Trays, packaging, and tray usage instructions

Abstract

To provide a tray allowing storage of a content again by deforming in use, a package and an application method of the tray.SOLUTION: A tray 20 has a rectangular bottom surface plate 21, and side surface plates 22a-22d erected from respective four sides of the bottom surface plate 21, and an opening 20a on an upper face. On the bottom surface plate 21, a cutting scheduled line K1 extending in the short direction of the bottom surface plate 21 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to trays, packages, and methods of using trays.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, small bags containing confectionery have been sold by being housed in larger bags or boxes. Users will take out a plurality of small bags from the bag or box and eat each of them. There is also a sale of confectionery in a packaging bag, etc., which consists of confectionery and a tray on which a plurality of the confectionery can be placed, and in which the plurality of confectionery and the tray are housed in a packaging bag and sealed with the plurality of confectionery placed on the tray (see 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 the contents such as confectionery are not immediately consumed after opening the packaging bag, a place for storing the contents is required. There is a problem that the packaging bag or tray, which was a suitable form during distribution, is not necessarily suitable for storage at home.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a tray, a package, and a method of using the tray that can be deformed during use to rehouse the contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, in the present disclosure, a tray having a rectangular bottom plate and side plates standing upright from four sides of the bottom plate and having an opening on the upper surface, The tray is provided having a cutting line formed on the bottom plate that extends along the shorter direction of the bottom plate.

[0007] Furthermore, in the tray of this disclosure, The aforementioned cutting line may be a perforation located approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate.

[0008] Furthermore, in the tray of this disclosure, The aforementioned cutting lines are formed in two, with the portion to be removed in between. Each of the two aforementioned cutting lines has multiple unit cuts arranged along the shorter direction of the bottom plate. Each unit cut may have a first cut portion extending along the shorter direction of the bottom plate and a second cut portion diagonally connected to one end of the first cut portion.

[0009] Furthermore, in this disclosure, The tray is a packaged body contained in a packaging bag, The present invention provides a packaging in which the contents are contained in a tray such that the longitudinal direction of the contents is aligned with the short direction of the tray.

[0010] Furthermore, in this disclosure, A method for using the aforementioned tray, The contents, which are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the shorter direction of the bottom plate of the tray, are removed from the tray. Cut out the aforementioned tray and separate it from the planned line. The openings of the separated parts are brought together, and the insert pieces formed on the side panels are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes to form the box body. The present invention provides a method for using a tray, in which the contents are re-filled into the box with the bottom surface of the formed box facing downwards. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] This disclosure makes it possible to provide a tray, packaging, and a method of using the tray that can be deformed during use to re-contain goods.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view from the opening side of the tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a development view of the tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a state where the tray is divided into two partial bodies. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a state where the opening sides 20a of the first partial body 31 and the second partial body 32 are facing each other with the side plates 22a and 22c aligned on the same plane. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the box body 50 after assembly. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a state where the tray contains contents. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a package 100 formed by enclosing the tray 20 in a packaging bag 10. [Figure 8] It is a view showing a state where the contents are re-accommodated in the box body 50. [Figure 9] It is a development view of the tray according to a modified example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <Configuration of the Tray> FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the opening side of a tray 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 20 has a rectangular bottom plate 21 (see FIG. 2) and side plates 22a to 22d erected from the four sides of the bottom plate 21, and an opening 20a is opened on the upper surface.

[0014] At the upper end of the side panel 22a, an insertion piece SA1 is provided to protrude upward. Also, an insertion hole SB1 is provided in the upper part of the side panel 22c. At the upper end of the side panel 22b, an insertion piece SA2 is provided to protrude upward. Also, an insertion hole SB2 is provided in the upper part of the side panel 22b. At the upper end of the side panel 22d, an insertion piece SA3 is provided to protrude upward. Also, an insertion hole SB3 is provided in the upper part of the side panel 22d.

[0015] Figure 2 is a developed view of the tray 20. The blank plate 29 obtained by developing the tray 20 is formed by punching out a sheet of paperboard such as manila board, cardboard, cardstock, kraft board, etc. having a predetermined basis weight. Note that the blank plate 29 may be formed of a resin plate.

[0016] The blank plate 29 has a rectangular bottom plate 21. Rectangular side panels 22a to 22d are connected to the four sides of the bottom plate 21 via fold lines 26 respectively. In Figure 2, the fold lines 26 are shown as broken lines. Also, on both sides of the opposing side panels 22b and 22d, paste margin pieces 25 are connected via fold lines 26 respectively. The paste margin pieces 25 may be connected via fold lines 26 to both sides of the side panels 22a and 22c instead of the side panels 22b and 22d. In this embodiment, the rectangular bottom plate 21 has a long side direction (the left - right direction in Figure 2) and a short side direction (the up - down direction in Figure 2). Therefore, the bottom plate 21 is connected to the side panels 22b and 22d with a longer side than the side panels 22a and 22c.

[0017] The bottom plate 21 has a cut line K1 that extends in the shorter direction of the bottom plate 21. The cut line can be of any structure as long as it allows the tray 20 to be separated into multiple parts. In this embodiment, the cut line K1 is a perforation. In this embodiment, the cut line K1 is formed from the upper end of the side plate 22b (upper end in Figure 2) to the upper end of the side plate 22d (lower end in Figure 2) in the assembled state. The cut line K1 does not necessarily have to reach the upper ends of the side plates 22b and 22d. It is sufficient that the tray 20 can be separated into two parts by cutting along the cut line K1. The position of the cut line K1 is not necessarily limited, but it is preferable that the cut line K1 be located approximately in the center in the longer direction of the bottom plate 21. The planned cutting line K1 is located approximately in the center of the long direction of the bottom plate 21, so that when the box body 50 (see Figures 5 and 8) is assembled, the height position of the opening 50a is aligned.

[0018] In side panel 22b, the shortest distance ds1 between insertion piece SA2 and side panel 22a in the direction connecting side panel 22a and side panel 22c (left-right direction in Figure 2) is greater than the shortest distance ds2 between insertion hole SB2 and side panel 22c. Also, in the direction connecting side panel 22a and side panel 22c, the longest distance dm1 between insertion piece SA2 and side panel 22a is less than the longest distance dm2 between insertion hole SB2 and side panel 22c. Similarly, in side panel 22d, the shortest distance ds3 between insertion piece SA3 and side panel 22a in the direction connecting side panel 22a and side panel 22c is greater than the shortest distance ds4 between insertion hole SB3 and side panel 22c. Also, in the direction connecting side panel 22a and side panel 22c, the longest distance dm3 between insertion piece SA3 and side panel 22a is less than the longest distance dm4 between insertion hole SB3 and side panel 22c.

[0019] In the direction connecting side plate 22a and side plate 22c, the insertion piece SA2 and insertion hole SB2 are in the above-described positional relationship (distance relationship) with side plate 22a and side plate 22c, so that when the separated tray 20 is assembled, the insertion piece SA2 is properly inserted into the insertion hole SB2. Also, in the direction connecting side plate 22a and side plate 22c, the insertion piece SA3 and insertion hole SB3 are in the above-described positional relationship (distance relationship) with side plate 22a and side plate 22c, so that when the separated tray 20 is assembled by bringing side plate 22a and side plate 22c together, the insertion piece SA3 is properly inserted into the insertion hole SB3.

[0020] The tray 20 is formed by folding the blank plate 29 along the fold line 26. Specifically, the side plates 22a to 22d are folded from the periphery of the bottom plate 21 and erected, and the adhesive tabs 25 are attached to the inner surfaces of adjacent side plates 22a and 22c using adhesive. This forms a tray 20 in which adjacent side plates 22a to 22d are connected.

[0021] Alternatively, instead of the adhesive tab 25, inserting pieces that are inserted into slits formed in the adjacent side panels 22a and 22c can be provided on both sides of the side panels 22b and 22d to connect the adjacent side panels 22a to 22d. Note that the adhesive tab 25 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the division of tray 20. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of tray 20 before division, and Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of tray 20 after division. In Figure 3, contrary to Figure 1, the bottom plate 21 is facing upwards and the opening 20a is facing downwards. From the state shown in Figure 3(a), the tray is cut along the planned cutting line K1, separating it into two parts, the first part 31 and the second part 32, as shown in Figure 3(b). At this time, the planned cutting line K1 separates the bottom plate 21, the side plate 22b, and the side plate 22d into two parts each.

[0023] Next, the openings 20a sides of the first part 31 and the second part 32 are brought facing each other. The side plate 22a becomes part of the first part 31, and the side plate 22c becomes part of the second part 32. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the openings 20a sides of the first part 31 and the first part 32 facing each other. From the state shown in Figure 4, the side plates 22a and 22c are brought even closer together. Then, the insertion piece SA1 formed on the side plate 22a is inserted into the insertion hole SB1 formed on the side plate 22c.

[0024] Although not visible in Figure 4, the side panels 22b and 22d of the first and second parts 31 and 32 are brought closer together. Then, the insertion piece SA2 formed on the side panel 22b of the first part 31 is inserted into the insertion hole SB2 formed on the side panel 22b of the second part 32. Similarly, the insertion piece SA3 formed on the side panel 22d of the first part 31 is inserted into the insertion hole SB3 formed on the side panel 22d of the second part 32. As a result, the connected side panels 22a and 22c form a new bottom surface 51, and a box body 50 is formed with the side facing this bottom surface 51 having an opening 50a.

[0025] Figure 5 shows the assembled box body 50. In Figure 5, the bottom surface 51, which consists of side panels 22a and 22c, is shown facing downwards. In this case, the sides of the box body 50 are four sides: sides 52a to 52d. Side 52a and side 52c opposite to side 52a are separate bottom panels 21. Side 52b and side 52d opposite to side 52b are surfaces where side panels 22b and side panels 22d are connected, respectively. An opening 50a is formed on the opposite side of the bottom surface 51, which is surrounded by the four sides and consists of side panels 22a and 22c. It is also conceivable that consumers who purchase the product may assemble such a box body 50 themselves.

[0026] Next, the state in which the contents are contained will be described. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the contents contained in the tray. As with Figure 1, Figure 6 is viewed from the side of the opening 20a. In the example of Figure 6, eight contents N, which have a substantially cylindrical outer shape, are contained. When assembling and using the box body 50 from the tray 20 according to this embodiment, it is preferable to arrange and contain the contents N such that the longitudinal direction of the contents N is aligned with the short direction of the bottom plate 21. Here, the direction is preferably parallel. However, since it is difficult to arrange them strictly parallel within the tray 20, it is sufficient if the directions are aligned to the extent that the contents N can be contained substantially aligned within the tray 20.

[0027] <Features of the packaging bag> The packaging 100 is constructed by housing a tray 20 inside a packaging bag 10. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the packaging 100 constructed by sealing the tray 20 inside the packaging bag 10. The packaging bag 10 is visible from the outside, and if it is transparent, the tray 20 inside is also visible. In the example in Figure 7, the tray 20 is not shown. When the tray 20 is housed inside, the packaging bag 10 has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 13, and a pair of side surfaces 14. The top surface 12 faces the opening 20a of the tray 20, and the bottom surface 13 faces the bottom plate 21 of the tray 20. The side surfaces 14 connect the top surface 12 and the bottom surface 13. The packaging 100 shown in Figure 7 is a packaging in which the contents N are housed in the tray 20 such that the longitudinal direction of the contents is aligned with the short direction of the tray 20.

[0028] The packaging bag 10 is formed into a cylindrical body by joining the opposing edges of the laminated film with a gusset seal portion, which is located on the bottom surface 13. The opening of the cylindrical body is heat-sealed with a heat-seal portion to seal the tray 20.

[0029] The heat-bonded portion is formed by folding the side portion 14 inward, sandwiching it between the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 13, and then heat-bonding it by sandwiching it from the outside with a sealing bar.

[0030] Furthermore, sealing portions are formed along the edges connecting the side portion 14 and the top portion 12, and along the edges connecting the side portion 14 and the bottom portion 13. By forming these sealing portions, the packaging bag 10 can be formed to conform to the shape of the tray 20, and the size of the packaging body 100 can be reduced.

[0031] Each sealed portion is formed by folding the innermost heat-adhesive resin layers of the laminated film over by a predetermined width so that they face each other, and then sandwiching them from the outside with a sealing bar and heat-bonding them. Preferably, the sealed portion is formed with a seal width of 5 mm to 15 mm.

[0032] The user grasps the gusseted seal portion with one hand and the top portion 12 with the other hand, and pulls both hands apart, thereby separating the seal portion between the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 13 and forming an opening. The tray 20 is then pulled out of the packaging bag 10 through the opening.

[0033] The laminated film constituting the packaging bag 10 consists of a base layer and a heat-adhesive resin layer, which are laminated in that order. An intermediate layer consisting of a metal foil or a metal vapor-deposited film having gas barrier properties may be placed between the base layer and the heat-adhesive resin layer.

[0034] The base layer can be made of a resin film, and any known resin such as nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene naphthalate can be arbitrarily selected. Alternatively, one or more of these resins may be used to form the base layer. In addition, a paper base material may be used instead of a resin film.

[0035] A printing layer is placed on the outer surface of the base material layer, and the printing layer is formed by printing and applying ink material to predetermined positions using gravure printing or offset printing. The printing layer allows for the arbitrary formation of desired patterns, such as letters, figures, or symbols, on the outer surface of the base material layer.

[0036] The heat-adhesive resin layer is composed of a resin that melts with heat and fuses to the opposing heat-adhesive resin layer for heat bonding. Examples of polyolefin resins include low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer resin, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and methylpentene polymer.

[0037] Next, the method of using the tray 20 will be explained. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a package 100 formed by sealing the tray 20 in a packaging bag 10. As shown in Figure 6, the tray 20 containing the product N is inserted into the packaging bag, and the outside of the packaging bag is sealed to obtain a package 100 containing the product N. It is also conceivable that the product will be distributed in this state, with the contents N contained in the package 100. In the package 100 as shown in Figure 7, the consumer opens the packaging bag 10 and takes out the tray 20 as shown in Figure 6. That is, the consumer takes out the contents N from the tray 20, which are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the short direction of the bottom plate 21 of the tray 20.

[0038] Then, with the contents removed from the tray 20 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the tray 20 is cut and separated from the planned line K1. The first part 31 and the second part 32 are then assembled to obtain the box body 50 as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, the openings 20a of the separated parts, the first part 31 and the second part 32, are brought together, and the insert pieces SA1 to SA3 formed on the side plate 22 are inserted into the corresponding insert holes SB1 to SB3 to form the box body 50.

[0039] Once the box 50 is completed, the contents N that were previously stored inside can be re-stored inside. Figure 8 shows the box 50 with the contents re-stored inside. As shown in Figure 8, the contents N are re-stored inside the box 50 with the bottom surface 51 of the formed box 50 facing downwards. Specifically, the contents N are stored upright so that their longitudinal direction is from the opening 50a towards the bottom surface 51. The height of the box 50 is half the length of the bottom plate 21 of the tray 20 in the longitudinal direction. The storage method of the goods during distribution can be arbitrarily determined according to the size of the goods and the size of the tray. For example, an efficient storage method is when the length of the goods in the longitudinal direction is such that it fits within the length of the bottom plate 21 of the tray 20 in the short direction. In this case, the height of the box 50 will exceed half the length of the goods in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, when stored vertically, the portion of the goods exceeding half will be contained within the box 50. This allows the contents N, which are the goods, to be held stably.

[0040] Furthermore, since the side portion 14 has a heat-sealed seal formed along the edge that connects to the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 13, the packaging bag 10 can be formed to conform to the shape of the tray 20, and the size of the packaging body 100 can be reduced.

[0041] <Variation> A modified example will be described. Figure 9 is an unfolded view of the tray according to the modified example. In the above embodiment, the planned cutting line K1 was a single perforation, but in Figure 9, the difference is that two planned cutting lines K2 and K3 are formed. The two planned cutting lines K2 and K3 are parallel to each other, and the part to be removed 27 is located between the planned cutting lines K2 and K3. That is, two planned cutting lines, K2 and K3, are formed with the part to be removed 27 in between. By cutting along the planned cutting lines K2 and K3, the part to be removed 27 is cut away, and the tray 20A is separated into two parts. The planned cutting lines K2 and K3 function as a so-called zipper. Therefore, by pulling the part to be removed 27 from one side to the other, the planned cutting lines K2 and K3 are cut away.

[0042] The planned cutting lines K2 and K3 can take on a general form. Specifically, the line that is expected to be cut is the zipper line, and multiple unit cuts LT are arranged along this zipper line. The zipper line generally follows the shorter direction of the bottom plate 21. Therefore, it can be said that multiple unit cuts LT are arranged along the shorter direction of the bottom plate 21. A unit cut LT is a cut that penetrates the blank plate and includes a leading portion LTa and an oblique portion LTb. The leading portion LTa and the oblique portion LTb are continuous at each other's ends. Both the leading portion LTa and the oblique portion LTb are straight lines. The leading portion LTa is located on the expected zipper line. Therefore, if you connect the leading portions LTa of each unit cut LT, you reach from the end of the side plate 22d to the end of the side plate 22b. The oblique portion LTb is connected at an angle to the leading portion LTa. The leading section LTa and the oblique section LTb can be described as the first cut section and the second cut section, respectively. Therefore, each unit cut section LT has a first cut section extending along the shorter direction of the bottom plate 21 and a second cut section diagonally connected to one end of the first cut section.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 9, the zipper line is curved. Therefore, the planned cutting lines K2 and K3, which are composed of multiple unit cuts LT, are also curved as a whole. The zipper line may also be straight. If the zipper line is straight, connecting the leading parts Lta will result in a straight line that reaches from the end of the side panel 22d to the end of the side panel 22b. As shown in Figure 9, if the zipper line is curved, it is possible to add variation to the box body at that point. For example, as shown in Figure 9, if the bottom panel 21 protrudes towards the side panel 22a near the center in the short direction, a character such as an animal may be printed on the protruding part of the bottom panel 21. In this case, when a box body 50A is formed with the side panels 22a and 22c as the bottom surface, it will be an interesting box body with a character placed on the front.

[0044] As shown in the unfolded diagrams of Figures 2 and 9, support pieces 23a and 23b are formed on the side panel 22a, and support pieces 23c and 23d may be formed on the side panel 22c. Support pieces 23a to 23d are separated from the side panels 22a and 22c by notches that surround three sides. These notches are formed near the fold line 26. These notches create support pieces 23a to 23d that extend in the direction of the bottom panel 21 when folded along the fold line 26. With four support pieces 23a to 23d, the box body 50 can be supported with the bottom surface 52 suspended.

[0045] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiments, a substantially cylindrical shape was used as the contents, but the shape of the contents is not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that the contents have a longitudinal direction, and that the length of the contents in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the bottom plate of the tray. With this relationship, when the goods are distributed, the contents can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate of the tray. As long as the contents have a longitudinal direction, they can be prismatic, conical, pyramidal, or similar shapes. In addition, the contents may not be the contents themselves, but may be individually stored in small bags. Each contents may be stored in a small bag and then placed in the tray. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10...Packaging bag 12...Top part 13...Bottom part 14...Side part 20, 20A... Tray 20a...opening 21...Bottom plate 22a~22d...Side plate 23a~23d...Support piece 25...Glue allowance piece 26...Fold lines 27...Parts to be removed 29...Blank plate 31...first partial field 32...second partial field 50...Box body 50a...opening 51...Bottom 52a~52d... Side view 100...Packaging K1~K3...Planned cutting lines LT... Unit cut LTa... Leading section (first cutting section) LTb... Oblique section (second cut section) SA1~SA3... Insertion piece SB1~SB3...Insertion hole

Claims

1. A tray having a rectangular bottom plate and side plates erected from each of the four sides of the bottom plate, with an opening on the top surface, wherein the bottom plate has a cut line formed thereon that extends along the shorter direction of the bottom plate, a method for using the tray, The contents, which are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the shorter direction of the bottom plate of the tray, are removed from the tray. Cut out the aforementioned tray and separate it from the planned line. The openings of the separated parts are brought together, and the insert pieces formed on the side panels are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes to form the box body. A method for using a tray, wherein the contents are re-filled into the box with the bottom surface of the formed box facing downwards.

2. The method of using the tray according to claim 1, wherein the planned cutting line is a perforation located approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate.

3. The aforementioned cutting lines are formed in two, with the portion to be removed in between. Each of the two aforementioned cutting lines has multiple unit cuts arranged along the shorter direction of the bottom plate. The method for using the tray according to claim 1, wherein each unit cut has a first cut portion extending along the short direction of the bottom plate and a second cut portion diagonally connected to one end of the first cut portion.

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