NL2036590B1

NL2036590B1 - Tray for containers

Info

Publication number: NL2036590B1
Application number: NL2036590A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Emanuël Van Heugten Marco; Swart Daan
Original assignee: Marco Emanuel Van Heugten
Priority date: 2023-12-19
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2025-07-01
Also published as: WO2025136092A1

Abstract

Title: Tray for containers Abstract Tray for containers, in particular plant pots, growing pots or food containers, comprising a base arranged to support a plurality of containers; wherein the tray has a nestable structure such that the tray is stackable with a further tray and comprises a perimeter wall; wherein the tray further comprises a lid support structure comprising an upper support and a lower support arranged to, during use, support a lid substantially parallel to the base, wherein the upper support comprises an upper support surface and an edge extending upward from the upper support surface; wherein the lower supper comprises an lower support surface and an edge extending upward from the lower supper surface; wherein the upper support and lower support are provided staggered relative to each other such that, during use, the respective edges of the upper support and lower support limit the dimensions of a surface of a lid that is used such that the lid that can be supported on the lower support has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the upper support. Fig. 1

Description

P135882NL00

Title: Tray for containers

The invention relates to a tray for containers, a holder and a method of preparing said holder for transportation.

Many types of holders and trays are known. A particular type of holder is used during transport of containers. Said containers can be pots comprising herbs or plants. While said containers can be transported using

Just a tray, the containers may tip over during sudden impact during transportation, e.g. if a truck carrying the trays makes a turn. In order to prevent tipping over of containers, containers are commonly transported using holders. Said holders may have a tray and a stabilizing structure.

Commonly, the stabilizing structure is a further surface, provided parallel to the base of the tray. The further surface is relatively thin, reducing weight of the holder, such that an open space is provided between the base of the tray and the further surface. The further surface has a plurality of through holes, through which the containers may be provided such that they are simultaneously being supported by the base of the tray and the edges of the through holes. Now, the containers are both supported at a lower end by the base, as they would in a common tray, and at an upper end by the edges of the through holes.

A downside of such a holder is that, once the containers have reached their destination and have been unloaded from the holder, the further surface prevents the holders from being stacked. Stacking of the holders may be advantageous when transporting them without the containers, for example when the holders are being returned to sender. Due to the further surface, the open space between the further surface and the base of the holder cannot be occupied by a second holder. As a result transporting empty holder takes a relatively large amount of space and is thus relatively expensive.

Publication NL2027320B1 describes a holder comprising a tray and a lid. The lid comprises through holes, through which containers can be provided such that they are supported by the base of the tray and by the edges of the through hole. However, the lid has been provided such that it can be removed from the tray. As a result, after the containers have reached their destination and the holder is being transported empty, the lid can be removed. Thus, the downside of commonly available trays having a further surface has been mitigated, as the lids can be removed and the trays be efficiently stacked.

A drawback of a such a holder is that the lid can only be provided at a fixed distance from the base of the tray. As a result, the edges of the through hole, supporting the container during use, are also provided at a fixed distance from the tray. However, containers may come in various sizes and shapes and as a result the fixed distance of the lid relative to the tray may not be the correct distance. For example, a relatively tall container, or a container having a top-heavy weight distribution, may still tip over if the lid is provided too close to the base of the tray. As a result, the tray of the holder needs to be adapted to the container in order to work adequately.

The invention aims to counteract the above disadvantages, preferably while retaining the advantages. More specifically, the invention provides for a holder that can be stacked such that transportation when empty can be done efficiently, while providing support for a wide range of different containers and products carried by the containers.

To this end, according to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided for a tray for containers according to claim 1. The tray comprises a base arranged to support a plurality of containers. The tray has a nestable structure such that the tray is stackable with a further tray and comprises a perimeter wall. The tray further comprises a lid support structure. The lid support structure comprises an upper support and a lower support arranged to, during use, support a lid substantially parallel to the base. The upper support comprises an upper support surface and an edge extending upward from the upper support surface. The lower support comprises a lower support surface and an edge extending upward from the lower support surface. The upper support and lower support are provided staggered relative to each other such that, during use, the respective edges of the upper support and lower support limit the dimensions of a surface of a lid that 1s used such that the lid that can be supported on the lower support has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the upper support.

In the context of the disclosure, having a nestable structure should be understand as a structure that facilitates the stacking of a tray with a further tray such that the volume occupied by the stacked trays is less than the sum of the volume of the individual trays. This may be facilitated, for example, by shaping the bottom side of the tray such that the bottom side fits in to the top side of a further tray, or vice versa. In particular, the bottom side should substantially abut the top side such that the space between the tray and the further tray is kept at a minimum.

Shaping the tray such that it has a nestable structure is a well-known practice in the field of tray manufacturing and will not be further elucidated.

The upper and lower support allow for lids of different sizes to be provided. The combination of a lid and tray is defined as a holder. Lids that can be supported on the lower support have a surface that is too small to be supported on the upper support, as they are not supported by a sufficient amount of upper supports at the same time as the distance between the upper supports is too large. Alternatively, lids that can be supported by the upper support have a surface that is too large to be supported by the lower support, as the lower supports are provided too close to each other. As a result the lid cannot be supported substantially parallel to the base of the tray. Since a lid that is supported by the lower support is provided closer to the base of the tray than a lid that is supported by the upper support, a lid can be chosen that provides support for any container. When a container needs a lid that 1s provided relatively high above the base, a lid can be used that can be supported by the upper support. When a container needs a lid that needs a support relatively low above the base of the tray, a lid can be used that can be supported by the lower support. Since the lids are removeable from the tray, the trays can be stacked and thus efficiently transported.

The perimeter wall can be a solid wall or comprise openings, depending on the container that is being carried in the tray. For example, openings in the walls may be preferred in order to reduce weight of the tray or if removal of unwanted contents in the tray, e.g. excess water, is needed.

Alternatively, a solid or closed wall may be preferred in case the contents of the tray should be kept within said tray, e.g. soil. Preferably, the perimeter wall and the base are made out of a commonly available plastic material that is sufficiently light-weight and rigid. The perimeter wall may comprise a flange near an upper end of the perimeter wall which may facilitate handling, e.g. carrying, of the tray.

The base of the tray can be a flat base, or can comprise protrusions or recesses arranged to provide addition support for the containers during use. Additionally or alternatively, the base may comprise openings in order to facilitate removal of unwanted contents in the tray such as excess water. In a preferred embodiment, the perimeter wall, near the cam, may also comprise a support for supporting a lid during use.

The lid support structure can comprise a cam provided at an upper end of the lid support structure. The cam can have an outwardly tapered tiered structure that can comprise at least the upper support. Such a cam may provide for additional support surfaces such that the lid can be provided at an even larger distance from the base of the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure can be arranged to, during use, center a lid such that the lid covers the tray. This may for example be done by providing rounded edges on the lower support, upper support and cam such that once a lid is provided and comes in to contact with the rounded edges, the lid is moved to a correct position when moved further towards the corresponding support. This may be further facilitated when the lid support 5 structures comprise an inner edge convexly shaped in a plane parallel to the base such that the wall sections that make up the perimeter wall of the tray can be connected without forming acute angles.

The lid support structure can comprise a shoulder provided at a lower end of the lid support structure. The shoulder can be projected inwards from the perimeter wall. The shoulder can comprise at least the lower support. The should may comprise additional supports, thus facilitating additional support heights for the lid. Preferably, the lid support structure also comprises a recess on the outside of the perimeter wall that is conjugated with the shoulder, such that the tray can be stacked on another tray, wherein the tray abuts the base of the other tray.

The tray can comprise a plurality of lid support structures. In a preferred embodiment, at least two lid support structures are provided such that the lid can be conveniently supported at the correct height. Preferably, the at least two lid support structures are provided at opposite ends of each other, for example diagonal or straight across. Furthermore, at least two lid support structures facilitate keeping the lid in place once provided and may facilitate centering the lid such that it covers the tray. The lid support structure can be provided at a corner of the perimeter wall of the tray.

Additionally or alternatively, the lid support structures may be provided at a perimeter wall.

In a second aspect of the disclosure a holder is provided. The holder comprises a tray as previously described and a lid. The hd comprises a surface having a plurality of through holes arranged to receive a container in each through hole. The lid is supported by the upper support or lower support. The lid can be made of a rigid material, such as cardboard or plastic. The through holes may be circularly shaped, but may be constructed as any other shape, such as a square or a octagonal. Preferably the tray may comprise fastening means such that the lid can be releasably connected to the tray. Once the lid is connected to the tray, the fastening means prevent the Ld from becoming separated from the tray, for example when the tray is kept upside-down. This may be convenient during assembly of the holder, i.e. attaching the lid to the tray, and / or when providing a container in the holder.

In a third aspect of the disclosure a method of preparing a holder, preferably the holder previously described, for carrying containers is provided. The method comprises the steps of: - providing a tray as previously described; - picking the support, from a group comprising a lower and upper support, on which the lid needs to be supported in order to support the container, based on the height and / or weight distribution of the container; - providing a lid shaped such that it can be supported on the picked support; - placing the lid on the picked support; and - providing the container in the through hole of the lid such that the container rests on the base of the tray.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention are set out in the description and appended claims.

The technical features described in the paragraphs and sentences above can be isolated from the context, and the isolated technical features from the different paragraphs and sentences can be combined. Such combinations are herewith specifically disclosed in this description.

The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric top view of a tray according to an example of the invention;

Fig. 2A is an isometric top view of an outwardly tapered tiered cam shown in detail A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2B is an alternative example of the outwardly tapered tiered cam of Fig. 24;

Fig. 3 is an isometric top view of an example of the holder according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is an isometric top view of a tray according to a further example of the invention;

Fig. 5A and 5B are isometric top views of an even further example a lid attached to a tray;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a tray, lid and containers according to a further example of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a lid support structure having a fastening means.

Fig. 1 depicts an example of a tray 1 according to the invention.

The tray 1 comprises a base 2 arranged to support a plurality of containers.

The tray 1 comprises a perimeter wall 12 and has a nestable structure, such that the tray 1 is stackable with further trays 1. Specifically, in the shown example, the tray 1 is a square tray 1, having four corners 13. In between the corners 13, wall components 15 are provided. Said wall components 15 are provided upright from the base 2. Two wall components 15, provided parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tray 1, and two wall components 15, provided parallel to each transverse to the first two wall components 15, together with the corners 13 form the perimeter wall 12 of the tray. The perimeter wall 12 is tapered outwardly, i.e. the surface of a plane parallel to the base 2 becomes larger the further the plane is from the base 2. This facilitates the nestable structure of the tray 1.

The tray 1 further comprises a lid support structure 3 comprising an upper support 4 and a lower support 5. The upper support 4 and the lower support 5 are arranged to, during use, support a lid substantially parallel to the base 2. The upper support 4 comprises an upper support surface 6 and an edge 7 extending upward from the upper support surface 6.

The lower support surface 5 comprises a lower support surface 8 and an edge 9 extending upward from the lower support surface 8. The upper support 4 and lower support 5 are provided staggered relative to each other such that, during use, the respective edges 7, 9 of the upper support 4 and lower support 5 limit the dimensions of a surface of a lid that is used such that the lid that can be supported on the lower support 5 has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the upper support 4. In other words, the upper support 4 and lower support 5 are provided as a tiered structure, wherein the upper support 4 is provided further outwards in a direction parallel to a plane of the base 2. Thus, a lid will need to have a certain size to be supported on a specific support. For example, a lid having a first set of dimensions can be supported on the lower support 5. Another lid, having a second set of dimensions, second set of dimensions being smaller than the first set of dimensions such that the surface of the another

Lid is smaller, may be too small to be supported by the upper support 4 or lower support 5. As a result, such a lid may rest on the base 2. In a second example, a lid is provided with a third set of dimensions, wherein the third set of dimensions are larger than the first set of dimensions such that the surface of the lid is larger may be supported on the upper support 4, but is too large to be supported on lower support 4. As a result, the cooperation between the lid support structure 3 and the shape of the lid determines on which support surface the lid will rest and thus also the distance between the lid and the base 2.

In the shown example, the lid support structure 3 comprises a shoulder 10 provided at a lower end 11 of the lid support structure 3 and projected inwards from the perimeter wall 12. In the shown example, the perimeter wall 12 that forms the shoulder forms a conjugated recess 20. The recess 20 1s shaped such that the shoulder 10 fits in the recess when a tray 1 is stacked with another tray, thereby facilitation nestability of the trays 1.

In the shown example, the shoulder 10 is the lower support 5.

In the example, the tray 1 comprises four lid support structures 3, each lid support structure 3 being provided at a corner 13 of the perimeter wall 12 of the tray 1. In an advantageous further example, the lid support structures 3 comprise an inner edge 14 that is convexly shaped in a plane parallel to the base 2 such that the wall sections 15 that make up the perimeter wall 12 are connected without forming acute angles. This may facilitating centering of the lid by the lid support structures 3 such that the lid support structures 3 are arranged to, during use, center a lid such that the lid covers the tray 1. In a particular example when a lid is provided, having a perimeter that has a shape that is conjugated to the perimeter wall 12 and the lid support structures 3, the lid will center such that the lid covers the tray 1. Having acute angles formed by the perimeter wall 12 of tray 1 may hinder the centering of a lid, thus making the placement of the

Lid more difficult.

Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, a detail A of Fig. 1 of a part of the lid support structure 3, has been depicted, according to two different examples. The lid support structure 3 comprises a cam 15 provided at an upper end 16 of the lid support structure 3 having an outwardly tapered tiered structure comprising the upper support 4. In addition to the upper support 4, the cam comprises a further support 21. The further support 21 has the comparable characteristics as the lower support 5 and the upper support 4. The further support 21 comprises a further support surface 22 and an edge 23 extending upward from the further support surface 22. The further support 21 is provided staggered relative to the upper support 4 such that, during use, the edges 7, 9, 23 of the further support 21, the upper support 4 and lower support 5 limit the dimensions of a surface of a lid that is used such that the lid that can be supported on the lower support 5 has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the upper support 4 and such that the lid that can be supported on the upper support 4 has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the further support 21. Thus, in this example, three levels for supporting the lid, each having a different distance from the base 2, have been provided.

Fig. 2A has a cam 15 with rounded edges 24 while Fig. 2B comprises a cam 15 having substantially straight edges 24. Both embodiments have different advantages. In particular, the embodiment in

Fig. 2A, having the rounded edges 24, facilitates centering of the lid on the correct supporting surface. Alternatively, the straight edges 24 facilitate keeping the lid in place, e.g. preventing the lid from moving due to external forces, once provided at the support surface. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that, while the two embodiments only show edges 24 of a single type, any combination thereof may be provided.

Fig. 3 depicts an isometric top view of an example of a holder 16 according to the invention. The holder 16 comprises a tray 1, for example the tray 1 as previously discussed, and a lid 17. The lid 17 comprises a surface 18 having a plurality of through holes 19 arranged to receive a counter in each through hole 19. In the shown example, the lid 17 is supported by the upper support 4 due to the dimensions of the surface 14 of the lid 17. As an example, the lid 17 is made of a corrugated hard board, which is a rigid material. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure has fastening means 25, such that the lid can be releasably connected to the tray. In the shown example, the fastening means 25 are embodied as elastically deformable protrusions. The deformable protrusions are shaped such that the lid 17 can be provided on the tray 1. However, in order to remove the lid 17 from the tray 1, the fastening means 25 needs to be pressed towards the upper support 4 such that the lid 17 can be removed conveniently.

In a different example, shown in Figs. 4, 5A and 5B, a tray lis provided in which the fastening means 25 are provided on the lid 17. The fastening means 25 comprise foldable sections 26 that can be releasably connected to the perimeter wall 12 of the tray 1. In the shown example, foldable sections 26 are provided at each of the four edges of the lid 17, in order to prevent the lid 17 from accidentally detaching from the tray 1.

However, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that any number of foldable sections 26 may be provided. The foldable sections 26 are releasably connected to the tray 1 by means of a snap-fit connection, however other connecting means are envisioned, e.g. using Velcro or magnets.

As seen in the shown example, the tray 1 has conjugated protrusions 27 provided around the circumference of the perimeter wall 12 of the tray 1 that further improve the strength of the snap-fit connection, thereby reducing the possibility of accidentally detaching the lid 17 from the tray 1.

In Figs. 5A and 5B examples are shown in which a lid 17 has a different size, such that the lid 17 is provided at different heights. Tray 1 has multiple support heights, including a further support 22, on which the lid 17 rests in Fig. 5A, and an upper support 4, on which the lid 17 rests, in

Fig. 5B. The surface of the lid 17 depicted in the example of Fig. 5A has a surface with smaller dimensions than the lid 17 depicted in Fig. 5B. As can be seen, the larger of the two lids 17 is supported on the upper support.

In a further example, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the lid 17 is made of a plastic material, specifically a transparent plastic material. The lid 17 comprises through holes 19 arranged to provide a tight fit around the circumferential wall 30 of the containers 29. In the shown example, the lid 17 can be releasably connected to the tray 1 by providing a conjugated structure 28, being a further example of fastening means 25, on the lid 17 that can be snap-fitted to the support structure 3 of the tray 1. Depending on the height the lid 17 needs to be provided relative to the bottom of the tray 1, the conjugated shape 28 and the dimensions of the lid 17 need to be adjusted. In the shown example, the lid 17 and the conjugated shape 28 are provided such that the lid 17 is supported on the further support surface 22.

However, if the lid 17 needs to be provided at a lower height relative to the bottom of the tray 1, the conjugated shape 28 would encompass more of the shape of the support structure 3 and the dimensions of the lid 17 will be smaller relative to the shown example in Fig. 6. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the disclosed fastening means can be combined or individually used.

Many variations will be apparent to the skilled person in the art.

Such variations are understood to be comprised within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that a wide array of configurations of support structures may be used. The cams provided as part of the support structures may have various shapes, such as round or square.

Claims

Conclusions

1. A tray for containers, in particular plant pots, growing pots or food containers, comprising a base adapted to support a plurality of containers; the tray having a nestable structure so that the tray is stackable with a further tray and a peripheral wall; the tray further comprising a lid supporting structure comprising an upper support and a lower support adapted to support, in use, a lid substantially parallel to the base, the upper support comprising an upper support surface and an edge extending upwardly from the upper support surface; the lower support comprising a lower support surface and an edge extending upwardly from the lower support surface; the upper support and lower support being provided offset from each other so that, in use, the respective edges of the upper support and lower support limit the dimensions of a surface of a lid in use such that the lid that can be supported on the lower support has a smaller surface than the lid that can be supported on the upper support.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the lid support structure comprises a cam provided at an upper end of the lid support structure with an outwardly tapered stepped structure comprising at least the upper support.

3. A tray as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid support structure comprises a shoulder provided at a lower end of the lid support structure and extending inwardly from the peripheral wall, the shoulder comprising at least the lower support.

4. A tray according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of lid support structures, at least one lid support structure being provided at a corner of the peripheral wall of the tray.

5. A tray as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lid support structures comprise an inner edge convexly shaped in a plane parallel to the base so that the wall sections forming the peripheral wall of the tray are connected without forming sharp corners.

6. A dish according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure is adapted to centre a lid, in use, so that the lid covers the dish.

7. A container comprising a tray according to any preceding claim and a lid, the lid comprising a surface with a plurality of through holes adapted to receive a container in each hole and the lid being supported by the upper support or lower support.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the lid is made of a rigid material.

9. A method for preparing a container, preferably the container according to claim 7 or 8, for carrying containers, comprising the steps of: - providing a tray according to any one of claims 1 to 6; - selecting the support, from a group comprising upper and lower supports, on which the lid is to be supported to support a container, based on the height and/or weight distribution of the container; - providing a lid shaped such that it can be supported on the selected support; - placing the lid on the selected support; and - placing the container in the through hole of the lid such that the container rests on the base of the tray.