Produce packaging container with dual hinged resealable tops
A produce packaging container incorporates a basket body with an opening for inserting items inside the container and a pair of lids for covering the opening in the basket body. Each basket also includes latch elements for securing the lids in a closed configuration. A fastener is used as an extra level of security for sealing the container. The fastener can also be employed advantageously as a label. In some implementations the container is vented. Also, containers can include lids having lid-mounted latches to seal the container. Moreover, in some other implementations, the lids are configured in an overlapping manner with top mounted latches employed to engage the lids together in a closed configuration.
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/139,275, filed May 27, 2005 (entitled “Produce Packaging Container With Dual Hinged Resealable Tops”),
The aforementioned document is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/017,893, filed Dec. 12, 2001 (entitled “Method And Apparatus For Packing And Bi-Directional Cooling Of Produce”) and which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/590,631, filed Jun. 8, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,676, issued on Jun. 13, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/591,000, filed Jan. 24, 1996 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,890 on Apr. 14, 1998, and claims priority from co-pending application Ser. No. 10/017,893, filed Dec. 12, 2001. Additionally, this application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/302,059, filed Nov. 21, 2002 and entitled “Produce Packaging System Having Produce Containers With Double Arched Bottom Ventilation Channels”. This application claims priority to all of the above-referenced applications and patents and also incorporates the above documents by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to apparatus and methods for the improved packing, cooling, storage, and shipping of produce. More particularly, the present invention teaches produce containers with dual hinged tops to facilitate the reusability of such containers.
BACKGROUNDMany produce products are harvested and packed in the field into containers, which are ultimately purchased by the end consumer. Examples of such produce items include, but are not limited to, strawberries, raspberries, other berries, tomatoes, grapes, mushrooms, radishes and broccoli florets. Many of these produce can be packaged in the field in large quantities. Such large quantities are well suited to reuse by end users such as restaurateurs or home kitchen users. In order to effectuate efficient usage (and reusage) of the container, effective resealability of the containers is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the principles of the present invention, produce packaging systems are disclosed. Implementations of the present invention include, without limitation, any of the enumerated embodiments below.
Embodiments of the invention include a resealable produce container having a basket body with an opening for inserting items inside the container and a pair of hinged lids for covering the opening in the basket body. Each basket also includes latch elements for securing the lids in a closed configuration. Additionally, fastener, such as an appliqué label, can be used to further seal the filled container in a closed configuration.
These and other aspects of the present invention are described in greater detail in the detailed description of the invention set forth herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description will be more readily understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) are various views of a container embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) depict various side latch embodiments that can be used with various container embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Also, it is understood that the depictions in the Figures are figurative representations of selected embodiments of the inventions that facilitate understanding of the invention. Such figures are explanatory in nature and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, the figures provided are illustrative and not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain embodiments and specific features thereof. The embodiments set forth herein below are to be taken as illustrative rather than limiting. 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 invention.
Embodiments of the invention include dual lid produce containers. Particular embodiments include containers constructed with latches at the sides of the dual lids. Also, the lids can be constructed in an overlapping fashion. Additionally, the lids can have a top latching mechanism. In one example, the top latch element can comprise an elongate plug and socket mechanism that engage to secure the dual lids in place. Many other additional and alternate example embodiments are described herein.
Having reference to
In the depicted embodiment, the dual hinged lids 11a, 11b are arranged to be held in a closed configuration by latches 12 on either side of the lid. The depicted button latch configuration can, in other alternative embodiments, be comprised of any one of a number of latching devices known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, although the previously discussed latch configuration has been shown to be particularly effective, the principles of the present invention specifically contemplate alternative latching methodologies. These include, but are specifically not limited to, edge catches, snaps, hook-and-loop closures, and other closure methodologies well-known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the term “latch” as used herein may further comprise alternative lid closure methodologies known to those having ordinary skill in the art including the use of elastic bands or adhesive tapes to perform this reusable latching function.
Reference to
While depicted embodiment is shown as a vacuum formed plastic structure, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative materials and manufacturing technologies. In the depicted embodiment, the basket can be formed of a PET material such as Copolyester 9921, available from Eastman Kodak. Alternative materials include, but are not limited to, various polymeric and monomeric plastics including, but not limited to, styrenes, polyethylenes (including HDPE and LPDE), polyesters, and polyurethanes; metals and foils thereof and combinations of the foregoing. Alternative manufacturing technologies include, but are again not limited to, thermocasting; casting, including die-casting; thermosetting; extrusion; sintering; lamination; the use of built-up structures and other processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
FIGS. 2(a)-2(e) depict another embodiment.
Reference to
It is to be pointed out that the side latches 24 can be incorporated with the top latches 25. Alternative embodiments can employ the side latches 24 only or can employ the top latches 25 only. The inventors point out that although the top latch 25 is depicted here as a single elongate latching structure, it is contemplated that many latching features can be employed. For example, more than one set of elongate latches or many smaller latches (e.g., button latches) can be employed. The applicants prefer the elongate latches because it is believed that they provide a surprising degree of stability to the container when latched using such a latch. The depicted elongate latch configuration can, in other alternative embodiments, be comprised of any one of a number of latching devices known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, although the previously discussed latch configuration has been shown to be particularly effective, the principles of the present invention specifically contemplate alternative latching methodologies including, but not limited to those discussed above.
Reference to
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) depicted a pairs of possible embodiments employed as side latches. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are both cross section views of a top down view of one side of a container showing the basket body, upper lid, lower lid, and various latching features. Referring now to
Referring now to
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) depict additional aspects of the invention.
The container 60, once latched can be further sealed using a supplemental fastener 63. The fastener 63 is commonly embodied by an appliqué having an adhesive on one surface. After the container 60 is closed and latched the fastener 63 can be applied as a secondary sealing mechanism to more securely close and secure the container 60 in the closed configuration. Typically, the fastener 63 is affixed to the closed lids 21a, 21b after the latch 61 is closed. In the embodiment depicted in
In a particularly advantageous implementation, the fastener 63 comprises a label. The label can take any form, but is typically used as an appliqué with an adhesive surface for affixing to a container.
The inventors point out that such fasteners can substantially increase food safety by providing a verifiable seal on each package. The fasteners 63 seal each package and provide a tamper proof seal that maintains the packages in a closed configuration and allows the end user to verify that the package has not been opened along the entire distribution chain. Additionally, the seal provides a customer with safety confidence when buying sealed containers. Additionally, the sealed containers prevent individuals from stealing portions of the contents. Thus, the seals provide a theft deterrent and device for monitoring theft from the containers.
The containers of this patent can be easily sealed using a variety of different techniques.
The applicants point out that embodiments having varying numbers and sizes of vents and latches are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, although present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof, 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 many described features set forth here can be freely interchanged among container styles and implementations. Also, the use of alternative container forming technologies, container materials and specifications, container shapes and sizes to conform to differing produce requirements, and vent configurations are all contemplated by the principles of the present invention
Claims
1. A produce container comprising:
- a basket body with an opening for inserting items inside the container;
- a pair of lids for covering the opening in the basket body, the lids being attached to the basket body by hinges;
- a latch formed on the pair of lids for securing the lids in a closed configuration: and
- a fastener that is affixed to a closed container to further secure the lids.
2. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the fastener element is a label affixed to the container.
3. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the fastener element is substantially transparent.
4. The produce container of claim 2 wherein the label is substantially transparent.
5. The produce container of claim 2 wherein the label is substantially opaque.
6. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the hinges include cooling vents formed therein.
7. The produce container of claim 6 wherein the cooling vents are formed between the basket body and the lids.
8. The produce container of claim 1 wherein each of the lids include mated latch elements that are engagable with each other to further secure the lids in a closed configuration.
9. The produce container of claim 8 wherein the engageable latch elements comprise sets of more than one pair of mated latch elements arranged to secure the lids in a closed configuration.
10. The produce container of claim 8 wherein the engageable latch elements comprise elongate latch elements that are engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.
11. The produce container of claim 10 wherein a major axis of the elongate latch element extends in a direction substantially parallel to hinge axes for the lids.
12. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the pair of lids includes a lower lid and an upper lid arranged so that a portion of the upper lid overlaps a portion of the lower lid when the lids are closed.
13. The produce container of claim 12 wherein each of the lids include mated latch elements positioned in overlapping regions of the lids and that are configured to be engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.
14. The produce container of claim 13 wherein the latch elements comprise elongate latch elements that are engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.
15. The produce container of claim 14 wherein a major axis of the elongate latch element extends in a direction substantially parallel to hinge axes for the lids.
16. The produce container of claim 13 wherein the engageable latch elements comprise sets of more than one pair of mated latch elements arranged to secure the lids in a closed configuration.
17. The produce container of claim 1 wherein a bottom portion of the basket body includes a ventilation channel configured to facilitate an air flow underneath the container in a first direction.
18. The produce container of claim 17 wherein the bottom portion of the basket body includes a second ventilation channel configured to facilitate another air flow underneath the container in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
19. The produce container of claim 17 wherein the bottom portion of the basket body includes a set of raised feet that facilitate air flow underneath the container in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
20. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the basket body includes smooth sided walls.
21. The produce container of claim 1 wherein the basket body includes ribbed walls.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 13, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2006
Inventor: Anthony Cadiente (Salinas, CA)
Application Number: 11/251,352
International Classification: B65D 51/04 (20060101);