and opposite edge portions and wherein a relatively flexible material, preferably fluid impervious, having a central body portion and opposite edge portions has its central body portion secured to the central body portion of the relatively rigid material and the opposite edge portions of the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible material are not secured to each other. In some instances strips of another relatively flexible material are secured to the opposite edge portions of the relatively flexible material but are not secured to the opposite edge portions of the reactively rigid material. In other instances, a plurality of spaced apart strips of a relatively flexible material are superposed over portions of a relatively rigid material and a plastic coating is applied to the exposed surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A carton blank formed from a laminate of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material and a relatively rigid paperboard material is provided with paperboard to paperboard facing surfaces so that an effective seal can be formed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a sealed end portion of a carton wherein at least one surface of the carton is formed from a material that functions as an adhesive when heated to a predetermined temperature and wherein each open end portion is sealed by folding minor flaps to close at least a portion of the open end portion, moving the carton by a relatively fixed elongated reinforcing strip of material, heating the material in at least a portion of a first major flap to the predetermined temperature, folding the first major flap so that at least a portion of the elongated reinforcing strip of material is located between fold lines of the folded minor flaps and the folded first major flap, folding a second major flap to a superposed relationship with the first major flap and applying pressure to the first and second major flaps against the elongated reinforcing strip of material while continuing the movement of the carton until the first and second major flaps are sealed together.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of filled containers in an end to end relationship formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard provided with cut and fold lines to divide the unitary sheet into a plurality of lengthwise extending sidewall panels and end flaps joined to each end portion of the lengthwise extending panels by fold lines and wherein a plurality of partially cut-out portions are formed in the lengthwise extending sidewall panels with spacer panels detachably secured to some of the lengthwise extending sidewall panels and joined to as associated lengthwise extending panel by a fold line so that the spacer panels may be folded to locations between adjacent ends of adjacent filled containers.