Reconfigurable cardboard tray

Abstract

The invention relates to a tray (10) made from a pre-cut paper or cardboard blank, comprising: - a base, - four side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) bordering said base, and - locking means adapted to lock the side walls in a first orientation relative to the base. According to the invention, the tray comprises: - operating means allowing a user to manually deactivate the locking means, and - stop means adapted to block the side walls in a second orientation relative to the base. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Reconfigurable cardboard tray Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a tray made of thick paper or cardboard, designed to contain items such as, for example, food products.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a tray made from a pre-cut paper or cardboard blank, comprising: - a base, - four side walls that border the bottom, and - locking means suitable for locking the side walls with an initial inclination relative to the bottom. State of the art

[0003] It is known to use trays such as the ones described above, the side walls of which form a right angle with the base. Such trays can be stacked so that the base of each tray rests on the upper edge of the tray below. The side walls, due to their right-angled inclinations with respect to the base, then ensure the rigidity and structural stability of the trays, while also allowing for effective retention of the items they contain.

[0004] The disadvantage is that, when the trays are empty and stored in a stacked position, they take up a lot of space, which represents a constraint in terms of storage and transport.

[0005] To reduce this volume, one solution would be to use trays with flared side walls, allowing them to be nested. However, it would then no longer be possible to stack them when they contain items, unless each one were closed with a lid. Furthermore, due to the inclination of the side walls, there is a risk that the trays will collapse when stacked.

[0006] Therefore, when a user wishes to store trays (whose side walls are inclined at a right angle to the bottom) after using them, he is forced to unfold it and put the cardboard back flat if he has limited storage space.

[0007] The drawback is that when the user wishes to reuse the trays, they are forced to fold them back into their original shape, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, this repeated folding / flattening cycle damages the cardboard and quickly renders the tray unusable. Presentation of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore proposes a solution to remedy these drawbacks, namely a tray which is sufficiently rigid to be stacked with other trays of the same type when they contain items, and which can be nested with other trays of the same type when they are empty.

[0009] More specifically, the invention proposes a platform as defined in the introduction, in which it is provided: - means of operation allowing a user to manually deactivate the locking mechanisms, and - suitable stop means to block the side walls with a second inclination relative to the bottom.

[0010] It is recalled that the locking means make it possible to fix the side walls so that they have a first inclination relative to the bottom (this first inclination being preferably 90°).

[0011] Thanks to the means of operation, it is possible to unlock the side walls so that they can be tilted according to a second inclination, and held by the stop means in this position.

[0012] The two inclinations are preferably chosen in such a way that, in one of them, the nesting of the trays into each other is possible and that, in the other of them, the superposition of the trays one on top of the other is possible (without using any particular device such as a lid and without risk of sagging).

[0013] Other advantageous and non-limiting features of the platform according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows: - two first opposing side walls each comprise two panels joined by at least one first fold line and folded against each other; - two second side walls each have a first side by which they attach to the bottom along a second folding line, and two sides which adjoin the first side and which have tabs engaged between the two panels; - the stopping means are formed by the junctions between the two panels of each of the first two side walls, the tongues being adapted to butt against said junctions when the side walls have the second inclination relative to the bottom; - each of the tabs has a first edge which is at least partly straight and which, in the first inclination, applies against the bottom and a second edge which is at least partly straight, which is inclined with respect to the first edge and which, in the second inclination, applies against one of the said junctions; - the locking means comprise at least two tabs which are respectively cut into the first panels of each of the first two side walls, and whose edges block the tabs against the bottom when the side walls have the first inclination relative to the bottom; - the means of operation include in the other of the panels of each of the first two side walls at least an opening through which a user can insert a finger to push back the tabs so that their edges allow the tongues to escape; - each of the tabs is attached to one of the second side walls by a third folding line; - each of the tabs has two panels attached to each other by a fourth fold line which is inclined relative to the third fold line and which intersects the third fold line at a corner of the bottom; - each of the tabs has a first edge at least partly straight and which, in the first inclination, applies against the bottom and a lug which extends outward from the first edge and which is adapted to engage in a window provided corresponding at least partly in the bottom; - each of the tabs has a second edge opposite the first edge and each of the windows extends partly into one of the first side walls and has an edge opposite the bottom whose shape is such that it overlaps with part of the second edges of the tabs when the side walls have the first inclination relative to the bottom; - one of the two panels of each first side wall is attached to the bottom by a fold line; - the other of the panels has a straight edge which applies against the bottom and which has at least one lug which extends outward from said straight edge and which is adapted to engage in a corresponding opening provided in the bottom; - in the first inclination, the side walls are inclined at a right angle to the bottom; - the background has a rectangular shape; - the side walls have rectangular shapes; - the tabs have roughly trapezoidal shapes.

[0014] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] The following description with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0016] On the attached drawings:

[0017] [Fig-1] is a schematic plan view of a pre-cut blank which, once placed in volume, will form a tray conforming to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of two superimposed plates identical and conforming to the invention, illustrated in a first configuration;

[0019] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the two plates of [Fig.2], illustrated in a second configuration;

[0020] [Fig.4] illustrates a step in folding the blank of the [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of one of the two platforms of the [Fig.2], illustrated in the second configuration, except that one of its side walls is unfolded.

[0022] In [Fig. 1], a pre-cut, flat blank 10' is shown. Once formed into a three-dimensional shape, this blank 10' will produce a plate 10.

[0023] As a preliminary point, it should be noted that in this figure, solid lines represent cutting lines while dotted lines represent pre-folding lines (hereinafter referred to as "folding lines").

[0024] A cutting line is a line along which the material is cut through.

[0025] A fold line is an area of ​​least resistance that ensures the fold between two panels occurs at the desired position. It can be created in various ways. When the panels are made from a multi-layered cardboard sheet, it can be created by creasing, using a press, or by half-cutting. The creasing operation consists of pressing the multi-layered cardboard sheet along the desired line. The half-cutting operation consists of cutting only a portion of the cardboard sheets along this line.

[0026] Each folding line can alternatively be made in other ways, typically by alternating creasing or half-cut lines with cutting or pre-cut lines.

[0027] The 10' blank is preferably made of multi-layered cardboard. Alternatively, it could be made of a sheet of thick paper.

[0028] As a reminder, a sheet of paper or cardboard is a thin, opaque, and flexible material made of pressed and dried plant fibers (mainly cellulose). Such a sheet may have one or more superimposed layers. These layers may be flat or corrugated. A sheet of paper differs from a sheet of cardboard in its thickness and density (referred to as its basis weight). In practice, A sheet of paper consists of a single, thin layer (generally about 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm thick). A sheet of cardboard is thicker than a sheet of paper (over about 2 mm thick) and has a higher basis weight (over 224 g / m²). It can be made up of several layers of paper.

[0029] Here, the pre-cut 10' blank is preferably formed from a multi-layered cardboard sheet (here with three superimposed layers, including a corrugated layer sandwiched between two flat layers).

[0030] Figures 2 and 3 show two identical plates 10, superimposed ([Fig.2]) or nested ([Fig.3]) one above the other.

[0031] Only one of them will be described here.

[0032] This tray 10 has a rectangular base 11 bordered on its four sides by four lateral walls 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0033] These four side walls are folded back from the bottom 11 on the same side (the upper side), so that they delimit with the bottom 11 a receptacle that can hold various articles, for example yogurts.

[0034] To understand how the plate 10 is manufactured, we can first refer to [Fig.1] which illustrates the blank 10' from which the plate 10 is made.

[0035] The background 11 is observed in the central position.

[0036] This background 11 preferably has a rectangular outline.

[0037] This base has, along its two long opposite sides, two of the side walls, hereinafter referred to as long side walls 12, 13.

[0038] Each of these long side walls 12, 13 has a rectangular shape with four sides, including a first side by which it is attached to the bottom 11 by means of a fold line L12, L13.

[0039] The two other side walls will hereafter be referred to as short side walls 14, 15.

[0040] If the two long side walls 12, 13 are each formed of a single panel, the two short side walls 14, 15 are doubled. They are thus each formed of two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B attached to each other. Each of these panels has a rectangular shape.

[0041] One of these panels, called proximal panel 14A 15A, is attached to the bottom 11 by a fold line L14, L15. The other of the panels, called distal panel 14B, 15B, is attached to the proximal panel.

[0042] The two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of each short side wall 14, 15 have similar sizes and are joined by at least one fold line. Here, two fold lines L14a, L15a are provided between the two panels, parallel to the fold lines L14, L15 and close to each other.

[0043] These two folding lines L14a, L15a are separated by a distance less than or equal to twice the thickness of the cardboard, so that these panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B can be folded 180° against each other, face to face.

[0044] It should be noted here that the flutes of the central layer of the cardboard used to cut the blank 10' all extend along axes parallel to the folding lines L14a, L15a, which facilitates the folding of the panels.

[0045] In the following, the expression "panel joint" will refer to the area located between the two fold lines L14a, L15a.

[0046] The distal panel 14B, 15B of each short side wall 14,15 has a first side opposite the fold line L14a, L15a which is substantially straight and which is intended to rest against the bottom 11.

[0047] To hold the two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of each short side wall 14, 15 in a folded position against each other, locking means are provided. These locking means could be in various forms (adhesive, staples, etc.). Here, they comprise tabs 44, 45 (two on each distal panel) that project from the first sides of these panels and engage in two corresponding openings 24, 25, 26, 27 in the bottom 11, along the fold lines at L14, L15. Here, these tabs 44, 45 have rectangular or slightly trapezoidal shapes, while the openings 24, 25, 26, 27 have oblong shapes with dimensions adapted to those of the tabs.

[0048] The side 10' includes mounting means for locking the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 relative to each other, after they have been folded back from the bottom 11.

[0049] According to the invention, these mounting means are such that it is possible to lock the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 with a first inclination relative to the bottom 11 ([Fig.2]) or to lock them with a second inclination relative to the bottom 11 ([Fig.3]).

[0050] In other words, the mounting means allow the side walls to be fixed according to the first inclination, but they also allow them to be unlocked as needed so that the side walls can be pushed back into a second inclination.

[0051] The first inclination is preferably 90°. As shown in [Fig. 2], this allows the platforms 10 to be stacked so that the bottom 11 of one platform rests on the upper edge of the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the other platform. When the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 are inclined relative to the bottom 11 at this first inclination, the platform 10 is said to be in a "stacking configuration".

[0052] The second inclination is preferably strictly greater than 90°. As shown in [Fig. 3], it is such that it allows the trays 10 to be nested so that the outer faces of the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of one of the trays rest against the inner faces of the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the other tray. When the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 are inclined relative to the base 11 according to this second inclination, the tray 10 is said to be in a "nested configuration".

[0053] In practice, the means for mounting the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 first of all comprise four tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 attached in pairs to the two long side walls 12, 13.

[0054] As shown in [Fig.1], each of these two side walls has four sides, including one side by which it is attached to the bottom 11, an opposite side, and two sides which each carry one of the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33.

[0055] These tabs are intended to engage between the two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of each short side wall 14, 15.

[0056] The tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 are attached to the long side walls 12, 13 by fold lines L30, L31, L32, L33 which are inclined at right angles to the fold lines L12, L13. Thus, when the tabs are fully engaged between the two panels of the short side walls 14, 15, they hold the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 at an inclination of 90° to the bottom 11 (in the overlapping configuration illustrated in [Fig. 2]). In this configuration, the side walls are then joined.

[0057] Each of the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 is here formed of two sections 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B joined to each other by a fold line L30a, L31a, L32a, L33a which is inclined with respect to the fold line L30, L31, L32, L33 and which intersects it at a corner of the bottom 11. One of the sections of each tab 30, 31, 32, 33, the one attached to the long lateral wall 12, 13, will be called the proximal section 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A while the other section will be called the distal section 30B, 31B, 32B, 33B.

[0058] Thus, when only the distal faces 30B, 31B, 32B, 33B of the tongues are engaged between the panels of the short side walls 14, 15, the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 will be held according to the second inclination (in the interlocking configuration illustrated in [Fig. 3]). In this configuration, the side walls will not be contiguous, the proximal faces 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A each extending between two side walls 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0059] The tabs could have very varied shapes.

[0060] In practice, each tab 30, 31, 32, 33 has a lower edge 302, 312, 322, 332 which is designed to bear against the bottom 11 in the configuration of overlap, and an opposite upper edge 301, 311, 321, 331 which is intended to apply against the joint between the two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of the short side walls 14, 15 in the interlocking configuration.

[0061] Preferably, these two edges are mostly straight and inclined relative to each other, so that the contact between the tongue and the bottom (in overlapping configuration) and the contact between the tongue and the joint between the panels (in interlocking configuration) is not point-like but linear.

[0062] Thus, the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 taper from their ends attached to the long lateral walls 12, 13 towards their opposite free ends.

[0063] Due to their non-rectangular shapes, the tabs are each free to slide between the panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of the short side walls 14, 15, by pivoting around an axis passing through the fold lines L12, L13, which allows the tray 10 to be moved from one configuration to another.

[0064] Locking means are then provided to secure the side panels in a stacked configuration. This securing is necessary to prevent the side panels from tipping and flaring out when the trays 10 are stacked and contain heavy items.

[0065] These locking means could take various forms. Here, they comprise two tabs 18, 19 which are respectively cut into the distal panels 14B, 15B of the two short side walls 14, 15.

[0066] Each leg 18, 19 is cut in such a way that in the overlapping configuration, it can rest against the upper edges 301, 311, 321, 331 of the two tabs engaged in the corresponding short side wall 14, 15.

[0067] In practice, each leg 18, 19 has a pentagonal shape, with a first side by which it attaches to the rest of the corresponding short side wall 14, 15, two parallel sides inclined here at right angles to the folding lines L14a, L15a, and two last sides 18A, 19A opposite to the first side and which form a point.

[0068] The first side is here located along one of the folding lines L14a, L15a, so that each leg 18, 19 is free to pivot relative to the short side wall panels 14, 15.

[0069] The inclination between each last side 18A, 19A and the first side of each leg 18, 19 is equal to the inclination between the lower edges 302, 312, 322, 332 and upper edges 301, 311, 321, 331 of each of the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33.

[0070] Thus, in the overlapping configuration, when the tabs 18, 19 are pushed towards the proximal panels 14A, 14B ([Fig. 2]) and the lower edge of each tab 30, 31, 32, 33 rests against the bottom 11, the last sides 18A, 19A of the tabs 18, 19 can come into contact with the upper edges of the tabs. Thus the Are all the tabs locked between the base 11 and the legs 18, 19? With the tabs thus wedged, the side walls can no longer tilt around their respective folding lines L12, L13, L14, L15.

[0071] To optimize this locking, each of the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 has, projecting from its lower edge 302, 312, 322, 332, a lug 40, 41, 42, 43 which is adapted to engage in a window 22, 23 provided corresponding at least in part in the bottom 11.

[0072] Here, each lug 40, 41, 42, 43 extends from the side of the free end of the tongue and has a rectangular shape.

[0073] The window extends across the bottom 11 and the corresponding proximal panel 14A, 15A. Each window accommodates two of the lugs.

[0074] In the overlapping configuration, the lugs 40, 41, 42, 43 are engaged in these windows and hook onto their edges, which helps to lock the tabs in this position.

[0075] Still with the same design, each window 22, 23 has five sides, namely one side which extends into the bottom 11, parallel to the fold lines L14, L15, two sides which extend over the bottom 11 and over the proximal panel 14A, 15A of the corresponding short side wall 14, 15, and two last sides which extend over this proximal panel and which together form a point oriented towards the first side.

[0076] These latter sides overlap with the last sides 18A, 19A of the legs 18, 19 when the two panels of each short side wall are folded against each other. Thus, in the overlapping configuration, they are designed to be positioned at the height of the upper edges 301, 311, 321, 331 of the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33, which also allows them to hold the tabs in contact with the bottom 11.

[0077] Indeed, when the tabs 18, 19 are pushed outwards ([Fig.2]), it may happen that they also push the tabs outwards, in which case these tabs will be blocked under the last sides of the windows 22, 23.

[0078] To move from this configuration to the interlocking configuration, the platform 10 includes means of operation allowing a user to manually deactivate the locking means, i.e. to unlock the side walls so that they can tilt around the folding lines L12, L13, L14, L15 up to the second tilt.

[0079] Here, these means of operation are designed to release the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 from the legs 18, 19.

[0080] These means of operation include in the proximal panel 14A, 15A of each of the two short side walls 14, 15 an opening 20, 21 here circular, the cross-section of which is sufficient for a user to be able to insert a finger into it.

[0081] These openings 20, 21 are located at the height of the tabs 18, 19 when the two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B are folded against each other, which allows the user's finger to push the tab 18, 19 inwards, so that the latter release the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33.

[0082] It should be noted that if the tabs were ever to get stuck in windows 22, 23, they could be easily freed (these tabs being accessible to the user through these windows).

[0083] It will be observed on [Fig.5] that the openings 20, 21 are placed sufficiently high in relation to the bottom 11 so as never to be obstructed by the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33. Alternatively, they could be placed lower, provided that they are not obstructed by the tabs in superimposed configuration.

[0084] Once the tabs 18, 19 are pushed inwards, the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 can slide between the two panels of the short side walls 14, 15, causing the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 to tilt outwards.

[0085] Stop means are then provided to block these tabs and therefore the tilting of the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 when they reach the second orientation, in the interlocking configuration (see [Fig.5]).

[0086] In practice, these stop means are formed by the junctions between the two panels 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B of each of the short side walls 14, 15, the tongues 30, 31, 32, 33 being adapted to come to butt against these junctions when the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 arrive in the interlocking configuration.

[0087] More specifically, in this configuration, the upper right edge of each tongue rests against the joint between the panels.

[0088] At this stage, we can briefly describe how the blank 10' illustrated in [Fig.1] is formed into a volume in order to obtain the plate 10.

[0089] As shown in [Fig.4], the operator or the folding machine can start by folding the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 at right angles to the long side walls 12, 13, and then fold the latter at right angles to the bottom 11.

[0090] It can then fold the proximal panels 14A, 15A of the short side walls 14, 15 relative to the bottom 11 at a right angle, then the distal panels 15A, 15B at 180° over the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33, until their lugs 44, 45 clip into the openings 24, 25, 26, 27 provided in the bottom 11.

[0091] To lock the assembly in this stacking configuration, he can then press on the tabs 18, 19 from the inside of the tray outwards, so that they pivot over the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 and hold them in this position.

[0092] To place the tray 10 in the interlocking configuration, a user can press on the tabs 18, 19 through the openings 20, 21 so as to force the latter to tilt towards the inside of the tray 10 and release the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33.

[0093] By applying force to the side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 to tilt them in opposite directions around their folding lines L12, L13, L14, L15, the user can force the tabs 30, 31, 32, 33 to tilt by sliding between the panels of the short side walls 14, 15, until they reach a position where these tabs rest against the joints provided between these panels ([Fig. 5]). Then, the tray 10 can be fitted into another tray of the same type.

[0094] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will be able to make any variation in accordance with the invention.

[0095] For example, in the stacking position, the side walls could be locked with an inclination other than 90°. This variant might, however, require that the side walls have raised edges on their upper surfaces to allow the trays to be stacked one on top of the other.

[0096] According to another variant, the legs (18, 19) could be cut out of the proximal panels, in which case the openings (20, 22) would be located in the distal panels.

[0097] According to another variant, the walls comprising two panels folded at 180° could be the long side walls, in which case the walls bearing the tabs would be the short side walls.

[0098] Alternatively, the tabs could not be designed to bear against the bottom and / or against the joints between the panels of the short side walls. In this alternative, each tab could have an opening, while one of the panels of each short side wall would have, on its face facing the other panel, a lug passing through said opening. Thus, this lug, by coming into contact on one side or the other of the opening, would prevent the tabs from tilting below the first inclination and beyond the second inclination.

[0099] As a further alternative, the base could have more sides. For example, it could have a hexagonal shape, in which case the tray would have three simple side walls, each with two tabs, and three double walls (formed of two panels).

[0100] According to another variant, the two panels of each short side wall could be joined to each other by a single fold line. In this case, the term "panel joint" would refer to the area along this fold line.

Claims

Demands

1. Tray (10) made from a blank (10') of pre-cut paper or cardboard, comprising: - a base (11), - four side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) which border said base (11), and - locking means adapted to lock the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) with a first inclination relative to the base (H), characterized in that it comprises: - operating means allowing a user to manually deactivate the locking means, and - stop means adapted to block the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) with a second inclination relative to the base (11).

2. Platform (10) according to claim 1, in which among the four side walls (12, 13, 14, 15): - two first opposing side walls (14, 15) each comprising two panels (14A, 14B, 15A, 15B) joined by at least one first fold line (L14a, L15a) and folded against each other, and - two second side walls (12, 13) each having a first side by which they are attached to the bottom (11) along a second fold line (L12, L13), and two sides which adjoin the first side and which have tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) engaged between the two panels (14A, 14B, 15A, 15B).

3. Platform (10) according to claim 2, wherein the stop means are formed by the junctions between the two panels (14A, 14B, 15A, 15B) of each of the first two side walls (14, 15), the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) being adapted to butt against said junctions when the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) have the second inclination with respect to the bottom (11).

4. Tray (10) according to claim 3, wherein each of the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) has a first edge (302, 312, 322, 332) which is at least partly straight and which, when the side walls have the first inclination with respect to the bottom (11), bears against the bottom (11), and a second edge (301, 311, 321, 331) which is at least partly straight, which is inclined with respect to the first edge (302, 312, 322, 332) and which, when the side walls have the second inclination with respect to the bottom (11), applies itself against one of the said junctions.

5. Tray (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking means comprise at least two tabs (18, 19) which are respectively cut out in first panels (14B, 15B) of each of the first two side walls (14, 15), and whose edges block the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) against the bottom (11) when the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) have the first inclination with respect to the bottom (11).

6. Platform (10) according to claim 5, in which the operating means comprise in the other of the panels (14A, 15A) of each of the first two side walls (14, 15) at least one opening (20, 21) through which a user can push a finger to push back the tabs (18, 19) so that their edges release the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33).

7. Tray (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each of the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) is attached to one of the second side walls (12, 13) by a third fold line (L30, L31, L32, L33) and comprises two panels (30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B) attached to each other by a fourth fold line (L30a, L31a, L32a, L33a) which is inclined with respect to the third fold line (L30, L31, L32, L33) and which is secant with the third fold line (L30, L31, L32, L33) at a corner of the bottom (H).

8. Tray (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each of the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) has a first edge (302, 312, 322, 332) which is at least partly straight and which, when the side walls have the first inclination with respect to the bottom (11), applies itself against the bottom (11) and a lug (40, 41, 42, 43) which extends in projection from the first edge (302, 312, 322, 332) and which is adapted to engage in a window (22, 23) provided corresponding at least partly in the bottom (11).

9. A tray (10) according to claim 8, wherein each of the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) has a second edge (301, 311, 321, 331) opposite the first edge (302, 312, 322, 332), and wherein each of the windows (22, 23) extends partially into one of the first side walls (14, 15) and has an edge opposite the bottom (11) whose shape is such that it overlaps a part of the second edges (301, 311, 321, 331) of the tabs (30, 31, 32, 33) when the lateral walls (12, 13, 14, 15) have the first inclination with respect to the bottom (11).

10. Platform (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein one of the two panels (14A, 15A) of each first side wall (14, 15) is attached to the bottom (11) by a fold line (L14, L15) and the other of the panels (14B, 15B) has a straight edge which applies against the bottom (11) and which has at least one lug (44, 45) which extends in projection from said straight edge and which is adapted to engage in an opening (24, 25, 26, 27) provided correspondingly in the bottom (11).

11. Tray (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, when the side walls have the first inclination with respect to the bottom (11), the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) are inclined at right angles with respect to the bottom (11).

Images