Tray With Compartments

Abstract

A tray for holding one or more food products includes a plurality of panels including a central panel, a plurality of compartment flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of compartment flaps and the plurality of end flaps are overlapped to form a plurality of compartments of the tray.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tray for holding one or more food products, the tray comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a central panel;   a plurality of compartment flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; and   a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels,   the plurality of compartment flaps and the plurality of end flaps are overlapped to form a plurality of compartments of the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps comprises a first compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a second compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form a first compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein the central panel defines a flange for at least partially receiving a liner. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 4 , further in combination with the liner, the liner disposed on a portion of the flange, at least one compartment flap of the plurality of compartment flaps, and at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap is foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line intersecting a cutout adjacent the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap, the first end flap is foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels at a second fold line, and the second fold line is spaced apart from the cutout. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein the first end flap comprises a base portion extending away from the central panel and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7 , wherein the distal portion is obliquely arranged relative to the base portion and the distal portion is arranged generally parallel to the central panel. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 8 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with distal portion of the first end flap. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 9 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to the distal portion of the first end flap and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the other of the compartment flap and the second compartment flap. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form the first compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 11 , wherein an interior volume of the first compartment is defined between the first compartment flap, the second compartment flap, the first end flap, and the second end flap. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel and a second attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel, the first end flap is foldably connected to the first attachment panel and the second end flap is foldably connected to the second attachment panel. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the central panel. 
     
     
         15 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps further comprises a third compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a fourth compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         16 . The tray of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         17 . The tray of  claim 16 , wherein the third end flap comprises a base portion extending away from the central panel and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion of the third end flap. 
     
     
         18 . The tray of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a fourth end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         19 . The tray of  claim 18 , wherein a second interior volume of the second compartment is defined between the third compartment flap, the fourth compartment flap, the third end flap, and fourth second end flap, the second interior volume being different than the first interior volume. 
     
     
         20 . The tray of  claim 15 , wherein the distal portion of the first end flap is a first distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, and the first end flap further comprises a second distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, the second distal portion of the first end flap engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         21 . The tray of  claim 20 , wherein a portion of the second end flap engages a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         22 . A blank for forming a tray for holding one or more food products, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a central panel;   a plurality of compartment flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; and   a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels,   the plurality of compartment flaps and the plurality of end flaps are for being overlapped to form a plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank.   
     
     
         23 . The blank of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps comprises a first compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a second compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         24 . The blank of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap for being positioned extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form a first compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         25 . The blank of  claim 24 , wherein the central panel defines a flange for at least partially receiving a liner. 
     
     
         26 . The blank of  claim 25 , further in combination with the liner, the liner disposed on a portion of the flange, at least one compartment flap of the plurality of compartment flaps, and at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps. 
     
     
         27 . The blank of  claim 24 , wherein one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap is foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line intersecting a cutout adjacent the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap, the first end flap is foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels at a second fold line, and the second fold line is spaced apart from the cutout. 
     
     
         28 . The blank of  claim 24 , wherein the first end flap comprises a base portion extending away from the central panel and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion. 
     
     
         29 . The blank of  claim 28 , wherein the distal portion is obliquely arranged relative to the base portion and the distal portion is arranged generally parallel to the central panel. 
     
     
         30 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap and for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with distal portion of the first end flap when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         31 . The blank of  claim 30 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to the distal portion of the first end flap and for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the other of the compartment flap and the second compartment flap when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         32 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second end flap for being positioned extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form the first compartment when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         33 . The blank of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel and a second attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel, the first end flap is foldably connected to the first attachment panel and the second end flap is foldably connected to the second attachment panel. 
     
     
         34 . The blank of  claim 33 , wherein each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel is for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the central panel when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         35 . The blank of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps further comprises a third compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a fourth compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         36 . The blank of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third end flap for being positioned extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         37 . The blank of  claim 36 , wherein the third end flap comprises a base portion and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion of the third end flap. 
     
     
         38 . The blank of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a fourth end flap for being positioned extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         39 . The blank of  claim 35 , wherein the distal portion of the first end flap is a first distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, and the first end flap further comprises a second distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, the second distal portion of the first end flap for being positioned engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         40 . The blank of  claim 39 , wherein a portion of the second end flap is for being positioned to engage a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         41 . A method of forming a tray for holding one or more food products, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a central panel, a plurality of compartment flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; and   overlapping the plurality of compartment flaps and the plurality of end flaps to form a plurality of compartments of the tray.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps comprises a first compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a second compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap and the method comprises positioning the first end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form a first compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the central panel defines a flange for at least partially receiving a liner. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising disposing a liner on a portion of the flange, at least one compartment flap of the plurality of compartment flaps, and at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap is foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line intersecting a cutout adjacent the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap, the first end flap is foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels at a second fold line, and the second fold line is spaced apart from the cutout. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the first end flap comprises a base portion extending away from the central panel and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the method comprises obliquely arranging the distal portion relative to the base portion and arranging the distal portion generally parallel to the central panel. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to one of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap and the method comprises positioning the attachment tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with distal portion of the first end flap. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein an attachment tab is foldably connected to the distal portion of the first end flap and the method comprises positioning the attachment tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with the other of the compartment flap and the second compartment flap. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second end flap and the method comprises positioning the second end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the first compartment flap and the second compartment flap to at least partially form the first compartment. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein an interior volume of the first compartment is defined between the first compartment flap, the second compartment flap, the first end flap, and the second end flap. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a first attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel and a second attachment panel foldably connected to the central panel, the first end flap is foldably connected to the first attachment panel and the second end flap is foldably connected to the second attachment panel. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the method comprises positioning each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the central panel. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of compartment flaps further comprises a third compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel and a fourth compartment flap foldably connected to the central panel. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third end flap and the method comprises positioning the third end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the third end flap comprises a base portion extending away from the central panel and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion of the third end flap. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a fourth end flap and the method comprises positioning the fourth end flap extending away from the central panel and engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein a second interior volume of the second compartment is defined between the third compartment flap, the fourth compartment flap, the third end flap, and fourth second end flap, the second interior volume being different than the first interior volume. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the distal portion of the first end flap is a first distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, and the first end flap further comprises a second distal portion foldably connected to the base portion, the method comprising positioning the second distal portion of the first end flap engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form a second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the method comprises positioning a portion of the second end flap engaging a portion of each of the third compartment flap and the fourth compartment flap to at least partially form the second compartment of the plurality of compartments of the tray.