GB2319241A

GB2319241A - A dispensing tray

Info

Publication number: GB2319241A
Application number: GB9623847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Farrell; Howard Brower
Original assignee: Danisco Pack Ltd
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Priority date: 1996-11-16
Filing date: 1996-11-16
Publication date: 1998-05-20
Also published as: GB9623847D0

Abstract

A dispensing tray comprises a lid 6 and a base 4, the lid 6 having two opposed wall panels 18 and the base 4 having two opposed wall panels, the opposed wall panels of the lid 6 being connected to the opposed wall panels of the base by at least two tabs 54,56 for each pair of lid and base wall panels, whereby the lid 6 and base 4 are capable of relative movement towards each other.

Description

A DISPENSING TRAY Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dispensing trays.

These are trays intended to be used to dispense articles.

They may, for instance, be used in hospitals, for point of sale dispensers or in many other applications.

Backaround to the Invention It is convenient for packaging, transport and use for dispensing trays to be able to be formed into a box into which the articles to be dispensed are placed. The box comprises a lid and a base. The box can be used to transport the articles to the place of use where the lid can be removed from the base to reveal a convenient dispenser.

It is known for such a dispensing tray to be arranged with perforations between the lid and base running continuously around the dispensing tray. The lid is then torn from the base. Such an arrangement has the disadvantage that the base can easily be damaged during the removal of the lid.

It is more common for a two piece tray to be used comprising a base and distinct lid, held together in transport usually by tape, friction or shrink wrap.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to obviate or overcome at least one disadvantage encountered in relation to the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summarv of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a dispensing tray comprising a lid and a base, the lid having two opposed wall panels and the base having two opposed wall panels, the opposed wall panels of the lid being connected to the opposed wall panels of the base by at least two tabs for each pair of lid and base wall panels, whereby the lid and base are capable of relative movement towards each other.

By having at least two tabs along each side (as in the preferred embodiments described hereinbelow) greater structural integrity and rigidity is achieved thus obviating the need to glue the lid to the base. The folding construction of the tray is far easier, and so cheaper and faster, not requiring complex machinery although it can be automated. Further, because the tabs do not individually have to be held in place so firmly the removal of the lid from the base can be effected easily and neatly.

Suitably, one of the pair of tabs is in one longitudinal half of the wall panels and the at least one other tab is in the other longitudinal half of the wall panels.

Suitably, one of the pair of tabs is in the vicinity of one end of the wall panel and preferably the at least one other tab is in the vicinity of the other end of the wall panel.

Suitably, the tabs are foldably connected to the lid and base.

Suitably, the foldable connection of the tabs to the lid and base are at an angle whereby upon relative movement of the base and lid towards each other there is also lateral movement of the lid relative to the base.

This can facilitate the construction of the tray.

Suit ably, a wall of the lid or base includes a fold line whereby the lid or base can contract. This can also facilitate construction of the tray. The fold can also be used to hold the lid or base relative to the base or lid when expanded once again.

Suitably, the tabs are configured whereby at least part of the base or lid moves towards and within the lid or base.

Suitably, the lid comprises at least one flap for covering a part of the lid, which flap can be used to cover a part of the lid after the relative movement of the lid and base.

Suitably, the lid can be moved relative to the base to be partly within the base.

Suitably, in the regions connecting the lid to the base are weakened portions. The weakened portions can enable the lid and base to be conveniently separated one from the other to provide an advantageous dispensing tray suitable, in particular, for point of sale applications.

Suitably, the at least one weakened portion is at the juncture of a tab with the lid or the base. Suitably, the weakened portions are at the fold lines between the tabs and the lid or base.

More suitably, the at least one weakened portion is at the juncture of a tab with the base. Thus the tab can be removed along with the lid to leave a neat base.

Suitably, the weakened portions comprise perforations.

Suitably, the lid or base comprises a handle. The handle can be used easily to separate the base and lid.

Suitably, the handle comprises a slit in the lid or base and preferably in the lid.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a dispensing tray comprising a lid and a base, in which the lid and base are hingedly connected and one of the lid and the base is capable of folding at least partly into the other of the base and lid, and in which a panel of one of the lid and base that folds into the other of the base and lid includes a weakened portion whereby the panel can be at least partly deformed at the weakened portion.

This arrangement can make the relative movement of lid and base much easier to accomplish.

Suitably, the weakened portion comprises a fold line.

The second embodiment of the invention can be modified according to the first aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a dispensing tray in a packaged configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a cardboard blank from which the dispensing tray shown in Figure 1 can be produced.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of the dispensing tray shown in the preceding Figures in a partly constructed configuration.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective illustration similar to Figure 3 with the dispensing tray in a more advanced configuration of construction.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective illustration of the dispensing tray in use with the lid removed.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective illustration of a further embodiment of the present invention with the dispensing tray in a partly constructed configuration.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective illustration of the further embodiment of the present invention with the dispensing tray shown in an in use configuration.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a dispensing tray 2 comprising a base 4 and a lid 6. Further features of the dispensing tray 2 shown in Figure 1 are described below in relation to subsequent Figures. Like reference numerals are used throughout to identify like or similar parts.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a blank 8 for the production of the dispensing tray 2 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2 solid lines show the edges or cuts separating portions of the blank and dashed lines represent folds (which expression shall include creases).

The blank 8 is made from a corrugated cardboard material, the corrugations running in the direction indicated by arrow 10.

The blank 8 comprises four flaps 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d intended to form a floor to the dispensing tray 2.

The flaps 12a-12d form an interlocking snap shut arrangement as is well known in the art. The floor formed by flaps 12a-12d is indicated generally in Figure 5 by reference numeral 13.

Separated from flaps 12a-12d by fold line 14 are, respectively, a rear panel 16, a first side panel 18, a front panel 20 and a second side panel 22 foldably attached to second side panel 22 along fold line 24 is a marginal flange 26. The rear panel 16 is foldably connected to the first side panel 18 via fold line 28.

First side panel 18 is connected to front panel 20 via fold line 30. Front panel 20 is foldably connected to second side panel 22 via fold line 32.

On the opposite side of rear panel 16 from floor flap 12a is a rear lid flap 34. On the opposite side of first side panel 18 from floor flap 12b is a first side panel lid flap 36. On the opposite side of front panel 20 from floor flap 12c is a front lid flap 38. On the opposite side of second side panel 22 from floor flap 12d is a second side panel lid flap 40. Rear lid flap 34 is foldably connected to rear panel 16 via fold line 42.

First side panel lid flap 36 is foldably connected to first side panel 18 via fold line 44. Front lid flap 38 is foldably connected to front panel 20 via fold line 46.

Second side panel lid flap 40 is foldably connected to second side panel 22 via fold line 48.

First side panel 18 is divided into a base portion 50 and a lid portion 52. Connecting the base portion 50 to the lid portion 52 are a rear tab 54 and a front tab 56.

The tabs 54, 56 are connected to the base portion 50 of first side panel 18 by fold lines 58a, 58b respectively.

The tabs 54, 56 are connected to lid portion 52 of first side panel 18 by fold lines 60a, 60b respectively.

Between the tabs 54, 56 is an inclined cut away section 62.

Second side panel 22 is similar to first side panel 18. The second side panel 22 is also divided into a base portion 64 and a lid portion 66. Connecting the base portion 64 to the lid portion 66 are a rear tab 68 and a front tab 70. The tabs 68, 70 are connected to the base portion 64 of second side panel 22 by fold lines 72a, 72b respectively. The tabs 68, 70 are connected to lid portion 66 of second side panel 22 by fold lines 74a, 74b respectively.

Between the tabs 68, 70 is an inclined cut away section 76 at the reverse angle to cut away section 62 of first side panel 18.

Fold lines 58a, 58b, 72a, 72b are, in addition weakened by a series of perforations. Fold line 42 may, optionally, be weakened by perforations.

Front panel 20 includes a "n"-shaped cut out slit 78 the arms of which are joined by a fold line 80. The arms of the slit 78 extend by further fold lines 82a, 82b.

Slit 78 defines a handle flap 84.

Extending from the top of front panel lid flap 38 to fold 80 is a vertical fold line 86 that is central relative to the edges of front panel 20.

It is noted that the part of front panel 20 which makes up part of the lid 6 is separated from the part of front panel 20 that makes up part of the base 4 by a cut line 88.

A method of construction of the dispensing tray 2 shown in Figure 1 from the blank 8 shown in Figure 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 3-5 of the drawings that follow.

Marginal flange 26 is glued folded round so that it overlaps internally rear panel 16. Marginal flange 26 is adhered to rear panel 16. Parts of floor flaps 12a-12d are glued together in a manner well known in the art.

Normally, the dispensing tray 2 will be transported at this stage of construction because, notably, it can then be flat-packed and constructed easily at the destination.

To construct the box from this configuration, if it is flat-packed panels 16-22 are, in effect, rotated relative to one another to form a generally cuboidal box shape. During this process, flaps 12a-12d fold inwardly to form an interlocking floor to the base portion 4 as is well known in the art. At this stage, there is formed an open box as shown in Figure 3.

The next stage in the construction is for the lid 6 to be moved relative to the base 4 so that it lies partly within the base 4. In order to achieve this, first the front panel 20 is pushed (and/or the equivalent is to squeeze the sides of the lid towards fold line 86) towards the body of the dispensing tray 2, ie towards rear panel 16 as is shown in Figure 3, the front panel thereby folding slightly at fold line 86. This has two significant effects. First, it causes the lid portion of front panel 20 to slide away from the base portion of front panel 20 at cut line 88. Secondly, it tends to draw inwardly, by virtue of the force exerted on front panel 20, the first and second side panels 18, 22 respectively which fold along fold lines 58, 60, 72 and/or 74. In this regard it is noted that the lid 6 is not connected to the rear panel at all.

The lid 6 is then urged downwardly towards the base 4. (It will be appreciated that the base 4 can be moved towards the lid 6, but for both manufacture and explanation it is easier if the lid 6 is moved towards base 4). This operation is made easier because of the prior movement of the front panel 20. That is, the previous abutment of the base 4 and lid 6 at front panel 20 along cut line 88 substantially no longer occurs and the side panels 18, 22 have already begun to be urged inwardly and downwardly and as set out above. The lid 6 is forced down and inwardly relative to the base 4 as far as it is permitted to go by the folding action of the tabs 54, 56. To assist in the folding action and further to minimise the chances of the lip of the front panel on the lid catching the base portion of the front panel 20 the fold lines of the tabs 54, 56 between them and the lid 6 are at an angle so as to draw rearwardly the front panel 20 during the folding action. That is, the angle of the fold lines 60a, 60b, 74a, 74b is from rear panel 16 to front panel 20 slightly angled downwards towards the base 4 so that, when the tabs 54, 56 are folded down pulls the lid portion of front panel 20 towards rear panel 16.

The lid portion of front panel 20 can be unfolded about fold line 86 to press or bias against the base portion of lid panel 20 to help hold the relative portions of the lid 6 and base 4.

In this configuration, the lid 6 overlies the base 4 slightly; by approximately the length of tabs 54, 56.

Now, items can be placed in the dispensing tray 2 as required. The lid flaps 34-40 can then be folded down, usually with rear and front panel lid flaps 34, 38 respectively under the side panel lid flaps 36, 40 and taped down as is well known in the art. The dispensing tray 2 can then be transported or stored as required and, in effect, treated like a normal cardboard box.

When it is desired to use the dispensing tray 2 by removal of the lid 6, all that is necessary is for the handle flap 84 to be pushed inwardly slightly to be able to gain a finger hold on the lid portion 6. When able to do so, the lid 6 is pulled away from base 4 causing the tabs 54, 56, 68, 70 to tear along fold lines 58a, 58b, 72a, 72b due to the stability and structural integrity achieved by having two flaps along each side of the dispensing tray, the weakened, perforated fold lines 58a, 58b, 72a, 72b can be weak enough that it is easy to tear them from the base 4 without risking damage to base 4.

The rear panel lid flap 34 may, optionally, be removed in particular if the fold line 42 is perforated or otherwise may be used for display or other purposes.

There is, therefore, revealed a dispensing tray suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 of the present invention, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. In Figures 6 and 7 like reference numerals are used for like or similar part as referred to in relation to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 1-5.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rear panel lid flap 34 includes additional panels 100, 102 which may be used to mount, for instance, point of sale advertising material and a divider card 104 which can be used to display items neatly and to maximum advantage.

The fold lines (or they can be indentations) 82a, 82b extending from the ends of the handle flap 84 encourage deformation at the ends of the handle flap 84 rather than allow it to happen naturally which is likely otherwise to be the case. Were this to happen, there is a risk that the material of the dispensing tray 2 would tear easily at the handle whereas providing the fold lines 82a, 82b ensures any deformation in this region occurs controllably.

It will be appreciated that in the construction and use of the tray 2 various steps can if desired be performed in an order other than as described herein.

Equally, the material of the tray could be solid cardboard, or even plastic.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A dispensing tray comprising a lid and a base, the lid having two opposed wall panels and the base having two opposed wall panels, the opposed wall panels of the lid being connected to the opposed wall panels of the base by at least two tabs for each pair of lid and base wall panels, whereby the lid and base are capable of relative movement towards each other.

2. A dispensing tray according to claim 1, in which one of the pair of tabs is in one longitudinal half of the wall panels and the at least one other tab is in the other longitudinal half of the wall panels.

3. A dispensing tray according to claim 2, in which one of the pair of tabs is in the vicinity of one end of the wall panel.

4. A dispensing tray according to claim 3, in which the at least one other tab is in the vicinity of the other end of the wall panel.

5. A dispensing tray according to any preceding claim, in which the tabs are foldably connected to the lid and base.

6. A dispensing tray according to claim 5, in which the foldable connection of the tabs to the lid and base are at an angle whereby upon relative movement of the base and lid towards each other there is also lateral movement of the lid relative to the base.

7. A dispensing tray according to claim 6, in which the tabs are configured whereby at least part of the base or lid moves towards and within the lid or base.

8. A dispensing tray according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the lid comprises at least one flap for covering a part of the lid, which flap can be used to cover a part of the lid after the relative movement of the lid and base.

9. A dispensing tray according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the lid can be moved relative to the base to be partly within the base.

10. A dispensing tray according to any preceding claim, in which a wall of the lid or base includes a fold line whereby the lid or base can contract.

11. A dispensing tray according to any preceding claim, in which the regions connecting the lid to the base are weakened portions.

12. A dispensing tray according to claim 11, in which the at least one weakened portion is at the juncture of a tab with the lid or the base.

13. A dispensing tray according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the weakened portions are at the fold lines between the tabs and the lid or base.

14. A dispensing tray according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the at least one weakened portion is at the juncture of a tab with the base.

15. A dispensing tray according any one of claims 11 to 14, in which the weakened portions comprise perforations.

16. A dispensing tray according to any preceding claims, in which the lid or base comprises a handle.

17. A dispensing tray according to claim 16, in which the handle comprises a slit in the lid or base.

18. A dispensing tray comprising a lid and a base, in which the lid and base are hingedly connected and one of the lid and the base is capable of folding at least partly into the other of the base and lid, and in which a panel of one of the lid and base that folds into the other of the base and lid includes a weakened portion whereby the panel can be at least partly deformed at the weakened portion.

19. A dispensing tray according to claim 18, in which the weakened portion comprises a fold line.

20. A dispensing tray according to claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising the features of any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A dispensing tray substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 or 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.