Abstract: A removable conformal liner for a beverage container is described. When the liner is inserted into an internal cavity of a beverage container, the body of the liner substantially conforms to the interior cavity. The container liner is adapted to provide snug cuffing over the lip portion of the beverage container. In one embodiment a container liner is configured for heat shrink cuffing. In another embodiment a container liner is configured for stretch cuffing. A system for manual, mechanized and a combination of mechanized and manual installation of the removable conformal liner is disclosed.

Abstract: A paper craft tool is disclosed. The paper craft tool is formed as a single piece, having a base that is formed generally in the shaped of a triangle with a rounded bottom section, a right side having an array of notched indentions, a corresponding left side having corresponding notched indentions, a first raised support having an array of peg supports disposed thereon, and a second raised support without an array of peg supports. A marking template is provided. A method and system utilizing the paper craft tool and marking template is provided.

Abstract: A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag.

Abstract: A removable conformal liner for a beverage container is described. When the liner is inserted into an internal cavity of a beverage container, the body of the liner substantially conforms to the interior cavity. The container liner is adapted to provide snug cuffing over the lip portion of the beverage container. In one embodiment a container liner is configured for heat shrink cuffing. In another embodiment a container liner is configured for stretch cuffing. A system for manual, mechanized and a combination of mechanized and manual installation of the removable conformal liner is disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag.

Abstract: A carrier with internal support members for carrying multiple beverage containers. The carrier is formed from foldable material that can quickly and easily be erected and loaded with beverage containers. The internal support structure of the carrier comprises central support tabs extending from the top panels connected to bottom support tabs extending from the bottom panels. The internal support structure gives the carrier the tensile strength needed to support multiple beverage containers. Arcuate support members restrain the top portions of the beverage containers from lateral movement. The bottom support members straddle the beverage containers and restrain the bottom portions of the beverage containers from lateral movement. The elongated central support tabs extend slightly into the beverage container receptacles creating a flexure fit when loading beverage containers into the carrier. External support braces are positionable to hold the carrier open during loading.

Abstract: An improved food product tray for storing, cooking and serving food products. The food product tray is used to store, cook and serve a food product without assembly or disassembly by the end user. The food product tray includes a floor or base panel and a plurality of upright side panels which enclose the food product. A tab/slot configuration allows the upright side panels to expand outwardly from a first position to a second position as the food product expands during cooking. The base panel may include legs to elevate the base panel, and the base panel may include a plurality of vents to release fluids and gases from the food product. The interior surfaces of the base panel and upright side panels may include microwave absorbent material to enhance cooking of the food product using microwave energy.

Abstract: A tubular dunnage element or paperboard or the like has a tucked or heart-shaped radial cross section, and a slanted axial cross section. The element may be compressed by opposed inward forces along any line through the center of the element. The element is suited for use as a loose fill packing material. Serrated edges cause the elements in a bed to catch on one another, resisting the tendency of a packed article to migrate through the bed to a wall of a container under the influence of vibration occurring during shipment.

Abstract: A sleeve and tray assembly having a flexible film attached to the tray and to the sleeve such that insertion of the tray into the sleeve disposes the film into a position to cover an access opening on the tray. A levering device is provided for helping to release the film from an adhesive layer on the tray.

Abstract: An automatically resealing container is provided, consisting of an interior paperboard box and an external resealing bag of flexible plastic film. The film is associated with closure flaps of the box such that when the flaps are reclosed, the film is pressed together outside the box to provide a nearly airtight seal. The single external film bag provides the dual function of protecting the contents as well as the exterior of the box.

Abstract: Insulation material is configured to provide improved insulating properties in a shipping container. A sheet of insulation material is placed aong the bottom of a container under the contents of the container. An insulating blanket constructed of plastic sheets sealed around their periphery to form a pouch for containing scored paperboard and scored mineral wool is configured to have an inverted U-shape and is placed over a bottom half of the container. A top half of the container is then placed over the bottom half such that the legs of the inverted U-shaped material are between the overlapping side of top and bottom of the container and the middle portion of the U-shaped material is between the top of the container and the contents within the container. A method of scoring mineral wool positioned between plastic sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable enclosed container is provided which is loaded with product from an end and accessed through a hooded top for dispensing of product. An end construction comprising a leading minor flap panel, a trailing minor flap panel, an inner major flap panel, an intermediate minor flap panel, and an outer major flap panel allows a blank to be assembled into a sleeve for loading of product and to be subsequently assembled into a container which may be opened into a tray and hooded top for dispensing of product. An apparatus for erecting and loading the sleeve, and then assembling the ends of the sleeve to form the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: Insulation material is configured to provide improved insulating properties in a shipping container. An insulated bottom section is placed along the bottom of a container under the contents of the container. An insulating blanket constructed of plastic sheets sealed to form pouches for containing paperboard and mineral wool is configured to have an inverted U-shape and is placed over a bottom half of the container. A top half of the container is then placed over the bottom half such that the legs of the inverted U-shaped material are between the overlapping sides of top and bottom of the container and the middle portion of the U-shaped material is between the top of the container and the contents within the container.

Abstract: A leak proof disposable enclosed container combines a gusseted paperboard or corrugated board structure with seamless construction. The container is held erect without piercing the structure by locking tabs which enter openings in connecting panels which are foldably connected to the container walls. The top and bottom components of the container are restrained from separation by tamper tabs, which are linked to the container walls and provide anti-separative contact between the top and bottom halves of the container.

Abstract: An improved sealing end closure for a "pillow" type paperboard container, according to which end flaps from opposing side panels are sealed together in a unique manner. The invention relates to a reclosable container, and more particularly relates to a pillow-shaped sealed container of paperboard or the like which is suitable for maintaining freshness of snack foods or similar items, and which can be reclosed after opening. In particular embodiments of the invention, the end closure utilizes the locking characteristics of end flaps attached to side panels by arcuate scores in a novel manner in order to provide a container which can be sealed efficiently and inexpensively, and then easily reclosed by repositioning the end flaps without the need for any additional locking mechanism. The end flaps are positioned to meet and form a seal along the transverse centerline of the container end. In one embodiment, tape is used to make the seal.

Abstract: A sun screen for placement inside an automobile or truck windshield to reflect sunlight defines a triangular central panel and a pair of wing panels foldable into the vehicle. The sun screen can be folded into a storage configuration with only four folds. A large display area is provided in the storage configuration. A tear away coupon is provided at the location at which the rear view mirror may interfere with the sun screen.

Abstract: A method and package for holding food and a beverage cup wherein the package includes a paperboard sleeve defining an elongated enclosure of rectangular cross-section extending therethrough and including a rectangular opening at one end thereof into said enclosure. The sleeve includes a tub holding first portion and a beverage cup holding second portion. An open top food tub is slid into the enclosure through the opening and stop means are provided for holding the tub in the first portion of the sleeve. The top panel of the sleeve includes a tear away panel overlying the tub for providing access to the food in the tub. The tub rigidifies the sleeve, and prevents fluids in the food from leaking out of the package. The sleeve provides a lid for the tub, protects the food and keeps it warm. The top panel of the sleeve includes a cup receiving aperture in the second portion thereof and the stop means prevents the tub from interfering with the cup.

Abstract: A sun screen for placement inside an automobile or truck windshield to reflect sunlight defines a triangular central panel and a pair of wing panels foldable into the vehicle. The sun screen can be folded into a storage configuration with only four folds. A large display area is provided in the storage configuration. A tear away coupon is provided at the location at which the rear view mirror may interfere with the sun screen.

Abstract: A package of the type used to contain one or more products to be carried out of a store or restaurant, includes a paperboard base tray having tapered side walls and a tapered, flexible bag portion made, for example, of transparent plastic film. The sleeve forming the bag portion is attached to the side walls of the base. The package thus has a rigid, smooth inner bottom for supporting upstanding articles, such as drink cups, has the capability of being nested in an open configuration for storage, and can be made from a minimum of materials.

Abstract: A composite package for enclosing articles such as fast food items, having a paperboard base and a flexible liner, preferably of treated tissue paper, laminated to the base. The liner provides the sole support for the side panels of the base in their erected configuration, and also provides the top closure of the package and a handle without paperboard support. In one embodiment, the liner is creased and pre-formed to form a stackable configurable which automatically guides itself into the proper erected position. In another embodiment, opposite side panels and attached liner are folded onto the central portion of the package and glued to form an intermediate flat form that is suitable for shipping and storage, and is easily erected for loading and closure.