Regular inserters cannot handle at all packed items, and "packing" or stack inserters (with option) can handle packed items and put packed on belts.
And those special inserters put unpacked items in containers and machines.
The player will get unpacked items when they pick up packed items on belts ...

Concerning stacking: I think as discussed it's an excessively clunky mechanic, and that there is a less clunky, more intuitive way to achieve the same goals.

Namingly:
https://mods.factorio.com/mods/twanvl/pallets
It works exactly like barrels, but for items instead of fluids. Make bots ...

Approaching 1200 hours (playtime, no idling... doesn't count hours spent researching things outside of the game) ... in a little over a year... on about a half dozen fairly well developed maps. Just started a new map which I plan to slowly build into a megabase of some sort.

I don't know I manage ...

As I noted in round one, nothing about nerfing bots will make belts more fun. Enhancements which make building and managing belt-based factories will make belts more fun.

While I enjoy toying with circuits networks to implement prioritizing splitter over the years, I welcome new prioritizing ...

In my previous factories, I hadn't much need for filtering loaders... but in my latest factory I'm using palleting (universal pallets)... and that begs for filter loaders. Your mod is just the ticket!

I do wish filter mini-loaders were a separate entity. I see above you were concerned about having ...

Love miniloaders... use them with warehouses to make train loading/unloading stations.

Just started a FactorioExtended game... would be nice if miniloaders support FactorioExtended belts (much like Bob's belts).

Stacked belts! bring them on... I'd think adding more 3Dish stuff to game would be great.

I don't see nerfing bots help us have more fun in general or specifically with belts. I think belt enhancements would help make the belts more fun.

Would be nice to be able to clear some cliffs from afar... maybe atomic... to make them sufficiently powerful (and expensive).

maybe other terrain modifying shells as well? fill lake, create lake shells. Etc.

Rocky shorelines... nice. Reminds me of lakes around here.

Not a bug IMO. If you remove the inserter, notice that the ore will drop onto the floor. Put the box on the floor tile. Profit.