Produce Container

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a produce container which includes a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has a base and a wall defining a mouth. The base includes a first engaging portion and a lid adapted to close off the mouth. The lid has a top having a second engaging portion adapted to cooperate with the first engaging portion of another identical produce container so as to facilitate interlocking of the container with the other identical container.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present Application for Patent claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2013903953, filed Oct. 14, 2013, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to packaging containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a produce container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for produce growers and traders to use produce containers, also known as punnets, to transport fresh produce from farms to distributors or wholesalers who would then on-sell the produce to retailers for selling to the general public. Typically, the produce is packed in a large number of containers arranged in stacks which are fitted into a big plastic tray for transportation.

It is generally desired in the produce packaging industry to provide a container which allows the produce to be aerated before consumption in order to prevent the following from happening:

• • (i) a reduction in the density of the produce;
  • (ii) a change in the texture and rheology of the produce which may lead to different mouthfeel and appearance;
  • (iii) a reduction in shelf-life due to oxidation reactions; and
  • (iv) a decrease in the intensity of flavors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a produce container which may satisfy the abovementioned desire, or which will at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a produce container including:

• • a receptacle with a base and a wall defining a mouth, the base including a first engaging portion; and
  • a lid adapted to close off the mouth, the lid with a top having a second engaging portion adapted to cooperate with the first engaging portion of another identical produce container so as to facilitate interlocking of the container with the other identical container.

In one embodiment, the base includes one or more apertures. Preferably, each of the one or more apertures is located near a corner of the produce container.

Preferably, the top of the lid includes one or more additional apertures. More preferably, the one or more additional apertures are each located near of a corner of the produce container.

It is preferred that when the container is stacked on top of another identical container, each aperture is in communication with the additional aperture. As such, the produce contained in both containers may be aerated.

Preferably, the first engaging portion includes legs, each curving in a first direction away from the centre of the base with a first center of curvature on the plane that the base is on. More preferably, the curvature of each leg conforms to the curved edge of a corresponding recessed corner.

More preferably, each leg also curves in a second direction away from the base with a second centre of curvature below the base. As such, each leg includes an arch providing a gap between an underside of the leg and the top of the lid. Extra aeration of the produce contained in both containers is enabled as a result.

The second engaging portion preferably takes the form of an elevated platform with recessed corners. Each recess corner is preferred to have a curved edge. Preferably, the or each aperture is located at or near one of the recessed corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of an embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a produce container having a lid and a receptacle in an open state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the produce container of FIG. 1 with the lid and receptacle in a closed state;

FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the lid of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view from bottom of the receptacle of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the container of FIG. 1 with the lid and receptacle in a closed state;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of multiple containers of FIG. 1 in a stack; and

FIG. 7 is a magnified view illustrating the portion labelled Y as shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a produce container 10 is shown consisting of a receptacle 12 and a lid 14. The receptacle 12 has a base 16 and a wall 18 defining a mouth 20.

The lid 14 includes a top 40 with a (second) engaging portion which is in the form of an elevated platform 22 with recessed corners 24, 26, 28 & 30. Each recess corner 24, 26, 28 or 30 has a curved edge 32, 34, 36 & 38.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lid 14 is provided to close off the mouth 20 of the receptacle 12. The base 16 has a (first) engaging portion which is in the form of legs designed to engage and cooperate with the respective recessed corners 24A, 26A, 28A & 30A of the elevated platform 22A of another identical produce container 10A (see FIG. 6) so as to facilitate interlocking of the container 10 with the other identical container 10A.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each of the legs 50, 52, 54 & 56 of the base 12 curves in a first direction (as shown by arrows 60) away from the centre 58 of the base 16 with a centre of curvature (not shown) on the plane that the base 16 is on. The curvature 62 of each leg 50, 52, 54 & 56 conforms to the curved edge, for example 38, of a corresponding recessed corner 30, for example.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each leg 50, 52, 54 & 56 also curves in another direction (as indicated by arrows 64, see FIG. 5) away from the base 16 with another centre of curvature (not shown) below the base 16. It should be noted that the curves may not be in the shape of a perfect arc but just an asymmetrical bend as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. As such, each leg 50, 52, 54, 56 includes an arch 66, 68 for example, providing a gap 68 between an underside of the leg 50, for example, and the top 40 of the lid 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Extra aeration of the produce contained in both containers 10 & 10A is enabled as a result.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the base 16 has four apertures 70, 72, 74 & 76. Each of the apertures 70, 72, 74 & 76 is located near a corner 78, for example, of the receptacle 12.

Turning to FIG. 3, the top 40 of the lid 14 has four apertures in the form of round holes 80, 82, 84 & 86. More preferably, each of these holes 80, 82, 84 & 86 is located near of a recessed corner 24 for example.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the container 10 is stacked on top of the other identical container 10A which in turn is stacked on top of yet another virtual container 10B shown in broken lines. As mentioned above, the legs 50, 52, 54 & 56 of are engaged with the respective curved edges 32, 34, 36 & 38 of the recesses corners of the receptacle 12. Each aperture 70, 72, 74, 76 is in communication with a corresponding hole 84, 82, 80 & 86. As such, air circulation following paths 88 & 90 for example, is enabled thereby allowing the produce contained in both containers 10 & 10A (and 10B) to be aerated. Additionally, as best shown in FIG. 7, each of the gaps, 68 for example, between the underside of the leg 50, for example, and the top 40 of the lid 14 permits extra paths 100 for ventilation ensuring that the contained produce gets adequate aeration while in storage and during transportation.

Now that various embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that a produce container in accordance with those embodiments may offer at least the following advantages:

• • 1. it enables interlocking among stacked containers in a stable manner; and
  • 2. it enables adequate aeration of produce boxed up in containers while in storage and during transportation thereby prolonging the shelf-live of the produce and preventing the produce from taste and appearance deterioration.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A produce container including:

a receptacle with a base and a wall defining a mouth, the base including a first engaging portion; and

a lid adapted to close off the mouth, the lid with a top having a second engaging portion adapted to cooperate with the first engaging portion of another identical produce container so as to facilitate interlocking of the container with the other identical container.

2. The produce container of claim 1, wherein the base includes one or more apertures.

3. The produce container of claim 2, wherein the one or more apertures are located near one or more corners of the produce container.

4. The produce container of claim 1, wherein the top of the lid includes one or more additional apertures.

5. The produce container of claim 4, wherein the one or more additional apertures are located near one or more corners of the produce container.

6. The produce container of claim 4, wherein when the container is stacked on top of another identical container, each aperture is in communication with the additional aperture.

7. The produce container of claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion includes legs, each leg curving in a first direction away from the center of the base with a first center of curvature on the plane that the base is on.

8. The produce container of claim 7, wherein the curvature of each leg conforms to the curved edge of a corresponding recessed corner.

9. The produce container of claim 7, wherein each leg also curves in a second direction away from the base with a second centre of curvature below the base.

10. The produce container of claim 7, wherein each leg includes an arch providing a gap between an underside of the leg and the top of the lid.

11. The produce container of claim 1, wherein the second engaging portion takes the form of an elevated platform with recessed corners.

12. The produce container of claim 11, wherein each recessed corner includes a curved edge.

13. The produce container of claim 11, wherein one or more apertures are located at or near one of the recessed corners.