CONTAINER FOR HARVESTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
A container for harvested fruits and vegetables is shown. The container comprises a bottom and sidewalls supported on a base structure. The sidewalls are formed from side structures. The bottom may be integrally formed with a side structure. A rim and rib may be integrally formed in a side structure. The base structure comprises a slot or pocket that may be integrally formed from a side structure. The slot or pocket may be configured for engagement with a lifting apparatus for the container (e.g. forks of a fork lift). The base structure may comprise a bracket. The bracket of the base structure may be configured to facilitate stacking of one container securely on the rim of another container.
The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/849,116 filed on Jan. 22, 2013.
FIELDThe present invention relates to a container for harvested fruits and vegetables.
BACKGROUNDIt is well-known to harvest fruits and vegetables, such as fruits grown seasonally in an orchard. Various types of means and methods for facilitating the harvesting of fruits and vegetables are known, but may present various disadvantageous features or inefficiencies in use. In typical use, harvested fruits and vegetables are gathered and collected and transported and delivered to a separate location such as a processing plant or market. There exists the opportunity to develop an improved apparatus to contain harvested fruits (such as cherries harvested from an orchard) and/or vegetables to be delivered to a processing plant, market or other separate location.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved container such as a box or tank for harvested fruits and vegetables. It would be advantageous to provide an improved container for fruits and vegetables that comprises any of a variety of combinations of features indicated in the specification and FIGURES of the present application.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to an apparatus for containing products such as harvested fruits and vegetables for collection and transport. The apparatus comprises a bottom and a side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure configured to contain the products. The apparatus also comprises a base structure supporting the bottom and side structure. The apparatus further comprises a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge and a rib around the side structure comprising an outwardly-projecting segment and an inwardly-projecting segment.
The present invention also relates to a container for products such as harvested fruits and vegetables. The container comprises a bottom, a side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure to contain the products and a base structure supporting the bottom and the side structure. The container also comprises a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge and a rib around the side structure comprising two outwardly-projecting segments and two inwardly-projecting segments. The rib is configured so that the volume displaced by the inwardly-projecting segments of the rib is substantially equivalent to the volume contributed by the outwardly-projected segments of the rib. The base structure is configured so that one container can be supported and seated on the rim of another container.
The present invention further relates to a method of forming a container with a bottom and side structure on a base structure to contain products such as harvested fruits and vegetables. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom; (b) providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; (c) providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; and (d) providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall. The first side structure and fourth side structure are formed with an outwardly-projecting rib; the second side structure and third side structure are formed with an inwardly-projecting rib. The side structures when joined form an open-top enclosure into which products can be stored for collection and transport. The method may further comprise the steps of attaching a set of brackets at each end of the base structure attaching side structures by welding to form the open-top enclosure.
The present invention further relates to a method of stacking a set of containers each comprising a bottom and side structure providing a rim at the top edge to form an open-top enclosure on a base structure to contain products such as harvested fruits and vegetables. The method comprises the steps of positioning the base structure of one container above the open top of the other container; aligning a bracket of the base structure of one container above the rim at the top edge of the other container; and lowering the one container so that the bracket engages the rim of the other container. The bracket may comprise a notch that nests within the rim to secure the position of one container atop the other container. The stacked containers may be transported to deliver the products to a separate location.
The present invention further relates to other combinations of features disclosed and described in the specification and FIGURES of the present application.
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Each of side walls 106 of container 10 comprises a structure shown as rib segment 110. Rib segments 110 extend around the perimeter of container 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, each rib segment 110 is integrally formed in sidewall 106 and intended to provide structural reinforcement (e.g. rigidity, reduction of deflection and deformation, etc.); as indicated, rib 110 is configured with a form to reduce entrapment of harvested product and residue, dirt, moisture, etc. and to facilitate the flow of products (e.g. harvested cherries C as shown in
Base structure 210 provides slots S configured to be engaged by the forks of a conventional forklift vehicle (or other structure from another type of apparatus/machine or vehicle) that would be used to lift and convey the container or multiple containers (see
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According to a preferred embodiment, as shown schematically in
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According to an exemplary embodiment, base structure 210 of container 10 is assembled as shown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11A-11B. As indicated in
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According to an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises four side structures (as indicated in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the base structure provides integrated slots or pockets for engagement with a fork lift (see
According to an exemplary embodiment, each side structure comprises a rib segment intended to enhance the structural strength and rigidity of the container (e.g. allowing the use of lighter gauge steel). According to a preferred embodiment, the ribs project outward on two of the sidewalls and the ribs project inward on two of the sidewalls so that the presence of the ribs provided no net effect on the interior volume of the container (e.g. the rib on one wall projects inward while the rib on the adjacent side wall projects outward which has an equivalent and/or corresponding compensatory effect as to volume/displacement). According to an exemplary embodiment, the container (with rib segments) is configured so that the volume of the container can be calculated readily using the dimensions of the sidewalls; the volume of product in the container can be calculated readily using a measurement of the filled height of product in the container (e.g. one inch of height of additional filled volume of product in the container will correspond to additional one cubic foot of volume of product in the container).
As indicated schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the sidewall structure with the inwardly-projecting rib corresponds to the sidewall on the side from which a fork lift (or equivalent apparatus) would approach the slots of the base structure (as indicated in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the containers are configured for stacking. The base structure of the containers provide brackets (e.g. with attached flanges and/or stacking fingers) configured to facilitate a more secure or positive “fit” of one container on and in another containers in a stacked arrangement (as indicated in
According to a preferred embodiment, the container is formed from a metal alloy. According to alternative embodiments, the container could be formed from other materials including composite materials or molded materials (such as plastics or polymers) provided with suitable structural elements and reinforcement. According to an exemplary embodiment, the container could be formed from a metal alloy such as stainless steel (e.g. food-grade material of construction or lining).
According to an exemplary embodiment, the container is coated/painted (e.g. power-coated) with a white color coating/paint; the white color allows for high visual contrast with harvested product (and with typically expected residue from harvested product) to facilitate more readily the inspection and identification of containers that contain product (or residue); according to any preferred embodiment, the coating/paint will conform to any standards and regulations that may be applicable for the product being harvested (e.g. having approval of the Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory bodies or agencies having relevant jurisdiction). According to other exemplary and alternative embodiments, the container may be provided with coating/paint of any of a wide variety of types and colors suitable for the use and application; the container may be formed from (in whole or in part) or lined with a material that does not require a coating/paint.
According to any exemplary embodiment, the container will be designed and configured to satisfy/pass any governmental or regulatory standards/tests that may be applicable to the container in use or application; for example, the container will be comply with applicable regulations/standards applicable for weights and measures, structural stability/deflection, food-grade standards, etc.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the inventions as described in this application and as shown in the figures above is illustrative only. Although some embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, sequence of operations/steps, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.
It is important to note that the apparatus and method of the present inventions can comprise conventional technology (e.g. forming/assembly, coating/painting, use and practice, etc.) or any other applicable technology (present or future) that has the capability to perform the functions and processes/operations indicated in the FIGURES. All such technology is considered to be within the scope of the present inventions.
Claims
1. An apparatus for containing products such as harvested fruits and vegetables for collection and transport comprising:
- a bottom;
- side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure configured to contain the products;
- a base structure supporting the bottom and side structure;
- a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge;
- a rib around the side structure comprising an outwardly-projecting segment and an inwardly-projecting segment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising slots in the base structure for engagement with forks of a fork lift.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side structure is formed by providing first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom; providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; and providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side structure comprises four side structures.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of the four side structures is formed from a metal sheet.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the enclosure comprising the side structure is formed by welding.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bracket on exposed ends of the base structure.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus comprises a container and the bracket is configured to engage the rim of a container so that multiple containers can be stacked.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rib comprises two outwardly-projecting segments and two inwardly-projecting segments.
10. A container for products such as harvested fruits and vegetables comprising:
- a bottom;
- side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure to contain the products;
- a base structure supporting the bottom and the side structure;
- a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge;
- a rib around the side structure comprising two outwardly-projecting segments and two inwardly-projecting segments;
- wherein the rib is configured so that the volume displaced by the inwardly-projecting segments of the rib is substantially equivalent to the volume contributed by the outwardly-projected segments of the rib;
- wherein the base structure is configured so that one container can be supported and seated on the rim of another container.
11. The container of claim 10 further comprising slots in the base structure for engagement with forks of a fork lift.
12. The container of claim 10 further comprising a bracket on exposed ends of the base structure.
13. The container of claim 12 the bracket is configured to engage the rim of a container so that multiple containers can be stacked.
14. The container of claim 10 formed by (a) providing first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom; (b) providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; (c) providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; and (d) providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall.
15. The container of claim 14 wherein the first side structure and fourth side structure are formed with an outwardly-projecting rib and wherein the second side structure and third side structure are formed with an inwardly-projecting rib.
16. The container of claim 10 further comprising a food-grade coating on the side structure.
17. The container of claim 10 wherein the rib is configured so that products such as cherries can be dispensed without being entrapped.
18. The container of claim 11 wherein the rib comprises an inwardly-projecting segment on the side structure aligned with the slots.
19. A method of forming a container with a bottom and side structure on a base structure to contain products such as harvested fruits and vegetables comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom;
- (b) providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure;
- (c) providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure;
- (d) providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall;
- wherein the first side structure and fourth side structure are formed with an outwardly-projecting rib and wherein the second side structure and third side structure are formed with an inwardly-projecting rib;
- so that the side structures when joined form an open-top enclosure into which products can be stored for collection and transport.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:
- (e) attaching a set of brackets at each end of the base structure; and
- (f) attaching side structures by welding to form the open-top enclosure.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 21, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 24, 2014
Applicant: Hudsonville Products LLC (Grand Rapids, MI)
Inventors: David J. Levitt (East Grand Rapids, MI), Benjamin A. DOZEMAN (Hudsonville, MI)
Application Number: 14/160,526
International Classification: B65D 21/02 (20060101); B65D 19/08 (20060101);