[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/484,301, filed April 11, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to drum-supporting structures. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a structure used for supporting beer kegs, although the structure is also generally applicable to all types of cylindrical drums such as metal drums adapted to contain any fluid and having extended rims at each end of the drum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Draft beer is marketed by brewers and distributors in generally cylindrical kegs of different sizes containing different quantities of beer. Among the most common keg sizes are 20 liter kegs (9.25 inch diameter), 30 liter kegs (11.25 inch diameter) and 60 liter kegs (16.125 inch diameter). The kegs of each volume are generally the same height, but have different diameters to define the different volumes.

[0004] In the past these kegs been handled or transported on conventional pallets or trays with a flat deck, which requires strapping or the like to prevent movement. While some attempts have been made to provide the pallets or trays with a contoured surface, the surface is typically configured to receive kegs having only one of the three sizes. This requires three different pallet/tray configurations to handle the various keg sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a support tray configured to support at least two different diameter cylindrical containers. The support tray includes a generally planar body with opposed support surfaces. A plurality of projections extend from at least one of the support surfaces. Each of the projections defines at least one engagement surface such that the engagement surfaces define a plurality of first rim receiving areas having a first diameter and a plurality of rim receiving areas having a second diameter distinct from the first diameter.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, at least two of the projections include engagement surfaces which extend along more than one rim receiving area.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the engagement surfaces define a plurality of third rim receiving areas have a third diameter distinct from the first and second diameters.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, each of the support surfaces includes a plurality of projections and the projections on each support surface have a complementary configuration.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the opposite support surface has a planar configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

[0011] Fig. 1 is perspective view of a support tray in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the support tray of Fig. 1.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the support tray of Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the support tray of Fig. 1.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 2 with dashed lines showing intermediate keg receiving areas.

[0016] Fig. 6 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 2 with dashed lines showing small keg receiving areas.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of large kegs stacked utilizing a support tray of Fig. 1 and an alternative tray positioned on a pallet.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of large kegs positioned on a support tray in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of intermediate kegs stacked utilizing a support tray of Fig. 1 and an alternative tray positioned on a pallet.

[0020] Fig. 10 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of intermediate kegs positioned on a support tray in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of small kegs stacked utilizing a support tray of Fig. 1 and an alternative tray positioned on a pallet.

[0022] Fig. 12 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of small kegs positioned on a support tray in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

[0024] Referring to Figs. 1-4, an exemplary support tray 10 in accordance with an

embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The support tray 10 has a generally planar body 12 with opposed support surfaces 14, 16. Each support surface 14, 16 may include one or more recesses 18 which add to the rigidity of the body 12 and provide flow passages for fluid on the surface. The number and configuration of the recesses 18 is not limited to that shown in the illustrative embodiments. The body 12 is preferably manufactured from a molded plastic and may include internal ribbing or the like, not shown, for added rigidity.

[0025] In the present embodiment, each support surface 14, 16 also includes a plurality of perimeter projections 20 and internal projections 26 extending therefrom with the opposed support surfaces 14, 16 having complementary topographies, each defining large, medium and small cylinder rim receiving areas 30, 32, 34, which will be described hereinafter, which are in alignment with those on the opposite surface. Referring to Figs. 7, 9 and 11, an alternative embodiment of the support tray 10' is illustrated in which the support surface 16' is distinct from the support surface 14. In this embodiment of the support tray 10', the support surface 16' defines a planar surface without projections such that the support tray 10' may be positioned on a pallet 40 or the like. It is further contemplated that the surface 16' may be formed integral with a pallet or the like. In Figs. 2, 5 and 6, only the support surface 14 is shown in plan view, however, it is understood that the opposed support surface 16 will have the same configuration.

[0026] Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, each of the perimeter projections 20 has one or more outer surfaces 21 which extend along the perimeter of the body 12. Each perimeter projection 20 also includes at least one engagement surface 23 which extends along one or more of the large, intermediate or small rim receiving areas 30, 32, 34, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The engagement surfaces 23 generally extend along an outer edge of the respective rim receiving area 30, 32, 34 and therefore generally have a concave or straight configuration. Each projection 20 may have multiple engagement surfaces 23 which extend along different rim receiving areas 30, 32, 34. More specifically, Fig. 2 shows the engagement surfaces 23a extending along the outer edge of large rim receiving areas 30 while Fig. 5 shows the engagement surfaces 23b extending along the outer edge of intermediate rim receiving areas 32 and Fig. 6 shows the engagement surfaces 23c extending along the outer edge of small rim receiving areas 34.

[0027] Each of the internal projections 26 is spaced inwardly of the perimeter of the body 12 and defines at least one engagement surface 27 which extends along one or more of the large, intermediate or small rim receiving areas 30, 32, 34. The engagement surfaces 27 may extend along an outer edge or an inner edge of the respective rim receiving area 30, 32, 34 and therefore may have a concave, convex or straight configuration. Each projection 26 may have multiple engagement surfaces 27 which extending along different rim receiving areas 30, 32, 34. More specifically, Fig. 2 shows the engagement surfaces 27a extending along outer and inner edges of large rim receiving areas 30 while Fig. 5 shows the engagement surfaces 27b extending along the outer and inner edges of intermediate rim receiving areas 32 and Fig. 6 shows the engagement surfaces 27c extending along the outer and inner edges of small rim receiving areas 34. [0028] Referring to Figs. 2, 7 and 8, the large rim receiving areas 30 are configured to receive three rows of large cylinders, in the illustrated embodiments, 60 liter kegs 31. The kegs 31 are positioned in a row of three kegs, a row of two kegs and a row of three kegs. Each of the kegs 31 sits on the support surface 14 or is contacted along its top rim by the support surface 16. The kegs 31 are not supported on any of the projections 23, 26, but instead at least one engagement surface 23a, 27a extends along the side wall of each keg 31. As such, the kegs 31 are positioned in a relatively tight, sturdy configuration while still supported by the support surface 14.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 5, 9 and 10, the intermediate rim receiving areas 32 are configured to receive four rows of intermediate cylinders, in the illustrated embodiments, 30 liter kegs 33. The kegs 33 are positioned in four rows of four kegs. Each of the kegs 33 sits on the support surface 14 or is contacted along its top rim by the support surface 16. The kegs 33 are not supported on any of the projections 23, 26, but instead at least one engagement surface 23b, 27b extends along the side wall of each keg 33. As such, the kegs 33 are positioned in a relatively tight, sturdy configuration while still supported by the support surface 14.

[0030] Referring to Figs. 6, 11 and 12, the small rim receiving areas 34 are configured to receive 4 rows of small cylinders, in the illustrated embodiments, 20 liter kegs 35. The kegs 35 are positioned in four rows of five kegs. Each of the kegs 35 sits on the support surface 14 or is contacted along its top rim by the support surface 16. The kegs 35 are not supported on any of the projections 23, 26, but instead at least one engagement surface 23c, 27c extends along the side wall of a majority of the kegs 35. In the illustrated embodiment, only the center most kegs 35, i.e. the third keg 35 in each of the second and third row, are not contacted by an engagement surface, however, they are surrounded by kegs 35 which are so contacted. As such, the kegs 35 are positioned in a relatively tight, sturdy configuration while still supported by the support surface 14.

[0031] These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.