Blank for a produce tray, produce tray and method of erecting a produce tray

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blank for a produce tray, a produce tray and a method of erecting a produce tray.

1 . A blank for an open top produce tray, the blank having a base portion that corresponds to a base of the tray when erected and side and end portions which can be folded to form respective side and end walls of the tray, wherein the side walls are formed of two parts foldable relative to each other so as to lie one inside of the other in the erected tray, wherein one of the parts of the side portions is formed with a flap which is foldable from the blank so as to lie in the erected tray between the two parts with a lowermost edge in contact with the base to form a three layered side wall, and wherein the fold of the flap constitutes an upper edge of the side wall along the length of the flap with the upper edge thus formed and being below the parts of the side wall on sides of the flap. 
     
     
         2 . A blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the flap is formed by a cut line made in the blank, the cut line defining three sides of the flap and a fold line between opposite sides of the flap. 
     
     
         3 . A blank according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein, once folded, the flap provides a side ventilation opening. 
     
     
         4 . A blank according to  claim 1  any preceding claim, further including ventilation apertures formed on a crease line between the base and end portions. 
     
     
         5 . A blank according to  claim 4 , wherein two ventilation apertures are formed, the ventilation apertures being spaced apart at approximately one quarter and three quarters of the length of the end portion. 
     
     
         6 . A blank according to  claim 1  any preceding claim, wherein the side portions are formed with extensions that, when folded, are secured to the end portions. 
     
     
         7 . A blank according to  claim 1  any preceding claim, wherein the end portion is formed with an aperture engagable by a user for lifting the tray. 
     
     
         8 . A blank according to  claim 1  any preceding claim, wherein the end portion is recessed at an upper end thereof to form a ventilation opening. 
     
     
         9 . A produce tray erected from a blank according to  claim 1  any preceding claim. 
     
     
         10 . A produce tray containing bananas, wherein when a series of like trays are stacked, a lowered side edge of the produce tray provides a substantial aperture to allow passage of air into an interior of the stacked trays. 
     
     
         11 . A method of erecting a produce tray, including the steps of:
 providing a blank according to  claim 1 ;   folding the flap from the blank and folding the two parts of the side portion to form a three layered side wall;   folding end portions of the blank to form end walls; and   securing the end walls to the side walls to form the produce tray.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , further including the step of applying an adhesive to the blank prior to folding the side or end portions 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , where the adhesive is applied to the side portions only.