US20200115098A1

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Publication number: US20200115098A1
Application number: US16/158,387
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeff T. Burks
Original assignee: WestRock Shared Services LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Shared Services LLC
Priority date: 2018-10-12
Filing date: 2018-10-12
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: CA3058113A1; GB2578826A; GB201914722D0; BR102019021420A2

Abstract

A shipping carton is disclosed that is transformable into a shelf ready tray, which includes an upper portion configured as an RSC type carton having a plurality of foldable closure flaps and a lower portion configured as a shelf ready tray that has a flat base panel, wherein the upper portion is separable from the bottom portion along a series of interconnected perforated cut lines, so as to transform the shipping carton into a shelf ready tray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to packaging, and more particularly, to a shipping carton made from corrugated cardboard that is transformable into a shelf ready tray and also to a die cut blank for constructing a transformable shipping carton using a mandrel based tray former.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known to package and ship products for retail sale in a Regular Slotted Carton (RSC) constructed from a die cut corrugated cardboard blank. Once such a carton has reached its retail destination, the products packaged therein are removed and typically arranged on a shelf for display and subsequent purchase by a consumer. Over time, these products can become displaced or moved around on the shelf, resulting in a display that is no longer aesthetically pleasing to consumers, thus requiring time consuming reorganization.

It would be beneficial therefore to provide a shipping carton of the RSC type, that can be easily formed, loaded, closed, stacked and shipped in a conventional manner, without the need for slip sheets or master cases, and then subsequently transformed into a shelf ready display tray once it has reached its retail destination.

The subject invention provides such a shipping carton that is formed from a die cut blank using a mandrel based tray former and having a series of perforations provided therein that can be utilized to separate a lower portion of the shipping carton from an upper portion of the shipping carton, whereby the upper portion of the shipping carton is configured as an RSC type carton for convenient product loading and the lower portion of the shipping carton, once separated from the upper portion of the shipping carton, defines a shelf ready tray having a flat bottom for displaying products on a level base structure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject invention is directed to a new and useful shipping carton that is made from corrugated cardboard and is transformable into a shelf ready tray for displaying the contents of the carton in a manner for easy access. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject invention, the shipping carton is formed from a die cut blank that includes a flat rectangular bottom panel having opposed front and rear edges and opposed first and second side edges, wherein the bottom panel is common to the carton and the tray formed therefrom.

The die cut blank further includes a front panel that is foldably connected to the front edge of the bottom panel along a front crease and includes a front perforated cut line running parallel to the front crease for forming a front wall of the tray from the front panel. The blank also includes a rear panel that is foldably connected to the rear edge of the bottom panel along a rear crease and includes a rear perforated cut line running parallel to the rear crease for forming a rear wall of the tray from the rear panel.

The blank further includes opposed first and second main outer side panels that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges of the bottom panel along respective first and second side creases to define outer opposed side walls of the tray. In certain embodiments of the subject invention, the opposed first and second side panels each includes a side perforated cut line for forming the outer opposed side walls of the tray from the opposed first and second side panels.

Preferably, the front panel has opposed first and second front side flaps that are foldably associated therewith and the front perforated cut line extends through the opposed first and second front side flaps for forming opposed front inner side wall portions of the tray from the opposed first and second front side flaps. In addition, the rear panel has opposed first and second rear side flaps that are foldably associated therewith and the rear perforated cut line extends through the opposed first and second rear side flaps for forming opposed rear inner side wall portions of the tray from the opposed first and second rear side flaps.

Preferably, the opposed front inner side wall portions of the tray are configured to align with the outer opposed side walls of the tray, and the opposed rear inner side wall portions of the tray are configured to align with the outer opposed side walls of the tray. In addition, the front panel includes a front perforated fold line extending parallel to the front perforated cut line to define an upper front flap of the carton, and the front perforated fold line extends through the opposed first and second front side flaps to define opposed first and second upper front side flaps of the carton.

Preferably, the opposed first and second rear side flaps each have a rear perforated fold line that extends therethrough to define opposed first and second upper rear side flaps of the carton. In certain embodiments of the subject invention, the rear perforated fold lines of the opposed first and second rear side flaps are co-extensively aligned with the rear perforated cut line of the rear panel. In other embodiments of the subject invention, the rear perforated fold lines of the opposed first and second rear side flaps are not aligned with the rear perforated cut line of the rear panel.

The subject invention is also directed to a die cut blank for a shipping carton transformable into a shelf ready tray that includes a rectangular bottom panel including opposed front and rear edges and opposed first and second side edges, wherein the bottom panel is common to the carton and the tray formed therefrom, a front panel that is foldably connected to the front edge of the bottom panel along a front crease to form an outer front wall of the tray, a rear panel that is foldably connected to the rear edge of the bottom panel along a rear crease to form an outer rear wall of the tray, and opposed first and second side panels that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges of the bottom panel along respective first and second side creases, wherein each side panel includes a non-linear side perforated cut line for forming a side wall of the tray therefrom.

Preferably, the front panel includes a front perforated cut line that runs parallel to the front crease for forming a front wall of the tray from the front panel. Each of the opposed side panels includes a front side panel portion and a rear side panel portion that are foldably associated therewith and the respective side perforated cut line extends through the front and rear side panel portions to define opposed inner front and rear wall portions of the tray.

Each of the front side panel portions includes a front flap portion that is foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper front flaps of the carton. Each of the rear side panel portions includes a rear flap portion that is foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper rear flaps of the carton. Each of the opposed first and second side panels includes a side flap portion that is foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper side flaps of the carton.

In sum, the subject invention is directed to a shipping carton made from corrugated cardboard that is transformable into a shelf ready tray, wherein the shipping carton has an upper portion that is configured as an RSC type carton having a plurality of foldable closure flaps, and a lower portion that has a flat base panel, wherein the upper portion of the shipping carton is separable from the lower portion of the shipping carton along a series of interconnected perforated cut lines, so as to transform the shipping carton into a shelf ready tray for displaying products on a level surface. Preferably, the upper and lower portions of the shipping carton are erected from a die cut blank using a mandrel based tray former.

These and other features of the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following brief description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to make and use the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a die cut blank for a transformable shipping carton in accordance with a first embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transformable shipping carton erected from the blank shown inFIG. 1, with the top portion of the carton in an open condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transformable shipping carton shown inFIG. 2, with the top portion of the carton in a closed condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the shipping carton illustrated inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a die cut blank for a transformable shipping carton in accordance with a second embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transformable shipping carton erected from the blank shown inFIG. 5, with the top portion of the carton in an open condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the transformable shipping carton shown inFIG. 6, with the top portion of the carton in a closed condition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the shipping carton illustrated inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a die cut blank for a transformable shipping carton in accordance with a third embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a transformable shipping carton erected from the blank shown inFIG. 9, with the top portion of the carton in an open condition;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the transformable shipping carton shown inFIG. 10, with the top portion of the carton in a closed condition;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the shipping carton illustrated inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a die cut blank for a transformable shipping carton in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a die cut blank for a transformable shipping carton in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the subject invention, which is a modification of the die cut blank shown inFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a transformable shipping carton erected from the blank shown inFIG. 13, with the top portion of the carton in an open condition;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the transformable shipping carton shown inFIG. 15, with the top portion of the carton in a closed condition; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the shipping carton illustrated inFIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements of the various embodiments of the subject invention, there is illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 a first embodiment of a transformable shipping carton constructed in accordance with the subject invention that is formed from a die cut corrugated cardboard blank configured to be erected into a Regular Slotted Carton (RSC) and subsequently transformed into a shelf ready tray for product display.

More particularly, as explained in detail below, the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention is formed from a die cut blank10 shown inFIG. 1. The die cut blank10 is adapted to be erected using a conventional mandrel based tray former intoshipping carton100 that has an upper portion configured as an RSC type carton for convenient product loading and a lower portion configured as shelf ready tray having a flat base for displaying products on a level surface, as shown inFIG. 2.

In the opened condition shown inFIG. 2, thecarton100 can be top-loaded with products in a conventional manner, as with any RSC type carton. Thecarton100 is configured to be closed in a conventional manner utilizing existing closure methods such as a taper, hand tape, or gluer, as shown inFIG. 3. In this closed condition, thecarton100 can be stacked and shipped in a conventional manner, without the need for slip sheets or master cases. As explained in detail below, once thecarton100 has reached its retail destination, a series of die cut perforations formed in the blank10 enable thecarton100 to be transformed into a shelfready tray200, which is shown inFIG. 4.

Referring now toFIG. 1, as noted above, thecarton100 is erected with a mandrel based tray former and glue from a die cut blank10, which includes a flatrectangular bottom panel12 having opposed front and

rear edges

14 and16, and opposed first and

second side edges

18 and20. The bottom orbase panel12 is common to thecarton100, which is shown inFIG. 2, and to thetray200 that is formed therefrom, which is shown inFIG. 4.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, the die cut blank10 further includes afront panel22 that is foldably connected to thefront edge14 of thebottom panel12 along afront crease24. Thefront panel22 includes a front perforatedcut line26 running parallel to thefront crease24 that divides thefront panel22 into a lowerfront panel portion25 that will form the front wall of thetray200 and an upperfront panel portion27 that will be separated from the front wall of thetray200. Ahandle29 is defined within the upperfront panel portion27 by perforations for carrying thecarton100. In addition, thefront panel22 includes a frontperforated fold line62 that extends parallel to the front perforated cutline26 to define anupper front flap64 of thecarton100.

The die cut blank10 also includes arear panel32 that is foldably connected to therear edge16 of thebottom panel12 along arear crease34. Therear panel32 includes a rearperforated cut line36 running parallel to therear crease34 to separate and define the lowerrear panel portion35 that will form the rear wall of thetray200 and an upperrear flap78 of thecarton100. Ahandle39 is defined within therear panel35 by perforations, and a semi-circularperforated punch37 is formed therein to provide a starting point for engaging the perforation that definehandle39.

The die cut blank10 further includes opposed first and second main or

outer side panels

40 and42 that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges18 and20 of thebottom panel12 along respective first and second side creases44 and46. The

main side panels

40 and42 each have a respective curvilinear

upper edge

43 and45, and these

panels

40 and42 will define the outer

opposed side walls

55 and65 of thetray200, as best seen inFIG. 4. When thecarton100 is erected using a conventional tray former, glue is placed on the inner surfaces of the

outer side panels

40 and42, before they are folded into an upright position shown inFIG. 2.

Thefront panel22 of blank10 further includes opposed first and secondfront side panels47 and48 that are foldably connected to thefront panel22 along respective opposed front

side crease lines

76 and78. The firstfront side panel46 includes an angledperforated cut line90 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion50 of thetray200 from a front innerside wall portion94 of thecarton100. In addition, the first front side panel47 includes acrease line95 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion66 from the front innerside wall portion94.

The secondfront side panel48 includes an angledperforated cut line92 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion52 of thetray200 from a front innerside wall portion96 of thecarton100. In addition, the secondfront side panel48 includes acrease line97 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion68 from the front innerside wall portion96.

Therear panel32 of blank10 further includes opposed first and second

rear side panels

54 and56 that are foldably connected to therear panel32 along respective opposed rear

side crease lines

86 and88. The firstrear side panel54 includes a curvilinearperforated cut line80 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion58 of thetray200 from a rear innerside wall portion85 of thecarton100. In addition, the firstrear side panel54 includes acrease line70 that is aligned withrear cut line36 and defines and separates an upper rearside flap portion74 from the rear innerside wall portion85.

The secondrear side panel56 includes a curvilinearperforated cut line82 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion60 of thetray200 from a rear innerside wall portion87 of thecarton100. In addition, the secondrear side panel56 includes acrease line72 that is aligned withrear cut line36 and defines and separates an upper rearside flap portion76 from the rear innerside wall portion87.

When thecarton100 is transformed into thetray200, the front innerside wall portion50 and rear innerside wall portion58 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel40 of thetray200, and the front innerside wall portion52 and rear innerside wall portion60 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel42 of thetray200, as best seen inFIG. 4. In this condition, the height of therear wall35 of thetray200 is greater than the height of thefront wall25 of thetray200.

Referring now toFIGS. 5-8, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention that is constructed from a die cut blank110 shown inFIG. 5. The die cut blank110 is adapted to be erected using a conventional tray former and glue into ashipping carton300 having an upper portion constructed as an RSC type carton with closure flaps and a lower portion constructed as a mandrel formed tray having a flat base, as shown inFIG. 6.

Thecarton300 is configured to be closed in a conventional manner utilizing existing closure methods such as a taper, hand tape, or gluer, as shown inFIG. 7. In this closed condition, thecarton300 can be stacked and shipped in a conventional manner without the need for slip sheets or master cases. Once thecarton300 has reached its retail destination, a series of die cut perforations formed in the blank110 enable thecarton300 to be transformed into a shelfready tray400, which is shown inFIG. 8.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the die cut blank110 includes a rectangularbottom panel112 having opposed front and

rear edges

114 and116, and opposed first and second side edges118 and120. The blank110 further includes afront panel122 that is foldably connected to thebottom panel112 along afront crease124 and arear panel132 that is foldably connected to therear edge116 of thebottom panel112 along arear crease134.

Thefront panel122 includes a frontperforated cut line126 that divides thefront panel122 into a lowerfront panel portion125 that will form the front wall of thetray400 and an upperfront panel portion127 that will be separated from the front wall of thetray400. Ahandle129 is defined within the upperfront panel portion127 by perforations. In addition, thefront panel122 includes a frontperforated fold line162 that defines an upperfront flap164 of thecarton300.

Therear panel132 includes a rearperforated cut line136 that separates and defines the lowerrear panel portion135 that will form the rear wall of thetray400 and an upperrear flap178 of thecarton300. Ahandle139 is defined within therear panel132 with a semi-circularperforated punch137.

The blank110 further includes opposed first and second

outer side panels

140 and142 that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges118 and120 of thebottom panel112 along respective first and second side creases144 and146. Here, the die cut blank110 differs from the die cut blank10, in that the first and second

outer side panels

140 and142 have respective curvilinear

perforated cut lines

143 and145.

More particularly, theperforated cut line143 of the firstouter side panel140 separates and defines an upperside panel portion153 from a lowerside panel portion155, and theperforated cut line145 of the secondouter side panel142 separates and defines an upperside panel portion163 from a lowerside panel portion165. In addition, the opposed first and second

outer side panels

140 and142 include respective semi-circular

perforated punches

157 and167 for engaging the

perforated cut lines

143 and145, respectively.

Thefront panel122 of blank110 further includes opposed first and second

front side panels

147 and148 that are foldably connected to thefront panel122 along respective opposed front

side crease lines

176 and178. The firstfront side panel147 includes an angledperforated cut line190 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion150 of thetray400 from a front innerside wall portion194 of thecarton300. In addition, the firstfront side panel147 includes acrease line195 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion166 from the front innerside wall portion194.

The secondfront side panel148 includes an angledperforated cut line192 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion152 of thetray400 from a front innerside wall portion196 of thecarton300. In addition, the secondfront side panel148 includes acrease line197 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion168 from the front innerside wall portion196.

Therear panel132 of blank110 further includes opposed first and second

rear side panels

154 and156 that are foldably connected to therear panel132 along respective opposed rear

side crease lines

186 and188. The firstrear side panel154 includes a curvilinearperforated cut line180 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion158 of thetray400 from a rear innerside wall portion185 of thecarton300. In addition, the firstrear side panel154 includes acrease line170 that is aligned withrear cut line136 and defines and separates an upper rearside flap portion174 from the rear innerside wall portion185.

The secondrear side panel156 includes a curvilinearperforated cut line182 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion160 of thetray400 from a rear innerside wall portion187 of thecarton300. In addition, the secondrear side panel156 includes acrease line172 that is aligned withrear cut line136 and defines and separates an upper rearside flap portion176 from the rear innerside wall portion187.

When thecarton300 is transformed into thetray400, the front innerside wall portion150 and rear innerside wall portion158 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel140 of thetray400, and the front innerside wall portion152 and rear innerside wall portion160 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel142 of thetray400, as best seen inFIG. 8. In this condition, the height of therear wall135 of thetray400 is greater than the height of thefront wall125 of thetray400.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-12, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention that is constructed from a die cut blank210 shown inFIG. 9. The die cut blank210 is adapted to be erected using a conventional tray former and glue into ashipping carton300 having an upper portion constructed as an RSC type carton with closure flaps and a lower portion constructed as a mandrel formed tray having a flat base, as shown inFIG. 10.

Thecarton500 is configured to be closed in a conventional manner utilizing existing closure methods such as a taper, hand tape, or gluer, as shown inFIG. 11. In this closed condition, thecarton500 can be stacked and shipped in a conventional manner without the need for slip sheets or master cases. Once thecarton500 has reached its retail destination, a series of die cut perforations formed in the blank210 enable thecarton500 to be transformed into a shelfready tray600, which is shown inFIG. 12.

Referring now toFIG. 9, the die cut blank210 includes a rectangularbottom panel212 having opposed front and

rear edges

214 and216, and opposed first and second side edges218 and220. The blank210 further includes afront panel222 that is foldably connected to thebottom panel212 along afront crease224 and arear panel232 that is foldably connected to therear edge216 of thebottom panel212 along arear crease234.

Thefront panel222 includes a frontperforated cut line226 that divides thefront panel222 into a lowerfront panel portion225 that will form the front wall of thetray600 and an upperfront panel portion227 that will be separated from the front wall of thetray600. Ahandle229 is defined within the upperfront panel portion227 by perforations. In addition, thefront panel222 includes a frontperforated fold line262 that defines an upperfront flap264 of thecarton500.

Therear panel232 includes a rearperforated cut line236 that separates and defines the lowerrear panel portion235 that will form the rear wall of thetray600 and an upperrear flap278 of thecarton500. Ahandle239 is defined within therear panel232 with a semi-circular perforated punch237.

The blank210 further includes opposed first and second

outer side panels

240 and242 that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges218 and220 of thebottom panel212 along respective first and second side creases244 and246. Here, the die cut blank210 is similar to the die cut blank10, in that the first and second

outer side panels

240 and242 do not include any perforated cut lines. However, the

upper edges

243 and245 of

outer side panels

240 and242 of blank210, which will define the outer

opposed side walls

155 and165 of thetray600, are shaped differently from the

upper edges

143 and145 of

outer side panels

40 and42 of blank10.

Thefront panel222 of blank210 further includes opposed first and second

front side panels

247 and248 that are foldably connected to thefront panel222 along respective opposed front

side crease lines

276 and278. The firstfront side panel247 includes an curvilinearperforated cut line290 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion250 of thetray600 from a front innerside wall portion294 of thecarton500. In addition, the firstfront side panel247 includes a crease line295 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion266 from the front innerside wall portion294.

The secondfront side panel248 includes an curvilinearperforated cut line292 that defines and separates a front innerside wall portion252 of thetray600 from a front innerside wall portion296 of thecarton500. In addition, the secondfront side panel248 includes acrease line297 that defines and separates an upper frontside flap portion268 from the front innerside wall portion296.

Therear panel232 of blank210 further includes opposed first and second

rear side panels

254 and256 that are foldably connected to therear panel232 along respective opposed rear

side crease lines

286 and288. The firstrear side panel254 includes aperforated cut line280 aligned withrear cut line236 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion258 of thetray600 from an upper rearside flap portion274, and the secondrear side panel256 includes aperforated cut line282 aligned with tear cutline236 that defines and separates a rear innerside wall portion260 of thetray600 from an upper rearside flap portion276.

When thecarton500 is transformed into thetray600, the front innerside wall portion250 and rear innerside wall portion258 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel240 of thetray600, and the front innerside wall portion252 and rear innerside wall portion260 align or otherwise register with the main orouter side panel242 of thetray600, as best seen inFIG. 12. In this condition, the height of therear wall235 of thetray600 is greater than the height of thefront wall225 of thetray600.

Referring now toFIGS. 13-17, there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of the transformable shipping carton of the subject invention that is constructed from a die cut blank310 shown inFIG. 13, or from a slightly modified blank410 shown inFIG. 14. In either case, the die cut blank310,410 is adapted to be erected using a conventional tray former and glue into ashipping carton700 having an upper portion constructed as an RSC type carton with closure flaps and a lower portion constructed as a mandrel formed tray having a flat base, as shown inFIG. 15.

Thecarton700 is configured to be closed in a conventional manner utilizing existing closure methods such as a taper, hand tape, or gluer, as shown inFIG. 16. In this closed condition, thecarton700 can be stacked and shipped in a conventional manner without the need for slip sheets or master cases. Once thecarton700 has reached its retail destination, a series of die cut perforations formed in the blank310,410 enable thecarton700 to be transformed into a shelfready tray800, which is shown inFIG. 17.

Referring now toFIG. 13, the die cut blank310 includes a rectangularbottom panel312 having opposed front andrear edges314 and316, and opposed first and second side edges318 and320. The blank310 further includes afront panel322 that is foldably connected to thebottom panel312 along afront crease324 and arear panel332 that is foldably connected to the rear edge316 of thebottom panel312 along arear crease334.

Thefront panel322 includes a frontperforated cut line326 that divides thefront panel322 into a lowerfront panel portion325 that will form the front wall of thetray800 and an upperfront panel portion327 that will be separated from the front wall of thetray800. A perforatedsemicircular punch329 is defined within the upperfront panel portion327 for engaging thecut line326.

In contrast to this die cut blank310, the die cut blank410 shown inFIG. 14 has afront panel422 that is foldably connected to thebottom panel412 along afront crease424 that only includes afront panel portion325 that will form the front wall of the tray. Otherwise, blank410 and310 are identical in form and function.

With continuing reference toFIG. 13, therear panel332 of blank310 will form, in and of itself, therear wall335 of thetray800. Therear panel332 further includes apre-cut handle area339, for carrying thecarton700. The blank310 further includes opposed first and second

outer side panels

340 and342 that are foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges318 and320 of thebottom panel312 along respective first and second side creases344 and346.

The firstouter side panel340 includes a curvilinearperforated cut lines343 that separates and defines an upperside panel portion353 and a lowerside panel portion355. The lowerside panel portion355 will form the first side wall of thetray800 once it is separated from the upperside panel portion353. The firstouter side panel340 further includes anupper side flap364 that is foldably connected to the upperside panel portion353 along aperforated crease367.

The firstouter side panel340 also includes opposed front and rear

side panel portions

347 and354 that are foldably connected to theouter side panel340 along respective front and

rear crease lines

376 and386. The frontside panel portion347 includes a substantially linearperforated cut line390 that defines and separates a frontinner wall portion350 of thetray800 from frontinner wall portion394 of thecarton700. In addition, thefront side panel347 includes acrease line395 that defines and separates an upperfront flap portion366 from the frontinner wall portion394.

The rearside panel portion354 includes a generally L-shapedperforated cut line380 that defines and separates a rearinner wall portion358 of thetray800 from rearinner wall portion385 of thecarton700. In addition, the rearside panel portion354 includes acrease line370 that defines and separates an upperrear flap portion374 from the rearinner wall portion358.

The secondouter side panel342 includes a curvilinearperforated cut line345 that separates and defines an upperside panel portion363 and a lowerside panel portion365. The lowerside panel portion365 will form the second side wall of thetray800 once it is separated from the upperside panel portion363. The secondouter side panel342 further includes anupper side flap378 that is foldably connected to the upperside panel portion363 along aperforated crease369.

The secondouter side panel342 also includes opposed front and rear

side panel portions

348 and356 that are foldably connected to theouter side panel342 along respective front and

rear crease lines

378 and388. The frontside panel portion348 includes a substantially linearperforated cut line392 that defines and separates a frontinner wall portion352 of thetray800 from frontinner wall portion396 of thecarton700. In addition, thefront side panel348 includes acrease line397 that defines and separates an upperfront flap portion368 from the frontinner wall portion396. The rearside panel portion356 includes a generally L-shapedperforated cut line382 that defines and separates a rearinner wall portion360 of thetray800 from rearinner wall portion387 of thecarton700. In addition, therear side panel356 includes acrease line372 that defines and separates an upperrear flap portion376 from the rearinner wall portion360.

When thecarton700 is transformed into thetray800, the opposed front

inner wall portions

350 and352 align or otherwise register with the frontouter wall portion325 of thetray800, and the opposed rear

inner wall portions

358 and360 align or otherwise register with therear wall portion335 of thetray800, as best seen inFIG. 17. In this condition, the height of therear wall353 of thetray800 is greater than the height of thefront wall325 of thetray800.

While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject disclosure.

Claims

1. A die cut blank for a shipping carton transformable into a shelf ready tray, comprising:

a) a rectangular bottom panel including opposed front and rear edges and opposed first and second side edges, wherein the bottom panel is common to the carton and the tray formed therefrom;

b) a front panel foldably connected to the front edge of the bottom panel along a front crease and including a front perforated cut line running parallel to the front crease for forming a front wall of the tray from the front panel;

c) a rear panel foldably connected to the rear edge of the bottom panel along a rear crease and including a rear perforated cut line running parallel to the rear crease for forming a rear wall of the tray from the rear panel; and

d) opposed first and second main outer side panels foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges of the bottom panel along respective first and second side creases to define outer opposed side walls of the tray;

wherein the front panel has opposed first and second front side panels foldably associated therewith and the front perforated cut line extends through the opposed first and second front side panels for forming opposed front inner side wall portions of the tray from the opposed first and second front side panels;

wherein the front panel includes a front perforated fold line extending parallel to the front perforated cut line to define an upper front flap of the carton for forming at least part of a top wall of the shipping carton, the top wall being disposed opposite the bottom panel;

wherein the front perforated fold line extends through the opposed first and second front side flaps to define opposed first and second upper front side flaps of the carton for forming at least part of the top wall of the shipping carton.

2. (canceled)

3. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 1, wherein the rear panel has opposed first and second rear side panels foldably associated therewith and the rear perforated cut line extends through the opposed first and second rear side panels for forming opposed rear inner side wall portions of the tray from the opposed first and second rear side panels.

4. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 1, wherein the opposed front inner side wall portions of the tray are configured to align with the outer opposed side walls of the tray.

5. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 3, wherein the opposed rear inner side wall portions of the tray are configured to align with the outer opposed side walls of the tray.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 3, wherein the opposed first and second rear side flaps each have a rear perforated fold line that extends therethrough to define opposed first and second upper rear side flaps of the carton for forming at least part of the top wall of the shipping carton.

9. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 8, wherein the rear perforated fold lines of the opposed first and second rear side flaps are co-extensively aligned with the rear perforated cut line of the rear panel.

10. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 8, wherein the rear perforated fold lines of the opposed first and second rear side flaps are not aligned with the rear perforated cut line of the rear panel.

11. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 1, wherein the opposed first and second main outer side panels each includes a side perforated cut line for forming the outer opposed side walls of the tray from the opposed first and second main outer side panels.

12. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 1, wherein a height of the rear wall of the tray formed from the rear panel is greater than a height of the front wall of the tray from the front panel.

13. A die cut blank for a shipping carton transformable into a shelf ready tray, comprising:

b) a front panel foldably connected to the front edge of the bottom panel along a front crease to form an outer front wall of the tray;

c) a rear panel foldably connected to the rear edge of the bottom panel along a rear crease to form an outer rear wall of the tray; and

d) opposed first and second side panels foldably connected to the opposed first and second side edges of the bottom panel along respective first and second side creases, each side panel including a non-linear side perforated cut line for forming a side wall of the tray therefrom;

14. (canceled)

15. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 13, wherein each of the opposed side panels includes a front side panel portion and a rear side panel portion foldably associated therewith and the respective side perforated cut lines extend through the front and rear side panel portions to define opposed inner front and rear wall portions of the tray.

16. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 15, wherein each of the front side panel portions includes a front flap portion foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper front flaps of the carton.

17. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 15, wherein each of the rear side panel portions includes a rear flap portion foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper rear flaps of the carton.

18. A die cut blank as recited inclaim 15, wherein each of the opposed first and second side panels includes a side flap portion foldably associated therewith to define opposed first and second upper side flaps of the carton.

19. A shipping carton transformable into a shelf ready tray, comprising:

a) an upper portion configured as an RSC type carton having a plurality of foldable closure flaps;

b) a lower portion configured as a shelf ready tray that has a unitary flat base panel that forms an entirety of a bottom wall of the shipping carton and the shelf ready display, wherein the upper portion is separable from the bottom portion along a series of interconnected perforated cut lines, so as to transform the shipping carton into a shelf ready tray.

20. A shipping carton as recited inclaim 19, wherein the upper and lower portions are erected from a die cut blank using a mandrel based tray former.

21. A diet cut blank as recited inclaim 1, wherein the rear perforated cut line defines a rear upper flap for forming at least part of the top wall of the shipping carton.