Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02432566 2003-06-17
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ATMOSPHERIC CONTROLLED CONTAINER
Cross Reference To Related Applications
This application is a utility patent based on United States provisional
application Serial No. 60/389,372, filed Yune 17, 2002, which is incorporated
herein
by reference in its entirety.
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to containers and, more particoalarly, to containers
for atmospherically sensitive items.
Baclc~r~und of the Invention
Fresh produce is commonly packaged in bags made of flexible film
material for retail sale. As the sealed produce in the bag is generally highly
perishable
largely due to the respiration process, these bags have been formed with films
that are
1 S semi-permeable to gas transmission for gas exchange with the external
ambient
environment to maximize the shelf life of the produce., Patches of the semi-
permeable film or membrane can also be applied to packages over small holes
formed
in the package film to permit gas exchange therethrough.
The permeability of these membranes can be specifically designed to
keep the atmosphere in the package at conditions that maintain long term
freshness of
the produce. The gas transmission properties of the membranes can be matched
to the
particular type of produce so that the respiration characteristics thereof do
not generate
atmospheric conditions in the package that cause accelerated deterioration of
the
produce. Different fruits and vegetables, and even different varieties of a
given fruit
or vegetable, vary in their respiration rates. For example, asparagus,
mushrooms and
broccoli have higher respiration rates and thus tend to be, more perishable
than nuts,
onions and potatoes which have lower respiration rates.
Respiration involves the consumption, using atmospheric oxygen (Oz),
of carbohydrates and organic acids and the consequent production of metabolic
energy, heat, carbon-dioxide (COZY and moisture vapor. The semi-permeable
membranes are configured to primarily manipulate the amount of 02 and COZ
within
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the packaging based on the respiration rates of the produce and the ideal
atmosphere
for maintaining their freshness. Other perishable packaged food include such
things
as fish, beef and poultry that do not respire. The membranes that are ideal
for use
with these perishable food products will be different as the aptimum gas
concentration
for keeping these packaged items best preserved will vary from each other, as
well as
from that required with respect to fi-aaits and vegetables which respire.
One significant problem with current modified atmosphere packaging,
whether the permeable film be used to form the package or only a patch
thereon, is
the risk of punctures which would destroy the controlled atmosphere inside the
package. In a like manner, long-haul transport of the produce would not be
feasible
simply using the flexible film packages without also encasing them. in some
sort of
more rigid container. Currently, plastic-lined cardboard boxes are commonly
employed for shipping produce, although atmospheric-controlled shipping
containers
are also known, such as disclosed in U.S. Fatent No. 5,960,708 to the present
applicants, which is incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its
entirety herein.
However, shipping containers such as in the '708 patent do not contemplate
continuous gas exchange with the ambient atmosphere, and otherwise are not
particularly well-suited to reuse with various types of perishables with
different
atmospheric requirements for the long duration preservation thereof.
Accordingly, there is a need for a strong container that can carry
atmospherically sensitive items or perishables therein with a minimum of
physical
damage thereto while maintaining atmospheric conditions in the container
conducive
to long-term containment of the perishables in a high quality manner. Further,
a need
exists for a modified atmosphere container that can be readily adapted for
containing
different types of perishable items therein while maintaining the atmosphere
in the
container optimal for the long duration containment thereof.
Summary_of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention, a container for carrying
atmospherically sensitive items or perishables is provided that keeps the
damage to
the items at a minimum and also allows for extended duration containment of
the
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items while minimizing quality degradation thereof, such as for shipping;
display
and/or storage. The container has a strong, robust container body such as
formed of
rigid walls that cooperate to form an internal space in which the items are
received im
a protected manner. The walls of the container body are sufficiently rigid to
protect
the items against impacts with the container such as can occur during handling
and
shipping thereof. To allow for a controlled exchange of gasses between the
container
interior space in which the atmospherically sensitive items are carried and
the ambient
exterior environment, at Ieast one of the walls includes a window or port
opening at
which a semi-permeable membrane is mounted.
The membrane maintains the atmospheric conditions in the internal
space at an optimized state for allowing the atmospherically sensitive items
to be
contained therein for extended periods of time without the typical degradation
that
would otherwise be seen over this same time period. 'The membrane allows
gasses
from the external atmosphere and those from the internal container space to be
exchanged such that the atmospheric conditions that would be present in the
container
space are varied in accordance with the needs of the items contained therein
for
maintaining the product quality for long duration containment thereof.
Accordingly,
the present container provides both physical protection to the contained items
such as
due to impacts with the container and extends the shelf=life of the products
carried in
the container, such as by reducing the spoilage rate of perishable items that
may be
contained therein.
The semi-permeable membrane is preferably mounted to the container
wall so that damage to the membrane itself is minimized. In particular, since
the
membrane is generally a more flexible thin film member in comparison to the
stronger, thicker, more rigid walls of the container, there is a risk of the
membrane
being punctured by engagement with surrounding objects, particularly those
with
sharp edges and the like.
In one form of the present invention, a grate assembly is provided to
protect the underlying membrane against damage when secured to the container
wall
about the port opening thereof. In another farm, a modular unit carries the
membrane
therein with the modular unit and wall having a releasable or detachable
connection
CA 02432566 2003-06-17
formed therebetween for removal and replacement of the unit onto the
container. In
both the grate assembly and the modular unit, small openings or narrow slots
are
formed in an outer, substantially rigid protective member thereof so that
airflow can
access the underlying membrane for gas exchange between the container interior
S space and ambient atmosphere. Thus, only relatively small objects that can
fit though
these openings or slots will have access to the membrane. In this manner, in
either the
grate assembly or modular unit, the membrane is protected from large bore,
mechanical punctures that would destroy the controlled atmosphere inside the
container.
In another form of the invention, the container includes a plurality of
membranes that are each coded according to the manner in which they regulate
gas
exchange to allow ease of use in providing optimized atmospheric conditions in
the
container interior for specific types of perishable items. A removable mount
such as
the previously-described grate assembly or modular unit is provided for
releasable
1 S attaching a selected one of the membranes to the container body at the
port opening.
In this manner, atmospheric conditions in the container space can be readily
tailored
to the perishable item that is to be carried thereby.
More specifically, if the items are fresh-cut produce, then the
respiration characteristics will govern the membrane that is to be selected
for proper
manipulation of the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the container.
In this
regard, the membrane is configured to handle the otherwise changing
atmospheric
conditions in the container space over time due to produce respiration by
creating an
equilibrium atmosphere in the container space with oxygen levels low enough
and
carbon dioxide levels high enough to be beneficial to the produce and not
injurious.
For instance, if the item is broccoli which has a high respiration rate, then
a membrane
is selected that maintains atmospheric conditions in the container space such
that
oxygen levels are preferably between approximately two and five percent and
the
carbon dioxide levels are between approximately fifteen and twenty percent. If
the
vegetables or fruits to be carried in the container have a medium or low
respiration
rate, then a different membrane is selected accordingly.
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On the other hand, if the container is carrying food 'that does not
respire, then a different membrane may be in order. For example, a membrane
that
maintains oxygen levels at approximately eighty percent and carbon dioxide
levels at
approximately twenty percent would be preferable if beef is earned in the
container.
If it is poultry that is carried in the container space, then a membrane
should be
selected to provide concentrations of carbon dioxide at about twenty-five
percent and
nitrogen at about seventy-five in the container space. Since the oxygen level
normally
present in the atmosphere is approximately twenty-one percent, the membranes
for
both beef and poultry will preferentially allow passage of oxygen into the
container
I O with the membrane for beef allowing a much greater exchange of oxygen to
reach the
desired level in the container space. Similarly, to obtain the desired
elevated carbon-
dioxide levels in the container space over the less than one percent level
present
normally in the atmosphere, the membrane for beef preferentially allows
passage of
large amounts of carbon dioxide from the external atmosphere into 'the
container space
until the desired equilibrium level thereof is reached. As is apparent, the
membrane
can be selected based on other perishable items such as flowers and
atmospherically
sensitive electronic equipment.
The codes or indicia of the membranes for the different
atmospherically sensitive items can be colors that are each associated with
different
products that may be carried in the container. For example, a red membrane can
be
for strawberries, a green membrane for broccoli, and a brown membrane for
beef. In
this manner, a user can readily pick out the appropriate color membrane for
use with
the container based on the product to be carried therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of containers in accordance with the
present invention stacked on a pallet for shipping;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the containers of FIG.
1 showing a pair of grate assemblies for semi-permeable gas membranes secured
to a
wall of the container;
CA 02432566 2003-06-17
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded, rear perspective view of the grate
assembly of FIG. 2 showing the membrane to be sandwiched between a pair of
grate
members and a port opening in the container wall to which the grate assembly
is
releasably secured;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the grate assembly secured to the
container wall;
FIG. S is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing
the permeable membrane clamped between the grate z~embers via :removable
fasteners;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 showing
gas exchange between the container internal space and external ambient
environment
through the semi-permeable membrane;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 4 showing one of the removable fasteners;
1 S FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative container in accordance
with the present invention configured to be used as a crisper bin with a pair
of crisper
bin containers shown in compartments of a refrigerator;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing one of the crisper bin
containers pulled out from the refrigerator compartment with the lid of the
container
pivoted open;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the crisper bin container of FIGS. 8
and 9 showing a modular unit carrying one of the semi:-permeable membranes
therein
secured to a front wall of the container;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of the modular unit showing a
front grate surface thereof;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the modular
unit showing the membrane with gas exchange occurnng between the container
interior space through the membrane and the grate surface of the unit;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12
showing a shank of the modular unit fit in the port opening and a bayonet
connection
formed between the shank and container wall about the opening;
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FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12
showing the unit releasably secured to the wall about the opening thereof;
FIG. 15 is a plan view of the container body showing the configuration
of the bottom wall of the container for stacking purposes;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15
showing a laterally extending lip flange having an upwardly extending rib
projection;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a generally U-shaped seal attached
at the outer perimeter of a lid for the container body;
FIG. 18 shows the lid seated onto the container body with the rib
projection tightly engaged with the seal member for sealing of the container
interior
space from the external ambient environment; and
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 18 except showing the
configuration seal arrangement at a corner of the container.
1 S Detailed Description of the Preferred Ernhodianents
FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 10 having a semi-permeable membrane 12
mounted thereto in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The
preferred
and illustrated container 10 has a robust construction including a housing
member or
body 14 for forming an internal space 16. The container 10 can be closed off
by an
upper housing member or lid 18. As shown, the container body 14 has a box
shape
including a bottom wall 20 with walls generally designated 22 upstanding from
the
periphery thereof, such as at a slight outward taper for stacking purposes as
for nesting
of several of the bodies or base member 14 together. The upstanding walls 22
form a
large access opening 24 at upper ends 26 thereof that leads to the interior
container
space 16. The lid 18 is sized to seat on the upper ends 26 of the walls 22 for
closing
the opening 24 and sealing the container space 16 via seal arrangement 28, as
best
seen in FIGS. 17-19 and as will be described more fully hereinafter.
Accordingly, in
the preferred form, the lid 18 forms the container upper wall which closes off
the box
container 10 with the walls 18-22 bounding the container space 16 therein.
The container walls of the body 14 and lid 18 are preferably of a
strong, rigid construction so that they are self supporting and resist
deformation when
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_g_
impacted or otherwise loaded. The container members 14 and I8 can be molded
from
a high strength composite plastic material such as KEVLAR~ to v~rithstand
extremes
in pressures and temperatures, for example, such as those found in airborne
transport.
The high strength container 10 also provides for continuous, controlled gas
exchange
with the external ambient environment via the membrane 12 mounted to a port
opening 30 in one of the walls, and preferably one of the upstanding wall 22
thereof,
as can be seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3. The membranes 12 are commercially
available
from many suppliers, with applicants assignee's supplier being Chawtler
Packaging
out of Mississauga, Ontario in Canada, who manufactures a PEAK~FreshTM product
line of semi-permeable membranes 12. With the lid 18 seated ofi the container
body
14 to substantially seal the container interior space 16 from the ambient
environment,
all gas exchange will occur through the membrane 12 at the port opening 30.
Thus,
the present container 10 provides product protection due to the high strength
construction of the body 14 and lid I 8 while at the same time extending
product shelf
1 S life thereof by the controlled gas exchange between the external
environment and the
container internal space 16 provided by the membrane 12.
The membrane 12 is preferably mounted to the container wall 22 by a
removable mount, generally designated 31, that provides the membrane I2 with a
releasable connection to the container I O so that the membrane 12 can be
changed out
with another like membrane or a different membrane such as when the container
10 is
to carry different products therein. In this way, the container I O is more
universally
usable with different products, be they produce or other atmospherically
sensitive
items.
The membranes 12 can be provided in a set with the membranes 12
coded based on the product with which they are to be used. One or sseveral
membranes 12 of a particular constriction or configuration each coded
identically to
indicate the product type for which their use is optimal can be provided in a
kit. For
example, each membrane kit can come with two or more identical membranes 12 of
each type in case one membrane 12 is damaged in use, and there can be several
different types for the different products that may be packaged in the
container 10.
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_9_
To this end, body 12a of the membrane 12 can be formed of different
color semi-permeable elms with each color corresponding to a particular
product to
be carried. Thus, a set of membranes 12 can include, for example, red
membranes 12
for a red fruit or vegetable such as red strawberries or red peppers, green
membranes
12 for green apples or green cucumbers, and brown membranes 12 for pears or
onions. As is apparent, the color coding scheme adopted can be intuitive as by
general matching of the membrane color to that of the product for which its
use is
optimal for use. Other coding can be used, such as simple indicia that
includes
printing text or graphics representative of the product on the film, although
coloring
the film body 12a is preferred. '
As shown in FIG. 3, in one form the mount 31 includes a grate
assembly 32 that can readily be detached from the wall 22 as by use of a
driver to
remove fasteners 34 that secure the grate assembly 32 thereto so as to form
the
releasable connection of the membrane 12 to the wall 22. In addition, the
grate
assembly 32 also protects the thin film membrane 12 from damage that otherwise
could occur due to its exposed position on an outer container wall 22.
More particularly and referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grate assembly 32
has an outer rigid protective member in the form of grate portion or member 36
which
substantially covers the membrane 12 when the grate assembly 32 is fastened to
the
wall 22. The grate member 36 has small openings or slots 38 formed therein to
expose the underlying membrane 12 to the ambient atmosphere external of the
container space 16. Accordingly, only those items that are small enough to fit
through
the relatively narrow slot openings 38 can physically access to the membrane
12
significantly reducing the potential for damage thereto.
The grate assembly 32 preferably clamps the membrane 12 between the
two rigid grate members including the outer grate member 36, and an inner
rigid grate
member 40 so as to firmly hold and sandwich the membrane 12 therebetween, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The grate members 36 and 40 can have bodies 36a and
40a
having a flat, plate-like construction and formed of a metallic or hard
plastic material.
Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the inner grate member 40 is
provided
with small openings in the form of slots 42 similar to those of the outer
grate member
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36. As shown, the slot openings 38 and 42 formed in the respective outer and
inner
grate member bodies 36a and 40a extend transversely thereacross with their
peripheries arranged in a circular pattern substantially matching the outer
shape of the
membrane 12. The slots 38 and 42 are separated on either half of the circular
pattern
thereof by respective central, vertical bar portions 44 and 46 of the grate
member
bodies 36a and 40a. In this way, when the grate members 36 and 40 are fastened
together with the membrane 12 clamped therebetween, the aligned slots 38 and
42 and
bar portions 44 and 46 allow for air flow through the grate members 36 and 40
that is
unimpeded except for the membrane 12 through which gases are selectively
passed, as
best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
To keep air from leaking from the container 10 through the port
opening 30 without passing through the membrane 12, the grate assembly 32
preferably incorporates a resilient seal member 48 between rigid inner grate
member
body 40a and the outer surface 22 of the container wall 22 in which the port
opening
40 is formed. Referring to FIG. 3, the seal member 48 is provided with a
central
opening 50 having a diameter slightly greater than that of the inner grate
member 40,
with the diameter of the generally circular grate member 40 approximately the
same as
that of the membrane 12 and the circular peripheral pattern of the slots 38
formed in
the outer grate member 36. The diameter of the grate members 36 and 40 and the
membrane 12 are approximately the same as that of the generally circular port
opening
30. Accordingly, air flow that would otherwise may occur about the grate
member 40,
membrane 12 and grate member 36 via the port opening 30 is substantially
blocked by
the provision of the seal member 48 to minimize leakage between the container
space
16 and the external environment through the port opening 30.
The seal member 48 has a generally flat body 48a that can be of an
elastomeric or rubber material for being clamped and compressed tightly
against the
container wall surface 22a about the port opening 30 when the grate assembly
32 is
releasably secured thereto via the fasteners 34. The fasteners 34 can be
screws having
threaded shanks 52 that are received in internally threaded nuts 54. 'The
illustrated
nuts 54 are provided with an outer knurled surface 54a for being press-fit in
apertures
56 of the outer grate member 36, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the
apertures 56
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themselves could be provided with threads, or cap members 58 such as shown in
FIGS. 4-6 could be provided with internal threads for receiving the shanks
threaded
therein. The illustrated cap members 58 are preferably integrally formed with
the
grate member 36 aligned with the apertures 56 and projecting outwardly
therefrom. In
S this way, the cap members 58 form pocket apertures 56 in which the nuts 54
are fit for
covering the nuts 54 and shank ends received therein.
In the preferred and illustrated form, the general configuration of the
seal member body 48a is substantially the same as that of the outer grate
member 36
but for the large central opening 50 formed in the seal body 48 instead of the
plurality
of slots 38 formed at the corresponding central position in the grate body
36a. To this
end, the grate member body 36a includes enlarged corner portions 60 in which
the
apertures 56 are formed, and the seal member body 48a includes corresponding
enlarged comer portions 62 through which apertures 64 are formed. Instead of
the
enlarged corner portions 60 and 62, the more circular shaped body 40a of the
inner
grate member 40 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, small tab
portions
66 in which small apertures 68 are formed. The outer grate member. 36 includes
small
mounting bosses 70 sized and positioned about the cir<;ular periphery of the
slot
openings 38 to fit into the apertures 68 for proper positioning of the inner
grate
member 40 with respect to the outer grate member 36 so that the slot openings
38 and
42 are aligned when the grate assembly 32 is secured to the container wall 22.
Accordingly, to secure the grate assembly 32 on the container wall 22
about the port opening 30 formed therein, the membrane 12 is sandwiched
between
the grate members 36 and 40 by positioning it on the outer grate member 36 so
that its
circular periphery is substantially aligned with the circular periphery of the
slots 38.
The inner grate member 40 is then positioned on the membrane 12 and in proper
alignment with the grate member 36 by fitting the bosses 70 into the apertures
68 in
the grate member tabs 66.
Next, the shanks 52 of the screw fasteners 34 are advanced from the
interior container space 16 into through apertures 72 foamed in the container
wall 22
about the port opening 30 in a pattern substantially matching that of the
apertures 56
and 64 formed in the grate and seal members 36 and 48. With the shanks 52
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projecting beyond the outer surface 22a of the container wall 22, the seal
member 48
is then placed over the projecting shank portions 52a by inserting them
through the
apertures 64 thereof. Thereafter, the assembled grate members 36 and 40 and
membrane 12 sandwiched therebetween are positioned on the end portions 52a of
the
shanks 52 projecting beyond the seal member 48 via the nuts 54 in the grate
member
pocket apertures 56. While holding the grate assembly 32 such as by cap
portions 58
thereof to keep the grate assembly 32 from turning, the screws fasteners 34
are
tightened until the enlarged heads 74 are seated tightly against inner surface
22b of the
container wall 22. Tightening of the screws 34 draws the grate assembly 32
including
the rigid grate members 36 and 40 tightly against the more flexible resilient
seal
member 48 to compress it between the grate members and the outer surface 22a
of the
container wall 22 so that any gas leakage about the grate assembly 32 is
minimized, as
previously discussed.
To change membranes 12, the screw fasteners 34 are loosened to allow
the grate members 36 and 40 along with the sandwiched membrane 12 to be pulled
off
the screw shanks 52. The membrane 12 is accessible by separating the grate
members
36 and 40 to pull the bosses 70 of the outer grate member 36 out of the
apertures 68 of
the inner grate member 40. In this manner, the membrane 12 that is to be
employed
with the container 10 can be selected based on its gas exchange properties so
that the
environment in the container space 16 is optimized for the product to be
carried
therein. Alternatively, the grate members 36 and 40 can be more permanently
attached as by snap-fitting or welding the two together with the membrane 12
therebetween to form a membrane unit or module. Several such modules can be
available with different membranes 12 that are suited for use with a
particular product,
as previously has been described.
The container 10 can be adapted for use in a number of different
applications including as a shipping or storage container as well as a smaller
version
far retail display and sale. Another adaptation is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with
a
container 76 provided in a form that enables its use as a crisper bin i.n a
common
household refrigerator 78. As shown, the refrigerator 78 includes lower
crisper bin
compartments 80 in which a pair of the crisper bin containers 76 can be
slidingly fit in
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side-by side relation. As best seen in FIG. 10, the crisper bin containers 76
have a
generally rectangular box configuration similar to the previously described
container
with a bottom wall 82 and upstanding generally vertical walls from the
periphery
thereof including parallel side walls 82 and 84 and parallel front and back
walls 86
and 88 interconnecting the side walls 82 and 84 to form the container body or
base,
generally designated 90.
Whereas the lid 18 of the container 10 generally was separable from
the body 14, the crisper bin container 76 preferably has corresponding lid
member 92
pivotally connected to the body 90 as by hinge 94. In the illustrated form,
the hinge
10 94 is located at the rear of the body 90 and lid member 92 adjacent the
rear wall 88,
although the lid 94 could be provided at positions intermediate along its
length so that
only a portion thereof can be pivoted open. The hinge 94 can include a pair of
pivot
pins 96 at either container side , one of which is shown in FIG. 10 that is
substantially
fixed to the container body 90 and also rotatively received in enlarged
bearing
portions 98 at the rear, opposite sides of the lid member allowing the lid 92
to be
pivoted thereabout.
The lid 92 can include a raised handle 100 projecting up from its upper
surface 92a so as to leave a gap 102 therebetween. In this manner, a person
wanting
to pivot the lid 92 open can grasp the handle 100 with their fingers extending
through
the space 102. The lid 92 can also be provided with a forwardly projecting
handle
portion 104 that extends beyond the front wall 86 and in a general oblique
downward
direction so that a user can easily fit their ("angers under the handle
portion 104 for
pulling the crisper bin container 76 out from its stowed position in the
refrigerator
compartment 80 therefor.
The container body walls 82-88 at their upper ends form an access
opening 106 leading to the container interior space 108. The lid 18 has a
rectangular
size to fit on the upper ends of the walls 82-84 for closing off the
rectangular access
opening 106 formed thereby. Referring to FIGS. 15 anal 16, the upper ends of
the
walls 82-84 can have a lip flange 110 formed thereat extending laterally
outward and
normal to the vertical walls 82-88 from the upper ends thereof. The lip flange
110 can
include one-half of the seal arrangement 28 thereon, as shown best in FIGS. 16-
19 and
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_l~._
as will be described more fully hereinafter. The lip flanges 110 extending
along the
upper ends of the side walls 82 and 84 also allow the crisper bin container 76
to slide
along rail structure provided in the refrigerator compartments 80 v~=ith the
bottom side
of the flanges 110 slidingly supported thereon.
The removable mount 31 for the membranes 12 for the crisper bin
container 76 will next be described. The removable mount 31 is preferably in
the
form of a modular unit 112 having a releasable connection to the container
body 90,
and most preferably to the front wall 86 thereof. In this manner, the unit 112
is
accessible for change-out without having to remove the crisper bin container
76 from
the refrigerator 78. The releasable connection provided by the unit 112 is
preferably a
tooless connection so that a home user can replace the; units 112 and thus
membranes
12 carried thereby without the need for any specialized equipment or the like
for such
operation.
In the preferred and illustrated form, th.e modular unit 112 has a
releasable connection between it and window opening 114 formed in the
container
front wall 86 in the form of a bayonet connection, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13.
Manifestly, other releasable connections such as a tooless threaded connection
between the unit 112 and the wall opening 114 could also be provided. The unit
112
includes a generally cylindrical wall 116 having a rearwardly extending shank
portion
118 and a forwardly extending head portion 120. At the forward en.d thereof,
the unit
head portion 120 includes a grated front surface 122 including slots 124
having their
peripheries arranged in a circular pattern and separated by a bar portion 126
of the
surface 122 intermediate their lengths, as best seen in F1G. 11. The membrane
12 is
earned by the unit 112 residing against a radially inner annular wall 128 with
the
periphery of the membrane 12 sized to fit closely to the inside diameter of
the unit
cylindrical wall 116.
The rear shank portion I 18 includes a small radial projection 130
extending therefrom and the wall 86 has a longitudinally extending slot 132 in
which
the projection 130 is received. At the inner end of the slot 132, a
circumferentially
extending slot 134 is provided. Accordingly, to releasably attach the unit 112
to the
container wall 86, the projection 130 is lined up with the slot 132 to allow
the unit
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112, and more particularly the shank portion 118 thereof to be inserted into
the
opening 114 until the projection 130 bottoms out at the juncture 136 of the
slots 132
and 134. The head portion 120 is provided with a radia.lly enlarged flange 138
that is
longitudinally positioned relative to the projection 130 so that it will abut
against the
wall 86 with the projection 130 aligned for being turned in the slot 134.
To secure the unit 112 to the wall 86, it is turned so that the projection
130 reaches the end of the circumferential slot 134 opposite the juncture 136
with the
longitudinal slot 132, as shown in FIG. 13. For removing the unit l 12 from
the wall
86, the above-described steps are substantially reversed so that the unit 112
is first
turned until the projection 130 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 132 and
then
pulled off from the wall 86 with the projection 130 traveling through the slot
132.
Recesses 139 are formed around the periphery of the head portion 120 to allow
a user
to gain a good grip thereon for turning.
As previously mentioned, the seal arrangement 28 is provided between
1 S the lids and container bodies of both containers 10 and 76 so that air
leakage from the
container interior spaces 16 and 108, respectively, to the exterior ambient
environment between the respective lids and container bodies is minimized. The
seal
arrangement 28 is provided at the upper ends of the containers upstanding
walls.
Accordingly, for crisper bin container 76 the container seal arrangement 28
includes a
frustoconical base 140 on the lip flange 110. The base 140 has inclined sides
140a
and 140b tapering upwardly and inwardly toward each other with a central nub
projection 142 upstanding from the top surface 140c of the base. The lid 92
has a
downwardly opening pocket 144 formed about the perimeter thereof in which a
generally U-shaped, resilient seal member 146 is secured. The pocket 144 is
provided
with lead-in inclined surfaces 144a and 144b having a taper corresponding to
that of
base sides 140a and 140b. Accordingly, when the lid 92 is seated on the upper
ends of
the walls 82-88, and particularly the lip flanges 110 thereof, the nub
projection 142
will deform the central web 148 of the seal member 146 pushing it up into the
pocket
144, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. In this manner, generally there is. a double-
layer of
seal material between the closed lid 92 and the container body 90 to
substantially
provide a hermetic seal therebetween ensuring that substantially all air flow
between
CA 02432566 2003-06-17
_16_
the container space 108 and the ambient exterior environment is through the
membrane 12 releasable attached at the container window opening 114 via
modular
unit 112.
In the crisper bin container 76, the lid 92 can be provided with the
small, resilient latch member 150 that releasably keeps the lid 92 secured
onto the
container body 90 so that the hermetic seal as previously described is
effected. In the
container 10, the lid is provided with a plurality of pivotal latch members
152 that can
snap onto a rim 154 formed about the upper ends of the upstanding walls 22 for
effecting the hermetic seal as described.
While there have been illustrated and described particular
embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous
changes
and modifications will occur to those skilled int eh art, and it is intended
in the
appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within
the
true spirit and scope of the present invention.
