# US 2014/0197065 A1 · Stackable tray for bags containing liquids, stacked arrangements and stacking methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197065 A1 - Document ID: US20140197065A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/136,032 - Filed: 2013-12-20 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11 - Assignees: Parmalat Canada Inc. - Applicants: Parmalat Canada Inc. - Inventors: Sidney Scott Prince; Lee Scott Hoover; Antonino Cugliari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197065A1 ## CPC - B65D 21/0213: {Containers presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper or lower edge of at least two opposite side walls} - B65D 71/70: Trays provided with projections or recesses in order to assemble multiple articles, e.g. intermediate elements for stacking - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract Stackable trays for bags containing liquids, stacked arrangements and stacking methods are disclosed. A tray has a first surface to support one or more bags containing liquid and could include a plurality of cells adapted to receive the bags. The tray has a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface transfers at least a portion of a load on the first surface to one or more bags containing liquid arranged below the second surface. A stacked arrangement includes multiple layers of bags containing liquid with a respective stackable tray between adjacent layers of the multiple layers. The trays could thus be used in stacking or otherwise arranging bags containing liquid in multiple layers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stackable tray comprising: a first surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adapted to transfer at least a portion of a load on the first surface to one or more bags containing liquid arranged below the second surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of cells, each cell adapted to receive at least one bag containing liquid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stackable tray of claim 2, wherein the second surface is substantially flat opposite each of the plurality of cells. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1, the first surface comprising one or more reinforcement ribs to strengthen the first surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The stackable tray of claim 4, wherein the first surface composes cells of varying or substantially similar shape defined by the one or more reinforcement ribs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stackable tray of claim 5, wherein the cells are each shaped to receive three bags containing liquid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The stackable tray of claim 5, wherein the cells are each shaped to receive one bag containing liquid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1, the second surface comprising channels to strengthen the second surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1, further comprising support columns extending upwards from the first surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The stackable tray of claim 9, wherein the support columns are arranged at intersections of two or more reinforcement ribs formed on the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The stackable tray of claim 9, wherein each support column is adapted to receive a support column of another stackable tray when the stackable tray and the other stackable tray are in a nested configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1 further comprising at least one recessed pocket in the second surface, the at least one recessed pocket adapted to receive a support column of another stackable tray when the stackable tray and the other stackable tray are in a stacked configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The stackable tray of claim 9, wherein the support column each comprise a top and a base and are tapered, being narrower at the top than at the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The stackable tray of claim 12, wherein the support column is releasably connected to the other stackable tray. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The stackable tray of claim 9, wherein the support columns are integral with a side wall extending along a periphery of the first surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The stackable tray of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises two or more support columns of varying height, and the second surface comprises two or more recessed pockets of varying depth. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A stacked arrangement comprising: multiple layers of bags containing liquid, each comprising a plurality of bags containing liquid; a respective stackable tray of claim 1, between adjacent layers of the multiple layers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method comprising: providing a plurality of bags containing liquid; providing a plurality of stackable trays, each stackable tray comprising the stackable tray of claim 1; arranging the plurality of bags containing liquid in multiple layers, with a respective one of the plurality of stackable trays between adjacent layers of the multiple layers. ### Claim 19 A stacked arrangement comprising: a stackable tray comprising: a first surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adapted to transfer at least a portion of a load on the first surface to one or more bags containing liquid arranged below the second surface; one or more bags containing liquid on the first surface; and a plurality of bags containing liquid below the second surface. ### Claim 20 A method comprising: providing a stackable tray comprising: a first surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adapted to transfer at least a portion of a load on the first surface to one or more bags containing liquid arranged below the second surface; providing a plurality of bags containing liquid; and stacking the plurality of bags containing liquid in multiple layers using the stackable tray.