Abstract: A conveyor carriage movable on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage includes a conveyor frame; a pair of side rails spaced apart from each other; and a load carrying portion coupled to the pair of side rails. A drop-down plate hingedly mounted to the conveyor frame and positioned in between the pair of side rails. The drop-down plate is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drop-down plate encloses a component of the conveyor carriage in the closed position. The conveyor carriage to pick up and deposit loads from and to a load handling station. The load handling station including a control box with a pivotable lid to enclose one or more components of the load handling station in the closed position.

Abstract: A tier sheet includes a deck having a support surface. A plurality of walls extend downward to define lower recesses for receiving the upper ends of containers therebelow. In one embodiment, the tier sheet is a single thermoformed sheet and includes a plurality of upper recesses formed in the deck, each upper recess defined between an outer wall and a column. In another embodiment, the tier sheet is injection molded.

Abstract: A beverage crate includes a base having opposed end edges and opposed side edges. A pair of end walls extending upward from the end edges of the base. A pair of side walls extend upward from the side edges of the base. Each of the side walls includes an upper band portion connected to the base by inwardly-offset columns. The upper band portions each include at least one upper peak protruding upwardly and at least one complementary recess aligned below the at least one upper peak. The upper band portions each include at least one lower peak protruding downwardly and at least one complementary recess aligned above the at least one lower peak.

Abstract: A stackable box (1) for accommodating and for transporting articles and for stacking in a stacking direction (2) with at least one other box (1) of the same type, wherein the box (1) has a base (3) and a side wall (4), which projects beyond the base (3) and surrounds the base (3) at least partially, wherein the base (3) and the side wall (4) together bound an accommodating space (5) for the articles, wherein the side wall (4) contains at least two, spaced-apart adapters in order for the box (1) to be gripped mechanically by means of at least one gripping device (6), said adapters in the side wall (4) being designed in each case in the form of channels (8) which extend longitudinally in a longitudinal-extent direction (7) running parallel to the stacking direction (2), wherein the channels (8) each have an entry opening (9) and an exit opening (10) and, therebetween, an inner channel cavity (12) which is bounded by a channel-boundary wall (11) of the box (1), extends longitudinally in the respective longitudin

Abstract: Embodiments of caseless container trays are disclosed. In an embodiment, a caseless container tray includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is configured to contact and receive base portions of a first plurality of containers. The top surface includes a plurality of top projections configured to divide the first plurality of containers into a plurality of rows. The bottom surface is configured to contact and receive spouts of a second plurality of containers. Furthermore, the bottom surface includes a plurality of bottom projections extending from the bottom surface, wherein a bottom surface of each bottom projection is configured to contact a shoulder portion of a container of the second plurality of containers and wherein each projection surrounds a center portion configured to contact and receive a spout.

Abstract: A nestable beverage crate includes a base, side walls and end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns connecting a side upper band to the base. Each end wall includes a plurality of end columns connected an end upper band to the base. The side upper band and the end upper bands each have a plurality of peaks and valleys and are asymmetric, such that adjacent crates will have peaks aligned with valleys and vice-versa. For purposes of preventing shingling, the effective height of the side upper bands and the end upper bands these two adjacent side walls is the full distance between the upper edge of the peak and the lower edge of the valley, but the nesting height of the crate is only the height of the upper bands.

Abstract: A stacking crate for bottles has a plurality of tapered pylons extending upward from a periphery of a floor. A rib extends downwardly in the interior of a cavity in each pylon. Each pylon further includes a slot in an upper surface of the pylon substantially aligned with the rib. When similar crates are nested, the ribs in the pylons of one crate will rest in the slots in the upper surface of the pylons of the lower crate, thus permitting the crates to be nested.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box (10) for storing, transporting, and protecting vertically suspended containers with an upper opening (11), a rectangular bottom (12), lower side walls (13) connected to said bottom (12), and a step (14) connected to said lower side walls (13) and forming a bearing for supporting a plate (15). Said box (10) includes upper side walls (16) connected to said step (14), and each comprises at least one portion (17; 43) extending to the end of the box, each of said upper side walls also being connected to an upper edge (22) extending outside the box. An edge (20) is positioned on the upper corners (21) of said box (10). The present invention also relates to a container for transporting such boxes and to a method for palletizing and depalletizing said boxes.

Abstract: A cell tray suitable for accommodating bottles of at least two different sizes. The cell tray has a loading surface to receive bottle bottoms in a matrix-like loading pattern and holding devices to receive and lock into place bottle mouths loaded onto a similar cell tray beneath said holding devices in a stack of cell trays. The holding devices are arranged as to align with at least two separate loading patterns on the loading surface. The first loading pattern is formed by a first plurality of holding devices arranged in a matrix-like formation having a first number of rows and columns. The second loading pattern is formed by a second plurality of holding devices arranged in a matrix-like formation having a second number of rows and columns. The second number of rows and columns is at least one less than the first number of rows and columns.

Abstract: A tray for holding canning jars comprising a plurality of wells arranged in a first row, second row and third row, each well comprising a bottom surface with ridges. The ridges in the first and third rows comprise an inner circle, two first opposing crescents, and two second opposing crescents. The ridges in the second row comprise a first semicircle and a second semicircle. The two first opposing crescents are situated opposite one another, and the two second opposing crescents are situated opposite one another on the bottom of the well and at a ninety-degree angle relative to the first opposing crescents. The first semicircle is situated opposite the second semicircle and is closer to the center of the bottom surface of the well than the second semicircle.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a motor-vehicle, internal-combustion-engine air intake manifold having an intake-manifold first shell attachable or monolithically joined to an intake-manifold second shell to surround an internal manifold volume. The first shell has a wall with at least a portion having undulating concave and convex regions as defined exterior to the internal manifold volume of the attached or monolithically-joined first shell and second shell.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting bottles and/or a plurality of handling units combined to form multipacks made up of a plurality of bottles. The arrangement comprises a tray of rectangular shape having a top side and an underside. The top side and underside of the tray position such multipacks and allow trays to be stacked one upon the other and also allow the insertion of individual bottles. The top side of the tray has first supporting contours, which the foot region of a plurality of multipacks arranged one beside the other accommodate second supporting contours and accommodate the head region of a plurality of individual bottles inserted one beside the other. The underside of the tray has third supporting contours, support the head region of the multipacks and fourth supporting contours, accommodate the foot region of a plurality of individual bottles inserted one beside the other.

Abstract: A low depth tray (100) for fluid containers, such as bottles B, includes a base (102) and a first pair of opposed walls (104, 106) extending upwardly from the base (102). The tray (100) further includes a second pair of opposed walls (108, 110) extending upwardly from the base (102) and integrally joined with the first pair of opposed walls (104, 106) to form a storage area. Each of the second pair of opposed walls (108, 110) includes an upper wall portion (112) and a lower wall portion (114), the upper wall portion (112) first areas (116) having a single-walled construction and second areas (118) for contacting the fluid containers B. When nested with a similar tray, the lower wall portion (114) of an upper tray (100) nests within the corresponding first areas (116) of a tray (100) disposed therebelow.

Abstract: A low depth tray for bottles is provided which includes a first pair of opposed walls, a second pair of opposed walls attached to the first pair of opposed walls to form a wall structure, and a base attached to the wall structure. At least one interior column projects upwardly within the wall structure, where the interior column has a height less than the height of bottles loaded in the tray. A plurality of interior divider walls of double-walled construction project upwardly from the base and extend between the one or more interior columns and the wall structure. Together, the divider walls, interior columns, base, and outer wall structure define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets, where each pocket includes at least one divider wall and is sized to receive a single bottle therein.

Abstract: A stackable container, including side walls extending upwardly from a bottom wall and defining an open-top, enclosed space therein, and rigid support members spaced about the bottom wall, the rigid support members having a vertical height. The side walls are tapered outwardly so as to be stackable in a nesting relationship within a similar container with a stacking offset less than the support members vertical height whereby the support members are supported on aligned rigid support members of the similar container. Outwardly tapered stress-relieving triangular corner surfaces extend upwardly between 130° and 140° from corners of the bottom wall and connect to side walls to form each junction of the bottom wall with two side wall.

Abstract: A fixture for recycling bottles made of plastics, which includes a base plate and means for anchoring the bottles arranged on the upper side of the base plate and engaging in indentations provided on the bottle bottoms, and a recycling bottle made of plastics to be used with such a fixture and including an indentation on its bottle bottom. In order to facilitate handling of the bottles for recycling purposes and to enable the automated determination of possible deposits for the bottles as well as the simple and rapid recyclability of the bottles, it is provided that the anchoring means, in a sense oriented away from the upper side of the base plate, have decreasing cross sections and barb-shaped formations. Thus, the optimum support of the bottles on the fixture is safeguarded. Preferably, the base plate is located within the projection of the bottles onto the base plate.

Abstract: A case for carrying a plurality of bottles comprising a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls connected to a case bottom having a plurality of bottle supporting platforms, the side walls and the end walls having a lower part including a plurality of panels separated by windows and an upper part including a substantially solid band, the solid band in the end walls having handle-forming openings therein; wherein the panels are each provided on interior surfaces thereof with a pair of relatively thick, vertically extending and laterally spaced ribs, the ribs having edges facing radially towards centers of adjacent bottle supporting platforms; and wherein the solid band is provided on an interior surface thereof with a plurality of vertically extending buttresses, each directly above a respective window.

Abstract: A low depth bottle crate has a peripheral wall of uniform height that includes a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls and a crate bottom connected to the peripheral wall. An upper surface of the crate bottom is formed to include a bottle supporting platform for each bottle to be received in the crate. There are a plurality of substantially U-shaped cut-outs in upper portions of the side and end walls that define columns between the cut-outs, lower portions of the peripheral wall and the columns being of single wall construction except for hollow caps at upper ends of the columns that are of double wall construction. The cut-outs terminate at a ledge that separates the upper portions of the side and end walls from the lower portions of the side and end walls. Each of the columns, except for four corner columns, has a support buttress extending downwardly and inwardly from a lower edge of a respective one of the hollow caps to the crate bottom.

Abstract: A low depth bottle crate includes a peripheral wall of uniform height, the peripheral wall including a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A longitudinal interior partition extends between the end walls and a plurality of transverse interior partitions extend between the side walls to thereby create a plurality of bottle receiving pockets within the peripheral wall. A crate bottom is connected to the peripheral wall, an upper surface of the crate bottom formed to include a bottle supporting platform for each of the bottle receiving pockets. A plurality of interior columns are located at intersections of the transverse partitions and the longitudinal partition, each interior column having an interior surface facing radially into each of four of the bottle receiving pockets that surround each of the interior columns, the surface having a pair of vertically extending interior convex ribs adapted to provide support for a bottle loaded into the respective pocket.

Abstract: A pan for use with a well for receiving the pan is disclosed herein. The pan includes a bottom panel, a plurality of walls, and a ramp. The plurality of walls extend upwardly from the bottom panel and define a cavity. The plurality of walls also have an upper end which defines a top opening. The upper end has an extension away from the cavity which defines a rim. The ramp is proximate the rim and exterior to the cavity, whereby the pan rides up on the ramp when the pan is drawn up against the well.

Abstract: A tray adapted to rest on bottles and also to receive bottles in cups in the upper side of the tray, several trays adapted to be stacked with intermediate trays, each cup thereby comprising a central flange ring having a vertical flange, the lower edge of which being adapted to rest on the supporter ring on a bottle standing on a lower tray, in such a way that the weight of the tray above, including bottles, is transferred to the bottles standing in a lower tray and further to this tray through the supporter ring.

Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles including outer side walls forming an outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. A plurality of spaced upwardly projecting columns generally disposed within the outer shell define, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally molded logo which identifies the source of the goods.

Abstract: A bottle package which allows bottles to be transported by carrying them, the bottles including a bottom, body, neck and mouth, of which the neck includes a projecting annular collar, the package including a base for receiving and supporting the bottoms of the bottles, the base including a seat for each bottle to be placed on the base, and a frame and a handle which are attached to the base and enable carrying of the package.

Abstract: A full-depth nestable crate includes a plurality of columns, projections and channels disposed along exterior and interior surfaces of a retainer wall such that a top crate is nestable within a bottom crate in a first position and stacked on top of a bottom crate when rotated 180.degree. to a second position with respect to the bottom crate. A plurality of stacking rings depend from the bottom floor and interlock a top crate with a bottom crate when crates are stacked or nested. Each stacking ring is aligned with a pocket in the crate and disposed over a bottle in a bottom crate. A bottle cap on the bottle seats within a depression formed in the stacking ring.

Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles includes outer side walls forming an outer shell, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. At least one upwardly projecting column is generally disposed within the outer shell, and defines, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. The end walls each include an integrally molded handle structure suspended between an upper portion of adjacent corner pylons to thereby define a generally open end wall area below the handle structure.

Abstract: The tray has an outer rectangular panel that has two opposing end walls and two side walls. A plurality of rows of the cells extend from one end panel to the other, intermediate the side panels. Gaps are formed in the outer panel adjacent some of the cells to expose the can labels or UPC codes. The outer panel has a flat surface so advertising may be placed on the outer panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport and/or storage container (1), particularly of plastics, for transporting goods, such for example as cans, bottles or tubs, with a carrier body (2) which is formed at least by a base (3) which forms a support surface for the transport goods and a plate-shaped positioning device (4) extending parallel to the base (3) provided with apertures (27) for the transport goods, the positioning device (4) being connected by hinge arrangements (5) to the base (3) or with wall members (6) disposed on the base (3) at a spacing (33) from the base (3) and is mounted to be displaceable in a direction vertical to the base (3).

Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles including outer side walls forming an outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. A plurality of spaced upwardly projecting columns generally disposed within the outer shell define, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. The end walls each include an integrally molded handle structure suspended between an upper portion of adjacent corner pylons to thereby define a generally open end wall area below the handle structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transport device for dangerous goods containers and a process for securing dangerous goods containers inside a transport container. The transport device comprises an ISO container and a system for securing the dangerous goods containers within it. According to the invention, the system comprises: a first set of moulded units (10) which lie adjacent to one another and form a first receiving surface which completely occupies the floor of the container and has openings (12) into each of which the bottom section of a dangerous goods container (2) fits precisely; and a second set of moulded units (20) with openings (21) into each of which the top section of a dangerous goods container fits precisely and so designed that, when fitted adjacent to one another on the dangerous goods containers on the first receiving surface, they form a second receiving surface which completely occupies an intermediate level of the container parallel to the floor.

Abstract: A bottle package for placing bottles in a plurality of superposed layers in which the bottles are upright comprising base plates which are placed between the bottle layers to provide an efficient transport and sales package for the bottles. The base plates incorporate on one surface seats for the neck portion of a bottle, and on the other surface, cup-like seats remaining between the neck portion seats, the dimensions and shape of the cup-like seats substantially conforming to the shape of a socket in the bottle bottom portion and the seats for the neck portion including a centrally projecting protuberance having a frusto-conical shape for preventing tilting of the bottles.

Abstract: A bottle package for placing bottles in a plurality of superposed layers in which the bottles are upright comprising base plates which are placed between the bottle layers to provide an efficient transport and sales package for the bottles. The base plates incorporate on one surface seats the inner surfaces of which bear, for at least a portion thereof, on the mouth or neck portion of a bottle to be used in association with the base plate as the base plate is disposed on a layer of bottles, and on the other surface, cup-like seats remaining between the neck portion seats, the dimensions and shape of the cup-like seats substantially conforming to the shape of the bottom of the bottles to be used in association with the base plate for forming a package.

Abstract: In a bottle crate for plastic bottles, for non-returnable bottles in particular, having location members formed at the crate bottom for each bottle location department, at least one perferably annular contact member made out of a material softer than that of the carrier is arranged on at least the crate-side contact faces between each location member and bottle of the lower stack layer.

Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles including outer side walls forming an outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. A plurality of spaced upwardly projecting columns generally disposed within the outer shell define, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. The end walls each include an integrally molded handle structure suspended between an upper portion of adjacent corner pylons to thereby define a generally open end wall area below the handle structure.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays for storing and transporting beverage containers, such as twelve-ounce metal cans and two-liter PET bottles. The tray floor has thereon an array of support areas for the containers. The tray rail band thereof is spaced high enough above the floor to prevent container tipping and in a "low-depth" configuration. The outside rail band faces are vertical on both sides and are against the containers, and thereby add little to the outside tray dimensions. The inside face contacts and supports the peripheral containers. Columns between adjacent support areas interconnect the rail and the floor, angle downwardly and inwardly therebetween, open outwardly and form vertical nesting slots. The trays when empty can thereby be stacked in a deeply nesting position whereby each additional tray adds only the height of its narrow rail to the nested tray stack height. When the tray is a can tray, the bottom surface of the floor has a pattern of protuberances and recessed areas therebetween.

Abstract: A height extension for use on top of a crate having a wall structure which extends the height of the wall structure of the crate to more stably retain containers. The extension of the present invention can be used with nestable and stackable crates to increase the heights of the crates without expensive replacement of the crates. It is particularly well suited for use with crates holding taller or differently shaped bottles. The extension also does not interfere with the nesting and stacking capabilities of the crates so that handling is not effected in any way since crates equipped with extensions are compatible with existing crates.

Abstract: A pair of identical thermoformed bottle holders support the bases and top portions of an array of glass bottles in an enclosing carton in a manner which spaces and flexibly cushions all portions of the bottles from the direct transmission of an impact through any carton wall.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for use with pallets supporting stacked bottles; it comprises a rectangular panel with a top face adapted to bear against part of a pallet undersurface and a bottom face adapted to sit on top of a number of the stacked bottles. The bottom face displays a series of recesses arranged in rows and columns to rest on the tops of the bottles; a number of these recesses include a contiguous cylindrical wall to define an inverted cup-shaped extension in which are received the top portion of the bottles to thereby secure the panel to the bottles on which it sits.

Abstract: A stackable bottle case including a tray having a floor structure with a plurality of bottle support areas on an upper surface thereof and a plurality of upward recesses on a lower surface thereof, and a tray cover positionable in a covering position over the bottles supported on the support areas. The tray cover has a cover top structure which includes a bottom side, with a plurality of downward receivers in which the tops of the bottles on the support areas are received when the tray cover is in the covering position, and a top side, with a plurality of protuberances that are positioned to lockingly fit in the upward recesses on the lower surface of a similar stackable bottle tray which is stacked on the tray cover.

Abstract: The device includes a tray for bottles, particularly two-liter soda bottles, wherein the bottle retaining pockets include raised portions for engaging, and thereby being supported by, the caps of the bottles from a lower tray. The tray includes vertical channels with a stop element to allow rods to be inserted between the trays to support the trays at a given distance from one another in a display configuration. The tray further includes male and female elements for the locking nestable configuration of successive empty trays.

Abstract: A molded plastic low-depth tray for beverage cans or the like. The low-depth tray walls angle inwardly to provide for deep empty tray nesting. Outer abutment tabs depending down from the top lip and on the outside of the walls prevent the empty trays when nested from wedging together. The walls each have a plurality of can receiving openings out through which lower portions of cans, when held in the tray on the tray floor, partially extend. Interior surfaces of the walls above the openings are outwardly curved to conform to the cylindrical sidewalls of the adjacent cans. The tray floor thereby has smaller length and width dimensions than that of the array of cans held in the tray. Redoubts or standoffs on the bottom of the floor lock on to the rims of cans in subjacent trays. Stable palletized stacking and cross-stacking of these trays when loaded with cans is thereby provided.

Abstract: A dual purpose low depth nestable tray for holding either cans or bottles of similar capacities with structural features that prevent spreading or fraying of the walls. The tray comprises a floor, a band around the periphery of the tray and columns interconnecting the band to the floor. A nesting nub is disposed on the floor and nesting ledges are disposed on at least one column along each side of the wall structure. The nub and ledges are equal in height and act as supports for the weight of a stack of nested empty trays which prevents the walls from having to support the weight and results in the walls maintaining their shape and structural integrity. The floor is configured with support areas for the containers and has features for accommodating both bottles and cans. The support areas have a circular groove for engaging the bottoms of cans and the bottom surface of the floor has downwardly projecting redoubts for facilitating stacking and handling of trays loaded with cans.

Abstract: A stackable can tray system including a bottom tray loaded with a layer of cans each having a top rim, an upper tray having a plurality of spaced members depending down from a bottom floor surface of the tray, and a layer of cans in the upper tray. With the upper tray in a normal stacked position on the bottom layer of cans, the spaced members engage relative to the top rims of the cans and thereby block substantial movement of the tray and hold it in a secure position. A generally lateral force applied to the upper tray repositions the spaced members such that the upper tray filled with the layer of cans has its spaced members on the top rims of the cans and it can be slidingly pulled on top of the layer of cans in the bottom tray beneath it, and thereby unstacked.

Abstract: The invention concerns a separator, of the type comprising a sheet provided with openings for centering the necks (3) of a layer of bottles (8) and protrusions (5) extending from the upper face of the sheet to center the bottoms (4) of a superposed layer of bottles, characterized in that each opening is defined, on the one hand, by at least two projections 12 presented by the sheet to abut on the shoulder (23) of the bottle and, on the other hand, by a cap 11 whose height is adapted to shroud the neck (3) of the bottle, when the projections (12) abut on the shoulder of the bottle.

Abstract: A carrier moldable from plastic, aluminum, paper mache and the like for collecting and transporting empty containers such as soda bottles or cans.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays for storing and transporting beverage containers, such as twelve-ounce metal cans and two-liter PET bottles. The tray floor has thereon an array of support areas for the containers. The tray rail thereof is spaced high enough above the floor and in a "low-depth" design to prevent the containers on the support areas from tipping during transport. A generally rectangular band having upright inside and outside faces and an outward lip on top of the band form the rail. Columns between adjacent support areas interconnect the rail and the floor and angle downwardly and inwardly therebetween. The columns open outwardly and thereby define vertical slots into which the columns of a similar tray can be slidingly received. The trays when empty can thereby be stacked in a deeply nesting position whereby each additional tray adds generally only the height of its narrow rail to the height of the nested trays.

Abstract: The invention is a container for storing and transporting a plurality of beverage containers and the like. The container includes a substantially frusto-pyramidal housing having four supporting walls and a top wall supported by the supporting walls. The container has at least one storage chamber extending downwardly from the top wall, and the supporting walls are arranged to telescopingly engage supporting walls of an identical container and each chamber nestles within a corresponding chamber of the identical container when the container is stacked upon the identical container and the identical container is empty of beverage containers. Means are provided for securing identical containers together in a stacked arrangement for easy transport.

Abstract: A molded, stackable and nestable beverage can tray having tapered side walls and end walls, contoured window openings in both the side walls and end walls, and having contoured window openings in both side walls and end walls to snugly contain the cans is disclosed. The bottom length and width dimensions of the tray are less than the sum of the diameters of rows of can placed in the tray. Trays according to the invention have 3:2 length-to-width ratio for cross-tying stacks, and have a tray bottom design having generally diamond-shaped standoffs projecting downwardly from the bottom of the tray to lock onto the tops of the cans contained in the tray immediately beneath the can tray. The trays include can bottom seating rings capable of receiving and centering cans having a range of the bottom diameter dimensions. Trays according to the invention have side walls and end walls which are tapered at an angle of preferably 10.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crate for accommodating a plurality of bottles, comprising a bottom, four sidewalls each having a horizontal upper edge and window apertures, and partitions which form compartments for the bottles to be accommodated. The partitions terminate adjacent a sidewall in a column-shaped member which is located at least partly within the boundaries defined by the inner surfaces of the sidewalls and has a top surface extending close to the upper edge of the sidewall. According to the invention, a partition adjoining a column-shaped member, at least in the area adjacent to the column-shaped member, extends close to the upper edge of the column-shaped member.

Abstract: A sturdy, reusable plastic low-depth tray suitable for transporting, storing and displaying sixteen-ounce bottles or other beverage containers. The low-depth, vertical sidewall thereof is molded with, to and about the outside rectangular perimeter of the open gridwork tray floor. The sidewall is free standing and unsupported throughout its height above the floor and is defined by a series of adjacent upright panels, alternating ones of which are raised such that their lower surfaces are spaced above the top of the floor. The top and bottom edges of the sidewall thereby have undulating configurations. An outwardly-disposed support lip extends along the entire length of the top edge, and the raised portions of the bottom edge are spaced above the top of the floor. This sidewall construction allows the trays to securely and compactly column nest when empty and to more fully display the bottles therein and their labels when the trays are loaded and stacked in a low-depth arrangement.

Abstract: A tray according to the present invention comprises a plastic body having upper and lower surfaces. A number of bottom sockets are distributively formed in the upper surface of the body so the respective bottom portions of bottles can be inserted individually in the bottom sockets. Each bottom socket has a configuration which is obtained by connecting those portions of the respective cross-sectional contours of the bottom portions of two or more different types of bottles which are situated outermost when the individual contours are superposed concentrically so that at least two diametrically facing regions of the one contour are not situated inside the other contour. Cap socket corresponding one of the bottom sockets is defined on the lower surface of the body. Each cap socket is a hole, such as a stepped hole, which has at least two hole portions with different inside diameters.