Front-To-Front Low Position Tray

Abstract

A tray having a first clearance height when stacked in a front-to-front orientation with a like tray and a second clearance height when stacked in a back-to-front orientation with the like tray is provided. The first clearance height is lower than the second clearance height.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A bakery tray having a first clearance height when stacked in a front-to-front orientation with a like tray and a second clearance height when stacked in a back-to-front orientation with the like tray, wherein the first clearance height is lower than the second clearance height. 
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the tray is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the tray comprises a generally rectangular base having a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 3  further comprising a centrally positioned front wall extending upward from the front side of the base, a centrally positioned back wall extending upward from the back side of the base, a first end wall extending upward from the first end and a second end wall extending upward from the second end of the tray. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 4  wherein the front wall extends a first height above the base and the back wall extends a second height above the base greater than the first height. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 5  wherein the first end wall and the second end wall extend upward a third height above the base greater than the second height. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6  further comprising a first front transition portion connecting the front wall to the first end wall and a second front transition portion connecting the front wall to the second end wall, the first and second front transition portions extending upward to the third height. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7  wherein each of the first and second front transition portions include a horizontal top edge and an angled edge between the top edge and the front wall. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 6  further comprising a first back transition portion connecting the back wall to the first end wall and a second back transition portion connecting the back wall to the second end wall, the first and second back transition portions extending upward to the third height. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 9  wherein each of the first and second back transition portions include a horizontal top edge and an angled edge between the top edge and the back wall. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 4  wherein the front side forms a merchandiser window. 
     
     
         12 . A bakery tray having a first stacking position on a like tray, and a second stacking position on the like tray comprising:
 a generally rectangular base having a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a first end wall and a second end wall;   a front wall having a central portion extending upward from the front side of the base a first distance;   a back wall having a central portion extending upward from the back side of the base a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance;   a first end wall extending upward from the first end of the base;   a second end wall extending upward from the second end of the base;   the tray configured to stack in a front-to-front stacking relationship with a like tray, the front-to-front stacking relationship having a first product clearance height, and a back-to-front stacking relationship with a like tray, the back-to-front stacking relationship having a second product clearance height, the second product clearance height being greater than the first product clearance height.   
     
     
         13 . The bakery tray of  claim 12  wherein the tray is plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The bakery tray of  claim 12  wherein the tray is configured to be used with automated equipment. 
     
     
         15 . The bakery tray of  claim 12  wherein the first end wall and the second end wall extend upward a third distance. 
     
     
         16 . The bakery tray of  claim 15  wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         17 . The bakery tray of  claim 16  wherein the front wall has a first transition portion connecting a first end of the central portion of the front wall to the first end wall, and a second transition portion connecting a second end of the central portion of the front wall to the second end wall. 
     
     
         18 . The bakery tray of  claim 17  wherein the first transition portion of the front wall has an upper horizontal surface at the third distance from the base and an inclined surface to the central portion of the front wall. 
     
     
         19 . The bakery tray of  claim 18  wherein the back wall has a first transition portion connecting a first end of the central portion of the back wall to the first end wall, and a second transition portion connecting a second end of the central portion of the back wall to the second end wall. 
     
     
         20 . The bakery tray of  claim 19  wherein the first transition portion of the back wall has an upper horizontal surface at the third distance from the base and an inclined surface to the central portion of the back wall.