Tray for transporting and displaying fruits or vegetables

Abstract

A tray (1) for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, said tray comprising a base (2) having sides extended by respective lateral walls (3, 4), said lateral walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising one or two hinged tabs (50) extending from one or two lateral walls to form an opening wall (5) extending opposite the base, in which the base (2) is provided with several windows (20). Illustration: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tray for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a tray for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, the tray being obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material.

[0002] The invention finds application in the field of packaging fruits (such as apples, pears, oranges, etc.) and vegetables, for transport and presentation on a market stall or shop stall. Previous technique

[0003] Fruits and vegetables can be presented and sold loose, and they can also be presented and sold in batches packaged in closed trays.

[0004] Such trays are advantageous for transporting fruits and vegetables, with good conditions of preservation against shocks, and also for displaying fruits and vegetables on a market or shop stall.

[0005] In the field of closed trays, it is known, for example from documents WO2019 / 195243, US2968392 and FR2632273, to have a bottom wall with sides extended by respective lateral walls, these lateral walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and to have in addition one or two hinged tabs that extend one or two lateral walls to form an opening wall extending opposite the bottom wall. Thus, on the packaging line, the trays are opened, with the tab(s) open, so that the fruit or vegetables can be placed inside, then the trays are closed by closing the tab(s), and thus the fruit or vegetables are packaged; the trays will only be reopened by the end consumer.

[0006] With this type of tray, the opening side, formed by the closed tab(s), is exposed on top of the display, visible to buyers, while the solid bottom wall forms the underside of the tray on which the fruit or vegetables rest. It is also common practice to use an adhesive label on the tab(s) to keep them closed. This adhesive label is typically used to display information such as the name, brand, logo, origin, qualities, benefits, and / or regulatory information of the product.

[0007] One disadvantage of this type of tray is having one or two tabs and a Adhesive labels that largely conceal the fruits or vegetables, so that the consumer only gets a slight glimpse of the products contained in the tray. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to provide a tray which has an increased surface area for information, and in particular marketing information such as attractive visuals, a logo, designs with shapes and colors adapted to the product, etc., while increasing the visibility of the fruits or vegetables contained in the tray.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a tray for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, such a tray comprising a bottom wall provided with sides extended by respective lateral walls, these lateral walls being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising one or two folding tabs which extend one or two lateral walls to form an opening wall extending opposite the bottom wall, the tray being remarkable in that the bottom wall is provided with several windows.

[0010] Thus, the invention proposes to provide windows in the back wall, in order to present the tray on the stand upside down, in other words with the back wall forming the top of the tray (contrary to common practice which is that the opening wall forms the top of the tray), which has the advantage of offering an increased surface for marketing information, while leaving the fruits or vegetables visible through the windows.

[0011] On the packaging line, it is advantageous to have an open tray, with the tab(s) open, and to place the fruit or vegetables upside down in the tray, then close the tray by fastening the tab(s) (for example, using an adhesive label or any other suitable closure method). During transport, the tray can be stored right-side up or upside down, it doesn't matter. However, once on the shelf, the tray is placed upside down (with the opening but closed side facing down and the bottom wall facing up) so that the fruit or vegetables are right-side up and visible through the windows in the bottom wall.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the windows are sized and located so that the fruits or vegetables, when present in the tray according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows.

[0013] Thus, depending on the fruits or vegetables and their distribution pattern in the tray, the windows are shaped or arranged to prevent them from passing through these windows on the assembly line or during transport (tray right-side up).

[0014] According to one characteristic, each window has at least one dimension, said minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruits or vegetables.

[0015] According to another characteristic, the minimum dimension of the windows is less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 5 centimeters.

[0016] Such a size for the windows is advantageous for being able to clearly display the fruits or vegetables on the stall (tray upside down), while preventing them from passing through these windows on the assembly line or during transport (tray right side up).

[0017] According to a first possibility, the several windows provide a gridded structure to the back wall.

[0018] According to a second possibility, the fruit or vegetable distribution pattern has at least two rows and at least two columns, and the windows are positioned between two rows and / or between two columns.

[0019] Thus, by positioning the windows between two rows and / or between two columns of fruit or vegetables, they will extend across two fruits or vegetables, or even between four fruits or vegetables, thus preventing the latter from being able to pass through these windows.

[0020] According to another possibility, the back wall provides a given area, and the windows together define an open area which represents between 25 and 60% of the area of ​​the back wall.

[0021] According to another possibility, the tab or both tabs are closed or are closed by means of an adhesive label or other closing means.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, in which the tongue or both tongues is solid or are solid.

[0023] Alternatively, the tab or each of the two tabs has an opening.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the back wall provides a given surface area, and the opening wall offers an area that represents at least 70% of the area of ​​the bottom wall, and for example at least 80% of the area of ​​the bottom wall.

[0025] In other words, the surface area of ​​the opening wall (or of the tab(s)) corresponds to at least 70% (or even at least 80%) of the surface area of ​​the bottom wall; so that this opening wall, when the tray is upside down, offers an increased surface area to support the fruit or vegetables.

[0026] The invention also relates to the use of a tray according to the invention, for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables, in which the tray is displayed with the bottom wall on top to make the fruits or vegetables visible through the windows. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent at the Reading the detailed description below, of several non-exhaustive implementation examples, made with reference to the attached figures in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of a first tray according to the invention, seen from the side of its opening wall, in other words in a presentation "right side up";

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the first tray, seen from the side of its bottom wall, in other words in an "upside-down" presentation;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the first tray, seen from the side of its bottom wall (presentation "upside down") and with the presence of fruit or vegetables inside the first tray;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view (width side) of the first tray, with the presence of fruit or vegetables;

[0032] [Fig.5] is another schematic side view (length side) of the first tray, with the presence of fruit or vegetables;

[0033] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of a second tray according to the invention, seen from the front of the side of its opening wall, in other words in a presentation "right side up";

[0034] [Fig.7] is another schematic view of the second tray, seen from the back of its bottom wall, in other words in an "upside-down" presentation;

[0035] [Fig.8] is a schematic side view (length side) of the second tray, with the presence of fruit or vegetables;

[0036] [Fig.9] is a schematic perspective view of a third tray according to the invention, viewed from the side of its bottom wall (inverted presentation) and with fruit or vegetables inside the third tray; and

[0037] [Fig. 10] is a schematic perspective view of a fourth tray according to the invention, seen from the side of its bottom wall (presentation "upside down") and with the presence of fruit or vegetables inside the fourth tray.

[0038] [Detailed description of examples of embodiments of the invention]

[0039] Figures 1 to 5 refer to a first tray 1 according to the invention, Figures 5 to 8 refer to a second tray 10 according to the invention, [Fig. 9] refers to a third tray 100 according to the invention, and [Fig. 10] refers to a fourth tray 101 according to the invention. For the remainder of this description, the same numerical references will be used for structural or functional elements that are identical or similar in the four trays 1, 10, 100, and 101.

[0040] The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 is obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, such as cardboard, in which transverse and longitudinal fold lines are provided to define walls 2, 3, 4, 5; such a tray 1, 10 being intended for the transport and presentation of fruit or Vegetables 9. These fruits or vegetables 9 are arranged inside the tray according to a pattern that has at least two rows and at least two columns. In other words, the fruits or vegetables 9 are distributed across at least two rows and at least two columns. In the examples shown, there are two rows of three fruits or vegetables 9, and therefore two rows and three columns.

[0041] More specifically, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 comprises a base 2 with sides 21, in which windows 20 are provided. This base 2 may have a general rectangular shape with four sides, optionally beveled at its four corners. The windows 20 may be of various shapes, such as polygonal, circular, oval, or more complex shapes, such as, for example, and without limitation, the profile of a fruit or vegetable (as in [Fig. 9] with an apple profile) or the shape of a heart (as in the example in [Fig. 10]). The windows 20 have dimensions that are less than or equal to 5 centimeters, and for example, less than or equal to 3 centimeters.

[0042] In the embodiments of figures 2, 3 and 7, these windows 20 provide a gridded structure to the bottom wall 2, with at least ten windows 20.

[0043] In the embodiments of figures 9 and 10, there are two of these windows 20.

[0044] Generally, the windows 20 are sized and located so that the fruits or vegetables 9, when present in the tray according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows 20, in particular when the tray is exposed upside down with the bottom wall 2 on top.

[0045] Each of these windows 20 has at least one dimension, called the minimum dimension, which is smaller than the diameter of the fruits or vegetables, precisely to prevent the fruits or vegetables 9 from passing through. This minimum dimension can be less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 5 centimeters.

[0046] In the examples in Figures 9 and 10, the windows 20 are positioned between two rows and between two columns of fruit or vegetables 9, so that the windows 20 (for example in the shape of an apple or a heart) extend across four fruit or vegetables 9. Thus, the fruit and vegetables 9, stuck in their rows and columns, cannot pass through the windows 20.

[0047] Furthermore, the back wall 2 offers a given area (for example its length multiplied by its width in the case of a rectangular back wall 2), and the windows 20 together define an open area (the sum of the areas of the windows 20) which represents between 25 and 60% of the area of ​​the back wall 2.

[0048] The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 also includes side walls 3, 4 which extend the sides 21 of the bottom wall 2. The side walls 3, 4 have The first edges 31, 41 are contiguous with or coincide with the sides 21 of the bottom wall 2, with fold lines provided in the side to define these sides 21 of the bottom wall 2, between the bottom wall 2 and the side walls 3, 4. Once the side walls 3, 4 are folded at right angles to the bottom wall 2, the side walls 3, 4 are joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, for example by gluing, stapling, punching, or by interlocking between tabs and slots. The side walls 3, 4 also have second edges 32, 42 opposite and parallel to their respective first edges 31, 41. In the illustrated examples, the tray 1, 10 comprises two side walls 3 called longitudinal side walls which extend along the length of the bottom wall 2 opposite each other, and comprises at least two side walls 4 which connect the longitudinal side walls 3 to form the closed perimeter.

[0049] The tray 1, 10, 100, 101 further includes one or two foldable tabs 50 which extend one or two side walls 3, 4 to form an opening wall 5 extending opposite the bottom wall 2. This opening wall 5 covers at least 70%, and for example at least 80%, of the surface area of ​​the bottom wall 2.

[0050] In the examples illustrated in the Figures, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 comprises two tabs 50 that extend from the two respective longitudinal side walls 3. These two longitudinal side walls 3 thus have their second edges 32 which define folding lines provided in the side, between the longitudinal side walls 3 and the respective tabs 50. The other side walls 4, on the other hand, have their second edges 32 which are free. The two tabs 50 are dimensioned to be able to partially overlap each other, so as to form an openable wall 5 extending opposite the bottom wall 2. For this purpose, the two tabs 50 can be opened, in other words, separated from each other and not joined, in particular when placing the fruits or vegetables 9 inside the tray 1, 10, 100, 101.Then the two tabs 50 can be closed by folding one over the other and held closed by means of an adhesive label 6 stuck across the two tabs 50. It is possible to keep the two tabs 50 closed by another means of closure, such as by gluing, stapling, punching, or by fitting between tabs and slots.

[0051] In an unillustrated embodiment, the tray comprises a single tab extending from one of the side walls 3, 4, and for example, one of the two longitudinal side walls 3. This tab will be sufficiently long or wide to reach another side wall 3, 4 located opposite it, such as the other of the two longitudinal side walls 3. This single tab will by itself form an openable wall extending opposite the bottom wall 2. This single tab can be opened, in other words, moved away from the other side wall, and then it can be closed, by being folded back on the other side wall and held closed by means of an adhesive label or any other means of closure, such as by gluing, stapling, punching, or by fitting between tabs and slots.

[0052] In the example of Figures 1 to 5, the tabs 50 are solid (therefore without a hole), while in the example of Figures 6 to 8, the tabs 50 each have an opening 51, which is advantageous for manual gripping (in the manner of a handle).

[0053] Once the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 is closed with these fruits or vegetables 9 inside, the tray 1, 10 can be transported right-side up (i.e. with the bottom wall 2 on the bottom and the opening wall 5 on the top, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6) or upside down (i.e. with the bottom wall 2 on the top and the opening wall 5 on the bottom, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10). On the other hand, and this is the advantage of the invention, the tray 1, 10, 100, 101, once present on the market stall or in the store (in other words, the place of display and sale), the tray 1, 10, 100, 101 is displayed upside down with the bottom wall 2 on top to make the fruits or vegetables 9 visible through the windows 20. Information (inscriptions, markings, attractive visuals, logo, drawings, etc.) will be advantageously placed on the back wall 2 (on the exterior side visible to customers), between windows 20, to increase the attractiveness of the product and the information communicated to buyers.

Claims

Demands

1. Use of a tray (1; 10; 100; 101) for the transport and presentation of fruits or vegetables (9), obtained by cutting and folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, said tray comprising a base (2) having sides (21) extended by respective side walls (3, 4), said side walls (3, 4) being joined consecutively to form a closed perimeter, and further comprising one or two hinged tabs (50) extending from one or two side walls (3) to form an opening wall (5) extending opposite the base (2), wherein the base (2) is provided with several windows (20) sized and located so that the fruits or vegetables (9) present in the tray (1; 10), according to a given distribution pattern, cannot pass through the windows (20), said use being characterized in that that the tray (1;10) is displayed upside down in a place of display and sale with the back wall (2) on top to make the fruits or vegetables (9) visible through the windows (20).;

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the windows (20) each have at least one dimension, referred to as the minimum dimension, where the minimum dimension of the windows (20) is less than or equal to 8 centimeters, and for example less than or equal to 5 centimeters.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the several windows (20) provide a gridded structure to the bottom wall (2).

4. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back wall (2) provides a given area, and the windows (20) together define an open area which represents between 25 and 60% of the area of ​​the back wall (2).

5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab or both tabs (50) is closed or are closed by means of an adhesive label (6) or other closing means.

6. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tab or both tabs (50) is or are full.

7. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tab or each of the two tabs (50) has an opening.

8. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, in in which the bottom wall (2) offers a given area, and the openable wall (5) offers an area which represents at least 70% of the area of ​​the bottom wall (2), and for example at least 80% of the area of ​​the bottom wall (2).

9. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the windows (20) each have at least one dimension, referred to as the minimum dimension, which is less than a diameter of the fruit or vegetables (9) present in the tray (1; 10).

10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fruit or vegetable distribution pattern (9) has at least two rows and at least two columns, and the windows (20) are positioned between two rows and / or between two columns.

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