Patent Publication Number: US-2016236847-A1

Title: Container With Ventilation Chamber

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62068061, filed 24 Oct. 2014 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a container with an insert which creates a chamber though which chilled air can freely flow, thus surrounding the product contained therein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 76/337,416 
                 A1 
                 Dec. 29, 2009 
                 Moelich; Leuvennink; 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Dippenaar 
               
               
                 4,946,093 
                   
                 Aug. 7, 1990 
                 Moorman 
               
               
                 2,858,059 
                   
                 October 1958 
                 Kitchell 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It is well documented that fresh produce which is transported in containers need adequate cooling to maintain peak quality and shelf life throughout the distribution cycle. Currently containers are packed with produce then stacked on pallets in a predetermined pattern ready for shipment to the market place. Each layer of containers are stacked with their faces abutting the face of the container alongside so as to create a solid block or unitized load which can be strapped together so as to maintain stability throughout the distribution cycle. Unfortunately this practice prevents chilled air from flowing to the inner faces of the containers which abut each other. To try and remedy this situation box designers cut apertures in the side walls in the hope that chilled air will flow though the aperture on the outer face, past the product through the aperture in the opposite face of the container into the next abutting container. This method is not efficient and is limited by the number of apertures cut into the side walls of the container as each time an aperture is cut the compression strength of the container is compromised. Other criteria for maintaining produce quality is the ability for the containers to maintain circulation of ventilating air or gas to the fruit contained within the containers and for removal of heat generated by respiration of the fruit contained within the containers. There have been some attempts to address the cooling and venting challenges and are described in the following patents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,416 According to the invention, an air flow channel for use in a packaging container includes at least one elongated body defining at least one passage having at least one open end; and a number of spaced apart ventilation openings provided through the body along its length. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,093. According to the invention, there is disclosed a half-slotted container body and lid, each made from a blank of corrugated paperboard. The lid blank has an additional score to provide a fold-line around the perimeter of the side and end panels at approximately one-half of the depth. This score line defines inner and outer panels of the lid&#39;s perimeter side and end walls. Where this fold-line intersects each of the panel score lines defining the ends of the side and end panels, there are two diagonal scores which radiate from that point in opposite directions extending to the free edge of the inner panels. When the lid is set up, the top flaps are folded inwardly and secured to form a top of the lid, and the inner panels are folded inwardly hinged at the four corners by the diagonal scores. The inner panels are pushed in at the interior four corners of the lid locking the inner panels along the outer panels to provide a two-ply perimeter wall of the lid. The resulting inward bulge of the inner panels of the lid creates a secure lock of the lid on the body and provides support for the sides of the body against outwardly bulging under load. The continuous two-ply construction of the sides of the lid provide channeling space between adjoining containers in a stacked pallet load to enhance uniform air flow and cooling of produce, such as bananas and fruits, packed in the containers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,416 suffers from the disadvantage that the ventilation openings have to be perfectly aligned in each layer of a stacked pallet. This is not easily achieved especially with the advent of the common footprint that has been adopted internationally as the preferred standard. In addition the airflow has to be horizontal in nature to be effective. Often cooling systems have vertical airflow patterns. It is also common practice for stacked pallets to be stretched wrapped with poly propylene film which totally negates the any advantage to this invention 
     U.S. Pat 4,946,093 suffers from the disadvantage of blocking vertical air flow completely. Another disadvantage is the lid that creates the spaces only extends downward for a minimum distance so as to give a maximum exposed face of the side and end walls of the half slotted container. This disadvantage does not prevent the gap being closed during the process of banding, strapping or stretch wrapping or in transit throughout the distribution cycle thereby defeating the objective of the invention as well as creating an unstable unitized load. It is also common practice for stacked pallets to be stretched wrapped with poly propylene film which totally negates the any advantage to this invention due to the total blockage of horizontal air flow. Another disadvantage is that every container needs a lid to create the air gap. Most fruits in the global market place are shipped in a display ready open top tray eliminating any benefit of the patent. 
     My invention as described in this application overcomes the disadvantages as described above, as no matter the direction of airflow or pallet stacking patterns or stretch wrapped stacked pallets chilled air is able to enter the chamber either from the side faces of the stacked pallet or from the bottom or top faces of the stacked pallet. The configuration of the apertures in the base and top of the chamber overcome any blocking of the apertures in the side or end walls of the container due to misalignment. 
     This invention has a number of embodiments that emanate from its novel design, some of which are described in the following claims, drawings and text. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention a container includes a base, a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed sidewalls, each having a series of apertures cut through the said walls to allow air to flow freely into the container and also having a series of lugs that protrude from the upper edge of said walls. 
     The container includes an insert which has a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of end walls and having a series of lugs that protrude from the lower and upper edges that position the insert by means rectangular of slots cut into the base of the container and the lugs that protrude from the upper edge of the side and end walls of the container. 
     The insert has a perimeter dimension that is less than the perimeter of the inner dimension of the side and end walls of the container thereby creating a channel between the wall into which air flows through the apertures in the side and end walls of the container. The channel surrounds the product completely. 
     The insert in an additional embodiment has a series of peaks and valleys cut into the upper edge of the insert. As packed boxes are placed on top of the underlying box the peaks indent the base of the container above thus creating a friction lock thereby preventing free movement or sliding of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container or box according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the insert according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the container with the insert secured in position. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the insert disengaged from the container. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a box according the invention showing the chamber surrounding the inner area of the box. 
         FIG. 6  is a section, B-B and C-C dissecting a layer of the containers abutting each other according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  with the insert of the alternative embodiment in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view and detail of another alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a layer of 6 containers locked together by a cross lock strap 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  Container. 
           2  End wall. 
           3  Aperture. 
           4  Lug. 
           5  Side wall. 
           6  Stacking and air flow aperture. 
           7  Lug slot. 
           8  Base slot. 
           9  Insert 
           10  Stacking lug. 
           11  End wall. 
           12  Side wall. 
           13  Aperture. 
           14  Locating lug. 
           15  Chamber. 
           16  Base. 
           17  Base with Insert. 
           18  Airflow into chamber. 
           19  Alternative embodiment. 
           20  Extended end wall. 
           21  Top of U. 
           22  Extended side wall. 
           23  Aperture. 
           24  Aperture. 
           25  Aperture. 
           26  Stacking and air flow aperture. 
           27  Alternative embodiment. 
           28  Stacking lug. 
           29  Side wall 
           30  Bliss wrap, glue tabs. 
           31  Pop up friction lock. 
           32  Ripple top insert 
           33  Peak of triangulated friction tab. 
           34  Score line. 
           35  Score line 
           36  Alternative embodiment. 
           37  Cross lock strap 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a container  1 , made of one layer of corrugated paperboard which includes a base  16 , a plurality of end-walls  2 , a plurality of sidewalls  5 , apertures  3 , that are cut through the end and sidewalls  2  and  5 , stacking/airflow apertures  6 , are cut into the base  16 , lugs  4 , with rectangular slots  7 , cut though the face of the lugs  4 , shown bent over at 90 degrees to the vertical sides and end walls  2  and  5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of an insert  9 , made of either a single or double layer of corrugated paperboard and includes a plurality of end walls and side walls  11 , and  12 , having locating lugs  14 , at the base of the side walls  12  and having stacking tabs  10 , at the upper edge of the end and side walls  11  and  12  and apertures  13  cut through both the end and side walls  11  and  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , A, B &amp; C, a perspective, top and side views respectively of the container  1 , with insert  9 , placed inside of container  1  and secured in position by the locating tab  14 , engaging the slot  8 , cut into the base of container  1 , as shown in the broken out section in  FIG. 3B  and by the tabs  4 , which engage the stacking tabs  10 , by means of protrusion through the slots  7 , thereby creating a chamber  15 , between the inner face of the side and end walls  2  and  5  of container  1  and the outer end and side walls  11  and  12 , of insert  9 . Cold air enters the chamber through the apertures  13  which envelopes the entire perimeter of the outer walls of the insert  9 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of an exploded diagram showing the insert  9 , the container  1 , and  17 , the insert  9 , secured in position in container  1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a top view of container  1 , with insert  9 , secured in position clearly showing the chamber  15 , surrounding the outer walls of the insert  9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a layer of 6 boxes abutting each other as well as sectioned views BB and CC through one layer of container  1 , with the ends  2  and sides  3  abutting the adjacent containers in a 6 per layer configuration depicting the chambers  15 , and the air flow entry point  18 , into the chambers  15 , that are formed by the inner walls of container  1 , and the outer walls of insert  9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , A, B and C, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment  19 , where the container of  1 , has extended sides  22 , and extended ends  20 , that are folded on the score lines  34  and  35  at right angles to form a U shape with the top of the U,  21 , and the inner leg of the U,  22  and  20 . The inner leg has a locating lug  14 , at its lower extremity which engages into a slot  7  into base of the container, as shown in the broken out section in  FIG. 7B  the formation of the U shape forms a channel into which the cool air circulates through apertures  25 ,  23 ,  24  and  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view, of an alternate embodiment  27 , being a Bliss style container with side wall glued in position by glue flaps  30 , and having the same description as regarding the side and end walls, bending and locating descriptions as the container  19  in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view, of an alternative embodiment,  13 , of the insert  9 , whereby the top of the insert has a series of peaks  33 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view, of an alternative embodiment  36 , of the container  1 , and insert  9 , showing the insert  32 , secured by tabs  4 . The peaks  33 . Indent the base of the loaded container placed on top of the container  36 . This action forms a friction lock between the boxes when stacked in layers on a unitized pallet load of containers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a perspective view and a detail A, of an alternative embodiment  36 , of the peaks  33 , on the upper edge of insert  32  whereby a series of triangular shapes are cut into the top of the U,  21 , so that when folded along the score lines  31  and  35 , the peaks  33 , pop out to form the basis for the fiction lock. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , A, a perspective of one layer of 6 containers  1 , showing cross locking straps  37 , that straddle the adjacent stacking lugs  10 , thereby locking the containers abutting each other to one another.  FIG. 12 , B, a perspective of one layer of 6 containers  1 , showing a cross locking strap disengaged from stacking lugs  10 . The cross stacking strap can be used in conjunction with the container referred to in  FIG. 3 , A, and where the containers abutting each other as shown in the perspective view in  FIG. 6 , have enough surface to support the underside of cross locking strap  37 . When the underside of the next layer of the containers engages the stacking tabs of the layer below the containers are locked together by the force of the weight of the loaded container.