Tray

Abstract

A tray formed from a cut and scored blank. Contiguous of the end and side panels have gusset panels therebetween which fold upon themselves when the side and end panels are erected. The end panels have a locking structure consisting of a central locking panel foldable with respect to the end panel and secured to the tray bottom. Panel portions flanking the locking panel are folded to position upon carton erection, and the distal ends thereof cooperate with the locking panel and maintain the gusset folds and sides in erected position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to that form of container consisting of a partly pre-formed blank, which can be shipped in flat condition, and which can be readily set up as a tray with a niminum of difficulty.

2. The Prior Art

The prior is best exemplified in the following patents

Miller 1,772,106 Nourse et al 1,778,462 Deem et al 2,312,631 229/31 Lowey 2,334,425 229/34 Berg 3,137,434 229/31 Miller 3,162,350 229/34 Mueller et al 3,258,191 229/31 Ingle 3,355,086 229/31 Robinson 3,375,967 229/34

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The structure according to the present invention makes it possible to ship a container or tray in a K-D flat condition, and to set up the same rapidly at the point of use. The tray is formed from a simple blank having a minimum of gluing operations to give it the form whereby it may readily erected.

THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank forming a tray as seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of structure for locking the tray elements into position; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 looking into the direction of the arrows.

The improved tray is referred to by the reference numeral 10 and is formed from a cut and scored blank 10A. The latter includes a bottom panel 11 having opposed side panels 12 foldably connected thereto by opposed fold lines 13. Opposed end panels 14 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 11 along fold lines 16.

Gusset panels 17 are foldably connected to the ends of contiguous side and end panels 12 and 14, each gusset panel 17 being foldably connected to a side panel 12 along a fold line 18, and being foldably connected to an end panel 14 along a fold line 19. Each of the gusset panels 17 has a fold line 21 therein which runs from the edge thereof to the intersection of the fold lines 18 and 19.

Structure is provided for locking the side and end panels 12 and 14 into position, and comprises a central locking panel 22 having a panel portion adapted to be folded against the end panel 14 along the inner face thereof, panel portion 23 being foldably connected to end panel 14 at a fold line 24.

Locking panel 22 has a second portion 26 foldable with respect to the panel portion 23 along a fold 27. Second panel portion 26 is adapted to be folded into position upon bottom panel 11, being secured thereto by a glue patch GP.

Other panel portions 32 flank locking panel 22 and are foldably connected to end panel 14 at a fold line 31.

Fold line 24 is offset a slight amount from the fold lines 31, depending upon board caliper, to allow for play of movement of distal portions 33 of flanking panels 32. Offsetting of score line 24 moves locking panel 22 inward of the end of the carton. This compensates for board thickness build up of gusset panels 17.

Distal portions 33 of panel portions 32 are foldably connected thereto at fold lines 34. The latter are coextensive with fold line 27 in locking panel 22. Flanking panel portion 32 and the distal portion 33 thereof are defined by spaced parallel cut lines 36 extending from the fold lines 31 and 24, and are intersected by cut lines 37 extending parallel to the distal edge of locking panel 22.

The structure according to the present invention makes it possible to ship a tray in a K-D flat condition, and to be able to be set up at the point of use. Accordingly, the locking panel 23 is first folded with respect to the end panel 14 and the bottom panel 11 along fold line 24, so that locking panel 22 is glued in position on the bottom panel 11.

In the setting up of the tray, end panel 14 together with the panel portion 23 is erected as seen in FIG. 3 after the side panels 12 are erected by folding the same along the fold lines 13. Gusset panels 17 are folded along the fold lines 18 and 19 and along the center fold line 21 and are folded against the end panel 14 adjacent inside thereof.

Thereafter, the flanking panel portions are folded into position to maintain distal portion 33 thereof in position by the elements 28 and the end panel 14.

The dimensions of the flanking panel portions 32 may be so chosen together with a proper dimension of the distal portion 33, that a slight bowing of the panel portion 32 is achieved as seen more particularly in FIG. 4. This slight bowing action causes the distal portion 33 to be firmly engaged with the elements 28.

Claims

We claim:

1. A tray formed from a cut and scored blank made of paperboard or the like and comprising:

a. a bottom panel, opposed side and opposed end panels foldably connected to said bottom panel;

b. gusset panels foldably connected to the ends of said side and end panels and foldable along fold lines thereof upon folding of said end and side panels with respect to said bottom panel into position along the inner side of said end panel;

c. means for locking said side and end panels into position with said gusset panels lying against said end panel comprising;

d. a central locking panel foldably connected to each end panel:

i. said locking panel having a portion adapted to be folded against said end panel and a second portion adapted to be secured to said bottom panel;

ii. said second portion including laterally extending distal portions spaced from said end wall and secured to said bottom panel;

e. other panel portions flanking said locking panel and foldably connected to said end panel:

i. said other panel portions being foldable against said end panel and having distal portions thereof extending along said bottom panel and in locking engagement with said laterally extending distal portions of said second portion of said locking panel;

ii. said other panel portions maintaining said gusset panels in folded position against said end panel upon erection of said tray.

2. A tray according to Claim 1 wherein the dimension of said flanking panel portions are so chosen that the same are bowed inwardly when the distal portions thereof are secured between said laterally extending distal portions and the said end panels to maintain the locking engagement therebetween.