AU2022200427B2

AU2022200427B2 - A Produce Container

Info

Publication number: AU2022200427B2
Application number: AU2022200427A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Lam
Original assignee: Multisteps Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Multisteps Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-14
Filing date: 2022-01-21
Publication date: 2023-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-14
Also published as: US20150101955A1; AU2018214161A1; AU2020201959A1; AU2016101788A4; AU2016101788B4; AU2014250622A1; CN204368740U; AU2022200427A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a produce container which includes a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has a base and a wall defining a mouth. The base includes first engaging means and a lid adapted to close off the 5 mouth. The lid has a top having second engaging means adapted to cooperate with the first engaging means of another identical produce container so as to facilitate interlocking of the container with the other identical container. 8

Description

A Produce Container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packaging containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a produce container.

Background of the Invention

There is a need for produce growers and traders to use produce containers, also known as punnets, to transport fresh produce from farms to distributors or wholesalers who would then on-sell the produce to retailers for selling to the general public. Typically, the produce is packed in a large number of containers arranged in stacks which are fitted into a big plastic tray for transportation.

It is generally desired in the produce packaging industry to provide a container which allow the produce to be aerated before consumption in order to prevent the following from happening: (i) a reduction in the density of the produce; (ii) a change in the texture and rheology of the produce which may lead to different mouthfeel and appearance; (iii) a reduction in shelf-life due to oxidation reactions; and (iv) a decrease in the intensity of flavours.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a produce container which may satisfy the abovementioned desire, or which will at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a produce container including: a receptacle with a base and a wall defining a mouth, the base including an external first engaging means; and a lid adapted to close off the mouth, the lid with a top having an external second engaging means; wherein the first engaging means includes a leg which curves in a first direction away from the centre of the base, the leg having a first centre of curvature on the plane that the base is on; and wherein the second engaging means takes the form of a recessed corner on an elevated platform, the recessed corner having a curved edge, the curvature of the leg conforming to the curved edge of the recessed corner; whereby the second engaging means is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging means of another identical produce container if stacked on top of or below the produce container, so as to facilitate interlocking of the produce container with each other identical produce container; and wherein a first aperture is located in the base so as to be partly surrounded by the leg of the first engaging means; and a second aperture is located in the recessed corner of the elevated platform of the lid so as to be partly surrounded by the curved edge of the recessed corner; wherein when an identical produce container is stacked on top of the produce container, the first aperture of the identical container is in communication with the second aperture of the produce container.

As such, the produce contained in both containers may be aerated.

Preferably, the base includes second, third and fourth such legs and second, third and fourth such first apertures while the lid includes second, third and fourth such recessed corners and second, third and fourth such second apertures.

Preferably, each leg also curves in a second direction away from the base, with a second centre of curvature below the base. As such, each leg includes an arch providing a gap between an underside of the leg and the top of the lid of an identical container stacked below. Extra aeration of the produce contained in both containers is enabled as a result.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a produce container having a lid and a receptacle in an open state in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an internal perspective view of the produce container of Figure 1 with the lid and receptacle in a closed state;

Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the lid of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view from bottom of the receptacle of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the container of Figure 1 with the lid and receptacle in a closed state;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of multiple containers of Figure 1 in a stack; and

Figure 7 is a magnified view illustrating the portion labelled Y as shown in Figure 6.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a produce container 10 is shown consisting of a receptacle 12 and a lid 14. The receptacle 12 has a base 16 and a wall 18 defining a mouth 20.

The lid 14 a top 40 with (second) engaging means which is in the form of an elevated platform 22 with recessed corners 24, 26, 28 & 30. Each recess corner 24, 26, 28 or30 has a curved edge 32, 34, 36& 38.

As best shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lid 14 is provided to close off the mouth 20 of the receptacle 12. The base 16 has (first) engaging means which are in the form of legs designed to engage and cooperate with the respective recessed corners 24A, 26A, 28A & 30A of the elevated platform 22A of another identical produce container 10A (see Figure 6) so as to facilitate interlocking of the container 10 with the other identical container 10A.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, each of the legs 50, 52, 54 & 56 of the base 12 curves in a first direction (as shown by arrows 60) away from the centre 58 of the base 16 with a centre of curvature (not shown) on the plane that the base 16 is on. The curvature 62 of each leg 50, 52, 54 & 56 conforms to the curved edge, for example 38, of a corresponding recessed corner 30, for example.

As best shown in Figure 4, each leg 50, 52, 54 & 56 also curves in another direction (as indicated by arrows 64, see Figure 5) away from the base 16 with another centre of curvature (not shown) below the base 16. It should be noted that the curves may not be in the shape of a perfect arc but just an asymmetrical bend as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. As such, each leg 50, 52, 54, 56 includes an arch 66, 68 for example, providing a gap 68 between an underside of the leg 50, for example, and the top 40 of the lid 14, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Extra aeration of the produce contained in both containers 10 & 10A is enabled as a result.

As best shown in Figure 4, the base 16 has four apertures 70, 72, 74 & 76. Each of the apertures 70, 72, 74 & 76 is located near a corner 78, for example, of the receptacle 12.

Turning to Figure 3, the top 40 of the lid 14 has four apertures in the form of round holes 80, 82, 84 & 86. More preferably, each of these holes 80, 82, 84 & 86 is located near of a recessed corner 24 for example.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the container 10 is stacked on top of the other identical container 10A which in turn is stacked on top of yet another virtual container 10B shown in broken lines. As mentioned above, the legs 50, 52, 54

& 56 of are engaged with the respective curved edges 32, 34, 36 & 38 of the recesses corners of the receptacle 12. Each aperture 70, 72, 74, 76 is in communication with a corresponding hole 84, 82, 80 & 86. As such, air circulation following paths 88 & 90 for example, is enabled thereby allowing the produce contained in both containers 10 & 10A (and 10B) to be aerated. Additionally, as best shown in Figure 7, each of the gaps, 68 for example, between the underside of the leg 50, for example, and the top 40 of the lid 14 permits extra paths 100 for ventilation ensuring that the contained produce gets adequate aeration while in storage and during transportation.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the produce container of the present invention may offer at least the following advantages:

1. it enables interlocking among stacked containers in a stable manner; and

2. it enables adequate aeration of produce boxed up in stacked containers while in storage and during transportation thereby prolonging the shelf-live of the produce and preventing the produce from taste and appearance deterioration.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A produce container including: a receptacle with a base and a wall defining a mouth, the base including first engaging means; and a lid adapted to close off the mouth, the lid with a top having an external second engaging means; wherein the first engaging means includes a leg which curves in a first direction away from the centre of the base, the leg having a first centre of curvature on the plane that the base is on; and wherein the second engaging means takes the form of a recessed corner on an elevated platform, the recessed corner having a curved edge, the curvature of the leg conforming to the curved edge of the recessed corner; whereby the second engaging means is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging means of another identical produce container if stacked on top of or below the produce container, so as to facilitate interlocking of the produce container with each other identical produce container; and wherein a first aperture is located in the base so as to be partly surrounded by the leg of the first engaging means; and a second aperture is located in the recessed corner of the elevated platform of the lid so as to be partly surrounded by the curved edge of the recessed corner; wherein when an identical produce container is stacked on top of or below the produce container, the first aperture of each other identical container is in communication with the second aperture of the produce container.

2. The produce container of claim 1, wherein the base includes second, third and fourth such legs and second, third and fourth such first apertures while the lid includes second, third and fourth such recessed corners and second, third and fourth such second apertures.

3. The produce container of claim 1 or 2, wherein each leg also curves in a second direction away from the base with a second centre of curvature below the base.

4. The produce container of any one of claim 3, wherein each leg includes an arch providing a gap between an underside of the leg and the top of the lid of a further identical produce container stacked below the produce container.