Pallets for packaging products

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tray for packaging products. The packaging tray may include a base and a cover, the cover being able to be fixed to the base to accommodate and / or protect the product in the tray cavity. The base and / or the cover may include a pre-formed cavity that forms the tray cavity alone or in combination. The configuration of the tray can be adjusted to increase or decrease the total volume of the tray cavity to accommodate and accommodate products of different sizes and / or shapes. The base and / or the cover can be adjusted between at least two different configurations to change the tray cavity configuration and / or cavity volume. The cover may include a dome having a cover cavity, the dome being able to be reconfigured between a first configuration and a second configuration to adjust the total volume of the tray cavity. The dome may include a plurality of parts, and the plurality of parts can be adjusted relative to each other to change the configuration of the dome and adjust the tray volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pallet for packaging products. Background Art

[0002] Pallets are often used to package or store products. For example, such pallets can be used to package products for sale to consumers, or to store products in a home or business. Pallets can be used to package products including, for example, electronic products, medical products, food, and consumer goods. Such pallets can include a base and a cover or lid that can be placed on the base to form a cavity between the base and the lid for holding the product therein.

[0003] Pallets can be manufactured by thermoforming a plastic material into a desired configuration for a particular application. Pallet configurations can range from relatively simple shapes of various sizes for packaging loose or bulk products, such as food, to relatively complex shapes that can correspond to specific shapes and / or sizes of products such as electronics, medical products, or consumer goods to restrict movement of the product within the pallet.

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tray for packaging products of various sizes and / or configurations. Utility Model Content

[0005] According to one aspect, a tray for packaging products is provided, characterized in that the tray includes a base and a cover, the base including a base cavity for receiving the product therein, and the cover is formed together with the base to produce a single structure of the tray. The cover is attached to the base along a living hinge and can move between an open position and a closed position relative to the base. The cover includes a cover cavity, which is configured to cover the base cavity in the closed position and together form a tray cavity having a tray volume to receive the product therein. At least one of the base and the cover can be reconfigured to adjust the tray volume.

[0006] The cover is reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second configuration to adjust the volume of the tray.

[0007] The cover includes a dome positionable over the base cavity, at least a portion of the cover cavity being formed by the dome, the dome being telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0008] The dome includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the base when the cover is seated on the base, the first portion being telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

[0009] The dome includes a transition ring between the first portion and the second portion, the transition ring configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0010] The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0011] The first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness.

[0012] The second portion includes a plurality of reinforcement members for reinforcing the second portion and supporting the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

[0013] The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

[0014] The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

[0015] The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the cover is seated on the tray.

[0016] The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

[0017] At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

[0018] The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the cover when the cover is seated on the base.

[0019] The base includes a base flange having an opening to the base cavity, and the cover includes a cover flange having an opening to the cover cavity.

[0020] According to another aspect, a tray for packaging products is provided. The tray comprises:

[0021] A base including a base cavity; and a cover configured to be placed on the base. The cover includes a cover cavity, which is used to cover the base cavity and together form a tray cavity having a tray volume to receive the product therein. The cover includes a dome forming at least a portion of the cover cavity. The dome is constructed and arranged to cover the base cavity when the cover is placed on the base. The dome can be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration to adjust the tray volume. The dome includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is located between the base and the first portion when the cover is placed on the base. The first portion is configured to extend in a direction away from the base in the first configuration.

[0022] The dome is telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a force applied to the dome.

[0023] The first portion is telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

[0024] The dome includes a transition ring between the first portion and the second portion, the transition ring configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0025] The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0026] The first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness.

[0027] The second portion includes a plurality of reinforcement members for reinforcing the second portion to support the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

[0028] The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

[0029] The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

[0030] The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the cover is seated on the tray.

[0031] The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

[0032] At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

[0033] The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the cover when the cover is seated on the base.

[0034] The base includes a base flange having an opening to the base cavity, and the cover includes a cover flange having an opening to the cover cavity.

[0035] According to another aspect, a tray for packaging products is provided. The tray includes a base including a base cavity and a cover configured to be placed on the base. The cover includes a cover cavity, which is used to cover the base cavity and together form a tray cavity having a tray volume to receive the product therein. The cover includes a cover flange and a dome attached to the cover flange, wherein at least a portion of the cover cavity is formed by the dome. The dome includes a transition ring located between a first portion and a second portion of the dome, wherein the second portion is located between the cover flange and the first portion. The first portion can be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration relative to the second portion to adjust the tray volume. The dome also includes a plurality of reinforcements located on the second portion between the cover flange and the transition ring.

[0036] The dome is telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a force applied to the dome.

[0037] The first portion is telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

[0038] The transition ring is configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0039] The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

[0040] The first portion of the dome has a first stiffness, and the second portion of the dome has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

[0041] The plurality of reinforcements are configured to reinforce the second portion to support the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

[0042] The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

[0043] The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

[0044] The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the cover is seated on the tray.

[0045] The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

[0046] At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

[0047] The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the base flange.

[0048] The foregoing is a non-limiting summary of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims. Other aspects, embodiments and / or features will become apparent from the following description.

[0049] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide certain advantages and may overcome certain disadvantages of existing pallets. Embodiments of the present disclosure may not share the same advantages, and those embodiments that share the same advantages may not share the same advantages in all cases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to one embodiment;

[0052] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top plan view of a pallet;

[0053] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view of a tray;

[0054] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic front view of a tray of , illustrating a cover positioned over a base for seating thereon;

[0055] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A front view of a tray illustrating a cover disposed on the base, wherein the cover has a first configuration that maximizes the volume of the tray;

[0056] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front view of a tray showing a cover disposed on a base, wherein the cover has a Figure 5 A second configuration that reduces the volume of the tray;

[0057] Figure 7 is Figure 4 an enlarged schematic diagram of the transition ring taken at detail A of FIG. ; and

[0058] Figure 8 is a front view of the tray cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] It should be understood that some aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodiments according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not necessarily intended to illustrate all aspects of the present disclosure, but are used to describe some illustrative embodiments. Therefore, it is not intended to narrowly interpret some aspects of the present disclosure based on the illustrative embodiments. Then, it should be understood that the multiple concepts and embodiments discussed herein can be implemented in any of a variety of ways, because the disclosed concepts and embodiments are not limited to any specific implementation. In addition, it should be understood that some aspects of the present disclosure can be used alone or in any suitable combination with other aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] The present disclosure relates to a pallet for packaging products. For ease of understanding, and without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the pallet is described below in particular in conjunction with packaging implantable prostheses, including but not limited to prostheses for implantation in human breasts. For example, the pallet may be particularly suitable for packaging a spherical prosthesis for implantation in a human breast following a lumpectomy. However, it should be understood that the pallet is not limited thereto and may be used to package other products including medical and non-medical products, which should be apparent to those skilled in the art. The pallet may include one or more features, each of which, independently or in combination, contributes to these attributes.

[0061] The tray may include a base and a lid that can be secured to the base to help contain and / or protect the product within the interior volume of the tray. The lid may be reclosable so that the user can repeatedly open and close the tray as the user stores, retrieves, or uses the product. In some aspects, the lid may be hinged to the base to facilitate alignment, opening, and closing of the lid with the base. For example, but not limited to, the base and lid may be manufactured as a single structure with a living hinge formed between the lid and the base and attaching the lid to the base.

[0062] In some aspects, the base and / or lid can be provided with pre-formed cavities that, alone or in combination, form a tray cavity suitable for receiving and containing a product therein. The tray cavity can be configured to have any desired shape and / or size suitable for containing a particular product.

[0063] In some aspects, the configuration of the tray can be adjusted to increase or decrease the total volume of the tray cavity to accommodate and contain products of different sizes and / or shapes. This arrangement can provide a safer package for protecting the device contained therein. This arrangement can also be expected to avoid the need for multiple different trays for different products and / or avoid the need for additional cushioning components to fill excess volume in the tray according to the specific product.

[0064] In some aspects, the base and / or cover can be adjusted between at least two different configurations to change the tray cavity configuration and / or volume. In one embodiment, the cover can be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration to increase or decrease the tray cavity volume for accommodating a variety of products. If desired, the cover can be configured to be reconfigured between three or more predetermined configurations to provide additional adjustability to adjust the total tray volume and / or cavity shape.

[0065] In some aspects, the cover can include a dome having a cover cavity, the dome being reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration to adjust the total volume of the tray cavity. For example, but not limited to, the dome can provide a relatively large tray volume in the first configuration and a relatively small tray volume in the second configuration. If desired, the dome can be configured to be reconfigurable between three or more predetermined configurations to provide additional adjustability to control the total tray volume and / or cavity shape.

[0066] In some aspects, the dome can include multiple parts that can be adjusted relative to each other to change the configuration of the dome. The various parts of the dome can be configured in a manner that controls the degree of adjustability of the dome shape and volume. For example, but not limited to, the cover can include one or more features, such as transitions, reinforcements, ribs, and / or material thicknesses, that are constructed and arranged to affect and control the reconfiguration of the dome.

[0067] In one embodiment, the dome may include a transition ring between the first portion and the second portion of the dome to limit the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion, thereby controlling the adjustability of the lid cavity and the tray volume. The transition ring may be positioned to control the depth to which the first portion can protrude into the lid cavity in the second configuration. The transition ring and the first portion may be configured such that the first portion may pop out through the transition ring in response to a predetermined amount of force or pressure applied to the outer surface of the first portion, so that the dome deflects inwardly from the first configuration to the second configuration. The transition ring and the first portion may be configured to provide an eccentric arrangement that holds the first portion in a desired configuration.

[0068] In some aspects, the tray can employ one or more interlocking features to secure the lid to the base. In one embodiment, the interlocking features can be configured to provide a snap-fit ​​arrangement between the lid and the base to secure the lid to the base. However, it should be understood that any suitable interlocking arrangement can be used with the tray if desired, as should be apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0069] In some aspects, the tray may include one or more tabs on the base and / or lid to facilitate separation of the lid from the base. In one embodiment, the base and lid include offset tabs that allow a user to more easily pull the lid and separate it from the base. However, it should be understood that separation tabs are not required for every embodiment of the tray.

[0070] In some aspects, the tray can include one or more vents to allow gas to pass between the tray cavity and the exterior of the tray. For example, but not limited to, it may be desirable to sterilize products stored in the tray, such as medical devices, by allowing sterilizing gas to be introduced into the cavity through the vents. However, it should be understood that vents are not required for every embodiment of the tray.

[0071] Figures 1 to 6 One embodiment of a tray 20 for packaging products, including but not limited to implantable prostheses, is illustrated. The tray 20 may include a base 22 and a cover 24 that may be placed on the base to form a closed tray cavity for holding the product therein. Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base 22 may include a base cavity 26 for receiving at least a portion of the product therein, and the cover may include a cover cavity 28 for receiving at least a portion of the product therein when the cover is placed on the base. The base cavity and the cover cavity together form a closed tray cavity 30 ( Figure 5 ), the tray cavity 30 has an internal volume for accommodating and containing the product.

[0072] The base 22 may include a base flange 32 having a base opening 34 leading to the base cavity and one or more base cavity walls 36 extending from the base flange around the opening to establish the size and shape of the base cavity. In one illustrative embodiment, the base may include a cavity wall 36 having a hemispherical curvature extending from the base flange 32 along the periphery of the base opening 34. As illustrated, the cavity wall 36 transitions from a hemispherical shape to a square or rectangular shape enclosed by a bottom wall 38 so that the tray can be laid flat on a support surface.

[0073] The cover 24 may include a cover flange 40 having a cover opening 42 leading to the cover cavity 28 and one or more cover cavity walls 44, the cover flange 40 having a cover opening 42 leading to the cover cavity 28, the cover cavity walls extending from the cover flange around the opening to establish the size and shape of the cover cavity. In one illustrative embodiment, the cover 24 may include a cover cavity wall 44 having a hemispherical curvature, the cover cavity wall 44 extending from the cover flange 40 along the periphery of the cover cavity opening 42.

[0074] To accommodate a variety of products having different sizes and / or shapes, the tray 20 may be reconfigurable to adjust the size and / or shape of the tray cavity. In this regard, one or both of the base 22 and the lid 24 may be configured to be reconfigurable between a plurality of configurations to adjust the size and / or shape of their respective base and lid cavities, thereby adjusting the overall shape and internal volume of the tray cavity. In this manner, a single tray configuration may be employed rather than multiple tray configurations having different cavity configurations to package and contain a variety of products having different shapes and / or sizes.

[0075] In one illustrative embodiment, the lid 24 can be configured to be reconfigurable between a first configuration having a first lid volume and a second configuration having a second lid volume different from the first interior volume. In this way, the shape and volume of the lid cavity 28 can be adjusted relative to the base cavity 26 to change the shape and volume of the entire tray cavity 30. It should be understood that the base 22 can be configured to be reconfigurable to adjust the tray volume instead of the lid, or both the lid and the base can be reconfigurable to adjust the tray volume. It should also be understood that the lid and / or the base can be reconfigurable between three or more configurations to provide additional volume changes for the tray.

[0076] exist Figures 1 to 6 In one illustrative embodiment shown in FIG, the cover 24 may include a dome 46 formed by the cover cavity wall 44. In one embodiment, the cover may be configured such that at least a portion of the dome may be reconfigured to change shape and reduce the internal volume of the cover cavity. Depending on the configuration of the dome, this arrangement may advantageously allow the tray to be used to package and contain objects 48a having relatively large dimensions, such as Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4 , and an object 48 b having a relatively small size, such as Figure 6 as shown in .

[0077] In one illustrative embodiment, the dome 46 can include a first portion or upper portion 50 and a second portion or lower portion 52. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the position of the dome portions relative to a surface, such as a table or countertop, when the base 22 is placed on the surface. In one embodiment, the first portion 50 of the dome can be configured to deflect toward the base cavity 26 to occupy a portion of the lid cavity 28 provided by the second portion 52 of the lid. In this manner, the volume of the lid cavity 28 can be increased from the first lid volume ( 50 ) when the first portion 50 of the lid extends outward in a direction away from the base. Figure 5 ) is reduced to a second cover volume ( Figure 6 ). In this way, the tray cavity can be Figure 5 The first configuration shown in FIG. 1 has the largest volume and can be used when the dome is in Figure 6The second configuration shown in FIG. 1 has the smallest volume.

[0078] It may be desirable to configure the cover to control and / or limit the adjustment of the first portion 50 of the dome relative to the second portion 52 of the dome. In one illustrative embodiment, the cover 24 may include a transition ring 54 located between the first portion 50 and the second portion 52. The transition ring 54 may be configured to limit the movement of the first portion between the first configuration and the second configuration. In this manner, the transition ring 54 may limit the depth to which the first portion 50 can deflect into the cover cavity 28, and thereby control the amount of volume adjustment provided by the cover.

[0079] The deflection depth D of the first portion 50 ( Figure 6 ) can be controlled by the specific position of the transition ring 54 relative to the first and second portions. For example, positioning the transition ring relatively closer to the cover flange 40 allows a greater amount of deflection of the first portion 50 than positioning the transition ring 54 relatively farther from the cover flange. Thus, the cover 24 can be configured to provide a predetermined amount of volume adjustment based on the specific position of the transition ring on the dome.

[0080] exist Figure 7 In one illustrative embodiment shown in , the transition ring 54 can include a corrugated or wavy structure configured to allow the first portion 50 to deflect through the ring in a controlled manner. More specifically, the transition ring can be configured to have a combination of flexibility and rigidity that allows movement of the first portion between the first configuration and the second configuration while maintaining structural integrity to limit the amount of deflection and retain the first portion in each of the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0081] In one embodiment, the first portion 50 and the transition ring 54 can be configured to form an eccentric arrangement, whereby the first portion 50 can be pushed through the transition ring ( Figures 5 and 6 ). This arrangement can result in the first portion popping out through the transition ring when a force is applied. This arrangement can be achieved by the relative sizes and flexibility of the first portion and the transition ring. For example, but not limited to, the first portion 50 can have a surface area that is larger than the area of ​​the opening through the transition ring 54, and / or the material thickness of the first portion 50 can be different from the material thickness of the transition ring 54. It should be understood that other arrangements can be used, which should be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0082] In one illustrative embodiment shown in the figures, the transition ring 54 can extend continuously around the perimeter of the dome 46 between the first portion 50 and the second portion 52. However, it should be understood that the transition ring need not extend continuously around the dome. For example, but not limitation, the transition ring can include a plurality of separate segments that are spaced apart around the perimeter of the dome.

[0083] In order to control the adjustment of the first portion 50 of the dome relative to the second portion 52 of the dome, the second portion 52 can be configured to be more rigid than the first portion 50 to form a stable support for deflecting the first portion. In one embodiment, the second portion 52 may include one or more reinforcements 56 to increase its stiffness or rigidity relative to the first portion. As shown in the figure, the dome 46 may include a plurality of reinforcements 56 that are spaced and positioned around the periphery of the second portion. As illustrated, the reinforcements 56 may be arranged to extend along the second portion 52 in a longitudinal direction between the cover flange 40 and the transition ring 54. In one embodiment, the reinforcement may be configured to have a length greater than its width, although any suitable configuration may be used to provide a desired amount of stiffness.

[0084] For some applications, it may be desirable to secure the cover to the base using an interlocking arrangement. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the base 22 may include one or more lips 58 configured to form a snap-ring locking arrangement with the cover 24. However, it should be understood that any suitable locking arrangement may be used with the tray if desired, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0085] For some applications, it may be desirable to sterilize products, such as medical devices, stored within the tray. In one embodiment, the tray may include one or more sterilization vents for allowing a sterilization gas, such as ethylene oxide (EtO), to enter the cavity of the tray and kill any potential microorganisms that may be present within the cavity and / or on the product. Figures 5 and 6 In one illustrative embodiment shown in FIG, the tray 20 may include a pair of sterilization vents 60 located on opposite sides of the tray cavity 28 when the lid 24 is seated on the base 22. Figures 1 to 4 As shown in , the sterilization vent 60 can be formed by notches 62a, 62b provided on the base 22 and the cover 24, and when the cover is placed on the base, the protrusions 62a and 62b cooperate with each other to form a passage into the tray cavity. It should be understood that the vent is not required for every application of the tray.

[0086] The tray 10 may be provided with one or more features to facilitate separation of the lid from the base. Figure 1 to Figure 2In one illustrative embodiment shown in , the tray may include one or more tabs 64, 66 on the base and / or lid to facilitate separation of the lid from the base. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 22 and lid 24 include offset separation tabs 64, 66 that allow a user to pull the lid and separate it from the base. It should be understood that the tray may implement a separation feature having any suitable configuration, if desired, as should be apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0087] The base 22 and / or the cover 24 may be configured to have any suitable shape desired for a particular application. Figure 1 to Figure 2 In one illustrative embodiment shown in , each of the base flange 32 and the lid flange 40 includes an outer periphery having a generally square configuration. As described above, each of the base cavity 26 and the lid cavity 28 has a generally hemispherical shape within the outer periphery of the flange. When the lid 24 is placed on the base 22, the closed tray cavity 30 can have a generally spherical configuration suitable for holding similarly shaped products. However, it is contemplated that the tray can employ one or more cavities having any suitable configuration for packaging products of various configurations and / or sizes, which should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0088] In one embodiment, the tray 20 can be thermoformed into a unitary, unitary structure including a living hinge 64 ( Figure 1 to Figure 2 ). The tray can be made from a single piece of thermoplastic material by applying a force such as vacuum or pressure to stretch a heated thermoplastic sheet over an engineered mold to form the desired three-dimensional shape for the base and lid of the tray. During the thermoforming process, the material becomes thinner as it is stretched into the formed shape. The final thickness of the material at one or more portions of the tray can be controlled by the mold design and the thermoforming process and can be varied if desired.

[0089] In one embodiment, the tray can be formed from a 0.020 inch thick sheet of polyethylene terephthalate, commonly referred to as PETG or PET-G, a thermoplastic polyester that provides significant chemical resistance, durability, and good manufacturing formability. However, it should be understood that the tray can be made of any material and thickness suitable for a particular application using any suitable process, as should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0090] The tray may have particular application for packaging implantable prostheses having a large to spherical configuration. One non-limiting embodiment of the tray will be described below in conjunction with accommodating and containing various prostheses having diameters of 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm. In one illustrative embodiment, the tray 20 may have a tray cavity 30 having a diameter from about 65 cm when the dome 46 is in the first configuration. 3 to about 16 cm with dome 46 reconfigured to the second configuration 3 The transition ring 54 and dome can be configured to control the deflection of the first portion 50 of the dome to about 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) to reduce the head space of a 2 cm prosthesis for controlling the amount of movement of the prosthesis within the tray cavity 30.

[0091] exist Figure 8 In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the transition ring 54 can have a diameter D1 of about 1.68 inches and a height H1 of about 0.10 inches. The area of ​​the first portion 50 of the dome that intersects the transition ring can have a diameter D2 of about 1.55 inches. The reinforcement 56 can have a height H2 of about 0.38 inches, a width W of about 0.25 inches, and protrude a distance T of about 0.05 inches from the surface of the second portion 52. It should be understood that for a particular application, the cover 24 can be constructed with any suitable configuration of dome, transition ring, and / or reinforcement, which should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0092] As described above, the reconfiguration of dome 46 may also be controlled by the material thickness of first and second portions 50, 52 and transition ring 64. In one embodiment, the first and second portions of the dome may have a thickness of approximately 0.014 inches, and the transition ring may have a thickness of approximately 0.012 inches to 0.013 inches.

[0093] It should be understood that the tray can be configured to have any desired tray cavity size, tray cavity configuration, tray cavity volume, and cavity volume adjustment suitable for a particular application, as should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0094] For the purposes of this patent application and any patent issued thereon, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean "at least one", unless expressly indicated to the contrary. The phrase "and / or" used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., elements that are present in combination in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" shall be understood in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements specifically indicated by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically indicated.

[0095] The use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and / or variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0096] It should also be understood that in any method claimed herein that includes more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or actions of the method are described unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

[0097] The foregoing description of various embodiments is intended to illustrate such embodiments only and other embodiments, modifications and equivalents are within the scope of the present disclosure as recited in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pallet for packaging products, characterized in that: The tray comprises: a base including a base cavity for receiving the product therein; and a lid formed with the base to create a single structure of the tray, the lid being attached to the base along a living hinge and movable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position, the lid including a lid cavity configured to cover the base cavity in the closed position and together form a tray cavity having a tray volume for receiving the product therein; At least one of the base and the lid is reconfigurable to adjust the volume of the tray.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover is reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second configuration to adjust the volume of the tray.

3. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cover includes a dome positionable over the base cavity, at least a portion of the cover cavity being formed by the dome, the dome being telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration.

4. The pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The dome includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being located between the first portion and the base when the cover is seated on the base, the first portion being telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

5. The pallet according to claim 4, characterized in that: The dome includes a transition ring between the first portion and the second portion, the transition ring configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

6. The pallet according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

7. The pallet according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness.

8. The pallet according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The second portion includes a plurality of reinforcement members for reinforcing the second portion and supporting the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

9. The pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that: The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

10. The pallet according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

11. The pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the lid is seated on the tray.

12. The pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

13. The pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

14. The pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the cover when the cover is seated on the base.

15. The pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The base includes a base flange having an opening to the base cavity, and the cover includes a cover flange having an opening to the cover cavity.

16. A tray for packaging products, characterized in that: The tray comprises: a base including a base cavity; and a cover configured to be placed on the base, the cover comprising a cover cavity for covering the base cavity and together forming a tray cavity having a tray volume for receiving the product therein, the lid comprising a dome forming at least a portion of the lid cavity, the dome being constructed and arranged to cover the base cavity when the lid is seated on the base, the dome being reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second configuration to adjust the volume of the tray; The dome includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being located between the base and the first portion when the cover is seated on the base, the first portion being configured to extend in a direction away from the base in the first configuration.

17. The pallet according to claim 16, characterized in that The dome is telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a force applied to the dome.

18. The pallet according to claim 17, characterized in that The first portion is telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

19. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The dome includes a transition ring between the first portion and the second portion, the transition ring configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

20. The pallet according to claim 19, characterized in that The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

21. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness.

22. The pallet according to claim 19, characterized in that The second portion includes a plurality of reinforcement members for reinforcing the second portion to support the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

23. The pallet according to claim 22, characterized in that The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

24. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

25. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the lid is seated on the tray.

26. The pallet according to claim 25, characterized in that The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

27. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

28. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the cover when the cover is seated on the base.

29. A pallet according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that The base includes a base flange having an opening to the base cavity, and the cover includes a cover flange having an opening to the cover cavity.

30. A tray for packaging products, characterized in that: The tray comprises: a base including a base cavity; and a cover configured to be placed on the base, the cover comprising a cover cavity for covering the base cavity and together forming a tray cavity having a tray volume for receiving the product therein, The cover includes a cover flange and a dome attached to the cover flange, at least a portion of the cover cavity being formed by the dome; the dome including a transition ring between a first portion and a second portion of the dome, the second portion being between the lid flange and the first portion, the first portion being reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second configuration relative to the second portion to adjust the tray volume; The dome includes a plurality of reinforcement members on the second portion between the cover flange and the transition ring.

31. The pallet according to claim 30, characterized in that The dome is telescopic from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a force applied to the dome.

32. The pallet according to claim 31, characterized in that The first portion is telescopic relative to the second portion to reduce the volume of the tray.

33. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The transition ring is configured to limit telescoping of the first portion relative to the second portion.

34. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The transition ring is configured to provide an eccentric arrangement to control movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

35. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The first portion of the dome has a first stiffness, and the second portion of the dome has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

36. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The plurality of reinforcements are configured to reinforce the second portion to support the first portion during telescoping of the first portion.

37. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The plurality of reinforcement members extend in a longitudinal direction between the base and the transition ring when the cover is seated on the base.

38. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The dome has a hemispherical configuration.

39. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The tray includes at least one vent configured to allow gas to enter the tray cavity when the lid is seated on the tray.

40. The pallet according to claim 39, characterized in that The at least one vent is located between the cover and the base.

41. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that At least a portion of the base cavity has a hemispherical configuration.

42. A pallet according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterised in that The base includes a planar surface at an end of the base cavity located opposite the base flange.

Images