U.S. patent application number 10/456728 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for atmospheric controlled container.
Invention is credited to DeTemple, Edward Bernhard, DeTemple, Thomas E. II.
Application Number | 20040031705 10/456728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30115521 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeTemple, Thomas E. II ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
Atmospheric controlled container
Abstract
A container for carrying atmospherically sensitive items or
perishables is provided that keeps the damage to the items at a
minimum and also allows for extended duration containment of the
items while minimizing quality degradation thereof, such as for
shipping, display and/or storage. The container has a strong,
robust container body such as formed of rigid walls that cooperate
to form an internal space in which the items are received in a
protected manner. To allow for a controlled exchange of gasses
between the container interior space and the ambient exterior
environment in accordance with the needs of the atmospherically
sensitive items contained in the container for maintaining the
product quality for long duration containment thereof, at least one
of the container walls includes a window or port opening at which a
semi-permeable membrane is mounted.
Inventors: |
DeTemple, Thomas E. II;
(Lompac, CA) ; DeTemple, Edward Bernhard; (Arroyo
Grande, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITCH EVEN TABIN AND FLANNERY
120 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET
SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Family ID: |
30115521 |
Appl. No.: |
10/456728 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60389372 |
Jun 17, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/213.1 ;
206/521.1; 206/521.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00972
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; F25D
17/045 20130101; B65D 21/0233 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101;
B65D 21/0223 20130101; F25D 25/025 20130101; A01K 63/02 20130101;
A47J 47/10 20130101; B65D 2543/00851 20130101; B65D 81/263
20130101; B65D 43/164 20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/213.1 ;
206/521.1; 206/521.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 081/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A container for carrying atmospherically sensitive items with a
minimum of damage and over long durations, the container
comprising: a plurality of generally rigid walls bounding an
internal space with the rigid walls protecting the items received
in the space against damage; a window opening formed at a
predetermined position in one of the rigid walls; and a membrane
mounted to the one of the rigid walls at the window opening
thereof, the membrane being configured to exchange gases between
the internal space and the external ambient environment to
substantially maintain atmospheric conditions in the container
internal space optimized for long duration containment of the
atmospherically sensitive items therein.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the membrane is a flexible thin
film member, and a grate assembly secured to the one wall about the
opening to protect the thin film membrane from damage.
3. The container of claim 1 including a detachable connection
between the membrane and the one wall to allow membranes to be
interchanged.
4. The container of claim 1 including at least one grate member and
removable fasteners for releasable securing the grate member to the
one container wall over the membrane.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein the at least one grate member
comprises a pair of grate members attached together to sandwich the
membrane therebetween.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the membrane is incorporated in
a modular unit that is releaseably secured in the window
opening.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein the modular unit and the one
wall of the container include one of a bayonet connection and
cooperating threads therebetween to allow the unit to be turned
onto and off from the container.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises a
plurality of membranes with each membrane configured for optimizing
atmospheric conditions for a specific type of item and including
indicia to allow the appropriate membrane to be selected for use
with the container based on the item to be carried therein.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein the indicia comprises color
codes for different items that are to be carried in the
container.
10. The container of claim 1 wherein the rigid walls include a
bottom wall and side walls upstanding therefrom, the side walls
having an upper end which defines an opening to the internal space,
and a lid sized to close the opening, and a lip flange projecting
laterally outward from the upper end of the side walls to allow the
container to slide along support rail structure in refrigerators
for use as a crisper bin therein.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein the upper end of the side
walls and the lid include cooperating seal portions and latch
portions so that with the latch portions engaged for clamping the
lid onto the upper end of the side walls, the seal portions are
tightly compressed together for hermetically sealing the container
interior space so that gas exchange occurs only through the
membrane.
12. A container for keeping perishable items fresh and free from
damage, the container comprising: a container body having strong
rigid walls for withstanding impacts to minimize damage to the
items therein; a lid for closing an interior space of the container
when seated on the container body; a hermetic seal between the lid
and the container body to seal the container interior from the
external environment; a port opening in the container body; a
plurality of semi-permeable membranes for regulating exchange of
gases in a predetermined manner between the container interior
space and external environment, the membranes being coded based on
the manner in which they regulate gas exchange therethrough which
provides optimized atmospheric conditions in the container interior
space for a particular perishable item; and a removable mount for
releasably attaching a selected one of the membranes to the
container body at the port opening thereof to allow the atmospheric
conditions in the interior space to be substantially tailored to
the item to be carried therein.
13. The container of claim 12 wherein the removable mount comprises
a grate assembly secured to the container body about the opening
thereof.
14. The container of claim 13 wherein the grate assembly includes
an outer grate member that can be removed to expose the membrane
thereunder for changing membranes on the container body.
15. The container of claim 12 wherein the removable mount comprises
a modular unit carrying a predetermined one of the membranes
therein.
16. The container of claim 15 wherein the modular unit and the
container body at the opening thereof have either a threaded or a
bayonet connection therebetween.
17. The container of claim 16 wherein the modular unit has a shank
sized to fit in the opening and an enlarged head sized to engage
against the container body about the opening thereof and in which
the membrane is carried.
18. A semi-permeable membrane unit for being removably secured to a
container that carries perishable items in an internal space
thereof, the unit comprising: a membrane having predetermined gas
exchange characteristics to provide a controlled atmosphere in the
container space optimized for long duration containment of a
specific type of a perishable item to be carried therein; a
generally rigid grate portion having a plurality of small openings
formed therein; a removable mount for releasably securing the
membrane at an opening in a wall of the container and including the
grate portion such that air flow between the ambient exterior and
container interior space occurs through the membrane and grate
openings.
19. The membrane unit of claim 18 wherein the grate portion and
removable mount are integrated in a module that carries the
membrane therein.
20. The membrane unit of claim 18 wherein the grate portion
comprises a distinct grate member, and the removable mount includes
the grate member and fasteners that releasably secure the grate
member to the container wall about the opening thereof.
21. A crisper bin container for keeping perishable items fresh in a
refrigerator, the crisper bin container comprising: a container
body having an internal space in which the items are carried; a
bottom wall of the container body and front, back and side walls of
the container body upstanding from the bottom wall forming an
opening at upper ends thereof; a lid sized to close the opening and
including a hinge for allowing at least a portion of the lid to be
pivoted open for accessing items in the internal space through the
opening while staying connected to the container body; a hermetic
seal between the lid and the lip flange with the lid pivoted
closed; a window opening in one of the upstanding walls of the
container body; and a semi-permeable membrane attached to the one
wall at the window opening to regulate gas exchange between the
container interior space and the exterior environment through the
window opening for substantially avoiding accelerated deterioration
of perishable items in the container space.
22. The crisper bin container of claim 21 wherein the membrane is
carried in a removable mount, the window opening is in the front
wall, and a releasable connection between the front wall and the
removable mount to provide forward access to the unit for changing
units and membranes carried therewith.
23. The crisper bin container of claim 22 wherein the releasable
connection is either a tooless connection or formed by removable
fasteners.
24. The crisper bin container of claim 21 including a lip flange
extending laterally out from the upper ends of the side walls for
slidingly engaging on rail structure in the refrigerator.
25. The crisper bin container of claim 21 wherein the lid includes
a projecting handle portion for pulling or pushing the bin
container for sliding along the refrigerator rail structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a utility patent based on U.S.
provisional application Serial No. 60/389,372, filed Jun. 17, 2002,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to containers and, more particularly,
to containers for atmospherically sensitive items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fresh produce is commonly packaged in bags made of flexible
film material for retail sale. As the sealed produce in the bag is
generally highly perishable largely due to the respiration process,
these bags have been formed with films that are semi-permeable to
gas transmission for gas exchange with the external ambient
environment to maximize the shelf-life of the produce. Patches of
the semi-permeable film or membrane can also be applied to packages
over small holes formed in the package film to permit gas exchange
therethrough.
[0004] The permeability of these membranes can be specifically
designed to keep the atmosphere in the package at conditions that
maintain long term freshness of the produce. The gas transmission
properties of the membranes can be matched to the particular type
of produce so that the respiration characteristics thereof do not
generate atmospheric conditions in the package that cause
accelerated deterioration of the produce. Different fruits and
vegetables, and even different varieties of a given fruit or
vegetable, vary in their respiration rates. For example, asparagus,
mushrooms and broccoli have higher respiration rates and thus tend
to be more perishable than nuts, onions and potatoes which have
lower respiration rates.
[0005] Respiration involves the consumption, using atmospheric
oxygen (O.sub.2), of carbohydrates and organic acids and the
consequent production of metabolic energy, heat, carbon-dioxide
(CO.sub.2) and moisture vapor. The semi-permeable membranes are
configured to primarily manipulate the amount of O.sub.2 and
CO.sub.2 within the packaging based on the respiration rates of the
produce and the ideal atmosphere for maintaining their freshness.
Other perishable packaged food include such things as fish, beef
and poultry that do not respire. The membranes that are ideal for
use with these perishable food products will be different as the
optimum gas concentration for keeping these packaged items best
preserved will vary from each other, as well as from that required
with respect to fruits and vegetables which respire.
[0006] One significant problem with current modified atmosphere
packaging, whether the permeable film be used to form the package
or only a patch thereon, is the risk of punctures which would
destroy the controlled atmosphere inside the package. In a like
manner, long-haul transport of the produce would not be feasible
simply using the flexible film packages without also encasing them
in some sort of more rigid container. Currently, plastic-lined
cardboard boxes are commonly employed for shipping produce,
although atmospheric-controlled shipping containers are also known,
such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,708 to the present
applicants, which is incorporated by reference as if reproduced in
its entirety herein. However, shipping containers such as in the
'708 patent do not contemplate continuous gas exchange with the
ambient atmosphere, and otherwise are not particularly well-suited
to reuse with various types of perishables with different
atmospheric requirements for the long duration preservation
thereof.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a strong container that can
carry atmospherically sensitive items or perishables therein with a
minimum of physical damage thereto while maintaining atmospheric
conditions in the container conducive to long-term containment of
the perishables in a high quality manner. Further, a need exists
for a modified atmosphere container that can be readily adapted for
containing different types of perishable items therein while
maintaining the atmosphere in the container optimal for the long
duration containment thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a container for
carrying atmospherically sensitive items or perishables is provided
that keeps the damage to the items at a minimum and also allows for
extended duration containment of the items while minimizing quality
degradation thereof, such as for shipping, display and/or storage.
The container has a strong, robust container body such as formed of
rigid walls that cooperate to form an internal space in which the
items are received in a protected manner. The walls of the
container body are sufficiently rigid to protect the items against
impacts with the container such as can occur during handling and
shipping thereof. To allow for a controlled exchange of gasses
between the container interior space in which the atmospherically
sensitive items are carried and the ambient exterior environment,
at least one of the walls includes a window or port opening at
which a semi-permeable membrane is mounted.
[0009] The membrane maintains the atmospheric conditions in the
internal space at an optimized state for allowing the
atmospherically sensitive items to be contained therein for
extended periods of time without the typical degradation that would
otherwise be seen over this same time period. The membrane allows
gasses from the external atmosphere and those from the internal
container space to be exchanged such that the atmospheric
conditions that would be present in the container space are varied
in accordance with the needs of the items contained therein for
maintaining the product quality for long duration containment
thereof. Accordingly, the present container provides both physical
protection to the contained items such as due to impacts with the
container and extends the shelf-life of the products carried in the
container, such as by reducing the spoilage rate of perishable
items that may be contained therein.
[0010] The semi-permeable membrane is preferably mounted to the
container wall so that damage to the membrane itself is minimized.
In particular, since the membrane is generally a more flexible thin
film member in comparison to the stronger, thicker, more rigid
walls of the container, there is a risk of the membrane being
punctured by engagement with surrounding objects, particularly
those with sharp edges and the like.
[0011] In one form of the present invention, a grate assembly is
provided to protect the underlying membrane against damage when
secured to the container wall about the port opening thereof. In
another form, a modular unit carries the membrane therein with the
modular unit and wall having a releasable or detachable connection
formed therebetween for removal and replacement of the unit onto
the container. In both the grate assembly and the modular unit,
small openings or narrow slots are formed in an outer,
substantially rigid protective member thereof so that airflow can
access the underlying membrane for gas exchange between the
container interior space and ambient atmosphere. Thus, only
relatively small objects that can fit though these openings or
slots will have access to the membrane. In this manner, in either
the grate assembly or modular unit, the membrane is protected from
large bore, mechanical punctures that would destroy the controlled
atmosphere inside the container.
[0012] In another form of the invention, the container includes a
plurality of membranes that are each coded according to the manner
in which they regulate gas exchange to allow ease of use in
providing optimized atmospheric conditions in the container
interior for specific types of perishable items. A removable mount
such as the previously-described grate assembly or modular unit is
provided for releasable attaching a selected one of the membranes
to the container body at the port opening. In this manner,
atmospheric conditions in the container space can be readily
tailored to the perishable item that is to be carried thereby.
[0013] More specifically, if the items are fresh-cut produce, then
the respiration characteristics will govern the membrane that is to
be selected for proper manipulation of the levels of oxygen and
carbon dioxide within the container. In this regard, the membrane
is configured to handle the otherwise changing atmospheric
conditions in the container space over time due to produce
respiration by creating an equilibrium atmosphere in the container
space with oxygen levels low enough and carbon dioxide levels high
enough to be beneficial to the produce and not injurious. For
instance, if the item is broccoli which has a high respiration
rate, then a membrane is selected that maintains atmospheric
conditions in the container space such that oxygen levels are
preferably between approximately two and five percent and the
carbon dioxide levels are between approximately fifteen and twenty
percent. If the vegetables or fruits to be carried in the container
have a medium or low respiration rate, then a different membrane is
selected accordingly.
[0014] On the other hand, if the container is carrying food that
does not respire, then a different membrane may be in order. For
example, a membrane that maintains oxygen levels at approximately
eighty percent and carbon dioxide levels at approximately twenty
percent would be preferable if beef is carried in the container. If
it is poultry that is carried in the container space, then a
membrane should be selected to provide concentrations of carbon
dioxide at about twenty-five percent and nitrogen at about
seventy-five in the container space. Since the oxygen level
normally present in the atmosphere is approximately twenty-one
percent, the membranes for both beef and poultry will
preferentially allow passage of oxygen into the container with the
membrane for beef allowing a much greater exchange of oxygen to
reach the desired level in the container space. Similarly, to
obtain the desired elevated carbon-dioxide levels in the container
space over the less than one percent level present normally in the
atmosphere, the membrane for beef preferentially allows passage of
large amounts of carbon dioxide from the external atmosphere into
the container space until the desired equilibrium level thereof is
reached. As is apparent, the membrane can be selected based on
other perishable items such as flowers and atmospherically
sensitive electronic equipment.
[0015] The codes or indicia of the membranes for the different
atmospherically sensitive items can be colors that are each
associated with different products that may be carried in the
container. For example, a red membrane can be for strawberries, a
green membrane for broccoli, and a brown membrane for beef. In this
manner, a user can readily pick out the appropriate color membrane
for use with the container based on the product to be carried
therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of containers in accordance
with the present invention stacked on a pallet for shipping;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the
containers of FIG. 1 showing a pair of grate assemblies for
semi-permeable gas membranes secured to a wall of the
container;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded, rear perspective view of
the grate assembly of FIG. 2 showing the membrane to be sandwiched
between a pair of grate members and a port opening in the container
wall to which the grate assembly is releasably secured;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the grate assembly
secured to the container wall;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4 showing the permeable membrane clamped between the grate
members via removable fasteners;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 4 showing gas exchange between the container internal space
and external ambient environment through the semi-permeable
membrane;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along
line 7-7 of FIG. 4 showing one of the removable fasteners;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative container in
accordance with the present invention configured to be used as a
crisper bin with a pair of crisper bin containers shown in
compartments of a refrigerator;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing one of the
crisper bin containers pulled out from the refrigerator compartment
with the lid of the container pivoted open;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the crisper bin container
of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing a modular unit carrying one of the
semi-permeable membranes therein secured to a front wall of the
container;
[0026] FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of the modular unit
showing a front grate surface thereof;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of
the modular unit showing the membrane with gas exchange occurring
between the container interior space through the membrane and the
grate surface of the unit;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of
FIG. 12 showing a shank of the modular unit fit in the port opening
and a bayonet connection formed between the shank and container
wall about the opening;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view taken along line 14-14 of
FIG. 12 showing the unit releasably secured to the wall about the
opening thereof;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the container body showing the
configuration of the bottom wall of the container for stacking
purposes;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of
FIG. 15 showing a laterally extending lip flange having an upwardly
extending rib projection;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a generally U-shaped
seal attached at the outer perimeter of a lid for the container
body;
[0033] FIG. 18 shows the lid seated onto the container body with
the rib projection tightly engaged with the seal member for sealing
of the container interior space from the external ambient
environment; and
[0034] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 18 except
showing the configuration seal arrangement at a corner of the
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 10 having a semi-permeable
membrane 12 mounted thereto in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated. The preferred and illustrated container
10 has a robust construction including a housing member or body 14
for forming an internal space 16. The container 10 can be closed
off by an upper housing member or lid 18. As shown, the container
body 14 has a box shape including a bottom wall 20 with walls
generally designated 22 upstanding from the periphery thereof, such
as at a slight outward taper for stacking purposes as for nesting
of several of the bodies or base member 14 together. The upstanding
walls 22 form a large access opening 24 at upper ends 26 thereof
that leads to the interior container space 16. The lid 18 is sized
to seat on the upper ends 26 of the walls 22 for closing the
opening 24 and sealing the container space 16 via seal arrangement
28, as best seen in FIGS. 17-19 and as will be described more fully
hereinafter. Accordingly, in the preferred form, the lid 18 forms
the container upper wall which closes off the box container 10 with
the walls 18-22 bounding the container space 16 therein.
[0036] The container walls of the body 14 and lid 18 are preferably
of a strong, rigid construction so that they are self-supporting
and resist deformation when impacted or otherwise loaded. The
container members 14 and 18 can be molded from a high strength
composite plastic material such as KEVLAR.RTM. to withstand
extremes in pressures and temperatures, for example, such as those
found in airborne transport. The high strength container 10 also
provides for continuous, controlled gas exchange with the external
ambient environment via the membrane 12 mounted to a port opening
30 in one of the walls, and preferably one of the upstanding wall
22 thereof, as can be seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3. The membranes 12
are commercially available from many suppliers, with applicants
assignee's supplier being Chantler Packaging out of Mississauga,
Ontario in Canada, who manufactures a PEAKFresh.TM. product line of
semi-permeable membranes 12. With the lid 18 seated on the
container body 14 to substantially seal the container interior
space 16 from the ambient environment, all gas exchange will occur
through the membrane 12 at the port opening 30. Thus, the present
container 10 provides product protection due to the high strength
construction of the body 14 and lid 18 while at the same time
extending product shelf-life thereof by the controlled gas exchange
between the external environment and the container internal space
16 provided by the membrane 12.
[0037] The membrane 12 is preferably mounted to the container wall
22 by a removable mount, generally designated 31, that provides the
membrane 12 with a releasable connection to the container 10 so
that the membrane 12 can be changed out with another like membrane
or a different membrane such as when the container 10 is to carry
different products therein. In this way, the container 10 is more
universally usable with different products, be they produce or
other atmospherically sensitive items.
[0038] The membranes 12 can be provided in a set with the membranes
12 coded based on the product with which they are to be used. One
or several membranes 12 of a particular construction or
configuration each coded identically to indicate the product type
for which their use is optimal can be provided in a kit. For
example, each membrane kit can come with two or more identical
membranes 12 of each type in case one membrane 12 is damaged in
use, and there can be several different types for the different
products that may be packaged in the container 10. To this end,
body 12a of the membrane 12 can be formed of different color
semi-permeable films with each color corresponding to a particular
product to be carried. Thus, a set of membranes 12 can include, for
example, red membranes 12 for a red fruit or vegetable such as red
strawberries or red peppers, green membranes 12 for green apples or
green cucumbers, and brown membranes 12 for pears or onions. As is
apparent, the color coding scheme adopted can be intuitive as by
general matching of the membrane color to that of the product for
which its use is optimal for use. Other coding can be used, such as
simple indicia that includes printing text or graphics
representative of the product on the film, although coloring the
film body 12a is preferred.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in one form the mount 31 includes a
grate assembly 32 that can readily be detached from the wall 22 as
by use of a driver to remove fasteners 34 that secure the grate
assembly 32 thereto so as to form the releasable connection of the
membrane 12 to the wall 22. In addition, the grate assembly 32 also
protects the thin film membrane 12 from damage that otherwise could
occur due to its exposed position on an outer container wall
22.
[0040] More particularly and referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grate
assembly 32 has an outer rigid protective member in the form of
grate portion or member 36 which substantially covers the membrane
12 when the grate assembly 32 is fastened to the wall 22. The grate
member 36 has small openings or slots 38 formed therein to expose
the underlying membrane 12 to the ambient atmosphere external of
the container space 16. Accordingly, only those items that are
small enough to fit through the relatively narrow slot openings 38
can physically access to the membrane 12 significantly reducing the
potential for damage thereto.
[0041] The grate assembly 32 preferably clamps the membrane 12
between the two rigid grate members including the outer grate
member 36, and an inner rigid grate member 40 so as to firmly hold
and sandwich the membrane 12 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 5 and
6. The grate members 36 and 40 can have bodies 36a and 40a having a
flat, plate-like construction and formed of a metallic or hard
plastic material. Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that
the inner grate member 40 is provided with small openings in the
form of slots 42 similar to those of the outer grate member 36. As
shown, the slot openings 38 and 42 formed in the respective outer
and inner grate member bodies 36a and 40a extend transversely
thereacross with their peripheries arranged in a circular pattern
substantially matching the outer shape of the membrane 12. The
slots 38 and 42 are separated on either half of the circular
pattern thereof by respective central, vertical bar portions 44 and
46 of the grate member bodies 36a and 40a. In this way, when the
grate members 36 and 40 are fastened together with the membrane 12
clamped therebetween, the aligned slots 38 and 42 and bar portions
44 and 46 allow for air flow through the grate members 36 and 40
that is unimpeded except for the membrane 12 through which gases
are selectively passed, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0042] To keep air from leaking from the container 10 through the
port opening 30 without passing through the membrane 12, the grate
assembly 32 preferably incorporates a resilient seal member 48
between rigid inner grate member body 40a and the outer surface 22
of the container wall 22 in which the port opening 40 is formed.
Referring to FIG. 3, the seal member 48 is provided with a central
opening 50 having a diameter slightly greater than that of the
inner grate member 40, with the diameter of the generally circular
grate member 40 approximately the same as that of the membrane 12
and the circular peripheral pattern of the slots 38 formed in the
outer grate member 36. The diameter of the grate members 36 and 40
and the membrane 12 are approximately the same as that of the
generally circular port opening 30. Accordingly, air flow that
would otherwise may occur about the grate member 40, membrane 12
and grate member 36 via the port opening 30 is substantially
blocked by the provision of the seal member 48 to minimize leakage
between the container space 16 and the external environment through
the port opening 30.
[0043] The seal member 48 has a generally flat body 48a that can be
of an elastomeric or rubber material for being clamped and
compressed tightly against the container wall surface 22a about the
port opening 30 when the grate assembly 32 is releasably secured
thereto via the fasteners 34. The fasteners 34 can be screws having
threaded shanks 52 that are received in internally threaded nuts
54. The illustrated nuts 54 are provided with an outer knurled
surface 54a for being press-fit in apertures 56 of the outer grate
member 36, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the apertures 56
themselves could be provided with threads, or cap members 58 such
as shown in FIGS. 4-6 could be provided with internal threads for
receiving the shanks threaded therein. The illustrated cap members
58 are preferably integrally formed with the grate member 36
aligned with the apertures 56 and projecting outwardly therefrom.
In this way, the cap members 58 form pocket apertures 56 in which
the nuts 54 are fit for covering the nuts 54 and shank ends
received therein.
[0044] In the preferred and illustrated form, the general
configuration of the seal member body 48a is substantially the same
as that of the outer grate member 36 but for the large central
opening 50 formed in the seal body 48 instead of the plurality of
slots 38 formed at the corresponding central position in the grate
body 36a. To this end, the grate member body 36a includes enlarged
corner portions 60 in which the apertures 56 are formed, and the
seal member body 48a includes corresponding enlarged corner
portions 62 through which apertures 64 are formed. Instead of the
enlarged corner portions 60 and 62, the more circular shaped body
40a of the inner grate member 40 is provided with a pair of
diametrically opposed, small tab portions 66 in which small
apertures 68 are formed. The outer grate member 36 includes small
mounting bosses 70 sized and positioned about the circular
periphery of the slot openings 38 to fit into the apertures 68 for
proper positioning of the inner grate member 40 with respect to the
outer grate member 36 so that the slot openings 38 and 42 are
aligned when the grate assembly 32 is secured to the container wall
22.
[0045] Accordingly, to secure the grate assembly 32 on the
container wall 22 about the port opening 30 formed therein, the
membrane 12 is sandwiched between the grate members 36 and 40 by
positioning it on the outer grate member 36 so that its circular
periphery is substantially aligned with the circular periphery of
the slots 38. The inner grate member 40 is then positioned on the
membrane 12 and in proper alignment with the grate member 36 by
fitting the bosses 70 into the apertures 68 in the grate member
tabs 66.
[0046] Next, the shanks 52 of the screw fasteners 34 are advanced
from the interior container space 16 into through apertures 72
formed in the container wall 22 about the port opening 30 in a
pattern substantially matching that of the apertures 56 and 64
formed in the grate and seal members 36 and 48. With the shanks 52
projecting beyond the outer surface 22a of the container wall 22,
the seal member 48 is then placed over the projecting shank
portions 52a by inserting them through the apertures 64 thereof.
Thereafter, the assembled grate members 36 and 40 and membrane 12
sandwiched therebetween are positioned on the end portions 52a of
the shanks 52 projecting beyond the seal member 48 via the nuts 54
in the grate member pocket apertures 56. While holding the grate
assembly 32 such as by cap portions 58 thereof to keep the grate
assembly 32 from turning, the screws fasteners 34 are tightened
until the enlarged heads 74 are seated tightly against inner
surface 22b of the container wall 22. Tightening of the screws 34
draws the grate assembly 32 including the rigid grate members 36
and 40 tightly against the more flexible resilient seal member 48
to compress it between the grate members and the outer surface 22a
of the container wall 22 so that any gas leakage about the grate
assembly 32 is minimized, as previously discussed.
[0047] To change membranes 12, the screw fasteners 34 are loosened
to allow the grate members 36 and 40 along with the sandwiched
membrane 12 to be pulled off the screw shanks 52. The membrane 12
is accessible by separating the grate members 36 and 40 to pull the
bosses 70 of the outer grate member 36 out of the apertures 68 of
the inner grate member 40. In this manner, the membrane 12 that is
to be employed with the container 10 can be selected based on its
gas exchange properties so that the environment in the container
space 16 is optimized for the product to be carried therein.
Alternatively, the grate members 36 and 40 can be more permanently
attached as by snap-fitting or welding the two together with the
membrane 12 therebetween to form a membrane unit or module. Several
such modules can be available with different membranes 12 that are
suited for use with a particular product, as previously has been
described.
[0048] The container 10 can be adapted for use in a number of
different applications including as a shipping or storage container
as well as a smaller version for retail display and sale. Another
adaptation is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with a container 76 provided
in a form that enables its use as a crisper bin in a common
household refrigerator 78. As shown, the refrigerator 78 includes
lower crisper bin compartments 80 in which a pair of the crisper
bin containers 76 can be slidingly fit in side-by-side relation. As
best seen in FIG. 10, the crisper bin containers 76 have a
generally rectangular box configuration similar to the previously
described container 10 with a bottom wall 82 and upstanding
generally vertical walls from the periphery thereof including
parallel side walls 82 and 84 and parallel front and back walls 86
and 88 interconnecting the side walls 82 and 84 to form the
container body or base, generally designated 90.
[0049] Whereas the lid 18 of the container 10 generally was
separable from the body 14, the crisper bin container 76 preferably
has corresponding lid member 92 pivotally connected to the body 90
as by hinge 94. In the illustrated form, the hinge 94 is located at
the rear of the body 90 and lid member 92 adjacent the rear wall
88, although the lid 94 could be provided at positions intermediate
along its length so that only a portion thereof can be pivoted
open. The hinge 94 can include a pair of pivot pins 96 at either
container side, one of which is shown in FIG. 10 that is
substantially fixed to the container body 90 and also rotatively
received in enlarged bearing portions 98 at the rear, opposite
sides of the lid member allowing the lid 92 to be pivoted
thereabout.
[0050] The lid 92 can include a raised handle 100 projecting up
from its upper surface 92a so as to leave a gap 102 therebetween.
In this manner, a person wanting to pivot the lid 92 open can grasp
the handle 100 with their fingers extending through the space 102.
The lid 92 can also be provided with a forwardly projecting handle
portion 104 that extends beyond the front wall 86 and in a general
oblique downward direction so that a user can easily fit their
fingers under the handle portion 104 for pulling the crisper bin
container 76 out from its stowed position in the refrigerator
compartment 80 therefor.
[0051] The container body walls 82-88 at their upper ends form an
access opening 106 leading to the container interior space 108. The
lid 18 has a rectangular size to fit on the upper ends of the walls
82-84 for closing off the rectangular access opening 106 formed
thereby. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper ends of the walls
82-84 can have a lip flange 110 formed thereat extending laterally
outward and normal to the vertical walls 82-88 from the upper ends
thereof. The lip flange 110 can include one-half of the seal
arrangement 28 thereon, as shown best in FIGS. 16-19 and as will be
described more fully hereinafter. The lip flanges 110 extending
along the upper ends of the side walls 82 and 84 also allow the
crisper bin container 76 to slide along rail structure provided in
the refrigerator compartments 80 with the bottom side of the
flanges 110 slidingly supported thereon.
[0052] The removable mount 31 for the membranes 12 for the crisper
bin container 76 will next be described. The removable mount 31 is
preferably in the form of a modular unit 112 having a releasable
connection to the container body 90, and most preferably to the
front wall 86 thereof. In this manner, the unit 112 is accessible
for change-out without having to remove the crisper bin container
76 from the refrigerator 78. The releasable connection provided by
the unit 112 is preferably a tooless connection so that a home user
can replace the units 112 and thus membranes 12 carried thereby
without the need for any specialized equipment or the like for such
operation.
[0053] In the preferred and illustrated form, the modular unit 112
has a releasable connection between it and window opening 114
formed in the container front wall 86 in the form of a bayonet
connection, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Manifestly, other
releasable connections such as a tooless threaded connection
between the unit 112 and the wall opening 114 could also be
provided. The unit 112 includes a generally cylindrical wall 116
having a rearwardly extending shank portion 118 and a forwardly
extending head portion 120. At the forward end thereof, the unit
head portion 120 includes a grated front surface 122 including
slots 124 having their peripheries arranged in a circular pattern
and separated by a bar portion 126 of the surface 122 intermediate
their lengths, as best seen in FIG. 11. The membrane 12 is carried
by the unit 112 residing against a radially inner annular wall 128
with the periphery of the membrane 12 sized to fit closely to the
inside diameter of the unit cylindrical wall 116.
[0054] The rear shank portion 118 includes a small radial
projection 130 extending therefrom and the wall 86 has a
longitudinally extending slot 132 in which the projection 130 is
received. At the inner end of the slot 132, a circumferentially
extending slot 134 is provided. Accordingly, to releasably attach
the unit 112 to the container wall 86, the projection 130 is lined
up with the slot 132 to allow the unit 112, and more particularly
the shank portion 118 thereof to be inserted into the opening 114
until the projection 130 bottoms out at the juncture 136 of the
slots 132 and 134. The head portion 120 is provided with a radially
enlarged flange 138 that is longitudinally positioned relative to
the projection 130 so that it will abut against the wall 86 with
the projection 130 aligned for being turned in the slot 134.
[0055] To secure the unit 112 to the wall 86, it is turned so that
the projection 130 reaches the end of the circumferential slot 134
opposite the juncture 136 with the longitudinal slot 132, as shown
in FIG. 13. For removing the unit 112 from the wall 86, the
above-described steps are substantially reversed so that the unit
112 is first turned until the projection 130 is aligned with the
longitudinal slot 132 and then pulled off from the wall 86 with the
projection 130 traveling through the slot 132. Recesses 139 are
formed around the periphery of the head portion 120 to allow a user
to gain a good grip thereon for turning.
[0056] As previously mentioned, the seal arrangement 28 is provided
between the lids and container bodies of both containers 10 and 76
so that air leakage from the container interior spaces 16 and 108,
respectively, to the exterior ambient environment between the
respective lids and container bodies is minimized. The seal
arrangement 28 is provided at the upper ends of the containers
upstanding walls. Accordingly, for crisper bin container 76 the
container seal arrangement 28 includes a frustoconical base 140 on
the lip flange 110. The base 140 has inclined sides 140a and 140b
tapering upwardly and inwardly toward each other with a central nub
projection 142 upstanding from the top surface 140c of the base.
The lid 92 has a downwardly opening pocket 144 formed about the
perimeter thereof in which a generally U-shaped, resilient seal
member 146 is secured. The pocket 144 is provided with lead-in
inclined surfaces 144a and 144b having a taper corresponding to
that of base sides 140a and 140b. Accordingly, when the lid 92 is
seated on the upper ends of the walls 82-88, and particularly the
lip flanges 110 thereof, the nub projection 142 will deform the
central web 148 of the seal member 146 pushing it up into the
pocket 144, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. In this manner, generally
there is a double-layer of seal material between the closed lid 92
and the container body 90 to substantially provide a hermetic seal
therebetween ensuring that substantially all air flow between the
container space 108 and the ambient exterior environment is through
the membrane 12 releasable attached at the container window opening
114 via modular unit 112.
[0057] In the crisper bin container 76, the lid 92 can be provided
with the small, resilient latch member 150 that releasably keeps
the lid 92 secured onto the container body 90 so that the hermetic
seal as previously described is effected. In the container 10, the
lid is provided with a plurality of pivotal latch members 152 that
can snap onto a rim 154 formed about the upper ends of the
upstanding walls 22 for effecting the hermetic seal as
described.
[0058] While there have been illustrated and described particular
embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that
numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled int
eh art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all
those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit
and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *