Multi-compartment tray

Abstract

Provided is a multi-compartment tray having at least two compartments that are connected at the time of sale and then able to be split into separate, detached compartments by a user. The compartments are conjoined by a 3-dimensional wave-shaped perforation region. Each perforation wave includes a crest and a trough and perforation tabs are formed on at least some of the crests and troughs and form the point of interconnection between the compartments. In use, a user can apply leverage to the offset planes resulting in bending/snapping of the compartments relative to one another and causing the perforation break, thereby separating the compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-compartment tray, comprising:
 first and second compartments having first and second terminal edges, respectively, that extend towards one another in a first plane; and   a wave-shaped perforation region having a series of undulating crests and troughs that extend in series with respective tangents that extend in second and third planes, respectively, and are parallel to and laterally offset from the first plane and from each other, wherein at least some of the undulating crests and troughs comprise a perforation tab formed thereon that connect the first and second compartments, wherein only one perforation tab is arranged at each of the crests or troughs such that the sole attachment between the first and second compartments is achieved through connection of the perforation tabs at the crests and troughs.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-compartment tray of  claim 1 , whereby bending the first and second compartments relative to one another causes them to snap and break the perforation tab forming the connection between the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second compartments are shaped as a polygon. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 3 , wherein said first and second compartments are rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 3 , wherein said first and second compartments are semicircular in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least four sets of undulating crests and troughs. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least five sets of undulating crests and troughs. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the series of undulating crests and troughs are arranged along a first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 8 , wherein rotationally bending the first and second compartments relative to one another about the first longitudinal axis causes the first and second compartments to break the perforation tabs. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the wave-shaped perforation region has a wave thickness greater than a tab thickness of each of the perforation tabs. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the wave-shaped perforation region is substantially sinusoidal. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the wave-shaped perforation region is substantially sawtooth-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the multi-compartment tray is composed of polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         14 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second compartments comprise a first and second flange, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 14 , wherein the first flange comprises the first terminal edge and the second flange comprises the second terminal edge. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 15 , wherein the first terminal edge is adjacent to the second terminal edge. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-compartment tray according to  claim 15 , wherein the first terminal edge is separated from the second terminal edge by a gap. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-compartment tray of  claim 17 , wherein the gap is angled or notched. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-compartment tray of  claim 1 , wherein a wave-shaped perforation region extends perpendicularly relative to the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-compartment tray of  claim 1 , wherein a wave-shaped perforation region extends transversely relative to the first and second compartments.