A 3D shaped packaging product (20) for cushioning and/or thermal insulation of packaged goods is formed by hot pressing at an average pressure equal to or below 200 kPa of an air-laid blank (10) comprising natural fibers at a concentration of at least 70% by weight of the air-laid blank (10) and a thermoplastic polymer binder at a concentration selected within an interval of from 4 up to 30% by weight of the air-laid blank (10). The 3D shaped packaging product (20) has a density that is less than four times a density of the air-laid blank (10) and the density of the 3D shaped packaging product (20) is selected within an interval of from 15 to 240 kg/m.sup.3. The 3D shaped packaging product (20) maintains at least a significant portion of the porosity of the air-laid blank (10) even after hot pressing and therefore provides excellent shock absorbing and damping properties and thermal insulation.

A folded 3D shaped packaging product (30) is folded at at least one crease (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E) constituting a folding line in a 3D shaped product (20) formed by hot pressing of an air-laid blank (10) comprising natural fibers at a concentration of at least 70% by weight of the air-laid blank (10) and a thermoplastic polymer binder at a concentration selected within an interval of from 4 up to 30% by weight of the air-laid blank (10). The folded 3D shaped packaging product (30) is useful for cushioning and/or thermal insulation of packaged goods and can protect multiple sides of the packaged goods.

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.

A recyclable, thermally insulated shipping container is entirely constructed from organic fiber materials in such a manner that the container is curbside recyclable without separation of component materials. The container includes a corrugated cardboard outer box having a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls and a top wall, a corrugated cardboard inner liner assembly comprising a corrugated cardboard inner box having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls, and a corrugated cardboard lid assembly. The outer box, inner liner assembly and lid assembly cooperate to create a plurality of thermally insulated cavities which are filled and uniformly packed with predetermined volumes of loose-fill cellulose (organic fiber) insulation to create a predetermined insulating value. The container provides a fully insulated six-sided product cavity to receive a temperature-controlled product. A portion of the product cavity may be filled with a PCM or other thermal media to provide a consistent temperature profile.

A hinge assembly for use on a structure having a first structure portion and a second structure portion. A first mounting plate configured to mount to the first structure portion and a second mounting plate configured to mount to the second structure portion. A hinge hingedly connecting the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate and configured to allow rotational movement of the first mounting plate and first structure portion relative to the second mounting plate and second structure portion between an open position and a closed position when the mounting plates are mounted to the corresponding structure portions. A tightener acting between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, the tightener configured to pull the first mounting plate towards the second mounting plate.

A heat-resistant container according to the present disclosure includes a first wall portion constituting a sidewall and a second wall portion constituting an upper wall or bottom wall. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are made of a ceramic. The first wall portion has a large number of pores therein. In cross sections of the first wall portion, a porosity Pr1 is smaller than a porosity Pr2, where Pr1 is a porosity in a cross section of the first wall portion orthogonal to a wall surface of the first wall portion and parallel to a height direction of the first wall portion, and Pr2 is a porosity in a cross section of the first wall portion orthogonal to the wall surface of the first wall portion and parallel to a width direction of the first wall portion.

A transportable slurry box includes a structure comprising an interior to contain a cuttings slurry; a door movable between a closed position and an open position to provide access to the interior of the structure, wherein the door is located within a top surface of the transportable slurry box; a mechanical bay in the structure; and a heating unit removably mounted within the mechanical bay of the transportable slurry box for heating the cuttings slurry within the interior.

A storage container including a frame surrounding an interior having primary and secondary openings, a lid assembly mounted adjacent the primary opening, and a bottom panel selectively attached to the frame adjacent the secondary opening. The container has a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of end panels. The frame interior is sized to receive the front panel, the back panel, and the end panels. The front panel, the back panel, and the pair of end panels are configured for selective attachment to the frame surrounding the secondary opening when the bottom panel is detached from the frame. The bottom panel is configured for simultaneous selective attachment to the front panel, the back panel, and the pair of end panels opposite the secondary opening when the front panel, the back panel, and the pair of end panels are attached to the frame surrounding the secondary opening.

The invention is a shipping container for high watt-hour lithium-ion batteries, the container comprising an interior metal container and an exterior container within which the interior metal container is disposed, the interior metal container containing a free flowing expanded glass granulate having fire extinguishing properties, the interior metal container including a vent member for releasing gas from the interior container in a controlled manner, the vent having a cooperating heat shield in contact therewith to prevent ignition of gas exiting the vent and also suppress the heat associated with the exiting gas.

Described is an insulated canned beverage holder.