Stackable pallet system including v-shaped corner supports

Abstract

A modular packaging and display system for shipping and displaying products. The modular packaging and display system includes multiple display trays supported by a series of V-shaped spacers. The modular packaging and display system includes a plurality of V-shaped support members positioned near the corners of each display tray to stabilize the packaging system. The spacers and the support members are preferably formed from paperboard. The modular packaging and display system is strong enough to support the weight of the products and the trays and withstand the weight of one or more units stacked thereupon.

1 . A modular packaging and display system, comprising:
 a bottom support tray having a rectangular floor and a plurality of sidewalls projecting above the floor;   at least a first display tray and a second display tray, each display tray having a rectangular floor and four corners defined by a plurality of sidewalls projecting above the floor, each of the first and second display trays including at least four access openings each positioned near one of the four corners;   a plurality of V-shaped support members each having a first end in contact with the floor of the bottom support tray and extending upward through the access openings formed in the first and second display trays; and   a plurality of V-shaped spacers each positioned between one of the plurality of V-shaped support members and the corner of one of the bottom support tray and the first display tray, wherein the V-shaped spacers support the first display tray above the bottom support tray and support the second display tray above the first display tray when the packaging and display system is in an assembled condition.   
   
   
       2 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 1  wherein each of the V-shaped support members includes a first leg and a second leg joined at an apex, and wherein each of the V-shaped spacers includes a first leg and a second leg joined at an apex. 
   
   
       3 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 2  wherein each of the V-shaped spacers are positioned between one of the V-shaped support members and the sidewalls of one of the first intermediate display tray and the bottom support tray. 
   
   
       4 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 3  wherein each of the first and second display trays include a plurality of support tabs projecting below the floor from the sidewalls, wherein the support tabs contact an outer surface of the V-shaped spacer positioned therebelow to restrict movement of the V-shaped spacers when the modular packaging and display system is in the assembled condition. 
   
   
       5 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 2  wherein the V-shaped support members and the V-shaped spacers are each formed from paperboard. 
   
   
       6 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 2  wherein the V-shaped support members are positioned such that the apex of the V-shaped support member is in contact with the apex of the V-shaped spacer. 
   
   
       7 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 2  wherein the V-shaped support members are positioned such that the first leg of the V-shaped support member is perpendicular to the first leg of the V-shaped spacer and the second leg of the V-shaped support member is perpendicular to the second leg of the V-shaped spacer. 
   
   
       8 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 4  wherein each corner of the first and second display trays include a pair of support tabs each extending from one of the sidewalls that define the corner, wherein each of the support tabs restricts the movement of the V-shaped spacer positioned therebelow away from the corresponding V-shaped support member when the display system is in the assembled condition. 
   
   
       9 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 1  further comprising at least a first center support resting on the floor of the support tray and in contact with the first display tray and a second center support resting on the floor of the first display tray and in contact with the second display tray. 
   
   
       10 . A modular packaging and display system, comprising:
 a bottom support tray having a rectangular floor and a plurality of sidewalls projecting above the floor;   at least a first display tray and a second display tray each having four corners defined by a plurality of sidewalls projecting above the floor, each of the first and second display trays having a plurality of support tabs projecting from the sidewalls below a bottom surface of the floor at each of the corners;   a plurality of V-shaped support members each having a first end in contact with the floor of the bottom support tray and extending upward through the floor of each of the first and second display trays;   a plurality of V-shaped spacers that support the first display tray above the bottom support tray and support the second display tray above the first display tray,   wherein each of the V-shaped spacers contacts the bottom surface of the first display tray or the second display tray when the display system is in an assembled condition, wherein each of the support tabs contacts an outer surface of one of the spacers to restrict the movement of the spacer.   
   
   
       11 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 10  wherein the floor of each of the first and second display tray includes a plurality of access openings that each receive one of the V-shaped support members. 
   
   
       12 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 10  wherein each of the spacers is positioned between one of the V-shaped support members and two sidewalls of one of the first and second display trays such that the sidewalls and the support members restrict the movement of the V-shaped spacers. 
   
   
       13 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 12  wherein each of the V-shaped support members includes a first leg and a second leg joined at an apex, and wherein each of the V-shaped spacers includes a first leg and a second leg joined at an apex. 
   
   
       14 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 13  wherein each of the V-shaped spacers are positioned between one of the V-shaped support members and the sidewalls of one of the first intermediate display tray and the bottom support tray. 
   
   
       15 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 10  wherein the V-shaped support members and the V-shaped spacers are each formed from paperboard. 
   
   
       16 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 13  wherein the V-shaped support members are positioned such that the apex of the V-shaped support member is in contact with the apex of the V-shaped spacer. 
   
   
       17 . The modular packaging and display system of  claim 13  wherein the V-shaped support members are positioned such that the first leg of the V-shaped support member is perpendicular to the first leg of the V-shaped spacer and the second leg of the V-shaped support member is perpendicular to the second leg of the V-shaped spacer.