Food trays

Abstract

A tray for holding at least one food item includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the tray, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, and a plurality of end flaps including a plurality of top end flaps cooperating to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels, each top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,578, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,582, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,587, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 126,157, filed December 16, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 128,418, filed December 21, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 139,341, filed January 2, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 169,302, filed April 1, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 169,418, filed April 1, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 174,724, filed April 14, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 178,116, filed April 22, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 191,412, filed June 1, 2021.

[0002] Incorporation by Reference The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,578, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,582, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,587, filed November 6, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 126,157, filed December 16, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 128,418, filed December 21, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 139,341, filed January 2, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 169,., filed April 1, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 169,418, filed April 1, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 174,724, filed April 14, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 178,116, filed April 22, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 191,412, filed June 1, 2021 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

[0003] This disclosure relates, in general terms, to a tray for holding at least one food item. [Overview of the project]

[0004] The disclosure, in one aspect, generally relates to a tray for holding at least one food item, the tray comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps at least partially extending around the interior of the tray, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, the plurality of end flaps comprising a plurality of top end flaps cooperating to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels, each top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps being foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps.

[0005] The disclosure, in another aspect, generally relates to a blank for forming a tray for holding at least one food item, the blank comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps, the plurality of end flaps comprising a plurality of top end flaps cooperating to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels when the tray is formed from the blank, each top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps being foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps.

[0006] The disclosure, in another aspect, generally relates to a method for forming a tray for holding at least one food item, comprising obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, the blank further comprising a plurality of end flaps, the plurality of end flaps comprising a plurality of top end flaps, each top end flap being foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps, the method comprising folding the plurality of panels at least partially around the interior of the tray, and folding the plurality of top end flaps to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will understand the above-mentioned advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments by referring to the drawings listed below and reading the following detailed description of the embodiments. In accordance with convention, various features in the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A plan view of the outer surface of a blank used to form a tray according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A first sequential perspective view of the formation of a tray from a blank in Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] A second sequential perspective view of the formation of a tray from a blank in Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A perspective view of a tray formed from the blank of Figure 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] A perspective view of the tray shown in Figure 4, which holds food and is fitted with a lid film. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawing. The trays according to this disclosure can accommodate a number of articles of different shapes. For illustrative purposes only and not to limit the scope of this disclosure, the following detailed description describes articles such as food, for example, fruits or vegetables. In one embodiment, the articles described herein may be tomatoes (e.g., cherry tomatoes), berries (e.g., blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries), apples, oranges, tangerines, clementines, lemons, limes, cherries, and other fruits. In another embodiment, the articles described herein may be product packages, containers, bottles, cans, etc., at least partially placed within the tray embodiment. The articles can be used, for example, to package food and beverage products. The packaged articles may be made from materials suitable for compositions for packaging specific food or beverage articles, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass, aluminum and / or other metals, plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, nylon, composite materials, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0010] Articles described herein may include different types of food or beverage products, their containers, and / or those having different shapes, without departing from this disclosure. In this specification, the terms “bottom,” “bottom,” “top,” and “top” indicate orientations determined with respect to fully upright and upright trays. As described herein, trays may be formed from a blank by overlapping multiple panels, multiple sections, and / or end flaps. Such panels, sections, and / or end flaps may be designated herein, without departing from this disclosure, in consecutive or discontinuous references to each other, for example, “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.

[0011] Figure 1 is a plan view of the outer surface 101 of a blank, generally indicated as 103, used to form a tray 105 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As further described herein, the blank 103 includes engaging features for forming an engaging structure of the tray 105, which provides one or more surfaces for engaging with mechanical elements or other components of a system associated with the formation, loading, and / or packaging of the tray 105. In addition, the engaging structure of the blank 103 / tray 105 provides one or more surfaces for receiving a lid film, such as a polymer film or other cover that overlaps the tray 105 and for maintaining one or more states of the food held therein. In embodiments, the tray 105 described herein may have a generally elongated configuration with an open top, so as to have a general form of tray.

[0012] As shown, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a transverse axis L2 and includes a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around the interior 107 of the tray 105 when the tray 105 is formed from the blank 103. The panels may include a bottom panel 121, a front panel 123 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 by a transverse fold line 125, a rear panel 127 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 by a transverse fold line 129, a first side panel 131 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 by a longitudinal fold line 133, and a second side panel 135 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 by a longitudinal fold line 137.

[0013] The blank 103 may also include a plurality of end flaps that are foldable and connected to each of the multiple panels of the blank 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the end flaps may include a first front side end flap 139 that is foldable and connected to the front panel 123 by a diagonal fold line 141, a second front side end flap 143 that is foldable and connected to the front panel 123 by a diagonal fold line 145, and a front top end flap 147 that is foldable and connected to the front panel 123 by a transverse fold line 149. The first front side top end flap 151 is foldable and connected to the first front side end flap 139 by a diagonal fold line 153, and the second front side top end flap 155 is foldable and connected to the second front side end flap 143 by a diagonal fold line 157.

[0014] The top end flap 147 may include a central portion 159 and a pair of corners 161, 163 (broadly defined as "first corner" and "second corner") that are foldably connected to the central portion 159 at diagonal fold lines 165, 167 intersecting the fold line 149. Corner 161 may be foldably connected to the top end flap 151 at a diagonal fold line 169, and corner 163 may be foldably connected to the top end flap 155 at a diagonal fold line 171. In the illustrated embodiment, fold line 169 may be collinear with fold line 141, and fold line 171 may be collinear with fold line 145. In one embodiment, fold lines 169, 141 may be parts of a single fold line, and / or fold lines 171, 145 may be parts of a single fold line.

[0015] The top end flap 151 is foldably connected to the top end flap 147 at a corner 161, and the top end flap 155 is foldably connected to the top end flap 147 at a corner 163. In one embodiment, one or both of the corners 161 and 163 can be considered as a separate end flap from the central portion 159 of the end flap 147. In another embodiment, one or both of the corners 161 and 163 can be considered as part of the respective end flaps 151 and 155.

[0016] Similarly, the first rear side end flap 173 can be foldably connected to the rear panel 127 by a diagonal fold line 175, the second rear side end flap 177 can be foldably connected to the rear panel 127 by a diagonal fold line 179, the rear top end flap 181 can be foldably connected to the rear panel 127 by a lateral fold line 183, the first rear top end flap 185 can be foldably connected to the first rear side end flap 173 by a diagonal fold line 187, and the second rear top end flap 189 can be foldably connected to the second rear side end flap 177 by a diagonal fold line 191.

[0017] The rear top end flap 181 may include a central portion 193 and a pair of corner portions 195, 197 (generally referred to as the "first corner portion" and the "second corner portion") that are foldably connected to the central portion 193 at diagonal fold lines 199, 201 intersecting the fold line 183. The corner portions 195, 197 may be foldably connected to the respective top end flaps 185, 189 at diagonal fold lines 203, 205, so that the top end flap 185 is foldably connected to the top end flap 181 at corner portion 195, and the top end flap 189 is foldably connected to the top end flap 181 at corner portion 197. Fold line 203 may be collinear with fold line 175, fold line 205 may be collinear with fold line 179, or in one embodiment, fold lines 203, 175 may be parts of a single fold line. In another embodiment, fold lines 175 and 179 can be parts of a single fold line.

[0018] The blank 103 may include a product visibility structure for forming a product visibility structure of the tray 105. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the front panel 123 and the rear panel 127 may include one or more openings 207. Furthermore, a curved cutout 209 may be formed at least partially along the corner of the bottom panel 121 and may extend into the respective portions of the front panel 123, the rear panel 127, the side panels 131, 135, and the side end flaps 139, 143, 173, 177. As further described herein, the product visibility structure can provide customers with a line of sight into the interior 107 of the tray 105, for example, to inspect the food held therein.

[0019] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the formation of a tray 105 from a blank 103 is shown according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blank 103 can be inverted so that its outer surface 101 is positioned on a support surface and its inner surface is positioned upward.

[0020] The front panel 123, rear panel 127, first side panel 131, and second side panel 135 can be folded upward relative to the bottom panel 121 at their respective fold lines 125, 129, 133, and 137, so that they can extend at least partially around the interior 107 of the tray 105.

[0021] Simultaneously or thereafter, the front side end flap 139 may be folded along fold line 141 so as to be at least partially surface-contacting the side panel 131, the front side end flap 143 may be folded along fold line 145 so as to be at least partially surface-contacting the side panel 135, the rear side end flap 173 may be folded along fold line 175 so as to be at least partially surface-contacting the side panel 131, and the rear side end flap 177 may be folded along fold line 179 so as to be at least partially surface-contacting the side panel 135.

[0022] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 - 4, the top end flap 147 can be bent along the fold line 149 outward from the interior 107 of the tray 105 in the direction of arrow A1. During such movement of the central portion 159 of the top panel 147, due to the foldable connections to the top end flaps 151, 155, tension is applied to the corner portions 161, 163. In this regard, when the central portion 159 of the top end flap 147 is bent downward, the corner portion 161 bends with respect to the central portion 159 along the fold line 165, and the corner 163 bends with respect to the central portion 159 along the fold line 167.

[0023] Further downward movement of the central portion 159 of the top panel 147 moves the corner portion 161 to overlap and at least partially face - contact the central portion 159, pulling in the top end flap 151 such that the top end flap 151 bends along the fold line 153 in the direction of arrow A2 towards the interior 107 of the tray 105. Similarly, due to the movement of the central portion 159 of the top panel 147, the corner 163 moves to overlap and at least partially face - contact the central portion 159, thereby pulling in the top end flap 155 such that the top end flap 155 bends along the fold line 157 in the direction of arrow A3 towards the interior 107 of the tray 105.

[0024] Similarly, the top end flap 181 can be bent along the fold line 183 in the direction of arrow A4 away from the interior 107 of the tray 105. Such movement of the central portion 193 of the top panel 181 applies tension to the corner portions 195, 197 due to the foldable connections to the top end flaps 185, 189. In this regard, when the central portion 193 of the top end flap 181 is bent downward, the corner portion 195 is bent along the fold line 199 to be at least partially in surface contact with the central portion 193, and the top end flap 185 is bent along the fold line 187 in the direction of arrow A2 towards the interior 107 of the tray 105. Such movement of the central portion 193 of the top end flap 181 also bends the corner portion 197 along the fold line 201 to be at least partially in face contact with the central portion 193, and the top end flap 189 is bent along the fold line 191 in the direction of arrow A3 towards the interior 107 of the tray 105.

[0025] In this regard, the arrangement of the corner portions 161, 163 of the top end flap 147 and the corner portions 195, 197 of the top end flap 181 is such that the engagement and bending of one or both of the top end flaps 147, 181 causes the bending of at least one other top end flap, for example, the respective top end flaps 151, 155 and / or the top end flaps 185, 189. Thus, the engagement and bending of the top end flaps 147, 181 by a mechanical component or other engagement structure can result in the bending of the top end flaps 151, 155, 185, 189, and thus, the forming device associated with the blank 103 / tray 105 can be configured without directly engaging and bending the top end flaps 151, 155, 185, 189. Such a configuration can provide, for example, significant rationalization in manufacturing, cost savings, and efficiency improvements.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment of tray 105, panels 123, 127, 131, and 135 can extend generally upward and obliquely outward from the bottom panel 121, thereby giving tray 105 a generally tapered configuration, for example, the top opening defined by the upper edges of panels 123, 127, 131, and 135 is larger than the bottom panel 121. Furthermore, top end flaps 147, 181, 151, 155, 185, and 189 cooperate to form a rim 190 extending from the multiple panels 123, 127, 131, and 135. The top end flaps 147, 181, 151, 155, 185, and 189 can be arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship and parallel to the plane defined by the bottom panel 121, with the top end flaps 147 and 181 extending away from the interior 107 of the tray 105, and the top end flaps 151, 155, 185, and 189 extending toward the interior 107 of the tray 105.

[0027] Referring further to Figure 5, as shown, one or more food items P can be dropped, placed, or otherwise positioned inside the tray 105 during or after the aforementioned steps. In the illustrated embodiment, food items P may be tomatoes such as cherry tomatoes, but one or more food items P may be different foods without departing from the present disclosure.

[0028] The product visibility structure of tray 105 can provide customers with the ability to at least partially view the food P through the sides of tray 105, for example, through gaps between panels / flaps provided by one or more openings 207 or one or more cutouts 209. It will be understood that one or more gaps defined by the openings 207 or cutouts 209 may provide ventilation and / or drainage to the food P, for example, running water, condensation, or other moisture.

[0029] The engagement structure of tray 105 includes the arrangement of top end flaps 147, 181, 151, 155, 185, 189 and their portions, such as the rim 190. As shown, the folded arrangement of top end flaps 147, 181 extends outward from the respective front panel 123 and rear panel 127 to provide one or more engagement surfaces that are engaged / supported by mechanical elements associated with forming apparatus for tray 105, such as grippers, forks, pincers, rails, etc. In one embodiment, the outer (e.g., downward) surfaces of the top end flaps 147, 181 can provide engagement surfaces for engagement / support by such mechanical elements. In other embodiments, the engagement surfaces may include one or more any combination of surfaces facing the outer, inner (e.g., upward), and / or side surfaces of one or both of the top end flaps 147, 181.

[0030] Continuing to refer to Figure 5, the positioning of the top end flaps 151, 155, 185, 189 extending inward toward the interior 107 of the tray 105, together with the top end flaps 147, 181, presents multiple engagement / support surfaces for engaging / supporting a lid film F, such as a plastic or other polymer film, or other covering structure. Thus, the lid film F can be positioned to extend across the top opening of the tray 105, in contact with one or more surfaces of one or more of the top end flaps 147, 181, 151, 155, 185, 189, to cover the interior 107 of the tray 105 and maintain one or more conditions of the food P held therein, such as freshness, ripeness, and moisture content. It will be understood that the lid film F can minimize, suppress, and / or prevent the passage of one or more materials, such as condensation or other moisture, insects or other pests, dirt, debris, etc., into the interior 107 of the tray 105. In one embodiment, the tray 105 can be provided as a package together with a lid film F and one or more food items P.

[0031] The blanks according to this disclosure can be formed from, for example, coated cardboard and similar materials. For example, the inside and / or outside of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated on one or both sides of the blank with, for example, a moisture-proof layer. According to the embodiments described above, the blank may be constructed from caliper cardboard so as to be heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank may also be constructed from cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the tray to function at least generally as described above. The blank may also be laminated with one or more sheet materials or coated with one or more sheet materials in a selected panel or panel section.

[0032] According to the embodiments described above of the present disclosure, the fold line does not necessarily have to be a straight line, but can be any substantially straight line of a form of weakening that facilitates bending along it. More specifically, and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the fold line includes scoring lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, which create a crushed portion in the material along the desired weakening line; cuts that partially extend into the material along the desired weakening line; and / or a series of cuts that partially extend into the material along the desired weakening line and / or penetrate the material completely; and various combinations of these features.

[0033] For example, a tear line includes slits that partially extend into the material along a desired weakening line, and / or a series of spaced slits that partially extend into the material along a desired weakening line and / or completely penetrate the material, or various combinations of these features. In a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced slits that completely penetrate the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart so that nicks (e.g., some bridge-like small pieces of material) are defined between adjacent slits to typically temporarily connect the material across the tear line. The nicks break during tearing along the tear line. The nicks are typically a fairly small proportion of the tear line; alternatively, the nicks may be omitted from the tear line or placed within the tear line so that the tear line is a continuous cutting line. That is, each of the spaced slits may be replaced with a continuous slit, a continuous notch, etc., which is within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the cutting line may be a continuous slit or may be wider than a slit, without departing from the present disclosure. The tear line may also be a series of notches that completely or partially penetrate the material, and the notches are separated by notches.

[0034] The term "glue" is intended to encompass all types of adhesives commonly used to secure tray panels in place.

[0035] The foregoing description of this disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, and changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. All matters included in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings are intended to be conspicuous and not restrictive. In addition, although this disclosure illustrates and describes only selected embodiments of this disclosure, this disclosure can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the concepts of the invention expressed herein, in accordance with the foregoing teachings and / or within the scope of the skills or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchangeable and applied to other illustrated and unillustrated embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A tray for holding at least one food item, The tray comprises a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps that extend at least partially around the interior of the tray, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, A tray comprising a plurality of end flaps cooperating to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels, each of the plurality of end flaps being foldably connected to an adjacent end flaps of the plurality of end flaps, the plurality of end flaps comprising a front end flaps and at least one front side end flaps, the front end flaps and the at least one front side end flaps being arranged substantially on the same plane, with one of the front end flaps and the at least one front side end flaps extending away from the interior of the tray and the other of the front end flaps and the at least one front side end flaps extending inward from the tray.

2. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the front top end flap is foldably connected to the front panel and to each of the at least one front side top end flap.

3. The tray according to claim 2, wherein the front top end flap extends away from the inside of the tray, and the at least one front side top end flap extends in the direction towards the inside of the tray.

4. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the front top end flap comprises a central portion and at least one corner portion that is foldably connected to the central portion by a diagonal fold line, the at least one corner portion being in face contact with the central portion.

5. The tray according to claim 4, wherein at least one corner is foldably connected to the at least one front side top end flap by an oblique fold line.

6. The tray according to claim 5, wherein the at least one corner is a first corner, and the top end flap further comprises a second corner that is foldably connected to the central portion by an oblique fold line.

7. The tray according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of top end flaps further comprises a rear top end flap and at least one rear side top end flap, the rear top end flap being foldably connected to the at least one rear side top end flap and the rear panel, respectively.

8. The tray according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises at least one front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel and at least one rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, the at least one front side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one front side end flap, and the at least one rear side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one rear side end flap.

9. The tray according to claim 8, wherein each of the at least one front side end flap and the at least one rear side end flap is in face-to-face contact with the at least one side panel.

10. The at least one side panel is a first side panel, the at least one front side end flap is a first front side end flap, the at least one front side top end flap is a first front side top end flap, the at least one rear side end flap is a first rear side end flap, the at least one rear side top end flap is a first rear side top end flap, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, and the plurality of ends The tray according to claim 8, wherein the flap comprises a second front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel, a second rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, a second front side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second front side end flap and the front top end flap, and a second rear side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second rear side end flap and the rear top end flap.

11. The tray according to claim 1, further comprising a product visibility structure having a plurality of openings in at least one of the plurality of panels.

12. A blank for forming a tray for holding at least one food item, Multiple panels comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, The tray comprises a plurality of end flaps, each having a plurality of top end flaps that cooperate to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels when the tray is formed from the blank, Each of the plurality of top end flaps is foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps, and the plurality of top end flaps comprises a front top end flap and at least one front side top end flap, and when the tray is formed from the blank, the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap are arranged substantially on the same plane, with one of the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap extending away from the inside of the tray and the other of the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap extending inwards from the inside of the tray, the blank.

13. The blank according to claim 12, wherein the front top end flap is foldably connected to the front panel and to each of the at least one front side top end flap.

14. The blank according to claim 12, wherein the front top end flap comprises a central portion and at least one corner portion foldably connected to the central portion by an oblique fold line, the at least one corner portion being positioned to face and contact the central portion when the tray is formed from the blank.

15. The blank according to claim 14, wherein at least one corner is foldably connected to the at least one front side top end flap by an oblique fold line.

16. The blank according to claim 15, wherein the at least one corner is a first corner, and the top end flap further comprises a second corner that is foldably connected to the central portion by an oblique fold line.

17. The blank according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of top end flaps further comprises a rear top end flap and at least one rear side top end flap, the rear top end flap being foldably connected to the at least one rear side top end flap and the rear panel, respectively.

18. The blank according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises at least one front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel and at least one rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, the at least one front side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one front side end flap, and the at least one rear side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one rear side end flap.

19. The at least one side panel is a first side panel, the at least one front side end flap is a first front side end flap, the at least one front side top end flap is a first front side top end flap, the at least one rear side end flap is a first rear side end flap, the at least one rear side top end flap is a first rear side top end flap, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, and the plurality of end flap The blank according to claim 18, wherein the wrap comprises a second front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel, a second rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, a second front side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second front side end flap and the front top end flap, and a second rear side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second rear side end flap and the rear top end flap.

20. The blank according to claim 12, further comprising a product visibility structure having a plurality of openings in at least one of the plurality of panels.

21. A method for forming a tray for holding at least one food item, The objective is to obtain a blank comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one side panel, and the blank further comprises a plurality of end flaps, the plurality of end flaps comprising a plurality of top end flaps, each top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps being foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps, and the plurality of top end flaps comprising a front top end flap and at least one front side top end flap, The plurality of panels are folded at least partially around the inside of the tray, A method comprising: bending the plurality of top end flaps so that the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap are arranged substantially on the same plane, one of the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap extends away from the inside of the tray, and the other of the front top end flap and the at least one front side top end flap extends inward from the tray, thereby forming a rim extending from the plurality of panels.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the front top end flap is foldably connected to the front panel and to each of the at least one front side top end flap.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein folding the plurality of top end flaps includes positioning the front top end flap to extend away from the inside of the tray and positioning the at least one front side top end flap to extend in the direction towards the inside of the tray.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the front top end flap comprises a central portion and at least one corner portion foldably connected to the central portion by an oblique fold line, and folding the plurality of top end flaps includes positioning the at least one corner portion to be in face contact with the central portion.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one corner is foldably connected to the at least one front side top end flap by an oblique fold line.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the at least one corner is a first corner, and the top end flap further comprises a second corner that is foldably connected to the central portion by an oblique fold line.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of top end flaps further comprises a rear top end flap and at least one rear side top end flap, the rear top end flap being foldably connected to the at least one rear side top end flap and the rear panel, respectively.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises at least one front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel and at least one rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, the at least one front side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one front side end flap, and the at least one rear side top end flap foldably connected to the at least one rear side end flap.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising folding each of the at least one front side end flap and the at least one rear side end flap to face and contact with the at least one side panel.

30. The at least one side panel is a first side panel, the at least one front side end flap is a first front end flap, the at least one front side top end flap is a first front side top end flap, the at least one rear side end flap is a first rear side end flap, the at least one rear side top end flap is a first rear side top end flap, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, and the plurality of end flaps The method according to claim 28, wherein the wrap comprises a second front side end flap foldably connected to the front panel, a second rear side end flap foldably connected to the rear panel, a second front side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second front side end flap and the front top end flap, and a second rear side top end flap foldably connected to each of the second rear side end flap and the rear top end flap.

31. The method according to claim 21, wherein the blank further comprises a product visibility structure having a plurality of openings in at least one of the plurality of panels.

Images