Produce Crate With Ventilating Apertured Sections

Abstract

A crate for fresh produce composed of hinged apertured sections adapted to be folded to form a substantially rectangular receptacle, the inner walls of the sections having arcuate projections for engagement with the produce contents.

Description

The present invention relates to improvements in receptacles such as crates or the like for storing and shipping fresh produce, citrus fruit, for example.

An object of the invention is to provide a crate or the like composed of hinged sections formable into a substantially rectangular receptacle and deformable into flat sheet condition for reuse if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a crate or the like which may be stamped or otherwise cut from plastic sheet material and provided with fold lines and apertured ventilating areas as desired.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a crate or the like having arcuate projections such as corrugations or discrete spaced apart bulbous forms on its inner sidewalls to minimize the area of contact of the fruit or other produce with the sidewalls so as to tend to prevent any crushing of the produce and also to allow space for circulatory air.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention has been selected for exemplification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank which is adapted to be folded to form a crate as contemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the formed completed crate;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the bottom edge sections shown in flat unfolded position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 2 and showing one form of latching means; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another form of latching means.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals identify like parts, 10 indicates in its entirety the blank from which the crate indicated in its entirety at 12 is formed.

The blank 10 including the bottom wall section 14, side wall sections 16, end wall sections 18 and top or cover section 20 are integrally formed, such as by stamping or molding from board or sheet material, most desirably plastic board or sheet material of any suitable kind.

As shown, each of the sections is provided with apertures 22 arranged in any preferred manner to allow for the circulation of air interiorly of the crate and also to reduce the weight of the crate. Such apertures are preferably provided in recessed panels 24 provided in the outer side walls of each of the sections.

As a feature of the invention, arcuate projections, preferably in the form of spaced apart bulbous projections 26, are provided on the inner side walls of the crate sections preferably bordering the apertured areas as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. Such projections provide the advantage of minimal surface contact of the produce or other contents of the crate with its interior walls and its apertured areas so as to minimize likelihood of crushing and also to increase the area for circulatory air between the contents and adjacent interior walls of the crate. Such projections, also strengthen and impart rigidity to the walls.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the fold lines between the bottom section 14 and the side and end walls, 16 and 18 respectively, are preferably scored as indicated at 28 to facilitate proper folding and upright positioning of the side and end walls.

The invention in its preferred form also contemplates that the peripheral edge portions of the top or cover section 20 of the crate 12 be extended beyond the side and end walls to facilitate stacking of the crates vertically and also to provide finger holds for handling. Such extended edge portions are indicated at 30 and best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. However, outwardly projecting handles 32 may be carried by the upper end portions of the end panels 18.

For securing the upright sections 16 and 18 together and also for latching the top or cover section 20 to lock the crate, suitable engagement means are provided such as the oppositely or reversely bent interlocking flanges as shown at 34 and 36, respectively, in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 or the tongue and groove or slot means as shown at 38 and 40, respectively, in FIG. 7.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention is concerned with the provision of a durable and light weight folding crate particularly adapted for fresh produce, such as citrus fruit, which may be inexpensively mass produced and efficiently usable and reusable in any form of conventional transportation. It will be further apparent that the crate provides for preservation and safety of storage without crushing or other deformation of its contents.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts as herein illustrated and described but embraces all such modifications thereof as may come within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A plastic crate for fresh produce which comprises,

hinged wall sections adapted to be folded to form a substantially rectangular receptacle,

means for securing the sidewall sections in upright position,

means for securing the top or cover wall section in receptacle closing position,

recessed panel portions provided in selected wall sections,

apertured areas within said panel portions for the circulation of air interiorly of the receptacle, and

arcuate projections of spaced apart bulbous form on the inner sides of selected wall sections bordering the apertured areas for engagement with the produce contents whereby to minimize the area of contact of the produce with the inner wall surfaces of the receptacle and to allow space for the circulation of air between the produce and said wall surfaces.

2. The crate of claim 1, wherein the recessed panel portions are provided in the outer wall surfaces.