Reconfigurable tray engagement assembly

Abstract

The tray engagement assembly includes a first vertical support, a second vertical support, a first guide rail coupled to the first vertical support, a second guide rail coupled to the second vertical support, the second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail such that a pocket is defined between the first and second guide rails for at least partially receiving at least one tray, and a plurality of tray engagement members pivotally coupled to the respective guide rails for engaging the at least one tray.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 292,014, filed December 21, 2021.

[0002] Incorporation by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,578 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,582 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,587 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 126,157 filed December 16, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 126,157 filed December 21, 2020 Application 63 / 128,418, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 139,341, filed January 20, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 169,302, filed April 1, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 169,418, filed April 14, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 174,724, filed April 22, 2021 The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 178,116, filed May 21, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 191,412, filed November 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,080, filed November 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,084, filed November 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,092, filed November 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,097, filed November 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,107, filed November 4, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 292,014, filed December 21, 2021, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in their entireties.

[0003] Background of the disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for forming and / or completing containers, trays, and / or other suitable constructions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a tray-engaging assembly including a first vertical support, a second vertical support, a first guide rail coupled to the first vertical support, a second guide rail coupled to the second vertical support, the second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail such that a pocket is defined between the first and second guide rails for at least partially receiving at least one tray, and a plurality of tray-engaging members pivotally coupled to the respective guide rails for engaging the at least one tray.

[0005] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method including obtaining a first vertical support; obtaining a second vertical support; coupling a first guide rail to the first vertical support; coupling the second guide rail to the second vertical support such that the first guide rail is spaced from the second guide rail and such that a pocket is defined between the first guide rail and the second guide rail for at least partially receiving at least one tray; and pivotably coupling a plurality of tray engagement members to respective guide rails for engaging the plurality of tray engagement members with the at least one tray.

[0006] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings listed below: It is within the scope of this disclosure that the above-discussed aspects are provided both individually and in various combinations.

[0007] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray engagement assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the tray-engagement assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the tray-engagement assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the tray-engaging assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tray-engaging assembly of FIG. 1 engaging multiple trays. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

[0010] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for preparing, processing, forming, and / or finishing trays, packages, cartons, containers, or other structures for holding items such as food products, e.g., fruits or vegetables. In one embodiment, the articles described herein can be fruits, such as tomatoes (e.g., cherry tomatoes, etc.), berries (e.g., blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc.), apples, oranges, tangerines, clementines, lemons, limes, cherries, etc. In another embodiment, the articles described herein can be product packages, containers, bottles, cans, etc., that are at least partially disposed within an embodiment of a tray. Such articles can be used, for example, to package food and beverage products.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an assembly 100 for engaging trays 20 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 2-4 are additional views of portions of the tray-engaging assembly 100, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tray-engaging assembly 100 engaging multiple trays 20.

[0012] 5, the tray 20 has a number of panels extending at least partially around the periphery of its interior 22 with a rim 24 extending outwardly therefrom. The tray 20 has a generally downwardly tapered configuration as shown, although one or more of the trays 20 may have different configurations without departing from this disclosure. Trays of a type suitable for use with the assembly 100 are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,578 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,582 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 110,587 filed November 6, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 126,157 filed December 16, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 128,418 filed December 21, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 139,341 filed January 20, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 169,302 filed April 1, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 169,418 filed April 1, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 170,341 filed January 20 ... No. 63 / 174,724, filed April 14, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 178,116, filed April 22, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 191,412, filed May 21, 2021; U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,080, filed November 4, 2021; U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,084, filed November 4, 2021; U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,092, filed November 4, 2021; U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,097, filed November 4, 2021; and U.S. Patent Application 17 / 519,107, filed November 4, 2021, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. It will be understood that the trays engaged with assembly 100 can have different configurations without departing from this disclosure.

[0013] As described herein, the tray-engaging assembly 100 may form a system with respect to itself, such that, for example, a process involving a tray 20 may begin by approaching / entering the assembly 100 and end by exiting, at least partially along the assembly 100. It will be understood that one or more processes may occur therebetween. The tray-engaging assembly 100 may also be part or a subsystem of a larger system, such as, for example, a system for forming a tray as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 284,823, filed December 1, 2021, and U.S. Patent Application 18 / 071,985, filed November 30, 2022, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in their entirety.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1. The assembly 100 can be configured with an upstream end 103 and a downstream end 105, with a machine direction M generally defined from the upstream end 103 to the downstream end 105. The assembly 100 can also be configured to move trays in a vertical direction, indicated by double arrow V, that is generally perpendicular to the machine direction M, as described further herein.

[0015] It will be understood that the components of assembly 100 described herein may be supported on one or more frames, e.g., platforms, legs, posts, bars, platforms, casters, connections thereof, etc. As mentioned above, assembly 100 may be coupled, mounted, supported, or otherwise positioned in cooperation with a larger system for forming tray 20. In this regard, assembly 100 may be coupled, attached, supported, or positioned proximate the downstream end of such a system.

[0016] The assembly 100 can be disposed relative to one or more tray transport apparatus having, for example, one or more rotatably driven belts, chains, or the like for supporting and transporting one or more trays 20 thereon. In some embodiments, one or more flights, lugs, or otherwise generally upright tray engagement members can be coupled to such belts, chains, or the like for engaging a portion of a respective tray 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray transport apparatus 106 is shown diagrammatically disposed below the tray-engaging assembly 100. In this regard, the tray transport apparatus 106 can support and move one or more trays thereon such that the trays 20 move at least partially along the tray-engaging assembly 100 in the machine direction M.

[0017] Also, as shown, the assembly 100 may be positioned beneath a lid apparatus, generally designated 107. The lid apparatus 107 may be configured to apply a lid film or other covering structure to the rim 24 of one or more trays 20 to cover the interior 24 thereof. Such a lid film may be a film of a polymeric material, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other plastic. In one embodiment, the lid film may be adhered to the rim 24 of the tray 20. In another embodiment, the lid film may be heat sealed or otherwise bonded to the rim 24 of the tray 20. The lid apparatus 107 may also be configured to appropriately size (e.g., by cutting, trimming, nipping, etc.) the lid film prior to and / or after application of the lid film to the respective tray 20.

[0018] 1 , the assembly 100 can include a pair of vertical supports 109 (generally a "first vertical support" and a "second vertical support"), each having a body 111 defining a plurality of elongated slots 113 through which the vertical supports 109 can be coupled to a portion of the lid device 107 or a mounting structure proximate to the lid device 107, for example, via one or more fasteners or other mechanical connections. In one embodiment, the vertical supports 109 can be mechanically coupled to an actuator, for example, a manual or electric actuator such as a wheel, crank, jack, pneumatic or hydraulically driven piston, or the like.

[0019] In this regard, one or more portions of the tray engagement assembly 100 can be selectively moved in the vertical direction V toward or away from the lid device 107 by actuating or otherwise moving a coupling member extending through the elongated slot 113 in a desired direction. It will be understood that the vertical support 109 can cooperate with other structures for moving the assembly 100 in different configurations along the vertical direction V without departing from this disclosure.

[0020] 2-4, a lower portion of each vertical support 109 may be coupled to a respective mounting device 115. Each mounting device 115 may include a base portion or first portion 117 coupled to the body 111 of the respective vertical support 109, and a respective distal portion or second portion 119 movably coupled to the respective first portion 117 via one or more respective fasteners 121. Although the first portion 117 and the second portion 119 of each mounting device 115 are each shown having a generally stepped configuration such that the respective first portion 117 and the respective second portion 119 are at least partially disposed in a nested configuration, it will be understood that one or more portions of one or both of the mounting devices 115 may have different configurations without departing from this disclosure.

[0021] In one embodiment, one or both of the second portions 119 may include a respective slot 123 extending therethrough for alignment with a respective aperture or slot 126 (FIG. 4) extending through each first portion 117.

[0022] In this regard, each second portion 119 may be selectively positioned in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction M, indicated by double headed arrow L, toward or away from each vertical support 109. Such lateral movement may be achieved by coupling each portion 117, 119 with a respective fastener 121 at a selected location in the respective slot. The position of each fastener 121 may be maintained by, for example, one or more washers 124, nuts, or the like.

[0023] A pair of parallel, spaced apart upper guide rails 125 (generally referred to as a "first guide rail" and a "second guide rail", or a "first upper guide rail" and a "second upper guide rail") may be coupled to respective second portions 119 of respective mounting devices 115 at respective fasteners 127. Note that the spacing of the upper guide rails 125 may be changed by movement of one or both of the second portions 119 of each mounting device 115 as described above.

[0024] The lower guide rails 129 (generally the “first guide rail” and “second guide rail”, or the “first lower guide rail” and “second lower guide rail”) can be positioned in a generally parallel and spaced apart relationship below the respective upper guide rails 125 and can be coupled to the upper guide rails by respective fasteners 131. The positioning of the fasteners 131 can be maintained, for example, via washers, nuts, clips, clamps, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, spacing members 133 can be disposed about a portion of each fastener 131 that extends between the upper guide rails 125 and the lower guide rails 129. Thus, the spacing members 133 can be selectively sized, for example, in the vertical direction V and / or selectively positioned along the respective fasteners 131 to provide a desired vertical spacing between the respective guide rails 125, 129. As shown, a pocket P or operating space can be defined (in the lateral direction L) between each guide rail 125 and each guide rail 129, the vertically extending space therebetween in which components of the tray engagement assembly 100 can move and in which at least one tray 20 can be received, as further described herein.

[0025] Although the tray engagement device 100 is shown having a respective pair of joined guide rails 125, 129, it will be understood that a pair of spaced apart guide rails 125 can be provided without a respective lower guide rail 129 without departing from this disclosure.

[0026] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, the tray engagement device 100 can include a number of tray engagement members 135 movably and pivotally coupled to respective guide rails 125, 129 and extending into the pocket P.

[0027] As shown, each tray engagement member 135 may be a generally elongated protrusion having a finger-like configuration. As described further herein, the tray engagement members 135 are configured to contact and engage a respective portion of the tray 20 to maintain the tray 20 in a desired position. In this regard, the tray engagement members 135 may be formed of a material suitable for engaging with a paperboard tray, such as a polymer, metal, and / or composite material. One or more of the tray engagement members 135 may further comprise one or more enhanced tray engagement configurations or surface features, such as curves, notches, hooks, curls, indentations, ridges, and the like. In some embodiments, the tray engagement members 135 may comprise a coating or sleeve, such as a rubber or other polymer coating or sleeve, to enhance engagement with the respective tray.

[0028] In the illustrated configuration, a series of tray engagement members 135 are provided in spaced apart relationship along the machine direction M and may be coupled to a lower portion of each upper guide rail 125 .

[0029] Similarly, a series of tray engagement members 135 may be spaced along the machine direction M and coupled to a lower portion of each lower guide rail 129. It should be understood that while the tray engagement members 135 associated with the upper guide rail 125 and the tray engagement members 135 associated with the lower guide rail 129 may be generally aligned and mechanically cooperate, one or more of the tray engagement members 135 may be independently coupled to and operative with their respective guide rails, as described further herein. It will be further understood that the tray engagement members 135 may be provided in different numbers and / or arrangements without departing from this disclosure.

[0030] As shown, each pair of upper and lower tray engagement members 135 can be interconnected via a coupling 137 extending therethrough. The coupling 137 can have a generally elongated threaded body 139 that extends from the upper guide rail 125 to the lower guide rail 129, with the body 139 of the coupling 137 intersecting with each of the upper and lower flanged heads 140.

[0031] The coupling 137 can extend through respective slots 141 defined in the upper guide rail 125 and respective slots 143 defined in the lower guide rail 129, such that the coupling 137 can be moved, for example in the lateral direction L, toward or away from the pocket P by selective positioning through the respective slots 141, 143.

[0032] The couplings 137 can also be configured to couple with respective spacer members 145 positioned between the respective upper tray engagement members 135 and the lower guide rails 129. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 139 of each coupling 137 can be at least partially received through the respective spacer members 145. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the spacer members 145 can have a threaded surface for threaded engagement with the threaded body 139 of the coupling 137. In some embodiments, the couplings 137 and the spacer members 145 can lack a threaded configuration.

[0033] In the illustrated configuration, each upper tray engagement member 135 can be positioned between a respective upper guide rail 125 and a respective standoff member 145, and each lower tray engagement member 135 can be positioned between a respective lower flanged head 140 of a respective coupling 137 and a respective lower guide rail 129. It will be understood that the tray engagement members 135 can be coupled to the respective guide rails 125, 129 in different arrangements without departing from this disclosure.

[0034] Thus, the spacing members 145 can be selectively sized in the vertical direction V to provide a desired vertical spacing between the respective upper and lower tray engagement members 135. In some embodiments, the spacing members 145 can be sized proportionally to the spacing members 133 provided between the upper and lower guide rails 125, 129. In some embodiments, the spacing members 145 can facilitate threaded or other selective relative adjustment of the respective upper and lower guide rails 125, 129 along the vertical direction V.

[0035] The tray engagement members 135, couplings 137 and spacer members 145 may be arranged in pairs one above the other to rotate together through at least a portion of a pocket P between the pair of guide rails 125, 129 and the pair of guide rails 125, 129. In this regard, the couplings 137 may include adapter recesses 147 in one or both of the flanged heads 140 of the respective couplings 137 for receiving a rotational drive member or actuator to rotate the respective pair of tray engagement members 135 in a desired path in the direction of the double arrows A1, A2 through the pocket P. In some embodiments, the spacer members 145 may be provided to provide a desired resistance to rotation through the path indicated by the respective arrows A1, A2, for example, in situations where it is desired that the positioning of the respective tray engagement members 135 be maintained in a relatively static position.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, each upper tray engagement member 135 may be independently adjustable along respective bidirectional arrows A1, A2 relative to each lower tray engagement member 135 along respective bidirectional arrows A1, A2. In this regard, each upper tray engagement member 135 pivotally coupled to each upper guide rail 125 by a respective coupling 137 may be positioned in a first rotational position within the pocket P, e.g., a first rotational position X as shown in FIG. 4. And each lower tray engagement member 135 pivotally coupled to each lower guide rail 129 by a respective coupling 137 may be positioned in a second rotational position within the pocket P, e.g., a second rotational position Y as shown in FIG. 4, where the first rotational position X is different from the second rotational position Y.

[0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, one or more operations of the tray-engagement assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, one or more trays 20 may be supported on a conveyor apparatus 106 and may be driven to advance the trays 20 in a machine direction M at least partially into a pocket P between the guide rails 125, 129. It will be understood that the trays 20 may otherwise be positioned at least partially within the pocket P of the assembly 100.

[0039] This allows the tray 20 to be positioned with an upper portion extending upwardly from the upper guide rail 125. Once the tray 20 is positioned at a desired location along the pocket P, one or more actuators / rotational drive members may engage with the respective adapter recesses 147 of the respective couplings 137. In this regard, a tool head or other drive member may be at least partially inserted into the respective adapter recesses 147 and rotated, for example along the respective double arrows A1, A2, to rotate the respective couplings 137 and cause the respective tray engagement members 135 coupled thereto to rotate through the pocket P.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the tray engagement members 135 disposed at the trailing end of the tray 20 can be rotatably driven into contact with the trailing portion of the tray 20, and the tray engagement members 135 disposed proximate the leading portion of the tray 20 can be rotatably driven into contact with the leading portion of the tray 20. In this regard, successive couplings 137 along the machine direction M can be rotatably driven in either rotational sense, for example along respective arrows A1, A2, to cause the aforementioned directional movement of the tray engagement members 135 to engage the front and rear of the respective trays 20. In some embodiments, for example, each tray engagement member 135 coupled to each guide rail 125, 129 may be positioned within the pocket P in a generally oblique relationship with respect to the machine direction M, such that each tray 20 is at least partially engaged by a tray engagement member 135 coupled to the first upper guide rail 125, a tray engagement member 135 coupled to the second upper guide rail 125, a tray engagement member 135 coupled to the first lower guide rail 129, and a tray engagement member 135 coupled to the second lower guide rail 129.

[0041] In some embodiments, the upper tray engagement member 135 and the lower tray engagement member 135 connected to their respective couplings 137 can be positioned within the pocket P at a desired rotational position without common rotation of their respective couplings 137, for example, each upper tray engagement member 135 can be rotationally positioned relative to their respective couplings 137, and each lower tray engagement member 135 can be rotationally positioned independently relative to their respective couplings 137.

[0042] Before, during, and / or after such engagement of the tray engagement members 135 with the trays 20, one or more portions of the tray engagement assembly 100 may be reconfigured to facilitate engagement with a respective tray 20 or portion thereof. For example, the position of one or more tray engagement members 135 may be adjusted based on the desire to engage a respective tray 20 more tightly or less tightly, or to engage trays 20 having different dimensions.

[0043] In one example, as described above, by moving the respective second portions 119 relative to the respective first portions 117 of the respective mounting devices 115, the respective pairs of guide rails 125, 129 can be moved in the lateral direction L toward or away from the tray 20, e.g., widening or narrowing the pocket P, by moving the respective second portions 119 relative to the respective first portions 117 of the respective mounting devices 115. In one example, such reconfiguration of the mounting devices 115 can be performed by loosening the respective fasteners 121 and moving the second portions 119 in a desired direction, e.g., such that the fasteners 121 are positioned at different locations within their respective slots 123.

[0044] In another example, as described above, the spacing members 133 between the respective guide rails 125, 129 can be replaced, adjusted, or moved to change the distance between the guide rails 125, 129 in, for example, the vertical direction V to position the respective tray engagement members 135 to engage different portions of the tray 20, to provide alternative or additional tray engagement members 135, etc.

[0045] As yet another example, the positioning of the couplings 137 and their connected tray engagement members 135 can be adjusted relative to the guide rails 125, 129 by moving each coupling 137 laterally L toward or away from the pocket P through its respective slot 141, 143.

[0046] Additionally, the point along the tray 20 at which each tray engagement member 135 contacts can be altered through movement of the vertical support 109 relative to the actuation structure in the vertical direction V.

[0047] Thus, the assembly 100 provides multiple modalities of reconfiguration to move one or more tray engagement members 135 in a desired linear direction relative to the pocket P (e.g., in the machine direction M, the vertical direction V, or a lateral direction L that is generally perpendicular to both the machine direction M and the vertical direction V).

[0048] In this regard, one or more portions of the tray-engaging assembly 100 can be reconfigured to accommodate larger, smaller, or differently configured trays 20. In one embodiment, the tray-engaging assembly 100 can be iteratively reconfigured to determine a suitable configuration for use with a particular tray or series of trays. Depending on such determination of a desired configuration of the tray-engaging assembly 100, for example, the tray-engaging assembly can be used to fabricate additional units thereof. Such additional units may be provided without one or more of the reconfigurable features discussed above, such that the tray-engaging assembly 100 may be used as a test or measurement device from which a permanent assembly can be recreated. Thus, the tray-engaging assembly 100 may be provided as a modular component for cooperation with another assembly / system / subsystem, etc., which can be installed and removed as desired.

[0049] Once the tray 20 has been engaged with the tray engagement members 135 in this manner, the tray engagement device 100 can be raised along the vertical direction V towards the lid device 107 so that the lidding film can be applied as described above.

[0050] Such approach of the tray engagement device 100 to the lid device 107 may be accomplished, for example, via movement of the vertical support 109 in cooperation with an actuator.

[0051] It will be understood that one or more components of assembly 100 may have different configurations, positions, arrangements, etc. without departing from this disclosure.

[0052] It will also be understood that one or more of the components of the systems described herein may have different configurations without departing from this disclosure. It will be further understood that suitable support structures (e.g., bases, legs, platforms, supports, braces, etc.) may be provided to support and facilitate operation of the various components described herein.

[0053] Generally, the blanks of the present disclosure may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks may also be constructed from other materials such as cardboard, or any other material having suitable properties to enable the construction to function at least generally as described above. The blanks may be coated, for example, with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect the information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer on one or both sides of the blank. The blanks may also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0054] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. Since various changes can be made to the above configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matters contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure encompasses various modifications, combinations, variations, etc. of the above-described embodiments. In addition, the present disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the present disclosure as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and / or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A first vertical support; A second vertical support; and a first guide rail coupled to the first vertical support; a second guide rail coupled to the second vertical support, the second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail such that a pocket is defined between the first and second guide rails for at least partially receiving at least one tray; and A tray-engaging assembly comprising: a plurality of tray-engaging members pivotally coupled to respective guide rails for engaging at least one tray.

2. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tray-engaging members extend into the pocket.

3. 3. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 2, wherein the tray-engaging assembly defines an upstream end, a downstream end, and a machine direction extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the plurality of tray-engaging members are adjustable relative to each of the first and second guide rails in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

4. 4. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 3, wherein the first guide rail is a first upper guide rail, and the tray-engaging assembly further comprises: a first lower guide rail coupled to the first upper guide rail, at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail of the plurality of tray engaging members, and at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail of the plurality of tray engaging members.

5. 5. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 4, wherein said first lower guide rail is selectively adjustable relative to said first upper guide rail along a vertical direction, said vertical direction being approximately perpendicular to each of said machine direction and said lateral direction.

6. 5. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 4, wherein a coupling extends at least partially through each of the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the first lower guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail.

7. 7. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one tray-engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail of the plurality of tray-engaging members is positionable in a first rotational position within the pocket, and the at least one tray-engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail of the plurality of tray-engaging members is positionable in a second rotational position within the pocket, the first rotational position being different from the second rotational position.

8. 7. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the second guide rail is a second upper guide rail, and the tray-engaging assembly further comprises: a second lower guide rail coupled to the second upper guide rail; at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second upper guide rail of the plurality of tray engaging members; and at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second lower guide rail of the plurality of tray engaging members.

9. 9. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second upper guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second lower guide rail are each positioned to be at least partially received within the pocket and at least partially engage the at least one tray.

10. 10. The tray-engaging assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second upper guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second lower guide rail are each positioned within the pocket generally obliquely relative to the machine direction.

11. 4. The tray engagement assembly of claim 3, wherein a first attachment device is coupled to the first vertical support and a second attachment device is coupled to the second vertical support, the first attachment device comprising a first portion coupled to the first vertical support and a second portion coupled to each of the first portion and the first guide rail of the first attachment device, and the second attachment device comprising a first portion coupled to the second vertical support and a second portion coupled to each of the first portion and the second guide rail of the second attachment device.

12. 12. The tray engagement assembly of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the first mounting device is coupled to the first portion of the first mounting device so as to be movable along the lateral direction, and the second portion of the second mounting device is coupled to the first portion of the second mounting device so as to be movable along the lateral direction.

13. Obtaining a first vertical support; Obtaining a second vertical support; coupling a first guide rail to the first vertical support; coupling the second guide rail to the second vertical support such that the first guide rail is spaced from the second guide rail and a pocket is defined between the first guide rail and the second guide rail for at least partially receiving at least one tray; and pivotally coupling a plurality of tray engagement members to the respective guide rails for engagement with the at least one tray.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of tray engagement members extend into the pocket.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second guide rails are arranged to define an upstream end, a downstream end, and a machine direction extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the plurality of tray engagement members are pivotally coupled to each of the first and second guide rails so as to be adjustable in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising laterally moving at least one tray engagement member of the plurality of tray engagement members relative to each of the first and second guide rails.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first guide rail is a first upper guide rail, the method including coupling a first lower guide rail to a first upper guide rail, pivotally coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails including pivotally coupling at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the first upper guide rail, and pivotally coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails including pivotally coupling at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the first lower guide rail.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the first lower guide rail to the first upper guide rail comprises selectively adjustable coupling the first lower guide rail to the first upper guide rail along a vertical direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the machine direction and the cross direction.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting the first lower guide rail relative to the first upper guide rail along the vertical direction.

20. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails includes positioning a coupling to extend at least partially through each of the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the first lower guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails comprises pivotally coupling the at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the first upper guide rail at a first rotational position within the pocket, and coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails comprises pivotally coupling the at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the first lower guide rail at a second rotational position within the pocket, the first rotational position being different from the second rotational position.

22. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second guide rail is a second upper guide rail, the method further comprising coupling a second lower guide rail to the second upper guide rail, and wherein coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails comprises pivotally coupling at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the second upper guide rail, and coupling the plurality of tray engaging members to respective guide rails comprises pivotally coupling at least one tray engaging member of the plurality of tray engaging members to the second lower guide rail.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second upper guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second lower guide rail are each positioned to at least partially engage at least one tray at least partially received within the pocket.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first upper guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the first lower guide rail, the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second upper guide rail, and the at least one tray engaging member pivotally coupled to the second lower guide rail are each positioned within the pocket generally obliquely relative to the machine direction.

25. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising coupling a first mounting device to the first vertical support and coupling a second mounting device to the second vertical support, the first mounting device comprising a first portion coupled to the first vertical support and a second portion coupled to the first portion and each of the first guide rails of the first mounting device, and the second mounting device comprising a first portion coupled to the second vertical support and a second portion coupled to the first portion and each of the second guide rails of the second mounting device.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second portion of the first mounting device is coupled to the first portion of the first mounting device so as to be moveable along the lateral direction, and the second portion of the second mounting device is coupled to the first portion of the second mounting device so as to be moveable along the lateral direction.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: moving at least one of the second portions of the first mounting device relative to the first portion of the first mounting device along the lateral direction; and moving the second portion of the second mounting device relative to the first portion of the second mounting device along the lateral direction.

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