Refrigeration – Portable – commodity-containing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2001-07-31
Doerrler, William (Department: 3727)
Refrigeration
Portable, commodity-containing
C062S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266972
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a modular freezer pallet and to a method for storage of perishable items. More particularly, the modular freezer pallet includes a heat sink material for maintaining the interior perishable item storage area at a desired temperature for storage of perishable items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Perishable food items are generally provided in refrigerated containers during overseas transportation or over-the-highway transportation. Commercially available refrigerated containers for this purpose are available from Ciana Corporation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,827 to Madsen describes a double-walled refrigerated container.
Perishable food items have additionally been transported and/or stored in insulated containers. Exemplary insulated containers are described by U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,608 to Morrison; U.S. Pat. No. 2,632,311 to Sullivan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,656 to Peters; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,081 to Sjostedt et al. In general, these insulated containers function as coolers. That is, the insulated containers are generally intended to decrease thermal loss, and maintain the cargo at its desired temperature. Often, ice or dry ice can be incorporated in the insulated containers in order to maintain the temperature therein. The use of ice or dry ice during in connection with air transportation is increasingly becoming discouraged.
Numerous collapsible or knock-down cargo containers are available. Several of them are even insulated. Exemplary collapsible or knock-down cargo containers are described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,437 to Kupersmit; U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,278 to Boykin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,746 to Morgan, IV; U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,851 to Oestreich, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,236 to Kenevan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,776 to Morgan, IV; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,663 to Dykhouse; U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,933 to Streich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,981 to Wheeler; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,302 to Uitz.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A modular freezer pallet is provided by the invention. The modular freezer pallet includes a base unit, a plurality of wall units, and a cover unit. The units are constructed and arranged to provide a pallet structure having an interior perishable item storage area. At least one of the units includes a heat sink material for maintaining the interior perishable item storage area at a temperature of less than about 38° F. for 48 hours in an ambient environment of one atmosphere at 70° F.
A method for storing perishable items is provided by the invention. The method includes providing an assembled modular freezer pallet comprising a base unit, plurality of wall units, and a cover unit. The units are constructed and arranged to provide a pallet structure having an interior perishable food item storage area, and at least one of the units comprises a heat sink material for maintaining the interior perishable item storage area at a temperature of less than about 38° F. for 48 hours in an ambient environment of one atmosphere and 70° F. The method additionally includes providing perishable items within the interior perishable item storage area.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2951608 (1960-09-01), Morrison
patent: 3280586 (1966-10-01), Funakoshi
patent: 4498312 (1985-02-01), Schlosser
patent: 4531278 (1985-07-01), Boykin
patent: 4809851 (1989-03-01), Oestreich et al.
patent: 5031776 (1991-07-01), Morgan, IV
patent: 5050387 (1991-09-01), Bruce
patent: 5058746 (1991-10-01), Morgan, IV
patent: 5088301 (1992-02-01), Piepenbrink
patent: 5235819 (1993-08-01), Bruce
patent: 5267663 (1993-12-01), Dykhouse
patent: 5275302 (1994-01-01), Ulitz
patent: 5279437 (1994-01-01), Kupersmit
patent: 5285656 (1994-02-01), Peters
patent: 5287981 (1994-02-01), Wheeler
patent: 5289933 (1994-03-01), Streich et al.
patent: 5413236 (1995-05-01), Kenevan
patent: 5449081 (1995-09-01), Sjostedt et al.
patent: 5570588 (1996-11-01), Lowe
patent: 5642827 (1997-07-01), Madsen
Banner Metals, Inc.,Thomas Register 1995.
Convoy Plastic Pallets, Watertown, WI,Thomas Register 1995.
Dominion Pallet, Inc. Mineral, VA, Quality Wood Pallets,Thomas Register 1995, 22891/PAL.
Stratis Corporation Plastic Pallets, Benefits of Stratis, Indianapolis, IN,Thomas Register 1995, 22879/PAL.
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TriEnda Corporation, Portage, WI,Thomas Register 1995, 22893/PAL.
Doerrler William
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Vesture Corporation
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