Convertible tray blank and container

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a convertible tray container and blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define container blank. The blank includes a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, each unit includes a bottom panel, a pair of first opposed side panels attached to the bottom panel and a pair of second opposed side panels attached to the bottom panel. Additionally, a corner flap is connected with each of the first opposed side panels. Further, a locking tab is connected with the corner flap. Still further a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels and a bottom stacking slot is form in the bottom panel.

1 . A single sheet of foldable material cut and scored to define a container blank, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, each unit comprising    a bottom panel    a pair of first opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a pair of second opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a corner flap connected with each of the first opposed side panels;    a locking tab connected with the corner flap;    a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel; and,    a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels.    
   
   
       2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of foldable material is at least one of a containerboard, paperboard or corrugated material.  
   
   
       3 . The blank of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel.  
   
   
       4 . A container, comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a pair of first opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a pair of second opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a corner flap connected with each of the first opposed side panels;    a bottom slot formed in said bottom panel    a locking tab connected with the corner flap; and,    a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels, said locking tab passing through said side panel slot and engaging said bottom slot.    
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the sheet of foldable material is at least one of a containerboard, paperboard or corrugated material.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 4 , further comprising a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the container is separable into a plurality of substantially identical units.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein, each unit comprises: 
 a bottom panel;    a pair of first opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a pair of second opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a corner flap connected with each of the first opposed side panels;    a bottom slot formed in said bottom panel    a locking tab connected with the corner flap; and,    a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels, said locking tab passing through said side panel slot and engaging said bottom slot.    
   
   
       9 . A convertible tie sheet, comprising: 
 A single sheet of foldable material cut and scored to define 
 a plurality of substantially identical and separable units, each unit comprising:  
   a bottom panel;    a pair of first opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a pair of second opposed side panels connected with the bottom panel;    a corner flap connected with each of the first opposed side panels;    a locking tab connected with the corner flap;    a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel; and,    a side panel slot formed in the second opposed side panels.    
   
   
       10 . The convertible tie sheet of  claim 9 , wherein the sheet of foldable material is at least one of a containerboard, paperboard or corrugated material.  
   
   
       11 . The convertible tie sheet of  claim 9 , further comprising a bottom stacking slot formed in said bottom panel.