Abstract: A merchandising device comprises a display shelf including a plurality of elongate parallel tracks arranged side by side with a gap between adjacent tracks. Each track is designed to support a row of articles in such a manner that the articles are suspended from each track for movement along a path defined by that track and are removable from that track through its front end. The device further comprises a mask for providing the display shelf with an appearance of a unitary structure. The mask comprises an elongate mounting member extending along the front edge of the display shelf to fixedly position the mask relative to the display shelf, and a plurality of covering members arranged in a row along the mounting member. Each covering member spans the respective gap to provide a billboard surface extending between adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a flooring material having noise dampening properties, the laminate comprising a generally wood substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface a top paper layer bonded to the top surface and a backing layer bonded to the bottom surface. The wood substrate has a plurality of bores therein distributed across a surface thereof, the bores being shaped and sized to effect noise dampening.

Abstract: A package for a food product such as a cylindrical sandwich includes an elongate central strip having a plurality of fold lines defining a series of panels. A central panel of the series includes a central flap connected at each side edge, and other closure flaps are connected to at least some of the other panels. The panels are folded with respect to each other so that the endmost panels are positioned to define a polygonal cross-section for the package. The closure flaps and central flaps are folded to close the package. An outer portion of each central flap is free from the remaining closure flaps to permit outward folding of the panels for access to the food product. Several alternative embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A divider panel (10, 11) has a major panel (12) with an anchor flap (14) foldably adjoining an edge thereof. The anchor panel (14) has an aperture (16) which is positioned for alignment with an aperture (8) in a carton (7) in which the divider panel (10, 11) is disposed.

Abstract: A rack for flanged articles comprises a pair of front and rear opposed parallel transverse support members, and a pair of longitudinal members extending between the front and rear support members. Each of longitudinal member is formed of a wire strip and comprises a straight portion and an upturned forward end portion. The straight portions of the longitudinal members extend forward from the rear support member to positions below the front support member. The straight portions are disposed to form a pair of spaced parallel rails for receiving therebetween a row of articles such that the articles are slidably engaged at the undersides of their flanges with the rails, and thereby the articles are suspended by their flanges for movement along the rails. The upturned forward end portions of the longitudinal members extend upward to the front support member and secured to the same to form a brace for interconnecting the rails and the front support member.

Abstract: An interlocking arrangement (10) for panels has a locking tab (20) having a nose (22) and a base of a first width W.sub.T including at least one transverse segmented base edge (24) having have an outermost vane (26) and at least one inner vane (28). The locking tab is received by a locking slit (30) of a second width W.sub.S less than the first width of the locking tab.

Abstract: A carton for packaging primary containers arranged in at least three lateral rows in which the center of said rows has fewer containers than adjacent rows. The carton comprises a pair of superposed tray structures (70) which are connected together by a wrapper (10) having a handle structure (52). The trays each have a retaining keel (94) extending inwardly of the tray for retaining the center row of containers in an inwardly offset condition with respect to the adjacent rows of containers.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers (c) or the like into cartons (ct) has a carton conveyor (14) including a pair of like conveying assemblies (16, 18), one or both of the assemblies being useable to convey cartons through the machine dependent upon the size of the cartons. The conveying assemblies are adjustable with respect to each other transversely of the machine direction, and carton supporting structure (70, 72) is mounted so as to be retractable from an operative position between the assemblies to partially support a carton when the assemblies are disposed relatively far apart, to a retracted non-operative position when the assemblies are disposed relatively close together.

Abstract: A carton feeding and erecting mechanism is disclosed for a packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers or the like into cartons, the packaging machine including a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine. The feeding and erecting mechanism includes a vacuum conveyor for engaging a lower surface of a collapsed carton and moving the carton onto the carton conveyor, and a feeder disposed generally beneath the vacuum conveyor for selecting a collapsed carton from a carton supply and placing the carton on the vacuum conveyor. An erector is disposed above the vacuum conveyor and has vacuum engagement cups for engaging an upper surface of the collapsed carton and moving the panel upwardly with respect to the lower surface thereby erecting the carton.

Abstract: The invention is a coating blade for coating a paper web and a method of using the same. The coating blade includes a notch in its thickness on the tension side of the blade toward the coating end, above the fulcrum such that it has the advantages of both thick and thin coating blades.