US3672530A

US3672530A - Tray collar and tray-collar combinations

Info

Publication number: US3672530A
Application number: US889669A
Authority: US
Inventors: Orville J Bridenstine; Harry A Brookshire; Melvin S Shutt
Original assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Current assignee: DURACO INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS Inc
Priority date: 1969-12-31
Filing date: 1969-12-31
Publication date: 1972-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-27

Abstract

A collar adapted to extend the height of the walls of a pallet tray when placed on said pallet tray. Said collar is provided with means to engage the walls of the tray and means for securing the collar to the tray. Combinations of said tray and said collar are also disclosed.

Description

[ 1 June 27, 1972 X U R 0 M 0 2 3/1959 Coltman.......................

[541 TRAY COLLAR AND TRAY-COLLAR RX 0 mm m6 2W "2 H ma mum y S M a NMP 2477 6666 9999 1111 Ill, 0280 11 l 2529 420 8 37 5634 3333 m M h mm mB W. MA a M u mzm mmm r-h B8 8 m N JSB mmmd v T mam A OMb m B m M m n 0 e V C I .1 2 7 [73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company Filed: Dec. 31, I969 [2|] Appl. No.: 889,669

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Attorney-Young and Quigg ABSTRACT t r .mmm d ail Pvm o ari fp o m l 0 mm m sec h r. we; a OSC .m m .m m m" S e m i tflw mm ma a s a n m m 0 ma F m m anm 6 MW m 0 um AUW 0 6 m 9V I018. 0 0 2 0 M 252. .68 37 0M M m 0 2 6 EMR 4W WWW 2H2 2H2. n m I .am 11: o W d S M UmF ll] 2 8 555 [[l securing the collar to the tray. Combinations of said tray and said collar are also disclosed.

23 Claims, ll Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,755,725 4/[930 Clark...................................108/55X PATENTEUJUHZT r272 672 530 SHEET 1 or 6 INVENTORS O J. BRIDENSTINE M. S. SHUTT H. A. BROOKSHIRE A TTORNE VS PATENTEDJUH 27 1972 SHEET 2 BF 6 m 8 86 J4 3 I 8 4 o M 4 I: Z 04" o 6 I 8 8' 4 3 J 3 m 4 I 0 M 4 Jfiv JZT FIG. 5

FIG. 4

FIG. 3

DJVENTORS 0. J. BRIDENSTINE M. s. SHUTT BY H. A. BROOKSHIRE PATENTEDJUHN 1972 3.672.530

sum 30F 6 FIG. 6

nwgsmons o. J. BRIDENSTINE M. s. SHUTT BY H. A. BROOKSHIRE ATTORNEYS P'A'TENTEDJUHN 1972 3. 672.530

sum 5 or 6 FIG. 8

FIG.

' INVENTOR5 0. :J. BRIDENSTINE M. s. SHUTT H. A. BROOKSHIRE A TTORNEYS TRAY COLLAR AND TRAY-COLLAR COMBINATIONS This invention relates to collars for pallet trays. In one aspect the invention relates to a combination of a pallet tray and a collar therefor.

Trays of various kinds are widely employed to transport commodities, e.g., foodstuff such as bakery goods, from one location to another. Two types of trays are commonly used, a relatively flat pallet-type tray, and a so-called high wall box tray. Each type of tray is designed primarily for a particular service. Said two types of trays are not interchangeable for most uses. It would be desirable to be able to convert a pallet tray to a box tray, so as to reduce the investment required in stocking both types of trays, and avoid the inconveniences of having both types of trays in stock.

The present invention solves this problem by providing a collar adapted to extend the height of the walls of a pallet tray when said collar is placed on said tray. The tray collars of the invention when placed on top of a pallet tray convert said pallet tray into a high wall box tray. The tray collars of the invention thus make possible marked reduction in investment cost and marked increases in efficiency in the use of pallet trays.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide means for converting a pallet tray to a box tray. Another object of the invention is to provide a collar for a pallet tray. Another object of the invention is to provide a collar for a pallet tray which when placed on said tray will increae the height of the walls of said tray. Another object of the invention is to provide collars for pallet trays which can be employed with existing commercially available pallet trays. Another object of the invention is to provide collars which are adapted to be employed with specially designed pallet trays. Another object of the invention is to provide a container comprising a pallet tray and a collar therefor adapted to fit on top of said tray. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a collar for a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four comers; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall, each of said flanges being adapted to engage the upstanding wall of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray; and a locking means provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, said locking means being adapted to secure said collar wall to said wall of a said tray in an interlocking manner when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided a container comprising in combination a pallet tray and a collar therefor, said combination comprising: a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof and a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said wall to provide a generally rectangular open top tray structure; and a collar mounted on top of said tray wall, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular collar structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four corners; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall to engage said upstanding wall of said tray; and a locking means, provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, securing said collar wall to said wall of said tray in an interlocking manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a collar of the invention installed on a pallet tray.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating details of construction of the collar and tray of FIG. 1, and further illustrating the cooperation between said collar and said tray.

FIG. 3 is a view in crow section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I illustrating a method of using a pallet tray as a lid or cover.

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the lid or cover at the comer.

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section, taken similarly as in FIG. 4, illustrating another method of employing the collars of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view further illustrating the use of the collars of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another collar of the invention installed on a pallet tray.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating details of construction of the collar and tray of FIG. 7, and further illustrating the cooperation between said collar and said tray.

FIG. 9 is a view in cross section taken along the line 99 of FIG. 7 illustrating a method of using a pallet tray as a lid or cover.

FIG. 10 is a view in cross section taken along the line l0 10 of FIG. 7 illustrating the lid or cover at the corner.

FIG. I] is a partial perspective view illustrating the use of the collar of FIG. 7 with another type pallet tray.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been employed to denote like elements, the invention will be more fully explained. In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a collar in accordance with the invention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Said collar 10 comprises a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections 12 and 12'. A pair of upstanding opposed second wall sections 14 and 14' are disposed transverse to said first wall sections and are connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four comers. Preferably, a recess 16 is formed in the top of said collar wall, preferably along the outer edge thereof. A plurality of flanges I8 extend downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall. Preferably, said flanges 18 are placed at the corners of said collar 10. Each of said flanges I8 is adapted to engage the upstanding wall 22 of a tray when said collar is placed on top of said tray. An overhanging ledge 24 is disposed along and forms the top of each of said wall sections 12, 12', I4, and 14'. The comers of said collar are preferably arcuate as illustrated in the drawing. However, it is within the scope of the invention to provide collars having comers shaped other than arcuate, e.g., substantially square, so as to cooperate with tray corners which are substantially square. Said overhanging ledge 24 of each said wall section is displaced outwardly at each end portion thereof to form a slot 26. Said slot 26 extends downwardly through the height of the collar wall to form arcuate comer section 28. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the flanges 18 extends downwardly from the bottom of the collar wall along the outer periphery of one of the collar comers so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding tray wall 22 along the outer periphery of a comer of said tray when said collar is placed on top of the tray. A locking means, designated generally by the reference numeral 30, is provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of the collar wall. Said locking means 30 is adapted to secure said collar wall to the wall of a tray in an interlocking manner when the collar is placed on top of a tray.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, said locking means 30 comprises a flexible lug which is connected to and extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of the collar corners. Said flexible lug is generally T- shaped with the vertical leg 32 of the T being connected to the bottom of the collar wall. The crossbar 33 of said T is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the bottom of said collar wall. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, two of said flexible lugs are provided. One is disposed at about the center of said first wall section I2 and the other is disposed at about the center of the other first wall section I2 but is not shown in FIG. 1. Each of said first wall sections I2 and 12' has two cutout areas 34 and 34' disposed therein below its upper edge and extending downwardly to the bottom of the wall section. Said cutout areas 34 and 34' are disposed with one being on either side of the flexible lug connected to the wall section, as illustrated in wall section 12. Each of said second wall sections 14 and I4 has one cutout area 35 disposed generally centrally therein below its upper edge and extending downwardly to the bottom of the wall section. Said cutout areas provide convenient handle means for lifting the collars. However, it is within the scope of the invention to omit said cutout areas, or to provide different shaped cutout areas in the collar walls.

The collars of the invention can be adapted to be employed with a wide variety of pallet trays. As illustrated in FIG. I, the pallet tray is a modification of the trays disclosed and claimed in application, Ser. No. 716,284, filed Mar. 20, 1968, in the name of Gale S. Roush et al., now US. Pat. No. 3,494,502. Briefly, the trays disclosed and claimed in said application, Ser. No. 7I6,284 comprise a tray wall which is formed of a pair of first wall sections 22 and 22' and a pair of upstanding opposed second transverse wall sections 36 and 36' which are connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form the wall of the tray. Preferably, said opposed first wall sections slope inwardly toward each other from top to bottom and said second wall sections slope inwardly toward each other from top to bottom. Each of said first wall sections 22 and 22' and said second wall sections 36 and 36' has an outwardly extending, tumed-down flange 38 joined to the upper edge thereof. A gtidwork bottom, here illustrated as comprising a plurality of intersecting generally T- shaped struts 40, is connected to the lower edge portions of said first wall sections and the lower edge portions of said second all sections to provide an open top tray structure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 said turned-down flange 38 has a notch 42 (shown more clearly in FIG. 2) disposed therein. Said notch has a width corresponding generally to the width of the vertical leg 32 of T-shaped lug 30. When a collar of the invention is placed on top ofsaid tray, flexible lug 30 is displaced outwardly over said tumed-down flange, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, and said leg 32 oflug 30 is disposed in said notch 42 with the crossbar 33 of the T- shaped lug disposed under said turned-down flange so as to secure said collar wall to said tray wall, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one preferred embodiment of said tray, the upper edge of each said wall section is displaced outwardly at each end portion thereof to form a generally horizontal ledge, and said ledges are joined at said connecting edges of said wall sections to form a comer ledge 44 at each corner of the tray.

FIG. 3 illustrates the stacking relationship between a collar of the invention and a pair of pallet trays employed therewith. As shown in FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment the upper inner surface 46 of said collar wall slopes inwardly from top to bottom at essentially the same angle as the outer surface of the wall of said pallet tray. In FIG. 3, a collar of the invention has been placed on top of a first pallet tray and a second pallet tray has been placed on top of said collar. Said first pallet tray thus forms the bottom of a container structure comprising the pallet tray and a collar of the invention. If desired, said second pallet tray can then be placed on top of the collar wall so as to form a lid for the container structure. When said second tray is so employed, the outer surface of the second tray wall engages the upper inner surface 46 of the collar. The extended portion of flange 38 engages recess 16. FIG. 4 shows the same stacking relationship taken through the corner of the tacked structure, similarly as the line 4 4 in FIG. 1. Preferably, the lower end portion of the collar wall at each comer is provided with an inwardly extending shoulder 48 which is adapted to fit under and engage the bottom of the turneddown flange 38 at the comer of the tray.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate stacking arrangement which can be conveniently employed in some instances. In FIG. 5 a second collar It] has been placed in position on top of the upper second tray of the stacked structure illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the stacking arrangement of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 can be employed when employing the containers of the invention comprising a tray and a collar in combination. In FIG. 6 a combination container of the invention has been placed on shelf 52 in storage rack 50. Wall 14' of said collar is resting on top of wall 36 of said tray. Referring now to the top shelf in FIG. 6, if desired, a second tray can be placed on top of the collar there shown so as to provide a lid for the container. As there shown, the bottom of wall 36 of the tray rests on top of wall 14' of the collar.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated another collar of the invention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 60. Said collar 60, similarly as the collar 10 of FIG. I, comprises a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections 62 and 62'. A pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections 64 and 64' are connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four comers. Preferably, a recess 16 is formed in the top of said collar wall, preferably along the outer edge thereof. A plurality of flanges 66 extends downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall and each flange is adapted to engage the upstanding wall of a tray when said collar is placed on top of said tray. An inwardly or overhanging extending ledge 68 is provided along the top of each of said

wall sections

62, 62', 64, and 64'. At the corners of the collars, said inwardly extending ledge 68 is displaced outwardly to form a generally horizontal shelf 70 which is adapted to receive flanges 66 when said collars are stacked one on top of another, as in storage. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, each of said flanges 66 extends downwardly from the bottom of the collar wall along the inner periphery of one of said collar comers so as to extend inside of and engage the upstanding wall of a tray along the inner periphery of a comer of said tray when a collar is placed on top of a tray. A locking means, designated generally by the reference numeral 72, is provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall. In the collar illustrated in FIG. 7, one of said locking means 72 has been provided in each of said

wall sections

62, 62', 64, and 64'. Said locking means 72 are adapted to secure said collar wall to the wall of said tray in an interlocking manner when said collar is placed on top of a tray.

In FIG. 7 each of said locking means 72 comprises a spring clip mounted in the collar wall and extending downwardly below the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate 21 pair of said collar corners. Said spring clip 72 comprises an outer clip member 74 disposed adjacent the outer surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall. An inner clip member 76 is disposed adjacent the inner surface of said collar wall and extends below the bottom of said collar wall. Preferably, a recessed area 75 is provided in the inner surface of the collar wall to receive said clip member 76 so as to avoid interfering with the contents of the container. A pivot bar 78 (shown more clearly in FIG. 9) is mounted in and extends through an opening in said collar wall and is connected at its outer and inner ends by any suitable means, respectively, to said outer clip member 74 and said inner clip member 76.

Referring to FIG. 9, it will be noted that said inner clip member 76 has a greater length below its connection to said pivot bar 78 than does said outer clip member 74. Said inner clip member terminates at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly extending hook 80. Said spring clip 72 can be fabricated from any suitable type of spring steel or other metal. It is also within the scope of the invention to fabricate said spring clip member 72 from materials other than metal, such as a plastic material having the roper spring-like properties.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, four of said spring clips have been provided, with each one being disposed at about the center of each one of said first wall sections 62 and 62' and said second wall sections 64 and 64' of said collar wall. However, it is within the scope of the invention to employ only two of said spring clips 72, e.g., as on opposing

walls

62 and 62, for example. Each of said first wall sections 62 and 62' and said

second wall sections

64 and 64 has two cutout areas 82 and 82' disposed below its upper edges, with one on either side of the spring clip mounted therein. Said cutout areas 82 and 82' provide convenient handles for lifting the collar 60. However, it is within the scope of the invention to omit said cutout areas, or to provide different shaped cutout areas in the collar wall.

The pallet trays employed in combination with the collar illustrated in FIG. 7 are essentially like the pallet tray described above in connection with the collar of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1. The only significant difference in said two pallet trays is the provision of a notch 84 provided in the bottom portion of the wall of the pallet tray in FIG. '7. When the collar of FIG. I or the collar of FIG. 7 is employed in combination with a pallet tray, as illustrated in said FIG. 1 and said FIG. 7, there is obtained the container of the invention comprising in combination a pallet tray having a collar mounted on top thereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates details of the operation of said spring clip member 72. In use, when a collar 60 of the invention is mounted on top of a tray, spring clip member 72 is placed in vertical position, the inner clip member 76 extends downwardly through an opening in the gridwork bottom 40 of the tray and snaps into position in notch 84. This relationship is also shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and illustrate the stacking arrangement when a collar 60 is placed on top of a pallet tray. FIG. 9 shows the relationship of a side wall of the collar to a side wall of the tray, and FIG. 10 shows the relationship of the corner of the collar to the comer of the tray. In FIG. 9, if desired, as there shown, a second tray can be placed on top of the collar wall. In this instance, the inwardly sloping section 46 of the top portion of the collar wall engages the outer surface of the wall of the tray. In FIG. 10 downwardly extending flange 66 engages the shelf 44 and the inner periphery of a corner of the tray. At the tops of FIG. 9 and FIG. It], the bottom of the downwardly turned flange 38 engages recess 16 in the outer edge of the top of the collar wall.

Fig. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the notch 84 provided in the bottom wall of the tray, as shown in FIG. 8 has been omitted. In this embodiment of the invention, inner spring clip member 76 merely snaps around the bottom of the tray wall. In both the embodiments of FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, in operation when it is desired to separate a collar from a tray, the hook 80 on the inner spring clip member 76 is pressed back out of engagement with the wall of the tray, and the entire spring clip 72 is rotated counterclockwise.

The collars of the invention provide a number of advantages in use. Said collars are of a durable, lightweight structure. This is an important consideration in the use of said collars in combination with pallet trays, as described above. For example, said trays and the collars of the invention when employed together to form the container of the invention are particularly well adapted for transporting bakery goods, both within the baking shop and the delivery truck. The bakery goods can be placed on the trays, a collar of the invention can then be placed on the tray, and the thus formed container then placed in racks as illustrated in FIG. 6, which may be easily pushed around in the bakery shop. Similarly, the combination containers of the invention can also be readily loaded onto racks in a delivery truck. The light weight of the combination containers of the invention is a distinct advantage in that handling of the trays is not only less tiring for personnel handling same, but also reduces the load on the trucks. Thus, lighter weight trucks can be employed with obvious savings in operating expenses.

The collars of the invention can be fabricated from any suitable material in any suitable manner known to the art. Injection molding, for example, is one presently preferred method for fabricating said collars. High density polyethylenes are especially desirable materials from which to fabricate said collars. The high density polyethylene and other polyolefins prepared by the methods disclosed and claimed by J. P. Hogan et al., in US. Pat. No. 2,825,721, issued Mar. 4, 1958, are one group of presently preferred materials. If desired, foamed polyolefins can also be used in fabricating said collars. Said collars can also be fabricated from butadiene-styrene copolymers, and other plastic materials. If desired, a reinforcing fibrous material, such as asbestos or glass fibers, can be incorporated in the plastic material. While the various plastics are presently preferred for the manufacture of the collars of the invention, it is within the scope of the invention to fabricate said collars from other materials, e.g., lightweight metals such as aluminum, reinforced pulp materials, etc.

The collars of the invention can be fabricated in any suitable dimensions, depending upon the tray or trays it is desired to use said collars in combination with. For example, pallet trays in accordance wifli the invention of said US. Pat. No. 3,494,502 are commercially available which have an overall length of about 27 inches, a width of about 22 inches, and a wall height of about 1 inch. Thus, the collars of the invention can be fabricated to have an overall length of about 27 inc hes and an overall width of 22 inches. The wall height of the collars of the invention can be any suitable height, e.g., from 2 to 4 inches, as desired. The remainder of the elements of the collars are generally proportional in size to the dimensions given. These dimensions are given by way of example only, are not to be construed as limiting on the invention in any way, and all can be varied within the scope of the invention.

While the collars of the invention have been illustrated as being employed in combination with plastic trays having a gridwork bottom, the invention is not so limited. Said collars can be employed in combination with other type trays, for example, metal trays, trays having a solid bottom, etc. In solid bottom trays an opening can be provided therein for clip member 72.

Herein and in the claims, the word "rectangular has been employed generically to include four-sided structures which are generally square and four-sided structures wherein one pair of sides is longer than the other pair of sides.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative purposes, the invention is not limited thereto. Various other modifications of the invent on will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

We claim:

I. A collar for a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof, said collar comprising: pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four comers; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall, each of said flanges being adapted to engage the upstanding wall of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray; and a locking means provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, said locking means being spaced apart from said flanges and adapted to secure said collar wall to said wall of a said tray in an interlocking manner independently of said flanges when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

2. A collar according to claim 1 wherein: each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar comers so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the outer periphery of a comer of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

3. A collar according to claim 2 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a flexible lug connected to and extending downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar comers.

4. A collar according to claim 3 wherein: said flexible lug is generally T-shaped; the vertical leg of said T is connected to the bottom of said collar wall; and the crossbar of said T is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the bottom of said collar wall.

5. A collar according to claim 4 wherein: said flexible lugs are two in number. with one being disposed at about the center of one of said first wall sections of said collar wall. and the other being disposed at about the center of the other of said first wall sections of said collar wall; each of said first wall sections has two cutout areas disposed therein below its upper edge, one on either side of the flexible lug connected thereto; and each of said second wall sections has one cutout area disposed generally centrally therein below its upper edge.

6. A collar according to claim 1 wherein: each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the inner periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend inside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the inner periphery of a corner of a said tray when said collar is placed on top ofa said tray.

7. A collar according to claim 6 wherein each of said locking means comprises a spring clip mounted in said collar wall and extending downwardly below the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar cornersv 8. A collar according to claim 7 wherein said spring clip comprises: an outer clip member disposed adjacent the outer surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall; an inner clip member disposed adjacent the inner surface of said collar wall and extending below the bot' tom of said collar wall; and a pivot bar mounted in and extending through an opening in said collar wall and connected at its outer and inner ends, respectively, to said outer clip member and said inner clip member; said inner clip member having a greater length below its connection to said pivot bar than said outer clip member. and terminating at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly extending hook.

9. A collar according to claim 8 wherein: said spring clips are four in number. with one each being disposed at about the center of each one of said first and said second wall sections of said collar wall; and each of said first wall sections and each of said second wall sections has two cutout areas disposed below its upper edges. one on either side of the spring clip mounted therein.

10. A container comprising in combination a pallet tray and a collar therefor, said combination comprising: a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof and a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said wall to provide a generally rectangular open top tray structure; and a collar mounted on top of said tray wall. said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular collar structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four comers; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall to engage said upstanding wall of said tray; and a locking means. provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall. spaced apart from said flanges, and securing said collar wall to said wall of said tray in an interlocking manner independently of said flanges.

ll. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray corners are shaped essentially like said collar corners; each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar comers so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the outer periphery of a comer of said tray.

12, A container according to claim 11 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a flexible lug connected to and extending downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall, at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners, to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein: said flexible lug is generally T-shaped; the vertical leg of said T is connected to the bottom of said collar wall; the crossbar of said T is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the bottom of said collar wall; said tray wall is formed of a pair of first wall sections and a pair of upstanding opposed second transverse wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof; each of said first wall sections and said second wall sections has an outwardly extending turned-down flange joined to the upper edge thereof; a notch having a width corresponding generally to the width of the vertical leg of said T is provided in said tumed-down flange joined to said tray wall; and said leg of said T is disposed in said notch with the crossbar of said T under said turned-down flange so as to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein: said flexible lugs are two in number. with one being disposed at about the center of one of said first wall sections of said collar wall, and the other being disposed at about the center of the other of said first wall sections of said collar wall; each of said first wall sections has two cutout areas disposed therein below its upper edge, one on either side of the flexible lug connected thereto; and each of said second wall sections has one cutout area disposed generally centrally therein below its upper edgev 15. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray comers are shaped essentially like said collar corners; each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the inner periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend inside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the inner periphery of a corner of said tray.

16. A container according to claim 10 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a spring clip mounted in said collar wall and extending downwardly below the bottom of said col lar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners to secure said collar wall to said tray wallv 17. A container according to claim 16 wherein said spring clip comprises: an outer clip member disposed adjacent the outer surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall; an inner clip member disposed adjacent the inner surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall and through an opening in the bottom of said tray; and a pivot bar mounted in and extending through an opening in said collar wall and connected at its outer and inner ends. respectively. to said outer clip member and said inner clip member; said inner clip member having a greater length below its connection to said pivot bar than said outer clip member, and terminating at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly extending hook which engages the bottom of said tray wall so as to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

18. A container according to claim 17 wherein: a notch. having a width corresponding generally to the width of said inner clip member. is provided in the bottom of said tray wall; and said hook is disposed in said notch.

19. A container according to claim 17 wherein: said spring clips are four in number. with one each being disposed at about the center of each one of said first and said second wall sections of said collar wall; and each of said first wall sections and each of said second wall sections has two cutout areas disposed below its upper edge, one on either side of the spring clip mounted therein.

20. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray wall is formed of a pair of upstanding opposed first wall sec tions sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom, and a pair of upstanding opposed second transverse wall sec tions sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom and connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof; each of said first wall sections and said second wall sections has an outwardly extending turned-down flange joined to the upper edge thereof; a recess is formed in the top of said collar wall along the outer edge thereof; and said container comprises in further combination a second tray like said first mentioned tray placed on top of said collar wall with the bottom edges of said tumed-down flanges which are joined to said second tray wall sections engaging said recess in the top of said collar wall.

21. A container according to claim 20 wherein: the upper inner surface of said collar wall slopes inwardly at essentially the same angle as the outer surface of the wall of said second tray, and said outer surface of said second tray wall engages said upper inner surface of said collar wall when said second tray is placed on said collar.

22. A collar for a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four arcuate-shaped corners; a plurality of flanges, each extendinG downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar comers so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray; and a locking means provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, said locking means being adapted to secure said collar wall to said wall of a tray in an interlocking manner when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

23. A container comprising in combination a pallet tray and a collar therefor, said combination comprising: a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof and a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said wall to provide a generally rectangular open top tray structure; and a collar mounted on top of said tray wall, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular collar structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four arcuate-shaped comers; a plurality of flanges, each extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar comers so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of said tray, the corners of said tray being shaped essentially like said collar comers; and a locking means, provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, securing said collar wall to said wall of said tray in an interlocking manner.

II HI II l

Claims

1. A collar for a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof, said collar comprising: pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four corners; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall, each of said flanges being adapted to engage the upstanding wall of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray; and a locking means provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, said locking means being spaced apart from said flanges and adapted to secure said collar wall to said wall of a said tray in an interlocking manner independently of said flanges when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

2. A collar according to claim 1 wherein: each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

3. A collar according to claim 2 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a flexible lug connected to and extending downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners.

5. A collar according to claim 4 wherein: said flexible lugs are two in number, with one being disposed at about the center of one of said first wall sections of said collar wall, and the other being disposed at about the center of the other of said first wall sections of said collar wall; each of said firSt wall sections has two cutout areas disposed therein below its upper edge, one on either side of the flexible lug connected thereto; and each of said second wall sections has one cutout area disposed generally centrally therein below its upper edge.

6. A collar according to claim 1 wherein: each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the inner periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend inside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the inner periphery of a corner of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

7. A collar according to claim 6 wherein each of said locking means comprises a spring clip mounted in said collar wall and extending downwardly below the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners.

8. A collar according to claim 7 wherein said spring clip comprises: an outer clip member disposed adjacent the outer surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall; an inner clip member disposed adjacent the inner surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall; and a pivot bar mounted in and extending through an opening in said collar wall and connected at its outer and inner ends, respectively, to said outer clip member and said inner clip member; said inner clip member having a greater length below its connection to said pivot bar than said outer clip member, and terminating at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly extending hook.

9. A collar according to claim 8 wherein: said spring clips are four in number, with one each being disposed at about the center of each one of said first and said second wall sections of said collar wall; and each of said first wall sections and each of said second wall sections has two cutout areas disposed below its upper edges, one on either side of the spring clip mounted therein.

10. A container comprising in combination a pallet tray and a collar therefor, said combination comprising: a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof and a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said wall to provide a generally rectangular open top tray structure; and a collar mounted on top of said tray wall, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular collar structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four corners; a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall to engage said upstanding wall of said tray; and a locking means, provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, spaced apart from said flanges, and securing said collar wall to said wall of said tray in an interlocking manner independently of said flanges.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray corners are shaped essentially like said collar corners; each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of said tray.

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a flexible lug connected to and extending downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall, at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners, to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein: said flexible lug is generally T-shaped; the vertical leg of said T is connected to the bottom of said collar wall; the crossbar of said T is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the bottom of said collar wall; said tray wall is formed of a pair of first wall sections and a pair of upstanding opPosed second transverse wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof; each of said first wall sections and said second wall sections has an outwardly extending turned-down flange joined to the upper edge thereof; a notch having a width corresponding generally to the width of the vertical leg of said T is provided in said turned-down flange joined to said tray wall; and said leg of said T is disposed in said notch with the crossbar of said T under said turned-down flange so as to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein: said flexible lugs are two in number, with one being disposed at about the center of one of said first wall sections of said collar wall, and the other being disposed at about the center of the other of said first wall sections of said collar wall; each of said first wall sections has two cutout areas disposed therein below its upper edge, one on either side of the flexible lug connected thereto; and each of said second wall sections has one cutout area disposed generally centrally therein below its upper edge.

15. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray corners are shaped essentially like said collar corners; each of said flanges extends downwardly from the bottom of said collar wall along the inner periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend inside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the inner periphery of a corner of said tray.

16. A container according to claim 10 wherein: each of said locking means comprises a spring clip mounted in said collar wall and extending downwardly below the bottom of said collar wall at a point intermediate a pair of said collar corners to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

17. A container according to claim 16 wherein said spring clip comprises: an outer clip member disposed adjacent the outer surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall; an inner clip member disposed adjacent the inner surface of said collar wall and extending below the bottom of said collar wall and through an opening in the bottom of said tray; and a pivot bar mounted in and extending through an opening in said collar wall and connected at its outer and inner ends, respectively, to said outer clip member and said inner clip member; said inner clip member having a greater length below its connection to said pivot bar than said outer clip member, and terminating at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly extending hook which engages the bottom of said tray wall so as to secure said collar wall to said tray wall.

18. A container according to claim 17 wherein: a notch, having a width corresponding generally to the width of said inner clip member, is provided in the bottom of said tray wall; and said hook is disposed in said notch.

19. A container according to claim 17 wherein: said spring clips are four in number, with one each being disposed at about the center of each one of said first and said second wall sections of said collar wall; and each of said first wall sections and each of said second wall sections has two cutout areas disposed below its upper edge, one on either side of the spring clip mounted therein.

20. A container according to claim 10 wherein: said tray wall is formed of a pair of upstanding opposed first wall sections sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom, and a pair of upstanding opposed second transverse wall sections sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom and connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof; each of said first wall sections and said second wall sections has an outwardly extending turned-down flange joined to the upper edge thereof; a recess is formed in the top of said collar wall along the outer edge thereof; and said container comprises in further combination a second tray like said first mentioned tray placed on top of said collar wall with the bottom edges of said tuRned-down flanges which are joined to said second tray wall sections engaging said recess in the top of said collar wall.

22. A collar for a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding transverse second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four arcuate-shaped corners; a plurality of flanges, each extendinG downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of a said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of a said tray when said collar is placed on top of a said tray; and a locking means provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, said locking means being adapted to secure said collar wall to said wall of a tray in an interlocking manner when said collar is placed on top of a said tray.

23. A container comprising in combination a pallet tray and a collar therefor, said combination comprising: a pallet tray having an upstanding wall extending around the periphery thereof and a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said wall to provide a generally rectangular open top tray structure; and a collar mounted on top of said tray wall, said collar comprising: a pair of opposed upstanding first wall sections; a pair of opposed upstanding second wall sections connected to said first wall sections along the upstanding edges thereof to form a collar wall defining a generally rectangular collar structure having an open top, an open bottom, and four arcuate-shaped corners; a plurality of flanges, each extending downwardly from and below the bottom of said collar wall along the outer periphery of one of said collar corners so as to extend outside of and engage the upstanding wall of said tray along the outer periphery of a corner of said tray, the corners of said tray being shaped essentially like said collar corners; and a locking means, provided on each wall section of at least one pair of said opposed wall sections of said collar wall, securing said collar wall to said wall of said tray in an interlocking manner.