Unitary blank for forming a cup sleeve is provided having a central body portion, a first side body portion, and a second side body portion, a central flap extending from the central body portion, a first flap extending from the first side body portion, the first flap including a first tab, and a second flap extending from the second side body portion, the second flap including a second tab. In addition, at least a selected surface area of the blank has a pattern of raised features. Raised pattern areas of inner fold-over flaps can overlay corresponding raised pattern areas of sleeve outer body panels thereby increasing a size or volume of air gap pockets created between inner flaps and outer body panels. A multi-layer cup sleeve and a method for forming a cup sleeve are also provided.

Unitary blank for forming a cup sleeve is provided having a central body portion, a first side body portion, and a second side body portion, a central flap extending from the central body portion, a first flap extending from the first side body portion, the first flap including a first tab, and a second flap extending from the second side body portion, the second flap including a second tab. In addition, at least a selected surface area of the blank has a pattern of raised features. Raised pattern areas of inner fold-over flaps can overlay corresponding raised pattern areas of sleeve outer body panels thereby increasing a size or volume of air gap pockets created between inner flaps and outer body panels. A multi-layer cup sleeve and a method for forming a cup sleeve are also provided.

An apparatus for forming a container from a blank is provided. The apparatus includes a blank feeder assembly, and a compression assembly including a mandrel assembly, an upper folding arm assembly including a plurality of folding arms moveable between a first position and a second position, a compression plate, and a rollover arm assembly.

A stackable packaging unit comprises a molded tray including one or more compartments and a female feature. Additionally, the stackable packaging unit includes a cover attached to the molded tray and configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the compartment(s) of the molded tray. The cover is made of folded paperboard or cardboard and includes a handle extending upward. The handle of the cover provides a male feature that is configured to fit within the female feature of a further one of the stackable packaging units that's stacked above the stackable packaging unit. The molded tray can be made of molded pulp, in which case the molded tray and the paperboard or cardboard from which the cover is made can both be recyclable. The molded tray and the paperboard or cardboard from which the cover is made can additionally or alternatively include postconsumer recycled material.

A substantially paper-based composite container for an off-gassing product includes a paperboard can body having a substantially gas-impervious liner attached to an inner surface thereof, and a pair of substantially paper-based end closures attached to the opposite ends of the can body, each end closure defining a generally cylindrical sealing panel in contact with an inner surface of the can body. Heat-sealable materials are disposed on opposing surfaces of the sealing panel and can body. The sealing panels of the end closures are attached to the can body by heat seals. The heat seal for at least one of the end closures is discontinuous such that at least one vent channel extends through the heat seal so as to establish fluid communication between an interior of the composite container and the environment outside the composite container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.

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 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 divider box assembly is provided which comprises a plurality of individual compartments formed from a plurality of transverse and longitudinal panels which interact with one another by way of slots. Such panels may be arranged to form high strength internal and external partitions which support stacking of a plurality of divider boxes and also providing increased resistance to rough handling during shipment and storage.

A quality-control device (200) includes: an illumination system (202) for illuminating one peripheral face of each folding box, an image capture device (204) for forming a multiple image of the respective peripheral faces of a bundle of folding boxes, an image processing system (206) for: i) detecting within the multiple image each peripheral end of the slots of each box that separate its adjacent flaps, ii) generating a data set indicative of the geometry of each peripheral end, and iii) analyzing the data set to determine the width of each peripheral end.

A quality-control device (200) includes: an illumination system (202) for illuminating one peripheral face of each folding box, an image capture device (204) for forming a multiple image of the respective peripheral faces of a bundle of folding boxes, an image processing system (206) for: i) detecting within the multiple image each peripheral end of the slots of each box that separate its adjacent flaps, ii) generating a data set indicative of the geometry of each peripheral end, and iii) analyzing the data set to determine the width of each peripheral end.