US 2011/0031154 A1 · CONTAINER FOR PRODUCE STORAGE, PACKING & TRANSPORT

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to containers for storage and transportation of items such as produce harvested with its roots intact. The containers include a base and lid hingedly connected together on at least one edge, and may be stacked to maximize density for storage so that a shipping receptacle can hold more produce while taking up the same place, allowing for more efficient transportation saving on transportation costs and storage. In addition to saving costs on transportation and storage, the containers maintain the freshness of the produce harvested with its roots intact by keeping away soil, soil debris and moisture from the remaining portions of the produce. When containers are stacked together, a top surface of the lid of a first container is adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinal concave grooves on the bottom surface of the base of a second container.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A container, comprising:

a base having a continuous body portion and a lower rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the continuous body portion, the continuous body portion comprising:
a bottom portion;
a front surface portion extending downwardly from the lower rim and integrally connected to the bottom portion;
a lower body portion having a continuous sidewall encompassing and projecting upwardly and outwardly from the bottom portion, the continuous sidewall having a back surface portion opposite and parallel to the front surface portion and extending downwardly from the lower rim;
and
a lid, hingedly connected to the base, having a top surface, a pair of upper sidewalls, and a pair of upper end walls;
the top surface, the upper sidewalls and the upper end walls integrally connected;
and wherein an edge of the pair of upper sidewalls and the at least one upper end wall extend outwardly to form an upper rim.

5 more elements

A container, comprising:

a base having a continuous body portion and a lower rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the continuous body portion, the continuous body portion comprising:
a circular bottom portion comprising an outer portion surrounding a flat center portion, the outer portion comprises a plurality of longitudinal concave grooves having a first end and a second end, the first end separated by a plurality of protrusions projecting inwardly into the base;
a front surface portion extending downwardly from the lower rim and integrally connected to the bottom portion;
and
a lower having a continuous sidewall encompassing and projecting upwardly and outwardly from the bottom portion, the continuous sidewall having a back surface portion opposite and parallel to the front surface portion and extending downwardly from the lower rim;
and
a lid, hingedly connected to the base, the lid comprising:
a top surface;
a pair of upper sidewalls;
a pair of upper end walls integrally connected to the top surface and the upper sidewalls, wherein an edge of the pair of upper sidewalls and the at least one upper end wall extend outwardly to form an upper rim;
and
a plurality of longitudinal top depressions located on the top surface of the lid projecting outwardly in a circular pattern from an inner portion of the top surface, wherein the plurality of longitudinal top depressions of a bottom container is adapted to receive the plurality of longitudinal concave grooves of a top container when the top container is stacked on top of the bottom container.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Container for produce storage, packing & transport

Life of this patent

Container for produce storage, packing & transport

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20