Abstract: An apparatus that denests a stack of containers and methods of separating a stack of containers and making the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a denester and a counting device. The denester is configured to separate a first stack of at least 2 containers into a plurality of second stacks of containers. Each of the second stacks includes an exact number of containers, the exact number being a positive integer less than m. The counting device is configured to count the exact number of containers in the first stack. The method of separating containers includes counting an exact number of containers in a first stack of m containers using the counting device, and separating the exact number of containers from the first stack using the denester.

Abstract: A container blank, a stackable container, and a method for making a stackable container are disclosed. The container blank includes a base having first and second pairs of opposed base edges, end walls foldably attached to the first base edges, and side walls foldably attached to the second base edges. Each side wall has an outer wall foldably attached to the second base edge along a first fold line, at least one index fold-down flap attached to the outer wall along a second fold line, and an inner wall or inner wall flaps foldably attached to the outer wall along a third fold line. Each index flap has a distal portion with notched or expanding extensions, and optionally, a border at a first angle of less than 90° from the second fold line. The stackable container is made from the container blank (e.g., by the method).

Abstract: A container blank, a stackable container, and a method for making a stackable container are disclosed. The container blank includes a base having first and second pairs of opposed base edges, end walls foldably attached to the first base edges, and side walls foldably attached to the second base edges. Each side wall has an outer wall foldably attached to the second base edge along a first fold line, at least one index fold-down flap attached to the outer wall along a second fold line, and an inner wall or inner wall flaps foldably attached to the outer wall along a third fold line. Each index flap has a distal portion with notched or expanding extensions, and optionally, a border at a first angle of less than 90° from the second fold line. The stackable container is made from the container blank (e.g., by the method).

Abstract: Apparatuses and/or equipment that automatically form containers with a reinforced bottom panel (pleats), methods of forming a container with a reinforced bottom panel, and methods of manufacturing an apparatus and/or equipment for making a container with a reinforced bottom panel are disclosed. The pleat(s) provide extra strength to the bottom panel of the container, thereby reducing or eliminating bottom sag. The apparatus and/or equipment is advantageously capable of automatically forming a container with a bottom panel having one or more pleats, while avoiding (1) damage to the containers and/or container blanks being folded, and (2) obstructions or instability in the containers that may result from inadvertent folding of the parts, pleats, flaps, and/or panels in the wrong or an inconsistent direction during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Containers with reinforced bottom panels, methods of making containers with reinforced bottom panels, and methods of using containers with reinforced bottom panels. The containers with reinforced bottom panels have one or more bottom panels, one or more pleats folded along a center line at an angle of about 180°, two side panels, two end panels, and two pairs of side panel extensions. The pleats provide extra strength to the bottom panels of the containers, thereby reducing or eliminating sag in the bottom panels of such containers, particularly when high-water content goods are placed in such containers or when such containers are stored or used in a high-humidity environment.

Abstract: Stacking apparatuses and/or equipment for stacking objects with foldably-attached parts (e.g., containers with flaps), methods of stacking objects with foldably-attached parts, and methods of manufacturing stacking apparatuses and/or equipment for stacking objects with foldably-attached parts. The stacking apparatuses have at least two flap guide assemblies with one or more arms and one or more flap guides, one or more cams, each cam having a cam track and a cam follower, and a lift assembly having a lifting mechanism to move the next object to be stacked into a stack of substantially identical objects. The present stacking apparatuses stack objects in a manner that avoids jams or obstructions due to irregular folding and/or obstruction of the stacking process by the foldably-attached parts.

Abstract: Containers with reinforced bottom panels, methods of making containers with reinforced bottom panels, and methods of using containers with reinforced bottom panels. The containers with reinforced bottom panels have one or more bottom panels, one or more pleats folded along a center line at an angle of about 180°, two side panels, two end panels, and two pairs of side panel extensions. The pleats provide extra strength to the bottom panels of the containers, thereby reducing or eliminating sag in the bottom panels of such containers, particularly when high-water content goods are placed in such containers or when such containers are stored or used in a high-humidity environment.

Abstract: A stackable container and blanks for forming a stackable container are disclosed. In one embodiment, a stackable container has (a) a base having two pairs of opposed base edges, (b) two first sidewall structures foldably attached to the first base edges at an angle of from about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees, and (c) two second sidewall structures. The second sidewall structures generally each include (i) a wall flap foldably attached to one of the base edges at an angle of from about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees, (ii) an index fold-down flap foldably attached to the wall flap at an angle of about 180 degrees, and (iii) a plurality of inner fold-down flaps foldably attached to the wall flap at an angle of about 180 degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a stackable container from a container blank. The apparatus generally includes a blank feeder configured to place the blank on a conveyor, an index folder configured to pre-fold a plurality of inner fold-down flaps and an index flap over each of two opposing sidewall flaps of the blank, and a pressure former configured to attach a first leading extension to a leading wall of the blank and a first trailing extension to a trailing wall of the blank, wherein the first leading extension and the first trailing extension are foldably attached at an angle of about 90 degrees to one of the inner fold-down flaps or one of the sidewall flaps. Embodiments of the present the present invention can advantageously provide a reliable approach for forming a container from a blank with relatively fewer folding defects.

Abstract: Described here are convertible storage containers and methods of making and using them. These storage containers may be useful for packing goods, particularly packing fresh fruit and vegetables. The convertible storage containers typically comprise a plurality of non-convertible sides which assemble to form a storage cavity, a convertible side, and a plurality of conversion connectors that may secure the convertible side in a first position or a second position. When the convertible side is secured in the first position, the convertible storage container is a box having an attached top. When the convertible side is secured in the second position, the convertible storage container is an open-top display box. The convertible side may be secured by a self-securing conversion connector. Further, these convertible storage containers may be stackable, and may comprise alignment guides. Methods of making convertible storage containers are also described.