U.S. patent application number 16/260558 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for milk crate.
The applicant listed for this patent is ORBIS Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert G. Nussbaum.
Application Number | 20190152690 16/260558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56565203 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190152690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nussbaum; Robert G. |
May 23, 2019 |
MILK CRATE
Abstract
Four embodiments of a tray are disclosed for transporting and
storing milk containers and for nesting the trays for their return
trip to their origin.
Inventors: |
Nussbaum; Robert G.;
(Oconomowoc, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ORBIS Corporation |
Oconomowoc |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56565203 |
Appl. No.: |
16/260558 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15019642 |
Feb 9, 2016 |
10233014 |
|
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16260558 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0234 20130101;
B65D 71/70 20130101; B65D 85/80 20130101; B65D 1/36 20130101; B65D
21/0224 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/80 20060101
B65D085/80; B65D 71/70 20060101 B65D071/70; B65D 1/36 20060101
B65D001/36; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A tray for use with a similar tray to form a tray stack for
supporting individual containers, the tray having a first end and a
second end opposed to the first end, an array of a plurality of
alternating pairs of upper flat surfaces and downwardly extending
pockets to define a checkerboard pattern, an outer continuous
perimeter rim extends about the array, an axis of rotation extends
perpendicular to the upper flat surfaces, the plurality of upper
flat surfaces nest within the plurality of pockets of a similar
tray when in a first orientation to form a nested stack of trays,
and the plurality of flat surfaces contact a plurality of flat
surfaces of a similar tray in a second orientation to form chambers
for seating the containers therebetween, the second orientation
being rotated 180.degree. about the axis of rotation with respect
to the first orientation.
2. The tray of claim 1 wherein the containers do not support the
stack.
3. The tray of claim 2 wherein the pockets have tapered interior
side walls and a flat bottom surface.
4. The tray of claim 3 wherein the chambers have a height greater
than a height of the containers.
5. The tray of claim 4 wherein the tray is fabricated from a
polymeric material.
6. The tray of claim 5 wherein the polymeric material is selected
from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, and
polyesters.
7. The tray of claim 6 wherein the polyolefin includes homopolymers
and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, hexene, octene and
combinations of the same.
8. The tray of claim 7 wherein the polyolefins include high density
polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
9. The tray of claim 8 wherein the polymeric material is
foamed.
10. A tray for use with a similar tray to form a tray stack for
supporting individual containers, the tray having a first end and a
second end opposed to the first end, an array of a plurality of
alternating pairs of upper flat surfaces and downwardly extending
pockets to define a checkerboard pattern, the pockets having a
tapered inner wall and a flat bottom surface, an outer continuous
perimeter rim extends about the array, an axis of rotation extends
perpendicular to the upper flat surfaces, the plurality of upper
flat surfaces nest within the plurality of pockets of a similar
tray when in a first orientation to form a nested stack of trays,
and the plurality of flat surfaces contact a plurality of flat
surfaces of a similar tray in a second orientation to form chambers
for seating the containers therebetween, the second orientation
being rotated 180.degree. about the axis of rotation with respect
to the first orientation.
11. The tray of claim 10 wherein the containers do not support the
stack.
12. The tray of claim 10 wherein the chambers have a height greater
than a height of the containers.
13. The tray of claim 10 wherein the tray is fabricated from a
polymeric material.
14. The tray of claim 13 wherein the polymeric material is selected
from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, and
polyesters.
15. The tray of claim 14 wherein the polyolefin includes
homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, hexene,
octene and combinations of the same.
16. The tray of claim 15 wherein the polyolefins include high
density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
17. The tray of claim 15 wherein the polymeric material is a high
density polyethylene.
18. The tray of claim 15 wherein the polymeric material is a
polypropylene.
19. The tray of claim 14 wherein the polymeric material is a
polyester.
20. The tray of claim 14 wherein the polymeric material is foamed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/019,642 filed Feb. 9, 2016, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/114,176 filed
Feb. 10, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to crates and trays for
supporting product during transit, storage, and display and, in
particular, trays for supporting bagged milk or plastic/paper
containers of milk.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Milk is normally delivered to the point of purchase either
in plastic containers (bottles) or in plastic bags. Plastic bottles
have recently been delivered to wholesale outlets in pallet
quantities by using unique bottles and corrugated layer pads. The
bottles and pads have been designed to support the weight of the
bottles in a stack for delivery. Up to this point, bagged milk has
only been able to be shipped in large quantities using metal
dollies or shelves that can support the entire product weight.
These shelving units are generally bulky and do not collapse well.
In addition, the bagged milk tends to display poorly with the
individual bags leaning off the shelves and looking disheveled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention creates a nestable tray or crate
system that supports the weight of the bottled or bagged milk.
[0006] The trays condense for return shipping by nesting into one
another. The trays also provide complete support for the
containers' weight as well as provide for better display customer
presentation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings and attachments in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tray of the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a side view of the tray of FIG. 1 in
operation;
[0010] FIG. 2B is a side elevation of a single tray of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the tray of FIG. 1 nesting;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the tray of the second
embodiment stacked and in use;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 4A
nesting;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tray of FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the tray of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view showing three separate stacks of the trays
of FIG. 4 with product;
[0017] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the tray of the third
embodiment stacked and in use;
[0018] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 8A
nesting;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the tray of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the tray of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a view showing three separate stacks of the trays
of FIG. 8 with product;
[0022] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the tray of the fourth
embodiment stacked and in use;
[0023] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 12A
nesting;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the tray of FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the tray of FIG. 12;
and,
[0026] FIG. 15 is a view showing three separate stacks of the trays
of FIG. 12 with product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
First Embodiment
[0028] A first embodiment of the tray 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-3.
Each tray 10 includes a top surface 11 and bottom surface 12,
opposed sides 22, and opposed ends 23. Looking at the top surface
11 of the tray 10, it 10 has a plurality of parallel flat surfaces
14 and a plurality of troughs or channels 15. Each trough 15
includes inwardly tapered or inclined walls 18,19 and a
substantially flat seating floor 20. The flat surfaces 16,17
forming the sides 22 of the tray 10 are the same width.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2B, the underside or bottom surface 12 of
the tray 10 has the reverse contours of the upper surface 11 of the
tray 10. The surfaces 11,12 are complementary of each other.
Whereas a trough 15 is in the top surface 11, a flat surface 14 is
on the bottom surface 12 and visa versa.
[0030] This configuration permits the milk bags M to be placed and
lined-up next to one another in the troughs 15. FIG. 1. When trays
are placed confronting one another (flat surfaces 14 of the bottom
surface 12 of the upper tray touching the flat surface 14 of the
top surface 11 of the lower tray and the trough 15 of the bottom
surface of the upper tray facing and aligned with the trough 15 of
top surface 11 of the lower tray), or facing one another, they form
enclosed honeycomb spaces or vertical pockets 50 for both seating
and protecting the milk M placed therein. FIG. 2. The troughs 14 on
the underside 12 of the tray 10, form the upper portion the pockets
50 formed therein below for the milk bags M. And, when the trays 10
are stacked in the same direction, they nest within one another and
are seated one on top of the other. FIG. 3.
[0031] Trays may also be injection molded, made of structural foam,
or made by single sheet thermoformed. The tray 10 is approximately
98'' (end 23) by 40'' (side 22). The troughs 15 have a total width
of 6''.
[0032] The stacked, confronting trays are sized so they can be
transported and stored on pallets P as shown in FIG. 3.
[0033] In another variation of this embodiment, The flat surfaces
16,17 forming the sides 22 of the tray 10 are of different widths
such that rather than confronting the trays for storing milk, one
of the trays is rotated 180 degrees and stacked upon another tray.
This arrangement is discussed more fully below with respect to the
other embodiments.
Second Embodiment
[0034] The second embodiment of the tray 110 is shown in FIGS. 4-7.
FIG. 4A shows the trays holding product M and FIG. 4B shows the
trays empty and nested for storage or transport to their place of
origin.
[0035] Each tray 110 includes a top or upper surface 111 and bottom
surface 112, opposed sides 122, and opposed ends 123. The tray 110
has a checkerboard appearance, with a plurality of upper parallel
flat surfaces 114 and a plurality of pockets 115. Each pocket 115
includes inwardly tapered or inclined walls 118 and a substantially
flat seating floor 120. The underside or bottom surface 112 of the
tray 110 has the reverse contours of the upper surface 111 of the
tray 110. Again, the bottom surface 112 of the tray 110 is
substantially complementary to the top surface 111.
[0036] This configuration permits the milk bags M to be placed in
the individual pockets 115. FIGS. 5 and 6. When trays are
positioned such that one tray confronts the adjacent tray so that
flat surfaces 114 of the confronting trays 110 touch one another
and the pockets 115 of the confronting trays face and align with
one another, they form enclosed spaces or pockets 150 for both
seating and protecting the milk M. FIG. 4A. When they are stacked
in the same direction, they nest within one another. FIG. 4B.
[0037] In the alternative, this configuration permits the milk bags
M to be placed in the individual pockets 115. FIGS. 5 and 6. When
trays are positioned such that one tray is 180 degrees relative to
the adjacent tray so that flat surfaces 114 of the bottom surface
112 of the upper tray touching the flat surface 114 of the top
surface 111 of the lower tray and the pockets 115 of the bottom
surface of the upper tray facing and aligned with the pockets 115
of the upper surface of the lower tray, or are facing one another,
they form enclosed spaces or pockets 150 for both seating and
protecting the milk M. FIG. 4A. The pockets 114 formed on the
underside 112 of the tray 110, support the next row of milk bags M.
And, when they are stacked in the same direction, they nest within
one another. FIG. 4B.
[0038] The tray 110 further includes an outer continuous perimeter
rim 133 around the entire tray which forms outer end lips 130 and
outer side lips 131 to facilitate gripping and handling of the
trays and add strength to the tray and lips.
[0039] Again, like the first embodiment, the trays 110 of the
second embodiment are made of a rigid plastic, such as virgin or
recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and
PE (polyethylene). Trays may also be injection molded, made of
structural foam, or made by single sheet thermoformed. The tray 110
is approximately 20'' (end 123) by 48'' (side 122). The pockets 115
have a width of 9.2'' and a depth of 4.6''. The tray has a
thickness of 6'' with the lip 130 being approximately 3.1'' from
the top surface 111. This permits the storage and transportation of
10 milk bags M per layer.
[0040] The stacked, confronting trays are sized so they can be
transported and stored on pallets P as shown in FIG. 7.
Third Embodiment
[0041] The third embodiment of the tray 210 is shown in FIGS. 8-11.
FIG. 8A shows the trays 210 with product therein and in use and
FIG. 8B shows the trays 210 empty and nested for storage or
transport to their place of origin. As seen, the trays are all
facing the same direction when nesting (FIG. 8B) and every other
tray is rotated 180 degrees from the adjacent tray when storing
product (FIG. 8A).
[0042] Each tray 210 includes a top surface 211 and bottom surface
212, opposed sides 222, and opposed ends 223. The tray 210 has a
plurality of dividers 214 and a plurality of pockets 215 with a
substantially flat seating floor 220.
[0043] The ends 223 of the tray 210 include a plurality of towers,
or trapezoidal structures thereon having upwardly projecting towers
230 and downwardly projecting walls 231. The towers 230 have
angular edges or surfaces 224 and a flat top 225 edge while the
projecting walls 231 have angular edges 226 and a flat edge 240. In
addition, a channel 244 for seating the tower 230 is formed in the
tray by the edges 226 that terminates in a flat seat 227. The
trapezoidal structures are offset so that the edges and flat
portions mate or communicate with one another differently when
stacked and nested. This is shown in FIG. 8A.
[0044] The towers 230 seat or are interconnected to the channels
244. Interconnecting knobs 258 are formed in the upper surfaces or
flat top 225 of the towers 230 for fitting within corresponding
indents 259 or openings in the flat top 244. This prevents sliding
between the trays once aligned and seated.
[0045] The tray 210 is not symmetrical. As a result, the trays seat
with each other or cooperate with one another differently when
adjacent trays face the same way or face different ways (turned 180
degrees). This configuration permits the milk bags M to be placed
and stored in the pockets 215 while the towers protect them and
support the tray above them when every other tray is rotated 180
degrees (FIG. 8A).
[0046] Again, as with the prior embodiment, the trays 210 of the
third embodiment are made of a rigid plastic, such as virgin or
recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and
PE (polyethylene). Trays may also be injection molded, made of
structural foam, or made by single sheet thermoformed.
[0047] The tray's dimensions are shown in the Figures. The tray is
24'' by 40'' with the pockets being 9.88'' by 9.14''. The tray has
a height of approximately 6.1'' with the towers having a height of
roughly 12.2''.
[0048] The stacked, confronting trays are sized so they can be
transported and stored on pallets P as shown in FIG. 11.
Fourth Embodiment
[0049] The fourth embodiment of the tray 310 is shown in FIGS.
12-15. FIG. 12A shows the trays holding product M and FIG. 12B
shows the trays empty and nested for storage or transport back to
their place of origin.
[0050] Each tray 310 includes a top surface 311 and bottom surface
312, opposed sides 322, and opposed ends 323. The tray 310 has a
plurality of parallel flat surfaces 314a and dividers 314b and a
plurality of pockets 315 with a substantially flat seating floor
320. The underside or bottom 312 of the tray 310 can substantially
have the reverse contours of the upper side 311, with or without
dividers 314b, of the tray 310.
[0051] This configuration permits the milk bags M to be placed in
the pockets 315. When every other tray is stacked and rotated 180
degrees (flat surfaces 314a of the lower surface 312 of the upper
tray touching the flat surface 314a of the upper surface 311 lower
tray (rotated 180 degrees) and the pockets 315 of the upper tray
facing and aligned with the pockets 315 of the lower tray), they
form enclosed spaces or pockets for both seating and protecting the
milk M. The pockets or chambers 350 formed therebetween. And, when
the trays are stacked in the same direction, they nest within one
another. FIG. 12B.
[0052] The tray 310 further includes an outer continuous perimeter
rim 333 around the entire tray which forms outer end lips 330 and
outer side lips 331 to facilitate gripping and handling of the
trays and add strength to the tray and the lips.
[0053] The trays are made of a rigid plastic, as the prior
embodiments and may also be injection molded, made of structural
foam, or made by single sheet thermoformed. The tray's dimensions
are shown in the Figures.
[0054] The tray's dimensions are shown in the Figures. The tray is
20'' by 48'' with the pockets being 4.4'' by 9.1''. The tray has a
height of the tray is 6.5''.
[0055] The stacked, confronting trays are sized so they can be
transported and stored on pallets P as shown in FIG. 15.
[0056] The terms "first," "second," "upper," "lower," "top,"
"bottom," "above," below," etc. are used for illustrative purposes
to associate relative positioning of elements to other elements
only and are not intended to limit the embodiments in any way. The
term "plurality" as used herein is intended to indicate any number
greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively as
necessary, up to an infinite number. The terms "joined,"
"attached," and "connected" as used herein are intended to put or
bring two elements together so as to form a unit, and any number of
elements, devices, fasteners, etc. may be provided between the
joined or connected elements unless otherwise specified by the use
of the term "directly" and/or supported by the drawings.
[0057] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying Claims.
* * * * *