GB2091216A - Packaging trays formed from blanks - Google Patents

Abstract

A blank for erection to a tray comprises a main panel 10 providing the base of the tray and having along each edge an end panel 11-14 foldable into an erect attitude to provide a wall of the tray. Each end of one end panel 11 is separated from the main panel 10 by a slot or slit 15, and an adjacent end of another end panel 12, 14 has a foldable corner panel 16 bearing a tab 17 engageable, when the blank is erected to tray form, in the slot or slit 15 adjacent thereto to secure the end panel 12, 14 in erected position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trays formed from blanks and for use in packaging.

This invention relates to trays formed from blanks and for use in packaging.

It is concerned with trays which are used especially but not exclusively in shrink wrap packaging.

Conventionally, such trays are formed of board and are provided on each of two opposed sides with a pair of connected end panels which, in the erected tray, are vertical and parallel. These end panels sandwich between them corner panels on two other opposed end panels which define the other sides of the tray, thereby to secure the latter in vertical position. Each pair of connected end panels is secured in erected position by an integral tongue which engages in a slot in the panel constituting the tray base.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray which permits a more economic use of board to be achieved. More particularly, to provide a tray which dispenses with the need of pairs of connected end panels.

According to a first aspect of the present invention we provide a blank for erection to a tray, the blank comprising a main panel providing the base ofthe tray and having along each edge an end panel foldable into an erect attitude to provide a wall of the tray, the blank being characterised in that each end of an end panel is separated from the main panel by a slot or slit, and in that an adjacent end of an adjacent panel has a foldable corner panel to which is secured along one edge a tab engageable, when the blank is erected to tray form, in the slot or slit adjacent thereto to secure the end panel in erected position.

Preferably the main panel is rectangular with each end of each of two opposed end panels separated therefrom by a slot or slit and with each of the other two opposed end panels having a foldable corner panel and integral tab.

Preferably, each tab and corner panel is formed with a formation adapted to provide a resistance to the collapse of the end panels from erected to collapsed positions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tray erected from a blank as defined in the three immediately preceding paragraphs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention we provide a tray erected from a blank and comprising a base and end walls extending upwardly therefrom, the adjacent end walls at each corner of the tray being maintained in erected condition by a tab secured to a corner panel of one end wall engaging in a slot or slit between the base and the other end wall, the tab overlying the base of the tray.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the base is rectangular and each corner panel extends at right angles to its end wall when erected to provide a four-sided tray.

Preferably, in another embodiment, each corner has an intermediate fold line between its end wall and free edge so that when erected the tray is of eight-sided construction.

Each tab and corner panel preferably has a formation which cooperates with the closed end of the slot or slit to provide resistance to end panel collapse.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of one form of blank according to the invention; Figure2 is a perspective view of a tray partially erected from the blank; Figure 3 is a perspective detail view of a corner of the erected tray; and Figures 4 to 6 are respectively views corresponding to Figures 1 to 3 of a second form of blank and tray erected therefrom.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the blank comprises a main rectangular panel 10 and along its edges four end panels 11 to 14. The end panels 11 to 14 are separate one from another and are foldable relative to the main panel 10 along fold line F.

Opposed end panels 11 and 13 at each end are separated from the main panel 10 by a slot 15.

Opposed end panels 12 and 14 have at each end a corner panel 16 which is foldable along fold line F1.

Atab 17 is foldably secured along one edge to each corner panel 16 along fold line F2. Otherwise, the edges of each tab 17 are free.

There is a semi-circular cut-out 18 in the edges of the blank at the contact line between each tab 17 and the adjacent end edge of end panels 11 and 13.

There is also a smaller semi-circular cut-out 19 at each fold line F2.

To erect the tray which is done manually, the end panels 11 and 13 are, in turn, folded to erect position followed bytheend panels 12 and 14, the corner panels 16 are folded to lie outside but against end panels 11 and 13 and the tabs 17 slide sideways in through the slots 15 until the cut-outs 19 engage the closed ends of the slots 15.

The tray is now erected and the cut-outs 19 cooperate with the closed ends of the slots 15 to resist collapse of the erected panels 11 to 14.

This four-sided tray can now be loaded with appropriate goods and be, for example, passed to a shrink wrapping machine.

Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 6. The bank comprises a main rectangular panel 20 and along its edges four end panels 21 to 24. The end panels 21 to 24 are separate one from another and are foldable relative to the main panel 20 along fold lines F3. Each corner of the main panel 20 is cut away and an adjacent inboard corner of end panels 22 and 24 are also cut away to provide cut-outs 25. These inboard corners need not be cut away.

These end panels 22 and 24 are also at each end separated from the main panel by a slit 26.

Opposed end panels 21 and 23 have at each end a corner panel 27 which is foldable along fold line F4.

A tab 28 is foldably secured along one edge to each corner panel 27 along fold line F5. Otherwise the edges of each tab 28 are free. There is an intermediate fold line F6 in each corner panel 27 between fold line F4 and the parallel free edge of the corner panel 27.

There is a semi-circular cut-out 29 at each fold line F5 (the function of corner panel 27 and tab 28).

To erect the tray which again is done manually, the end panels 22 and 24 are, in turn, folded to erect position followed by the end panels 21 and 23, the corner panels 27 are folded to angled configuration along fold lines F4 and F6 so that part of the corner panel 27 lies against but outside of the end panels 22 and 24 and the tabs 28 are slid endways into the slit 26 until the cut-outs 29 engage against the closed end of the slits 26.

The tray is now erected and the engagement between the cut-outs 29 and the closed ends of the slits 26 resists collapse of the erected panels 21 to 24.

This tray is of eight-sided configuration due to the provision of the additional fold lines F6 in the corner panels 27. It can be used in the same manner as the tray of Figures 1 to 3.

In a modification, the corners of the main panel 20 are not cut off straight. They may be cut along a curved line as indicated at 30 and by the provision of score lines in corner panels 27 parallel with fold lines F4 and F6 the tray can be assembled to a configuration having non-square corners.

It will be manifest from the above that these trays provide savings in board and consequently cost when compared with existing tray constructions.

While reference has been made to manual erection it is visualised that the trays may also be machine erected.

It should be noted that the sides of the erected tray need not be of the same height.

While reference has been made to trays it will be manifest that the corner locking configurations described above can be applied equally well to any other receptacle of whatever form and which is erectiblefrom a blank.

The sides of the tray instead of being vertical as described may taper inwardly and/or outwardly of the base of the tray which, it is to be noted, need not be rectangular.

Claims (10)

1. A blank for erection to a tray, the blank comprising a main panel providing the base ofthe tray and having along each edge an end panel foldable into an erect attitude to provide a wall of the tray, the blank being characterised in that each end of an end panel is separated from the main panel by a slot or slit, and in that an adjacent end of an adjacent panel has a foldable corner panel to which is secured along one edge a tab engageable, when the blank iserected to tray form, in the slot or slit adjacent thereto to secure the end panel in erected position.

2. A blank according to Claim 1, characterised in that the main panel is rectangular with each end of each of two opposed end panels separated therefrom by a slot or slit and with each of the other two opposed end panels having a foldable corner panel and integral tab.

3. A blank according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each tab and corner panel is formed with a formation adapted to provide a resistance to the collapse of the end panels from erected to collapsed positions.

4. A tray erected from a blank according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Atray erected from a blank according to Claim 4 comprising a base and end walls extending upwardly therefrom, the adjacent end walls at each corner of the tray being maintained in erected condition by a tab secured to a corner panel of one end wall engaging in a slot or slit between the base and the other end wall, the tab overlying the base of the tray.

6. Atray according to Claim 5, characterised in that the base is rectangular and each corner panel extends at right angles to its end wall when erected to provide a four-sided tray.

7. Atray according to Claim 5, characterised in that each corner has an intermediate fold line between its end wall and free edge so that when erected the tray is of eight-sided construction.

8. Atray according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that each tab and corner panel has a formation which cooperates with the closed end of the slot or slit to provide resistance to end panel collapse.

9. A blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A tray erected from a blank susbstantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.