U.S. patent application number 14/728437 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for compact stackable tray.
The applicant listed for this patent is AGROPUR COOPERATIVE. Invention is credited to Peter DORGAN, Christopher RIFF.
Application Number | 20150344179 14/728437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51862831 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150344179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RIFF; Christopher ; et
al. |
December 3, 2015 |
COMPACT STACKABLE TRAY
Abstract
A compact stackable tray system is disclosed wherein in a first
orientation the supports of a lower tray maintain an upper tray
away from the lower tray such that one of a plurality of standard
milk containers stored on the lower tray may be freely removed and
in a second orientation wherein the supports of the lower tray nest
within the support of the upper tray such that the lower surface of
the upper tray rests against the upper surface of the lower
tray.
Inventors: |
RIFF; Christopher; (Quebec,
CA) ; DORGAN; Peter; (Ontario, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AGROPUR COOPERATIVE |
Quebec |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
51862831 |
Appl. No.: |
14/728437 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/431 ;
206/427 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/108 20130101;
B65D 21/0233 20130101; B65D 21/0215 20130101; B65D 85/80 20130101;
B65D 71/70 20130101; B65D 21/045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/04 20060101
B65D021/04; B65D 85/80 20060101 B65D085/80; B65D 71/70 20060101
B65D071/70; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02; B65D 25/10 20060101
B65D025/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 2014 |
CA |
2853385 |
Jul 10, 2014 |
CA |
2856688 |
Claims
1. A compact stackable tray configured for stacking with other like
trays comprising: a flat rectangular support; a plurality of
dividers integral to said support and separating an upper surface
of said support into a plurality of compartments, each of said
compartments sized to receive a bottom of at least one standard
milk container therein; a rim about a periphery of said rectangular
support; and a first pair of hollow uprights arranged towards a
first short edge of said support and a second pair of hollow
uprights arranged towards a second short edge of said support
opposite said first edge, said uprights extending above said
support to a height above that of a standard milk container when
supported on the support; wherein in a first orientation of said
tray to an upper like tray, the upper like tray is supported by
said uprights of said tray and such that a lower surface of a
support of the upper tray is maintained at least a height of said
standard milk container above an upper surface of said support of
said tray and wherein a standard milk container positioned in any
of said compartments of said tray can be removed across a given
long edge of said tray without moving said upper tray and further
wherein in a second orientation of the upper tray to said tray
rotated 180 degrees horizontally to said first orientation, said
hollow uprights of said tray nest within said hollow uprights of
the upper tray and such that the lower surface of the support of
the upper tray is immediately adjacent said upper surface of said
support of said tray when empty and further wherein said uprights
combined can support a minimum weight of 160 kgs.
2. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein an apex of each
of said uprights is flat.
3. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein each of said
first pair of uprights are positioned at a corner of said support
and each of said second pair of uprights are positioned between a
corner of said support and a center of said second short edge.
4. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein each of said
hollow uprights is of a rectangular frustum shape.
5. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein each of said
uprights comprises an air hole in a top thereof.
6. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein said rim has a
height above said rectangular support is substantially the same or
greater than that of said dividers.
7. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein a long edge of
each of said compartments is arranged in parallel to a long edge of
said support.
8. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein at said standard
milk container is selected from a group comprising a standard four
liter milk bag, a standard four liter jug, a standard two liter
carton or carton and a standard one liter carton or carton.
9. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein at said standard
milk container is selected from a group comprising a standard
gallon jug, a standard half gallon jug or carton, and a standard
one quart jug or carton.
10. The compact stackable tray of claim 8, wherein said standard
milk container is a four liter milk bag and further wherein a
height of said dividers is sufficient to maintain said standard
four liter milk bag in an upright position.
11. The compact stackable tray of claim 8, wherein said standard
milk container is a four liter milk bag and further wherein said
support is configured to receive ten of said four liter milk
bags.
12. The compact stackable tray of claim 8, wherein said standard
milk container is a gallon jug and further wherein said support is
configured to receive ten of said gallon jugs.
13. The compact stackable tray of claim 8, wherein said standard
milk container is a two liter carton and further wherein said
support is configured to receive twenty of said two liter
cartons.
14. The compact stackable tray of claim 8, wherein said standard
milk container is a one liter carton and further wherein said
support is configured to receive forty of said one liter
cartons.
15. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein in said nested
second orientation an outer surface of each of said uprights of
said lower tray and an inner surface of each of a respective one of
said uprights of said upper tray do not come into contact.
16. The compact stackable tray of claim 1, wherein four of said
trays fit snugly in a 2.times.2 configuration on a standard
40.times.48 pallet.
17. A compact stackable tray system comprising: a pair of like
compact stackable trays arranged as an upper tray and a lower tray,
each of said trays comprising: a flat rectangular support; a
plurality of dividers separating an upper surface of said support
into a plurality of compartments, each of said compartments sized
to receive at least one standard milk container therein; a rim
about a periphery of said rectangular support; and a first pair of
hollow uprights arranged along a first short edge of said support
and a second pair of hollow uprights arranged on a second short
edge of said support opposite said first edge, said uprights
extending above said support; wherein in a first orientation of
said upper tray to said lower tray, said upper tray is supported by
said uprights of said lower tray such that a lower surface of said
support of said upper tray is maintained at least a height of the
standard milk container above an upper surface of said support of
said lower tray and wherein a standard milk container positioned in
any of said compartments of said lower tray can be removed across a
given long edge of said lower tray without moving said upper tray
and further wherein in a second orientation of said upper tray to
said lower tray rotated 180 degrees horizontally to said first
orientation, said hollow uprights of said lower tray nest within
said hollow uprights of said upper tray and such that said lower
surface of said support of said upper tray is immediately adjacent
said upper surface of said support of said lower tray and further
wherein for each tray said uprights combined can support a minimum
weight of 160 kgs.
18. The compact stackable tray system of claim 17, wherein the
standard milk container is a standard four liter milk bag, wherein
a long edge of each of said compartments is arranged in parallel to
a long edge of said support, and further wherein a height of said
rim is sufficient to maintain a standard four liter milk bag in an
upright position.
19. The compact stackable tray system of claim 17, wherein said rim
has a height above said rectangular support greater than that of
said dividers.
20. A compact stackable tray system for stacking milk containers of
a plurality of different milk container formats: for a given one of
the plurality of standard milk container formats, at least one
compact stackable tray comprising: a flat rectangular support; a
plurality of dividers separating an upper surface of said support
into a plurality of compartments, each of said compartments sized
to receive at least one standard milk container of the given
standard milk container format therein; a rim about a periphery of
said rectangular support; and a first pair of hollow uprights
arranged along a first short edge of said support and a second pair
of hollow uprights arranged on a second short edge of said support
opposite said first edge, said uprights extending above said
support; wherein in a first orientation, an upper tray is supported
by uprights of a lower tray such that a lower surface of a support
of said upper tray is maintained at least a height of said given
standard milk container of said lower tray above an upper surface
of said support of said lower tray and wherein a standard milk
container positioned in any of said compartments of said lower tray
can be removed across a given long edge of said lower tray without
moving said upper tray and further wherein in a second orientation
of said upper tray to said lower tray rotated 180 degrees
horizontally to said first orientation, if said upper tray and said
lower tray are each adapted for stacking a like given milk
container format, said hollow uprights of said lower tray nest
within said hollow uprights of said upper tray and such that said
lower surface of said support of said upper tray is immediately
adjacent said upper surface of said support of said lower tray, and
if said upper tray and said lower tray are each adapted for
stacking a different given milk container format, said hollow
uprights of said lower tray are unable to nest within said hollow
uprights of said upper tray, and further wherein for each tray said
uprights combined can support a minimum weight of 160 kgs.
21. The compact stackable tray system of claim 20, wherein the
plurality of different milk container formats are selected from a
group comprising a standard four liter milk bag, a standard gallon
jug, a standard two liter carton and a standard one liter carton.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e), of Canadian Application No. 2,853,385, filed on Jun.
2, 2014, and Canadian Application No. 2,856,688, filed on Jul. 10,
2014. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a compact stackable tray.
In particular, the present application relates to a stackable tray
which in a first orientation supports a like tray positioned above
the tray and in a second orientation nests with the like tray.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Traditionally, milk in bags is delivered to the merchant in
crates stacked on pallets or placed on a stainless steel rolling
rack (bossy cart) which can for example be pushed into a
refrigerator and be merchandisable without further intervention.
The racks are heavy and expensive and lead to injuries and the
like. A picked pallet configuration where the pallet is delivered
to the merchant preloaded and simply placed in racking and or on
the ground from which customers can select the product they wish to
purchase is typically preferred given its simplicity. However,
current one way solutions which rely on the use cardboard boxes or
the like require robust materials which are difficult to dispose
of.
[0004] What is needed therefore, and an object of the present
application is an ecofriendly, inexpensive and convenient means to
organize, transport and display for sale milk or other beverages
held in bags, cartons or jugs as well as other items such as
produce and the like.
[0005] An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide
a tray and system that in turn minimises the need for secondary
packaging, is retail ready, reusable in a closed loop system and
which is stackable and nestable thereby minimizing the space
required for empty container storage and return.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to address the above and other drawbacks, there is
provided a compact stackable tray configured for stacking with
other like trays. The tray comprises a flat rectangular support, a
plurality of dividers integral to the support and separating an
upper surface of the support into a plurality of compartments, each
of the compartments sized to receive a bottom of at least one
standard milk container therein, a rim about a periphery of the
rectangular support, and a first pair of hollow uprights arranged
towards a first short edge of the support and a second pair of
hollow uprights arranged towards a second short edge of the support
opposite the first edge, the uprights extending above the support
to a height above that of a standard milk container when supported
on the support. In a first orientation of the tray to an upper like
tray, the upper like tray is supported by the uprights of the tray
and such that a lower surface of a support of the upper tray is
maintained at least a height of the standard milk container above
an upper surface of the support of the tray and wherein in a second
orientation of the upper tray to the tray rotated 180 degrees
horizontally to the first orientation, the hollow uprights of the
tray nest within the hollow uprights of the upper tray and such
that the lower surface of the support of the upper tray is
immediately adjacent the upper surface of the support of the tray
when empty and further wherein the uprights combined can support a
minimum weight of 160 kgs.
[0007] Additionally, there is provided a compact stackable tray
system comprising a pair of like compact stackable trays arranged
as an upper tray and a lower tray, each of the trays comprising a
flat rectangular support, a plurality of dividers separating an
upper surface of the support into a plurality of compartments, each
of the compartments sized to receive at least one standard milk
container therein, a rim about a periphery of the rectangular
support, and a first pair of hollow uprights arranged along a first
short edge of the support and a second pair of hollow uprights
arranged on a second short edge of the support opposite the first
edge, the uprights extending above the support. In a first
orientation of the upper tray to the lower tray, the upper tray is
supported by the uprights of the lower tray such that a lower
surface of the support of the upper tray is maintained at least a
height of the standard milk container above an upper surface of the
support of the lower tray and wherein in a second orientation of
the upper tray to the lower tray rotated 180 degrees horizontally
to the first orientation, the hollow uprights of the lower tray
nest within the hollow uprights of the upper tray and such that the
lower surface of the support of the upper tray is immediately
adjacent the upper surface of the support of the lower tray and
further wherein for each tray the uprights combined can support a
minimum weight of 160 kgs.
[0008] Also there is provided a compact stackable tray system for
stacking milk containers of a plurality of different milk container
formats. For a given one of the plurality of standard milk
container formats, at least one compact stackable tray is provided
comprising a flat rectangular support, a plurality of dividers
separating an upper surface of the support into a plurality of
compartments, each of the compartments sized to receive at least
one standard milk container of the given standard milk container
format therein, a rim about a periphery of the rectangular support,
and a first pair of hollow uprights arranged along a first short
edge of the support and a second pair of hollow uprights arranged
on a second short edge of the support opposite the first edge, the
uprights extending above the support. In a first orientation, an
upper tray is supported by uprights of a lower tray such that a
lower surface of a support of the upper tray is maintained at least
a height of the given standard milk container of the lower tray
above an upper surface of the support of the lower tray and wherein
in a second orientation of the upper tray to the lower tray rotated
180 degrees horizontally to the first orientation, if the upper
tray and the lower tray are each adapted for stacking a like given
milk container format, the hollow uprights of the lower tray nest
within the hollow uprights of the upper tray and such that the
lower surface of the support of the upper tray is immediately
adjacent the upper surface of the support of the lower tray, and if
the upper tray and the lower tray are each adapted for stacking a
different given milk container format, the hollow uprights of the
lower tray are unable to nest within the hollow uprights of the
upper tray, and further wherein for each tray the uprights combined
can support a minimum weight of 160 kgs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 provides an isometric view of a pair of compact
stackable trays in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention,
[0010] FIG. 2A provides a sectional view of a pair of compact
stackable trays along lines IIA-IIA in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 2B provides a front plan view of a compact stackable
tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2C provides a detailed side view of an upright of a
lower tray nested in an upright of an upper tray and in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2D provides a top plan view of a compact stackable tray
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 provides a lowered right front view of a pair of
compact stackable trays in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A provides a raised left front view of a plurality of
compact stackable trays in a supported stack in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4B provides a raised left front view of a plurality of
compact stackable trays in a nested compact stack in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 4C and 4D provided raised right front views of compact
stackable trays in a nested compact stack in accordance with an
alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4E provides a raised right front view of a compact
stackable tray in accordance with an additional alternative
illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4F provides a raised right front view of a stack of
compact stackable trays each configured for stacking a different
standard milk container format in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a raised left front view of a compact stackable
tray in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a pair of compact stackable trays
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention will now be described. Each tray, generally referred to
using the reference numeral 10, is illustratively manufactured from
injection molded plastic and comprises a substantially flat molded
plastic tray support 12 divided into a plurality of bag receiving
compartments as in 14 by a series of dividers as in 16 aligned with
a long edge of the tray 10. Each of the compartments as in 14 may
be divided into a pair of subcompartments 18 by provision of an
additional divider 20 arranged across a respective compartment as
in 14. A first pair of uprights as in 22 is arranged along a first
short edge 24 of the tray 10 and a second pair uprights supports as
in 26 is arranged along a second short edge 28 of the tray 10. As
will be discussed in more detailed below an outer edge 30 of each
of the first pair of uprights as in 22 is positioned substantially
flush with a respective long edge 32, 34 of the tray 10 while the
second pair of uprights as in 26 are positioned away from their
respective long edges 32, 34. The dividers as in 16, 20 also
provide structural strength to the tray support 12. This allows
heavier goods (not shown) to be supported by the support 12 and/or
the support 12 to be manufactured from a thinner plastic without
the support 12 bending under the weight of those goods.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrative embodiment
each sub compartment as in 18 is sized to accept a conventional
milk bag (not shown). As known in the art, such bags each comprise
four (4) liters of milk or liquid beverage organized in three (3)
smaller bags of 1.33 liters each. Such bags have minimal structural
strength and will typically fall over if not supported. The
dividers as in 16 are of between 5 and 8 centimeters height to
provide some support to the bags and help to maintain them in
position and therefore keeping a side of the bag clearly visible,
while at the same time being low enough to allow the milk bags to
be individually extracted from the tray 10 without undue effort. A
rounded upper edge 36 is also provided to the dividers as in 16 to
prevent snagging or tearing of the bags during extraction. Each
tray 10 also comprises a raised outer rim 38 of about 8 to 12
centimeters, also comprising a rounded upper edge, which provides
additional support for bags when the tray 10 is full thereby
preventing bags retained within the tray from inadvertently being
ejected during transport, for example. In a particular embodiment
small drainage holes (no shown) may be provided in each sub
compartment as in 18 to allow for water or other liquids to escape,
thereby facilitating washing, for example.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 1, each upright as in 22, 26 extends
approximately 28 centimeters (11 inches) above the bottom of the
tray 10 in order, as will be discussed in more detail below, to
provide adequate clearance between stacked trays such that a
standard milk bag in between may be freely removed.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the uprights as in 22,
26 are hollow and illustratively of a rectangular frustum shape and
are of the same height (i.e. they extend the same distance above
the tray). The outer surfaces as in 40 and the inner surfaces as in
42 of the uprights as in 22, 26 are tapered such that, as will be
discussed in more detail below, trays as in 10 may be compactly
stacked together by inserting respectively the first uprights 22
and second uprights 26 of a lower tray inside the hollow first
uprights 22 and hollow second uprights 26 of an upper tray. In this
regard, small holes (not shown) may be provided in the apex 48 of
each upright as in 22, 26 to allow air to escape and enter the
hollow support during compact nested stacking. Additionally, and
with reference to FIG. 2C, the taper of the outer surface 40 and
the inner surface 42 of the uprights as in 22, 26 is selected such
that during compact stacking, the outer surface 40' of the uprights
as in 22, 26 of a lower tray remain a small distance "d" apart from
the inner surfaces 42' of the uprights as in 22, 26 of the upper
tray, or in other words the uprights as in 22, 26 do not bottom out
in a compact stacked configuration. This limits sticking, for
example when the trays as in 10 are wet or the like allowing for
easy unstacking of a compact stack of trays.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2D, each of the trays is rectangular in
shape and illustratively 24 inches.times.20 inches such that four
(4) trays as in 10 may be placed in a 2.times.2 configuration to
match the 40 inch by 48 inch foot print of a standard commercial
pallet (not shown) and such that when positioned in a rack or the
like one of the long edges 32, 34 of each tray, and therefore the
individual milk bags, is displayed towards the front of the pallet,
thereby allowing the product to be quickly recognized.
Additionally, the uprights as in 22, 26 are dimensioned such that
five (5) loaded and inverted trays may be stacked together. As each
tray carries a maximum of 10 bags, or 40 liters, of milk, the
uprights as in 22, 26 uprights together are able to support a
weight of at least about 160 kilograms.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 2A, as will now be
appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, trays may be
stacked as shown by reversing alternate trays and such that the
uprights 22, 26 of the lower tray 10' engage the underside 44 of
the upper tray as in 10. In this regard, the underside 44 of each
tray comprises pairs of locating points as in 46 which receive the
apex 48 of a respective upright as in 22, 26 therein. Each of the
first pair of uprights as in 22 butts against a respective outer
tab as in 50 molded in the underside 44 and towards a lower outer
edge 52 of the tray being supported, and thereby prevents the tray
being supported from sliding on the first pair of uprights as in
22. Similarly, each of the second pair of uprights as in 26 butts
snugly against a respective inner tab as in 54 molded in the
underside 44 of the tray which thereby prevents the tray being
supported from sliding on the second pair of uprights as in 26.
[0027] Referring back to FIG. 2A in addition to FIG. 3, the tabs
50, 54 may be tapered such that they better engage the tapered
outer surface 40 of their respective uprights as in 22, 26. In this
manner the trays are stabilized versus one another thereby limiting
shifting during transport or the like. Of note is that, as contact
with the underside 44 of the tray 10 is lost below the hollow
uprights as in 22, provision of the tabs 54 on the inside of the
respective supports as in 26 allows the uprights as in 26 to be
positioned somewhat farther apart while still maintaining contact
between the apex as in 48 with the underside 44, thereby improving
stability. In an alternative embodiment the second pair of uprights
as in 26 could be combined into one, with provision of a notch
towards the center of the apex of the unified support and a
corresponding notch engaging tab in the underside 44 of the tray 10
(all not shown). With brief reference to FIG. 1, additional gussets
as in 56 can be added to the uprights as in 22, 26 to improve
strength.
[0028] Still referring to FIG. 3, a series of indentations as in 58
are typically formed on the underside 44 of the tray 10 opposite
the dividers (references 16, 20 in FIG. 1) during manufacture as
the plastic cools and contracts. Alternatively, additional ribbing
may be added on the underside 44 to increased strength.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4A, in a first mode of operation trays
as in 10 loaded with milk bags as in 60 are stacked in a 2.times.2
configuration and five high on a standard commercial pallet 62 to
form a supported stack 64. As discussed above, in this manner a
long edge of each of the trays as in 10, and therefore those of the
milk bags as in 60 is visible from the outside and easily
recognizable. As the trays as in 10 are emptied, they are simply
removed from the top of the stack and placed to the side, typically
by the customer given their light weight. In this regard, the empty
trays are light enough (for example a maximum of about 3.5
kilograms or 7-8 pounds) such that they can be easily manipulated
without the use of gloves or special tools.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4B, in a second mode of operation,
empty trays as in 10 can be stacked as a nested stack 64 by
reversing the orientation of the trays, by aligning respectively
the first pairs of uprights as in 22 and the second pairs of
uprights as in 26 and inserting the uprights 22, 26 of a lower tray
into those of an upper tray an such that the lower surface of the
upper tray rests upon the upper surface of the lower tray. In this
manner, a large number of empty trays can be compactly stacked to
facilitate their return to the milk supplier or the like along with
the standard commercial pallet 62.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the tray, for
example for use in transporting and displaying other food stuffs
such as fresh produce or the like, the dividers as in 16 and 20 may
be modified, for example to accommodate cartons or the like, or
removed. In this regard, the selection of the thickness of the
plastic for use in manufacture of the support 12 will typically be
determined by a combination of the presence or absence of the
supporting dividers 16, 20 and the weight of the goods to be
supported by the tray.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4C, in a first such alternative
embodiment the trays as in 10 are adapted to receive a plurality of
standard milk jugs 66. Applicant notes that in conventional systems
for the transport of such jugs, subsequent layers of jugs are
supported in large part by the jugs underneath. One advantage of
such a configuration as disclosed in FIG. 4C, where the jugs as in
66 do not support the upper layer, is that the materials used to
manufacture the jugs can be considerably thinner (up to 30%),
thereby reducing the costs of the jugs as well as reducing, as the
jugs are typically discarded after a single use, the amount of
material which is discarded. Additionally, jugs from the lower
layers can be withdrawn without risk that the upper layer becomes
unstable, or the like.
[0033] Similarly, with reference to FIGS. 4D and 4E, in a second
and third such alternative embodiment the trays as in 10 are
adapted to receive respectively a plurality of one (1) liter milk
cartons as in 68 and a plurality of two (2) liter milk cartons as
in 70. Again, as the upper layers of cartons 68, 70 do not rest on
the lower layers, materials used to manufacture the cartons can be
thinner and less robust than a system where the cartons provide
some of the support for the upper layers, allowing for relatively
inexpensive materials to be used.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 4F, an additional advantage of the
above is that different products with different formats (bags, jugs
and cartons) can be easily mixed on a pallet 62, for example by
providing several trays as in 10 of each type of format on each
pallet 62. Although in a first embodiment it is foreseen that
adapted for use with a different container format are able to nest
with one another such that they can be easily stacked, in order to
aid in sorting the trays following use and to ensure their return
to locations where their respective format is used, in a second
embodiment it is foreseen that the uprights of trays adapted for
use with different container formats vary such that the tray
adapted for use with a first container format is unable to nest
with trays adapted for use with a different container format. This
can be done, for example by positioning the uprights such that they
are slightly closer or farther apart, or by providing a keying
system (for example different shaped uprights or the like) such
that the uprights of one tray are unable to nest within those of
another tray unless they are of the same type. Color coding or the
like could also be provided to aid nested stacking of like
trays.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, in a fourth alternative embodiment
of the tray 10 an additional pair of tapered hollow central
supports as in 72 is provided and the tray sized to accommodate
twenty (20) standard milk bags and for a 2.times.1 arrangement on a
standard commercial pallet. Alternatively, and with appropriate
modification, the tray can be adapted to accommodate either jugs or
cartons. A first of the pair of central supports as in 72 is
positioned flush against the edge of the tray 10 while a second of
the of the pair of central supports as in 72 is offset from the
tray such that when in a stacked configuration in a first
orientation the pair of central supports 72 of the lower tray are
engaged by the underside 44 of the upper tray (as are those of the
first pair of uprights 22 and the second pair of uprights 26). In a
second nested orientation, wherein the upper tray is rotated 180
degrees horizontally to the lower tray, the pair of central
uprights 72 of the lower tray are inserted into the pair of hollow
central uprights 72 of the upper tray (again, as are those of the
first pair of uprights 22 and the second pair of uprights 26). In
this orientation the upper surface of the lower tray is directly
adjacent the underside 44 of the upper tray.
[0036] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be
modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the
subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
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