Nestable and stackable document storage trays

Abstract

Document storage trays are disclosed that may be stacked in at least two different configurations including a “nesting” stack where an upper tray fits within the storage area of a lower tray and, in turn, is also able to receive a tray within its own storage area so that multiple trays can be stacked nested together. The document storage trays may also be stacked in a vertical configuration and the trays include appropriately placed slots, detents, bosses and legs for a stable vertical stacking configuration so that multiple trays may be stacked one on top of another and form a stable structure. At least one embodiment further enables the trays to be stacked in a cascaded form so that front edges of the trays are staggered laterally from the bottom tray to the top tray. At least one embodiment includes a built-in collating function so that each tray is able to receive documents from one of two different and perpendicularly oriented sides.

1 . A document tray comprising: 
 a base panel having a rear edge, a forward edge, and a pair of opposed side edges;    a pair of side walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, one each extending generally upward relative to a respective one of the side edges of the base panel;    a front opening formed between exposed front ends of the side walls and above the forward edge of the base panel; and    the forward edge of the base panel extending forward beyond the front end of each of the side walls at a point where the front end of the respective side wall meets the base panel.    
   
   
       2 . The document tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a rear wall extending upward near the back edge of the base panel and having a lower edge, an upper edge, and a pair of side edges.  
   
   
       3 . The document tray of  claim 2 , wherein the side walls diverge away from one another in a direction forward of the back wall toward the front ends of the side walls.  
   
   
       4 . The document tray of  claim 1 , wherein the side walls diverge away from one another in a direction upward from the base panel toward the top ends of the side walls.  
   
   
       5 . The document tray of  claim 1 , wherein the forward edge of the base panel extends forward beyond an upper front corner of each of the side walls.  
   
   
       6 . The document tray of  claim 2 , further comprising a rim which extends laterally outward from top edges of the side walls and rearwardly from the upper edge of the back wall forming a lip on the top edges of the side walls and the upper edge of the rear wall.  
   
   
       7 . The document tray of  claim 6 , wherein the forward edge of the base panel extends laterally outward beyond an exterior perimeter of the rim.  
   
   
       8 . The document tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a laterally extending and vertically oriented buttress that projects outward from each of the side walls at the front end of the side wall, the buttress extending upward from the portion of the forward edge of the base panel extending forward beyond the front end of each of the side walls.  
   
   
       9 . The document tray of  claim 2 , wherein the front end of each of the side walls leans forward relative to a vertical reference, toward the front edge of base panel.  
   
   
       10 . The document tray of  claim 2 , wherein the rear wall leans forward relative to a vertical reference toward the forward edge of the base panel.  
   
   
       11 . The document tray of  claim 10 , wherein the front end of each of the side walls leans forward relative to a vertical reference, toward the front edge of base panel, at the same angle of incline of the rear wall.  
   
   
       12 . The document tray of  claim 10 , wherein the angle of incline of the rear wall is in a range from about 1° to about 7°.  
   
   
       13 . A plurality of stackable and nestable document trays each comprising: 
 a base panel having a rear edge, a forward edge, a pair of opposed side edges and an upper and lower surface;    a rear wall extending upward near the back edge of the base panel and having a lower edge, an upper edge, and a pair of side edges;    a pair of side walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, one each extending generally upward relative to a respective one of the side edges of the base panel;    a rim which extends laterally outward from top edges of the side walls forming a lip on the top edges of the side walls;    the forward edge of the base panel extending forward beyond the front end of each of the side walls at a point where the front end of the respective side wall meets the base panel; and    wherein each of the plurality of trays is stackable with others of the plurality of trays in both a nested stacked configuration and a stacked in-use configuration.    
   
   
       14 . The plurality of stackable and nestable document trays of  claim 13 , wherein in the stacked in-use configuration, the trays may be arranged directly above one another or in a cascading configuration in which one of the trays is offset rearwardly from an adjacent one of the trays.