UNIVERSAL TRAY COVER

Abstract

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for forming a lid for covering a container holding product therein, comprises, a top panel, a first lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel at a first top panel fold line, and a second lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel, opposite the first side, at a second top panel fold line. With the lid constructed, the first lid side flap and second lid side flap are configured to be inserted into a set up container such that the first lid side flap abuts a first side panel of the set up container and the second lid side flap abuts the second side panel of the set up container to allow additional containers to be stacked atop the lid panel without crushing the product within the interior space of the set up container. Further, when constructed and inserted into the set up container, the lid is configured to interact with the container in such a manner so as to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by a depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by the depalletizer.

Claims

1. A blank for forming a lid for covering a container holding product therein, the lid blank comprising: a top panel; a first lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel at a first top panel fold line; and a second lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel, opposite the first side, at a second top panel fold line, wherein in a set up container, the first lid side flap and second lid side flap are configured to be inserted into or placed over the set up container such that the first lid side flap abuts a first side panel of the set up container and the second lid side flap abuts the second side panel of the set up container to allow additional containers to be stacked atop the lid panel without crushing the product within the interior space of the set up container, wherein in the set up container, the lid is configured to interact with the container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by a depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by the depalletizer.

2. A blank set for forming a container and a lid for the container, comprising: a container blank, comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of panels each extending from the bottom panel, the plurality of panels including a first side panel foldably connected to bottom panel at a first fold line, a second side panel disposed opposite the first side panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a second fold line, a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel at a third fold line, and a second end panel disposed opposite the first end panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a fourth fold line, wherein each of the bottom panel, the first and second side panels, and the first and second end panels are configured to partially define an interior space to hold product therein; and a lid blank comprising: a top panel, a first lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel at a first top panel fold line; and a second lid side flap foldably connected to the top panel, opposite the first side, at a second top panel fold line, wherein in a set up container, the first lid side flap and second lid side flap are configured to be inserted into the set up container such that the first lid side flap abuts the first side panel and the second lid side flap abuts the second side panel to allow additional containers to be stacked atop the lid panel without crushing the product within the interior space of the set up container, wherein in the set up container, the lid is configured to interact with the container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by a depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by the depalletizer.

3. A blank set according to claim 2, wherein the container blank further comprises a first hole defined in the first side panel and wherein the lid blank further includes a first lid hole defined in the first lid side flap configured to align with the first hole on the first side panel with the lid placed in the container in the set up container, and wherein each of the first hole, and first lid hole are configured to accept a fastener therethrough to fasten the lid to the container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by the depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by the depalletizer.

4. A blank set for forming a container and a lid for the container, comprising: a container blank, comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of panels each extending from the bottom panel, the plurality of panels including a first side panel foldably connected to bottom panel at a first fold line, a second side panel disposed opposite the first side panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a second fold line, a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel at a third fold line, and a second end panel disposed opposite the first end panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a fourth fold line, wherein each of the bottom panel, the first and second side panels, and the first and second end panels are configured to partially define an interior space to hold product therein; and a lid blank comprising: a top panel, a first lid end flap foldably connected to the top panel at a first end panel fold line; and a second lid end flap foldably connected to the top panel, opposite the first end, at a second end panel fold line, wherein in a set up container, the first lid end flap and second lid end flap are configured to be inserted into the set up container such that the first lid end flap abuts the first end panel and the second lid end flap abuts the second end panel to allow additional containers to be stacked atop the lid panel without crushing the product within the interior space of the set up container, wherein the container blank further comprises a first hole defined in the first end panel and wherein the lid blank further includes a first lid hole defined in the first lid end flap configured to align with the first hole on the first end panel with the lid placed in the container in the set up container, and wherein each of the first hole, and first lid hole are configured to accept a fastener therethrough to fasten the lid to the container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by a depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by the depalletizer.

5. A blank set according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of stacking flaps extending from each of the first side panel the second side panel configured to form a plurality of stacking tabs in the set up container to allow an additional set up container to be placed atop the stacking tabs of the set up container, wherein a gap is formed between a bottom edge of the stacking flaps and the first and second fold lines; and the lid blank further comprising: a plurality of locking flaps extending from the first and second lid side flap, wherein the plurality of locking tabs are configured to fold in a reverse direction relative to the first and second lid side flaps, wherein with the lid inserted into the set up container, the locking flaps are configured to rest in the gaps formed by the plurality of stacking tabs in the set up container and interact with the plurality of stacking tabs to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid via the depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed by the depalletizer.

6. A set comprising the container and the lid for the container formed according to the blank set of claim 2.

7. (canceled)

8. A set comprising the container and the lid for the container formed a ding to the blank set of claim 4.

9. (canceled)

10. A blank for forming a container having an integrated lid, comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of panels each extending from the bottom panel, the plurality of panels including a first side panel foldably connected to bottom panel at a first fold line, a second side panel disposed opposite the first side panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a second fold line, a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel at a third fold line, and a second end panel disposed opposite the first end panel and foldably connected to the bottom panel at a fourth fold line, wherein each of the bottom panel, the first and second side panels, and the first and second end panels are configured to partially define an interior space to hold product therein, wherein each of the first end panel and the second end panel further include a lid flap having first and second minor flaps, the lid flap configured to fold over the respective end panel to form a lid structure at a respective end of a set up container, wherein the first and second minor flaps are configured to abut and interact with the first side panel and second side panel in the set up container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid via the depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed by the depalletizer.

11. A container having the integrated lid formed according to the blank of claim 10.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, other embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form a container in accordance with this disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form a lid for the container of FIG. 1 in accordance with this disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastener, e.g., for securing the lid of FIG. 2 to the container of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIGS. 4A to 4C show a progression of installing the lid of FIG. 2 onto the container of FIG. 1 using the fastener of FIG. 3;

[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the assembled container, showing the fastener installed in the assembled container;

[0010] FIGS. 6A to 6B shows a progression of removing the lid of FIG. 2 from the container of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form another container in accordance with this disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form a lid for the container of FIG. 7 in accordance with this disclosure;

[0013] FIGS. 9A to 9E show a progression of installing the lid of FIG. 8 onto the container of FIG. 7;

[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled container of FIG. 7 with the lid of FIG. 8;

[0015] FIG. 11 shows the removal of the lid of FIG. 8 from the container of FIG. 7;

[0016] FIG. 12 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form another container in accordance with this disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form a lid for the container of FIG. 12 in accordance with this disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank of FIG. 12 and the lid formed from the blank of FIG. 13, where the lid is shown exploded from the container;

[0019] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container and lid of FIG. 14, showing the lid assembled to the container;

[0020] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of container and an embodiment of a lid in accordance with this disclosure, where the lid is shown exploded from the container;

[0021] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the container and lid of FIG. 16, showing the lid assembled to the container;

[0022] FIG. 18 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form a container having an integrated lid in accordance with this disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the container and lid formed from the blank of FIG. 18 where the lid is shown in a partially open position; and

[0024] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the container and lid of FIG. 19, showing the lid in the closed position.

ENABLING DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a container blank in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2-11. Certain embodiments described herein can be used to improve container handling in automated distribution centers.

[0026] In an automated distribution center, in particular automated refrigerated/freezer distribution centers, the typical chain of events begins with an order of common goods arriving on large pallets. Each pallet contains a number of packaged boxed of the same or similar items. At the distribution center, these items must first be removed from the original pallet, then counted, sorted, and stored based on any number of desired parameters, e.g., heights, weights, destination, etc. The automated sorting process begins with removing the containers from the original pallet using a depalletizer machine. Certain depalletizers use a combination of suction and radial compression to grab an entire layer of packages from the original pallet at a time and transfer them to a conveyer. On the conveyer the containers can then be weighed, measured, indexed, and sorted using automated means. After sorting, when a retailer places an order, the containers for that order then need to be removed from the selves, and repalletized on a mixed pallet with all containers going to the retailer. On the mixed pallets, packages need to be able to be stacked atop one another for efficient shipping. Accordingly, the containers holding the product must be able to withstand the suction and compression of the depalletizer vacuum and must be able to allow stacking on the mixed pallet for shipping to retailers.

[0027] Certain containers coming into the distribution centers may be open top container (e.g., having no lid), or may have lids that cannot withstand the suction of the depalletizer. In these cases, the depalletizing process may suck product out of the container or may cause product to be shifted within the container so that the height or weight measurements may become distorted, leading to downstream errors in sorting and shipping to retailers. Some containers are particularly susceptible to these errors, including open top containers holding produce such as plastic clamshell packaging, or produce held in bags, for example. Conventionally, these open top containers having sensitive product would be sent to a hand pick warehouse, where the depalletizing, sorting, and repalletizing would be done by hand, using human workers. However, as distribution centers move towards automation, there is a particular need for all containers to be compliant with the automated machinery to avoid having to send containers to hand pick warehouses. The container and lid as described hereinbelow provides a solution to the problems currently faced with these open top containers and provides a compliant container and lid set suitable for use with automated distribution center machinery.

[0028] In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a blank set for forming a container and a lid for the container is provided, the blank set comprising a container blank 100 and a lid blank 200. In FIG. 1, the container blank comprises a bottom panel 102 and a plurality of panels each extending from the bottom panel.

[0029] The plurality of panels can include a first side panel 104 foldably connected to the bottom panel 102 at a first fold line 106 (e.g., configured to form a first side wall 404 in a set up container 400), a second side panel 108 disposed opposite the first side panel 104 and foldably connected to the bottom panel 102 at a second fold line 110 (e.g., configured to form a second side wall 408 in the set up container 400), a first end panel 112 foldably connected to the bottom panel 102 at a third fold line 114 (e.g., configured to form a first end wall 412 in the set up container 400), and a second end panel 116 disposed opposite the first end panel 112 and foldably connected to the bottom panel 102 at a fourth fold line 118 (e.g., configured to form a second end wall 416 in the set up container 400). In the set-up container 400, each of the bottom panel 102, the first and second side panels 104, 108, and the first and second end panels 112, 116 are configured to partially define an interior space 420 to hold product therein. In the example shown in FIG. 4a, the product held within the interior space can include product clamshell packaging 422.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, the lid blank 200 of the blank set can include a top panel 224, a first lid side flap 226 foldably connected to the top panel 224 at a first top panel fold line 228, and a second lid side flap 230 foldably connected to the top panel 224, opposite the first side 226, at a second top panel fold line 232. When the container 400 is erected into the set up container, the first lid side flap 226 and second lid side flap 230 can be folded downwards to be inserted into the interior space 420 of the container 400 such that the first lid side flap 226 abuts the first side wall 404 and the second lid side flap 230 abuts the second side wall 408. The first and second lid side flaps 226, 230 are of a height H that is at least as tall as a height H of the first and second side walls 404, 408 of the container 400. This allows additional containers to be stacked atop the lid panel 224 (e.g., in the packed set up container shipping to and from the distribution center) without crushing the product within the interior space 420 of the set up container. In certain embodiments, the lid panel can include one or more ventilation holes 234 defined in the top panel 224, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B for example. In certain embodiments, the lid 200 can be placed over the container 400, e.g., such that the first lid side flap 226 abuts an outer surface of the first side wall 404 and the second lid side flap 230 abuts an outer surface of the second side wall 408.

[0031] The lid blank 200 can also include one or more features configured to interact with the container to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid by a depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed from the container by depalletizer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, in certain embodiments, the container blank 100 can include a hole 136, 138 defined in each of the first and second side panels 104, 108 and the lid blank 200 can include a hole 240, 242 defined in each of the first and second lid side flaps 226, 230. With the lid 200 inserted into the container 400, the hole 240 defined in the first lid side flap 226 will align with the hole 136 defined in the first side wall 404 of the container 400, and the same will be true for the second side of the container 400, where the hole 242 defined in flap 230 will align with the hole 138 defined in wall 408 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B). A fastener 344 is then provided and can be passed through the holes in both the lid flaps and the container side walls to secure the lid to the container (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4C and 5). FIG. 3 shows one example of a fastener 344, e.g., a Christmas tree fastener or clip. Insertion of the fastener 344 into the container and lid can be done at the time the container is packaged (e.g., in the field) and before shipped to the distribution center.

[0032] Still with reference to FIG. 2, as shown, the lid blank 200 further includes a perforation or slit 246, 248 extending from the hole 240, 242 defined in the respective lid side flaps 226, 230 to an outer edge 250, 252 of the respective lid side flap 226, 230. The perforation/slit 246, 248 will allow a user to remove the lid 200 by pulling the lid 200 upwards (e.g., using finger holes 254, 256) such that the fastener 344 rips through the perforation or slides through the slit. Here, the perforation 246, 248 is configured and adapted to withstand the suction of the depalletizer to prevent the lid 200 from being removed by depalletizer but is not so strong that a user cannot easily remove the lid 200 to unpack the product once received by the retailer.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the container 400 can include double paneled side walls, wherein the first side panel 104 includes a first inner side panel 104a and the container blank 100 further includes a first outer side panel 104b foldably connected to the first inner side panel 104a by a first side panel fold line 105, wherein the hole 136 is defined in the first inner side panel 104a and a perforation, or score 158, is defined in the first outer panel 104b, aligned with the hole 136 in the first inner panel 104a. The perforation or score 158 ensures that when the fastener 344 is inserted into the container 400, it is held tightly, and does not allow much lid play when the container 400 is moved using the depalletizer. The second side of the container can be the same, where the second side panel includes a second inner panel 108a and second outer panel 108b foldably connected to the second inner panel 104a by a second side panel fold line 109, wherein the second inner panel 108a includes the hole 138 and the second outer panel 108b includes the perforation or score 160. With the fastener 344 inserted into the assembled container 400, each fastener 344 will pass through three layers of board: the first and second outer panels 104b, 108b of the container 400, the first and second inner panels 104a, 108a of the container 400, and the first and second lid side flaps 226, 230 of the lid, respectively.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in certain embodiments, the holes 240, 242 defined in the first and second lid side flaps 226, 230 can be centrally located along a length of the side flap, and similarly holes 126, 138 defined in the container side panels 104, 108 can be defined at central location along a length of the first and second side flaps 104, 108. Also as shown, in certain embodiments, the holes 240, 242 defined in the first and second lid side flaps 226, 230 can be defined closer to the fold lines 228, 232 than to the outer edges of the respective lid side flaps 250, 252.

[0035] In FIGS. 4A to 4C, a progression of installing the lid 200 onto the container 400 is shown. In FIG. 4A, the container 400 is shown packed with plastic produce clamshell packaging 422, with no lid over the container 400. In FIG. 4B, the lid 200 is shown being inserted into the container 400, over top of the product packaging 422, wherein the lid side flaps 226, 230 abut the container side walls 404, 408. In FIG. 4C, the lid 200 is fully installed into the container 400, and a user is inserting the fastener 344 into the container 400 and lid 200, e.g., inserting the fastener 344 from the first outer side panel 108b, through the first inner side panel 108a, and ultimately through the first lid side flap 230. FIG. 5 shows the fastener 344 fully installed into the container 400, e.g., in the second side wall 408, and lid. This is an example of how the container 400 would arrive at the distribution center, ready to be lifted by the depalletizer without risk of also removing the clamshells therein, and further allow for additional containers to be stacked atop the lid without crushing the clamshells 422 within the container 400.

[0036] FIG. 6A shows a user removing the lid 200 from the container using the finger holes 256 provided, wherein the perforation 242 is now ripped due to the fastener 344 passing through. When the lid is removed, the fastener 344 remains within the container side wall 408. FIG. 6B shows the container 400 with the lid 200 removed, but with the fastener 344 still in the container side walls (e.g., shown in sidewall 408). This is an example of how the container 400 would be disassembled by a retailer ready to stock a display.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the lid and/or lid blank 200 shown in FIG. 2 can be a universal lid. For example, the lid need not have any particular interaction with the container other than the holes formed in the container. Forming the holes in the container blank is a simple retooling operation that can be done by the container manufacturer for little time and cost. The container blank 100 does not need to be redesigned, nor the machines be reconfigured to accommodate this change. Accordingly, the lid provided in FIG. 2 is a convenient and cost-effective solution for container manufacturers looking to quickly adapt to the increase in downstream automation.

[0038] With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of a container blank 700 and lid 800 are shown. Here, the container and lid blanks 700, 800 can be similar to the container and lid blanks 100, 200 described above with respect to the blanks of FIGS. 1 and 2. Like features already described above will not be repeated herein with respect to the blanks 700, 800 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the container blank 700 can also include a plurality of stacking flaps 762, 764, 766, 768 extending from each of the first outer side panel 704b the second outer side panel 708b configured to form a plurality of stacking tabs 962, 964, 966, 968 in the set up container 900 (e.g., as best seen in FIG. 9E). These stacking tabs to allow an additional set up container formed from the same or a similar blank to be placed atop the stacking tabs and locked into place to prevent or limit horizontal movement of the containers. The container blank 700 can also include a plurality of stacking tab recesses 770, 772, 774, 776 defined in the bottom panel 702, configured to accept a plurality of stacking tabs from an additional set up container stacked below the set up container 900.

[0040] As shown, the plurality of stacking flaps extend from the first and second outer panels at a folding tab fold line 778, 780, 782, 784 above the first and second side panel fold lines 705, 709 such that in the set up container 900, the stacking flaps fold over the folding tab fold lines and extend above a top edge 905, 909 of the side walls 704, 708 (e.g., as best seen in FIG. 11). Because of this, a gap is formed between a bottom edge of the stacking flaps 786, 788, 790, 792 and the first and second fold lines 706, 710. This gap is best visualized in the blank by the distance G. G can be determined by determining the distance between the first fold line (e.g., 706) and the side panel fold line (e.g., 705) and subtracting from there, the sum of: the distance between the side panel fold line (e.g. 705) and the stacking flap fold line (e.g., 778), plus the length of the stacking flap measured from the stacking flap fold line (e.g., 778) to the bottom edge of the stacking tab fold line (e.g., 786).

[0041] The plurality of stacking flaps can include a first and second stacking flap 762, 764 extending from the first outer side panel 704b and a third and fourth stacking flap 766, 768 extending from the second outer side panel 708b. As shown in FIG. 8, the lid blank 800 can further include a first and second locking flap 862, 864 extending from the first lid side flap 826 and a third and fourth locking flap 866, 868 extending from second lid side flap 830. When the lid 800 is inserted into the set up container 900, the first and second locking flaps 862, 864 rest in the gaps G formed by the first and second stacking tabs 762, 764 in the set up container 900, and the third and fourth locking flaps 866, 868 rest in the gaps G formed by the third and fourth stacking tabs 766, 768 in the set up container 700.

[0042] The plurality of locking tabs 862, 864, 866, 868 are configured to fold in a reverse direction relative to the first and second lid side flaps 826, 830. Thus, when the lid 800 is inserted into the set up container 900, the locking tabs 862, 864, 866, 868 are configured to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid 800 via the depalletizer vacuum, by pushing against the stacking tabs, to prevent the lid 800 from being removed by depalletizer. In this embodiment, no additional fasteners or other intrusive attachment means are required to hold the lid to the container, and no change needs to be made to the container blank from a conventional stacking tab container.

[0043] FIGS. 9A to 9E show a progression of folding the lid blank 800 into the lid 800 and installing the lid into the container 900. FIG. 9A shows the locking flaps 862, 864, 866, 868 folded upwards relative to the folding table, while FIGS. 9B and 9C shows folding the lid side flaps downwards and inwards 826, 830, towards the table. FIG. 9B shows the insertion of the lid 800 into the container where the locking flaps 862, 864, 866, 868 are pointing upwards, aligned with the stacking tabs 762, 764, 766, 768 of the container 900. The slight spring bias of the locking flaps will urge the locking flaps into place, e.g., into the gaps of the stacking tabs, when the lid 800 is pushed all of the way into the container interior space. As shown in FIG. 9E, where the lid is fully inserted into the container, the locking flaps are no longer visible as they are beneath the stacking tabs. This arrangement will allow hold the lid in place when the container is moved by the depalletizer. FIG. 10 again shows the fully assembled container with the lid installed in the container, which is an example of how the container would be shipped to and from the distribution center. FIG. 11 shows a user removing the lid from the container using the provided finger holes 854, 856, e.g., when removing the product in the retail setting.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the lid and/or lid blank as described with respect to FIG. 8 can be universal to any containers having stacking tabs with gaps under the stacking tabs. This is a convenient and cost-effective solution for container manufacturers because the lid is designed for use with the existing container design, thus requiring no retooling or redesign of any container manufacturing processes.

[0045] In certain embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lid 1300 can be configured such that the lid flaps are defined on the ends of the lid panel 1324, referred to as a first and second lid end flaps 1326, 1330. In such embodiments, the lid 1300 can insert into or over the interior space 1420 of the container 1400 such that the first and second lid end flaps 1326, 1330 abut the first and second end walls 1412, 1416 of the container 1400, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In FIGS. 12-15, an embodiment is shown wherein the lid end flaps 1326, 1330 are placed on an outside of the container 1400, and can have holes 1340, 1342 defined therein, and the container end panels 1212, 1216 can have perforations or scores 1358, 1360 configured to accept the fastener 344 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 15), similar to that described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. In certain embodiments, the lid end flaps 1326, 1330 can have perforations or slits 1346, 1348 defined therein to allow the fastener 344 to tear through the end flaps when removing the lid in an upward motion using the finger holes. In certain embodiments, the perforation may not be included on the end flaps 1326, 1330 and in order to remove the lid, the lid end flaps 1326, 1330 can be pulled outward, away from the container, removing the fastener 344 with the lid end flaps.

[0046] In certain embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the lid 1600 can be configured to be placed over the interior space 1720 of the container 1700, such that the lid side flaps 1726, 1730 abut on the first and second outer side panels 1504b, 1508b, where in FIG. 16 only the first outer side panel 1504b is shown as the second outers side panel 1508b is obstructed. The lid 1600 can also include stacking tab apertures 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 defined in the lid top panel 1624 configured to be placed over the stacking tabs 1762, 1764, 1766, 1768 of the container 1700 so that the lid 1600 can lay flat on the edges of the container 1700, e.g., as shown in FIG. 17. The hole 1640 can receive the aperture 344 as shown in FIG. 17 similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, an embodiment of a blank for forming a container with an integrated lid is shown, where blank 1800 is shown in FIG. 18, the container 1900 is shown partially assembled in FIG. 19, and the container 1900 is shown fully assembled in FIG. 20.

[0048] As shown, each of the first end panel 1812 and the second end panel 1816 further include a lid flap having first and second minor flaps. The first end panel 1812 can include lid flap 1801 having first and second minor flaps 1803, 1805. The second end panel 1816 can include lid flap 1807 having first and second minor flaps 1809, 1811. When erecting the container 1900, the lid flaps 1801, 1807 can be configured to fold over the respective end walls 1912, 1916 to form a lid structure at respective ends of the container 1900 partially enclosing the interior space 1920. In the container 1900, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the first minor flaps 1803, 1809 abut an inner surface of the first side wall 1904 and the second minor flaps 1805, 1811 abut an inner surface of the second side wall 1908. In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown, the first and second side walls 1904, 1908 can be double walled, each having an inner panel 1904a 1908a and an outer panel 1904b, 1908b, where stacking tabs 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 are defined in the outer panel 1904b, 1908b. In such embodiments, the first minor flaps 1803, 1809 and second minor flaps 1805, 1811 can each have locking flaps 1813, 1815, 1817, 1819 configured to interact with the stacking tabs 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 to hold the lid panels 1801, 1807 in place and to resist upward movement exerted onto the lid via the depalletizer vacuum to prevent the lid from being removed by the depalletizer. The minor flaps 1803, 1805, 1809, 1811 can be of a length equal to or greater than a height of the side walls so that the lid panels 1801, 1807 sit flat and allow for stacking additional containers 1900 atop the lid.

[0049] In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a set comprising a container and a lid for the container. The container and lid can be formed from the blanks described herein above. Embodiments of the lid and container set, and the container with integrated lid provided herein allow for complaint containers for use within an automated distribution center using suction based depalletizer and requiring stacking of containers on mixed pallets leaving the distribution center. Embodiments as described herein allow, in this particular example, produce growers, to continue using their same tray forming equipment to accommodate the addition of the lid, since the containers remain the same.

[0050] Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., about, approximately, around) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).

[0051] The articles a, an, and the as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, an element means one element or more than one element.

[0052] The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0053] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of.

[0054] Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

[0055] The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.