Stand-up tray, package and method

Abstract

A tray (20) for use in a food package having an outer surrounding wrapper (14), such as a flow wrap, and configured for standing on end, is described herein. The tray can include one or more compartments (30). Each of the compartments can include a bottom wall (34), an opening (36) opposite the bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall (32) extending between the bottom wall and the opening. A generally planar, peripheral flange (22) is disposed about the periphery of the tray and adjacent the opening of the compartment or, if more than one compartments, the openings of the compartments. The tray can include a pair of flaps (40), each disposed on an opposite side of the tray. Each of the flaps (40) is connected to the flange (22) via an associated intersection and extends substantially perpendicular relative to the flange such that the tray can be supported on one of the flaps in a generally upright orientation.

1 . A tray for use in a package having an outer surrounding wrapper, the tray comprising:
 at least one compartment having a bottom wall, an opening opposite the bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall extending between the bottom wall and the opening;   a generally planar, peripheral flange disposed about the compartment and adjacent the opening;   at least one flap connected relative to the flange via an associated intersection and extending substantially perpendicular relative to the flange such that the tray can be supported on the flap in a generally upright orientation, wherein the flap is movable about the intersection from a first position, substantially parallel relative to the flange, to a second position, substantially perpendicular relative to the flange.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the intersection is one of a channel, score, perforation or thinned section disposed between the flange and the flap. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the intersection is notched at at least one end thereof to facilitate movement from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the flap has a length substantially the same as the sidewall of the compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the flap has a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein each of the ribs of the flap extends generally perpendicular relative to the flange when the flap extends substantially perpendicular relative to the flange. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the sidewall of the compartment, adjacent the flap has an inward taper away, and wherein the ribs of the flap have intermediate segments that increase in depth generally corresponding to the inward taper of the sidewall such that, when the flap is extending substantially perpendicular relative to the flange, a portion of at least some of the intermediate segments abut the portion of the sidewall of the compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein each of the ribs on the flap tapers in width toward the intersection. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 9 , wherein the flap has a free end, opposite the adjacent intersection, and wherein the free end of flap has an outwardly extending minor flange. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of the flaps are provided, each of the flaps being on opposite sides of the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the tray comprises a plurality of compartments disposed in an array, and wherein the array of compartments is at least partially surrounded by the flange. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 1 , in combination with an outer surrounding wrapper, preferably, a flow wrap having a pair of end seals, the end seals being disposed generally perpendicular to the flap. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the compartment contains at least one food product. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a package using the tray of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 forming the tray, and preferably thermoforming the tray, and, after forming;   depositing one or more food products in the compartment;   folding the flap from the first position substantially parallel relative to the flange, to the second position, substantially perpendicular relative to the flange, either before or after the depositing step; and   flow wrapping the tray and food products in an outer surrounding wrapper.