Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object is disclosed. The method includes the step of obtaining a preform of the object, with the preform having a first panel having a planar portion and at least one second panel. The second panel has an orientation which is different from that of the first panel. The planar portion of the first panel of the preform is thermoformed so as to have a protruding element. The thermoforming is done in a selective manner such that the at least one second panel is not thermoformed. The invention is also directed to a thermoforming device for performing the thermoforming.

Abstract: A stackable shipping unit includes a plurality of individual components that may be partially assembled, then packed with items to be shipped. The shipping unit can then be fully assembled, and placed on a pallet. The shipping system may include trays that can be used as either a base or a lid. The unit includes vertical components that are generally U-shaped in plan view, and sized to fit closely within the trays in pairs to form a “H” shape in plan view forming a pair of shipping spaces. Additional U-shaped vertical components can then be assembled to close off the shipping spaces, and a tray can be used as a lid and positioned on top of the vertical components to form an assembled shipping unit.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one divider panel is in the interior of the carton. The divider panel is attached to at least one of the panels. A dispenser is for allowing access to the articles in the carton. The dispenser is for separating the carton into a first portion and a second portion. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is at least partially closed by the at least one divider panel.

Abstract: A partition assembly comprising a partition matrix made up of intersecting first and second slotted partitions, each of the partitions having at least one slot and a rounded edge. The slots of the partitions are engaged with each other at a plurality of intersections. The partitions are made by rounding an edge of a multi-layered blank using a rotatable tool and then cutting the partition material to a desired size. Slots may then be formed in the edge sealed material.

Abstract: A package comprises a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.

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 collapsible container assembly comprising a folding container having at least four walls, with the at least four walls being pivotable relative to each other to allow the folding container to collapse in a parallelogram motion, and an inside cellular structure connected to the at least four walls. The cellular structure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels forming a plurality of cells, with the panels being formed of soft, deformable material. The folding container can be folded with the inside cellular structure therein such that the collapsible container assembly will be substantially flat when the folding container is moved to a collapsed position.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one divider panel is in the interior of the carton. The divider panel is attached to at least one of the panels. A dispenser is for allowing access to the articles in the carton. The dispenser is for separating the carton into a first portion and a second portion. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is at least partially closed by the at least one divider panel.

Abstract: A folder system with an accordion spine 16, and a method of making same is disclosed. The folder may have a plurality of insert elements 52, 60 either at manufacture or by a stub system which are bound into the spine at the valleys 32 of the web which forms the spine. The web is made of outer zig-zag web 40, with the inner web 42, 44, 46 joining adjacent insert elements and the outer web, to create a strong spine of web and inserts.

Abstract: A carton comprising at least one tray section for holding a plurality of products. The at least one tray section can comprise a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. A first side end flap and a second side end flap can at least partially overlap the at least one end panel. The at least one end panel can comprise a first end panel edge and an opposing second end panel edge. The first side panel can be generally aligned with the first end panel edge along the length of the first end panel edge, and the second side panel can be generally aligned with the second end panel edge along the length of the second end panel edge.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one divider panel is in the interior of the carton. The divider panel is attached to at least one of the panels. A dispenser is for allowing access to the articles in the carton. The dispenser is for separating the carton into a first portion and a second portion. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is at least partially closed by the at least one divider panel.

Abstract: This invention relates to shipping pallets 10 that may be constructed, at least in part, from structural members 100 that are largely fabricated from paper and paper based materials. One or more of the structural members 100 may include a wrapper 60 secured in tension to a core 20. The core 20 may include one or more laminated fiberboard sheets 40. Because of the use of paper and paper based materials, the one or more aspects of shipping pallets 10 in accordance with the present inventions may be recycled.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of manufacturing containers such as shipping, display and display ready packaging, for example, and resulting containers and associated preassemblies and blanks are provided, which, when utilized, result in preassemblies that include end supports that provide increased stacking strength and are easily and quickly assembled into fully assembled containers.

Abstract: A packing container includes: an outer case; a partition member disposed inside the outer case; and a pair of holding plates connected to upper edges of a pair of side plates of the outer case and inserted into the inside of the outer case, the pair of holding plates holding the partition member.

Abstract: A carton is provided for carrying articles or containers in two layers with three rows of containers in each layer. The carton can have a dispenser flap in one side panel which can be opened for dispensing containers when the carton is placed on the end adjacent to the dispenser opening. The two layers of containers are kept separate during the dispensing by an interlocking separator pad that is interlocked to the side end flaps on one end of the carton by punch locks going through the primary female openings of the leading flap attached to the separator pad. A secondary locking system is provided by a swing lock in each side end flap on the interlocking end of the carton which has a secondary male lock attached to it that is inserted into a secondary female opening in the separator pad. Each secondary male lock may have a locking slot that engages a locking edge of the secondary female opening.

Abstract: In the blank for making the carrier, at least one foldable panel extending from one of the edges of the blank is provided. The panel is of a size and shape sufficient to cover the holes left by cut-outs from the vertical support panels to form dividers, when the panel is folded over onto one of the panels and secured thereto during assembly of the carrier from the blank.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a packaging comprising a cover, a bottom part with recesses and an insert for subdividing the bottom part into receptacle cells for holding round or egg-shaped packaged materials, manufactured from essentially flat blanks and a method of uprighting the insert.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for packaging perishable goods comprises an inner insulating container that is quickly and easily formed from a flat sheet of metalized bubble pack material to a finished state that very closely approximates the size and dimensions of the carton. The constructed inner container can be quickly collapsed and reconstructed to improve the stackability and diminish the amount of space required to store the containers prior to use.

Abstract: A method for packing containers, in particular bottles, in transport boxes in which on the inside, on flat-lying transport boxes, flat-lying multi-piece packagings are releasably fastened or compartment units are fastened, the transport boxes and the multi-piece packagings or compartment units contained therein are set up, containers are applied through openings of the set-up transport boxes into receivers of the multi-piece packages or compartment units, and the openings of the transport boxes are closed.

Abstract: A blank is provided for forming either a packaging structure of a relatively large size or a greater number of smaller sized packaging structures. The blank is provided with predetermined fold lines. Folding the blank along one series of fold lines forms the relatively large packaging structure. Separating the blank along one or more fold lines into plural blanks and folding the plural blanks along another series of fold lines forms multiple smaller packaging structures. A similar technique forms one large or multiple smaller covers for the packaging structures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a machine for automatic production of inserts made of undulated board sheet, for dividing boxes into sections.

Abstract: A partition making apparatus includes a first card material supply module, a first card forming module including a slot former, a singulator and a card transporter. The first card forming module also includes a feeder for advancing a band of first card forming material at least partially through the first module. The first module may include a transporter which shifts singulated first cards from a first location to a card delivery location with a card transferor shifting sets of first cards to be included in an assembled partition from the first card forming module to an assembly station. The sets of first cards may be advanced along a conveyor included in the assembly station to a second card insertion location. The second card material supply module provides a band of second card forming material to a second card forming module.

Abstract: An E Bliss compartmented container comprising an erected E divider blank about which a Bliss body blank has been erected with its endwalls adhesively laminated to endwall panels of the E divider. The E blank comprises a rectangular piece of corrugated fiberboard material having a pair of divider panels, a pair of sidewall panels, a pair of endwall panels and, if desired, a pair of corner post flanges, all symmetrically arrayed about a longitudinal center line. The divider panels comprise the end-most pair of all of the panels of the blank which is completely severed through from end to end along the longitudinal center line, except for a spaced apart pair of intact crush score areas interconnecting the pair of divider panels as a hinge. The body blank comprises a substantially rectangular piece of material having a central bottom panel with integral opposite endwall panels and a pair of sidewall flaps.

Abstract: It comprises a plurality of flat strips (1) and a plurality of dividing walls (2) arranged transversally to the flat strips (1), the length of each flat strip (1) being substantially equal to one of the dimensions of the box (4), and each dividing wall (2) being set between two adjacent flat strips (1) or between one flat strip (1) and a wall of the box (4), and at least some of the dividing walls (2) having a flap (3, 3a) at each end, and each of the flaps (3, 3a) being glued to a flat strip (1) or to the wall of the box (4). The divider can be manufactured in a totally automated continuous process, and allows a remarkable saving of materials while its strength is not reduced.

Abstract: A dividable container that includes an outer container component having a bottom section, an intermediate section which includes two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, and a top cover, the outer container having a perforation line which is positioned so as to extend about the opposing side walls, top section and bottom section so as to provide two sub-container components upon separation along the perforation line, and the side wall further including handle flap sections.

Abstract: The beverage basket carrier of the invention is constructed of two separate blanks, a primary blank including the printed surfaces of the carrier and a secondary blank including the internal divider walls forming the bottle receiving cells. The blanks are designed so as to be tipped together in a straight line gluer for substantially increased production rates. The secondary blank may be formed of a different and more economical substrate than that required for the primary blank. The reduced size primary blanks enable an increased number to be arranged across a sheet or printing cylinder to increase the yield of the printing process. The resulting assembled carrier is similar to conventional carriers and suited for use by bottle fillers without altering their equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making various packages that are easily assembled into arrays for use in small runs of articles that are to be stuffed in the packages. One type of package is particularly suitable for attachment to a header card another package is designed to facilitate the insertion of debit cards. An array of receptacles are formed and placed on a sheet and a pattern of adhesive formed on another sheet. The receptacles are registered with the pattern in such manner that top edges of the receptacles are in contact with and can pull of the adhesive so that the receptacles are conveniently placed on a header card. Several embodiments are shown and described.

Abstract: A compartment which is designed to be mounted on the front panel of a quick scoop carton to hold condiments. The compartment facilitates the application of condiments to food by holding condiments that are difficult to handle such as ketchup. The condiment in the compartment and the food in the carton are held by one hand, freeing the other hand to pick up and dip the food in the condiment. This design eliminates the need to squeeze out the condiment from a package and spread it over the food, making the food difficult and messy to handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece carton pre-forms, comprising a wrap member supply hopper, a wrap/pre-form conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a web supply magazine and a reciprocating placer, and an output station. The apparatus processes paperboard pre-forms which are subsequently erected into cartons for fresh produce and the like. An improved packaging member conveyor is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece cartons, comprising a tray member supply hopper, a tray conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a reciprocating placer, a preform conveyor, a forming station having at least three vertically aligned mandrels and a carton output conveyor. The apparatus process paperboard cartons for fresh produce and the like. The apparatus is operable in a cartoning mode and a preform mode wherein flat unerected carton preforms are output.

Abstract: A partition assembly, which defines a plurality of compartments for separating articles to be packaged in a container includes break-away segments which allow the assembly to be easily separable into smaller partition assemblies upon insertion into the container.

Abstract: The source materials are supplied in continuous strips of cardboard situated initially in separated planes laterally offset from each other. Longitudinal grooves are made along the strips, dividing them into longitudinal bands. The strips are overlapped and glued under pressure to join them together. Once glued they are cut into pieces. The pieces constitute the folded dividers, made up of sections and folded and glued sections which form the union between the sections of each strip. Optionally, narrower sections are glued directly onto the sides of a box, or to sheets glued in their turn to the sides of the box. The upper edges of the divider can be straight or present recesses. The divider formed by strips glued by the sections which make up sections at right angles to the strips is folded and unfolded at the same time as the box into which it is fitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stand alone disposable display formed from sheet material having an octagonal shaped framed formed from sheet material with cut-outs in the sides thereon for supporting a plurality of removable trays. The cut-outs are formed with portions that fold into the interior of the octagonal shaped frame to add strength and rigidity to the frame. Surface means are provided on the frame for supporting a header on which advertising or printing can be placed. The trays are sized to fit to cooperate with a shipping container to provide loading of the trays without having to handle the products.

Abstract: A machine for folding and shaping a partition for a case which carries a plurality of articles and for inserting the partition between articles in the case. The machine includes a hopper for holding a plurality of the partitions. Each of the partitions has slot means substantially centrally thereof. Vacuum cups can grip one of the partitions and move in a direction to free the partition from the hopper. A flight conveyor includes flight means for engaging of the partition at the slot means. The flight conveyor advances the partition to a folding station where the partition is folded centrally thereof. The flight conveyor further advances the folded partition to a forming and insertion station. A case having articles therein stops at a loading station below the forming and insertion station.

Abstract: A laminated package insert is provided having increased compressive strength for a given weight of board stock, and being easier to erect, as compared to previously known inserts. The insert is made from two substantially identical blanks, with identical score patterns, placed face-to-face and adhered in selected areas, leaving other areas adhesive-free. The score lines are formed so that no score line has to be broken backwards during erection, thereby making erection easier, particularly for automatic insert erecting equipment. A method and apparatus for assembling the insert are also provided wherein two feeders alternately feed blanks into a hopper, each successive pair of blands being face-to-face, one blank having adhesive on selected areas of the face facing the other blank. The synchronization of the two feeders is carefully controlled, as is the settling of the blanks in the hopper, using air jets free of turbulence.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an improved method of making a document file which has a pair of covers and a plurality of file elements laminated one upon another between the covers. The file elements are hot-sealed together and to the covers. The covers each have an auxiliary sheet hot-sealed to the cover body. The outermost file elements are hot-sealed to the auxiliary sheets of the covers. Thus, no dents or recesses are formed on the cover by hot-sealing the outermost file elements to the respective covers.

Abstract: This relates to a multicell carrier which is advantageously formed from two separate generally rectangular blanks as opposed to a single generally L-shaped blank. By forming the carrier from two separate blanks, each of which is generally rectangular, a maximum board usage may be obtained and at the same time board is available, without waste, for forming handle reinforcing flaps. In addition, by providing two separate blanks and effecting the simultaneous folding of the two blanks, although the two blanks must be joined in the forming of a carrier, greater glue and folding speed is obtainable as compared to the forming of a like carrier from a single L-shaped blank.

Abstract: Apparatus for making cell forming inserts for bottle carriers using a continuous web of paperboard. Drive rolls pull the web under tension through a slitter mechanism to slit strips from opposite edges of the web. The slit strips are shifted laterally inwardly over the web by guides and glued back on the web so that, when the web is transversely severed to form the inserts and attached to the bottle carrier blank, the strips will lie between the bottle contact points at the center cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns expanding files. A flat strip of flexible material (12) is progressively folded longitudinally to form a U-shaped channel. A length of the material equivalent to the developed width of a gusset is drawn forward. A precut partition with glued tabs (113) is placed at the rear of the drawn forward section of material. A fold is formed by pushing the three edges of the channel inwardly. This sequence of operations is repeated to form a multiplicity of pockets, comprising a plurality of parallel partitions joined along three edges to constitute respective filing pockets by the flexible material which is concertina-folded to constitute respective gussets. This multiplicity of pockets may be sectioned to provide separate expanding files. The invention comprises the manufacturing method and the machine for implementing same.

Abstract: System for assembling a divider box from a main body blank, separate end panels and at least one divider panel. The end and divider panels are delivered to a container-erecting station where the panels are secured to the main body blank while the container is being erected.

Abstract: This invention provides an easily erected tray structure for produce and the like, featuring construction from a single corrugated blank which is preglued and folded in a flat configuration, and which incorporates at its opposite ends and intermediate thereof interlocking projections providing improved stackability and improved structural integrity during shipment and display usage. A method for producing the tray includes prefolding a blank into a flat configuration and pregluing pairs of panels together, prior to final erection of the box.

Abstract: A magazine carries a plurality of flat, stacked, corrugated fiber-board partition blanks, each being cut and scored for folding into an "H" partition. The flat blanks are successively removed, one at a time, by a suction stripper feed mechanism which transfers them to a conveyor which, after the end panels of each partition are folded 90.degree. by plows, delivers each partition in a longitudinal path to a carrier in a forming station. A vertically moveable forming head folds the blank transversely about opposed fingers and strips the blank from the carrier, downwardly. Then the folded blank passes through opposed converging plates where the panels are urged against each other and opposed reciprocating flap folding dies fold the flaps to acute angles with respect to the panels.

Abstract: A container assembly for food items and like comestibles comprising a flexible fabric forming a plurality of sheets which in turn define a base wherein the sheets are disposed in stacked array and interconnected by a plurality of seams disposed in offset relation. A plurality of connector elements are connected in predetermined relation to the outermost sheet and structured for attachment to one another in a manner which will form pockets or compartments between the interconnected plurality of sheets and the specifically placed seams innerconnecting said sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packing articles, for example apples and other readily damaged fruits, in expanded slices of honeycomb using a conveyor on which the honeycomb is fitted, and carried through a filling station to an unloading station.Means are provided for expanding the slices of honeycomb and applying them to the conveyor in turn. A preferred arrangement is to supply the unexpanded slices one by one from a magazine and accelerate each slice so that it is projected into position for engagement by vacuum cups of an expansion device. Having been expanded, the slices are fitted to the conveyor where they are held in the expanded state by attachment devices provided thereon.At the unloading station, the packages of articles are removed from the conveyor for stacking in a confining carton while confining them in the horizontal direction to retain the position of articles packaged in incomplete cells.

Abstract: Dividers and cartons are intermittently fed into the machine which automatically assembles the same by inserting one or more dividers into the carton and gluing tabs on the dividers to opposite panels of the carton. The machine has a magazine to feed in the dividers, a carton transporter to feed in the cartons, die means to bend edges of the divider to form the tabs, means to apply glue to the tabs, means to develop bonding pressure between tabs and panels together with a divider transporter. The divider transporter picks-off a divider from the magazine, deposits it in the die means for tab forming and then moves the formed divider into a carton while the tabs are sprayed with glue and then pressure bonded to opposite carton panels.

Abstract: Taking a four panel carton and inserting a divider having end tabs coated with adhesive into the carton and pressing the tabs against the pair of opposite panels to secure the panels and tabs together.