Abstract: A tray for transporting and displaying baked products is disclosed. The tray can be stacked in a 0° and 180° stacking configuration. The trays further include substantially non-glossy, non-smooth surfaces that allow stickers to be more easily removed, as well as drain channels in the base to facilitate removal of water following washing. The trays further include a scalloped handle on one side of the tray only to allow operators to more easily recognize which side of the tray they are facing. A tray retrieval tool can be used with several hook areas to facilitate retrieval of the trays following washing in high temperature water, or following stacking and storage. The trays further include spacers and spacer holes to place the spacers so that different types of baked products can be accommodated without damaging or destroying the baked product.

Abstract: A novel container (20) for transport or storage of products such as bread, buns, or other goods. In one embodiment, there is provided a nestable container with a base (24) and sidewalls (28, 32) that can be stacked in two positions for different products and can be nested when empty for compact storage. The container has levered positions for lifting out of each stacking position and into a corresponding sliding position. The sliding positions can be used to offset the container or containers from the stack and reduce the strain on the operator when lifting for destacking. Alternatively, the container can slide in the opposite direction for stacking in either position. Thus the operator can set the container down, offset from the stack, in the sliding position and slide into stacking position. Back strain can be reduced during stacking and destacking as the operator does not have to extend or lean over the stack to pick up or set down the containers.

Abstract: A load carrying device configured to support and transport a tray comprising a platform configured to support the tray, rolling means depending from the platform, and a retainer disposed on the platform and configured to loosely abut the tray to limit movement of the tray across the platform when the tray is supported on the platform. The retainer limits movement of the tray in all directions across the platform when the tray is supported on the platform. The retainer projects upwardly from the platform and presents a surface opposing horizontal movement of the tray when the tray is supported on the platform.

Abstract: A container configured to support a second identical container in a stacked relationship, comprising a base including a plurality of spaced apart members, the spaced apart members including at least one stacking member, and at least one container support member, wherein each of the at least one container support member is configured for engaging and supporting one of the at least one stacking member of the second identical container.

Abstract: A novel container (20) for transport or storage of products such as bread, buns, or other goods. In one embodiment, there is provided a nestable container with a base (24) and sidewalls (28, 32) that can be stacked in two positions for different products and can be nested when empty for compact storage. The container has levered positions for lifting out of each stacking position and into a corresponding sliding position. The sliding positions can be used to offset the container or containers from the stack and reduce the strain on the operator when lifting for destacking. Alternatively, the container can slide in the opposite direction for stacking in either position. Thus the operator can set the container clown, offset from the stack, in the sliding position and slide into stacking position. Back strain can be reduced during stacking and destacking as the operator does not have to extend or lean over the stack to pick up or set down the containers.

Abstract: A load carrying device configured to support and transport a tray comprising a platform configured to support the tray, rolling means depending from the platform, and a retainer disposed on the platform and configured to loosely abut the tray to limit movement of the tray across the platform when the tray is supported on the platform. The retainer limits movement of the tray in all directions across the platform when the tray is supported on the platform. The retainer projects upwardly from the platform and presents a surface opposing horizontal movement of the tray when the tray is supported on the platform.

Abstract: A novel container for transport or storage of products such as bread, buns, or other goods. In one embodiment, there is provided a nestable container with a base and sidewalls that can be stacked in two positions for different products and can be nested when empty for compact storage. The container has levered positions for lifting out of each stacking position and into a corresponding sliding position. The sliding positions can be used to offset the container or containers from the stack and reduce the strain on the operator when lifting for destacking. Alternatively, the container can slide in the opposite direction for stacking in either position. Thus the operator can set the container down, offset from the stack, in the sliding position and slide into stacking position. Back strain can be reduced during stacking and destacking as the operator does not have to extend or lean over the stack to pick up or set down the containers.

Abstract: A stackable, nestable, multi-level tray or basket useful for storing and transporting baked goods is provided which includes a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls configured for stacking identical trays as well as allowing the stacking of a tray with smaller, overall dimensions. The structure enables identical trays to slide on to each other in stacked or nested configurations. A multi-level tray includes sidewalls with a plurality of upright stacking posts extending from the floor to a vertical strip of material. Each stacking post flares out at its top end to a cantilevered, extending flat portion. Trays of smaller overall dimensions than the disclosed tray can be advantageously stacked on these extending flat portions.

Abstract: A slide-on multi-level basket useful for storing and transporting baked goods is provided which includes a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls configured for stacking identical baskets at three different levels and presenting structure enabling other, identical baskets to slide thereon into stacked or nested orientations. A multi-level basket hereof includes a slideway or rail extending along each of the side walls, the side walls being divided into inner and outer panels. Each basket includes a thin web and a wide web spaced apart and respectively proximate a front end wall and a rear end wall. The thick and thin webs are complimentarily configured with a relieved portion and a slot in each of the side walls whereby the webs can slide along the rail of a next lower, identical basket enabling the upper basket to drop into either a nested or stacked relationship according to the relative orientation of the two baskets, when superposed over the next lower, identical basket.

Abstract: An improved multi-level basket especially useful in storing and transporting baked goods is provided which enables similarly configured baskets to be oriented for stacking at three different levels. The multi-level basket hereof offers enhanced strength and stability by the raised rim and lowered base which protect the stacking and nesting members from wear or breakage during use. Complimentary baskets are vertically stacked or nested by placement of the baskets in superposed registry. The baskets are advantageously provided with lugs on their front wall for resisting lateral movement of stacked baskets constructed in accordance with the invention hereof.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes opposed side walls hingedly connected along their upper and lower edges respectively to the bottom of a rectangular peripheral upper rim and to the bottom of the container along opposed side edges of the rim and bottom. End walls are hingedly connected along their upper edges to the rim along its opposed end edges. Webs along the end edges of the side walls and bottom engage the end walls to locate the end walls in their vertical erected position relative to the bottom, and projecting tabs on the end walls are received in mating recesses in the web to maintain the bottom and side walls against flexing when the container is erected. The upper rim is adapted to receive a stacking rail formed on the container bottom to enable stacking of the containers either in their erected or collapsed configuration.The container may include a pair of cover panels hinged along their respective outer side edges to the tops of the side edges of the rim.

Abstract: A square nesting and stacking container wherein each wall of the container has a plurality of feet near the bottom of the container and a plurality of saddles near the top of the container. The saddles are located directly above the feet so that the feet will engage the saddles of a similarly oriented container of identical construction and support the same in a stacked relationship. There are clearances between the saddles so that when one container is turned 90.degree. with respect to another, it may be lowered into a nested relationship with the latter without interference because the feet will enter and pass through the clearances of the lower container.

Abstract: A multilevel stacking container is nestable in a like container when in like end to like end relationship thereto and stackable in an intermediate level relative to the underlying container upon reversal to a like end to unlike end relationship. A stacking shelf is hingedly mound on each end of the container between a stored position, which accommodates nesting or intermediate level stacking of like containers, and a support position which establishes a high level stacking configuration in which the upper of two stacked containers is stably supported at a substantially higher level relative to the underlying container as compared to the intermediate level stacked relationship.

Abstract: A multilevel stacking container having opposed end walls of complementary configuration such that one container may be stacked upon a like container at a first level in a like end to like end relationship and stacked at a second level in a like end to complementary end relationship. The end walls are so configured as to accommodate transverse sliding of the upper container laterally across the lower container into either of the aforementioned stacked relationships without snagging prior to final vertical alignment. Abutment means are operable to maintain the stacked containers against movement out of vertical alignment once in a stacked relationship.

Abstract: A four-level stacking container includes bale members mounted on each of two opposed end walls by pivot pins received in slots in the end walls. The configuration of the slots are such that the bale member pivot pins may be located in either of at least two stable rest positions within the slots and the bale member may be pivoted to either of two rest positions relative to the end walls for each stable rest position of the pivot pin. The four rest positions thus established accommodate the stacking of a like container in a first container at any one of four different elevations relative to the first container.

Abstract: A multilevel stacking container is nestable in a like container when in like end to like end relationship thereto and stackable in an intermediate level relative to the underlying container upon reversal to a like end to unlike end relationship. A stacking shelf is hingedly mound on each end of the container between a stored position, which accommodates nesting or intermediate level stacking of like containers, and a support position which establishes a high level stacking configuration in which the upper of two stacked containers is stably supported at a substantially higher level relative to the underlying container as compared to the intermediate level stacked relationship.