Tray

This invention relates to the trays and more particularly, this invention relates to a tray for retaining and displaying an object.

The packaging, transportation and displaying of merchandise has typically involved cases containing individually sealed product that must be individually positioned on a store shelf or on a peg. This means of packaging, transporting and displaying of merchandise is labor-intensive for individuals to transition the product from the cases and onto the store shelf or peg. Furthermore, this means of packaging, transporting and display of merchandise may consume an increased volume of paper, cardstock or cardboard. Much of the paper, card stock or cardboard may not be recyclable due to printed matter, sealants or other treatments applied to the cases.

The retail marketplace has sought to reduce the cost associated with the packaging, transportation and displaying merchandise by utilizing ready to display products. The retail marketplace has coined this ready to display products as Product Displayed Quickly (PDQ). The PDQ provide a more efficient means for shelving and displaying the products on the shelves of the retailer. As a result, the retailer may reduce the labor required in packaging, transporting and displaying of the merchandise. Although the current PDQ assists in reducing the labor requirement, there is still a remaining issue of structural strength, ease of handling PDQ with product, appealing product display, ease of removing product from PDQ, reusability, and recyclability.

Although the PDQ systems have contributed to the advancement of the prior art, there is still a need for an improved PDQ system for the packaging, transporting and displaying of merchandise.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tray with increased structural strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray with ease of handling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray that provides an appealing product display.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray that provides ease of removing the product from the tray.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray that can be reusable many times.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray that may be constructed from recyclable materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray that may be recyclable.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by modifying the invention within the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description describing the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The present invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiments shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a tray for retaining and displaying an object. The object includes a front face, a back face, a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The tray comprises a first side member including an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A second side member includes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A panel couples the first side member with the second side member. The panel includes a front panel face, a back panel face, a bottom panel edge, a top panel edge, a first side panel edge and a second side panel edge. A primary rib is coupled to the interior side of the first side member for defining a primary channel between the front panel face of the panel and the primary rib. A secondary rib is coupled to the interior side of the second side member for defining a secondary channel between the front panel face of the panel and the secondary rib. The first side edge of the object slidably engages the primary channel and the second side edge of the object slidably engages the secondary channel for permitting the slidable displacement of the object relative to the panel and for securing the object relative to the panel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the primary rib and the secondary rib converge with the panel from the top panel edge of the panel to the bottom panel edge of the panel for defining a tapering channel within the primary channel and the secondary channel from the top panel edge of the panel to the bottom panel edge of the panel. The tapering channel provides a progressive compression fit of the object with the panel and the primary rib and the secondary rib as the object descends into the primary channel and the secondary channel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the primary rib and the secondary rib include an ascending rib height from the top panel edge of the panel to the bottom panel edge of the panel for defining an inclined primary rib and an inclined secondary rib from the top panel edge of the panel to the bottom panel edge of the panel. The inclined primary rib and the inclined secondary rib provide a progressive increased contact area between the object and the primary rib and the secondary rib as the object descends into the primary channel and the secondary channel.

In another embodiment of the invention, a secondary panel couples the first side member with the second side member. The secondary panel includes a front panel face, a back panel face, a bottom panel edge, a top panel edge a first side panel edge and a second side panel edge. The bottom panel edge of the panel is coupled to the bottom panel edge of the secondary panel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the secondary panel defines a secondary angular slope relative to the upper edge of the first side member and the upper edge of the second side member for permitting the object to be pivoted relative to the panel once the object has been removed from the primary channel and the secondary channel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tray comprises a first side member including an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A second side member includes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A plurality of primary tabs are coupled to the first side member. A plurality of secondary tabs are coupled to the second side member. The plurality of primary tabs and the plurality of secondary tabs support the object. A plurality of support frames couple each the plurality of primary tabs with each the plurality of secondary tabs for terminating a descending displacement of the object relative to the support frame and support the bottom edge of the object.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tray comprising a first side member including an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A second side member includes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edge and a back edge. A plurality of frame sections couple the first side member with the second side member. A plurality of secondary frame sections couple the first side member with the second side member. A support frame is defined by each of the plurality of primary frame sections and the secondary frame sections for supporting the object. A lower support is defined by each of the plurality of primary frame sections and the plurality of secondary frame sections at the bottom of the support frame. The lower support terminates a descending displacement of the object relative to the support frame and supports the bottom edge of the object.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject matter of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments may be modified for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

illustrate a trayfor retaining and displaying an object. The trayprovides an improved tray in that the trayincludes increased structural strength, is easily handled for positioning from a transportation container to a store shelf, provides an appealing product display, provides ease of removing the product from the tray, the tray may be reusable many times, the tray may be constructed from recyclable materials, and may be recyclable.

The objectincludes a front face, a back face, a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edgeand a second side edge. The objectmay include retail merchandisesuch as a liquid dispenserand a merchandise label board. The merchandise label boardmay be utilized for providing information with regard to the retail merchandise. A merchandise enclosuremay be utilized for securing the retail merchandiseto the merchandise label board. The merchandise enclosuremay include shrinkwrap, wire tie or other coupling devices. The objectmay alternatively not include a merchandise label boardin which the objectis directly inserted into the tray. The objectmay alternatively include, but not limited to, hardware, cosmetics, box containers or other goods.

The traycomprises a first side memberincluding an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge. A second side memberincludes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge.

illustrate a first embodiment of the tray. A panelcouples the first side memberwith the second side member. The panelincludes a front panel face, a back panel face, a bottom panel edge, a top panel edge, a first side panel edgeand a second side panel edge.

A primary ribis coupled to the interior sideof the first side memberfor defining a primary channelbetween the front panel faceof the paneland the primary rib. A secondary ribis coupled to the interior sideof the second side memberfor defining a secondary channelbetween the front panel faceof the paneland the secondary rib. The first side edgeof the objectslidably engages primary channeland the second side edgeof the objectslidably engages the secondary channelfor permitting the slidable displacement of the objectrelative to the paneland for securing the objectrelative to the panel.

As best shown in, the panelmay includes an angular sloperelative to the upper edgeof the first side memberand the upper edgeof the second side memberfor supporting the objectin an angular positionand permitting the objectto be pivoted relative to the panelonce the objecthas been removed from the primary channeland the secondary channel. Preferably, the angular slopeof the panelis commensurate at both the first side memberand the second side member. However the angular slopeof the panelmay not be commensurate at the first side memberand the second side memberin order to facilitate the removal of the objectfrom the primary channeland the secondary channel.

As best shown in, the primary riband the secondary ribmay converge with the panelfrom the top panel edgeof the panelto the bottom panel edgeof the panelfor defining a tapering channelwithin the primary channeland the secondary channelfrom the top panel edgeof the panelto the bottom panel edgeof the panel. The tapering channelprovides a progressive compression fitof the objectwith the paneland the primary riband the secondary ribas the objectdescends into the primary channeland the secondary channel.

As best shown in, the primary riband the secondary ribmay include an ascending rib heightfrom the top panel edgeof the panelto the bottom panel edgeof the panelfor defining an inclined primary riband an inclined secondary ribfrom the top panel edgeof the panelto the bottom panel edgeof the panel. The inclined primary riband the inclined secondary ribprovide a progressive increased contact areabetween the objectand the primary riband the secondary ribas the objectdescends into the primary channeland the secondary channel. A supportmay be coupled to the panelfor supporting the bottom edgeof the objectand terminating descending displacement of the objectrelative to the panel.

As best shown in, the traymay further include a secondary panelcouples the first side memberwith the second side member. The secondary panelincludes a front panel face, a back panel face, a bottom panel edge, a top panel edge, a first side panel edgeand a second side panel edge. The bottom panel edgeof the panelis coupled to the bottom panel edgeof the secondary panel. Alternatively, the bottom panel edgeof the panelis coupled to the bottom panel edgeof the secondary panelby the support.

The secondary panelmay define a secondary angular sloperelative to the upper edgeof the first side memberand the upper edgeof the second side memberfor permitting the objectto be pivoted relative to the panelonce the objecthas been removed from the primary channeland the secondary channel. The angular slopeand the secondary angular slopedefines a groovebetween the paneland the secondary panel. The groovemay include a V-shaped groovebetween the paneland the secondary panel. The groovepermits the objectto be pivoted relative to the panelonce the objecthas been removed from the primary channeland the secondary channel. More specifically, the groovepermits the forward displacement of the top edgeof the objectin a forward direction to the front edgeandof the first side memberand the second side memberrespectively once the objecthas been partially removed from the primary channeland the secondary channel. A panel aperturemay be included in the secondary panelfor preventing the objectfrom making contact with the secondary panelas the objectdescends into the primary channeland the secondary channel. More specifically, if the objectincludes retail merchandisethat protrudes forward substantially from the merchandise label board, the retail merchandiseis permitted to traverse the secondary panelby the retail merchandiseentering and extending through the panel aperture. The retail merchandisemay then enter into a cavitythat is forward of the secondary panel. More specifically, the cavitymay comprise an inverted V-shaped cavity.

As best shown in, the traymay further include a primary rib baseis in the primary ribfor increasing the coupling surface area between the first side memberand the secondary panel. A secondary rib baseis in the secondary ribfor increasing the coupling surface area between the second side memberand the secondary panel. The primary rib baseand the secondary rib basemay include a V-shaped rib base. Alternatively, the primary rib baseand the secondary rib basemay include other shapes including but not limited to L-shaped rib base, linear shaped rib base or other configurations.

The traymay further include a front memberthat further couples the first side memberwith the second side member. The front membermay define a front handlethat facilitates the handling and positioning of the tray. A rear membermay couple the first side memberwith the second side member. The rear membermay define a rear handlethat facilitates the handling and positioning of the tray. The rear membermay include a rear aperturefor further defining the rear handleand facilitate the grasping of the tray. An upper membercouples the first side memberwith the second side member.

A rear upper membermay further couple the first side memberwith the second side member. The rear upper member defines the rear handle. A rear lower membermay further couple the first side memberwith the second side member. The rear lower member defines the rear handle.

Preferably, the trayincludes a plurality of panelscoupling the first side memberwith the second side memberfor receiving a plurality of objects. The traymay further include a plurality of secondary panelscoupling the first side memberwith the second side member. The plurality of panelsand the plurality of secondary panelsdefine a plurality of groovesbetween each of the plurality of panelsand the plurality of secondary panels. A plurality of primary ribsare coupled to the interior sideof the first side memberfor defining a plurality of primary channelsbetween the front panel faceof the plurality of panelsand the plurality of primary ribs. A plurality of secondary ribsare coupled to the interior sideof the second side memberfor defining a plurality of secondary channelsbetween the front panel faceof the plurality of panelsand the plurality of secondary ribs. Each of the first side edgesof each of the plurality of objectsslidably engage the plurality of primary channelsand each of the second side edgesof each of the plurality of objectsslidably engage the plurality of secondary channelsfor permitting the slidable displacement of the plurality of objectsrelative to the plurality of panelsand for securing the plurality of objectsrelative to the plurality of panels. A plurality of supportsmay couple the bottom panel edgesof the plurality of panelsto the bottom panel edgesof the plurality of secondary panels. A plurality of upper supportsmay couple the top panel edgesof the plurality of panelsto the top panel edgesof the plurality of secondary panels. The plurality of panels, the plurality of supports, the plurality of secondary panels, and the plurality of upper supportsmay define a continuous W-shaped rackbetween the first side memberand the second side member.

The traymay further include a plurality of legscoupled to the lower edgeandof the first side memberand the second side memberrespectively. The plurality of legsmay be utilized to elevate the first side memberand the second side memberfrom a support surface. The plurality of legsmay further be utilized for mating with apertures in the supporting surface for preventing slidable displacement of the trayrelative to a supporting surface.

Preferably, the trayis constructed of an integral one piece unit. More specifically, the trayis constructed by an injection molding process from a polymeric material which may be reusable multiple times and may further be recyclable. The trayis constructed such that the structure defines a skeletal rack that is and rigid and resistance twisting and flexing. Furthermore, the primary channeland the secondary channelsecure the product in place and ensure proper product alignment and facing. As best shown in, the trayis constructed such that multiple traysmay nest on top of one another to facilitate storage and shipping of the trays.

illustrate a second embodiment of a tray.illustrate a third embodiment of the tray.illustrate a fourth embodiment of the tray. The traycomprises a first side memberincluding an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge. A second side memberincludes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge.

A plurality of primary tabsare coupled to the first side member. A plurality of secondary tabsare coupled to the second side member. The plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of secondary tabssupport the object. A plurality of support framescouple each the plurality of primary tabswith each the plurality of secondary tabsfor terminating a descending displacement of the objectrelative to the support frameand supports the bottom edgeof the object.

Preferably, the plurality of primary tabshave a rearward angular sloperelative to the first side memberand the second side memberfor supporting the objectin an angular position. The rearward angular slopeis relative to the front member.

A plurality of primary ribsare coupled to the first side memberfor defining a primary channelbetween each of the plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of primary ribs. A plurality of secondary ribsare coupled to the second side memberfor defining a secondary channelbetween each of the plurality of secondary tabsand the plurality of secondary ribs. The first side edgeof the objectslidably engages the primary channeland the second side edgeof the objectslidably engages the secondary channelfor permitting the slidable displacement of the objectrelative to the support frameand for securing the objectrelative to the support frame.

The primary channeland the secondary channelmay define a descending tapering channel. The descending tapering channelprovides a progressive compression fitof the objectbetween each of the plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of primary ribsand each of the plurality of secondary tabsand the plurality of secondary ribs.

A cross-memberis coupled between each the plurality of support frames. The plurality of support framesand the cross-membersdefine a grid member bottom.

A tab extensionis coupled to each of the plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of secondary tabs. The tab extensionsextending above the upper edgeof the first side memberand the upper edgethe second side memberfor increasing the contact surface area between the plurality of primary tabs, the plurality of secondary tabsand the object. A plurality of re-enforcing membersmay be coupled between the first side member, the plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of support framesand between the second side member, the plurality of primary tabsand the plurality of support frames. The plurality of re-enforcing membersstrengthen and stiffen the first side member, the second side member, the plurality of primary tabs, the plurality of secondary tabsand the plurality of support frames.

As best shown in, a plurality of stop membersare coupled to the first side memberand the second side member. The plurality of stop membersextend below the upper edgeof the first side memberand the upper edgeof the second side memberfor distancing multiple traysin a stacked position. More specifically, the plurality of stop membersrest on the upper edgeof the first side memberand the upper edgeof the second side memberfor creating a hard stop. The plurality of stop membersprevent stacked traysfrom creating a locking angle where trays would resist being released when stacked.

As shown in, the front memberand the rear membermay include a descending arcuate groove. As shown in, the front membermay include the descending arcuate groove. The descending arcuate groovepermits for increased exposure of the objectand further facilitates the disengagement of the objectfrom the tray. As shown in, the traymay include an open end. The open endpermits full exposure of the objectand further facilitates the disengagement of the objectfrom the tray.

Preferably, the traysinare constructed of an integral one piece unit. More specifically, the trayis constructed by an injection molding process from a polymeric material which may be reusable multiple times and may further be recyclable. The trayis constructed such that the structure defines a skeletal rack that is and rigid and resistance twisting and flexing. Furthermore, the primary channeland the secondary channelsecure the product in place and ensure proper product alignment and facing. As best shown in, the trayis constructed such that multiple traysmay nest on top of one another to facilitate storage and shipping of the trays.

illustrate a fifth embodiment of the tray. A tray retains and displays a plurality of objects, the objects including a front face, a back face, a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The traycomprises a first side memberincluding an exterior side, an interior side, lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge. A second side memberincludes an exterior side, an interior side, a lower edge, an upper edge, a front edgeand a back edge.

A plurality of primary frame sectionscouple the first side memberwith the second side member. A plurality of secondary frame sectionscouple the first side memberwith the second side member. A support frameis defined by each of the plurality of primary frame sectionsand the secondary frame sectionsfor supporting the object.

A lower supportis defined by each of the plurality of primary frame sectionsand the plurality of secondary frame sectionsat the bottom of the support frame. The lower supportterminates a descending displacement of the objectrelative to the support frameand supports the bottom edgeof the object.