An interlocking container formed from one piece of material, comprising, a base panel having a first, second, third, and forth edge; a first side foldably connected along a first edge to the first edge of the base panel, a second side foldably connected along a first edge to the second edge of the base panel, a third side is foldably connected along a first edge to the third edge of the base panel, a fourth side is foldably connected along the a edge to the fourth edge of the base panel, wherein when folded a container with interlocking tabs is formed.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming containers. The containers may be cans, including composite cans. The apparatus may include a cylindrical mandrel and a blank may be formed into a cylindrical tube around the mandrel. Rotational apparatuses may engage portions of a blank that may be in a flat configuration and may rotate the portions around the outward cylindrical surface of the mandrel. Free edges of the tubular blank may be sealed by a sealing strip that may be T-shaped in cross section. A cup may be installed in an end opening, such as a bottom end, of the cylindrical tube. The cup may be sealed in the end opening by a seaming process using a seaming apparatus.

A system and method are disclosed for forming a container from a generally flat re-configurable blank. A first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device is positioned proximate a first portion of a blank while the blank is in a first orientation. While the first portion of the blank is maintained in the first orientation, a second portion of said blank is rotated from the first orientation, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a generally tubular configuration. The system and method may provide that during the rotating of said second portion of said blank, the blank is engaged on a surface side which forms an inner surface of the generally tubular configuration. Also disclosed is a system and method that includes retaining a reconfigurable blank in a holding apparatus; applying adhesive to a surface of the blank while said blank is retained in the holding apparatus.

A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a fold assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts sheet material into a box template. The fold assembly engages a first end of the box template and moves the first end of the box template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages a second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.

A carton for holding one or more articles includes an outer portion having a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around a first interior of the carton, an article retention portion positioned in the first interior of the carton, the article retention portion having a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around a second interior of the carton for holding the one or more articles, the article retention portion separably connected to the outer portion, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the first plurality of panels for forming at least one closed end of the carton.

A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a fold assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts sheet material into a box template. The fold assembly engages a first end of the box template and moves the first end of the box template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages a second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.

The composite structure includes a fiber-containing layer, such as a fiberboard layer or other layer having fibers from natural and/or synthetic sources, and a mineral-containing layer covering the fiber-containing layer. The fiber-containing layer and mineral-containing layer can be shaped, sized and manufactured such that the composite structure formed therefrom is capable of being machined to form a storage article. The composite structure has advantages in that it can improve whiteness, opacity, ink adhesion, materials reduction, barrier properties, recyclability, and printability. The composite can reduce polymer mass requirements for heat seal, barrier, and fiber adhesion. Further improvements include economics, pliability, and flexibility that is increased over the pliability of the fiber-containing layer alone.

A foldable container moveable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration defining an interior area for holding bulk material is provided. The container includes opposed side panels and a bottom flap extending from a bottom edge of each side panel. A tab member extends from a distal end of each bottom flap and a tab finger extends from each tab member so as to define a hook at a distal end of each bottom flap. The hooks are interconnected so as to hingedly connect the distal ends of the bottom flaps together, thereby causing the bottom flaps to rotate between their respective stowed and deployed configuration positions as the end panels are translated between their respective stowed and deployed configuration positions. Locking tabs extending from distal ends of end flaps extend into the interior area of the container to secure the container in the deployed configuration.

A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a base layer and a liner at least partially attached to an inner surface of the base layer, a flange comprising a central panel of the base layer, an opening extending in the central panel, and a sidewall comprising at least a panel foldably connected to the central panel along the opening.

A method and system are disclosed for forming a can from a re-configurable blank. A blank is also disclosed that may be a paper based blank and may be of multi-layer construction. The method may comprise: (a) supporting the blank in a first orientation; (b) positioning a first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in the first orientation; (c) while the first portion of the blank is in the first orientation, rotating a second portion of the blank around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device; and (d) rotating a third portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a third portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device. A generally tubular side wall may thus be formed for a can.