Multicompartment paperboard tray

Abstract

A blank is provided to form a tray with multiple compartments separated by partitions. The blank may be cut or formed to include end panels on opposite ends of a bottom construct. The blank may also include side panels on opposite sides of the bottom construct such that the side panels and end panels may form a perimeter wall when the tray is formed. The perimeter wall may be formed by folding the side panels and end panels upwards relative to the bottom construct. The bottom construct may include divider panels between bottom panels such that the divider panels can be folded together to form partitions between adjacent compartments in the formed tray.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a first partition separating a first compartment from a second compartment, the first partition including a first divider panel foldably connected to a second divider panel;   a first bottom panel defining a bottom of the first compartment, the first bottom panel foldably connected to the first divider panel of the first partition;   a second bottom panel defining a bottom of the second compartment, the second bottom panel foldably connected to the second divider panel of the first partition;   a first end panel foldably connected to a first end of the first bottom panel; and   a first side panel foldably connected to either the first bottom panel or the second bottom panel.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a second end panel foldably connected to a second end of the first bottom panel opposite the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the first side panel and each of the first and second end panels are oriented generally perpendicular to the first bottom panel, wherein the first and second end panels are oriented parallel to each other, and wherein the first side panel is oriented generally perpendicular to both of the first and second end panels. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a second side panel, the second side panel being foldably connected to the other of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first tab foldably connected to one of the first end panel or the first side panel; and 
 a first slot configured to receive the tab, the slot being defined in the other of the first end panel and the first side panel. 
 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second bottom panel is not directly connected to the first and second end panels. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first partition extends generally perpendicular to the first bottom panel. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first divider panel and the second divider panel are generally parallel with one another and are in surface-to-surface contact with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second partition separating the first compartment from a third compartment, the second partition including a third divider panel foldably connected to a fourth divider panel; and 
 a third bottom panel defining a bottom of the third compartment, the third bottom panel foldably connected to the third divider panel of the second partition; 
 wherein the first bottom panel is foldably connected to the fourth divider panel of the second partition. 
 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  further comprising a second side panel, wherein the first side panel is foldably connected to the second bottom panel and the second side panel is foldably connected to the third bottom panel. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is constructed of paperboard material. 
     
     
         12 . A blank for forming a container with multiple compartments, the blank comprising:
 first and second bottom panels;   first and second divider panels;   a first end panel connected to the first bottom panel at a first end; and   a first side panel connected to either the first bottom panel or the second bottom panel;   wherein the first divider panel is foldably connected to both the first bottom panel and the second divider panel;   wherein the second divider panel is foldably connected to both the second bottom panel and the first divider panel.   
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 12  further comprising a second end panel connected to the first bottom panel at a second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 12  further comprising a second side panel, the second side panel being connected to the other of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a first tab connected to one of the first end panel or the first side panel; and 
 a first slot configured to receive the tab, the slot being defined in the other of the first end panel and the first side panel. 
 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein upon formation of the container, the first and second divider panels form a first partition separating a first compartment from a second compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a third bottom panel; and 
 third and fourth divider panels; 
 wherein the third divider panel is foldably connected to both the third bottom panel and the fourth divider panel; 
 wherein the fourth divider panel is foldably connected to both the first bottom panel and the third divider panel. 
 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein upon formation of the container, the third and fourth divider panels form a second partition separating a first compartment from a third compartment. 
     
     
         19 . A blank for forming a container with multiple compartments, the blank comprising:
 a first bottom panel;   a second bottom panel;   a first end panel connected to the first bottom panel at a first end;   a first side panel connected to either the first bottom panel or the second bottom panel;   a first divider panel connected to the first bottom panel; and   a second divider panel connected to both the second bottom panel and the first divider panel;   wherein the first bottom panel, the second bottom panel, the first end panel, the first side panel, the first divider panel, and the second divider panel are all in a common plane.   
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 19 , wherein the blank includes score lines or perforated lines where the first end panel is connected to the first bottom panel.