Abstract: A tray denesting apparatus is provided comprising a receptacle for holding at least one nested stack of packing trays. A conveyer belt is further provided for receiving each of the packing trays upon release from the receptacle. The denesting apparatus has at least one set of soft flexible suction cups disposed below the conveyer belt and which are disposed on a bellows assembly which is moveable between a first position and a second position so that at least one of the soft flexible suction cups may adhere to a first one of the packing trays, and successive packing trays. The tray denester further may include an automatic adjustment apparatus to correspond with selected size parameters of the trays being utilized. As a result, an individual tray may be removed from the receptacle, deposited on the conveyer belt and the conveyer belt then advancing the selected tray to the required area of use.

Abstract: A packaging tray for transport and storage of product includes a tray portion and a plurality of cover portions. The tray portions is formed from a first sheet material and defined by a plurality of removably connected retail portions. Each retail portion includes a plurality of pockets formed therein, each adapted to receive the product. Each retail portion further includes an outer edge defined substantially about a periphery of the retail portion and at least one tab extending from the outer edge. Each at least one tab is removably connected with at least one tab of an adjacent retail portion along the line of weakening. The plurality of cover portions are formed from a second sheet material and each is configured for removably engagement with one of the retail portions.

Abstract: A tray for a protective packaging includes a first side and a second side. The tray also includes a plurality of inner support portions, each inner support portion configured to receive a portion of at least one object from the first side, and a plurality of contoured outer support portions, each outer support portion being adjacent to at least one inner support portion. The outer support portions substantially protect the object from the second side.

Abstract: A molded pulp fruit tray. The molded pulp fruit tray contains carbon black pigment and is substantially uniformly black in color due to the presence of the pigment. The carbon black pigment may be added to a molded pulp furnish as an aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A molded pulp tray for holding cold containers includes a bottom wall with upwardly and outwardly extending side walls terminating in a peripheral edge. A plurality of upwardly extending, partitions divides the tray into a corresponding plurality of container receiving pockets. Each of the pockets is defined by a portion of the bottom wall and by four peripheral sides which includes at least one of the partitions and at least two of the side walls. Each pocket has at least one raised pillow extending upwardly from the bottom wall to support the lid of an inverted container located in the pocket with the pillow spaced inwardly of the peripheral sides to create a continuous peripheral groove between the pillow and the peripheral sides so that the edge of the outer surface of the lid may be located in the peripheral groove.

Abstract: A molded, one-piece stackable package for fragile articles, such as circuline fluorescent light bulbs with bulb-shaped adapters and attached fittings, has a bottom tray and a top cover mutually hinged together respectively at one side wall. The tray interior has a center support defining an annular trough between the tray side walls and the support in which the circuline bulb will nest without substantial lateral movement. The center support also defines a cavity contoured and tapered to partially receive a light-bulb shaped article. Corner posts and a center foot extend from the outer surface of the bottom of the tray to support the tray. The cover has a second center support with a second socket compartment to receive the other portion of the light-bulb shaped article when the package is in a closed position.

Abstract: A nestable food container is disclosed which is reversible to define a dish or a cover in a composite container. A male and female locking arrangement is provided on the container, together with a stabilizing system of protrusions and depressions to stabilize the locked container engagement.

Abstract: Packaging pads comprise top and bottom sheets laminated together along peripheral surface portions with a pocket of comminuted filler material centrally disposed between the sheets. Apparatus for manufacturing the pads continuously feeds an endless bottom sheet along a predetermined travel path, and liquid adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the sheet as it so travels. A stream of filler material is divided into spaced apart individual pocket amounts and these filler amounts are joined to the adhesive coated surface of the bottom sheet. A top sheet coated with liquid adhesive on the underside thereof is laminated onto the bottom sheet and the pocket amounts of filler material. The thus formed continuous laminate is transversely cut midway between adjacent pockets of filler material to thereby form individual packaging pads.