Insert for foiled food tubs and the like

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stackable packaging insert for storing and transporting articles, such as foiled food tubs. The insert is formed from a blank that can be folded into a tray-like packaging insert with individual compartments. Each compartment has a base and support tabs. Between adjacent bases, the support tabs meet at a triangular connector. When positioned within a container, the support tab ends and triangular connectors rest against the interior walls of the container. Articles within the positioned insert are suspended on the support tabs and triangular connectors.

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         5 . A protective insert for articles with a ledge and a bottom and having a height from the ledge to the bottom and a diagonal diameter across the ledge, comprising:
 a. a plurality of connected compartments that are substantially parallel and in the same horizontal plane with another, wherein each compartment has a base with at least one adjacent side and four corner gussets, the compartment further having support tabs at each corner gusset extending angularly upwards and outwards from the base;   b. a plurality of triangular connectors joining the support tabs between adjacent sides, the triangular connectors are parallel with the bases and the insert has a depth slightly greater than the article height and distance between diagonal support tabs across the base that is slightly less than the article diagonal diameter.   
     
     
         6 . The protective insert of  claim 5 , wherein the support tabs are angularly positioned at about 90 degrees upwards from the base and the adjacent sides are adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The protective insert of  claim 5 , wherein the insert is a material selected from the group consisting of corrugated board, paper, paperboard, foam, plastics and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The protective insert of  claim 5 , wherein the insert has two bases and two triangular connectors. 
     
     
         9 . A method of packing articles having a bottom, a ledge and a height measured from the bottom to the ledge within a secondary container having a box floor, interior walls and corners, comprising:
 a. folding a packing insert, wherein the packing insert has a perimeter and a plurality of connected compartments that are substantially parallel and in the same horizontal plane with another comprising a plurality of bases and each base has four corner gussets and at least one adjacent side interior to the insert, the insert further having a plurality of support tabs where a tab extends from each corner gusset and the support tabs having a tab fold line joining the support tab to the base at the corner gusset and having an end opposite the tab fold line, and the insert further having a plurality of triangular connectors having two connector fold lines joining the triangular connector to the support tab ends between adjacent sides, wherein the support tab ends are folded upwards and inwards along the tab fold lines while the triangular connectors are folded downwards along the connector fold lines;   b. positioning the insert within the secondary container, wherein the bases of the insert are pressed downwards towards the box floor, the triangular connectors around the perimeter of the insert rest on the interior walls and the support tab ends unattached to the triangular connectors diagonally rest on the corners of the container, and the insert has a depth measured from the insert bases to the support tab ends; and   c. placing a plurality of articles into the insert, wherein the article ledges rest on the triangular connectors and support tab ends around each base.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising repeating the first, second, and third step. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising repeating the first, second, and third step three times.