A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

A container assembly processing system is disclosed that includes a container lifting assembly for lifting a container vertically from a carrier on a conveyor system.

A method for manufacturing an object, such as a tray includes providing an unfolded sheet; providing a straight score line in the unfolded sheet for providing a division between a wall part and a flange part; folding the flange part of the sheet relative to the wall part along the score line to provide an angle larger than 45° between the flange part and the wall part; providing a plastic foil; heating the plastic foil; pressing the heated foil on the sheet at the side provided with the score line and covering at least part of the wall part and the flange part; the sheet having at least one U-shaped cut interrupting the score line. The free ends of the U-shaped cut are positioned on the score line. The bridging part of the U-shaped cut is positioned in the flange part.

A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

A liner for use with a fluid dispensing vessel. The liner includes a flexible pouch defining an interior region and configured to be placed in a fluid dispensing vessel. The pouch includes a top end that is partially sealed and that includes a first opening. The pouch includes a fluid passageway defined by at least two sealed boundaries and that leads from the opening to the interior region. The pouch includes a bottom end that includes a second opening. The liner includes a fluid dispensing fitment connected to the pouch and configured to be in fluid communication with interior region via the second opening. When fluid is poured into the interior region of the pouch through the opening, it can be dispensed from the pouch through the fitment.

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 tray for holding one or more food products includes a plurality of panels including a central panel, at least one attachment panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the central panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, at least one end panel foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and at least one bottom panel foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the at least one side panel intersecting the at least one end panel to at least partially form a sidewall of the tray extending around an interior of the tray, the at least one bottom panel at least partially forming a bottom wall of the tray, and tray engaging features for at least partially supporting another tray in the interior of the tray.

A method is proposed for manufacturing a cup intended for containing a food beverage. The method includes cutting out at least one sheet of coated paperboard to form a side wall and a bottom and joining the sheets thus cut out by heat-sealing to form the cup. The at least one paperboard sheet is coated on at least the interior side of the cup with a biodegradable varnish according to a coating/spreading technique. In this way, the cup is easy to manufacture, and complies with environmental standards in being easy to recycle and compost, even at home. Thus, the biodegradable varnish does not disturb or pollute the operation of the pulper used in the paper industry.

A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.