MXPA05010698A

MXPA05010698A - Three-way tray.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05010698A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Richard C Kruyer
Original assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics
Priority date: 2004-10-04
Filing date: 2005-10-03
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Also published as: CA2519992A1; EP1642838A1

Abstract

A tray for providing at least three levels of stacking between vertically adjacent trays includes a tray having four walls, a bottom, and an adjustment member. The adjustment member can be a pin. The tray includes multiple grooves, multiple extensions, multiple recesses, and multiple projections for engagement with another vertically adjacent stacked tray. The adjustment member in combination with the multiple grooves, multiple extensions, multiple recesses, and multiple projections define a first stacking level, a second stacking level, and a third stacking level, which is intermediate to the first stacking level and the second stacking level. An additional stacking level is defined when vertically adjacent stacked trays are rotated 90 DEG with respect to each other.

Description

THREE-WAY CHAROLA DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to bakery trays or baskets, which can be stacked or nested vertically. Stackable and nestable containers similar to trays are available in various sizes and designs. In general, such tray-like containers are mostly used widely in the bakery industry to transport bulk quantities of baked goods such as box bread and buns. Generally, stackable and nestable containers are known in the art. Typically, the trays can be stacked one on top of the other and nested within one another. The prior art describes a number of ways in which this can be achieved, including stacking with and without means of aligning and nesting trays when they are aligned relative to each other and when rotated 180 ° relative to each other . Such trays are desirable for their ability to stack when they are loaded to their maximum packing and their capacity to nest when empty for a minimum use of storage space. A three-position tray allows the trays to be placed between a stacking and nesting position for loading items with a lighter weight. The trays allow the use of a single tray design for different product sizes, while efficiently using the available space. US Patent No. 6,394,274 is incorporated for reference. The present invention is a three-use tray or container that provides at least three levels of stacking between vertically adjacent stacked trays. The tray includes a first wall, a second wall located opposite the first wall, a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, a bottom connectable between four walls, and means for adjustably stacking the containers vertically adjacent. The adjustable stackable means may include a plurality of complementary extensions and slots, a plurality of complementary protuberances and recesses, and at least one adjustment member. The adjustable stackable means may comprise a first stacking level defined when the vertically adjacent stacked trays are in an identical orientation with respect to each other and a plurality of protrusions of a tray which are received by a plurality of slots of another tray, second level of stacking defined when a tray is rotated one hundred eighty degrees (180 °) one with respect to the other with respect to another tray stacked vertically adjacent, at least one adjustment member of a tray is in an uncoupled position, and a plurality of extensions of another tray is completely received by a plurality of recesses of a tray, and a third level of intermediate stacking with respect to the first level of stacking and the second level of stacking and defined when a tray is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees (180 °). ) with respect to another tray stacked vertically adjacent, at least one member or adjustment of a tray is in a coupled position, and the extensions of another tray are partially received by the recesses of a tray to a depth limited by at least one adjustment member. At least one adjustment member may be a pin that can be received by a channel of at least one first side wall and the second side wall. The pin may include the stopping means to define a plurality of detent positions relative to the channel. Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description herein refers to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference numbers refer to similar parts throughout all the different views and where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one side of the tray; Figure 3 is a perspective view of multiple trays stacked vertically adjacent; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of multiple stacked trays; Figure 5 is a front elevation view of multiple stacked trays; Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a tray adjusting member; and Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the adjustment member. With reference to the drawings, a container or tray 10 is shown in Figures 1-7. The tray 10 has four vertical walls including a first wall 12, a first side wall 14, a second wall 16, and a second side wall 18, and has a lower flat surface or bottom 20 connected between the four walls 12-18.

The first side wall 14 and the second side wall 18 are a mirror image of each other and, therefore, only one side will be discussed. As best seen in Figures 3-5, the multiple trays 10A-10D can be stacked in such a way that an operator can select between multiple levels of stacking between each pair of vertically adjacent trays 10A-10D. The stacking levels are each associated with a relative distance between the bottoms 20 of each pair of adjacent trays 10. When the upper tray 10A is oriented in a stacked position such that the first wall 12 of the tray 10B is facing in the same direction as the first wall 12 of the tray 10A, then the distance between the bottoms 20 will be at a level . When the tray 10D is oriented in an inverted manner with respect to the tray 10C such that the second wall 16 of the tray 10D faces in the same direction as the first wall 12 of the tray 10C and the pin 22C is in a position retracted, when the distance between the bottoms 20 of the trays 10A-B will be at a different level. Additionally, if the tray 10C has a reverse orientation with respect to the bottom tray 10B and the pin 22B is in a coupled position, the distance between the bottoms 20 will be at a medium or intermediate level when comparing the two distances described above. Thus, the invention provides at least three levels of stacking. Referring again to Figures 1-5, the bottom 20 may include a plurality of openings 24 to allow ventilation between the trays 10. By way of example and without limitation, the openings 24 may be arranged in at least one grid pattern, a honeycomb pattern and a parallel grooved pattern. In a preferred configuration, the first wall 12 and the second wall 16 have lower heights relative to the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 18. The first wall 12 may include an angle step portion 26 proximate each corner 28 with a bottom flange 30 therebetween. The second wall 16 may include an angular step portion 31 proximate each of the corners 28. On an upper surface 32 of each of the angular portions 26, 31 of the first wall 12 and the second wall 16, respectively, and adjacent to the side walls 14, 18 is a first groove 34 and a first rail edge portion 36, which begins on a non-continuous internal rail 38 for guidance along the side walls 14, 18 when a tray 10 vertically adjacent to another tray 10. Adjacent to the first rail edges 36 and inwards from the side walls 14, 18, is a second notch 40. Each second notch 40 is dimensioned to house one of the walls 14, 18 lateral, when a tray 10 is stacked vertically adjacent and placed in rotated form f 90 °) ninety degrees relative to another tray 10 for the storage of trays 10 discharged. As discussed previously, the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 18 are mirror images of each other. A continuous upper wall portion extends the entire length of the side walls 14, 18 which is referred to herein as the external rail 42. A slot 44 extends between the inner rail 38 and the outer rail 42. The first wall 14 includes multiple extensions or legs 46. The legs 46 may have a non-uniform spacing with respect to the length of the first side wall 14. The leg next to the first wall 12 is referred to as 4 6A, and the leg next to the second wall 16 is referred to as 4 6B. Each leg 46A, 46B is generally rectangular in shape and may include at least one angled corner or chamfer 47A, 47B. At the bottom of each leg 46A, 46B, there is a protrusion 48A, 48B respectively, wherein the protuberances 8 A, 48 B have a complementary shape and a complementary spacing with respect to the groove 44. The walls 1418 laterals each include multiple recesses 50A, 50B. The recesses 50A, 50B may have a complementary shape for the legs 4 6A, 46B, respectively. The number of recesses 50A, 50B and the spacing of the recesses 50A, 50B along the first side wall 14 are complementary to the number and spacing of the legs 46A, 46B, respectively. The first side wall 14 may include at least one window or opening 52 to allow at least one tray grip 10 for an operator and to view the articles or merchandise contained in the tray 10. The opening 52 may be generally rectangular in shape and may include rounded corners 54 The first side wall 14 may include a channel 56 for receiving the pin 22, as can be seen in Figures 1-5. The channel 56 may intersect the recesses 50A, 50B and may be positioned between the opening 52 and the rail 42. The channel 56 may include the retaining means 58 for retaining the pin 22 in the channel 56. By way of example and without limitation, the retaining means 58 may include at least one opening 60 for receiving at least one pin retaining member 62. The opening 60 may be a longitudinally extending slot. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pin 22 may include multiple steps 64. The pin 22 may include a first end 66 and a second end 68. At least one retaining member 62 may be generally cylindrical in shape. A first step 70 is located near the first end 66 and is equal in height to the second step 72, which is located near the second end 68. A corner 74 can be chamfered and is located between the first step 70 and a top portion 76 . A notch 78 is located between the upper portion 76 and the second step 72 and is lower in height than the second step 72. The length of the pin 22 is shorter than the length of the channel 56 allowing movement of the pin 22 within the channel 56. The first end 66 of the pin 22 is inserted into the channel 56 first. The distance from the second end 68 and the pin 22 to the notch 78 is equal to the distance between the first end 66 towards the corner 74. The shape of the corner 74 may be complementary to the angled corners 47A, 47B of the legs 46A , 46B, respectively. The pin 22 may include the stopping means for defining a plurality of detent positions 80A, 80B of the pin 22 relative to the channel 56. The stopping means may be a stopping member 82 for coupling one of a plurality of openings 84A, 8 B of stopping channel 56 where each stopping opening corresponds to a detent position 80A, 80B. Referring again to Figures 3-5, a first level of stacking is shown, which is defined when the tray 10B is in the same orientation as that of the tray 10A. When the first level of stacking is selected, the protuberances 48 of the legs 46 are received by the slot 44 of the tray 10A. This results in a maximum distance between the bottoms 20 of the trays 10A, 10B relative to other stacking levels described herein. A second level of stacking is shown where the tray 10D is in an inverted or 180 ° orientation with respect to the tray 10C where the second wall 16 of the tray 10D faces in the same direction as the first wall 12 of the tray 10C, and the pin 22C of the tray 10C is in a first position where the stop member 82 engages the stop opening 84B. When they are at this level of stacking, the legs 46 of the tray 10D are received in their entirety by the recesses 50 of the tray 10C. This results in a minimum distance between the bottoms 20 of the trays 10C, 10D relative to other stacking levels discussed herein. A third level of stacking is defined, as discussed above, when the tray 10C is in an inverted orientation or 180 ° relative to the tray 10B, and the pin 22B of the tray 10B is in a second position wherein the stop member 82 is engaged with the stop opening 84A. When the pin 22B is in the second position, it moves relative to the channel such that the steps 70, 72 of the pin 22B of the tray 10B are in a location corresponding to the recesses 50 of the tray 10B. This limits the depth of the recesses 50 so that when the tray 10C is vertically stacked on the tray 10B the legs 46 of the upper tray 10C rest on the steps 72, 70 of the pin 22B and are only partially received by the recesses 50 of the tray 10B. This results in a medium or intermediate distance between the bottoms 20 of the trays 10B, 10C relative to the first stacking level and the second stacking level described above. Although the invention has been described together with what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferable modality, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described modalities but on the contrary, it is intended to cover several modifications and equivalent provisions included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which shall be in accordance with the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted by law.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A tray for vertically stacking a plurality of identical trays and providing at least three levels of stacking between two stacked vertically adjacent trays characterized in that it comprises: a first wall; a second wall located opposite the first front wall; a first side wall; a second side wall located opposite the first side wall; a connectable background between the four walls; and the means for adjustably stacking vertically adjacent containers. 2. The tray in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises at least one opening associated with each of the first side wall and the second side wall to allow at least one grip of the tray for an operator and to view the articles contained in the tray. 3. The tray in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the opening has at least one rectangular shape and a plurality of rounded corners.- 4. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is formed of a plastic material. The tray according to claim 4, characterized in that the plastic material also comprises an injection molded plastic. The tray according to claim 4, characterized in that the plastic material further comprises at least one virgin plastic material, a reprocessed plastic material and a mixture thereof. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom is formed integrally with the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second side wall is a mirror image of the first side wall. 9. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom further comprises a plurality of openings. The tray according to claim 9, characterized in that the plurality of openings are arranged in at least one grid pattern, a honeycomb pattern and a parallel grooved pattern. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable stacking means further comprises: a plurality of grooves located close to an upper edge of the first side wall and the second side wall and having an external continuous rim and a internal discontinuous bead spaced from and oriented parallel to the outer bead to form each groove; a plurality of recesses located near the upper edge of the first side wall and the second side wall; a plurality of extensions located near a bottom edge of the first side wall and the second side wall having a corresponding shape, a corresponding location and a number corresponding to the plurality of recesses and each extension includes a protuberance having a complementary shape for the groove and located close to the bottom edge at least one adjustment member associated with at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall and having a plurality of steps located along the upper edge of the adjustment member and which corresponds to a plurality of stacking levels and; at least one channel formed in at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall to receive at least one adjustment member and located close to the plurality of recesses. The tray according to claim 11, characterized in that the plurality of recesses further comprises a plurality of recesses spaced non-uniformly along the upper edge of each wall. lateral The tray according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one adjustment member further comprises a sliding pin .. 1. The tray according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one adjustment member further comprises the stopping means for defining a plurality of detent positions for the adjustment member. 15. The tray according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one adjustment member further comprises means for retaining the adjustment member relative to at least one channel. The tray according to claim 15, characterized in that the retaining means further comprises at least one retaining member of at least one adjustment member that can be received by at least one opening of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall next to at least one channel. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable stacking means further comprises: a first stacking level defined when the vertically adjacent stacked trays are in an identical orientation with respect to each other and a plurality of protrusions of a tray are received by a plurality of complementary slots of another tray; a second level of stacking defined when one tray is rotated one hundred eighty degrees (180Q) with respect to another adjacent vertically stacked tray, at least one tray adjusting member is in a first position, and a plurality of protrusions of the other tray it is completely received by a plurality of recesses of the first tray; and a third intermediate stacking level with respect to the first stacking level and the second stacking level and defined when a tray is rotated one hundred eighty degrees (180 °) relative to another adjacent vertically stacked tray, at least one adjustment member a tray is in a second position, and the extensions of another tray are partially received by the complementary recesses of a tray to a depth limited by at least one adjustment member. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable stacking means further comprises a stacking level defined when a container is rotated ninety degrees (90 °) with respect to another vertically adjacent stacked container, and the first side wall and the second side wall of the first container are received by at least one complementary notch of the first wall and the second wall of the tray. 19. A container for stacking a plurality of identical containers and providing at least three levels of stacking between two vertically adjacent stacked containers characterized in that it comprises: a first wall; a second wall located opposite the front wall; a first side wall; a second side wall located opposite the first side wall; a connectable background between the four walls; and the means for adjustably stacking vertically adjacent containers comprising a first stacking level defined when the vertically adjacent stacked containers are in an identical orientation with respect to each other and a plurality of protrusions of a container are received by a plurality of slots of another container, a second level of stacking defined when a container is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees (180 °) relative to another vertically adjacent stacked container, at least one adjustment member of the first container is in a first position, and a plurality of extensions of the other container is completely received by a plurality of recesses of a container, and a third level of intermediate stacking with respect to the first level of stacking and the second level of stacking and defined when a container is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees (180 °) with Regarding another container stacked vertically adjacent member, at least one adjustment member of a container is in a second position, and the extensions of another container are partially received by the recesses of a container to a depth limited by at least one adjustment member. The container according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises at least one opening associated with each of the first side wall and the second side wall to allow at least one grip of the container for an operator and to see the articles contained therein. the container.