Abstract: A corrugated board tray has stacking lugs extending from double thickness side walls. The stacking lug is formed from an integral upward extension of only the outer one of the side wall panels. The lug is folded inwardly and secured to the inside of the side wall. Corresponding slots are formed at the junction of the side wall and the base to receive the stacking lugs of a lower tray. Half-size trays may include stacking lugs and slots formed in the end walls.

Abstract: A stackable container formed from a single-piece blank pre-cut and pre-scored with an improved design directed at providing material cost savings while achieving stacking stability and related benefits. The container includes a base with two sets of opposing walls. Each wall of the first set incorporates a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is foldably attached at a lower edge to the base and is hinged at an upper edge to the second panel, wherein the upper edge also defines a shoulder. Each wall of the first set further incorporates at least one stacking tab that extends beyond the shoulder. The stacking tabs are two-ply and have a tab base and a sequencing panel. The tab base extend from the first panel and is foldably attached to the sequencing panel, wherein the tab base and the sequencing panel are formed from material cut from the second panel, thereby providing the benefits of two-ply stacking tabs and two-ply walls without expanding size requirements of the blank.

Abstract: A stackable archive container (10) is formed from a cardboard sheet, and comprises, when in the stacked state, two side walls (14, 16), a top wall (18), a bottom wall (20) and a rear wall (12), with a closure flap (22) being hinged to the top or bottom wall. Reinforcing bars (41; 58; 64) are provided on the vertical side edges of the side walls and/or the back wall. The bars are typically extruded from aluminum, and have a U-shaped profile that extends the length of the side edges of the side and/or back walls, and embraces the side edges in a snug push fit. The reinforcing bars may have a U-, H- and/or W-configuration. The profiles enable the stacking height of the containers to be increased, and also serve to interconnect adjacent containers.

Abstract: A single-piece side-loading box includes a top, a bottom, a plurality of wall portions, and a side-opening panel in one unitary piece. The unitary piece is foldable from an unformed configuration to a box configuration with the side-opening panel openable in the box configuration to permit access to an interior of the box. The plurality of wall panels are connected between the top and the bottom in the box configuration. At least some of the wall panels in the box configuration overlap to form one or more multi-panel walls. The box includes a releasable fastening mechanism for fastening the side-opening panel in the closed position. The releasable fastening mechanism may be part of the unitary piece. The releasable fastening mechanism may include mechanical couplers, latching tabs, magnetic members, Velcro strips, or the like. The side-opening panel may be transparent or include a transparent portion attached to an opaque frame. The transparent panel may include a decorative pattern.

Abstract: A perforated carton for displaying products is disclosed. The carton is a multi-sided square or rectangular structure including side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. When the carton is torn or separated along pre-cut perforations, a display portion of the carton is provided for display of products nested within the display portion of the carton. The cartons are stackable, and may be arranged in a cluster on a pallet in a configuration that is ready for shipment to a retailer to facilitate display of the pallet or cartons in a shopping area with minimal modification or reconfiguration of the cartons at a retail store site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container of the present invention contains a bottom wall, two side walls, and two end walls. The concave ledges of the side walls contain curved scores. Each side wall contains two panels, each of which contains a mirrored curved score and two minor flaps. The curved scores cause the side walls to go into tension and create stacking shoulders for other containers. The minor flaps of the side walls surround the end walls to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: A combined stacking tab is provided for use with a container having a containment portion and a lid. The containment portion includes a lateral panel and an upright wall. The upright wall includes an upper edge with a stacking tab. The lid also includes a lateral panel and an upright wall connected to the lateral panel. A lid stacking tab is cut from portions of the lid lateral panel at its connection to the lid upright wall, thereby resulting in an opening in the lid lateral panel. As erected, the lid stacking tab remains in the plane of the lid upright wall, with the containment portion stacking tab being located within the opening of the lid lateral panel. The combination of the containment portion stacking tab and the lid stacking tab forms a combined stacking tab of at least double-ply material thickness.

Abstract: A composite tray and stacker structure for packages of a plurality of identical paperboard and/or plastic containers supported in a tray for the purpose of providing compressive load-bearing capability to the package. The composite tray and stacker is composed essentially of a single sheet of stiff material, such as corrugated paperboard. The structure includes a rectangular tray bottom wall having a central transverse reverse fold line and a pair of end walls connected to the bottom wall along fold lines. A pair of top wall spacer elements are foldably connected along the top edges of the end walls and a pair of weight-bearing abutable stacker elements are foldably connected to the spacer elements. A relatively narrow product retainer panel is connected to each of the side edges of each of the end walls and stacker elements along fold lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container contains a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls. The ledges of the side walls of the present invention contain opposed concave curved scores. The produce container is formed by folding the side walls to the outside to achieve structural rigidity. The produce container of the present invention provides for full graphical coverage on all visible surfaces by use of a one-piece blank that is color coated/printed on only one side.

Abstract: A wall-engageable pizza carton folded into a non-wall-engaged format and which (a) has thermal-legs for holding the bottom of the box above a table top, (b) has an improved hole-covering flap that can function as an inner panel interlock means, and (c) can be stacked in a level stack with other cartons even though it has thermal-legs and the cover front flap is projecting forward.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stackable open-top container for use in shipping, storing and retail display of produce and other articles. The produce container of the present invention contains a bottom wall, two side walls, and two end walls. The concave ledges of the side walls contain curved scores. Each side wall contains two panels, each of which contains a mirrored curved score and two minor flaps. The curved scores cause the side walls to go into tension and create stacking shoulders for other containers. The minor flaps of the side walls surround the end walls to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a case and a blank made of sheet corrugated cardboard or the like, the case having a polygonal cross section, having side faces, an upper face forming a lid, and a lower face forming the bottom of the case. The lid has at least two tabs located on two opposite sides of the lid, cut from the upper face or from side faces adjacent the upper face. The bottom has at least two recesses on its lower surface corresponding to the tabs, complementary in shape to the tabs and arranged such that the recesses fit into the tabs of a case stacked beneath.

Abstract: The present invention is for a carton or box for holding containers such as oil bottles wherein the box is formed from a single sheet of precut corrugated material so that the upper edges have short tabs which cooperatively engage slots formed in the bottom of said boxes. The tabs are long enough to provide resistance to stacked boxes from sliding over one another but sized and shaped so as to not interfere with intentional stacking and moving of the boxes using manual labor or equipment. The tabs engage the slots in order to biase the boxes but not prevent all lateral movement.

Abstract: A single-piece side-loading box having triple side-wall construction and a unique latching tab. The box incorporates walls, a floor, a top, a side-opening panel and latching tab in one unitary piece. The one piece box generally includes a bottom panel, front, side and back panels attached to the bottom panel and a lid attached to the back panel. A latching tab with integral handle is incorporated into the front panel. The box is preferably assembled from a cutout made from a single piece of material. The side-walls, side wings and side reinforcements fold into each other to provide a triple-side-wall construction that allows the box to support a great weight.

Abstract: A container for holding produce having a floor, four sidewalls and a cover. Two of the four sidewalls are multi-layered with a core including a plurality of interlocking panels. The interlocked panels are lockingly connected in coplanar pairs through a set of complementary locking contours. Pairs of interlocked panels overlap in a back-to-back relationship to form a "dual-lock" arrangement. The coplanar, dual-lock arrangement allows the sidewalls and floor to be tightly interlocked thereby enabling the container to resist higher loads without buckling. The cover panels protect the enclosed produce while letting in air for ventilation through a plurality of ventilation holes.

Abstract: A container comprising a body including a floor having two sides and two ends, a front side wall appended to the floor along one side of the floor, a rear side wall appended to the floor along a second side of the floor to lie opposite the front side wall, first and second end panel support flaps appended to the front side wall, third and fourth end panel support flaps appended to the rear side wall, right and left end flaps appended to the floor at each end respectively, and first and second tab receiving apertures extending through the floor adjacent the points of appending of the first and second end panel support flaps respectively, a left-side end panel separately formed from a material unconnected to the body and positioned to lie at one end of the floor between the front and rear side walls and formed to include a left-side pocket receiving the first and third end panel support flaps therein and having at least one stacking tab insertable into the first tab receiving aperture, and a right-side end pane

Abstract: An open-top fold-and-glue container is provided a collapsed or knocked-down-flat configuration and can be erected into a nested stacking frusto-pyramidal configuration in which the container walls are inclined outwardly and an upper container is supported on self-erecting shoulders in a lower container in the stack. The container has a bottom integral with opposite end walls and side walls, the end and side walls each being formed of an inner panel folded downwardly against an outer panel. The shoulders are located in the inner panels of the end walls, and are self-erecting in the manner of an expanding parallelogram between upper and lower glue strips and a support strip projecting substantially vertically downwardly from the shoulder to the bottom. The attachment of the upper glue strip to the outer panel of the end wall forms a reinforcement at the rim. The ledge is disposed adjacent to and under this reinforcement, and a manual grip can be placed immediately under the ledge.

Abstract: A container is made in a collapsed configuration with bellows fold corners for self-erection and has spaced-panel end walls encompassing hollow columns for vertical reinforcement. An outer end wall panel is joined to the container bottom, leading to a ledge panel that is horizontal when the container is erected, and an inner end wall panel folds over and down to lock via tabs into openings in the bottom. The hollow columns reside under the ledge panel and are provided by column-forming panels folded inwardly and glued to the inner end wall panels. Score or fold lines define the corners of the hollow column and are placed to bear against inner sides of the front and back walls, which holds the hollow columns open when the container is erected. The column-forming panels have protruding tabs backed by corresponding tabs on a ledge panel between inner and outer panels of the end walls. These tabs form a two thickness registration tab that engages a corresponding opening in the container bottom for stacking.

Abstract: A plate for permitting the attachment of an inverted plate on the top of another bottom plate for protectively carrying items such as food stuffs between. The plate includes a plate having top and bottom faces, a base and a lip extending around the base of the plate. The lip has a plurality of separation lines therethrough between the top and bottom faces of the plate. Each separation line of the lip forms a tab and defines a corresponding hole through the plate. Each of the tabs of the lip is outwardly deflectable from both the top and bottom faces of the plate.

Abstract: Locking panels are employed to prevent the collapse of a merchandise display of the type having two sets of end closure flaps that arrange themselves into common closures in an erect condition of the display. Each locking panel overlies a respective closure and engages opposite walls of the display.

Abstract: A stacking display for merchandise including a first main panel comprised of a side panel, an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A second main panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel, an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A first small panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel having a first side foldably secured to a second side of the side panel of the first main panel. The first small panel includes an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A second small panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel having a first side foldably secured to a second side of the side panel of the second main panel and a second side foldably secured to a first side of the side panel of the first main panel. The second small panel includes an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel.

Abstract: A foldable tote box is formed by a one-pierce die-cut and scored board of corrugated material, especially corrugated plastic materials. The board includes a rectangular bottom panel having a length and a width defined by pairs of side and end edges. Each of a pair of sidewall panels has a folding edge integrally connected to the side edge of the bottom panel along a first scored folding line, a top edge and a pair of end edges that define a height of the box. Each pair of two filler beam panels are integrally connected to the end edges of one of the sidewall panels along second scored folding lines. Each filler beam panel is folded to form a hollow support beam. A pair of end wall panels are integrally connected to the end edges of the bottom panel along third scored folding lines. Each end wall panel includes an end wall section and a flap section divided by double scoring lines, thereby defining a support surface between the double scoring lines.

Abstract: A plurality of tabs extend from three edges of each head of a pair of heads for penetrably engaging respective ones of a plurality of slots disposed along opposed edges of a wrap to form an asparagus box. The pair of heads and wrap are formed from corrugated plastic sheet material and the wall segments present in opposed overhangs of each tab engage opposed triangular elements disposed at opposed ends of each slot to restrain the tab but accommodate disassembly and reassembly. A tray receives and supports the open end of the asparagus box to form a container and includes a plurality of slots for receiving tabs protruding from the wrap of an adjacent stacked container to stabilize stacking of the containers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a box insert for protecting bottles. The box insert is formed from a piece of cardboard with fold lines. When the cardboard is folded along the lines and a bottle is placed within the cardboard, the bottle's sides are surrounded by cardboard. At least one bottom and top cut am provided through the cardboard across one of the fold lines. When the cardboard is pushed below the bottom cut and above the top cut, the cardboard folds inward to create a bottom and top indentation to hold the bottle away from the bottom and top of the box. If the bottle has a neck, the top indentation is positioned next to the bottle's neck above the body of the bottle. Usually the top indentation is formed from two top cuts. The inserts and bottles are then placed in a box for shipping. The cardboard inserts provide cardboard indentations that cushion and provide a small space between the bottom and top of the box.

Abstract: The box is easily assembled by hand, is suitable for construction out of plastic materials, and can be produced at relatively low cost. The box includes an elongated wrap panel with a plurality of flat surfaces formed by folding at lateral creases. The flat surfaces include a bottom surface and two flat surfaces forming a top wherein the two flat surfaces are adjacent to the lateral edges of the wrap panel. Each of the two sides of the box are formed from a plurality of flat surfaces. The box also includes two end panels, each with a plurality of tabs which engage with the box sides and each end panel having a horizontal slit extending there through. The bottom surface of the box includes a locking tab at each end. The locking tab includes a pair of hinged portions permitting the locking tab to fold inward wherein a portion of the bottom surface between the pair of hinged portions forms a flat support tab that is formed by a slit in the locking tab.

Abstract: The present invention provides a improved corrugated cardboard box formed from a single pre-cut and pre-scored blank. The box can better support vertical and lateral loads, such as are present when many like boxes are stacked in a column, making the box ideal for packaging and shipping easily damaged produce such as tomatoes. The box is typical in that it includes a bottom panel, two side panels, two top panels, and two end panels. The improvement resides in the provision of a corner support post at each corner of the box. Each corner support post includes a vertically extending corner support panel, which is attached to the side edge of the end panel, and an interior bracing panel which extends from the corner support panel to the inner surface of the end panel. In a preferred embodiment, the post also includes a connecting panel disposed between the corner support panel and the interior bracing panel.

Abstract: A signle peece paperboard container is formed from a flat blank and includes side walls, end walls and a bottom. The end walls include a four ply the plys. Additional strength can be provided with an inclined corner post and an additional reinforcing panel extending along the wall, both of which are panels extending outwardly from an end panel when in blank form.

Abstract: A product display and delivery system comprising modular, disposable, product-filled cartridges fitted with a plurality of external fastener devices, positioned in a unique arrangement, which enables the cartridges to be releasably joined in a plurality of different orientations relative to one another, including orientations in which a cartridge is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other cartridges of the product display. The positioning of the fastener devices also enables the releasable joining of cartridges having different depths and the releasable joining of cartridges to a stabilizing system which extends beneath a first row of cartridges to reduce movement of the cartridges relative to a surface on which the cartridges rest. In accordance with a preferred apparatus, each cartridge is created from two elongated, rectangular, interlocking sleeves positioned with the first sleeve residing inside the second sleeve.

Abstract: An interlock is disclosed for stackable lower and upper boxes. The lower box is provided with upstanding hook-shaped tabs extending upwardly from parallel walls and the upper box is provided with slots in the bottom which register with the tabs when the upper box is laterally offset from the lower box. After the tabs are inserted into the slots, the boxes are shifted laterally into alignment with each other and the hook-shaped tabs overlap the bottom of the upper box. Box blanks are disclosed for making the upper and lower boxes with the interlock tabs positioned so that the box blanks can be nested for saving material. A corner interlock is disclosed for latching the interlock tab in the locked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a improved corrugated cardboard box formed from a single pre-cut and pre-scored blank. The box can better support vertical and lateral loads, such as are present when many like boxes are stacked in a column, making the box ideal for packaging and shipping easily damaged produce such as tomatoes. The box is typical in that it includes a bottom panel, two side panels, two top panels, and two end panels. The improvement resides in the provision of a corner support post at each corner of the box. Each corner support post includes a vertically extending corner support panel, which is attached to the side edge of the end panel, and an interior bracing panel which extends from the corner support panel to the inner surface of the end panel. In a preferred embodiment, the post also includes a connecting panel disposed between the corner support panel and the interior bracing panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for interlocking the top layer of corrugated cardboard cartons in a palletized load of said cartons while also providing edge protection, load containment, a flat even surface to stack additional palletized loads upon, and the ability to stack palletized units of boxed product while not damaging the stacking tabs used in produce corrugated cardboard carton designs. The apparatus has two sides at substantially right angles to each other that meet to form an edge. Material is removed from at least one side to create a plurality of slots for receiving the stacking tabs in the tops of the corrugated cardboard cartons. The apparatus is placed on the edge of the upper layer of cartons on a palletized load to interlock the cartons for greater load stability and to reduce load failure.

Abstract: The carton of the present invention is formed from a one-piece blank of foldable paperboard or the like which includes, an automatic bottom closure, a top closure having a front lock, and remote side wall extensions which include slots and tabs to permit a plurality of the cartons when stacked to be secured together, or for the use of a separate carrying handle.

Abstract: A pile up tray includes a base piece shaped as a cask, cast to be a bottom of the tray in which a rising double marginal flange is provided and to which at least one other piece is jointed. The other piece forms at least part of the side walls of the tray. The cask is placed inside of the piece or pieces that form the side walls of the tray, overhanding with respect to the lower edge of the pieces that form the side walls of the tray, so that during the piling of a number of trays up, the bottom part of each tray is placed into a mouth of the lower tray. The side walls of the tray can be provided with folding flanges which fold towards the inside of the tray and are fixed to the side walls by glue, to provide the tray with more resistance to compression.

Abstract: A container with a novel locking mechanism for attaching the body of the container to the container end plates. The present invention also provides a container that is totally recyclable without having to disassemble the container. A stackable shipping and storing container is provided comprising a fight side wall, a left side wall, and a bottom wall all extending between a first end wall and a second end wall and having a locking tab near each end. A panel lock is provided for attaching the locking tab of the right side wall, the left side wall, and the bottom wall to the first end wall and the second end wall wherein each locking tab is held in the panel lock at at least three points.

Abstract: A container for the storage, transport and handling of bulk mail is provided. The container includes a top panel that is adequately secured in place thereby eliminating the need for a separate tray, elastic strap and sleeve. A plurality of containers, in combination with a pallet, top and bottom caps and side enclosures provide an improved method for the shipment of large quantities of bulk mail and eliminates the need for shrink wrapping conventional sleeves onto pallets.

Abstract: A box-like container for transporting packaged fruits and vegetables has a bottom whose central member can be pulled upwardly to cause the flaps at the bottoms of the side walls to be pulled upwardly and inwardly and the side walls to be pulled inwardly into a frustopyramital configuration enabling the box to be nested in a like box. Film hinges are provided between the side walls of a rectangular frame which itself is hollow and of rectangular cross section. Other film hinges are provided between the flaps and a central member.

Abstract: A folding box includes a pair of opposed first side walls each foldable along a vertical direction, a pair of opposed second side walls, and a pair of bottom plates. Each bottom plates includes a central trapezoidal portion and a pair of triangular portions hingedly connected respectively to opposite sides of the trapezoidal portion. With this construction, the box made, for example, of a corrugated board can be folded into a compact size, so that the area of the folded box is small.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a display-ready carton each include an opening formed in one vertical panel both to display articles within the carton and to permit their removal as desired. The opening preferably extends into the top panel of the carton and includes a removable reinforcing element, more preferably a T-bar, extending across the opening. The carton is preferably formed from corrugated material having a horizontal axis of corrugation in the panel forming the opening and a vertical axis of corrugation in the end panels to structurally rigidify the carton. The carton is preferably the same height as the articles and is more preferably formed from a wrap including the front, back, top and bottom panels and end pieces forming the two end panels.

Abstract: A storage container or bin primarily constructed of extruded fluted plastic panels. The container includes two opposed pairs of generally parallel side walls, each side wall including at least one upright extruded plastic panel disposed with the flutes extending vertically to provide vertical column strength. A stacking and reinforcing loop of metal rod is positioned in direct load-bearing engagement with the upper edges of the side walls, with the rod being fixedly secured to each side wall by securing flanges which are integral with the fluted material defining the side walls and which snugly wrap around the top rod and are fixedly secured to the respective side wall. The top stacking rod is provided with a stacking bracket adjacent each corner of the container, which bracket is positioned outwardly and upwardly of the reinforcing rod to secure and cooperate with a lower corner of a second container when the latter is vertically stacked on the top stacking rod of the first container.

Abstract: A container for holding a plurality of disposable pipette tips which are to be installed to a pipette rack for a pipetting apparatus is disclosed. The container includes an upper panel having a plurality of aligned openings into which the disposable tips are to be inserted, respectively, and a lower panel for regulating swing movement of the respective disposable tips held by the upper panel. The lower panel is separated from the upper panel so as to be freely movable between a first position at which the lower panel is spaced from the upper panel and a second position at which the lower panel is close to the upper panel. The container further includes four tabs which support the lower panel thereon at the first position. The tabs are formed on side panels which are connected to the upper panel. According to the container, it is possible to install the container which holes the pipette tips to the pipette rack without applying any specific force.

Abstract: A container formed by wrapping a slotted flexible sheet about rigid end panels having projections that extend through the slots. The projections include stacking projections which engage recesses in the end panels of adjacent stacked containers and support projections at the corners. The support projections engage each other when the containers are stacked to provide resistance to lateral loading. At least one end of the flexible sheet terminates in the top panel and engages a wedge-shaped projection on the end panels to lock that end of the sheet in place. The other end may be similarly locked in place or may overlap the first end and be held in place by a tab and slot arrangement. Alternatively, the other end portion of the sheet may include a lid which is held in place by mechanical tabs, while intermediate edges spaced from the end engage the wedge-shaped projections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking cartons for transport. The apparatus includes a plurality of straddles that engage with stacked cartons. Each straddle attaches to a top edge of a wall on an upper stacked carton and a bottom portion that extends from the top portion to a wall on a lower stacked carton. A cover fits over the upper stacked carton and contacts the straddles in a manner where the bottom portion engages with the upper and lower stacked cartons to prevent the cartons from slipping during transport. In another embodiment straps engage with handles on the side of the carton.

Abstract: A disposable container for biohazardous medical waste comprising a cylindrical, tapered body having a circular bottom attached on one end and a circular lid secured in place on an opposite end by interlocking tabs and slots. Located above the lid are handles formed integrally with the body of the container for use in transporting the container without contacting the medical waste contained therein. The lid is secured in place and cannot be deliberately or accidently removed without damaging the container. The bottom, body, and lid of the container are constructed of solid fiber paperboard which is both leak and puncture resistant and readily flammable for efficient incineration. The tapered geometry of the body permits easy stacking of the containers thereby requiring a minimal amount of storage space.

Abstract: A box for storing and shipping empty collapsible tubes in upright honeycombed column form, having a body of continuous sides and ends, having a lip at the top and bottom that engages snaps in a groove on top and bottom lids. When disassembled, the box body can be folded flat and the lids nested.

Abstract: A Container for the storage, transport and handling of bulk mail is provided. The container includes a top panel that is adequately secured in place thereby eliminating the need for a separate tray, elastic strap and sleeve. A plurality of containers, in combination with a pallet, top and bottom caps and side enclosures provide an improved method for the shipment of large quantities of bulk mail and eliminates the need for shrink wrapping conventional sleeves onto pallets.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a display tray having a tray body with a bottom wall, opposing front and rear walls and an open top. At least one support wall is spaced between the rear walls and extends upward from the bottom wall to define a plurality of article carrying rows. A plurality of openings are positioned in the front, rear or support walls adjacent to the bottom wall for receiving projections of articles to be carried in the display tray and retaining the articles in the article carrying rows. In one embodiment, a bottom wall flap member overlies the bottom wall and is folded to form at least one support wall spaced between front and rear walls and extending upward from the bottom wall to form a plurality of article carrying rows. The bottom wall flap member includes front and rear upward extending flap wall members positioned adjacent the interior of respective front and rear walls of the tray body.

Abstract: A multiple use packaging and shipping container for plants includes two opposed vertical side trays separated by a horizontal floor. Flats of bedding plants placed on the horizontal floor extend into the two opposed vertical side trays, which hold the flats and prevent them from moving. The opposed vertical side trays will support several additional shipping and display containers, allowing them to be stacked, one on top of another, without crushing or damaging the plants. The sides may also include vertical top tabs and bottom slots for aligning and holding the shipping and display containers in position when they stacked one on top of the other. Once delivered, these containers may be displayed in the stacked configuration, or may be unstacked. Each side tray of the container may be separated from the floor and reconfigured into a customer carry-out tray.

Abstract: A composite tray and stacker structure for packages of a plurality of identical paperboard and/or plastic containers supported in a tray for the purpose of providing compressive load-bearing capability to the package. The composite tray and stacker is composed essentially of a single sheet of stiff material, such as corrugated paperboard. The structure includes a rectangular tray bottom wall having a central transverse reverse fold line and a pair of end walls connected to the bottom wall along fold lines. A pair of top wall spacer elements are foldably connected along the top edges of the end walls and a pair of weight-bearing abutable stacker elements are foldably connected to the spacer elements. A relatively narrow product retainer panel is connected to each of the side edges of each of the end walls and stacker elements along fold lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a packaging container, and a preform therefor, which finds particular application in the packaging and protection of relatively soft products, such as fresh produce. The container comprises a pair of end web plates (12) formed with peripherally extending projections (20). A cover sheet (10) is wrapped about the peripheries of the web plates (12). The cover sheet (10) is folded along fold lines (16) and is formed with slots (18) through which the projections (20) on the web plates (12) may extend when the cover sheet (10) is wrapped about the web plates (12). The web plates (12) are formed with locking slots (26) into which the longitudinal edges (28) of the cover sheet (10) may be clipped to retain the cover sheet (10) in position.

Abstract: A package for unitizing and shipping pipette tips is provided and includes a paperboard tray received on the side panels of an outer shipping enclosure, which panels support the tray over a cavity into which the pipette tips extend. The tray includes two spaced, substantially parallel panels, each having an array of holes; the arrays are aligned. One of the parallel panels is preferably joined to the tray along perforated, cut fold lines, whereby that panel easily may be broken away from the tray when the tray is placed on a pipette support block. The invention also encompasses flat blanks, one for the tray and one for the shipping enclosure, for forming into the package.