Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
VENTILATED CONTAINER FOR PRODUCE
BACKGROUND
The present invention is generally directed to a container for storing and
transporting produce, such as for example fruits and vegetables, efficiently
and safely
with improved ventilation.
For delicate produce, especially fruits and vegetables, an appropriate
packaging
is an important consideration in order to enable shipping from growers and
processors
to consumers, facilitate storage during distribution, and prolong shelf life.
Many fruits
and vegetables, including for example tomatoes, naturally produce ethylene gas
when
ripening. To prevent premature ripening, it is important to minimize exposure
to
ethylene gas. It only takes a few days of exposure to ethylene gas for fruits
and
vegetables to become overripe and inedible. This naturally occurring
maturation
process results in significant losses to both growers, processors, retailers,
and
consumers.
Conventional produce containers lack proper ventilation for ethylene gas
released by the produce within such containers. Attempts have been made in the
past
to provide ventilation in produce containers by providing indentations in the
rim of the
container known as castellation. The indentations form air channels to the
exterior of
the container when a plastic film cover or lid is applied to the rim to close
the container.
However, the plastic film cover or lid applied to the rim can come loose from
the rim due
to the interruptions in the seal by the indentations in the rim resulting in
the unintended
opening of the container. Furthermore, the indentations in the perimeter of
the rim
create weak spots on the container. Such weak spots allow the container to
flex, which
can cause the container to be bent or folded at the indentations in the event
that the
container is crushed or dropped. These bends or fold can result in the
spillage of the
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contents of the container. The castellation is also made with straight lines
creating
sharp and rigid edges and such sharp and rigid edges can damage tender produce
in
the containers.
Therefore, there exists a need for a produce container having appropriate
ventilation for the contained produce, wherein the container can be securely
sealed with
a film cover or lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A ventilated container for produce according to an embodiment of the present
invention includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and
a rim
having a flattened top surface. At least one of the sidewalls preferably
includes at least
one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby
permitting the
rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. As discussed
below, the at
least one ventilation opening is provided through a surface of an indentation
formed on
at least one of the sidewalls that extends into the interior cavity of the
container.
Furthermore, the surface of the indentation through which the ventilation
opening is
located below the top surface of the rim.
The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container
allows
the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of
the container
improving ventilation within the container. Furthermore, the location of the
ventilation
opening(s) on the interior of the container and below the top surface of the
rim
effectively hides the openings from consumers.
The ventilated container for produce can be enclosed with a plastic film
secured
to the rim to form a seal. The film is applied over the top of the container
and is
preferably adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and
rigid seal
between the film and the container. The film can be made of a clear material
which
enables consumers to view the contents of the container when it is on display.
The ventilated container for produce of the present invention preferably does
not
include any indentation or interruption of the rim to provide a flattened top
surface of the
rim. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film
and the
container to enclose and seal the container. Furthermore, the flattened
surface of the
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rim aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the
edges of the rim
being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided
within the
container. The uninterrupted flattened top surface also increases the seal
integrity on
the rim and limits the ability to of the rim to flex, thereby enabling the
produce container
to pass drop test done by top retailers.
As discussed above, the sidewalls can include indentations extending inwardly
of
the sidewalls. The surfaces of the indentation can have soft geometrical edges
(such
as scallops) to limit potential damage to the produce provided in the
container. The
indentations can have corresponding concave, square, and other configurations
suitable
for their intended purpose. The degree of indentation of the indentations can
vary such
that different sizes and shapes of produce can be suitably stored in the
container.
The ventilated container for produce of the present invention facilitates the
ventilation of the ethylene gas within the container by placing a ventilation
opening on a
sidewall below the top of the container thereby slowing the ripening process
and
keeping the produce fresher and longer. The ventilation opening is located on
the
indentations between the rim and a most of the indentations. The sidewall
includes at
least one, or a plurality of ventilation openings. The ventilation opening is
suitably sized
and configured to provide adequate ventilation suitable for the contents of
the container.
Different sizes and configurations of the ventilation openings are within the
scope of the
present invention depending on the size and shape of the container. The
ventilation
openings can be circular, oval, or quadrilateral, or other shapes suitable for
the intended
purpose.
In addition to the ventilation opening located on the sidewall, the
ventilation of
gas within the container can be further improved by at least one, and
preferably a
plurality of additional ventilation openings on the corners of the sidewalls,
specifically for
improved vertical venting.
An aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from
the
container and allow air to flow. At least one, and preferably a plurality of
apertures on
the bottom can be provided to improve the drainage. The aperture is generally
circular
in shape. However, the shape of the aperture may include, but is not limited
to, ovals,
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oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figures suitable for the
intended
purpose.
The shape of the ventilated container for produce can be square, rectangular,
circular, elliptical, triangular, or any other figures. The length, height and
width of the
container can adjusted depending on the shape, size, counts and type of the
produce in
the container. The ventilated container is constructed of a plastic material,
more
specifically transparent plastic. Alternatively, the container can be made of
various
polymeric and monomeric plastics, paper products, and combinations of the
foregoing.
The ventilated container for produce is sufficiently transparent so that it is
adequate for
display and allows visual inspection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further
understanding of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure and
are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
aspects of the
present invention and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the
present invention. In the drawings:
FIG. -1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the first
embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5--5 of the
first
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing the enclosed container
sealed
with a film;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5--5 of the
first
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing the enclosed container
sealed
with a lid;
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FIG. 7 illustrates a stack of two enclosed containers in accordance with the
first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 11--11 of the second embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a front elevantional view of the container in accordance with the
third
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the third
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 15--15 of the third embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 20--20 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
CA 02944091 2016-10-04
FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the
fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 26--26 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the
sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 30A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a
film
taken along line 30-30 of the sixth embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 30A;
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the
seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 35--35 of the seventh embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 34;
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FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with an eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the
eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 39A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a
film
taken along line 39--39 of the eighth embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 39A;
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the
ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken along line 44--44 of the ninth embodiment of the present invention of
FIG. 43;
FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a tenth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 46 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the
tenth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 47 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the tenth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 48 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the tenth
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film
taken
along line 49-49 of the tenth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 47.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of
various
configurations of the present invention and is not intended to represent the
only
configurations in which the present invention may be practiced. It will be
apparent,
however, to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is
not limited to
the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these
specific details.
FIGS. 1-7 illustrate perspective, front, top, bottom, and cross-sectional
views of
container 100 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention, container 100
includes a
bottom 102, sidewalls 104, and a rim 106 having a flattened top surface.
Sidewalls 104
extend upwardly from bottom 102, and bottom 102 and sidewalls 104 form an
interior
cavity of container 100. The lower portions of sidewalls 104 are attached to
bottom 102
proximate the perimeter of bottom 102. At least adjacent the upper and lower
portions
thereof, sidewalls 104 have a complete perimeter. The upper portions of
sidewalls 104
are connected to rim 106. Each of sidewalls 104 includes at least one
ventilation
opening 108 located proximate rim 106 of container 100.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of the present invention, rim
106
extends outwardly from the top of sidewalls 104 approximately 0.3 inches to
0.5 inches,
thereby the flattened surface of rim 106 preferably has a width of
approximately 0.3
inches to 0.5 inches. It is desired that rim 106 has an uninterrupted flat
surface. It is
understood that rim 106 need not be entirely flat as long as it is even and
continuous in
order to form a surface suitable for securely engaging a film or lid.
Referring to FIG. 1, sidewalls 104 include an indentation 110 extending
inwardly
from sidewalls 104. The top of indentation 110 preferably includes a surface
111
including ventilation opening 108. Surface 111 of indentation 110 is oriented
away from
bottom 102, is disposed inwardly relative to rim 104, and is positioned below
rim 106. In
the first embodiment, indentation 110 has a roughly concave configuration
extending
inwardly of sidewall 104. It is understood that indentation 110 can be, but is
not limited
to, concave, square, and other shapes suitable for being in contact with
produce within
container 110. The degree of indentation or the height of indentation 110 can
vary such
that each ventilation opening can has a different size and shape.
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Ventilation opening 108 is formed in upper portions of sidewall 104 proximate
rim
106. The location of ventilation opening 108 proximate rim 106 of the
container allows
the flow of rising ethylene gas within container 100 to exit near the top of
container 100
improving ventilation within container 100. In the first embodiment,
ventilation opening
108 has a length of approximately 1.0 inch and width of approximately 0.2
inches, but it
is understood that other sizes and configurations of the ventilation openings
are within
the scope of the present invention depending on the size and shape of the
container.
For example, the ventilation openings can be circular, oval, or quadrilateral,
or other
shapes suitable for the intended purpose. Each of sidewalls 104 includes at
least one,
or a plurality of ventilation openings. It is also appreciated that at least
one, but not all,
of the sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening to permit the
desired ventilation
of gas from within the container.
Ventilation opening 108 depicted in FIGS. 1-7 has a quarter moon shape, but it
may have, but is not limited to, circular, oval, or quadrilateral, shapes
suitable for its
intended purpose.
The flattened surface of rim 106 provides a surface for a film 116 with an
adhesive (as illustrated in FIG. 5) or a lid 118 (as illustrated in FIG. 6) to
form an
enclosed volume of container 100 for storing produce therein. The flattened
surface of
rim 106 allows container 100 to be more securely engaged to film 116 or lid
118. The
continuous uninterrupted flattened surface of rim 106 also serves in
preventing
container 100 from being bent or folded when pressure is exerted on the edges
of rim
106. The engagement of film 116 or lid 118 to rim 106 afforded by the
flattened surface
thereof also serves in better securing film 116 or lid 118 thereto. As a
result, container
100 will resist damage from being crushed to better protect produce contained
in
container 100 and prevents produce spillage as the film stays sealed to the
container.
A conventional container having an indentation on a rim is malleable and can
flex at the
indentation when struck, which causes the produce to become bruised or even
causes
the film to be peeled off easily.
FIG. 5 illustrates the enclosed container 100 peripherally sealed with film
116.
Container 100 is enclosed with film 116 adhered around rim 106 to form a seal.
The
film material may be derived from any material with properties that facilitate
the
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enclosing of the ventilated container for use with food products. Preferably,
film 116 is
made of a clear material, which enables consumers to view the contents of the
container when it is on display. Suitable film materials include polyethylene,
polyethylene-coated cellophane, and propylene.
Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, container 100 can be enclosed with lid
118.
When container 100 is secured with either film 116 or lid 118, ventilation
opening 108 is
not blocked, which still allows gas released by produce stored in container
100 to
escape through ventilation opening 108.
Furthermore, FIG. 7 illustrates two containers 100 stacked on top of each
other
where ventilation openings 108 are open such that the passageway for gas to
exit is not
blocked.
The ventilation of gas in container 100 can be further improved by at least
one,
and preferably a plurality of additional ventilation openings 112 on the
corners of
sidewalls 104, specifically for improved vertical venting.
An aperture 114 on bottom 102 of container 100 provides drainage of liquid
from
container 100 and allow air to flow. At least one, and preferably a plurality
of apertures
114 on the bottom can be provided to improve the drainage. Aperture 114 is
generally
circular in shape, but it is understood that it may be in any shape suitable
for its
intended purpose. The shape of aperture 114 may include, but is not limited
to, ovals,
oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figures suitable for the
intended
purpose. Aperture 114 is suitably sized, configured, and placed across bottom
102 to
provide adequate drainage and ventilation for produce stored in container 100.
The first embodiment of the present invention is shown to have a generally
square configuration, but is not limited to such a configuration. It is
understood that the
container may be made in any size suitable for its intended purpose. The shape
of
container 100 may be, but is not limited to, rectangular, circular,
elliptical, and triangular.
The length, height and width of the container can adjusted depending on the
shape,
size, counts and type of the produce in the container.
Container 100 is generally constructed of a plastic material, more
specifically
transparent plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene
(PS),
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactide (PLA), crystalline polyethylene
terephthalate
CA 02944091 2016-10-04
(CPET), or polypropylene (PP). Container 100 can be sufficiently transparent
so that
the contents in the container is visible therethrough. While the preferred
embodiment is
a plastic structure, the present invention is equally applicable to
alternative materials.
Alternative materials include, but are not limited to, various polymeric and
monomeric
plastics, paper products, and combinations of the foregoing.
Reference numerals in the 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000
series correspond, prospectively, to reference numerals in the 100 series
described
above in connection with ventilated container for produce 100.
As shown in FIGS. 8-11, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, ventilated container for produce 200 has a generally square
configuration,
having a length and a width of approximately 7.5 inches and a height of
approximately
2.7 inches.
As shown in FIGS. 12-15, similar to the second embodiment of the present
invention, referring to FIGS. 13-15, ventilated container for produce 300 has
a generally
square configuration, except the different height. Container 300 has a length
and width
of approximately 7.5 inches and a height of approximately 3.5 inches.
As shown in FIGS. 16-20, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention, ventilated container for produce 400 has a generally square
configuration.
Bottom 402 includes a plurality of integrally formed, inwardly protruding ribs
420. The
ribs 420 can stiffen the base and can elevate produce from liquid within the
container
400. Furthermore, bottom 402 with ribs 420, compared to a container having a
typically
flat bottom, can give container stability and make stacking easier.
As shown in FIGS. 21-26, alternatively, ventilated container for produce 500
has
a generally rectangular configuration, having a length of approximately 14.55
inches, a
width of approximately 7.90 inches, and a height of 3.08 inches. Ventilated
container
for produce 500 includes a first sidewall 504 having one ventilation opening
508 located
proximate rim 506 of container 500 and a second sidewall 504' having two
ventilation
openings 508 located proximate rim 506 of container 500. Bottom 502 has a
plurality of
outwardly extending platforms 530. Each platform 530 can have a plurality of
apertures
514 to provide drainage of liquid from container 500 and to allow air to flow.
Platforms
530 also can give container stability and make stacking easier.
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As shown in FIGS. 27-30, similar to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention,
ventilated container for produce 600 has a generally rectangular
configuration, except
the different height.
Referring to FIGS. 31-35, another preferred embodiment of ventilated container
for produce 700 has a generally rectangular configuration. Bottom 702 has
three
platforms 730 with a plurality of apertures 714 formed thereon to provide
drainage of
liquid from container 700 and to allow air to flow.
As shown in FIGS. 36-39, similar to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention, ventilated container for produce 800 has a generally rectangular
configuration, except the different height.
As shown in FIGS. 40-44, similar to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention, ventilated container for produce 900 has a generally rectangular
configuration, except the different width.
Referring to FIGS. 45-49, alternatively, ventilated container for produce 1000
has
a square configuration.
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