US2792982A

US2792982A - Partition tray

Info

Publication number: US2792982A
Application number: US418339A
Authority: US
Inventors: George V Malmgren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-03-24
Filing date: 1954-03-24
Publication date: 1957-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 1974-05-21

Description

May 21, 1957 G. v. MALMGREN 2,792,982

PARTITION TRAY Filed March 24, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 21, 1957 G. v. MALMGREN PARTITION TRAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1954* May 21, 1957 G. v. MALMGREN 2,792,982

PARTITION TRAY 3 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed March 24, 1954 J Ff @www w mm www w amw bade@ 6720596 WjP/@W c@ www' M@ M' United Stats The invention relates to partition trays for packaging cookies, candies, fruits and other products and has referonce more particularly to such a tray having novel and improved features and which can be blanked out from a single sheet of material and then folded to form the completed tray.

In use of the present type of partition tray the bakery products, candies, fruits or other products are placed on the tray which acts to hold `the same until the tray and said products as a unit can be inserted in a transparent or opaque bag or other container such as a carton. When inserted in a transparent container the same enhances the attractive appearance of the products for the best display of the same, and the tray facilitates the packaging operation since the loading is speeded up and the loaded tray can .be easily inserted in the container.

`An object of the invention is to provide a partition tray for packaging cookies, candies, fruits and other products and which will individually retain the products erect for the best display of the same and which will 'also protect the product against minor damage.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision. of a partition tray characterized by a bottom portion, by one or more partition tabs and by at least one longitudinal panel, wherein the partition tabs areformed from.the material of the bottom portion, and wherein said tabs are so constructed and arranged as to interengage with the longitudinal panels when the elements arel folded into upstanding relation to complete the tray.

Another object is to provide a partition tray wherein the leg portions of the longitudinal panels are given a double` bend in order to properly locate the panels when in upstanding relation with respect to the bottom portion of the tray, and which in addition effects the desired interengaging. relation of the said panels with the transverse partition ftabs.

In the tray of the invention the longitudinal panel or panels divide` the tray transversely, whereas the partition tabs divide the tray longitudinally. When two longitudinal panels are employed, the tabs are disposed transversely in pairs, which provides at least onel tab on each side of the tray. Since the longitudinal panels have interengaging relation with `their respective tabs, it is therefore within the scope of the invention to provide a tray having only one longitudinal panel disposed longitudinally of the tray to divide the tray approximately in half and wherein said longitudinal panel will havey interengaging relation with all the partition tabs of the tray.

Another object is to provide a partition tray of the typeidescribed which will incorporate side flaps for terially improving the support given by the tray to the cookies or candy disposed along the sides thereof. The said side flaps are formed by material having a scored relation with the bottom portion and said side aps are bent upwardly along said scored lines at right angles to the` bottom portion in the formationl ofthe completed tray. i

` With these and various other objects in view, the inatent 2,792,982 Patented May 21, 1957 vention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank embodying improved design features and which when folded into shape produces the tray of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tray in folded and completed form, the same embodying the features of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank illustrating the design of a modified form of tray;

Figure 5 is a plan View of a cut and scored blank constituting a modified design and which is characterized by a single set of transverse tabs having interengaging relation with a centrally disposed side panel; and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figure l, the sheet or blank 10 is substantially rectangular in shape and the same consists of `a foldable paper, cardboard or heavy kraft paper which, when formed into a partition tray, will adequately protect'the products supported thereby. The said blank is provided with a plurality of scored or perforated lines and cut lines to form the panels, tabs and side aps when the same are folded into tray form and wherein said elements provide a number of compartments or divisions for holding the candy, bakery or other products in the desired manner.

The cut lines 11 and 12 extend transversely of the blank and said lines are joined respectively by cut lines 13, 14 and 15, 16 to form the tabs which are cut thereby from the material of Athe bottom portion 18 and which have a foldable relation therewith along the scored

lines

20 and 21. The cut lines 11, 13 and 14 and scored line 20 form one set of tabs identified by numerals 22 to 25 inclusive, whereas the second set of tabs 26 to 29 inclusive are formed by the

cut lines

12, 15 and 16 and the scored line 21. The transverse tabs are disposed on respective sides of the center line and are spaced from each other to form a central connecting web 30 between the openings caused by the tabs. Also said tabs are spaced inwardly about the same distance from the side edges 32 and 33 of the bottom portion 18.

The longitudinal panels of the present tray are formed from material extending along respective side edges of the blank. The

cut lines

34 and 35 at the 4front and rear of the lbottom 18 together with the longitudinal cut line 35 form the longitudinal panel 37, whereas, in a similar manner the cut lines '38 and 39 together with the longitudinal cut line 40 form the panel 41. The panel 37 is connected to the bottom portion 18 at the front and rear thereof by scored lines 42, and the scored lines 43 provided in the front and rear leg portions respectively provide for the double bend which characterizes the longitudinal panels of this partition tray. Similar scored lines 44 and 4S 'for the panel 41 hingedly connect the panel to the bottom portion of the front and rear thereof and provide for the double bend in the leg portions as described.

lt will :be observed that each longitudinal cut line, namely, 36 and 40, forms a side ap with its adjacent scored line 32 and 33, respectively. The side ilap 46 is accordingly located adjacent longitudinal panel 37 and the side tiap 47 is located adjacent longitudinal panel 41. The scored lines for each side flap extend for the entire length of the iiap and accordingly each flap has foldable relation along said scored line with the bottom portion lil of the tray. The cut line, namely, 36 and db, for each side tlap is such as to produce a plurality of tongues 4S. The tongues are so constructed and arranged as to form a corresponding recess lilv in the bottom edge of the longitudinal panels respectively, and the purpose of the recess is to provide a stop to limit the folding action of the transverse tabs whereby when the panels interengage with the tabs the said tabs will be standing upright at right angles to the bottom portion The present tray may be additionally characterized by front and rear panel members identified by numeral Sli for the front panel member and by numeral 51 for the rear panel member. As regards panel member Sil, it will be seen that the member is severed from the leg portions of the longitudinal panels by the cut lines 3ft and 38 and that the same has a foldable connection with the bottom portion l by the scored line 52. The rear panel member 51 is severed from the leg portions of the longitudinal panels by the cut lines'Sl and 3S and said member has foldable connection with the bottom portion by scored line 53.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the folded and completed tray produced by the cut and scored blank of Fig ure l. In foldingy the tray into the form as shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal panels 37-and 41 are folded along the scored lines 42 and 4d and along with this operation the leg portions of the panels are given a double bend on the scored lines 23 and 45, with the result that the leg portions are folded down into Contact with the bottom portion of the tray with the panels proper having an opstanding relation with the bottom portion. Also the result of these bending operations on the longitudinal panels is such as to locate the panels over the transverse tabs and the next operation is to bend the transverse tabs into their upright position. The set of tabs, namely, 22 to 25 inclusive, are bent along their scored line 20 and the second set of tabs 26 to 29 inclusive are bent along their scored line 21. The top edge of each tab is provided with a V-slot forming a tongue such as 54, constituting part of the bottom portion of the tray. In combination with each V-slot the tab thereof is provided with a slit such as 55. The purpose of the slot and the slit is to facilitate interengaging relation which the tabs have with their overlying longitudinal panel. The bending of the tabs is continued until their respective panel enters the slits 55 in the tabs and eventually the tabs will contact the stops provided in the panels for the purpose. Therefore the tabs and panels have what may be termed an interlocking relation with each other and which retains the tabs in an upright folded relation and thereby forming with the panels a plurality of divisions or compartments for retaining the candy or other products as described.

The neXt folding operation on the tray takes place along the scored lines 32 and 33 which bends the side ilaps into opstanding relation, all as will be clearly under stood by reference to Figure 2, and iinally the last bending operation is effected on the front and rear panel members Sli and l which are bent upwardly along their respective scored lines 52 and 53. The front panel member Sti accordingly coacts with the

transverse tabs

22 and 26 to close off the front compartments of the tray, and, in a similar manner the rear panel member 51 coacts with transverse tabs 25 and 29 to close off the rear compartments.

When the present tray has been loaded with cookies, candy or other products, the same may be inserted in a cellophane bag and sealed, or the tray may be otherwise packaged for display and/ or sales purposes. In all events, the tray has a number of desirable advantages in the dispensing of its products such as by giving protection to the products during shipment and during their display period, to reduce and in some cases to practically eliminate breakage. Also by locatingl each product in an individual compartment the product is so presented as to display it to the best advantage. The side flaps need only be high enough to give some side support to the tray and although the tabs provide fair sized openings such as 56 in the bottom portion lb of the tray, nevertheless sulficient support is provided as regards each compartment for the candy, cookies or other product which may be located therein.

The partition blank liti, as shown in Figure 4, is similar to the blank of Figure l, with the exception that the side llaps and the front and rear panel members have been eliminated. rEhe cut lines 111 and 112 join with cut lines 113 and lid to form the

tabs

122, 123 and 124. respectively, and which have a foldable relation along scored line i2@ with the bottom portion 118 of the tray. in a similar manner the

tabs

126, 127 and 123 are formed by the cut lines i12 which join with the cut lines 115 and lr6 to form said tabs out of the bottom portion of the tray and which have a foldable relation along the scored lines 121. Two sets of tabs are thus provided, the same having location on respective sides of the center line and which are spaced to form a central connecting web 30 between the openings caused by the tabs. Also the tabs are spaced inwardly about the same distance from the side edges 132 and 133 of the bottom portion.

The longitudinal panels of the tray of Figure 4 are formed from material extending along respective side edges of the blank and the panels together with the tabs and bottom portion complete the tray of this modification. As for the panel 137, the same is formed by the longitudinal cut line 132 together with the cut lines 135, the latter providing the leg portions of the longitudinal panel and which have a foldable relation with the bottom portion along scored lines 142. The scored lines 143 provide for the double bend in the leg portions of this longitudinal panel. As regards longitudinal panel 141, the same is formed by the cut line 133 in combination with cut lines i319, the latter forming the leg portions for this panel and which have a foldable relation with the bottom portion along scored lines 144. The scored lines 145 provide the double bend for the leg portions of this panel.

In said modification the longitudinal panels are each provided with a plurality of tongues 148 and which are so shaped as to form stops for the tabs when the tabs and panels are caused to interengage with each other. For said interlocking relation of these elements each tab is formed along its top edge with a VShaped slot which provides a tongue such as 154, constituting part of the bottom portion of the tray. In combination with the t -shaped slot of each tab the same is provided with a slit E55 and, as previously described, the slot facilitates the entry of the longitudinal panel into the slit which thus functions to hold the tab and side panel in folded relation.

ln the modification of Figures 5 and 6 only one set of transverse tabs are provided which have interengaging relation with a single longitudinal panel that is disposed centrally of the tabs so as to longitudinally divide the tray in half. The cut lines 211 join with lines 213 and 2M to form the tabs 222, 223, 224 and 225, respectively, and which have a foldable relation along the scored lines 22u with the bottom portion 21S of the tray. It will be observed that the transverse tabs are located centrally with respect to a longitudinal center line, being spaced substantially an equal distance inwardly from the side edges 232 and 233 of the bottom portion. As regards the scored line 22d for each tab, the same is interrupted centrally of the tabby the undulating cut line 221 which helps to provide additional bottom support. However, it is possible to eliminate the undulating cut line 221, in which case the scored line 220 would extend the entire length of its respective tab.

In this modification only one longitudinal panel such as 237 is provided, the same having location along one edge of the blank, and it is immaterial which edge may be selected to provide the said panel. The cut lines 23S and 239 at the front and rear of the bottom portion form the leg portions of the panel 237 and by means of the cut line 240 the panel is separated from the side flap 247. By means of the scored lines 244 the side panel has foldable relation with the bottom portion of the tray and the scored lines 245 are required to permit the double bend in the leg portions, which results in centering the longitudinal panel langitudinally of the bottom portion whereby the completed tray is symmetrical with respect l to said longitudinal center.

The bottom edge of the longitudinal panel 237 is provided with cutout portions 248 which provide the stops for limiting the upward bending of the transverse tabs. In this connection, each transverse tab is provided in its top edge with a V-shaped groove which forms the tongue 254 in the bottom portion of the tray. In a manner as explained, with the trays of Figures 1 and 4, the slit 255 in each tab constitutes a continuation of the V-shaped groove and for locking the elements in upstanding relation the panel has location in the said slits, the operation of inserting the panel in the slit being facilitated by the V-shaped groove.

The tray of Figure 5 additionally includes the side flaps 246 and the front and rear panel members 250 and 251. The front panel 250 has a foldable connection along scored line 252 with the bottom portion 218 of the tray and in a similar manner the rear panel member 251 may be folded into right angle relation with the bottom portion along scored line 253.

The device of the invention performs the dual function of a tray and partition means whereby the products supported by the tray are partitioned or separated for their individual display and which may also prevent them from sticking together in addition to providing many other advantages. The transverse tabs may be spaced irregular distances from each other and it is also within the invention to vary the spacing of one set of tabs with respect to the other set. Also, when one longitudinal panel is employed as shown in Figure 5, the same need not be located on the longitudinal center since for certain trays it may be preferred to olf-center the panel to form compartments of different size. In addition to using only one longitudinal panel, it is also possible to use only one transverse tab. From this minimum number of parts a pair of longitudinal panels can be employed and the tabs can be increased to a number depending on the size of the tray and the partitions desired.

lt should also be understood that the side flaps and front and rear panel members are optional since in Fig ure 4 all have been eliminated. For some trays a front panel member may be desired and for others only a rear panel member. As regards the leg portions of the longitudinal panels, the drawings show the connection of the panels to the bottom portions as adjacent the front and rear thereof, although a connection more toward the center is entirely possible and may be preferred.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A blank for forming a partition tray, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut and scored linestherein to form a plurality of transversely extending tabs, at least one longitudinal panel, a pair of side tiaps, a front panel member and a rear panel member, the remainder of the sheet providing a bottom portion and to which the transverse tabs, the longitudinal panel, the Side aps and the panel members are lfoldably connected by certain scored lines, the scored lines for the side flaps and the panel members dening the side edges and end edges respectively of the bottom portion, the longitudinal panelhav-i; ing front and rear end portions each being foldably con#` nected to the bottom portion at respective ends of 'the from the material of the bottom portion, and said tabs p being disposed inwardly from the side edges and from the end edges of saidbottom portion.

2. A partition tray blank, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut and scored lines therein to form a plurality of transversely extending tabs, at least one longitudinal panel, a pair of side flaps, a front panel member, and a rear panel member, the remainder of the sheet providing a bottom portion and to which the transverse tabs, the longitudinal panel, the side flaps and the panel members are foldably connected by the said scored lines, the transverse tabs being cut from the material of the bottom portion, and being located within the bottom portion in spaced relation to the side edges thereof, and each tab being foldably connected to the bottom portion by a transverse scored line, the side tlaps each being foldably connected to the bottom portion by a longitudinal scored line defining a side edge of the bottom portion, the front and rear panel members being respectively folda'oly connected to the said bottom portion by a transverse scored line defining the end edges of the bottom portion, and said longitudinal panel including end portions and having connection with the bottom portion along longitudinal scored lines located inwardly of the side edges of the bottom portion, whereby the longitudinal panel and the transverse tabs when folded into an upstandng relation with the bottom portion are disposed at right angles to each other with the longitudinal panel overlying and adapted to interconnect with said tabs.

3. A partition tray blank, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut and scored lines therein to form a plurality of transversely extending tabs, a pair of longitudinal panels, a pair of side flaps, a front panel member, and a rear panel member, the remainder of the sheet providing a bottom portion and to which the transverse tabs, the longitudinal panels, the side ilaps and the panel members are foldably connected by the said scored lines, the transverse tabs being cut from the material of the bottom portion, and being located within the bottom portion in spaced relation to the side edges thereof, and each tab being foldably connected to the bottom portion by a transverse scored line, the side flaps each being foldably connected to the bottom portion by a longitudinal scored line defining a side edge of the bottom portion, each side Hap being cut from the material of the longitudinal panel at its respective side of the tray blank, the front and rear panel members being respectively foldably connected to said bottom portion by a transverse scored line defining the end edges of the bottom portion, each longitudinal panel including end portions having connection with the bottom portion at respective terminal ends of the side aps, and said connections comprising longitudinal scored lines located inwardly of the side edges of the bottom portion, whereby the longitudinal panels and the transverse tabs when folded into an upstanding relation with the bottom portion are disposed at right angles to each other with each longitudinal panel overlying and adapted to interconnect with certain of said tabs.

4. A partition tray blank, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut and scored lines therein to form a set of transversely extending tabs in the bottom portion of the sheet on each side of the longitudinal center line, with the tabs of each set being spaced longitudinally of the bottom portion, said cut and scored lines also providing aerienne' a pair of longitudinal panels, one being disposed -at each side edge of the sheet and extendingfor the length of its side' edge, a side. Hap cut from the material of each longitudinal panel and being foldably connected to the bottom portion by a longitudinal scored line forming the side edge of the bottom portion, a front panel member and a rear panel member each being folda'oly connected to the bottom portion by transverse scored lines forming the end edges of the body portion, said longitudinal panels each including end portions having connection with the bottoni portion along longitudinal scored lines and located inwardly of the side edges of the bottom portion, and said outlines also providing a notch inthe top edge of each transverse tab, Iand a plurality of notches in the under edge of each longitudianl panel, the said notches being adapted to coactwhen the transverse tabs and the longitudinal panels are folded into `an upstanding relation with the bottom portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,410,486 Evans Nov. 5, 1946 2,474,543 McLellan lune 28, 1949 Y 2,533,738 Moore Dee. 12, 195) 2,567,054 Clement Sept. 5, 1951 2,584,967 Watson Feb. S, 1952 2,604,983. Moore July 29, 1952 2,697,547 Wagonseller Dee. 21, 1954