Tray For Food Products

Abstract

A tray for holding at least one food product, the tray having a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray and including a bottom panel, a front panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a top panel foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel. The tray further includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps at least partially overlapped to form at least one closed end of the tray, and a flange comprising the top panel, the flange extending outwardly from the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one closed end of the tray.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a tray for holding at least one food product, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank, the blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a front panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a top panel foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel, the blank further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels;   positioning the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray;   at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps to form at least one closed end of the tray; and positioning the top panel forming a flange extending outwardly from the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one closed end of the tray formed from the blank.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps comprises a base portion foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and an attachment portion foldably connected to the base portion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps comprises positioning the attachment portion in at least partial face-to-face contact with an adjacent end flap of the plurality of end flaps. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps is foldably connected to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps is foldably connected to the top panel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one closed end of the tray is a first closed end of the tray and at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps comprises forming a second closed end of the tray. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps is a first end flap at least partially forming the first closed end of the tray, and the plurality of end flaps comprises a second end flap at least partially forming the second end of the tray, the second end flap comprises a base portion foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and an attachment portion foldably connected to the base portion of the second end flap. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the top panel is a first top panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second top panel foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second top panel is reconfigurable between a closed position, in which the second top panel is positioned overlying the interior of the tray, and an open position, in which the second top panel is raised away from the interior of the tray. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positioning the plurality of panels comprises positioning the second top panel raised away from the interior of the tray to provide the open position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positioning the plurality of panels comprises positioning the second top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel to provide the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the top panel extends at least partially around an opening and comprises an engagement tab extending into the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the blank further comprises locking features, the locking features comprising a locking tab extending from a respective end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps comprises positioning the locking tab at least partially received through a line of weakening extending at least partially along a respective panel of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the locking tab is foldably connected to a respective end flap of the plurality of end flaps. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises at least one flange support panel foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the plurality of panels comprises positioning the at least one flange support panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the flange.