Abstract: A reinforced bulk bin, and methods for making same, wherein a collapsible bulk bin, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, is provided with a reinforcing plastic sleeve, which is placed on the bin while in its collapsed configuration. When in place, and prior to the bin being deployed, the sleeve is under tension. When the bin is deployed, the sleeve exerts restraining force, distributed over the surfaces of the side walls of the bin. The sleeve may be positioned on the collapsed bin either manually or mechanically.

Abstract: A bag-in-box beverage container and dispenser is provided, incorporating an outer shell fabricated preferably from corrugated paperboard material, and a plurality inner liquid containing bags, fabricated from a suitable plastic material. The carton includes ready assembly features, as well as at least one internal ramp structure for prompting flow of liquid toward a plurality of dispensing apertures disposed in the outer shell. A recessed handle structure is also provided, as are alternative embodiments of the internal ramp structure.

Abstract: A dispensing container (10, 110) for fluent material, which container is intended to he hung vertically from a support, such as a hook, is provided. The dispensing container has a tubular body, with a bottom dispensing region that is configured to promote the collection of the fluent material and guidance of the fluent material toward the inlet aperture of a dispensing nozzle (50) that is received in the side (30, 130) of the bottom dispensing region. The dispensing container (10, 110) is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard or similar material, and is preferably configured to serve as the shipping container for the fluent material as well, so as to reduce or eliminate the need for a further outer shipping container. The fluent material may be contained within a separate liner structure, within the surrounding tubular body, in a “bag-in-box” type of container arrangement.

Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.

Abstract: Shipping containers that are convertible to display containers are disclosed. The containers comprise wrap around outer shells of the general type known as “Bliss” wraps, in combination with interior vertical support structures. The invention presents improved two- and three-piece container constructions, having improved side-to-end panel connections for improved tray strength upon conversion to a display configuration, as well as a variety of interior divider/support options. By advantageous adhesive application together with specialized opening structures such as tear strips, lines of weakness and/or hand holes, various different conversion configurations are provided.

Abstract: An air evacuation system is used for lining a container with a flexible liner. The air evacuation system includes a platform for supporting the container in a formed state, the container including the liner in an unseated position within the cavity. The platform includes a base and a floor extending substantially parallel and spaced apart from the base such that a first air gap is formed between said base and said floor. The floor includes at least one opening therethrough and at least one spacer tab extending therefrom. The vacuum assembly is coupled to the platform and includes a pump in airflow communication with at least one inlet positioned in said base, said vacuum assembly is configured to draw air from the cavity such that the liner is positioned substantially adjacent to the interior surface of the container in a seated position.

Abstract: A shipping container for facilitating the conversion of the shipping container into a dispensing or all-around display container from formed an outer blank (10) having a centrally positioned bottom wall (12), front and rear walls (18, 26), top panels (32, 38), side flaps (14, 16, 22, 24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 42) and an interior divider structure (50) for structural stacking support both during shipping and display modes.

Abstract: A collapsible bulk bin, formed from a sheet that is folded upon itself to form a tube, having a plurality of bottom panels pivotably connected to respective side walls of the bulk bin. A plurality of connector panels foldably connect adjacent ones of the bottom panels, to provide a slotless bottom configuration to provide reinforcing strength to the bottom, and bottom regions of the side walls of the bulk bin.

Abstract: A multi-shelf, collapsible display unit is provided. The shelving unit includes a base member including a rear panel, a pair of side panels, and a pair of front panels. Each of the pair of side panels include a fold line that extends longitudinally along each of the side panels. The shelving unit also includes at least one shelf member coupled to the base member. The shelf member includes a shelf panel, a plurality of support panels, and a locking panel. The plurality of support panels are coupled to the shelf panel and configured to support the shelf panel. The base member and the at least one shelf member are moveable between an erect position and a collapsed position. The locking panel is operably configured to removably engage at least one of the plurality of support panels to retain the shelving unit in an erect position.

Abstract: A bag-in-box beverage container and dispenser is provided, incorporating an outer shell fabricated preferably from corrugated paperboard material, and an inner liquid containing bag, fabricated from a suitable material. The carton includes ready assembly features, as well as an air cell structure for creating an air space for insulating hot liquids contained within the container. An easy opening feature is provided, to permit direct access to the inner liquid containing bag, and a recessed handle structure is also provided.

Abstract: A machine for making a reinforced, collapsible bulk bin assembly is provided. The machine includes a body blank feeding device for providing a body blank from a stack of body blanks, an erecting device for partially erecting the body blank, and a bottom insertion device for inserting a partially folded bottom blank into the partially erected body blank. The machine also includes first fingers for attaching major flaps of the body blank to the bottom blank, second fingers for attaching minor flaps of the body blank to major flaps of the body blank after the body blank has been collapsed, and a strapping device for simultaneously applying a plurality of straps to an exterior surface of the body blank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing the health of each of a plurality of RFID transponders is provided. The apparatus includes an antenna support assembly including an antenna support body and an antenna coupled to a surface of the antenna support body, the antenna including at least a receiver portion and a connection portion. The apparatus also includes a holder coupled to the antenna support body configured to retain the antenna support proximate a path of a plurality of transponders.

Abstract: An air evacuation system is used for lining a container with a flexible liner. The container has a plurality of walls defining a cavity with an open top, and each wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The air evacuation system includes a platform for supporting the container in a formed state, wherein the container has the liner in an unseated position within the cavity. A vacuum assembly is coupled to the platform. The vacuum assembly includes a pump in airflow communication with at least one inlet positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of a first container wall. The vacuum assembly is configured to draw air using the at least one inlet from the cavity through the first container wall such that the liner is positioned substantially adjacent to the interior surface of the container in a seated position.

Abstract: A bag-in-box beverage container and dispenser is provided, incorporating an outer box fabricated preferably from corrugated paperboard material, and an inner liquid containing bag, fabricated from a suitable material. The outer box has two pairs of opposing side panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel. One of the side panels has an openable structure for permitting access to the interior of the box, to enable a consumer to grasp and withdraw the dispensing fixture of the inner liquid containing bag, and capture it within the openable structure. In embodiments having more than one diagonal corner panel, at least one of the diagonal corner panels is larger than at least one of the other diagonal corner panels, to permit the container to be tipped onto that elongated diagonal corner panel, for facilitated dispensing of the liquid contained in the inner bag.

Abstract: Containers of the wraparound and tray style are provided, having enhanced stacking strength and general robustness, through the provision of internal and external reinforcing panels and flanges. Variations of the basic invention are provided with closure flaps of varying configuration and placement; end walls and minor flaps with angled side edges to provide for containers having inclined sides; regions of weakness, removable portions of panels and/or preformed apertures to permit conversion of the containers to display/merchandising modes; gusseted corner structures to provide for containment of fluent materials; and enhanced transverse support structures.

Abstract: Display packaging constructions incorporating a plastic blister cavity, sandwiched between layers of paperboard material, preferably corrugated paperboard material, are disclosed. Variations of the basic construction include a high-density packaging configuration, display packages having security features for precluding unauthorized access to the interior of the display package, and a reclosable construction to enable the display package to be used as a storage container. When corrugated paperboard is used for the layers, the corrugations may be arranged to extend transversely to one another, to resist warping caused during the heat sealing process. A plastic blister construction is provided, having a forward stabilizing foot, and a rear concavity, for receiving a similar foot from a like blister, for facilitated nested packing together of pluralities of such blisters.

Abstract: A heat seal blister package having an improved moisture vapor transmission barrier hindering penetration of moisture into the blister package from the surrounding environment to support and protect a product therewithin, and a method for forming same. The blister package includes a substantially paperboard substrate, a coating having moisture vapor transmission barrier properties and heat seal capabilities and a plastic blister attached to at least one side of the substrate over a coated portion of the substrate by a heat seal, to create an enclosed pocket isolated from the surrounding environment, in which to house a product. The coating imparts a moisture vapor transmission barrier to the paperboard substrate to reduce penetration of moisture through the substrate, while simultaneously imparting heat sealing capabilities to the coated portion of the substrate to make the coated portion of the substrate susceptible to a heat seal.

Abstract: A container apparatus for simultaneously housing a product and a premium, the apparatus comprising a carton and a premium item. The carton includes a front panel, a back panel and two opposing side panels defining an interior region, and a top closure and a bottom closure for enclosing a product within the carton. A recessing flap is formed in an originating panel selected from at least one of the front panel, back panel and two opposing side panels to form a recessed cell in the carton which is at least partially separated from the interior region of the carton. The recessed cell spans the originating panel and at least one adjacent access panel in the container which is positioned adjacent to the originating panel—to allow access to the recessed cell from outside the carton through at least two adjacent sides of the carton. The premium item is received in the recessed cell such that the premium item is likewise accessible from at least two sides of the carton.

Abstract: A shipping system for packing and transporting products, such as case ready food items, in which the products require a certain amount of separation between layers. The shipping system comprises a shipping unit, formed by at least one substantially open-topped tray, preferably two or more, that are stacked atop one another, with a cover placed atop the uppermost tray, and held together by banding or strapping. Preferably, the tray(s) and cover are fabricated from corrugated paperboard material.

Abstract: A carton, fabricated preferably from corrugated paperboard material, including a bottom panel, two side panels, two end panels, a pair of top panels for closing the carton, locking flaps extending from the ends of the top panels and having tabs receivable in the end panels, and further including a plurality of corner support structures, formed from panels emanating from end edges of the end panels.