A tray for positioning elongated objects each having a body and a flange. The tray includes a plate with openings and bearing surfaces. At least one first bearing surface is near a first opening and located at a first distance from the plate of the tray, and at least one second bearing surface is near a second opening adjacent the first opening and located at a second distance from the plate of the tray. The second distance is different from the first distance. The first and second openings are located at a distance with respect to one another such that the flange of a first elongated object engaged in one of these openings is able to partially overlap the flange of a second elongated object engaged in the other of these openings without contact between the flange of the first elongated object and the flange of the second elongated object.