US3845896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open bottom tray with multiple pedestal display platform
Assignee: Keyes Fibre Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-31
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A molded, open top tray for packaging products such as moist pieces of meat, fish or poultry in conjunction with a transparent wrapping which encloses both the tray and the product packaged thereon. The bottom of the tray is formed by a plurality of downwardly opening channel shaped ribs spaced from each other to provide a plurality of open viewing windows. Multiple hollow pedestals project upwardly from the ribs, the pedestals tapering to narrow crown portions which together define a spaced point ''''display platform'''' for supporting the product packaged on the tray with optimum visibility through the viewing windows of the bottom of the product.
Inventors
- 👤 K Crabtree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/34; B65D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An open top tray for packaging products, such as moist pieces of meat, fish or poultry in conjunction with a transparent wrapping enclosing both the tray and the product packaged thereon, molded to final shape from generally opaque material which in the empty condition is capable of being nestably stacked with other like trays for shipment and storage, the tray comprising at least two opposed beam portions defining the overall shape of the tray, the bottom of the tray being formed by a plurality of downwardly opening channel shaped ribs spaced from each other to provide a plurality of open viewing windows and integrally joined to the beam portions to maintain them in properly spaced relationship, a plurality of hollow pedestals projecting upwardly from the ribs, the pedestals tapering to narrow crown portions which are substantially thicker than the average thickness of the generally opaque material from which the remainder of the tray is molded, the upper surfaces of the crown portions being slightly rounded and of sufficient area that they define a display platform for supporting the product packaged thereon without puncturing the surface of the product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An open top tray for packaging products, such as moist pieces of meat, fish or poultry in conjunction with a transparent wrapping enclosing both the tray and the product packaged thereon, molded to final shape from generally opaque material which in the empty condition is capable of being nestably stacked with other like trays for shipment and storage, the tray comprising at least two opposed beam portions defining the overall shape of the tray, the bottom of the tray being formed by a plurality of downwardly opening channel shaped ribs spaced from each other to provide a plurality of open viewing windows and integrally joined to the beam portions to maintain them in properly spaced relationship, a plurality of hollow pedestals projecting upwardly from the ribs, the pedestals tapering to narrow crown portions which are substantially thicker than the average thickness of the generally opaque material from which the remainder of the tray is molded, the upper surfaces of the crown portions being slightly rounded and of sufficient area that they define a display platform for supporting the product packaged thereon without puncturing the surface of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A molded tray as in claim 1 wherein the crown portions are approximately twice as thick as the average thickness of the generally opaque material from which the remainder of the tray is molded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A molded tray as in claim 1 wherein the generally opaque material from which the tray is molded is fibrous, biodegradable wood and/or paper pulp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A molded tray as in claim 1 wherein the display platform defined by the crown portions of the plurality of pedestals has a sliGhtly convex configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A molded tray as in claim 4 wherein the display platform is slightly higher in the mid-portion than adjacent the opposed beam portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A molded tray as in claim 4 wherein the ribs are bent slightly to produce the slightly upwardly convex configuration of the display platform, and the pedestals are of substantially equal height above the ribs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A molded tray as in claim 4 wherein there are two opposed beam portions defining the sides and two other opposed beam portions defining the ends of a generally rectangular overall shape for the tray, the beam portions each including upwardly and outwardly flaring sidewall portions which are joined together at rounded corners.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A molded tray as in claim 7 wherein the upper surfaces of the channel shaped ribs include depressions to collect moisture from the product packaged on the tray.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A molded tray as in claim 8 wherein the channel shaped ribs extend both laterally and longitudinally of the generally rectangular tray and intersect each other to provide generally rectangularly shaped open windows, and wherein the pedestals are located at the intersections of the ribs and are generally conical, circular in horizontal cross-section, with their crown portions having a collective total area no greater than about 10 percent of the entire area of the bottom of the tray between the beam portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |