Tray cover

Abstract

A cover configured to cover an opening of a tray or container is provided. The cover may include a main panel and a pair of side panels, each side panel extending from opposing edges of the main panel. Each side panel may include an intermediate panel connected to the main panel by a fold line, and a side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. The intermediate panel is at least partially secured to a bottom surface of the main panel. The side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel. A slot is formed between the side flap of the side panel and the bottom surface of the main panel. The slot is configured to receive an upper portion of the tray or container when the cover is positioned on the tray or container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tray cover for use with a tray, the tray cover comprising:
 a main panel having at least one edge; and   a side panel extending from the at least one edge of the main panel, the side panel comprising:
 an intermediate panel connected to the main panel by a fold line; and 
 a side flap connected to the intermediate panel; 
   wherein the intermediate panel is at least partially secured adjacent to a bottom surface of the main panel and the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel;   wherein the tray cover is configured to cover an upper opening of a tray.   
     
     
         2 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the tray cover is configured to engage an upper terminal edge of the tray. 
     
     
         3 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. 
     
     
         4 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the side flap is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of a sidewall of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray. 
     
     
         5 . The tray cover of  claim 4 , wherein the side flap is biased for rotation toward the bottom surface of the main panel to at least partially provide the frictional engagement of the side flap to the sidewall when the tray cover is positioned on the tray. 
     
     
         6 . The tray cover of  claim 1  further comprising a slot defined between the side flap of the side panel and the bottom surface of the main panel, wherein the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of an upper terminal edge of the tray when the tray cover is positioned on the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the tray cover is configured to slide along a length of the tray between an open position where at least a portion of the interior of the tray is exposed and a closed position where the interior of the tray is covered. 
     
     
         8 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the side flap of the side panel is inwardly positioned along the bottom surface of the main panel and offset from the at least one edge of the main panel. 
     
     
         9 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the side flap of the side panel includes a triangular fold flap defined along an outer end of the side flap. 
     
     
         10 . The tray cover of  claim 9 , wherein the triangular fold flap is configured to rotate further away from the bottom surface of the main panel than a remainder of the side flap. 
     
     
         11 . The tray cover of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate panel is secured to the bottom surface of the main panel by at least one of an adhesive, glue, hot melt, and poly melt. 
     
     
         12 . A cover for use with a container, the cover comprising:
 a main panel;   at least one side flap extending from a bottom surface of the main panel, wherein the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel; and   at least one slot defined between the side flap and the bottom surface of the main panel;   wherein the cover is configured to cover an opening of a container.   
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12  further comprising an intermediate panel connected to an edge of the main panel by a fold line, wherein the side flap is connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the side flap is biased for rotation toward the bottom surface of the main panel. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the slot is configured to receive an upper portion of the container when the cover is positioned on the container. 
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the side flap is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of a sidewall of the container when the cover is positioned on the container. 
     
     
         17 . A foldable blank for forming a cover, the blank comprising:
 a main panel having at least one edge;   an intermediate panel connected to the at least one edge of the main panel by a fold line; and   a side flap connected to the intermediate panel;   wherein upon formation of the cover, the intermediate panel is at least partially secured adjacent to a bottom surface of the main panel and the side flap is configured to rotate away from the bottom surface of the main panel.   
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the intermediate panel is configured to be secured to a bottom surface of the main panel upon formation of the cover. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the side flap connected to the intermediate panel by a hinge line. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein upon formation of the cover, a slot defined between the side flap and a surface of the main panel.