AU2023202751B1

AU2023202751B1 - Baking tray and blank for a baking tray

Info

Publication number: AU2023202751B1
Application number: AU2023202751A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tony Christophersen
Original assignee: Dane Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Dane Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-03
Filing date: 2023-05-03
Publication date: 2024-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2043-05-03

Abstract

A baking tray for baking food in the tray, the tray comprising: a quadrilateral base extending between a first pair of opposed upright side walls and a second pair of upright side walls, a locking arrangement for releasably holding together the first and second pairs of side walls in an upright position by connecting corners of the tray, wherein releasing the locking arrangement enables at least one of the sidewalls to be folded outwardly and downwardly to provide access to the food product that has been baked in the tray, wherein the first and second pairs of side walls are connected at the corners of the tray via a foldable flap on at least one of the first pair of side walls, the foldable flap comprising at least one protruding member, is adapted to be positioned along one of the second pair of side walls in a folded configuration to allow the first and second pairs of side walls to connect via the locking arrangement, wherein the locking arrangement comprises at least two openings positioned at opposing ends towards the peripheral edges of the second pair of side walls, for receiving the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap along at least one fold line on the second pair of side wall, for releasably holding together the first and second pairs of the side walls of the baking tray in a folded configuration, wherein there is an adjoining portion between the two openings that strengthens the locking arrangement, wherein the at least one second pair of side walls further comprises a tab on an upper portion of the at least one second pair of side walls, and wherein the tab can be folded via the at least one fold line towards a lower portion of the least one second pair of side walls, to allow the at least two openings to receive the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap.

Description

wherein the tab can be folded via the at least one fold line towards a lower portion

of the least one second pair of side walls, to allow the at least two openings to

receive the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap.

BAKING TRAY AND BLANK FOR A BAKING TRAY TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates generally to a baking tray. The present invention

also relates to a corrugated or other suitable carton board blank for forming the baking

tray.

BACKGROUND

[002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be

taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the

common general knowledge.

[003] Bakeries often cut baked food products, such as cakes, into smaller portions

for sale at retail outlets. For commercial reasons, one of the considerations is that the

cut portions be a uniform size and shape. Metal baking trays, which are the main type

of baking trays that are currently used in bakeries, can be made to a high degree of

dimensional accuracy. However, traditionally, metal baking trays have tapered side

walls and rounded corners to facilitate the manufacturing process of pressing the trays

and to facilitate removing baked products from the trays. Thus, the corners of the

baked products are not straight and squared. The applicant's earlier patent application

AU2011203032 addresses this issue by providing a baking tray formed from a

cardboard blank that has straight and squared corners. However, another important

commercial consideration relates to whether such cardboard blanks are easily

erectable by using machinery. The applicant has found that the use of baking trays

formed from cardboard blanks typically requires manual handling which can have a

significant impact on overall costs.

[004] In view of the above problems, it is desirable to provide baking trays which are

not only dimensionally accurate but also allow these trays to be easily erected using

machinery.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a baking tray for baking food in

the tray, the tray comprising:

a quadrilateral base extending between a first pair of opposed upright side walls and

a second pair of upright side walls,

a locking arrangement for releasably holding together the first and second pairs of side

walls in an upright position by connecting corners of the tray,

wherein releasing the locking arrangement enables at least one of the sidewalls to be

folded outwardly and downwardly to provide access to the food product that has been

baked in the tray,

wherein the first and second pairs of side walls are connected at the corners of the

tray via a foldable flap on at least one of the first pair of side walls, the foldable flap

comprising at least one protruding member, is adapted to be positioned along one of

the second pair of side walls in a folded configuration to allow the first and second

pairs of side walls to connect via the locking arrangement,

wherein the locking arrangement comprises at least two openings positioned at

opposing ends towards the peripheral edges of the second pair of side walls, for

receiving the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap along at least one

fold line on the second pair of side wall, for releasably holding together the first and

second pairs of the side walls of the baking tray in a folded configuration, wherein there is an adjoining portion between the two openings that strengthens the locking arrangement, wherein the at least one second pair of side walls further comprises a tab on an upper portion of the at least one second pair of side walls, wherein the tab can be folded via the at least one fold line towards a lower portion of the least one second pair of side walls, to allow the at least two openings to receive the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap, and wherein the at least one fold line comprises a first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the second fold line is substantially parallel to the first fold line.

[006] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one fold line comprises a series of

incisions along its length to assist with folding of the tab.

[007] In another preferred embodiment, the opening present along the at least one

fold line on the second pair of side wall, is a slit.

[008] In another preferred embodiment, the slit has at least one incision at a distal

end of the slit to provide resilience when receiving the at least one protruding member

of the foldable flap.

[009] In another preferred embodiment, the adjoining portion comprises a slit.

[010] In another preferred embodiment, an edge of the foldable flap closest to the

base of the baking tray angles outwardly and away from the base of the baking tray,

when the first pairs of the side walls are in an upright configuration.

[011] In another preferred embodiment, the baking tray is lined with a heat-resistant

coating on at least one surface of the baking tray.

[012] More preferably, the heat resistant coating lines an interior of the baking tray,

when the first and second pairs of side walls of the baking tray are in upright

configuration.

[013] Even more preferably, the coating lines at least a portion of an exterior of the

baking tray, when the first and second pairs of side walls of the baking tray are in

upright configuration.

[014] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for

constructing a baking tray, the blank comprising:

a quadrilateral base extending between a first pair of opposed side wall and a second

pair of opposed side wall,

at least one of the first pair of side wall comprises at least one foldable flap,

at least one of the second pair of side walls comprises a tab on a peripheral edge of

the second pair of side wall,

wherein during use, when said at least one of the first pair of side walls and one of the

second pair of side walls are folded into an upright position, the foldable flap is adapted

to be folded and positioned along one of the second pair of side walls to allow the tab

to be folded over and above the foldable flap to position the flap in between the tab

and said one of the second pair of side walls, when at least a protruding member on

the foldable flap is received by at least one opening on the second pair of side walls,

to releasably hold the said at least one of the first and second pairs of side walls in an

upright configuration via a locking arrangement,

wherein the tab on the peripheral edge of the second pair of side wall comprises at

least one fold line for folding the tab over and above the foldable flap, and wherein the at least one fold line comprises a first fold line and second fold line, wherein the second fold line is substantially parallel to the first fold line.

[015] In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the

at least one opening is present along at least one fold line.

[016] In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention,

the opening is a slit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be

discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information

for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to

be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any

way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a top view of a blank 100 in its unassembled form, which is used for forming

a baking tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of a blank 100 of Figure 1, in its fully assembled form.

Figure 3 is a first perspective view of the blank 100, the blank 100 being shown in its

fully assembled form.

Figure 4 is an end perspective view of the blank 100 being shown in its fully assembled

form.

Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the blank 100 being shown in its fully assembled

form.

Figure 6 is another perspective view of the blank 100 being shown in its fully

assembled form, with both the end and side views being represented.

Figure 7 is a view of the blank 100 in its partially assembled configuration in which

three side walls have been assembled and one side wall is outwardly folded in an

unassembled configuration.

Figure 8 is an enlarged top view of the outwardly folded wall of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the opposite end of the partially assembled blank 100

of Figure 7, wherein the furthest side wall is outwardly folded in an unassembled

configuration and in which the remaining three side walls have been assembled.

Figure 10 is an end view of a partially assembled blank 100, with the tab being lifted

to illustrate assembly of the right side of the blank, with the left side of the blank

remaining in its unassembled form.

Figure 11 is an end view of a fully assembled blank 100, with the tab being lifted to

illustrate the points of connection on both the left and right sides of the blank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[018] The baking tray shown in Figures 1 to 11 is formed from corrugated or any other

suitable carton board blank 100 which comprises a bleached lining on the surfaces of

the boards that form the interior and an upper section of the exterior of the box, and a

heat resistant polymeric coating (such as a polyolefin coating) on the bleached lining.

The invention is no way limited to a polymeric coating and other heat resistant coatings

may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[019] The carton blank 100 tray in Figure 1 is used for constructing a baking tray. The

blank 100 comprises a rectangular base panel 110 extending between a first pair of

side wall panels 120A and 120B and a second pair of side wall panels 130A and 130B.

[020] The first and second pairs of side wall panels 120A, 120B, 130A and 130B can

be folded upwards relative to the base 110 along fold lines to form substantially upright

side walls of the baking tray during use. This configuration of the baking tray is referred

to as being in the fully assembled state (Figures 2-6). Similarly, the side wall panels

120A, 120B, 130A and 130B can also be folded downwards and outwards so that the

interior surface of these walls, which are generally formed from smooth surfaces, face

upwardly and outwardly. This configuration of the baking tray is referred to as being in

the unassembled state (Figure 1)

[021] As is described in more detail hereinafter, the tray is formed so that the corners

between the base 110 and each of the side wall panels 120A, 120B, 130A and 130B

are straight and square. This construction ensures that a baked product produced in

the tray has straight sides and squared corners and therefore has a high degree of

dimensional accuracy. The provision of relatively accurate squared corners and

straight sides allows the baked product to be produced having smaller portions, a

uniform size and also shape. Furthermore, side wall panels 120A, 120B, 130A and

130B that can be folded downwardly and outwardly provides access to the food

product that has been baked in the tray and once small portions of the baked food

product have been taken away, the side wall panels can once again be assembled in

its upright configuration.

[022] The blank 100 comprises at least one opening on one of the pairs of side walls,

preferably in the form of a slit 140 (Figures 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11) for maintaining the first

and second pairs of side walls (120A, 120B and 130A and 130B) in an assembled

configuration at the corners of the base panel 110. The slits 140, herein referred to as

the locking slits 140, releasably holds together the first and second pairs of the side

walls (120A, 120B and 130A and 130B) in an assembled configuration, when the

locking slits releasably engage with an appropriately shaped protruding member 190,

herein referred to as the locking portion 190, on the other corresponding pair of side

walls (see Figures 1-10). Engagement of the locking slits 140 with the locking portions

190 forms the essence of the locking arrangement, resulting in formation of the baking

tray in its assembled configuration (Figures 2, 4, 5, 6), the configuration of which can

receive a food product pre-bake mix and be used to bake the food product mix

contained therein. The locking slits 140 will be described in the foregoing sections in

further detail.

[023] With respect to the first pair of side wall panels 120A and 120B, each of the first

side wall panels include two foldable flaps 150, each flap of which flank the first side

wall panel at its periphery along its long edge (Figures 1, 7, 8 and 10), such that each

flap is positioned distally at opposite ends of the first side wall panels 120A and 120B.

Each foldable flap 150 therefore functions as a peripheral extension to the length of

the first side wall panel 120A or 120B, as each foldable flap 150 is attached to the first

side wall panel 120A along a fold line 160. In the baking tray's folded configuration,

the foldable flaps 150 on each of the first side wall panels 120A and 120B can be

positioned along each of the second pair of side walls 130A and 130B, respectively

(Figures 4, 6, 9, 10, 11).

[024] Each of the second pair of side wall panels 130A and 130B is provided with a

tab 170 (Figures 1, 7, 8, 10 and 11). The tab 170 can be folded relative the wall forming

portion of the second side wall panel 130A or 130B along fold lines 180. Preferably,

the tab can fold over and above the foldable flap 150, when the foldable flap 150 on

the corresponding first side wall panel 120A or 120B is positioned along the second

side wall panel 130A or 130B, to position the foldable flap 150 between the tab 170

and the second side wall panel 130A or 130B (Figures 2-6 and 9).

[025] The foldable flaps 150 on opposite sides of each of the first pair of side wall

panels 120A and 120B comprise a substantially perpendicular, inwardly-slanted edge

230 that results in the presence of a substantially angular notch being present between

the inner peripheral edge of the foldable flap 150 and the outer peripheral edge of the

second side wall panel 130A or 130B, when the blank is in its flat unassembled

configuration. Preferably, the angular notch between the inner peripheral edge of the

foldable flap 150 and the outer peripheral edge of the second side wall panel 130A or

130B, is substantially triangular in shape, when the blank is in its flat unassembled

configuration. The benefit of having a substantially perpendicular inwardly-slanted

edge 230 on the foldable flap 150 is so that when the first pair of side wall panels 120A

and 120B are positioned along each of the second pair of side walls 130A and 130B,

respectively, via the foldable flaps 150 to form the baking tray's fully assembled

configuration, the bottom edge of the fold flaps 150 that extend along the base of the

baking tray, do not extend beyond the base of the baking tray when the baking tray is

in its assembled upright configuration (see for example, Figures 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11).

This is advantageous because otherwise the baking tray would be unstable when

placed on top of a flat surface. Most preferably, the bottom edge of the foldable flaps

150 closest to the base of the baking tray angles outwardly and away from the base

of the baking tray, when the first pairs of the side walls are in an upright configuration.

[026] The fold lines 180 of the tabs 170 at either end of the baking tray, house the

locking slits 140 that are required for maintaining the baking tray in its fully folded,

assembled configuration. The locking slits 140 can be most clearly seen on Figures 3

7 and 8 and are essential for forming part of the mechanism of the locking

arrangement.

[027] Each tab 170 present on an upper portion of the second pair of side walls 130A

and 130B, engages with the foldable flaps 150 on the first pair of side walls 120A and

120B, when the first and second pairs of side walls (120A, 120B and 130A, 130B) are

connected at the corners of the baking tray via the foldable flaps 150 (Figures 2, 4-6,

9). Lowering the tab 170 by folding via a fold line 180 towards a lower portion of the

second side wall panels 130A and 130B, strengthens the locking arrangement, and

therefore strengthens the baking tray when it is in its fully assembled configuration.

The locking arrangement is strengthened because more resistance is then applied

against the foldable flap 150, which in turn helps to hold the foldable flap 150 against

the second side wall panels 130A and 130B.

[028] The other critical component to the locking arrangement comprises using

locking portions 190 in the form of protrusions, present along a peripheral edge of the

foldable flaps 150. The locking portions 190 are preferably located along the top edge

of the foldable flaps 150, which is the edge furthest from the base of the baking tray

when the first side wall panels 120A and 120B are positioned in an upright

configuration (Figures 1, 4, 8-10). The locking portions 190 engage with and are inserted into an opening provided by the locking slits 140 along at least one fold line

180 of the tab 170. The locking portions 190 are therefore of any appropriate shape

and/or size that complements the opening provided by the locking slits 140.

[029] The opening provided by the locking slits 140 is resilient and is able to widen

temporarily when the tab 170 is lowered by folding towards a lower portion of the

second side wall panels 130A and 130B. The benefit of having the opening display

resilient properties, is so that the baking tray may be assembled with ease by erecting

machinery in the absence of manual handling by a human operator.

[030] The presence of the locking slits 140 along the fold lines 180 of the tabs 170 is

particularly advantageous over, for example, having apertures or openings in other

shapes or forms that engage with the foldable flaps 150 in a locking arrangement, as

slits can easily be created by machinery without the need for more complicated

precision cuts, which would be required for example, if the opening or aperture is oval

shaped.

[031] The locking slits 140 may also be defined on either side of the locking slit 140

by the presence of substantially perpendicular incisions 260 (see Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,

11). The presence of these incisions 260 is to provide the locking slits 140 with further

resilience, so that the narrow aperture of the locking slit 140 can be widened

temporarily to easily receive the locking portion 190 of the foldable flap 150, so as to

activate the locking arrangement, or alternatively to release the locking arrangement

when the baking tray's assembled configuration is no longer required. In other words,

release the locking portions 190 of the foldable flap 150 that form a component of the locking arrangement, from the locking slit 140, which forms the other essential component of the locking arrangement.

[032] In its assembled state during use (Figures 2-6), the side walls 130A and 130B

are positioned in an upright configuration, followed by folding of the flaps 150 (in the

same manner, as discussed in previous passages), so that the upwardly extending

locking portion 190 of the foldable flap 150 is received into the locking slit 140 (see

Figures 3, 4, 6 and 9). The locking portion 190 preferably includes a protruding notch

for locking an upper edge portion of the first side wall panel 120A or 120B into the

locking slit 140.

[033] A typical folding step requires the flaps 150 to be folded inwardly to be

positioned along an outer wall of an upright (or partially upright) side wall panel 130A

or 130B. Engaging the upwardly extending locking portion 190 of the flap 150 on the

first pair of side walls 120A or 120B, into the receiving locking slit 140 present on the

second pair of side walls 130A or 130B ensures that the baking tray, or at least part of

the baking tray, is maintained in its folded assembled configuration (or partially

assembled configuration), as the first and second side walls 120A, 120B and 130A

and 130B of the baking tray are maintained in an upright position relative to the base

110 of the baking tray.

[034] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the next step, once the first and second side walls

(120A, 120B, 130A, 130B) are engaged in locking arrangement via the foldable flaps

150, the tab 170 is then folded in a downward direction along the fold line 180, so that

the upper portion of the second side wall 130A or 130B is brought in closer proximity

to the lower portion of the second side wall 130A or 130B. The fold line 180 defines the base of the tab 170. Folding of the tab 170 along the fold line 180 positions the tab

170 over and above each of the folded flaps 150 positioned along the second pair of

side walls 130A or 130B to position the tab 170 in a substantially parallel orientation

relative to the folded flaps 150 and the adjacent sidewall 130A or 130B. The fold line

180 may be partially scored by a series of incisions along its length to allow the tab

170 to be easily foldable, which may also bias folding in one direction and not in the

opposite direction.

[035] The fold line 180 along the tab 170 on the upper portion of the second pair of

side walls 130A and 130B may further comprise an adjoining portion 240 that may

itself contain a slit along at least a length of the adjoining portion. The adjoining portion

240 resides between the two locking slits 140 that receive the locking portions 190 of

the foldable flaps 150 (see Figures 1-3, 7, 8, 10). The purpose of having an adjoining

portion 240 is to strengthen the locking arrangement, as it ensures that should the

peripheral edges of the fold line 180 of the second pair of side walls fray or weaken

during the course of using the baking tray (for example, if moisture or liquid from the

baking products soak through the baking tray at those positions, on either side of the

slits 140), the locking portions 190 of the foldable flaps 150 could still maintain

engagement with the locking slits 140, therefore effectively maintaining the locking

arrangement. Absence of the adjoining portion 240 under this scenario, could

otherwise lead to failure of the locking portions 190 to effectively engage with the

locking slits 140, thus rendering the baking tray with loss of function, as the pre-baked

food product mix can no longer be retained within the confines of the side walls 120A,

120B, 130A and 130B of the baking tray, under such circumstances. In other words,

the baking tray can no longer be held in its fully assembled configuration, since the connection between at least one pair of the first and second side wall panels, would have been lost.

[036] The presence of a slit along at least a length of the adjoining portion 240 further

provides an additional benefit of assisting with the folding of the tab 170 along its fold

line 180 (see Figures 1-3, 7, 8, 10). Unlike the locking slits 140, the slit of the adjoining

portion 240 does not contain substantially perpendicular incisions to temporarily widen

the narrow slit of the adjoining portion, since the adjoining portion is not intended to be

used as part of the locking arrangements. In other words, the slit of the adjoining

portion 240 does not engage with the locking portions 190 of the foldable flaps 150.

[037] Adjacent to the fold line 180 of the tab 170, it is preferable to have a second

fold line 220 (see Figures 1, 4, 6-11) that may comprise a series of incisions along its

length. The second fold line 220 is preferably parallel to the first fold line 180, so as to

assist folding of the tab 170 over and above the foldable flaps 150, when the locking

portions 190 of the foldable flaps 150 are engaged in locking arrangement with the

locking slits 140. Presence of the second fold line 220 assists with folding of the tab

170 over a thickness of the material of the baking tray. In other words, the blank of the

baking tray may be of varying thicknesses.

[038] In the event that moisture or liquid may contact the first pair of side walls, 120A

and 120B, it is preferable to have the lining or coating present on the internal surface

of the baking tray, also extend over at least a portion of the external surface of the

baking tray, preferably further lining at least the upper portion of the external surface

of the first pair of side walls 120A and 120B (see Figures 5 and 6), to form a

reinforcement panel 250. This reinforcement panel 250 provides additional strength to

the first pair of side walls 120A and 120B, in the form of enhanced structural integrity.

Should the material of the lining or coating offer hydrophobic properties, presence of

the reinforcement panel 250 could impart some water-resistant properties on at least

a portion, preferably the upper portion of the external surface of the first pair of side

walls 120A and 120B.

[039] The aforementioned configurations of the baking tray in its unassembled and

fully assembled form, are very useful particularly when assembling baking trays from

the blank 100 using machinery. Specifically, the baking trays can be assembled by

machinery using minimal steps (in at least a 4-step procedure), which involves for

example, applying a known amount of force to (i) fold up a first set of side walls 130A

and 130B along fold lines 200, (ii) fold up a second set of side walls 120A and 120B

along fold line 210, (iii) fold flaps 150 to abut the first set of side walls 130A and 130B,

so that the first and second set of side walls are upright and connected at the corners

of the baking tray via the fold flaps 150 and (iv) fold down tab 170 along fold line 180

to catch the locking portions 190 of the foldable flaps 150 into the locking slit 140 to

releasably engage the first and second set of side walls in a locking arrangement.

Steps (i)-(iv) produces the baking tray in its fully assembled configuration.

[040] The locking portions 190 may be released from the locking slit 140 by applying

a pulling force on the lower portion of the fold flaps 150 to overcome the bias of the

tab 170. Once again, a pulling member from a tray erecting machinery (not shown)

may be used to apply a known amount of force to pull the lower portion of the fold flaps

150 to release the locking portion 190 from the locking slit 140 when the baking tray

is at least partially assembled.

[041] Release of the locking portion 190 from the locking slit 140 is more easily

achieved when the tab 170 is not folded along its fold line 180 downwards towards the

lower surface of the side wall panel 130A or 130B (see Figures 10 and 11).

[042] Apart from strengthening the locking arrangement by further securing the

locking portions 190 of the foldable flaps 150 into the locking slit 140, the tab 170 also

assists with providing greater accessibility to the food product that has been baked in

the tray, since lowering the tab 170 towards the lower portion of the side wall(s) 130A

and 130B reduces the height of sides of the baking tray, by the distance between the

fold line 180, and the peripheral edge of the tab 170, as the fold line 180 defines the

base of the tab 170 (see Figures 10 and 11).

[043] The provision of a locking arrangement comprising the locking portion 190 and

the locking slit 140, the locking slit of which is present along the fold line 180 that

defines the base of the tab 170, provides an important advantage over the prior art in

that these features allow erecting machinery to be easily used for assembly of the

baking tray. Specifically, in the retaining and releasing of the locking portion 190 of the

foldable flap 150 into and out of the locking slit 140, by applying a known level of force.

As a result, the baking trays formed from the blank 100 can be assembled or

unassembled using erecting machinery without any manual assistance from handlers.

[044] It is also important to note that the invention is in no way limited to use with

erecting machinery. Engaging and releasing of the locking portion 190 of the fold flap

150 into and out of the locking slit 140 can also be done by applying manual force by

individual users.

[045] In use, in a bakery, typically a pre-determined amount of unbaked food product

mix is deposited in the above-described fully assembled baking tray (as shown in

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). The baking tray containing the food product mix are thereafter

placed in an oven and the food product is baked within the fully assembled baking

tray. At the end of a required baking time, the baking tray containing the baked food

product are removed from the oven and the food product is allowed to cool to a

required extent in the baking tray. Thereafter, the cooled food product is cut into

smaller portions of ideally uniform size and shape using laser or other suitable

precision-cutting equipment. At this point, the baking tray forms part of the packaging

of the now-cut and baked food product. Any further packaging of the baked food

product, for example external wrapping of the baking tray with the baked food product

contained therein, is completed as required. The fully packaged product is then ready

to be transported to an end-user location.

[046] The locking arrangement allows some portions of the baked food to be easily

removed when the first and second side walls (120A, 120B, 130A and 130B) are folded

downwards, in its unassembled configuration (see Figures 7-10). Once the desired

amount of baked food is removed, the side walls can be re-assembled back up to an

upright position and maintained in the upright position by utilising the locking

arrangement, as described.

[047] Apart from the imparted benefit of ease of assembly using machinery during

the baking and packaging process, the locking arrangement is also useful for recycling

the baking trays for further use by easily dismantling the trays by using machinery in

a manner, as explained in previous sections.

[048] Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the tray

without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[049] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language

more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and

its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an

inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[050] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown

or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting

the invention into effect.

[051] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within

the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in

the art.

Claims

1. A baking tray for baking food in the tray, the tray comprising:

a second pair of upright side walls,

walls in an upright position by connecting corners of the tray,

baked in the tray,

pairs of side walls to connect via the locking arrangement,

wherein the locking arrangement comprises at least two openings positioned at

second pairs of the side walls of the baking tray in a folded configuration,

wherein there is an adjoining portion between the two openings that strengthens the

locking arrangement,

wherein the at least one second pair of side walls further comprises a tab on an upper

portion of the at least one second pair of side walls, wherein the tab can be folded via the at least one fold line towards a lower portion of the least one second pair of side walls, to allow the at least two openings to receive the at least one protruding member of the foldable flap, and wherein the at least one fold line comprises a first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the second fold line is substantially parallel to the first fold line

2. A baking tray according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fold line comprises

a series of incisions along its length to assist with folding of the tab.

3. A baking tray according to claim 1, wherein the opening present along the at

least one fold line on the second pair of side wall, is a slit.

4. A baking tray according to claim 3, wherein the slit has at least one incision at

a distal end of the slit to provide resilience when receiving the at least one protruding

member of the foldable flap.

5. A baking tray according to claim 4, wherein the at least one incision at the distal

end of the slit is substantially perpendicular to the slit.

6. A baking tray according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the at least one

incision at the distal end of the slit has a length that extends substantially between the

first fold line and the second fold line.

7. A baking tray according to claim 1, wherein the adjoining portion comprises a

slit.

8. A baking tray according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the foldable flap closest

to the base of the baking tray angles outwardly and away from the base of the baking

tray, when the first pairs of the side walls are in an upright configuration.

9. A baking tray according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the baking tray

is lined with a heat-resistant coating on at least one surface of the baking tray.

10. A baking tray according to claim 9, wherein the heat resistant coating lines an

interior of the baking tray, when the first and second pairs of side walls of the baking

tray are in upright configuration.

11. A baking tray according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the coating lines

at least a portion of an exterior of the baking tray, when the first and second pairs of

side walls of the baking tray are in upright configuration.

12. A blank for constructing a baking tray, the blank comprising:

pair of opposed side wall,

the second pair of side wall,

to be folded and positioned along one of the second pair of side walls to allow the tab to be folded over and above the foldable flap to position the flap between the tab and said one of the second pair of side walls, when at least a protruding member on the foldable flap is received by at least one opening on the second pair of side walls, to releasably hold the said at least one of the first and second pairs of side walls in an upright configuration via a locking arrangement, wherein the tab on the peripheral edge of the second pair of side wall comprises at least one fold line for folding the tab over and above the foldable flap, and wherein the at least one fold line comprises a first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the second fold line is substantially parallel to the first fold line.

13. A blank according to claim 12, wherein the at least one opening is present

along at least one fold line.

14. A blank according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the at least one fold

line comprises a series of incisions along its length to assist with folding of the tab.

15.A blank according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the opening is a slit.

16.A blank according to claim 15, wherein the slit has at least one incision at a distal end

of the slit to provide resilience when receiving the at least one protruding member of

the foldable flap.

17.A blank according to claim 16, wherein the at least one incision at the distal end of the

slit is substantially perpendicular to the slit.

18.A blank according to any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein the at least one incision at

the distal end of the slit has a length that extends substantially between the first fold

line and the second fold line.