CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/400,921, filed on August 25, 2022.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The disclosures of each ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/400,921, filed on August

25, 2022, and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/900,564, filed on August 22, 2023, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to containers for holding at least one article. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to constructs for providing divider features in the interior of a tray for holding at least one article.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a construct for providing divider features in the interior of a tray, the construct comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at least one bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel, and at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, and divider features comprising at least one divider wall extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel and comprising the at least one divider panel.

[0005] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a construct for providing divider features in the interior of a tray, the blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at least one bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel, and at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, and divider features comprising the at least one divider panel for being positioned extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel to form at least one divider wall of the construct formed from the blank.

[0006] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a construct for providing divider features in the interior of a tray, the method comprising obtaining a blank, the blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at least one bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel, and at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The method further comprises folding the at least one divider panel to extend upwardly from the at least one bottom panel to form at least one divider wall of the construct.

[0007] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a system, the system comprising a tray and a construct providing divider features in the interior of the tray. The tray comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray and the construct comprises a plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at least one bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel, and at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, and divider features comprising at least one divider wall extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel and comprising the at least one divider panel.

[0008] 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. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 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.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a construct according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tray for at least partially receiving a construct according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partial formation of a construct from the blank of Fig. 1 alongside the tray of Fig. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a construct from the blank of Fig. 1 alongside the tray of Fig. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the construct of Fig. 4 inserted into the tray of Fig. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Containers and constructs according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of numerous different shapes. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected containers and constructs. As described herein, containers and constructs may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, portions, and/or end flaps. Such panels, portions, and/or end flaps may be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, Fig. 1 illustrates an exterior surface 101 of a blank 103 for forming a construct 105 (Fig. 4) according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. The construct 105 can be configured to form a divider insert, to provide divider features in the interior of another container such as tray or other container. In this regard, the construct 105 can be provided together with a tray or other container to form a system 110 (Fig. 5).

[0018] With momentary reference to Fig. 2, a tray T for use with the construct 105 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. The tray T can include a bottom B and side walls SI, S2, S3, S4 extending upwardly from the bottom B so as to define an interior N of the tray T. It will be understood that one or more of the bottom B and side walls SI, S2, S3, S4 of the tray T can be formed from one or more panels and/or end flaps. In some embodiments, the side walls S 1 , S2, S3, S4 can be formed from respective side panels that are foldably connected to a bottom panel forming the bottom B of the tray T at respective fold lines, with adjacent side panels attached to one another via one or more respective end flaps.

[0019] Trays that can be used to form the system 110, e.g., the tray T or another container, can be used for holding one or more articles such as food products, e.g., portioned retail food products that can include one or more of cookies, crackers, cakes, pastries, candies, nuts, popcorn, trail mix, gum, etc. In some embodiments, the articles can include frozen or non-frozen food products that can be provided in discrete portions, for example, chicken nuggets, French fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chips, popcorn, other finger foods, etc. In embodiments, other types of articles that can include food products and/or non-food products can be placed in a tray for service to a customer, for example, at a quick service restaurant or vendor. In some embodiments, such products can be contained in additional packaging and then placed in a tray. Such trays could be otherwise shaped and arranged and could be used to hold other products and/or articles in similar or different environments without departing from the disclosure. [0020] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide articles in a tray in at least partial separation from one another, e.g., to avoid commingling of different food products, for ease of service of use, to more prominently display such different articles to a customer, etc. In this regard, it can be desirable to provide divider features in the tray to provide at least partial separation between such articles, as described further herein.

[0021] With continued reference to Fig. 1, the blank 103 has a lateral axis LI and a longitudinal axis L2. The blank 103 can have a plurality of panels arranged across a front portion 111 for forming a front portion 113 of the construct 105/system 110, and a back portion 115 of the blank 103 for forming a back portion 117 of the construct 105/system 110. The front portion 111 of the blank 103/front portion 113 of the construct 105/system 110 can be foldably connected to the back portion 115 of the blank 103/back portion 117 of the construct 105/system 110 at a lateral fold line 119.

[0022] The front portion 111 of the blank 103/front portion 113 of the construct 105 can include a front central panel 121a, a front bottom panel 123a foldably connected to the central panel 121a at a lateral fold line 125a, a first front divider panel 127a (broadly, “first divider panel” or “second divider panel”) foldably connected to the bottom panel 123a at a longitudinal fold line 129a, and a second front divider panel 131a (broadly, “first divider panel” or “second divider panel”) foldably connected to the bottom panel 123a at a longitudinal fold line 133a. The divider panel 127a can be separable from the central panel 121a at a lateral cut 135a, and the divider panel 131a can be separable from the central panel 121a at a lateral cut 137a.

[0023] As also shown, a first front connector panel 139a (broadly, “first connector panel” or “second connector panel”) can be foldably connected to the front divider panel 127a at a lateral fold line 141a, and the connector panel 139a can be at least partially separably connected to the central panel 121a at a longitudinal cut 143a that intersects an oblique fold line 145a at which the connector panel 139a is at least partially foldably connected to the central panel 121a.

[0024] Similarly, a second front connector panel 147a (broadly, “first connector panel” or “second connector panel”) can be foldably connected to the front divider panel 131a at a lateral fold line 149a, and the connector panel 147a can be at least partially separably connected to the central panel 121a at a longitudinal cut 151a that intersects an oblique fold line 153a at which the connector panel 147a is at least partially foldably connected to the central panel 121a.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the fold line 141a, the cut 135a, the fold line 125a, the cut 137a, and the fold line 149a can have a generally collinear arrangement, with the cut 143a extending perpendicularly away from endpoints of the fold line 141a and cut 135a, and with the cut 151 a extending perpendicularly away from endpoints of the cut 137a and fold line 149a. It will be understood that the blank 103 and construct 105/sy stem 110 can have a different arrangement of lines of weakening without departing from the disclosure.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 115 of the blank 103 includes a back central panel 121b, a back bottom panel 123b, a divider panel 127b (broadly, “first divider panel” or “second divider panel” or “third divider panel” or “fourth divider panel”), a divider panel 131b (broadly, “first divider panel” or “second divider panel” or “third divider panel” or “fourth divider panel”), a connector panel 139b (broadly, “first connector panel” or “second connector panel”), and a connector panel 147b (broadly, “first connector panel” or “second connector panel”) having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding panels of the front portion 111 of the blank 103. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the “a” or “b” suffix, with the “a” components corresponding to the front portion 111 of the blank 103 and the “b” components corresponding to the back portion 115 of the blank 103.

[0027] It will be understood that the blank 103 and construct 105/system 110 formed therefrom can include a different number, arrangement, and/or configuration of panels, end flaps, and/or associated features without departing from the disclosure.

[0028] With additional reference to Figs. 3 and 4, formation of the construct 105 from the blank 103 will be described according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood that intermediate configurations between the blank 103 illustrated in Fig. 1 and the construct 105 illustrated in Fig. 4 can optionally be considered a further folded configuration of the blank 103 or a partially erected configuration of the construct 105.

[0029] The blank 103 can be positioned on a supporting surface with the exterior surface 101 facing upwardly. An operator, e.g., an operator assembling the construct 105 from the blank 103 manually and/or an assembly or machine apparatus can grasp the divider panels 127a, 131a and fold the divider panels 127a, 13 la at least partially upwardly at the respective fold lines 129a, 133a in the direction of the respective arrows Al, A2.

[0030] Further, the connector panels 139a, 147a can fold at the respective fold lines 141a, 145a and fold lines 149a, 153a in the direction of the respective arrows A3, A4 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the central panel 121a. [0031] The aforementioned movement of one or more of the panels 123a, 127a, 131a, 139a, 147a can cause the central panel 121a to move into a generally upright position, which can thereby cause the back central panel 121b to fold downwardly at the fold line 119 (e.g., under the influence of its own weight) into at least partial face-to-face contact with the front central panel 121a.

[0032] Such a transition, e.g., fall, of the back central panel 121b can cause the back connector panels 139b, 147b to at least partially separate therefrom at the respective cuts 143b, 151b and to fold at the respective fold lines 141b, 145b and fold lines 149b, 153b into at least partial face-to-face contact therewith.

[0033] The movement of the back connector panels 139b, 147b can pull the back divider panels 127b, 131b to separate from the central panel 121b at the respective cuts 135b, 137b and to fold upwardly at the respective fold lines 129b, 133b.

[0034] In this regard, the panels of the back portion 115 of the blank 103/back portion 117 of the construct 105 can be urged into a generally similar arrangement as the panels of the front portion 111 of the blank 103/front portion 113 of the construct 105 effected by an operator. Accordingly, the blank 103/construct 105 can be configured for an at least partial auto-fold arrangement in which the panels of one portion of the blank 103/construct 105 can be caused to fold/arranged upon movement of another portion of the blank 103/construct 105.

[0035] It will be understood that while formation of the construct 105 from the blank 103 has been described with respect to engagement of the front portion 111 of the blank 103/front portion 113 of the construct 105 to cause further folding/arrangement of the back portion 115 of the blank 103/back portion 117 of the construct 105, the back portion 115 of the blank 103/back portion 117 of the construct 105 could be engaged to cause further folding/arrangement of the front portion 111 of the blank 103/front portion 113 of the construct 105 without departing from the disclosure.

[0036] Such an arrangement can be at least partially maintained with an adhesive such as glue. In one embodiment, one or more applications of adhesive can be provided on the interior surfaces of one or both of the central panels 121a, 121b such that the central panels 121a, 121b can be adhered to one another.

[0037] The aforementioned arrangement of the construct 105, as shown in Fig. 4, can be configured as a divider insert that provides divider features for another container such as the tray T. As described herein, the divider features of the construct 105 can include a plurality of divider walls extending upwardly from the bottom panels 123a, 123b. [0038] As shown, the divider features of the construct 105 can include a first divider wall 155 (broadly, “third divider wall”) at least partially formed by the central panels 121 , 121b and connector panels 139a, 139b, 147a, 147b, a second divider wall 157 (broadly, “first divider wall” or “second divider wall”) at least partially formed by the divider panel 127a, a third divider wall 159 (broadly, “first divider wall” or “second divider wall”) at least partially formed by the divider panel 13 la, a fourth divider wall 161 at least partially formed by the divider panel 127b (broadly, “first divider wall” or “second divider wall” or “fifth divider wall”), and a fifth divider wall 163 (broadly, “first divider wall” or “second divider wall” or “fourth divider wall”) at least partially formed by the divider panel 131b.

[0039] With additional reference to Fig. 5, the construct 105 can be at least partially received in the interior N of the tray T to form the system 110. In the system 110, the divider walls 155, 157, 159, 161, 163 are arranged extending upwardly from the bottom B of the tray T to form a plurality of compartment spaces or compartments 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175 that are each a respective portion of the interior N of the tray T, e.g., to provide separated receiving spaces for articles or products in the system 110.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, a compartment 165 (broadly, “first compartment” or “third compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 159, and respective panels of the tray T. A compartment 167 (broadly, “second compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 159, the divider wall 157, and a respective panel of the tray T. A compartment 169 (broadly, “first compartment” or “third compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 157, and respective panels of the tray T. A compartment 171 (broadly, “first compartment” or “third compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 161, and respective panels of the tray T. A compartment 173 (broadly, “second compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 161, the divider wall 163, and a respective panel of the tray T. A compartment 175 (broadly, “first compartment” or “third compartment”) can be at least partially defined between the bottom B of the tray, the divider wall 155, the divider wall 163, and respective panels of the tray T. It will be understood that the construct 105 can be positioned in a different orientation in the interior N of the tray T without departing from the disclosure.

[0041] In this regard, the construct 105 can be provided separately from trays T or other containers to provide an optional divider insert for an existing supply of trays or other containers, e.g., for use in situations in which a compartmented interior for a given tray or container is desired. In some embodiments, the construct(s) 105 can be provided together with trays T or other systems as a kit or package for forming compartmented trays (e.g., the system 110). It will be understood that the system 110 can be provided with the construct 105 at least partially received in the interior N of the tray T, or with the construct 105 and the tray T provided separately.

[0042] It will be understood that the construct 105, the tray T, and/or one or more respective features thereof can have a different arrangement or configuration without departing from the disclosure.

[0043] It will be understood that blanks and trays according to the present disclosure can have a different number, arrangement, and/or configuration of features without departing from the disclosure.

[0044] In general, the blanks described herein may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, sheet plastics or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the container to function at least generally as described above. The blanks 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 blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0045] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the container embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure container panels in place, and is not intended to exclude heat, chemical, or frequency bonding techniques.

[0048] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the 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. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure 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.