Tray structure with bottom support function

Abstract

A tray structure with bottom support function comprises: a bottom wall; a side wall disposed around the bottom wall and extending in a direction away from the bottom wall to define a receiving space; and a reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward two sides of the side wall; wherein a thickness of the reinforcement portion is greater than that of remaining portion of the bottom wall. By the design of the reinforcement portion on the bottom wall, the overall rigidity and deformation resistance of the tray structure can be enhanced, while maintaining existing advantages of environmental friendliness, stackability, and compatibility with automated packaging processes, without significantly increasing material cost or processing complexity. This addresses urgent issues in the current field of paper-based packaging technology.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to paper containers, and more particularly to a tray structure with bottom support function.

[0002] Conventionally, a paper tray is a container structure composed primarily of paper material, and is widely applied in the packaging and transportation of food, agricultural products, medical supplies, stationery, and various daily necessities. Owing to the advantages of paper material—such as lightweight, low cost, ease of processing, excellent printability, and recyclability—paper trays have increasingly gained attention as a substitute for traditional plastic and foam packaging materials. In particular, under the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and the implementation of plastic reduction policies, paper-based packaging materials have become a prevailing market trend. A paper tray is typically formed by cutting and shaping a sheet of paper and then assembling it through folding. Such a tray generally includes a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls, and may further be provided with localized embossing, adhesive application, or crease designs as needed, in order to enhance its functionality and structural stability.

[0003] However, several technical issues remain unresolved in currently available paper trays during actual use. Among the most prominent is the insufficient rigidity of the bottom wall. When used to carry heavier items—such as multiple food products, liquid containers, or metal goods—the bottom wall is prone to structural deformations such as downward sagging, warping, or bending. These deformations can compromise the overall stability of the tray, adversely affect its sealing performance, and even introduce a risk of fracture during the packaging process. In particular, when a paper tray is used in conjunction with a heat-sealing film—such as cling film or plastic-coated film—a deformed bottom wall may result in film slackening, thereby failing to effectively seal the contents, which negatively impacts the preservation period and visual integrity of the packaged product. Furthermore, in an effort to minimize material usage, existing trays are often designed with a single-layer structure, which further reduces their load-bearing capacity and compressive strength, rendering them incapable of withstanding the impact and stacking forces encountered in logistics operations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In view of the above, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a tray structure with bottom support function, which can avoid the tray structure from deformation when loading heavy items.

[0005] In order to achieve the objective of the present invention, the present invention discloses a tray structure, comprising: a bottom wall; a side wall disposed around the bottom wall and extending in a direction away from the bottom wall so as to define a supporting space; and a reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward the side wall; wherein a thickness of the reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall.

[0006] In an embodiment, the reinforcement portion comprises a first fold line and a second fold line arranged in parallel, with opposite ends of the first fold line and the second fold line being respectively connected to the two opposing sides of the side wall, and the reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line.

[0007] In an embodiment, when the reinforcement portion is formed, one of the first fold line and the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, and the other is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface.

[0008] In an embodiment, the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have different heights.

[0009] In an embodiment, the reinforcement portion further comprises an auxiliary fold line arranged in parallel with the first fold line and the second fold line, and after the reinforcement portion is formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line, it is further folded along the auxiliary fold line, such that the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have the same height.

[0010] In an embodiment, the side wall further includes two slits respectively corresponding to opposite ends of the reinforcement portion, and the slit extends in a height direction of the side wall.

[0011] In an embodiment, the first fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface, and the slits are aligned with the first fold line of the reinforcement portion.

[0012] In an embodiment, the first fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the lower wall surface, and the slits are offset relative to the second fold line of the reinforcement portion.

[0013] In an embodiment, further comprising a second reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward two opposing sides of the side wall; wherein the second reinforcement portion is arranged in parallel with the reinforcement portion and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance, and a thickness of the second reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall other than the reinforcement portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement portion comprises a third fold line and a fourth fold line arranged in parallel; the third fold line and the fourth fold line is generally parallel to the first fold line and the second fold line, with opposite ends of the third fold line and the fourth fold line being respectively connected to the side wall, and the second reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the third fold line and the fourth fold line.

[0015] A preferred embodiment is described hereafter, accompanied with drawings, according to the objective and function of the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the slit and the fold line are staggered;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 7 is an expanded view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the center bottom member being higher than the side bottom members; and

[0026] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the center bottom member being lower than the side bottom membersDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a tray structure 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed into a tray-like shape by folding and securing a substrate. In the present preferred embodiment, a material of the substrate is an environmentally friendly material such as paper or plant fiber. The tray structure 1 primarily comprises: a bottom wall 10, a plurality of side walls 20, and a reinforcement portion 30.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 10 is generally rectangular. The side walls 20 are disposed around the bottom wall 10 and extends in a direction away from the bottom wall 10, so as to define a supporting space 40.

[0029] The reinforcement portion 30 is provided on the bottom wall 10 with opposite sides extends toward the side walls 20. A thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is greater than that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10. Specifically, the reinforcement portion 30 includes a first fold line 31 and a second fold line 32, which are arranged in parallel. Opposite ends of the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32 are respectively connected to the side walls 20 on two opposite sides. In the present embodiment, the first fold line 31 is a mountain fold line (with a downward concave fold), and the second fold line 32 is a valley fold line (with an upward concave fold). Accordingly, during manufacturing, the first fold line 31 is subjected to a mountain folding process, and the second fold line 32 is subjected to a valley folding process. An overlapping portion of the bottom wall 10 is then fixed in place, and an outward flange of the side walls 20 are subjected to die pressing to complete the tray formation, so that the reinforcement portion 30 is a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32. Since the reinforcement portion 30 is composed of three overlapping layers of the bottom wall 10, a thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is approximately three times that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10.

[0030] When the reinforcement portion 30 is formed, one of the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32 is adhered to an upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, and the other is adhered to a lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 opposite to the upper wall surface 11. For example, in the present preferred embodiment, the first fold line 31 of the reinforcement portion 30 is adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, while the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30 is adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10.

[0031] In addition, the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 is divided by the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30 (which may be the first fold line 31 in another preferred embodiment) into a first bottom surface 121 and a second bottom surface 122, wherein the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122 have different heights.

[0032] In addition, the side walls 20 are respectively formed with two slits 21 at positions on both sides of the reinforcement portion 30 after overlapping and die pressing, each extending in a height direction of the side wall 20. In the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 is formed with the first fold line 31 adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, and the second fold line 32 adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10, the slits 21 are aligned with the first fold line 31 of the reinforcement portion 30. However, if the reinforcement portion 30 is overlapped in the opposite direction—i.e., with the first fold line 31 adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 and the second fold line 32 adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10—then the slits 21 are offset relative to the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] Based on the foregoing structural configuration, the primary distinction between the present invention and conventional paper trays lies in the following: A conventional paper tray is primarily used as a container for holding items such as food, and is typically wrapped with a resin film to complete packaging. However, since the bottom wall of a conventional paper tray has a uniform thickness, generally corresponding to a single layer of paper sheet, when one side of the tray reaches a certain length, the conventional paper tray is easy to creasing during the wrapping process. The formation of such creases in the conventional paper tray can result in loosened packaging, which adversely affects the ability to preserve the freshness of the contents such as food. In contrast, in the present invention, the reinforcement portion 30 is composed of three overlapping layers of paper sheets, which significantly enhances the overall rigidity of the tray structure. As a result, even during the packaging process, the tray of the present invention is less likely to form creases. On the other hand, the slits 21 facilitate easier assembly of the tray structure. Furthermore, since the slits 21 are also formed within a double-layered overlapping structure, the overall rigidity of the paper tray of the present invention is further improved, thereby preventing deformation of the tray under the load of heavy items.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, a tray structure 1 of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, the tray structure 1 further includes a second reinforcement portion 50, which is arranged in parallel with the reinforcement portion 30.

[0035] The second reinforcement portion 50 is provided on the bottom wall 10 and extends toward opposite sides of the side wall 20. A thickness of the second reinforcement portion 50 is greater than that of the remaining portion of the bottom wall 10 other than the reinforcement portion 30. Specifically, the second reinforcement portion 50 includes a third fold line 51 and a fourth fold line 52, which are arranged in parallel. The third fold line 51 and the fourth fold line 52 are generally parallel to the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, and opposite ends thereof are respectively connected to the side walls 20 on the opposite sides. The second reinforcement portion 50 is a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the third fold line 51 and the fourth fold line 52.

[0036] In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 each further include an auxiliary fold line 33, 53, respectively, which is arranged parallel to the first fold line 31, the second fold line 32, the third fold line 51, and the fourth fold line 52. Taking the reinforcement portion 30 as an example, the auxiliary fold line 33 is disposed parallel to the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, and is subjected to a valley folding process. Accordingly, after the reinforcement portion 30 is formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, it may further be folded along the auxiliary fold line 33, such that a portion of the bottom wall 10 adjacent to the auxiliary fold line 33 is lowered in height. As a result, the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 is divided by the reinforcement portion 30 into the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122, wherein the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122 have the same height.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, a tray structure 1 of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the second preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 divide the bottom wall 10 of the tray structure 1 into a central bottom surface 13 and two lateral bottom surfaces 14. The central bottom surface 13 is located between the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50, and the two lateral bottom surfaces 14 are located on opposite sides of the central bottom surface 13. Furthermore, in the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 are folded outwardly (but not along the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53, or the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53 are not present), a height of the central bottom surface 13 is greater than that of the two lateral bottom surfaces 14, thereby forming a tray configuration wherein the center is elevated and both sides are lower. The tray structure 1 of the present embodiment is suitable for placing meat-based food items on the central bottom surface 13, such that blood or juices exuded from the meat can flow toward the lower-height lateral bottom surfaces 14 on both sides.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 11, a tray structure 1 of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the third preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 are folded inwardly (but not along the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53, or the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53 are not present), a height of the central bottom surface 13 is lower than that of the two lateral bottom surfaces 14, thereby forming a tray configuration wherein the center is recessed and both sides are elevated.

[0039] According to the foregoing embodiments, by providing two overlapping reinforcement portions 30 and second reinforcement portions 50, the overall rigidity of the tray structure 1 can be further effectively enhanced, thereby improving its resistance to deformation. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the number of reinforcement portions disclosed in the above embodiments. In other embodiments, a user may, according to practical needs, increase the number of reinforcement portions to three or more based on the technical content disclosed herein. Therefore, the provision of any number greater than one of reinforcement portions on the bottom wall of the tray structure shall fall within the scope of application of the present invention.

[0040] In summary, the tray structure with bottom reinforcement provided by the present invention enhances the overall rigidity and deformation resistance of the tray structure by incorporating the design of the reinforcement portion and / or the second reinforcement portion into the bottom wall of the tray. This improvement is achieved without significantly increasing material cost or manufacturing complexity, while maintaining the existing advantages of environmental friendliness, stackability, and compatibility with automated packaging processes. Accordingly, the present invention effectively addresses the pressing issues in the field of current paper-based packaging technologies.

[0041] It must be pointed out that the embodiments described above are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent structures which employ the concepts disclosed in this specification and the appended claims should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027]As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a tray structure 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed into a tray-like shape by folding and securing a substrate. In the present preferred embodiment, a material of the substrate is an environmentally friendly material such as paper or plant fiber. The tray structure 1 primarily comprises: a bottom wall 10, a plurality of side walls 20, and a reinforcement portion 30.

[0028]As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 10 is generally rectangular. The side walls 20 are disposed around the bottom wall 10 and extends in a direction away from the bottom wall 10, so as to define a supporting space 40.

[0029]The reinforcement portion 30 is provided on the bottom wall 10 with opposite sides extends toward the side walls 20. A thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is greater than that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10. Specifically, the reinforcement portion 30 includes a first fold line 31 and a second fold line 32, whi...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to paper containers, and more particularly to a tray structure with bottom support function.

[0002] Conventionally, a paper tray is a container structure composed primarily of paper material, and is widely applied in the packaging and transportation of food, agricultural products, medical supplies, stationery, and various daily necessities. Owing to the advantages of paper material—such as lightweight, low cost, ease of processing, excellent printability, and recyclability—paper trays have increasingly gained attention as a substitute for traditional plastic and foam packaging materials. In particular, under the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and the implementation of plastic reduction policies, paper-based packaging materials have become a prevailing market trend. A paper tray is typically formed by cutting and shaping a sheet of paper and then assembling it through folding. Such a tray generally includes a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls, and may further be provided with localized embossing, adhesive application, or crease designs as needed, in order to enhance its functionality and structural stability.

[0003] However, several technical issues remain unresolved in currently available paper trays during actual use. Among the most prominent is the insufficient rigidity of the bottom wall. When used to carry heavier items—such as multiple food products, liquid containers, or metal goods—the bottom wall is prone to structural deformations such as downward sagging, warping, or bending. These deformations can compromise the overall stability of the tray, adversely affect its sealing performance, and even introduce a risk of fracture during the packaging process. In particular, when a paper tray is used in conjunction with a heat-sealing film—such as cling film or plastic-coated film—a deformed bottom wall may result in film slackening, thereby failing to effectively seal the contents, which negatively impacts the preservation period and visual integrity of the packaged product. Furthermore, in an effort to minimize material usage, existing trays are often designed with a single-layer structure, which further reduces their load-bearing capacity and compressive strength, rendering them incapable of withstanding the impact and stacking forces encountered in logistics operations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In view of the above, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a tray structure with bottom support function, which can avoid the tray structure from deformation when loading heavy items.

[0005] In order to achieve the objective of the present invention, the present invention discloses a tray structure, comprising: a bottom wall; a side wall disposed around the bottom wall and extending in a direction away from the bottom wall so as to define a supporting space; and a reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward the side wall; wherein a thickness of the reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall.

[0006] In an embodiment, the reinforcement portion comprises a first fold line and a second fold line arranged in parallel, with opposite ends of the first fold line and the second fold line being respectively connected to the two opposing sides of the side wall, and the reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line.

[0007] In an embodiment, when the reinforcement portion is formed, one of the first fold line and the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, and the other is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface.

[0008] In an embodiment, the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have different heights.

[0009] In an embodiment, the reinforcement portion further comprises an auxiliary fold line arranged in parallel with the first fold line and the second fold line, and after the reinforcement portion is formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line, it is further folded along the auxiliary fold line, such that the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have the same height.

[0010] In an embodiment, the side wall further includes two slits respectively corresponding to opposite ends of the reinforcement portion, and the slit extends in a height direction of the side wall.

[0011] In an embodiment, the first fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface, and the slits are aligned with the first fold line of the reinforcement portion.

[0012] In an embodiment, the first fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the lower wall surface, and the slits are offset relative to the second fold line of the reinforcement portion.

[0013] In an embodiment, further comprising a second reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward two opposing sides of the side wall; wherein the second reinforcement portion is arranged in parallel with the reinforcement portion and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance, and a thickness of the second reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall other than the reinforcement portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement portion comprises a third fold line and a fourth fold line arranged in parallel; the third fold line and the fourth fold line is generally parallel to the first fold line and the second fold line, with opposite ends of the third fold line and the fourth fold line being respectively connected to the side wall, and the second reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the third fold line and the fourth fold line.

[0015] A preferred embodiment is described hereafter, accompanied with drawings, according to the objective and function of the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the slit and the fold line are staggered;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 7 is an expanded view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the center bottom member being higher than the side bottom members; and

[0026] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the center bottom member being lower than the side bottom membersDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a tray structure 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed into a tray-like shape by folding and securing a substrate. In the present preferred embodiment, a material of the substrate is an environmentally friendly material such as paper or plant fiber. The tray structure 1 primarily comprises: a bottom wall 10, a plurality of side walls 20, and a reinforcement portion 30.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 10 is generally rectangular. The side walls 20 are disposed around the bottom wall 10 and extends in a direction away from the bottom wall 10, so as to define a supporting space 40.

[0029] The reinforcement portion 30 is provided on the bottom wall 10 with opposite sides extends toward the side walls 20. A thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is greater than that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10. Specifically, the reinforcement portion 30 includes a first fold line 31 and a second fold line 32, which are arranged in parallel. Opposite ends of the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32 are respectively connected to the side walls 20 on two opposite sides. In the present embodiment, the first fold line 31 is a mountain fold line (with a downward concave fold), and the second fold line 32 is a valley fold line (with an upward concave fold). Accordingly, during manufacturing, the first fold line 31 is subjected to a mountain folding process, and the second fold line 32 is subjected to a valley folding process. An overlapping portion of the bottom wall 10 is then fixed in place, and an outward flange of the side walls 20 are subjected to die pressing to complete the tray formation, so that the reinforcement portion 30 is a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32. Since the reinforcement portion 30 is composed of three overlapping layers of the bottom wall 10, a thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is approximately three times that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10.

[0030] When the reinforcement portion 30 is formed, one of the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32 is adhered to an upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, and the other is adhered to a lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 opposite to the upper wall surface 11. For example, in the present preferred embodiment, the first fold line 31 of the reinforcement portion 30 is adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, while the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30 is adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10.

[0031] In addition, the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 is divided by the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30 (which may be the first fold line 31 in another preferred embodiment) into a first bottom surface 121 and a second bottom surface 122, wherein the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122 have different heights.

[0032] In addition, the side walls 20 are respectively formed with two slits 21 at positions on both sides of the reinforcement portion 30 after overlapping and die pressing, each extending in a height direction of the side wall 20. In the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 is formed with the first fold line 31 adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10, and the second fold line 32 adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10, the slits 21 are aligned with the first fold line 31 of the reinforcement portion 30. However, if the reinforcement portion 30 is overlapped in the opposite direction—i.e., with the first fold line 31 adhered to the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 and the second fold line 32 adhered to the upper wall surface 11 of the bottom wall 10—then the slits 21 are offset relative to the second fold line 32 of the reinforcement portion 30, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] Based on the foregoing structural configuration, the primary distinction between the present invention and conventional paper trays lies in the following: A conventional paper tray is primarily used as a container for holding items such as food, and is typically wrapped with a resin film to complete packaging. However, since the bottom wall of a conventional paper tray has a uniform thickness, generally corresponding to a single layer of paper sheet, when one side of the tray reaches a certain length, the conventional paper tray is easy to creasing during the wrapping process. The formation of such creases in the conventional paper tray can result in loosened packaging, which adversely affects the ability to preserve the freshness of the contents such as food. In contrast, in the present invention, the reinforcement portion 30 is composed of three overlapping layers of paper sheets, which significantly enhances the overall rigidity of the tray structure. As a result, even during the packaging process, the tray of the present invention is less likely to form creases. On the other hand, the slits 21 facilitate easier assembly of the tray structure. Furthermore, since the slits 21 are also formed within a double-layered overlapping structure, the overall rigidity of the paper tray of the present invention is further improved, thereby preventing deformation of the tray under the load of heavy items.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, a tray structure 1 of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, the tray structure 1 further includes a second reinforcement portion 50, which is arranged in parallel with the reinforcement portion 30.

[0035] The second reinforcement portion 50 is provided on the bottom wall 10 and extends toward opposite sides of the side wall 20. A thickness of the second reinforcement portion 50 is greater than that of the remaining portion of the bottom wall 10 other than the reinforcement portion 30. Specifically, the second reinforcement portion 50 includes a third fold line 51 and a fourth fold line 52, which are arranged in parallel. The third fold line 51 and the fourth fold line 52 are generally parallel to the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, and opposite ends thereof are respectively connected to the side walls 20 on the opposite sides. The second reinforcement portion 50 is a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the third fold line 51 and the fourth fold line 52.

[0036] In addition, in the present preferred embodiment, the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 each further include an auxiliary fold line 33, 53, respectively, which is arranged parallel to the first fold line 31, the second fold line 32, the third fold line 51, and the fourth fold line 52. Taking the reinforcement portion 30 as an example, the auxiliary fold line 33 is disposed parallel to the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, and is subjected to a valley folding process. Accordingly, after the reinforcement portion 30 is formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line 31 and the second fold line 32, it may further be folded along the auxiliary fold line 33, such that a portion of the bottom wall 10 adjacent to the auxiliary fold line 33 is lowered in height. As a result, the lower wall surface 12 of the bottom wall 10 is divided by the reinforcement portion 30 into the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122, wherein the first bottom surface 121 and the second bottom surface 122 have the same height.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, a tray structure 1 of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the second preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 divide the bottom wall 10 of the tray structure 1 into a central bottom surface 13 and two lateral bottom surfaces 14. The central bottom surface 13 is located between the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50, and the two lateral bottom surfaces 14 are located on opposite sides of the central bottom surface 13. Furthermore, in the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 are folded outwardly (but not along the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53, or the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53 are not present), a height of the central bottom surface 13 is greater than that of the two lateral bottom surfaces 14, thereby forming a tray configuration wherein the center is elevated and both sides are lower. The tray structure 1 of the present embodiment is suitable for placing meat-based food items on the central bottom surface 13, such that blood or juices exuded from the meat can flow toward the lower-height lateral bottom surfaces 14 on both sides.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 11, a tray structure 1 of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the third preferred embodiment. However, in the present preferred embodiment, since the reinforcement portion 30 and the second reinforcement portion 50 are folded inwardly (but not along the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53, or the auxiliary fold lines 33 and 53 are not present), a height of the central bottom surface 13 is lower than that of the two lateral bottom surfaces 14, thereby forming a tray configuration wherein the center is recessed and both sides are elevated.

[0039] According to the foregoing embodiments, by providing two overlapping reinforcement portions 30 and second reinforcement portions 50, the overall rigidity of the tray structure 1 can be further effectively enhanced, thereby improving its resistance to deformation. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the number of reinforcement portions disclosed in the above embodiments. In other embodiments, a user may, according to practical needs, increase the number of reinforcement portions to three or more based on the technical content disclosed herein. Therefore, the provision of any number greater than one of reinforcement portions on the bottom wall of the tray structure shall fall within the scope of application of the present invention.

[0040] In summary, the tray structure with bottom reinforcement provided by the present invention enhances the overall rigidity and deformation resistance of the tray structure by incorporating the design of the reinforcement portion and / or the second reinforcement portion into the bottom wall of the tray. This improvement is achieved without significantly increasing material cost or manufacturing complexity, while maintaining the existing advantages of environmental friendliness, stackability, and compatibility with automated packaging processes. Accordingly, the present invention effectively addresses the pressing issues in the field of current paper-based packaging technologies.

[0041] It must be pointed out that the embodiments described above are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent structures which employ the concepts disclosed in this specification and the appended claims should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027]As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a tray structure 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed into a tray-like shape by folding and securing a substrate. In the present preferred embodiment, a material of the substrate is an environmentally friendly material such as paper or plant fiber. The tray structure 1 primarily comprises: a bottom wall 10, a plurality of side walls 20, and a reinforcement portion 30.

[0028]As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 10 is generally rectangular. The side walls 20 are disposed around the bottom wall 10 and extends in a direction away from the bottom wall 10, so as to define a supporting space 40.

[0029]The reinforcement portion 30 is provided on the bottom wall 10 with opposite sides extends toward the side walls 20. A thickness of the reinforcement portion 30 is greater than that of the remaining portions of the bottom wall 10. Specifically, the reinforcement portion 30 includes a first fold line 31 and a second fold line 32, whi...

Claims

1. A tray structure, comprising:a bottom wall;a side wall disposed around the bottom wall and extending in a direction away from the bottom wall so as to define a supporting space; anda reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward the side wall;wherein a thickness of the reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall.

2. The tray structure of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises a first fold line and a second fold line arranged in parallel, with opposite ends of the first fold line and the second fold line being respectively connected to opposing portions of the side wall, and the reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line.

3. The tray structure of claim 2, wherein when the reinforcement portion is formed, one of the first fold line and the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, and the other is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface.

4. The tray structure of claim 3, wherein the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have different heights.

5. The tray structure of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement portion further comprises an auxiliary fold line arranged in parallel with the first fold line and the second fold line, and after the reinforcement portion is formed by folding and overlapping along the first fold line and the second fold line, it is further folded along the auxiliary fold line, such that the lower wall surface of the bottom wall is divided by the reinforcement portion into a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface have the same height.

6. The tray structure of claim 2, wherein the side wall further includes two slits respectively corresponding to opposite ends of the reinforcement portion, and the slit extends in a height direction of the side wall.

7. The tray structure of claim 6, wherein the first fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the upper wall surface, and the slits are aligned with the first fold line of the reinforcement portion.

8. The tray structure of claim 6, wherein the first fold line is adhered to a lower wall surface of the bottom wall, the second fold line is adhered to an upper wall surface of the bottom wall opposite to the lower wall surface, and the slits are offset relative to the second fold line of the reinforcement portion.

9. The tray structure of claim 2, further comprising a second reinforcement portion disposed on the bottom wall and extending toward two opposing sides of the side wall; wherein the second reinforcement portion is arranged in parallel with the reinforcement portion and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance, and a thickness of the second reinforcement portion is greater than that of a remaining portion of the bottom wall other than the reinforcement portion.

10. The tray structure of claim 9, wherein the second reinforcement portion comprises a third fold line and a fourth fold line arranged in parallel; the third fold line and the fourth fold line is generally parallel to the first fold line and the second fold line, with opposite ends of the third fold line and the fourth fold line being respectively connected to the side wall, and the second reinforcement portion being a structure formed by folding and overlapping along the third fold line and the fourth fold line.

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