A package for the storage of food or other suitable products includes a tray and, optionally, a lidding film. The tray is thermoformed, molded, or otherwise shaped to provide a recessed portion and flange, the recessed portion defining a product-receiving cavity. The flange includes a frame portion surrounding the cavity and a margin portion disposed alongside the frame portion and, in some embodiments, extending substantially a full width of the tray. The optional lidding film attaches to both the frame and margin portions and typically seals the cavity. The margin portion and a side wall of the recessed portion may include locking features to allow the margin portion to snap close against the side wall. The package may then be made to stand on end with the margin portion acting as a base. The lidding film may include a peelable/sealable film to allow repeated access to the product while sealing the cavity between uses.

A pack comprising: at least one product; a blister provided with a pocket, which houses the product and has an open end surrounded by a flat edge, and a closing tab, connected to the flat edge of the pocket to close the open end; and a support body, which houses the blister in a sliding manner to allow the blister to move relative to the support body between a closing position, in which the product cannot be removed from the pocket, and an extraction position, in which the product can be removed from the pocket. A connection end of the closing tab is fixed to the support body in a permanent and inseparable manner so that the sliding movement of the blister relative to the support body from the closing position to the extraction position causes a progressive separation of the closing tab from the flat edge of the pocket.

A method of feeding an animal includes placing a food container containing animal food and closed with a cover in an animal feeding system, employing the animal feeding system to open the food container and to present the food to an animal for eating and employing the animal feeding system to re-close the food container.

A method of feeding an animal includes placing a food container containing animal food and closed with a cover in an animal feeding system, employing the animal feeding system to open the food container and to present the food to an animal for eating and employing the animal feeding system to re-close the food container.

A package for the storage of food or other suitable products includes a tray and, optionally, a lidding film. The tray is thermoformed, molded, or otherwise shaped to provide a recessed portion and flange, the recessed portion defining a product-receiving cavity. The flange includes a frame portion surrounding the cavity and a margin portion disposed alongside the frame portion and, in some embodiments, extending substantially a full width of the tray. The optional lidding film attaches to both the frame and margin portions and typically seals the cavity. The margin portion and a side wall of the recessed portion may include locking features to allow the margin portion to snap close against the side wall. The package may then be made to stand on end with the margin portion acting as a base. The lidding film may include a peelable/sealable film to allow repeated access to the product while sealing the cavity between uses.

A method for forming a container having an injection-molded feature. The method includes obtaining a blank, forming the blank into a three-dimensional article having at least one sidewall, and forming the injection-molded feature extending around the perimeter of the article. The injection-molded feature comprises an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is in contact with an interior surface of the at least one sidewall and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

A method of feeding an animal includes placing a food container containing animal food and closed with a cover in an animal feeding system, employing the animal feeding system to open the food container and to present the food to an animal for eating and employing the animal feeding system to re-close the food container.

A pack comprising: at least one product; a blister provided with a pocket, which houses the at least one product and has an open end surrounded by a flat edge, and a closing tab, connected to the flat edge of the pocket to close the open end; and a support body, which houses the blister in a sliding manner to allow the blister to move relative to the support body between a closing position, in which the at least one product cannot be removed from the pocket, and an extraction position, in which the at least one product can be removed from the pocket. A connection end of the closing tab is fixed to the support body in a permanent and inseparable manner so that the sliding movement of the blister relative to the support body from the closing position to the extraction position causes a progressive separation of the closing tab from the flat edge of the pocket.

A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.