CA2244107A1 - Method and container for packing produce - Google Patents
Method and container for packing produce Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2244107A1 CA2244107A1 CA002244107A CA2244107A CA2244107A1 CA 2244107 A1 CA2244107 A1 CA 2244107A1 CA 002244107 A CA002244107 A CA 002244107A CA 2244107 A CA2244107 A CA 2244107A CA 2244107 A1 CA2244107 A1 CA 2244107A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- basket
- tray
- lid
- disposed
- produce
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/4295—Ventilating arrangements, e.g. openings, space elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2205/00—Venting means
- B65D2205/02—Venting holes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
- B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
- B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
- B65D2251/105—The closure having a part fitting over the rim of the container or spout and retained by snapping over integral beads or projections
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
- B65D2577/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D2577/041—Details of two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D2577/042—Comprising several inner containers
- B65D2577/043—Comprising several inner containers arranged side by side
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
- B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes
Abstract
Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method.
According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays are provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the tray vents, through the ventilation channels and thence through the produce packed inside. The trays and baskets are sized so as to occupy all of the surface area of a standard shipping pallet, and to minimize the movement of the baskets within the trays, and of the trays with respect to one another.
According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays are provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the tray vents, through the ventilation channels and thence through the produce packed inside. The trays and baskets are sized so as to occupy all of the surface area of a standard shipping pallet, and to minimize the movement of the baskets within the trays, and of the trays with respect to one another.
Description
W 097/27040 ~ ' PCT~US97/00855 M~HOD AND CONTAINER FOR PACK~G PRODUCE
TEC~INI~AL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method for the improved packing, cooling, storage, and shipping of produce items, and al)~a,dLus to ~ ro~ the method. Moreparticularly, the present invention is an improved container system comprising 5 vacuum formed fruit containers received into and in operative combination with an improved tray design for optimi~ing the cooling and shipping of fruit, particularly of berries.
BACKGROUND ART
Many produce products are harvested and packed in the field into containers 10 which are nltim~t~ly purchased by the end consumer. Examp}es of such produce items include, but are not limited to, tomatoes, berries, grapes, mushrooms, radishes and broccoli florets. Many of these produce items require substantial post-harvest cooling in order to enable shipping over long distances and to prolong shelf life In use, a grower' s harvesting crew harvests produce items of the type 15 previously ~i~c~l~se~l directly from the plant in the field into the container. The containers are then loaded into trays, which contain a specific number of individual containers and the trays, when filled, are loaded onto pallets. The most common pallet used in the produce industry is the forty by forty-eight inch (40" x 48")wooden pallet, and the vast majority of produce h~n~lling, storage and shipping 20 equipment is design~-l around pallets of this size.
W 097/27040 ' ~ PCTrUS97/00855 After the pallets have been filled and loaded in the field, they are transportedto shippers who perform a variety of post-harvest processes to enhance the marketability of the produce itself. For many types of produce, including berries, a signific~nt packing evolution is the post-harvest cooling of the packed fruit.5 Indeed, berry shippers are often referred to as "coolers". The process of cooling berries typically includes injecting a stream of cooling air into one side of a tray and thence through the individual baskets and around the berries stored therein. ~s the air cools the berries, it picks up heat therefrom which is exh~ t~l from apertures on the opposite side of the tray.
Packages for use by berry coolers have undergone a systematic process of evolution to improve the storing and cooling of the fruit while reducing packaging costs. While early berry packaging products included the use or folded wood or chipboard containers, a common package for the marketing of strawberries for instance, is a one pound vacuum formed plastic basket developed in conjunction with Michig~n State UniY~I~ily. This one piece package, hereinafter referred to for brevity as a "Michigan basket", includes a basket body formed with an integral hinged lid which, after the basket is filled with fruit, is folded over and locked in place with respect to the basket body. The lid is retained in position by means of a detent, which engages an edge flange of the basket body. Disposed at or near the substantially flat bottom of the basket body are a plurality of apertures, typically elongate slots, to provide air flow through the body of the packed fruit in the basket.
This air flow continues through a similar series of apertures formed in the lid. In the case of the strawberry package, typically, eight (8) sixteen ounce (16 oz~ baskets are loaded into a formed and folded corrugated cardboard tray.
The tray developed for use with the Michigan basket has one or more openings along either of its short ends to enable air flow through the tray. From the previous di.ccl-~.sion on berry cooling, it will be appreciated that in the typically formed strawberry package system in current use, the two individual baskets within the tray which are irnmediately adjacent to the air intake apertures formed in the ends of the tray receive substantially more cooling from air ir~low than do the two packages at the discharge end of the tray. To overcome this deficiency in air flow, berry coolers are cullellLly required to utilize substantial amounts of cooling energy to ensure that W 097127040 ' ~ PCTrUS97/00855 fruit packed at the discharge side of the tray receives sufficient cooling to prolong its shelf life, while precluding the freezing of berries at the intake side of the tray.
The previously discussed problem is due to the fact that the one pound strawberry baskets and the tray which contains it were developed separately.
5 Specifically, the design of the previously discussed one pound strawberry basket was fin~li7~-1 prior to the design of the tray which ~ im~tPly receives eight of these baskets therein. The previously ~ clleee~l one pound strawberry containers in current use measure approximately four and three quarter inches by seven and one(luarter inches (43~" x 71/4") and are three and one half inches (31/~") tall with the 10 top secured. As a result, the cornmonly used eight basket tray measures approxim~t~ly fifteen and one-half inches by nineteen and three quarters inches (151/z" x 193h"). This tray size is to some extent m~n-1~t~-1 by the size of thebaskets it contains. While no great difficulty was likely encountered in forming a tray to fit a given number of the baskets, the area or "footprint" of the rPslllt~nt tray 15 was not given sufficient consideration in the design of the baskets. This has given rise to a si~nifir~nt inefficiency of p~ck~ginp~
Because the current eight - one pound strawberry trays, and the baskets shipped therein are not fitted together pl~ ~el ly, the package does not fully utilize the surface area of a forty by forty eight inch pallet, therefore shipping of those pallets 20 is not optimized. Specifically, using current basket technology, a layer of strawberries comprises six (6) trays per layer on the pallet. With eight (8) onepound baskets per tray, this means that forty eight pounds of fruit can be packed per layer on a standard 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Because there is no way with current use packages to completely fill the pallet with trays, a significant portion of the pallet 25 remains unused. This of course forms a further inefficiency of shipping.
Another problem with current use plastic produce baskets is that they are usually formed with vertical ~.lirr~ning ribs. This is done to mZlximi7P the resistance of the relatively thin basket to deforrnation. These ribs also provide salient intrusions into the body of the basket. Where a pulpy fruit, such as berries, are 30 packed in the basket, h~n(lling shock to the packed fruit, combined with its own weight turns these intrusions into sites where eignif1ç~nt bruising of the packed fruit WO 97/27040 ~ ' PCT~US97/008~5 occurs. This loss of fruit quality results in higher costs the shipper, transporter, retailer and consumer alike.
The previous ~li.ccu~ion has centered on the specific case of the one pound whole strawberry container preferred by consumers. It should be noted, however, that while strawberries comprise the bulk of all U.S. berry consumption, other ber~y crops also enjoy a significant position in the marketplace. Each of these berry crops has, to a certain extent, given rise to plert;lled packaging embodiments therefor. By way of illustration but not limitation, while strawberries are typically sold in eight ounce or one pound containers, blueberries are typically sold by volume, specifically, consurners tend to prefer the one pint package of blueberries.
Raspberries, on the other hand, are typically m~rkPtecl in small five or six ounce trays.
The trays into which each of these differing types of berry baskets are llltim~ly in~t~lled have not been ~lesignf~d with a view to integrating them with other berry or indeed other produce crops. This presents a problem to the smal~-to-medium sized grocery establishment which may not order berries in multiple pallet lots but may prefer, for various reasons, to mix quantities of berries on one pallet.
Because the trays used in the severa~ aspects of t'ne berry industry are not integrated one with another this capability is, at present, not re~ ri Accordingly, smallerlots of berries as commonly shipped to small-to-medium sized grocers must typically be sold at a premium cost in order to compensate the grower, shipper and transporter for the packing and shipping inefficiencies occasioned by the lack of packaging design cohesion.
Another problem with the previously discussed Michigan basket is the latch which retains the lid in the closed position with respect to the body. The Michigan basket uses a single detent formed in the lip of the lid to engage the edge of the basket body lip. This latch arrangement has proven troublesome in that it is difficult to quickly and securely close in the field while being prone to unwanted openingduring packing, shipping and while on the grocer's shelves.
Other workers in the pack~ging arts have attempted to solve the previously discussed latch deficiencies by means of forming snap fasteners in the edge material of the plastic baskets which they produce. The results obtained by this design are W O 97/27040 ~ ~ PCT~US97/00855 mixed. While the snap fasteners may be slightly more secure than the previously discussed edge latch, they are at least as difficult to align properly by pickers in the field as the Michigan basket latch.
Finally, the trays currently available for use with Michigan baskets designed 5 for one pound strawberry packing are not generally well suited for the baskets in that the baskets are allowed considerable freedom of movement within the trays. This results in an increased incidence of shifting of the baskets within the trays, which causes an increase in bruising of the fruit stored in the baskets.
What is clearly needed is an improved berry packing system which will 10 significantly reduce the cooling time and cooling expense for the fruit contained in the baskets. To make such an improved system feasible, it must interface with commonly used and preferred materials h:~n~lling apparatus, specifically the previously discussed forty by forty eight inch pallets in current use in the grocery industry.
The baskets of such a system should be capable of being formed in the pl~r~lled size or quantity configuration preferred by the end consumer, while simlllt~neously m~3ximi7.ing their footprint on existing pallet technology. The baskets should be formed to minimi7~ bruising and other damage to the fruit packed therein.
Furthermore, such a system should provide for the mixing of lots of different types, qll~ntities and sizes of produce on a single pallet without substantial losses of p~ ing efficiency occasioned by differing types of mi~:~lign~cl trays.
The basket should possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field. The same lid should be capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and nltim~tf~ly by the end consumer.
If possible, the system should be formed lltili7ing existing equipment and machinery from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available f~uit packages.
DISCLO~URE OF INV~NTION
~ 30 The present invention comprises an improved berry packing system which matches trays with baskets to signific~ntly reduce cooling time and expense for the fruit contained in the baskets. This is done by several means. First, cooling ~ . ~ .= = = . = ==. =
W O 97/27040 ~ ' P~rUS97/0085~
channels are formed in base of the individual baskets. These channels are aligned with apertures formed in the sides of the trays into which the baskets are loaded.
Second, the lid, when closed over the basket body defines at least one, and preferably a plurality of horizontal slots. These slots, in combination with other 5 apertures formed in both the basket body and lid si~nific~ntly irnprove air flow through the basket. Thus, tne combination of basket horizontal slots, ape;tures and the cooling channels aligned with tray apertures and provides a significantly improved flow of cooling air flow through the berries. This improved air flow results in improved cooling efflciency and hence lower packing cost, resnlting in a 10 better quality berry, having a longer shelf life, and delivered to the consumer at a lower cost.
The packing system of the present invention interfaces with commomy used and preferred materials h~nc11ing ap~ Lus, specifically the forty by forty eight inch pallets in standard use in the grocery industry. The trays of the present invention 15 are designed to completely fill such a standard pallet. This results in signifi~nt improvements in shipping efficiencies, again lowering costs to the consumer.
The baskets of such a system are capable of being formed in the pl~feLl~d size or quantity configuration Ll~r~ d by the end consumer, while simnlt~nPously m~ximi7.in~ their footprint on standard pallets. Thus, the system provides for the 20 mixing of lots of different types, qll~ntiti~s and sizes of produce on a single pallet without any of the substantial losses of parlr~ging efficiency occasioned by packing differing types of mi~ligne~l trays. This is accomplished by ntili7ing trays of the same-area, but which may differ in their vertical dimension. The different traysrequired for different fruits, as taught by the present invention, not only possess the 25 same footprint, but the same lug configuration as well.
The baskets taught herein are formed to minimi7~ bruising and other damage to the fruit packed therein. This is accomplished by (lesigning the baskets without vertical ~,lirç~lli.lg ribs or other salient intrusions into the basket, but with gentle curves on substantially all sllr~res which come into contact with the fruit packed 30 within. This further minimi7ro. costs and losses to the grower, shipper, transporter and retailer.
W O 97/27040 ' PCTrUS97/00855 The baskets possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field. The same lid is capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and ~ im~t~ly by the end consumer.
The system is capable of being formed lltili7ing existing equipment and 5 machinery, and generally from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available fruit packages.
Other features of the present invention are disclosed or apparent in the sectionentitled: "BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINC~S
For fuller understanding of the present invention, ,~Ç~lellce is made to the accolllpallyillg drawing in the following detailed description of the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Present Invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of this closed produce basket.
Figure 3 is plan view of an open produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tray as taught by the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into trays as taught by the present invention.
Figure 6 is a detail of the lid detent of the produce basket posed prior to closing the lid over the basket body.
Figure 7 is detail of the lid detent of the produce basket after closing the lidover the basket body.
Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Having reference to Fig. 1, a ~l~;r~ d embodiment of the produce basket 1 of the present invention is shown. Produce basket l is a one-piece structure - 30 incorporating both basket body 10 and lid 1l. That portion of produce basket 1 joining basket body l0 and lid 11 is formed as a hinge, 12. Basket body 10 is further defines a transverse concavity defining channel 13. While a ~ d W O g7~7040 ' PCT~US97/00855 embodiment is a vacuum formed plastic structure, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative materials and manufacturing technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the basket is formed of Kodapak~ PET Copolyester 9921, available from Fastman Kodak.
S Al~elllaLi\~e materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics including but not lirnited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPD~, polyesters and polyule~hal~es; metals and foils thereof, paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood and combinations of the foregoing. All~lnaLiv~ m:~mlf~ctllring technologies include, but are again not lirnited to thermocasting; casting, including die-casting; thermosetting; extrusion;
sintering; l~min~t;on; the use of built-up structures and other processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
~eferring now to Figs. 6 and 7, each of basket body 10 and Iid 11 has formed about the periphery thereof a lip, 14 and 15 respectively. In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. l, lid 11 is held in the closed position by at least one set of paired~
mating detent latches 16 and 17. Latches 16 and 17 are formed as substantially vertically protruding members from lips 14 and 15 respectively. Latches 16 and 17 include teeth 18 and 19. When lid 11 is closed over body 10, tooth 18 of latch 16 engages tooth 19 of latch 17, and mzlint~in~ lid 11 secured in the closed position with respect to body 10. Teeth 18 and 19 are m~lint~in~l in the latched condition by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of latches 16 and 17 are disposed about each of the front corners of basket 1. A third pair of latches lG and 17 is disposed about the rear edge of basket l. In this manner, lid 11 is secured to body 10 by three pairs of latches, acting in compressive opposition. This arrangement provides a lid closure which is at once more easilyeffected under field conditions, more secure and may be more easily opened and resealed than previous fruit basket latches.
~aving l~rclcnce to Fig. 2, some of the improved ventilation features of the present invention are shown. Lateral ventilation channel 13 is formed at a substantially lower portion of body 10. Channel 13 is disposed on body 10 to provide an improved flow of cooling air and ventilation through the lower portion of body 10. To accomplish this, at least one, and preferably a plurality of vent -W O 97/27040 ' ~ PCT~US97/00855 apertures (not shown) are defined within vent bosses 20. In order to provide a sirnilarly improved flow of cooling air and ventilation through the upper portion of body 10, vent slot 5 is defined when lid 11 and body 10 are secured together. Slot 5 iS m:~int~in~-~ at a fixed distance by paired detent latches 16 and 17. The flow of cooling air through the basket is further improved by at least one, and again preferably a plurality of vent apertures (not shown) in the upper surface of lid 11.
The upper and lower vent ~ Lul~s, 22 and 21 are clearly shown in Fig. 3.
Also shown in this figure are the general arrangement of detent latches 16 and 17.
In a ~l~rel.ed embodiment, lower latches 16 are disposed about a substantially inner portion of lower lip 14, while upper latches 17 are disposed about a substantially outer portion of upper lip 15. In this manner, when lid 11 is secured to body 10, lower latches 16 are substantially captured within upper latches 17, and m~inf~inP.~l in an engages configuration by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17 in operative combination with teeth 18 and 19 (not shown). Furthermore, lateral movement and potential disengagement of lid 11 from body 10 is substantially precluded by latches 16 and 17 disposed about the portions of body 10 and lid 11immPrii~tPly adjacent to hinge 12. This pair of latches, in a L~lef~ d embodiment, is disposed upon the entire width of body 10 and lid 11 respectively.
With continued reference to F;ig. 3., it will be apparent that in closing lid 11onto body 10, latches 16 and 17 disposed about the portions of body io and lid 11 immediately adjacent to hinge 12 will be the first to engage as lid 11 is closed.
After teeth 18 and 19 (not shown) of this latch pair engage, the act of closing lid 11 continues, and latches 16 and 17 at the front end of basket 1 are engaged. The operator, by applying further closing pressure, el~tic~lly deforms to some degree at least some of latches 16 and 17, eng~gin~ teeth 18 and 19 (not shown) and thereby securing lid 11 onto body 10.
While the prece-ling (ii.~c~ ion regarding a preferred embodiment has centered on a one piece basket incorporating the basket body and lid joined by a hinge, it will be im m~ tely apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles of the present invention may with equal facility be embodied in a two piece implementation ili7ing a separate body and lid. This embodiment is specifically contemplated bythe teachings of the present invention.
W O 97/27040 ~ ' PCT~US97/~08~5 Having reference now to Figs. 4 and 5 the tray, 2, according to the present invention is shown. Tray 2 is sized to hold at least one and preferably a plurality of baskets (not shown~. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, tray 2 holds six baskets 1. A particular feature of tray 2 is the plurality of tray vents 25.
S As shown in Fig. 5, tray vents 25 align with the previously lliccl~cse~l vent channels formed in the bottom of baskets 1. In this manner, a direct path is created from the ambient atmosphere to the bottom surface of each basket 1 loaded into tray 2. Trays 2 are formed such that when stacked a lateral vent slot 26 is formed between each pair of trays 2. Air vented from baskets 1 is vented from tray 2 at vent slots 27.
10 This means of tray ventilation, together with the previously described improvements in basket ventilation combine to ensure that all berries in the tray receive significantly greater cooling ventilation than any previous fruit cooling and p~f~.k~ing system, thereby creating signirlc~nt reductions in cooling energy re~uirements.
Indeed, preliminary testing in(1ic~tPs that the improved cooling afforded by the15 ventilation arrangement of the present invention may cut cooling costs for some strawberry packing operations by as much as 25%.
With continued reference to Fig. 4, tray 2 is further formed with at least one cutaway section, 35, which aligns with the horizontal ventilation slot of basket 1, when loaded into tray 2. This provides for improved flow of cooling air towards 20 the top of basket 1 when loaded in tray 2.
With continued reference to Fig. ~, trays 2 are formed to minimi7:e lateral movement of one tray with respect to another by means of at least one tab 28 formed at an upper edge of tray 2 in operative combination with at least one receptacle 29 similarly forIned on a substantially lower edge of the corresponding side. In this 25 manner, when a plurality of trays 2 are loaded, for instance onto a pallet, tab 28 of a lower tray is received into receptacle 29 of the tray loaded onto it. Tab 28 may be formed to accept therein stacking wires (not shown), in accordance with generally accepted container design practice. These st:~rking wires generally take the form of an elongated U-shaped member which are inserted through tab 28 of one tray and 30 thence through corresponding tabs 28 of one or more trays stacked thereon.
Stacking wires thus utilized not only reduce lateral movement of one tray with W O 97/27040 ' ~ PCT~US97/00855 respect to another, but can also form a handle for the facile h~n(lling of a plurality of trays at one time.
Having reference now to Fig. 8, a signific~nt savings in shipping costs is realized by sizing baskets 1 and trays 2 as a system to m~imi7e the area or shipping 5 footprint of a layer of trays on a pallet. As previously discussed, the ~0 inch by 48 inch pallet is the preferred standard size in the grocery business. Current Michigan baskets measure approximately 43/4 " by 7 lh " by 3~ tall when closed and are loaded eight per tray.. This tray measures approximately ~93~ inches by 153h inches. A
maximum of six such trays constitute a layer on a 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Where the trays are loaded with one pound strawberry baskets, a maximum of 48 pounds of fruit may thus be loaded in each layer. In contrast, baskets of the present invention designed to receive therein one pound of strawberries are sized approximately 6 3/8" x 5" x 33~4 high, when closed. Tray 2 of the present invention is sized at approximately 16" x 13'h". This size maximizes the footprint on a standard pallet. This means that nine such trays can be loaded as a layer on thepreviously described pallet, for a total of 54 pounds of fruit per layer. This represents an increase of 6 pounds, or 16 percent per layer over the Michigan basket. Since the shipper is not paying for wasted shipping volume his shipping costs are reduced, which can result in further savings to the consumer.
The vertical mating surface of the Michigan trays, that portion of the baskets which abut one another when loaded into trays, comprises little more than the mated edges of two thin sheets of plastic. Accordingly, because those mating surfaces protrude, and due to the thin nature of their vertical aspect, the mating surfaces of the Michigan basket are very much prone to over-riding one another. This allows the baskets to shift m~rk~rlly inside the tray, which is a signific~nt factor in the bruising of fruit stored in the baskets. Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be appreciated that to overcome this limitation, the baskets of the present invention further comprise an edge mating surface 30 formed by hinge 12 and latches 17.
This edge mating surface is relatively broad in comparison to the l\/ri~.hig~n baskets described herein. The combination of this relatively broad mating surface with aproperly sized basketltray combination has been shown to be especially effective in the reduction of damage to fruit stored therein.
W O 97127040 ~ ~ PCTrUS97/008S5 The preceding ~ cl1~.cit n of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has focused on one specific berry package design. It will be immediately obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles set forth herein are alsoapplicable to a wide range of produce package sizes and utilizations. By way of 5 illuskation but not limitation, the present invention specifically contemplates the forming of 1 pint and 1/2 pint (also referred to 8 oz. or 250 g.) berry baskets, as well as baskets configured to receive therein specific produce shapes, types andcounts. An example of the latter is the "long stem pack" used in the berry industry for shipping specific package counts of large, premium berries. Furthermore, while 10 the discussion of the principles set forth herein has centered on packages for the berry industry, it is recognized that these principles may be applied with equalfacility to the p~ck~ging of a broad range of materials including other foodstuffs or any item which would benefit from the advantages set forth herein. Such applications are specifically contemplated. These principles include the use of a 15 family of trays, having fixed "footprints" or lengths and widths, but with whose heights are varied to accommodate baskets having different heights and/or counts per tray. By m~in~ining the footprint at a constant value, the advantages of minimi7.ing lateral movement between individual trays and between layers of trays are :~tt~inf~-because the trays of one layer interlock with the layer of trays above or below it.
20 This is true even where adjacent tray layers contain significantly differing sizes of baskets, holding the same or different produce items.
Where the tray is designed to receive one pound strawberry baskets as previously discussed, the height of the tray is approximately 3-3/4 inches. Where other berries, or indeed other produce products are shipped, the length and width of 25 the tray do not change, but remain at the previously defined optimal size. Changes in tray volume n~ocçs.~ry to accommodate differing numbers and volumes of baskets are accomrnodated by altering the height of the tray. In similar fashion, baskets designed for use in the present system are sized to fit within the previously discussed tray. In this manner, baskets suitable for substantially any size basket designed for 30 consumer use, as well as many baskets sized for the food service industry, may be accommodated by the present invention. This presents the previously described W O 97/27040 ~ PCTrUS97/00855 advantage of enabling the shipment of a mixed pallet of differing produce by loading trays op~imi7ecl for each type of produce onto separate, compatible layers.
With continued reference to Fig. 4, tray 2 in a preferred embodiment is formed of cut and folded corrugated cardboard formed in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. One such corrugated cardboard is Georgia-Pacific USP12Q-33sml-USP120, although any number of packaging materials well known to those of ordinary skill in the art could, with equal facility, be used. Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various cardboards, pressboards, flakeboards, fiberboards, plastics, metals and metal foils. In some embodiments of tray 2, it may further be advantageous to incorporate a gluing, adhesive or fastening step in fabrication of the tray, again in accordance with generally accepted practices in container design and fabrication.
Because of the smaller size of the trays of the present invention, a lighter grade of corrugated board is may be used for their m~m1f~rture than are trays required to support the greater weight and greater area of the Michigan baskets previously described. This lighter weight not only minimi7:~S shipping costs, but can .signific~ntly reduce packaging costs for the shipper, again lowering consumer costs.
While the tray of a l,rerelled embodiment is formed of corrugated cardboard, theprinciples of the present invention may with equal facility be implemented on a variety of alL~ aLive tray materials. Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics again including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes;
metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood; wire; and combinations of the foregoing.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims. In particular, the use of 3C~ alternative basket forming technologies, tray forming technologies, basket and tray materials and specifications, basket shapes and sizes to conform to differing produce requirements, and vent configurations are all contemplated by the principles of the W097/27040 PCT~US97/00855 present invention. The inventions illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced without any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
TEC~INI~AL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method for the improved packing, cooling, storage, and shipping of produce items, and al)~a,dLus to ~ ro~ the method. Moreparticularly, the present invention is an improved container system comprising 5 vacuum formed fruit containers received into and in operative combination with an improved tray design for optimi~ing the cooling and shipping of fruit, particularly of berries.
BACKGROUND ART
Many produce products are harvested and packed in the field into containers 10 which are nltim~t~ly purchased by the end consumer. Examp}es of such produce items include, but are not limited to, tomatoes, berries, grapes, mushrooms, radishes and broccoli florets. Many of these produce items require substantial post-harvest cooling in order to enable shipping over long distances and to prolong shelf life In use, a grower' s harvesting crew harvests produce items of the type 15 previously ~i~c~l~se~l directly from the plant in the field into the container. The containers are then loaded into trays, which contain a specific number of individual containers and the trays, when filled, are loaded onto pallets. The most common pallet used in the produce industry is the forty by forty-eight inch (40" x 48")wooden pallet, and the vast majority of produce h~n~lling, storage and shipping 20 equipment is design~-l around pallets of this size.
W 097/27040 ' ~ PCTrUS97/00855 After the pallets have been filled and loaded in the field, they are transportedto shippers who perform a variety of post-harvest processes to enhance the marketability of the produce itself. For many types of produce, including berries, a signific~nt packing evolution is the post-harvest cooling of the packed fruit.5 Indeed, berry shippers are often referred to as "coolers". The process of cooling berries typically includes injecting a stream of cooling air into one side of a tray and thence through the individual baskets and around the berries stored therein. ~s the air cools the berries, it picks up heat therefrom which is exh~ t~l from apertures on the opposite side of the tray.
Packages for use by berry coolers have undergone a systematic process of evolution to improve the storing and cooling of the fruit while reducing packaging costs. While early berry packaging products included the use or folded wood or chipboard containers, a common package for the marketing of strawberries for instance, is a one pound vacuum formed plastic basket developed in conjunction with Michig~n State UniY~I~ily. This one piece package, hereinafter referred to for brevity as a "Michigan basket", includes a basket body formed with an integral hinged lid which, after the basket is filled with fruit, is folded over and locked in place with respect to the basket body. The lid is retained in position by means of a detent, which engages an edge flange of the basket body. Disposed at or near the substantially flat bottom of the basket body are a plurality of apertures, typically elongate slots, to provide air flow through the body of the packed fruit in the basket.
This air flow continues through a similar series of apertures formed in the lid. In the case of the strawberry package, typically, eight (8) sixteen ounce (16 oz~ baskets are loaded into a formed and folded corrugated cardboard tray.
The tray developed for use with the Michigan basket has one or more openings along either of its short ends to enable air flow through the tray. From the previous di.ccl-~.sion on berry cooling, it will be appreciated that in the typically formed strawberry package system in current use, the two individual baskets within the tray which are irnmediately adjacent to the air intake apertures formed in the ends of the tray receive substantially more cooling from air ir~low than do the two packages at the discharge end of the tray. To overcome this deficiency in air flow, berry coolers are cullellLly required to utilize substantial amounts of cooling energy to ensure that W 097127040 ' ~ PCTrUS97/00855 fruit packed at the discharge side of the tray receives sufficient cooling to prolong its shelf life, while precluding the freezing of berries at the intake side of the tray.
The previously discussed problem is due to the fact that the one pound strawberry baskets and the tray which contains it were developed separately.
5 Specifically, the design of the previously discussed one pound strawberry basket was fin~li7~-1 prior to the design of the tray which ~ im~tPly receives eight of these baskets therein. The previously ~ clleee~l one pound strawberry containers in current use measure approximately four and three quarter inches by seven and one(luarter inches (43~" x 71/4") and are three and one half inches (31/~") tall with the 10 top secured. As a result, the cornmonly used eight basket tray measures approxim~t~ly fifteen and one-half inches by nineteen and three quarters inches (151/z" x 193h"). This tray size is to some extent m~n-1~t~-1 by the size of thebaskets it contains. While no great difficulty was likely encountered in forming a tray to fit a given number of the baskets, the area or "footprint" of the rPslllt~nt tray 15 was not given sufficient consideration in the design of the baskets. This has given rise to a si~nifir~nt inefficiency of p~ck~ginp~
Because the current eight - one pound strawberry trays, and the baskets shipped therein are not fitted together pl~ ~el ly, the package does not fully utilize the surface area of a forty by forty eight inch pallet, therefore shipping of those pallets 20 is not optimized. Specifically, using current basket technology, a layer of strawberries comprises six (6) trays per layer on the pallet. With eight (8) onepound baskets per tray, this means that forty eight pounds of fruit can be packed per layer on a standard 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Because there is no way with current use packages to completely fill the pallet with trays, a significant portion of the pallet 25 remains unused. This of course forms a further inefficiency of shipping.
Another problem with current use plastic produce baskets is that they are usually formed with vertical ~.lirr~ning ribs. This is done to mZlximi7P the resistance of the relatively thin basket to deforrnation. These ribs also provide salient intrusions into the body of the basket. Where a pulpy fruit, such as berries, are 30 packed in the basket, h~n(lling shock to the packed fruit, combined with its own weight turns these intrusions into sites where eignif1ç~nt bruising of the packed fruit WO 97/27040 ~ ' PCT~US97/008~5 occurs. This loss of fruit quality results in higher costs the shipper, transporter, retailer and consumer alike.
The previous ~li.ccu~ion has centered on the specific case of the one pound whole strawberry container preferred by consumers. It should be noted, however, that while strawberries comprise the bulk of all U.S. berry consumption, other ber~y crops also enjoy a significant position in the marketplace. Each of these berry crops has, to a certain extent, given rise to plert;lled packaging embodiments therefor. By way of illustration but not limitation, while strawberries are typically sold in eight ounce or one pound containers, blueberries are typically sold by volume, specifically, consurners tend to prefer the one pint package of blueberries.
Raspberries, on the other hand, are typically m~rkPtecl in small five or six ounce trays.
The trays into which each of these differing types of berry baskets are llltim~ly in~t~lled have not been ~lesignf~d with a view to integrating them with other berry or indeed other produce crops. This presents a problem to the smal~-to-medium sized grocery establishment which may not order berries in multiple pallet lots but may prefer, for various reasons, to mix quantities of berries on one pallet.
Because the trays used in the severa~ aspects of t'ne berry industry are not integrated one with another this capability is, at present, not re~ ri Accordingly, smallerlots of berries as commonly shipped to small-to-medium sized grocers must typically be sold at a premium cost in order to compensate the grower, shipper and transporter for the packing and shipping inefficiencies occasioned by the lack of packaging design cohesion.
Another problem with the previously discussed Michigan basket is the latch which retains the lid in the closed position with respect to the body. The Michigan basket uses a single detent formed in the lip of the lid to engage the edge of the basket body lip. This latch arrangement has proven troublesome in that it is difficult to quickly and securely close in the field while being prone to unwanted openingduring packing, shipping and while on the grocer's shelves.
Other workers in the pack~ging arts have attempted to solve the previously discussed latch deficiencies by means of forming snap fasteners in the edge material of the plastic baskets which they produce. The results obtained by this design are W O 97/27040 ~ ~ PCT~US97/00855 mixed. While the snap fasteners may be slightly more secure than the previously discussed edge latch, they are at least as difficult to align properly by pickers in the field as the Michigan basket latch.
Finally, the trays currently available for use with Michigan baskets designed 5 for one pound strawberry packing are not generally well suited for the baskets in that the baskets are allowed considerable freedom of movement within the trays. This results in an increased incidence of shifting of the baskets within the trays, which causes an increase in bruising of the fruit stored in the baskets.
What is clearly needed is an improved berry packing system which will 10 significantly reduce the cooling time and cooling expense for the fruit contained in the baskets. To make such an improved system feasible, it must interface with commonly used and preferred materials h:~n~lling apparatus, specifically the previously discussed forty by forty eight inch pallets in current use in the grocery industry.
The baskets of such a system should be capable of being formed in the pl~r~lled size or quantity configuration preferred by the end consumer, while simlllt~neously m~3ximi7.ing their footprint on existing pallet technology. The baskets should be formed to minimi7~ bruising and other damage to the fruit packed therein.
Furthermore, such a system should provide for the mixing of lots of different types, qll~ntities and sizes of produce on a single pallet without substantial losses of p~ ing efficiency occasioned by differing types of mi~:~lign~cl trays.
The basket should possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field. The same lid should be capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and nltim~tf~ly by the end consumer.
If possible, the system should be formed lltili7ing existing equipment and machinery from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available f~uit packages.
DISCLO~URE OF INV~NTION
~ 30 The present invention comprises an improved berry packing system which matches trays with baskets to signific~ntly reduce cooling time and expense for the fruit contained in the baskets. This is done by several means. First, cooling ~ . ~ .= = = . = ==. =
W O 97/27040 ~ ' P~rUS97/0085~
channels are formed in base of the individual baskets. These channels are aligned with apertures formed in the sides of the trays into which the baskets are loaded.
Second, the lid, when closed over the basket body defines at least one, and preferably a plurality of horizontal slots. These slots, in combination with other 5 apertures formed in both the basket body and lid si~nific~ntly irnprove air flow through the basket. Thus, tne combination of basket horizontal slots, ape;tures and the cooling channels aligned with tray apertures and provides a significantly improved flow of cooling air flow through the berries. This improved air flow results in improved cooling efflciency and hence lower packing cost, resnlting in a 10 better quality berry, having a longer shelf life, and delivered to the consumer at a lower cost.
The packing system of the present invention interfaces with commomy used and preferred materials h~nc11ing ap~ Lus, specifically the forty by forty eight inch pallets in standard use in the grocery industry. The trays of the present invention 15 are designed to completely fill such a standard pallet. This results in signifi~nt improvements in shipping efficiencies, again lowering costs to the consumer.
The baskets of such a system are capable of being formed in the pl~feLl~d size or quantity configuration Ll~r~ d by the end consumer, while simnlt~nPously m~ximi7.in~ their footprint on standard pallets. Thus, the system provides for the 20 mixing of lots of different types, qll~ntiti~s and sizes of produce on a single pallet without any of the substantial losses of parlr~ging efficiency occasioned by packing differing types of mi~ligne~l trays. This is accomplished by ntili7ing trays of the same-area, but which may differ in their vertical dimension. The different traysrequired for different fruits, as taught by the present invention, not only possess the 25 same footprint, but the same lug configuration as well.
The baskets taught herein are formed to minimi7~ bruising and other damage to the fruit packed therein. This is accomplished by (lesigning the baskets without vertical ~,lirç~lli.lg ribs or other salient intrusions into the basket, but with gentle curves on substantially all sllr~res which come into contact with the fruit packed 30 within. This further minimi7ro. costs and losses to the grower, shipper, transporter and retailer.
W O 97/27040 ' PCTrUS97/00855 The baskets possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field. The same lid is capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and ~ im~t~ly by the end consumer.
The system is capable of being formed lltili7ing existing equipment and 5 machinery, and generally from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available fruit packages.
Other features of the present invention are disclosed or apparent in the sectionentitled: "BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINC~S
For fuller understanding of the present invention, ,~Ç~lellce is made to the accolllpallyillg drawing in the following detailed description of the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Present Invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of this closed produce basket.
Figure 3 is plan view of an open produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tray as taught by the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into trays as taught by the present invention.
Figure 6 is a detail of the lid detent of the produce basket posed prior to closing the lid over the basket body.
Figure 7 is detail of the lid detent of the produce basket after closing the lidover the basket body.
Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Having reference to Fig. 1, a ~l~;r~ d embodiment of the produce basket 1 of the present invention is shown. Produce basket l is a one-piece structure - 30 incorporating both basket body 10 and lid 1l. That portion of produce basket 1 joining basket body l0 and lid 11 is formed as a hinge, 12. Basket body 10 is further defines a transverse concavity defining channel 13. While a ~ d W O g7~7040 ' PCT~US97/00855 embodiment is a vacuum formed plastic structure, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative materials and manufacturing technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the basket is formed of Kodapak~ PET Copolyester 9921, available from Fastman Kodak.
S Al~elllaLi\~e materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics including but not lirnited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPD~, polyesters and polyule~hal~es; metals and foils thereof, paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood and combinations of the foregoing. All~lnaLiv~ m:~mlf~ctllring technologies include, but are again not lirnited to thermocasting; casting, including die-casting; thermosetting; extrusion;
sintering; l~min~t;on; the use of built-up structures and other processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
~eferring now to Figs. 6 and 7, each of basket body 10 and Iid 11 has formed about the periphery thereof a lip, 14 and 15 respectively. In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. l, lid 11 is held in the closed position by at least one set of paired~
mating detent latches 16 and 17. Latches 16 and 17 are formed as substantially vertically protruding members from lips 14 and 15 respectively. Latches 16 and 17 include teeth 18 and 19. When lid 11 is closed over body 10, tooth 18 of latch 16 engages tooth 19 of latch 17, and mzlint~in~ lid 11 secured in the closed position with respect to body 10. Teeth 18 and 19 are m~lint~in~l in the latched condition by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of latches 16 and 17 are disposed about each of the front corners of basket 1. A third pair of latches lG and 17 is disposed about the rear edge of basket l. In this manner, lid 11 is secured to body 10 by three pairs of latches, acting in compressive opposition. This arrangement provides a lid closure which is at once more easilyeffected under field conditions, more secure and may be more easily opened and resealed than previous fruit basket latches.
~aving l~rclcnce to Fig. 2, some of the improved ventilation features of the present invention are shown. Lateral ventilation channel 13 is formed at a substantially lower portion of body 10. Channel 13 is disposed on body 10 to provide an improved flow of cooling air and ventilation through the lower portion of body 10. To accomplish this, at least one, and preferably a plurality of vent -W O 97/27040 ' ~ PCT~US97/00855 apertures (not shown) are defined within vent bosses 20. In order to provide a sirnilarly improved flow of cooling air and ventilation through the upper portion of body 10, vent slot 5 is defined when lid 11 and body 10 are secured together. Slot 5 iS m:~int~in~-~ at a fixed distance by paired detent latches 16 and 17. The flow of cooling air through the basket is further improved by at least one, and again preferably a plurality of vent apertures (not shown) in the upper surface of lid 11.
The upper and lower vent ~ Lul~s, 22 and 21 are clearly shown in Fig. 3.
Also shown in this figure are the general arrangement of detent latches 16 and 17.
In a ~l~rel.ed embodiment, lower latches 16 are disposed about a substantially inner portion of lower lip 14, while upper latches 17 are disposed about a substantially outer portion of upper lip 15. In this manner, when lid 11 is secured to body 10, lower latches 16 are substantially captured within upper latches 17, and m~inf~inP.~l in an engages configuration by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17 in operative combination with teeth 18 and 19 (not shown). Furthermore, lateral movement and potential disengagement of lid 11 from body 10 is substantially precluded by latches 16 and 17 disposed about the portions of body 10 and lid 11immPrii~tPly adjacent to hinge 12. This pair of latches, in a L~lef~ d embodiment, is disposed upon the entire width of body 10 and lid 11 respectively.
With continued reference to F;ig. 3., it will be apparent that in closing lid 11onto body 10, latches 16 and 17 disposed about the portions of body io and lid 11 immediately adjacent to hinge 12 will be the first to engage as lid 11 is closed.
After teeth 18 and 19 (not shown) of this latch pair engage, the act of closing lid 11 continues, and latches 16 and 17 at the front end of basket 1 are engaged. The operator, by applying further closing pressure, el~tic~lly deforms to some degree at least some of latches 16 and 17, eng~gin~ teeth 18 and 19 (not shown) and thereby securing lid 11 onto body 10.
While the prece-ling (ii.~c~ ion regarding a preferred embodiment has centered on a one piece basket incorporating the basket body and lid joined by a hinge, it will be im m~ tely apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles of the present invention may with equal facility be embodied in a two piece implementation ili7ing a separate body and lid. This embodiment is specifically contemplated bythe teachings of the present invention.
W O 97/27040 ~ ' PCT~US97/~08~5 Having reference now to Figs. 4 and 5 the tray, 2, according to the present invention is shown. Tray 2 is sized to hold at least one and preferably a plurality of baskets (not shown~. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, tray 2 holds six baskets 1. A particular feature of tray 2 is the plurality of tray vents 25.
S As shown in Fig. 5, tray vents 25 align with the previously lliccl~cse~l vent channels formed in the bottom of baskets 1. In this manner, a direct path is created from the ambient atmosphere to the bottom surface of each basket 1 loaded into tray 2. Trays 2 are formed such that when stacked a lateral vent slot 26 is formed between each pair of trays 2. Air vented from baskets 1 is vented from tray 2 at vent slots 27.
10 This means of tray ventilation, together with the previously described improvements in basket ventilation combine to ensure that all berries in the tray receive significantly greater cooling ventilation than any previous fruit cooling and p~f~.k~ing system, thereby creating signirlc~nt reductions in cooling energy re~uirements.
Indeed, preliminary testing in(1ic~tPs that the improved cooling afforded by the15 ventilation arrangement of the present invention may cut cooling costs for some strawberry packing operations by as much as 25%.
With continued reference to Fig. 4, tray 2 is further formed with at least one cutaway section, 35, which aligns with the horizontal ventilation slot of basket 1, when loaded into tray 2. This provides for improved flow of cooling air towards 20 the top of basket 1 when loaded in tray 2.
With continued reference to Fig. ~, trays 2 are formed to minimi7:e lateral movement of one tray with respect to another by means of at least one tab 28 formed at an upper edge of tray 2 in operative combination with at least one receptacle 29 similarly forIned on a substantially lower edge of the corresponding side. In this 25 manner, when a plurality of trays 2 are loaded, for instance onto a pallet, tab 28 of a lower tray is received into receptacle 29 of the tray loaded onto it. Tab 28 may be formed to accept therein stacking wires (not shown), in accordance with generally accepted container design practice. These st:~rking wires generally take the form of an elongated U-shaped member which are inserted through tab 28 of one tray and 30 thence through corresponding tabs 28 of one or more trays stacked thereon.
Stacking wires thus utilized not only reduce lateral movement of one tray with W O 97/27040 ' ~ PCT~US97/00855 respect to another, but can also form a handle for the facile h~n(lling of a plurality of trays at one time.
Having reference now to Fig. 8, a signific~nt savings in shipping costs is realized by sizing baskets 1 and trays 2 as a system to m~imi7e the area or shipping 5 footprint of a layer of trays on a pallet. As previously discussed, the ~0 inch by 48 inch pallet is the preferred standard size in the grocery business. Current Michigan baskets measure approximately 43/4 " by 7 lh " by 3~ tall when closed and are loaded eight per tray.. This tray measures approximately ~93~ inches by 153h inches. A
maximum of six such trays constitute a layer on a 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Where the trays are loaded with one pound strawberry baskets, a maximum of 48 pounds of fruit may thus be loaded in each layer. In contrast, baskets of the present invention designed to receive therein one pound of strawberries are sized approximately 6 3/8" x 5" x 33~4 high, when closed. Tray 2 of the present invention is sized at approximately 16" x 13'h". This size maximizes the footprint on a standard pallet. This means that nine such trays can be loaded as a layer on thepreviously described pallet, for a total of 54 pounds of fruit per layer. This represents an increase of 6 pounds, or 16 percent per layer over the Michigan basket. Since the shipper is not paying for wasted shipping volume his shipping costs are reduced, which can result in further savings to the consumer.
The vertical mating surface of the Michigan trays, that portion of the baskets which abut one another when loaded into trays, comprises little more than the mated edges of two thin sheets of plastic. Accordingly, because those mating surfaces protrude, and due to the thin nature of their vertical aspect, the mating surfaces of the Michigan basket are very much prone to over-riding one another. This allows the baskets to shift m~rk~rlly inside the tray, which is a signific~nt factor in the bruising of fruit stored in the baskets. Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be appreciated that to overcome this limitation, the baskets of the present invention further comprise an edge mating surface 30 formed by hinge 12 and latches 17.
This edge mating surface is relatively broad in comparison to the l\/ri~.hig~n baskets described herein. The combination of this relatively broad mating surface with aproperly sized basketltray combination has been shown to be especially effective in the reduction of damage to fruit stored therein.
W O 97127040 ~ ~ PCTrUS97/008S5 The preceding ~ cl1~.cit n of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has focused on one specific berry package design. It will be immediately obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles set forth herein are alsoapplicable to a wide range of produce package sizes and utilizations. By way of 5 illuskation but not limitation, the present invention specifically contemplates the forming of 1 pint and 1/2 pint (also referred to 8 oz. or 250 g.) berry baskets, as well as baskets configured to receive therein specific produce shapes, types andcounts. An example of the latter is the "long stem pack" used in the berry industry for shipping specific package counts of large, premium berries. Furthermore, while 10 the discussion of the principles set forth herein has centered on packages for the berry industry, it is recognized that these principles may be applied with equalfacility to the p~ck~ging of a broad range of materials including other foodstuffs or any item which would benefit from the advantages set forth herein. Such applications are specifically contemplated. These principles include the use of a 15 family of trays, having fixed "footprints" or lengths and widths, but with whose heights are varied to accommodate baskets having different heights and/or counts per tray. By m~in~ining the footprint at a constant value, the advantages of minimi7.ing lateral movement between individual trays and between layers of trays are :~tt~inf~-because the trays of one layer interlock with the layer of trays above or below it.
20 This is true even where adjacent tray layers contain significantly differing sizes of baskets, holding the same or different produce items.
Where the tray is designed to receive one pound strawberry baskets as previously discussed, the height of the tray is approximately 3-3/4 inches. Where other berries, or indeed other produce products are shipped, the length and width of 25 the tray do not change, but remain at the previously defined optimal size. Changes in tray volume n~ocçs.~ry to accommodate differing numbers and volumes of baskets are accomrnodated by altering the height of the tray. In similar fashion, baskets designed for use in the present system are sized to fit within the previously discussed tray. In this manner, baskets suitable for substantially any size basket designed for 30 consumer use, as well as many baskets sized for the food service industry, may be accommodated by the present invention. This presents the previously described W O 97/27040 ~ PCTrUS97/00855 advantage of enabling the shipment of a mixed pallet of differing produce by loading trays op~imi7ecl for each type of produce onto separate, compatible layers.
With continued reference to Fig. 4, tray 2 in a preferred embodiment is formed of cut and folded corrugated cardboard formed in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. One such corrugated cardboard is Georgia-Pacific USP12Q-33sml-USP120, although any number of packaging materials well known to those of ordinary skill in the art could, with equal facility, be used. Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various cardboards, pressboards, flakeboards, fiberboards, plastics, metals and metal foils. In some embodiments of tray 2, it may further be advantageous to incorporate a gluing, adhesive or fastening step in fabrication of the tray, again in accordance with generally accepted practices in container design and fabrication.
Because of the smaller size of the trays of the present invention, a lighter grade of corrugated board is may be used for their m~m1f~rture than are trays required to support the greater weight and greater area of the Michigan baskets previously described. This lighter weight not only minimi7:~S shipping costs, but can .signific~ntly reduce packaging costs for the shipper, again lowering consumer costs.
While the tray of a l,rerelled embodiment is formed of corrugated cardboard, theprinciples of the present invention may with equal facility be implemented on a variety of alL~ aLive tray materials. Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics again including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes;
metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood; wire; and combinations of the foregoing.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims. In particular, the use of 3C~ alternative basket forming technologies, tray forming technologies, basket and tray materials and specifications, basket shapes and sizes to conform to differing produce requirements, and vent configurations are all contemplated by the principles of the W097/27040 PCT~US97/00855 present invention. The inventions illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced without any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
Claims (21)
1. A produce packaging system comprising in operative combination:
basket means including basket body means and lid means;
latch means for reversibly securing said lid means to said body means;
ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface of said basket body means;
a lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means in communication with said ventilation channel means; and tray means for receiving therein said basket means, said tray means defining paired tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion of said tray means, said tray vent means disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel meanswhen said basket means is installed in said tray means.
basket means including basket body means and lid means;
latch means for reversibly securing said lid means to said body means;
ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface of said basket body means;
a lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means in communication with said ventilation channel means; and tray means for receiving therein said basket means, said tray means defining paired tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion of said tray means, said tray vent means disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel meanswhen said basket means is installed in said tray means.
2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said basket means further comprises an upper vent means.
3. The packaging system of claim 2 wherein said upper vent means is disposed on a substantially upper surface of said lid means.
4. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said body means and said lid means further define a horizontal ventilation slot.
5. The packaging system of claim 4 wherein said tray means further defines a cutaway portion, said cutaway portion disposed so as to align with said horizontal ventilation slot of said basket when said basket means is installed in said tray means.
6. A produce packaging system comprising in operative combination:
a basket including a basket body and a lid;
latch means for reversibly securing said lid to said body and for maintaining said lid in the secured position with respect to said body;
said basket body and said lid defining, when said lid is positioned in said secured position with respect to said body, a horizontal ventilation slot;
at least one lateral ventilation channel formed in a lower surface of said basket body;
a lower vent aperture further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body and in communication with said lateral ventilation channel;
an upper vent aperture disposed on a substantially upper surface of said lid;
a tray for receiving therein at least one, and preferably a plurality of said baskets, said tray defining paired tray vents disposed upon a lower portion of said tray, said tray vents disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray; and said tray further defining a cutaway portion, said cutaway portion disposed so as to align with said horizontal ventilation slot of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray.
a basket including a basket body and a lid;
latch means for reversibly securing said lid to said body and for maintaining said lid in the secured position with respect to said body;
said basket body and said lid defining, when said lid is positioned in said secured position with respect to said body, a horizontal ventilation slot;
at least one lateral ventilation channel formed in a lower surface of said basket body;
a lower vent aperture further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body and in communication with said lateral ventilation channel;
an upper vent aperture disposed on a substantially upper surface of said lid;
a tray for receiving therein at least one, and preferably a plurality of said baskets, said tray defining paired tray vents disposed upon a lower portion of said tray, said tray vents disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray; and said tray further defining a cutaway portion, said cutaway portion disposed so as to align with said horizontal ventilation slot of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray.
7. The produce packaging system of claim 6 wherein said latch means further comprises a pair of toothed vertically mating latches including a first engageable tooth disposed upon said basket body and a second engageable tooth disposed upon said lid.
8. The produce packaging system of claim 7 wherein said latch means further comprises a plurality of pairs of toothed vertically mating latches.
9. The produce packaging system of claim 7 wherein said basket is a one-piece structure, said basket defining both said basket body and said lid as an integral unit.
10. The produce packaging system of claim 9 wherein said basket further defines a flexible hinge joining said basket body and said lid.
11. The produce packaging system of claim 7 wherein said basket body has the property of being formed without reinforcing ribs.
12. The produce packaging system of claim 7 wherein said tray further comprises a bottom, first and second ends and first and second sides.
13. The produce packaging system of claim 12 further comprising a tab formed in an upper portion of at least one of said first and second ends.
14. The produce packaging system of claim 12 further comprising a receptacle formed in a lower portion of at least one of said first and second ends, said receptacle for receiving therein said tab formed in a second tray.
15. The produce packaging system of claim 7 wherein said trays are sized such that nine of said trays define a layer which completely covers a forty by forty-eight inch shipping pallet.
16. The produce packaging system of claim 15 wherein said trays are sized in the range of 15 to 17 inches by 12-1/4 to 14-1/4 inches.
17. The produce packaging system of claim 16 wherein said trays are further sized in the range of 15-1/2 to 16-1/2 inches by 12-3/4 to 13-3/4 inches.
18. The produce packaging system of claim 17 wherein said trays are further sized 16 inches by 13-1/4 inches.
19. A produce packaging system comprising in operative combination:
at least one and preferably a plurality of one-piece baskets, said basket defining both a basket body and integral lid joined by a flexible hinge, said basket body having the property of being formed without reinforcing ribs;
three sets of paired, toothed vertically mating detent latches, each of said sets of latches including a first engageable tooth disposed upon said basket body and a second engageable tooth disposed upon said lid, said latches for reversibly securing said lid to said body and for maintaining said lid in the secured position with respect to said body by the elastic deformation of said first and said second teeth;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of horizontal ventilation slots, said slots formed by edges of said basket body and said lid when said lid is positioned in said secured position with respect to said body;
at least one lateral ventilation channel formed in a lower surface of said basket body;
at least one vent boss disposed on said ventilation channel, said boss further defining at least one, and preferably a plurality of lower vent apertures in communication with said ventilation channel;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of upper vent apertures disposed on a substantially upper surface of said lid;
a tray for receiving therein at least one, and preferably a plurality of said baskets, said tray comprising a bottom, first and second ends and first andsecond sides, and defining at least one, and preferably a plurality of paired tray vents disposed upon a lower portion of at least one of said sides, said tray vents disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray, said trays sized such that nine of said trays define a layer which completely covers a forty by forty-eight inch shipping pallet;
at least one of said first and said second sides forming a cutaway portion, said cutaway portion disposed so as to align with said horizontal ventilation slot of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of tabs formed in an upper portion of at least one of said first and second ends; and at least one, and preferably a plurality of receptacles formed in a lower portion of at least one of said first and second ends, said receptacles for receiving therein said tabs formed in a second tray.
at least one and preferably a plurality of one-piece baskets, said basket defining both a basket body and integral lid joined by a flexible hinge, said basket body having the property of being formed without reinforcing ribs;
three sets of paired, toothed vertically mating detent latches, each of said sets of latches including a first engageable tooth disposed upon said basket body and a second engageable tooth disposed upon said lid, said latches for reversibly securing said lid to said body and for maintaining said lid in the secured position with respect to said body by the elastic deformation of said first and said second teeth;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of horizontal ventilation slots, said slots formed by edges of said basket body and said lid when said lid is positioned in said secured position with respect to said body;
at least one lateral ventilation channel formed in a lower surface of said basket body;
at least one vent boss disposed on said ventilation channel, said boss further defining at least one, and preferably a plurality of lower vent apertures in communication with said ventilation channel;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of upper vent apertures disposed on a substantially upper surface of said lid;
a tray for receiving therein at least one, and preferably a plurality of said baskets, said tray comprising a bottom, first and second ends and first andsecond sides, and defining at least one, and preferably a plurality of paired tray vents disposed upon a lower portion of at least one of said sides, said tray vents disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray, said trays sized such that nine of said trays define a layer which completely covers a forty by forty-eight inch shipping pallet;
at least one of said first and said second sides forming a cutaway portion, said cutaway portion disposed so as to align with said horizontal ventilation slot of said basket when said basket is installed in said tray;
at least one, and preferably a plurality of tabs formed in an upper portion of at least one of said first and second ends; and at least one, and preferably a plurality of receptacles formed in a lower portion of at least one of said first and second ends, said receptacles for receiving therein said tabs formed in a second tray.
20. A method for the improved packing, cooling and shipment of produce comprising the steps of:
packing said produce in a basket means including basket body means and lid means, said body means including ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface thereof, and lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means and in communication with said ventilation channel means;
securing said lid means to said body means using latch means;
loading said basket containing said produce into a tray means, said tray means including tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion thereof and disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel means of said basket means when said basket means is installed in said tray means; and cooling said produce by means of introducing a flow of cooling air through said tray vent means, thence through said ventilation channel means and said lower vent means and about said produce.
packing said produce in a basket means including basket body means and lid means, said body means including ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface thereof, and lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means and in communication with said ventilation channel means;
securing said lid means to said body means using latch means;
loading said basket containing said produce into a tray means, said tray means including tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion thereof and disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel means of said basket means when said basket means is installed in said tray means; and cooling said produce by means of introducing a flow of cooling air through said tray vent means, thence through said ventilation channel means and said lower vent means and about said produce.
21. A method for the manufacture of an improved packing, cooling and shipping system for produce, said method comprising the steps of:
forming a basket means including basket body means and lid means, said body means including ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface thereof, and lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means and in communication with said ventilation channel means, said basketmeans further including latch means for reversibly securing said lid means to said basket body means; and forming a tray means for receiving therein at least one of said basket means, said tray means including tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion thereof and disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel means of said basket means when said basket means is received in said tray means.
forming a basket means including basket body means and lid means, said body means including ventilation channel means formed in a lower surface thereof, and lower vent means further disposed on said lower surface of said basket body means and in communication with said ventilation channel means, said basketmeans further including latch means for reversibly securing said lid means to said basket body means; and forming a tray means for receiving therein at least one of said basket means, said tray means including tray vent means disposed upon a lower portion thereof and disposed so as to align with said ventilation channel means of said basket means when said basket means is received in said tray means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/591,000 | 1996-01-24 | ||
US08/591,000 US5738890A (en) | 1996-01-24 | 1996-01-24 | Method and container for the improved packing and cooling of produce |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2244107A1 true CA2244107A1 (en) | 1997-07-31 |
Family
ID=24364627
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002244107A Abandoned CA2244107A1 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 1997-01-21 | Method and container for packing produce |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (4) | US5738890A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0879133B1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU729481B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2244107A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2194178T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997027040A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (70)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8083085B2 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2011-12-27 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce |
US7441672B2 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2008-10-28 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging system having produce containers with arched bottom and raised feet to enable under container ventilation |
US20050218150A1 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2005-10-06 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging container with dual hinged resealable tops |
US7703628B2 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 2010-04-27 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging system enabling improved drainage for hydrocooling |
US5738890A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 1998-04-14 | Plexiform Company | Method and container for the improved packing and cooling of produce |
US6962263B2 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2005-11-08 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging system having produce containers with double-arched ventilation channels |
US7100788B2 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 2006-09-05 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce |
US5945147A (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-08-31 | Cold-Bag, Inc. | Method for packaging fresh perishable foods |
US6045838A (en) * | 1998-08-10 | 2000-04-04 | Davis; Harold L. | Grape handling and storage bag |
US6305148B1 (en) | 1998-09-10 | 2001-10-23 | The Bowden Group | System and method providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods |
US8783002B2 (en) | 1998-09-10 | 2014-07-22 | The Bowden Group | Method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods |
US7644560B2 (en) * | 1998-09-10 | 2010-01-12 | The Bowden Group | System and method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods |
US8256190B2 (en) * | 1998-09-10 | 2012-09-04 | The Bowden Group | System and method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods |
US6308858B1 (en) | 1999-12-07 | 2001-10-30 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Storage container |
EP1164088A1 (en) * | 2000-06-15 | 2001-12-19 | Dynaplast, S.A. | Package for tomatoes |
PT1436198E (en) * | 2001-09-11 | 2013-07-18 | Sambrailo Packaging Inc | Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce |
AU2002323624B2 (en) * | 2001-09-11 | 2009-11-19 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling |
US6644494B2 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2003-11-11 | Pactiv Corporation | Smoothwall hinged containers |
US20030106826A1 (en) * | 2001-10-15 | 2003-06-12 | Robert Mazziliano | Pallet packaging and display assembly |
US20030152670A1 (en) * | 2002-02-11 | 2003-08-14 | Kuo Shih | Food container capable of increasing the effect of air permeability |
US7007802B1 (en) | 2002-08-30 | 2006-03-07 | Georgia-Pacific Corporation | Produce carrying trays and method of cooling produce in a five-down configuration |
KR20060090659A (en) * | 2003-08-15 | 2006-08-14 | 치아 씨. 치앙 | Fruit ripening display |
FR2859710B1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2006-06-30 | Colgate Palmolive Compagny | PACKAGING FOR A TABLET CONTAINING A PERFUME. |
US7222745B2 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2007-05-29 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Plastic boxes and methods for making same |
FR2869297B1 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2007-09-28 | Cgl Pack Service Soc Par Actio | PACKAGE WITH A DOUBLE HINGED SUPPORT SURFACE |
EP1805465A1 (en) * | 2004-07-09 | 2007-07-11 | Pandura Farms PTY Ltd | Sequential cooling methods and apparatus |
ITBO20050196A1 (en) * | 2005-03-25 | 2006-09-26 | Infia Srl | CONTAINER FOR THE PACKAGING OF PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS |
FR2888568B1 (en) * | 2005-07-18 | 2010-04-09 | Groupe Guillin Sa | HINGE PROVIDING A STABLE VENTILATION SLOT FOR AERATED SHUTTLE |
US20070065545A1 (en) * | 2005-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | Terry Vovan | Multi-topping tray container system |
US20070257040A1 (en) * | 2006-04-20 | 2007-11-08 | Price Franklin R Jr | Packaging for perishable goods |
TWM329621U (en) * | 2007-01-18 | 2008-04-01 | Agricultural Res Inst | Packaging paper box |
AU2008100153B4 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2010-02-18 | Multisteps Pty Ltd | A produce container assembly |
US7900793B2 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2011-03-08 | Pactiv Corporation | Multi-piece compartmented container with venting |
US8308013B2 (en) * | 2009-03-27 | 2012-11-13 | Oberweis Dairy, Inc. | System and method for holding a hazardous substance |
US20100320210A1 (en) * | 2009-06-19 | 2010-12-23 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Food container having improved ventilation |
ES2352629B1 (en) * | 2009-07-13 | 2011-12-29 | Manuel RUIZ CARMONA | BOX FOR PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT OF PRODUCTS |
JP2013032164A (en) * | 2009-11-25 | 2013-02-14 | Sharp Corp | Panel packaging body |
US20110132909A1 (en) * | 2009-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | Wen-Cheng Chiou | Container for conserving fresh fruit |
US20120285951A1 (en) * | 2011-05-11 | 2012-11-15 | Cavalcante Mauricio D | Collapsible crate |
US20120312716A1 (en) * | 2011-06-13 | 2012-12-13 | Mikulka John M | One compartment food tray |
US20130082051A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-04-04 | Scott W. Kaufmann | Retrofittable Double Lid For Storage Container |
JP6063638B2 (en) * | 2012-04-23 | 2017-01-18 | 株式会社高知流通資材 | Foamed resin container |
US20130313310A1 (en) * | 2012-05-24 | 2013-11-28 | Gerawan Farming Inc. | Consumer box having ventilating windows |
WO2015048655A1 (en) * | 2013-09-27 | 2015-04-02 | Sabert Corporation | Container having a molded pulp base and vented plastic lid for maintaining crispiness of moisture- sensitive foods |
US9469458B2 (en) | 2014-04-25 | 2016-10-18 | Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. | Clamshell raspberry container |
WO2015196048A1 (en) | 2014-06-19 | 2015-12-23 | Mastronardi Produce Ltd. | Container apparatus |
US9902531B2 (en) * | 2015-02-17 | 2018-02-27 | Pacific Agricultural Packaging, Inc. | End-hinged produce containers and produce packing system using same |
CN105314279B (en) * | 2015-11-11 | 2018-04-03 | 邢翠娥 | Carton and crate for strawberry storage |
PL416249A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-28 | Adam Sikorski | Collective container, pattern of a collective container and a set of the collective container with individual containers |
US10849332B2 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2020-12-01 | Christophe Obolo | Produce ripening system and apparatus |
US10807786B2 (en) * | 2017-01-12 | 2020-10-20 | Malley Corporation | Thermally insulated livestock medication container |
US10428575B2 (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2019-10-01 | The Boeing Company | Vented hinge assembly |
USD907995S1 (en) | 2019-05-29 | 2021-01-19 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD907481S1 (en) | 2019-05-29 | 2021-01-12 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD914518S1 (en) | 2019-05-29 | 2021-03-30 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD911163S1 (en) | 2019-05-31 | 2021-02-23 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD910436S1 (en) | 2019-05-31 | 2021-02-16 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD915192S1 (en) | 2019-05-31 | 2021-04-06 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
ES1235375Y (en) * | 2019-06-10 | 2019-12-18 | Infia Iberica S L | Packaging for food products. |
USD910437S1 (en) | 2019-06-12 | 2021-02-16 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD911836S1 (en) | 2019-06-12 | 2021-03-02 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
USD910438S1 (en) | 2019-06-19 | 2021-02-16 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Plastic food container |
US20210070482A1 (en) * | 2019-09-09 | 2021-03-11 | Pavestone, LLC | Vented packaging arrangement and method |
US20210101739A1 (en) * | 2019-10-02 | 2021-04-08 | Plan Berries Inc. | Novel packaging system for produce |
CN111017412A (en) * | 2019-11-24 | 2020-04-17 | 江苏昂和农业科技有限公司 | Shockproof fruit and vegetable fresh-keeping transport box |
JP2023514325A (en) * | 2020-02-24 | 2023-04-05 | アムジエン・インコーポレーテツド | Container and system for use during external sterilization of drug delivery devices |
CN111874434B (en) * | 2020-08-11 | 2021-12-24 | 苏州凯宇包装材料有限公司 | Agricultural product logistics packaging box |
CN112938107A (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2021-06-11 | 潘学峰 | Takeaway heat-preserving box and using method thereof |
CN113291586B (en) * | 2021-05-20 | 2022-04-15 | 佛山市青农食品有限公司 | Storage device with adjustable give birth to bright transportation |
US20230294910A1 (en) * | 2022-03-18 | 2023-09-21 | Jpm Services, Inc. | Banded container for fruits and produce |
Family Cites Families (103)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1800346A (en) | 1928-05-21 | 1931-04-14 | Gardner Denver Co | Fluid-operated tool |
US1953765A (en) | 1930-04-05 | 1934-04-03 | James E Mccluney | Hydrator |
US2088107A (en) | 1936-09-04 | 1937-07-27 | Hassenfeld Jack | Rigid multicover box |
US2660529A (en) * | 1945-10-26 | 1953-11-24 | Frank A L Bloom | Consumer package for fresh fruits or the like |
US2652335A (en) * | 1949-12-20 | 1953-09-15 | American Viscose Corp | Package |
DE857860C (en) | 1950-08-12 | 1952-12-01 | Robert Schneider K G | Container for storing all kinds of goods |
US2684907A (en) * | 1951-06-05 | 1954-07-27 | Rex L Brunsing | Method of shipping lettuce and of preparing lettuce and the like for shipment |
US2739734A (en) | 1953-09-18 | 1956-03-27 | Marcus W Pugh | Container for preserving food |
US3055572A (en) | 1956-05-17 | 1962-09-25 | Allied Plastics Co | Paperboard shipping crate and interlocked crate unit |
US3042247A (en) | 1957-11-18 | 1962-07-03 | Bonnet Louis | Prefabricated packing-cases for dates and others |
US2936094A (en) | 1958-05-07 | 1960-05-10 | Everlast Inc | Battery box |
US3037658A (en) | 1959-12-23 | 1962-06-05 | United Steel & Wire Co | Shipping package |
US3080087A (en) | 1961-04-07 | 1963-03-05 | Union Carbide Corp | Beverage case |
US3148822A (en) | 1962-04-27 | 1964-09-15 | William B Jaspert | Plastic containers for bottles or the like |
GB1015669A (en) | 1963-03-25 | 1966-01-05 | Waddington Ltd J | Improvements in or relating to trays, containers and the like |
US3341064A (en) * | 1964-11-09 | 1967-09-12 | Fausto M Ricci | Container |
GB1074164A (en) | 1965-04-28 | 1967-06-28 | Thornber Brothers Ltd | Improvements in or relating to boxes |
US3567063A (en) | 1969-02-19 | 1971-03-02 | Emil Kovach | Split top container |
US3567107A (en) * | 1969-04-24 | 1971-03-02 | Grace W R & Co | Egg carton |
BE757000A (en) * | 1969-10-03 | 1971-03-16 | Rose Miller George P | CONTAINERS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS |
US3613938A (en) | 1970-05-14 | 1971-10-19 | Int Paper Co | Vented package |
US3651977A (en) | 1970-09-15 | 1972-03-28 | Visual Container Corp | Containers that are compactly nestable when empty and stackable in spaced relation when full |
US3747802A (en) | 1971-05-21 | 1973-07-24 | Alpha Designs Inc | Portable dispensing containers |
US3937389A (en) | 1971-12-27 | 1976-02-10 | Harold Wind | Disposable food container |
US3741815A (en) | 1972-01-25 | 1973-06-26 | Peterson Prod San Mateo Inc | Railroad signal battery box |
US3794090A (en) | 1972-07-14 | 1974-02-26 | Mobil Oil Corp | Covered container for serving food |
US3837526A (en) * | 1972-08-31 | 1974-09-24 | Kirkhof Mfg Corp | Cover for produce carton |
GB1455126A (en) | 1973-03-09 | 1976-11-10 | Lunch Locker Systems Ltd | Packaging containers |
US3912118A (en) | 1973-03-22 | 1975-10-14 | Stanford W Bird | Container lid |
US3979007A (en) | 1975-10-16 | 1976-09-07 | Bee Plastics Corporation | Picnic cooler |
USD256097S (en) | 1977-06-10 | 1980-07-29 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Packaging container for food or the like |
US4206845A (en) | 1977-09-06 | 1980-06-10 | Dart Industries Inc. | Food container |
US4161261A (en) | 1978-05-05 | 1979-07-17 | Menasha Corporation | Security container |
US4143695A (en) | 1978-07-03 | 1979-03-13 | Dart Industries Inc. | Picnic chest |
USD276216S (en) | 1981-12-18 | 1984-11-06 | Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation | Stackable packaging container |
US4390113A (en) | 1982-03-01 | 1983-06-28 | Bird Stanford W | Container lid having vent means |
US4478344A (en) | 1983-01-28 | 1984-10-23 | Houston Rehrig | Hand carrying basket |
EP0128425B1 (en) | 1983-06-03 | 1990-11-07 | FP Corporation | Container |
US4618069A (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1986-10-21 | Paul Quong | Shipping-and-storage container |
US4570818A (en) | 1984-06-08 | 1986-02-18 | Placon Corporation | Reclosable container with label bridge |
GB8415715D0 (en) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-07-25 | Sharp A J | Container |
US4529088A (en) | 1984-06-22 | 1985-07-16 | Paul Quong | Shipping-and-storage container for produce |
US4597503A (en) | 1984-12-18 | 1986-07-01 | Scepter Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | Unitary molded citrus crate |
US4576330A (en) * | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-18 | Inline Plastics Corporation | Food tray with lockable lid |
US4741452A (en) | 1985-05-02 | 1988-05-03 | Ekco Products, Inc. | Domed container with interlocking resilient flanges |
US4664281A (en) | 1985-10-15 | 1987-05-12 | Killark Electric Manufacturing Co. | Explosion proof enclosure |
GB2200340A (en) | 1987-01-29 | 1988-08-03 | Dolphin Packaging Materials | Container for perishable goods |
US4771934A (en) | 1987-04-06 | 1988-09-20 | Inline Plastics Corp. | Food tray with lid locking mechanism |
US4767008A (en) * | 1987-11-02 | 1988-08-30 | Warnecke Armand E | Injection monitor appliance |
US4819822A (en) | 1987-12-30 | 1989-04-11 | Spectrum International, Inc. | Pilfer resistant beverage case |
US4844263A (en) | 1988-02-19 | 1989-07-04 | Hercules, Incorporated | Food container |
US4859822A (en) | 1988-05-19 | 1989-08-22 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Microwaveable container |
USD315100S (en) | 1988-08-22 | 1991-03-05 | Amoco Corporation | Package and the like |
US4883195A (en) | 1988-11-02 | 1989-11-28 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Pizza container |
US4974738A (en) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-12-04 | Packaging Corporation Of America | Container with interchangeable components |
US5076459A (en) | 1990-06-04 | 1991-12-31 | Plexiform, Incorporated | Berry basket and cover |
US5069344A (en) | 1990-06-04 | 1991-12-03 | Plexiform, Incorporated | Berry basket and cover |
US5046659A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1991-09-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
US5118173A (en) | 1991-01-31 | 1992-06-02 | Deborah Proctor | Laundry hamper assembly for the segregated collection and storage of soiled laundry |
US5325602A (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 1994-07-05 | Protext, Inc. | Collapsible corrugated box |
US5339973A (en) | 1992-05-14 | 1994-08-23 | Genpak Corp. | Latch for a container |
US5191994A (en) | 1992-06-10 | 1993-03-09 | Stauble Alfred G | Water bottle crate |
USD339744S (en) | 1992-06-10 | 1993-09-28 | Solo Cup Company | Food container |
USD343576S (en) | 1992-11-20 | 1994-01-25 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Berry box |
USD345894S (en) | 1993-02-02 | 1994-04-12 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Tray for baked goods |
USD348608S (en) | 1993-02-22 | 1994-07-12 | Ihor Wyslotsky | Food container |
US5265749A (en) | 1993-04-01 | 1993-11-30 | Marketing Congress, Inc. | Container |
CA2116929C (en) | 1993-05-21 | 1999-11-02 | Jill Ann Fritz | Microwaveable container |
FR2708577B1 (en) * | 1993-08-06 | 1995-10-27 | Europ Laitiere | Device for packaging products, especially dairy products, and set of such devices. |
US5435449A (en) | 1993-10-12 | 1995-07-25 | Microplas, Inc. | Recording medium storage container |
USD354436S (en) | 1993-10-12 | 1995-01-17 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Food package with hinged lid |
USD361036S (en) | 1993-10-25 | 1995-08-08 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Berry box |
USD361035S (en) | 1994-06-13 | 1995-08-08 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Berry box |
USD363879S (en) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-11-07 | Krupa Calvin S | Blueberry container |
US5456379A (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 1995-10-10 | Krupa; Calvin S. | Blueberry container |
USD363022S (en) | 1994-10-27 | 1995-10-10 | Krupa Calvin S | Container for herbs |
US5465901A (en) * | 1994-12-01 | 1995-11-14 | Paine, Jr.; Derrick | Basket for produce |
US5515993A (en) | 1994-12-12 | 1996-05-14 | Tenneco Plastics Company | Hinged semi-rigid container having wall stiffening means |
US5497894A (en) | 1995-02-03 | 1996-03-12 | Krupa; Calvin S. | Clamshell container for food items |
USD379300S (en) | 1995-06-30 | 1997-05-20 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Fruit container |
USD378192S (en) | 1995-10-16 | 1997-02-25 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Stackable berry container with hinged lid |
US7441672B2 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 2008-10-28 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging system having produce containers with arched bottom and raised feet to enable under container ventilation |
US6962263B2 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 2005-11-08 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging system having produce containers with double-arched ventilation channels |
US20050218150A1 (en) | 1996-01-24 | 2005-10-06 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Produce packaging container with dual hinged resealable tops |
US7100788B2 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2006-09-05 | Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. | Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce |
US5738890A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 1998-04-14 | Plexiform Company | Method and container for the improved packing and cooling of produce |
USD385784S (en) | 1996-02-13 | 1997-11-04 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Fruit container |
USD380381S (en) | 1996-02-13 | 1997-07-01 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Fruit container |
USD382795S (en) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-08-26 | Tenneco Packaging | Plastic food container |
USD393204S (en) | 1996-07-19 | 1998-04-07 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Plastic food container |
US6540078B1 (en) | 1997-09-16 | 2003-04-01 | Matthew Homent | Closable container comprising at least three trays |
USD409485S (en) | 1997-12-05 | 1999-05-11 | Creative Forming, Inc. | Berry box |
US5947321A (en) | 1998-01-09 | 1999-09-07 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Vented food container |
US5964350A (en) * | 1998-02-24 | 1999-10-12 | Lamarche; Paul | Assembly of interconnected containers and containers for use therein |
US5803303A (en) | 1998-04-07 | 1998-09-08 | Timm; Rickey | Vented foot held waste basket |
GB9819206D0 (en) | 1998-09-04 | 1998-10-28 | Dolphin Packaging Materials | Moulded container with lid |
US6257401B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2001-07-10 | Pactiv Corporation | Vented container with handles and embossment |
USD448288S1 (en) | 2000-08-10 | 2001-09-25 | S. C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc. | Container |
US6644494B2 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2003-11-11 | Pactiv Corporation | Smoothwall hinged containers |
US20030146272A1 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | David Kent | Stackable container with stack-tabs |
US6851551B2 (en) | 2002-07-05 | 2005-02-08 | Emballage Conseil 2000 Inc. | Container for coins or tokens |
US7175021B2 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2007-02-13 | Commodore Machine Co. Inc. | Highly absorbent open cell polymer foam and food package comprised thereof |
AU2003234951B2 (en) | 2002-11-21 | 2005-12-08 | Tacca-Plastics Australia Pty Ltd | A Container Top |
-
1996
- 1996-01-24 US US08/591,000 patent/US5738890A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-01-21 CA CA002244107A patent/CA2244107A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-01-21 WO PCT/US1997/000855 patent/WO1997027040A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-01-21 ES ES97903859T patent/ES2194178T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-01-21 EP EP97903859A patent/EP0879133B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-01-21 AU AU18326/97A patent/AU729481B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-04-14 US US09/060,453 patent/US6074676A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-04-14 US US09/060,452 patent/US6007854A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2004
- 2004-05-19 AU AU2004202097A patent/AU2004202097B2/en not_active Ceased
-
2006
- 2006-10-13 US US11/581,064 patent/US7832585B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2004202097B2 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
AU1832697A (en) | 1997-08-20 |
US20070056980A1 (en) | 2007-03-15 |
US6007854A (en) | 1999-12-28 |
US5738890A (en) | 1998-04-14 |
EP0879133A1 (en) | 1998-11-25 |
ES2194178T3 (en) | 2003-11-16 |
EP0879133B1 (en) | 2003-05-07 |
EP0879133A4 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
AU729481B2 (en) | 2001-02-01 |
WO1997027040A1 (en) | 1997-07-31 |
AU2004202097A1 (en) | 2004-06-10 |
US6074676A (en) | 2000-06-13 |
US7832585B2 (en) | 2010-11-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2244107A1 (en) | Method and container for packing produce | |
US6962263B2 (en) | Produce packaging system having produce containers with double-arched ventilation channels | |
US7100788B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce | |
WO1997027040A9 (en) | Method and container for packing produce | |
US7441672B2 (en) | Produce packaging system having produce containers with arched bottom and raised feet to enable under container ventilation | |
US5415293A (en) | Grape lug | |
US5752602A (en) | Stackable and nestable one part container | |
US8424701B2 (en) | Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce | |
US5433335A (en) | Container system for products | |
CA2458695C (en) | Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling | |
US20080217330A1 (en) | Produce containers and interchangeable, high-density packing system using same | |
AU770561B2 (en) | Basket for packing produce | |
AU2002323624B2 (en) | Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling | |
AU2002323624A1 (en) | Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
FZDE | Discontinued |