AU668892B2 - A packaging tray - Google Patents

Description

C j' 92

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: POLARCUP (NZ) LIMITED Actual Inventor(s): Rodney Paul BENNETT Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: A PACKAG CARTER SMITH BEADLE Qantas House 2 Railway Parade Camberwell Victoria 3124 Australia Attorney Code CD ING TRAY r I 0 o e H r The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: #12057 PS:WB 11-34pol -1- M~ la- The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to packaging.

In particular, the present invention relates to what will hereinafter be referred to as "trays" on which containers can be mounted in forming a composite container package.

The present invention will be described particularly in respect of its use with containers in the form of lidded tubs but this is by way of example only and it is to be appreciated that the present invention has application ,for any types of containers where the problems mentioned below are likely to occur with present types of packaging.

At the present time it is customary for a large number of containers to be packaged together within a cardboard carton and then a plurality of such cartons to be packaged together on a pallett.

25 In a typical example a container package for tubs for margarine, yoghurt and other products, can contain 24 tubs stacked 3 high with 8 tubs per layer with each such 2 package then combined with 6 similar packages so that they are stacked 7 high on a pallett. What this means in terms of a product such as margarine or yoghurt is that there can be a considerable weight of product with the bottom containers bearing the weight of the containers of the 20 layers of containers immediately above. As is customary with very many types of containers, containers for margarine and yoghurt typically have a tub type portion containing the margarine or yoghurt covered over by a lid. What has tended to happen in the past is that the weight of the containers above a particular container acts on the lid providing an hydraulic pumping action and forcing out product around the lid edge resulting in damage, particularly staining of the cardboard carton. Also, the forcing of the margarine or yoghurt into the lid about its rim has been found to cause environmental stress cracking. It will be appreciated that apart from *the force on the container lids providing this hydraulic pumping action the force is also lifting off the lid rim from the tub body facilitating the escape of product.

Where the product is substantially non-flowable such as

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margarine which is chilled, then this problem may be 25 minimal. However, for a product such as yoghurt which is flowable, a major problem may be present.

29/03 -06 16.03 89: S1 3 0882 9854 CARTER SMITH B 003,'000 -3- To deal with this problem in the past various solutions have been proposed and the most common is the provision of cardboard layer boards which separate the container layers and distribute the load so as to reduce the load applied to the lids of the containers of the bottom layers. These layer boards are costly and also raise the height of the resultant package.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a tray for use in container packaging which will overcome or at least obviate the problems with container packaging identified above.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided in a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, each container having a base portion and a lid with a recessed portion and a peripheral rim portion above the recessed portion, each tray also having a recessed portion adapted to receive said base portion of an upper container, a peripheral portion extending about and above said recessed portion of said tray, said peripheral portion having its underside adapted to contact the peripheral rim portion of the lid of a lower container, said recessed portion of said tray having a depth which is less than the depth of said lid recessed portion and being adapted to fit therewithin, wherein the weight of said upper container is carried substantially by said peripheral rim portion of said lid of said lower container.

TIII:RR:12057POLSPC 29 MWuI 1996 -4- Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1: Shows very diagrammatically a container package according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figures 2A and 2B: Show very diagrammatically plan and side views respectively of a tray for use in the packaging in Figure 1; Figure 3: Shows diagrammatically a cross-sectional view showing the positioning of upper and lower containers of the package of Figure 1; Figure 4: Shows diagrammatically a tray according to one embodiment of the invention with containers top and bottom ready for inclusion in a package; Figure 5: Shows very diagrammatically an end view of the resultant container package of Figure 4; a TJII:RR:12057POLSPC 27 Much 1996 5 Figure 6: Shows very diagrammatically a tray according to a further embodiment of the invention with containers positioned above and below the tray ready to form a package; 7: Shows a view along arrows -A of Figure 6; Figure 8: Shows a view arrlong arrows A-AB-B of Figure 6; and Figure 8: Shows a view arrows B-B of Figure 6; and Figures 9 and 10: Show respectively plan views from above and below of a tray according to this further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, figure 1 illustrates a package referenced generally by arrow 20 wherein a plurality of containers 2 each with lids 3 are shown held together in a multiplicity of layers, three being shown, and separated by trays i.

The package 20 is then shown covered over with a shrink wrap plastic film 13 avoiding in this particular example the need to use any additional packing such as a cardboard box or the like.

As has been explained previously, there has been a tendency in the past for the weight of upper containers 6 to pump out the contents of lower containers. To deal with this problem the containers 2 are shown mounted on respective trays I.

Each tray 1 is of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastics and formed from any suitable technique such as by pressing, moulding, stamping or the like. The trays 1 are provided as shown with a plurality of recessed portions 8 commensurate in number and size with the containers 2 to be held thereon. As seen particularly from figure 3, the recessed portions 8 are suitably able to accommodate a required depth of the base of a container 2. The base of the container 2 is shown positioned on the base 9 of the recess 8. The side wall 10 of the recess 8 is shown slightly spaced apart trom the adjacent wall of the container 2.

Reinforcing ribs 21 or the like are shown appropriately provided for the tray 1.

The underside of the peripheral surround 14 of the recessed portion 8 of the tray 1 is shown in abutment with the peripheral surround 4 of a recessed portion 18 provided in the container lid 3.

25 The recessed portion 18 of the lid 3 is shown defined by a rim having a side wall 11 depending downwardly to a central portion 7. It is seen particularly in figure 3 7 that the depth of the recessed portion 18 is greater, apprcximately by an amount indicated by arrows than the depth of the recessed portion 8 in the tray 1. What this means is that there is a space defined between the bottom portion 9 of the recessed portion 8 and the central portion 7 of the recessed portion 18. Contact between the lid 3 and the tray 1 is therefore by means of the respective portions 4 and 14. The weight of the upper containers 2 is therefore not taken by the central portion 7 of the lid 3 of the lower containers 2 but instead by the peripheral portions 4. The effect of this is that the engagement of the rim 5 of the lid 3 about the rim 6 of the container 2 is effectively enhanced. Also, and most importantly, any hydraulic pumping action by forces acting on the central portion 7 Sof the lid 3 is substantially avoided. In this way the tendency of the product within the container 2 to be forced out as indicated by arrow X, between the lid 3 and the container 2, is substantially avoided.

SIt will be appreciated that in determining the appropriate depth for the recessed portions 8 and 18 it

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is merely necessary to ensure that some space in normal circumstances will exist between the tray 1 and 25 the central portion 7 of the lid 3. It is envisaged that both these depths will be kept as small as possible so as to minimise any increase in height of the 8 resultant package. To that end it is envisaged that the recessed portion 8 may be substantially shallow, almost flat, with the recess 18 only being marginally of a greater depth. It will be appreciated that in determining the respective depths of the recessed portions one consideration will be the number of container layers in a particular package and the number of container packages which would normally be stacked together for storage or transport. This of course will determine the total number of containers 2 which will, in use, be positioned one above the other.

While a plurality of recessed portions 8 are shown provided for a corresponding number of containers 2 it is to be appreciated that the tray 1 could be provided with just one recess 8 to enable a vertical single stack of containers 1 to be provided.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, a tray 22 according to a further embodiment of o the invention has a recess 23. The tray 22 is in this embodiment is required to accommodate a plurality of S .containers referenced generally by arrow 24. Each of the containers 24 consists of a tub 25 with a base 28.

25 The lid 26 of the containers 24 has a raised rim portion 27.

9 As seen particularly in Figure 5, the depth of the recess 23 is less than the depth of the recess defined by the lid rim 27 so that the space 29 is created between the bottom of the recess 23 and the centre portion of the lid 26 so that once again the weight of containers is carried by contact of the trays 22 about the peripheral surround defined by the upper portion of the rims 27 of the containers below rather than by weight transfer through the centre portions of the lids 26. It is also seen in Figure 5 that in this embodiment the diameter of the recess 23 is substantially commensurate with the diameter of the base 28 of the container tub 25. In this way a snug fit is provided between each of the container bases 28 and the recess 23. This avoids "slopping" of the containers 25 within the package created with the trays 22 thus resulting in a more stable package and a reduced tendency for the lids 26 to be lifted off due to movement of the containers 24.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings, a tray 30 according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown provided with a plurality of recesses 31 each with the base portion 32, an inner 25 peripheral rim 33 and a ledge 34. The trays 30 are, in this embodiment, adapted to accommodate a plurality of containers 36 which may be of the type used for containing yogl;urt and like products. The containers 36 are shown provided with a lid 38, having an upstanding rim 39, and a pot 37.

The upper surface of the tray 30 is shown provided with a plurality of spaced apart dimples or nodes 35, a primary function of which can be to facilate a plurality of the trays 30 being located and stacked together by the inter-engagement of the respective dimples or nodes with the recesses which they form on the opposite underside surface.

As shown particularly in Figures 7 and 8, the containers 36 can be stacked one above the other. The tray supports the base 41 of the upper container 36 on the ledge 34 provided about the recess 31, the height of the rim 33 then providing the space 40 between the base 41 of the container and the base 32 of the recess 31. In this way, as in the previously described embodiments, the weight of the upper containers is transferred about the peripheral surround of the rims 39 of the lids of the containers below and not through their central portions.

It is also pointed out that the peripheral rim 33 is scalloped or contoured so as to provide the fragmented ledge portions 34 which support the base 41 of an upper container 36. This scalloping or contouring of the rim 33 provides, on the under surface of the recess 32, an outwardly shaped edge or rim 43 about which the inner 11 edge of the lid rim 39 can snugly engage. This edge or rim 43 is shown particularly clearly in Figures 2 and of the accompanying drawings, provided on the base surface 42 of the recesses 31.

It will also be appreciated that the recess 31 provides an upwardly extending outer peripheral rim 44, which as shown particularly in Figure 7, is acting so as to provide a snug fit about the base of the container pot 37. The recess 31 of the tray 30 is therefore in this way able to accommodate snugly on its upper and lower surfaces respectively, the base of a pot 37 and the rim 39 of a lid 38, even where their respective diameters are different. This can be achieved as shown by the respective accommodating rims on the upper and lower surfaces of the tray being stepped back relative one with the other so as to accommodate any such difference in diameters.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments the:eof it is to be understood that modifications or 12 improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The claims form part of the disclosure of this specification.

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Claims (5)

1. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, each container having a base portion and a lid with a recessed portion and a peripheral rim portion above the recessed portion, each tray also having a recessed portion adapted to receive said base portion of an upper container, a peripheral portion extending about and above said recessed portion of said tray, said peripheral portion having its underside adapted to contact the peripheral rim portion of the lid of a lower container, said recessed portion of said tray having a depth which is less than the depth of said lid recessed portion and being adapted to fit therewithin, wherein the weight of said upper container is carried substantially by said peripheral rim portion of said lid of said lower container.

2. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the recessed portion of said tray defines an area substantially commensurate with the area defined by said base portion of said upper container so as to minimize movement of said container within said recessed portion of said tray.

3. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said recessed portion of said tray includes a peripheral ledge portion of its upper side on which said base portion of said upper container can be supported, said ledge portion being spaced apart from a base portion of said recessed portion of said tray.

4. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said ledge portion is fragmented in providing stepped back portions of said recessed portion of said tray which on the underside of the tray define a fragmented rim to be accommodated within the recessed portion of said lid. n: T 2m0SUOLse 29 MUh IM T~l 20/03 '00 10:04 'U01 3 0882 9854 CARTER SMITH B 0J005i'009

14- In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said fragmented portions of said ledge portion define, with said stepped back portions, a substantially scalloped or contoured edge. 6. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tray includes a plurality of upstanding nodes or dimples on one surface thereof and a plurality of recesses on an opposite surface thereof. 7. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said tray includes a plurality of said recessed portions spaced apart about its upper side. 8. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said recessed portion(s) of said tray are substantially shallow. 9. In a stack of containers having a tray separating individual containers in the stack, as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or 4 and 5 or 6, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 29 March 1996 CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: POLARCUP (NZ) LIMITED TH*Rla2OniLSPC 2o MACh 199S ABSTRACT A PACKAGING TRAY In figure 3 a packaging tray 1 enables containers 2 to be stacked above and below with the upper container 2 having its base portion accommodated in a recess 8 in the tray 1. The depth of the recess 8 is less than the depth of the recess 18 of the lid 3 of the lower container 2 so as to provide a space between the bottom portion 9 of the recess 8 and the central portion 7 of the lid 3. Contact between the bottom lid 3 and the tray 1 is therefore by means of respective rim portions 4 and 14 so avoiding forces acting on the central portion 7 tending to lift the lid 3 or to pump out product from within the lower container 2. Embodiments of trays having a multiplicity of specially shaped recesses are disclosed. One embodiment provides for a close fit between the base of the container 2 and the side wall of the recess. Ie *SS