Reusable produce crate

Details Reusable produce crate Reusable produce crate

2000-03-13

2002-01-15

Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Hinge

Having means to facilitate assembly and disassembly of hinge...

C016S260000, C016S267000, C016S386000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06338181

ABSTRACT:

The present invention is directed to a reusable produce crate, and, more particularly, to a reusable produce crate having a detachable lid with an internal hinge formed such that the lid can be folded in half and stored in the bottom of the crate.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of an application entitled “Reusable Produce Crate,” U.S. Ser. No. 08/840,244, which was filed on Apr. 17, 1997.
BACKGROUND
Crates for housing produce are well known in the industry. Such crates, or containers, typically comprise a bottom, opposed end and side walls, and a lid. The lids of the containers may be hinged to a side wall of the container or may be detached lids which are placed on the container when in use. It is desirable to minimize the space required for storing the containers. One method of storing such containers to conserve space is to stack them in a nesting manner one within another. When containers with detached lids are stacked in such a manner the lids must be removed in order to allow the containers to properly nest. The lids therefore are prone to being misplaced and present additional storage and handling problems. Containers with hinged lids may not have enough clearance when the lids are opened to be able to nest containers, and the hinged lids may present other problems when attempting to nest containers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,996 to Lang-Ree et. al. shows a container with a split lid, each section of the lid being hinged to an upper edge of a side wall of the container. When nesting multiple containers of this type, the lids remain hinged to the side walls and hang down along outer surfaces of the side walls which increases the floor space required to store the containers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,915 to Kalin shows a container having a detached lid which is mountable at several locations along the side walls of the container. The lid of this container cannot be stored in the bottom of the container when multiple containers are nested.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,293 to Ackerman et. al. shows a container having a detached lid which also cannot be stored in the bottom of the container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable produce crate which reduces or wholly overcomes some or all of the aforesaid difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable and experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.
SUMMARY
The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a reusable produce crate or container having a detachably hinged lid, the lid having an internal hinge which allows the lid to be folded in half and stored on the bottom of the container. Multiple containers can then be stacked in a nesting manner while ensuring that their associated lids are stored with the containers.
In accordance with a first aspect, a container comprises a generally rectangular bottom, generally rectangular opposed first and second side and end walls extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom, and a pivot member on an upper edge of the first side wall. A lid comprising two panels is provided, each panel having first and second side edges and a hinge edge, the first side edges being detachably and pivotally secured to the pivot member. A hinge operatively connects the hinge edges of the two panels to one another.
In accordance with another aspect, resilient flanges are provided on the second side edges of the panels to positively engage shoulders formed on an upper edge of the second side wall when the lid is closed.
To nest multiple containers one within another, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments, the lid is removed from the side wall, folded 180° about its hinge, rotated 90°, and placed in the bottom of the container. Another container is then placed in the container, its lid is removed in a similar manner, and the process is repeated for each successive container which is to be nested in a stack of containers.
Substantial advantage is achieved by providing a reusable produce container having such a detachable hinged lid. Since the lids are stored within the containers when multiple containers are stacked in a nesting fashion, the potential for losing lids is reduced. The ability to nest the containers along with their lids also improves the handling of the containers as well as reducing the space required to store the containers, thereby reducing costs.
From the foregoing disclosure, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this area of technology, that the present invention provides a significant technological advance. Preferred embodiments of the reusable produce container of the present invention can provide improved handling, a reduction in the space required to store containers, and reduction in potential for lost lids. These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments.


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Paxton Brochure, p. 10 (Undated but believed to be prior art).

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