초록 ▼

This invention deals with an egg tray system comprising a base (filler flat) and a transparent lid that provides lateral stability for the trays when stacked but that avoids the increasing cost that results from the eggs being damaged or broken. The lid is formed of transparent synthetic material th

This invention deals with an egg tray system comprising a base (filler flat) and a transparent lid that provides lateral stability for the trays when stacked but that avoids the increasing cost that results from the eggs being damaged or broken. The lid is formed of transparent synthetic material that facilitates visual inspection of the eggs and is comprised of upwardly extending conical shaped elements and contains a downwardly shaped rim that is comprised of notches that assist in securing the lid to the filler flat. The filler flat is comprised of a plurality of downwardly extending pockets and a plurality of upwardly extending posts. A shrink film band is placed around the filler flat with lid applied to secure the lid during handling and make the finished product "tamper evident." The shrink film band may be pre-printed with product information and other relevant items. Alternatively, one or more elastic bands can be placed between rows of the expansions on the lid of the egg tray system 10 in order to secure the lid to the filler flat. The egg tray systems of the present invention also rest on top of one another such that each egg tray system is rotated approximately ninety degrees to "nest" inside of the underlying egg tray system and allow an increased number of eggs to be securely stored.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims:] [1.]1. An egg tray packaging system comprising a transparent lid and at least one base separate from said lid, said

[ Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims:] [1.]1. An egg tray packaging system comprising a transparent lid and at least one base separate from said lid, said lid being configured to be secured to said base, said lid comprising a lid surface, a plurality of conical-shaped elements extending upwardly from said lid surface, and a rim that encompasses and extends downwardly from said lid surface, said base comprising a plurality of downwardly extending pockets aligned in a predetermined manner for orientation with said conical-shaped elements of said lid and a plurality of upwardly extending posts disposed between said pockets and aligned in a predetermined manner to allow said lid surface to rest on said upwardly extending posts. [13.]13. The first tray packaging system of claim 11, wherein said lid and said base are further secured together by placing a shrink film band around said base and said rim of said lid and applying heat to said band to simultaneously shrink said band around the circumference of said rim and the circumference of said base.14. The first tray packaging system of claim 11, wherein said lid and said base are further secured together by placing at least one elastic band between the rows of said elements of said lid.15. The egg tray packaging system of claim 11, wherein said lid contains from the group consisting of 6, 12, 20, 24, and 30 conical-shaped elements and the base contains a corresponding number of pockets. [16.]16. A first tray packaging system comprising a transparent lid and an adjacent base, said lid secured to said base, said lid comprising a lid surface, a plurality of upwardly extending conical-shaped elements, and a rim that encompasses and extends downwardly from said lid surface, said base comprising a plurality of downwardly extending pockets aligned in a predetermined manner for orientation with said conical-shaped elements of said lid and a plurality of upwardly extending posts disposed between said pockets and aligned in a predetermined manner to allow said lid surface to rest on said upwardly extending posts, wherein said pockets of said base can rest between said elements of a lid of an underlying second tray packaging system by rotating said first tray packaging system about 90 degrees relative to the second tray packaging system and placing said first tray packaging system on top of and nested partially within the second tray packaging system.17. The first tray packaging system of claim 16, wherein said lid and said base are further secured together by placing a shrink film band around said base and said rim of said lid and applying heat to said band to simultaneously shrink said band around the circumference of said rim and the circumference of said base.18. The first tray packaging system of claim 16, wherein said lid and said base are further secured together by placing at least one elastic band between the rows of said elements of said lid.19. The first egg tray packaging system of claim 16, wherein said lid contains from the group consisting of 6, 12, 20, 24, and 30 conical-shaped elements and the base contains a corresponding number of pockets.