Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKER CARD FOR PROVIDING CONTAINER SUPPORT
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers and in
particular, to a backer
card for providing support to a container so that it may be stacked in an
upright position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Food products can come packaged in trays within containers. One
conventional
type of container includes a thermoformed tray. Several conventional lidding
materials are
available for covering conventional trays. Lidding materials may be metal
foil, flexible plastic
wrap or rigid plastic.
[0003] One such container disclosed in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No.
2010/0230411 is a container for food product and includes a film affixed to a
food tray. The
film forms a top of the container and has an access opening. The sealing
label, adhesively
sealed to the top around the opening, is re-sealable when a tab of the sealing
label is pulled
back. The sealing label is re-sealable against the top layer to seal the
opening when the
label is moved back against the top. In one form, the sealing label extends
along the top of
the container and seals along a portion of the film which is affixed to one or
more top end
surfaces of walls forming the tray.
[0004] Another such container disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,918,532 is
a container for
a food product and includes a wrapper which surrounds a frame. The container
can be any
polygonal shape which is defined by the shape of the frame. The wrapper forms
a top of the
container which has an access opening. A sealing layer is adhesively sealed to
the top
around the opening. The sealing layer is re-sealable when a tab of the sealing
layer is
pulled back. The sealing layer is re-sealable against the top layer to seal
the opening when
the sealing layer is moved back to a flat position on the top. Various tamper-
evident
structures are provided to indicate when the container has been initially
opened or tampered
with.
[0005] Such containers are effective when the container is positioned
horizontally, or
"lying down". However, when it is desired or required to position the
container vertically, or
"standing up", the containers are less effective and it may be difficult to
prevent the container
from falling over. Accordingly, there exists a need for improvements to trays
and containers
such the container is better suited to be maintained in an upright position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a backer
card for use with a tray comprising rows of compartments, wherein adjacent
compartments
are separated by a corresponding recess, the backer card comprising: a central
portion; at
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least one side portion; and at least one locking tab extending from the
central portion to the
at least one side portion, wherein the at least one locking tab is configured
to be insertable
into the recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example
only with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a backer card;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the backer card of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of a sample tray (prior art);
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the backer card of Figure 1 in use with the
tray of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of a container comprising the backer card and
tray of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the container of Figure 5 in a partially open
configuration;
Figure 7 is a front view of another embodiment of a backer card;
Figure 8 is an isometric view of the backer card of Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a front side view of another embodiment of the backer card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0008] For convenience, like numerals in the description refer to like
structures in the
drawings. Referring to Figure 1, a front view of a backer card is illustrated
generally as
reference numeral 100. As can be seen, backer card 100 comprises a central
portion 102, a
first side portion 104, a second side portion 106 and a plurality of locking
tabs 108. The first
side portion 104 is bendable relative to the central portion 102 about a first
line of flex 110.
The second side portion 106 is bendable relative to the central portion 102
about a second
line of flex 112.
[0009] In this embodiment, six locking tabs 108 are provided. Three
locking tabs 108
are provided along each of the first line of flex 110 and the second line of
flex 112 providing a
top locking tab 108a, a middle locking tab 108b and a bottom locking tab 108c.
[0010] Each of the locking tabs 108 is configured to extend from the
central portion 102
to a corresponding one of the first side portion 104 or the second side
portion 106. Each
locking tab 108 is generally rectangular in shape and formed by creating a top
slit 114 along
a top length of the locking tab 108 and a bottom slit 116 along a bottom
length of the locking
tab 108.
[0011] Referring to Figure 2, an isometric view of the backer card 100
with the first side
portion 104 and the second side portion 106 folded is illustrated generally as
reference
numeral 200. The first side portion 104 is folded at angle 01 with respect to
the central
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=
portion 102. The second side portion 106 is folded at angle 02 (not shown)
with respect to
the central portion 102. Further, the locking tabs 108 are shown in a lock
position. In the
lock position, each locking tab 108 comprises a first member 202 extending
from the central
portion 102 and a second member 204 extending from the first side portion 104
toward the
second side portion 106. The second member 204 extends from the first side
portion 104 at
an angle (pi with the first member 202 that is equal to the angle 01 formed by
the first side
portion 104 and the central portion 102. Although only the locking tabs 108
for the first side
portion 104 are visible in Figure 2, the locking tabs 108 for the second side
portion 106 are
similarly configured.
[0012] Referring to Figure 3 an example of a typical tray is illustrated
generally as
reference numeral 300. The tray has a length 301, a width 303 and a height
305. The tray
300 comprises a plurality of distinct compartments 302 defined, at least in
part, by dividers
308. The dividers 308 between adjacent compartments 302 are spaced apart
creating
recesses 304 between the compartments 302. The compartments 302 are
dimensioned to
fit food. Thus, although the compartments 302 are illustrated having a squared-
off bottom
portion 302a, the bottom portion 302a may take other contours, depending on
the food. For
example, for the tray 300 used for storing Oreo0 cookies, the bottom portion
302a is
rounded.
[0013] The backer card 100 is to be positioned behind the tray 300 to
provide support
thereto. Thus, thus it will be appreciated that the configuration of the
backer card 100 is
closely related to the tray 300 for which it will provide the support. That
is, the dimensions of
the backer card 100 rely, at least in part, on the dimensions of the tray 300.
For example,
the central portion 102 is configured to be at least as wide as the width 303
of the tray 300.
Depending on the implementation, the length of the backer card 100 may not
need to be the
same as the length 301 of the tray 300. Only a fraction of the length 301 of
the tray 300 may
be sufficient to provide the necessary support.
[0014] Similarly, the size, position and number of locking tabs 108 may
depend on the
recesses 304 in the tray 300. For example, the locking tabs 108 are sized and
positioned so
that they fit within the recesses 304. In one implementation, two locking tabs
108 may be
provided for each recess 304, one on each side of the central portion 102. In
another
implementation, each recess 304 may only need one locking tab 108. In this
implementation, the locking tabs 108 may be placed on the same side of the
central portion
102 for each recess 304 or may alternate sides of the central portion 102
between adjacent
recesses 304. In yet another implementation, the locking tabs 108 may only be
provided for
the top and bottom recesses 304. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that
various
configurations of the locking tabs 108 can be implemented.
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[0015] Further, the width of the first side portion 104 and the second
side portion 106
may vary depending on the implementation. For example, in one implementation,
the width
of each side portion 104 and 106 is the same as the height 305 of the tray
300. In another
implementation, the width of each side portion 104 and 106 is a fraction the
height 305 of the
tray 300. In yet another implementation, the width of one of the side portions
104 and 106 is
the same as the height 305 of the tray 300 and the width of the other of the
side portions 106
and 104 is a fraction the height 305 of the tray 300.
[0016] Referring to Figure 4, an assembly of the backer card 200 and
the tray 300 is
illustrated generally by numeral 400. The backer card 200 is positioned around
the tray 300
such that the locking tabs 108 are inserted into the recesses 304 between the
compartments
302. In this configuration two locking tabs 108 are provided in each of the
recesses 304.
That is, for each recess 304, one locking tab 108 is provided proximate the
first side portion
104 and one locking tab is provided proximate the second side portion 106. The
six locking
tabs 108 are arranged amongst the three recesses 304 in this manner. As will
be
appreciated, the locking tabs 108 facilitate maintaining the backer card 100
in position in the
assembly 400, thus assisting packaging thereof.
[0017] Optionally, an adhesive may be used to further facilitate
maintaining the backer
card 100 in position in the assembly 400. The adhesive could be applied to one
or more of
the central portion 102, the first side portion 104 or the second side portion
106. Placement
of the adhesive may vary depending on the implementation. For example, if the
adhesive is
applied to the central portion 102 it may be placed on an entire surface area
of the central
portion 102 that will be in contact with the tray 300. Alternatively, the
adhesive may only be
applied at strategic points of the central portion 102 that will be in contact
with the tray 300.
Similarly, the adhesive may be applied to an entire surface area of the first
side portion 104
that will be in contact with the tray 300 or only at strategic points thereof.
Also, the adhesive
may be applied to an entire surface area of the second side portion 106 that
will be in
contact with the tray 300 or only at strategic points thereof.
[0018] The type of adhesive may vary depending on a number of factors
including cost,
effectiveness, the type of materials used for the backer card 100 and the tray
300, and the
like. Examples of types of adhesive that could be used include glue, double-
sided tape and
the like.
[0019] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an example of a container is
illustrated
generally as reference numeral 500. The container 500 contains the backer card
100 and
tray 300. The container 500 comprises a top 512, bottom 513, opposing sides
514a and
514b, opposing ends 515a and 515b, a corner 524 and a re-sealable panel 516
with a tab
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522. The top 512 has an opening 518 from which the contents of the
compartments 302 are
accessible. Figure 5 shows the container 500 in a closed configuration while
Figure 6 shows
the container 500 in a partially open configuration.
[0020] The panel 516, when pulled back from the container 500, forms an
opening 518
from which the contents of the compartments 302 are accessible. A sealing
layer 520 is
affixed to the panel 516 using an appropriate adhesive. The sealing layer 520
covers a
substantial portion of the top 512 extending from the proximity of the end
515b to the
proximity of the end 515a. The re-sealable panel 516 is also described in U.S.
Patent No.
6,918,532.
[0021] The tab 522 extends past the corner 524 and can be grasped and is
easily
accessible to pull the panel 516 open. Adhesive 526 is applied to the surface
of the sealing
layer 520 which is in contact with the top 512. The adhesive 526 provides a re-
sealable seal
between the sealing layer 520 and the top 512.
[0022] A person of skill in the art will appreciate that while one
particular type of
container 500 has been described, different types of containers or packaging
can be used.
[0023] If it is desired to display the container 500 in an upright, or
vertical, position, the
container would be placed on one of the opposing ends 515a or 515b.
Accordingly, as will
be appreciated, the general u-shape of the backer card 200 in the assembly 400
provides
support for maintaining the container 500 in this position. Further, the
locking tabs 108
provide some additional support to maintain separation of the compartments 302
in this
position.
[0024] Furthermore, as described above, while the backer card 100 with
six locking tabs
108 has been described, more or less supports may be used. For instance, in
another
embodiment, four locking tabs 108 are formed into the backer card 100 as shown
in Figures
7 and 8.
[0025] In addition, although two slits 114 and 116 have been described
to form the
locking tabs 108 other methods may be employed. For example, in another
embodiment,
the locking tabs 108 are formed by cutting or punching apertures 902 in the
backer card 100
along the top length of the locking tab 108 and bottom length of the locking
tab 108 as
shown in Figure 9.
[0026] In the embodiments described above, the backer card 108 is
cardboard.
However, as a person of skill in the art will appreciate, other materials may
be used
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depending on the tray material, the container materials and the product stored
within the tray
300.
[0027] While a particular configuration of locking tabs 108 has been
described, a person
of skill in the art will appreciate that the number, spacing and location of
the locking tabs 108
may vary depending on the application. Furthermore, the locking tabs 108 may
not be
symmetrical about the first line of flex 110 and/or the second line of flex
112.
[0028] Yet further, although the backer card 100 and the tray 300 are
described as
separate pieces, it may be possible to create combination tray and backer card
in which the
backer card 100 is integral to the tray to form the assembly 400.
[0029] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the
figures,
those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications
may be made without
departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
