ES2211189T3 - TRAY AND SEMIELABORATED CONTAINER. - Google Patents

Abstract

A tray and a blank (10) for forming a tray for holding foodstuff or the like which tray is formed from paperboard or like foldable sheet material and can be erected from a flat collapsed condition into a position of use. The tray comprises a plurality of panels (20, 14) including inner and outer base panels (20, 14) secured together and wherein one of the base panels includes a securing portion for securing to the other of said base panels, a lateral margin (72, 74) and a plurality of rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) foldably interconnecting said securing portion to said lateral margin (72, 74). The lateral margin (72, 74) and rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) are moveable relative the other of said base panels, such that the rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) are moved out of alignment with the base panel to form a rib (75, 86), which rib (75, 86) is automatically erected when the tray is erected into the position of use.

Description

Tray and semi-finished container.

The present invention relates to a box (or tray) to house a food product, for example fish or meat and, more particularly, to a box formed from one or several semi-finished cardboard or other material in folding band suitable.

It is known from WO 93/15962 to provide a fluid-tight packaging tray formed from of cardboard comprising a single base panel surrounded by some side and end wall structures that are joined by a closure arrangement to maintain a tight seal for the  food and avoid raising liquids by capillarity.

Tray structures formed from cardboard generally suffer from lack of resistance in comparison with trays formed from materials plastics, therefore more commonly the trays conform to from polystyrene or other plastic material.

Another problem is that there may be excess of liquid, for example blood or water from the food product, what which is not convenient. EP 0 662 066 illustrates a solution that shows a food product support that it comprises a first layer formed from cardboard and a second layer fixed to the first layer, the second layer comprising a Contact waterproof layer. The resulting composite layer includes a plurality of perforations that extend completely through the waterproof layer and they penetrate partially in the carton to allow the box or tray absorb the liquids.

The present invention, in its embodiment preferred, seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of prior art

An aspect of the invention provides a tray for containing a food product or the like, said forming being formed Tray from cardboard or similar foldable band material which can rise from a folded state to a position of utilization. The tray comprises a plurality of panels that include interior and exterior base panels fixed together and Opposite side and end wall panels. One of the panels base includes a side margin and one or several panels of rib joined in an articulated way to the lateral margin, in which the lateral margin and the one or several rib panels can move relative to the other panel of the base panels, so that one or more rib panels move out of  alignment of one of the base panels to form a rib. One of the base panels includes a fixing part for its fixing to the other panel of the base panels and in which the margin side is fixed to an adjacent side wall to make the rib rising automatically when the wall is lifted lateral to its position of use.

A tray advantage of the first aspect of the invention is that the total structure of the tray is reinforced by one or more ribs (or beam structures) and minimizes the sliding of food product slices when the tray is arranged vertically on the shelves of Supermarket. The use of cardboard allows to apply information printed on the tray for marketing purposes and provides an alternative to plastic material "that does not damage the environment environment".

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the rib can be formed from the panel of interior base and when rising determines a panel part that extends longitudinally.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the rib may comprise a pair of folding rib panels joined together to determine a substantially V-shaped cross section of said part of the panel that extends longitudinally. By way of alternatively, the rib may comprise three rib panels folded together to determine a section substantially fork-shaped cross section of said part of longitudinally extending panel.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the lateral margin may be attached to a side wall and when folding the side wall out of alignment with respect to the base wall panels the rib rising automatically.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the side wall may comprise a panel side wall folded together along a first fold line to the side margin of said inner base panel and an outer side wall panel foldably attached to the along a second fold line to the outer base panel, and in which the inner and outer side wall panels are fix each other, in which said first and second lines of fold are offset so that the lateral margin of said inner base panel extends upwards and separates from said outer base panel for determining a cavity. Preferably, the cavity can be adapted to receive liquid of the food product and optionally may include some absorbent means to absorb said liquid.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tray may comprise a plurality of perforations in the inner base panel and / or said first fold line to facilitate the movement of liquid from the food product for absorption by absorbent means arranged between the inner and outer base panels.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the rib may be adapted to determine an intermediate cavity between the base panels indoor and outdoor Preferably, the cavity may be adapted to receive liquid from the food product.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the cavity may include means absorbents to absorb said liquid.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the rib may be formed from of the outer base panel and when raised determines a beam of support that extends longitudinally.

A second aspect of the invention provides a semi-finished to form a tray comprising panels of inner and outer base, pairs of side and end walls arranged in opposition joined mutually to the outer base panel and end closure arrangements adapted to join each side wall to adjacent end wall panels. The panel Internal base includes a lateral margin and at least one panel of rib joined in an articulated way to the lateral part. The lateral margin and the at least one rib panel can move in relation to the outer base panel, so that the at least one rib panel can move out of alignment with a base panel to form a rib. One of the base panels include in series the lateral margin, one or several rib panels, and a fixing part to fix to said outer base panel joined in a series articulated manner and wherein said margin is adapted for fixing to a panel of adjacent wall to cause said rib to rise automatically when said side wall is raised to the position of use.

According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the semi-finished can further comprise a side wall panel folded together along the first fold line to the side margin of said base panel interior and an outer side wall panel attached so foldable along a second fold line to the base panel exterior, and in which the interior side wall panels and exteriors are fixed together so that said first and second fold lines are offset, the first line being fold superimposed on the outer side wall panel.

A third aspect of the invention provides a procedure to form a tray from a semi-finished, said tray comprising a plurality of panels including fixed inner and outer base panels each other and opposing side and end wall panels, in the that one of the base panels includes a lateral margin and one or several rib panels folded together to said lateral margin, said lateral margin is fixed to a panel of adjacent side wall, said method comprising the stages of: fold the side walls inward to make the lateral margin and said one or several rib panels are move relative to the other panel of said base panels, to thereby move said one or more panels of rib outside out of alignment with said a panel of the panels of base to form a rib.

Below are some ways to embodiment, by way of example only, referring to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a semi-finished to form a box according to a form of preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a box shaped to from the semi-finished one illustrated in figure 1 during the creased; Y

Figure 4 is an isometric illustration of a box formed from a semi-finished product represented in the Figure 1.

Referring to figure 1 is shown in the same a semi-finished 10 to form a tray or box folding made from one or several semi-finished products cardboard or similar folding band material. The semi-finished 10 it comprises a first outer side wall panel 12, a panel of outer base 14, a second outer side wall panel 16, a inner side wall panel 18, an inner base panel 20, a second inner side wall panel 22 so bonded together articulated along the fold lines 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 respectively. In another embodiment, they can be used semifinished separated to form the interior panels and exterior respectively.

Preferably, said semi-finished comprises furthermore an end wall structure, for example a panel of outer end wall 34 jointedly joined to an edge side of the outer base panel 14 along the line of fold 36 and a second outer end wall panel 38 attached articulated to the opposite side edge of the base panel exterior 14 along the fold line 40. Preferably, each outer end wall panel 34, 36 may comprise furthermore a support fin 42, 44 located along the edges distal of the outer end fins 34, 36 respectively along the fold lines 46 and 48.

Adequate fixing means are provided. to join the end and side wall panels. In this embodiment these comprise a pair of fixing fins arranged in opposition 50, 52 extending from the ends opposite of the outer end wall panels 34, 38 and are attached to them along the fold lines 54 and 56 respectively. The fixing fins 50, 52 are adjacent to the outer side wall panels 12, 16 and separated from the same for the cut lines 58, 60 respectively. The way of the fins and the use of the cutting lines 58, 60 gives as resulted in a reduction in cardboard.

Also, a pair of fins can be included end 62, 64, said fins 62, 64 being joined so foldable to inner base panel 20 along some edges opposite sides. In this embodiment, the fin of end 62 is articulatedly attached to the inner base panel along a central part of the lateral edge determined by fold line 66 and similarly, the second end fin 64 is joined in an articulated manner along a central part of the opposite side edge determined by the fold line 68.

Returning to the construction of the base panel interior 20, this comprises a fixing part 70, to fix the inner base panel to outer base panel. In figure 1 This is arranged in a central position. The panel comprises also at least a lateral margin 72, 74 separated from the part of  fixing by at least one rib panel that can be folded into a rib (or beam structure) 75, 86. In this form of embodiment, this comprises two beam structures 75, 86 formed from a pair of rib panels 76, 78, 94, 96 each of them determined by a series of fold lines 80, 82, 84; 88, 90, 92 extending longitudinally from side to side of the inner base panel 20. Side margins 72, 74 are foldably attached to ribbing panels 78, 94 at along the fold line 80, 92 respectively. The part of fixing 70 is foldably attached to the other panels of rib 76, 96 along the fold lines 84, 88 respectively. In a raised position, each beam structure It has a substantially "V" section cross.

In other types of embodiment, the ribs may comprise more (or less) panels adapted to determine one or more ribs with different sections transverse, for example in the form of a fork or shape square. In other types of embodiments, there may be only a rib that could, for example, be located in a central part of the base panel, whereby the part of fixing would move to an outside of the base panel inside. Alternatively, the rib or each rib could be formed from the outer base panel without departing from the scope of the invention if it is desired to use the ribs as a reinforcement and / or support element.

In this embodiment, the structure of beam or each beam structure 75, 86 and lateral margins 72, 74 are separated from end fins 62, 64 by lines of fold 98, 100 respectively. As illustrated in Figure 1, the fold lines 30, 32 and the fold lines 80, 82, 84, 88, 90, 92 determining the beam structures 75, 86 are partly determined preferably by a series of cuts interrupted for ease of folding of adjacent panels. The cuts can be placed to help eliminate the excess liquid food product.

Going back to the construction of the illustrated support in figures 2, 3 and 4, the inner panels 18, 20, 22; 62, 64 fold down the center fold line 28 and in relation to overlap with the respective outer panels 16, 14, 12; 42, 44 and are fixed together by applying G or other glue suitable means known in the art. In the present form of embodiment, the central or fixing part 70, is fixed to the panel of outer base 14 by a pair of tail lines 102 adjacent to the inner fold lines 84, 88 as shown in the Figure 2. Additionally, the side wall panels 18, 22 are fixed to the respective outer side wall panels 16, 12 by a pair of tail lines 104 adjacent to the lines of fold 26, 24. Thus, the box is in a folded form flat for delivery to the user so that it can be lifted to provide a tray.

It is planned that the present box invention can be shaped by a series of operations sequential folding and gluing, which can be done in a continuous line machine, so that it is not required to turn or invert the box to complete its construction. The procedure of folding is not limited to that described herein document and can be altered according to manufacturing requirements private individuals

Going back to figure 2, it can be seen in the same as the side margins 72, 74 and the panels of rib 76, 78, 94, 96 of the inner base panel 20 are not fixed to the outer base panel 14 and therefore can move with respect to the outer base panel 14. In this way of embodiment, the inner fold lines 30 and 32 are off center with respect to fold lines 24 and 26 respectively at a distance "A" indicated in figure 2 which helps facilitate the construction of the beam structure, as described below.

The box (or tray) is formed by folding the side wall panels 12/22 and 16/18 inward along the lines fold 24 and 26 respectively, as shown in figure 3. This folding action "X" and "Y" makes the margins sides 72, 74 fold out of alignment along the fold lines 30 and 32 and rib panels 76, 78; 94, 96 of the inner base panel move inward and compress in relation to the outer and base side wall panels 16, 12, 14 and / or the inner end wall panels 62, 64. Of this way, the rib panels 76, 78, 94, 96 fold out of alignment with the fixing part 70 and the base panel interior 20, along the fold lines 80, 82, 84, 88, 90, 92 of so that the beam structures 75, 86 rise automatically. Figure 3 shows that by elevating the rib 75, 86 a cavity 112 is formed. In this form of realization the lateral margins 72, 74 move up with respect to the outer base panel 14 because the lines of  fold 30, 32 are offset from the respective lines of outer fold 26, 24 as illustrated in figure 3. Of this mode a cavity (or spacing) 110 is formed between the lateral margin or each side margin and the outer base panel.

It is planned that the beam structure can get up automatically using settings other than described above, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the lateral margin or each lateral margin does not requires to be attached to the wall panel (s) lateral (s) but it could simply rely on it (they). When the side wall panels fold towards inside, the lateral margins will be pushed in by the side wall panels. Appropriate means would be used to limit the vertical displacement of the lateral margins by example a hook or protruding part. Of course, in these embodiments, it would not be necessary for a cavity to form or spacing when the beam structures rise automatically.

To finish the construction of the box of the illustrated embodiment, the end walls are formed folding the end wall panel 34, 38 along the lines of fold 36, 40 and end fins 42, 44 fold toward inside by the fold lines 46, 48 respectively to be placed intermediate between end wall panels 62, 64 and the end portions of the beam structures 75, 86. Preferably, the end fins 42, 44 are retained by beam structures 75, 86 and / or lateral margins 72, 74. Advantageously, this does not require a queue to retain the end fins 42, 44. Finally, the fixing fins 50, 52 they are fixed to the outer side wall panels 12, 16 by known fixing means suitable for retaining the tray in a raised position, as illustrated in figure 4. A then the food product is loaded into the tray from above and a film can be applied by stretching on the tray to tightly close the container.

Therefore, Figure 4 shows a tray to contain a food product or the like, being shaped said tray from cardboard or folding band material similar and can rise from a flat folded state represented in figure 2, to a position of use illustrated in the Figure 4. The tray comprises a plurality of panels that include inner and outer base panels 14, 20 fixed each. One of the base panels 20 includes a lateral margin 72, a fixing part 70 for fixing it to the other panel of the base panels 14 and at least one rib panel 76, 78 that folding the fixing part to the part mutually side. The lateral margin and the rib panel (s) can be moved relative to the other panel of the panels base, so that the rib panel (s) are move (n) out of the plane of said base panel to forming a rib 75, said rib rising 75 automatically when the tray is raised to the utilization represented in figure 3.

The beam structures 75, 86 in the container reinforce the overall structure of the tray and help prevent the food product slips (for example a slice of meat or fish) when the tray is arranged vertically in the supermarket shelf.

The resulting cavity (or spacing) 112 created by beam structure 75, 86 and / or cavity 110 below the side margins 72, 74 of the inner panel provide a spacing between the two-layer material that can be used to receive excess liquid from the food product (for example blood or water) It is planned that the cavity or each cavity 112, 110  can be adapted to receive suitable absorbent material, by example a stamp or absorption bag, preferably during the initial elevation process or by applying a polymer gel, for example polyacrylamide, during the steps of raised or glued of the conformation of the box. Alternatively, the interior surfaces of the cavities 110, 112 could be uncoated so that the material in folding band absorb the liquid directly.

In one type of embodiments, they are stamped cuts or perforations in inner base panel 22 to help to the displacement of liquid from the top surface of the panel of inner base 22 towards the cavity or each cavity 110, 112. In other embodiments, interior contact surfaces of the inner and outer base panels can absorb liquid. In these embodiments in which the fold lines 30, 32, 80, 82, 84 are determined in part by a series of cuts, the cuts can help the movement of liquids.

An advantage of the preferred feature mentioned in the previous paragraph is that it allows a space (or cavity) between the two-layer structure that can be used to absorb excess liquid from the food product and, advantageously minimizes the capillarity effect.

Advantageously, the embodiment of two layers described earlier in this document provides for a structure that is reinforced to contain a product food The use of cardboard material provides a alternative "that does not harm the environment" to the trays alternatives formed from plastic material and the Tray can include a printed theme for commercial purposes.

It will be recognized that as used in this document, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "inside" and "outside" do not limit the respective panels to this orientation, but only serve to distinguish these panels from each other. Any reference to a articulated union should not be construed as referring necessarily to a single fold line only: really it is envisioned that an articulated joint can be formed from one or more of the following lines, a marked line, a line frangible or a fold line, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention and its embodiment preferred refers to an article holder that is shaped to provide satisfactory rigidity to support items such as meat or fish safely but with a degree of flexibility. The semi-finished shape minimizes the amount of cardboard required for the box. Items can be applied to support by hand or by automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of box or tray types and is not limited to those of flat tubular type, for example the flat tubular structure could be replaced by a structure with side and end wall panels to receive cuts from bigger meat. In addition, the beam structure (s)  can be formed from the outer panels of the box and / or may (n) include one or more beam structures, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. Tray for containing a food or similar product, said tray being formed from cardboard or similar foldable band material and being able to be erected from a flat folded state to a position of use, said tray comprising a plurality of panels including panels of inner and outer base (20, 14) fixed to each other and opposite side (12, 16, 18, 22) and end (34, 38, 62, 64) wall panels, in which one of the base panels includes a lateral margin (72, 74) and one or more rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) mutually joined in a foldable manner to said lateral margin (72, 74), in which the lateral margin and said one or more rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) can be moved relative to the other panel of said base panels, such that said one or more rib panels move out of alignment of said one of the base panels ( 20, 14) to form a rib (75, 86), characterized in that a p Anel of said base panels includes a fixing part (70) for fixing to the other panel of said base panels and because said lateral margin is fixed to an adjacent side wall panel (12, 16, 18, 22) to make that said rib (75, 86) is automatically lifted when the side wall is erected to its position of use. 2. Tray according to claim 1, wherein the rib (75, 86) is formed from said base panel inside (20) and when it rises determines a panel part that It extends longitudinally. 3. Tray according to claim 2, wherein the rib (75, 86) comprises a pair of rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) folded together to determine a substantially V-shaped cross section of said part of longitudinally extending panel. 4. Tray according to claim 2, wherein the rib (75, 86) comprises three joined rib panels folding each other to determine a cross section substantially in the form of a fork of said panel part which It extends longitudinally. 5. Tray according to any of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the lateral margin (72, 74) is attached to a side wall (12, 16, 18, 22) and the rib (75, 86) automatically lift when folding the wall side out of alignment with respect to the base panels (20, 14). 6. Tray according to claim 5, wherein the side wall comprises an inner side wall panel (18, 22) folded together along a first line of fold to the lateral margin (72, 74) of said inner base panel (20) and an outer side wall panel (12, 16) attached in a manner foldable along a second fold line to the base panel  exterior (14), and in which the inner side wall panels and exteriors (18, 22, 12, 16) are fixed together, and said first and second fold lines are offset off that the lateral margin (72, 74) of said inner base panel (20) extends upwards and is separated from said base panel exterior (14) to determine a cavity (110). 7. Tray according to claim 6, wherein the cavity (110) is adapted to receive liquid from the product food 8. Tray according to claim 7, wherein said tray further comprises a plurality of perforations in the inner base panel (20) and / or said first fold line to facilitate the movement of liquid from the product food for absorption by absorbent means arranged  between the inner and outer base panels (20, 14). 9. Tray according to any of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the rib (75, 86) is adapted to determine an intermediate cavity (112, 114) between the inner and outer base panels (20, 14). 10. Tray according to claim 9, wherein the cavity (112, 114) is adapted to receive liquid from the food product. 11. Tray according to any of the claims 6 to 10, wherein the cavity (112, 114) includes absorbent means to absorb said liquid. 12. Tray according to claim 1, wherein the rib (75, 86) is formed from said base panel exterior (14) and when raised determines a support beam that It extends longitudinally. 13. Semi-finished to form a tray comprising inner and outer base panels (20, 14), pairs of side wall panels (12, 16, 18, 22) and end wall panels (34, 38, 62, 64 ) arranged in opposition mutually joined to said outer base panel (14) and end closure arrangements adapted to join each side wall panel to adjacent end wall panels, in which the inner base panel (20) includes a lateral margin (72, 74) and at least one rib panel (76, 78, 94, 96) that mutually join said fixing part (70) to said lateral part, in which the lateral margin and said by at least one rib panel can be moved relative to the outer base panel (14), so that said at least one rib panel (76, 78, 94, 96) can move out of alignment with said a panel of base (20, 14) to form a rib (75, 86), characterized in that said a panel of the base panels (20, 14) includes in series the lateral margin, one or several rib panels, and a fixing part (70) for fixing said outer base panel (14) connected in series in an articulated manner, and because said lateral margin it is adapted for fixing to an adjacent side wall panel (12, 16, 18, 22) to cause said rib (75, 86) to automatically lift when the side wall is erected to its position of use. 14. Semi-finished according to claim 12, which further comprises an inner side wall panel (18, 22) attached foldably along the first fold line at lateral margin (72, 74) of said inner base panel (20) and a outer side wall panel (12, 16) foldably attached to along a second fold line to the outer base panel (14), and in which the inner side wall panels and exteriors (18, 22, 12, 16) are fixed together so that said first and second fold lines are off center, superimposing the first fold line to the wall panel outer side 15. Semi-finished to form a tray according to any of claims 1 to 12. 16. Procedure for forming a tray from a semi-finished one, the tray comprising a plurality of panels including inner and outer base panels (20, 14) fixed to each other and
side wall panels (12, 16, 18, 22) and opposite end wall panels (34, 38, 62, 64), in which one of the base panels includes a side margin (72, 74) and a or several ribs (76, 78, 94, 96) mutually joined in a foldable manner to said lateral margin (72, 74), said lateral margin being fixed to a side wall panel (12, 16, 18, 22), said method comprising the following steps: folding the side walls inwards to cause the lateral margin and said one or more rib panels (76, 78, 94, 96) to move (n) in relation to the other panel of said base panels, to thereby move said one or more rib panels out of alignment of said one panel of the base panels (20, 14) to form a rib (75, 86).