PRODUCE CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a produce container including a receptacle, a lid and a hinge. The receptacle defines a mouth circumscribed by a rim which has a first, outwardly extending flange. The lid is associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth. The lid has a second, outwardly extending flange. The second flange is adapted to correspond to the first flange when the lid is positioned on the receptacle to close off the mouth. The lid has a raised quadrilateral platform with two front and two rear corners. The hinge attaches the lid to the receptacle and is located along a rear side of the container. Each of the two front corners includes an indent.
The present invention relates to packaging containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a produce container with locking formations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere 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 flavours.
Also, it is commonplace to provide locking formations in produce containers so as to keep the lids closed before consumption of the produce. Existing produce containers however are not user-friendly in that the formations are difficult to manipulate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a produce container which may satisfy the abovementioned desire and/or ameliorate the above shortcoming, or which will at least provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a produce container including:
a receptacle which defines a mouth circumscribed by a rim, the rim having a first, outwardly extending flange;
a lid associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a second, outwardly extending flange, the second flange adapted to correspond to the first flange when the lid is positioned on the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a raised quadrilateral platform with two front and two rear corners;
a hinge which attaches the lid to the receptacle, the hinge being located along a rear side of the container;
wherein each of the two front corners includes an indent.
Preferably, each indent has a curved contour. More preferably, the curved contour is configured to conform to the profile of the tip of a human's thumb.
Preferably, the container includes a pair of locking formations located in the vicinity of two front corners, respectively, the locking formations being provided to enable the lid to be maintained in a closed position. More preferably, each formation includes a female member provided in the first flange and a male member provided in the second flange.
Preferably, when the lid is in the close position, the first flange is in contact with the second flange.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a produce container including:
a receptacle which defines a mouth;
a lid associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a raised quadrilateral platform defined by four walls and a top, each wall being connected to the top by a bevelled transition portion;
wherein each bevelled transition portion includes one or more apertures.
In a preferred embodiment, the or each aperture is elongate in shape.
It is preferred that the or each elongate aperture is orientated such that its length is parallel to a longitudinal length of the bevelled transition portion in which the or each aperture is located.
The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment, in which:
Referring to
As best shown in
Referring to
It will be appreciated that when the lid 14 is in the close position, the first flange 20 abuts and is in contact with the second flange 22.
As best shown in
Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the produce container of the present invention may offer at least the following advantages:
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- 1. it facilitates easy and convenient manipulation of the locking formations for opening and closing of the produce container; and
- 2. it enables air circulation within the produce container which results in prolongation of the shelf-life of the produce carried by the produce container.
- Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is 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 which defines a mouth circumscribed by a rim, the rim having a first, outwardly extending flange;
- a lid associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a second, outwardly extending flange, the second flange adapted to correspond to the first flange when the lid is positioned on the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a raised quadrilateral platform with two front and two rear corners;
- a hinge which attaches the lid to the receptacle, the hinge being located along a rear side of the container;
- wherein each of the two front corners includes an indent.
2. The produce container of claim 1, wherein each indent has a curved contour.
3. The produce container of claim 2, wherein the curved contour is configured to conform to the profile of the tip of a human's thumb.
4. The produce container of claim 1, which includes a pair of locking formations located in the vicinity of two front corners, respectively, the locking formations being provided to enable the lid to be maintained in a closed position.
5. The produce container of claim 4, wherein each formation includes a female member provided in the first flange and a male member provided in the second flange.
6. The produce container of claim 5, when the lid is in the close position, the first flange is in contact with the second flange.
7. A produce container including:
- a receptacle which defines a mouth;
- a lid associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth, the lid having a raised quadrilateral platform defined by four walls and a top, each wall being connected to the top by a bevelled transition portion;
- wherein each bevelled transition portion includes one or more apertures.
8. The produce container of claim 7, wherein the or each aperture is elongate in shape.
9. The produce container of claim 7, wherein the or each elongate aperture is orientated such that its length is parallel to a longitudinal length of the bevelled transition portion in which the or each aperture is located.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 12, 2015
Inventor: John Lam (Cherrybrook)
Application Number: 14/525,735