EP4242120A1 - Tray for transporting and displaying fruit or vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

Tray (1) for transporting and presenting fruit or vegetables, obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, said tray comprising a bottom wall (2) provided with sides extended by side walls (3, 4) respectively, said side walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising one or two folding tabs (50) which extend one or two side walls to form an openable wall (5) extending in face of the bottom wall, in which the bottom wall (2) is provided with several windows (20).

Description

[Technical area]

The invention relates to a tray for transporting and presenting fruit or vegetables, the tray being obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material.

The invention finds application in the field of packaging of fruits (such as apples, pears, oranges, etc.) and vegetables, for transport and presentation on a market or store stall.

[State of the art]

In a known manner, fruits and vegetables can be presented and sold in bulk, and they can also be presented and sold in batches packaged in closed trays.

Such trays are advantageous for transporting fruits and vegetables, with good preservation conditions against shocks, and also for displaying fruits and vegetables on a market or store stall.

In the field of closed trays, it is known, for example from documents WO2019/195243 , US2968392 And FR2632273 , to have a bottom wall provided with sides extended by respective side walls, these side walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and to also have one or two folding tabs which extend one or two side walls to form an openable wall extending opposite the bottom wall. Thus, on the packaging line, the trays are opened, with the tab(s) open, in order to be able to place the fruits or vegetables inside, then the trays are closed by closing the tab(s), and thus the fruits or vegetables are packaged; the trays will only be reopened by the end consumer.

With this type of tray, it is the openable wall, formed by the closed tab(s), which is exposed on top in the stall, visible to buyers, while the back wall, solid, forms the below the tray on which the fruit or vegetables rest. It is also conventional to use an adhesive label on the tab(s) to keep them closed. This adhesive label is conventionally used to display information such as the name, brand, logo, origin, qualities, virtues and/or regulatory information of the product.

A disadvantage of this type of tray is having one or two tabs and an adhesive label which largely conceal the fruits or vegetables, so that the consumer only has a slight glimpse of the products contained in the tray.

The state of the art can also be illustrated by the teachings of the document EP2316746 which describes a tray for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material (cardboard for example), this tray comprising a bottom wall provided with sides extended by respective side walls, these side walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising a folding tab which extends a side wall to form an openable wall extending opposite the bottom wall.

As described in this document, the back wall is provided with several windows and the openable wall (formed by the tongue) is also provided with large openings to form a handle (or handle); these large openings representing almost 50% of the surface of the openable wall. This tray can thus be presented with the handle on top (therefore with its openable wall on top) so as to be able to manually grasp it at the level of the handle. Although improving the visibility of fruits or vegetables through the large openings, this tray is not entirely satisfactory for the marketing information that we would like to present to the customer.

[Summary of the invention]

The object of the invention is to provide a tray which has an increased surface area for information, and in particular marketing information such as attractive visuals, a logo, drawings in shapes and colors adapted to the product, etc., while increasing the visibility of the fruits or vegetables contained in the tray.

To this end, the invention proposes a tray for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, such a tray comprising a bottom wall provided with extended sides by respective side walls, these side walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising one or two folding tabs which extend one or two side walls to form an openable wall extending opposite the bottom wall, where the bottom wall is provided with several windows, the tray being remarkable in that the bottom wall offers a given surface area, and the openable wall offers a surface area which represents at least 70% of the surface area of the bottom wall.

Thus, the invention proposes to provide windows in the bottom wall, in order to present the tray on the stall upside down, in other words with the bottom wall which forms the top of the tray (opposite the common practices which require that it is the openable wall which forms the top of the tray), which has the advantage of offering an increased surface area for marketing information, while leaving the fruits or vegetables visible through the windows.

Furthermore, the openable wall has a large surface area, because it is greater than or equal to 70% of the surface area of the bottom wall, which allows the fruits or vegetables to be held in place once the tray is upside down on site. exhibition and sales. For the purposes of the invention, this surface area of the openable wall corresponds to the surface area of the semi-rigid material in the openable wall, so that the surface area of any openings which would be provided in the openable wall is not taken into consideration. in this surface area of the openable wall. On the other hand, the surface area of the back wall corresponds to the overall surface area, windows included. Indeed, what counts is the surface area of the material of the openable wall projected onto the overall surface area of the bottom wall, which determines the extent of the material in the openable wall which contributes to supporting the fruits or vegetables. when the tray is upside down.

On the packaging line, it is advantageous to have an open tray, with the tab(s) open, and to place the fruits or vegetables upside down in the tray, then close the tray, closing the tab(s) (for example by means of an adhesive label or any other suitable means of closure). During transport, the tray can be stored right side up or upside down, it doesn't matter. On the other hand, once on the stall, the tray is placed upside down (with the openable but closed wall on the bottom and with the bottom wall on top) and thus the fruits or vegetables are right side up and visible through the windows in the back wall.

Advantageously, the openable wall does not include and does not form a handle or handle.

Indeed, this openable wall is not intended, according to the invention, to offer a handle or a handle for the customer, because this openable wall is on the bottom and the customer does not see it. Such a handle or handle would also be poorly compatible, or even incompatible, with the use sought by the invention, namely the presentation of the tray upside down. Indeed, providing a handle or handle in the openable wall would require providing large openings in this openable wall, through which the fruits or vegetables could escape once the tray is upside down.

In an advantageous embodiment, the windows are sized and located so that the fruits or vegetables, when present in the tray in a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows.

Thus, depending on the fruits or vegetables and depending on their distribution pattern in the tray, the windows are shaped or arranged in order to prevent their passage through these windows on the assembly line or during transport (tray at the bottom). 'place).

According to one characteristic, the windows each have at least one dimension, called minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruits or vegetables.

According to another characteristic, the minimum dimension of the windows is less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 5 centimeters.

Such a size for the windows is advantageous in order to be able to clearly display the fruits or vegetables on the display (tray upside down), while preventing them from passing through these windows on the assembly line or during transport (tray upside down). the place).

According to a first possibility, the several windows provide a mesh structure to the back wall.

According to a second possibility, the pattern of distribution of fruits or vegetables has at least two rows and at least two columns, and the windows are positioned between two rows and/or between two columns.

Thus, by positioning the windows between two rows and/or between two columns of fruits or vegetables, they will extend astride two fruits or vegetables, or even between four fruits or vegetables, thus preventing the latter from being able to pass through. through these windows.

According to another possibility, the back wall offers a given surface area, and the windows together define an open surface area which represents between 25 and 60% of the surface area of the back wall.

According to another possibility, the tab or both tabs is closed or are closed by means of an adhesive label.

An advantage of this adhesive label is that, once the tray is upside down, the mandatory information (indication of origin, weight, price, nature of the product, etc.) can be present on this adhesive label, therefore under the tray which is upside down, while the marketing information (logo, slogan, brand, etc.) is on the back wall and therefore visible to the consumer.

According to another possibility, the tab or the two tabs is closed or are closed by gluing, stapling, punching, or by interlocking between tabs and slots.

In a particular embodiment, which the tab or both tabs is solid or are solid.

Alternatively, the tab or each of the two tabs has an opening.

In this case, the area of the openable wall corresponds to the overall area of the openable wall from which the areas of these openings are subtracted.

In a particular embodiment, the surface area of the bottom wall represents at least 80% of the surface area of the bottom wall.

In other words, the surface area of the openable wall (or the tab(s)) corresponds to at least 80% of the surface area of the bottom wall; so that this openable wall, when the tray is upside down, offers a surface area of its semi-rigid material which is increased to support the fruits or vegetables.

The invention also relates to a use of a tray according to the invention, for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, in which the several windows of the bottom wall are dimensioned and located so that the fruits or vegetables present in the tray according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows, and in which the tray is displayed on a place of exhibition and sale upside down with the bottom wall on top to make fruits or vegetables visible through windows.

According to one embodiment, the windows each have at least one dimension, called minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruits or vegetables present in the tray.

According to another embodiment, the fruit or vegetable distribution pattern has at least two rows and at least two columns, and the windows are positioned between two rows and/or between two columns.

[Brief description of the figures]

• [Fig 1] est une vue schématique en perspective d'une première barquette selon l'invention, vue du côté de sa paroi ouvrable, autrement dit dans une présentation « à l'endroit » ;
• [Fig 2] est une vue schématique en perspective de la première barquette, vue du côté de sa paroi de fond, autrement dit dans une présentation « à l'envers » ;
• [Fig 3] est une vue schématique en perspective de la première barquette, vue du côté de sa paroi de fond (présentation « à l'envers ») et avec la présence de fruits ou légumes à l'intérieur de la première barquette ;
• [Fig 4] est une vue schématique de côté (côté largeur) de la première barquette, avec la présence de fruits ou légumes ;
• [Fig 5] est une autre vue schématique de côté (côté longueur) de la première barquette, avec la présence de fruits ou légumes ;
• [Fig 6] est une vue schématique d'une seconde barquette selon l'invention, vue de face du côté de sa paroi ouvrable, autrement dit dans une présentation « à l'endroit » ;
• [Fig 7] est une autre vue schématique de la seconde barquette, vue de dos du côté de sa paroi de fond, autrement dit dans une présentation « à l'envers » ;
• [Fig 8] est une vue schématique de côté (côté longueur) de la seconde barquette, avec la présence de fruits ou légumes ;
• [Fig 9] est une vue schématique en perspective d'une troisième barquette selon l'invention, vue du côté de sa paroi de fond (présentation « à l'envers ») et avec la présence de fruits ou légumes à l'intérieur de la troisième barquette ; et
• [Fig 10] est une vue schématique en perspective d'une quatrième barquette selon l'invention, vue du côté de sa paroi de fond (présentation « à l'envers ») et avec la présence de fruits ou légumes à l'intérieur de la quatrième barquette.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of several non-limiting examples of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:

• [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic perspective view of a first tray according to the invention, seen from the side of its openable wall, in other words in an “upright” presentation;
• [ Figure 2 ] is a schematic perspective view of the first tray, seen from the side of its bottom wall, in other words in an “upside down” presentation;
• [ Figure 3 ] is a schematic perspective view of the first tray, seen from the side of its bottom wall (“upside down” presentation) and with the presence of fruits or vegetables inside the first tray;
• [ Figure 4 ] is a schematic side view (width side) of the first tray, with the presence of fruits or vegetables;
• [ Figure 5 ] is another schematic side view (length side) of the first tray, with the presence of fruits or vegetables;
• [ Figure 6 ] is a schematic view of a second tray according to the invention, seen from the front from the side of its openable wall, in other words in an “upright” presentation;
• [ Figure 7 ] is another schematic view of the second tray, seen from behind from the side of its bottom wall, in other words in an “upside down” presentation;
• [ Figure 8 ] is a schematic side view (length side) of the second tray, with the presence of fruits or vegetables;
• [ Figure 9 ] is a schematic perspective view of a third tray according to the invention, seen from the side of its bottom wall (“upside down” presentation) and with the presence of fruits or vegetables inside the third tray ; And
• [ Figure 10 ] is a schematic perspective view of a fourth tray according to the invention, seen from the side of its bottom wall (“upside down” presentation) and with the presence of fruits or vegetables inside the fourth tray .

[Detailed description of examples of embodiment of the invention]

THE Figures 1 to 5 relate to a first tray 1 according to the invention, the Figures 5 to 8 relate to a second tray 10 according to the invention, the Figure 9 relates to a third tray 100 according to the invention and the Figure 10 relates to a fourth tray 101 according to the invention. For the remainder of the description, the same numerical references will be used for the structural or functional elements which are identical or similar in the four trays 1, 10, 100, 101.

The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 is obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, such as for example cardboard, in which transverse and longitudinal folding lines are provided intended to define walls 2 , 3, 4, 5; such a tray 1, 10 being intended for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables 9. These fruits or vegetables 9 are distributed inside the tray according to a distribution pattern that has at least two rows and at least two columns. In other words, the fruits or vegetables 9 are distributed over at least two rows and at least two columns. In the examples illustrated, there are two rows of three fruits or vegetables 9, and therefore two rows and three columns.

More precisely, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 comprises a bottom wall 2 provided with sides 21, and in which windows 20 are provided. This bottom wall 2 can have a generally rectangular shape with four sides, possibly beveled at the level of its four corners. The windows 20 can be of various shapes, such as for example polygonal, circular, oval, or more complex shapes, such as for example and without limitation in the shape of the profile of a fruit or vegetable (as is the case on there Figure 9 with an apple profile) or heart-shaped (as in the example of the Figure 10 ). The windows 20 have dimensions which are less than or equal to 5 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 3 centimeters.

In the embodiments of figure 2 , 3 And 7 , these windows 20 provide a mesh structure to the bottom wall 2, with at least ten windows 20.

In the embodiments of figures 9 and 10 , these windows 20 are two in number.

Generally speaking, the windows 20 are sized and located so that the fruits or vegetables 9, when present in the tray according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows 20, in particular when the tray is exposed to upside down with bottom wall 2 on top.

These windows 20 each have at least one dimension, called the minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruits or vegetables, precisely to prevent the fruits or vegetables 9 from passing through. This minimum dimension may be less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 5 centimeters.

In the examples of Figures 9 and 10 , the windows 20 are positioned between two rows and between two columns of fruits or vegetables 9, so that the windows 20 (for example in the shape of an apple or heart) extend astride four fruits or vegetables 9. Thus, fruits and vegetables 9, stuck in their rows and columns, cannot pass through the windows 20.

Furthermore, the bottom wall 2 offers a given surface area (for example its length multiplied by its width in the case of a rectangular bottom wall 2), and the windows 20 together define an open surface area (the sum of the surface areas of the windows 20) which represents between 25 and 60% of the surface area of the bottom wall 2.

The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 also comprises side walls 3, 4 which extend the sides 21 of the bottom wall 2. The side walls 3, 4 have first edges 31, 41 contiguous or merging with the sides 21 of the bottom wall 2, folding lines being provided in the sidewall to define these sides 21 of the bottom wall 2, between the bottom wall 2 and the side walls 3, 4. Once the side walls 3, 4 are folded at right angles to the bottom wall 2, the side walls 3, 4 are joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, for example by gluing, stapling, punching, or by interlocking between tabs and slots. The side walls 3, 4 also have second edges 32, 42 opposite and parallel to their respective first edges 31, 41. In the examples illustrated, the tray 1, 10 comprises two side walls 3 called longitudinal side walls which extend along the length of the bottom wall 2 facing each other, and comprises at least two side walls 4 which connect the longitudinal side walls 3 to form the closed perimeter.

The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 further comprises one or two folding tabs 50 which extend one or two side walls 3, 4 to form an openable wall 5 extending opposite the bottom wall 2. This openable wall 5 has a surface area (here the surface area of the semi-rigid material, excluding any openings) which covers at least 70%, and for example at least 80%, of the surface area of the back wall 2 (here the overall surface area, windows included ) ; so as to provide a large surface area for holding fruits or vegetables once the tray is upside down.

In the examples illustrated in the Figures, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 comprises two tongues 50 which extend the two respective longitudinal side walls 3. These two longitudinal side walls 3 thus have their second edges 32 which define folding lines provided in the sidewall, between the longitudinal side walls 3 and the respective tongues 50. The other side walls 4 have their second edges 32 which are free. The two tongues 50 are dimensioned to be able to partially overlap one another, so as to be able to form an openable wall 5 extending opposite the bottom wall 2. For this, the two tongues 50 can be open, in other words be spaced apart from each other and not joined, in particular when placing the fruits or vegetables 9 inside the tray 1, 10, 100, 101. Then the two tabs 50 can be closed , by being folded over one another and kept closed by means of an adhesive label 6 stuck astride the two tabs 50. It is possible to keep the two tabs 50 closed by another means of closure, such as for example by gluing, stapling, punching, or by interlocking between tabs and slots.

In a variant not illustrated, the tray comprises a single tongue which extends one of the side walls 3, 4, and for example one of the two longitudinal side walls 3. This tongue will be sufficiently long or wide to reach another side wall 3, 4 located opposite, such as for example the other of the two longitudinal side walls 3. This single tongue will by itself form an openable wall extending opposite the bottom wall 2. This single tongue can be opened, otherwise said to be separated from the other side wall, then it can be closed, by being folded over the other side wall and kept closed by means of an adhesive label or any other means of closure, such as for example by gluing, stapling , punching, or by interlocking between legs and slots.

In the example of Figures 1 to 5 , the tabs 50 are solid (therefore without holes), while in the example of Figures 6 to 8 , the tabs 50 each have an opening 51, which is advantageous for manual entry (like a handle).

Once the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 closed with these fruits or vegetables 9 inside, the tray 1, 10 can be transported to the place (that is to say with the bottom wall 2 on the bottom and the openable wall 5 on the top, as illustrated on the Figures 1 And 6 ) or upside down (i.e. with the bottom wall 2 on top and the openable wall 5 on the bottom, as illustrated on the Figures 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 and 10 ). On the other hand, and this is the advantage of the invention, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 once present on the market or store stall (in other words the place of exhibition and sale), the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 is exposed upside down with the bottom wall 2 on top to make the fruits or vegetables 9 visible through the windows 20. Information (inscriptions, markings, attractive visuals, logo, drawings , etc.) will advantageously be provided on the back wall 2 (on the exterior side visible to customers), between the windows 20, to increase the attractiveness of the product and the information communicated to buyers.

Claims (13)

Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) for transporting and presenting fruit or vegetables (9), obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, said tray comprising a bottom wall (2 ) provided with sides (21) extended by respective side walls (3, 4), said side walls (3, 4) being joined consecutively to form a closed periphery, and further comprising one or two folding tabs (50) which extend one or two side walls (3) to form an openable wall (5) extending opposite the bottom wall (2), where the bottom wall (2) is provided with several windows (20), said tray ( 1; 10; 100; 101) being characterized in that the bottom wall (2) offers a given surface area, and the openable wall (5) offers a surface area which represents at least 70% of the surface area of the bottom wall ( 2). Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to claim 1, in which the openable wall (5) does not comprise and does not form a handle or handle. Tray (1; 10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the windows (20) each have at least one dimension, called minimum dimension, where the minimum dimension of the windows (20) is less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and by example less than or equal to 5 centimeters. Tray (1; 10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the several windows (20) provide a mesh structure to the bottom wall (2). Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom wall (2) offers a given surface area, and the windows (20) together define an open surface area which represents between 25 and 60 % of the surface area of the bottom wall (2). Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the tab or the two tabs (50) is closed or are closed by means of an adhesive label (6). Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the tongue or the two tongues (50) is closed or are closed by gluing, stapling, punching, or by nesting between tabs and slots. Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the tongue or the two tongues (50) is solid or are solid. Tray (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the tab or each of the two tabs (50) has an opening. Tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the surface area of the openable wall (5) represents at least 80% of the surface area of the bottom wall (2). Use of a tray (1; 10; 100; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables (9), in which the several windows (20) of the wall of bottom (2) are dimensioned and located so that the fruits or vegetables (9) present in the tray (1; 10) according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows (20), and in which the tray (1; 10) is displayed in a place of exhibition and sale upside down with the bottom wall (2) on top to make the fruits or vegetables (9) visible through the windows (20). Use according to claim 11, in which the windows (20) each have at least one dimension, called minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruits or vegetables (9) present in the tray (1; 10). Use according to claim 11 or 12, in which the fruit or vegetable distribution pattern (9) has at least two rows and at least two columns, and the windows (20) are positioned between two rows and/or between two columns.

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