TRAY FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF

Abstract

A tray comprises a foldable sheet including: a bottom having a first sector with a folding line that defines a first joining zone, and a second sector joined to the first sector in the first joining zone; end walls each having an interior surface; support surfaces each extending from an end wall, where the support surfaces are oriented to support the weight of another stacked tray; first flaps each extending from a support surface, where each of the first flaps is folded towards an interior of the tray and having a surface facing and separated from the interior surface of an end wall; side walls; and a second flap extending from a side wall. The second flap is placeable a first position on a side wall for reinforcement and in a second position substantially perpendicular to the side walls to serve as a lid.

Claims

1. A packaging device, comprising: a sheet with folding lines enabling the sheet to be foldable into a shape of the packaging device, wherein, in an assembled configuration, the sheet includes: a bottom; first and second top support surfaces that are substantially parallel with the bottom for reinforcement against downward compression; a first wall and a first flap extending from opposite sides of the first top support surface to the bottom; a second wall and a second flap extending from opposite sides of the second top support surface to the bottom; a third wall and a third flap, the third wall extending downward from the third flap to the bottom and extending between the first and second walls; and a fourth wall and a fourth flap, the fourth wall extending downward from the fourth flap to the bottom and extending between the first and second walls, wherein the third and fourth flaps are placeable in two alternative use positions of the packaging device: a first position in which the third and fourth flaps are respectively placed along the third and fourth walls to provide reinforcement against compression; and a second position in which the third and fourth flaps are placed substantially parallel with the bottom to serve as a lid for the packaging device.

2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, in the assembled configuration, a width of the first flap is narrower than a width of an interior surface of the first wall in a direction parallel to the bottom, and a width of the second flap is narrower than a width of an interior surface of the second wall in the direction parallel to the bottom, the widths of the first and second flaps providing spacings to accommodate the third and fourth flaps in the first position.

3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, in the assembled configuration, the first and second top support surfaces are positioned to facilitate stacking of other packaging devices on the packaging device.

4. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, in the assembled configuration, a distance between the first wall and the first flap diminishes from the first top support surface to the bottom, and a distance between the second wall and the second flap diminishes from the second top support surface to the bottom.

5. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, in the assembled configuration, the first flap is substantially parallel to the first wall and the second flap is substantially parallel to the second wall.

6. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the first and second flaps each include a projection at a distal end to engage the bottom.

7. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein: the first wall comprises a first hinged flap foldable into a space between the first wall and the first flap to provide an opening in the first wall usable as a first handle; and the second wall comprises a second hinged flap foldable into a space between the second wall and the second flap to provide an opening in the second wall usable as a second handle.

8. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the third flap comprises a slot to engage the fourth flap in the second position to secure the lid.

9. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein, in the assembled configuration, the bottom is double-layered and comprises: a first sector with an oblique folding line that defines a first joining zone; a second sector with an oblique folding line, the second sector being joined to the first sector; a third sector with an oblique folding line defining a second joining zone; and a fourth sector joined to the third sector in the second joining zone.

10. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the first wall includes: a first projection in a plane of the first wall and adjacent to the first top support surface; and a first hole adjacent to the bottom, the first projection being positioned to engage a first hole of another packaging device stacked above the packaging device, and the first hole being positioned to receive a first projection of another packaging device stacked below the packaging device.

11. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises cardboard.

12. A container, comprising: a bottom; first and second top support surfaces that are substantially parallel with the bottom; first and second end walls respectively extending from outer longitudinal edges of the first and second top support surfaces to first opposing edges of the bottom; first and second end flaps extending from inner longitudinal edges of the first and second top support surfaces, respectively, to the bottom, wherein a spacing between the first end wall and the first end flap decreases from the first top support surface to the bottom, and a spacing between the second end wall and the second end flap decreases from the second top support surface to the bottom; first and second side walls respectively extending from second opposing edges of the bottom and extending between opposing side edges of the first and second end walls; and first and second side flaps respectively extending from top edges of the first and second side walls, the first and second side flaps being configurable in a closed-container position parallel to the bottom and shaped to engage each other to serve as a lid of the container in the closed-container position.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first and second side flaps are configurable in an open-container position in which the first and second side flaps are respectively disposed along the first and second side walls to provide reinforcement against compression in a direction perpendicular to the bottom.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein, a width of the first end flap is narrower than a width of an interior surface of the first end wall in a direction parallel to the bottom, and a width of the second end flap is narrower than a width of an interior surface of the second end wall in the direction parallel to the bottom, the widths of the first and second end flaps providing spacings to accommodate the first and second side flaps in the open-container position.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein: a first longitudinal edge of the first top support surface extends along a top edge of the first end wall and a second longitudinal edge of the first top support surface extends along a top edge of the first end flap; a first longitudinal edge of the second top support surface extends along a top edge of the second end wall and a second longitudinal edge of the second top support surface extends along a top edge of the second end flap; and the first and second top support surfaces are strip-shaped and substantially co-planar, and longitudinally extend parallel to each other.

16. The container of claim 12, wherein the bottom comprises: a first sector with an oblique folding line that defines a first joining zone; a second sector with an oblique folding line, the second sector being joined to the first sector; a third sector with an oblique folding line defining a second joining zone; and a fourth sector joined to the third sector in the second joining zone.

17. The container of claim 12, wherein the first and second side flaps each include a projection at a distal end to engage the bottom.

18. A method of using a container capable of having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the container comprising a first end wall and a first end flap extending from opposite sides of a first top support surface to a bottom, a second end wall and a second end flap extending from opposite sides of a second top support surface to the bottom, first and second side walls each respectively extending from first and second side flaps to the bottom and extending between the first and second end walls, the method comprising: configuring the container in the open configuration by respectively positioning the first and second side flaps along the first and second side walls to provide reinforcement against compression in a direction perpendicular to the bottom; and configuring the container in the closed configuration by positioning the first and second side flaps substantially parallel with the bottom to serve as a lid for the container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, to transition between the open and closed configurations, each of the first and second support surfaces is placed in a substantially vertical position, with the first and second end flaps being substantially parallel and in contact with the first and second end walls, respectively.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein, to transition between the open and closed configurations, the first end flap and the first top support surface are placed vertically above the first end wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] For better understanding of what has been disclosed, some drawings in which, schematically and only by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of implementation is shown.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unfolded sheet that forms the tray for transport and storage of products of the present disclosure, according to a first example;

[0041] FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the first example during its assembly;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the first example in its position of use, with the second flaps placed on the side walls;

[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the first example in its use position, with the second flaps used as a lid, in its open and closed position, respectively;

[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the first example, during its folding;

[0045] FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the width of the support surface and the angle formed by the end wall and the first flap;

[0046] FIG. 10 shows a second example of the tray, which incorporates stacking flanges;

[0047] FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the tray for transport and storage of products according to a third example in its use position, with the first flaps in their deployed and in use position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIG. 1 shows the unfolded sheet that forms the tray for transport and storage of products according to a first example of the present disclosure. This sheet can be of any suitable material, such as, for example, compact cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or other corrugated material.

[0049] The sheet comprises a plurality of fold lines that define a bottom, generally identified by reference number 1, a pair of end walls 2 and a pair of side walls 3, the end walls 2 and side walls 3 extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom 1 in its mounting position, as shown in FIG. 5. In the case of the sheet being formed from a corrugated material, it is desirable that the direction of the channel in both end walls 2 and 3 be substantially perpendicular to the bottom, and also perpendicular to the slits from which are placed the flaps that arise from them.

[0050] Furthermore, the sheet comprises a single mounting flap 23 that extends from an end wall 2 or side wall 3 (a side wall 3 in the case of the example shown) and which, in the mounting position, is attached to an opposite side wall 3 or end wall 2 (an end wall 2 in the case of the shown example).

[0051] The bottom 1 comprises a first sector 10 provided with an oblique folding line 11 that defines a first joining zone 12, and a second sector 9 joined to the first sector 10 in the first joining zone 12. Furthermore, according to the shown example, the bottom 1 also comprises a third sector 6 provided with an oblique folding line 7 defining a second joining zone 8, and a fourth sector 13 joined to the third sector 6 in the second joining zone 8.

[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the second sector 9 covers substantially the entire area of the bottom 1, and it comprises an oblique folding line 21 and a cutout 22, which facilitate folding and unfolding of the bottom 1 and, consequently, of the entire tray. This way, the tray is formed with a double bottom, formed by a double layer of material that gives it greater resistance.

[0053] Each of the two end walls 2 comprises a support surface 4, which in its position of use is arranged substantially horizontally, as shown in FIG. 5, and it is used as a base to stack one tray on top of another.

[0054] According to this first shown example, each end wall 2 also comprises a first flap 5, which extends from and is articulated with respect to the top end of the end wall 2. As can be seen in the figures, the support surface 4 is located between the first flap 5 and the end wall 2.

[0055] In its use position, the first flap 5 forms an acute angle A, less than 90 degrees, with respect to the end wall 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the degrees of this angle A depend on the width of the support surface, the angle being greater the wider the surface.

[0056] In order to facilitate its placement in this position, the first flaps 5 comprise at their distal end, that is, at the farthest from the end wall 2 in their deployed position, one or more projections 14, which are housed in complementary holes 15 when the tray is mounted. In this example, the holes 15 are located at the bottom of the end walls 2, although they could also be located at the bottom of the tray, at the intersection between each end wall, at the bottom or at a certain height in the end wall.

[0057] The end walls 3 can incorporate a combination of at least one cut and at least one slit that hinge a flap 18 whose negative gap acts as a handle. The flap 18, folded inwardly and housed between the end wall 3 and the first flap 5, strengthens the handle, helping to prevent the material from tearing, as it has to bear the weight of the contents of the tray. Additionally, it provides a more comfortable grip for handling.

[0058] From each of the two side walls 3 a second flap 16 extends, which is hinged at the upper end of the side wall 3. The second flaps 16 have a double function. Firstly, they can be used to reinforce the side walls 3, as shown in FIG. 3, and secondly, they can be used as a lid, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0059] To use them as a lid, these second flaps 16 can comprise at least one slot 17 for their coupling with each other, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] Furthermore, between an edge of the first flap 5 and an edge of the adjacent second flap 16 a separation groove 24 is defined, and the side walls 3 are joined to the end walls 2 by folding lines 25, each folding line 25 being displaced with respect to the edges.

[0061] Furthermore, the width of the first flap 5 is lower than the width of its end wall 2.

[0062] FIGS. 2 to 4 show the tray assembly process according to the present disclosure when the second flaps 16 are used to reinforce the side walls 3.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the bottom 1 mounted, the second flaps 16 must first be folded on the side walls 3. Next, the first flaps 5 are folded, leaving the support surfaces 4 in their substantially horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0064] It should be noted that since the bottom 1 is foldable, the first flaps 5 also serve to avoid accidental folding of the bottom 1. This way, for disassembling or folding the tray, firstly, the first flaps 5 must be moved so that the support surfaces 4 are in a substantially vertical position and this way the structure ready to be folded is unlocked, such as shown in FIG. 4.

[0065] These first flaps 5 also serve to hold the second flaps 16 when they are folded into the tray in a position substantially in contact with the side walls 3.

[0066] To allow the second flaps 16 to be removed, the procedure is also to move the first flaps 5 so that the support surfaces 4 are in a substantially vertical position and thus stop blocking the second flaps 16.

[0067] That is why, both the first flaps 5 and the support surfaces 4 are narrower enough than the width of the end wall 2 to allow the second flap to be housed between the side wall 3 and the edge of the first flap 5 and the support surface 4, with the tray in the use position.

[0068] Also the second flaps 16 are sufficiently narrower than the side wall 3 of the tray, in this case to facilitate the folding of the automatic bottom 1 via the cutout 22 that belongs to the bottom sector 9, both the first flaps 5 and the second flaps 16 being at that time folded inwardly as seen in FIG. 8.

[0069] Subsequently, the bottom 1 must be folded, being able to use the cutout 22 in the second sector 9 of the bottom 1, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0070] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the first example of the tray of the present disclosure, but with the second flaps 16 used as a lid, engaged to each other. The support surfaces 4 also serve to support the second flaps 16 in a position substantially perpendicular to the side walls 3, closing the tray. This way, the second flaps 16 that act as a lid are more resistant to collapse in the case of supporting a weight placed on top.

[0071] In FIG. 10 a second example of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the following disclosure is shown.

[0072] For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the same reference numbers are used to indicate the same elements as in the previous example and, furthermore, only the differences from the example are described.

[0073] This figure shows additional elements formed by one or more projections 20.1 located at the top of each end wall 2, in this case two protrusions in each, and two holes 20.2 located at the bottom of each end wall 2, so that the projections 20.1 of a first tray are housed in the holes 20.2 of a second tray on which the first tray is stacked, as shown in FIG. 10. This makes it easy to stack two or more trays on top of each other.

[0074] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a third example of the tray for transport and storage of products according to the present disclosure.

[0075] For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the same reference numbers are used to indicate the same elements as in the previous example and, furthermore, only the differences from the example are described.

[0076] The main difference between this third example and the first example is that the distal end of the first flaps 5 does not comprise any protrusions, but rather comprises a flange 19, which in the position of use is placed on the bottom 1 of the tray, such as can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0077] The length of the flange 19 is preferably equal to the length of the support surface 4 and thus the end wall 2 and the first flap 5 or inner wall would be substantially parallel.

[0078] As indicated above, the method for using the tray described above comprises: [0079] the use of the tray in a first position, in which the second flaps 16 are placed on the side walls 3, for use as reinforcement of the side walls 3, [0080] the use of the tray in a second position, in which the second flap or flaps 16 are placed substantially perpendicular to the side walls 3 for use as a lid.

[0081] In this method, to place the second flap(s) 16 in the second position from the first position, or vice versa, each supporting surface 4 is placed in a substantially vertical position, the first flap 5 being substantially parallel and in contact with the internal part of the corresponding end wall 2.

[0082] Alternatively, for placing the second flap(s) 16 in the second position from the first position, or vice versa, the first flap 5 and the support surface 4 are placed vertically above the end wall 2.

[0083] Although reference has been made to specific examples of the disclosure, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the described tray for transport and storage of products is susceptible of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.