U.S. patent application number 11/342022 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for stackable tray.
Invention is credited to Enrique Chavez Fernandez, Jose Luis Alegria Formoso.
Application Number | 20070175790 11/342022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38290189 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fernandez; Enrique Chavez ;
et al. |
August 2, 2007 |
Stackable tray
Abstract
The present invention relates to containers and systems of
containers, for example, trays, that can be arranged at angles of 0
or 180.degree. so that different height positions can be obtained;
that include a glider to allow trays to move freely across one
another under rapid use by a handler; and locking, securing and
support mechanisms to ensure that the upper trays do not become
disengaged during sudden movements, and to allow the trays to be
stacked or nested, as appropriate for achieving different
heights.
Inventors: |
Fernandez; Enrique Chavez;
(Naucalpan de Juarez, MX) ; Formoso; Jose Luis
Alegria; (Naucaplan de Juarez, MX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARNOLD & PORTER LLP;ATTN: IP DOCKETING DEPT.
555 TWELFTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-1206
US
|
Family ID: |
38290189 |
Appl. No.: |
11/342022 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29252856 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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11342022 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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29252855 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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11342022 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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29252854 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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11342022 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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29252853 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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11342022 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0212 20130101;
B65D 21/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/503 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/00 20060101
B65D021/00 |
Claims
1. A tray that can be stacked on another, identical tray, or on
trays of a different size, which tray includes: at least one
securing element on the inside wall of said tray; and at least one
securing element on the outside wall of said tray such that when
said tray is stacked with another tray or trays, said inner and
outer securing elements are in contact, and said securing element
on said outside wall of said tray rests on top of said securing
element on said inside wall of said another tray.
2. The tray according to claim 1 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
3. The tray according to claim 2 wherein said tray comprises a
coupling element for receiving said glide mechanism.
4. The tray according to claim 1 wherein said tray has at least one
side of lesser height and at least one side of greater height.
5. The tray according to claim 4 wherein said at least one side of
lesser height comprises spatially distributed ribs or
reinforcements.
6. The tray according to claim 4 wherein said at least one side of
lesser height comprises spikes for securing products in said
tray.
7. The tray according to claim 4 wherein said tray comprises a
locking mechanism on top of said side of greater height.
8. The tray according to claim 7 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
9. The tray according to claim 8 wherein said tray further
comprises a coupling element for securing said glide mechanism.
10. The tray according to claim 8 wherein said tray comprises
curved corners between said shorter and taller sides and the floor
of said tray.
11. The tray according to claim 4 comprising design elements to
identify the orientation of said tray in respect of said other tray
or trays.
12. The tray according to claim 4 comprising at least one support
element on said side of lesser height for supporting said other
tray or trays.
13. The tray according to claim 1 where said tray can accommodate
two smaller trays directly above or below said tray in a stack of
trays.
14. The tray according to claim 13 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
15. The tray according to claim 14 wherein said tray comprises a
coupling element for receiving said glide mechanism.
16. The tray according to claim 13 wherein said tray has at least
one side of lesser height and at least one side of greater
height.
17. The tray according to claim 16 wherein said at least one side
of lesser height comprises spatially distributed ribs or
reinforcements.
18. The tray according to claim 16 wherein said at least one side
of lesser height comprises spikes for securing products in said
tray.
19. The tray according to claim 16 wherein said tray comprises a
locking mechanism on top of said side of greater height.
20. The tray according to claim 19 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
21. The tray according to claim 19 wherein said tray comprises
curved corners between said shorter and taller sides and the floor
of said tray.
22. The tray according to claim 16 comprising at least one support
element on the side of lesser height for supporting said other tray
or trays.
23. A system of multiple trays comprising trays that can be stacked
with identical trays, or on trays of a different size or design,
wherein said system comprises: a tray comprising at least one
securing element on the inside wall of said tray; and a tray
comprising at least one securing element on the outside wall of
said tray such that when said trays are stacked with other trays in
said system, said inner and outer securing elements are in contact,
and said securing element on said outside wall of said tray rests
on top of said securing element on said inside wall of another tray
in said system.
24. The system according to claim 23 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
25. The system according to claim 24 wherein said tray further
comprises a coupling element for receiving said glide
mechanism.
26. The system according to claim 23 wherein said tray has at least
one side of lesser height and at least one side of greater
height.
27. The system according to claim 26 wherein said at least one side
of lesser height comprises spatially distributed ribs or
reinforcements.
28. The system according to claim 26 wherein said tray comprises a
locking mechanism on top of said side of greater height.
29. The system according to claim 26 wherein said at least one side
of lesser height comprises spikes for securing products in said
tray.
30. The system according to claim 26 comprising design elements to
identify the orientation of said tray in respect of said other tray
or trays.
31. The system according to claim 26 comprising at least one
support element on the side of lesser height for supporting said
other tray or trays.
32. The system according to claim 26 wherein said tray comprises a
glide mechanism for allowing said tray to glide over said other
tray or trays.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 120 of co-pending application entitled "Ornamental Design
for a Tray", filed Jan. 30, 2006, naming Enrique Chavez Fernandez
and Jose Luis Alegria Formoso as inventors and having Attorney
Docket No. 19677.004D2; and as a continuation-in-part of co-pending
design Application No. (to be assigned), entitled "Ornamental
Design for a Tray", filed Jan. 30, 2006, naming Enrique Chavez
Fernandez and Jose Luis Alegria Formoso as inventors and having
Attorney Docket No. 19677.004D3; and as a continuation-in-part of
co-pending design Application No. (to be assigned), entitled
"Ornamental Design for a Tray", filed Jan. 30, 2006, naming Enrique
Chavez Fernandez and Jose Luis Alegria Formoso as inventors and
having Attorney Docket No. 19677.004D4; and as a
continuation-in-part of co-pending design Application No. (to be
assigned), entitled "Ornamental Design for a Tray", filed Jan. 30,
2006, naming Enrique Chavez Fernandez and Jose Luis Alegria Formoso
as inventors and having Attorney Docket No. 19677.004D5, which are
herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to stackable containers or
receptacles, and more specifically to stackable trays, for storing
or transporting articles or products with different dimensions,
which trays may be oriented and safely placed on top of each other
in accordance with the dimensions of the product or article to be
stored or transported.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known that one of the principal problems that
currently exist in warehouses or transport vehicles is that of the
space required to store or transport the largest possible quantity
of articles or products without damaging them. Accordingly, users
have developed, or have asked companies that are experts in the
field to design, receptacles or containers that, depending on the
user's individual needs, will allow transport and storage of items
safely and securely.
[0004] It is widely known in the field of packaging, storage, and
transportation that space is saved when receptacles or containers
are stowed or stacked. However, in order for stowing or stacking to
be performed, consideration must be given to the subsequent
handling of the receptacles or containers and to the type of
articles or products that will be stored or transported in them, as
well as to the subsequent storage and transport of the empty
containers or receptacles. Some of the many factors that have been
considered in the design of such receptacles or containers include
the height of the articles or products to be stored, transported,
or distributed; the weight of the product that the receptacle or
container must bear; the characteristics of the place or places in
which the articles or products will be stored, transported, or
distributed; the conditions under which they will be handled by the
operator or seller; the conditions of the road over which they will
be transported; the durability of the containers; and their
subsequent stacking after they have been emptied, including
cleaning and washing, etc. In addition, the stability of the
receptacles once stacked must be considered to prevent damage to
the articles being transported.
[0005] One of the principal techniques that have been used for the
stacking of receptacles or containers is the so-called
"nesting"technique, which consists of stacking the receptacles or
containers at different angles so as to achieve a minimum height
and a maximum height (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,905, of
Ralph H. Herotzer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,724, of Lewis T. Johnson;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,759, Pinckney Molded Plastics, Inc.; and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,320,837, of James C. Carrol et al.). U.S. Pat. No.
4,936,458, of Tabler et al., describes a tray that can be nested at
90.degree., or stacked at 0.degree. or 180.degree., through the use
of feet and rails, and also describes a possible so-called "blind"
stacking through the cooperation of insertion elements.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,274, of Pinckney Molded Plastics, Inc.
(Howell, Mich.), describes a bread tray that can be stacked on an
identical tray that provides three levels of storage, which are
obtained by rotating the trays to a given angle, depending on
whether they are to be nested or stacked. However, this patent has
the disadvantage that when sudden movements occur due to handling
by the operator, the upper trays are easily separated from the
lower trays, thereby causing damage to the product and rendering it
unacceptable to the purchaser. Moreover, the trays utilize a very
short sliding groove, which does not allow rapid alignment during
the sliding operation, and also causes the trays to become easily
separated. Further, the trays are not designed to withstand rough
handling by the operators or the conditions that are present in
trucks when they encounter potholes, earthfills, winding roads,
etc. The result is that their useful lifetime is reduced
significantly, and that the trays become separated while being
transported by such trucks, which can cause damage to, and
rejection of, the transported products. The superficial marks that
the trays may contain in order to indicate to the operator the
angle at which they are stacked tend to disappear rapidly as a
result of the daily use and frequent cleaning that the tray must
undergo, especially when the tray is used to transport food
products that demand minimum levels of hygiene, thereby causing the
operator to spend additional time determining whether a tray is
stacked or nested. Furthermore, this tray does not have a mechanism
that would, in the stacked position, allow the upper tray to be
affixed securely to the lower tray. Additionally, the design of
this tray does not allow a tray of a different width to be stacked
on top of a lower tray, and does not contemplate the combination or
alternation of trays of different widths during stacking.
[0007] An additional disadvantage of the tray in U.S. Pat. No.
6,394,274 is that it runs the risk that the groove or sliding guide
for the feet, as well as the sides and handholds, may become
deformed or break within a short period of time, because of rough
handling by the operator or even because of the weight of the
product plus the weight of each stacked tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is intended to overcome the
above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art. Thus, one goal of
the invention is to provide a design that adds stability for a
receptacle, container, or a stackable and/or nestable tray, for the
storage or transport of the tray itself, or of products to be
stored or transported in the tray. In one aspect of the present
invention, this is achieved through a combination of structural
elements, such as a locking mechanism and a securing mechanism,
which prevent the trays from sliding out of balance with other
trays in a stack and provide a stable and secure mechanism for
transporting goods. In one aspect of the present invention, this is
achieved by providing a tray with inner and outer grooves in the
side of the tray ("guillotines") to provide better support and
securing of the containers in the nested position, thereby
preventing them from becoming separated during rough or sudden
movements while they are being stored or transported.
[0009] Yet another goal of the present invention is to provide
trays that lock in both the 0.degree. and 180.degree. positions
relative to other trays in a stack, which allows for different
heights to be achieved between the bases of two consecutive trays
in a stack and accommodate goods of varying heights and sizes.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide trays that
can interlock with existing trays to provide interchangeability to
the user.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tray that
has a long useful lifetime even under harsh working or handling
conditions. In one aspect of the invention, this combination is
achieved giving consideration to the working conditions to which
the trays would be subjected, such as dragging force, overload, the
type of transport to be utilized, and the roads over which the
trays would be transported, as well as careful or careless handling
by various operators.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tray, where
the orientation (either in the stacking or nesting position) of two
or more trays that are stacked can be readily identified, including
doing so simply by sight or touch.
[0012] Yet another goal of the present invention is to provide
trays with a guiding mechanism, to provide a guide for allowing one
tray to slide over another tray into either the stacked or nested
position.
[0013] Yet another goal of the present invention is to provide
trays with varying dimensions, for example, that are narrower (but
without their narrowness being a limiting factor), shorter or
taller, or that can be stacked on top of other trays that are wider
or larger, and that can also be combined or interleaved, in order
to store products with smaller dimensions or different
capacities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view of a tray in a
short embodiment according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a right side view of a tray in a short embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a left side view of a tray in a short embodiment
according to the present invention, which is a mirror image of the
right side view.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a tray in a short embodiment
according to the present invention, which is a mirror image of the
rear view.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of a tray according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a tray according to the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a right front perspective view showing two trays
in a short embodiment of the present invention in the nesting
position.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a right front perspective view showing a
combination of two trays of varying embodiments of the present
invention in the nesting position.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a right front perspective view showing a
combination of two trays of varying embodiments of the present
invention in the stacking position.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a right front perspective view of a tray in a
tall embodiment according to the present invention, showing
additional elements of the present invention, as further described
below.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a right side view of a tray in a tall embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a left side view of a tray in a tall embodiment
according to the present invention, which is a mirror image of the
right side view.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front view of a tray in a tall embodiment
according to the present invention, showing additional elements of
the present invention, as further described below.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a top view of a tray according to the present
invention, showing additional elements, as further described
below.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a tray according to the present
invention, showing additional elements, as further described
below.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a right front perspective view showing two trays
in a tall embodiment of the present invention in the nesting
position.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a right front perspective view showing an
elongated embodiment of the tray of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 18 is a right front perspective view showing an
alternative embodiment of the elongated embodiment of the tray of
the present invention.
[0032] Where the views described and shown in the drawings are
mirror images of the reverse view, only one side will be described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] As used herein, the word "tray" in intended not to be
limiting, but is used interchangeably with the word "container",
"receptacle", or the like.
[0034] As used herein, two trays are "stacked" when they are
placed, one on top of the other, at a 180.degree. position relative
to each other, resulting in a greater height (as compared to the
"nested" position) between the floors of the trays.
[0035] As used herein, two trays are "nested" when they are placed,
one on top of the other, at a 0.degree. position relative to each
other, resulting in a lesser height between the floors of the
trays.
[0036] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows that the
tray 1 is designed in a manner similar to a box, including two
sides of reduced height 2, and a floor element 3 that may have
various different design patterns, or no patterns, or which may be
perforated or uniformly solid, as desired, although it is
preferably perforated, so as to allow ventilation when the products
consist, for example, of perishable items, bread, baked goods,
etc., to facilitate cleaning of the tray, and to reduce the weight
when several trays are stacked and carried on top of each other.
Additionally, the tray of the present invention includes two sides
of greater height 4 which may vary in height to accommodate
different items to be transported in the trays (see, e.g., FIG. 8
showing two trays of the present invention having different
heights).
[0037] The sides of greater height 4 have upper and lower locking
elements (5 and 6, respectively) in order to allow an upper tray to
be stacked. These locking elements 5 and 6 may be incorporated into
various locations on the upper and lower sides of greater height 4
of the trays, and may be present in various and multiple patterns,
such as facing each other in couples or solo, both as shown in FIG.
1. The upper and lower locking elements 5 and 6 may be pointed or
rounded, or any other suitable shape.
[0038] FIG. 1 also shows coupling element 7, in which a glider 8 is
positioned when an upper tray is stacked in the nesting position
(see, e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8). Unlike the groove and leg mechanism
disclosed in the prior art, the gliders 8 allow a user of the trays
of the present invention to easily balance and slide one tray over
another, such that the trays may be stacked or nested quickly and
without the need to locate and align a groove of one tray with a
leg or rail of another. Further, the glider 8 allows a tray to
slide over an upper locking element 5 without prevent movement of
one tray over another. The gliders may be triangular, or rounded in
a half-moon shape, or any other suitable shape that allows for the
trays of the present invention to be stacked easily and quickly.
The present tray will preferably include an even number of gliders
8, and most preferably utilize two or four gliders 8, however any
number of gliders may be suitable for use in the present invention
that allows for easy stacking of two or more trays. The coupling
elements 7 of the trays of the present invention should be
complimentary to the shape of the gliders 8 used in a particular
embodiment and should be present in the same number as the number
of gliders 8 in a given embodiment.
[0039] Trays may be stowed in the nested or stacked position,
thereby providing spaces of different heights, depending on the
required orientation of the trays in order to store products of
different heights, and thereby enabling optimal use of the system
for the safe and flexible placement of large or small products. The
foregoing arrangement is also advantageous when towers of trays are
created. Further, when the gliders 8 are positioned to fit in the
coupling elements 7 in the nested position, it prevents the
undesired sliding of the upper trays. Alternatively, in the stacked
position (see, e.g., FIG. 9) the upper and lower locking elements 5
and 6 prevent sliding of the trays with respect to each other.
[0040] The tray according to the present invention has at last two
handholds or grips 9, preferably one at the center of each side of
greater height 4, which are built and reinforced with vertical ribs
and reinforcements 10, spaced apart from each other so as to create
a comfortable virtual gripping surface that allows the tray to be
grasped safely at the center of its body. Additional handholds 11
comprised of vertical ribs 12 may be located on each side of
reduced height 2. The number of vertical ribs 10 and 12 may be
varied according to the individual needs of a user of the
trays.
[0041] These vertical ribs and reinforcements 10 and 12
significantly increase the mechanical strength of the cross-section
of the handholds 9 and 11, thereby preventing the handholds from
being deformed or broken if the trays are pulled apart such as by a
hook, either individually or in the form of towers, which is an
extremely common practice in working yards.
[0042] Another characteristic of the tray according to the present
invention is the increased load capacity, which is achieved through
the proper reinforcement and distribution of the ribs 10 and 12
that form part of the structure of the four sides. The sides of
greater height 4 are the ones whose function is to bear the weight
of the towers of trays full of products.
[0043] It should also be noted that, in one embodiment of the
present invention, all of the internal lines 13 where the floor
joins the sides and the corners may be slightly rounded (FIG. 1
shows only two of them) so as to allow better cleaning of the tray
because product wastes, grease, or dust may very often remain
trapped in the corners if the corners consisted entirely of right
angles, and to avoid the concentration of stresses and increase the
load capacity and strength of the tray.
[0044] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the tray of the
present invention where the sides of greater height 4 are taller
than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Such an embodiment allows
for larger goods, such as bread loaves, cakes, etc., to be stowed
and transported in the tray whereas the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
would adequately stow smaller items, such as pastries and muffins.
Additionally, either embodiment of the tray may include spikes 14
(shown in FIG. 10) to prevent the contents of the trays from
sliding out during transport or storage.
[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may be
desirable for a user or operator to have trays with a configuration
such that the orientation of the tray can be easily identified,
because it significantly facilitates stacking, storage and movement
of the tray and minimizes the possibility of error through the
incorrect placement of a tray in relation to the tray immediately
below it. As shown in FIG. 2, additional design elements of the
present invention 15, 16, and 17, may be used to identify a tray's
orientation with respect to another tray (i.e., in the stacked or
nested position) by sight or touch. The design elements 15, 16 and
17, may be raised or sunken (as shown in FIG. 1), or hollow, open
or solid, or any combination thereof such that a user of the tray
of the present invention may determine which orientation a tray is
in with respect to other trays in the stack (i.e., stacked or
nested) easily by sight or touch. The design elements 15, 16 and 17
may be any suitable color, design, or trademark as desired by the
user for visual effect. However, in the absence of any design
elements in the tray of the present invention, the glider 8
position relative to the coupling element 7 can be used to identify
the stacked position (see FIG. 9) as it is apparent that the glider
8 is not resting in the coupling element 7.
[0046] In the sides of greater height 4, structural open and closed
design elements (18 and 19 show examples of open design elements)
may be incorporated into the tray to provide strength and
additional structure, or to conserve the amount of material used in
the construction of the tray. Additionally, in different
embodiments, more or less structural material (for example, molded
plastic, polyurethane, etc.) and varying structural designs or
configurations of structural designs present in the sides of
greater height 4 may be used to vary the weight of the tray and to
support different products. It should be understood that multiple
configurations of the structural design elements are possible.
[0047] FIGS. 1 and 2 also show inner 20 and outer 21 securing
elements (the "guillotine") that provide stability for stacked
trays of the present invention when in the nested position. When a
tray of the present invention is nested on top of another tray, the
outer guillotine 21 rests in a "secured" position on top of the
inner guillotine 20. In this position, sliding and tipping of the
trays is prevented during storage, handling and transportation. The
inner guillotine 20 may vary in length and may be present in
multiple locations on the sides of greater height 4 as desired by
the user for increased or decreased contact between the inner
guillotine 20 and the outer guillotine 21 of two or more stacked
trays. Additionally, one or more columns 22 may be present to add
structure and support to the inner guillotine 20 to accommodate
varying weight to support upper stacked trays.
[0048] In addition to the elements previously described, FIG. 2
shows the additional element of a skid 28 that may be included on
the bottom of the sides of greater height in the tray of the
present invention. The skid 28 elevates a tray set on a flat
surface (such as a floor or shelf) to prevent the contents of the
tray from being in contact with contaminants such as dirt or
liquids. In addition, the skid 28 allows a user to slide a tray
more easily when it is in contact with a flat surface, and provides
additional stability to the tray when it is stacked or nested with
another tray of the present invention. Also, the skid 28 elevates
the tray such that a forklift of other lifting mechanism can pick
up a tray for transport from a flat surface. The skid may be
continuous along the length of the tray, or may be present in
shorter lengths as needed to support the weight of the tray and its
contents.
[0049] FIG. 2 also shows a glider 8 (only one shown) of the present
invention. As discussed above, in the nested position, the glider 8
sits in the coupling element 7 to prevent movement of the tray in
relation to others in the stack. The glider 8 also allows a user to
easily slide one tray over another tray when trays are being placed
in a stack.
[0050] An advantage of the present invention is that the heights
and depths with which the upper and lower locking mechanism 5 and
6, the glider 8, coupling element 7, and the inner 20 and outer 21
guillotines, in particular, among others of the foregoing elements,
have been designed as such to ensure their stability, because they
cannot be loosened or "bounced" out of their channels as the result
of an undesired jolt, such as one caused by a pothole in a road or
by rough-surfaced highways.
[0051] A further aim of the above-mentioned design is to ensure
that the operator will be able to position the delivery, easily and
rapidly, and ensure the smooth, continuous, and safe displacement
of the parts of the tray that he is placing, in relation to the
lower one, and also to ensure that it will be very difficult for
multiple trays to be bounced apart or loosened, thereby causing
breakage and loss of the product.
[0052] The tray of the present invention may also include at least
one support element 23 on the sides of reduced height 2 for
balancing or supporting a tray of a different design that may be
used interchangeably with the trays of the present invention. One
such tray is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/044,200. The
support element 23 allows for a tray as shown and described in U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/044,200 to be stacked and used in
conjunction with the tray of the present invention. The support
mechanism 23 may also be used in the elongated embodiments of the
tray of the present invention (FIGS. 19 and 20) to support one or
more trays of the present invention. For example, FIG. 17 shows an
elongated tray with support mechanisms 23 for one or more elongated
trays. In another example, FIG. 18 shows and elongated tray with
support mechanisms for one or more trays of the present invention.
It is contemplated that any combination of the elongated trays
disclosed in FIGS. 19 and 20 may be stacked in combination with
trays of the present invention. Further, the elongated trays
disclosed in FIGS. 19 and 20 may incorporate any or all of the
features discussed with respect to the trays of the present
invention.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a view of one side of reduced height 2 of the
tray of the present invention. The vertical ribs 12 can be clearly
seen in this view. Additionally, an alternative design element 24
may be included on either or both sides of reduced height 2 to
provide a place to incorporate a label for goods or products that
are transported in a tray.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows the floor or base of the tray of the present
invention. The pattern of various solid 25 and open 26 elements may
be varied widely to provide support for heavier items (by
increasing the composition of solid elements 25) or to reduce the
weight (by increasing the compositing of open elements 26) in the
floor pattern. Additional and optional open elements 27 may be
included along the edges of the tray for additional ventilation or
drainage as shown. Also shown in FIG. 5 are alternative views of
the vertical ribs and reinforcements 1O, the inner guillotine 20,
and the upper locking elements 5 of the present invention.
[0055] FIGS. 7 through 9 present varying systems of two trays of
the present invention in the nested (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and stacked
(see FIG. 9) positions. FIG. 7 shows the combination stack of two
trays of the shorter embodiment in the nested position, while FIGS.
8 and 9 present systems wherein the combination of a tray in the
shorter embodiment is used in conjunction with a tray in the taller
embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, even when two
trays are nested (and thereby reduce the ability of the objects
contained therein to be easily ascertained), there remains a gap
between them on the side of lesser height that allows a user of the
trays to readily view the contents of each tray. The sides of
reduced height 2 may be modified by a broad curve that forms a wide
window between the trays, such that when trays are stacked or
nested, they allow the contents of each tray to be viewed easily,
with no need to raise the top trays or lift them apart from each
other in order to look inside them.
[0056] The design of the receptacles or containers or trays allows
varying working distances to be maintained when the receptacles or
containers or trays are oriented differently in relation to one
another (for example, in the 0.degree. and 180.degree.
orientations). Thus, when the layout of the trays in relation to
each other is changed, the separation between the trays allows for
varying degrees of height to accommodate different products stored
in the trays without affecting the ability of the trays to
interlock and maintain their stability.
[0057] FIGS. 10 through 16 show several views of the tray of the
present invention in the tall embodiment. This embodiment may
incorporate all of the elements previously described and therefore,
will not be repeated herein. In additional to these elements, the
tall embodiment of the tray shown in FIGS. 10 through 16 also shows
spikes 14 (as discussed above) incorporated into the side of lesser
height to prevent the contents of the tray from sliding out. These
spikes may be incorporated into the tall, short or elongated
embodiments (shown in FIGS. 17 and 18) of the present
invention.
[0058] FIG. 16 also shows a system assembly of two trays in the
tall embodiment in the nested position. As discussed above, it is
contemplated that any combination of tall or short trays may be
incorporated into a system assembly of trays as needed to transport
or store products.
[0059] Further, FIGS. 17 and 18 show elongated embodiments of the
tray of the present invention. In these embodiments, the width of
the tray between the sides of greater height is such that two of
the narrower embodiment of the tray (described above) may be
stacked or nested on top on one elongated tray. FIG. 17 shows one
variation of the this embodiment that is suited to accommodate the
stacking or nesting of an identical elongated tray through the
mechanisms described above. FIG. 18 shows a second variation of
this embodiment which preferably includes up to four additional
support mechanisms 23 in the center of the sides of lesser height
to support two of the narrower variations (either in the tall or
short embodiments) of the tray of the present invention.
[0060] Although all of the fundamental characteristics and features
of the present invention have been described herein, with reference
to specific embodiments of the invention, a degree of latitude in
terms of other modifications, changes, and substitutions may be
made in the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that on
certain occasions, some of the characteristics of the invention
will be employed without the corresponding use of other
characteristics, without thereby departing from the scope of the
invention as established. It should be understood that any such
substitutions, modifications, or variations may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Consequently, all modifications and variations are
included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the
following claims.
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