Milk crate

Abstract

Four embodiments of a tray are disclosed for transporting and storing milk containers and for nesting the trays for their return trip to their origin.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A tray for use with a similar tray to form a tray stack for supporting individual containers, the tray having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, an array of a plurality of alternating pairs of upper flat surfaces and downwardly extending pockets to define a checkerboard pattern, an outer continuous perimeter rim extends about the array, an axis of rotation extends perpendicular to the upper flat surfaces, the plurality of upper flat surfaces nest within the plurality of pockets of a similar tray when in a first orientation to form a nested stack of trays, and the plurality of flat surfaces contact a plurality of flat surfaces of a similar tray in a second orientation to form chambers for seating the containers therebetween, the second orientation being rotated 180° about the axis of rotation with respect to the first orientation. 
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the containers do not support the stack. 
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 2  wherein the pockets have tapered interior side walls and a flat bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 3  wherein the chambers have a height greater than a height of the containers. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 4  wherein the tray is fabricated from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 5  wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, and polyesters. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the polyolefin includes homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, hexene, octene and combinations of the same. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7  wherein the polyolefins include high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 8  wherein the polymeric material is foamed. 
     
     
         10 . A tray for use with a similar tray to form a tray stack for supporting individual containers, the tray having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, an array of a plurality of alternating pairs of upper flat surfaces and downwardly extending pockets to define a checkerboard pattern, the pockets having a tapered inner wall and a flat bottom surface, an outer continuous perimeter rim extends about the array, an axis of rotation extends perpendicular to the upper flat surfaces, the plurality of upper flat surfaces nest within the plurality of pockets of a similar tray when in a first orientation to form a nested stack of trays, and the plurality of flat surfaces contact a plurality of flat surfaces of a similar tray in a second orientation to form chambers for seating the containers therebetween, the second orientation being rotated 180° about the axis of rotation with respect to the first orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 10  wherein the containers do not support the stack. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 10  wherein the chambers have a height greater than a height of the containers. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 10  wherein the tray is fabricated from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 13  wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, and polyesters. 
     
     
         15 . The tray of  claim 14  wherein the polyolefin includes homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, hexene, octene and combinations of the same. 
     
     
         16 . The tray of  claim 15  wherein the polyolefins include high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         17 . The tray of  claim 15  wherein the polymeric material is a high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         18 . The tray of  claim 15  wherein the polymeric material is a polypropylene. 
     
     
         19 . The tray of  claim 14  wherein the polymeric material is a polyester. 
     
     
         20 . The tray of  claim 14  wherein the polymeric material is foamed.