Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs may include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: A blank for forming a carrier for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels that includes a first main panel foldably connected to a second main panel. The first main panel includes a top panel portion foldably connected to at least one top side panel portion, and the second main panel comprises a bottom panel portion foldably connected to at least one bottom side panel portion. The blank further includes at least one handle feature for forming a handle.

Abstract: A system and method for forming reinforced packages. The method can comprise forming an attached web by adhering a construct to a web of material, and moving the attached web in a downstream direction through at least a web edge forming assembly. The moving the attached web can comprise moving the construct with the web of material. The method further can include at least partially forming a folded web by folding at least a portion of the web of material as the attached web moves through the web folding assembly and forming a reinforced package comprising a liner and the construct by separating the liner from a remainder of the folded web. The construct is adhered to the liner.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels having at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one top panel, and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one top panel. The carrier also includes a handle formed from the at least one handle panel, the handle is positionable between a first position wherein the at least one handle panel is generally parallel to the at least one top panel, and a second position in which the at least one handle panel is folded relative to the at least one top panel and is positioned for grasping and carrying of the carrier.

Abstract: A method of forming reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving a blank in a machine direction on a blank conveyor, and forming a tubular web while moving a first web of material and a second web of material in the machine direction. The forming the tubular web can comprise at least partially sealing at least a portion of the first web and the second web together to form a sealed margin of the tubular web. The method further can comprise forming a liner by cutting the tubular web, forming an attached blank by attaching the liner to the blank, and moving the attached blank in the machine direction on the blank conveyor.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels having at least one central panel, at least one attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel and configured to receive a portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers, and at least one side panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one central panel includes a plurality of openings and is positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one side panel is attached to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels includes at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one attachment panel is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The at least one attachment panel is positionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the at least one attachment panel overlies and receives a portion of one or more of the containers. In the second position the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.

Abstract: A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

Abstract: A carton for holding at least one food product includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels includes a bottom panel, a front panel, and a back panel. At least one side end flap is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel, and the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one side end flap cooperate to form an open top of the carton for accessing the interior of the carton. The at least one side end flap has a first locking feature and the other of the front panel and the back panel has a second locking feature, engagement of the first locking feature and the second locking feature secures the at least one side end flap to the other of the front panel and the back panel.

Abstract: A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a base layer and a liner at least partially attached to an inner surface of the base layer, a flange comprising a central panel of the base layer, an opening extending in the central panel, and a sidewall comprising at least a panel foldably connected to the central panel along the opening.

Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.

Abstract: A carton for holding an article. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a first panel and a second panel. An insert can comprise a central panel, an inner side panel foldably connected to the central panel, and an inner flap foldably connected to the inner side panel. The first panel can at least partially overlap the central panel, the inner side panel can be spaced apart from the second panel, and at least a portion of the inner flap can extend from the inner side panel to the second panel.

Abstract: A container for containing a fluid. The container includes a sidewall construct that includes an inner sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the container and having an inner lower edge, and an outer sleeve attached to the inner sidewall, the outer sleeve has an outer lower edge that is spaced below the inner lower edge. The container also includes a closed bottom defining a bottom of the interior of the container.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of container includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. At least one end flap is foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A method of arranging articles can comprise moving a first article and a second article along a respective first lane and second lane toward a respective first output end of the first lane and second output end of the second lane, and guiding the first article from the first output end onto a stacking conveyor. The guiding the first article can comprise engaging the first article with first guide features. The method further can comprise moving the first article on the stacking conveyor past the second output end, and forming a stack by guiding the second article from the second output end onto the first article on the stacking conveyor as the stacking conveyor moves the first article past the second output end. The guiding the second article can comprise engaging the second article with second guide features. The method also can comprise moving the stack on the stacking conveyor.

Abstract: A cover for a container includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the cover. The plurality of panels includes a central panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the central panel. At least one of the at least one side panel and the at least one end panel includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the container. The opening includes an engagement edge for engaging the container. The cover also includes a handle foldably connected to the central panel.

Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel, the at least one attachment panel including container retention features for engaging at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel includes a plurality of openings and is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.