Patent Description:
Such a cardboard tray is known from <CIT>. In this known cardboard tray, the second and third elongate flange part section are folded outwardly and the third elongate flange part section is adhered to the outside of the wall parts of the cardboard tray. As a result, the outside of the wall parts are at least partially covered by the third flange part section, such that the surface of the wall parts cannot fully be used for printing. The used unfolded sheet of cardboard cannot always be printed on two sides to overcome the above problem, as one printed side would get into contact with the products carried in the cardboard tray. In addition, two sided printing increases the costs of the cardboard tray.

Another disadvantage of the known cardboard tray is that the outwardly folding of the flange part sections prevents or at least severely limits the possibilities to fold the cardboard tray from an unfolded sheet of cardboard in a inline application. Typically the known cardboard trays need to be folded separately and then fed to an inline application, such as a conveyor belt with an inline filling station and an inline sealing station.

It is an object to reduce or even remove the above mentioned disadvantages.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a cardboard tray according to the preamble, which is characterized in that for each first flange part the third elongate flange part section is adhered to the respective wall part on the inside of the cardboard tray and the second elongate flange part section is sloping downwards from the third elongate flange part section towards the first elongate flange part section.

With the invention the third flange part section is folded to the inside and adhered to the wall part on the inside of the cardboard tray. As a result the outer surface of the wall part is no longer partially covered and thus can be printed over the full surface of the wall part.

Also, the arrangement of the third flange part section on the inside of the cardboard tray allows for folding the cardboard tray with an inline application. Because the third flange part section is folded to the inside, the cardboard tray can be supported on a single side, i.e. the outside, when the wall parts and flange part sections are folded and the third flange part section is adhered to the wall part on the inside of the cardboard tray.

The downwards sloping second elongate flange part section allows for providing a top seal foil under tension by forcing the second elongate flange part section in a horizontal position when sealing the top seal foil and then allow the second elongate flange part section to bend to the sloping position.

In a preferred embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention the fold line between the second and third elongate flange part section is spaced apart and positioned, relative to the bottom wall, above the fold line between the first flange part section and the wall part.

The resulting cross-section of the first flange part is triangular and provides strength to the flange. This allows for heavier products to be carried in the cardboard tray or for using a thinner cardboard sheet.

Preferably, the width of the second flange part section is larger than the width of the first flange part section.

In yet another embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention the third flange part section extends to the bottom wall, covering the respective wall part.

By extending the third flange part section to the bottom wall a smooth inner surface is provided without any transitions in thickness.

In a further preferred embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention second flange parts are alternately arranged with the first flange parts to subsequent wall parts along the circumferential edge to provide a circumferential flange.

The first flange parts allow for tensioning the top seal foil, while the circumferential flange allows for airtight sealing of the top seal foil.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention the longitudinal ends of the second flange parts overlap with the longitudinal ends of the first flange part sections of the first flange parts.

The overlapping parts can be adhered to each other to provide additional strength in the circumferential flange and also allow for aligning the second flange part section of the first flange part with the second flange part in a horizontal plane, such that a flat, continuous sealing surface for the top seal foil is provided.

The adhesive for adhering the overlapping longitudinal ends could be a glue, hotmelt or seal lacquer. In case a seal lacquer is used, the cardboard could slow down the heat from a heating element to warm up the seal lacquer. In such a case, the longitudinal end being in direct contact with the heating element could be provided with a perforation or slits, such that the heat from the heating element could more easily pass towards the seal lacquer present on the contact surface between the two longitudinal ends. Preferably, the longitudinal edges of the second flange parts abut to the longitudinal edges of the second flange part sections of the first flange parts.

In another embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention the combined angle of two abutting longitudinal edges is larger than <NUM>°. With a combined angle larger than <NUM>° the abutting edges will support the downward sloping second flange part section, such that not all tension is taken by the third flange part section.

In still a further embodiment of the cardboard tray according to the invention the second and third flange part sections of each first flange part have been removed and wherein the longitudinal edges of the second flange parts abut to the longitudinal edges of the first flange part sections of the first flange parts and wherein the combined angle of two abutting longitudinal edges is larger than <NUM>°.

Because the combined angle larger than <NUM>° ensures that the abutting edges will support the downward sloping first flange part section, the tension in the top seal foil could be maintained without the additional support of the second and third flange part section.

Preferably, a foil is laminated to the inside the cardboard tray onto the bottom wall, the wall parts and to the first and second flange parts. This laminated foil will keep the longitudinal edges in abutting position and keeps the first flange part in the downward sloping position. This ensures that prior to arranging a top seal foil, the flange parts are maintained in the desired position.

These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> shows an unfolded sheet <NUM> for a first embodiment of a cardboard tray according to the invention. The sheet <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM>, four wall parts <NUM>, which are attached to the bottom wall <NUM> and provided with glue flaps <NUM>, with which the wall parts <NUM> can be arranged to each other. These glue flaps <NUM> can be folded onto the outside of the adjacent wall parts <NUM> or onto the inside of said wall parts <NUM>. The glue flaps <NUM> can even be omitted, especially when a foil is laminated onto the inside of the tray <NUM>.

First flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged on two opposite sides of the bottom wall <NUM>, as well as two second flange parts <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the sheet <NUM> folded into a cardboard tray according to the invention. The first flange part has a first elongate flange part section <NUM> extending outwardly from the tray, a second elongate flange part section <NUM> folded double and a third elongate flange part section <NUM> folded onto the inside of the tray onto the wall part <NUM>.

The width w<NUM> of the first flange part section <NUM> is smaller than the width w<NUM> of the second flange part section <NUM>, such that the second flange part section <NUM> will slope downward. The fold line <NUM> is space apart and positioned above the fold line <NUM>, such that a triangular cross-section is obtained for the first flange part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. By changing the ratio of the width w<NUM> and width w<NUM>, the angle of sloping second flange part section <NUM> can be defined. Preferably, the angle is about <NUM>° to <NUM>°. But the flange could also have an angle nearing <NUM>°.

<FIG> shows the folded tray <NUM> from below. The longitudinal end <NUM> of the second flange part section <NUM> overlaps with the longitudinal end <NUM> of the second flange part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the longitudinal end <NUM> is positioned below the longitudinal end <NUM> (see also <FIG>). By adhering the two longitudinal ends <NUM>, <NUM> to each other, additional strength is obtained. The adhesive, such as glue, hotmelt or seal lacquer can be provided onto the longitudinal ends <NUM>, <NUM> in order to attach the flange parts to each other during folding the flanges. The flange parts can also be attached to each other during a top seal process, which is applied after the tray <NUM> is filled.

<FIG> shows an unfolded sheet <NUM> of a second embodiment of a cardboard tray according to the invention. The tray <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM>, wall parts <NUM> and alternately first flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and second flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each of the first flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and second flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a first flange part section <NUM>, <NUM> extending outwardly from the folded tray <NUM>, a second flange part section <NUM>, <NUM> folded double and a third flange part section <NUM>, <NUM> folded into the inside of the tray <NUM> and against a respective wall part <NUM>. (see also <FIG>).

The first flange part section <NUM> has extending longitudinal ends <NUM> which overlap with the longitudinal ends <NUM> of the second flange part section <NUM>, such that a flat, uninterrupted peripheral flange is provided, for example for airtight sealing of a top foil.

<FIG> shows an unfolded sheet <NUM> for a third embodiment of a cardboard tray according to the invention. The tray <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM>, wall parts <NUM> with glue flaps <NUM> and first flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and second flange parts <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first flange part has a first flange part section <NUM> extending outwardly, a second flange part section <NUM> folded double and a third flange part section folded inwardly into the tray <NUM> onto the wall part <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a variant to <FIG> in that in addition a foil <NUM> is laminated onto the bottom wall <NUM>, wall parts <NUM> and second flange part section <NUM>. The foil <NUM> contributes in maintaining the first flange part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the downward sloping position.

<FIG> shows an unfolded sheet <NUM> for a fourth embodiment of a cardboard tray according to the invention.

The tray <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM>, wall parts <NUM> with glue flaps <NUM>, opposite arranged first flange parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and opposite arrange second flange parts <NUM>.

The second flange part <NUM> has extending longitudinal ends <NUM>, which overlap with the extending longitudinal ends <NUM> of the first flange part section <NUM> and abut against the longitudinal edges <NUM> of the second flange part section <NUM>.

The angle α of the longitudinal edge <NUM> combined with the angle β is larger than <NUM>°, such that both second flange part section <NUM> and second flange part <NUM> are urged to slope downward.

<FIG> show a fifth embodiment <NUM> of a tray according to the invention. The tray <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM> and wall parts <NUM> each provided at the top with a first flange part section <NUM>, <NUM> (the second and third flange part section are removed).

The longitudinal edge <NUM> of the first flange part section <NUM> has an angle α and the longitudinal edge <NUM> of the first flange part section <NUM> has an angle β.

When the card board tray <NUM> is arranged in a mould (not shown), the longitudinal edges <NUM>, <NUM> will be pressed against each other (see <FIG>). By laminating a foil <NUM> against the bottom <NUM>, wall part <NUM> and flange parts <NUM>, this position is fixed. When in addition the combined angles α and β is larger than <NUM>°, the flange parts <NUM>, <NUM> will slope downward providing additional strength to the tray.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of a sixth embodiment <NUM> of a cardboard tray according to the invention. The tray <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM> with upstanding wall parts <NUM>. To the top of the wall parts <NUM>, a first flange part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is arranged. The first flange part has a first flange part section <NUM> extending outwardly, a second flange part section <NUM> folded double with the first flange part section <NUM> and a third flange part section <NUM> extending along the full height of the wall part <NUM> and on the inside of the tray <NUM>. This ensures that the tray <NUM> has both on the outside as well as on the inside an uninterrupted surface. A foil <NUM> has been laminated onto the bottom wall <NUM>, the wall parts <NUM> and the second flange part section <NUM> in order to contribute in maintaining the flange in the downward sloping position.

<FIG> shows schematically a first method of adhering the third flange part section <NUM> to a wall part <NUM> of a tray <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. A bottom mould <NUM> and a top mould <NUM> movable up and down is provided. The bottom mould <NUM> is provided with a recess <NUM> and an edge <NUM> bordering the recess <NUM>. The top mould <NUM> is provided with a inverse shape from the bottom mould <NUM> and has a flange <NUM> cooperating with the edge <NUM>.

The edge <NUM> and flange <NUM> slope downward, such that when the tray <NUM> is pressed between both moulds <NUM>, <NUM>, the third flange part section <NUM> is adhered to the wall part <NUM>. When the adhesive has set, the tray <NUM> will maintain its shape with downward sloping flange <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Cardboard tray folded from an unfolded sheet (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) of cardboard, which tray comprises:
- a bottom wall (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight edges;
- wall parts (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) each arranged to a straight edge of the bottom wall (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
- first flange parts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at least arranged to opposite wall parts (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) along the circumferential edge, which first flange parts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged to an edge of said wall part (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) opposite of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight edge of the bottom wall (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
wherein the first flange parts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise at least a first (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), a second (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and third (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) elongate flange part section, which are connected parallel and along an elongate edge to each other,
wherein, for each first flange part, the first elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is arranged to a respective wall part (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the second elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is double folded against the first elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), and the third elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is connected parallel and along an elongate edge to the second elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>)
characterized in that
for each first flange part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) the third elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is adhered to the respective wall part (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) on the inside of the cardboard tray and the second elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is sloping downwards from the third elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) towards the first elongate flange part section (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>).