USRE44754E1

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Info

Publication number: USRE44754E1
Application number: US11/508,114
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Verna; Douglas T. Cox; Douglas Hood
Original assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics Inc
Current assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics Inc
Priority date: 2002-03-26
Filing date: 2006-08-22
Publication date: 2014-02-11
Also published as: CA2419528A1; US6886710B2; MXPA03002475A; US20030183549A1

Abstract

A multi-purpose tray including a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The tray can include beams extending from the front of the tray and slots defined in the back of the tray. When two trays are stacked in opposite directions with respect to one another, the beams are received by the slots. The tray also includes a domed bottom. The domed bottom has a convex profile with respect to the interior of the tray and can include transverse ribs or longitudinal ribs. The tray also includes drain apertures positioned along the front and back of the tray. The drain apertures can enhance cleaning of the tray by communicating fluid from channels defined by the front and back. The tray also includes a stop for projection for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray when two trays are stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another. The tray also includes handles in the first and second side and a gripping portion on one of the first and second handles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the Provisional Patent Application No. 60/367,688 for a STACKABLE TRAY HAVING AN ANTI-PIVOT STOP AND WASH APERTURES, filed on Mar. 26, 2002. This claim is made under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(c)(3).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to multi-purpose reusable load-bearing trays and, more specifically, to trays adapted to be nestable or stackable in three positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic trays that are stackable and/or nestable can be desirable to maintain cargo such as material and/or products. However, existing trays are not as efficient as desired. Specifically, existing trays can require excessive handling time and cleaning time. Also, the existing trays may not nest together as well as desired. An improved tray is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved tray for maintaining cargo during transport. The tray of the present invention can include one or more drain apertures disposed along a front or back of the tray. The drain aperture can improve the efficiency of the tray by improving the cleaning of the tray. In particular, the structure of the existing trays can define blind holes and pockets in which debris and/or vermin can accumulate. Positioning a drain aperture adjacent the blind holes or pockets of the tray can enhance the likelihood that the debris can be quickly removed during cleaning. The drain aperture can be disposed along any surface of the front or back of the tray and can be defined, at least in part, by ribs disposed between a wall and an apron of the front or back of the tray. The ribs can be any shape as desired, including arcuate, straight, cross-shaped, or T-shaped. A drain aperture can also be formed in a notch defined in the front or back of the tray; the notch being used for aligning two trays during stacking.

The present invention also provides a tray with a domed bottom. The bottom of the tray can be convex with respect to the interior of the tray. The domed shape of the bottom of the tray can enhance the strength of the tray. The bottom can also include at least one transverse and/or at least one longitudinal rib to enhance the strength of the bottom. The bottom can be formed with a convex or concave profile.

The present invention also provides a tray with two handles where one of the handles includes a gripping portion. By disposing a gripping portion on only one of the handles, a user of the tray can quickly identify the orientation of the tray. The efficiency of the tray is enhanced when a user can quickly identify the orientation of the tray during stacking the of trays.

The present invention also provides ribs disposed in a pocket of a bottom tray for receiving and engaging feet of a top tray. The ribs can enhance the alignment of two trays stacked relative to each other and support a top tray during sliding movement relative to a bottom tray. A rib closest to the center of the tray can be tapered to reduce the likelihood that a top tray will bind relative to a bottom tray when the two trays are being engaged.

The present invention also provides a stop having a ramp shape positionable in a channel of the tray. When a top tray is engaged with a bottom tray, the top tray is slidingly received by a channel of the bottom tray. The stop disposed in the channel can limit the movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray when the trays are being engaged with respect to one another. A ramped portion of the stop can enhance the efficiency of the tray by ensuring that sliding movement of the trays will only be prevented in only one direction.

The present invention also provides a tray having beams disposed on a front of the tray and corresponding slots formed in the rear of the tray. The corresponding beams and slots can permit two trays to be stacked on top of one another when in a similar orientation. The support of the top tray relative to the bottom tray, when two trays are stacked in similar orientation, does not occur at the outermost edges of the front corners of the trays. The beams can be received by the slots when two trays are stacked in an opposite direction relative to one another.

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 makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a front of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional and perspective view of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention showing the configuration of ribs between the wall and the apron;

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial perspective view of a front corner of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial detailed perspective view of a rear corner of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is partial detailed perspective view of the rear corner of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed top plan view of a second side of the tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of a rear corner of a tray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of two trays according to the first embodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another;

FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of two trays according to the first embodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 90° relative to one another;

FIG. 12 is a rear plan view of two trays according to the first embodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to one another;

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of two trays according to the first embodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another;

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of two trays according to the first embodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to one another;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tray according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a front of the tray according to the second embodiment of the invention showing the ribs;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the tray according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial detailed view of the front corners of two trays according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a partial detailed view of a rear corner of the tray according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front plan view of two trays according to the second embodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of two trays according to the second embodiment stacked at an angle of 180° relative to one another;

FIG. 22 is a side plan view of two trays according to the second embodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another;

FIG. 23 is a side plan view of two trays according to the second embodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to one another;

FIG. 24 is a front plan view of two trays according to the second embodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 90° relative to one another; and

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a tray according to the invention having a domed bottom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Various embodiments of the present invention are shown throughout the figures. These figures include common elements in different structural configurations. Common elements are designated with a common base numeral and differentiated with a alphabetic designation.

Referring now toFIG. 1, the present invention provides amultipurpose tray10. Thetray10 can include a front12, a rear14, afirst side16, asecond side18, and a bottom20 which can be integrally formed with respect to one another. Thetray10 can be fabricated from plastic in an injection molding process.FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the invention, a tray10a having a front12a, a rear14a, a first side16a, a second side18a, and a bottom20a which can be integrally formed with respect to one another.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the front12 can extend from thefirst side16 to thesecond side18 and can include awall22, afillet24 and anapron26. Thewall22,fillet24 andapron26 can define achannel28. The front12 can also include a right-hand portion30 and a left-hand portion32 which are mirror images of one another with respect to a substantiallyvertical center axis186 of the front12, as best seen inFIG. 10.

Referring now toFIG. 3, thefillet24 can define anopening34. Theopening34 can be centered along theaxis186 of the front12 with respect to the right-hand portion30 and the left-hand portion32. Theopening34 can include abottom surface36 and side surfaces38 and40. In a second embodiment of the invention, anopening34a is shown in perspective view inFIG. 15, in partial detailed cross-sectional view inFIG. 16, and in overhead plan view inFIG. 17. Theopening34a can be defined by afillet24a of a front12a of tray10a. Theopening34a can includebottom surface36a, side surfaces38a and40a as well as secondary bottom surfaces36b and36c and secondary side surfaces38b and40b.

Referring now toFIG. 5, thefillet24 can also define aboss42, anotch44, again46, and adimple48. Theboss42 is positioned along the length of the front12 between theopening34 and thenotch44. Theboss42 includes asupport surface50. Aprojection52 can extend from thefillet24 between thenotch44 and thegain46. Thedimple48 can be positioned at an outermost edge of the front12. An alternative embodiment of thedimple48a is shown extending a height of anapron26a of the tray10a inFIGS. 17,18 and20.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5,fillet24 can be pierced by one ormore apertures54. A plurality ofapertures54 can be evenly spaced along the length of the front12. Theapertures54 can be formed in thebottom surface36 of theopening34, the side surfaces38 and40 of theopening34, or in thenotch44. Theapertures54 can enhance cleaning of thetray10 by reducing the likelihood that vermin or debris will become trapped in thechannel28.

Referring now toFIG. 4, ribs can be disposed in thechannel28 to define a plurality of apertures and to enhance the structural integrity of thetray10. Referring toFIG. 5,

ribs

56,58,60 and62 can be formed in various shapes and be disposed at various positions relative to theopening34. As shown inFIG. 16,

ribs

64,66,68 and70 can be positioned adjacent a side surface38a, a secondary bottom surface36b and abottom surface36a or any combination thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the front12 also includes awall22. Thewall22 can define afoot72 andshoulder74. Thefoot72 can be shaped to correspond to the shape of thenotch44. Also, thefoot72 is substantially vertically aligned with thenotch44. Theshoulder74 will be described in greater detail below.FIG. 18 shows afront wall12a of a tray10a having wall22a that defines afoot72a and shoulder74a. Thefoot72a is shaped to correspond to the shape of thenotch44a and is substantially vertically aligned with thenotch44a.

Referring again toFIG. 5, abeam76 extends fromwall22 generally toward theapron26. Thebeam76 does not extend past theapron26. Thebeam76 can be tapered such that thebeam76 is narrowest immediately adjacent thefoot72. Thebeam76 is substantially vertically aligned with thesupport surface50.FIG. 18 shows a front12a having a beam76a substantially vertically aligned with thesupport surface50a of aboss42a.

Referring now to FIGS.1 and6-9, the rear14 of thetray10 can be substantially similar to thefront12 of thetray10. The rear14 can include awall22b, a fillet24b, and an apron26b. The fillet24b can define an opening34b, includingbottom surface36d and side surfaces38c and40c, and aboss42b. One ormore apertures54 can pierce the fillet24b along thesurface36d, or a notch44b. The rear14 also includes aslot78. Theslot78 extends vertically downward from theboss42b along thewall22b. Theslot78 can be tapered to be narrowest at a position furthest from theboss42b. Theslot78 is substantially aligned with thebeam76 of the front12 to receive abeam76 when twotrays10 are stacked 180° relative to another. The stacking of two trays relative to one another will be described in greater detail below. The rear14 does not include beams extending from thewall22b as best seen inFIG. 9. Also, the rear14 may not include adimple28 as formed in the front12.

FIGS. 15 and 19 show the rear14a of alternative embodiment of the invention. The rear14a can be substantially similar to the front12a of the tray10a. The rear14a can include a wall22c, a fillet24c, and an apron26c. The fillet24c can define an opening34c, including

bottom surfaces

36e,36f and36g as well as

side surfaces

38d,38e and40d,40e and a boss42c. One ormore apertures54 can pierce the fillet24c along the

surfaces

36e,36f,36g,38d,38e,40d and40e, or a notch44c. The rear14a also includes a slot78a. The slot78a extends vertically downward from the boss42c along the wall22c. The slot78a can be tapered to be narrowest at a position furthest from the boss42c. The slot78a is substantially aligned with the beam76a of the front12a to receive a beam76a when two trays10a are stacked 180° relative to another. The stacking of two trays relative to one another will be described in greater detail below. The rear14a does not include beams extending from the wall22c as best seen inFIG. 15. Also, the rear14a may not include a dimple28a as formed in the front12a.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,3,5 and8, thesecond side18 can include aninner face80, anouter face82, atop portion84 and abottom portion86. Theinner face80 can be defined by aninnermost surface88, afront pocket90 and arear pocket92. The front and

rear pockets

90 and92 can be defined by inwardly facing

surfaces

96 and98,

front facing surfaces

100 and102, rear facing

surfaces

104 and106, and upper facing surfaces108 and109, respectively. The inwardly facing surfaces, the front facing surfaces, the rear facing surfaces and the upper facing surfaces of each pocket define

openings

110 and112 in the front and

rear pockets

90 and92. The

pockets

90 and92 are shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of mating feet disposed on theouter face82 of thesecond side18. The feet will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, one ormore ribs114 can be disposed on the inwardly facingsurface98 of therear pocket92. Theribs114 are generally arcuate or semi-circular in cross section. Arib116 positioned closest to the center of thesecond side18 can be tapered, such that a radius of therib116 is greater than a radius of theribs114. Therib116 andribs114 can project from thesurface98 the same distance. Tapering therib116 and enhances the sliding interaction between twotrays10 to be stacked relative to one another. Specifically, it has been found that when therib116 is shaped without a tapered semi-circular cross section, a top tray sliding relative to a bottom tray can bind.

Referring now toFIGS. 5,9 and1, theouter face82 of thesecond side18 can include ahoneycomb section118, afront foot120 and arear foot122, and an outwardly facingsurface124. Thehoneycomb section118 can be disposed adjacent to thetop portion84 of thesecond side18. Thehoneycomb section118 enhances the strength and rigidity of thetray10. Opposite of thefront pocket90 of theinner face80 aplanar surface126 is disposed on theouter face82. Numerical and alphabetic information can be molded or formed on thesurface126.

Runners

128 and130 extend downwardly toward thebottom portion86 from thehoneycomb section118.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 9, thefront foot120 and arear foot122 extend from the outwardly facingsurface124 of theouter face82. The

feet

120 and122 include

runners

132 and134 respectively. The

feet

120 and122 can be honeycombed. Thefront foot120 is shaped to correspond to the shape of therear pocket92. Therear foot122 is shaped to correspond to the shape of thefront pocket90. Thefront foot120 can be defined in part by an outer surface orplane136, best seen inFIG. 5. Therear foot122 can be defined by two outer surfaces or

planes

138 and140. The

surfaces

138 and140 are disposed at an angle of greater than 0° relative to one another.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,5 and8, thetop portion84 of thesecond side18 is defined by a plurality of upper facing surfaces142,144,146,148,150,152,154, and156.

Surfaces

144 and148 are downwardly recessed with respect tosurface142.

Surfaces

142,146 and150 are substantially co-planar.

Surfaces

152,154 and156 define the bottom surface of adiscontinuous channel158 extending along thetop portion84 of thesecond side18 between the front12 and the rear14. Thechannel158 is longitudinally aligned with thegain46 of the front12 and a gain46a of the rear14. Astop160 is disposed in thechannel158. Thestop160 can be shaped like a ramp with a substantially vertical side facing toward the front12 and a substantially ramped side facing the rear14. Thestop160 can prevent movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray when two trays are to be stacked in a similar orientation and slidingly engaged in a first direction as will be discussed in greater detail below. The first direction is defined when the front of a top tray is engages the rear of the bottom tray at the beginning of the sliding engagement. The second direction is defined when the rear of the top tray is received by front of the bottom tray during the beginning of the sliding engagement.Surface152 is downwardly recessed with respect tosurface154 and arounded shoulder162 can be defined therebetween.

Referring now toFIG. 9, thebottom portion86 of thesecond side18 includes two

longitudinal rails

164 and166 that extend between opposite edges of thefoot72 of the front12 to a foot72b of the rear14.Transverse rails168 can be randomly or evenly spaced between the

rails

164 and166 along the length of thesecond side18.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 3, thefirst side16 and thesecond side18 are substantially mirror images of one another with respect to alongitudinal axis190. However, the

sides

16 and18 are different in that a configuration of ahandle170 of thesecond section18 is different than a configuration of ahandle172 of thefirst section16. Specifically, one of the

handles

170 and172 includes agripping portion174. The gripping portion includes one or more rounded projections extending into a cavity defined by the handle.FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate agripping portion174 having one rounded projection extending fromhandle portion172. However, the gripping portion can extend from thehandle portion170 and can include more than one rounded projection.FIG. 15 illustrates a gripping portion174a including a plurality of rounded projections.

Referring toFIGS. 1,3 and15, the grippingportions174 and174a generally conform to the hand of a user of thetray10 or tray10a. The grippingportion174 can be advantageous to indicate to a human handler the orientation of the tray. For example, if the trays are to be stacked at 180° relative to one another, the human handler can grasp a tray to be stacked and recognize whether the tray can be placed on top of a stack of trays or must be oriented differently before the tray is stacked by feeling the gripping portion instead of having to examine the sides of the tray to identify the location of thebeam76 of the tray being held and theslot78 of the tray at the top of the stack of trays. Specifically, when trays are to be stacked at 180° relative to one another, the human handler will recognize that every other tray must be grasped so that the gripping portion is felt with a particular hand. When the trays are to be stacked at 0° relative to one another, the human handler will recognize that every tray must be grasped so that the gripping portion is felt with a particular hand.

Referring now toFIGS. 15,17 and22, the first side16a and second side18a of the tray10a according to an alternative embodiment of the invention can be substantially similar to thefirst side16 andsecond side18 of thetray10, respectively. The first side16a and second side18a can be mirror images of one another about alongitudinal axis198. Each side can include aninner face80a, anouter face82a, atop portion84a and abottom portion86a. Theinner face80a can be defined by aninnermost surface88a, a front pocket90a and a rear pocket92a. The front and rear pockets90a and92a can be defined by inwardly facing surfaces96a and98a, front facingsurfaces100a and102a, and rear facing surfaces104a and106a, respectively. The rear pocket92a can include an upper facing surface109a. The inwardly facing surfaces, the front facing surfaces, the rear facing surfaces and the upper facing surfaces of each pocket define openings110a and112a in the front and rear pockets90a and92a. The pockets90a and92a are shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of mating feet disposed on theouter face82a. The feet will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now toFIG. 22, theouter face82a can include a honeycomb section118a, a front foot120a and arear foot122a, and an outwardly facingsurface124a. The honeycomb section118a can be disposed adjacent to thetop portion84a of the second side18a. The honeycomb section118a enhances the strength and rigidity of the tray10a. Opposite of the front pocket90a of theinner face80a a planar surface126a is disposed on theouter face82a. Numerical and alphabetic information can be molded or formed on the surface126a. Runners128a and130a extend downwardly toward thebottom portion86a from the honeycomb section118a.

Referring now toFIGS. 15 and 24, the front foot120a and arear foot122a extend from the outwardly facingsurface124a of theouter face82a. Thefeet120a and122a include

runners

132a and134a respectively. Thefeet120a and122a can includeribs200. The front foot120a is shaped to correspond to the shape of the rear pocket92a. Therear foot122a is shaped to correspond to the shape of the front pocket90a. The front foot120a can be defined in part by an outer surface or plane136a. Therear foot122a can be defined by two outer surfaces or planes138a and140a. The surfaces138a and140a are disposed at an angle of greater than 0° relative to one another.

Referring now toFIG. 17, thetop portion84a is defined by a plurality of upper facing

surfaces

142a,144a,146a,148a,150a,152a,154a, and156a. Surfaces144a and148a are downwardly recessed with respect tosurface142a.Surfaces142a,146a and150a are substantially co-planar.

Surfaces

152a,154a and156a define the bottom surface of a discontinuous channel158a extending along thetop portion84a between the front12a and the rear14a. The channel158a is longitudinally aligned with the gain46b of the front12a and a gain46c of the rear14a.Surface152a is downwardly recessed with respect tosurface154a and a shoulder162a can be defined therebetween.

Referring now toFIGS. 15,20 and21, thebottom portion86a of each side of the tray10a can be substantially similar to the bottom portion of each side of thetray10. Specifically, each bottom portion of the first and second sides16a and18a can include two longitudinal rails that extend between opposite edges of thefoot72a of the front12a to a foot72c of the rear14a. Transverse rails can be randomly or evenly spaced between the longitudinal rails along the length of the first and second sides16a and18a.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,3,8 and25, a bottom20 of thetray10 can define a lattice pattern. The bottom20 can also includelongitudinal ribs176 andtransverse ribs178. The bottom20 can also be domed to increase the strength of thetray10 and reduce the material required to form the bottom20. The bottom20a of tray10a can be domed. The shape of a domed bottom surface is shown schematically inFIG. 25. The front and sides of the tray are shown in phantom and aline180 illustrates a profile of the bottom20 along the transverse direction.Line182 illustrates that the bottom can also be arched along the longitudinal direction.Line188 illustrates a profile of a bottom that is not domed. The dome configuration of a bottom can increase the strength of the bottom by fifty percent. Tray10a can include adomed bottom20a. The enhanced strength of a domed-shaped bottom20 can also reduce the amount of material necessary to form the bottom20 when a predetermined strength is required.

Preferably, the dome is three-eights (⅜) of one inch at the center of the bottom20. In other words, the center of the dome extends toward the interior of thetray10 three-eights (⅜) of one inch relative to the intersection of the bottom with the

sides

16 and18, and the front12 and rear14. However, the height of the dome can be increased or decreased as desired. The height of the dome can be varied based on the weight of the material and/or products to be maintained in thetray10. In particular, the dome can be completely or partially flattened relative to the intersection of the bottom20 and with the

sides

16 and18, and the front12 and rear14 in response to a weight of the cargo to be maintained by thetray10. The height of the dome can be determined based on the projected flattening of the dome in response to weight of the cargo to be maintained by thetray10.

Two or more trays can be stacked on top of one another in three different configurations. The height of two stacked trays in each configuration can be different. The trays can be blind stacked and unstacked. The engagement of twotrays10 and two trays10a is substantially similar.

In a first configuration, abottom tray10 and atop tray10 are stacked in the same orientation, or at an angle of 0° relative to one another. In the first configuration, thesecond side18 of the top tray engages the second side of the bottom tray.FIG. 10 is a front plan view of two trays stacked in the same orientation andFIG. 13 is a side plan view of two trays stacked in the same orientation. When two trays are stacked in a similar orientation, afoot72a of a rear14 of an upper tray is received by thenotch44 of thefront12 of a lower tray. The trays are moved relative to one another and arunner134 of the upper tray enters thegain46 of thefront12 of the lower tray and slides along thechannel158. Anedge184 of therear foot122 slidingly contacts surface142 of thesecond side18 of the lower tray. Therunner134 of therear foot122 engages the taperedrib116 and moves past therib116 andribs114. Therunner132 of the top tray enters thegain46 of the lower tray. The sliding motion of the top tray relative to the bottom tray stops when therunner134 contacts or abuts thestop160 of the lower tray. As shown inFIG. 10, when the upper tray is stacked relative to the lower tray in the same orientation, abeam76 of the top tray contacts thesupport surface50 of theboss42 of the lower tray, therunner132 of the upper tray engages thesurface152 of the lower tray, therunner134 of the upper tray engages thesurface156 of the lower tray, and theedge184 of the upper tray engages thesurface142 of the lower tray and the

ribs

114 and116. Substantially the same engagement occurs between thefirst side16 of the top tray and thefirst side16 of the lower tray.

In a second configuration, a bottom tray and a top tray are stacked in the opposite orientation, or at an angle of 180° relative to one another. In the second configuration, thefirst side18 of the top tray engages the second side of the bottom tray.FIG. 12 is a front plan view of two trays stacked in the same opposite orientation andFIG. 14 is a side plan view of two trays stacked in the same opposite orientation. Afoot72 of thefront12 of the top tray enters thenotch44 of a lower tray. Arunner132 enters thegain46 of the lower tray and slidingly contacts the

surfaces

152 and154 of thechannel158. Arunner134 enters thegain46. When the front and

rear feet

120 and122 of the top tray are aligned with the rear and

front pockets

92 and90, respectively, of the bottom tray, the top tray drops into engagement with the bottom tray. Theribs114 engagesurface136 to reduce the likelihood that the top tray will move relative to the bottom tray. When the top and bottom tray are engaged at an angle of 180° relative to one another, abeam76 of the top tray is slidingly received in the channel78 (shown in phantom inFIG. 12),

runners

128 and130 of the toptray contact surface154 of the bottom tray,runner132 of the top tray pierces theopening112 of the bottom tray,runner134 pierces theopening110 of the bottom tray, and the bottom of theapron26 of the top tray engages the top of the apron26b of the rear14 of the bottom tray. Substantially the same engagement occurs between thesecond side18 of the top tray and thefirst side16 of the lower tray.

In a third configuration, a bottom tray and a top tray are stacked at an angle of 90° relative to one another. In the third configuration, the bottom20 of the top tray engages the bottom surfaces36 and36d of the bottom tray.FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of two trays stacked at an angle of 90° relative to one another. The trays can be stacked so that a bottom edge of awall22 of a top tray engages thefillet24 of thefront12 of a bottom tray and a fillet24b of the rear14 of the bottom tray. Theshoulder74 and a shoulder74a of thefront12 of the top tray engage theaprons26 and26b and limit the movement of top tray relative to the bottom tray. Like shoulders can be formed in the rear14 to engage theaprons26 and26b.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front wall having a front apron and a front channel defined by the front wall and the front apron;

a back wall spaced from the front wall and having a back apron and a back channel defined by the back wall and the back apron;

first and second sides each having an outer face and an inner face;

at least one foot extending from the outer face of one of the first and second sides, the at least one foot including a surface facing forward toward the front wall and adjoining the outer face and an outward facing surface adjoining the forward facing surface, the entire outward facing surface spaced away from and outboard of the outer face;

at least one pocket recessed into the inner face of a corresponding one of the first and second sides, the at least one pocket including a forward facing surface adjoining the inner surface and an inward facing surface adjoining the forward facing surface, the entire inward facing surface spaced away from and outboard of the inner face, where the at least one pocket is correspondingly shaped with respect to the at least one foot;

a bottom extending between the front wall and the back wall and between the first and second sides, where the front wall, back wall, first and second sides, and the bottom are integrally formed; and

a plurality of ribs disposed along the inward facing surface of the at least one pocket, the ribs engageable with the outward facing surface of the at least one foot when two like trays are stacked in opposite directions rotated 180° with respect to one another.

2. The tray ofclaim 1 further comprising:

at least one drain aperture disposed along at least one of the front wall and back wall of the tray for communicating fluid from the channel.

3. The tray ofclaim 2 further comprising:

at least one rib disposed in the channel for defining, at least in part, the at least on aperture.

4. The tray ofclaim 3 wherein the rib is arcuate.

5. The tray ofclaim 3 wherein the rib is elongate.

6. The tray ofclaim 2 further comprising:

an opening defined by the at least one of the front wall and back wall and having a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces, the at least one aperture disposed in one of the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface.

7. The tray ofclaim 6 wherein the opening further comprises:

at least one secondary bottom surface adjoining one of the first and second side surfaces; and

at least one secondary side surface adjoining the bottom surface and the at least one secondary bottom surface, the at least one aperture disposed in one of the at least one secondary bottom surface and the at least one secondary side surface.

8. The tray ofclaim 2 further comprising:

a notch defined by the at least one of the front wall and back wall, the at least one aperture disposed in the notch.

9. The tray ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a first handle disposed in the first side of the tray, the first handle having a first gripping portion;

a second handle disposed in a corresponding position in the second side of the tray, the second handle having a second gripping portion, wherein the first gripping portion has a different contour than the second gripping portion.

10. The tray ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are operable to support a top tray during sliding movement of the top tray relative to a bottom tray during stacking of the top and bottom trays in the same direction relative to one another.

11. The tray ofclaim 1 wherein one of the ribs is tapered to enhance sliding movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray during stacking.

12. The tray ofclaim 11 wherein the tapered rib is positioned closest to the center of the tray relative to the other ribs to minimize binding between the two trays being stacked relative to one another.

13. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front wall;

a back wall spaced from the front wall;

first and second sides each having an outer face and an upper edge;

a recessed channel longitudinally disposed along the upper edge of one of the first and second sides;

at least one foot extending from the outer face of one of the first and second sides, the at least one foot including a runner extending from a lower portion of the at least one foot, the runner slideably engageable with the recessed channel of a like tray when the two trays are stacked in the same direction with respect to one another;

a stop disposed within the recessed channel for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray in a first direction when the top and bottom trays are stacked relative to one another.

14. The tray ofclaim 13 wherein the stop comprises:

a ramp surface inclined to a bottom surface of the recessed channel, the ramp surface being engageable with the runner to permit sliding movement of one tray relative to the other in a second direction.

15. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front having a wall, an apron and a channel defined by the wall and the apron;

a back spaced from the front and having a second wall, a second apron and a second channel defined by the second wall and the second apron;

first and second sides each having an outer portion and inner portion, and at least one foot extending from the outer portion and at least one pocket defined by the inner portion where the at least one foot is correspondingly shaped with respect to the at least one foot pocket, each of the first and second sides operably associated with the front and the back;

a bottom extending along a first path between the front and the back and along a second path between the first and second sides, where the front, back, first and second sides, and the bottom are integrally formed;

at least one beam extending from the front of the tray; and

at least one slot formed in the back of the tray to receive the beam when two trays are stacked in opposite directions with respect to one another.

16. The multi-purpose tray ofclaim 15, wherein the beam adjoins the front apron.

17. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

first and second sides each having an outer portion and inner portion, and at least one foot extending from the outer portion and at least one pocket defined by the inner portion where the at least one foot is correspondingly shaped with respect to the at least one pocket, each of the first and second sides operably associated with the front and the back; and

a bottom extending along a first path between the front and the back and along a second path between the first and second sides, where the front, back, first and second sides, and the bottom are integrally formed, and wherein one of the first and second paths is arcuate at least in part,

wherein the bottom comprises at least one transverse rib extending from the first side to the second side and aligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first and second sides.

18. The tray ofclaim 17 wherein the first and second paths are arcuate.

19. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

wherein the bottom comprises at least one longitudinal rib extending from the front wall to the second wall and aligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the front and second walls.

20. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front wall;

a back wall spaced from the front wall;

first and second sides each having an outer face and an inner face;

at least one pocket recessed into the inner face of a corresponding one of the first and second sides, the at least one pocket including a forward facing surface adjoining the inner face and an inward facing surface adjoining the forward facing surface, the entire inward facing surface spaced away from and outboard of the inner face, where the at least one pocket is correspondingly shaped with respect to the at least one foot;

21. A tray according to claim 20 further comprising:

a first handle disposed in the first side of the tray, the first handle having a first gripping portion; and

22. A tray according to claim 20 wherein the plurality of ribs are operable to support a top tray during sliding movement of the top tray relative to a bottom tray during stacking of the top and bottom trays in the same direction relative to one another.

23. A tray according to claim 20 wherein one of the ribs is tapered to enhance sliding movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray during stacking.

24. A tray according to claim 23 wherein the tapered rib is positioned closest to the center of the tray relative to the other ribs to minimize binding between the two trays being stacked relative to one another.

25. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front wall:

a back wall spaced from the front wall;

first and second sides each having an outer face and an upper edge;

a channel longitudinally disposed along the upper edge of one of the first and second sides;

at least one foot extending from the outer face of one of the first and second sides, the at least one foot including a runner extending from a lower portion of the at least one foot, the runner slidably engageable with the channel of a like tray when the two trays are stacked in the same direction with respect to one another;

a bottom extending between the front wall and the back wall and between the first and second sides, where the front wall, back wall, first and second sides and the bottom are integrally formed; and

a stop associated with the channel for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray in a first direction when the top and bottom trays are stacked relative to one another.

26. A tray according to claim 25 wherein the stop comprises a ramp surface inclined to a bottom surface of the channel, the ramp surface being engageable with the runner to permit sliding movement of one tray relative to the other in a second direction.

27. A multi purpose tray comprising a front, back, first and second sides, and a bottom integrally formed with the front, back and sides, each side having at least one downwardly extending foot and one upwardly opening pocket offset with respect to the foot, the pocket of the first side configured to receive the foot of the second side and the pocket of the second side configured to receive the foot of the first side, the feet and pockets being configured and relatively disposed such that with two trays stacked in the same direction the trays are vertically spaced with the feet of the upper tray supported on upper edges of the lower tray and with two trays stacked in opposite directions the trays are nested with the foot of the first side of the upper tray nested in the pocket of the second side of the lower tray and the foot of the second side of the upper tray nested in the pocket of the first side of the lower tray, characterized in that:

the tray further includes at least one vertical beam extending from the front of the tray and at least one vertical slot formed in the back of the tray and configured to receive the beam; and

with the two trays stacked in the same direction, the beam of the upper tray is supported on an upper edge of the lower tray and with the two trays stacked in opposite directions the beam of the upper tray is positioned in the slot of the lower tray.

28. A multi-purpose tray according to claim 27 wherein each side has at least two spaced feet and at least two spaced upwardly opening pockets.

29. A multi-purpose tray according to claim 27 wherein:

each front has at least two spaced beams; and

each back has at least two spaced slots.

30. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front;

a back;

first and second sides each defining a plurality of downwardly extending feet and each defining a plurality of upwardly opening pockets to receive the feet when two trays are stacked in opposite directions with respect to one another;

a bottom integrally formed with the front, back and first and second sides;

at least one beam extending from the front of the tray; and

31. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front;

a back;

first and second sides;

a bottom extending along a first path between the front and the back and along a second path between the first and second sides, where the front, back, first and second sides and the bottom are integrally formed and wherein one of the first and second paths is arcuate at least in part; and

32. A tray according to claim 31 wherein the first and second paths are arcuate.

33. A multi-purpose tray comprising:

a front;

a back;

first and second sides; and

a bottom extending along a first path between the front and back and along a second path between the first and second sides, where the front, back, first and second sides and the bottom are integrally formed and wherein one of the first and second paths is arcuate at least in part;

wherein the bottom comprises at least one longitudinal rib extending from the front to the back and aligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the front and back.