GB961858A - Reversible nesting and stacking tray or like container - Google Patents

Abstract

961,858. Stacking and nesting trays. W. H. LOCKWOOD. June 5, 1961 [June 13, 1960], No. 20143/61. Headings B8D and B8P. Open-top nestable trays with peripheral flanges have interengaging projections, e.g. 18 and recesses, e.g. 19 on the flanges so that when one tray is inverted and placed upon another a closed receptacle is formed, the bases of the trays having similar projections and recesses so that the receptacles so formed can be stacked. In one form, a square tray 12 has a peripheral flange 17, Fig. 1, with staggered projections 18 so arranged that when an identical tray is inverted and placed on the tray to form a closed receptacle 10, Fig. 5, the projections 18 on one tray engage in the spaces 19 on the other. The bottom surface of each tray has similar exterior projections 21 so that the closed receptacles so formed can be stacked one upon the other. The empty trays can be nested in the ordinary way since the sides slope outwardly. Fig. 9 shows a modification in which the projections are replaced by hook-like members 36, 40 and the engagement is effected by a relative horizontal twisting movement of the trays. When the hook members 36 are fully engaged, a rib 43c engages a depression 43d to retain the inverted tray in place. Triangularsection display trays 51, Fig. 20, can be formed into closed receptacles by snapping resilient hooks 64 over hook-receiving portions 65 and engaging portions 63b, 63c on the sides. Hooklike members 60 on the tray bottoms are slid together to stack the closed receptacles. The trays may be moulded of plastics or made of metal, wire mesh or plywood.