U.S. patent application number 10/913627 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for freezer storage container with ventilation openings.
Invention is credited to Ronald K. Longhany, Gary James McNatt.
Application Number | 20060027586 10/913627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35756427 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060027586 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Longhany; Ronald K. ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Freezer storage container with ventilation openings
Abstract
A food storage and shipping container for use in a commercial
freezer is provided. The container has improved heat transfer
capabilities. The container includes a box and a lid and a
plurality of ventilation openings allowing improved convective heat
transfer between the freezer atmosphere and food in the
container.
Inventors: |
Longhany; Ronald K.;
(Felton, DE) ; McNatt; Gary James; (Smyrna,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gregory J. Lavorgna;DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
One Logan Square
18th & Cherry Streets
Philadelphia
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Family ID: |
35756427 |
Appl. No.: |
10/913627 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/676 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4295 20130101;
B65D 5/48038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/676 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/08 20060101
B65D006/08 |
Claims
1. A food storage and shipping container for use in a freezer
comprising: a box generally in the shape of a parallelepiped,
having first and second longitudinal side wall panels, first and
second transverse side wall panels, an open top and a bottom panel;
a lid sized and shaped to close the open top; and at least four
ventilation openings located in the container to allow air to flow
through the box in a first direction substantially perpendicular to
the first and second longitudinal side walls and in a second
direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse side
walls.
2. A food storage and shipping container for use in a freezer
comprising: a box generally in the shape of a parallelepiped,
having first and second generally parallel opposite transverse side
panels, each with an upper and a lower edge; first and second
generally parallel opposite longitudinal side panels, each with an
upper and a lower edge; an opening defined by the upper edge of
each of the side panels; and a generally flat bottom panel
interconnecting the lower edge of each of the side panels; a lid
sized and shaped to cover the opening; and a plurality of
ventilation openings in the container, including a first set of
openings wherein each opening defines an area lying in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal side panels and a
second set of openings wherein each opening defines an area lying
in a plane substantially perpendicular to the transverse side
panels.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein the box is fabricated from
corrugated paperboard.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein the corrugated paperboard
includes a wax coating.
5. The container of claim 2 wherein the longitudinal side panels
each have a length of approximately 22 inches and the transverse
side panels each have a length of approximately 15 inches and the
lid has an upper surface approximately 22 inches long and 15 inches
wide.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein the container is capable of
supporting a static load of at least 200 pounds distributed
generally uniformly over substantially the entire upper surface of
the lid.
7. The container of claim 5 wherein the ventilation openings have a
combined area of at least 5 square inches.
8. The container of claim 2, wherein the container is capable of
supporting a load of at least 0.60 pounds per square inch applied
uniformly over the upper surface of the lid.
9. The container of claim 2, wherein the ventilation openings are
located near the lower edges of the side panels, with at least one
ventilation opening located near the lower edge of each of the side
panels.
10. The container of claim 9 further comprising a spacer sized and
shaped to fit within the box and supportable by the bottom panel
and having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication
among the container ventilation openings.
11. The container of claim 10, the spacer being formed by a
plurality of inter-engaging cross members forming a lattice-type
structure.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the cross members are formed
from corrugated paperboard.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the cross members are
movable relative to one another to move between a collapsed
configuration and an extended configuration.
14. The container of claim 10 further comprising a false bottom
panel sized and shaped to fit within the box and supportable by the
spacer.
15. A food storage and shipping container for use in a freezer
comprising: a box having a plurality of side walls; a lid; and a
ventilation hole located in a side panel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to containers for storage
and shipment of frozen food stuffs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers fabricated from corrugated paperboard to store
and ship frozen food are known. For example, it is known to provide
a generally rectangular box in which processed chicken is placed
for transportation from the chicken processing plant to a freezer
facility. While in the box, the chicken is frozen at the freezer
facility to a sub-zero degree Fahrenheit temperature, and
subsequently shipped to a distribution center.
[0003] Known boxes, designated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1,
typically have two generally parallel opposing longitudinal sides
12 and two generally parallel opposing transverse sides 14. A
preferred size for the boxes 10 is approximately 22 inches long by
15 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. However, specific dimensions may
vary. The boxes 10 are held closed by bands 16, and are stacked in
layers on pallets 20. Standard pallets are 40'' wide by 48'' long,
and will accommodate five boxes 10 per layer. Typically, the
pallets are stacked with eight layers of boxes 10. The boxes 10 are
preferably stacked with a small gap 22 between the boxes 10 on a
given layer.
[0004] It is highly desirable during the freezing process to allow
air to circulate between the boxes, to increase the convective heat
transfer between the freezer air and the boxes 10 and the contents
of the boxes, and thereby expedite the freezing process. To further
enhance convective heat transfer and expedite the freezing process,
it is known to insert dividers 30 between the layers of boxes 10.
The dividers 30 form a plurality of air channels 32 alternating
between spacer members 34 connected to a panel 36. The dividers 30
allow air to circulate between the layers of boxes 10. However,
dividers need to be purchased, and the process of inserting and
removing the dividers 30 is labor intensive. Furthermore, the
dividers 30 must be cleaned on a regular basis, another labor
intensive process. Still further, the additional handling of the
boxes 10 required when the dividers 30 are used increases the
opportunity for and the probability of damage to the box 10 and its
contents. It would be desirable to eliminate the need for use of
dividers in the freezing process while maintaining or reducing the
time required to complete the freezing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a first aspect, the invention is a food storage and
shipping container for use in a freezer. In an assembled state, the
container comprises a box generally in the shape of a
parallelepiped having first and second longitudinal side wall
panels, first and second transverse side wall panels, an open top
and a bottom panel. The container further comprises a lid sized and
shaped to close the open top. At least four ventilation openings
are located in the container to allow air to flow through the box
in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first and
second longitudinal side walls and in a second direction
substantially perpendicular to the transverse side walls.
[0006] In a second aspect, the invention is a food storage and
shipping container for use in a freezer. The container comprises a
box generally in the shape of a parallelepiped having first and
second generally parallel opposite transverse side panels, each
with an upper and a lower edge. The box has first and second
generally parallel opposite longitudinal side panels, each with an
upper and a lower edge. The box includes an opening defined by the
upper edge of each of the side panels and a generally flat bottom
panel interconnecting the lower edge of each of the side panels.
The container further includes a lid sized and shaped to cover the
opening. A plurality of ventilation openings in the container are
provided, including a first set of openings wherein each opening
defines an area lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal side panels and a second set of openings, wherein each
opening defines an area lying in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the transverse side panels.
[0007] In a third aspect, the invention is a food storage and
shipping container for use in a freezer comprising: a box having a
plurality of side wall panels; a lid; and a ventilation hole
located in a side panel.
[0008] Preferably, the box is fabricated from wax coated,
corrugated paperboard. The container is preferably sufficiently
structurally robust to allow at least six fully loaded containers
to be stacked one on top of another without damaging the bottom
container or its contents. The ventilation openings may be located
near the lower edges of the side panels, with at least one
ventilation opening located near the lower edge of each of the side
panels. A spacer and false bottom may be provided, sized and shaped
to fit within the box and supportable by the bottom panel. The
spacer has a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication
among the container ventilation openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are
shown in the drawings an embodiment of the invention which is
presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a pallet loaded with a plurality of
prior art containers stacked in multiple layers, with a divider
inserted between each layer of containers.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a container in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of the container of FIGS. 2
and 3, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 2-4, a
food storage and shipping container in accordance with the present
invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. The
container 100 is generally in the shape of a parallelepiped. The
container 100 comprises a box 110 and a lid 130 and is provided
with a plurality of ventilation openings 140. More particularly,
the box 110 includes first and second generally parallel opposite
transverse side panels 112, each having a lower edge 114 and an
upper edge 116. The box 110 further has first and second generally
parallel opposite longitudinal side panels 118, each having a lower
edge 120 and an upper edge 122. The box 110 includes an opening 126
defined by the upper edges 116, 122 of the side panels and a
generally flat bottom panel 124 interconnecting the lower edges
114, 120 of the side panels.
[0015] The lid 130 is sized and shaped to cover the opening 126. In
the preferred embodiment illustrated, the lid 130 is fully
separable from the box 110. However, the lid 130 could be formed by
one or more panels connected to or integral with one or more of the
upper edges 116, 122 and pivotable into a position to cover the
opening 126.
[0016] A plurality of ventilation openings 140 in the container 100
include a first set of openings 142. Each opening 142 defines an
area lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal side panels 118. A second set of openings 144 is
provided, wherein each opening 144 defines an area lying in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the transverse side panels 112. The
plurality of ventilation openings 140 thus allow air to flow
through the box 110 in a first direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal side panels 118 as well as in a
second direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse side
panels 112.
[0017] In the embodiment illustrated, the ventilation openings 140
are located near the lower edges of the side panels, with at least
one ventilation opening 140 located near the lower edge 114, 120 of
each of the side panels 112, 118. With the ventilation openings
located near the bottom of the box 110, it is preferable to also
provide a spacer 150 and false bottom 160, as described in detail
below, in order to prevent the contents of the container 100 from
blocking the ventilation openings 140. Alternatively, the
ventilation openings 140 may be located at points on the container
100 remote from the container contents, such that the contents
would not block the ventilation openings 140 in that event, the
spacer 150 and false bottom 160 may be eliminated.
[0018] The ventilation openings 140 are sized to allow sufficient
airflow through the container 100 to provide enhanced convective
heat transfer, while also maintaining adequate structural strength
and integrity of the container 100. In one preferred embodiment,
the ventilation openings 140 have a combined area of at least 5
square inches.
[0019] Preferably, the box 110 is fabricated from corrugated
paperboard, using conventional box manufacturing techniques. A wax
coating may be applied to the corrugated paperboard, using
conventional techniques. The lid 130 is also preferably fabricated
from corrugated paperboard. Other conventional materials having
appropriate strength characteristics over the entire temperature
range of the box 110 (such as certain polymeric materials or
metals) could also be used to fabricate the box 110 and lid
130.
[0020] In an embodiment especially suited for storage and shipping
of processed chickens, the longitudinal side panels 118 preferably
have a length of approximately 22 inches and the transverse side
panels 112 each have a length of approximately 15 inches.
Accordingly, the lid has an upper surface 132 approximately 22
inches long and 15 inches wide.
[0021] When packed with processed chickens, the container 100 will
weigh approximately 40 pounds (for a packed density of
approximately 32.2 pounds per cubic foot of container space).
Preferably, although not necessarily, during freezing, storage, and
shipping, the containers 100 are stacked no less than five high,
thus imposing a static load of 5*40=200 pounds on each container
100 on the bottom layer. Hence, the container 100 preferably is
capable of supporting a static load of at least 200 pounds
distributed generally uniformly over substantially the entire upper
surface of the lid. Stated otherwise, the container 100 is
preferably, although not necessarily, designed to be capable of
supporting a load of at least 0.60 pounds per square inch applied
uniformly over the lid upper surface 132. Additional structural
capacity, allowing the containers 100 to be stacked more than five
high, is desirable but not vital.
[0022] As indicated above, when the ventilation openings 140 are
located near the bottom of the box 110, the container 100
preferably further comprises a spacer 150 and false bottom 160
sized and shaped to fit within the box 110. When installed in the
box 110, the spacer 150 rests upon and is supported by the bottom
panel 124. The spacer 150 is formed by a plurality of
inter-engaging cross members 152 forming a lattice-type structure.
Each cross member 152 is provided with a plurality of passages 154
allowing fluid communication among the container ventilation
openings 140.
[0023] Preferably, the cross members 152 are formed from corrugated
paperboard and are pivotable relative to one another to move
between a collapsed configuration (not illustrated) and the
extended configuration illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0024] The false bottom panel 160 is used in conjunction with the
spacer 150. The false bottom panel 160 is sized and shaped to fit
within the box 110 and is supportable by the spacer 150 and is
preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard. The false bottom
panel 160 and spacer 150 function to keep the container contents
away from the ventilation openings 140, and thus prevent blockage
of the ventilation openings 140 by the container contents.
[0025] In use of the preferred embodiment illustrated, the spacer
150 and false bottom 160 are placed in the bottom of the box 110.
The container contents (not illustrated) are then deposited in the
box 110, and the lid 130 is put on to close the box 110.
Preferably, bands are installed on the container 100 to restrain
the lid 130 to the box 110. The containers 110 are then shipped to
a freezer facility from the processing plant. Preferably, the
containers 110 are shipped on a pallet, and, in contrast to
existing procedures wherein prior to the freezing process it is
necessary to install the dividers 30 between layers of prior art
containers 10 (see FIG. 1), the containers 100 may be stacked
directly on top of one another.
[0026] When placed in a blast freezer (not shown) in their stacked,
palletized configuration, the ventilation holes 140 allow warmer
air within the containers 100 to circulate with the cooler air of
the freezer. The flow can be induced solely by natural convection,
or alternatively can be a combination of natural and forced
convection, as the freezer may be equipped with one or more fans to
help force cooler ambient air through the containers 100.
[0027] The operating temperature of the blast freezer is on the
order of -25 degrees Fahrenheit. The containers 100 are left in the
blast freezer for a period of approximately 48 hours. While in the
blast freezer, the temperature of product stored in the containers
100 is reduced from approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit to
approximately -5 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0028] The ventilation holes 140 provide enhanced heat transfer
rates when compared to the existing container 10 configuration
(even when the dividers 30 are used), as the rate of natural
convective heat transfer within the container 100 is substantially
increased because warm air within the container 100 comparatively
readily flows out of the container 100 through the ventilation
openings 140 to be replaced by cooler freezer air. While the
conventional dividers 30 promote enhanced convective heat transfer
on the exterior of the convention container 10 (at the substantial
cost of providing, installing, and removing the dividers 30),
enhancing the convective heat transfer on the interior of the
container 100 is thought to be particularly effective in reducing
the total freeze time required.
[0029] The container according to the invention provides
substantially improved heat transfer performance and consequently
reduces freeze cycle times, while also eliminating the need for use
of dividers in the freezing process. The reduced freeze cycle times
provide the advantage of reducing the risk of bacterial
contamination of the food stored in the container.
[0030] While the invention has been described and illustrated with
respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein
and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *