AU2017202724A1 - Thermoformed tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A container, such as a box or a tray, that is suited by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, that includes at least an outer shell (5) 5 and an inner shell (7) that are formed so that the shells interlock together to form the container. 8983978_1 (GHMatters) P104100.AU Locking Feures\ Sections clip apart /s7

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container that is suitable particularly although 5 not exclusively for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit.

The present invention relates particularly although not exclusively to a container in the form of a box or a tray.

The container of the invention can also be used for packaging and transporting other products and is not confined to perishable produce.

io

BACKGROUND ART

The term “box” is often defined as a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular, and having a lid.

The term “tray” is often defined as a flat, shallow container with a raised rim, typically used for carrying food and drink, or for holding small items or loose material. The term “tray” is also understood herein to include these types of containers when used for perishable produce, particularly when the trays are closed by a plastic film welded or otherwise secured to the trays. Such trays are used for example for bulk perishable produce such as fish.

o The terms “box” and “tray” as used herein are understood in accordance with these definitions.

The invention relates to containers generally, but has particular application to containers that are described as boxes and trays.

There is a wide range of different types of boxes or trays for packaging and

5 transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, and other products.

These known box or tray types range from expensive boxes or trays with complex structures made by injection moulding or thermoforming plastics materials to inexpensive cardboard boxes or trays.

There are advantages and disadvantages with each of the known box or tray types.

The present invention provides an alternative box or tray (and container generally) that is particularly suited to some market sections of interest to the applicant.

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These market sections include packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit.

The above description is not to be taken as an admission of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general terms, the present invention provides a container, such as a box or a tray, that is suited by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, that includes at least an outer shell and an inner shell.

o More particularly, the present invention provides a container that is suited by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, that includes at least an outer shell and an inner shell that are formed so that the shells interlock together to form the container.

The container of the invention is a multiple skin container, typically a dual skin 15 container, with the multiple shells providing strength in the assembled container. The following description is in the context of a dual skin container.

An advantage of the dual skin container is that the outer shell and the inner shell can be formed as thin-walled shells from lightweight materials and be flexible as separate items and nevertheless form a strong and functional container when assembled o together. In addition, another advantage is that, depending on the materials selection, there is an opportunity to manufacture the outer shell and the inner shell using low capital cost equipment and at a low operating cost. Another advantage is that, depending on the materials selection, there is an opportunity to provide washable, reusable and recyclable containers. Another advantage is that being able to form the 2 5 outer shell and the inner shell from lightweight materials reduces issues around lifting packaged containers. Other advantages of the dual skin container are described below.

The container may include a floor, hereinafter referred to as a base, and a side extending from the base that defines a space for produce to be packaged in the container.

The side of the container may include formations that facilitate locating a plurality of containers in a stack with successive containers on top of each other.

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The complementary formations may include a ledge on an upper section of the container.

The container may be any suitable size and shape.

For example, the container may be rectilinear when viewed in top plan, with the 5 side including an opposed pair of side walls and an opposed pair of end walls.

The outer shell and the inner shell may be formed so that the inner shell fits with a close fit within the outer shell in at least in some areas of the wall and/or floor of the container. The close fit may be a friction fit.

The outer shell and the inner shell may be formed so that there are gaps between 10 the shells in some areas of the container. The gaps may be in a wall and/or a floor of the container. The gaps increase the effective wall thickness of the container above that of the shells and consequently increase the stiffness of the wall and/or floor of the container. The gaps are typically between 0.5-10 mm.

Each outer shell and each inner shell may include a floor, hereinafter referred to 15 as a base, and a side extending from the base.

When the container is rectilinear when viewed in top plan, the side of each of the outer shell and the inner shell may include an opposed pair of side walls and an opposed pair of end walls.

The base of the outer shell may include a plurality of ribs or other formations o that strengthen the base.

The base of the inner shell may include a plurality of ribs or other formations that strengthen the base.

The ribs of the base of the outer shell and the ribs of the base of the inner shell may be oriented with respect to each other so that the ribs of the base of one shell are 2 5 transverse to the ribs of the base of the other shell when the shells are assembled together to form the container. This cross-ribbing arrangement feature provides advantages in terms of strengthening an assembled container.

In each case, the ribs in the base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell may be formed by pressing or otherwise forming the ribs out of a plane of the base or 30 forming for example thermoforming, the ribs are part of a formed structure, such as a moulded structure. When the shells are thermoformed, typically the thermoforming moulds for each shell have the required shapes, with ribs etc.

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The base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell may include any other formations that strengthen the bases of these shells.

The base of the inner shell may include a plurality of depressions to receive and cradle produce, such as fruit. By way of example, the depressions may be semi-circular.

It is noted that these formations contribute to the rigidity of the inner shell.

The base of the outer shell may include a plurality of depressions that are aligned with the depressions in the inner shell. By way of example, the depressions may be semi-circular. It is noted that these formations contribute to the rigidity of the outer shell.

o The outer shell and the inner shell may include locking elements that connect the shells together.

The locking elements may be any suitable elements.

The locking elements may be complementary press-fit or click-lock elements in the bases of the outer shell and the inner shell.

The term “click-lock” in the context of the shells is understood herein to mean that the outer shell and the inner shell include complementary formations that can be connected together, typically with resilient displacement of one or both formations in the connection process to achieve the connection together of the elements and resilient displacement being required to disconnect the elements and separate the shells.

o The locking elements may include complementary click-lock elements in the base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell that connect the shells together.

The term “press-fit” in the context of the shells is understood herein to mean that the outer shell and the inner shell include complementary formations, such as ribs and channels, that are aligned and fit together, typically with a close fit (but not

5 necessarily requiring resilient displacement of one or both formations in the connection process) to achieve the connection together of the elements. In use, when the two shells are brought together, the complementary formations fit together and interlock the shells.

The locking elements may be complementary press-fit elements in the bases of the outer shell and the inner shell.

For example, the base of the outer shell may include a female member, for example in the form of a channel (which could also be described as a depression or a

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 recess), and the base of the inner shell may include a male member, for example in the form of a projecting element, formed to press-fit or click-lock together.

The locking elements may include complementary formations in the side walls of the shells.

The complementary formations in the side walls of the shells may include ribs in the side walls of the outer shell and the inner shell, with the ribs in one of the shells defining channels for receiving aligned ribs of the other shell.

The ribs in the side walls of one shell may taper from a wider opening at a rim of the container to a narrower end at the base of the shell. The ribs in the side walls of 10 the other shell may converge from a wider opening at a rim of the container to a narrower end at least part way towards the base of the shell. With this arrangement, as the inner shell is inserted into the outer shell, the ribs of the side walls of one of the shells extend into the channels defined by the ribs in the side walls of the other shell and the tapered and converging shapes of the ribs results in a close fit, typically a 15 friction fit, when the inner shell is located properly in the outer shell and forms the container.

The ribs in the side walls of the shells contribute to the rigidity and stability of the container. In particular, the ribs in the regions of the corners of the container provide stability that minimises relative lateral movement and/or flexing of the shells at 2 o the comers of the container. This is an important feature for the stmctural integrity of the container.

The locking elements may include complementary formations in the end walls of the shells.

The complementary formations in the end walls of the shells may include ribs or 2 5 other formations of the type described above in connection with the side walls of the shells.

The outer shell may be formed so that a plurality of the outer shells can nest together, with each successive shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell. The inner shell may be formed so that a plurality of the inner shells can nest together, 30 with each successive shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell. This feature provides advantages in terms of transportability and storing the shells. In particular, being able to nest the outer shells together and the inner shells together

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 reduces substantially the space occupied by the shells. This is important for example in terms of transporting shells from a manufacturing location to an end-use location. This is also important for example in terms of storing the shells at an end-use location prior to use of the shells to form assembled containers.

In order to facilitate nestability of outer shells together and nestability of inner shells together, the side walls of each shell may be formed to diverge upwardly and outwardly from the base of the shell.

The shells may be formed from the same material or different materials depending on the structural and other requirements of the containers.

By way of example, the shells may be made from thermoformed plastics materials. Suitable materials include polypropylene, PET, rPET, and polyethylene.

The shells may be the same or different thicknesses depending on the structural and other requirements of the containers.

The shells may have a uniform thickness. Typically, the thickness of each shell 15 is in a range of 0.5-2.0 mm.

Typically, the total wall thickness of the base and the side of the container is in a range of 0.5-12.0 mm, typically 2-10 mm.

The shells may include holes to facilitate ventilation or air flow into and around the products contained in the container. The holes in the inner and outer shells may be 2 o aligned.

The bases of the shells may include holes to facilitate moisture to drain from the container.

The container may include handles to allow for easier lifting of the container. The shells may include removed sections that define handles.

5 The container may include a removable liner in the base of the container that includes a plurality of depressions to receive and cradle produce, such as fruit. By way of example, the depressions may be semi-circular. The liner may be flexible and not make any contribution to the rigidity of the container.

0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention is described further with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which:

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Figure 1 is a perspective view on one embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view that shows the outer shell and the inner shell that form the container shown in Figure 1 before the shells are positioned to form the container;

Figures 3-5 are a series of top, side and end views, respectively, of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a cross-section along the line A-A in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlargement of the circled region in Figure 6 which illustrates the o interconnection of the locking elements of the outer and inner shells at this location;

Figure 8 is a cross-section along the line B-B in Figure 3;

Figures 9-12 are a series of top, side and end views of the container shown in Figure 1 with the outer shell shown in dotted outline;

Figure 13 is a cross-section along the line C-C in Figure 9;

Figure 14 is a cross-section along the line D-D in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is an enlargement of the circled region in Figure 14 which illustrates the interconnection of the locking elements of the outer and inner shells at this location;

Figure 16 is a side view of a nested stack of a plurality of the outer shells of the container shown in Figure 1;

0 Figure 17 is a side view of a nested stack of a plurality of the inner shells of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 18 is a cross-section along the line G-G in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a side view of a plurality of the container shown in Figure 1 in a nested stack;

5 Figure 20 is a cross-section along the line E-E in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is an enlargement of the circled region in Figure 20 that illustrates in more detail the formations on the outer shell and the inner shell of the container shown in Figure 1 that allow a plurality of the container to be stacked as shown in Figures 19 and 20;

Figures 22 and 24 are perspective views of another, although not the only possible, embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

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Figure 23 is a perspective view that shows the outer shell and the inner shell that form the container shown in Figure 1 before the shells are positioned to form the container;

Figures 25-27 are top, end and side views, respectively, of the container shown in Figures 22 and 24;

Figure 28 is a cross-section along the line D-D in Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a top view of the lower shell of the container shown in Figures 22 and 24; and

Figure 30 is an enlargement of the circled region in Figure 28 that illustrates the rim of the container shown in Figures 22 and 24.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of the container of the invention that are described below with reference to the Figures are described as boxes. It is noted that the invention is not limited to this form of a container.

The embodiment of the box shown Figures 1-21 is a dual-skin box that is suitable by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit.

As can be seen in the perspective view of Figure 1, the box 3 includes an outer shell 5 and an inner shell 7. The shells are thermoformed from a suitable plastics material, such as polypropylene, PET, rPET, and polyethylene, and are thin-walled flexible shells, typically 0.5-2.0 mm thick. The shells 5, 7 are shaped and sized so that the inner shell 7 fits snuggly within the outer shell 5 and the sides and the bases of the shells 5, 7 interlock together. The box 3 and therefore the shells 5, 7 are formed as shallow rectilinear shapes, with a base 9 and sides in the form of opposed side walls 11 and opposed end walls 13. The invention is not confined to the shape and size of the embodiment. The box 3 is an open box. The box 3 may be provided with any suitable lid (not shown).

The side walls 11 of the shells 5, 7 include locking elements in the form of complementary ribs 19, 21 formed in the side walls that contribute to interconnecting the shells 5, 7 when the shells 5, 7 are assembled together and form the box 3. It can be appreciated from Figure 2 that the side walls 11 of the outer shell 5 have a plurality of

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 ribs 19 (which could also be described as panels) that taper from a wider opening at a rim of the side/end walls 11/13 of the box 3 to a narrower end at the base 11 of the shell 5. It can also be appreciated from Figure 2 that the side walls 11 of the inner shell 7 have a plurality of complementary and aligned ribs 21 (which could also be described as panels) that converge from a wider opening at the rim of the box 3 to a narrower end part way towards the base 11 of the shell 7. It can also be appreciated that the ribs 19 in the side walls of the outer shell 5 form tapered channels that are shaped and sized for receiving and guiding the aligned ribs 21 in the side walls 11 of the inner shell 7. With this arrangement, as the inner shell 7 is inserted into the outer shell 5, the ribs 21 extend io into the channels defined by the ribs 19 in the side walls 11 of the outer shell 5 and the tapered and converging shapes of the ribs 19, 21 guides the two shells 5, 7 into position and results in a close, preferably a friction, fit when the inner shell 7 is located properly in the outer shell 5 and forms the box 3.

The ribs 19, 21 contribute to the rigidity and the stability of the box 3. In particular, the ribs 19, 21 in the regions of the corners of the box 3 provide stability that minimises relative lateral movement/flexing of the shells 5, 7 at the comers of the box 3. This helps to maintain the stmcture of the box 3.

The end walls 13 of the shells 5, 7 also include complementary ribs 25, 27 that contribute to interconnecting the shells 5, 7 when the shells 5, 7 are assembled to form 2 0 the box 3. The ribs 25, 27 have the same features as the ribs 19, 21.

The bases 9 of the shells 5, 7 also include locking elements in the form of complementary male elements 15 in the outer shell 5 and female elements 17 in the inner shell 7 that connect the shells together when the inner shell 7 is positioned in the outer shell 5. The locking elements 15, 17 are formed as click-lock elements that can 2 5 be disengaged from each other so that the box 3 can be separated into the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 7.

As can best be seen in the top view of the box 3 in Figure 4, there are six locking elements (described as 15/17 in the Figure), with one element at each end and two elements along each side of the base 9 of the box 3. Each locking element 15, 17 is 30 an elongate element. It can be appreciated the invention is not limited to this form of locking elements. With reference to Figure 2, the two male members 15 visible in the Figure are elongate members that extend from the plane of the base 9 of the outer shell

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5. In addition, the four female members 17 visible in Figure 2 are elongate members that, when viewed from the undersurface of the base 9 of the inner shell 7, define elongate channels for receiving the male members 15. It can be appreciated that the male members 15 and the female members 17 are aligned for this purpose. Each female member 17 is within an elongate recessed section 31 in the base 9 of the inner shell 7. Each female member 17 extends upwardly from the recessed section 17 (also shown in Figures 7 and 15) and has a top wall that typically is on the same level as the remainder of the base 9 of the inner shell 7. Therefore, in this embodiment the base 9 of the inner shell 7 presents a substantially flat planar surface. It is noted that the invention is not o limited to this arrangement.

Figures 6/7 and 14/15 show in more detail the profiles of the male members 15 and the female members 17 and the interlocking of the members 15/17 in an assembled box 3. Figures 7 and 15 are transverse cross-sections of two of the elongate locking elements 15/17. Each Figure shows that the male member 15 has a top wall 37 and opposed side walls 39 that extend inwardly from opposite sides of the elongate elements and then outwardly to merge with the remainder of the base 9 of the outer shell 5. Similarly, each Figure shows that the female member 17 has a top wall 41 and opposed side walls 43 that extend inwardly from opposite sides of the elongate elements and then outwardly to merge with the remainder of the base 9 of the outer

0 shell 5. It can be appreciated that, with this arrangement, engagement of each locking element 15/17 is subject to the narrower opening of each female member 17 expanding outwardly as it is inserted over the wider top wall 37 of the male member 15 to allow the female member 17 to be positioned to receive the male member 15. Having passed over the wider top wall 37 of the male member 15, the narrower opening of each female

5 member 17 returns resiliently to the narrower width and each wider top wall then resists release of the male member 15 and the female member 17. More particularly, release is subject to applying the same force in an opposite direction to deflect the narrower opening of each female member 17 outwardly to move over the wider top wall 37 of the male member 15.

With reference to Figure 2, the base 9 of the outer shell 5 also includes a plurality of ribs 35 that reinforce the base 9 of the outer shell 5 and the assembled box

3. The ribs 35 include spaced-apart parallel elongate ribs along the length of the outer

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 shell 5 and transverse ribs 35 at the ends 13 of the outer shell 5. It is noted that the ribs 35 may be in any suitable form and arrangement.

The base 9 of the inner shell 7 does not include any reinforcing ribs and, therefore, is a substantially planar base. It is noted that the invention extends to arrangements with reinforcing ribs or other reinforcing formations.

In some embodiments, the base 9 of the outer shell 5 and the base 9 of the inner shell 7 are formed with depressions, such as semi-circular cups, (not shown) to receive and cradle fruit or other produce. It can be appreciated that these depressions also reinforce the bases 9 of the shells 5, 7.

It can be appreciated from the Figures that the ribs 35 in the base 9 of the outer shell 5 space apart the main planes of the bases 9 of the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 7 so that there is a gap between the bases 9 of the shells 5, 7. It can also be appreciated that the profiles of the side walls 11 of the shells 5, 7 result in a gap between the side walls 11 of the shells 5,7. The gaps increase the effective wall thickness of the container above that of the shells and consequently increase the stiffness of the wall and/or floor of the container. The gaps are typically between 0.5-10 mm.

With reference to Figures 17 and 18, the outer shell 5 is formed so that a plurality of the outer shells 5 can nest together, with each successive shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell. In addition, with reference to Figure 16, the 2 0 inner shell 7 is formed so that a plurality of the inner shells 7 can nest together, with each successive shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell. This nesting feature provides advantages in terms of transportability and storing the shells. In particular, being able to nest the outer shells together and the inner shells together reduces substantially the space occupied by the shells. This is important for example in 2 5 terms of transporting shells 5, 7 from a manufacturing location to an end-use location.

This is also important for example in terms of storing the shells 5, 7 at an end-use location prior to use of the shells to form assembled boxes.

Figures 19-21 illustrate how a plurality of the box 3 can be stacked one on top of the other. In order to make this possible, the outer perimeter of a rim of the side/end 30 walls 11/13 and the base 9 of the box 3 are formed with complementary stacking ledges (see the detailed view of Figure 21). The ledge of the rim of the side/end walls 11/13 forms a platform for the ledge of the base 9. In addition the ledge of the base 9 is

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 formed as a stepped arrangement, with the ledge extending inwardly and the remainder of the base 9 extending below the level of the ledge a short distance. This extension facilitates seating the boxes 3 one on top of the other.

The embodiment of the box shown in Figures 22-30 is a dual-skin box that is suitable by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit. The same reference numerals are used in Figures 22-30 to describe the same features described by the reference numerals in Figures 1-21.

The main differences between the embodiment shown in Figures 22-30 and the embodiment shown in Figures 1-21 are in the structure of the locking elements and the io reinforcing elements 35 in the base 9 of the boxes 3 and the structures of the rims of the side/end walls 11/13 of the boxes.

Firstly, the base 9 of each of the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 7 are formed with complementary ribs 45 extending upwardly from the planes 47 of the bases 9. The profiled arrangement is provided over the entire area of the base. It is noted that the 15 ribs 45 define channels whether the base is viewed from below the base. Basically, the ribs, and the channels are formed to interlock in a press-fit action across the bases 9. In addition, the central area of the base 9 of each of the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 7 is formed with an upstanding button 57 that interlock in a press-fit action.

In addition, with reference to Figures 28 and 29, the rim 51 of the box 3 includes 2 0 an outwardly extending top wall 53 that defines a stacking ledge and a downwardly extending lip 55. The rim 51 is formed from complementary rim elements of the side walls of the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 7.

Many modifications may be made to the embodiment of the present invention described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

5 By way of example, whilst embodiments are in the form of dual skin boxes, it is noted that the invention is not so limited and extends to boxes that include more than two shells that are formed to interlock to form the box.

In addition, by way of example, whilst the embodiments comprise thermo formed shells 5, 7, it is noted that the invention is not so limited and the shells 5, 30 7 could be formed by any suitable method.

In addition, by way of example, whilst the embodiments comprise locking elements in the base 9 and the sides (side walls 11 and end walls 13), it is noted the

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2017202724 26 Apr 2017 invention is not so limited and the locking elements may be in the base 9 only or in the sides (side walls 11 and end walls 13).

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Claims (6)

1. A container, such as a box or a tray, that is suited by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, that includes at least an

5 outer shell and an inner shell that are formed so that the shells interlock together to form the container.

2. The container defined in claim 1 wherein the outer shell and the inner shell form a dual skin container.

3. The container defined in claim 1 or claim 2 includes a base (i.e. a floor) and a io side extending from the base that defines a space for produce to be packaged in the container.

4. The container defined in claim 3 wherein the side includes formations, for example a ledge on an upper section of the side, that facilitate locating a plurality of containers in a stack with successive containers on top of each other.

15 5. The container defined in claim 3 or claim 4 being rectilinear when viewed in top plan, with the side including an opposed pair of side walls and an opposed pair of end walls.

6. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are formed so that the inner shell fits with a close fit, typically with a

2 0 friction fit, within the outer shell in at least in some areas of a wall and/or a floor of the container.

7. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are formed so that there are gaps between the shells in some areas of the container.

2 5 8. The container defined in claim 7 wherein the gaps are in the wall and/or floor of the container and increase the effective wall thickness of the container above that of the shells and consequently increase the stiffness of the wall and/or floor of the container.

9. The container defined in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the gaps are typically between 0.5-10 mm

30 10. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each outer shell and each inner shell include a base and a side extending from the base.

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11. The container defined in claim 10 wherein when the container is rectilinear when viewed in top plan, the side of each of the outer shell and the inner shell includes an opposed pair of side walls and an opposed pair of end walls

12. The container defined in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the base of the outer shell

5 includes a plurality of ribs or other formations that strengthen the base.

13. The container defined in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the base of the inner shell includes a plurality of ribs or other formations that strengthen the base.

14. The container defined in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the ribs of the base of the outer shell and the ribs of the base of the inner shell are oriented with respect to each

1 o other so that the ribs of the base of one shell are transverse to the ribs of the base of the other shell when the shells are assembled together to form the container.

15. The container defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein, in each case, the ribs in the base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell are formed by pressing or otherwise forming the ribs out of a plane of the base or forming for example

15 thermoforming, the ribs as part of a formed structure, such as a moulded structure.

16. The container defined in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the base of the inner shell includes a plurality of depressions to receive produce, such as fruit.

17. The container defined in claim 16 wherein the base of the outer shell includes a plurality of depressions that are aligned with the depressions in the inner shell.

2 0 18. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer shell and the inner shell include locking elements that connect the shells together.

19. The container defined in claim 18 wherein the locking elements are complementary press-fit or click-lock elements.

20. The container defined in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the locking elements are

2 5 in the base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell.

21. The container defined in claim 20 wherein the locking elements include complementary press-fit or click-lock elements in the base of the outer shell and the base of the inner shell that connect the shells together.

22. The container defined in claim 21 wherein the base of the outer shell includes a

30 female member, for example in the form of a channel (or depression or recess), and the base of the inner shell includes a male member, for example in the form of a projecting element, formed to press-fit or click lock together.

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23. The container defined in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the locking elements include complementary formations in the side walls of the shells.

24. The container defined in claim 23 wherein the complementary formations in the side walls of the shells include ribs in the side walls of the outer shell and the inner

5 shell, with the ribs in one of the shells defining channels for receiving aligned ribs of the other shell.

25. The container defined in claim 24 wherein the ribs in the side walls of one shell taper from a wider opening at a rim of the container to a narrower end at the base of the shell and the ribs in the side walls of the other shell converge from a wider opening at

1 o the rim of the container to a narrower end part way towards the base of the shell, whereby as the inner shell is inserted into the outer shell, the ribs of the side walls of one of the shells extend into the channels defined by the ribs in the side walls of the other shell and the tapered and converging shapes of the ribs results in a friction fit when the inner shell is located properly in the outer shell and forms the container.

15 26. The container defined in any one of claims 18 to 25 wherein the locking elements include complementary formations in the end walls of the shells.

27. The container defined in claim 26 wherein the complementary formations in the end walls of the shells include ribs defined in claims 24 and 25 in connection with the side walls of the shells.

2 0 28. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer shell is formed so that a plurality of the outer shells can nest together, with each successive shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell.

29. The container defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner shell is formed so that a plurality of the inner shells can nest together, with each successive

2 5 shell at least partially positioned within a previous shell.

30. A container that is suited by way of example for packaging and transporting perishable produce, such as fruit, that includes at least an outer shell and an inner shell.

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