Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft incorporating an enhanced power unit for generating electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic power for the aircraft during all stages of the aircraft operation. The power unit (1) comprises: a heat engine (14) with a drive shaft (2) and a combustion gases exhaust (7). The power unit (1) also includes a Rankine cycle system (12) for recovering thermal energy from a heat source of the power unit (1) for the assistance of the heat engine (14). The heat source for the Rankine cycle system can be taken from the exhaust gases of the heat engine, from the oil coolant circuit of the heat engine or from the output of a compressor driven by the heat engine. Preferably, the aircraft cabin air is reused as a source of oxygen for the combustion. The invention reduces bleed air extraction from the aircraft main engines thereby reducing fuel consumption.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first barrier layer configured to cover a leading edge of the blade or wing; one or more electrical bus bars disposed on the first barrier layer proximate to and substantially parallel with the leading edge; a ground bus bar disposed on the first barrier layer proximate to and substantially parallel with the leading edge; a second barrier layer disposed over the one or more electrical bus bars and the ground bus bar; one or more heating elements disposed on the second barrier layer, and each heating element electrically connected to one of the electrical bus bars and to the ground bus bar; and a third barrier layer disposed over the one or more heating elements.

Abstract: An aircraft turbojet engine low-pressure compressor or booster, comprising an inlet structure de-iced by a pressurized hot fluid circulation coming from the high-pressure compressor. The de-icing structure comprises a deformable membrane through the thickness of which the pressurized fluid circulation passes. When there is a build-up of ice on the membrane, the pressurized fluid circulation is blocked, resulting in its pressure deforming the membrane in such a manner as to crack the build-up of ice.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for slowing the rotation of a rotor using, for example, rotor brake system for a rotorcraft comprising: one or more generators connected to a main rotor gearbox; an electric distributed anti-torque system mounted on a tail boom of the rotorcraft comprising two or more electric motors connected to the one or more generators, wherein the two or more electric motors are connected to one or more blades; and wherein a rotation of the rotor is slowed by placing a drive load on the main rotor gearbox with the one or more generators to bleed the mechanical power from rotor into electrical power via the two or more electric motors, wherein the electric distributed anti-torque system generates thrust in opposing directions.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and loading (VTOL) rotary aircraft or helicopter has eight propellers in a quad propeller arm configuration where each propeller arm has two counter-rotating propellers. Folding propeller arms are designed to allow storage in a single car sized garage. Each propeller may be powered by a three-phase alternating current motor. The main power plant for the aircraft is a gas combustion engine that generates electricity. If the gas engine fails, a battery backup system will safely bring the aircraft down for a controlled landing. The direct current bus is redundant in that even with a gas combustion engine failure the direct current bus battery pack will safely bring down the aircraft. Various embodiments of this invention may also include a landing gear crumple zone designed to soften a hard landing.

Abstract: An aircraft engine attachment assembly having a wing section, an engine pylon, upper secondary attachment links, lateral load attachment links, and a number of fuse pins. The engine pylon is mounted to the front end of the wing section so that the engine pylon is not restricted by a minimum structural depth. The wing section, engine pylon, upper secondary attachment links, and lateral load links form primary and secondary attachment joints configured to form alternate load paths if one of the joints fails. The wing section and engine pylon include knuckle-off geometries for promoting mechanical fusing of the fuse pins during high energy dynamic events.

Abstract: A propulsion system comprising a pylon, a turbomachine with a core and a nacelle. The nacelle comprises two inner cowls and two outer cowls around the inner cowls, where each outer cowl is mounted articulated via hinges and is mobile between a closed position in which the outer cowl is tightened around the core and an open position in which the outer cowl is separated from the core. Furthermore, each inner cowl is mounted articulated on the pylon via fixed hinges and is mobile between a closed position in which the inner cowl is tightened around the core and an open position in which the inner cowl is separated from the core. The placement of the hinges between the pylon and each inner cowl makes it possible to separate the rotation of the inner cowl from the rotation of the associated outer cowl.

Abstract: A method and an architecture for implementing the method for the management of a hybrid thermal/electrical propulsion aircraft in the course of its various flight phases. The hybrid propulsion receives at each instant i a total power command Ptot,com,i distributed between thermal Pth,com,i and electrical Pe,com,i power commands. The method includes steps of calculating a maximum admissible thermal power command Pth,com,max,i for compliance with acoustic objectives on the ground, selecting the thermal power command Pth,com,i in a bounded range of values, determining the electrical power command Pe,com,i. The thermal Pth,com,i and electrical Pe,com,i power commands supplied by the hybrid propulsion are thus adjusted in the course of the different flight phases depending on a height hi of the aircraft in order to make it possible to comply with acoustic requirements on the ground.

Abstract: An in-flight charging system includes a first electric air vehicle, a second electric air vehicle, an elevated power supply system (EPSS) and a flexible tension member coupled to the first electric air vehicle and coupled to the second electric air vehicle. The flexible tension member provides power from the second electric vehicle to the first electric vehicle. The EPSS further includes one or more current carrying conductors, wherein the second electric air vehicle travels along the one or more current carrying conductors and receives power transferred from the one or more current carrying conductors.

Abstract: Cargo aircraft having a cargo ramp and cargo door oppositely hinged relative to one another to allow access to the aircraft's cargo space may be provided with a flying boom mast that is physically mounted at the aft portion of the fuselage so as to configure such cargo aircraft for aerial refueling operations. The flying boom mast may therefore be operably associated with the aft portion of the fuselage and moveable between a stowed and deployed conditions relative to the aft portion of the fuselage, while a fuel supply line fluid-interconnects the flying boom mast with an on-board fuel supply of the aircraft so as to allow aerial refueling of a receiver aircraft when the flying boom mast is in the deployed condition thereof.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit having internal combustion engine(s) in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a generator having a generator shaft drivingly engaged to the engine shaft, a compressor having an outlet in communication with the internal combustion engine inlet, and a turbine having an inlet in communication with the internal combustion engine outlet. The turbine may be a first stage turbine, and the assembly may include a second stage turbine having an inlet in communication with the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing augmented information for vehicle multi-function display electronics are provided. In one a method for providing augmented information for vehicle multi-function display (MFD) electronics comprises: receiving via a downlink communication, a vehicle profile comprising an MFD Profile descriptive of how a pilot is currently utilizing a cockpit MFD; determining whether an MFD map application is displaying information on the cockpit MFD based on the MFD Profile; when the MFD map application is determined to be displaying information on the cockpit MFD: defining a set of potential information enhancements based on the vehicle profile; collecting information corresponding to the set of potential information enhancements from one of more data sources; transmitting an uplink communication comprising an Augmented Map Profile, wherein the Augmented Map Profile comprises the information corresponding to the set of potential information enhancements.

Abstract: A system and method for providing arrays of distributed recording devices supporting black box data retention on transports are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: a main black box data retention device on a transport for recording transport data including operational and status data of the transport while in operation, the main black box data retention device including a wireless data transmission device; and an array of distributed wireless recording devices on the transport and in wireless data communication with the main black box data retention device, each distributed wireless recording device of the array including: a power supply; a wireless data receiver; a non-volatile memory device; and a control unit to receive the transport data from the main black box data retention device via the wireless data receiver and to store the transport data into the non-volatile memory device.

Abstract: A lightning protection apparatus and related methods are described. The lightning protection apparatus includes a housing that defines a cavity, a gas generating device disposed within the housing, and a signal acquisition device. The housing is coupled to an aircraft. The signal acquisition device is configured to detect a lightning arc and responsively activate the gas generating device to emit a stream of gas to suppress the lightning arc.

Abstract: Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle includes a body and a gimbal assembly arranged at the body. The gimbal assembly includes a shock-absorbing structure arranged inside the body, a connecting structure arranged outside the body, and a load arranged outside the body and fixedly connected to the shock-absorbing structure via the connecting structure.

Abstract: The present application discloses a gimbal and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The gimbal includes a first connecting arm, a second connecting arm, a yaw axis motor, a roll axis motor, a pitch axis motor and a camera. A free end of the first connecting arm is connected to the yaw axis motor. A holding end of the first connecting arm is adjacent to the second connecting arm. Adjacent parts of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm are connected to the roll axis motor, respectively. The two free ends of the second connecting arm are located on two sides of the camera in a embracing posture. One free end of the second connecting arm is connected to the camera, and the other free end of the second connecting arm is connected to the pitch axis motor. The pitch axis motor is further connected to the camera.

Abstract: A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assistance device for remote diagnostics during verification of the state of an aircraft engine, carried out in situ by at least one operator with an endoscope used to capture images of the engine and to take measurements intended to be transmitted to at least one remote terminal used by at least one remote expert, with the aim of performing a collaborative analysis of the images and the measurements. The device according to the invention further comprises a portable housing controlled by the operator and equipped with a software module intended for generating an operational context as a function of location data provided by a GPS, weather data from the endoscopy location, and data on the communications network.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure include determining a performance status of a selected component in an aircraft. An ensemble of related machine learning models is applied to feature data extracted from flight data of the aircraft. Each model produces a positive score and a complementary negative score related to performance of the selected component. The positive scores are weighted based on the false positive rates of the models and the negative scores are weighted based on the false negative rates of the models. The weighted positive scores are combined, e.g., by averaging, and the weighted negative scores are combined, e.g., by averaging. The performance status of the selected component is determined as one of a positive category, a negative category, or an unclassified category based on the values of the combined weighted positive scores and the combined weighted negative scores.

Abstract: A system for launching aerospace payloads includes a wingless, unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch the spacecraft. The carrier aircraft includes a flight operations control system, which monitors the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls launch and flight operations of the spacecraft. A ground-based mission control system monitors and controls the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls the launch and flight operations of the spacecraft.

Abstract: Space traffic is managed using data gathered by orbital sensors. A constellation of near-equatorial orbiting satellites can be established, with each satellite in the constellation including at least one sensor for tracking resident space objects (“RSO”). The tracking data gathered by these orbital sensors can be fused with previously-gathered orbital tracking data and/or tracking data from ground-based sensors and used to adjust orbital information for the RSOs. The adjusted orbital information for the RSOs can, in turn, be used to issue conjunction warnings, to adjust the orbits of one or more satellites in the constellation (e.g., to intercept a debris object; to intercept a target; to avoid an active spacecraft), and/or to adjust the orbits of one or more other spacecraft (e.g., to avoid debris).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating gyro scale factor during normal spacecraft operations, using small attitude motions that are compliant with mission pointing accuracy and stability requirements and a signal processing method that specifically detects the intentionally induced motions. This process increases operational availability by avoiding the need to take the spacecraft offline for large calibration maneuvers.

Abstract: A satellite that includes a housing, a circuit board containing circuitry and disposed in the housing, a battery disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board, one or more weights disposed in the housing, wherein the one or more weights are disposed away from a center of the housing, one or more solar panels on the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board, and an antenna electrically connected to the circuit board and including at least one segment that extends out of the housing. When multiple satellites are launched into orbit having different mass weights, they move away from each other at least partially because of the weight difference. In orbit, each satellite is subjected to aerodynamic drag torque and gravity gradient torque.

Abstract: A method for coupling an energy supplying device to an energy consuming device in space and to a system including an energy supplying device, an energy consuming device and a mobile assembly unit residing in space. The energy supplying device is operable in space and includes solar panel units to convert received light into electrical energy, first coupling members to couple the solar panel units with each other, and a second coupling member to electrically couple the energy supplying device with the energy consuming device. The energy supplying device is configured to supply electrical energy to the energy consuming device in space. A configuration of the solar panel units is changeable in space according to an operational requirement of the energy consuming device.

Abstract: A heater apparatus configured to provide heat to at least one component of a spacecraft. The heater apparatus comprises a combustion chamber for a hypergolic propellant, and a heat radiator configured to radiate heat from the combustion chamber towards the at least one component to be heated. A spacecraft comprises at least one component to be heated and a heater apparatus configured to heat the at least one component to be heated. A method for heating at least one component of a spacecraft. The method comprises generating heat in a combustion chamber for a hypergolic propellant, and radiating at least a portion of the heat towards the at least one component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for closing containers that includes a support frame, a container feeding station and a lid closing assembly. The container feeding station receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly to the lid closing assembly. The lid closing assembly includes a transport assembly and a sealing assembly. The transport assembly includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts that each include at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers. The sealing assembly includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

Abstract: Certain implementations provide a form-fill-seal machine that can efficiently seal a packaging material. The transverse sealing unit may have first members to sandwich the packaging material and sealing the packaging material in a transverse direction, and second members for squeezing the packaging material while sandwiching the packaging material with a prescribed gap left therebetween. The control unit may cause the packaging material to be squeezed by the second members by causing the transverse sealing unit located at a reference position to descend faster than the packaging material being conveyed downward. The control unit may cause the transverse sealing unit to ascend while the packaging material is being sealed by the first members. The control unit may cause the transverse sealing unit to move such that the first members are separated from the packaging material.

Abstract: A tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band of a band-type clamp, a band and buckle attachment, and a band punch attachment are provided. The tool includes a nose piece to receive a tail of the band and a lever pivotably secured to the nose piece. The band and buckle attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot. A blade is movably positioned in the blade guide. A blade biasing element is positioned between the blade and the main body. The band punch attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot and a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body. The punch mechanism includes a punch guide having a passageway and a punch tool movably positioned in the punch guide. A spring is positioned in the passageway urging the punch tool in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A powered banding device includes a housing and a plurality of gripping rollers within the housing that are configured to pull a tail end of a band through a feed slot as the gripping rollers rotate. The device also includes torque circuitry coupled to an electric motor driving the plurality of gripping rollers, which the torque circuitry is configured to calculate a torque on the band using a motor current to determine when to stop pulling. A roller pin is configured to move through a roller slot after the electric motor stops pulling to form a fold in the band as the roller pin moves to an end of a downward curved portion of the roller slot. A cutter blade behind the roller pin follows the roller pin and cuts the band above the roller pin and flattens a cut end over a buckle of the band.

Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with two or more of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and other operative components of the machine are preferably vertically adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.

Abstract: A packaging system and method forms a bundled group of articles in an oriented arrangement, by applying a wrapping material to the articles via the bottoms of the articles while the oriented arrangement of articles is inverted and retained by a pallet. The wrapping material may be a sleeve of shrinkable material applied to the inverted end of the articles and shrunk to conform to the articles and form a base enclosing the bottoms of the articles. The articles are retained by the pallet in the oriented arrangement during the inverting, sleeving and bundling of the group of articles, to provide a bundled group including the articles securely contained by the shrunk wrapping in the oriented arrangement. The bundled group may include more than one type of article. The pallet may be operable to retain a top portion of the article, which may have an irregular or asymmetrical shape.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for decanting a beverage initially contained in one or more closed bottles into smaller containers. The device comprises an enclosure under an inert atmosphere, provided with an inlet port comprising receiving means, into which inlet port the neck of the bottles is fitted, and an outlet port through which the hermetically sealed containers are evacuated. The device contains an opening station for opening the bottles fitted into the receiving means, a collection vessel that collects the liquid flowing out of the bottles, a filling station for filling the containers from the collection vessel, and a sealing station for hermetically sealing the containers. In the method, the steps of opening and emptying the bottles, and of filling and hermetically sealing the containers, are all carried out under an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Systems and processes for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container are disclosed. The processes can include utilizing a reusable packing sheet positioned underneath complementary articles of footwear to transfer the complementary articles of footwear into a container. The processes can also include removing the reusable packing sheet from underneath the complementary articles of footwear while the complementary articles of footwear remain positioned in the container. Additional processes can include aligning and sizing complementary articles of footwear for packing in a container.

Abstract: A tray sealer that includes a control unit and a sealing station is presented. The sealing station comprises a tool upper part, a clamping frame and a tool lower part. The interior of the tool upper part comprises a dome-shaped die for deforming a top film. The dome-shaped die comprises at least a first channel and the tool upper part comprises a second channel. The dome-shaped die may have an inner contact surface. The clamping frame may clamp the top film in position on the tool upper part in a gas-tight manner so as to define an upper chamber within the tool upper part. In one embodiment, a vacuum sensor is operably connected to the control unit and is disposed between the dome-shaped die and a vacuum generator. The control unit may detect a tear in the film using a pressure profile generated by the vacuum sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device (10) for conveying food products on a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks and for formatting the food products in a specific product format, especially for conveying and formatting stacks or interleaved units made of a plurality of slices of cheese or meat products. It is proposed that the conveyor device (10) fills a product gap on one of the conveyor tracks incoming on the input side with a food product so that on the output side all parallel conveyor tracks are supplied with the food products. The invention also includes a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a plastic enclosure is provided. The apparatus includes a handle including elements pivotally coupled together at a first end. The apparatus also includes a heating element positioned along an inner surface of an element and connected to a power source where a longitudinal axis of the heating element is oriented parallel with a longitudinal axis of the element. Plastic material including first and second plastic layers is positioned at an interface between the second elements. Upon pivoting the first elements from an open position to a closed position the heating element increases a temperature at the interface to melt the plastic material and form a seal between the first and second plastic layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of packaging a sterilized product. The method includes the steps of providing a product and sterilizing the product. The sterilized product is enclosed in a first layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a first sealed enclosure. The first sealed enclosure is enclosed in a second layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a second sealed enclosure. The second sealed enclosure is enclosed in a third layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a third sealed enclosure. The third sealed enclosure is enclosed in a fourth layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a packaged product.

Abstract: A modular attachment is provided to attach to a packaging machine for forming a vent opening in a packaging film used for packaging an item via a packaging machine, and attaching a semipermeable or permeable vent covering material over the vent opening. The vent opening with the attached vent covering material may allow for sterilization of medical devices, medical equipment or other medical supplies while packaged within the packaging film. The modular attachment may include features for forming the vent opening in the packaging film during delivery of the packaging film for use in the packaging process, delivering the covering material to the location of the vent opening, cutting the covering material to size for covering the vent opening, and attaching the vent covering material to the packaging film so as to cover the vent opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying leaflets to containers, which comprises a fixed framework that supports at least one magazine for containing leaflets which faces, with its outlet, the peripheral region of an application drum, which can rotate about its own axis, with respect to the fixed framework, and is provided with at least one accommodation seat for at least one respective leaflet picked up from the outlet of the magazine and intended to be transferred onto at least one respective container moved by a conveyor; the application drum can be actuated with a continuous rotary motion about its own axis and is provided, at the accommodation seat, with elements for retaining the leaflet that can be moved on command between a condition that lies close to the axis of the application drum and a condition that is spaced from the axis of the application drum.

Abstract: A versatile trash bag has a mouth that is biased open to facilitate putting refuse in the bag and a plurality of handles for hanging the bag from a variety of objects. The trash bag is maintained in a wide-open configuration to facilitate a user's ability to place trash or access the contents therein. The bags also have structure to close and seal the open mouth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying decorations from a web onto a substrates are disclosed. According to some aspects, a decoration may be transferred from the web directly to a substrate based on contact of the substrate with an adhesive of a portion of the decoration while the portion of the decoration is attached to the web.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid is disclosed. The dispenser comprises an outlet for dispensing a liquid, a reservoir for liquid, and a closure configured to engage with the dispenser and movable between a closed position in which the outlet is enclosed and an open position in which the outlet is not enclosed. The dispenser further comprises an arrangement for controlling liquid communication between the reservoir and the outlet, the arrangement and reservoir movable with respect to each other between a first configuration in which the reservoir is not in liquid communication with the outlet and a second configuration in which the reservoir is in liquid communication with the outlet. By requiring a second movement after removal of the closure accidental access or dispensing of the contents may be avoided or reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a poly-ketonic cosmetic package for fluid dispenser systems.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. An apparatus may include a lower compartment, a baffle, and an upper compartment. The lower compartment may form a lower cavity to hold a liquid. The baffle may include a channel connecting the lower compartment to an upper compartment, where the channel provides a first passageway for liquid to pass between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The baffle may also include a baffle passage defining an opening through a middle section of the liquid container between the lower compartment and the upper compartment. The upper compartment may form an upper cavity to hold the liquid.

Abstract: A container formed from a blank of sheet material includes a bottom wall, first and second end walls, and first and second side walls. The first and second end walls each include, in series, an end wall panel, a ledge panel that extends inwardly from an upper edge of the end wall, an angled support panel that extends diagonally toward the end wall panel, and an anchor panel in facing contact with the end wall panel. The ledge panel, angled support panel, and end wall panel form a triangular cross-section. The side walls each include first and second wrap-around flaps that extend from respective end edges of the side walls and at least partly around a corresponding one of the container's first and second end walls.

Abstract: A device that is reversibly foldable between a compact configuration and a container configuration. The device includes a top, a front panel, a left panel, a rear panel, a right panel, and a bottom. At least first and second support frames are fixed to exterior faces of the left and right panels. In some embodiments, the device includes a plurality of support beams affixed to flaps used form the top and bottom. Optionally, additional support beams are affixed to interior faces of the front and rear panels. The support beams and support frames cooperate to provide strength and support to the device. Devices according to the invention are stackable in both configurations. They are foldable into the compact configuration for shipping and storage, and are preferably made of substantially of corrugated fiberboard material, which makes them reusable and recyclable. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A divider for dividing at least two layers of articles in a package. The divider comprises a central panel, and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel. The at least one article attachment flap is for attaching the divider to at least one of the articles as the divider and the articles are formed into the package.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles comprising: a plurality of walls for forming a tubular structure, the plurality of walls including: a first side wall (14); a second side wall (18); a front wall (12); and a rear wall (14). A cap (C) is provided for closing a first end of the tubular structure. The cap is hingedly connected to a first one (12) of the plurality of walls. The cap (C) comprises an end closure panel (22a) for closing said first end; a cap front wall (34); a first cap side wall (38a); a second cap side wall (38b). The cap front wall (34), first cap side wall (38a) and second cap side wall (38b) are configured to receive a portion of the other ones of the plurality of walls proximate the first end. The cap is configured to be collapsible into a flat collapsed form.