EP0205681A2 - Behälter - Google Patents

Behälter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0205681A2
EP0205681A2 EP85303779A EP85303779A EP0205681A2 EP 0205681 A2 EP0205681 A2 EP 0205681A2 EP 85303779 A EP85303779 A EP 85303779A EP 85303779 A EP85303779 A EP 85303779A EP 0205681 A2 EP0205681 A2 EP 0205681A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tray
container
recited
end walls
frame member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85303779A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0205681A3 (de
Inventor
Paul Quong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to US06/623,498 priority Critical patent/US4529088A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP85303779A priority patent/EP0205681A3/de
Publication of EP0205681A2 publication Critical patent/EP0205681A2/de
Publication of EP0205681A3 publication Critical patent/EP0205681A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0213—Containers presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper or lower edge of at least two opposite side walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to shipping and storage containers, more particularly for use with fruit and vegetable produce, especially strawberries.
  • each compartment is formed to receive a group of six baskets, for a total of twelve baskets.
  • Such trays are used in large quantities and are thus generally supplied to the growers in collapsed form, so that an assembly machine must be employed to erect each tray in order to receive twelve plastic, web-like baskets, which are well known in the art.
  • the above-described shipping-and-storage trays and plastic baskets are the only ones being employed in the strawberry industry.
  • the known trays When loaded with berry baskets, the known trays must be stacked on pallets which normally provide for sixteen layers of trays, arranged six to each layer, for a total of ninety-six per pallet.
  • a pair of stacking wires In order to stack the layers in such an arrangement, a pair of stacking wires must be inserted into each tray, one wire in each end wall, so as to link the tray with the superposed tray.
  • This stacking arrangement has not been found to be completely satisfactory for long periods of time during hauling. The stacked load must also be carefully handled so as to prevent tipping, which often occurs.
  • Patent 3,539,071 to R. E. Ludder discloses a packaging structure that includes a plurality of nestable containers such that individual containers are positioned and retained in a carrier tray.
  • the actual carrier-container assemblies are placed in cartons and shipped to the respective dairies, etc., which fill the individual containers while they remain in the carrier trays; and the carrier trays are then repackaged in cartons or the like for shipment to the end user.
  • Patent 3,651,976 to G. R. Chadbourne discloses a molded packaging tray comprising a plurality of interconnected elongated container sections. The trays are formed for stacking, one above the other, with alternate trays being oriented differently from adjacent ones.
  • Patent 3,884,381 to G. Kaupert discloses a nestable compartmentalized tray made of thin sheet material and having a plurality of downwardly narrowing cup-shaped depressions. Trays of this structure may be nested in one another to form a tray stack.
  • FIG. 4 Another nestable and stackable support tray is disclosed in Patent 4,242,834 to R. C. Olsen.
  • This tray is particularly designed as a planting system that includes a support tray, a plruality of interconnected sleeves, and a plruality of transplant frames adapted for insertion within each sleeve.
  • the present invention has for an important object a provision wherein various types of produce can be readily stored and transported in an open box-like container over long distances without damage to the container or the produce stored therein.
  • the container of the present invention is formed with a lightweight frame structure which defines a basket-support tray having a plurality of contiguously formed openings or receptacles adapted to receive a plurality of lightweight plastic baskets.
  • Mounted about the tray structure is a peripheral frame member, preferably a sheet of corrugated material.
  • the peripheral frame member establishes side wall members for the container, but more importantly provides a means for stackably interlocking superposed containers during storage and/or shipping.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a shipping-and-storage-container unit for fresh produce wherein a multiplicity of containers are stackable in an interlocking arrangement to allow safe shipping or transporting by pallets, without the need for additional interlocking devices such as wires or tie sheets as are now employed.
  • a further object of the invention in a preferred form is to provide a shipping-and-storage container of this character that allows additional containers to be loaded on trucks for long-range transportation, due to the unique high-compressive and flexual strength level of each loaded container, the compressive-strength performance being unchanged, regardless of ambient temperatures and/or mositure exposure.
  • the tray of the container is preferably designed as a monolithic structure formed from expanded polystyrene material that provides a key high-strength level, and thus does not depend upon quality of glued joints as in existing containers used in the strawberry industry.
  • a still further object of the present invention in its preferred form is to provide a container of this character that allows a predictable quantity of fruit to be packed in each basket, which then allows an increased per-acre yield for the grower.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and that is simple yet rugged in construction.
  • the present invention defines a produce shipping-and-storage container 10 which will hereinafter be referred to as a "container unit", this unit being especially adapted to store and ship small fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, cherry tomatoes, etc.
  • each container unit 10 comprises a basket-support tray, generally designated at 12, having a plurality of pocket- like openings which define receptacles 14 formed in a contiguous manner to receive and support individual baskets 15.
  • Basket-support tray 12 establishes the basic structure of the present invention and is preferably formed from ex- p andable polystyrene material.
  • the tray is structured in a substantially rectangular configuration defined by peripheral side walls 18, end walls 22 and 24, and a centrally disposed truss or partition wall 26 which is interposed midway between end walls 22 and 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • a plurality of receptacles 14 which are formed in groups of six. That is, a first basket-support section of six receptacles is arranged between end wall 22 and partition wall 26, a second basket-support section of six receptacles being arranged between partition wall 26 and end wall 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • Each receptacle 14 is defined by the longitudinal side walls 18, end walls 22 and 24, and p ar- tition wall 26, and further includes inner longitudinal wall members 28 together with transverse wall members 30. All of the above wall members are integrally formed so as to establish the individual receptacles, which in themselves form openings 32 to allow air to pass freely through baskets 15 supported in receptacles 14.
  • the ability of the present invention to allow constant air flow through the containers and stored produce is very important, and will be further described herein.
  • Each receptacle is also formed having an inner, peripheral, flange member 36 on which a basket 15 is supported.
  • the inner surface of the integral wall member of each receptacle has an inclined configuration to match the inclined wall 40 of a basket 15.
  • the four contiguous tapered or inclined surfaces 42 of each receptacle 14 provides a secure fit between baskets 15 and tray 12.
  • the bottom surface or wall structure 44 is substantially flat throughout so as to allow the container units 10 to be stackably mounted in a vertical superposed arrangement, one above the other, in a very stable manner.
  • the upper surfaces 46 of wall members 22, 24 and 26 provide a corresponding flat support means for mating engagement with the bottom surfaces 44 of the containers mounted thereupon.
  • an outer peripheral frame member 48 is provided. This frame member is preferably made from corrugated board that is positioned about the rectangular perimeter of tray 12 and secured at 50 to itself, and then bonded or glued to the outer peripheral surface of the tray so as to prevent frame member 48 from being removed therefrom.
  • frame member 48 is formed and positioned to provide an interlocking means between the vertically stacked container units. That is, frame member 48 is formed having side walls 52 and end walls 54, wherei ⁇ all or portions of the upper edges 55 thereof extend above end walls 22 and 24, and central partition 26 of tray 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • the lower or bottom edge 56 of frame member 48' is positioned above bottom surface 44 of tray 12. This arrangement allows the extended bottom of tray 12 to be inserted into the opening defined by the upper extended edges 55 of frame member 48, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.
  • each side wall 52 has a portion thereof notched out as at 60.
  • Center partition 26 is also formed with cut-outs so as to provide air passages 62, the end walls 22 and 2f being provided with air passages 64.
  • End walls 54 of frame member i 48 include apertures 66 which align with passages 64. This alignment of passages 64 with apertures 66 further defines a handle means for carrying the container units.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative arrangement of the present container unit 10 which is formed basically the same as the one hereinbefore described, with one exception -- that being that the central truss or partition 26a does not extend upwardly so as to be equal in height to side walls 22 and 24 as in the first embodiment.
  • this arrangement still provides a sufficient strength for truss 26a, whereby tray 12 is well supported throughout its length. That is,' the central partition acts as a truss beam, thus preventing structural bending or fatigue when the tray is fully loaded with produce.
  • Truss 26a is formed with extended inclined walls 42a to receive baskets 15, and it includes flange members 36 for basket support.
  • the structural arrangement of this embodiment allows for a shorter overall length of the container, so as to conform to various shipping conditions. Since the length of the span between side walls 22 and 24 is shorter, the central truss or partition 26a is not required to act as an intermediate s ⁇ pporü for superpositioned stacked containers, even when fully loaded with produce.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
EP85303779A 1984-06-22 1985-05-29 Behälter Withdrawn EP0205681A3 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/623,498 US4529088A (en) 1984-06-22 1984-06-22 Shipping-and-storage container for produce
EP85303779A EP0205681A3 (de) 1985-05-29 1985-05-29 Behälter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP85303779A EP0205681A3 (de) 1985-05-29 1985-05-29 Behälter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0205681A2 true EP0205681A2 (de) 1986-12-30
EP0205681A3 EP0205681A3 (de) 1987-02-25

Family

ID=8194238

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85303779A Withdrawn EP0205681A3 (de) 1984-06-22 1985-05-29 Behälter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0205681A3 (de)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR851371A (fr) * 1939-03-09 1940-01-08 Plateau et système d'emballage
GB699100A (en) * 1950-11-10 1953-10-28 Eugene Hayward Stackable trays, crates, boxes and like receptacles
US3448914A (en) * 1968-01-11 1969-06-10 William A Scholz Collapsible container
DE2013807A1 (de) * 1969-03-26 1970-10-01 N.V. Plastic Industrie van Daalen, Sliedrecht (Niederlande) Haltevorrichtung für eine Anzahl von Behältern
FR2291918A1 (fr) * 1974-11-25 1976-06-18 Cogedis Procede de conditionnement de plats cuisines et aliments prepares pour constituer les elements d'un repas et boite thermo isolante pour un tel conditionnement
FR2292631A1 (fr) * 1974-11-26 1976-06-25 Toulpac Sa Caissette perfectionnee susceptible d'etre gerbee
US4432456A (en) * 1982-01-04 1984-02-21 Joseph Ovadia Jewelry display and storage apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR851371A (fr) * 1939-03-09 1940-01-08 Plateau et système d'emballage
GB699100A (en) * 1950-11-10 1953-10-28 Eugene Hayward Stackable trays, crates, boxes and like receptacles
US3448914A (en) * 1968-01-11 1969-06-10 William A Scholz Collapsible container
DE2013807A1 (de) * 1969-03-26 1970-10-01 N.V. Plastic Industrie van Daalen, Sliedrecht (Niederlande) Haltevorrichtung für eine Anzahl von Behältern
FR2291918A1 (fr) * 1974-11-25 1976-06-18 Cogedis Procede de conditionnement de plats cuisines et aliments prepares pour constituer les elements d'un repas et boite thermo isolante pour un tel conditionnement
FR2292631A1 (fr) * 1974-11-26 1976-06-25 Toulpac Sa Caissette perfectionnee susceptible d'etre gerbee
US4432456A (en) * 1982-01-04 1984-02-21 Joseph Ovadia Jewelry display and storage apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0205681A3 (de) 1987-02-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4529088A (en) Shipping-and-storage container for produce
US4618069A (en) Shipping-and-storage container
US3480178A (en) Containers that are compactly nestable when empty and stackable in spaced relation when full
US4709852A (en) Produce transport and cooling container and method for using same
US5335844A (en) Fruit and produce container
US5752602A (en) Stackable and nestable one part container
US6102204A (en) Floral transporter
US5141149A (en) Multiple use plant shipping and display container
US4175691A (en) Stackable carton for perishable commodities
US4454946A (en) Collapsible partitioned corrugated cardboard container
US3651977A (en) Containers that are compactly nestable when empty and stackable in spaced relation when full
US4205749A (en) Nestable and stackable container
US20050045639A1 (en) Intermediate bulk container
US6595363B2 (en) Floral shipper
US20090152158A1 (en) Carrier tray
US6270007B1 (en) Stackable transport crate
US4974773A (en) Carton and blank therefor
US5816406A (en) Stacking trays
EP1198389A1 (de) Faltschachtel und verfahren zu deren stapelung und behandelung
US4037750A (en) Transport-display case
GB2068338A (en) Box for trays or cartons of eggs
US20050204705A1 (en) Structure and process for packaging and shipping produce
US6296119B1 (en) Expendable shipping container
JP2006525202A (ja) ばら荷用中間コンテナ
US3638827A (en) Nestable tray

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19870826