Stacking tray assembly incorporating any number of vertically displaced tiers for supporting a plurality of loose items, such as in a gift basket arrangement
An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items includes any plurality of trays, each exhibiting a substantially planar surface across which are interspersed a plurality of recess defining pockets. A height defining spacer insert is engaged between succeeding trays, the insert having a three-dimensional shape with a top and bottom. A first selected tray exhibits upper projecting cylindrical supports for locating and securing bottom perimeter locations associated with the insert. A second of the trays exhibiting at least one downward three-dimensional projection nestingly engaging a recessed top location of the insert, in a height adjustable fashion, and in order to define a specified distance between the recess defining pockets in the trays and in order to support items of different size and configuration.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tray assembly for supporting a plurality of loose and differently sized items. More specifically, the present invention teaches a plurality of trays, each incorporating a plurality of recess pockets for supporting a designated item and which are capable of being sectioned to a desired planar configuration. One or more height defining spacer inserts interengage upper and lower locations associated with succeeding trays and in order to establish a desired multi-tier arrangement for the assembly. The multi-tiered assembly may be incorporated into a gift basket or other display/storage assembly, as well as being capable of supporting and displaying a plurality of items in unsupported fashion by any other enclosure structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An example of a gift basket stacking tray from the prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,608, issued to Salvaggio, and which teaches a generally planar formed and rigid sheet. Arcuately shaped depressions are disposed on the formed sheet and a pair of generally centrally located and integrally formed platforms are disposed above the formed sheet. Additional features associated with the Salvaggio device include perforation lines which traverse the formed sheet between the arcuately displayed depressions and the raised display platforms. The perforated lines allow for flexible removal of sections of the stacking tray so that the tray can accommodate and/or be stacked on top of various sizes and shapes of fruits, bottles, boxes and the like within a gift basket.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention discloses an assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items, in particular fruit or the like, and which provides for both secure and multi-tiered support for such items along both horizontal and vertical directions, such that the same may be shipped and/or displayed within a gift basket or other type arrangement without concern for spilling of or damage to the contents, such items include fruit arrangements, as well as other basket designs for small glass bottles, e.g. including those for pasta sauce, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and the like. As will be further described, the present invention makes possible the creation of any configurable and multi-tiered product support assembly, such as for supporting items of different size and shape, and which exhibits both height adjustability as well as tray surface reconfigurability to achieve a desired product support and display environment.
Each of the trays exhibits a substantially planar surface across which are interspersed a plurality of recess defining pockets. The pockets are each typically concave shaped and may include any number of outwardly radially projecting serrated grooves, these functioning to safely grip the item placed within the pocket and to prevent both movement/slippage of the item as well as to assist in absorbing forces (typically associated with transport) which would otherwise tend to damage the items.
A height defining spacer insert is engaged between succeeding trays, the insert having a three-dimensional shape with a top and bottom. The spacer typically defines a continuous extending side perimeter revealing an open bottom.
A first selected tray exhibits upper projecting cylindrical supports for locating and securing bottom perimeter locations associated with the insert. A second of the trays exhibits at least one, typically two, downward three-dimensional projections, these nestingly engaging a recessed top location of the insert.
The insert top recess is usually defined within an upwardly extending superstructure portion, this enabling a further degree of height adjustability associated with the engagement location, and in order to define a specified distance between the recess defining pockets in the trays to support items of different size and configuration. Additional features include the provision of a trim tool to section desired subset areas of one or more of the trays, such as to provide additional space for securing other larger sized items (e.g. pineapples and the like in the instance of an assembled fruit basket configuration).
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Referring initially to
As will be subsequently explained, the present invention is useful in either or both the secure transport (such as within a corrugated or other box container), or the arrangement and display of any collection of items without limitation. It is also contemplated that a wide variety of loose item applications can be employed with the stacking tray design, such for example including without limitation, glass containers (bottles) arranged within a gift basket such including individual containers for pasta sauce, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and the like.
Referring now to
Referring further to
Referring now to
The tray 10 defines a substantially planar, e.g. typically rectangular, sheet 22 within which are defined a plurality of recess defining pockets 24, 26, 28, et seq., at locations across the face of the sheet 22. The size and arrangement of the pockets 24, 26, and 28 are within the selection of one of skill in the art, however include in the illustrated embodiment a plurality of concave shaped recesses, each of which further including an individual plurality of outwardly radially projecting grooves, these defining projecting serrated edges, see in particular grooves 30, 32, 34 et seq. associated with pocket 24 and which are illustrated as well in use with each succeeding item supporting pocket illustrated throughout the drawings.
Referring again to
Each of the trays also exhibits, at selected lower surface locations, at least one additional locating and engaging portion for securing a top of the insert 12, and in order to define a specified distance between recess defining pockets in succeeding stacked trays. In particular, the second locating and engaging portions further include one or a pair of three-dimensional shaped projections (typically elongated or slotted by definition) integrally formed with a lower surface of the tray, e.g. tray 10, and which are shown at 44 and 46.
A pair of insert configurations are illustrated at 48 (this also illustrated as the inset 12 in
The sides of the insert 48 include localized and laterally extending projections, see at 56, 58, 60, et seq., these seating over selected cylindrical posts 36 and 38 associated with the tray 10 (or other like configured tray). Additional features of the insert include the provision of a recess associated with its top, see at 62 in
In the preferred arrangement, the insert 48 includes a likewise perimeter defining (e.g. elongated) superstructure 64 for elevating the recess 62 and to permit the insert to be secured in a height adjustable fashion relative to the successive tray underside (as will be further described and illustrated). The insert 50 is a substantial repeat of the insert 48, with the exception that its perimeter defining side includes an enlarged end portion 66 for enabling the insert 50 to locate and grip a total of four cylindrical projecting posts (see again arrangement of tray 20 in
Referring now to
Referencing further,
Having described our invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the shaping, configuration and sizing of the item supporting pockets, such as to include other opening or slot shapes, solid concave defining surfaces (see as referenced in sub-tray 18 of
Claims
1. An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items, comprising:
- at least one tray exhibiting a substantially planar sheet with a plurality of recess defining pockets formed therein;
- a height defining spacer insert; and
- a first of said trays further exhibiting, at selected upper surface locations, a first set of locating and engaging portions for securing a bottom of said insert, a second of said trays exhibiting, at selected lower surface locations, at least one additional locating and engaging portion for securing a top of said insert and in order to define a specified distance between said recess defining pockets in said trays.
2. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said recess defining pockets establishing a selected shape and size and further comprising a plurality of serrated grooves for contacting an item supported thereupon.
3. The assembly as described in claim 2, said pockets each further comprising a substantially circular concave shape and within which said grooves are formed in outwardly radially projecting fashion.
4. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said trays further comprising first and second sets of locating and engaging portions associated with each of said upper and lower surfaces.
5. The assembly as described in claim 1, said first set of locating and engaging portions further comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical projecting supports integrally formed with upper surface locations of said tray.
6. The assembly as described in claim 5, said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape and size and defining an open bottom perimeter sized to engage said cylindrical projecting supports.
7. The assembly as described in claim 1, said second locating and engaging portions further comprising at least one three-dimensional shaped projection integrally formed with a lower surface of said tray.
8. The assembly as described in claim 7, said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape and size and defining a recess associated with said top for nestingly receiving said three-dimensional projection.
9. The assembly as described in claim 7, said second locating and engaging portions further comprising a pair of elongate and portions formed in said tray.
10. The assembly as described in claim 8, said insert further comprising a superstructure defined upon said top surface and within which is formed said recess.
11. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising said first and second sets of locating and engaging portions each having a specified shape and size enabling said first and second trays to engage an intermediately positioned insert in a height adjustable fashion.
12. The assembly as described in claim 6, said insert exhibiting a continuous extending side defining said perimeter and further comprising localized projections for seating associated cylindrical supports.
13. The assembly as described in claim 5, each of said trays exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a pair of upwardly projecting cylindrical supports.
14. The assembly as described in claim 5, each of said trays exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising first and second pairs of upwardly projecting cylindrical supports.
15. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said trays and said spacer insert having a specified shape and size and further comprising a vacuum thermoformed plastic.
16. The assembly as described in claim 15, each of said trays and said spacer insert being manufactured from a material including at least a polyethyltetraphthalate.
17. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a trim tool for sectioning at least one subset areas associated with a selected tray.
18. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said trays and spacer inserts having a specified shape and size and being supporting within a three-dimensional defined enclosure including at least a gift basket interior.
19. An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items, comprising:
- a plurality of trays, each exhibiting a substantially planar surface across which are interspersed a plurality of recess defining pockets;
- a height defining spacer insert engaged between succeeding trays, said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape; and
- a first selected tray exhibiting upper projecting cylindrical supports for locating and securing bottom perimeter locations associated with said insert, a second of said trays exhibiting at least one downward three-dimensional projection nestingly engaging a recessed top location of said insert, in a height adjustable fashion, and in order to define a specified distance between said recess defining pockets in said trays and in order to support items of different size and configuration.
20. The assembly as described in claim 19, the each of said recess defining pockets establishing a concave shape, within each of which are defined a plurality of outwardly radially extending and serrated grooves for contacting an item supported thereupon and for absorbing forces associated with transport and display of said items.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 19, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2008
Inventors: Paul LaMarche (Macomb, MI), Eric Castiglia (Sterling Heights, MI), James A. Ciccarelli (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI)
Application Number: 11/455,361
International Classification: B65D 1/34 (20060101);