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Produce containers and interchangeable, high-density packing system using same

Produce containers and interchangeable, high-density packing system using same description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to containers, and more specifically to produce containers and a system of packing using produce containers.

2. Description of Related Art

Today, many produce products are both harvested and packaged in the field. These produce products include, but are not limited to, berries, grapes, tomatoes, mushrooms, and other fruits and vegetables. In many market areas, theses produce items undergo post-harvest cooling in order to prolong their shelf life.

The harvested produce is often packed directly into the ventilated containers that will be purchased by the end consumer. The containers are typically thin walled clear or semi-clear plastic and are referred to as clamshells. This may be because often the lid of the container is formed integrally to the main volume of the container and the open container gives a visual suggestion of an open clamshell. The clamshells are closed after they have been filled with the just harvested produce.

The clamshells are also adapted to facilitate the initial cooling of the produce. To this end, the clamshells have openings in various locations which allow for forced air cooling to flow through the closed clamshell and cool the produce. The clamshells are also typically placed into trays, typically made of cardboard. The trays may also have openings in various locations to facilitate the cooling air flow through the clamshells.

Typically, the clamshells are placed into trays, and then the trays are placed onto pallets. The trays are usually placed onto the pallets in a particular configuration, and then another layer of trays is placed upon the lower layer of trays in the same configuration, and so on, resulting in many layers of trays on a single pallet. Post harvest cooling typically occurs while containers are in trays, and many trays are on a pallet. The entire pallet is placed into a cooling apparatus and cooling air is forced through the trays, and thus through the containers, and across the produce.

Currently, there are a variety of sizes of trays that may be used for different types of produce, with the different trays adapted to hold differing numbers of different size clamshells, depending upon the produce type and the intended market. However, many large retailers are adapted to having the same size tray regardless of the type of produce, and regardless of the size of clamshell which is containing the produce, in order to more efficiently handle the large quantity of produce moving through their facilities.

What is called for is a system that allows for a number of interchangeable clamshell sizes with a single tray geometry. What is also called for is a system that utilizes this interchangeability while also maximizing the packing factor for produce on a pallet.

Another issue with produce packed into clamshell containers is raised with the softer produce, such as strawberries. The produce may bruise in areas where there are sharp interior corners, such as around internal stiffening features. Further, as the produce is displayed in the market in the closed clamshell container, it is desirable that the consumer be able to see through the lid to the maximum extent possible in order to gain confidence in the quality of the produce within.

What is called for is a produce clamshell container with a minimum of internal features that may bruise the produce. What is also called for is a produce clamshell container which allows for maximum viewing of the produce through the top of the clamshell container.

A system for shipping produce including a shipping tray adapted to house a variety of different sized produce shipping containers. The produce shipping containers are sized such that when the tray is stocked with each size container only it can be filled and all of its space utilized. A produce shipping container which minimizes interior edges. A produce shipping container which enhances visibility through the top of the container through to the produce contained therein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a large produce carrying container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a closed large produce carrying container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of a closed large produce carrying container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a closed large produce carrying container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a closed large produce carrying container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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