ES2333504B1 - FOLDING TRAY FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Folding tray for fruits and vegetables of the type of those formed from a die cut sheet (1), in which a bottom (2) is delimited by folding lines and lateral ones (3, 4), which is intended both to allow the folded by said sides as improve the reinforcement of their corners occupying a minimum space during transport in folded position and allowing a quick assembly that is structured, basically, from some inner visors (6) in the opposite sides (3) of the tray where said visors interiors (6) have grooves (63) for the introduction of reinforcement columns (5) of the reinforcement pieces (8) obtained from a sheet (7), flat and independent.

Description

Folding tray for fruits and vegetables.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a tray Folding for fruits and vegetables.

Background of the invention

As background of the present invention it is possible highlight the existence of European patent EP1772386 thereof applicant that refers to a self-collapsible and collapsible box, formed from a die cut sheet that forms the base and the sides of the box; presenting two of the sides, in correspondence with the corners, reinforcement columns for increase the compressive strength of the case.

This type of boxes have the particularity of being able to fold in a substantially flat position, in which the sides are superimposed on the base, reducing considerably the space needed for storage and transport when not in use.

The case object of the mentioned European patent EP1772386 presents adequate construction features to get proper operation in a multitude of Applications; however, it has some limitations in what refers to the compressive strength, which is determined by the consistency of the side walls of the box.

This problem could be remedied by use of a thicker compact cardboard sheet to increase compressive strength, however this solution has a certain limitation since if a very thick cardboard cannot be folded to get the corners reinforced, as it would cause breakage along the lines of cleft.

In patent ES2159964 of the same applicant for This invention describes a tray for transporting products that are also of the type formed from a cardboard sheet or similar previously stamped and with lines of folded to define the bottom and sides of the tray, each of the corners of it comprising a column of polygonal cross section into which an element of reinforcement to increase the resistance of the compression tray. In said patent, said reinforcement element has a cross section similar, or equivalent, to the section transverse of the corner columns and presents, so less on one of its sides, a double layer of material, so said reinforcing elements require a preassembly in which They adopt their final three-dimensional configuration. Transport and distribution of these three-dimensional reinforcement elements It constitutes an inconvenience, since initially they are independent of the box, which determines, on the one hand, the possibility of loss of any of said reinforcement elements, and, of another part, a notable increase in tray volume, especially considering that the tray is foldable to reduce the volume of it when it is in position folded

The Spanish patent is also known ES-2134154 presenting the height limitation when the box is folded by the heads. The height tray maximum is limited by end contact of the heads in the folded position, which determines that if the height of the heads were greater, when the box is folded would mount one end over the other and could not get a Correct folding of the box.

Description of the invention

The tray object of the present invention presents constructive particularities oriented to solve the aforementioned problems, allowing its folding by lateral, so there is virtually no limitation in height of the tray. Another object of the invention is to achieve the reinforcement of the corners of the tray by means of pieces of reinforcement supplied, in the form of flat sheet and joined each other, with the rest of the tray, occupying a minimum space during transport of the tray in the folded position and allowing a quick, simple and completely assembly manual, by the operator, during deployment or tray shaping.

The mentioned reinforcement pieces, apart from do not require prior handling and pre-assembly, comply with a smaller material amount than the reinforcing parts used previously, that have at least one double on one of their faces material layer

The folding tray for fruits and vegetables object of this invention is of the type of those formed from a sheet in which they are delimited by lines of folded a bottom and sides, presenting two of said lateral lateral extensions for shaping by folding of vertical reinforcing columns, in which introduce reinforcement pieces, and a superior extension for shaping inner visors at opposite ends of the tray.

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According to the invention the visors interiors, defined superiorly on opposite sides of the tray, have slots, facing vertically with the internal gaps of the reinforcement columns, for the introduction in said reinforcing columns of the reinforcing pieces, which are obtained from a flat and independent sheet, in which They are delimited by tearing lines of breakage  mentioned reinforcement pieces.

Initially the reinforcement pieces are they are joined together in a flat sheet, for example by  tear-off points, avoiding their loss and allowing subsequently its manual separation by the operator responsible for carrying out the assembly of the tray.

The grooves of the inner visors are substantially parallel to the hypotenuse of the triangular section defined by the reinforcing columns arranged in correspondence with the corners of the tray.

The reinforcement pieces have even paths of parallel folding lines for folding and introduction, in flat, through the slots of the visor, in the corresponding reinforcement columns of the tray.

This configuration of the reinforcement parts allows once entered by the operator in the columns of reinforcement, through the slots of the visor, said pieces of reinforcement tend to recover, by the material's own memory, its flat configuration, adopting a prismatic configuration triangular similar to that of the respective columns of reinforcement.

The folding lines of the reinforcement pieces delimit three surfaces whose useful height is substantially equal at the height of the reinforcement columns of the tray, presenting respectively the two extreme surfaces and the surface central slightly shorter than the legs and the hypotenuse of the reinforcing columns, which will allow the deployed inside these columns of the pieces of reinforcement introduced through the upper grooves of the visors

The central surface of the reinforcement pieces have a complementary upper appendix and lower recess for coupling in the stacked position of successive trays once mounted.

In turn, the base of the tray has some vertically facing slots with visor slots interiors for the through coupling of the upper appendix of the reinforcing parts corresponding to the immediate tray lower, in the stacking position of the trays.

To prevent the folding of the tray from limiting its height, the sides arranged between those sides carriers of the inner visor and reinforcement columns, they present oblique fold lines that start from the lower ends of said sides, allowing folding lateral and in plane of said laterals on the basis of the tray.

Brief description of the figures

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the die cut sheet from which the tray.

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the die cut sheet once formed the columns of reinforcement.

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the tray once mounted and in the folded position, housing inside the sheet from which the reinforcement pieces.

- Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show different views in perspectives of the tray once deployed and in which they have represented successive operational phases of assembly for the conformation of the reinforcement pieces from the flat sheet supplied with the tray and the introduction of said pieces of reinforcement in the reinforcement columns through the grooves of the upper visors.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the attached figures the tray is formed from a sheet (1) stamped, of cardboard or other similar material, in which are defined and delimited by folding lines a bottom (2) and two pairs of opposite sides (3 and 4) respectively.

The sides (3) have some extensions sides (51) with parallel folding lines (52) for conformation of the respective reinforcing columns (5), such as It can be seen in figure 2.

These sides (3) have an extension upper (61) for shaping the inner visors (6), as shown in figure 4.

The sides (4) and the visors (6) present in its ends folded lines (41) and (62) respectively, to allow the folding of the sides (3 and 4) on the base (2) as shown in figure 3.

To allow this folding the columns of reinforcement (5), which in this case have a configuration rectangular prismatic, present in the middle area of your hypotenuse a vertical folding line (52).

This tray additionally comprises a sheet (7), flat and independent, in which they are delimited by tearing lines of breakage (71) a few portions for the conformation, once separated, of reinforcement pieces (8) of the columns (5).

To allow the introduction of these pieces of reinforcement (8) inside the reinforcement columns (5), the visors (6) present, facing the inner hollow of the mentioned reinforcement columns (5), oblique grooves (63) and substantially parallel to the hypotenuse of the triangular section rectangular reinforcement columns (5).

As can be seen in figure 5, in each one of the pieces (8) are differentiated, by means of a pair of parallel folding lines (83), two end surfaces (81) of shorter length and a central surface (81) of greater length length, said surfaces (81, 82) having a useful height substantially equal and corresponding to the height of the columns reinforcement (5).

As can be seen in figures 6 and 7, to increase the compressive strength of the tray once assembled, just fold the reinforcement pieces (8) along the lines folding (83) so that the end surfaces (81) and the central surface (82) are superimposed, adopting the aforementioned reinforcement piece (8) a flat configuration that allows its introduction, through the slots (63) of the visors (6), in the inside of the reinforcement columns (5).

When the reinforcement pieces (8) are released in inside the reinforcing columns (5), said pieces of reinforcement tend to recover the flat position by the memory itself of the material, adopting a prismatic section configuration rectangular and geometrically similar to the interior hollow of the columns (5), since the sides of the columns of reinforcement (5) limit the opening or expansion of the pieces of reinforcement (8).

To make this opening possible lateral surfaces (81) and the central surface (82) of the reinforcement pieces (8) have a slightly shorter length than the legs and the hypotenuse of the reinforcement columns (5).

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the central surface (82) of the reinforcement pieces (8) they have an upper appendix (84) and a lower recess (85), complementary, to allow its coupling with the complementary configurations of the reinforcement pieces corresponding to the upper and lower trays in position Stacking To make this possible the base (2) presents some slots (21) facing vertically with the slots (23) of the interior visors (6), said grooves (21) being precisely the which allow access to the inside of the appendix tray upper (84) corresponding to the reinforcing parts (8) of the immediate lower tray.

Once nature is sufficiently described of the invention, as well as a preferred embodiment, for the appropriate purposes that the materials, form, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, as long as this does not imply an alteration of the essential features of the invention claimed in continuation.

Claims (8)

1. Folding tray for fruits and vegetables, of the type formed from a sheet (1) stamped, in which a bottom (2) and lateral (3, 4) are delimited by folding lines; presenting the sides (3): - lateral extensions (51) for the conformation of vertical columns (5) of reinforcement, of rectangular triangular section, in correspondence with the corners of the tray and in which reinforcement pieces are introduced (8) and, - an upper extension (61) for forming interior visors (6) on opposite sides (3) of the tray; characterized in that the inner visors (6) have grooves (63), facing vertically with the inner recesses of the reinforcement columns (5), for the introduction into said reinforcement columns (5) of the reinforcement pieces (8) and because said reinforcement pieces (8) are obtained from a flat and independent sheet (7), in which the aforementioned reinforcement pieces (8) are delimited, by tearing breakable lines (71). 2. Tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (63) of the inner visors (6) are substantially parallel to the hypotenuse of the triangular section of the reinforcing columns (5). 3. Tray according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcing parts (8) have pairs of parallel folding lines (83), for folding and flat insertion, through the grooves (63) of the visor, in the corresponding reinforcement columns (5) of the tray. 4. Tray according to claim 3, characterized in that the folding lines (83) of the reinforcement pieces (8) delimit three surfaces (81, 82, 81) whose useful height is substantially equal to the height of the reinforcement columns (5) of the tray, and because the two end surfaces (81) and the central surface (82) have, respectively, a slightly shorter length than the legs and the hypotenuse of the reinforcing columns (5). 5. Tray according to claim 4, characterized in that the central surface (82) of the reinforcement pieces (8) has a length slightly smaller than the length of the grooves (63) of the inner visors (6). 6. Tray according to claim 5, characterized in that the central surface (82) of the reinforcing parts (8) has an upper appendix (84) and a lower recess (85), complementary, the coupling of the reinforcing parts ( 5) of successive trays mounted and stacked. 7. Tray according to claim 6, characterized in that the base (2) of the tray has grooves (21), facing vertically with the grooves (63) of the inner visors (6), for the through coupling of the upper appendix ( 84) of the reinforcement piece (8) of the lower tray in the stacking position. 8. Tray according to claim 6, characterized in that the sides (4) of the tray, arranged between the sides (3) carrying the inner visor (6) and the reinforcing columns (5), have folding lines (41) obliques, which start from the lower ends of said sides (4), to allow its flat folding on the base (2) of the tray.