Patent Grant
9511915
The invention relates to a container for holding and storing products. More specifically, the invention relates to a liner for placement within the container, the liner to function as an interface between a container surface and the products stored in the container.
Produce, such as fruits and vegetables, are harvested and handled routinely from orchards and fields as part of their processing for wholesale and consumer purchase. When storing and transporting produce, such as harvested fruits and vegetables, it is desirable to minimize harsh impact on the produce surfaces and minimize moisture surrounding the produce to avoid bruising, enhance freshness, and maintain the pleasant appearance of the produce. This is especially important when handling relatively fragile fruits and vegetables such as peaches, pears, strawberries, tomatoes, mushrooms, and the like.
Store-purchased produce usually are transitioning away from commercial handling and processing techniques used on farms such as crating. At this point, the produce are handled on a smaller scale and thus, become vulnerable to harsh physical impact by retail stores and consumers. Produce that require open ambient conditions to ripen, for example, are often transported and stored in open baskets and containers. Such open containers often have a substantially rigid construction, thereby exposing the produce to harsh surface impact. Furthermore, despite being perforated, baskets still engage the exterior surface of the produce with a roughened and textured interior surface of the basket, e.g., weave pattern. Although some air flow among the produce articles in the container is permitted, the produce generally experience damage. Since typical container materials, such as baskets, and the like are usually non-absorbent, prolonged exposure to undesirable moisture can formulate irreparable mold and rotting.
There is a need in the field of produce harvesting, storage, and transport for a device and/or technique that can reduce impact and moisture of produce articles when retained in open containers such as baskets. There is a further need for an intervening surface buffer intercalated between the interior surface of a substantially rigid container and the contained produce therein which can prolong the freshness and desirable appearance of the produce over time.
The invention provides a conformable pliable produce storage insert device configured for placement within a basket. The insert device comprises an overall planar and circular configuration defining a planar circular central base having a circumscribing arcuate edge in continuity thereby defining the circular central base; and a plurality of separate planar extensions radially extending distally relative to the planar circular central base in adjacent circumscribing series thereto. Each of the extensions has a pair of arcuate side edges, a proximal edge and distal edge, and each extension is independently attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the planar circular central base. The proximal edge of each extension is flexibly attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the circular central base through a flexible hinge panel, whereby at least a portion of each arcuate side edge of the extension is structured to overlap the arcuate side edge of an adjacent extension.
Another aspect of the invention includes a produce storage system comprising: a basket; and a conformable pliable produce storage insert device configured for placement within the basket. The insert device comprises: an overall planar and circular configuration defining a planar circular central base having circumscribing arcuate edge in continuity thereby defining the circular central base; a plurality of separate planar extensions radially extending distally relative to planar circular central base in adjacent circumscribing series thereto, each of the extensions having a pair of arcuate side edges, a proximal edge and a distal edge. Each one of the planar extensions is independently attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the planar circular central base. The proximal edge of each of the extensions is flexibly attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the circular central base through a flexible hinge panel, whereby at least a portion of each arcuate side edge of the extension is structured to overlap the arcuate side edge of an adjacent extension.
Yet another aspect of the invention includes a method for storing and transporting produce comprising: assembling a basket and a conformable pliable produce storage insert device such that the insert device is placed inside the basket; placing at least one produce article within a conformable pliable produce storage insert device, the insert device conformably positioned within the interior of a basket. The insert device comprises: an overall planar and circular configuration defining a planar circular central base having a circumscribing arcuate edge in continuity thereby defining the circular central base; and a plurality of separate planar extensions radially extending distally relative to planar circular central base in adjacent circumscribing series thereto. Each of the planar extensions has a pair of arcuate side edges, a proximal edge and a distal edge; and wherein each one of the extensions is independently attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the planar circular central base. The proximal edge of each of extension is flexibly attached to a corresponding arcuate edge portion of the circular central base through a flexible hinge panel; and whereby at least a portion of each arcuate side edge of the extension is structured to overlap the arcuate side edge of an adjacent extension.
The advantages associated with the invention include a pliable, cushioning basket insert which can readily conform to the interior surface of a basket without substantial pleating, folding, crimping, contorting, or hanging over the side of the basket. The insert device of the invention easily adapts from a resting flattened configuration into a hemispheric bowl configuration to mimic the interior configuration of a basket within which it is placed. In addition to adapting configuration, the construction and function of the insert device enhances the preservation of desirable produce condition by reducing surface impact/bruising, facilitating air movement among the produce articles in the basket, and reducing resident surface moisture to inhibit mold growth on produce article surfaces. These and other benefits and advantages will be apparent from the following description.
The invention is further illustrated by the following figures with numerical references remaining consistent throughout. None of the specific embodiments illustrated are intended to be construed as necessarily limiting the claimed invention to such specifically depicted embodiment.
As used herein, the term “produce” is meant to refer to harvested or collected organic or fragile articles made by natural processes, including but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and cut flowers. The term “produce article” is meant to refer to an item of produce, and “produce articles” is meant to refer to the same in plural.
As used herein, the term “basket” is meant to define a rigid or semi-rigid partially perforated or fenestrated receptacle open at the upper portion wherein the diameter or circumference of the edge of the upper portion is greater than the diameter or circumference of the remaining portions toward the lower base and having an overall cup, hemispheric, or bowl configuration. The circumference of the upper portion, base, or both, can be circular, oval, or elliptical. The rigid or semi-rigid basket material can be composed of various materials. Suitable rigid or semi-rigid natural materials include, but are not limited to, wood, grass, straw, cardboard, cellulosic compositions, and the like. Suitable rigid or semi-rigid metallic materials can be composed of metals and metallic alloys, including but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and the like. Suitable rigid or semi-rigid plastic and resin materials, glass, and ceramic compositions can also be used as the basket material. Perforations or fenestrations which permit ingress and egress of fluid flow through the basket wall can be formed as a result of gaps through woven structures, lattice structures, discrete apertures, and the like. The term is meant to encompass woven and non-woven baskets, colanders, sieves, cages, and the like, which permit some degree of air flow across the wall of the container.
The phrase “configured for placement within a basket” when used to refer to the insert device of the invention, is meant to indicate that the overall size, shape, and dimensions (e.g., height, width, length, diameter, circumference, perimeter) of the insert device generally conform to the interior surface dimensions and configuration of a basket within which the device is to be placed.
The term “circular” when used within the context of the configuration of the central base of the device of the invention is not intended to be limited to a perfect circle having a consistent radius at all points from a central point within the circle to all points along the circumference. The term “circular” is meant to include oval and elliptical configurations, for example.
The term “planar” as used herein to define the circular central base and extensions of the device of the invention is meant to refer to a substantially flattened pillow configuration and is meant to include variations in the thickness of the base and extensions as would be typically associated with the presence of an internal filling material between opposing fabric panels. The term is not meant to refer to a perfectly flat configuration of consistent thickness.
The terms “proximal” and “distal” and inflections thereof when used to describe a relationship of components to one another within the context of the invention, unless otherwise specified in relation to a particular component, are referred to relative to the center point of the planar circular central base. For instance, an object extending radially and distally from the planar circular central base would be located in an outward linear direction along an outer circumference relative to a point and circumference positioned inward, closer toward the center of the planar circular central base.
The invention provides a conformable pliable produce storage insert device configured for placement within a basket. Referring now to
The number of planar extensions (20) can vary. Preferably, the number of planar extensions (20) can range from five to seven and are substantially evenly distributed along the circumscribing edge of the planar circular central base (11). The functional and operational benefits afforded by the structure of the insert device can be achieved by as few as five planar extensions (20). The number of planar extensions (20) used in the device can increase in order to achieve the continuous overlapping functionality of the planar extensions as necessary according to the dimensions and configuration of the planar extension (20). For instance, in the case with narrower planar extension shapes, e.g., where the length of the planar extension extends distally and radially away from the central base panel and this length is greater than the width of the planar extension, the number of planar extensions can range from between about eight to about twelve. Examples of planar extension configurations and shapes where this would be the case include, but are not limited to, shields, petals, chevrons or tongue-shaped planar extension shapes.
One of the advantages afforded by the invention is that, by virtue of the structural configuration and overlapping functionality of the planar extensions, the sequential overlapping arrangement of the planar extensions (20) collectively in series form a contiguous circumscribing perimeter surrounding the interior sidewall of the basket adjacent to the upper edge of the basket opening. Additionally, this arrangement can conform to varying structural configurations and sizes of the basket within which it can be inserted.
As seen in
Referring now to
The configuration or shape of the planar extensions (20) can vary, provided the proximal edge (23) and first and second arcuate side edges (21) and (22), respectively, adjacent to the attachment site of the flexible hinge panel (30) are present and the shape and the functional sequential overlapping position between planar extensions (20) as described is maintained. In the Figures, the planar extension(s) (20) are depicted as a generally elongated elliptical shape with arcuate side edges rounded to resemble a “capsule.” Additional planar extension shapes that can be used include, but are not limited to, circles, ovals, rounded rectangles, rounded squares, shields, petals, chevrons or tongue-shaped planar extension shapes, and the like. Although depicted in the figures as being the same, alternating, or otherwise differing planar extension shapes can be used, provided the desired positional sequential overlapping occurs along the entire perimeter of the planar circular central base (11).
Referring now to
Referring to
The thickness (T1) of the planar circular central base (11) and thickness (T2) of the planar extensions (20) (see
In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in
Various panel attachment techniques and structures can be employed. A combination of two embodiments of panel attachments are illustrated in the Figures. Referring now to
The arcuate edge portions (12) of the planar circular central base (11) and the proximal edge (23) of the planar extensions (20) are attached to one another indirectly through a flexible hinge panel (30). Specifically, the flexible hinge panels (30) function to permit easy motion of the individual planar extensions (20) relative to the planar circular central base (11) in order to facilitate ready conformation of the insert device (10) into a basket (90) (as illustrated in
In addition to the thicknesses (T1) and (T2) of the insert device (10) components, the overall dimensions of the insert device (10) can be varied according to the contemplated or desired basket (90) within which it is to be placed. Insert device (10) dimensions such as overall diameter, planar extensions (20), planar circular central base panel (11) diameter, planar extension (20) length and width, and the like—can all be modified as part of the manufacturing process in this manner. Furthermore, although the insert device (10) of the invention is described and depicted as having an overall substantially symmetrical construction and configuration, the insert device can be constructed as an asymmetrical configuration as well provided the functional and operational benefits and advantages associated with the invention are not substantially attenuated or compromised. For example, the circular central base panel (11) and overall configuration of the insert device can be oval or elliptical to conform to an oval or an elliptical shape basket.
The overall dimensions of the insert device (10) of the invention can be determined according to the dimensions and shape of the intended basket (90) into which it may be received, and the insert device (10) can be manufactured accordingly. For instance, the general diameter of the planar circular central base (11) would correspond to the central receiving portion of the basket (90), (see
Materials:
First and second oppositely disposed fabric panels, (41) and (42) respectively, of the planar circular central base (11), first and second opposing fabric panels, (61) and (62) respectively, of the planar extension (20), and the flexible hinge panel (30), can be composed of flexible woven or non-woven fabric material. Suitable fabric material that can be used for these components of the insert device (10) preferably include, but are not limited to, fabrics that are flexible, breathable or porous, wick moisture, soft, washable, and reusable. Suitable fabrics include, but are not limited to, natural woven cotton, bamboo, cotton-synthetic blends such as 80% cotton 20% polyester, and the like. Different components of the insert device (10) can be composed of the same or different fabrics having different properties.
Suitable filling materials that can be used in the planar circular central base (11) and planar extensions (20) of the insert device (10) include, but are not limited to, pliable natural and synthetic materials that permit some degree of air movement and circulation. Suitable pliable natural materials can include non-woven cotton, cotton, bamboo, sponge, and excelsior. Suitable synthetic filling materials include, but is not limited to, polyester fiberfill, such as POLY-FIL® polyester fiberfill (available from Fairfield Processing Corporation, Danbury, Conn.); and polyurethane foam materials, such as POLY FOAM™ (available from American Excelsior Company, Arlington, Tex.). In one embodiment, a preferred filling material for ideal functionality is polyurethane foam. In a further embodiment, different filling materials may be used in different components of the insert device. It is an important aspect of the invention that whichever filling material is selected, that it possess a pliable, soft, cushion and breathable property in order to fully realize the benefits afforded by the invention.
How to Make
The insert device (10) of the invention can be made using conventional and readily available materials, techniques, and equipment to those in the textile manufacturing and construction fields, such as sewing machinery. In one example, and referring now to
Attachments of the planar extensions (20) to the planar circular central base (11) may be accomplished using conventional fabric attaching materials and techniques, including but not limited to, stitching using thread, adhesive, riveting, and the like. The fabric panels may be attached continuously and circumscribing along the entire length of the perimeters of each planar extension (20) and planar circular central base (11). Preferably, whichever technique is employed, the flexibility along the seams should not be substantially compromised or attenuated. Accordingly, in one embodiment, threaded stitching is most preferred.
How to Use
The invention may include a produce, method, and system for storing and transporting produce comprising a basket, and a conformable produce storage insert device configured for placement within the basket. According to one method for storing and transporting produce, a basket and a conformable pliable produce storage insert device can be assembled such that the insert device is initially placed inside a basket, at least one produce article may be received by a conformable pliable produce storage insert device, with the insert device conformably positioned within the interior surface of a basket. Referring to
In an additional embodiment of the invention as depicted in
In yet another embodiment of the invention as depicted in
For purposes of accessibility and convenience, the pouch (199) is preferably located on the bottom of the circular central base (11). It is possible, nevertheless, for the upper interior surface of the circular central base s11) to comprise a pouch structure. Again as with the planar extension pouch embodiment, suitable pouches can be constructed as a simple open pocket (as shown), or alternatively, can be structured as a closeable pocket, buttoned pocket, snap pocket, Velcro® reversibly sealable pocket, zippered pocket, overlapping folds of fabric (as illustrated in
Various combinations of the embodiments comprising the thermal pack can be used in the invention. For instance, the planar extension(s) alone, the circular central base alone, or a combination of both planar extension(s) and circular central base can comprise one or more thermal packs therein. Furthermore, combinations of different pouch structures and configurations can be employed within a single insert device of the invention. Preferred pouch structure(s) for the planar extension pouch embodiment, circular central base pouch embodiment, or both, can be a pouch wherein the opening through which the thermal pack can be inserted through is formed as an overlapping fold of two portions of the fabric panel. One example of this overlapping fold pouch structure is illustrated in
Suitable thermal packs in either of these described embodiments that may be used, but is not limited to, include thermal freezer packs, readily available reusable sealed plastic bags, containers containing a freezable liquid or gel for freezing or refrigeration, re-fillable or re-sealable ice bags, as well as single-use endothermic reactive chemical compositions. A variety of suitable thermal cold packs which are readily available to those in the art can be employed in combination with the invention. Suitable thermal cold packs that can be used in the invention include, but is not limited to, cold packs that contain an insulating material which, upon cooling in a refrigerator or freezer, gradually warm back to ambient temperature, cold packs that operate via a change of phase of the components of the cold pack, and cold packs that employ chemical components that dissolve endothermically in a solvent.
Examples of thermal cold packs that employ an insulating material are cold packs that contain a coolable or freezable liquid, e.g., water, or a gel. In one embodiment, these cold packs are cooled in a refrigerator or freezer. Typical gels are based on the gelation of xanthan gum, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth, guar gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, absorbent polymers, and the like. Gels may also be based on a high molecular weight polyacrylic acid cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether, also referred to as a cis-carbomer.
Thermal cold packs using phase change materials may be converted between solid and liquid phases and utilize their latent heat of fusion to cool during such phase conversion. The latent heat of fusion is greater than the sensible heat capacities of the materials. Accordingly, the amount of energy absorbed upon melting or released upon freezing is greater than the amount of energy absorbed or released upon increasing or decreasing the temperature of the material by 10 degrees C. In one embodiment, water is used as a phase changing material.
Endothermic dissolution cold packs contain certain chemical compounds that, once dissolved into a solution, result in a lowering of the temperature of the solution below ambient temperature. On dissolution, these compounds take up heat from the surrounding environment. For example, inorganic salts or soluble organic compounds known to have a positive (greater than zero) enthalpy of aqueous solution are used to make the reduced temperature solutions useful in cold packs.
In an additional embodiment of the invention, the exterior surfaces of the fabric panels of the various components of the insert device of the invention can be colored and include any externally visible designs or illustrations thereon. Various conventional techniques can be used to apply designs, patterns, or colors to flexible fabrics, including but not limited to, stenciling, screen printing, dying, weaving, stitching, appliqués, and the like.
Although the full benefits and advantages afforded by the invention are manifested in the storage and handling of produce articles, additional uses are contemplated by the invention as well and its use is not limited to produce articles such as fruits and vegetables. For instance, baked bread items, such as rolls and doughnuts, can also be used in the invention.
The invention has been described herein with reference to specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates, however, that reasonable variations and modifications can be made of such embodiments and techniques without substantially departing from either the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
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