MXPA04006200A

MXPA04006200A - Convertible tray blank and container.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04006200A
Application number: MXPA04006200A
Authority: MX
Inventors: H Donald Muise Jr
Original assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2004-06-22
Publication date: 2005-04-04
Also published as: CA2467607A1; US20050067473A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a convertible tray container and blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define container blank. The blank includes a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, each unit includes a bottom panel, a pair of first opposed side panels attached to the bottom panel and a pair of second opposed side panels attached to the bottom panel. Additionally, a corner flap is connected with each of the first opposed side panels. Further, a locking tab is connected with the corner flap. Still further a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels and a bottom stacking slot is form in the bottom panel.

Description

CONVERTIBLE TRAY PREFORM AND CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to container and container preforms and, more specifically, to convertible and tray type containers and tie sheets for bulk product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art to ship bulk goods. In fact, a complete industry of wholesale stores and warehouse stores has been developed to provide customers with cost savings related to large volume purchases. Generally the goods are shipped in bulk to the various stores. Generally, shipments in bulk are shipped on pallets. These bulk goods are usually quite unstable, especially because buyers disrupt the goods. As a result, a large amount of preform container cardboard material is used to try to stabilize the goods. Typically, the stabilization is achieved by cardboard material of preform cut not with die placed in flat sheets between the goods. As the goods are purchased, successive layers of tie-down sheets are removed from the stack of bulk goods.

This practice creates a problem for business. The preform lashing sheets have no other use. As a result, there is a considerable amount of expense associated with tie-down sheets that work well to stabilize bulk shipments, but have no other use. A specific utility that the preform lanyard does not meet is the ability to convert the lanyard into individual transport trays. In addition, the preform lanyard is not functional as a lid or bottom tray for bulk goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a convertible tray container and preform. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of bondable material is cut and scored to define the container preform. The preform includes a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, each unit including a bottom panel, a pair of opposed first side panels attached to the bottom panel and a pair of second side opposite panels attached to the bottom panel. Additionally, a corner flap is connected to each of the first opposite side panels. Additionally, a locking tab is connected with the corner flap. Even additionally, a side panel groove formed in the second opposing panels and a lower stacking groove in the bottom panel are formed.

The present invention also includes a container having a bottom panel with a pair of opposed first side panels connected to the bottom panel and a pair of second side opposite panels connected to the bottom panel. A corner flap is connected to each of the first opposite side panels. In addition, a locking tab is connected to the corner flap. Additionally, the container includes a bottom groove formed in the bottom panel. A side panel slot formed in the second opposite side panels, said locking tab passing through said side panel slot and engaging said bottom slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of a single piece container preform formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of an aspect of the container preform formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partially assembled collection of units of a container formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a formed container made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pair of convertible tray containers during use; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of another aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed to a multi-section container lid that can be used as a unitary piece or broken down into separate and identical units. As a general view and with reference to Figures 1-6, a suitable embodiment of the present invention includes a single piece preform 20 of peelable material arranged to form a convertible tray container 50. More specific details are described below in detail. the preform 20 and the convertible tray container 50. The preform 20 is cut into grooves, perforated or otherwise formed to include a plurality of panels, which, when assembled, create the convertible tray container 50 of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same number is used in related panels in the preform 20 and the convertible tray container 50. More specifically, in all figures, similar numbers indicate similar parts. Additionally, the cuts are shown as solid lines, the lines of streaks as dotted lines and the perforation lines as interrupted lines. For purposes of the description herein, the downward direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to a bottom panel 22 corresponding to the external surface of the bottom panel 22 when the convertible tray container 50 has been erected. The upward direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the bottom panel 22 corresponding to the internal surface of the bottom panel 22 when the convertible tray container 50 has been erected. The preform 20 and convertible tray container 50, as shown in the figures, They are made of any suitable material that is used for shipping. As a non-restrictive example, the present invention can be constructed from corrugated cardboard for packaging, paperboard, fibreboard, corrugated cardboard for corrugated packaging, plastics or combinations thereof. Additionally, any other strippable material can be used to create the present invention. Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preform 20 includes a plurality of substantially identical units 23 that are spaced apart along lines of separation 34. For simplicity purposes only, an individual unit 21 will be described. You will notice that in any discussion of a unit it is equally applicable to all units 23 and to the convertible tray container. Each unit 23 includes a bottom panel 22 and a first pair of opposite side panels 24, 24 'attached to the bottom panel 22. Additionally, a second pair of opposite side panels 26, 26' are attached to the bottom panel 22, intermediate to the first pair of opposite side panels 24, 24 '. The relative length of the first pair of opposite side panels 24, 24 'and the second pair of opposite side panels 24", 24"' may be the same or unequal. As such, the preform 20 may be configured so that each unit 23 has a substantially square or substantially rectangular geometry. In one embodiment, each unit 23 also includes a corner flap 28 attached to opposite ends of each of the first pair of opposite side panels 24, 24 '. Additionally, a locking tab 30 is attached to the corner flap 28. The second pair of side panels 26, 26 'includes lateral grooves 42 that are sized to accept the locking tab 30 when the preform 20 is formed in the body. container 50. Additionally, the bottom panel includes a bottom slot 40 which works in conjunction with the side slot 42 to receive the locking tab 30, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Even further, the bottom panel may include optionally a bottom stacking slot 48. Those skilled in the art will note that the bottom stacking slot 48 can be in any orientation relative to the first and second pair of opposing side panels 24, 24 'and 26, 26' respectively. In addition, the bottom stacking slot 48 can be of any size or design. The main purpose behind the stacking slot, among other things, is to provide a binding base for an internal support structure such as partition panels and the like. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate certain aspects of the present invention. Specifically, the individual preform 20 can be divided into a plurality of individual units 23. As best seen in Figure 2, each unit 23 is separated from one another along the separation lines 34. The units 23 can be completely separated one of the other or the preform 20 can be divided into a pair of multiple unit sections (Figures 2 and 3). Additionally, an individual unit 23 can be separated from the convertible tray container 50 (Figure 2). Once separated, the units 23, like the preform 20, can be formed in the convertible tray container 50 of the present invention, which is discussed in more detail below. The assembling of the preform 20 in the convertible tray container 50 of the present invention is better seen in Figures 3 and 4. Those skilled in the art will note that a description of the convertible tray container assembly 50 also substantially describes the assembly of each unit 23 or collection of units 23 when separating them from the convertible tray container 50. As such for the purpose of simplicity only, it is discussed herein the assembly of only the convertible tray container 50. Initially, the first outermost side panels 24 are folded upward relative to the bottom panel 22. Subsequently, the second outermost side panels 26 are folded from the same way and in the direction as the first side panel 24. In the exemplary embodiment, the corner flap 28 is subsequently folded around one end of the second side panel 26. Subsequently the locking tab 30 is inserted into the side slot 42 so that one end of the locking tab 30 engages both the side slot 42 and the bottom slot 40. Figure 5 and 6 illustrates the additional aspects of the present invention. Specifically, as best seen in Figure 5, the convertible tray container 50 can be used as a bottom tray, a top lid, or both. Even further, the preform 20 can be left flat and inserted between the layers of a product 52 to stabilize the product 52. Additionally, the preform 20 can be dismembered and formed into the smaller units 23 and used to transport the product in further quantities. little. The product 52 illustrated in the figures can be any product 52, and is shown solely as a set of material for purposes of simplicity only and is not intended in any way to restrict the scope of the present invention. Suitable and non-restrictive examples of products that may be used with the convertible tray container 50 include bulk food products, clothing or industrial products. The utility of the convertible tray container 50 is considerable. As discussed above, the convertible tray container 50 can be used as a lid, a base or as a flat insert for a bulk shipment and display unit. In each case, the convertible tray container 50 can be dismembered into separate units 23 which can also be formed and used as a lid, a base for storing several products 52 or left as a preform 20 and used as a flat insert. For example, a bulk shipment of soup in cans is sent to a store and shipped with the convertible tray container used as a lid, tray or flat insert. The store can place all bulk shipment outside for customer use and can dismember the convertible tray container 50 into smaller units 23 as product 52 is removed. These smaller units 23 can be used by customers as trays to transport your purchases home. On the other hand, the store can initially dismember the convertible tray container 50 into separate units 23 or a collection of units 23 prior to presenting the product to the customer. In this way, a smaller amount of product 52 can be presented to customers without using as much floor space, or allowing easier product transport 50.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as described above, much change can be made without departing from the essence and scope of the invention. For example, other known locking structures can be used to keep the various side panels in place. Since constructions for corner locking are known in the art, the detailed description thereof is not necessary herein to understand the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the description of the preferred embodiment. On the contrary, the invention must be determined in its entirety by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1 .- An individual sheet of cut and scored folding material for defining a container preform, comprising: a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, and each unit comprising a bottom panel, a pair of opposed first side panels connected with the background panel; a pair of second opposing side panels connected to the bottom panel; a corner flap connected to each of the first opposite side panels; a locking tab connected to the corner flap; a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel; and a side panel slot formed in the second opposing side panels. 2 - The preform according to claim 1, further characterized in that the sheet of foldable material is at least one of a corrugated cardboard for packaging, cardboard or corrugated material. 3. The preform according to claim 1, further characterized in that it also comprises a stacking groove formed in said bottom panel. 4 - A container comprising: a bottom panel; a pair of opposed first side panels connected to the bottom panel; a pair of second opposing side panels connected to the bottom panel; a corner flap connected to each of the first opposite side panels; a bottom groove formed in said bottom panel; a locking tab connected to the corner flap; and a side panel slot formed in the opposite side second panels, said locking tab passing through said side panel slot and engaging said bottom slot. 5. The container according to claim 4, further characterized in that the sheet of foldable material is at least one of corrugated cardboard for packaging, cardboard or corrugated material. 6. The container according to claim 4, further characterized in that it also comprises a bottom stacking groove formed in said bottom panel. 7. - The container according to claim 4, further characterized in that the container is separable into a plurality of substantially identical units. 8. - The container according to claim 7, further characterized in that each unit comprises: a bottom panel; a pair of opposed first side panels connected to the bottom panel; a pair of second opposing side panels connected to the bottom panel; a connected corner flap of the first opposite side panels; a bottom groove formed in said bottom panel; a locking tab connected to the corner flap; and a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels and said locking tab passes through said side panel slot and engages said bottom slot. 9. - A convertible mooring sheet comprising: an individual sheet of folded material cut and scored to define a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, and each unit comprising: a bottom panel; a pair of opposed first side panels connected to the bottom panel; a pair of second opposing side panels connected to the bottom panel; a corner flap connects with each of the opposite side panels; a locking tab connected to the corner flap; a groove for bottom stacking formed in said bottom panel; and a side panel slot formed in the second opposing side panels. 10. - The convertible mooring sheet according to claim 9, further characterized in that the sheet of foldable material is at least one of a corrugated cardboard for packaging, cardboard or corrugated material. 1. The convertible mooring sheet according to claim 9, further characterized in that it also comprises a groove for bottom stacking formed in said bottom panel.