Patent · US Expired

Can tray assembly

US5316172A · kind A · utility

92Cited by
57References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 1993
Grant dateMay 31, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 1, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D2501/24108
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.