Container With Denesting Features

Abstract

A tray for holding one or more products includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels including at least one end panel, at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, a sidewall including the at least one side panel, a bottom wall comprising the at least one bottom panel, at least one end wall including the at least one end panel, and denesting features including a denesting shoulder extending from the sidewall and positioned for engaging a lower tray in a stack of trays to form a denesting gap between stacked trays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tray for holding one or more products, the tray comprising:
 a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels comprising at least one end panel, at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel;   a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels;   a sidewall comprising the at least one side panel;   a bottom wall comprising the at least one bottom panel;   at least one end wall comprising the at least one end panel; and   denesting features comprising a denesting shoulder extending from the sidewall and positioned for engaging a lower tray in a stack of trays to form a denesting gap between stacked trays.   
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the denesting shoulder is at least partially defined by an engagement edge intersecting an oblique edge. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one reinforcing flap is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one side panel. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and attached to the at least one end panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein the denesting shoulder extends away from each of the sidewall and the at least one end wall. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the tray further comprises divider features comprising at least one divider extending upwardly from the bottom wall and at least partially separating the interior of the tray into a plurality of receiving spaces. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, the at least one divider comprising the at least one divider panel. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to a second divider section, the first divider section and the second divider section obliquely arranged relative to the second divider section to form the at least one divider. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one foot feature extending from each of the sidewall and the bottom wall for supporting the tray in a display configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one bottom panel is a first bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, the bottom wall comprising the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. 
     
     
         15 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one divider panel is a first divider panel and the plurality of panels comprises a second divider panel, the at least one divider is a first divider, and the divider features further comprise a second divider comprising the second divider panel. 
     
     
         16 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         17 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and attached to the at least one end panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         18 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         19 . A blank for forming a tray for holding one or more products, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of panels extending for at least partially around an interior of the tray formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising at least one end panel, at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel, the at least one end panel for at least partially forming at least one end wall of the tray formed from the blank, the at least one bottom panel for at least partially forming a bottom wall of the tray formed from the blank, the at least one side panel for at least partially forming a sidewall of the tray formed from the blank;   a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels;   denesting features comprising a denesting shoulder for extending from the sidewall of the tray formed from the blank for being positioned for engaging a lower tray in a stack of containers to form a denesting gap between stacked containers.   
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 19 , wherein the denesting shoulder is at least partially defined by an engagement edge intersecting an oblique edge. 
     
     
         21 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         22 . The blank of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         23 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and for being attached to the at least one end panel when the tray is formed from the blank, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         24 . The blank of  claim 23 , wherein the denesting shoulder is for being positioned extending away from each of the sidewall and the at least one end wall when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         25 . The blank of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         26 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         27 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the tray further comprises divider features for forming at least one divider extending upwardly from the bottom wall for at least partially separating the interior of the tray into a plurality of receiving spaces when the tray is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         28 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, divider features comprising the at least one divider panel. 
     
     
         29 . The blank of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to a second divider section, the first divider section and the second divider section for being obliquely arranged relative to the second divider section to form the at least one divider in the tray formed from the blank. 
     
     
         30 . The blank of  claim 29 , further comprising at least one foot feature extending from the at least one side panel for supporting the tray formed from the blank in a display configuration. 
     
     
         31 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one bottom panel is a first bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel for at least partially forming the bottom wall. 
     
     
         32 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one divider panel is a first divider panel and the plurality of panels comprises a second divider panel. 
     
     
         33 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         34 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and for being attached to the at least one end panel when the tray is formed from the blank, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         35 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         36 . A method of forming a tray for holding one or more products, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank, the blank comprising a plurality of panels extending for at least partially around an interior of the tray formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising at least one end panel, at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and denesting features comprising a denesting shoulder;   positioning the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray;   forming a sidewall from the at least one side panel;   forming at least one end wall from the at least one end panel;   forming a bottom wall from the at least one bottom panel; and   positioning the denesting shoulder extending from the sidewall for engaging a lower tray in a stack of containers to form a denesting gap between stacked containers.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the denesting shoulder is at least partially defined by an engagement edge intersecting an oblique edge. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising positioning the at least one reinforcing flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one side panel. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and the method further comprising positioning the second reinforcing flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second side panel. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap, and the method further comprises attaching the at least one side end flap to the at least one end panel. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the denesting shoulder extends away from each of the sidewall and the at least one end wall. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and the method further comprises positioning the second reinforcing flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second side panel. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the blank further comprises divider features and the method further comprises forming at least one divider extending upwardly from the bottom wall and at least partially separating the interior of the tray into a plurality of receiving spaces. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, and forming the at least one divider comprises positioning the at least one divider panel to form the at least one divider. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to a second divider section, and forming the at least one divider comprises obliquely arranging the first divider section relative to the second divider section. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the blank further comprises at least one foot feature and the method further comprises positioning the at least one foot feature extending from each of the sidewall and the bottom wall for supporting the tray in a display configuration. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one bottom panel is a first bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, the bottom wall comprising the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one divider panel is a first divider panel and the plurality of panels comprises a second divider panel, the at least one divider is a first divider, and the divider features further comprise a second divider comprising the second divider panel. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and attached to the at least one end panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         54 . A stack of trays for holding one or more products, the stack comprising:
 a lower tray; and   an upper tray comprising:
 a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the upper tray, the plurality of panels comprising at least one end panel, at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel; 
 a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; 
 a sidewall comprising the at least one side panel; 
 a bottom wall comprising the at least one bottom panel; 
 at least one end wall comprising the at least one end panel; and 
 denesting features comprising a denesting shoulder extending from the sidewall and positioned for engaging the lower tray in a stack of trays to form a denesting gap between the upper tray and the lower tray. 
   
     
     
         55 . The stack of trays of  claim 54 , wherein the denesting shoulder is at least partially defined by an engagement edge intersecting an oblique edge. 
     
     
         56 . The stack of trays of  claim 55 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         57 . The stack of trays of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one reinforcing flap is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one side panel. 
     
     
         58 . The stack of trays of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith. 
     
     
         59 . The stack of trays of  claim 55 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and attached to the at least one end panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         60 . The stack of trays of  claim 59 , wherein the denesting shoulder extends away from each of the sidewall and the at least one end wall. 
     
     
         61 . The stack of trays of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the at least one reinforcing flap is a first reinforcing flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second reinforcing flap foldably connected to the second side panel and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact therewith. 
     
     
         62 . The stack of trays of  claim 55 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder. 
     
     
         63 . The stack of trays of  claim 55 , wherein the upper tray further comprises divider features comprising at least one divider extending upwardly from the bottom wall and at least partially separating the interior of the tray into a plurality of receiving spaces. 
     
     
         64 . The stack of trays of  claim 55 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one divider panel foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel, the at least one divider comprising the at least one divider panel. 
     
     
         65 . The stack of trays of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one divider panel comprises a first divider section foldably connected to a second divider section, the first divider section and the second divider section obliquely arranged relative to the second divider section to form the at least one divider. 
     
     
         66 . The stack of trays of  claim 65 , further comprising at least one foot feature extending from each of the sidewall and the bottom wall for supporting the upper tray in a display configuration. 
     
     
         67 . The stack of trays of  claim 65 , wherein the at least one bottom panel is a first bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one divider panel, the bottom wall comprising the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. 
     
     
         68 . The stack of trays of  claim 65 , wherein the at least one divider panel is a first divider panel and the plurality of panels comprises a second divider panel, the at least one divider is a first divider, and the divider features further comprise a second divider comprising the second divider panel. 
     
     
         69 . The stack of trays of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one reinforcing flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one reinforcing flap. 
     
     
         70 . The tray of  claim 65 , wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel and attached to the at least one end panel, the denesting shoulder at least partially defined by a free edge of the at least one side end flap. 
     
     
         71 . The tray of  claim 65 , wherein the at least one side panel at least partially defines the denesting shoulder.