Tray with adjustable dividers

A rectangular coffee pod tray has two opposing end walls, two opposing sidewalls, a closed bottom and an open top. One end wall has plurality of first slots at predetermined locations and the other end wall has a plurality of second slots. The first and second plurality of slots are aligned to form pairs of corresponding slots so a divider placed into corresponding first and second slots is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tray. The slots have a top that widens at the bottom of the slot and that is deeper into the end wall at the bottom of the slot for easy insertion and removal. Differing number of rectangular dividers fit into the specially located slots to form rows for four different sized coffee pods. The dividers may have tapered ends to fit into the slots, and a tapered bottom to fit into grooves in the bottom of the tray.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to containers for single serve coffee containers or coffee pods. Different types of single serve coffee makers are sold that use containers holding just enough coffee for an individual serving. The shape of the containers varies with the coffee maker. The coffee containers, or coffee pods come in various sizes and are usually sized to hold about 9-11 grams of coffee to make a serving of about 8 ounces. The coffee pods have circular tops or generally circular tops (to accommodate side spouts or tabs) and have slightly tapered, cylindrical sides and usually a generally flat or slightly conical bottom. The coffee pods have different diameter tops which extend a few mm outward from the largest opening of the body, with the body tapering slightly to the bottom. The diameters of the coffee containers or pods vary and the containers typically have outwardly extending lips or flanges that can add about half a centimeter to the diameter. The body diameter is about 4 cm for NESPRESSO® and MELITTA® coffee pods, about 4.5 cm for standard KEURIG® and STARBUCKS® coffee pods and JUAN VALDEZ® brewers, about 5 cm diameter for NESTLE® coffee pods, about 5 cm for KEURIG® VUE® coffee pods and about 6 cm in diameter for MAXWELL HOUSE brewers with TASSIMO® coffee pods. The body of these coffee pods is usually shorter vertically than the diameter at the top of the coffee pod and the body vertical height is usually longer than the diameter at the bottom of the coffee pod. The one notable exception to these very general dimensional relationships is the MAXWELL HOUSE® coffee pod which is more like a shallow disc about 1 cm deep 6 cm in diameter.

The single serve coffee makers are typically placed on top of a counter or on top of a stand which rests on the counter. The stand usually has coffee pods for use with the coffee maker. To better organize the coffee pods stands may be provided with a drawer that may be slid part way out of the stand, with dividers to hold the coffee pods in rows for more organized access and to better track consumption and plan for replacement. But because the coffee pods vary in size and shape it may be difficult to have a stand with a drawer to accept the size of individual coffee container that is used and keep them organized in orderly rows. There is thus a need for a coffee stand that can accommodate a variety of different sized, individual coffee containers or coffee pods. Because coffee often spills onto the drawers holding the coffee pods in these stands, there is a similar need for a light weight tray or drawer that is easy to remove and clean and that can accommodate a variety of different size, individual coffee pods.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A rectangular tray is provided with two opposing end walls, two opposing sidewalls, a closed bottom and a top that is preferably open. One end wall has plurality of first slots at predetermined locations and the other end wall has a plurality of second slots. The first and second plurality of slots are aligned to form pairs of corresponding slots so a divider placed into corresponding first and second slots is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tray. The slots have a top that widens at the bottom of the slot, and that also extends deeper into the end wall at the bottom of the slot, in order to make it easier to insert the dividers into the slots and to remove them. Differing numbers of rectangular dividers fit into the slots to form rows of differing number and width to hold commonly sized coffee pods. The dividers may have tapered ends to fit into the slots, and a tapered bottom to fit into grooves in the bottom of the tray. The slot spacing is selected to accommodate the more common coffee pod sizes so a single tray can be reconfigured by a user to hold different coffee pod sizes in rows.

In more detail, there is provided a coffee pod tray having repositionable dividers. The tray has a rectangular shape with two opposing end walls joined to two opposing sidewalls, a closed bottom and a top that is preferably open. One end wall has a plurality of first slots at predetermined locations and the other end wall having a plurality of second slots at predetermined locations. The first and second plurality of slots are aligned with each other to form pairs of corresponding slots so that a divider placed into corresponding first and second slots is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tray. The slots have a top end adjacent the open top of the tray and a bottom end adjacent the closed bottom of the tray. The slots have a width measured generally parallel to the bottom of the tray and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the width being larger at the bottom than at the top. The tray also has a plurality of generally rectangular dividers having a length slightly greater than a distance between the interior surfaces of the two opposing end walls and selected to fit into two aligned and corresponding slots.

In further variations, the tray also has the slots extend into the end wall a depth that increases as the slot approaches the bottom of the tray. The dividers may have opposing ends that are tapered to fit within the slots. The bottom of the tray may have a plurality of grooves generally parallel to the longitudinal axis with each groove extending along the bottom between a different pair of aligned and corresponding slots. The dividers may also have a bottom edge that is tapered to fit into those grooves.

The coffee pod tray may be preferably configured for specific coffee pod arrangements. The tray may have two dividers each placed into corresponding and aligned slots located so that the dividers and side walls define three rows parallel to the longitudinal axis, the three rows having a width of about 6 cm. Alternatively, the tray may have three dividers each placed into corresponding and aligned slots located so that the dividers and side walls define four rows parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rows having a width of about 5 cm. The tray may have four dividers each placed into corresponding and aligned slots located so that the dividers and side walls define five rows parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rows having a width of about 4.5 cm. The tray may also have five dividers each placed into corresponding and aligned slots located so that the dividers and side walls define six rows parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rows having a width of about 4 cm. The tray may also have three dividers each placed into corresponding and aligned slots located so that the dividers and side walls define four rows parallel to the longitudinal axis with different spacing between the rows such that the rows have widths of about 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm, to receive TASSIMO®, DOLCE GUSTO®, NESPRESSO® and KEURIG® coffee pods.

In a preferred embodiment, the tray may include a first pair of corresponding slots located along the longitudinal axis through a middle of the end walls. A second and third pair of corresponding slots is located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis at a distance of about one inch mm from the longitudinal axis. A fourth and fifth pair of corresponding slots may be located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis at a distance of about 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) from the longitudinal axis. A sixth and seventh pair of corresponding slots may be located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis at a distance of about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) from the longitudinal axis. An eighth and ninth pair of corresponding slots may be located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis at a distance of about 3.3 inches (7.6 cm) from the longitudinal axis. Dividers may be placed in any combination of these slots, including the above defined combinations of slots and divider arrangements and spacing's.

There is also provided a kit for a coffee pod tray that includes the above defined tray and its variations, and a plurality of dividers. There are preferably from three to six dividers, and more preferably two to five dividers in the kit so that from three to six rows can be formed, with one or more dividers unused depending on the configuration selected by the user. The unusual combination of spacing on the ends of the tray for the dividers allows these various combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-10, a tray10is shown, preferably having a rectangular shape with two opposing end walls12,14and two opposing side walls16a,16bwhich are preferably longer than the end walls. A tray bottom18is preferably joined to the side walls16and end walls12,14to form a contained volume with an open top. The end walls12,14have a plurality of correspondingly located slots20extending generally vertically from the open top edge of the side wall to the closed bottom edge of the side wall. In the depicted embodiment there are eleven slots,20athrough20k. A plurality of dividers22are provided that have opposing ends22configured to fit within opposing pairs of slots. Thus a divider22may fit within corresponding and aligned slots20ain each end wall14,16, or fit within the corresponding and aligned in slots20bin each end wall14,16, etc. Depending on which slots the dividers20are placed into the distance between the slots varies. The part number assigned to a divider22in the drawings refers to the generic divider22or to the specific divider in a slot in which case the drawing is labeled with the divider part number and the slot number, such as divider22cin slots20cinFIG. 1.

The number of slots in each end wall12is preferably an odd number, with the depicted embodiment showing eleven slots in each end wall14,16. Preferably one slot is located along the midline or central, longitudinal axis26(FIG. 26), with an equal number of slots on opposing sides of that centrally located slot. In the depicted embodiment, slot20ais the centrally located slot. Slots20bare equally spaced on opposing sides of slot20a. Slots20care equally spaced on opposing sides of central slot20aand located closer to sidewalls16than slots20b. Slots20dare equally spaced on opposing sides of central slot20aand located closer to sidewalls16than slots20c. Slots20eare equally spaced on opposing sides of central slot20aand located closer to sidewalls16than slots20d. Slots20fare equally spaced on opposing sides of central slot20aand located closer to sidewalls16than slots20eand are the closest slots to the sidewalls16.

The slots20are located so that the dividers22can be selectively positioned so that if there are n slots on each end wall12or14, then (n−1)/2 dividers can be used to achieve an equal spacing x between adjacent dividers or the sidewall16and the adjacent divider. In some figures the dividers are numbered according to the slots20into which the dividers are inserted. The slots are preferably located symmetrically on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis26. Thus, slots20bare each about one inch (25.4 mm) from centerline26, on opposing sides, so that the distance x between these slots is about two inches. Slots20care each about 1.67 inches (about 49.3 mm) from centerline26and central slot20a. Slots20dare each about 2.5 inches (about 63.5 mm) from centerline26and central slot20a. Slots may20fare each about 3.3 inches (about 84.6 mm) from centerline26and central slot20a.

When a separate divider22is placed into each pair of corresponding and aligned slots20b, and20e, a total of four dividers22are used and each divider is spaced about two inches from the adjacent sidewall16or divider22, defining six rows with each row being about two inches wide. In contrast, if five dividers are used and each divider is placed in the previously unused slots20a,20cand20fthen the five dividers22and end walls16cooperate to define six rows each spaced a distance apart of about 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) absent the thickness of the divider. The first set of slots20band20eprovide a first spacing, here about 2 inches (5 cm). The second set of slots20a,20cand20fprovide a third, smaller spacing, here about 1.7 inches (4.3 cm). This different spacing is very useful for coffee pods28as VUE® brand coffee pods28that are a little under two inches in diameter and K-CUP® brand coffee pods28that are a little under 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) in diameter. Thus, the repositionable dividers24allow one tray to hold either type of coffee pod28. Of course, different dividers22could be used or omitted to form rows with x spacing as well as rows with y spacing.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 5-7, the slots20in the end walls12,14extend from the closed bottom18to the top of each respective end wall. Each of the slots20have a variable width measured along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis26and in a plane parallel to the bottom18. The slots20are wider at the bottom of the slot adjacent the bottom18, than they are at the top of the slot at the top of end walls12,14. Preferably the width at the bottom of each slot is about three times the width at the top of the slot and more preferably about twice the width at the top of the slot. Advantageously, the width at the bottom of the slot is about 2 or 3 times the width of the divider22at the location where the divider abuts the interior surface of the end wall12,14containing the slot. The width of the slots20preferably increases at a constant rate so the slots have the shape of a tall, skinny, isosceles triangle when viewed perpendicular to each end wall12,14. The end walls12,14preferably have a constant thickness while the slots20have a variable depth that is shallow at the top of each end wall12,14and deeper at the bottom18of the tray. The depth of the slots20advantageously increases at a constant rate so when viewed along the length of the end wall12,14the slots have the shape of a tall, skinny right triangle. The depth of the slots20may be tapered to receive the tapered ends24of the dividers into the slots, but the slots are advantageously the same depth into the end wall12,14at a particular location so the slot from the bottom18. Phrased differently, the width of the slot at a given distance from the bottom18is preferably a constant as it extends into the end wall12,14and preferably does not taper.

The downwardly increasing width and downwardly increasing depth of the slots20makes it easier to insert the dividers22into the slots20and since the dividers are repositionable the ease of insertion and removal is more important. It is sometimes difficult to insert the dividers, especially long dividers, while keeping the ends of the divider parallel to the end walls12,14. As the long dividers22are inserted into the slots20the dividers are often skewed so one end of the divider is higher than the other relative to the bottom18. Having the depth of the slots22increase toward the bottom of the slot makes it easier to accommodate that misalignment while still holding the dividers22within the slots. The tapered end on each of the dividers22also helps with the insertion, especially the initial insertion into the more narrow width of the slots at the top of the end walls12,14. During insertion it is difficult to keep the dividers20generally parallel to the side walls16so that the dividers22are often rotated about a local longitudinal axis of the divider generally parallel to axis26, making it difficult to insert the dividers22into slots20. The variable width of the slots22helps accommodate such misalignments. The dividers22are preferably made of thin material and have a length several times the height of the divider so the dividers are flexible.

The end walls12,14may be slightly inclined outward from an axis orthogonal to the bottom18at a slight angle θ as shown inFIGS. 4, 14, which allows a vertical plug of constant thickness measured along the longitudinal axis, to mold a slot20of increasing depth. Preferably though, the angle is small and for mold release.

Dividers22made of flexible material such as plastic are preferred and such dividers bend easily about an axis perpendicular to the bottom18in the depicted embodiment, especially when moved. The tapered ends on the dividers22and the variable depth slots20are believed to make it easier to insert such flexible dividers into the slots. Referring toFIG. 15, the dividers22should not be too flexible or they will not maintain items in rows between and defined by the dividers. Referring toFIG. 7, in order to make the dividers22stiffer and better resist lateral bending from items pushing against the sides of the divider, and to use less material, the dividers may have a cross-sectional shape resembling an I beam with a stiffening rib along the top and bottom edges of the divider.

Referring toFIGS. 9-16, a further embodiment is shown in which the bottom18of the tray10has longitudinal grooves30extending between corresponding slots20in the end walls14,16. The grooves30may have various cross-sectional shapes, with U-shaped cross-sectional shapes preferred over shapes having sharp corners. The grooves30preferably have a cross-sectional shape forming an opening at the surface of bottom18that is slightly larger than the bottom of the groove. The bottom edge of the divider22has a tapered bottom edge32as shown inFIG. 15, with the bottom edge32configured to fit snugly within the grooves30. The tapered edge32also makes it easier to fit into the groove30.

Referring toFIGS. 9-11, the grooves reduce the cross-sectional thickness of the bottom18if placed in a tray having a bottom18of uniform thickness t. Preferably though, the bottom18has an undulating surface formed by external ribs34extending from the exterior side of the bottom18of tray10, with the ribs34corresponding in location to and extending along the length of the grooves30. The ribs34have a height about the same as the depth of groove32and have a width sufficient to form sidewalls on the grooves30of constant thickness corresponding to the thickness t of the bottom. Thus, the bottom18is not weakened by the grooves18but is stiffened by ribs34. The grooves30are thus formed on the interior facing surface of the ribs34.

In use, the dividers22have the shaped or tapered bottom edge32fit into the grooves30to hold the bottom edge of the dividers from moving laterally, while the grooves30in the end walls12,14hold the ends of the dividers in place. The grooves30are optional. The tapered edge32on dividers22is optional. But the ribs and grooves are preferred as they are believed to provide a lightweight, strong tray10.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 14, the dividers22may have all four corners square or may have one upper corner rounded. As shown inFIG. 1, a rounded corner36allows more comfortable finger access to recess38in the end wall of the tray10used to move the tray along longitudinal axis26. If the corner is sharp, a user's fingers could abut the sharp corner if the divider22is located in the recess38, while a rounded corner36helps further avoid any discomfort from abutting the corner36.

Referring toFIGS. 21-28, the movable or repositionable dividers22provide the ability to rearrange the tray10to hold different types of coffee pods28depending on the type of coffee maker that is used. The more commonly used coffee pods28are, in order of size, the NESPRESSO® capsules (FIGS. 27-28) which are the smallest. The DUALT® pods, K-CUP® pods and NESCAFE® dolce gusto containers are roughly the same size, within a few mm (FIGS. 23-26. The VUE® coffee pod is larger (FIGS. 21-22). These coffee pods28are all circular in cross-section and have a height about the same as their diameter. In contrast, the TASSIMO® T-DISC® coffee pod28has a diameter about 5 times the height. The tray10may advantageously have dividers22arranged to form rows for each of them.

FIG. 21shows the dividers22placed in three corresponding sets of slots20aand22dto form four rows spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive a row each of the VUE® coffee pod28shown inFIG. 22. The spacing between divider22aand the adjacent divider22don opposing sides thereof, and the spacing between each of the two dividers22dand the side16of the tray10nearest the divider22d, is about 5 cm. As noted earlier, the divider part numbers correspond to the grooves in which the dividers are located.

FIG. 23shows a K-CUP coffee pod whileFIG. 24shows four dividers22arranged to hold five rows of K-CUP coffee pods.FIG. 24shows two dividers22band two dividers22e. Again, the divider part numbers correspond to the grooves in which the dividers are located. The spacing between the adjacent dividers22band22e, or the end dividers22eand the sides16, is about 5 cm.

FIG. 25shows a tray with four dividers and five rows of NESCAFE® coffee pods28(FIGS. 26a, 26b). There are two dividers22band two dividers22e, with the divider numbers corresponding to the grooves in which they are located. The spacing between adjacent dividers22b, or dividers22band22e, or between the outermost dividers22eand the nearest side16, is about 5 cm. The tops overlap a bit on the top of the dividers22but the bodies fit between the dividers.

FIG. 28shows a tray with five dividers and six rows of NESPRESSO® capsules (FIG. 27). There are two dividers22fin grooves30f(not shown inFIG. 28) and two dividers22cin two grooves30c(not shown inFIG. 28), and one divider22ain groove30a(not shown inFIG. 28). The spacing between the dividers22aand22c, and the spacing between dividers22cand22f, and the spacing between the end dividers22fand the adjacent side wall16, is about 4 cm.

FIG. 29shows a tray with two dividers and three rows of TASSIMO® T-DISC® coffee pods. The dividers22are spaced about 6 cm apart.

FIG. 30shows a tray10with four rows of different sized pods. The spacing between adjacent dividers22is about 4 cm for the first, end row containing the NESPRESSO® capsules, about 5 cm for the second and third (middle) rows, and about 6 cm for the end row containing the largest TASSIMO® T-DISC® coffee pods.

The tray10has the end walls12,14and side walls16about the same height as or slightly higher than these coffee pods28(with two T-DISC® coffee pods stacked on top of each other). That allows the tray1to be inserted into and removed from the housing (not shown). Because the tray10is lightweight, it may be easily removed from the housing and the drawer (not shown) into which the tray may be placed during use. Because the tray dividers10are readily removed the tray10may be easily cleaned and the dividers reconfigured to accommodate different coffee pods28.

The tray10and dividers22are preferably made of molded plastic, such as resin, but other plastics are believed suitable, preferably injection moldable plastics and the tray is preferably injection molded to form a single piece structure, as are each of the dividers22. The tray is preferably transparent or translucent. The tray10may be used by itself, but is preferably placed within an enclosing structure such as a wire drawer (not shown) configured to slide in and out of one side of a housing (not shown) having a sturdy top (not shown) onto which a coffee maker or other item may be placed. The wire drawer preferably conforms to the shape of the tray10and vice versa, preferably but optionally, including conforming to the shape of recess. Thus, the wire drawer has a wire member along the upper and lower edges of the side walls16, and along the upper and lower edges of the end walls12,14to form a rectangular enclosure with an open top. The wire drawer (not shown) has one or more members extending parallel to axis26between the front and rear end walls to form a bottom support on which the tray10rests during use, but the bottom support could extend laterally between the sides of the wire drawer. The housing typically has four vertical legs with a supporting frame to enclose the drawer and configured to allow the drawer to slide in and out of the housing. The top is supported by the vertical legs, although the legs could be replaced by sufficiently strong side walls or a front and back wall.