Trays and blanks therefor

Abstract

A tray can include a plurality of first medialization features located at a top portion of the tray, and a plurality of second medialization features disposed at a bottom portion of the tray. The first medialization features can be configured to interact with the second medialization features of an adjacent stacked tray to cause medialization of the adjacent stacked tray to cause tray alignment and automated stacking of trays.

1 . A tray, comprising:
 a plurality of first medialization features located at a top portion of the tray; and   a plurality of second medialization features disposed at a bottom portion of the tray, wherein the first medialization features are configured to interact with the second medialization features of an adjacent stacked tray to cause medialization of the adjacent stacked tray to cause tray alignment and automated stacking of trays.   
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first medialization features are or include post tabs extending upwardly from and/or beyond an uppermost portion of the tray. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of second medialization features include one or more folding tabs defined in a bottom of the tray, wherein the folding tabs are configured to be pushed upwardly by the post tabs, wherein the folding tabs and the post tabs are configured to interact to cause medialization of adjacent stacked trays during stacking. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 3 , wherein each folding tab is connected to the base panel at a tab fold line, wherein the tab fold line is positioned such that the folding tabs fold inwardly while folding upwardly. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 4 , wherein the tray includes a plurality of vertical posts, wherein each vertical post includes a respective post tab extending upwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein each vertical post includes an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein each vertical post defines a cavity between the inner wall and outer wall such that a tray area of the tray is separated from the cavity by the inner wall of each vertical post. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7 , wherein each folding tab is within a respective cavity of each vertical post. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 7 , wherein each post tab is formed from each outer wall of each vertical post. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 8 , wherein each vertical post is located at a corner, wherein each post tab includes one of a corner or ramp shape. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 10 , wherein each vertical post includes a tab aperture defined at a bottom thereof to receive the post tab to allow the post tab to nest within the tab aperture and/or to move outwardly and inwardly relative to the tab aperture. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A blank configured to form a tray as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A blank for a tray, comprising:
 a base panel configured to form a bottom of the tray;   a plurality of folding tabs foldably connected to the base panel at one or more tab fold lines;   a plurality of side panel assemblies foldably connected to the base panel at side panel assembly fold line, each side panel assembly comprising a plurality of side panels foldably connected together and configured to form a plurality of vertical posts; and   a plurality of post tabs, each post tab extending from each side panel assembly away from the base panel, wherein the post tabs are configured to interact with the folding tabs of an adjacent stacked tray when formed to cause medialization of the adjacent stacked tray.   
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein each folding tab is connected to the base panel at a tab fold line, wherein each tab fold line is positioned at a corner of the base panel. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of side panels of each side panel assembly include:
 a base side panel foldably connected to the base panel at the side panel assembly fold line, wherein the base side panel includes a side wall portion and two leg portions;   a first vertical panel foldably connected to each leg portion at a first vertical fold line;   a second vertical panel foldably connected the each first vertical panel via a second vertical fold line; and   a third vertical panel foldably connected the each second vertical panel via a third vertical fold line.   
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the third vertical panel includes an adhesive, wherein the first, second, and third vertical panels are dimensioned to allow each third vertical panel to be folded onto an inner face of each respectively associated leg portion of each base side panel to adhere to each respective leg portion to form each vertical post. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 19 , wherein each post tab extends from each leg portion and each first vertical panel, wherein the first fold line is defined on each post tab. 
     
     
         21 . The blank of  claim 19 , wherein each post tab extends from each second vertical panel. 
     
     
         22 . The blank of  claim 15 , further comprising a tab aperture for each post tab defined on opposite sides of each side panel assembly having the same shape as the respective post tab. 
     
     
         23 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein each post tab includes a ramp shape. 
     
     
         24 . The blank of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of side support panels foldably connected to the base panel at a respective side support fold line perpendicular to the side panel assembly fold line.