US2449658A - Drying tray - Google Patents

Description

Sepi. 21, 1948.

PQLA MACCHIA DRYING TRAY Filed Nov. 12, 1947' INVENTOFZ A TT'y Patented Sept. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRYING TRAY Pasquale La Macchia, Gilroy, Calif.

Application November 12, 1947, Serial No. 785,394

3 Claims.

My invention relates to trays for drying fruit such as prunes, and the like, and it is the object of this invention to provide :a tray that may be quickly and easily repaired in case of breakage, and in which the loaded trays may be stacked for use in dehydrators and for other purposes while allowing ample room for the circulation of air over the product being dried.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a tray of the character indicated that will be economical to manufacture, rigid and strong, simple in construction, easily and quickly assembled, strong and durable, light in weight, and highly efficient in its practical application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of my improved drying-tray.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1, partly broken away.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, I show at l a strip of sheet metal of suitable length and width, to form one side of the tray. This strip I has its two side edges turned inwardly upon itself as at 2 and 3 and then outwardly as shown at 4 and 5. These outwardly turned portions are spaced apart in parallel relation to each other. as shown to receive the ends of slats 6 which are preferably of wood.

At each end of the tray, and in the center, are placed cross members I and 8, preferably of wood and resting upon the flanges 4 and in opposed and in parallel relation to each other.

A bolt as 9 is passed through the ends of each pair of cross members I and 8, and the flanges 4 and 5 upon which they rest, thereby securely binding the whole together in one substantial and rigid tray.

The only fastenings used are the six bolts 9, and if any slat is broken it may be quickly and easily removed and replaced with another slat by removing the bolts 9 at the adjacent end, inserting a new slat and sliding the whole forwardly until the space formerly occupied by the broken slat is filled, and then replacing the bolts 9.

Cross members I and 8 are made somewhat Wider than the parts 2 and 3 so that the trays may be stacked one on top of another and sufficient space left between each two trays to allow free circulation of air between them. The total width of the space so made is, of course, equal to twice the distance that each member 1 and 8 projects above the adjoining portions 2 and 3 of strip I.

By means of this construction a tray is formed that is easily and quickly repaired, and in which either side may be used for loading.

It is to be understood, of course, that while I have herein shown and described but one embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction, and method of assembly may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

A drying-tray comprising, sheet metal side members of suitable length and width, each side member having its side edges turned inwardly upon itself and then outwardly in spaced and parallel relation to each other, bottom slats disposed in opposing slots so formed, spacing and tie members having a thickness greater than the first named inwardly turned. portions of the side members seated at their ends upon the opposite sides of the opposed outwardly turned portions of the side members, and means binding the adjacent ends of the tie members and side members into one integral whole.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means are bolts passing through said ends and the parts of the side members upon which they rest.

3. A drying tray comprising, sheet metal side members of suitable length and width, each side member having parts disposed on one side longitudinally thereof and parallel with each other to form slots in opposed relation to each other, bottom slats disposed in the opposing slots so formed, spacing and tie members having a thickness greater than the spacing of the first mentioned parts from the edges of the side members seated at their ends upon the opposite sides of the first mentioned parts and means bolting the adjacent ends of the tie members and side members into one integral whole.

PASQUALE LA MACCHIA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 961,053 Williams June 7, 1910 2,168,520 Fregeau Aug. 8, 1939 2,332,444 Gilley Oct. 19, 1943 2,334,322 Galante Nov. 16, 1943 r 2,381,608 Leyerle Aug. 7, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 31,418 The Netherlands Dec. 15, 1933

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