Tray system for stacking layers of non-structural bottles

Abstract

A tray system for stacking layers of non-structural bottles is provided. The system includes a plurality of generally rectangular plastic trays for supporting bottles, and a plurality of sleeves, where each sleeve is positioned about the perimeter of a tray to support a like tray above it.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A tray system for transporting bottles comprising:
 a plurality of rectangular trays, each tray having a first side, an opposing second side, a first end and an opposing second end, and a support surface formed from a plurality of ribs extending between the first side and the second side and a plurality of ribs extending between the first end and the second end wherein select ribs of the plurality of ribs extending between the first side and the second side and the plurality of ribs extending from the first end to the second end extend upward above the remaining ribs to form bottle pockets; and,   a plurality of sleeves interposed between the plurality of trays, each sleeve having a portion extending along the first side, a portion extending along the second side, a portion extending along the first end, and a portion extending along the second end wherein each portion of the sleeve is proximate a perimeter of the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The tray system of  claim 1  wherein the tray is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The tray system of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The tray system of  claim 1  wherein the sleeves are collapsible. 
     
     
         5 . The tray system of  claim 1  wherein each tray includes a channel on an upper surface proximate the perimeter to hold a lower edge of one of the plurality of sleeves. 
     
     
         6 . The tray system of  claim 5  wherein each tray includes a channel on a lower surface proximate the perimeter to contact an upper edge of a lower one of the plurality of sleeves. 
     
     
         7 . The tray system of  claim 1  wherein each sleeve includes a first window in the portion extending along the first side, a second window in the portion extending along the second side, a third window in the portion extending along the first end, and a fourth window in the portion extending along the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pallet for supporting the trays and sleeves. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a dolly for supporting the trays and sleeves. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is collapsible. 
     
     
         11 . A tray system for stacking layers of bottles comprising:
 a generally rectangular tray having a first side, an opposing second side, a first end and an opposing second end, and an upper support surface between the first and second sides and first and second ends, the tray having a channel along a periphery of the support surface; and,   a first sleeve configured to be supported in the channel.   
     
     
         12 . The tray system of  claim 11  wherein the support surface is formed from a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         13 . The tray system of  claim 12  wherein the ribs form pockets for supporting bottles. 
     
     
         14 . The tray system of  claim 11  wherein the sleeve includes a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a fourth panel. 
     
     
         15 . The tray system of  claim 14  wherein the first panel of the sleeve includes a first window. 
     
     
         16 . The tray system of  claim 15  wherein the second panel includes a second window, the third panel includes a third window and the fourth panel includes a fourth panel. 
     
     
         17 . The tray system of  claim 11  wherein the tray includes a lower surface and a channel along a periphery of the lower surface to receive an upper edge of a lower sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The tray system of  claim 11  further comprising a second tray and a second sleeve, the second tray configured to be supported on the first sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The tray system of  claim 11  wherein the tray is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         20 . The tray system of  claim 11  wherein the sleeve is formed from plastic.