US 4,381,847 A · Carry-out tray

Abstract

A molded carry-out tray is provided for use in accommodating cup-shaped containers which vary in size within a predetermined range. The tray comprises at least one recessed pocket for accommodating and maintaining a container in an upright position while the tray is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. The pocket is provided with a base section which subtends and supportingly engages the bottom of the container when the latter is inserted to the fullest extent into the pocket. Extending divergently upwardly from the base section are walls which terminate at a common plane disposed at a predetermined elevation above the base section. Corner sections are disposed intermediate the walls and interconnect corresponding portions of adjacent walls. Each corner section is connected to a peripheral portion of the base section and extends upwardly therefrom. The corner sections and walls coact to form an open top. Each wall has an upper segment integrally connected to adjacent corner sections and an outwardly yieldable depending lower segment having the lower edge thereof disposed adjacent to, but spaced from, the periphery of the base section. Side edges of the lower segment extend upwardly from opposite ends of the lower edge and are spaced from corresponding side portions of the adjacent corner sections. Each corner section side portion is provided with a ledge which is recessed from the open top of the pocket and is offset inwardly towards the center of the pocket.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A molded carry-out tray for accommodating cup-shaped containers varying in size within a predetermined range, said tray comprising a continuous raised peripheral rim delimiting an area, at least one recessed pocket formed in said area for removably accommodating and maintaining a container in an upright position while said tray is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, said pocket including a base section for subtending and supportingly engaging the bottom of an accommodated container;

walls extending divergently upwardly from said base section and terminating at a predetermined elevation with respect to said base section, said rim having a top disposed at a greater elevation from said base section than the upper termination of said pocket walls;
and corner sections intermediate said walls and interconnecting corresponding portions of adjacent walls, said corner sections being connected to peripheral segments of said base section and extending upwardly therefrom, said corner sections terminating at substantially the same elevation as said walls, said walls and corner sections coacting to define an open top;
each wall being provided with an upper segment integrally connected to adjacent corner sections, and an outwardly yieldable lower segment having a lower edge disposed adjacent to, but spaced from, the periphery of said base section, said lower segments having side edges extending upwardly from opposite ends of said lower edge, said side edges being spaced from corresponding side portions of the adjacent corner sections, each corresponding side portion of a corner section being provided with an inwardly offset ledge, said ledge being spaced from the open top of said pocket.

A molded carry-out tray for accommodating cup-shaped containers varying in size within a predetermined range, said tray comprising a plurality of adjacent recessed portions, at least one of said portions being a pocket for removably accommodating and maintaining a container within the predetermined range in an upright position while said tray is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane;

a finger-accommodating depression disposed intermediate said recessed portions;
and a continuous, peripheral reinforcing rim encompassing the plurality of recessed portions, the top of said rim defining a first plane, said depression being proximate said rim;
said pocket including a base section for subtending and supportingly engaging the bottom of an accommodated container within the predetermined range;
walls extending divergently upwardly from said base section and terminating at a predetermined elevation with respect to said base section and beneath said first plane, each wall having an upper segment and a yieldable lower segment extending from said upper segment and spaced from said base section, said wall lower segments being adapted to resiliently engage the container accommodated in the pocket, and corner sections intermediate said walls and interconnecting corresponding upper segments of adjacent walls, said corner sections being integrally connected to peripheral segments of said base section and extending divergently upwardly therefrom, said corner sections being spaced from corresponding lower segments of said adjacent walls, predetermined corner sections terminating at substantially the same elevation as said walls, said corner sections and said wall upper segments coacting to define an open top of greater area than said base section, said pocket open top being separated from said finger-accommodating depression by a stiffening rib, each corner section being provided with an inwardly offset ledge spaced downwardly from the open top and laterally from the adjacent wall lower segment.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Carry-out tray

Life of this patent

Carry-out tray

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17