An egg carton and method and apparatus for forming an egg carton. A main body of the egg carton may be made of a single sheet of material and folded or otherwise bent to form the majority of the carton's interior space. Partition walls may be engaged with slots formed in the main body to define separate storage areas of the interior space as well as help hold the main body in the desired configuration. Hooks on the sides of the partition walls may engage with openings in the main body to secure the main body to the partition walls.

Product made using a mass that includes natural polymers, wherein the product has at least a first product part connected by a hinge construction to a second product part, wherein the hinge construction has at least one flexible sheet element and at least one bridge portion made of the mass that includes natural polymers, wherein the hinge construction is designed such that, prior to a first time hinging, the at least one bridge portion forms a more rigid connection between the first and second product parts than the flexible sheet element and by hinging the bridge portion is severed, such that the first and second parts are substantially only connected by the at least one flexible sheet element.

To guard against injury to persons engaging the trim edges of a hinged container, a protective flap extends from the lid on either end of the axial hinge. The flaps extend from the corners of the lid adjacent respective trim edges of the hinge. The flaps have a rounded bottom portion which is extended past the axial hinge line. The curved structure of the protective flaps helps to gently deflect objects, such as fingers, away from any sharply angled trim edges of the hinge, thereby guarding handlers from accidental injury.

Product made using a mass comprising natural polymers, wherein the product comprises at least a first and a second product part, connected by a hinge construction, wherein the hinge construction comprises at least one flexible sheet element and one bridge portion made of said mass comprising natural polymers, wherein the hinge construction is designed such that, prior to a first time hinging, the at least one bridge portion forms a more rigid connection between the first and second product part than the flexible sheet element and by hinging said bridge portion is severed, such that the first and second part are substantially only connected by the or each flexible strip.

An egg carton and method and apparatus for forming an egg carton. A main body of the egg carton may be made of a single sheet of material and folded or otherwise bent to form the majority of the carton's interior space. Partition walls may be engaged with slots formed in the main body to define separate storage areas of the interior space as well as help hold the main body in the desired configuration. Hooks on the sides of the partition walls may engage with openings in the main body to secure the main body to the partition walls.

The present invention relates to a permeable suction mould arranged to support a fibrous product during application of a surface film onto a surface of said fibrous product, said mould including suction carrying structure for delivery of suction to the mould surface wherein said suction carrying structure is formed by a porous structure in a sintered material.

Method and apparatus for forming a hinge in a thermoformed container, such as an egg carton, and the resulting container. The hinge is formed in the mold, by severing a thermoformed container along the length of a hinge line, with the exception of plurality of spaced connecting membranes that are not severed. The alternating severed portions and connecting membranes are referred to herein as a notched hinge connection. The width, depth, and location of the connecting membranes can be adjusted so the hinge area is strong enough to withstand multiple openings during use.

An egg carton and method and apparatus for forming an egg carton. A main body of the egg carton may be made of a single sheet of material and folded or otherwise bent to form the majority of the carton's interior space. Partition walls may be engaged with slots formed in the main body to define separate storage areas of the interior space as well as help hold the main body in the desired configuration. Hooks on the sides of the partition walls may engage with openings in the main body to secure the main body to the partition walls.

To guard against injury to persons engaging the trim edges of a hinged container, a protective flap extends from the lid on either end of the axial hinge. The flaps extend from the corners of the lid adjacent respective trim edges of the hinge. The flaps have a rounded bottom portion which is extended past the axial hinge line. The curved structure of the protective flaps helps to gently deflect objects, such as fingers, away from any sharply angled trim edges of the hinge, thereby guarding handlers from accidental injury.

An egg carton and method and apparatus for forming an egg carton. A main body of the egg carton may be made of a single sheet of material and folded or otherwise bent to form the majority of the carton's interior space. Partition walls may be engaged with slots formed in the main body to define separate storage areas of the interior space as well as help hold the main body in the desired configuration. Hooks on the sides of the partition walls may engage with openings in the main body to secure the main body to the partition walls.