Patent ID: 7631771

Claim:
A two-piece adjustable width tray for the organized display of multiple product containers, which comprises (a) first and second opposed tray sections of molded plastic construction and of generally L-shaped cross section, each comprising a bottom wall structure and a side wall portion, (b) the bottom wall structure of each tray section including a smooth, generally continuous bottom wall panel portion of generally rectangular configuration extending longitudinally of a principal tray axis adjacent to and joined along outer edges thereof with the side wall portion of the tray section, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fingers extending laterally from an inner edge of the bottom wall panel portion of each tray section, (c) the fingers of one tray section being closely received in spaces between fingers of the other tray section, whereby said panel portions and said fingers, in any width adjusted position of said tray sections, form a substantially continuous bottom wall structure for the effective containment of flowable materials resulting from product leakage from said containers, (d) said bottom wall panel portions having top and bottom surfaces and inner edges and said inner edges being positionable in close relation, when said tray sections are adjusted to a minimum width configuration, (e) said fingers being integral with said panel portions and having upper surfaces offset below the top surfaces of said panel portions, (f) said bottom wall structure of each of said tray sections being formed with laterally extending, downwardly opening recesses aligned with and arranged for the slideable reception of said fingers to accommodate width adjustment of said tray, whereby said fingers slide at least partially underneath said top surfaces of said panel portions, (g) said bottom wall panel portions having a width at least as great as a length of the fingers received in the recesses in the bottom wall structure thereof whereby, when said tray sections are set to a minimum width configuration, with the inner edges of said panel portions in close relation, end extremities of said fingers of one tray section do not extend beyond the side wall portions of the other tray section, (h) said fingers being of sufficient length to bridge the entire space between the inner edges of said panel portions when said tray sections are set in any adjusted width, whereby said bottom wall panel portions together with said fingers form an effectively continuous tray bottom for the containment of product leakage in any adjusted position of said tray sections, (i) said bottom wall panel portions being of widths greater than a space between said inner edges thereof when said tray is set at a maximum width.