The present invention relates generally to consumer boxes for carrying products, and more particularly to a consumer box for storing and carrying fresh produce.
The present invention is embodied in a box having a lid with windows that allow a consumer to see the product being stored in the box. In one embodiment, the box is designed so that a plurality of boxes may be stacked next to and on top of each other in a nested tray. The lid comprises flaps that meet in the middle and allow a consumer to pick up the box with one hand out of a nested tray. The flaps may also include finger holes to allow the user to more easily pick up the box. The lid is designed so that it seals the box and has sufficient strength so that it can be lifted and carried with the product stored in the box. The flaps are secured using a latching mechanism whereby the lid has a piece of corrugated paper that is inserted into a slot and locks in place.
In one embodiment, the box is used for storing and carrying fresh produce, such as fruits or vegetables. The windows in the box allow for ventilation of the fresh produce. The box may be designed such that, when a plurality of boxes are stacked in a nesting tray, the windows allow for proper ventilation of the produce so that the freshness of the produce is better maintained. The windows in the lid thus facilitate the consumer's ability to carry the box, maintain the freshness of the produce in the box, and enhance the marketability of the box contents by allowing the consumer to see the produce that is stored inside.
In a particular embodiment, the box is used for storing and carrying stone fruit. In a more particular embodiment, the stone fruit are peaches, and the box is designed to carry four peaches.
In a further embodiment, the box may be printed on and cut out of a single piece of cardboard, paperboard, or other similar medium. The box is then formed by folding the single printed cutout in a prescribed manner.
In a further embodiment, the box contains a tray having cups or cavities wherein the fruit “nests.” These cups or cavities are sized based on the size of the fruit. The tray is made to fit the size of the box. The windows on the lid of the box are strategically placed so the consumer can see the fruit inside the box. The lid is strong enough to support other boxes on top of it, rigid enough to be picked up with one hand using the finger holes, and has windows for the consumer to see what he or she is buying.
The present invention is also embodied in a nesting tray that is designed to carry a plurality of product boxes having windows. In one embodiment, the nesting tray may be designed in such a way that, when a plurality of said boxes are stacked in the nesting tray, products stored in the boxes receive proper ventilation through the windows to maintain the products' freshness. The nesting tray may also be designed such that a consumer may remove a single box from the nesting tray using flaps on the lid of the box.
These and other features and advantages of the invention should become more readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings.
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Although the invention has been disclosed with reference only to the presently preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the following claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/651,480 entitled “Consumer Box Having Ventilating Windows,” filed on May 24, 2012, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61651480 | May 2012 | US |