Tray

Abstract

The tray is designed so that the slats are difficult to open even when an upward force is applied to them. [Solution] The tray 1A comprises an end wall 20 rising from the bottom plate 10, a crossbar 50 connected to the upper edge of the end wall 20, and a side wall 30 rising from the bottom plate 10. A connecting hole 61 is formed in the folded portion 60 between the outer wall 31 and the inner wall 32 of the side wall 30, and an engaging piece 51 is provided on the crossbar 50 that is inserted into the connecting hole 61. The inner wall 32 has a first slit 71 extending downward from the connecting hole 61 and a second slit 72 extending laterally from the lower part of the first slit 71, and the engaging piece 51 has a projection 52 that engages with the upper edge of the second slit 72 from below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to trays.

Background Art

[0002] As a cardboard tray, there is one including a bottom plate, front and rear end walls, left and right side walls, and a crossbar protruding inward from the upper edge of the end wall, and an engaging piece continuously provided at the side edge of the crossbar is inserted into a connecting hole formed at the upper edge of the side wall (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When moving the above-described conventional tray horizontally or lifting it, when grasping and pulling up the crossbar and an upward force acts on the crossbar, there is a problem that the engaging piece is likely to come out of the connecting hole.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem and provide a tray in which the crossbar is difficult to open even when an upward force acts on the crossbar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the first invention is a tray comprising a bottom plate, front and rear end walls raised from the front and rear edges of the bottom plate, a crossbar connected to the upper edge of the end wall and projecting toward the inner surface of the end wall, and left and right side walls raised from the left and right edges of the bottom plate. The side wall has an outer wall connected to the edge of the bottom plate and an inner wall connected to the upper edge of the outer wall and folded back toward the inner surface of the outer wall. A connecting hole is formed in the folded portion between the outer wall and the inner wall, and an engaging piece is provided on the left and right edges of the crossbar that is inserted into the connecting hole. The inner wall has a first slit extending downward from the end on one side in the front-rear direction of the connecting hole, and a second slit extending toward the other side in the front-rear direction from the lower part of the first slit, with the upper edge of the second slit offset toward the outer wall relative to its lower edge. The engaging piece has a projection that engages with the upper edge of the second slit from below.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the second invention is a tray comprising a bottom plate, front and rear end walls raised from the front and rear edges of the bottom plate, a crossbar connected to the upper edge of the end wall and projecting toward the inner surface of the end wall, and left and right side walls raised from the left and right edges of the bottom plate. The side wall has an outer wall connected to the edge of the bottom plate and an inner wall connected to the upper edge of the outer wall and folded back toward the inner surface of the outer wall. A connecting hole is formed in the folded portion between the outer wall and the inner wall, and an engaging piece is provided on the left and right edges of the crossbar that is inserted into the connecting hole. The outer wall has a first slit extending downward from the end on one side in the front-rear direction of the connecting hole, and a second slit extending toward the other side in the front-rear direction from the lower part of the first slit, with the upper edge of the second slit offset toward the inner wall relative to its lower edge. The engaging piece has a projection that engages with the upper edge of the second slit from below.

[0008] In the tray of the present invention, when inserting the engaging piece of the crossbar into the connecting hole, the protruding portion of the engaging piece is passed through the first and second slits, and the protruding portion is inserted below the second slit. As a result, the protruding portion of the engaging piece engages with the upper edge of the second slit in the side wall from below. In this configuration, when an upward force is applied to the crossbar, the protruding portion of the engaging piece catches on the upper edge of the second slit in the side wall, making it difficult for the engaging piece to come out of the connecting hole.

[0009] Furthermore, when opening the crossbar, the upper edge of the second slit can be disengaged from the protruding part of the engaging piece by pushing in the upper wall portion of the second slit. In this way, the engagement between the engaging piece and the side wall can be easily released, allowing the crossbar to be opened. Thus, in the tray of the present invention, the crossbar and the side wall can be easily engaged and the engagement between the crossbar and the side wall can be easily released, allowing the tray to be reused repeatedly.

[0010] In the first invention, a first slit and a second slit are formed on the inner wall. This improves the appearance of the tray and makes it easier to print on the outer surface of the tray, as the first and second slits are not exposed on the outer surface of the tray.

[0011] In the first invention described above, a third slit may be formed in the inner wall at a distance from the first slit to one side in the front-rear direction, extending downward from the upper edge of the inner wall. In this way, the wall portion above the second slit can more easily penetrate towards the outer wall, thereby ensuring that the upper edge of the second slit is shifted toward the outer wall relative to its lower edge.

[0012] In the second invention, a third slit may be formed in the outer wall at a distance from the first slit to one side in the front-rear direction, extending downward from the upper edge of the outer wall. This makes it easier for the wall portion above the second slit to penetrate into the inner wall, thereby ensuring that the upper edge of the second slit is shifted toward the inner wall relative to its lower edge.

[0013] In the first invention described above, it is preferable that the portion between the first slit and the third slit at the upper edge of the inner wall is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall via a single broken line. In the second invention described above, it is preferable that the portion between the first slit and the third slit at the upper edge of the outer wall is connected to the upper edge of the inner wall via a single broken line. In this way, by causing the upper wall portion of the second slit to penetrate in the inward and outward directions, the upper and lower edges of the second slit can be reliably shifted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the tray of the present invention, when an upward force is applied to the support plate, the engaging piece of the support plate is less likely to come out of the connecting hole in the side wall, making it difficult for the support plate to open. Furthermore, in the tray of the present invention, the engagement between the support plate and the side wall can be easily released by pushing in the upper wall portion of the second slit, allowing the support plate to open. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear upper right. [Figure 2] This figure shows a blank sheet for a tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged side view showing the connection portion between the side wall and the crossbar in a tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing the state before the end walls are raised relative to the bottom plate. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear upper right. [Figure 6] This figure shows a blank sheet for a tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged side view showing the connection point between the side wall and the crossbar in a tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the description of each embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In the following description, the front-back, left-right directions are set for convenience in explaining the tray of the present embodiment, and do not limit the configuration and usage state of the tray.

[0017] [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 1A of the first embodiment includes a bottom plate 10 which is a rectangular flat plate, front and rear end walls 20, 20 respectively raised at the front and rear edge portions of the bottom plate 10, and left and right side walls 30, 30 respectively raised at the left and right edge portions of the bottom plate 10. Further, the tray 1A includes front and rear cross bars 50, 50 respectively connected to the upper edge portions of the front and rear end walls 20, 20.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 1A of the first embodiment is formed by mountain-folding or valley-folding a blank sheet S1 obtained by cutting out a cardboard sheet at each fold line. The blank sheet S1 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged so that the inner surface side is visible. The fold lines of the blank sheet S1 are ruled lines (pressed ruled lines) formed by linearly pressing the surface of the blank sheet S1. Note that intermittent cuts may be formed in the ruled lines. This makes it easier to bend the blank sheet S1 at the fold lines. Alternatively, the fold lines may be formed by intermittently forming linear half-cut cuts that only cut the surface of the sheet or cuts that penetrate the sheet.

[0019] The side wall 30 has an outer wall 31 connected to the left and right edge portions of the bottom plate 10, and an inner wall 32 connected to the upper edge portion of the outer wall 31 and folded back to the inner surface side of the outer wall 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer wall 31 is raised with respect to the bottom plate 10. The left and right outer walls 31, 31 are formed in the same shape of a quadrilateral.

[0020] The front and rear edges of the outer wall 31 are connected to the front and rear first flaps 33, 33, respectively. The first flaps 33 are bent inward relative to the outer wall 31 and overlapped with the inner surface of the end wall 20, which will be described later (see Figure 3).

[0021] The upper edge of the outer wall 31 is connected to the upper edge of the inner wall 32 via two bent lines L1, L1. The inner wall 32 is formed in the same shape as the outer wall 31 (see Figure 2). The inner wall 32 is folded back to the inner surface of the outer wall 31 along two bends L1, L1, and overlaps with the inner surface of the outer wall 31. A projection is formed on the lower edge of the inner wall 32 that protrudes downward, and the lower edge of the inner wall 32 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 10 by inserting this projection into holes formed on the left and right ends of the bottom plate 10. A strip-shaped folded portion 60 extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the upper edge (fold line L1) of the outer wall 31 and the upper edge (fold line L1) of the inner wall 32.

[0022] The front and rear edges of the inner wall 32 are connected to the front and rear second flaps 34, 34, respectively. The second flaps 34 are bent inward relative to the inner wall 32 and overlapped with the inner surface of the first flap 33. The tip of the second flap 34 has a groove that is recessed upward or downward. By interlocking the grooves at the tips of the left and right second flaps 34, 34 in the vertical direction, the left and right side walls 30, 30 are connected to the bottom plate 10 in an upright position.

[0023] The front and rear end walls 20, 20 are connected to the front and rear edges of the base plate 10, respectively. The end walls 20, 20 are formed in the same rectangular shape. As shown in Figure 1, the end wall 20 is raised relative to the bottom plate 10 and overlaps the outer surfaces of the first flaps 33, 33 (see Figure 3).

[0024] A crossbar 50 is continuously installed along the upper edge of the end wall 20. The crossbar 50 is formed in a strip shape along the upper edge of the end wall 20. The crossbar 50 is bent inward relative to the end wall 20 and protrudes from the upper edge of the end wall 20 toward the inside of the tray 1A.

[0025] Next, the connection structure between the side wall 30 and the crossbar 50 in the tray 1A of the first embodiment will be described. In the tray 1A of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, front and rear connecting holes 61, 61 are formed at the front and rear of the folded portion 60 between the outer wall 31 and the inner wall 32, respectively. The connecting holes 61 are through holes into which the engaging pieces 51, described later, are inserted.

[0026] In the inner wall 32 of the first embodiment, a first slit 71, a second slit 72, and a third slit 73 are formed in the portion that is on the central side in the front-rear direction relative to the connecting hole 61. The first slit 71, the second slit 72, and the third slit 73 are linear cuts that penetrate the inner wall 32.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the first slit 71 extends downward from the central (one side) end of the side wall 30 in the front-rear direction within the connecting hole 61. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, the first slit 71 extends downward from the rear end of the front connecting hole 61, and the first slit 71 extends downward from the front end of the rear connecting hole 61.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the second slit 72 extends laterally from the lower end of the first slit 71 toward the center (one side) in the front-rear direction of the side wall 30. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, the second slit 72 extends from the lower end of the front first slit 71 toward the rear, and the second slit 72 extends from the lower end of the rear first slit 71 toward the front. In the first embodiment, approximately half of the second slit 72 on the side of the connecting hole 61 is formed in a straight line along the upper and lower edges of the side wall 30. Also, approximately half of the second slit 72 on the side of the third slit 73 is inclined diagonally downward.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the third slit 73 is formed at a position spaced apart from the first slit 71, on the central side (one side) in the front-to-back direction. The third slit 73 extends downward from the upper edge (bent line L1) of the inner wall 32. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, a third slit 73 is formed at a position spaced apart from the front first slit 71, and a third slit 73 is formed at a position spaced apart from the rear first slit 71.

[0030] A wall portion 35 is formed at the upper part of the inner wall 32, surrounded by the upper edge of the inner wall, the first slit 71, the second slit 72, and the third slit 73. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the third slit 73 and the end of the second slit 72 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. As a result, a portion of the lower end of the wall portion 35 is formed that is continuous with the inner wall 32.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the portion of the inner wall 32 between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73 is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall 31 via a single bent line L1. That is, no folded portion 60 is formed in the portion between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73, and the upper edge of the outer wall 31 and the upper edge of the inner wall 32 are directly connected. Thus, at the upper edge of the inner wall 32, the portion between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73 (bent line L1) is displaced outward in the left-right direction compared to other portions of the upper edge of the inner wall 32.

[0032] As a result, the wall portion 35 is inclined to inward towards the outer wall 31 (outward in the left-right direction) compared to other parts (see Figure 1). The wall portion 35 is inclined to displace outward in the left-right direction as it moves from the lower end to the upper end. The upper wall portion 35 of the second slit 72 is positioned further towards the outer wall 31 than other parts, causing the upper edge of the second slit 72 to be shifted toward the outer wall 31 relative to its lower edge, resulting in the second slit 72 being open in the inward-outward direction (left-right direction).

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, engaging pieces 51, 51 are connected to the left and right edges of the crossbar 50. As shown in Figure 1, the engaging pieces 51 protrude downward from the edges of the crossbar 50. The engaging pieces 51 are the parts that are inserted into connecting holes 61 formed in the folded portion 60 of the side wall 30. By inserting the engaging piece 51 of the crossbar 50 into the connecting hole 61 of the side wall 30, the left and right edges of the crossbar 50 are connected to the upper edges of the left and right side walls 30, 30, respectively.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, a projection 52 is formed at the lower end of the engaging piece 51, projecting toward the center (one side) in the front-rear direction. The upper edge of the projection 52 is formed in a straight line. When the engaging piece 51 is inserted into the connecting hole 61 from above, the protruding portion 52 is configured to pass through the first slit 71 and the second slit 72 and enter below the second slit 72. When the base of the engaging piece 51 is inserted into the connecting hole 61, the upper edge of the protruding portion 52 engages from below with the straight portion on the connecting hole 61 side of the upper edge of the second slit 72 (the lower edge of the wall portion 35).

[0035] In tray 1A as described above, as shown in Figure 1, when an upward force is applied to the crossbar 50, the protruding portion 52 of the engaging piece 51 of the crossbar 50 catches on the upper edge of the second slit 72 of the side wall 30, making it difficult for the engaging piece 51 to come out of the connecting hole 61 of the side wall 30. In particular, in the first embodiment, the second slit 72 is formed in the lateral direction, and the upper edge of the protruding portion 52 is also formed in the lateral direction, so the upper edge of the protruding portion 52 reliably catches on the upper edge of the second slit 72. As a result, even when you grab the support plate 50 and lift it up to move or lift tray 1A to the side, the support plate 50 is less likely to open.

[0036] Thus, in tray 1A, when an upward force is applied to the crossbar 50, the lower edge of the second slit 72, that is, the lower edge of the wall portion 35, holds down the crossbar 50. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the third slit 73 and the second slit 72 are separated, and the wall portion 35 on the side of the second slit 72 is continuous with the inner wall 32. Therefore, the wall portion 35 (the lower edge of the second slit 72) can reliably support the protruding portion 52 of the engaging piece 51 of the crossbar 50.

[0037] When opening the rail plate 50 after using the tray 1A shown in Figure 1, the upper wall portion 35 of the second slit 72 is pushed in, moving the upper edge of the second slit 72 outward, thereby disengaging the upper edge of the second slit 72 from the protruding portion 52 of the engaging piece 51. In this way, the engagement between the rail plate 50 and the side wall 30 can be easily released, and the rail plate 50 can be opened. In this way, tray 1A can be reused repeatedly by easily engaging the support plate 50 and the side wall 30, and by easily disengaging the support plate 50 and the side wall 30.

[0038] In the tray 1A of the first embodiment, the wall portion 35 between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73 is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall 31 via a single bent line L1. In this configuration, the wall portion above the second slit 72 is more likely to penetrate towards the outer wall 31, so that the upper edge of the second slit 72 is reliably shifted and open towards the outer wall 31 relative to its lower edge. This makes it easier to insert the protruding portion 52 of the engaging piece 51 into the second slit 72, and also makes it easier to engage the protruding portion 52 with the upper edge of the second slit 72 from below.

[0039] In the tray 1A of the first embodiment, a first slit 71, a second slit 72, and a third slit 73 are formed in the inner wall 32. In this configuration, the first slit 71, the second slit 72, and the third slit 73 are not exposed on the outer surface of the tray 1A, which improves the appearance of the tray 1A and makes it easier to print on the outer surface of the tray 1A.

[0040] Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. In the tray 1A of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the first slit 71 extends downward from the central (one side) end of the connecting hole 61 in the front-rear direction, and the second slit 72 extends from the lower part of the first slit 71 towards the central (one side) in the front-rear direction. However, the first slit 71 may be extended downward from the opposite end of the connecting hole 61 on the opposite side of the central side in the front-rear direction (the front end for the front connecting hole 61, and the rear end for the rear connecting hole 61), and the second slit 72 may be extended from the lower part of the first slit 71 towards the opposite side of the central side in the front-rear direction. In this configuration, the protruding portion 52 of the engaging piece 51 protrudes toward the opposite side of the central side in the front-rear direction, and the protruding portion 52 engages with the lower edge of the second slit 72 from below.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the lower end of the third slit 73 and the end of the second slit 72 are separated, but the third slit 73 and the second slit 72 may be continuous. Also, the third slit 73 does not need to be formed in the inner wall 32.

[0042] Alternatively, the engaging piece 51 may be attached to only one edge of the crossbar 50 shown in Figure 1, and the engaging piece 51 may be inserted into a connecting hole 61 formed in one of the side walls 30. Furthermore, in the tray 1A of the first embodiment, front and rear support plates 50, 50 are provided, but support plates 50 may be provided only on one side, front or rear.

[0043] Although the tray 1A in the first embodiment is made of corrugated cardboard, the tray may be formed from various known types of cardboard.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] Next, the tray 1B of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the tray 1B of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the tray 1A of the first embodiment (see Figure 1), except that the first slit 71, the second slit 72, and the third slit 73 are formed in the outer wall 31.

[0045] The tray 1B of the second embodiment is formed by folding the blank sheet S2 shown in Figure 6 along each fold line, either as a mountain fold or a valley fold. The blank sheet S2 shown in Figure 6 is positioned so that its inner surface is visible.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, in the second embodiment, the outer wall 31 has a first slit 71 extending downward from the central (one side) end of the connecting hole 61 in the front-rear direction, similar to the first embodiment, and a second slit 72 extending laterally from the lower part of the first slit 71 towards the central (one side) in the front-rear direction. In addition, a third slit 73 is formed at a distance from the first slit 71 towards the central (one side) in the front-rear direction.

[0047] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the portion of the outer wall 31 between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73 is connected to the upper edge of the inner wall 32 via a single bent line L1. As a result, in the outer wall 31, the wall portion 35 above the second slit 72 between the first slit 71 and the third slit 73 is recessed further towards the inner wall 32 (inward in the left-right direction) than other portions.

[0048] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a projection 52 is formed at the lower end of the engaging piece 51, and when the engaging piece 51 is inserted into the connecting hole 61, the upper edge of the projection 52 engages with the upper edge of the second slit 72 from below. Furthermore, when opening the crossbar 50, the engagement between the crossbar 50 and the side wall 30 can be easily released by pushing in the upper wall portion 35 of the second slit 72, thereby allowing the crossbar 50 to be opened.

[0049] Although a second embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the second embodiment, and, as with the first embodiment, can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1A Tray (First Embodiment) 1B Tray (Second Embodiment) 10 Bottom plate 20 End wall 30 side wall 31 Exterior Wall 32 Inner wall 33 First flap 34 Second flap 35 Wall 50 slats 51 Engaging piece 52 Protrusion 60 Folded section 61 connecting holes 71 First Slit 72 Second Slit 73 Third Slit L1 is a broken line graph. S1 Blank sheet (first embodiment) S2 Blank Sheet (Second Embodiment)

Claims

1. The base plate and Front and rear end walls are raised at the front and rear edges of the aforementioned base plate, A crossbar is provided on the upper edge of the end wall and protrudes toward the inner surface of the end wall, The base plate is provided with left and right side walls that are raised from the left and right edges, The aforementioned side wall is An outer wall connected to the edge of the bottom plate, It has an inner wall that is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall and folded back to the inner side of the outer wall, A connecting hole is formed in the folded portion between the outer wall and the inner wall. The left and right edges of the aforementioned crossbar are provided with a series of engaging pieces that are inserted into the connecting holes. The aforementioned inner wall has, The first slit in the connecting hole extends downward from one end in the front-rear direction, A second slit is formed extending from the lower part of the first slit toward one side in the front-rear direction, The upper edge of the second slit is shifted toward the outer wall relative to the lower edge. The tray is characterized in that the engaging piece has a projection that engages with the upper edge of the second slit from below.

2. A tray according to claim 1, In the inner wall, in a portion spaced apart from the first slit in the front-rear direction, A tray characterized by having a third slit extending downward from the upper edge of the inner wall.

3. A tray according to claim 2, A tray characterized in that, at the upper edge of the inner wall, the portion between the first slit and the third slit is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall via a single broken line.

4. The base plate and Front and rear end walls are raised at the front and rear edges of the aforementioned base plate, A crossbar is provided on the upper edge of the end wall and protrudes toward the inner surface of the end wall, The base plate is provided with left and right side walls that are raised from the left and right edges, The aforementioned side wall is An outer wall connected to the edge of the bottom plate, It has an inner wall that is connected to the upper edge of the outer wall and folded back to the inner side of the outer wall, A connecting hole is formed in the folded portion between the outer wall and the inner wall. The left and right edges of the aforementioned crossbar are provided with a series of engaging pieces that are inserted into the connecting holes. The aforementioned exterior wall has, The first slit in the connecting hole extends downward from one end in the front-rear direction, A second slit is formed extending from the lower part of the first slit toward one side in the front-rear direction, The upper edge of the second slit is shifted toward the inner wall relative to the lower edge. The tray is characterized in that the engaging piece has a projection that engages with the upper edge of the second slit from below.

5. The tray according to claim 4, In the outer wall, in the portion spaced apart from the first slit in the front-rear direction, A tray characterized by having a third slit formed therein that extends downward from the upper edge of the outer wall.

6. A tray according to claim 5, A tray characterized in that, at the upper edge of the outer wall, the portion between the first slit and the third slit is connected to the upper edge of the inner wall via a single broken line.

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