Abstract: There is provided an improved retail produce box, preferably for fresh potatoes. Each box comprises a bottom wall, four side walls with beveled corners where adjacent side walls meet, said bottom wall and side walls defining a substantially rectangular box interior. That interior is covered by a lid made from folded over extensions of two opposed side walls with one of said lid extensions at least partially overlapping the other lid extension to minimize light penetration into the box interior and allow for some settlement of contents after filling. The bottom wall may have a plurality of apertures for visual inspection of the contents and facilitating air circulation within. Preferably, the overlapping lid extension includes a hinged and tabbed section that can be flipped open for visually inspecting the box contents and lowered back down after. A plurality of such boxes, in various produce quantities, may be boxed together for shipping in a master container.

Abstract: A stackable container has a bottom panel, upstanding sidewalls, upstanding end walls, and an open top. According to one aspect of the invention, narrow reinforcing flaps are attached to the upper edge of at least one of the side and end walls, defining a stacking ledge and reinforcing the walls against outward bulge. The reinforcing flaps extend over only a small portion of the height of the side or end wall, and corner post flaps extend from opposite ends of the reinforcing flaps, extending diagonally across interior corners of the container. According to another aspect, the side and/or end walls lean inwardly, defining a narrower footprint at the top of the container than at the bottom. In a specific embodiment one of the walls leans in more than the other. According to a further aspect, an indexing and aligning tab extends upwardly from an upper edge of the container, and a complementary notch is formed in a lower edge for receiving the tab when the containers are stacked.

Abstract: A carton suitable for both shipping and displaying an item, particularly a bake good, such as a pie, is disclosed. The carton includes a top panel a bottom panel, first and second side panels and first and second end panels. According to an embodiment, a detachable panel section is provided in the top panel and the first side panel, and a substantially transparent film is attached to an underside of the top panel and the first side panel behind the detachable panel section. The carton may be opened to remove the item contained therein for cooking or preparation. The carton can be converted to a display configuration by completely detaching the detachable panel section from a remainder of the carton such that the transparent film forms a display window. When the carton is in its display configuration, the item may be placed in the carton such that the item is visible through the display window.

Abstract: A pack suitable for housing liquid and/or solid-liquid contents whose wall comprises a layer of board (3), an inner layer (2) sufficiently impermeable to create a seal between the board (3) and the pack's contents, and an outer protective layer (4,5) covering the board (3), wherein the pack's layers are microwavable and the outer layer (4, 5) is breathable.

Abstract: There is disclosed an air flow channel (32, 38) for use in a packaging container (10). The channel includes an elongated body defining a passage having an open end. A number of spaced apart ventilation openings (36) are provided through the body along its length. The channel can be fixed attached to or alternatively integrally formed with a wall (14, 16, 18, 20), floor (12) or roof of the container.

Abstract: A container assembly is provided. The container has at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel, to form an inner cavity. The bottom panel has at least one vent hole. A blank is provided having a substantially rectangular shape. The blank has flaps extending from corners of the blank. The flaps have tabs extending from an end. The flaps are folded substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by a body of the blank. At least one of the tabs are placed into at least one vent hole in the bottom panel.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere packaging system and method which allows field and/or centralized facility packing of fresh produce and refrigerated air to circulate throughout a palletized stack of cartons. The packaging includes a transparent lid which is sealingly attached to a corrugated carton allowing for inspection of perishable produce contained therein without breaching an established modified atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container having a carton and a cover sized to fit over and enclose an interior space of the container. Carton and cover each are adapted to permit controlled flow of air in to and out of the interior space of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cover sidewalls are adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein air is permitted to flow in to and out of the interior space of the container when the sidewalls are in an open position, but inhibited from flowing in to and out of the container when the sidewalls are in a closed position.

Abstract: A container assembly is provided. The container has at least one bottom panel, and at least one side panel extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel, to form an inner cavity. The bottom panel has at least one vent hole. A blank is provided having a substantially rectangular shape. The blank has flaps extending from corners of the blank. The flaps have tabs extending from an end. The flaps are folded substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by a body of the blank. At least one of the tabs are placed into at least one vent hole in the bottom panel.

Abstract: A food box with flatware attached thereon. The food box has an attached sheet extending from each of the at least one side sheet of the upper cover body thereof, which covers the box body of the food box from above. The attached sheet is refolded to form an attached flatware portion, together with the side sheet, wherein the attached flatware portion has pressure-made creases thereon of predetermined shapes, according to the outline of ordinary flatware including chopsticks, forks and spoons. The user may take off and obtain at least one disposable flatware piece and strip the residual material along the crease. Furthermore, easy and efficient use can be achieved by using appropriate thickness of material.

Abstract: A container is provided for use in storing evidence while reducing exposure of the evidence to airborne contaminants. The container includes an inner lidded box to enclose the evidence, and an outer lidded box to enclose the inner box. Each box includes at least one wall with a ventilation opening, with the walls with ventilation openings being separated by a given distance. An air filter is positioned between the walls with ventilation openings, so that air entering the inner box must pass through the ventilation openings and the filter, thereby minimizing the entry of airborne contaminants into the inner box.

Abstract: An insulated food crate comprises a generally rectangular, typically cardboard box having separable top and bottom portions with double walls providing insulative properties and also insulating inserts fitted into the top and bottom portions. The box may also have ventilation holes or slots and/or compartments for serving utensils and may be disposable. In alternate embodiments, the insulated food crate may be made from a heat-resistant composite material, such as a reinforced plastic or stainless steel, as a more permanent, durable, and reusable solution. This inexpensive, accessible catering box keeps hot foods hot and cold foods cold while allowing quick and easy access to the foods inside.

Abstract: A system for manual delivery of mail to a series of recipients includes a stack of mail holders each comprising a front flap, a back flap and a central fold. One or more mail pieces are disposed in each holder, such that all of the mail pieces in each holder are to be delivered to the same recipient. The holders are stacked in a predetermined order for a carrier delivery route, and may be banded or otherwise secured together until the time of delivery.

Abstract: A packaging carton box for flower and plant transportation is disclosed. The flower and plant packaging carton box comprises a main body having a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises at least a first pore hole. While plural of the packaging carton boxes are piled up, an air flow channel is formed by the first pore holes at the bottom surfaces of the main bodies, so as to cooperate with the transport carrier having a cold air flow blowing from bottom to top. Therefore, the cold air flow may enter the interior of each of the main body of the packaging carton box through the first pore hole and the air flow channel for adjusting the interior temperature and humidity of the packaging carton box.

Abstract: A storage box capable of separating food from soup comprises a water proof hollow box made of a paper cardboard for storing wet food. The paper cardboard is a further comprises a substrate layer provided with a protective insulating layer for preventing the infiltration of water and germs. There is further a water filtering layer on predetermined location on a surface of the protective insulating layer, whereby the food and the soup can be separated when the carton box is torn properly. It can also added with a tearing piece adjacent to the water filtering layer, whereby the filtering layer will automatically eject soup from the box through when the tearing piece is torn.

Abstract: A packaging device and method for absorbing and reducing moisture as well as a manufacturing process for such device. The packaging device is a container made from paperboard such as containerboards or linerboards with a corrugated medium. The paperboard is insulated with moisture absorbing additives comprising charcoal, activated charcoal, activated carbon, or substances mostly comprised of carbon. Perforations may be added in the boards to further permit moisture to reach the corrugated medium, permitting further absorption by the additives embedded within the corrugated medium in between the boards. This packaging device and method is favorable for storing or transporting objects which are sensitive to or would benefit from low moisture/humidity conditions.

Abstract: A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments.

Abstract: Structures and processes for packaging produce in a manner that resists contamination due to dust, debris, and sunlight. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, fresh produce may be placed in a produce container having tabs extending from the top of the produce container walls. The tabs may preferably comprise a hook end. A produce container cover, preferably made from fiberboard or some other suitably lightweight material, comprising tab slots in locations complementary to the tabs of the produce container may be placed on the produce container as a cover. The tab slots of the produce container cover are configured to create a locking effect with the hook end of the tabs located on the produce container. This prevents the produce container cover from inadvertently being displaced during shipping and handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling produce contained in ventilated trays arranged in a five-down configuration on a pallet. The ventilated trays according to the present invention have openings that correspond to fluid passageways in contained clamshells in order to efficiently and effectively channel cooling air into the clamshells and over the contained produce. The present invention creates direct airflow channels to the produce that cause an optimal amount of the forced air to enter and flow over the produce within the produce carrying containers and not around the produce carrying containers as can occur with conventional six-down configurations. As a result, more air enters the produce carrying containers, more passes over the produce and more produce is effectively cooled.

Abstract: A packaging device and method for absorbing and reducing moisture as well as a manufacturing process for such device. The packaging device is a container made from paperboard such as containerboards or linerboards with a corrugated medium. The paperboard is insulated with moisture absorbing additives comprising charcoal, activated charcoal, activated carbon, or substances mostly comprised of carbon. Perforations may be added in the boards to further permit moisture to reach the corrugated medium, permitting further absorption by the additives embedded within the corrugated medium in between the boards. This packaging device and method is favorable for storing or transporting objects which are sensitive to or would benefit from low moisture/humidity conditions.

Abstract: A container that holds small bulk articles observable through mesh-covered openings while restricting access for substituting articles among containers formed by folding a blank on scores to define a top wall with two opposing end walls and two opposing side walls. Each side wall has a bottom wall foldable on a respective score for closing the container after filing with contents. At least one of the top wall and side walls defines an opening that is covered with a netting that restricts casual removal of the contents while permitting visual inspection.

Abstract: A minor-end loading carton is provided that includes a bottom panel opposing a top panel, and a second pair of opposing panels connecting the bottom panel to the top panel to form a rectangular body having a first minor end and a second minor end. The minor ends may be closable via a plurality of flaps foldably connected to the panels. A method is further provided for loading and shipping elongate materials in a minor-end loading carton. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes loading the products downward through a second minor end of a minor-end loading carton against the inside of the closed first minor end while the first minor end is substantially horizontal. The products may include elongate materials, such as stalk produce, which are preferably oriented parallel to the minor ends extending from a first panel to a second panel.

Abstract: A collapsible, reusable box construction (10?) for transporting horticultural products which comprises a body unit (11?) including an elongated rectangular body member (20?) having a plurality of independent panels (22?) (23?) (23?) (24?), the upper and lower portions of which are further provided with mounting apertures (29) and registration slots (28); wherein the upper and lower portions of the body member (20?) are adapted to be hingedly yet releasably received in oppositely faced channels (42) and (38) formed in a lid unit (13) and a base unit (12) and which are further provided with mounting apertures (49) and (33) respectively, which are adapted to receive mounting plugs (50) for connecting the lid unit (13) and the base unit (12) to the body unit (11).

Abstract: A tray-type container 10 includes a bottom wall 20, longitudinally-extending outer side walls 22, and laterally-extending end walls 24, the outer side walls 22 and the end walls 24 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20 to form an inner cavity 26. As erected, the outer side walls 22 include a plurality of spaced-apart stacking tabs 28A-28D, and the bottom wall forms a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88 for receiving the stacking tabs 28A-28D of like or similar containers. A plurality of tray-type containers 10 may be unitized in several stacked configurations utilizing the stacking tabs 28 and apertures 60, 70, 80, 82, 86, and 88. Typically, the plurality of unitized containers 10 are placed upon a shipping pallet or slip sheet, or placed within a shipping container to facilitate shipping by large carriers.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere packaging system and method which allows field and/or centralized facility packing of fresh produce and refrigerated air to circulate throughout a palletized stack of cartons. The packaging includes a transparent lid which is sealingly attached to a corrugated carton allowing for inspection of perishable produce contained therein without breaching an established modified atmosphere.

Abstract: A dual pizza pie container system is provided, which includes a solid rectangular enclosure and a pizza support platform within the enclosure. The pizza support platform includes four foldable equilateral flaps which, when folded to generally right angles relative to a central base, define an octahedron having four long edges defining a virtual square and four alternating diagonal edges at corners of the support platform when folded. One of the equilateral flaps is provided with an aperture therein which effects registration with the an aperture of the fourth sidewall of the top cover of the enclosure in which widths of the equilateral sidewalls of the platform define about one-half of the height of the sidewalls of the enclosure. Thereby, upper and lower interior solid horizontal compartments, one above and one below the platform, are defined when the support platform is positioned within the enclosure and the enclosure is closed.

Abstract: A pizza box having a plurality of ribs, which are selectively moveable between a first stored position and a second upright position is provided. The ribs are coupled to at least one actuating strip, which enables the ribs to be simultaneously shifted from the first stored position to the second upright position. The ribs and the actuating strip are formed from the same piece of cardboard. The actuating strip may be configured to interlock with the box or with an actuating strip from another plurality of ribs to maintain the ribs in the second upright position.

Abstract: An ovenable container for pizza or other heatable food products includes a vent in the upper portion of the container and a metal region on the lower portion of the container. The container gives more consistent heating of the food product with reduced edge dryness.

Abstract: A paperboard container folded from a single unitary blank of paperboard has a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Stacking tabs project from an upper edge of the side walls for receipt in corresponding slots in an edge of the bottom wall of an adjacent stacked container, and ventilation openings are formed in the side walls for circulation of air. The side walls are formed by inner and outer roll-over panels, and are slightly inwardly inclined to provide space for circulation of air between the containers when two of them are abutted together in side-by-side relationship. First extension flaps on the ends of the inner roll-over panels lie against and are secured to the inner surface of the end walls, and second extension flaps on the ends of the end walls extend between and are captured by the inner and outer roll-over panels.

Abstract: A container for leaf product and other bulk pack materials wherein a blank of corrugated paperboard is scored to define side walls of the container, and a plurality of openings are defined in at least one side wall of the container and closed with an air permeable sheet to define passageways for communication of moisture from the container to the atmosphere for drying and long term storage of the leaf products while restricting communication of particulates, contaminants, and dust between the container and atmosphere. A method of defining restricted passageways in the blank of corrugated paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible, reusable box construction (10′) for transporting horticultural products which comprises a body unit (11′) including an elongated rectangular body member (20′) having a plurality of independent panels (22′) (23′) (23′)(24′), the upper and lower portions of which are further provided with mounting apertures (29) and registration slots (28); wherein the upper and lower portions of the body member (20′) are adapted to be hingedly yet releasably received in oppositely faced channels (42) and (38) formed in a lid unit (13) and a base unit (12) and which are further provided with mounting apertures (49) and (33) respectively, which are adapted to receive mounting plugs (50) for connecting the lid unit (13) and the base unit (12) to the body unit (11).

Abstract: A pizza packaging system, pizza packaging blank and method for packaging more than one pizza in a stacked configuration. An upper level insert is provided for insertion into the pizza receiving compartment, the upper level insert being elevated above a bottom panel and providing an upper level surface adapted to receive and support a second pizza. The upper level insert is supported by at least one support flap and may be further supported by at least one support member. In addition, the pizza box packaging system and pizza box blank may be provided with perforations to allow the division of the pizza box for use as plates and/or to facilitate disposal. The upper level insert may also be provided with a venting means to allow heat transfer between the pizza receiving compartments, and/or elevating tabs that elevate the pizza box off a support surface.

Abstract: A carton for viewing the contents thereof without disturbing the integrity of the carton comprising a unitary body enclosed by a wall or walls having apertures for manipulating and viewing the articles contained therein.

Abstract: A system and method for packing agricultural produce including functionality for: providing a container having at least one communications aperture formed in a wall thereof; providing at least one flexible controlled permeability bag within the container; providing at least one bag aperture in the at least one flexible controlled permeability bag in general registration with the at least one communications aperture; sealing the produce inside the at least one flexible controlled permeability bag within the container, while leaving the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture open; providing atmosphere treatment within the at least one bag via the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture; and sealing at least one of the at least one bag aperture and the at least one communications aperture.

Abstract: A passive interlock structure for use in containers (such as cartons and trays), particularly those fabricated from corrugated paperboard and the like, which permits the facilitated aligning of vertically stacked containers. The passive interlock structure feature includes recesses formed in the tops or bottoms of the containers, and corresponding complementary low planar projections in the bottoms or tops of the containers.

Abstract: A cricket box has a bottom wall; a top wall; a rear wall integral with the bottom and top walls; a front wall integral with the bottom wall, and side walls integral with the bottom wall. Each of the side walls has at least one substantial opening in it. The rear and front walls have end flaps at each end, folded inwardly substantially perpendicularly to the front and rear walls and bottom wall to lie alongside and inboard of the side walls, the end flaps having openings complementary to the side wall opening or openings. The side walls have side wall panels folded over the end flaps, those panels having openings complementary to the opening or openings in the side walls and the end flaps. The side wall panels engage the bottom wall along their outer edges, and cage a screen between the side wall panels and the end flaps. The screen extends over the opening or openings.

Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. Upper vents are formed on four sides of an upper portion of the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents that align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets, oriented in either the “X” or “Y” directions can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside, regardless of the orientation of the trays.

Abstract: A plastic cover for a produce container which when laid out is flat. The cover is collapsible and has a plurality of ventilators. Each ventilator has a ventilator flap and a corresponding ventilator aperture. The cover has a plurality of container binding members. Each container binding member has a container flap. Each container flap has a first small flap and a second small flap. Each container flap has a corresponding container receiving aperture. Each container binding member receives a portion of the container to assist in binding the cover to the container.

Abstract: Container for transporting heated food, particularly pizza and the like, comprising in combination an outer vessel and a tray of heat-formed plastic material. The tray has a base wall formed with ribs projecting from its upper face and from its lower face, respectively.

Abstract: A container for leaf product and other bulk pack materials wherein a blank of corrugated paperboard is scored to define side walls of the container, and a field of passageways are defined in at least one side wall of the container by a conical pin punch-pressed from opposing sides of the blank to define a passageway for communication of moisture from the container to the atmosphere for drying and long term storage of the leaf products. A method of defining passageways in the blank of paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A container for carrying hot pizzas and the like, comprising a box (1) made of cardboard or of a similar material, having a base (2) and a lid (3) connected to the base (2) in such a way that it can be opened and re-closed. The lid (3) has breather openings (16) and at least one pair of raised parts (13) set at a distance apart, which project upwards and have the function, during use, of spacer supports for a similar box superimposed in a stacked condition on the lid (3). The raised parts conveniently consist of elongated tubular elements (13) which are integral with the lid (3).

Abstract: A canister for containing a particulate-type product such as a ready-to-eat cereal. The canister includes a side wall, a bottom closure and a plastic lid. The side wall defines at least a portion of a tubular body having an upper opening, a lower opening and an internal storage region for containing the particulate-type product. In this regard, the side wall includes a first, paper-based layer and a second, plastic-based layer. The first, paper-based layer has an inner surface and an outer surface. The second, plastic-based layer is bonded to the inner surface of the first, paper-based layer. The bottom closure is connected to the side wall so as to encompass the bottom opening. The plastic lid is openably secure to the tubular body at the upper opening. In this regard, the plastic lid provides selective access to the internal storage region. With this configuration, the plastic lid facilitates rapid fabrication of the canister, as well as providing for increased canister durability.

Abstract: A foldable, stackable box assembly, having a collapsible sleeve component and a foldable container which is insertable into and out of the sleeve by a built-in handle mechanism. The container and sleeve are formed of these folding blanks which, when assembled, create a sturdy, slidable drawer-like box assembly. The front of the container has a compressible handle-like mechanism. It is a characteristic of the container/drawer that the front wall has, extending down from the top, a panel which extends forwardly and terminates short of the bottom of the front of the container/drawer. It is held there by compressible panels, and forms the handle mechanism under which a user can insert hand or finger to pull out the container/drawer from the sleeve.

Abstract: An ovenable enclosure (10) for pizza or other heatable food product comprises a box of taint free board having an interior clearance over the pizza, a central vent (15) in the upper surface and a metal plate (16) on lower surface. The enclosure gives more consistent heating of the pizza with reduced edge dryness.

Abstract: A corner join in a box is formed from a blank having a base section (2) and two side wall panels (4, 6) each joined thereto via a fold line (3, 5). A joining flap (15) is joined to one of the side wall panels (6) via a fold line (7). The fold line of the joining flap (15) essentially defines the corner, and the point of intersection of the three fold lines (3, 5, 7) is located in the base panel approximately at the corner. The side wall panels are joined to one another by placing the joining flap in contact with the second side wall panel (4) such that it overlaps the later in an overlap area, and fixing it to the side wall panel. A mastic-like filler (204; FA) is applied in or on the inside of the panel fold line (3) to which the fixing flap (15) is fixed at the location of the overlap area with the fixing flap (15).

Abstract: A container assembly which is specifically, but not exclusively, adapted for the storage, shipping and display of relatively fragile products, such as produce, flowers, or the like, wherein the nature of the products renders them particularly vulnerable to damage during the placement within and removal from the interior of the container assembly. Accordingly, the body of the container assembly includes a movably mounted access segment selectively disposable between opened and closed positions, wherein an access opening in the body is established when the access segment is disposed in the opened position.

Abstract: The invention is a shipping container blank whereby all surfaces and edges are sealed by an overlying a plastic film material. A container subsequently made from the blank is rendered highly water resistant. The film material is applied to both sides of the blank and severed from the supply source. The covered blank is then heated above the softening point of the film. The film becomes bonded to the surfaces of the blank and sags around the edges and into any openings so that the film on the two sides of the blank come into contact and are sealed to each other. The edges and any slits and cutouts are then trimmed, as by a die cutter, while preserving the seals along the edges. Containers made by the process can generally be recycled, in contrast to wax or resin impregnated corrugated board.

Abstract: A ventilated container includes a rectangular bottom panel and first and second end panels connected to the bottom panel which extend outwardly therefrom. There are first and second side panels connected to the bottom panel which also extend outwardly therefrom. The side panels are connected to adjacent end panels. Each of the side panels has a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough from the first end panel to the second end panel to permit air to pass from the first end panel to the second end panel. When the containers are stacked in two adjacent rows, air can pass through the passageways from the first row to the second row to cool and ventilate contents of the containers. Alternatively the passageway may be in an end panel.

Abstract: Container for transporting heated food, particularly pizza and the like, comprising in combination an outer vessel and a tray of heat-formed plastic material. The tray has a base wall formed with ribs projecting from its upper face and from its lower face, respectively.

Abstract: A wall-engageable pizza carton folded into a non-wall-engaged format and which (a) has thermal-legs for holding the bottom of the box above a table top, (b) has an improved hole-covering flap that can function as an inner panel interlock means, and (c) can be stacked in a level stack with other cartons even though it has thermal-legs and the cover front flap is projecting forward.