CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/229,023 filed August 4, 2016 (now pending); which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Application Nos. 29/562, 176 and 29/562, 181 , filed April 22, 2016 (now pending); all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to a container for storing and transporting produce, such as for example fruits and vegetables, efficiently and safely with improved ventilation.

For delicate produce, especially fruits and vegetables, an appropriate packaging is an important consideration in order to enable shipping from growers and processors to consumers, facilitate storage during distribution, and prolong shelf life. Many fruits and vegetables, including for example tomatoes, naturally produce ethylene gas when ripening. To prevent premature ripening, it is important to minimize exposure to ethylene gas. It only takes a few days of exposure to ethylene gas for fruits and vegetables to become overripe and inedible. This naturally occurring maturation process results in significant losses to both growers, processors, retailers, and consumers.

Conventional produce containers lack proper ventilation for ethylene gas released by the produce within such containers. Attempts have been made in the past to provide ventilation in produce containers by providing indentations in the rim of the container known as castellation. The indentations form air channels to the exterior of the container when a plastic film cover or lid is applied to the rim to close the container. However, the plastic film cover or lid applied to the rim can come loose from the rim due to the interruptions in the seal by the indentations in the rim resulting in the unintended opening of the container. Furthermore, the indentations in the perimeter of the rim create weak spots on the container. Such weak spots allow the container to flex, which can cause the container to be bent or folded at the indentations in the event that the i container is crushed or dropped. These bends or foid can result in the spillage of the contents of the container. The casteilation is also made with straight lines creating sharp and rigid edges and such sharp and rigid edges can damage tender produce in the containers.

Therefore, there exists a need for a produce container having appropriate ventilation for the contained produce, wherein the container can be securely sealed with a film cover or lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ventilated container for produce according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. At least one of the sidewalls preferably includes at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally fiat and uninterrupted. As discussed below, the at least one ventilation opening is provided through a surface of an indentation formed on at least one of the sidewalls that extends into the interior cavity of the container.

Furthermore, the surface of the indentation through which the ventilation opening is located below the top surface of the rim.

The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. Furthermore, the location of the ventilation opening(s) on the interior of the container and below the top surface of the rim effectively hides the openings from consumers.

The ventilated container for produce can be enclosed with a plastic film secured to the rim to form a seal. The film is applied over the top of the container and is preferably adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The film can be made of a clear material which enables consumers to view the contents of the container when it is on display.

The ventilated container for produce of the present invention preferably does not include any indentation or interruption of the rim to provide a flattened top surface of the rim. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container. Furthermore, the flattened surface of the rim aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. The uninterrupted flattened top surface also increases the seal integrity on the rim and limits the ability to of the rim to flex, thereby enabling the produce container to pass drop test done by top retailers.

As discussed above, the sidewalis can include indentations extending inwardly of the sidewalis. The surfaces of the indentation can have soft geometrical edges (such as scallops) to limit potential damage to the produce provided in the container. The indentations can have corresponding concave, square, and other configurations suitable for their intended purpose. The degree of indentation of the indentations can vary such that different sizes and shapes of produce can be suitably stored in the container.

The ventilated container for produce of the present invention facilitates the ventilation of the ethylene gas within the container by placing a ventilation opening on a sidewall below the top of the container thereby slowing the ripening process and keeping the produce fresher and longer. The ventilation opening is located on the indentations between the rim and a most of the indentations. The sidewall includes at least one, or a plurality of ventilation openings. The ventilation opening is suitably sized and configured to provide adequate ventilation suitable for the contents of the container. Different sizes and configurations of the ventilation openings are within the scope of the present invention depending on the size and shape of the container. The ventilation openings can be circular, oval, or quadrilateral, or other shapes suitable for the intended purpose.

!n addition to the ventilation opening located on the sidewall, the ventilation of gas within the container can be further improved by at least one, and preferably a plurality of additional ventilation openings on the corners of the sidewalis, specifically for improved vertical venting.

An aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow. At least one, and preferably a plurality of apertures on the bottom can be provided to improve the drainage. The aperture is generally circular in shape. However, the shape of the aperture may include, but is not limited to, ovals, oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figures suitable for the intended purpose.

The shape of the ventilated container for produce can be square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, or any other figures. The length, height and width of the container can adjusted depending on the shape, size, counts and type of the produce in the container. The ventilated container is constructed of a plastic material, more specifically transparent plastic. Alternatively, the container can be made of various polymeric and monomeric plastics, paper products, and combinations of the foregoing. The ventilated container for produce is sufficiently transparent so that it is adequate for display and allows visual inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further

understanding of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the first

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5-5 of the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing the enclosed container sealed with a film;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5-5 of the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing the enclosed container sealed with a lid; FIG. 7 illustrates a stack of two enclosed containers in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front elevationai view of the container in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 1 1 -1 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevantionai view of the container in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 15-15 of the third embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front elevationai view of the container in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 20-20 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the fifth

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 28-26 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 30-30 of the sixth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 30A;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 35-35 of the seventh embodiment of the present invention of FIG, 34; FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 39-39 of the eighth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 44-44 of the ninth embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed with a film taken along line 49-49 of the tenth embodiment of the present invention of FIG, 47. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the present invention may be practiced. It will be apparent, however to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details.

FIGS. 1 -7 illustrate perspective, front, top, bottom, and cross-sectional views of container 100 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention, container 100 includes a bottom 102, sidewails 104, and a rim 106 having a flattened top surface. Sidewails 104 extend upwardly from bottom 102, and bottom 102 and sidewails 104 form an interior cavity of container 100. The lower portions of sidewails 104 are attached to bottom 102 proximate the perimeter of bottom 102. At least adjacent the upper and lower portions thereof, sidewails 104 have a complete perimeter. The upper portions of sidewails 104 are connected to rim 106. Each of sidewails 104 includes at least one ventilation opening 108 located proximate rim 106 of container 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , in a first embodiment of the present invention, rim 106 extends outwardly from the top of sidewails 104 approximately 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches, thereby the flattened surface of rim 106 preferably has a width of approximately 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches. It is desired that rim 106 has an uninterrupted flat surface. It is understood that rim 106 need not be entirely fiat as long as it is even and continuous in order to form a surface suitable for securely engaging a film or lid.

Referring to FIG. 1 , sidewails 104 include an indentation 110 extending inwardly from sidewails 104. The top of indentation 110 preferably includes a surface 111 including ventilation opening 108, Surface 111 of indentation 110 is oriented away from bottom 102, is disposed inwardly relative to rim 104, and is positioned below rim 106. In the first embodiment, indentation 110 has a roughly concave configuration extending inwardly of sidewail 104. It is understood that indentation 110 can be, but is not limited to, concave, square, and other shapes suitable for being in contact with produce within container 110. The degree of indentation or the height of indentation 110 can vary such that each ventilation opening can has a different size and shape. Ventilation opening 108 is formed in upper portions of sidewall 104 proximate rim 106. The location of ventilation opening 108 proximate rim 106 of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within container 100 to exit near the top of container 100 improving ventilation within container 100. In the first embodiment, ventilation opening 108 has a length of approximately 1 ,0 inch and width of approximately 0.2 inches, but it is understood that other sizes and configurations of the ventilation openings are within the scope of the present invention depending on the size and shape of the container. For example, the ventilation openings can be circular, oval, or quadrilateral, or other shapes suitable for the intended purpose. Each of sidewails 104 includes at least one, or a plurality of ventilation openings. It is also appreciated that at least one, but not ail, of the sidewails include at least one ventilation opening to permit the desired ventilation of gas from within the container.

Ventilation opening 108 depicted in FIGS. 1 -7 has a quarter moon shape, but it may have, but is not limited to, circular, oval, or quadrilateral, shapes suitable for its intended purpose.

The flattened surface of rim 106 provides a surface for a film 116 with an adhesive (as illustrated in FIG. 5) or a lid 118 (as illustrated in FIG. 6) to form an enclosed volume of container 100 for storing produce therein. The flattened surface of rim 106 allows container 100 to be more securely engaged to film 116 or lid 118. The continuous uninterrupted flattened surface of rim 106 also serves in preventing container 100 from being bent or folded when pressure is exerted on the edges of rim 106. The engagement of film 116 or lid 118 to rim 106 afforded by the flattened surface thereof also serves in better securing film 116 or lid 118 thereto. As a result, container 100 will resist damage from being crushed to better protect produce contained in container 100 and prevents produce spillage as the film stays sealed to the container. A conventional container having an indentation on a rim is malleable and can flex at the indentation when struck, which causes the produce to become bruised or even causes the film to be peeled off easily.

FIG. 5 illustrates the enclosed container 100 peripherally sealed with film 116. Container 100 is enclosed with film 116 adhered around rim 106 to form a seal. The film material may be derived from any material with properties that facilitate the enclosing of the ventilated container for use with food products. Preferably, film 116 is made of a clear material, which enables consumers to view the contents of the container when it is on display. Suitable film materials include polyethylene,

polyethylene-coated cellophane, and propylene.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, container 100 can be enclosed with lid 118. When container 100 is secured with either film 116 or lid 118, ventilation opening 108 is not blocked, which still allows gas released by produce stored in container 100 to escape through ventilation opening 108.

Furthermore, F!G. 7 illustrates two containers 100 stacked on top of each other where ventilation openings 108 are open such that the passageway for gas to exit is not blocked.

The ventilation of gas in container 100 can be further improved by at least one, and preferably a plurality of additional ventilation openings 112 on the corners of sidewalls 104, specifically for improved vertical venting.

An aperture 114 on bottom 102 of container 100 provides drainage of liquid from container 100 and allow air to flow. At least one, and preferably a plurality of apertures 114 on the bottom can be provided to improve the drainage. Aperture 114 is generally circular in shape, but it is understood that it may be in any shape suitable for its intended purpose. The shape of aperture 114 may include, but is not limited to, ovals, oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figures suitable for the intended purpose. Aperture 114 is suitably sized, configured, and placed across bottom 102 to provide adequate drainage and ventilation for produce stored in container 100.

The first embodiment of the present invention is shown to have a generally square configuration, but is not limited to such a configuration. It is understood that the container may be made in any size suitable for its intended purpose. The shape of container 100 may be, but is not limited to, rectangular, circular, elliptical, and triangular. The length, height and width of the container can adjusted depending on the shape, size, counts and type of the produce in the container.

Container 100 is generally constructed of a plastic material, more specifically transparent plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactide (PLA), crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), or polypropylene (PP). Container 100 can be sufficiently transparent so that the contents in the container is visible therethrough. While the preferred embodiment is a plastic structure, the present invention is equally applicable to alternative materials. Alternative materials include, but are not limited to, various polymeric and monomeric plastics, paper products, and combinations of the foregoing.

Reference numerals in the 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 series correspond, prospectively, to reference numerals in the 100 series described above in connection with ventilated container for produce 100.

As shown in FIGS. 8-1 1 , in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, ventilated container for produce 200 has a generally square configuration, having a length and a width of approximately 7.5 inches and a height of approximately 2.7 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, similar to the second embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 13-15, ventilated container for produce 300 has a generally square configuration, except the different height. Container 300 has a length and width of approximately 7.5 inches and a height of approximately 3.5 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 16-20, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, ventilated container for produce 400 has a generally square configuration. Bottom 402 includes a plurality of integrally formed, inwardly protruding ribs 420. The ribs 420 can stiffen the base and can elevate produce from liquid within the container 400. Furthermore, bottom 402 with ribs 420, compared to a container having a typically flat bottom, can give container stability and make stacking easier.

As shown in FIGS. 21 -26, alternatively, ventilated container for produce 600 has a generally rectangular configuration, having a length of approximately 14.55 inches, a width of approximately 7.90 inches, and a height of 3.08 inches. Ventilated container for produce 500 includes a first sidewall 504 having one ventilation opening 508 located proximate rim 506 of container 500 and a second sidewall 504' having two ventilation openings 508 located proximate rim 506 of container 500. Bottom 502 has a plurality of outwardly extending platforms 530. Each platform 530 can have a plurality of apertures 514 to provide drainage of liquid from container 500 and to allow air to flow. Platforms 530 also can give container stability and make stacking easier. As shown in FIGS. 27-30, similar to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, ventilated container for produce 600 has a generally rectangular configuration, except the different height.

Referring to FIGS. 31 -35, another preferred embodiment of ventilated container for produce 700 has a generally rectangular configuration. Bottom 702 has three platforms 730 with a plurality of apertures 714 formed thereon to provide drainage of liquid from container 700 and to allow air to flow.

As shown in FIGS. 36-39, similar to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, ventilated container for produce 800 has a generally rectangular

configuration, except the different height.

As shown in FIGS. 40-44, similar to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, ventilated container for produce 900 has a generally rectangular

configuration, except the different width.

Referring to FIGS. 45-49, alternatively, ventilated container for produce 1000 has a square configuration.