Receptacles – End wall structure – One-piece side and end wall
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-01-30
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
End wall structure
One-piece side and end wall
C220S607000, C220S001500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179156
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a multi-purpose container for storing and transporting items such as produce.
BACKGROUND ART
Containers for transporting produce, such as grapes, from the fields where they are grown to the markets where they are purchased are well known. Currently, three different materials are used to construct such containers: wood, corrugated cardboard, and plastic. Wood containers are typically expensive to manufacture, employ non-recyclable materials, and have excessive weight which adds to the cost of shipping and handling. In addition, wood degrades under long term exposure to environmental conditions, such as rain. Corrugated cardboard containers are lighter, recyclable, and less expensive to manufacture than wood, but tend to degrade when in contact with moisture. In addition, for corrugated cardboard containers, a trade-off exists between providing adequate ventilation and providing structural strength. Plastic containers, on the other hand, possess the desirable qualities of wood and corrugated cardboard containers without many of the inheren disadvantages. In particular, plastic containers are lightweight and inexpensive, are able to withstand a range of environmental conditions, provide structural strengt even when designed for proper ventilation, and are reusable.
In addition to the materials used, the specific construction of the container is important to successful produce harvesting, shipping, and storage. For example, it is desirable that containers be reinforced in some manner so as to improve their structural strength. Reinforcement is necessary to ensure that handling will not damage the containers, as well as to provide sufficient strength for stacking of the containers during shipping and storage. Unfortunately, typical container reinforcements include corners or edges which pose the potential risk of bruising or otherwise damaging the perishable produce within the container. Such features may result in more problems towards the bottom of the container, where weight from the produce above creates the greatest pressure, and potential for damage, on the produce below. Furthermore, reinforcements often add significantly to the weight or cost of manufacturing the containers.
It is also desirable to minimize the space required for storing the containers when they are not in use. One method of storing containers to conserve space is to stack them in a nesting manner one within another. If containers with detachable lids are to be nested in such a manner, the lids must be removed in order to allow the containers to nest properly, and are therefore prone to being misplaced. Alternatively, containers with hinged lids may not have enough clearance when the lids are opened to be able to nest containers, or may increase the floor space required to store the containers.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved container for harvesting, shipping, and storing produce, such as grapes, that provides adequate protection and ventilation for the produce, is reinforced to provide sufficient strength to withstand handling, shipping, and storage, and is designed for convenient storage when not in use.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object according to the present invention to provide a multi-purpose container that provides adequate protection for items, such a produce, stored and transported therein while still providing sufficient ventilation.
It is another object according to the present invention to provide a multi-purpose container that is reinforced for improved strength characteristics.
It is a further object according to the present invention to provide a multi-purpose container that is free of any sharp or rough internal surfaces so that items, such as produce, stored therein are not susceptible to damage.
It is another object according to the present invention to provide a multi-purpose container that is designed so that a plurality of such containers can be placed in a stacked configuration.
It is yet another object according to the present invention to provide a multi-purpose container that is capable of being placed in a nested configuration with other such containers for convenient storage.
Accordingly, a multi-purpose container is provided that includes a first pair of opposed walls and a second pair of opposed walls that is integrally joined with the first pair of opposed walls. The container further includes a bottom surface that is integrally joined with the first and second pairs of opposed walls, such that the first and second pairs of opposed walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define a storage area. The bottom surface has a ridge which includes at least one vertical rib which extends along the bottom surface between one of the first and second pairs of opposed walls. The rib has an upper end that is covered by a top layer so as to define a smooth profile along the bottom surface. Therefore, the ridge provides reinforcement to the container while minimizing the potential for damaging items, such as produce, stored and transported therein.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ridge extends along a central portion of the bottom surface and includes a plurality of ribs that vary in height. In addition, the bottom surface as well as the first and second pairs of opposed walls preferably include a plurality of ventilation apertures to foster air circulation to and around items stored within the container. One of the first and second pairs of opposed walls may include a wall having a substantially flat open surface area for displaying a label. Preferably, the container is formed from a plastic material.
In further accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container includes an upper container rim formed along upper portions of the first and second pairs of opposed walls. The container preferably further includes at least one, and preferably a pair of lids adapted to at least partially cover the container, where the lids preferably include a plurality of ventilation apertures and each pivotably attach via a hinge to the upper container rim along one of the first and second pairs of opposed walls. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge is formed by a plurality of hinge sections, and the lids include indents formed in end edges thereof to receive a user's fingers. In an alternative embodiment, the lid can be removably attached to the container.
Preferably, the hinge allows the lids to be rotated approximately 270° between a closed position and an open position. Each lid preferably includes at least one latching tab for securing the lid to the upper container rim when the lid is in the open position. Still further, each lid preferably includes at least one securing projection formed on a lower surface thereof and the first and second pairs of opposed walls preferably include at least one securing recess in an upper surface thereof corresponding to the securing projection, wherein the securing projection is adapted to be received in the corresponding securing recess in order to secure the lid in the closed position. Most preferably, the first and second pairs of opposed walls include spaced inner columns formed therein, where each inner column is provided with a securing recess in an upper surface thereof.
The lids preferably further include stacking projections formed on an upper surface thereof and the bottom surface preferably includes stacking recesses
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formed in an underside thereof, such that in a stacked configuration the stacking projections of a lower container are adapted to be received within the stacking recesses of an adjacent upper container.
In further accordance with a preferred embodiment of the preset invention, one of the first and second pairs of opposed walls includes columm sections formed therein, each column section having a recessed portion, an inner shelf, and a lower column support. In addition, one of the first and second pairs of opposed walls preferably includes outer columns formed on an exterior surface thereof opposite
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Pollard Steven
Rehrig Pacific Company
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