Tray Type Patents (Class 206/557)
  • Publication number: 20110315594
    Abstract: A flat foldable tray having a set of fold lines inscribed therein along which the tray is bent to form a package in which to carry a variety of products (e.g., baked goods). The flat foldable tray includes a base portion, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, each of which walls being hingedly connected to the base portion, and a folding corner located between each pair of adjacent side and end walls. The pairs of side and end walls are bent upwardly relative to the base portion along with the folding corners at respective fold lines such that the folding corners are located at the exterior of the package and outside the walls thereof. The pairs of side and end walls are retained in locking engagement with one another so that the walls are retained in end-to-end alignment and the package is held in a closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph E. Sielski
  • Publication number: 20110308991
    Abstract: A food tray includes a front wall with a distal end and a proximal end, and a rear wall with a distal end and a proximal end. A first sidewall extends between the distal end of the front wall and the distal end of the rear wall, and a second sidewall that extends between the proximal end of the front wall and the proximal end of the rear wall. The front wall, rear wall, first sidewall, and second sidewall define an opening through which an item is placed in the food tray. The first and second sidewalls each define a slot and an extension extending above the slot. A lid member extends from a top edge of the front wall and defines a pair of tabs that engage the slots defined by the first and second sidewalls when the lid is folded over the opening. The top edge of the front wall is configured to cause the lid member to open when the first and second sidewall extensions are pulled apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: James Hubbard, Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Fu
  • Publication number: 20110290697
    Abstract: A tray for retaining food items during transportation includes a lower deck having a base and a side wall extending about and upward from a perimeter of the base; an upper deck which includes a plurality of apertures spatially positioned across the deck, the upper deck configured to fit within the lower deck and removably disposed thereon; and a plurality of pegs, each peg configured to friction fit within at least one of the apertures to be retained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Coni Dalhamer
  • Patent number: 8066124
    Abstract: The disposable pill counting device is a tray formed of a disposable material and includes a sidewall to define areas for holding and dispensing pills. The disposable tray may be substantially U-shaped with a folding sidewall and can be used with a disposable spatula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Ming S. Koh
  • Publication number: 20110278196
    Abstract: A customizable serving tray formed from a transparent thermoplastic and having a main portion including an upper side and a lower side, and four raised lateral portions. The main portion of the serving tray is formed from two parallel sheets of thermoplastic and an integral slot on the lower side for receiving a decorative insert, which may include a particular customized graphic thereon. Two of the raised lateral portions, on opposite sides of the main portion, may include apertures forming handles for supporting the serving tray. The remaining two raised lateral portions do not include apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Molly Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20110266190
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for retaining solvent. A tray surface extends outward from a solvent sink. The tray surface is inclined toward the solvent sink. One or more tray walls are disposed at a perimeter of the tray surface. The one or more tray walls extend upward from the tray surface. A tray attachment interface supports the tray surface and the one or more tray walls relative to the solvent sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Martin D. Ehman
  • Publication number: 20110259784
    Abstract: Food packaging 31 is disclosed which can be in the form of a sealable tray (30) having a plastics film liner (51). The liner is applied under differential air pressure, for example positive pressure and/or a vacuum, and following heating of the film. The resultant tacking film sticks to the tray (30), only sufficiently to hold together in use. After use the tray and film can be split readily. The film is heated and domed away from the tray prior to applying the air pressure, to stretch it and assist in its application into the tray (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Tye, Mark Stepney
  • Publication number: 20110253587
    Abstract: A carton comprising at least one tray section for holding a plurality of products. The at least one tray section can comprise a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. A first side end flap and a second side end flap can at least partially overlap the at least one end panel. The at least one end panel can comprise a first end panel edge and an opposing second end panel edge. The first side panel can be generally aligned with the first end panel edge along the length of the first end panel edge, and the second side panel can be generally aligned with the second end panel edge along the length of the second end panel edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Felicia A. Pinkstone
  • Patent number: 8033396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for arranging, transporting, and/or serving food is provided to improve various aspects of food catering. A food handling apparatus includes a base platter having a predefined pattern of food location indicators thereon. Food elements are arranged on the base platter according to the predefined pattern. The apparatus includes food cell members configured to cover the food elements, maintain a separation of the food elements one from another, and protect the food elements from damage. The apparatus includes a lid positioned over the food cell members and attached to the base platter. At a serving location, the food cell members are uncovered from the food cell members, thereby revealing the food elements in the predefined pattern without additional handling of the food elements. The food elements can therefore be efficiently transferred through a food catering logistics chain while maintaining quality and appearance, and reducing contamination and illness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Klassic Corporation
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Mendez
  • Patent number: 8025187
    Abstract: A combined sample dispenser and merchandising unit product display and related method is provided herein. Included is an elongate tray having a first end and a second end, an upper compartment with open roof for standing a plurality of merchandising unit products each containing a flowable substance, and a lower compartment arranged directly below the upper compartment. A sample dispenser is provided which includes a dispensing unit arranged against the first end of the tray and a reservoir holding sampling amounts of the flowable substance, communicating with the dispensing unit and arranged within the lower compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent William Sottosanti, Jr., Andrew Zachery Wilder
  • Publication number: 20110229610
    Abstract: The anti-leak meat pack can include a food packaging tray, meat on the tray, a film covering the meat, wrapped around the tray, and sealed against an outward-facing surface all around the tray, an anti-leak seal thereby being formed surrounding the meat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CASCADES CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Mathieu Roberge, Jean-Peirre Fredette
  • Publication number: 20110215024
    Abstract: A reclosable container for a food product comprises a rigid or semi-rigid tray and lid. The tray and lid each have a peripheral edge portion having substantially vertical inner and outer walls joined by a horizontal flange, wherein the container is closed with the tray peripheral edge portion received inside a cavity defined by the lid peripheral edge portion. An outer detent mechanism is provided at one or more corners of the container, such as diagonally opposed corners which may also include lift tabs. The corners at which outer detent mechanisms are located may have straight corner transition portions about which the lid may pivot during opening of the container. The sides of the tray and lid peripheral edge portions may be substantially flat and free of projections, so that only the corners with the outer detent mechanisms offer significant resistance against opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
    Inventor: Sarah Nicole Pomfrey
  • Publication number: 20110210033
    Abstract: A food container including a container cover, a container body, and an interlocking arrangement which includes a stacking seat continuously indent at a top surface of the container cover along a peripheral edge thereof and an engaging rim continuously protruded at a bottom surface of the container body along a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, wherein the engaging rim has a size and shape geometrically matching with the stacking seat in such a manner that when the container is arranged in stack formation above another the identical container, the engaging rim is complementarily coupled with the stacking seat to engage the bottom surface of the container cover with the top surface of the identical container so as to substantially retain said two containers in position and avoid a lateral relative movement between the two containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Khim Seang Chhay
  • Publication number: 20110210038
    Abstract: A tray, in particular for catering purposes onboard aircrafts, including a tray body defining a receiving surface for receiving thereon items to be carried by use of the tray. The tray body includes an interlocking device for releasably engaging an interlocking device of the tray body of a similar tray, when at least two trays are positioned such that the receiving surfaces of the tray bodies are overlapping each other partially. The interlocking device of the trays interacting such that when one of the trays is drawn in a drawing direction, the other tray is moved along in the drawing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: deSter Holding B.V.
    Inventors: TON TESINK, Ruud Vanderheyden
  • Publication number: 20110189355
    Abstract: A solid thermoformed plastic tray (10) provided with a base (11), a plurality of sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upwardly and slightly outwardly from said base (11), a primary flange (20) integrally joined to the upper edges of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) and extending outwardly all around the upper periphery of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15), a rim (21), i.e., a downward flap extending downwardly and tapering slightly outwardly from the outer periphery of the primary flange (20), and a secondary flange (22), i.e., an overhanging portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the rim (21), said tray being characterised in that a plurality of strengthening ribs (23) extend substantially vertically along the rim (21) and outwardly with respect to the tray body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Morris John Field, Stefano Capitani, Christoforos Chrysanthidis
  • Publication number: 20110186472
    Abstract: A substrate storage tray that can be decreased in size for transportation. A substrate storage tray (1) for storing a large size substrate (20) includes a frame member (2) that includes a pair of first frame portions (5) opposed to each other and a pair of second frame portions (6) opposed to each other and has a frame shape, a substrate supporting member (3, 4) that has a plate shape, is disposed inside a region enclosed by the frame member (2), and is arranged to support one surface of the substrate (20), and extending portions (7) that are provided to middle portions in a long direction of the pair of first frame portions (5) and are arranged to widen a space between the pair of second frame portions (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Takenori Yoshizawa, Hiroto Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110174677
    Abstract: The invention provides an assembly of a food tray (183) and a food container such as a cup or a plate. The tray (183) can comprise a generally flat surface for supporting the food containers. The food tray (183) and the food container comprise an interlocking system for positioning the food containers on the food tray. The interlocking system comprises male and corresponding female parts provided on the food tray and food container. The generally flat surface comprises a field of multiple (female or male) parts of the interlocking system forming a surface for positioning and releasably locking at multiple positions bottom side of the food container. The invention provides for the use of the interlocking system in travel catering, such as in vehicles and airplanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: EUREKA CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Etienne Herman Walter Blondeel, Cecil Marie Lommen
  • Publication number: 20110174676
    Abstract: A compression-moulded tray of fibre material, said tray being formed of fibre material in a compression method, from a suspension of mechanical pulp of cellulose. The formed tray has been formed by press-drying using heat to a dry content of 80-95%, preferably 90-95%, and the fibre material of the formed tray has a density in the order of 400-650 kg/m3. The inside of the tray is provided with a protective barrier, said barrier being removable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Joakim Stockhaus
  • Publication number: 20110168602
    Abstract: Inexpensively manufactured device permits the holding, typically for display purposes, of at least one item, but preferably multiple items such as trading cards or photographs, in a manner offering an unobstructed view of the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Jerome Glasser
  • Publication number: 20110146022
    Abstract: Described are container(s) comprising polyesters comprising (a) a dicarboxylicacidcomponent comprising terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Michael James Keegan
  • Publication number: 20110139672
    Abstract: A cooler comprises a body having a bottom edge and at least one handle positioned near the bottom edge of the cooler. The handle may be located below the center of gravity of the cooler or within approximately 2 to 3 inches of the bottom edge of the cooler. The body and the handle may be formed as one-piece and from molded plastic. The handle may also be mounted on a separate handle tray where the tray is secured to the body. A spigot may be provided for dispensing fluid from said body. The body may comprise an insulated wall construction. A removable lid may be used to close the opening. A handle may also be positioned near the top edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roddy Burgess, Ian Cunningham, Thomas E. Hanna, Robert J. Warner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110139660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food packaging (1), for instance a food tray, having a base and side walls (4, 5) from a dimensionally stable moulded fibre layer for providing rigidity to said packaging and enclosing at least one inside volume, a polymer foil layer laminated to said moulded fibre layer, and de-stacking notches (13) within the circumference of and adjacent to, a circumferential rim (7), for preventing the outside of said food packaging touching the inside of another, identical food packaging when it is stacked in the food packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Julian Cabell, Harald John Kuiper, Wijbe Dijkstra, Johannes Jelle Post
  • Publication number: 20110132796
    Abstract: A multi-compartment food tray includes at least a first compartment and a second compartment formed from a paperboard material, each compartment including a compartment lip, and a carrier constructed from a paperboard material and including openings receiving the first and second compartments. Each compartment lip may be mechanically coupled to the carrier to create an interface, wherein the interface may remain coupled during food reconstitution, and may include at least one surface having a coating. The first compartment may have a different volume than the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Lawrence Epstein, Al Fotheringham, Mark Poe
  • Publication number: 20110120906
    Abstract: A tray unit includes a main body including at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space. The wall structure includes a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space. The tray unit further includes a magnet arranged with the wall structure at a location along a perimeter of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Wilton Industries Inc.
    Inventors: MASON UMHOLTZ, Melanie Conklin, David Starr, Jeffrey Chiu, Traci Chapple
  • Patent number: 7946425
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward an airtight, refrigerated cosmetics handbag that can be used as a stand alone product or inserted into other, larger handbags. The handbag has a pocket in the top panel into which frozen gel packs can be inserted, so that heat-sensitive cosmetics are cooled from the top. The exterior of the handbag is constructed of heat-shielding and/or heat reflective materials. The inside of the handbag additionally comprises means by which the cosmetics can be retained in a safe but compact form, and, optionally, a bi-directionally modifiable valve through which excess air can be removed subsequent to the cosmetics being placed in the handbag. The handbag can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes, and, preferentially, from recycled materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Joyce Diana Hayes Burnett
  • Publication number: 20110113794
    Abstract: Tray having a container receiving space and a stepped outer sidewall including a lower step and an upper step, a cooling unit providing cooled air to the space and having a housing with a stepped base that includes a lower step and an upper step, the cooling unit venting exhaust from an end distal to the base, a plurality of containers each having a perimeter flange and, when the container is inserted into the space, portions of the flange are seated on the respective lower steps of the tray and the stepped base of the housing, and a cover configured to sealingly contact the upper steps when the cover is in a closed position, the cover shielding the containers from the exhaust, and being movably attached to the housing and movable along the housing in a range that includes the closed position at which the cover contacts the upper steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Maher Pidarow
  • Patent number: 7938288
    Abstract: An auxiliary drain pan for catching liquid that leaks or overflows from an appliance, system or machinery includes a central well and a pan plate surrounding the central well. The pan plate has a top surface that is sloped downwardly towards the central well such that, when the drain pan is operatively positioned on a generally horizontal plane, liquid on the top surface flows into the confined area of the well, thereby minimizing the weight of liquid collected in the drain pan. The well includes a drain line connection port and a removable wall segment for optional attachment of a water detection device. Parallel score lines in the pan plate, extending both longitudinally and transversely on all sides, define removable areas for adjustment of the overall size and shape of the drain pan, thereby allowing for customized sizing at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: MSD Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart P. Oakner, Donna Ellen Oakner
  • Patent number: 7938263
    Abstract: An improved package for wrapping at least one article or a pre arranged group of articles, said package being defined by a formed longitudinal tube body of flexible wrapping sheet material having a length, height and width dimension, the said height and/or width dimension being less than the length dimension but greater than one tenth of the length dimension, a fin seal and two cross seals and no end seals, characterized in that the fin seal is formed along the height or width dimension of the package perpendicular to the length dimension and the cross seals are formed along the length dimension, the cross seals being generally perpendicular to the fin seal, the ends of the package being seal-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Chauhan Vijay
  • Publication number: 20110101000
    Abstract: A tray or pan having a base for holding fluid with a pouring spout on the base for draining the fluid therefrom into an open container and support slots or securing apertures on the base for engagement with the container for supporting the tray in such position on the container as to facilitate hands-free use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: WILLARD G. CUTLER, SR., Willard G. Cutler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110100864
    Abstract: A generally circular tray having an edge that is convex and concave, where the convex portion is complementary in size to the concave portion. When used in series multiple trays can be arranged to form various configurations of tray arrays for the display of articles such as foodstuffs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Paul J. Iverson
  • Publication number: 20110094899
    Abstract: A container (1) for the storage and transport of waste electrical and/or electronic equipment has at least one tray (17) provided with an array (24) of upwardly projecting resilient locating portions. The tray receives relatively small waste equipment such as electric lamps, mobile telephones or the like in a number of different orientations in which the items will occupy spaces between the locating portions and will be gripped by the locating portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Christopher Patrick Johnson, Vincent Eckerman
  • Publication number: 20110084066
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a slidable tray assembly for a microwave oven is disclosed. The slidable tray assembly includes a horizontal portion having a size configured to fit within the interior cavity of a microwave oven, a vertical portion coupled to the horizontal portion, a recess defined in the top surface of the horizontal portion; and a pair of slide rails attached to the inner cavity of the microwave oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Gibson, Dolleva Rogers
  • Patent number: 7921992
    Abstract: A container includes a first tray, and a second tray disposed within the space of the first tray to define a reservoir therebetween. The first tray has a first bottom wall and a surrounding first sidewall, which extends generally upwardly from the first bottom wall to define a space therein. The second tray has a second bottom wall and a surrounding second sidewall, which also extends generally upwardly from the second bottom wall. The second bottom wall has at least one aperture defined in a central region thereof, and also has an upper surface, which slopes downwardly toward the at least one aperture. The reservoir defined between the first and second trays is in fluid communication with the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Michael LaRue, Craig Edward Cappel, Frank Andrew Petlak
  • Publication number: 20110079536
    Abstract: A reclosable package includes a tray, a top sheet, and a fastener. The tray has a well for receiving contents and a peripheral flange surrounding the well. The top sheet is attached to the peripheral flange. The fastener has two interlocking members, one attached to the peripheral flange and the other attached to the top sheet. A tamper-evident feature located on the package prevents access to the fastener and is connected thereto by one or two lines of weaknesses. In one embodiment with one or two lines of weakness in the top sheet, the fastener remains adjacent to the tray's peripheral flange, which is intact after the tamper-evident feature is removed by tearing along these lines of weakness. In a second embodiment with two lines of weakness, the tamper-evident feature, comprised of portions of the peripheral flange and the top sheet, is torn from the package along both lines of weakness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Craig E. Cappel, Gary E. Rehwinkel, Russell J. Talbo, Johann Natterer
  • Publication number: 20110078095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kit for assembly of a plastic letter tray with an open front side and an open topside. The kit comprises a left side panel, a right side panel, a back panel, and a floor panel, which panels are provided with receiving apertures and/or insert lips, preferably snap fingers, for interconnecting the panels to assemble the letter tray. The panels are formed as one body in an injection mould, and are only disconnected from each other by the end user when assembling the letter tray. Thus there is nor risk of the panels getting lost or mixed up with panels of other letter trays during transport. The panels are connected via breakaway connections. Furthermore, the left side panel is positioned with a bottom edge along the left side of the floor panel, the right side panel is positioned with a bottom edge along the right side of the floor panel, and the back panel is positioned with a bottom edge along the backside of the floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Reiner Eckhardt
  • Publication number: 20110068042
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum skin packaging process, to a tray suitable for a vacuum skin packaging process and to the package thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventor: Riccardo Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20110062049
    Abstract: A new load tray especially well suited for use under loads on pallets is disclosed. The tray has a central load supporting base and as many as four flaps hingedly connected to the base. The tray includes flap supports for supporting the flaps and releasably maintaining them at a 90 to 135 degree angle relative to the base. The tray is designed so that it may be positioned on a pallet and have a load placed on it so that the flaps remain in an upstanding position so that when the load is wrapped, the flaps are held captive against the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Pro-Pak Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Deiger, William T. Peters, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110062050
    Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Publication number: 20110056861
    Abstract: A tray includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls and a plurality of interior columns between the side walls. A plurality of dividers connect the interior columns to one another and to the side walls. Side columns project upward from the side walls. The side walls include an upper portion and a plurality of spaced-apart lower portions, thus reducing the weight of the tray while maintaining the stability of the tray. Optionally, the base could include a plurality of base walls connected by co-planar vertical ribs. The dividers include upper wall portions extending continuously between interior columns and/or an interior column and a side column and/or an interior column and an end column. The dividers include spaced apart lower wall portions each connected to one of the vertical ribs connected adjacent base walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 7900773
    Abstract: A tray adapted to be mounted on the top of a portable amplifier having a handle on the top of the amplifier including a top surface. The top surface is particularly adapted to receive musical accessories. At least one rear wall and two side walls is provided. Each wall is adjacent to the top surface. Each wall has a bottom edge extending below the top surface, forming a cavity. A clip is attached to the tray and received in the cavity. The clip includes a protrusion adapted to be received by the handle of the amplifier for securing the tray to the top of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Kent P. Irish
  • Publication number: 20110031159
    Abstract: A tray having excellent impact resistance and excellent vibration resistance and capable of stably holding a fixed number of stored objects. A tray (1) for storing objects having a substantially plate shape is configured such that angle threads (10) and bottom surfaces (20) are alternately arranged, the angle threads (10) include mount surfaces (12) that are inclined at a given angle with respect to the bottom surfaces (20) and on which the stored objects are mounted, and the bottom surfaces 20 include convex portions (22) arranged asymmetrically with respect to a perpendicular line bisecting the length of the angle threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kohji Minamino, Suguru Kusakai
  • Publication number: 20110031158
    Abstract: The present invention is a serving tray with an ergonomically designed handle which can be selectively attached and detached to the bottom of a serving tray. The handle interlock system improves the stability of the tray lessening the risk of accident due to unbalanced loads or load instability. The orientation of the handle and the handling posture of the tray engage two strong elbow flexor muscles and increase muscle strength. In addition, the handling posture reduces the risk of tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome which results from wrist flexing and applied force associated with traditional tray handling and carrying posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Phyllis King
  • Publication number: 20110006059
    Abstract: The bulk food carrier is a carrying case for securely transporting bulk food items. The bulk food carrier includes a base having a lower wall and peripheral sidewalls. The lower wall and sidewalls define an open interior region. A cover is pivotally attached to the base for selectively covering and sealing the open interior region. A lower tray is disposed within the base and is supported by the lower wall thereof. An upper tray is also removably disposed within the base. A plurality of food plates is releasably attached to respective upper surfaces of the upper and lower trays by clips, which are secured to the upper surfaces of the upper and lower trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Varnessa A. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110005962
    Abstract: A transport/storage tray is made by injecting molding of plastic an upper floor panel formed with an array of throughgoing holes and a separate lower floor panel with an array of throughgoing holes. Then the upper and lower panels are juxtaposed with each of the holes of the upper panel aligned with a respective one of the holes of the lower panel, and the two panels are welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Dietheim Hirz, Matthias Jung, Andreas Nieder
  • Patent number: 7861864
    Abstract: A tray includes a base having opposed front and rear walls and opposed side walls. The front and rear walls are shorter to provide access to products stored on the tray when in a stacked configuration. The trays provide audible feedback when one tray is slid on another when they are properly aligned during a blind stacking operation to confirm the proper alignment. The tray further includes reinforced intersections between the front and rear walls and side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20100326871
    Abstract: A tray for bakery items includes a floor and side walls extending around a periphery of the floor. The tray has a relatively thin upper edge with a bail member pivotably attached to the upper edge along at least one of the first and second pairs of side walls. The bail member is rotatable between a stack orientation wherein a like tray may be rested upon the bail member, and a nest orientation in which like trays may be nested within like trays. Further, one or more side walls also includes a relatively large continuous opening therein capable of retrieving bakery items stored in the tray through the at least one pair of side walls, the opening extending generally from the upper edge to the periphery of the floor. In another embodiment, at least one of the sidewalls is pivotably attached to the floor and is movable between an upright position and a collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20100307949
    Abstract: A tray includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending along side edges of the base and a pair of opposed end walls extending along end edges of the base. A central lateral divider extends between the side walls. The central lateral divider has a width approximately twice a width of the side walls to permit cross stacking. The central lateral divider includes a pair of spaced-apart divider walls and at least one center rib between the divider walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Publication number: 20100304341
    Abstract: A method for guiding a child in the self-selection of a nutritionally-balanced meal in order to increase the likelihood that the child will consume a nutritionally-balanced meal, the method comprising: creating a system of food categories according to nutritional content, and associating a unique visual guide with each food category; providing an offering of food items, each of the food items having the appropriate visual guide displayed therewith; providing the child with a tray having a plurality of different sections thereon, each of the sections having a visual guide associated therewith; and instructing the child to self-select a plurality of food items, and place each selected food item in the section of the tray which has a visual guide which matches the visual guide associated with the food category to which that food item belongs, until pre-determined criteria have been satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Tacey Trebino Martinek
  • Publication number: 20100294691
    Abstract: Primary packages configured for display and sale without secondary packaging are stacked horizontally in a product display tray. The consumer-facing surface of the back panel of the product display tray may contain graphics including product information provided on the primary package's principal display panel (which is typically faced towards consumers). Thus, consumers may readily view the product information provided on the principal display panel as primary packages are removed from the product display tray and principal display panels of remaining primary packages are hidden from view by one or more walls of the product display tray. The individual primary packages may be contoured specifically to inhibit lateral relative shifting while in a horizontally stacked configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Neil A. Sadler, Richard K. Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100288661
    Abstract: To develop optical discs stored while being stacked and to load them to a plurality of recording/reproducing devices simultaneously. Trays for mounting optical discs are stacked to configure an optical disc transportation body, and the portions being exposed without overlapping when the stacked trays are viewed from the stacking direction are utilized as tray operation portions for handling. Supporting portions abutting against the tray operation portions inherent to respective trays in one to one correspondence are fixed with an interval in the vertical direction to the frames configuring a tray distributing/holding portion. The tray operation portion of each tray is held by the supporting portion at each position by moving the optical disc transportation body downward along the frames, and intervals corresponding to the arrangement pitch of recording/reproducing devices are formed between respective trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Kenji Tagami, Masashi Kubota, Hisaya Niizawa