A container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps are included, each end flap foldably connected to a respective one of the panels. The end flaps are overlapped with one another to enclose an end of the interior space. An air cell flap is foldably connected to at least one of the end flaps and/or one of the panels, wherein the air cell flap is within the interior space and is inwardly offset from the end flaps to define an air cell between the air cell flap and the end flaps to protect product within the interior space.

Apparatus and methods for assembling thermally insulated containers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for inserting a first insulating liner panel and a second insulating liner panel into a rectangular box to form a thermally insulated container includes a first station with a flap opening assembly, a second station with a first liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a first liner panel within the box, and a third station with a second liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a second liner panel within the box. A box transfer system is configured to transfer the box between the first station, the second station, and the third station. A flap guide system maintains the at least two of the lid flaps of the box in the open configuration as the box is transferred from the first station to the third station.

Apparatus and methods for assembling thermally insulated containers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for inserting a first insulating liner panel and a second insulating liner panel into a rectangular box to form a thermally insulated container includes a first station with a flap opening assembly, a second station with a first liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a first liner panel within the box, and a third station with a second liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a second liner panel within the box. A box transfer system is configured to transfer the box between the first station, the second station, and the third station. A flap guide system maintains the at least two of the lid flaps of the box in the open configuration as the box is transferred from the first station to the third station.

An insulation wrap includes an insulation batt defining a top end and a bottom end, the insulation batt defining an inner side and an outer side; a wrap liner blank including an inner portion extending across a first panel and a second panel of the wrap liner blank, the inner side of the insulation batt positioned facing the inner portion; a ledge portion extending across the first panel and the second panel of the wrap liner blank, the ledge portion hingedly coupled to the inner portion by an inner hinge, the top end of the insulation batt positioned facing the ledge portion; and an outer portion extending across the first panel and the second panel of the wrap liner blank, the outer portion hingedly coupled to the ledge portion by a ledge hinge.

An insulation wrap includes an insulation batt defining a top end and a bottom end, the insulation batt defining an inner side and an outer side; a wrap liner blank including an inner portion extending across a first panel and a second panel of the wrap liner blank, the inner side of the insulation batt positioned facing the inner portion; a ledge portion extending across the first panel and the second panel of the wrap liner blank, the ledge portion hingedly coupled to the inner portion by an inner hinge, the top end of the insulation batt positioned facing the ledge portion; and an outer portion extending across the first panel and the second panel of the wrap liner blank, the outer portion hingedly coupled to the ledge portion by a ledge hinge.

A 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 to establish fluid communication between an interior of the container and the environment outside the container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.

A 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 to establish fluid communication between an interior of the container and the environment outside the container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.

A system and method of at least partially forming reinforced packages. The method comprises moving a construct in a machine direction on a construct conveyor. The construct conveyor can comprise a primary lug belt with a primary lug, the construct can be disposed on the primary lug belt, and the moving the construct can comprise moving the primary lug belt in the machine direction to push the construct in the machine direction. The method further can comprise positioning a liner on the construct conveyor so that the liner at least partially extends over the construct and moving the liner in the machine direction on a secondary lug belt of the construct conveyor. The secondary lug belt can comprise a secondary lug and the moving the liner can comprise moving the secondary lug belt in the machine direction to push the liner in the machine direction.

A packaging system comprising a trough and a packaging element separate therefrom for closing the trough, the packaging trough having an outer cardboard structure folded or formed from corrugated board with an insert of a single or multiple layer plastic film, the inner side of each side wall of the cardboard structure being connected by material means to the insert only in its upper part of the side wall, the insert forming a substantially identically shaped, but loose contact surface with the lower part of the inner side of each side wall down to the base of the packaging trough and the trough having at least one gas venting opening.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. An end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first panel. A foldable gusset is disposed in the interior of the carton. The gusset hingedly connecting between the end closure panel and the second panel. A gusset opening is defined, at least, in panels forming the gusset. The carton comprises an opening feature which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature is defined at least in part by first and second tear lines each extending from the gusset opening.