U.S. patent application number 11/407652 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for packaging for perishable goods.
Invention is credited to Patrice Michel Clerc, Philippe Marcoux, Franklin Ray JR. Price.
Application Number | 20070257040 11/407652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38660296 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070257040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Price; Franklin Ray JR. ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
Packaging for perishable goods
Abstract
A ventilated storage box includes a peripheral wall defining a
storage space and having ventilation openings extending
therethrough and a ventilation insert insertable in the storage
space. The ventilation insert has walls defining at least one
ventilation channel with at least one port in periphery of the
ventilation insert. At least one of the at least one ventilation
port is in register and in fluid communication with at least one of
the ventilation openings of the peripheral wall when the
ventilation insert is inserted in the storage box and defining
therewith an unobstructed ventilation path in the storage space of
the storage box.
Inventors: |
Price; Franklin Ray JR.;
(Palm Springs, CA) ; Clerc; Patrice Michel;
(Sherbrooke, CA) ; Marcoux; Philippe;
(Drummondville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
999 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Family ID: |
38660296 |
Appl. No.: |
11/407652 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/02 20130101;
B65D 81/2069 20130101; B65D 81/263 20130101; B65D 2205/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/507 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A ventilated storage box in combination with a single-piece
ventilation insert, the ventilated storage box comprising: a
peripheral wall defining a storage space and having ventilation
openings extending therethrough; and the ventilation insert being
insertable in the storage space and having walls defining at least
one ventilation channel with at least one port in periphery of the
ventilation insert, at least one of the at least one ventilation
port being in register and in fluid communication with at least one
of the ventilation openings of the peripheral wall when the
ventilation insert is inserted in the storage box and defining
therewith an unobstructed ventilation path in the storage space of
the storage box.
2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation
insert comprises a plurality of ventilation channels extending
substantially parallel to one another, the walls of two adjacent
ventilation channels being spaced-apart from one another.
3. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walls define a
first channel extending in a first direction and a second channel
extending in a second direction, the first and the second channels
intersecting at an intersection and being in fluid communication at
the intersection.
4. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walls define a
plurality of channels extending in a first direction and a
plurality of channels extending in a second direction, the channels
extending in the first direction and in the second direction
intersecting one another and being in fluid communication for
defining a grid ventilation network.
5. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one
ventilation channel is defined by at least two of the walls
extending substantially parallel to one another and connected to
one another along a first extended end.
6. A combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the walls comprise
a second extended end, opposed to the first extended end, at least
one of the second extended ends being connected to another
juxtaposed second extended end for reinforcing the ventilation
insert.
7. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation
insert comprises an aeration face with a plurality of protrusions
spaced apart from one another and defining therebetween the
ventilation channels.
8. A combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein ventilation insert
comprises an item supporting face, opposed to the aeration face,
the item supporting face having a plurality of cavities therein,
the cavities corresponding to the protrusions of the opposed
aeration face.
9. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation
insert has a periphery defining a first surface area, the first
surface area being substantially equal to the surface area of the
storage space defined by the peripheral wall.
10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one
port of the at least one ventilation channel has a port surface
area and the ventilation openings have an opening surface area, the
port surface area and the opening surface area being substantially
equal, the at least one port being contiguous to a respective one
of the ventilation openings thereby substantially preventing
obstruction of the ventilation opening when at least one item is
stored in the storage space of the storage box.
11. A ventilated storage container, comprising: a box having wall
panels with at least one ventilation opening extending
therethrough, the wall panels defining a storage space in the box;
and a ventilation insert insertable in the storage space and having
an item supporting face and an aeration face, opposed to the item
supporting face, the aeration face having at least one depression
defining at least one air flow path therein with a port in
periphery of the ventilation insert, the port being in fluid
communication and in register with the at least one ventilation
opening when the ventilation insert is inserted in the storage
space of the box.
12. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the aeration face has a plurality of elongated depressions
extending in a first direction and a plurality of elongated
depressions extending in a second direction, the elongated
depressions defining air flow paths intersecting at intersections
and being in fluid communication at the intersections.
13. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the wall panels comprise a plurality of ventilation openings lying
in a ventilation plane, the at least one air flow path of the
ventilation insert being coplanar with the ventilation plane when
inserted in the storage space of the box.
14. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the item supporting face comprises at least one cavity juxtaposed
to the at least one elongated depression of the aeration face.
15. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the ventilation insert is single-piece and is molded from
polymers.
16. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the at least one cavity of the item supporting face has a nadir on
the opposed aeration face, the nadir abuts a bottom panel,
extending between a lower edge of the wall panels, when the
ventilation insert is inserted in the storage space of the box.
17. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the ventilation insert has a periphery defining a first surface
area, the first surface area being substantially equal to a surface
area of the storage space defined by the wall panels.
18. A ventilated storage container as claimed in claim 17, wherein
the port of the at least one air flow path has a port surface area
and the ventilation openings have an opening surface area, the port
surface area and the opening surface area being substantially
equal, the port being contiguous to a respective one of the
ventilation openings thereby substantially preventing obstruction
of the ventilation opening when at least one item is stored in the
storage space of the box.
19. An item storage container, comprising: a box having a
peripheral wall defining a storage space therein, the peripheral
wall having ventilation openings extending therethrough; and a
ventilation insert having walls defining at least one ventilation
channel with at least two ports in periphery of the ventilation
insert, the ventilation insert being insertable in the storage
space of the box with the ports in register and in fluid
communication with a respective one of the ventilation openings
defining a continuous ventilation path in the storage container,
the ventilation insert preventing at least partially obstruction of
the ventilation openings when at least one item is stored in the
storage space and the walls preventing obstruction of the at least
one ventilation channel by the at least one item stored in the
storage space.
20. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
ventilation insert comprises a plurality of ventilation channels
extending substantially parallel to one another, the walls of two
adjacent ventilation channels being spaced-apart from one
another.
21. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein at
least a first ventilation channel extends in a first direction and
at least a second ventilation channel extends in a second direction
and intersects the at least first ventilation channel extending in
the first direction at an intersection, the at least first and
second ventilation channels being in fluid communication at the
intersection.
22. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
ventilation openings lie in a ventilation plane coplanar with the
at least one ventilation channel of the ventilation insert when
inserted in the storage space of the box.
23. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
at least one ventilation channel is defined by at least two of the
walls extending substantially parallel to one another and connected
to one another along a first extended end.
24. An item storage container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the
walls comprise a second extended end, opposed to the first extended
end,at least one of the second extended ends being connected to
another juxtaposed second extended end for reinforcing the
ventilation insert.
25. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
ventilation insert comprises an aeration face with a plurality of
protrusions spaced apart from one another and defining therebetween
the at least one ventilation channel.
26. An item storage container as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
ventilation insert comprises an item supporting face, opposed to
the aeration face, the item supporting face having a plurality of
cavities therein, the cavities corresponding to the protrusions of
the opposed aeration face.
27. An item storage container as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
ventilation insert is single-piece and has a periphery defining a
first surface area, the first surface area being substantially
equal to the surface area of the storage space defined by the
peripheral wall.
28. An item storage container as claimed in claim 27, wherein the
at least two ports have a port surface area and the ventilation
openings have an opening surface area, the port surface area and
the opening surface area being substantially equal, the ports being
contiguous to a respective one of the ventilation openings thereby
substantially preventing obstruction of the ventilation openings
when at least one item is stored in the storage space of the
box.
29. A method for enhancing heat transfer in an item storage
container, the method comprising: inserting, in a storage space of
the storage container, a single-piece ventilation insert having
walls defining ventilation channels therein with ventilation ports
in periphery of the ventilation insert; aligning the ventilation
ports in register and in fluid communication with ventilation
openings provided in a peripheral wall of the storage container;
and storing at least one item in the storage space of the
container, the walls of the ventilation insert preventing
obstruction of the ventilation channels and at least partial
obstruction of the ventilation openings.
30. A method as claimed in claim 29 comprising inserting the
ventilation insert in the storage space prior to storing the at
least one item in the storage space.
31. A storage container comprising: a wall-like structure around an
internal space, the wall-like structure having one or more air flow
openings allowing air to flow into and out of the internal space
and having a transfer opening through which items can be inserted
into and removed from the internal space; a single-piece insert
structured to be inserted into the internal space through the
transfer opening; the insert being supported by the wall-like
structure and having an upper surface; the insert dividing the
internal space into an item containing space extending above the
upper face and an aeration space extending below the insert, the
insert being shaped to permit sufficient air flow into and out of
the aeration space through the air flow openings; and at least one
item stored in the item containing space onto the upper surface of
the single piece insert.
32. A method for storing a product comprising: inserting a
single-piece insert in an internal space of a container, the
single-piece insert having walls defining an air flow path therein,
the air flow path being in being in fluid communication with air
flow openings in a peripheral wall of the container allowing air to
flow into and out the internal space; inserting the product into
the internal space, the walls of the single-piece insert preventing
obstruction of the air flow path by the product; and submitting the
container and the product stored therein to an environment having a
temperature T1, air flowing into and out the internal space through
the air flow openings and into the air flow path providing an
adjustment of the product temperature towards the temperature T1 by
heat transfer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to packaging for perishable goods and,
more particularly, to a storage container in combination with a
ventilation insert.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Containers to store and ship frozen or refrigerated items
such as food, medicines, beverages, plant or animal matter, flowers
are known. For example, it is known to provide a generally
rectangular box in which the perishable good is placed for
transportation from the processing plant to a freezer or
refrigeration facility. The perishable good is placed in the box
and then frozen or refrigerated at the freezer or refrigeration
facility to a predetermined temperature, and subsequently shipped
to a distribution center or directly to the consumers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a general aspect, there is provided a
ventilated storage box in combination with a single-piece
ventilation insert. The ventilated storage box comprises: a
peripheral wall defining a storage space and having ventilation
openings extending therethrough. The ventilation insert is
insertable in the storage space and has walls defining at least one
ventilation channel with at least one port in periphery of the
ventilation insert, at least one of the at least one ventilation
port being in register and in fluid communication with at least one
of the ventilation openings of the peripheral wall when the
ventilation insert is inserted in the storage box and defining
therewith an unobstructed ventilation path in the storage space of
the storage box.
[0004] According to another general aspect, there is provided a
ventilated storage container. The container comprises: a box having
wall panels with at least one ventilation opening extending
therethrough, the wall panels defining a storage space in the box;
and a ventilation insert insertable in the storage space and having
an item supporting face and an aeration face, opposed to the item
supporting face. The aeration face has at least one depression
defining at least one ventilation channel therein with a port in
periphery of the ventilation insert, the port being in fluid
communication and in register with the at least one ventilation
opening when the ventilation insert is inserted in the storage
space of the box.
[0005] According to another general aspect, there is provided an
item storage container. The item storage comprises: a box having a
peripheral wall defining a storage space therein, the peripheral
wall having ventilation openings extending therethrough; and a
ventilation insert having walls defining at least one ventilation
channel with at least two ports in periphery of the ventilation
insert. The ventilation insert is insertable in the storage space
of the box with the ports in register and in fluid communication
with a respective one of the ventilation openings defining a
continuous ventilation path in the storage container. The
ventilation insert prevents at least partially obstruction of the
ventilation openings when at least one item is stored in the
storage space and the walls preventing obstruction of the at least
one ventilation channel by the at least one item stored in the
storage space.
[0006] According to a another general aspect, there is provided a
method for enhancing heat transfer in an item storage container.
The method comprises: inserting, in a storage space of the storage
container, a single-piece ventilation insert having walls defining
ventilation channels therein with ventilation ports in periphery of
the ventilation insert; aligning the ventilation ports in register
and in fluid communication with ventilation openings provided in a
peripheral wall of the storage container; and storing at least one
item in the storage space of the container, the walls of the
ventilation insert preventing obstruction of the ventilation
channels and at least partial obstruction of the ventilation
openings.
[0007] According to a another general aspect, there is provided a
storage container comprising: a wall-like structure around an
internal space, the wall-like structure having one or more air flow
openings allowing air to flow into and out of the internal space
and having a transfer opening through which items can be inserted
into and removed from the internal space; a single-piece insert
structured to be inserted into the internal space through the
transfer opening; the insert being supported by the wall-like
structure and having an upper surface; the insert dividing the
internal space into an item containing space extending above the
upper face and an aeration space extending below the insert, the
insert being shaped to permit sufficient air flow into and out of
the aeration space through the air flow openings; and at least one
item stored in the item containing space onto the upper surface of
the single piece insert.
[0008] According to a another general aspect, there is provided a
method for storing a product. The method comprises: inserting a
single-piece insert in an internal space of a container, the
single-piece insert having walls defining an air flow path therein,
the air flow path being in being in fluid communication with air
flow openings in a peripheral wall of the container allowing air to
flow into and out the internal space; inserting the product into
the internal space, the walls of the single-piece insert preventing
obstruction of the air flow path by the product; and submitting the
container and the product stored therein to an environment having a
temperature T1, air flowing into and out the internal space through
the air flow openings and into the air flow path providing an
adjustment of the product temperature towards the temperature T1 by
heat transfer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, expanded, of a storage
container including a ventilation insert;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the ventilation insert shown
in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1 with the ventilation insert inserted therein;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1 with the ventilation insert inserted therein;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a variant of the ventilation
insert, wherein the ventilation insert is provided with apertures
between the ventilation channels;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further variant of the
ventilation insert, wherein the ventilation channels include
bridging walls connecting the lower or second ends of the side
walls;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further variant of the
ventilation insert, wherein the lower or second ends of the side
walls are free;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of several layers of
stacked storage containers, the storage containers having items
stored therein;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for storing items in a
ventilated storage container; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an alternate method for storing
items in a ventilated storage container, wherein the items are
stored prior to inserting an insert in a storage space of the
storage container.
[0019] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a
storage and shipping container in accordance with an embodiment is
indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.
[0021] The container 10 is generally in the shape of a
parallelepiped. The container 10 comprises a box 12 and a lid 14
and is provided with a plurality of ventilation openings 16. For
example, the container 10 is adapted to store and ship frozen or
refrigerated items such as food, medicines, beverages, plant or
animal matter, flowers.
[0022] More particularly, the box 12 includes first and second
generally parallel opposite transverse side panels 18, each having
a lower edge 20 and an upper edge 22. The box 12 further has first
and second generally parallel opposite longitudinal side panels 24,
each having a lower edge 26 and an upper edge 28. The side panels
18, 24, or wall panels, together define the peripheral wall of the
box 12.
[0023] The box 12 defines a storage space 29 therein with an
opening 30 defined by the upper edges 22, 28 of the side panels 18,
24 and a generally flat bottom panel 32 interconnecting the lower
edges 20, 26 of the side panels 18, 24. The perishable goods are
inserted in the storage space 29 for storage and transportation. In
an embodiment, the perishable good, placed in the box, can be
frozen or refrigerated at a freezer or refrigeration facility to a
predetermined temperature, and subsequently shipped to a
distribution center or directly to the consumers.
[0024] The lid 14 is sized and shaped to cover the opening 30. In
the embodiment illustrated, the lid 14 is fully separable from the
box 12. However, the lid 14 could be formed by one or more panels
connected to or integral with one or more of the upper edges 22, 28
and pivotable into a position to cover the opening 30 or any other
suitable alternatives. In alternate embodiments, the container 10
can be lid-free or the shape of the lid 14 can vary from the one
described above.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated, the ventilation openings 16
are located near the lower edges 20, 26 of the side panels 18, 24.
The ventilation openings 16 in the container 10 include a first set
of openings 16a, each opening 16a defines an area lying in a plane
substantially parallel to the longitudinal side panels 24. A second
set of openings 16b is provided, wherein each opening 16b defines
an area lying in a plane substantially parallel to the transverse
side panels 18. The plurality of ventilation openings 16 thus allow
air to flow through the box 12 in a first direction, represented by
arrow 36, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal side
panels 24 as well as in a second direction, represented by arrow
38, substantially perpendicular to the transverse side panels 18.
In the embodiment shown, the ventilation openings 16 in the side
panels 18, 24 lie in a single horizontal ventilation plane (i.e.
the openings are at the same distance from the bottom panel 32 of
the box 12).
[0026] The ventilation openings 16 are sized to allow sufficient
airflow through the container 10 to provide enhanced convective
heat transfer, while also maintaining adequate structural strength
and integrity of the container 10. In an embodiment, each
ventilation opening 16 has a surface area of at least 5 square
centimeters. The size of the ventilation openings 16 can be
adjusted in accordance with the customer's needs and the
corresponding box size.
[0027] In an embodiment, the box 12 is fabricated from corrugated
paperboard, using conventional box manufacturing techniques. A wax
coating can be applied to the corrugated paperboard, using
conventional techniques. The lid 14 is also fabricated from
corrugated paperboard. Other materials having appropriate strength
characteristics over the entire temperature range of the box 12
(such as certain polymeric materials or metals) can also be used to
fabricate the box 12 and lid 14.
[0028] In an embodiment especially suited for storage and shipping
of food products, the longitudinal side panels 24 have a length of
approximately 22 inches and the transverse side panels 18 each have
a length of approximately 15 inches. Accordingly, the lid has an
upper surface 42 approximately 22 inches long and 15 inches wide.
In accordance with the customer'needs, the size of the box can
vary.
[0029] As indicated above, since the ventilation openings 16 are
located near the bottom panel 32 of the box 12, the container 10
further includes a ventilation insert 40 sized and shaped to fit
within the storage space 29 of the box 12. According to the
illustrated example, when the insert 40 is installed in the box 12,
it rests upon and is supported by the bottom panel 32, as will be
described in more details below.
[0030] The ventilation insert 40 keeps the container content away
from the ventilation openings 16, and thus prevents blockage of the
ventilation openings 16 by the container content.
[0031] In the embodiment shown, the ventilation insert 40, is a
single piece and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the
container 10. The ventilation insert 40 has a parallelepiped shape
corresponding to the shape of the storage space 29 defined in the
box 12. The surface area defined by the periphery of the
ventilation insert 40 is substantially equal to the surface area of
the storage space 29 defined by the peripheral wall. The
ventilation insert 40 has an item supporting face 42 and an opposed
aeration face 44.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the aeration face
44 defines therein a plurality of elongated depressions or air
channels 46 extending respectively in a first direction,
represented by arrow 48, and in a second direction, represented by
arrow 50, substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The
air channels 46 have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section with
a wider lower base end and narrower upper base end.
[0033] The air channels 46 are defined by two elongated side walls
52, extending substantially parallel to one another in one of the
first direction and the second direction. Each one of the side
walls 52 has a first extended end 54 and the first extended ends 54
of two substantially parallels side walls 52 are connected to one
another through a first bridging wall 56.
[0034] Each one of the side walls 52 also has a second extended end
58, opposed to the first extended end 54. For reinforcing the
resulting ventilation insert 40, the second extended ends 58 of the
side walls 52 are connected to juxtaposed second extended ends 58
through second bridging walls 60.
[0035] The side walls 52 having their second extended ends 58
connected to one another and the second bridging walls 60
connecting the second extended ends 58 define cavities 62 (FIG. 1)
in the item supporting face 42 of the ventilation insert 40. The
cavities 62 have an inverted frusto pyramidal shape. Referring to
the item supporting face 42, the second bridging walls 58 are the
nadirs of the ventilation insert 40. Referring to the aeration face
44, the first bridging walls 56 are the apexes. The cavities 162 in
the item containing face 42 are or correspond to protrusions in the
aeration face 44. The protrusions are spaced apart from one another
and define therebetween air channels 46.
[0036] The air channels 46 extending in the first and the second
directions intersect with one another at intersections 64. The air
channels 46 are in fluid communication at the intersections 64 and
define an air channel network, or ventilation network.
[0037] The air channels have ports 65 in periphery of the
ventilation insert 40. The ports 65 are coplanar with the air
channel network.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that when
the ventilation insert 40 is inserted into the storage space 29 of
the box 12, the second bridging walls 60 abut the bottom panel 32
of the box 12. The aeration face 44 consequently faces downwardly
while the item supporting face 42 faces upwardly relatively to the
box 12. The air channels 46 extend substantially parallel to the
bottom panel 29 of the box 12. The ventilation insert 40 therefore
partitions the storage space 29 into an aeration zone 66, between
the bottom panel 32 and the ventilation insert 40, and an item
containing zone 68, above the ventilation insert 40. When items are
stored in the storage space 29 of the box 12, they remain in the
item containing zone 68 and they do not obstruct the air channels
46 in the aeration zone 66.
[0039] When the ventilation insert 40 is inserted in the storage
space 29, the ports 65 of the air channels 46 are in register and
in fluid communication with the ventilation openings 16 in the side
walls 18, 24 of the box 12. Therefore, fresh air can enter in the
box 12 through the ventilation openings 16 located proximate to the
lower edges 20, 26 of the side wall panels 18, 24 and flow through
the air channels 46 in the aeration zone 66 of the box 12. In the
embodiment shown, the ports 65 in periphery of the ventilation
insert 40 are contiguous to the ventilation openings 16 in the side
walls 18, 24 of the box 12 to prevent obstruction of the
ventilation openings 16 by items stored in the storage space
29.
[0040] To ensure that continuous aeration paths are defined between
ventilation openings 16 and the air channels 46 of the ventilation
insert 40, the air channels 46 are coplanar with the ventilation
openings 16, aligned with the ventilation plane defined by the
ventilation openings 16, when the ventilation insert 40 is inserted
in the storage space 29. In the embodiment shown, the ports 65 have
a port surface area which is substantially equal or the same than
the surface area of the ventilation openings 16.
[0041] In other words, the ventilation insert 40 results in a
plurality of containers having four side walls 52 and a bridging
wall 60 connecting the lower ends 58 of the side walls 52. Each
container defines a cavity 62 tapered outwardly from the closed
bottom surface, or bridging wall 60, of the container towards its
open top, or upper ends 54 of side walls 54. A rim extends
outwardly from the upper ends 54 of the side walls 54. The
containers are fixedly attached to one another along their
outwardly extending rims, or first bridging wall 56. The containers
are arranged so that their bottom surfaces 60 lie in a first common
plane and the surfaces formed by their top edges, or upper ends 54,
of each of their side walls 52 lie in a second common plane,
thereby facilitating the alignment with the ventilation openings 16
of the box 12.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the
ventilation insert 40 will be described wherein the features are
numbered with reference numerals in the 100 series which correspond
to the reference numerals of the previous embodiment.
[0043] The ventilation insert 140 includes a plurality of extending
side walls 152, extending in a first direction (represented by
arrow 148) and in a second direction (represented by arrow 150),
substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The side walls
152 are coupled by pair and define therebetween air channels 146
with ventilation ports 165 in periphery of the ventilation insert
140. The first extended ends 154 of the side wall pairs 152 are
connected to one another through a bridging wall 156. Contrary to
the embodiment described above in reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the
second extend ends 158 of the side walls 152 are free ends.
Therefore, the resulting ventilation insert 140 is not provided
with cavities 62 extending from the item containing face 142 but
with openings 162 extending from the first extended ends 154 to the
second extended ends 158 of the side walls 152. The openings 162 do
not have any bottom wall, they are open ended.
[0044] As for the ventilation insert 40, the air channels 146
extending in the first direction intersect with the air channels
146 extending in the second direction at intersections 164 and are
in fluid communication at the intersections 164.
[0045] For storing items in the storage space 29 of the box 12, the
ventilation insert 140 is inserted therein with the ports 165 of
the air channels 140 in register and in fluid communication with
the ventilation openings 16 in the side walls 18,24. As for the
ventilation insert 40, the side walls 152 prevent the obstruction
of the air channels 146 by the items stored in the box 12.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the
ventilation insert 40, 140 will be seen wherein the features are
numbered with reference numerals in the 200 series which correspond
to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments.
[0047] The ventilation insert 240 includes a plurality of extending
side walls 252, extending in a first direction (represented by
arrow 248) and in a second direction (represented by arrow 250,
substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The side walls
252 are coupled by pair and define therebetween air channels 246
with ventilation ports 265 in periphery of the ventilation insert
240. The first extended ends 254 of the side wall pairs 252 are
connected to one another through a bridging wall 256. Contrary to
the embodiments described above in reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the
second extend ends 258 of the side wall pairs 252 are also
connected to one another through a second bridging wall 260. The
resulting ventilation insert 240 is not provided with cavities
extending from the item containing face 242 as the ventilation
insert 40. As the ventilation insert 140, the ventilation insert
240 includes openings 262 extending from the first extended ends
254 of the side walls 252 to the second extended ends 258 of the
side walls 252. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the air channels
246 are conduits with a rectangular cross-section. A person skilled
in the art will appreciate that the conduits can have a different
cross-section.
[0048] As for the ventilation inserts 40, 140, the air channels 246
extending in the first direction intersect with the air channels
246 extending in the second direction at intersections 264 and are
in fluid communication at the intersections 264.
[0049] For storing items in the storage space 29 of the box 12, the
ventilation insert 240 is inserted therein with the ports 265 of
the air channels 246 in register, in fluid communication, and
contiguous with the ventilation openings 16 in the side walls 18,
24. As for the ventilation inserts 40, 140, the side walls 252 and
the bridging walls prevent 256, 260 the obstruction of the air
channels 246 by the items stored in the box 12.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 will be seen wherein the features
are numbered with reference numerals in the 300 series which
correspond to the reference numerals of the previous
embodiments.
[0051] The ventilation insert 340 is similar to the ventilation
insert 240. However, the second extend ends 38 of the side wall
pairs 352 are not connected to one another through a bridging wall.
Therefore, the resulting ventilation channels 346 have an
substantially inverted U-shape. A person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the conduits can have a different shape. As the
ventilation inserts 140, 240, the ventilation insert 340 includes
openings 362 extending from the first extended ends 354 of the side
walls 352 to the second extended ends 358 of the side walls
352.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 8, it will be seen that, for storing
and shipping items, the ventilation insert 40 is juxtaposed to the
bottom panel 32 of the box 12. The ports 65 of the air channels 46
are in register and in fluid communication with the ventilation
openings 16. The items 70 are then deposited in the storage space
29 of the box 12, juxtaposed to the item suporting face 42 of the
ventilation insert 40, and the lid 14 is put on to close the box
12. Bands (not shown) can be installed on the container 10 to
restrain the lid 14 to the box 12. The containers 10 are then
shipped to a freezer/refrigeration facility from the processing
plant. The containers 10 can be shipped on a pallet (not shown),
and, in contrast to existing procedures wherein prior to the
freezing/refrigeration process it is not necessary to install the
dividers between layers of containers 10, the containers 10 are
stacked directly on top of one another as shown.
[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the perishable goods 70,
or items, are packed in bags. However, a person skilled in the art
will appreciate that they could be inserted directly on the storage
space 29, above the ventilation insert 40. Even if the ventilation
insert 40 is inserted in the boxes 12 in FIG. 5, one ordinary
skilled in the art will appreciate that the ventilation inserts
140, 240 or any alternate embodiment could also be inserted in the
boxes 12.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen a method for
storing and shipping items in the storage space 29 of a ventilated
storage box 12. A ventilation insert 40, 140, 240, 340 or any
alternate embodiment is first inserted 401 in the box 12 with the
ventilation holes 16 of the box 12 in fluid communication with the
aeration channels 46, or the air flow path, of the insert 40 140,
240, 340. The insert 40 140, 240, 340 divides the storage space 29
in an item containing space and an aeration space. Then, the items
are stored 403 in the item containing space of the box 12. The
insert 40 140, 240, 340 prevents that the items obstruct the air
flow path. The container 10 is then submitted to an environment
having a temperature T1, which can be either lower or higher than
the temperature of the item inserted in the container 10. By heat
transfer, the temperature of the items stored in the container 10
is adjusted 405 towards the temperature T1. The air flows into and
out the internal space through the air flow openings 16 and into
the air flow path 46 providing an adjustment of the product
temperature towards the temperature T1. In an embodiment, the box
is placed either in a blast freezer, a conventional freezer or a
refrigerator, and the items stored in the box 12 are cooled. The
heat transfer occurs between the box environment and the storage
space 29 through a mixture of convective and conductive heat
transfer. Either before the adjustment of the item temperature or
simultaneously during the adjustment of the item temperature, the
items, stored in the container 10, are shipped 407. Once at
destination, the items are removed 409 from the container 10.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10, it will be seen an alternate
method for storing and shipping a product in the storage space 29
of a ventilated storage box 12. On the opposite of the previously
described embodiment, the product is stored 501 in the storage 29
of the ventilated storage box 12 and then a single-piece
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240, 340, or any alternate embodiment,
is inserted 503 in the box 12 with the ventilation holes 16 of the
box 12 in fluid communication and aligned with the aeration
channels 46, or the air flow path, of the insert 40 140, 240, 340.
The insert 40 140, 240, 340 prevents that the items obstruct the
air flow path. The container 10 is then submitted 505 to an
environment having a temperature T1. By heat transfer, the
temperature of the items stored in the container 10 is adjusted
towards the temperature T1. The air flows into and out the internal
space through the air flow openings 16 and into the air flow path
46 providing an adjustment of the product temperature towards the
temperature T1. Either before the adjustment of the item
temperature or simultaneously during the adjustment of the item
temperature, the items, stored in the container 10, are shipped 507
to destination.
[0056] When placed in a blast freezer, conventional freezer or
refrigerator, in their stacked, palletized configuration, the
combination of the ventilation holes 16 and the aeration channels
46 allow warmer air within the containers 10 to circulate with the
cooler air of the freezer/refrigerator. The flow can be induced
solely by natural convection, or alternatively can be a combination
of natural and forced convection, as the freezer/refrigerator may
be equipped with one or more fans to help force cooler ambient air
through the containers 10.
[0057] The combination of the ventilation insert 40 and the
ventilation holes 16 provide enhanced heat transfer rates when
compared to the existing containers configuration, even when the
dividers are used, as the rate of natural convective heat transfer
within the container 10 is substantially increased because warm air
within the container 10 comparatively readily flows out of the
container 10 through the ventilation openings 16 and the air
channels 46 to be replaced by cooler air. While the conventional
dividers promote enhanced convective heat transfer on the exterior
of the convention container 10 (at the substantial cost of
providing, installing, and removing the dividers), enhancing the
convective heat transfer on the interior of the container 10 is
thought to be particularly effective in reducing the total
freeze/refrigeration time required.
[0058] In an embodiment, the ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 is
molded from a single sheet of material. A person skilled in the art
will appreciate that it can be made of several materials. The
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 can be made from polymers. Foamed
polymers are desirable since they are lightweight and therefore do
not substantially increase the weight of the resulting container.
Even if in the embodiment shown the box 12 is a parallelepiped with
two opposite longitudinal side panels 24 and two opposite
transversal side panels 18 as peripheral wall panels, a person
skilled in the art will appreciate that another shape of boxes 10
could be used. For example the box 12 could be round-shaped with a
single panel defining the peripheral wall.
[0059] As mentioned above, the container 10, including the
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240, provides substantially improved
heat transfer performance and consequently reduces
freeze/refrigeration cycle times, while also eliminating the need
for use of dividers in the freezing process. The reduced
freeze/refrigeration cycle times provide the advantage of reducing
the risk of bacterial contamination of the perishable goods stored
in the container 10.
[0060] The combination of the box 12 and the ventilation insert 40,
140, 240 allows the perishable goods inserted in the center of
container 10 to freeze or be refrigerated adequately and in a
reasonable amount of time. The temperature of the perishable goods
is lowered more rapidly than with the prior art dividers.
[0061] The packaging costs are reduced due to the lower material
cost and the less time required to package the goods within the
containers 10 and to insert the inserts 40, 140, 250 within the
boxes 10. Moreover, less time is required to manipulated to
containers 10 since no dividers are introduced between the
latter.
[0062] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only.
[0063] In alternate embodiments, the ventilation insert 40, 140,
240 could have strenghtening ribs molded therein. The surface area
of the ventilation openings 16 in the side walls 18, 24 of the box
12 can be the same, smaller or larger than the surface area of the
ports 65, 165, 265 of the ventilation insert 40,140, 240.
[0064] The ventilation openings 16 can be provided in the middle
section or the upper section of the side walls 18, 24, i.e.
proximate to the upper edges 22, 28. The position of the
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 in the storage space 29 is adjusted
accordingly. For example, if the ventilation openings 16 are
provided in the middle section of the side walls 18, 24, the stored
items can be divided into two parts: a first part stored in the
lower section of the storage space 29, below the ventilation insert
40, 140, 240, and a second part stored in the upper section of the
storage space 29, above the ventilation insert 40, 140, 240. The
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 is inserted in the storage space 29
between the two parts of items, the ports 65, 165, 265 of the
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 being in register with the
ventilation openings 16 provided in the middle section of the side
walls 18, 24. Similarly, the ventilation openings 16 can be
provided in the upper section of the side walls 18, 24. The items
are then stored in the lower section of the storage space 29, below
the ventilation insert 40, 140, 240. The ventilation insert 40,
140, 240 is inserted in the storage space 29 above the items
stored, the ports 65, 165, 265 of the ventilation insert 40, 140,
240 being in register with the ventilation openings 16 provided in
the upper section of the side walls 18, 24.
[0065] Moreover, the item containing face 42, 142, 242 of the
ventilation insert 40, 140, 240 can be a flat continuous surface,
exempt of protrusions/cavities/channels. The shape of the air
channels 46,146, 246 and the resulting air channel network can vary
from the one shown in the above described embodiments. Moreover,
the number and the distribution of the air channels 46, 146, 246 in
the ventilation insert 40,140, 240 can also vary.
[0066] The air channels 46, 146, 246 providing an air flow path
unobstructed from items stored in the container 10 can have a shape
that differs from a straight shape. For example, they can be
curvilinear or have elbows therein.
[0067] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that either the
side walls 52, 152, 252 or the bridging walls 56, 60, 156, 256, 260
of the ventilation inserts 40, 140, 240 can include openings
therein allowing fluid communication between the air circulating in
the air channels 46, 146, 246 and the one contained in the item
containing zone 68 of the storage space 29. In an embodiment, the
surface area of the openings in the side walls 52, 152, 252 or the
bridging walls 56, 60, 156, 256, 260 is smaller than the items
stored in the box 12 to prevent their insertion into the air
channels 46, 146, 246 and the obstruction of the latter.
[0068] The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be
limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *