WO1996013155A1

WO1996013155A1 - Shipping container for live fish

Info

Publication number: WO1996013155A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/013589
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonard J. Pillsbury; Guy J. Pillsbury
Original assignee: Pillsbury Leonard J; Pillsbury Guy J
Priority date: 1994-10-28
Filing date: 1995-10-27
Publication date: 1996-05-09
Also published as: AU4132996A

Abstract

A shipping container system for live sea life comprising a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls for receiving live sea life therein. A flexible plastic bag is adapted to receive the housing therein and also adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag. A rigid foam box with an open top is adapted to receive the plastic bag while containing the housing therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation. A pump is secured within the plastic bag and adapted to create a flow of fluid through the housing. A rigid cardboard container is adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and its contents. Further provided are means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system.

Description

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR LIVE FISH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a shipping container for live sea life and, more particularly, to self-contained enclosed life support systems and shipping containers for live finfish and shellfish. Description of the Background Art

Presently, there is a tremendous amount of public concern about the safety of eating seafood products. As used herein, the term sea life is intended to include life from the water whether from fresh water or sea water. The media has exploited numerous stories detailing the improper handling of fresh finfish and shellfish. The seafood industry is the only food industry not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, whereas the poultry and beef industries are closely regulated. Seafood suppliers are thus under great scrutiny by consumers, consumers who demand a safe and healthy product that they can feed to their families with confidence. These consumers demand the freshest seafood possible.

In addition, the restaurant industry is increasingly using more seafood now than ever with a demand for freshness. A large and increasing number of restaurants simply insist that all of their seafood be delivered alive, finfish as well as shellfish. A next logical step might well be the refusal of all of their seafood products which are not alive so as to ensure maximum freshness.

The most common technique used today for transporting live sea life products involves the use of large, aerated, water- filled tanks carried by trucks. Such technique is, for economic purposes, limited to the shipping of live sea life to large volume wholesalers and retailers who have a market for such large quantities but only so long as the shipping distance is not excessively great so as to minimize the transportation time. There is simply no practical technique known today for the shipment of small quantities of fish over distances large or small to render such smaller shipment available for small volume wholesalers and retailers. Commercial delivery services, such as air freight, and other equivalent services have been proposed for such smaller shipments. A requirement of such shipments, however, is that the contents of the container be leak-proof even if the container is inverted. No known practical technique meets these requirements. As evidenced by a large number of prior art patents, efforts are continuing to improve the transporting of live fish. Consider for example:

U.S. Patent Number 1,639,555 to Clark which comprises a shipping crate for live lobsters. The lobsters are placed on tiered trays and the crate is submerged in sea water;

U.S. Patent Number 1,845,599 to Haviland which comprises a tank and truck combination for transporting live fish. The tank has an open top. Means are provided for injecting oxygen into the water;

U.S. Patent Number 2,680,424 to Brown which comprises a method for preserving and transporting live fish wherein the fish are partially submerged. Each fish is placed in a separate pan;

U.S. Patent Number 4,089,298 to Wilson which comprises an apparatus for the storage and transportation of live crustaceans in individual tubular compartments. Means are provided for a constant flow of water through each compartment;

U.S. Patent Number 4,129,095 to Roberts et al which comprises a self-aerating container for small marine life having a tank for holding water, a reservoir for holding air, and pressure regulating means;

U.S. Patent Number 4,455,966 to Knowles which comprises a method of and apparatus for holding live fish and the like in a partially submerged condition. The fish are placed on substantially flat trays in a dry oxygen-saturated atmosphere;

U.S. Patent Number 4,844,012 to Jerrett which comprises a live fish transport system wherein the fish are maintained in a hypnotic-like state. Means are provided for continuously flowing water over their gills;

U.S. Patent Number 5,117,777 to Takasugi which comprises a method and apparatus for transporting and preserving live fish in a single layer between perforated, V-shaped baffles in a water tank; U.S. Patent Number 5,138,975 to Walsh which comprises a storage or transport system for small marine creatures including a container with a skirted lid and means for injecting oxygen;

U.S. Patent Number 5,220,880 to Alworth et al which comprises a method and apparatus for maintaining live fish during transportation and storage in a cylindrical container with means for flowing water therethrough; and

U.S. Patent Number 5,309,868 to Tomiyama which comprises a container for live fish and crustaceans wherein the fish and crustaceans are maintained at a desired low temperature and sprayed with a mixture of water and air.

As will become readily evident, nothing in the prior art provides the benefits and advantages attendant with the present invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the art.

Another object of this invention is to create a self- contained, enclosed life-support system for live finfish and shellfish capable of being conveniently shipped.

Another object of this invention is to maintain a quantity of live sea life in a compacted orientation within a container system and to provide water and aeration to such system. It is a further object of the present invention to preclude the leakage of shipping containers containing water in the event of inversion.

It is a further object of the present invention to bring finfish and/or crustaceans to customers in the safest, most convenient and economical manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shipping container system for live sea life comprising, a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls for receiving live sea life therein. A flexible plastic bag is adapted to receive the housing therein and also adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag. A rigid foam box with an open top is adapted to receive the plastic bag while containing the housing therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation. A pump is secured within the plastic bag and adapted to create a flow of fluid through the housing. A rigid cardboard container is adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and its contents. Further provided are means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system.

The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises a new and improved shipping container system for live finfish comprising, in combination, a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls arranged in a serpentine configuration having vertical apexes. The housing forms a plurality of V-shaped or teardrop-shaped compartments defined by the walls. The plurality of compartments are adapted for securing live finfish horizontally therein in plural stacked layers in an alternating head to tail and tail to head orientation. Further provided is a flexible, water impervious, plastic bag which has an open top, a closed bottom, and an intermediate surrounding area therebetween. The plastic bag is adapted to receive the housing and live finfish therein. The plastic bag is capable of holding an amount of water therein to submerge the gills of the live finfish. The open top has a fastener to secure the open top in a closed water-tight configuration to preclude leakage in the event of inversion. Further provided is a rigid foam box which has an open top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls. The foam box is adapted to receive the plastic bag containing the housing therein along with finfish and water. The foam box has a removable top adapted to cover the open top. The foam box functions to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation essentially in the shape of the foam box. An air pump is secured within a small separate plastic bag adjacent the top. The air pump has an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag. The air pump has an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing with air holes therethrough for thereby providing air to the gills of the finfish contained therein. The air pump also has an on/off mercury switch therein. The on/off mercury switch serves to shut off the air pump to avoid pumping water from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted. A first air exhaust line is provided which has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned centrally within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein. The second end extends outwardly through the plastic bag to a lower region. A second line extends from the second end of the first line through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box. A one-way valve may be disposed at the first end of the first line to prevent water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted. The air exhaust line functions to release exhaust air from the plastic bag. A rigid cardboard container is also provided which has an openable top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls formed in a rectangular configuration. The rigid cardboar container is adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the contents therein.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinen and important features of the present invention in order that th detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention wil be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed ma be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of the preferred embodiment of the new and improved self-contained encioseo nre-supporc system and shipping container tor live risn and seafood constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention but with the pump and associated lines removed.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken vertically through the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but in the assembled condition.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken horizontally through the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but in the assembled condition and with the plastic bag removed.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the air pump used with the apparatus of the prior Figures but with the cover removed to show internal components thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a portion of the partially assembled apparatus from the prior Figures illustrating the orientation of the exhaust line.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the new and improved self-contained enclosed life- support system and shipping container for live shell fish constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention but with the pump removed.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken vertically through the apparatus shown in Figure 6 but when in the assembled orientation but with some of the lines eliminated.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 7 but illustrating a third embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the container assembly in association with a plurality of types of housings which may be located within the container assembly.

Figure 10 is a perspective illustration of an undulating housing similar to that shown in Figure 1 but with teardrop- shaped vertical walls rather than walls in a V-shaped configuration.

Figure 11 is a perspective illustration of an air cooling assembly which may be used in any of the prior embodiments.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, a new and improved self-contained enclosed life-support system and shipping container for live fish and seafood embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, the new and improved self-contained enclosed life-support system and shipping container for live fish and seafood, is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a housing, a plastic bag, a rigid foam box, an air pump, an exhaust line and a rigid card board container. Suc components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. More specifically, a central component of the system 10 of the present invention is a housing 12. The housing is fabricated with perforate, essentially rigid walls 14. The walls are arranged in a serpentine configuration with vertical apexes 16. It has been found that a screen of a relatively rigid material can readily be bent into the desired shape as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. When so formed, the housing provides a plurality of V- shaped compartments 18 which are defined by the walls. The plurality of V-shaped compartments are adapted for securing and positioning live finfish. The live finfish are preferably positioned within the compartments in alternating head to tail and tail to head orientation. Note Figure 3. They are there positioned in a side-by-side orientation horizontally in rows and columns and are in a plurality of stacked layers. Note Figure 2. One segment of the screen of the housing is formed with recesses 20 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the screen. Such recesses extend downwardly a distance sufficiently for receiving an air pump as will be described hereinafter.

The next component of the system 10 is a plastic bag 22. The plastic bag is fabricated of a flexible, water impervious material. Such bag has an open top 24, a closed bottom 26, and an intermediate surrounding area 28. The plastic bag is adapted to receive the housing and live fish therein. The plastic bag is also capable of and adapted to hold a quantity of water therein sufficient to submerge the gills of the live finfish within the housing during operation and use. During operation and use, the open top is provided with a fastener 30 in the form of a tie- strip, preferably a rubber band, to secure the open top in a closed air-tight seal. This constitutes a mechanism to assist in precluding leakage of water from the bag in the event of an inversion.

Next provided is a rigid foam box 34. The box is of a conventional type having an open top 36, a closed bottom 38 and four surrounding side walls 40 and are each in a rectangular configuration. The foam box is adapted to receive the plastic bag therein while the plastic bag contains the housing along with the finfish and water. The foam box is provided with a planar removable lid 42 to fit tightly over the top of the foam box. The lid is adapted to provide a cover for the open top and assist in having the flexible bag conform to the shape of the interior of the foam box. The foam box has an enlarged upper section 44, a lower section 46 of a reduced size and an intermediate angled region 48 therebetween. The function of the foam box is to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation during operation and use, an orientation essentially in the shape of the foam box which receives and supports it.

Although the foam box here is shown as a relatively conventional foam cooler, it should be understood that the function of this device could be effected through a box made of separable components such as vertically disposed rectangular side walls and separate vertically disposed rectangular end walls and a horizontally disposed lower wall. In such embodiment, the walls in association with the lid as shown herein would be held in place outwardly through the interior bag. It would also be held against outward movement through a supplemental large plastic bag around the exterior of the walls.

Secured within a separate plastic bag 50 during operation and use is an air pump 52. The air pump is located adjacent to the top of the plastic bag. It has an associated air intake tube 54. The tube is located to extend through an aperture 56 in an adjacent surrounding side wall of the foam box and an aperture 58 in the plastic bag. Such intake tube has an open interior end 60 and an opened exterior end 62. The interior end is located adjacent to intake openings 64 of the air pump for providing fresh air to the pump for being moved while the exterior end is located exterior of the foam box for receiving fresh ambient air for pumping through the system.

In addition to the air intake tube, the air pump has an associated air outlet tube 66. Such air outlet tube extends downwardly from the air pump at its upper open end 68. The lower end 70 extends downwardly to a location between the housing and is formed with air holes 72 extending therethrough. The air holes are strategically located beneath the gills of the finfish contained in the housing for providing a supply of fresh air to the water flowing past the housing and finfish.

As a safety precaution, the air pump is provided with an on/off mercury switch 76 therein. The on/off mercury switch serves to interrupt the flow of current from a power source such as a battery to the pumping motor to shut-off the motor and avoid pumping of the water from the plastic bag in the event that the system including the foam box and the water within the plastic bag should become inverted. The air pump is preferably of the type having the capability to pump air in one direction only but to preclude the flow of water should power to the air pump be interrupted when the system is inverted.

In association with the air pump is a first air exhaust line 80. Such line has a first upper end 82 and a second lower end 84. The first upper end is centrally positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top thereof. This is at a location above the water line of the water contained therein. It is in this space between the water and the top of the plastic bag where exhaust air from the fish would normally become entrapped. The air exhaust line functions to remove such exhaust air from the plastic bag for greater safety to the fish therein. The air exhaust line extends through an aperture 86 in the plastic bag to a lower extent. A second air exhaust line 81 has a first end 83 adjacent to the second end of the first line. It extends through an aperture 88 in the foam box and terminate exteriorly thereof at a second end 85. By having such exhaust lines 80 and 81 extend outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box, a one-way valve is effectively created. This is because when the system with the foam box, plastic bag and water is inverted, the open second end of the exhaust line becomes the upper end and water from the bag will only move upwardly through the exhaust line to keep the water therein at a common elevation with the water of the bag. The water will thus not move outwardly through the exhaust line in the event of inversion. As a safety precaution, a supplemental one-way valve 92 at the upper end of the first line may be utilized in association with, or as a substitute for the line configuration as shown in the Figures to supplement the prevention of water from leaking out of the air line in the event that the foam box and system with the plastic bag and water should be inverted. Together the position of the line and/or the optional one-way valve function to release exhaust air from the plastic bag for greater safety to the fish.

The last component of the system 10 is a rigid cardboard container 94. Such container has an openable top 96, a closed bottom 98 and four surrounding side walls 100 in a rectangular configuration. The rigid cardboard container is adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide additional protection for the foam box and its contents as described above.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention. Such alternate embodiment of the invention is a system 102 modified from the primary embodiment for accommodating live shellfish, Crustacea such as lobsters and shrimp. In such alternate embodiment, the rigid cardboard container, foam box and plastic bag are identical as in the primary embodiment. In such alternate embodiment, the housing 104 is fabricated with perforate, essentially rigid screens or walls 106 arranged in a horizontal orientation as most clearly seen in Figure 7. A vertical spacer 108 in the form of a centrally disposed post extends upwardly therefrom to which apertures 110 in the centers of the walls are secured. This positions the rigid walls, preferably in the form of shelves. Vertical spacers 112 at the corners of the screens add support to the housing components. The screens thus form spaced shelves adapted to support the live shellfish horizontally thereon in plural spaced stacked layers. Note Figure 7. A simple layer could also be utilized.

The plastic bag 22 is functionally and structurally essentially the same as that in the primary embodiment. It is adapted, however, to contain a quantity of water which has its water line at a level beneath the lower shelve and shellfish.

Next provided are the rigid foam box 34 and air pump 52 with input and output lines as in the primary embodiment.

In addition to the air pump, this alternate embodiment also includes a submersible water pump 116. Such water pump is positioned within the bag in the lower region thereof. It has an input opening 118 for receiving water from the lower extent of the bag with water which constitutes a reservoir 120. The submersible water pump also has an exit port 122.

Functioning in association with the submersible water pump is a manifold 126. The manifold is in a cross-shaped configuration. Note Figure 6. It is formed with spaced sprinkler heads 128 for providing a flow of mist water downwardly over and through the housing and across the live shellfish supported by the housing. A line 130 couples the outlet port of the submersible water pump with an open end 132 of the manifold for pumping water to the manifold for being dispensed therefrom. Note also Figure 8. Another improvement to the system is in the use of timers. The motor for the submersible pump 116 is preferably provided with a timer so that water could be pumped to generate the mist only in periodic cycles as a function of the nature of the shellfish being transported. Although the submersible pump could be operating full-time, certain types of Crustacea may require misting only on a part-time basis as a function of the setting of the submersible pump motor. Similarly, the air pump is also preferably provided with a timer whereby it will function only in periodic cycles, again, as a function of the nature of the shellfish and/or finfish being transported.

Greater cleanliness is provided to the system by utilizing a filter system. The filter system includes a sheet 138 of open cellfoam elastomer wherein the cells function for the entrapment of particulate material from water moving from the manifold to the reservoir beneath the lowermost shelve. Such sheet is to be removed and cleaned periodically. In addition, a supplemental filtering component of the filter system includes a foam filter 140. Such foam filter is coupled to the inlet port of the water pump in order to entrap further particulate material prior to being pumped from the reservoir through the manifold. The various operational components of the system 10 such as the foam filter, the submersible water pump, the air pump, the mercury switch and the one-way valve are all conventional commercially available components well described in the prior art literature. Each is commercially available from a wide variety of conventional commercial sources.

A further embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8. Such embodiment is essentially identical to that of Figure 7 except that the air pump and its associated input and output lines are removed as well as the air exhaust line. Such system does, however, include a submersible water pump 116 for generating the flow of mist water over the Crustacea as in the descriptions immediately hereabove. This final embodiment is a particular utility for shipping live shellfish over short distances where the quantity of exhaust air is minimized.

The final embodiment is that shown in the lowermost portion of Figure 9. In such embodiment, the shellfish, which may taken the form of shrimp or lobster, are packed in dry hay 142. Such dry hay holds the individual shellfish apart one from another. This arrangement also allows for the flow of air from beneath to move upwardly through the hay in contact with the shellfish to give them sustained live. The use of hay has been found to be more effective for this purpose than sawdust which had been previously utilized. In use, a lower layer of hay is placed in the container with a layer of live sea life thereon. A next layer of hay is placed thereover followed by subsequent alternating layers of hay and sea life with a supplemental layer of hay over the topmost layer of sea life. Sawdust provides excessive compacting and does not allow for the percolation of air upwardly therethrough in the preferred manner. In addition to hay, other types of packing media may be utilized such as straw, wood-chips, strands of wood and sawdust.

One additional feature of the Figure 9 embodiment is the coupling of the air filter as by an adhesive, tape or the like, to the lower surface 146 on the upper lid of the foam box. In such embodiment, the air intake is preferably located through a line 148 extending through an aperture in the upper surface. The output line of the air pump prior to extending to a region in the lower portion of the foam box is that through a plastic bag 150 with a freezable gel 152 located therein. The tube extends in a coil condition through the gel material. The gel material is of the type which is commercially available as gel-pack wherein it may be frozen beforehand and then placed in an insulated location such as within the foam box and it will maintain coldness for extended periods. In this manner, the air being fed from exterior into the foam box is first chilled so as to provide a cooled atmosphere for promoting long life of the shellfish or finfish being transported. It should be understood that the gel-pack, or any other chilled or frozen medium, ice or chilled water, for example, may be used for this purpose. The chilled material may be used with or without the air pump. In the alternative or in addition, the shellfish or finfish may be prechilled to an appropriate temperature as a function of the particular species to provide a further long life to the contents, the fish being transported.

One additional variation is shown in Figure 10. In such variation, the housing of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 9 for finfish is not formed in a V-shaped configuration to generate housing components. The housing 156 of Figure 10 is in the shape of teardrops. Such embodiments are similar one to the other and might have a preference for one type of fish or another but both are of an undulating manner with walls extending in a vertical orientation.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A new and improved shipping container system for live finfish comprising, in combination: a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls arranged in a serpentine configuration having vertical apexes, the housing forming a plurality of V-shaped compartments defined by the walls, the plurality of V-shaped compartments adapted for securing live finfish horizontally therein in plural stacked layers in an alternating head to tail and tail to head orientation; a flexible, water impervious, plastic bag having an open top, a closed bottom, and an intermediate surrounding area therebetween, the plastic bag adapted to receive the housing and live finfish therein, the plastic bag being capable of holding an amount of water therein to submerge the gills of the live finfish, the open top having a fastener to secure the open top in a closed water-tight configuration to preclude leakage in the event of inversion; a rigid foam box having an open top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls, the foam box adapted to receive the plastic bag containing the housing therein along with finfish and water, the foam box having a removable top adapted to cover the open top, the foam box functioning to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation essentially in the shape of the foam box; an air pump and a separate plastic bag with the air pump secured within the separate plastic bag adjacent the top, the air pump having an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag, the air pump having an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing with air holes therethrough for thereby providing air to the gills of the finfish contained therein, the air pump having an on/off mercury switch therein, the on/off mercury switch serving to shut off the air pump to avoid pumping water from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted; a first air exhaust line having a first end and a second end, the first end centrally positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein, the second end extending outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box to prevent water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted, the air exhaust line having a second component from the second end of the first line through the foam box functioning to release exhaust air from the plastic bag; and a rigid cardboard container having an openable top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls formed in a rectangular configuration, the rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the contents therein.

2. A new and improved shipping container system for live shellfish comprising, in combination: a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls arranged in a horizontal orientation with a vertical spacer therebetween, the housing forming at least one planar shelf defined by a horizontally disposed rigid wall, the planar shelf adapted for supporting live shellfish horizontally thereon in a stacked layers; a flexible, water impervious, plastic bag having an open top portion, a closed bottom, and a intermediate surrounding area therebetween, the plastic bag adapted to receive the housing and live shellfish therein, the plastic bag being capable of holding an amount of water therein to mist the live shellfish, the open top having a fastener to secure the open top in a closed water-tight configuration to preclude leakage in the event of inversion; a rigid foam box having an open top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls, the foam box adapted to receive the plastic bag containing the housing therein along with shellfish and water, the foam box having a removable top adapted to cover the open top, the foam box functioning to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation essentially in the shape of the foam box; an air pump with a separate plastic bag and with the air pump located within the separate plastic bag adjacent the top, the air pump having an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag, the air pump having an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing for thereby providing air to water in the lower extent of the plastic bag, the air pump having an on/off mercury switch therein, the on/off mercury switch serving to shut off the air pump to avoid water leaking from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted; a first air exhaust line having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein, the second end extending outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box to prevent water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted, the air exhaust line having a second component from the second end of the first line through the foam box functioning to release exhaust air from the plastic bag; a submersible water pump positioned within the bag in the lower region thereof with an inlet port to receive a supply of water from the region in which it is submerged and an outlet port; a manifold in a cross-shaped configuration with spaced sprinkler heads for providing a flow of mist water downwardly over the housing and live shellfish supported thereon with a line coupling the outlet port of the pump and the manifold; a filter system including a sheet of open cell foam elastomer having cells for the entrapment of particulate material from water moving from the manifold to a reservoir beneath the lowermost shelf and a foam filter coupled to the end of the orifice of the water pump; and a rigid cardboard container having an openable top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls formed in a rectangular configuration, the rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the contents therein.

3. A new and improved shipping container system for live shellfish comprising, in combination: a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls arranged in a horizontal orientation with a vertical spacer therebetween, the housing forming a plurality of planar shelves defined by horizontally disposed rigid walls, the plurality of planar shelves adapted for supporting live shellfish horizontally therein in plural spaced stacked layers; a flexible, water impervious, plastic bag having an open top portion, a closed bottom, and a intermediate surrounding area therebetween, the plastic bag adapted to receive the housing and live shellfish therein, the plastic bag being capable of holding an amount of water therein to mist the live shellfish, the open top having a fastener to secure the open top in a closed water-tight configuration to preclude leakage in the event of inversion; a rigid foam box having an open top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls, the foam box adapted to receive the plastic bag containing the housing therein along with shellfish and water, the foam box having a removable top adapted to cover the open top, the foam box functioning to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation essentially in the shape of the foam box; an air pump and a separate plastic bag with the air pump located within the separate plastic bag adjacent the top, the air pump having an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag, the air pump having an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing for thereby providing air to water in the lower extent of the plastic bag, the air pump having an on/off mercury switch therein, the on/off mercury switch serving to shut off the air pump to avoid water leaking from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted; a first air exhaust line having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein, the second end extending outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box for preventing water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted, the air exhaust line having a second component from the second end the air exhaust line having a second component from the second end of the first line through the foam box functioning to release exhaust air from the plastic bag; a submersible water pump positioned within the bag in the lower region thereof with an inlet port to receive a supply of water from the region in which it is submerged and an outlet port; a manifold in a cross-shaped configuration above each shelf, each with spaced sprinkler heads for providing a flow of mist water downwardly over the housing and live shellfish supported thereon with a line coupling the outlet port of the pump and the manifold; a filter system including a sheet of an open cell foam elastomer having cells therethrough for the entrapment of particulate material from water moving from the manifold to a reservoir beneath the lowermost shelf, the filtering system also including a foam filter coupled to the end of the orifice of the water pump; and a rigid cardboard container having an openable top, a closed bottom, and four surrounding side walls formed in a rectangular configuration, the rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the contents therein.

4. A shipping container system for live sea life comprising: a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls for receiving live sea life therein; a flexible plastic bag adapted to receive the housing therein and also adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag; a rigid foam box with an open top adapted to receive the plastic bag while containing the housing therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation; a pump secured within the plastic bag and adapted to create a flow of fluid through the housing; a rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and its contents; and means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the housing is formed with perforate essentially rigid walls arranged in an undulating configuration.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the undulations are in the configuration of contiguous V's with vertical apexes.

7. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the undulations are in a teardrop-shaped configurations.

8. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the pump is an air pump with a separate plastic bag and the air pump secured within the separate plastic bag adjacent the top, the air pump having an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag, the air pump having an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing with air holes therethrough for thereby providing air to the gills of the finfish contained therein, the air pump having an on/off mercury switch therein, the on/off mercury switch serving to shut off the air pump to avoid pumping water from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted; and an air exhaust line having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein, the second end extending outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box, a one-way valve may be disposed at the firs end of the first line to prevent water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted, the air exhaust line functioning to release exhaust air from the plastic bag.

9. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the rigid walls are formed of horizontal grates disposed in plural layers, the horizontal grates functioning to separate the live sea life into plural layers.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the pump is a submersible water pump positioned in the lower region of the bag beneath the housing and further including a manifold located in the upper region of the plastic bag above the housing with a line coupling the pump and the manifold for the spraying of water downwardly across the housing and sea life contained on the shelves.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10 and further including an air pump and a separate plastic bag with the air pump located within the separate plastic bag adjacent to the top thereof, the air pump having an associated air intake tube extending through one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box and the plastic bag, the air pump having an air outlet tube extending downwardly and positioned beneath the housing with air holes therethrough for thereby providing air to water in the lower extent of the plastic bag, the air pump having an on/off mercury switch therein, the on/off mercury switch serving to shut off the air pump to avoid water leaking from the plastic bag in the event that the foam box is inverted; and a first air exhaust line having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within the plastic bag adjacent to the top above the water contained therein, the second end extending outwardly through the plastic bag and one of the surrounding side walls of the foam box to a location adjacent the bottom of the foam box to prevent water from leaking out of the air exhaust line in the event that the foam box is inverted, the air exhaust line having a second component from the second end of the first line through the foam box functioning to release exhaust air from the plastic bag.

12. The system as set forth in claim 4 and further including a filter in the lower extent of the bag to abate the passage of particulate waste matter into the pump.

13. A shipping system for live sea life comprising: a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls adapted for receiving live sea life therein; a container fabricated of material to render it rigid and water impervious; a pump secured within the container adapted to create a flow of fluid through the housing; and means associated with the container to preclude water leakage therefrom in the event that the shipping system is inverted.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13 and further including a container of chilled material secured within the interior of the foam container with the output line of the pump extending in association therewith for chilling the fluid flowing from the pump into the container.

15. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the housing if fabricated of a quantity of packing media for the receipt of shellfish therein and wherein the pump is adapted to effect a flow of air upwardly through the packing media and across the shellfish therein.

16. A shipping container system for live sea life comprising: a flexible plastic bag adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag; a rigid foam box with an open top adapted to receive the plastic bag therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation; a pump associated with the system adapted to create a flow of fluid upwardly within the plastic bag with water contained therein; a rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the plastic bag; and means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system.

17. The system as set forth in claim 16 and further including a timer regulating the pump.

18. A shipping system for live sea life comprising: a container fabricated of material to render it rigid; a pump secured within the container adapted to create a flow of fluid through the container; an inlet to allow a flow of air from exterior to interior of the container; and an outlet line to allow the flow of air from interior of the container to exterior thereof.

19. A shipping system for live sea life comprising: a container fabricated of material to render it rigid; and a quantity of hay in the lower extent of the container with a layer of live sea life thereon and a supplemental layer of hay over the live sea life.

20. A shipping system for live sea life comprising: a container fabricated of material to render it rigid; and a quantity of hay in the lower extent of the container with a layer of live sea life thereon and a supplemental layer of straw over the live sea life.

21. A method for shipping live sea life in a container comprising the steps of: providing a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls for receiving live sea life therein; providing a flexible plastic bag adapted to receive the housing therein and also adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag; providing a rigid foam box adapted to receive the plastic bag while containing the housing therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation; providing a pump secured within the plastic bag; providing a rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and its contents; providing means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system; and pumping fluid through the housing in response to activation of the pump.

22. A method for shipping live sea life in a container system comprising the steps of: providing a flexible plastic bag adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag; providing a rigid foam box with an open top adapted to receive the plastic bag therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation; providing an air pump secured within the plastic bag and adapted to create a flow of air upwardly through the plastic bag and water contained therein; providing a rigid cardboard container adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and the plastic bag; and precluding water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion thereof.