WO2019237187A1

WO2019237187A1 - Containers, systems and methods for emersed shellfish storage

Info

Publication number: WO2019237187A1
Application number: PCT/CA2019/050791
Authority: WO
Inventors: John J. GARLAND; Eric Saunders BRANTON
Original assignee: Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
Priority date: 2018-06-15
Filing date: 2019-06-06
Publication date: 2019-12-19

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to containers, systems and methods for emersed shellfish storage. Each container may have an outer box and a divider having tabs that form cells to accommodate live shellfish in a vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the outer box. The divider may also have additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box, that are adjacent to the peripheral cells and extend partially around the peripheral cells. In a container stack, the divider of each container below a top container may support a next container in the stack. Systems may include containers, a pump system, and a water reservoir carried by a container support. Such systems may provide water to the containers through a dispenser that has respective perforated sections. Some embodiments include a moisture barrier with a water-resistant and gas permeable structure to extend at least partially around the containers.

Description

CONTAINERS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMERSED SHELLFISH STORAGE Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/685,345 filed June 15, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to shellfish storage and, in particular, to emersed (out of water) storage of shellfish, such as lobsters, other crustaceans, and/or bivalves. Background

[0003] Live lobsters have the ability to live out of water for periods of time up to a practical maximum of approximately 48 to 60 hours. This allows for live lobsters to be shipped successfully to most markets around the world using airfreight. There has been a trend of reduced availability and options for airfreight in the last decade as airlines restructure to accommodate more passenger loads and introduce reduced airfreight capacity airplanes. This has led to logistics challenges for airfreighting live lobsters to certain destinations, for example.

Summary

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a container includes an outer box and a divider. The divider includes tabs that form cells to accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a bottom of the outer box. The divider also includes additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box that are adjacent to the peripheral cells. The additional tabs extend partially around the peripheral cells. [0005] The container may also have a plurality of sub-dividers in respective cells that are formed by the tabs of the divider. The plurality of sub-dividers form a plurality of sub-cells in each of the respective cells.

[0006] A height of the divider may be less than a height of the outer box. [0007] The bottom of the outer box may have a plurality of drain windows. A container could also include mesh spanning the drain windows and the mesh is polypropylene mesh in an embodiment.

[0008] A cross-sectional area of each of the drain windows may be larger than a cross-sectional area of each of the cells. [0009] The outer box may be tapered.

[0010] The container may also have a top insert carried by the divider, the top insert having perforations aligned with the cells.

[0011 ] The outer box and the divider may include corrugated plastic.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for emersed storage of live shellfish includes: a container support; a plurality of containers supported by the container support; a water reservoir; and a pump system. Each container of the plurality of containers includes a container as described herein. The water reservoir is carried by the container support in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the pump system is coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir to one or more of the containers above the shellfish.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for emersed storage of live shellfish includes: a container support to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish; a water reservoir carried by the container support; a pump system; and a dispenser. In an embodiment, the pump system is coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir. In another embodiment, the dispenser is coupled to the pump system to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir, and the dispenser has a plurality of perforated sections to distribute the water to respective containers of the plurality of containers.

[0014] A water reservoir as described herein may include a moulded water container, and the moulded water container may have a surface supporting the plurality of containers on the container support.

[0015] A dispenser as described herein may be plastic bladder.

[0016] A system as described herein may have a support structure to support the plurality of containers on the surface of the moulded water container. [0017] In an embodiment, the system has an enclosure to extend along and at least partially enclose the plurality of containers. The enclosure could extend from the container support, for example.

[0018] In another embodiment, the plurality of containers includes one or more stacks of containers, and the divider of each container below a top container in each stack supports a next container in the stack.

[0019] In some embodiments, a system also includes a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, such as a moisture barrier that includes a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

[0020] A moisture barrier could be implemented in embodiments that include only a subset of the other features disclosed herein. For example, in an embodiment, a system for emersed storage of live shellfish includes: a container support to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish; a water reservoir carried by the container support; a pump system, coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir; a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir and to distribute the water to one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, the moisture barrier comprising a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

[0021 ] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: providing an outer box; and providing a divider comprising tabs that form cells to accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a bottom of the outer box. The divider also has additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box that are adjacent to the peripheral cells, with the additional tabs extending partially around the peripheral cells.

[0022] In an embodiment, providing the divider includes: providing divider panels that comprise the tabs and the additional tabs; interlocking the tabs on the divider panels to form the cells; and folding the additional tabs towards respective ones of the peripheral cells.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: providing a container support that has a surface to support a plurality of containers; providing the plurality of containers, each container comprising a container as described herein; providing a water reservoir carried by the container support; and providing a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, to pump water from the water reservoir to one or more of the plurality of containers. Some embodiments also include pumping water from the water reservoir to the one or more of the plurality of containers using the pump system; and collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the one or more of the plurality of containers.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: providing a container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish; providing a water reservoir carried by the container support; providing a pump system carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir; and providing a dispenser, coupled to the pump system. The dispenser comprises a plurality of perforated sections to distribute water to respective containers of the plurality of containers. Some embodiments also involve pumping water from the water reservoir to the dispenser using the pump system; distributing the water to respective containers of the plurality of containers using the plurality of perforated sections of the dispenser; and collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the one or more of the plurality of containers.

[0025] The method described herein may also include providing a moulded water container that has a surface to support the plurality of containers on the container support. [0026] In some embodiments, a method involves providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers. For example, in one embodiment providing a moisture barrier involves providing a moisture barrier that comprises a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

[0027] According to another embodiment, a method includes: providing a container support, the container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish; providing a water reservoir carried by the container support; providing a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, to pump water from the water reservoir; providing a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir and to distribute the water to one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, the moisture barrier comprising a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

[0028] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a use of the container described herein or a use of the system described herein for emersed storage of live shellfish. [0029] Various aspects of the present disclosure are outlined above. Other aspects and features may be or become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description and/or drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031 ] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container according to an embodiment, showing a divider inside an outer box.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a side view of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view of a first divider panel of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second divider panel of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a side view of a sub-divider of the divider shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a top view of a blank that is used to form an outer box of a container according to an embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a top view of a top insert according to an embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a first example system for emersed storage of live shellfish according to an embodiment. [0041 ] FIG. 11 is a first side view of the system of FIG. 10, showing a pump system, a dispenser and a dispenser standpipe assembly. [0042] FIG. 12 is a second side view of the system of FIG. 10, showing the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly.

[0043] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. [0044] FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion of the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0045] FIG. 15 is a top view of the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0046] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a second example system for emersed storage of live shellfish according to an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 16.

[0048] FIGS. 18-21 are flow diagrams illustrating example methods.

Detailed Description

[0049] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein primarily in the context of lobsters. Flowever, it should be appreciated that these are example embodiments only, and that the present disclosure could be applied more generally to shellfish, such as other crustaceans and/or bivalves, for instance.

[0050] One type of airfreight shipping box is designed to keep lobsters cool and humid during consignment. Lobsters are poikilotherms (cold blooded) and their metabolic rate is directly related to their body temperature. To keep their metabolism low during air shipment to customers, gel ice packs are used in shipping boxes to generally maintain lobsters just above freezing and below five degrees Celsius.

[0051 ] In natural, immersed (in water) conditions, a lobster removes metabolic waste such as ammonia from its blood via the gills. The gills also exchange carbon dioxide with oxygen from the water. While emersed (out of water), this method of ammonia and carbon dioxide removal and oxygen uptake is diminished, and therefore ammonia and carbon dioxide accumulate in the blood and oxygen is depleted. This accumulation effect can be measured by analyzing blood samples. Warmer, more metabolically active lobsters will accumulate ammonia and carbon dioxide faster than cooler lobsters; hence the use of ice packs can keep their metabolic rates low to reduce the rate of build up of metabolic waste in their blood. At reduced temperatures in a shipping box, a lobster is able to withstand being out of water for forty-eight to sixty hours, which encompasses typical journey lengths for airfreight from North America to Asian and European seafood markets, for example. This time limit is partly based on ammonia concentrations building up in the blood to levels that become toxic, as well as other blood changes that become detrimental to a lobster’s health.

[0052] A lobster placed back into water after extended emersion (out of water) will “dump” the ammonia and exchange accumulated CO2 with O2 in the water at a relatively fast rate, mainly via the gills. The effects of long-term emersion can effectively be reversed in a relatively short time period if ideal water conditions are provided during re- immersion. For example, a customer receiving live lobster shipments may unpack and re-immerse lobsters in a holding tank at their reception facilities.

[0053] Generally, a standard acceptable amount of“mortality” occurring from a shipment is usually below three to five percent of the total shipped weight of live lobsters. There are many factors that cause this mortality, most of which have to do with shipping box handling by cargo handling staff and temperature conditions during transit. There is also a risk of mortality and loss of quality due to post shipment re-immersion water conditions in a customer’s water tanks for example, that may contain inadequate filtration systems or refrigeration and therefore have high water ammonia concentrations or warmer than ideal water temperatures. Pre-shipment quality selection criteria and condition of the lobsters used for shipment by a supplier can also or instead impact mortality and/or quality. Since handling plays a key role in shipment success, recent advances in shipping box configuration over the past decade have led to new standards such as keeping lobsters segregated in shipping boxes to minimize handling damage caused by lobsters in close contact with neighboring lobsters’ spiny shells. In the segregated boxes, lobsters are packed vertically, similar to a box of wine, with dividers in the box creating a cell for each lobster. This type of packaging can reduce mortality on shipments and also allow suppliers to successfully ship lower quality lobsters that might not survive the journey using standard communally packed lobster box

configurations.

[0054] The examples above are in the context of live storage during shipment. It should be appreciated, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to storage for the purposes of shipping. For example, emersed live storage could also or instead be used for fixed or stationary storage of live shellfish.

[0055] Re-immersing lobsters after long term emersion causes an initial efflux (removal) of built up metabolic wastes from their blood at a very rapid rate, as noted above. With this high rate of efflux, it is possible to maintain live lobsters in a strong condition for longer periods during extended time out of water by providing periodic doses of water, such as seawater, to aid in efflux of accumulated metabolic waste. Lobsters are able to capture and utilize, for efflux of accumulated waste, water that is dripped down over them while they are stored vertically, out of water or emersed, rather than being immersed in water during storage.

[0056] Now, turning to the drawings, it should be appreciated that the drawings are intended solely for illustrative purposes, and that the present invention is in no way limited to the particular example embodiments explicitly shown in the drawings and described herein.

[0057] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container according to an embodiment, showing a divider inside an outer box. In FIG. 1 , a container 100 has an outer box 102 and a divider 200.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer box 102 could be open at its top and partially enclose the divider 200. A bottom 104 of the outer box 102 may support the divider 200 in the outer box 102. A height of the divider 200 may be less than a height of the outer box 102.

[0059] The outer box 102 and the divider 200 may be made of any rigid and preferably waterproof material, such as polyethylene. Corrugated plastic is another material that could be suitable for the outer box 102 and the divider 200 due to its waterproof and insulating qualities. It is expected that the outer box 102 and the divider 200 will be made from the same material in many embodiments, although different materials could be used in other embodiments.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the outer box 102 may be useful in preventing water from splashing out of the container and may also assist in keeping the divider 200 together. The divider 200 forms cells that may be used to accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the bottom 104 of the outer box 102. In an embodiment in which live lobsters are stored in the cells,“vertical” could be either tail or claws first, with either tail or claws toward the bottom 104 of the outer box 102. It is expected, however, that a“tail-first” orientation of lobsters may provide for more direct water flow over the gills, and improve efflux of accumulated metabolic waste during emersed storage.

[0061 ] Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the outer box 102, or both the outer box and the divider 200, may be tapered such that the cross-sectional area outlined by the top of the container 100 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bottom 104 of the container. In some embodiments, tapering at least the outer box 102 may allow for the container 100 to be nested in another container. In such an embodiment, multiple containers 100 may be stacked, with the divider 200 of each container below a top container in the stack supporting a next container in the stack. [0062] An outer box 102 and/or a divider 200 need not necessarily be tapered along the entirety of its axial or vertical extent. For example, an outer box 102 could be tapered outwardly from its bottom 104 within only a certain distance of the bottom.

Tapering is also just one example of a structural feature that could be provided to enable the bottom 104 of an outer box 102 to be positioned within the opening of another outer box. Other structures such as stepped side walls, for example, could similarly provide a transition between a bottom wall of the outer box 102 and side walls that outline a larger cross-sectional area than the bottom wall. [0063] The side walls of the outer box 102, shown in FIG. 1 , are continuous with respect to at least the two sides shown. Other embodiments, in which at least the side walls of the outer box 102 are not continuous, are also contemplated. For example, holes, slots or windows could form handles in any of the side walls of the outer box 102 to aid in the manipulation of the container 100 by a user. [0064] As shown in FIG. 1 , the container 100 has a rectangular horizontal cross- section. Flowever, other geometries, such containers with a square horizontal cross- section, are also contemplated.

[0065] Further details of the example divider 200 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 and described herein. [0066] With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the divider shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 5 is a side view of a first divider panel of the divider shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 is a side view of a second divider panel of the divider shown in FIG. 1 .

[0067] As shown in these drawings, the divider 200 has four first divider panels, each indicated at 202, five second divider panels, each indicated at 204, and eleven sub- dividers 218, although only one sub-divider is labelled in FIG. 2. One cell 214 is shown in FIG. 2 without a sub-divider 218 simply to provide an unobstructed view of an interior of a cell.

[0068] FIGS. 5 and 6 perhaps most clearly illustrate structures of the divider panels 202,204. Each of the four first divider panels 202 includes four tabs 206 and two additional tabs 210. Each of the five second divider panels 204 includes three tabs 208 and two additional tabs 212. [0069] Each of the first divider panels 202 has notches, channels or grooves 502 extending partially along the height of the first divider panel 202, and each of the second divider panels 204 similarly has notches, channels or grooves 602 extending partially along the height of the second divider panel 204. The notches, channels or grooves 502,602 are referred to herein primarily as notches 502,602, to avoid congestion in the description as a result of repeated reference to alternate terms.

[0070] Each of the tabs 206,208 and the additional tabs 210,212 has an attached part, portion, or region that is fixed and attached to adjacent tabs 206,208, or to an adjacent tab 206,208 and an additional tab 210,212. Each of the tabs 206,208 and the additional tabs 210,212 also has a part, portion, or region that is free to flex relative to at least a neighbouring tab. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the middle tab 208 has a region where the notches 602 separate the middle tab 208 from the tabs 208 on its left and right, and the middle tab 208 also has a region where it is connected to the tabs 208 on its left and right. An analogous structure is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for the tabs 206 and the additional tabs 210,212.

[0071 ] FIGS. 5 and 6 also show folding lines 500,600 in the first divider panel 202 and in the second divider panel 204, respectively. The additional tabs 210,212 may be folded along the folding lines 500,600 such that the additional tabs 210,212 extend in a different direction than the tabs 206,208, respectively. It should be noted that the folding lines 500,600, and other folding lines referenced herein, are shown and described to illustrate approximate areas at which container parts may be folded in some embodiments. Folding lines need not actually be provided, or even marked, on containers or any parts thereof.

[0072] The divider of FIG. 2 is formed in part by interlocking four first divider panels 202 and five second divider panels 204. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the four first divider panels 202 have the notches 502 facing upwards relative to the bottom of FIG. 2. Conversely, the five second divider panels 204 have the notches 602 facing downwards relative to the bottom of FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the directions that the notches 502,602 face may be reversed. [0073] During assembly of the divider 200 the notches 502 are aligned with the notches 602, positioning the notches 502,602 to receive respective attachment portions at which tabs 206,208 and additional tabs 210,212 are attached to each other. In this way, the four first divider panels 202 and the five second divider panels 204 are used to form cells 214. The cells 214 are each formed between two tabs 206 and two tabs 208 of the two divider panels 202,204.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 1 , the additional tabs 210,212 are between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box 102 that are adjacent to the peripheral cells. The additional tabs 210,212 may be folded such that they extend partially around the peripheral cells of the divider 200. The folding of the additional tabs 210,212 as shown in FIG. 2 may cause the additional tabs to be substantially parallel to the side walls of the outer box. Although a certain additional tab folding scheme or order is depicted in FIG. 2, as well as in FIGS. 3 and 4 described below, it should be appreciated that the additional tabs 210,212 may be folded following other folding schemes or orders. [0075] The additional tabs 210,212 may aid in increasing the rigidity of the divider

200 so that the shellfish can be kept in an approximately vertical orientation without substantially relying on the rigidity of the outer box 102 for support. In a conventional “open” peripheral cell divider, peripheral cells are only partial cells, with at least one cell wall being provided by a side wall of an outer box. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, outer walls of each peripheral cell are substantially at least double-walled as a result of the additional tabs 210,212 extending partially around those cells. Rigidity of the divider 200, or at least its peripheral cells, may thereby be increased, which may in turn reduce reliance on the outer box 102 to provide peripheral, lateral structural support for the divider. [0076] Four first divider panels 202 and five second divider panels 204 are shown in

FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the divider 200 may have more or fewer of the first divider panels 202 and/or the second divider panels 204. In these additional

embodiments, the number of tabs 206,208 and/or notches 502,602 may be changed to accommodate fewer or additional first divider panels 202 and/or second divider panels 204.

[0077] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 is a side view of the divider shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is a top view of the divider shown in FIG. 1. [0078] As is shown perhaps most clearly in FIG. 3, gaps 300 may exist between the additional tabs 210 and other components of the divider 200. Similar gaps may also exist between other additional tabs 210 and/or additional tabs 212 and other

components of the divider 200. More generally, tabs and/or additional tabs might therefore not necessarily be perfectly planar in a divider, or arranged perfectly parallel or perpendicular to each other.

[0079] In FIG. 4, the above-referenced feature of multiple-walled peripheral cells is also visible. Each peripheral cell has at least one additional tab extending partially around it, and each corner peripheral cell has at least two additional tabs extending partially around it. [0080] With reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a side view of a sub-divider of the divider shown in FIG. 1. A sub-divider 218 is shown to be a rectangle in FIG. 7. Such a sub- divider 218 may be placed in one or more divider cells, as shown in FIG. 2 for example, in which each sub-divider 218 is placed diagonally in a cell 214 to form two sub-cells 216. In this way there may be a plurality of sub-dividers in respective cells of a divider, and the plurality of sub-dividers form a plurality of sub-cells in each of the respective cells. FIG. 2 shows one cell 214 and twenty-two sub-cells 216, but it will be appreciated that a different number of cells 214 and sub-cells 216 can be achieved by placing more or fewer sub-dividers 218 in the divider 200. As shown, not every cell 214 necessarily has a divider installed therein. [0081 ] Shellfish may be placed vertically into each of the cells 214 and/or the sub- cells 216. In the embodiment shown, the sub-dividers 218 create sub-cells 216 with a triangular cross-section that may match the shape of a lobster having large claws better than a square cross-section would match that shape. In certain embodiments, the sub- dividers 218 may also or instead be used to provide a sub-cell 216 with one or more smaller dimensions than a full cell 214, such as a smaller cross-sectional area and/or volume than a cell 214, so that smaller lobsters may be placed in each of the sub-cells 216.

[0082] FIG. 4 represents one embodiment. In another embodiment, one or more of the sub-dividers 218 may be placed with the vertical of edges of the sub-divider(s) 218 extending into the other two corners of the cells 214. For example, the sub-divider labelled 218 in FIG. 4 may have its lateral edges positioned against the top right and bottom left corners of the top right cell 214. Other sub-dividers 218 may also be oriented in this configuration. Placing sub-dividers 218 in different configurations may help, for example, provide adequate water coverage for shellfish in certain sub-cells 216. In an embodiment, sub-dividers in corner cells are oriented to extend between outer cell corners and opposite corners, as in the above example regarding an alternate position of the sub-divider 218. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the top left and bottom right cells include sub-dividers that are oriented in this manner. In the top right and bottom left cells, however, the sub-dividers are oriented to form corner sub-cells at the outer corners of the divider 200. Re-orienting those sub-dividers to avoid such corner sub- cells could improve water flow coverage for shellfish in sub-divided corner cells. [0083] Other geometries of the sub-dividers 218 are also contemplated. For example, although not shown in the drawings, an X-shaped divider could be used to divide each cell 214 into four sub-cells. In another embodiment, a sub-divider may extend across the interior of a cell parallel to the tabs 206, 208 of either the first divider panels 202 or the second divider panels 204. Sub-dividers with different geometries may also be used in the same divider. These differences may, for example, better accommodate the physical shape of the shellfish being stored in the cells so as to orient them vertically.

[0084] Sub-division of cells 214 using sub-dividers 218 can have a significant impact in metabolic waste efflux from stored shellfish. A sub-cell with a triangular cross- section, for example, by more closely matching the shape of a lobster than a cell with a square cross-section, could be useful in maintaining lobsters in or close to a preferred orientation for more efficient or effective water flow during storage. Such adaptation or customization of cell shape and/or size, whether achieved by design of a divider, one or more divider panels, and/or a sub-divider, can have a significant practical impact on live storage efficiency or performance.

[0085] Rigidity or stiffness of the material from which divider panels and/or sub- dividers are made may also impact how well lobsters are held in a preferred orientation. A more rigid material or stiffer material better resists deformation as lobsters are being loaded into a divider and/or as lobsters move in the cells during storage, for example.

In some embodiments, other features are also or instead implemented to assist in maintaining preferred cell dimensions and/or shapes, and thereby assist in holding lobsters in a preferred orientation. Bracing and brackets are illustrative of reinforcing elements that could be attached to divider panels and/or sub-dividers, or otherwise used, to reinforce, stiffen, or hold at least the free ends of divider tabs. Folding material along one or both longitudinal edges of tab free ends would similarly reinforce or stiffen tab free ends against deformation. Other elements formed in, attached to, or otherwise provided to engage at least divider tab free ends are also possible.

[0086] Turning now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a top view of a blank that is used to form an outer box of a container according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, an outer box blank 800 has two side panels 802, two end panels 804, each having a handle flap 816, and four support panels 806. The outer box blank 800 also has four drain windows 814 in a part that will form the bottom face or wall of an outer box. The drain windows 814 are holes that, in some embodiments, allow at least water to pass through and, in some embodiments, also allow other materials to pass through as well.

[0087] An outer box may be formed from the outer box blank 800, in part, by folding: each of the support panels 806 along fold lines 808; each of the side panels 802 along fold lines 810 and each of the end panels 804 along fold lines 812 to form a volume between the two side panels 802, the two end panels 804 and the four support panels 806. The four support panels 806 may be secured to the two end panels 804, for example, by an adhesive, or by heating the support panels 806 and/or the end panels 804 to the melting point of the material from which the outer box blank 800 is made, to fuse the support panels 806 and the end panels 804 together. In an embodiment, the support panels 806 are outside the end panels 804 when box blank is folded to form a box. In that case, the support panels 806 could be secured to each other, without necessarily securing them to the end panels 804.

[0088] Handle holes may each be formed by folding the handle flaps 816 along fold lines 818. [0089] A divider 200 as described herein may be placed in the outer box after the outer box blank 800 has been folded to form the outer box. The drain windows 814 may each have a horizontal cross-sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of a cell or a sub-cell of the divider 200. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the outer box blank 800 or the folded outer box may have mesh or another supporting structure or material spanning at least the drain windows 814. The supporting structure may support the shellfish in the divider cells and prevent the shellfish from falling through the drain windows 814. In an embodiment, the supporting structure is a polypropylene mesh. However, any waterproof material that is sufficiently strong to support the shellfish within the divider 200 and allows water to pass through the drain windows 814 may be used as the supporting structure. This could include a perforated sheet of polypropylene or other types of plastic, for example.

[0090] In different embodiments, fewer or more drain windows may be provided. The drain windows may also or instead have different geometries, such as circles, for example. [0091 ] FIG. 9 is a top view of a top insert according to an embodiment. A top insert 900 has perforations 902, and may be sized to fit inside the top edges of a container, such as the container 100. For example, the top insert 900 may be carried by the divider 200, at or below the top edges of the outer box 102 (FIG. 1 ), when placed inside the outer box 102 and on top of the divider. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the top insert 900 may have side walls, lips, folds, or other structural features, to help avoid water bypassing the perforations 902 and flowing between the outer edges of the divider 200 and the inner edges of the outer box 102. [0092] In an embodiment in which containers are stacked, the divider 200 of one container may carry the next container in the stack. In this case, the top insert 900 may be positioned between the divider 200 of a lower container in a stack and the bottom of a next higher container in the stack.

[0093] The top insert 900 may be made of any waterproof material. For example, plastic could be used in an embodiment. The top insert 900 could be made from the same material as the divider 200 and/or the outer box 102 in some embodiments.

[0094] The top insert 900 may distribute water that is provided to the top of a container to each of the cells and/or the sub-cells through the perforations 902. In an embodiment, the perforations 902 are aligned with respective divider cells and/or sub- cells.

[0095] Although the perforations 902 are shown in FIG. 9 as squares of consistent dimensions, the perforations may have different geometries and/or cross-sections. For example, a larger perforation may be provided to direct more water to one or more of the cells and/or the sub-cells of the divider. [0096] Illustrative examples of a container and associated embodiments are described in detail above. Other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a first example system for emersed storage of live shellfish according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a first side view of the system of FIG. 10, showing a pump system, a dispenser and a dispenser standpipe assembly; and FIG. 12 is a second side view of the system of FIG. 10, showing the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly. [0097] As shown in FIG. 10, an example system 1000 for emersed storage of live shellfish has a container support 1006 to support a plurality of stacked containers 1004 that accommodate live shellfish. The plurality of stacked containers 1004 has six stacks of containers, each having four containers 1005, although only four of the stacks of containers are visible from the perspective shown. In other embodiments fewer or more containers 1005 may be provided in the plurality of stacked containers 1004 depending on, for example, dimensions of the containers 1005, dimensions of the container support 1006, and/or other dimensions of the example system 1000. For clarity of the drawings, only one stack of containers has each container 1005 labelled. [0098] The containers 1005 may be made of similar materials and may be of similar construction as the container 100 described herein. For example, each container 1005 may be tapered or otherwise shaped such that the cross-sectional area outlined by the top of each container 1005 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of each container 1005. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, in an embodiment in which a divider is placed in each of the containers 1005, a top of each of these dividers is represented with a dashed line 1005a. The divider in each container 1005 in this example has a height that is less than the height of the outer box of the container, allowing each container to nest in the container 1005 directly below.

[0099] Each container 1005 on the bottom of the stack of containers is supported by the container support 1006. Each container 1005 in the second, third and fourth rows, counting from the container support 1006, is supported by the divider of the container 1005 directly below. In this way, the containers 1005 may be arranged as one or more stacks of containers, where the divider of each container below a top container in each stack supports a next container in the stack. This is perhaps most clearly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this embodiment, an outer box of the container 1005 provides very little, if any, support or rigidity for the container directly above. With divider-supported containers, an outer box might provide lateral support for peripheral cells of a divider, but it is the divider itself that provides support for the weight of an upper container in a stack and the weight of contents of an upper container. [00100] In an embodiment, each corner of the plurality of stacked containers 1004 may be provided with an angle bracket and then the plurality of stacked containers 1004 may be wrapped with plastic pallet wrap or straps to secure the plurality of stacked containers 1004 during movement. [00101 ] Returning to FIG. 10, the system 1000 also has a dispenser 1010 above the stacks of containers 1005. In an embodiment, the dispenser 1010 distributes water to each of the containers 1005 on the top row of each of the container stacks. The dispenser 1010 may be supported by the containers 1005 in the top layer. Support for the dispenser 1010 is provided by the dividers in the top layer containers in an embodiment. Support could also or instead be provided by the outer boxes of the top layer containers in another embodiment.

[00102] The dispenser 1010 may have handles 1012 attached. Four handles 1012 are shown in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, dispenser handles are provided to facilitate placement or movement of the dispenser 1010 onto or off of the container stacks, and/or to engage with container outer boxes and/or other system components. Such engagement provides support, or additional support, for the dispenser in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the handles engage with other components to provide support for those other components and/or assist in holding those other components in place during use of an emersed storage system. [00103] The dispenser 1010 may be made of any waterproof material. For example, corrosion-resistant metal, such as stainless steel, and/or a flexible plastic may be used. In an embodiment, the dispenser 1010 is a plastic bladder or a plastic bag.

[00104] In the embodiments shown, the dispenser 1010 also has a dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 attached. The dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 is configured so that water pressure and flow rates within the dispenser 1010 may be measured. Additional details of the dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 are described below with reference to FIG. 14. [00105] Water flow to the dispenser 1010 is provided by a pump system 1114 coupled to a water reservoir 1128, as shown perhaps most clearly in FIGS. 11 and 12. In an embodiment, both the pump system 1114 and the water reservoir 1128 are carried by the container support 1006. Once the water is provided to the dispenser 1010 by the pump system 1114, the water then flows from the dispenser 1010 to each of the containers 1005 on the top row of each of the container stacks above the shellfish. The water continues down through the containers 1005 of each stack, into the top of each container 1005 and out of the bottom of each container 1005, until it again reaches the water reservoir 1128 and re-enters the pumping cycle. [00106] The water reservoir 1128 may have a plurality of sections 1124 that are in fluid communication with each other through channels or orifices 1126. Only one section 1124 and one orifice 1126 are labelled in each of FIGS. 11 and 12 to avoid congestion in the drawings. There are thirty-six sections 1124 in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

11 and 12, formed by five partitions 1125 intersecting with five orthogonal partitions 1127.

[00107] The partitions 1125, 1127 provide structural support for at least the plurality of stacked containers 1004, the dispenser 1010 and portions of the pump system 1114. The partitions 1125,1127 may also act as a baffle to help stabilize the water in the water reservoir 1128 to, for example, reduce sloshing and spilling of the water in the water reservoir 1128 in the event that the system 1000 is transported with the water reservoir full or nearly full of water.

[00108] Furthermore, the partitions 1125, 1127 may also allow for the insertion of filter media into the water reservoir 1128 to be used to help control water quality in the system 1000. Filter media may include, for example, biofilter media for ammonia (NH₄) removal, a buffering material such as calcium carbonate or oyster shells to maintain natural seawater alkalinity and pH, and/or chemical filtration such as activated carbon to adsorb dissolved organic waste produced by the shellfish during storage. Biofilter media could include, for example, structures that provide a substrate for growth of bacteria that can process ammonia in the reservoir. For chemical filtration, activated carbon, for example, may be placed in approximately 1-2kg mesh bags to act as a molecular adsorbant for proteins released by the shellfish to help maintain water quality. Calcium carbonate (aragonite), for example, may also or instead be placed in approximately 1 - 2kg mesh bags to help buffer acidification of the water by the biofilter when the biofilter is oxidising nitrogenous waste from the shellfish, thereby helping to stabilize water pH. The filter media could also or instead be encased in an extruded polypropylene (also referred to as“poly”) mesh“sock” material and placed between the partitions

1125,1127. In these embodiments, biofilter media and/or other media are submerged in the water reservoir 1128, and water circulates through the media to an intake of the pump system 1114.

[00109] The partitions 1125, 1127 may be made of structured media such as rigid, corrugated PVC sheets that, in an embodiment, are welded together. In an embodiment in which PVC is used, the surface area of the PVC may allow for biofilter bacteria to colonize. The partitions 1125,1127 may thereby provide a substrate for biofilter bacteria colonization, instead of or in addition to separate filter media, which need not

necessarily be provided in every embodiment.

[00110] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, the containers 1005 rest on the partitions 1125, 1127, which represent one example of a support structure in the container support 1006. Other elements may be provided between the containers 1005 and the container support 1006 or a support structure therein. For example, one or more panels or mats (not shown), of a polyester or polyethylene fiber material for example, could be placed below one or more containers in a bottom layer of containers to mechanically filter solids waste from the lobsters above. This could be useful in helping prevent such waste from entering the biofilter below and/or reduce the load on the biofilter. This material could also or instead act as a biofilter whereby nitrifying bacteria colonise the fibers and provide additional nitrogen waste removal, for example.

[00111 ] A water reservoir standpipe assembly 1008 may be connected to the water reservoir 1128 in an embodiment. The water reservoir standpipe assembly 1008 fluidly connects to the water reservoir 1128 and may be used, for example, for mounting sensors for monitoring characteristics of the water such as water level, salinity, pH, oxygen, NH₄ concentration and/or water temperature. The water reservoir standpipe assembly 1008, the water reservoir 1128 and the container support 1006 may be made of any material that is rigid and waterproof. For example, plastic could be used in an embodiment.

[00112] The water reservoir 1128 and/or other parts of the system 1000 could be coupled to other components that have not been explicitly shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. Examples include an ultrasonic level transmitter, an air chilling system, a water treatment system, and/or one or more of the types of sensors described above with reference to the water reservoir standpipe assembly 1008. Such sensors could, but need not necessarily be, mounted or deployed on or in conjunction with a water reservoir standpipe assembly.

[00113] In an embodiment, a water temperature sensor may be used to determine a set point and/or set point adjustments for an air chilling system to maintain water temperatures at a target temperature or within a target temperature range in the system 1000. Heat sources in the example shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 include the pump 1116 described below and even shellfish in the containers 1005, which generate heat that the air chilling system may help compensate for. For example, to maintain a water temperature of 4°C the set point for the air chilling system is approximately 1°C in an embodiment.

[00114] A water treatment system could include a filter, for example a biofilter, to filter out waste from water collected in the water reservoir 1128. In some embodiments, a water treatment system could also or instead include an exchange mechanism to exchange water in the water reservoir 1128 for fresh seawater. Such a water treatment system could be implemented separately, or in addition to, a filter that is provided within the water reservoir 1128.

[00115] An emersed storage system such as the example system 1000 may provide for storage of shellfish using much less water than an immersed storage system. For example, compare the size of the water reservoir 1128 in FIGS. 10 to 12 with the total volume of all of the containers 1005, which would be full or at least substantially full in an immersed storage system. With a lower volume of water, waste concentration in the water may increase at a faster rate than in higher-volume storage systems. Ammonia concentration could increase faster with emersed storage of live lobsters, for example, because in effect more animals are passing ammonia into a smaller volume of water. Although ammonia concentration can be monitored by chemical tests, it may be preferable to implement an ammonia sensor to provide more continuous and/or immediate measurements of ammonia concentration. Such a sensor could be mounted on or in the water reservoir 1128, for example.

[00116] In one embodiment, an ammonia sensor includes a reversible, colour sensitive material in the form of a waterproof sticker indicator, which changes color based on ammonia concentration. Color of such a sensor element could be monitored by an RGB (red-green-blue) sensor, for example. A controller that is coupled to the ammonia sensor or a sensor component such as an RGB sensor could raise an alert or alarm and/or control other system components based on ammonia concentration. For example, elevated levels of ammonia concentration could trigger such operations as diverting the water for filtration, or additional filtration if filtering is implemented in the water reservoir, flushing the system with fresh seawater from a water exchange system, and/or triggering a refrigeration system to freeze the entire load if extreme ammonia levels indicate filtration failure. This latter example of freezing a load is an example of a failsafe measure that could be taken in an effort to salvage the load and reduce the likelihood of a complete loss of the product during prolonged journeys, for example. Multiple thresholds could be used to control or trigger respective actions based on different ammonia concentrations.

[00117] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the system 1000 has a pump system 1114 carried by the container support 1006. The pump system 1114 includes: a pump 1116 coupled to the water reservoir 1128; tubing 1117; a valve 1118; fittings, generally referred to with reference numeral 1119, and two headers 1122. Fittings 1119 are labelled in FIG. 11 only to clarify the drawings. Fittings 1119 may include, in an embodiment, a flowmeter and/or a low pressure gauge, both or either of which may be fluidly connected to the pump system 1114 and electrically coupled to the pump 1116. Additional details of the pump system 1114 are described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 below.

[00118] Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or another waterproof material could be used for the tubing 1117 and the two headers 1122. PVC and/or corrosion-resistant metal could be used for the valve 1118 and the pump 1116, for example. The pump 1116 may be, in an embodiment, a fully automatic bilge pump rated for 1500, 2000 or 3700 GPFI. The valve 1118 may be, in an embodiment, a globe valve. These components are non-limiting examples, and other implementations are possible.

[00119] The system 1000 is intended for illustrative purposes. Variations are contemplated. For example, the system 1000 could be implemented with containers that are not of the same size and/or are of different geometries. Although not shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the system 1000 may be implemented with the top inserts 900 (FIG. 9) provided between the containers 1005 in a stack. Other variations could be or become apparent to a skilled person. For example, the pumping system 1114 might not include a flowmeter, a low pressure gauge and/or the valve 1118.

[00120] With reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, further details of the pump system 1114, the dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 and the dispenser 1010 according to one

embodiment are shown. FIG. 13 is an isometric view, FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion, and FIG. 15 is a top view of the pump system, the dispenser and the dispenser standpipe assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIGS. 13 to 15 include many features which are also described with respect to FIGS. 10 to 12 herein. Where features appearing in FIGS. 13 to 15 have been previously described, their description has not been repeated below.

[00121 ] With reference to FIG. 13, details of the fittings 1119 and the dispenser 1010 are shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, an end of the tubing 1117 is coupled to the pump 1116 by means of a worm-drive clamp 1301. The tubing 1117 is further coupled to the valve 1118, to a flow meter 1312 and to a pressure gauge 1322 by means of worm-drive clamps 1300,1306,1308,1326 and barbed fittings

1302, 1304, 1310, 1324. The flow meter 1312 is coupled to the pressure gauge 1322 by a pipe nipple 1314. The pipe nipple 1314 and the barbed fittings 1302, 1304, 1310,1324 may be made of tubing material. For example, PVC may be used in an embodiment.

The pressure gauge 1322 may be a low-pressure gauge with a 2½” dial and the flow meter 1312 may be a water flowmeter or totalizer, for example.

[00122] As shown in FIG. 13, the end of the tubing 1117 is coiled near the pump 1116. The coil in the tubing 1117 provides a 90° angle for the tubing 1117 so that the pump 1116 can sit upright on the bottom of the water reservoir 1128. The coil in the tubing 1117 may further allow for ease of installation of components of the pumping system 1114 due to its flexibility and extendibility while placing the assembled or connected components within a fully packed system. [00123] The valve 1118 may isolate components of the pump system 1114, for maintenance for example. The valve 1118 may also or instead be used to alter the flow rate of water through the pump system 1114 such that the amount of water provided to the dispenser 1010 may be varied. The flow meter 1312 and the pressure gauge 1322 may allow an operator to visualize the operational status of the pump system 1114. In some embodiments, at least the valve 1118, the flow meter 1312, the pressure gauge 1322 and the pump 1116 are electronically coupled to a computer or a controller, for example. In one such embodiment, a computer may control the settings on the valve 1118 and the pump 1116 such that target or desired operation parameters or characteristics may be applied. The valve 1118, the flow meter 1312, and/or the pressure gauge 1322 might not be installed if this control is not required and/or if it is desired to reduce the component count or cost of a storage system.

[00124] The tubing 1117 is further coupled to a barbed-end pipe tee 1330 by a worm- drive clamp 1328. The barbed-end pipe tee 1330 is coupled to the two headers 1122 by worm-drive clamps 1332. The two headers 1122 are coupled to pipe barbs installed onto the dispenser 1010 by worm-drive clamps 1334.

[00125] In one embodiment in which the dispenser 1010 is a plastic bladder, two PVC bulkhead fittings with hose barb ends in the dispenser 1010 are attached to the two headers 1122.

[00126] In an embodiment, the worm-drive clamps

1300, 1301 , 1306, 1308, 1326, 1328, 1332, 1334 are made of stainless steel, although other materials may instead be used. The pipe tee 1330 is made of nylon in an embodiment, and other waterproof material may be used in other embodiments. [00127] With reference now to FIG. 14, further details of the dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 are shown. As noted above, the standpipe assembly 1002 may be provided in some embodiments. However, this is an optional assembly that might not be provided in every embodiment.

[00128] The dispenser standpipe assembly 1002 includes a pressure gauge 1406, tubing 1412 and a valve 1416. The pressure gauge 1406 and the tubing 1412 may be made of similar materials to the pressure gauge 1322 and the tubing 1117, respectively. In an embodiment, the valve 1416 is a ball valve.

[00129] The pressure gauge 1406 is coupled to the dispenser 1010 by a pipe nipple 1400, and to the tubing 1412 by a hose fitting 1408 and a worm-drive clamp 1410. The tubing 1412 is further coupled to the valve 1416 by a worm-drive clamp 1414. A worm- drive clamp 1418 is provided on the other side of the ball valve 1416 relative to the tubing 1412, to enable connection of the valve to additional tubing and/or another component. The worm-drive clamps 1410,1414,1418 and the pipe nipple 1400 may be made of the same materials as the worm-dive clamps and pipe nipple described above. The hose fitting 1408 may be made of a rigid material. For example polypropylene may be used in an embodiment. [00130] With reference now to FIG. 15, a top view of the dispenser 1010 is shown. Elements of the pump system 1114 are not labelled in FIG. 15 to avoid congestion in the drawing. An underside or bottom wall of the dispenser 1010 includes perforated sections 1336, which are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 15 to illustrate that the dispenser may be enclosed or covered in some embodiments, in which case the perforated sections would not be directly visible from the top of the dispenser.

[00131 ] In FIG. 15, six respective perforated sections 1336 of the dispenser 1010 are shown as rectangles of equal cross-sectional area with identical perforation patterns. More generally, a dispenser includes a respective perforated section to align with and distribute or dispense water to each of multiple containers, such as the top container in each of multiple container stacks. The perforations in the perforated sections 1336 could be distributed evenly as shown, or arranged in a different pattern. An even distribution of perforations as shown could be useful to distribute water to containers that include any of various numbers or patterns of divider cells or sub-cells, for example. In another embodiment, different perforation patterns could be designed to distribute water to particular numbers or patterns of divider cells or sub-cells. For example, in an embodiment in which the dispenser 1010 is a plastic bladder, multiple holes on the underside of the bladder may accommodate various container configurations so that at least one, but preferably multiple, streams of water contact each shellfish. A dispenser 1010 with removable and interchangeable perforated sections 1336 is also

contemplated. In another embodiment, perforated sections 1336 might not be present, and in this case a general perforation pattern throughout the entire bottom of the dispenser 1010 could allow for adequate coverage of water flow to any containers that are located below the dispenser. [00132] As described herein, the dispenser 1010 is coupled to the pump system 1114 to receive the water pumped from a water reservoir. The dispenser 1010 receives water from the pump system 1114, through the two headers 1122 in the example shown. The water from the pump system 1114 floods the dispenser 1010, which has a plurality of perforated sections 1336 to distribute the water to respective containers of the plurality of containers, and begins to flow from the respective perforated sections 1336. By increasing the flow rate of water provided to the dispenser 1010 the pressure inside the dispenser 1010 may be increased. Increasing the pressure in the dispenser 1010 may increase the flow rate of water exiting through the respective perforated sections 1336. Additionally or alternatively, increasing the number and/or size of the perforations of the dispenser 1010 may also increase water flow or water spray coverage.

[00133] In normal operation the valve 1416 (FIG. 14) is closed and the operating pressure of the dispenser 1010 is shown on the pressure gauge 1406. If the pressure in the dispenser 1010 becomes too high the valve 1416 may be opened, either manually or automatically, to relieve some of the water pressure. The valve 1416 may also or instead be opened to drain the dispenser 1010, or to allow initial filling of the dispenser 1010 by providing an outlet for trapped air inside the dispenser 1010 during system start-up.

[00134] Although six respective perforated sections 1336 are shown in FIG. 15, in other embodiments fewer or more respective perforated sections 1336 may be provided. The size and geometry of the perforations on each of the respective perforated sections 1336 and/or overall on a dispenser need not be uniform, in other embodiments.

[00135] In addition to the system 1000, other systems are also contemplated. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a second example system for emersed storage of live shellfish according to an embodiment, and FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 16.

[00136] The example system 1600 has a container support 1602, a side cover 1604 and a top cover 1606, shown in an assembled state in FIG. 16. [00137] With reference to FIG. 17, an exploded view of the system 1600 is shown. The container support 1602 may include and/or be configured to support a moulded water container 1706. The moulded water container 1706 has a surface supporting the plurality of containers 1710 on the container support 1602. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the moulded water container 1706 is located between the container support 1602 and a plurality of containers 1710. Although not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the moulded water container 1706 may also be coupled to such components as an ultrasonic level transmitter, a salinity sensor and/or a water treatment system, in a similar manner as described above.

[00138] A support structure 1708 may be provided, between the surface of the moulded water container 1706 and the plurality of containers 1710 in the example shown, and the plurality of containers 1710 may be supported by the support structure 1708. The support structure 1708 may be provided to raise the plurality of containers

1710 off the bottom of the moulded water container 1706. In an embodiment, the partitions 1125,1127 (FIGS. 11 and 12) are part of the support structure 1708, or the support structure may otherwise provide the same or a similar function as the partitions.

[00139] As shown in FIG. 17, a pump system 1712 is provided to fluidly connect the moulded water container 1706 to a dispenser 1718. Although the pump system 1712 is shown to be above the plurality of containers 1710 in FIG. 17, in the assembled state in FIG. 16 at least a pump 1714 is below the plurality of containers 1710 in the moulded water container 1706, and headers 1716 are coupled to the dispenser 1718, which is above the plurality of containers 1710. The plurality of containers 1710, the dispenser 1718, and the pump system 1712, including the pump 1714 and the headers 1716, may be similar to and be made of similar materials as analogous components of other embodiments described herein. The plurality of containers 1710 may also have different configurations, including more or fewer containers, in a similar manner to that described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 herein for example. [00140] In the system 1600, water is pumped from the moulded water container 1706 by the pump system 1712 and distributed or dispensed over the plurality of containers 1710 by the dispenser 1718. In a similar manner to that described above, the water flows from the pump system 1712 to the dispenser 1718. The dispenser 1718 then distributes the water over at least the top containers in the plurality of stacked containers 1710. The water may flow into the top of the containers and out of the bottom of the containers until it reaches the moulded water container 1706 and enters the pumping cycle again.

[00141 ] FIG. 17 also shows an enclosure 1704, which in this example includes a protective bag 1702 and a side cover 1604, extending along the plurality of containers 1710 and sized or otherwise adapted to fit around and at least partially enclose the plurality of containers 1710. The protective bag 1702 is an example of a moisture guard or barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, to retain water and humidity in the system 1600 and protect against water splashing or evaporating out of the system. Such water loss can result in elevated levels of salinity and waste concentration as water volume decreases. Water loss can also cause water volume to decrease below a minimum required for proper operation of the pump 1714, further illustrating the importance of reducing water loss in some embodiments.

[ 00142 ] As shown in FIG. 17, the protective bag 1702 is open at the top. The protective bag 1702 could be attached to a top layer of the plurality of containers 1710, below the dispenser 1718, by clips or tape adhesive, for example. The bottom of the protective bag 1702 could be open like the top, or closed.

[00143] The side cover 1604 has two portions that may seal against each other. The bottom edges or bottom of the protective bag 1702 and the bottom edges of the side cover 1604 terminate in the moulded water container 1706, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the bottom edges of the protective bag 1702 terminate inside the molded water container 1706 and the bottom edges of the side cover 1604 connect to the container support 1602. For example, the side cover 1604 could include notches that align with sliding retainers in the container support 1602. In a further embodiment, the protective bag 1702 is closed on the bottom and contains the support structure 1708, the pump system 1712 and the plurality of containers 1710, and water is filled to the top of the support structure 1708. The molded water container 1706 could also be inside the protective bag 1702. [00144] To install the protective bag 1702 in one embodiment, the protective bag 1702 is pulled all the way up to the top of the plurality of containers 1710 and attached to the top layer of containers. Additionally or alternatively, the protective bag 1702 may act as a water retaining system for the moulded water container 1706. [00145] The top cover 1606 may be coupled to the side cover 1604, for example, by sliding tabs on the top cover 1606 that slide and insert into slots cut out of the side cover 1604. The top cover 1606 may seal against the enclosure 1704.

[00146] In an embodiment, the protective bag 1702 may be useful in helping prevent water from splashing out or otherwise leaving the system 1600 while the water moves from the dispenser 1718 to the moulded water container 1706 and/or while the system 1600 is in transit during shipping, for example. The side cover 1604 may be useful in helping protect the protective bag 1702 from damage, for example, from abrasion by an object rubbing against the system 1600. The top cover 1606 cooperates with the enclosure 1704 and the moulded water container 1706 to seal the second system 1600 in an embodiment.

[00147] In another embodiment, a water barrier bag (not shown) may be placed inside the protective bag 1702 to form substantially a double bag enclosure. Such an enclosure may help contain the water within the system 1600.

[00148] The protective bag 1702, any water barrier bag (not shown), and/or other parts of the enclosure 1704 need not necessarily be uniform or continuous. For example, the protective bag 1702 could include one or more gas permeable structures or areas 1703, such as gas diffusion membrane panels. In some embodiments, the one or more gas permeable structures are near the bottom of the stacks of containers 1710 to vent CO2 produced by lobsters or other shellfish during storage in the system 1600. CO2 is heavier than air, and therefore tends to settle towards the water level in the moulded water container 1706. The gas permeable structures or areas 1703 may help CO2 that settles above the water in the moulded water container 1706 to diffuse away from the plurality of containers 1710 and thereby reduce C0₂ accumulation. In another embodiment, the entirety of the protective bag 1702 may be gas permeable. It was observed that CO2 may accumulate over time, and cause increasing mortality rates from top to bottom in the stacks of containers 1710. Gas permeable structures or gas permeability of the protective bag 1702 could help reduce or avoid CO2 accumulation and mortality due to such accumulation. A water-resistant or waterproof but gas permeable material could be preferred for the gas permeable structure(s), to provide for gas permeation without significantly impacting water and/or humidity containment, for example.

[00149] In an embodiment, a bottom portion of the protective bag 1702 is made from or includes one or more gas permeable structures. For example, gas diffusion membrane panels could form the sides of a bottom portion of the protective bag 1702, such as the bottom several feet of the protective bag 1702.

[00150] In another embodiment, one or more gas permeable structures are provided near the top of the plurality of containers 1710. This could be useful in allowing heat to dissipate from the plurality of containers 1710 and in providing supplementary gas exchange between the internal and external environments within each container.

[00151 ] Gas permeable structures could be provided in two opposite panels of the protective bag 1702, for example. Other arrangements or orientations of gas permeable structures are also possible. [00152] Gas permeable panels represent one example of gas permeable structures.

Gas permeability could also or instead be provided by holes or slits to allow

breathability, for example. In some embodiments, openings or other gas permeable structures could be provided in the side walls 1604, any water barrier bag, and/or the top cover 1606 to further improve CO2 permeation. Different types of gas permeable structures could also or instead be used in combination, for example by providing slits in an inner water barrier and gas permeable panels in the protective bag 1702. In another embodiment, ventilation (not shown) could be provided with the use of a vent pipe or ducting, to allow air exchange from within the system 1600 to the exterior environment, either passively or assisted with an air movement device such as an air pump, for example.

[00153] In general, a moisture barrier has a gas permeable and water-resistant structure in some embodiments. One example of such a barrier is a barrier that is made in part from at least water-resistant, and possibly waterproof, material(s) but with one or more embedded or integrated gas-permeable areas such as 1703 that include gas permeable material(s). Another example of a moisture barrier with a gas permeable and water-resistant structure is a barrier that is made from a material that is at least water-resistant, and possibly waterproof, and is also gas permeable. [00154] In another embodiment, a lower sleeve (not shown) may be placed between the moulded water container 1706 and the container support 1602 to help maintain the shape of the protective bag 1702 and/or any water barrier bag that is installed inside the lower sleeve. The lower sleeve may be made of any material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain the shape of the bag(s), such as corrugated plastic. [00155] The container support 1602, the side cover 1604, the moulded water container 1706, the support structure 1708 and the top cover 1606 may be made of rigid and waterproof material(s), with the side cover and the top cover potentially comprising less rigid materials than load carrying or structural components such as the container support 1602, the water container 1706, and the support structure 1708. For example, in an embodiment plastic can be used. The protective bag 1702 may also be made of a waterproof material, but might not be as rigid as the side cover 1604 in certain embodiments. For example, in an embodiment low density polyethylene or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOFI) may be used to form the protective bag 1702.

[00156] Although the enclosure 1704 is depicted in FIG. 17 as extending completely around at least the plurality of containers 1710, in an embodiment the enclosure 1704 may extend only partially around at least the plurality of containers 1710. In this embodiment, the protective bag 1702, the side cover 1604, or both may extend only partially around at least the plurality of containers 1710. Therefore, the protective bag 1702 and/or any water barrier bag could be provided in the form of a bag with one closed end, a sleeve with two open ends, or even a sheet of material that extends partially or fully around the containers 1710.

[00157] Similarly, any sealing between the top cover 1606 and the enclosure 1704, and/or between the enclosure 1704 and the moulded water container 1706 need not necessarily be complete. In some embodiments, only a partial seal is provided.

[00158] There are no gel ice packs in the systems 1000,1600, unlike individual air freight shipping boxes, and temperature control could be provided by a transport truck trailer or refrigerated cargo container that is loaded onto a truck and transported to an ocean going vessel, for example. The systems 1000,1600 could be self-powered with a pump and onboard power supply such as a battery with enough power to last for one overseas trip. Another option could be to utilize the power from a refrigerated cargo container to either keep a battery back up charged, or fully power the systems

1000,1600. If an emersed storage system is not self-powered, then it could be placed under a seawater tap system that provides chilled seawater either continuously or intermittently as described above, or in a cooler that has been equipped with auxiliary power to run the pump systems 1114,1712.

[00159] Such powering and cooling options could also or instead be applied to emersed storage systems that are intended for fixed or stationary storage, and not just for shipping applications. An emersed storage system could be placed in a commercial refrigerator or cooler, for example, and could also be coupled to a supply of water and/or an electrical outlet or other source of power.

[00160] In a shipping application, on arrival overseas, the shellfish containers in an emersed storage system could be shipped, in the same refrigerated cargo container as used to ship the system overseas, to a depot or customer. The shellfish containers could then be maintained in the emersed storage system or placed in a continuous flow system to maintain the lobsters and/or other shellfish until final sale. Once a final customer receives an individual shellfish container, a cover may be placed over the top of the container, and the customer can place the container in their cooler or refrigerator. For longer storage periods, the cover could be periodically removed to pour cold seawater over the container or the top insert inside the container, to refresh the lobsters and/or other shellfish inside. This could allow a customer to store shellfish for extended periods without the need of an expensive and complicated live tanking system.

[00161 ] An emersed storage system could potentially replace such live tanking systems at any of various sites, including distribution sites, retail stores, and/or restaurants. Emersed storage could reduce or eliminate water tank maintenance at such sites. Water usage associated with emersed storage systems could also be much lower than water usage associated with immersed live storage, thereby potentially providing not only cost savings but also water conservation.

[00162] Although the embodiments described above relate primarily to a container and systems, methods are also contemplated.

[00163] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of an example method of providing a container. The example method 1800 involves providing, at 1802, an outer box. This could involve assembling or otherwise forming the outer box. The example method 1800 further involves providing a divider, at 1804. The divider has tabs that form cells to

accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a bottom of the outer box. The divider also has additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box that are adjacent to the peripheral cells. The additional tabs extend partially around the peripheral cells. Other container components could also be provided in some embodiments.

[00164] FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an example method of providing a divider. The example method 1900 involves providing, at 1902, divider panels that have tabs and additional tabs. At 1904, the tabs on the divider panels are interlocked to form cells.

This may involve, for example, aligning notches in the divider panels and sliding the divider panels relative to one another. At 1906, the additional tabs on the divider panels are folded towards respective ones of the peripheral cells. In an embodiment, the divider that is provided in FIG. 19 is the divider 200 (FIGS. 1 to 4).

[00165] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an example method of providing and operating a system. Example method 2000 includes, at 2002, providing a container support. The container support comprises a surface to support a plurality of containers. At 2004, the method involves providing a plurality of containers, with each container being a container as described herein. A water reservoir carried by the container support is provided at 2006, and at 2008 a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, is provided to pump water from the water reservoir to one or more of the plurality of containers. Example method 2000 further includes pumping water at 2010. The water is pumped from the water reservoir to the one or more of the plurality of containers using the pump system. Example method 2000 also includes, at 2012, collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the one or more of the plurality of containers.

[00166] FIG. 21 is a flow chart an example method of providing and operating another system. Example method 2100 includes, at 2102, providing a container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish. The containers are also provided at 2104 in some embodiments. At 2106, a water reservoir, carried by the container support, is provided, and at 2108 a pump system is provided. The pump system is carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir. A dispenser, coupled to the pump system, is provided at 2110, and has a plurality of perforated sections to distribute water to respective containers of the plurality of containers. In embodiments in which the containers are in place on the container support, the dispenser is positioned above the plurality of containers. In an unloaded system, the dispenser might not necessarily be in its assembled or

operational position above a set of containers.

[00167] The example method 2100 further includes pumping water at 2112. The water is pumped from the water reservoir to the dispenser using the pump system. Example method 2100 further includes, at 2114, distributing water. The water is distributed to one or more of the plurality of containers using one or more of the respective perforated sections of the dispenser. Example method 2100 also includes, at 2116, collecting water. Collecting water includes collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the one or more of the plurality of containers.

[00168] Although not shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , a moulded water container may also be provided. The moulded water container may be provided between the container support and the plurality of containers, as shown in FIG. 17, for example. The moulded water container may include a surface to support the plurality of containers on the surface of the container support.

[00169] Some embodiments also involve providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers. For example, providing a moisture barrier involves providing a moisture barrier that comprises a gas permeable and water- resistant structure in one embodiment.

[00170] A moisture barrier need not be provided or implemented only in combination with other features shown in FIG. 20 or FIG. 21. For example, according to another embodiment a method involves: providing a container support, the container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish; providing a water reservoir carried by the container support; providing a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, to pump water from the water reservoir; providing a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir and to distribute the water to one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, the moisture barrier comprising a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

[00171 ] The provision of components as shown in FIGS. 18 to 21 , and/or as otherwise disclosed herein, need not necessarily involve manufacturing those components. For example, components could be sourced from a manufacturer and need not necessarily be manufactured by the same entity that actually builds a flow system or uses containers as disclosed herein. Component manufacturing and assembly could thus be performed by separate entities, in which case a manufacturer“provides” system components by manufacturing them, and an assembler“provides” the components by purchasing them from a manufacturer or distributor.

[00172] It should also be appreciated that the methods in FIGS. 18 to 21 are illustrative examples. Other embodiments may include additional, fewer and/or different operations, performed in a similar or different order, and/or performing operations in any of various ways. Some such variations may be apparent from the foregoing description of FIGS. 1 to 17, for example.

[00173] What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art. [00174] For example, the drawings are intended solely for illustrative purposes. Other embodiments might include further, fewer, or additional features, arranged in a similar or different manner than shown.

[00175] In addition, although described primarily in the context of a container, systems and methods, other implementations are also contemplated, as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium in the case of monitoring and/or control features such as flow control or water treatment control features, for example. Uses of the containers and the systems described herein are also contemplated. For example, the container and/or the systems described herein may be used for emersed storage of live shellfish, for either fixed / stationary applications and/or shipping applications. [00176] Various components of example systems are disclosed herein as being waterproof. Depending on criteria such as intended useful life of any component, expected exposure to water during operation, and/or how such exposure to water may impact performance or effectiveness of any component for its intended application, a degree of water resistance could be sufficient. For example, a wooden pallet might be sufficiently water resistant for use as a container support at least in embodiments that include a separate water reservoir and components such as an enclosure intended to contain water within an emersed storage system.

Claims

Claims:

1. A container comprising:

an outer box; and

a divider comprising tabs that form cells to accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a bottom of the outer box, the divider further comprising additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box that are adjacent to the peripheral cells, the additional tabs extending partially around the peripheral cells.

2. The container according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of sub-dividers in respective cells formed by the tabs of the divider, the plurality of sub-dividers forming a plurality of sub-cells in each of the respective cells.

3. The container according to claim 1 , wherein a height of the divider is less than a height of the outer box.

4. The container according to any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the bottom of the outer box comprises a plurality of drain windows.

5. The container according to claim 4, further comprising:

mesh spanning the drain windows.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the mesh comprises polypropylene mesh.

7. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of drain windows is larger than a cross-sectional area of each of the cells.

8. The container according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the outer box is tapered.

9. The container according to any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the container further comprises a top insert carried by the divider, the top insert having perforations aligned with the cells.

10. The container according to any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the outer box and the divider comprise corrugated plastic.

11. A system for emersed storage of live shellfish, the system comprising:

a container support;

a plurality of containers supported by the container support, each container comprising a container according to any one of claims 1-10;

a water reservoir carried by the container support; and

a pump system coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir to one or more of the containers above the shellfish.

12. A system for emersed storage of live shellfish, the system comprising:

a container support to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish;

a water reservoir carried by the container support;

a pump system coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir; and

a dispenser coupled to the pump system to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir, the dispenser comprising a plurality of perforated sections to distribute the water to respective containers of the plurality of containers.

13. The system according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the water reservoir comprises a moulded water container, and wherein the moulded water container comprises a surface to support the plurality of containers on the container support.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the dispenser comprises a plastic bladder.

15. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a support structure to support the plurality of containers on the surface of the moulded water container.

16. The system according to any one of claims 11-15, further comprising:

an enclosure to extend along and at least partially enclose the plurality of containers.

17. The system according to any one of claims 11-16, wherein the plurality of containers comprises one or more stacks of containers, wherein the divider of each container below a top container in each stack supports a next container in the stack.

18. The system according to any one of claims 11-17, further comprising:

a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the moisture barrier comprises a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

20. A system for emersed storage of live shellfish, the system comprising:

a water reservoir carried by the container support; a pump system, coupled to the water reservoir and carried by the container support, to pump water from the water reservoir;

a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir and to distribute the water to one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and

a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, the moisture barrier comprising a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

21. A method comprising:

providing an outer box; and

providing a divider comprising tabs that form cells to accommodate live shellfish in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a bottom of the outer box, the divider further comprising additional tabs, between peripheral cells and side walls of the outer box that are adjacent to the peripheral cells, the additional tabs extending partially around the peripheral cells.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein providing the divider comprises: providing divider panels that comprise the tabs and the additional tabs;

interlocking the tabs on the divider panels to form the cells; and

folding the additional tabs towards respective ones of the peripheral cells.

23. A method comprising:

providing a container support, the container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers;

providing the plurality of containers, each container comprising a container according to any one of claims 1 -10;

providing a water reservoir carried by the container support; and

providing a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, to pump water from the water reservoir to one or more of the plurality of containers.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:

pumping water from the water reservoir to the one or more of the plurality of containers using the pump system; and

collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the one or more of the plurality of containers.

25. A method comprising:

providing a container support, the container support comprising a surface to support a plurality of containers that accommodate live shellfish;

providing a water reservoir carried by the container support;

providing a pump system carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir; and

providing a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, the dispenser comprising a plurality of perforated sections to distribute water to respective containers of the plurality of containers.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

pumping water from the water reservoir to the dispenser using the pump system; distributing the water to the respective containers of the plurality of containers using the plurality of perforated sections of the dispenser; and

collecting and providing, to the water reservoir, the water that is pumped by the pump system and that flows to the respective containers of the plurality of containers.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23-26, further comprising:

providing a moulded water container comprising a surface to support the plurality of containers on the container support.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23-27, further comprising: providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein providing a moisture barrier comprises providing a moisture barrier that comprises a gas permeable and water- resistant structure.

30. A method comprising:

providing a water reservoir carried by the container support;

providing a pump system, carried by the container support and coupled to the water reservoir, to pump water from the water reservoir;

providing a dispenser, coupled to the pump system, to receive the water pumped from the water reservoir and to distribute the water to one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and

providing a moisture barrier to extend at least partially around the plurality of containers, the moisture barrier comprising a gas permeable and water-resistant structure.

31. Use of the container according to any one of claims 1 -10 for emersed storage of live shellfish.

32. Use of the system according to any one of claims 11 -20 for emersed storage of live shellfish.