A rigid sheet blank includes a first section configured to be bent about a first axis and a second section configured to be bent about a second axis. The first section has a peripheral edge and at least one tab extending from the peripheral edge. The at least one tab is bendable by hand. The second section defines at least one opening configured for receiving a respective one of the at least one tab during bending of the rigid sheet blank.

A rigid sheet blank includes a first section configured to be bent about a first axis and a second section configured to be bent about a second axis. The first section has a peripheral edge and at least one tab extending from the peripheral edge. The at least one tab is bendable by hand. The second section defines at least one opening configured for receiving a respective one of the at least one tab during bending of the rigid sheet blank.

A system for splicing together multiple sheets of generally rigid material into a continuous sheet. The system includes a cart with a cutting mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut a pattern of segments through the sheet materials that can be interlocked to form a seam. The interlocking segments may include asymmetrical features. The sealing mechanism can apply tape to the seal to secure it. The splicing system may be used while one of the multiple sheets of generally rigid material is concurrently in use by a packaging machine without interruption to the packaging machine.

A container formed from a single piece of cardboard or like materials may double as a plate. The single piece may generally take the form of an oval, and may include a number of panels separated by specifically oriented creases and folds which enable the single piece to be folded into the container, and contain a food product such as a sandwich therein, or unfolded into a plate-like flat surface from which the food product may be eaten by a customer. A frame including a plurality of elbows, pegs or other extensions may be used to form the single piece into a semi-folded state, facilitating processes for preparing or packaging the food product.

A rigid sheet blank includes a first section configured to be bent about a first axis and a second section configured to be bent about a second axis. The first section has a peripheral edge and at least one tab extending from the peripheral edge. The at least one tab is bendable by hand. The second section defines at least one opening configured for receiving a respective one of the at least one tab during bending of the rigid sheet blank.

A rigid sheet blank includes a first section configured to be bent about a first axis and a second section configured to be bent about a second axis. The first section has a peripheral edge and at least one tab extending from the peripheral edge. The at least one tab is bendable by hand. The second section defines at least one opening configured for receiving a respective one of the at least one tab during bending of the rigid sheet blank.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus and method for creating folded multi-dimensional shapes from pliable substrates. An apparatus having a handle connected to one or more plungers that are configured to move along a longitudinal axis is used to form folds in a flat substrate by pressing dies attached to the plungers into a die area to shape the flat substrate. The handle is depressed multiple times to achieve the desired number of folds in the substrate. The apparatus may include one or more plunger adjustment mechanisms to switch use of the one or more plungers to create different sets of folds in the substrate with each depression.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus and method for creating folded multi-dimensional shapes from pliable substrates. An apparatus having a handle connected to one or more plungers that are configured to move along a longitudinal axis is used to form folds in a flat substrate by pressing dies attached to the plungers into a die area to shape the flat substrate. The handle is depressed multiple times to achieve the desired number of folds in the substrate. The apparatus may include one or more plunger adjustment mechanisms to switch use of the one or more plungers to create different sets of folds in the substrate with each depression.

A system for splicing together multiple sheets of generally rigid material into a continuous sheet. The system includes a cart with a cutting mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut a pattern of segments through the sheet materials that can be interlocked to form a seam. The interlocking segments may include asymmetrical features. The sealing mechanism can apply tape to the seal to secure it. The splicing system may be used while one of the multiple sheets of generally rigid material is concurrently in use by a packaging machine without interruption to the packaging machine.

One embodiment relates to an apparatus configured to create a box having a width and a height. The apparatus comprises a first control slider movably connected to a body. The first control slider is structured to move to a width position that alters the box width. A second control slider movably connected to the body. The second control slider is structured to move to a height position that alters the box height. A third control slider movably connected to the body, the first control slider, and the second control slider. The third control slider is responsive to the width position of the first control slider and the height position of the second control slider. A size value guide movably connected to the third control slider and is responsive to movement of the third control slider. The size value guide indicates a paper needed to create the user desired box.