Tray device

Abstract

A tray includes a dimensionally stable base having a supporting surface to accommodate sheet information carriers, and a transparent and dimensionally stable upper part which can be fixed to the base as a goods supporting surface so that, in the fixed state, the information carrier is covered by the upper part so as to be visible. The upper part can be fixed to the base by means of at least one detent which engages in an aperture arranged in a corresponding manner in the base and which projects beyond the lateral profile of the upper part. An auxiliary tool has a contact surface with at least one protrusion which can be placed against the side of the base so that the protrusion can be pressed against the detent to push the detent out of the aperture to release the upper part from the lower part.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A tray comprising 
 a dimensionally stable base having a supporting surface for accommodating a sheet information carrier, said base having a side with at least one aperture therein, and    a dimensionally stable upper part which can be fixed to said base, said upper part having a transparent goods supporting surface so that said information carrier is visible, said upper part having at least one detent which projects laterally outward and engages in a respective said at least one aperture in said base, whereby    an auxiliary tool having a contact surface with at least one protrusion can be placed against the side of said base so that said at least one protrusion can be pressed against said at least one detent to push said detent out of said aperture and to release the upper part from the base.    
     
     
         2 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said detent is shaped like one of a nipple and a pin.  
     
     
         3 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said side of said of said upper part has two of said detents, whereby said auxiliary tool must have two corresponding protrusions.  
     
     
         4 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said side of said upper part has three of said detents, whereby said auxiliary tool must have three corresponding protrusions.  
     
     
         5 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said base has a circumferential channel, and said upper part has a collar which seats in said circumferential channel.  
     
     
         6 . A tray as in  claim 5  further comprising a circumferential seal arranged between said collar and said channel.  
     
     
         7 . A tray as in  claim 6  wherein said seal is fitted in said channel.  
     
     
         8 . A tray as in  claim 6  wherein said seal is one of rubber, cork, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinylchloride.  
     
     
         9 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said base has opposed sides, each side having at least one aperture therein, and said upper part has opposed detents which engage in respective said apertures in said opposed sides.  
     
     
         10 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said base consists of one of plastic, metal, glass, and wood.  
     
     
         11 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said upper part consists of one of plastic and glass.  
     
     
         12 . A tray as in  claim 1  wherein said upper part is assembled to said base by inserting said upper part laterally into said base.  
     
     
         13 . A method of protecting a sheet information carrier in a tray, said method comprising 
 providing a dimensionally stable base having a supporting surface, said base having a side with at least one aperture therein,    placing a sheet information carrier on said supporting surface, and    fixing a dimensionally stable upper part to said base, said upper part having a transparent goods supporting surface so that said information carrier is visible, said upper part having at least one detent which projects laterally outward and engages in a respective said at least one aperture in said base.    
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13  further comprising 
 providing an auxiliary tool having a contact surface with at least one protrusion,  
 placing said contact surface against the side of said base so that said at least one protrusion is pressed against said at least one detent to push said detent out of said aperture,  
 releasing said upper part from said base, and  
 replacing said sheet information carrier on said supporting surface with another sheet information carrier, and  
 fixing said upper part to said base.