Stacking tray assembly incorporating any number of vertically displaced tiers for supporting a plurality of loose items, such as in a gift basket arrangement

Abstract

An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items includes any plurality of trays, each exhibiting a substantially planar surface across which are interspersed a plurality of recess defining pockets. A height defining spacer insert is engaged between succeeding trays, the insert having a three-dimensional shape with a top and bottom. A first selected tray exhibits upper projecting cylindrical supports for locating and securing bottom perimeter locations associated with the insert. A second of the trays exhibiting at least one downward three-dimensional projection nestingly engaging a recessed top location of the insert, in a height adjustable fashion, and in order to define a specified distance between the recess defining pockets in the trays and in order to support items of different size and configuration.

1 . An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items, comprising:
 at least one tray exhibiting a substantially planar sheet with a plurality of recess defining pockets formed therein;   a height defining spacer insert; and   a first of said trays further exhibiting, at selected upper surface locations, a first set of locating and engaging portions for securing a bottom of said insert, a second of said trays exhibiting, at selected lower surface locations, at least one additional locating and engaging portion for securing a top of said insert and in order to define a specified distance between said recess defining pockets in said trays.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , each of said recess defining pockets establishing a selected shape and size and further comprising a plurality of serrated grooves for contacting an item supported thereupon. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly as described in  claim 2 , said pockets each further comprising a substantially circular concave shape and within which said grooves are formed in outwardly radially projecting fashion. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , each of said trays further comprising first and second sets of locating and engaging portions associated with each of said upper and lower surfaces. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said first set of locating and engaging portions further comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical projecting supports integrally formed with upper surface locations of said tray. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly as described in  claim 5 , said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape and size and defining an open bottom perimeter sized to engage said cylindrical projecting supports. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said second locating and engaging portions further comprising at least one three-dimensional shaped projection integrally formed with a lower surface of said tray. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly as described in  claim 7 , said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape and size and defining a recess associated with said top for nestingly receiving said three-dimensional projection. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly as described in  claim 7 , said second locating and engaging portions further comprising a pair of elongate and portions formed in said tray. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly as described in  claim 8 , said insert further comprising a superstructure defined upon said top surface and within which is formed said recess. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , further comprising said first and second sets of locating and engaging portions each having a specified shape and size enabling said first and second trays to engage an intermediately positioned insert in a height adjustable fashion. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly as described in  claim 6 , said insert exhibiting a continuous extending side defining said perimeter and further comprising localized projections for seating associated cylindrical supports. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly as described in  claim 5 , each of said trays exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a pair of upwardly projecting cylindrical supports. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly as described in  claim 5 , each of said trays exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising first and second pairs of upwardly projecting cylindrical supports. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , each of said trays and said spacer insert having a specified shape and size and further comprising a vacuum thermoformed plastic. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly as described in  claim 15 , each of said trays and said spacer insert being manufactured from a material including at least a polyethyltetraphthalate. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a trim tool for sectioning at least one subset areas associated with a selected tray. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , each of said trays and spacer inserts having a specified shape and size and being supporting within a three-dimensional defined enclosure including at least a gift basket interior. 
   
   
       19 . An assembly for establishing a multi-tiered display for supporting a plurality of loose items, comprising:
 a plurality of trays, each exhibiting a substantially planar surface across which are interspersed a plurality of recess defining pockets;   a height defining spacer insert engaged between succeeding trays, said insert further comprising a three-dimensional shape; and   a first selected tray exhibiting upper projecting cylindrical supports for locating and securing bottom perimeter locations associated with said insert, a second of said trays exhibiting at least one downward three-dimensional projection nestingly engaging a recessed top location of said insert, in a height adjustable fashion, and in order to define a specified distance between said recess defining pockets in said trays and in order to support items of different size and configuration.   
   
   
       20 . The assembly as described in  claim 19 , the each of said recess defining pockets establishing a concave shape, within each of which are defined a plurality of outwardly radially extending and serrated grooves for contacting an item supported thereupon and for absorbing forces associated with transport and display of said items.