US3342346A - Stacking and nesting tray - Google Patents
Stacking and nesting tray Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3342346A US3342346A US485900A US48590065A US3342346A US 3342346 A US3342346 A US 3342346A US 485900 A US485900 A US 485900A US 48590065 A US48590065 A US 48590065A US 3342346 A US3342346 A US 3342346A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- bracket
- ports
- walls
- engage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/04—Open-ended containers shaped to be nested when empty and to be superposed when full
- B65D21/048—Identical stackable containers specially adapted for retaining the same orientation when nested, e.g. the upper container being fixed or slightly rotatable during the nesting operation
Definitions
- FIG 6 COUNCIL A. TUCKER BY WWW/2M.
- This invention relates to stacking and nesting containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a stackable, nestable container of substantially uniform thickness throughout which is fabricated largely of plastic material from a single piece of sheet material.
- the present invention is directed to an opentop plastic rectangular stackable and nestable container having metal brackets atfixed to the inner surface of upwardly diverging side walls adjacent to upwardly diverging end walls, the front end wall being substantially shorter than the other walls to permit easy access to the container, and the metal brackets having an inwardly directing slotted tab at the top end and a base member containing a hook at the bottom end.
- Identical containers are stacked by engaging the hooks of the upper container into the slotted tabs of the lower container.
- An alternative design of the metal brackets permits stacking of identical containers by engaging the hooks of an underneath container into slotted tabs of the superimposed container brackets.
- the present container obviates these serious shortcomings exhibited by prior trays and is particularly suitable for consumer display of the goods in the retail store as well as transporting the goods from manufacturer to the store.
- the present container is attractively so constructed that the contents are within easy view and access.
- the container is also capable of facile nesting and stacking with identical containers.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide trays or containers which are esthetically attractive as well as functional. Another object of the present invention is to provide structurally sound containers which are capable of nesting and stacking with identical containers. A further object of the present invention is to provide stackable, nestable trays which allow the contents to be easily viewed and easy access thereto is provided.
- FIGURE 1 is a side view of the container
- FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional end view of several containers in stacked and nested positions
- FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of two containers in stacked position
- FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the metal bracket
- FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative design of the metal bracket.
- FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of two containers in stacked position illustrating the metal bracket of FIGURE 5.
- FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings the nestable and stackable container A of FIGURE 1, containers A and B of FIGURE 3 and containers A, B and C of FIGURE 2 are all identical. Since all containers or trays are identical, like parts are identified throughout by like reference numerals, therefore, in the following description reference will be made to one of the containers A, B and C only when a cooperative relationship of two or more containers are involved in the description.
- an integrally-formed open-top rectangular container A formed from a single sheet of plastic comprises a bottom or bottom wall 20 integrally connected to upwardly diverging side walls 21 and 22, and upwardly diverging rear end wall 23 and upwardly diverging front end wall 24.
- front wall 24 is substantialy shorter than the side and rear walls.
- rear wall 23 substantially shorter than the side walls and similar to short front end wall 24.
- the side and end walls terminate at their upper extremity in a bead 40 which is continuous and extends around the entire upper edge of the side and end walls of the container providing reinforcement and handle means.
- bottom wall 20 is substantially solid and flat (planar); however, in some instances it may be desirable to form grooves or reinforcing ribs 29 by downwardly (or upwardly) depressing bottom wall 20 as shown in FIGURE 1. Such reinforcing ribs may be transverse of the container as shown in FIGURE 1 or they may be longitudinally formed or formed in both directions.
- Metal bracket 50 is permanently affixed to the inner surface of side walls 21 and 22 and bottom wall 20 by suitable means such as rivets 55. It
- metal bracket 50 is affixed over each.
- first metal bracket 50 Before further describing the afiixation of metal brackets 50 to the tray or container, and the stacking and nesting positions of identical trays or containers, it is desirable to describe first metal bracket 50 in more detail. Accord- Patented Sept. 19, 1967.
- tab 53 and base 58 may be defined as inwardly projecting since when the bracket is affixed to a tray, they (the tab and base) project inwardly into the tray.
- the plane of tab 53 is normally at an obtuse angle relative to the plane of body 59 although this angle approaches and in some instances may be 90.
- the plane of base 58 is generally at an obtuse angle relative to the plane of body 59, although again, this angle approaches 90 and is dependent upon the relative divergence of the side walls upwardly from the bottom wall.
- Planar body 59 may contain one or more holes or apertures 56 adapted to receive fastening means such as rivets 55 for affixing the bracket to side walls 21 and 22 of the tray.
- base 58 may be provided with similar holes 57 for affixing the bracket to bottom wall 20 of the tray.
- Body 59 of bracket 50 contains port 60 in the planar surface thereof having the same configuration as side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- a flange or wing 51 projects outward (oppositely from tab 53 and base 58) from the planar surface of body 59 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the tray side walls.
- Flange 51 thereby fittingly engages the inner side and top edges of side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28 when the brackets are affixed to the tray.
- Top tab 53 contains slot 54 adapted to engage hook 52 of another identical bracket affixed to a superimposed identical tray in stacking position.
- hook 52 projects outwardly and downwardly, said hook 52 being adapted to engage slot 54 of a bracket on a stacked underneath tray.
- each tray or container has four brackets 50 atfixed to side walls 21 and 22 so that flange 51 of bracket 50 engages side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28, i.e., one bracket for each port.
- base plate or member 58 sets upon bottom wall 20 and the planar surface of body 59 lays adjacent the side Wall 21 or 22 as the case may be.
- the outer surface of body 59 is contiguous at all points with the inner surface of side wall 21 or 22 when affixed thereto.
- Bracket 50 is then affixed to the side and bottom walls by any suitable means such as rivets, screws, or bolts 55 or the like.
- hook 52 projects outward and downward through or into one of the respective side wall ports and tab 53 projects inwardly into the tray from the side wall.
- tab 53 projects inwardly into the tray from the side wall.
- Identical containers or trays A and B may be conveniently stacked as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. It will be observed that hook 52 of bracket 50 of superimposed container A engages slot 54 of bracket 50 of lower container B. In such a stacked position, superimposed container A is supported at four such points near its respective corners.
- container B (shown in nesting position in FIGURE 2) stacked upon container C is simply nested from a stacked position by raising container B a short distance vertically until all four hooks 52 of container B disengages slots 54 of container C. Container B is then moved forwardly (or rearwardly) Without significant lateral displacement until hooks 52 of container B clear tabs 53 of container C. Container B is then lowered slightly so hooks 52 of container B are below tabs 53 of container C, displaced rearwardly (or forwardly) a short distance, and allowed to settle into a nesting 4 position as shown in FIGURE 2.
- hooks 52 of the uppermost nested con-tainer conveniently fall within side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- flanges 51 serve as contacting and guiding means for tab 53 when a tray is allowed to settle into nesting position thus preventing wear on the side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- Flanges 51 also provide a stiffening or reinforcement of the metal bracket.
- the metal bracket 70 has a generally L-sha-pe or an imperfect C-shape and comprises an upright essentially vertical flat or planar body 69 and a bottom or lower base member 68.
- the planar body 69 at its upper extremity tapers upwardly and slopes inwardly (when attached to a tray) a short distance and then upwardly a short distance to form hook 62 adapted to engage slot 64 of a bracket on a stacked superimposed identical tray.
- the slope of the upper extremity of planar body member 69 may vary considerably, it will generally be an obtuse angle so that the slope will range from an included angle of greater than with an included angle of from about to 150 being preferred. An included angle of about is very suitable.
- the plane of base 68 is also generally at an obtuse angle relative to the plane of body 59, although this angle approaches 90 and is dependent upon the relative divergence of the side walls upwardly from the bottom wall.
- Planar body 69 may contain one or more holes or apertures 66 adapted to receive fastening means such as rivets, bolts or the like '65 for affixing the bracket to side walls 21 and 22 of the tray.
- base 68 may be provided with similar holes 67 for affixing the bracket to bottom wall 20 of the tray.
- Body 69 of bracket 70 contains port 80 in the planar surface thereof having the same configuration as side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- a flange or wing 61 projects outward (oppositely from base 68) from the planar surface of body 69 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the tray side walls. Flange 61 thereby fittingly engages the inner side and top edges of side wall ports 25, 26, 27 and 28 when the brackets are affixed to the tray.
- tab 63 projects outwardly from base member '68. Tab 63 is provided with slot 64 adapted to engage book 62 of another bracket attached to a stacked underneath identical tray.
- Hook 62 may be provided with one or more reinforcing ribs 71.
- One or more inwardly directing projections 72 may be provided on the inner surface of body member 69 so placed and adapted to support the outer sides of bottom wall 20 of a superimposed tray when in two identical trays are in the nested position.
- Brackets 70 aer attached to the trays and the trays are stacked generally as shown in FIGURE 3 with the exception of the actual stacking support feature.
- This modified stacking feature using alternative bracket 70 is illustrated in FIGURE 6 wherein container A is stacked upon container B.
- slot 64 in tab 63 of bracket 70 of superimposed container A engages hook 62 of bracket 70 of underneath container B.
- the description of the nesting procedure discussed hereinbefore with regard to containers using bracket 50 is likewise generally applicable to containers using bracket 70.
- bracket 70 has the same function and principle as bracket 50 with the only significant difference being in the general reversal of the tab position.
- the tray may be fabricated from any suitably plastic sheet material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers.
- the bracket can be fabricated from any rigid metallic or semi-metallic material including steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and alloys thereof and may be coated with plastic or enamel or they may be galvanized.
- An open-top plastic, rectangular nestable and stackable container comprising:
- metal brackets each engaging one of said side wall ports and being afiixed to the side and bottom walls of the container, said metal brackets being of a generally C-s-hape and comprising;
- a container as in claim 1 wherein the plastic portion is integrally formed from a single sheet of plastic material having substantially uniform thickness.
- An open-top plastic, rectangular nestable and stackable container comprising:
- a planar, essentially vertical, body portion the outer planar surface of which is contiguous at all points with the inner surface of the side wall when aflixed thereto, said body portion having a port of substantially the same configuration as the side wall ports, said bracket port at its edges having outwardly directing flanges adapted to fittingly engage the edges of said side wall port, said planar body member at its upper extremity being upwardly tapered and obliquely sloped inwardly a short distance and then vertically upward a short distance to provide a hook adapted to engage the tab slot of an identical bracket aflixed to a superimposed identical container when the two containers are in stacked position;
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
Description
Claims (1)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US485900A US3342346A (en) | 1965-09-08 | 1965-09-08 | Stacking and nesting tray |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US485900A US3342346A (en) | 1965-09-08 | 1965-09-08 | Stacking and nesting tray |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3342346A true US3342346A (en) | 1967-09-19 |
Family
ID=23929867
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US485900A Expired - Lifetime US3342346A (en) | 1965-09-08 | 1965-09-08 | Stacking and nesting tray |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3342346A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3407960A (en) * | 1967-04-26 | 1968-10-29 | Mid West Metallic Prod Inc | Guide means for stackable receptacle |
US3511387A (en) * | 1968-01-26 | 1970-05-12 | Louis Maslow | Automatic dishwasher receiving means |
US4473155A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1984-09-25 | Frem Corporation | Stacking and nesting bin |
US5215775A (en) * | 1989-11-29 | 1993-06-01 | Gap Container Corporation | Method of packaging and treating dough shells |
US5318182A (en) * | 1991-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Stackable and reversible trays for storing drawing sheets, paper stock, and the like |
FR2728869A1 (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 1996-07-05 | Delbrouck Franz Gmbh | RECTANGULAR CONTAINER, PREFERABLY MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL, FOR THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF GOODS |
US20050236348A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2005-10-27 | Killinger Timothy D | Nestable and stackable document storage trays |
US20060284521A1 (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2006-12-21 | Lerch Matthew G | Tray and drawer system |
US20170137173A1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Akro-Mils, A Division Of Myers Industries, Inc. | Hanging, stackable and nestable industrial bin |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT192790B (en) * | 1954-05-28 | 1957-11-11 | Jurany & Wolfrum | Meat trough |
US2978841A (en) * | 1959-12-10 | 1961-04-11 | Stanray Corp | Interlocking stacking spacer and guide pin assembly |
US3100582A (en) * | 1960-01-04 | 1963-08-13 | Warren H Lockwood | Tierable and nestable receptacle |
US3219232A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1965-11-23 | Banner Metals Inc | Receptacle |
-
1965
- 1965-09-08 US US485900A patent/US3342346A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT192790B (en) * | 1954-05-28 | 1957-11-11 | Jurany & Wolfrum | Meat trough |
US2978841A (en) * | 1959-12-10 | 1961-04-11 | Stanray Corp | Interlocking stacking spacer and guide pin assembly |
US3100582A (en) * | 1960-01-04 | 1963-08-13 | Warren H Lockwood | Tierable and nestable receptacle |
US3219232A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1965-11-23 | Banner Metals Inc | Receptacle |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3407960A (en) * | 1967-04-26 | 1968-10-29 | Mid West Metallic Prod Inc | Guide means for stackable receptacle |
US3511387A (en) * | 1968-01-26 | 1970-05-12 | Louis Maslow | Automatic dishwasher receiving means |
US4473155A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1984-09-25 | Frem Corporation | Stacking and nesting bin |
US5215775A (en) * | 1989-11-29 | 1993-06-01 | Gap Container Corporation | Method of packaging and treating dough shells |
US5318182A (en) * | 1991-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Stackable and reversible trays for storing drawing sheets, paper stock, and the like |
FR2728869A1 (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 1996-07-05 | Delbrouck Franz Gmbh | RECTANGULAR CONTAINER, PREFERABLY MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL, FOR THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF GOODS |
US20050236348A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2005-10-27 | Killinger Timothy D | Nestable and stackable document storage trays |
US20070102386A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-05-10 | Sanford, L.P. | Nestable and stackable document storage trays |
US20070102385A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-05-10 | Killinger Timothy D | Nestable and stackable document storage trays |
US20070176358A1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-08-02 | Killinger Timothy D | Nestable and stackable document storage trays |
US20060284521A1 (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2006-12-21 | Lerch Matthew G | Tray and drawer system |
US20170137173A1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Akro-Mils, A Division Of Myers Industries, Inc. | Hanging, stackable and nestable industrial bin |
US9676518B2 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-06-13 | Akro-Mils, A Division Of Myers Industries, Inc. | Hanging, stackable and nestable industrial bin |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NESTIER CORPORATION Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:MIDLAND-ROSS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:003921/0855 Effective date: 19811029 Owner name: MIDLAND-ROSS CORPORATION, 20600 CHAGRIN BLVD. CLEV Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NESTIER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:003921/0847 Effective date: 19811030 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VANGUARD INDUSTRIES, INC. Free format text: ASSIGNOR WISH TO CORRECT SPELLING OF FIRST WORD OF ASSIGNEES NAME IN ASSIGNMENT DATED DEC. 4, 1972FROM VANGUARD, INDUSTRIES, INC., TO VANGUARD INDUSTRIES, INC.;ASSIGNOR:SHELL OIL COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004048/0013 Effective date: 19800410 Owner name: VANGUARD INDUSTRIES, INC., VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNOR WISH TO CORRECT SPELLING OF FIRST WORD OF ASSIGNEES NAME IN ASSIGNMENT DATED DEC. 4, 1972FROM VANGUARD, INDUSTRIES, INC., TO VANGUARD INDUSTRIES, INC;ASSIGNOR:SHELL OIL COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004048/0013 Effective date: 19800410 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BUCKHORN MATERIAL HANDLING GROUP INC., AN OH CORP. Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NESTIER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004235/0116 Effective date: 19830630 |