Container With Dividers
A container for holding one or more products. The container can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the container. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a bottom panel. The container further can comprise one or more integrated dividers extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel to at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/411,888, filed on Sep. 30, 2022.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEThe disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/411,888, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to cartons, containers, trays, and/or other constructs for holding food products and/or other types of articles and/or products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers/trays with dividing features.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a container for holding one or more products. The container can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the container. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a bottom panel. The container further can comprise one or more integrated dividers extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel to at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a container for holding one or more products. The blank can comprise a plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom panel. Further, the blank can comprise a divider panel configured for forming an integrated divider extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a container for holding one or more products. The method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and a divider panel. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a bottom panel. The method further can comprise positioning the panels of the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the container and forming an integrated divider by positioning the divider panel to extend upwardly from the bottom panel in the interior of the container. The integrated divider can at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Exemplary EmbodimentsThe tray of the present disclosure can be useful in containing one or more products (e.g., a food product) or other articles such as any suitable type of product that can be stored, transported, cooled, frozen, heated, and/or cooked (e.g., in a microwave oven). Some suitable products could comprise cookies, crackers, chips, sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, nachos, fruits, vegetables, popcorn, cuts of meat, or any other suitable food product or other article. In some embodiments, the tray of the present disclosure can be used for heating, cooking, browning, crisping, etc. the food product by use of a heating or cooking device such as a microwave oven. It is understood that food products (or non-food products) other than the food products listed herein may be contained in the package. Further, products contained in this package may be generally rectangular, triangular, round, square, irregular, or any other shape. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “interior,” “outer,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “forward,” “back,” “rear,” and “rearward” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright packages. As described herein, containers can be formed from blanks by being glued or otherwise secured with multiple panels, portions, tabs, and/or flaps, which may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or nonsequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 includes a bottom panel 110 foldably connected to a first side panel 112 at a first longitudinal fold line 114. A second side panel 116 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a second longitudinal fold line 118. A back panel or first end panel 120 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a first lateral fold line 122 at one longitudinal end of the central panel 110, and a front panel or second end panel 124 is foldably connected to the central panel 110 along a second lateral fold line 126 at another longitudinal end of the central panel 110. Either or both of the end panels 120, 124 could be referred to as side panels along with the first and second side panels 112, 116. As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the blank 103 includes end flaps 130, 132 foldably connected at respective ends of the back panel 120 along respective fold lines 134, 136. End flaps 138, 140 are respectively foldably connected at respective ends of the front panel 124 along the respective fold lines 142, 144. In embodiments, the bottom panel 110, the side panels 112, 116, the back panel 120, the front panel 124, and the end flaps 130, 132, 138, 140 can cooperate to form a tray portion 148 of the blank 103. The tray portion 148, including any of the bottom panel 110, the side panels 112, 116, the back and front panels 120, 124, and/or the end flaps 130, 132, 138, 140 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the end flaps 130, 138, 132, 140 could be foldably connected to the respective side panels 112, 116.
As shown in
The blank 103 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, different portions of the inner structure 150 could be foldably connected to different panels of the tray portion 148 or the inner structure 150 could be provided as a separate blank from the remainder of the blank 103.
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, as the outer end panels 120, 124 are folded upwardly relative to the bottom panel, the inner end panels 166, 172 are folded upwardly relative to the central panel 154 causing the gussets 170, 174 to fold inwardly toward the respective inner end panels 166, 172 (e.g., so that the gussets 170, 174 are proximate to and/or in face-to-face contact with the respective inner end panel 166, 172. As shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the folding of the divider panels 156, 158 and the gusset panels 170, 174 can be initiated and/or directed by fingers or pins (e.g., of a packaging machine or forming equipment; not shown) that can at least partially extend through the apertures 128 to engage the divider panels 156, 158 and push the divider panels 156, 158 upwardly away from the bottom panel 110. In exemplary embodiments, the divider panels 156, 158 can be folded to extend vertically (e.g., perpendicular to the bottom panel 110).
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the end flaps 330, 332, 338, 340 can be foldably connected to the respective outer end panels 320a, 320b, 324a, 324b along respective lateral fold lines 134, 136, 142, 144. As shown in
The blank 303 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the tray 305 further can be formed by folding the side panels 312, 316 and the end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b upwardly relative to the bottom wall 420 and engaging the locking features 402 of the end flaps 330, 332, 338, 340 with the respective slots 404 in the side panels 312, 316. For example, the end flaps 330, 338 and 332, 340 can be folded to at least partially overlap the respective side panels 312, 316 and the protrusions 402a can be inserted into the respective slots 404 so that the recesses 402b engage the respective side panels 312, 316 at the respective slots 404. The locking flaps 406 can be folded downwardly along the respective lateral fold lines 408 to at least partially overlap the respective end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b with the folding panels 370, 374 positioned between the respective end panels. In embodiments, when the tabs 410 are engaged with the respective cuts 412, the locking flaps 406 can help retain the end panels 320, 320a, 320b, 324, 324a, 324b and the folding panels 370, 374 in respective end walls 422, 424 (
As shown in
The dividers 307 and/or the receiving spaces 392 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the tray 305 could have any suitable number of dividers 307, such as by increasing or decreasing the size of the blank 303 and/or increasing or decreasing the number of dividers 307. Further, the tray 305 could be otherwise formed without departing from the disclosure. For example, glue can be used to further secure features of the tray 305.
As shown in
The trays of the present disclosure can provide advantages over containers, such as molded plastic containers while still providing the containment and/or separation of product placed in the trays. For example, the trays of the present application can be made from renewable materials (e.g., paperboard and/or other suitable materials) rather than molded plastic.
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the panels, flaps, and other features shown and described in conjunction with the blanks 103, 303, 503 and the trays 105, 305, 505 are included by way of example.
In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A container for holding one or more products, the container comprising:
- a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the container, the plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom panel; and
- one or more integrated dividers extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel to at least partially form a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel opposite to the first end panel, and wherein the one or more integrated dividers extends from the first end panel to the second end panel.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel extending at least partially parallel to the one or more integrated dividers, and wherein the one or more integrated dividers is spaced apart from the side panel.
4. The container of claim 2, further comprising an interior structure comprising at least a first inner end panel in an overlapping relationship with the first end panel, a second inner end panel in an overlapping relationship with the second end panel, and a divider panel, and wherein the one or more integrated dividers comprises at least the divider panel.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the divider panel is connected to the first inner end panel and the second inner end panel by respective gusset panels.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the interior structure comprises a central panel in an overlapping relationship with the bottom panel, and wherein the divider panel is foldably connected to the central panel along a fold line.
7. The container of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises an outer bottom panel, and wherein the one or more integrated dividers comprises at least a divider panel foldably connected to each of the bottom panel and the outer bottom panel along respective fold lines.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first outer end panel and a second outer end panel each foldably connected to the outer bottom panel, the first outer end panel and the second outer end panel being connected to the respective first end panel and second end panel by a respective first folding panel and second folding panel.
9. The container of claim 1, further comprising an interior structure comprising a central panel and a divider panel foldably connected to the central panel, the central panel being in an overlapping relationship with the bottom panel, and the one or more integrated dividers comprising the divider panel.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the divider panel is a first divider panel, the interior structure further comprises a second divider panel foldably connected to the central panel opposite to the first divider panel.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the interior structure further comprises a first inner end panel connected to each of the first divider panel and the second divider panel by respective first folding panels and a second inner end panel connected to each of the first divider panel and the second divider panel by respective second folding panels opposite to the first inner end panel.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first end panel and a second end panel each foldably connected to the bottom panel, and wherein the first inner end panel and the second inner end panel are in overlapping relationship with the respective first end panel and second end panel.
13. The container of claim 9, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises an end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and wherein the interior structure comprises an inner end panel in at least partially overlapping relationship with the end panel, the inner end panel being foldably connected to the end panel along a fold line.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the inner end panel is connected to the divider panel by a folding panel.
15. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is a central bottom panel, the plurality of panels further comprises an outer bottom panel, and the one or more integrated dividers comprises a divider panel foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the outer bottom panel.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to the outer bottom panel along a first fold line and a second divider section foldably connected to the central bottom panel along a second fold line, and wherein the first divider section and the second divider section are foldably connected to one another along a third fold line.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and an outer end panel foldably connected to the outer bottom panel, the central end panel and the outer end panel are connected to one another by a folding panel.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein each of the outer end panel and the central end panel is in an at least partially overlapping relationship with the folding panel.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein a locking flap is foldably connected to the outer end panel and is folded over the outer end panel to at least partially overlap a portion of the central end panel.
20. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is a central bottom panel, the plurality of panels further comprises a first outer bottom panel and a second outer bottom panel, and the one or more integrated dividers comprises a first divider panel foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the first outer bottom panel and a second divider panel foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the second outer bottom panel.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a central end panel foldably connected to the central bottom panel, a first outer end panel foldably connected to the first outer bottom panel, and a second outer end panel foldably connected to the second outer bottom panel, the first outer end panel and the second outer end panel being connected to the central end panel by respective folding panels.
22. A blank for forming a container for holding one or more products, the container comprising:
- a plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom panel; and
- a divider panel configured for forming an integrated divider extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank.
23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel opposite to the first end panel, and wherein the integrated divider formed from the divider panel is for extending from the first end panel to the second end panel when the container is formed from the blank.
24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel extending at least partially parallel to the divider panel, and wherein the divider panel is spaced apart from the side panel.
25. The blank of claim 23, further comprising an interior structure comprising at least a first inner end panel, a second inner end panel, and the divider panel extending at least partially from the first inner end panel to the second inner end panel, and wherein the first inner end panel and the second inner end panel are for being in an overlapping relationship with the respective first end panel and second end panel when the container is formed from the blank.
26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the divider panel is connected to the first inner end panel and the second inner end panel by respective gusset panels.
27. The blank of claim 26, wherein the interior structure comprises a central panel for being positioned in an overlapping relationship with the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank, and wherein the divider panel is foldably connected to the central panel along a fold line.
28. The blank of claim 23, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises an outer bottom panel, and wherein the divider panel is foldably connected to each of the bottom panel and the outer bottom panel along respective fold lines.
29. The blank of claim 28, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first outer end panel and a second outer end panel each foldably connected to the outer bottom panel, the first outer end panel and the second outer end panel being connected to the respective first end panel and second end panel by a respective first folding panel and second folding panel.
30. The blank of claim 22, further comprising an interior structure comprising a central panel and the divider panel, wherein the divider panel is foldably connected to the central panel, and the central panel is for being positioned in an overlapping relationship with the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank.
31. The blank of claim 30, wherein the divider panel is a first divider panel, the interior structure further comprises a second divider panel foldably connected to the central panel opposite to the first divider panel.
32. The blank of claim 31, wherein the interior structure further comprises a first inner end panel connected to each of the first divider panel and the second divider panel by respective first folding panels and a second inner end panel connected to each of the first divider panel and the second divider panel by respective second folding panels opposite to the first inner end panel.
33. The blank of claim 30, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises an end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and wherein the interior structure comprises an inner end panel foldably connected to the end panel along a fold line, the inner end panel for being positioned in at least partially overlapping relationship with the end panel when the container is formed from the blank.
34. The blank of claim 33, wherein the inner end panel is connected to the divider panel by a folding panel.
35. The blank of claim 22, wherein the bottom panel is a central bottom panel, the plurality of panels further comprises an outer bottom panel, and the divider panel is foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the outer bottom panel.
36. The blank of claim 35, wherein the divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to the outer bottom panel along a first fold line and a second divider section foldably connected to the central bottom panel along a second fold line, and wherein the first divider section and the second divider section are foldably connected to one another along a third fold line.
37. The blank of claim 35, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and an outer end panel foldably connected to the outer bottom panel, the central end panel and the outer end panel are connected to one another by a folding panel.
38. The blank of claim 37, wherein a locking flap is foldably connected to the outer end panel and is for being folded over the outer end panel to at least partially overlap a portion of the central end panel when the container is formed from the blank.
39. The blank of claim 22, wherein the bottom panel is a central bottom panel and the divider panel is a first divider panel, and wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first outer bottom panel and a second outer bottom panel and the blank further comprises a second divider panel, the first divider panel being foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the first outer bottom panel and the second divider panel being foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the second outer bottom panel.
40. The blank of claim 39, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a central end panel foldably connected to the central bottom panel, a first outer end panel foldably connected to the first outer bottom panel, and a second outer end panel foldably connected to the second outer bottom panel, the first outer end panel and the second outer end panel being connected to the central end panel by respective folding panels.
41. A method of forming a container for holding one or more products, the method comprising:
- obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and a divider panel, the plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom panel;
- positioning the panels of the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the container; and
- forming an integrated divider by positioning the divider panel to extend upwardly from the bottom panel in the interior of the container, the integrated divider at least partially forming a plurality of receiving spaces in the interior of the container.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the blank further comprises an interior structure comprising a central panel and the divider panel, wherein the divider panel is foldably connected to the central panel, and wherein the method further comprises positioning the inner structure so that the central panel is in an overlapping relationship with the bottom panel, and the forming the integrated divider comprises folding the divider panel upwardly relative to the central panel.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises an end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, wherein the interior structure comprises an inner end panel foldably connected to the end panel along a fold line, and wherein the positioning the interior structure comprises folding the interior structure relative to the end panel along the fold line and positioning the inner end panel in an at least partially overlapping relationship with the end panel.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein the folding the divider panel upwardly comprises engaging the divider panel with one or more pins via one or more apertures extending in the bottom panel to push the divider panel upwardly.
45. The method of claim 41, wherein the bottom panel is a central bottom panel, the plurality of panels further comprises an outer bottom panel, and the divider panel is foldably connected to the central bottom panel and the outer bottom panel.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to the outer bottom panel along a first fold line and a second divider section foldably connected to the central bottom panel along a second fold line, wherein the first divider section and the second divider section are foldably connected to one another along a third fold line, and wherein the positioning the divider panel comprises moving the central bottom panel and the outer bottom panel closer together while moving the third fold line upwardly so that the first divider section and the second divider section extend at least upwardly from the respective central bottom panel and outer bottom panel to the third fold line.
47. The method of claim 45, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and an outer end panel foldably connected to the outer bottom panel, the central end panel and the outer end panel are connected to one another by a folding panel, and wherein the positioning the panels of the plurality of panels comprises folding the central end panel, the folding panel, and the outer end panel to be in an at least partially overlapping relationship.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 25, 2023
Publication Date: Apr 4, 2024
Inventor: Steven M. Oliveira (Canton, GA)
Application Number: 18/372,207