WO2003022685A2 - Procede et appareil d'emballage et de refroidissement bidirectionnel de produits - Google Patents

Procede et appareil d'emballage et de refroidissement bidirectionnel de produits Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003022685A2
WO2003022685A2 PCT/US2002/028338 US0228338W WO03022685A2 WO 2003022685 A2 WO2003022685 A2 WO 2003022685A2 US 0228338 W US0228338 W US 0228338W WO 03022685 A2 WO03022685 A2 WO 03022685A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
basket
tray
disposed
ventilation slot
horizontal ventilation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/028338
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2003022685A3 (fr
Inventor
Anthony Cadiente
William K. Sambrailo
Mark Sambrailo
Original Assignee
Sambrailo Packaging, Inc.
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 claimed from US10/017,893 external-priority patent/US7100788B2/en
Application filed by Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. filed Critical Sambrailo Packaging, Inc.
Priority to MXPA04002335A priority Critical patent/MXPA04002335A/es
Priority to ES02757619T priority patent/ES2421534T3/es
Priority to CA2458695A priority patent/CA2458695C/fr
Priority to AU2002323624A priority patent/AU2002323624B2/en
Priority to EP02757619.8A priority patent/EP1436198B1/fr
Priority to MX2007009806A priority patent/MX2007009806A/es
Publication of WO2003022685A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003022685A2/fr
Publication of WO2003022685A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003022685A3/fr
Priority to ZA2004/02742A priority patent/ZA200402742B/en
Priority to HK05100297.5A priority patent/HK1070035A1/xx

Links

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
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/22—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
    • 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
    • B65D21/0212—Containers presenting local stacking elements protruding from the upper or lower edge of a side wall, e.g. handles, lugs, ribs, grooves
    • 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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
    • B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/0446—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks
    • B65D77/0453—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section
    • 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
    • B65D81/18—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 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • 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
    • B65D81/263—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 ventilating the contents
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D2205/00—Venting means
    • B65D2205/02—Venting holes
    • 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
    • B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
    • B65D2577/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D2577/041—Details of two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D2577/042—Comprising several inner containers
    • B65D2577/043—Comprising several inner containers arranged side by side

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved method for the improved packing, cooling, storage, and shipping of produce. More particularly, the present invention utilizes a flow of cooling air introduced into an improved container system comprising vacuum formed fruit containers received into and in operative combination with an improved tray design. More particularly still, the flow of cooling air enabled by the present invention may be in more than one direction relative to the container system.
  • a grower's harvesting crew harvests produce items of the type previously discussed directly from the plant in the field into the container.
  • the containers are then loaded into trays, which contain a specific number of individual containers and the trays, when filled, are loaded onto pallets.
  • the most common pallet used in the produce industry in the United States is the forty by forty-eight inch (40" x 48") wooden pallet, and the vast majority of produce handling, storage and shipping equipment is designed around pallets of this size.
  • the process of cooling berries typically includes injecting a stream of cooling air into one side of a tray and thence through the individual baskets and around the berries stored therein. As the air cools the berries, it picks up heat therefrom which is exhausted from apertures on the opposite side of the tray.
  • berry coolers for use by berry coolers have undergone a systematic process of evolution to improve the storing and cooling of the fruit while reducing packaging costs.
  • early berry packaging products included the use or folded wood or chipboard containers
  • a common package for the marketing of strawberries for instance is a one pound vacuum formed plastic basket developed in conjunction with Michigan State University.
  • This one piece package hereinafter referred to for brevity as a "Michigan basket”
  • the lid is retained in position by means of a detent, which engages an edge flange of the basket body.
  • a plurality of apertures Disposed at or near the substantially flat bottom of the basket body are a plurality of apertures, typically elongate slots, to provide air flow through the body of the packed fruit in the basket. This air flow continues through a similar series of apertures formed in the lid.
  • a plurality of apertures typically elongate slots, to provide air flow through the body of the packed fruit in the basket. This air flow continues through a similar series of apertures formed in the lid.
  • sixteen ounce (16 oz) baskets are loaded into a formed and folded corrugated cardboard tray.
  • the tray developed for use with the Michigan basket has one or more openings along either of its short ends to enable air flow through the tray. From the previous discussion on berry cooling, it will be appreciated that in the typically formed strawberry package system in current use, the two individual baskets within the tray which are immediately adjacent to the air intake apertures formed in the ends of the tray receive substantially more cooling from air inflow than do the two packages at the discharge end of the tray. To overcome this deficiency in air flow, berry coolers are currently required to utilize substantial amounts of cooling energy to ensure that fruit packed at the discharge side of the tray receives sufficient cooling to prolong its shelf life, while precluding the freezing of berries at the intake side of the tray.
  • the design of the previously discussed one pound strawberry basket was finalized prior to the design of the tray which ultimately receives eight of these baskets therein.
  • the previously discussed one pound strawberry containers in current use measure approximately four and three quarter inches by seven and one quarter inches (4%" x TA") and are three and one half inches (3/4") tall with the top secured.
  • the commonly used eight basket tray measures approximately fifteen and one-half inches by nineteen and three quarters inches (IS 1 /.” x 19%"). This tray size is to some extent mandated by the size of the baskets it contains. While no great difficulty was likely encountered in forming a tray to fit a given number of the baskets, the area or "footprint" of the resultant tray was not given sufficient consideration in the design of the baskets. This has given rise to a significant inefficiency of packaging.
  • a layer of strawberries comprises six (6) trays per layer on the pallet. With eight (8) one pound baskets per tray, this means that forty eight pounds of fruit can be packed per layer on a standard 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Because there is no way with current use packages to completely fill the pallet with trays, a significant portion of the pallet remains unused. This of course forms a further inefficiency of shipping.
  • plastic produce baskets are usually formed with vertical stiffening ribs. This is done to maximize the resistance of the relatively thin basket to deformation. These ribs also provide salient intrusions into the body of the basket. Where a pulpy fruit, such as berries, are packed in the basket, handling shock to the packed fruit, combined with the fruit's own weight turns these intrusions into sites where significant bruising of the packed fruit occurs. This loss of fruit quality results in higher costs the shipper, transporter, retailer and consumer alike.
  • the Michigan basket uses a single detent formed in the lip of the lid to engage the edge of the basket body lip.
  • This latch arrangement has proven troublesome in that it is difficult to quickly and securely close in the field while being prone to unwanted opening during packing, shipping and while on the grocer's shelves.
  • the trays currently available for use with Michigan baskets designed for one pound strawberry packing are not generally well suited for the baskets in that the baskets are allowed considerable freedom of movement within the trays. This results in an increased incidence of shifting of the baskets within the trays, which causes an increase in bruising of the fruit stored in the baskets.
  • the baskets of such a system should be capable of being formed in the preferred size or quantity configuration preferred by the end consumer, while simultaneously maximizing their footprint on existing pallet technology.
  • the baskets should be formed to minimize bruising and other damage to the fruit packed therein.
  • such a system should provide for the mixing of lots of different types, quantities and sizes of produce on a single pallet without substantial losses of packaging efficiency occasioned by differing types of misaligned trays.
  • the basket should possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field.
  • the same lid should be capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and ultimately by the end consumer.
  • the packaging system should enable the packaging of one layer, or a plurality of layers of filled baskets therein.
  • the several components of the packaging system should be capable of providing cooling air flow regimes relatively optimal for the type and quantity of produce to be stored in the baskets.
  • the system should enable the placement of trays substantially perpendicular with one another while still enabling the previously discussed cooling advantages.
  • the system should be formed utilizing existing equipment and machinery from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available fruit packages.
  • the present invention implements packaging systems such as the MiximTM, MiximPlusTM, Mixim5DTM or Miximl ODTM packaging systems, each available from Plexiform Inc., of Watsonville, CA, which system comprises an improved produce packing system which matches trays with baskets to significantly reduce cooling time and expense for the fruit contained in the baskets.
  • packaging systems such as the MiximTM, MiximPlusTM, Mixim5DTM or Miximl ODTM packaging systems, each available from Plexiform Inc., of Watsonville, CA, which system comprises an improved produce packing system which matches trays with baskets to significantly reduce cooling time and expense for the fruit contained in the baskets.
  • cooling channels may be formed in base of the individual baskets. These channels may be aligned with apertures formed in the sides of the trays into which the baskets are loaded.
  • the lid when closed over the basket body defines at least one, and preferably a plurality of horizontal slots. These slots, in combination with other apertures formed in both the basket body and lid significantly improve air flow through the basket.
  • the combination of basket horizontal slots, apertures and the cooling channels aligned with tray apertures provides a significantly improved flow of cooling air flow through the berries.
  • This improved air flow results in improved cooling efficiency and hence lower packing cost, resulting in a better quality berry, having a longer shelf life, and delivered to the consumer at a lower cost.
  • the cooling air flow provided by the several embodiments of the present invention may be optimized for generally laminar cooling air flow, relatively turbulent air flow, or some combination thereof. This is accomplished by selecting cooling slot geometries and tray configurations which provide the desired air flow regime.
  • the packing system of the present invention interfaces with commonly used and preferred materials handling apparatus, specifically the forty by forty-eight inch pallets in standard use in the grocery industry.
  • the trays of the present invention are designed to completely fill either standard or custom pallets in a number of stack configurations, including the previously discussed 5-down and 10-down stack. This results in significant improvements in shipping efficiencies, again lowering costs to the consumer.
  • the baskets of such a system are capable of being formed in the preferred size or quantity configuration preferred by the end consumer, while simultaneously maximizing their footprint on standard pallets.
  • the system provides for the mixing of lots of different types, quantities and sizes of produce on a single pallet without any of the substantial losses of packaging efficiency occasioned by packing differing types of misaligned trays.
  • the present invention provides for the intermixing of different capacity trays on the same pallet.
  • the only requirement is that trays in a given layer should all possess similar heights.
  • the baskets taught herein are formed to minimize bruising and other damage to the fruit. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by designing the baskets without vertical stiffening ribs or other salient intrusions into the basket, but with gentle curves on substantially all those surfaces which come into contact with the fruit packed within. This further minimizes costs and losses to the grower, shipper, transporter and retailer.
  • the baskets possess a lid latch capable of being quickly and securely fastened in the field.
  • the same lid is capable of being repeatedly opened and closed during packing, while on the grocer's shelves and ultimately by the end consumer.
  • the system is capable of being formed utilizing existing equipment and machinery, and generally from materials of the same or lesser cost than currently available fruit packages.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one closed produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an end view of the closed produce basket shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 2A is an end view of an alternative closed produce basket according to the principles of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is plan view of the open produce basket shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 A is a plan view of the open produce basket shown in Figure 2 A.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tray as taught by the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into trays as taught by the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a detail of one lid detent of the produce basket posed prior to closing the lid over the basket body.
  • Figure 7 is a detail of one lid detent of the produce basket after closing the lid over the basket body.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of trays of the present invention shown loaded on a pallet in a 5-down configuration.
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of a closed first alternative produce basket formed according to the principles of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is an end view of a closed alternative produce basket formed according to the principles of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of a first alternative tray incorporating flow restriction tabs.
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into the first alternative tray.
  • Figure 13 is a perspective view of a second alternative tray incorporating flow restriction tabs, and optimized for producing turbulent flow.
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into the second alternative tray.
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of a third alternative tray incorporating flow restriction tabs, the tray further optimized for producing turbulent flow, and for receiving therein a plurality of layers of baskets.
  • Figure 16 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into the third alternative tray formed to receive therein a plurality of layers of baskets, the tray being optimized for producing turbulent flow.
  • Figure 17 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into a fourth alternative tray formed to receive therein a plurality of layers of baskets, the tray for providing relatively laminar air flow.
  • Figure 18 is a perspective view of a plurality of closed produce baskets loaded into a fifth alternative tray formed to receive therein a plurality of layers of baskets, the tray for providing relatively laminar flow of cooling air.
  • Produce basket 1 is a one-piece structure incorporating both basket body 10 and lid 11. That portion of produce basket 1 joining basket body 10 and lid 11 is formed as a hinge, 12. Basket body 10 is further defines a transverse concavity defining channel 13. While a first preferred embodiment is a vacuum formed plastic structure, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative materials and manufacturing technologies.
  • the basket is formed of Kodapak® PET Copolyester 9921 , available from Eastman Kodak.
  • Alternative materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes; metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood and combinations of the foregoing.
  • Alternative manufacturing teclmologies include, but are again not limited to thermocasting; casting, including die-casting; thermosetting; extrusion; sintering; lamination; the use of built-up structures and other processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • each of basket body 10 and lid 11 has formed about the periphery thereof a lip, 14 and 15 respectively.
  • lid 11 is held in the closed position by at least one set of paired, mating detent latches 16 and 17.
  • Latches 16 and 17 are formed as substantially vertically protruding members from lips 14 and 15 respectively.
  • Latches 16 and 17 include teeth 18 and 19.
  • tooth 18 of latch 16 engages tooth 19 of latch 17, and maintains lid 11 secured in the closed position with respect to body 10. Teeth 18 and 19 are maintained in the latched condition by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17.
  • a pair of latches 16 and 17 are disposed about each of the front corners of basket 1.
  • a third pair of latches 16 and 17 is disposed about the rear edge of basket 1.
  • lid 11 is secured to body 10 by a plurality of pairs of latches, acting in compressive opposition.
  • This arrangement provides a lid closure which is at once more easily effected under field conditions, more secure, and may be more easily opened and resealed than previous fruit basket latches.
  • Lateral ventilation channel 13 is formed at a substantially lower portion of body 10.
  • Channel 13 is disposed on body 10 to provide an improved flow of cooling air and ventilation through the lower portion of body 10.
  • at least one, and preferably a plurality of vent apertures are defined within vent bosses 20.
  • vent slot 5 is defined when lid 11 and body 10 are secured together. Slot 5 is maintained at a fixed distance by paired detent latches 16 and 17.
  • the flow of cooling air through the basket is further improved by at least one, and again preferably a plurality of vent apertures (not shown in this figure) in the upper surface of lid 11.
  • a second vent slot, 5' is also formed when lid 11 and body 10 are secured together. Vent slot 5' is perpendicular to vent slot 5, and enables a similar flow of cooling air to be utilized in a direction perpendicular from the first flow of cooling air.
  • FIG. 3 The upper and lower vent apertures, 22 and 21 are clearly shown in Fig. 3. Also shown in this figure are the general arrangement of detent latches 16 and 17.
  • lower latches 16 are disposed about a substantially inner portion of lower lip 14, while upper latches 17 are disposed about a substantially outer portion of upper lip 15.
  • upper latches 17 are disposed about a substantially outer portion of upper lip 15.
  • lower latches 16 are substantially captured within upper latches 17, and maintained in an engaged configuration by the elastic deformation of latches 16 and 17 in operative combination with teeth 18 and 19 (not shown in this figure).
  • lateral movement and potential disengagement of lid 11 from body 10 is substantially precluded by latches 16 and 17 disposed about the portions of body 10 and lid 11 immediately adjacent to hinge 12.
  • Vent slot 5' may be formed by a substantially similar cut out portion 9' formed at the front of lid and a corresponding aperture, 14', formed in hinge 12.
  • Aperture 14' is shown having reference to Fig. 3.
  • Yet another cooling regime may be implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this case the previously discussed cooling channel, 13, is eliminated.
  • An end view of a basket constructed according to this embodiment of the present invention in shown having reference Fig.2A. Comparison of Figs. 2 and 2A illustrates the elimination of channel 13.
  • Lower vent apertures, not shown in this figure, may be implemented in a lower surface of basket 1.
  • One means of implementing these lower vent apertures is by means of vent bosses formed either upwardly or downwardly from a lower surface of basket 1.
  • latching methodologies include, but are specifically not limited to, edge catches, button catches, snaps, hook-and-loop closures, and other closure methodologies well-known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
  • latch as used herein may further comprise alternative lid closure methodologies known to those having ordinary skill in the art including shrinkwrap banding the lid to the body, and the use of elastic bands or adhesive tapes to perform this latching function.
  • One basket formed utilizing such an alternative closure methodology is shown having reference to Fig. 3 A.
  • button detents consist of a mating male and female latch pair, for instance 51 and 53, which secure the package by inserting the male member into the female member.
  • the elastic deformation of at least one of the male and female members results in securing the closure of the package.
  • Fig. 3 A discloses a number of alternative embodiments of the present invention including the use of the previously discussed button detents 51 and 53.
  • the button detents 51 and 53 may be advantageously defined on lips 14 and 15.
  • One means of so forming these detents on lips 14 and 15 is by means of a button detent boss, generally 55.
  • Fig. 3 A further discloses an alternative to the single aperture 14' shown in Fig.
  • single aperture 14' may be replaced by a plurality of smaller apertures 57 defined across the vertical aspect of hinge 12.
  • the present invention specifically contemplates a number of geometries for both aperture 14' and apertures 57. These include but are specifically not limited to, circles, oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and figures. Examples of the latter may include letters, numerals, and geometric or cartoon shapes.
  • a median catch for precluding lateral motion between basket body 10 and lid 11. It has been found that when large baskets are handled, for instance the large baskets used for multiple-pound industrial packs of strawberries, it is often advantageous to provide a methodology for precluding the lateral movement of lid 11 with respect to basket body 10.
  • One methodology of precluding this unwanted movement is the placement of a button catch, for instance the button catch defined by pairs 59 and 61, at some point between latch pairs 51 and 53 were 16 and 17.
  • button catch members 59 and 61 may be advantageously mounted on a pilaster formed in one or both of basket body 10 and basket lid 11.
  • Tray 2 is sized to hold at least one and preferably a plurality of baskets (not shown in this figure). In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, tray 2 holds six baskets 1.
  • a particular feature of tray 2 is the plurality of tray vents 25 and 25'. As shown in Fig. 5, tray vents 25 and 25'align with the previously discussed vent channels formed in the bottom of baskets 1. In this manner, a direct path is created from the ambient atmosphere to the bottom surface of each basket 1 loaded into tray 2. Trays 2 are formed such that when stacked a lateral vent slot 26 is formed between each pair of trays 2.
  • tray 2 is further formed with at least one cutaway section, 35, which aligns with the horizontal ventilation slot of basket 1, when loaded into tray 2. This provides for improved flow of cooling air towards the top of basket 1 when loaded in tray 2.
  • a second cutaway section, 35" is formed on the ends of tray 2 to enable the bi-directional flow of cooling air previously discussed.
  • a second plurality of tray vents 25" is also formed in the ends of tray 2. Where adjacent ones of tray 2 are loaded perpendicularly, for instance on a pallet, vet slot 26 of one tray aligns with one or more cutaway portions 35 or 35' on the adjacent tray to enable the cooling flows previously described across trays which are so positioned perpendicular to one another.
  • cutaway section 35 may be formed into a further plurality of sections 35', separated by divider tabs 50. Sections 35' serve to direct the flow of cooling air only into horizontal slot 5 of basket 1 (not shown in this figure). In this manner, cooling efficiency is improved.
  • the flow of cooling and vent air provided by this embodiment is shown in Fig 12.
  • trays 2 are formed to minimize lateral movement of one tray with respect to another by means of at least one tab 28 formed at an upper edge of tray 2 in operative combination with at least one receptacle 29 similarly formed on a substantially lower edge of the corresponding side.
  • tab 28 may be formed to accept therein stacking wires (not shown in this figure), in accordance with generally accepted container design practice.
  • stacking wires generally take the form of an elongated U-shaped member which are inserted through tab 28 of one tray and thence through corresponding tabs 28 of one or more trays stacked thereon. Stacking wires thus utilized not only reduce lateral movement of one tray with respect to another, but can also form a handle for the facile handling of a plurality of trays at one time.
  • a significant savings in shipping costs is realized by sizing baskets 1 and trays 2 as a system to maximize the area or shipping footprint of a layer of trays on a pallet.
  • the 40 inch by 48 inch pallet is the preferred standard size in the grocery business in the United States.
  • Current Michigan baskets measure approximately 4%" by 7 1 ⁇ " by l A" tall when closed and are loaded eight per tray.. This tray measures approximately 19% inches by 15% inches.
  • a maximum of six such trays constitute a layer on a 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Where the trays are loaded with one pound strawberry baskets, a maximum of 48 pounds of fruit may thus be loaded in each layer.
  • baskets of the present invention designed to receive therein one pound of strawberries are sized approximately 6 3/8" x 5" x 3% high, when closed.
  • Tray 2 of the present invention is sized at approximately 16" x 13%". This size maximizes the footprint on a standard pallet. This means that nine such trays can be loaded as a layer on the previously described pallet, for a total of 54 pounds of fruit per layer. This represents an increase of 6 pounds, or 16 percent per layer over the Michigan basket. Since the shipper is not paying for wasted shipping volume his shipping costs are reduced, which can result in further savings to the consumer.
  • the sizing of baskets and trays may be optimized to effect the "5-down" stacking shown in Fig. 8.
  • the vertical mating surface of the Michigan trays that portion of the baskets which abut one another when loaded into trays, comprises little more than the mated edges of two thin sheets of plastic. Accordingly, because those mating surfaces protrude, and due to the thin nature of their vertical aspect, the mating surfaces of the Michigan basket are very much prone to over-riding one another. This allows the baskets to shift markedly inside the tray, which is a significant factor in the bruising of fruit stored in the baskets.
  • the baskets of the present invention further comprise an edge mating surface 30 formed by hinge 12 and latches 17. This edge mating surface is relatively broad in comparison to the Michigan baskets described herein. The combination of this relatively broad mating surface with a properly sized basket/tray combination has been shown to be especially effective in the reduction of damage to fruit stored therein.
  • tray 2 may be formed to receive therein a plurality of layers of filled baskets 1. Examples of such embodiments are shown in Figs. 15-18 Having reference now to Figs. 17 and 18, one embodiment of the present invention designed to hold two layers of the filled baskets is shown. In this embodiment, the first described cooling air regime is selected, and both tray vents 25 and horizontal cutaway sections 35' are employed. Moreover, at least one pair of modified tray vents, 25' is formed on opposite sides of tray 2 to perform the functions of tray vent 25 for the upper layer of baskets 1, and cutaway sections 35' for the lower layer of baskets 1. Modified tray vents 25' may be formed with a number of geometries. Two such are shown in Figs. 17 and 18.
  • tray 2 in a first preferred embodiment is formed of cut and folded corrugated cardboard formed in a manner well known to those of skill in the art.
  • corrugated cardboard is Georgia-Pacific USP120- 33sml-USP120, although any number of packaging materials well known to those of ordinary skill in the art could, with equal facility, be used.
  • alternative materials include, but are not limited to various cardboards, pressboards, flakeboards, fiberboards, plastics, metals and metal foils.
  • a lighter grade of corrugated board is may be used for their manufacture than are trays required to support the greater weight and greater area of the Michigan baskets previously described. This lighter weight not only minimizes shipping costs, but can significantly reduce packaging costs for the shipper, again lowering consumer costs. While the tray of a first preferred embodiment is formed of corrugated cardboard, the principles of the present invention may with equal facility be implemented on a variety of alternative tray materials.
  • Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics again including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes; metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood; wire; and combinations of the foregoing.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the present invention implementing an alternative cooling air regime, can be provided by altering the ventilation provided by tray 2.
  • tray vents 25 or 25' of the previously discussed embodiments are eliminated, and substantially all cooling air is directed to horizontal slots 5 of baskets 1 through cutaway sections 35 or 35' of tray 2.
  • FIG. 13 and 14 An example of such a tray, formed to receive therein a single layer of baskets 1, is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Another such tray, formed to receive therein a plurality of layers of baskets 1 is shown in Figs. 15 and 16.
  • Figs. 13-16 Each of trays 2 shown in Figs. 13-16 are shown as employing divider tabs 50. In studying the principles of the present invention, those having ordinary skill in the art will note that this second cooling air regime may, with equal facility, be implemented without recourse to divider tabs 50.
  • FIG. 1-18 Each of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-18 enables the flow of cooling air from any side of the tray and basket, with a corresponding outflow of vent from the opposite side of the tray and basket. This in turn enables the positioning of trays, within a given layer, in either perpendicular or parallel orientations with respect to one another, as shown at "X" and "Y” in Fig. 8. This finally enables the previously discussed “5-down” and "10-down” arrangement of trays, currently deemed desirable by the produce and packaging industries.
  • the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé amélioré d'emballage et de refroidissement de produits. Selon la présente invention, des barquettes d'emballage de fruits sont pourvues de conduits de ventilation situés au niveau d'une surface inférieure de la barquette. Des ouvertures de ventilation communiquent entre les conduits de ventilation et les produits stockés dans les barquettes. Des évents supérieurs sont formés sur les quatre côtés de la partie supérieure des barquettes. Suite à l'emballage des produits dans les barquettes, celles-ci sont chargées sur des cagettes. Les cagettes peuvent comprendre des évents alignés avec les conduits de ventilation. En variante, les cagettes peuvent ne pas comprendre d'évents de manière à améliorer certains régimes de refroidissement. Des pallettes entières de barquettes remplies de produits, orientées dans une direction 'X' ou 'Y', peuvent ainsi être efficacement refroidies par introduction d'un flux d'air de refroidissement dans les barquettes et, par conséquent, sur les produits emballés à l'intérieur, indépendamment de l'orientation des cagettes. Les cagettes et les barquettes ont une dimension qui leur permet d'occuper toute la surface d'une palette de transport classique, et de minimiser le mouvement des barquettes dans les cagettes, et des cagettes les unes par rapport aux autres.
PCT/US2002/028338 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Procede et appareil d'emballage et de refroidissement bidirectionnel de produits WO2003022685A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MXPA04002335A MXPA04002335A (es) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Metodo y aparato para empaquetado y enfriamiento bidireccional de producto.
ES02757619T ES2421534T3 (es) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Procedimiento y aparato para el envasado y refrigeración bidireccional de productos agrícolas
CA2458695A CA2458695C (fr) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Procede et appareil d'emballage et de refroidissement bidirectionnel de produits
AU2002323624A AU2002323624B2 (en) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling
EP02757619.8A EP1436198B1 (fr) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Procede et appareil d'emballage et de refroidissement bidirectionnel de produits
MX2007009806A MX2007009806A (es) 2001-09-11 2002-09-06 Sistema para empaquetado de producto agricola.
ZA2004/02742A ZA200402742B (en) 2001-09-11 2004-04-08 Apparatus for packaging and bi-directional cooling
HK05100297.5A HK1070035A1 (en) 2001-09-11 2005-01-13 Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32267001P 2001-09-11 2001-09-11
US60/322,670 2001-09-11
US10/017,893 US7100788B2 (en) 1996-01-24 2001-12-12 Method and apparatus for packing and bi-directional cooling of produce
US10/017,893 2001-12-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003022685A2 true WO2003022685A2 (fr) 2003-03-20
WO2003022685A3 WO2003022685A3 (fr) 2003-05-30

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EP (1) EP1436198B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN100575200C (fr)
CA (1) CA2458695C (fr)
ES (1) ES2421534T3 (fr)
HK (1) HK1070035A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA04002335A (fr)
PT (1) PT1436198E (fr)
WO (1) WO2003022685A2 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA200402742B (fr)

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CN103569391A (zh) * 2012-12-31 2014-02-12 陈其钢 一种西红柿块罐头的冷灌装真空封口工艺
WO2016193418A1 (fr) * 2015-06-03 2016-12-08 Ocado Innovation Limited Bacs et contenants de stockage
US10124928B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2018-11-13 Schott Ag Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same
NO20211071A1 (en) * 2021-09-07 2023-03-08 Autostore Tech As Storage container for produce
WO2024047343A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-07 Par-Pak Europe Limited Barquette

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US8083085B2 (en) 1996-01-24 2011-12-27 Sambrailo Packaging, Inc. Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce
CN105314279B (zh) * 2015-11-11 2018-04-03 邢翠娥 用于草莓存放的盒箱
CN110356722B (zh) * 2019-06-28 2020-11-20 无锡点彩新材料科技有限公司 一种用于物流运输包装的水果箱
US11738914B2 (en) 2021-11-18 2023-08-29 Yeti Coolers, Llc Container and latching system

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US5456379A (en) * 1994-10-03 1995-10-10 Krupa; Calvin S. Blueberry container
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US2739734A (en) * 1953-09-18 1956-03-27 Marcus W Pugh Container for preserving food
US3037658A (en) * 1959-12-23 1962-06-05 United Steel & Wire Co Shipping package
US5855277A (en) * 1994-02-03 1999-01-05 Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc. Nestable display crate for bottles with handle feature

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10124928B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2018-11-13 Schott Ag Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same
US10287056B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2019-05-14 Schott Ag Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same
CN103569391A (zh) * 2012-12-31 2014-02-12 陈其钢 一种西红柿块罐头的冷灌装真空封口工艺
WO2016193418A1 (fr) * 2015-06-03 2016-12-08 Ocado Innovation Limited Bacs et contenants de stockage
US11667456B2 (en) 2015-06-03 2023-06-06 Ocado Innovation Limited Temperature controlled storage system
NO20211071A1 (en) * 2021-09-07 2023-03-08 Autostore Tech As Storage container for produce
NO347370B1 (en) * 2021-09-07 2023-10-02 Autostore Tech As Storage container for produce
WO2024047343A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-07 Par-Pak Europe Limited Barquette

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1436198B1 (fr) 2013-05-15
CA2458695C (fr) 2010-08-17
EP1436198A2 (fr) 2004-07-14
HK1070035A1 (en) 2005-06-10
WO2003022685A3 (fr) 2003-05-30
CN100575200C (zh) 2009-12-30
ZA200402742B (en) 2005-07-27
CA2458695A1 (fr) 2003-03-20
PT1436198E (pt) 2013-07-18
EP1436198A4 (fr) 2005-08-10
MXPA04002335A (es) 2005-09-08
CN1585713A (zh) 2005-02-23
ES2421534T3 (es) 2013-09-03

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