Abstract: A shipping protector for bottles and the like has a coolant receiving bay defined therein, adapted to allow placement of cooling elements therein when the protector is in a shipping carton. The bay is open to the top and bottom such that the cooling element can be inserted therein in a separate operation from the packing of the bottles or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers that preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a cake tray that has a number of hand holding or gripping recesses for conveniently carrying the cake tray or base. The cake tray further include finger gripping recesses formed by upwardly projecting pads and protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package for containing a product comprising a support (1) which has: a base (2) configured for receiving one or more products, a perimetral edge (6) which surrounds the base (2), a removable portion (21) extending as a prolongation of the perimetral edge (6) away from the base (2). The package further comprises: a closing film (10) engaged with a portion of the perimetral edge (6) and with the removable portion (21) for defining a housing compartment (22) for the product, a gripping portion (22) emerging from the perimetral edge (6); the removable portion (21) and at least a part of the closing film (10) are configured for being separated from the support (1) during an opening step of the package.

Abstract: A hollow article for use as a beverage cup, or as a container, the hollow article having an annular sidewall and a base wall defining a central hollow cavity, a top rim of the sidewall and a bottom end of the sidewall, wherein the annular sidewall has a plastics material composed of a sandwich structure of inner and outer skins and an integral expanded cellular foam layer therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the annular sidewall has an inner surface of the sandwich structure inclined at a first acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the hollow article and an opposite outer surface of the sandwich structure inclined at a second acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the hollow article, wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle.

Abstract: A film package with a resealable access opening providing improved access to the package contents is provided. The film package may include a tray, frame, or other reinforcing structure containing or holding discrete articles disposed in a row, column, or array, a flexible film forming at least a top of the film package, an access opening disposed at least in the top defined by a cut in the film, and a sealing layer adhesively sealed to the film or a remainder of the film around the access opening. In one embodiment, the access cut forming the access opening into the film has an expanded portion that extends outward from the remainder of the access cut to facilitate easier removal of the discrete articles within the package. To further improve access, the tray may have an opening or window therein to permit the discrete articles to move longitudinally and/or laterally therein.

Abstract: A meat tray sized and shaped to support raw meat is provided. The meat tray is composed of a paperboard material. The meat tray may include a generally planar base extending to a sidewall that extends transversely from the planar base to an angled outer transition which forms an outer periphery of a tray cavity. A rim of the meat tray is located at a terminus of the angled outer transition and extends away from the cavity. The rim may include an outer arcuate rim portion that extends and curves away from the outer transition and a planar flange extending from the outer arcuate rim portion and terminates at an edge. The edge faces downwardly with respect to the outer arcuate rim portion.

Abstract: A method of producing a lid including a top plate and a side wall extending downward from a periphery of the top plate, using molds, the molds including a papermaking mold and a drying mold. The top plate is provided with an abutting part abutting against an edge of an opening of a container, while an undercut part to be fitted to a lower part of the edge is formed on the side wall so as to be located below the abutting part. The papermaking mold is provided with suction holes at a level corresponding to a level of the undercut part formed on an inner surface of the side wall. The side wall is suctioned using the suction holes when a molded article is at least in one of several states to form the undercut part in a convex shape on the inner surface of the side wall.

Abstract: Pressware products, such as disposable cutting boards and trays, are provided. A disposable cutting board can include an inner sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom panel, a flange portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a first annular transition extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second annular transition extending outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the flange. The bottom panel can have a surface area of about 300 cm2 to about 1,000 cm2, and the disposable cutting board can have a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm. The disposable cutting board can further have an FPI rigidity of about 85 grams or more and a product to blank perimeter (P1/P2) ratio of about 90% to about 99%.

Abstract: Processor tray for displaying tubular meat products in an arcuate configuration, and designed to help guide the packer to mold and place curved meat products in the tray. The filled tray is wrapped in film, and the configuration of the filled tray maintains the film taut to avoid leakage. The tray includes a rectangular upper shaped cavity, and a plurality of curved recessed pockets extend below the upper cavity to define a lower cavity. The tray is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and breakage, thus enabling the overwrapped tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage or breakage. In some embodiments the tray includes features that facilitate de-nesting of a stack of empty trays, and is adapted to facilitate movement of the wrapped package on a moving conveyor line. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a package by moulding a cardboard blank in such a manner that a margin area (2) of the blank, surrounding a middle portion (1) of the blank, is bent upwards to form side walls of the package while the middle portion forms a bottom of the package. The cardboard blank prior to moulding is provided with at least one area (4) of reduced bending stiffness being located in a transition zone (3) between the side walls and the bottom. The package is moulded from the blank so that the at least one area (4) of reduced bending stiffness is located in the bended areas between the side walls and the bottom and extend in the running direction of the bend. The invention further relates to a package and a package blank that can be used for forming said package.

Abstract: A deep-drawn paper tray made of paper material, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the tray, and a closed product package comprising the tray. The tray having a bottom and upwardly expanding side walls around the bottom, the side walls of the tray being shaped to expand through a plurality of circumferential steps dimensioned low enough for obtaining wrinkle-free side walls for the tray. The outermost step is a flat, wrinkle-free rim flange, which enables liquid and gas proof heat-sealing of a lid to form the package. The apparatus may comprise upper and lower moulding tools with concentric movable frames for forming the tray bottom and side wall steps from paper blanks, and moulding tools may be mounted onto a rotating turret carrying a paper blank through working stations arranged along the turret circumference, to shape the tray bottom and the side wall steps at the consecutive stations.

Abstract: A thermoformed tray made of material from the group consisting essentially of PET, RPET, HDPE, and RHDPE and a method of making the tray. The tray has a blunt and substantially smooth outer peripheral flange that will not cut a plastic overwrap film, such as LDPE. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a thermoformed packaging tray 10 preferably comprising PET, RPET, HDPE or RHDPE material. The techniques and processes for thermoforming a tray from PET, RPET, HDPE or RHDPE material are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and therefore further discussion of the thermoforming process is not warranted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding food-grade containers from a strip of paper material is provided. The apparatus includes a stationary die-holder plate, and a die-holder plate which is movable with respect to it between an opened position and a closed position. The stationary die-holder plate includes a respective stationary die half and the movable die-holder plate include a respective mobile die half. In the closed position, the die halves cooperate to define an impression corresponding to a container provided with a bottom, a side wall, and a substantially flat perimeter portion cantileverly extending from the side wall. A curling member, a permanent pleating member and a cutting blade are concentrically provided around the mobile die half and sequentially arranged from the inside to the outside thereof. Similarly, a counter curling member, a counter permanent pleating member and a counter cutting blade are concentrically arranged around the stationary die half.

Abstract: A package including a tray (10) provided with a base (11), a plurality of sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upwardly and slightly outwardly from said base (11), a primary flange (20) integrally joined to the upper edges of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) and extending outwardly all around the upper periphery of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15), a rim (21), i.e., a downward flap extending downwardly and tapering slightly outwardly from the outer periphery of the primary flange (20), and a secondary flange (22), i.e., an overhanging portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the rim (21), said tray being characterized in that a plurality of strengthening ribs (23) extend substantially vertically along the rim (21) and outwardly with respect to the tray body.

Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of denesting features of the container. A container formed from the blank has denesting features.

Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.

Abstract: A packaging 1 comprises a carton tray 3 provided with a flange 17 to which a relatively thick separating ring 15 is sealed. A film 19 is applied to this separating ring and to the inside of the tray. Once the tray 3 has been filled, the open topside of the tray is closed by a cover film 25. By holding the carton tray 3 and pulling the separating ring 15 from the tray 3 once the contents of the food packaging 1 have been consumed, the plastic film 19 together with the separating ring 15 can be separated from the tray 3 in a simple manner. The thin carton can be pressed together and folded in a simple manner. The thin plastic film and the separating ring hardly take up any space and can be disposed of in the respective waste stream.

Abstract: Paperboard plate includes a base having a substantially smooth flat surface, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of corner walls. Each side wall and each corner wall has a substantially straight upper edge. Each corner wall is disposed between a pair of adjacent side walls. The length of the upper edge of each corner wall is less than the length of the upper edge of each side wall. Furthermore, each side wall can include a lower portion and an upper portion at different angles relative each other.

Abstract: An improved container for holding produce is provided. The container comprises a tub-like tray, an insert that forms a snap fit within the tray near the tray bottom wall, and an absorbent pad that fits in the space between the insert and the tray bottom wall. When in use, exuded liquid can drain into the reservoir below the insert where it is absorbed by the pad. The insert helps segregate the exuded liquid from the produce and is designed to remain in place when the container is titled.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayered paper-containing product, for example a paper plate or tray, includes assembling two or more sheets of paper-containing material cut into blanks. The blanks are pressed together and shaped in a die, usually with a bonding agent being used to secure the blanks. Pleats are formed in the curved portion of the shaped product. However, the pleats on each blank are formed independently so that the folded region formed in the pleats are arranged in a staggered array and are not interleaved with the pleats of the other blank.

Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.

Abstract: Paperboard plate includes a base having a substantially smooth flat surface, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of corner walls. Each side wall and each corner wall has a substantially straight upper edge. Each corner wall is disposed between a pair of adjacent side walls. The length of the upper edge of each corner wall is less than the length of the upper edge of each side wall. Furthermore, each side wall can include a lower portion and an upper portion at different angles relative each other.

Abstract: A disposable servingware container 10 press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank has a characteristic diameter, D, and includes a bottom panel 12 having an arched central crown 14 with a convex upper surface 14a, a first annular transition portion 16 extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel, with the proviso that a portion of the arched central crown defines a substantially continuous, convex arched profile 18 spanning at least 75% of the horizontal distance between center 20 of the container and the first annular transition. An optional sidewall portion 26 extends upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion, while a second annular transition portion 28 flares outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion defining a second radius of curvature, R2. The ratio of R2/D is 0.0125 or less. An outer flange portion 32 extends outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion and forms the outer perimeter of the container.

Abstract: A board tray, a method for manufacturing a board tray and a tray blank from which the board tray is manufactured, said board tray containing side walls and a bottom wall made of a board layer provided on at least one surface thereof with a plastic coating, wherein areas of reduced thickness are formed in the board layer whereby portions of the plastic layer which have been melted and are disposed adjacent to areas of reduced thickness are compressed into such areas forming double-folded linear plastic compressions which seal on themselves.

Abstract: A disposable servingware container press-formed from paperboard includes (a) a bottom panel; (b) an annular transition portion; and (c) an outer portion extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the transition portion, the container having an outer surface and an inner surface distal to the outer surface, the inner surface being adapted as a serving surface. The paperboard is infused with a wax composition on one side thereof in an amount of at least 3 lbs of wax per 3000 ft2 ream such that the paperboard is partially saturated with wax and has a wax-enriched layer proximate one side thereof and a layer undersaturated with wax proximate the other side thereof.

Abstract: A cup holder tray having a plurality of cup pockets for receiving beverage cups therein, a finger spacing provided between two cup pockets, and a thumb-receiving surface above the finger spacing. The thumb-receiving surface can have friction protrusion to enhance friction with the thumb. Each one of the cup pockets having a circular wall and a system of cup holding surfaces protruding inwardly from the circular wall and cooperating in holding a beverage cup to be pushed downwardly therein. At least one of the cup holding surfaces can be connected to the circular wall by a lateral wall on each side, the lateral walls having a planar section oriented roughly normal to the beverage cup during use.

Abstract: A cup carrier for holding beverage cups within a range of shapes and sizes is provided. The carrier has a cup-holding socket that has stabilizing shoulders and stabilizing walls extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom. The stabilizing walls include an upper portion having a relatively shallow angle and lower portions having a steeper angle. This extends the stabilizing wall further into an upper region of the socket, thereby enabling the stabilizing wall to contact smaller diameter cups at a higher point in order to increase stability. The upper portion contacts larger cups inserted into the socket. Because the upper portion initially has a relatively shallow angle, it exerts a desirable gripping force on the cups when it is deflected outwardly by the cup's sidewall. The carrier also includes a stepped center cavity for increased strength and rigidity.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayered paper-containing product, for example a paper plate or tray, includes assembling two or more sheets of paper-containing material cut into blanks. The blanks are pressed together and shaped in a die, usually with a bonding agent being used to secure the blanks. Pleats are formed in the curved portion of the shaped product. However, the pleats on each blank are formed independently so that the folded region formed in the pleats are arranged in a staggered array and are not interleaved with the pleats of the other blank.

Abstract: A packaging container having a first housing member that includes walls that fit within an area defined by the walls of a second housing member, and a chamber cover that includes an area for housing or displaying goods. In one embodiment, the chamber cover is substantially surrounded by the opening of the first member of the housing, and includes a flange that abuts against the bottom of the first member of the housing to secure the chamber cover with respect to the housing, wherein the cover includes an area for housing or displaying goods. The chamber may also be integrally formed with the first housing member. The housing members may be made from a paper material that can include a substantially tear-resistant material.

Abstract: The present invention is food container assembly comprising, a container having a food compartment, a semi-flexible sheet fitted within the container, a doily attached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheet with the opposite edge attached to the container and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to the flexible sheet. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily under the flexible sheet and away from the food such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from the container the doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface.

Abstract: A disposable servingware container press-formed from paperboard includes (a) a bottom panel; (b) an annular transition portion; and (c) an outer portion extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the transition portion, the container having an outer surface and an inner surface distal to the outer surface, the inner surface being adapted as a serving surface. The paperboard is infused with a wax composition on one side thereof in an amount of at least 3 lbs of wax per 3000 ft2 ream such that the paperboard is partially saturated with wax and has a wax-enriched layer proximate one side thereof and a layer undersaturated with wax proximate the other side thereof.

Abstract: A disposable servingware container press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank includes: (a) a bottom panel; (b) a first annular transition portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel defining a first radius of curvature; (c) an optional sidewall portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion; (d) a second annular transition portion flaring outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion; and (e) an outer flange portion extending outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion. The paperboard blank is generally sized with nano starch in an amount of greater than 20 lbs per 3000 ft2 ream and preferably exhibits a starch layer concentration of greater than about 1.7 lbs/ream/mil.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.

Abstract: A packaging material of the present invention, which comprises a plate member, packages an object to be packaged by sandwiching the object, and the plate member is provided with an installation portion for the object to be packaged as well as a reinforcing portion.

Abstract: Trays for securing an article of manufacture within a container include a recess for receiving at least a portion of the article of manufacture therein. The trays also may include one or more sidewalls extending from an edge of the tray towards a container-bearing surface of the tray. At least a portion of the sidewalls may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions defining a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. Methods of packaging an article of manufacture include providing such a tray into a container, causing a surface of the tray to abut against a corner or edge of the container, and inserting the article of manufacture into the recess in the tray. Packages for shipping and/or storing such articles of manufacture may include one or more of such trays disposed within a container.

Abstract: A molded article (10) made predominantly of pulp and comprising a bottom portion (13) and a body portion (12), wherein the angle ? between the outer surface of a side wall of the body portion (12) and the ground contact plane (B) of the bottom portion (13) is 85° or greater, and the height of the body portion (12) is 50 mm or more.

Abstract: A paper container includes a base disk and a peripheral wall having a ledge extending from a bottom edge of the peripheral wall to engage with a bottom face of the base disk, a side wall integrally formed adjacent to the ledge and having an inner surface to engage with a peripheral edge of the base disk, a knurl formed between the ledge and the side wall for engagement with a surface and a lip ring formed on a top edge of the peripheral wall such that an annular space is formed between the base disk and the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A food enclosing container that has a top member and a bottom member, each formed of absorbent, corrugated paperboard, wherein at least one of the members has pressformed sidewalls. The paperboard has at least three layers, a smooth first layer, a smooth third layer and a corrugated layer interposed between the first and third layers. The top member has an unsealed interior surface so that it can absorb moisture from a contained food product. The bottom member has a grease barrier layer within the interior of its paperboard preferably positioned on the top surface of the third layer. Each of the members have engageable peripheral rims, which have a releasable, rebondable cohesive applied to the rims to permit the members to be bonded together, separated and rebonded together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rigid disposable food containers provided with a relatively steep sidewall with a generally linear profile and an outwardly flared arcuate flange portion. The containers are further characterized by a flange outer vertical drop wherein the ratio of the length of the vertical drop to the characteristic diameter of the container is greater than about 0.01. By virtue of unique geometry, the containers of the invention exhibit improved rigidity and/or rim stiffness yet have favorable runnability in pressware manufacturing systems characteristic of plates of lower strength.

Abstract: There is described a packing tray (2) mainly of cardboard, paper, or a laminate, e.g. extruded, primarily containing these materials and in particular intended as sales packing for foodstuffs, e.g. meat, sliced meat or vegetables, poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables, salads, pasta, dishes for dinner, bakery and dairy products, which tray preferably has a rectangular shape with rounded corner parts (8), a mainly plane bottom (14) and sloping side walls (16) which at the top continue in an annular edge (12) approximately extending in parallel with the bottom (14), which tray (2) consists of one moulded item, the upper side of which consists of a gas- and/or diffusion-proof coating having such barrier abilities that a covering film or a dome-shaped, e.g. transparent, lid (18) may be connected gas-proof or diffusion-proof to the said annular edge by welding. There is also described a method for making and using, respectively, the packing tray.

Abstract: A packaging case 1 is formed of a unitary blank 1a of paper material. The unitary blank 1a has at least two fold lines 2a, 2b between which a back side wall 6a is formed and both sides of which a bottom wall 10 and a top wall 11 are formed. The unitary blank 1a has also incisions 3a, 3b formed on both ends of the fold lines 2a, 2b. The unitary blank is deep drawn to form side walls 6 on each periphery of the bottom wall 10 and the top wall 11 and form rims 8a, 8b protruding outwardly from each upper end of the side walls 6. The unitary blank is folded along the fold lines 2a, 2b so that the rims 8a, 8b come into contact with each other, whereby the bottom wall 10, the top wall 11, the back side wall 6a and the side walls 6 constitute an inner space.

Abstract: A food container with a rigid base plate formed of a generally planar polymer sheet to have a plurality of stiffening projections extending out of the plane of the sheet, the stiffening projections including a first serpentine projection formed in a segmented, non-linear path and a second, shallower serpentine projection also formed in a segmented non-linear path, a peripheral gutter and a centrally located oval shaped projection free of interconnection with the first and second serpentine projections, with lands between the stiffening projections forming a generally planar top surface of the base plate. The food container also has a cover of polymer material and the cover and base plate are designed to nest for pre-use storage and stack when assembled in use.

Abstract: A cushioning molded product is provided which is produced by binding a vegetable fiber with a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to conduct molding. Further a process is provided for producing a cushioning molded product from a copolymer of a saccharide and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a vegetable fiber, the process comprising (a) mixing or adhering the copolymer and the vegetable fiber, and (b) molding the resulting mixture into an intended shape by heating the mixture to bind the vegetable fiber with the copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming a corrugated container having a double wall construction. A blank is formed of a pair of corrugated layers sandwiched between and adhered to adjacent flat layers and having a sufficient moisture content to enable the blank to be formed. The blank can include printed indicia, thermoresistant coatings, release coatings, and other coatings applied to the blank to enhance the utility of the container formed from the blank. The blank is then inserted into a thermoforming machine in which a pair of heated dies compress the blank into the desired container shape.

Abstract: A food container comprising three or more plies, a first ply, a second ply, and at least a third ply. The first ply is oriented towards the hands and face of the user and receives food in use. The first ply is essentially continuous throughout its plane. The third ply is oriented towards the lap of the user or a table top in use. The second ply spaces the first and third plies apart. In a preferred embodiment, the food container may be made of a corrugated material. The food container may be made from a blank which is deformed out of its plane during manufacture.

Abstract: A three-compartment, disposable food serving plate includes three ribs in an asymmetric array angularly joined to the bottom and sidewall of the plate. The plate preferably includes a four radius, smooth profile from the bottom to the outer rim and is formed from mineral-filled polyolefin sheet. Mica-filled polypropylene is particularly preferred.

Abstract: A deep dish disposable container is preferably prepared from a radially scored paperboard blank and has a substantially planar bottom portion, an upwardly projecting sidewall portion and an outwardly extending flange portion. The flange and sidewall are provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending densified regions formed from a plurality of paperboard layers reformed into substantially integrated fibrous structures generally inseparable into their constituent layers having a thickness generally equal to adjacent areas of the sidewall and flange portions to provide uniformity and strength. The deep dish container generally has a height to diameter ratio of from about 0.1 to about 0.16; whereas the radially scored paperboard blank has from about 50 to about 100 radial scores. The product is dimensioned and configured such that there is from about 0.015 to about 0.05 inches of excess paperboard per score about the flange portion in order to provide rigidity to the product.

Abstract: A molded pulp fruit tray. The molded pulp fruit tray contains carbon black pigment and is substantially uniformly black in color due to the presence of the pigment. The carbon black pigment may be added to a molded pulp furnish as an aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A food serving tray, preferably of polystyrene foam, is provided having a base and bounding side walls. The base is formed with at least two bottom walls and at least one partition interposed therebetween. To provide enhanced stability and rigidity to the tray, protrusions, preferably step-shaped, are formed in the side walls located between the crests of the partitions and the top edges of the side walls. The protrusions provide changes in direction in the side walls which enhance the strength and rigidity of the tray. In addition, the bottom walls may be dished concavely so as to have portions extend upwardly. Under loading, the dished bottom walls become flattened and bi-axially stressed to further enhance the overall strength and stability of the tray.