Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
  • A01K63/02—Receptacles specially adapted for transporting live fish
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
• • 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
  • B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
• • 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
  • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
• • 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
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
  • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
  • B65D81/261—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for draining or collecting liquids without absorbing them
• • 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
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00006—Palletisable loads, i.e. loads intended to be transported by means of a fork-lift truck
  • B65D2571/00111—Arrangements of flexible binders
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
  • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

• This invention relates to systems and methods for processing, packaging, handling, transporting and distribut ⁇ ing particulate matter, and specifically relates to such systems and methods as used in connection with fish eggs or roe.
• the system and method of the invention are especially useful in minimizing the labor involved in, and the damage to the fish eggs caused by, the handling and distribution of fish eggs for human consumption.
• an object of my invention to provide a system and method for processing, handling, stor ⁇ ing, and distributing particulate matter, which system is characterized by lightweight, unitized structures that per ⁇ mit the particulate matter to be processed in various cooperating assemblies of relatively small containers, from virtually the beginning of the handling, transport and stor ⁇ age processes.
• the particulate is placed in the aforesaid cooperating assemblies, which can then be stored, frozen, and/or transported to an area nearer to consumers, where the small containers may be readily utilized to distribute the desired smaller quantities of the particulate matter.
• Another object of my invention is the provision of a system of the aforementioned character which optimizes the speed and efficiency of handling and distributing the par ⁇ ticulate matter, and at the same time minimizes the damage that occurs from repeated transfers of delicate particu- lates.
• An additional object of my invention is the provi- sion of a system of the aforementioned character which includes the desirable characteristic of being able to transport relatively large volumes of particulate matter.
• this characteristic is enhanced by provid ⁇ ing a multiplicity of the above-described structures with cooperating engagement mechanisms, whereby the assemblies of small containers may be handled and transported in stacks and other configurations that are relatively resistant to shifting or other damage.
• Yet another object of my invention is to provide a system of the aforementioned character which includes a plu ⁇ rality of small baskets suitable for retaining the particu ⁇ late matter, which small baskets may be selectively posi- tioned in the aforesaid cooperating assemblies in any of various quantities appropriate and desirable for the spe ⁇ cific stage of processing and/or distributing of the particulate.
• -' - ' >- ⁇ - -* ⁇ - ⁇ - — ⁇ - ⁇ * •
• Still another object of my invention is the provi- sion of a system of the aforementioned character in which the various components of the system may be assembled in nesting relationship with like components while not in use.
• Another object of my invention is the provision of a method for processing particulate material, " which method includes the steps of operatively arranging basket means in a first container means, loading particulate matter in the basket means and closing the first container means, trans ⁇ porting or storing the first container means, opening the first container means and removing the basket means there- from, and operatively arranging a selected number of the basket means in a second container means of different size from the first container means for subsequent storage, transportation, processing, or usage of the particulate material.
• An additional object of my invention is the provi ⁇ sion of a processing system for particulate material, which system includes basket means for retaining the particulate material, first container means for operatively retaining the basket means for initial transportation, processing or storage of the particulate matter, second container means for receiving and operatively retaining selected members of the basket means after removal of the basket members om the first container means after the completion of the ini- tial transportation, processing or storage, whereby the par ⁇ ticulate material may be subsequently transported, processed or stored in the second container means in quantities dif ⁇ ferent from those which are initially transported, processed or stored in the first container means. Consequently, the system of my invention may be utilized in processing and handling particulate matter in a more efficient and affordable manner than that provided by pri r art systems.
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a multiplicity of large containers constructed and placed in stacking rela ⁇ tionship in accordance with the teachings of the invention
• FIG. 2 is a fragmentary partially sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and illustrating basket means operatively positioned within the aforesaid large con ⁇ tainers ; - - - - ⁇ *- ' .x- - *,-- ⁇ ⁇ . 1 - r - . f. . ,. r .
• FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of nested lid members of the aforesaid large containers
• FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of nested base members of the aforesaid large containers
• FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; " FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a multiplicity of small containers constructed and placed in stacking rela ⁇ tionship in accordance with the teachings of the invention
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8; 1
• FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7;
• FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevation view, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
• FIG. 12 is a bottom view, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
• FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevation view similar to FIG. 11, but illustrating a tamper-indication means as-it might appear when tampering has occurred;
• FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of nested lid members of the aforesaid small containers;
• FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of nested base members of the aforesaid small containers
• FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a ba ' sket member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the inven ⁇ tion;
• FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a nested plurality of the basket members of FIG. 16.
• FIGS. 18a-18o are isometric exploded views of a preferred method of processing and handling particulate mat ⁇ ter in accordance with the teachings of the invention.
• basket means 30 is of a size and con ⁇ figuration such that a plurality of such basket means may be selectively and removably retained in the container assem- blies 10 and/or 20, so that a subject particulate matter may be transported, stored, frozen, handled, or otherwise pro ⁇ Switchd therein, as more fully described below.
• the various components of the system of my inven ⁇ tion are, in addition to being manufactured in " the relative size and configuration just described, also configured to permit pluralities of their respective unassembled parts to be maintained nested prior to or after assembly or the processing of the particulate matter. Such nesting is preferably sufficiently loose to permit the ready removal of a single component member from the nested stack.
• basket means 30 such as a basket member 32, which member includes a basket portion 34 having a rim portion 36 at the periphery thereof.
• the basket member 32 is preferably of approximately square configuration, so that it may be oriented in any of several directions when retained in the container assemblies 10 and 20, as more thoroughly discussed below. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that non-square basket configu ⁇ rations may also be utilized with some efficacy in my inven- tion.
• the basket means 30 is constructed of high impact styrene, although those skilled in the art will understand that any suitably strong, lightweight material will suffice.
• the basket member 32 preferably includes stacking and/or reinforcing ribs 38 at appropriate locations thereon, to enhance the strength of the basket structure.
• the basket portion 34 of the basket includes drainage means 40 such as slots 42, to permit the draining of any fluids which may be associated with or may emanate from the particulate matter as it is processed.
• the rim portions 36 of ⁇ the basket members 32 include nesting flanges 44 suitably aligned and configured to maintain such baskets in slightly spaced relationship, for ease of removal from one another.
• providing a plurality of similarly sized and shaped basket members 32 enhances the flexibility and util ⁇ ity of the processing system of my invention, in that the baskets become fungible with respect to one another and may thus be readily interchanged whenever necessary and may.be easily transferred between the various container means 10 and 20 as explained below.
• the rim portions 36 of the basket members 32 fur ⁇ ther include abutment lips 46 along the outer edge of the rim portions 36.
• the abutment lips 46 assist ih achieving the desired operative interfitting web retention of the bas ⁇ kets 32 in the containers 10 and 20, as more thoroughly described below. While so aligned, the lips 46 abut the corresponding lips of adjacent baskets 32, and/or abut the containers themselves, thereby restricting the movement of the baskets 32 within the containers 10 or 20.
• First or primary container means 10, FIGS. 1-6, is configured to receive a plurality of basket means 30.
• the first container means has a length and width defining a horizontal plane and the config- I! uration of the various components of the processing system maintain the basket members 32 in alignment with that plane and with one another so that particulate matter in the bas ⁇ kets is retained therein by the force of gravity.
• First container means 10 such as tray members 12 is preferably manufactured from abutyl styrene by vacuum forming, and is sufficiently strong and lightweight to be readily usable for transporting, storing, processing and handling the subject particulate matter, as more fully dis- cussed hereinafter.
• Tray members 12 include container members 14 and lid members 16 which are engageable as cooperative pairs to form individual tray member assemblies 12. In addition to being appropriately shaped to cooperatively interengage one another, the tray container and lid members 14 and 16 are respectively configured to permit nesting among like compo ⁇ nents, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, when such components are not being utilized in the processing of particulate matter.
• Each tray lid member 16 preferably includes sloped sidewall portions 50 at the perimeter of a top portion 52, FIG. 3.
• Lid members 16 further include a plurality of recessed portions 54 which perform a variety of functions. For example, the recessed portions are configured to engage with adjacent tray container members 14, as shown in FIGS.
• the recessed portions 54 include shoul ⁇ ders 56 at the periphery thereof which, in cooperation with the sloped sidewall portions 50, maintain the aforedescribed spaced nesting relationship illustrated in FIG. 3.
• the recessed portions 54 form channels 58 therebetween that are useful not only for the stacking function illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but also to opera- tively retain banding means 60 such as straps 62, at a selected location on the outside of tray members 12.
• banding means 60 can be utilized with a single tray member 12, or can retain a plurality of tray members 12 in stacking engagement.
• the banding straps 62 are helpful and even necessary for proper and safe storage, handling and/or transport of multiple tray members 12 or to transport any single tray member 12 for a significant distance.
• the channels 58 also function to engage the abutment lips 46 of the basket members 32 during certain stages of processing of the particulate matter, as discussed more thoroughly below with respect to FIG. 2. This helps ensure a controlled retention of the basket members and, concomitantly, the recessed portions 54 in the assembly of FIG. 2 space the lid member 16 from contact with the par- /3 ticulate matter, providing room for overfill of particulate matter in the basket members 32 or simply decreasing the likelihood that the particulate matter will contact the lid member 16.
• Tray container members 14, FIGS. 4-6 preferably include bottom portions 70 having a multiplicity of indented sections 72 therein.
• the indented sections 72 are sized and shaped to atingly engage with the recessed portions 54 of the tray lid members 16 when the tray members 12 are stacked, as in FIG. 1, thereby assisting in achieving a desired degree of stability for the stacked assembly of con ⁇ tainers 10.
• the combination of the indented sections 72 and the recessed portions 54 functions as stacking means for this part of the processing system of my invention.
• the indented sections 72 define chan ⁇ nels 74 in the bottom 70 of the tray container member 14. These channels 74 are particularly useful when the process ⁇ ing system of my invention is utilized in connection with particulate matter which includes or emanates a fluid, which fluid is desired to be drained from the particulate.
• a plurality of bas ⁇ ket means 30 are operatively disposed in the tray member 12 and contain particulate matter 80 such as fish eggs or roe. Any fluid 82 emanated from the particulate matter while stored in the tray members 12 will collect in the channels 74, due to the force of gravity. If indicated, a permeable splatter suppressant means such as a pad member 84 may be placed in overlying relationship to the channels 74, to absorb the fluid and/or to reduce the risk that the col ⁇ lected fluid 82 will be accidentally splashed back onto the particulate matter 80 during subsequent processing or trans ⁇ portation. " ' *' * - " • . • As further shown in FIG.
• the indented sections 72 and the recessed portions 54 of the container and lid members 14 and 16, respectively are preferably sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the basket members 32. This permits the basket members 32 to be retained in a relatively fixed vertical relationship with respect to the tray members 12 as well as with respect to one another. Specifically, in any given tray member assem ⁇ bly 12, the basket members 32 are supported on the bottom by the indented sections 72 and are retained at their top edges 46 by the channels 58 of the lid member 16.
• the abutment lips 46 of the basket means 30 within a single tray member 12 coact with each other and with sidewall portions 90 of the container members 14 to restrict the horizontal dis ⁇ placement of the basket members 32 with respect to the tray A* " member 12 and one another.
• the baskets and container member form an interfitting web which facilitates the aforesaid restriction of relative horizontal motion.
• the preferred embodiment of the tray container members 14 includes sidewall portions 90, FIGS. 4-6, that are configured to facilitate the desired interfitting web of basket members 32.
• Such sidewall por ⁇ tions additionally preferably include structural features to enhance the rigidity and strength of the container portion 14 and achieve the aforedescribed desired spaced nesting relationship best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6.
• the sidewall portions 90 are located at the periphery of the bottom 70 of the tray container member 14, as best shown in FIG. 6, and include an outwardly projecting flange portion 92 at the upper edge thereof.
• the flange 92 includes a downwardly sloped surface 94 which corresponds to and matingly engages the sloped sidewall 50 of the tray lid member 16 when the components are assembled into an opera- tive tray member 12.
• An outwardly projecting lip portion 96 is located at the periphery of the downwardly sloped surface 94 to add strength to the flange member 92 and to provide a satisfactory mating surface for the bottom edge of the sloped sidewall 50 of the tray lid member 16.
• depressions 100 are formed in the downwardly sloped surface 94 of the flange 92, periodically along the length of the flange.
• the depressions can be aligned with the channels 74, as shown in FIG. 5.
• the depressions 100 preferably form vertical wall portions having vertically aligned upper and lower shoulder sections 102 and 104, FIGS. 4 and 6. While in nesting rela ⁇ tionship, the upper shoulders 104 of the container member 14 operatively contact and support the lower shoulders 102 of an adjacent container member immediately thereabove. Thus, the desired spaced nesting is accomplished and, instead of being tightly sealed to one another by vacuum, the tray con ⁇ tainer members 14 may be readily removed from one another as they become needed during processing of the particulate mat ⁇ ter.
• second container means 20 includes one or more shipping containers 22, each including a base or container member 24 and a lid member 26.
• the con ⁇ tainer member 24 is preferably manufactured from high-den- sity polyethylene, the lid 26 from low-density polyethylene, and both are configured to nest in spaced relationship with like components, FIGS. 14 and 15, as well as to resealably engage one another during i:he processing of the particulate matter.
• the preferred resealable, tamper-indicating func ⁇ tion of the second container means may be accomplished by any of several known means.
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,946 teaches a container construction that achieves resealability and which provides evidence that the lid mem- ber has been removed from the base after the initial interengagement of the lid and base.
• Such evidence may include a broken frangible tab section 110, FIGS. 11-13, or may incorporate some other appropriate method.
• the preferred embodiment of my invention includes mating flanges 112 and 114 on the respective outer periph ⁇ eries of the base members 24 and lid members 26, as best shown in FIG. 9, to accomplish the aforedescribed resealable cooperation therebetween.
• the flange 19 As indicated above, the flange 19
• 112 on the base member 24 preferably includes a tamper-indi ⁇ cating portion 110, FIGS. 10-13.
• the shipping members 22 are also configured to stackingly engage one another and to be banded into assem- blies 20, FIG. 7, similarly to the first containers 10.
• the lid member 26 of the shipping member 22 includes recessed portions 120 forming channel sections 122 suitable for retaining-banding means .124, -again-similarly «to the first - container means 10. ' If additional stiffening of the lid member 26 is desired, stiffening flanges (not shown) may also or alterna ⁇ tively be provided in a pattern similar to that of the recessed portions 120. Such stiffening flanges may also be readily utilized in the stacking interengagement of a multi- plicity of secondary container members 20.
• each base member 24 includes stacking means such as a pro ⁇ truding bottom flange 126 around the outer bottom corner thereof.
• the flange 126 preferably extends downwardly from the base member for at least three purposes.
• the flange member 126 is configured to be aligned in the channel sections 122 of an underlying lid member 26, providing the desirable stackability discussed above with respect to the first container means 10.
• the flange member stiff- 14 ens and strengthens the container base 24 around the periph ⁇ ery thereof.
• stacking means in the second con ⁇ tainer means of my invention includes retaining flanges 130, FIG. 7, extending upwardly from the corners of lid member 26 to assist in operatively restricting an overlying adjacent base member 24 from excessive relative horizontal shifting.
• the various container and basket components of my invention are preferably constructed from the several mate- rials indicated above in an injection molding process.
• the components are preferably of a material capa ⁇ ble of withstanding cyclical refrigeration and/or freezing. This ensures that, if the processing of the subject particu ⁇ late matter includes refrigeration or freezing steps, those steps can occur without the necessity of removing the par ⁇ ticulate matter from the various components of my invention.
• FIGS. l ⁇ a-18o A preferred method of utilizing my processing invention for processing fish eggs is illustrated in FIGS. l ⁇ a-18o.
• FIGS. l ⁇ a-18o A preferred method of utilizing my processing invention for processing fish eggs is illustrated in FIGS. l ⁇ a-18o.
• a permeable splatter suppressant means such as a pad member 84, FIGS. 2 and 18a, is preferably placed in a contiguous overlying relationship with the bot ⁇ tom 70 of the tray container member 14.
• basket means 30 such as a plurality of bas- ket members 32, FIG. 18b, are arranged in a planar, inter- fitting web inside the tray container member 14.
• a filling shield such as screen 140 is preferably placed in an overly ⁇ ing contiguous relationship with the basket means 30, to aid ⁇ in funnelling the particulate matter into the basket members 30, FIG. 18c.
• the filling shield 140 may be readily constructed, in the preferred embodiment, by modifying a tray lid member 16. Referring to FIG. 3, an appropriate modification includes removing all of the recessed portions 54 from a lid member 16 by, for example, cutting through the shoulders 56. The remaining web 142, FIG. 18b, formed by the channels 58, the remaining top portion 52, and the sidewall portions 50, may then be inverted and serve as a funnel for the particu ⁇ late matter, as indicated herein.
• one filling screen 140 may be repeatedly used, and may thus fill numerous tray means 12 at a single stage of pro- cessing the particulate matter.
• a spatula means such as spatula 144 may be utilized to level the upper surface of the particulate.
• a spatula means such as spatula 144 may be utilized to level the upper surface of the particulate.
• numerous spatula means may be effectively utilized, including spatulas wide enough to span the entire filling shield web 142 (similarly to FIG. 18 ⁇ , as discussed hereinbelow) .
• the first container means 10 may be configured to accommodate some degree of overfill of particulate matter 80.
• the web 142 of shield 140 may be used as a filling guide to determine the level of particulate matter in each basket member 32, FIG. 18e.
• the spatula 144 may be aligned in relation to the web 142 and dragged across the top of the particulate matter 80.
• the web 142 may still be utilized as a filling guide by inserting spacer means such as spacers 146, FIG. 18f, between the filling shield 140 and the basket means 30.
• spacers 146 may be permanently affixed to- the filling shield 140 if, for example, a particular fill height is to be utilized repeatedly.
• the screen 140 is removed along with any excess particulate matter remaining thereon.
• the shield 140 thus minimizes the spillage or overflow of particulate mat ⁇ ter 80, ensuring that the particulate matter and any liquid or residue associated therewith do not unduly contaminate the basket members 32 and tray container member 14.
• the tray lid member 16 is placed in coopera ⁇ tive engagement with the filled tray container member 14, FIG. 18g, to protect the particulate matter during subse ⁇ quent processing steps. Such steps may include, for exam- pie, transportation, refrigeration, storage, aging, etc.
• FIGS. 18n and 18o illustrate an alternative method of utilizing the system of my invention.
• the particulate matter 80 may be poured directly onto the interfitting web of the basket mem ⁇ bers 32 and the tray container member 14.
• a spatula 144 is then passed across the upper surface of the particulate mat ⁇ ter, to level the particulate matter to a desired height.
• the lid member 16 is then engaged with the filled tray con- tainer member 14.
• this alternative method may result in some residue, liquid or particulate matter being undesirably splattered or transferred onto the various components of the system.
• the assembled and filled first container means 10 may next be arranged in stacking interengagement, FIG. 18h, and if the particulate matter is to be transported or stored for extended periods of time, banding means 60 such as straps 62 may be operatively disposed around a multiplicity of tray members 12 or a single tray member 12.
• banding means 60 such as straps 62 may be operatively disposed around a multiplicity of tray members 12 or a single tray member 12.
• the tray member 12 may be opened and a selected number of basket members 32 removed therefrom, FIG. 18i.
• the basket members may then be placed in the base member 24 of the above- described secondary container means 20.
• the secondary container means 20 such as shipping con ⁇ tainers 22 may also be utilized before or instead of the first container means 10.
• the shipping containers 22 may be utilized in numerous other processing steps, such as storing, refrigerating, etc.
• the lid member 26 is cooperatively engaged with the base container member 24, preferably in a tamper-indicating, resealable relationship as discussed above.
• a plurality of the shipping contain ⁇ ers 22 may be stackingly engaged and banded together through the use of banding means 124, FIG. 18k, or similar expedi ⁇ ent.
• a stack of such containers may be placed in a corrugated cardboard box for shipping, storage, or other processing.
• the tamper-indicating means such as frangible tab section 110 is broken, FIG. 181, enabling removal of the lid member 26 from the container base member 24, FIG. 18m.
• the secondary container means 20 may subsequently be utilized for storage of any remaining particulate matter 80 because of the resealability characteristic of the container.
• the secondary container may also be subsequently utilized for transporting or otherwise processing the particulate matter.
• the processing system of my invention provides a system which can be utilized to efficiently and economically process particulate and other matters.
• the system of my invention provides flexibility and permits cre ⁇ elcivity in the processing of such matters.
• my invention enhances the speed and economy with which fish eggs and like particulates may be processed and distributed for consumption.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
• Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
• Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
• Stackable Containers (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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ID=22220713

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (3)

Citations (10)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1990
  • 1990-03-01 JP JP1991600018U patent/JPH04500007U/ja active Pending
  • 1990-03-01 WO PCT/US1990/001120 patent/WO1991012713A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (10)

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