The teaching disclosed herein relates to containers for food items, and in particular to containers that include a reservoir to collect liquid exuded by the food item(s) held therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,213 (Guillin) discloses a package for the packaging and the preservation of fresh food, such as meat, sea products and the like. The package is of the type which includes a tray upon which the fresh food product is placed, and a thermoretractable thin sheet of film material for overlapping the food product contained in the tray. The tray includes a relatively rigid and impermeable first container portion and a second container portion upon which the fresh food product rests. The second container portion is fitted in the first container portion, and includes apertures which allows for the passage of fluid which may be exuded by the fresh food product. The second container portion rests on corrugations or ribs of the first container portion to define a desired number of closed chambers, characterized that in order to allow an isostatic rigidification of the first container portion, and a controlled collecting of the fluids exuded by the fresh food product into the chambers, the ribs are distributed according to at least one network of approximately parallel ribs. Each of the ribs extends at least along two directions so that each of the points of the rib is directed to resist a corresponding component of the peripheral stresses caused by the film material which overwraps the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,992 (LaRue et al.) discloses a container that includes a first tray, and a second tray disposed within the space of the first tray to define a reservoir therebetween. The first tray has a first bottom wall and a surrounding first sidewall, which extends generally upwardly from the first bottom wall to define a space therein. The second tray has a second bottom wall and a surrounding second sidewall, which also extends generally upwardly from the second bottom wall. The second bottom wall has at least one aperture defined in a central region thereof, and also has an upper surface, which slopes downwardly toward the at least one aperture. The reservoir defined between the first and second trays is in fluid communication with the aperture.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,414,571 (Wallace) relates to containers and other shaped articles (e.g., trays and dishes) for containing articles such as food products (e.g., cuts of meat and poultry) or liquid-sensitive electronic parts. In one aspect, the container has a reservoir portion into which liquid can be sequestered. In another aspect, the container includes a thermoformable substrate, a liner, and a lidding material, the lidding and the liner defining a compartment for containing articles. The compartment can be detached from the substrate by detaching the liner from the substrate without necessarily rupturing the compartment. A substantial portion of the containers described can be recycled by separating the liner and/or lidding from the substrate. The disclosure also relates to methods of making thermoformed articles having multiple layers that do not rely on use of a coextruded or other composite thermoplastic-containing substrate.
The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention.
In one aspect, a container for food items is disclosed. The container includes a base and an insert. The base is formed of transparent plastic and includes a reservoir bottom panel and a peripheral bead. The peripheral bead has a bead inner sidewall extending about and upward from a perimeter of the reservoir bottom panel, a bead top wall extending laterally outward from an upper end of the bead inner sidewall, and a bead outer sidewall extending downward from a laterally outer edge of the bead top wall. At least a lower portion of the bead inner sidewall and the reservoir bottom panel enclose, laterally and from below, a liquid collection reservoir. The base includes a base lower peripheral engagement surface extending about the liquid collection reservoir. The insert is formed of plastic and includes a support panel having an insert lower peripheral engagement surface. The insert lower peripheral engagement surface is releasably inter-lockable with the base lower peripheral engagement surface to assemble the insert to the base with the support panel overlying the liquid collection reservoir. The support panel has at least one drain aperture for draining liquid from above into the liquid collection reservoir. At least a portion of the bead outer sidewall is at an equal elevation with, and spaced laterally outward from, the lower portion of the bead inner sidewall to impede visual access to liquid in the liquid collection reservoir.
In some examples, the base lower peripheral engagement surface includes at least a portion of the bead inner sidewall.
In some examples, the base lower peripheral engagement surface includes at least a portion of the bead top wall.
In some examples, the insert includes an insert lower sidewall extending upward from a panel perimeter of the support panel, and further includes an insert lower flange extending laterally outward from an upper end of the insert lower sidewall.
In some examples, the insert lower flange bears against the bead top wall when the insert and the base are assembled together.
In some examples, the insert lower peripheral engagement surface includes at least a portion of the insert lower sidewall.
In some examples, the base includes a flow regulator for each drain aperture of the insert. The flow regulator projects upward from the reservoir bottom panel and is aligned with the drain aperture when the insert is assembled to the base. The flow regulator occludes a central portion of the drain aperture to regulate liquid flow through the drain aperture and to inhibit reverse flow of liquid from the liquid collection reservoir back through the drain aperture when the container is tilted or inverted.
In some examples, an upper portion of the flow regulator protrudes through the drain aperture.
In some examples, the drain aperture is circular, and the flow regulator includes a rounded upwardly projecting bulge concentric with the drain aperture.
In some examples, an annular flow gap is provided between an outer surface of the flow regulator and an inner surface of the drain aperture.
In some examples, the support panel includes a panel upper surface and a plurality of spaced apart risers projecting upward from the panel upper surface. The risers each have a riser top surface spaced above the panel upper surface for holding food items in the container above the panel upper surface and facilitating flow of liquid from the food items along the panel upper surface between the risers and to the drain aperture.
In some examples, the support panel includes a depression associated with each drain aperture. The depression has a lowered central wall with an upwardly directed surface that is lower than the panel upper surface adjacent the depression. The drain aperture extends through the central wall of the depression.
In some examples, the insert includes an insert upper sidewall having an insert upper sidewall first end joined to an outer edge of the flange and an insert upper sidewall second end spaced vertically above the insert upper sidewall first end.
In some examples, the insert upper sidewall includes an insert rim formed at the insert upper sidewall second end. The insert rim may be rounded to facilitate tear-free engagement with a film wrapped over the container to preserve freshness of the food items.
In some examples, the insert upper sidewall second end includes an insert upper peripheral engagement surface extending about the container.
In some examples, the base includes a base sidewall having a base sidewall first end joined to a lower end of the bead outer sidewall, and a base sidewall second end spaced vertically above the base sidewall first end.
In some examples, the base sidewall second end includes a base rim. The base rim may be rounded to facilitate tear-free engagement with a film wrapped over the container to preserve freshness of the food items.
In some examples, the base sidewall second end includes a base upper peripheral engagement surface extending about the container.
In some examples, the insert includes an insert upper sidewall having an insert upper sidewall first end joined to an outer edge of the flange, and an insert upper peripheral engagement surface extending about the container along an insert upper sidewall second end spaced above the insert upper sidewall first end.
In some examples, the base includes a base sidewall having a base sidewall first end joined to a lower end of the bead outer wall, and a base upper peripheral engagement surface extending about the container along a base sidewall second end spaced vertically above the base sidewall first end. At least a portion of the base sidewall between the base sidewall first end and the base sidewall second end is disposed laterally outwardly of the insert upper sidewall when the insert is assembled to the base.
In some examples, the insert upper peripheral engagement surface is releasably inter-lockable with the base upper peripheral engagement surface when the insert is assembled to the base. A sealed chamber extends vertically between the interlocked upper and lower peripheral engagement surfaces of the base and insert, and about a periphery of the container. The sealed chamber provides a thermal break between an outer surface of the base sidewall and an interior of the container.
In some examples, the base and the insert are formed from a single sheet of plastic and connected together along respective first edges of the base and the insert by a first living hinge, and assembly of the insert onto the base includes pivoting the insert relative to the base about the living hinge.
In some examples, the container includes a lid that is releasably engageable with a rim of at least one of the base and the insert.
In some examples, the lid is formed from the single sheet of plastic together with the base and the insert, and the lid is connected to the base along a second edge of the base by a second living hinge.
In another aspect, a container for food items is disclosed. The container includes a base and an insert. The base is formed of transparent plastic and includes a reservoir bottom panel and a reservoir sidewall. The reservoir sidewall extends about and upward from a perimeter of the reservoir bottom panel. The base further includes a shoulder extending laterally outward from an upper end of the reservoir sidewall, and an upper sidewall extending upward from a laterally outer edge of the shoulder. At least a lower portion of the reservoir sidewall and the reservoir bottom panel enclosing, laterally and from below, a liquid collection reservoir. The base further includes a base lower peripheral engagement surface extending about the liquid collection reservoir. The insert is formed of plastic and includes a support panel having an insert lower peripheral engagement surface. The insert lower peripheral engagement surface is releasably inter-lockable with the base lower peripheral engagement surface to assemble the insert to the base with the support panel overlying the liquid collection reservoir. The support panel has at least one drain aperture for draining liquid from above into the liquid collection reservoir. At least the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall is spaced laterally inwardly from the upper sidewall by a lateral distance at least as great as a vertical distance of the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall extending between the reservoir bottom panel and an underside surface of the insert when assembled to the base to impede visual access to liquid in the liquid collection reservoir.
In some examples, the reservoir sidewall includes an upper portion disposed laterally outward of the lower portion and connected to the lower portion by a generally horizontal step surface, the step surface engaging the underside surface of the insert when the insert is assembled onto the base.
In some examples, the upper portion of the reservoir sidewall extends downward from the base shoulder to a laterally outer edge of the step surface, and the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall extends downward from a laterally inner edge of the step surface to the reservoir bottom panel.
In some examples, the insert lower engagement surface includes an underside surface of a peripheral portion of the support panel configured to bear against the step surface.
In some examples, the insert lower engagement surface includes an outer surface of the insert lower sidewall configured to bear against the upper portion of the reservoir sidewall.
Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the present disclosure.
For a better understanding of the described examples and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses and methods of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an example of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
Referring to
As disclosed in more detail subsequently herein, the container 100 mitigates these problems by providing a base 102 and an insert 104 removably attachable to the base 102. When the insert 104 is assembled onto the base 102, the container 100 provides a space above the insert 104 to hold food items, and a space below the insert 104 inside the base 102 to collect liquid exuded from the food items, such that the food items are separated from the liquid and visibility of the liquid is reduced (e.g., when the container is on display for merchandising). Need for a separate pad placed under the food item to absorb liquid is avoided, and after use the insert 104 can be removed from the base 102 to facilitate rinsing any exuded liquid, thereby promoting recyclability of the container 100.
The base 102 includes a reservoir bottom panel 106 for enclosing a liquid collection reservoir 124 (
In the example illustrated, the base 102 and insert 104 are formed from plastic sheet material in a thermoforming process. The plastic sheet is, in the example illustrated, of unpigmented, transparent PET material that is readily recyclable. In some examples, portions of the unpigmented material can be treated (e.g., embossed) to have a frosted appearance rendering such portions translucent. In some examples, the base 102 and insert 104 are formed from a translucent or opaque plastic material. The size and shape of the container 100 can be selected to meet the requirements of the food packager. In the example illustrated, the container 100 has a generally rectangular shape.
Referring again to
In some examples, the base lower peripheral engagement surface 126 includes at least a portion of the bead inner sidewall 110. In some examples, the base lower peripheral engagement surface 126 includes at least a portion of the bead top wall 114. In the example illustrated, the base lower peripheral engagement surface 126 includes an upper portion of the bead inner sidewall 110 and a laterally inner portion of the bead top wall 114 (
In the example container 100, the insert 104 includes an insert lower sidewall 140 (
In some examples, the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 130 includes at least a portion of the insert lower sidewall 140. In some examples, the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 130 includes at least a portion of the insert lower flange 144. In the example illustrated, the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 130 includes at least an upper portion 148 of the insert lower sidewall 140 and a laterally inner portion 149 of the insert lower flange 144.
In the example illustrated, snap-fit interlocking assembly of the base and insert lower peripheral engagement surfaces 126, 130 is facilitated by having the upper end of the bead inner sidewall 110 define (or bound) an opening that is slightly smaller than a footprint defined by the lower edge of the insert lower sidewall 140. To assemble the insert 104 onto the base 102, the lower edge of the insert lower sidewall 140 can be pressed vertically downward (as viewed in
In the example illustrated, at least a portion 134 of the bead outer sidewall 118 is at equal elevation with, and spaced laterally outward from, the lower portion 122 of the bead inner sidewall 110 (
Referring again to
Referring again to
In some examples, the support panel 128 may be contoured to promote liquid flow along the panel upper surface 164 to one or more of the drain apertures 132. In the example illustrated, an elevation of the support panel 128 proximate the insert lower sidewall 140 is higher than an elevation of the support panel 128 at the drain apertures 132 (
The base 102, in the example illustrated, includes a flow regulator 150 for each drain aperture 132 of the insert 104 (
In the example illustrated, an upper portion 154 of the flow regulator 150 protrudes through the drain aperture 132 (
In the example illustrated, the support panel 128 includes a panel upper surface 164 and a plurality of spaced-apart risers 166 projecting upward from the panel upper surface 164 (
In the example illustrated, the risers 166 have hollow interiors 169 bounded at least in part by concave inner surfaces 167 (
In the example illustrated, the support panel 128 includes a depression 170 associated with each drain aperture 132 (
Referring again to
With reference to
In the example illustrated, the base 102 includes a base sidewall 186 having a base sidewall first end 188 joined to a lower end 190 of the bead outer sidewall 118, and a base sidewall second end 192 spaced vertically above the base sidewall first end 188 (
The base sidewall second end 192 includes a base rim 194. The base rim 194 may be rounded or otherwise cooperate with the rounded insert rim 182 to facilitate tear-free engagement with film wrapped over the container 100.
With reference to
In the example illustrated, a portion of the base sidewall 186 between the base sidewall first end 188 and the base sidewall second end 192 is disposed laterally outwardly of the bead outer sidewall 118 when the insert 104 is assembled to the base 102 (
The insert upper peripheral engagement surface 184 is releasably inter-lockable with the base upper peripheral engagement surface 196 when the insert 104 is assembled to the base 102. In the example illustrated, a sealed chamber 200 extends between the interlocked upper peripheral engagement surfaces 184, 196 and the interlocked lower peripheral engagement surfaces 126, 130, and about the container 100. The sealed chamber 200 provides a thermal break between an outer surface 202 of the base sidewall 186 and an interior 204 of the container 100 (
In use, the insert 104 is assembled onto the base 102 by pressing the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 130 into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with the base lower peripheral engagement surface 126. At the same time, the insert upper peripheral engagement surface 184 can be pressed into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with the base upper peripheral engagement surface 196. Upon assembly of the insert 104 onto the base 102, a food item can be loaded onto the support panel 128 of the insert 104, and plastic wrap or a lid can be installed to cover the top of the container 100. Liquid exuded from the food item can drain into the liquid collection reservoir 124, where it is isolated from the food item, and obscured from view by at least the bead outer sidewalls 118 of the peripheral bead 108.
After use, the base 102 and the insert 104 can be separated to facilitate cleaning and recycling. For example, the base 102 and the insert 104 may be separated to dispose of any liquid collected in the liquid collection reservoir 124. The rinsed and separated base 102 and insert 104 can then be introduced into a recycling process.
Referring now to
In the example illustrated, the container 1100 further includes an optional lid 1208 that is releasably engageable with at least one of the insert rim 182 and the base rim 194 to open and close the container. The lid 1208 is, in the example illustrated, formed together with the base 102 and insert 104 from the same single sheet of plastic. The lid 1208 is connected to the base 102 along a second edge of the base by a second living hinge 1210. The container 1100 can be selectively opened and closed by pivoting the lid 1208 relative to the base 102 about the second living hinge 1210.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
At least the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall 2218 is spaced laterally inwardly from the base upper sidewall 2186 by a lateral distance 2222. As will be discussed subsequently herein, the lateral distance 2222 between the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall 2218 and the base upper sidewall 2186 helps to impede visual access to liquid in the liquid collection reservoir 2124.
In the example illustrated, the base lower peripheral engagement surface 2126 includes an upper portion of the reservoir sidewall 2218 and a laterally inner portion of the base shoulder 2220 (
The insert 2104 includes a support panel 2128 with at least one drain aperture 2132, an insert lower sidewall 2140, a lower flange 2144, and an insert lower peripheral engagement surface 2130, like those of the insert 104 of the container 100. In the example illustrated, the insert 2104 is a low-profile insert, without an insert upper sidewall (like the insert upper sidewall 174) extending upward from the flange 2144 to an upper end of the container 2100. The insert 2104 is also without an insert upper peripheral engagement surface (like the insert upper peripheral engagement surface 184). In the example illustrated, the support panel 2128 further includes a depression 2170 associated with each drain aperture 2132, like the depression 170 of support panel 128 (
In the example illustrated, the base 2102 further includes a flow regulator 2150 for each drain aperture 2132 of the insert 2104, like the flow regulator 150 of the base 102 (
For use, the insert 2104 is assembled onto the base 2102 by pressing the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 2130 into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with the base lower peripheral engagement surface 2126 (
When the insert 2104 is assembled onto the base 2102, a vertical distance 2223 extends between the reservoir bottom panel 2106 and an underside surface of the support panel 2128. The lateral distance 2222 between the lower portion of the reservoir sidewall 2218 and the base upper sidewall 2186 is at least as great as the vertical distance 2223 between the reservoir bottom panel 2106 and the underside surface of the support panel 2128 (
After use, the insert 2104 can be separated from the base 2102 by disengaging the releasable engagement surfaces 2126, 2130. The insert 2104 and the base 2102 can then be rinsed and delivered to a recycling process.
Referring to
Referring to
The insert 3104 includes a support panel 3128 with at least one drain aperture 3132, an insert lower sidewall 3140, an insert lower flange 3144, and an insert lower peripheral engagement surface 3130. In the example illustrated, the insert 3104 further includes an insert upper sidewall 3174 with an insert rim 3182.
For use, the insert 3104 is assembled onto the base 3102 by pressing the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 3130 into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with the base lower peripheral engagement surface 3126 (
After use, the insert 3104 can be separated from the base 3102 by disengaging the releasable engagement surfaces 3126, 3130. The insert 3104 and the base 3102 can then be rinsed and delivered to a recycling process.
Referring to
Referring also to
More particularly, in the example illustrated, the container 4100 has five compartments including four outer compartments 4228a spaced apart circumferentially from one another about a central compartment 4228b. The base 4102 in the example illustrated has five liquid collection reservoirs 4124, including four outer liquid collection reservoirs 4124a spaced circumferentially about one central liquid collection reservoir 4124b.
In the example illustrated, the base 4102 includes a respective reservoir bottom panel 4106a, 4106b for enclosing each corresponding liquid collection reservoir 4124a, 4124b from below. More particularly, in the example illustrated, the base 4102 includes a central bottom panel 4106b (
The insert 4104 includes a central compartment support panel 4128b disposed at a lower end of the central compartment 4228b and having a central insert peripheral engagement surface 4130b releasably inter-lockable with the central base peripheral engagement surface 4126b. The central support panel 4128b includes at least one aperture 4132 for draining liquid from above into the central liquid collection reservoir 4124b.
In the example illustrated, the base 4102 includes four outer bottom panels 4106a (
The base 4102 further includes a plurality of outer peripheral bead segments 4108a each having an outer bead inner sidewall 4110a extending upward from a perimeter segment of the outer bottom panel 4106a, an outer bead top wall 4114a extending laterally outward from an upper end of the outer bead inner sidewall 4110a, and an outer bead outer sidewall 4118a extending downward from a laterally outer edge of the central bead top wall 4114a. At least a lower portion of the outer bead inner sidewall 4110a laterally encloses the outer liquid collection reservoir 4124a (
The base 4102 further includes a plurality of circumferentially extending web segments 4232 each having a web inner sidewall 4234 extending upward from a radially inward perimeter segment of the outer bottom panel 4106a, and a web upper wall 4236 (
The base 4102 further includes a respective outer base peripheral engagement surface 4126a that extends about a corresponding outer liquid collection reservoir 4124a, and that, in the example illustrated, comprises an upper portion of each of the outer peripheral bead inner sidewall 4110a, the web inner sidewall 4234 and the opposed web sidewalls 4226.
The insert 4104 includes a respective outer compartment support panel 4128a disposed at a lower end of each corresponding outer compartment 4126a and having an outer insert peripheral engagement surface 4130a, each of which is releasably inter-lockable with a corresponding outer base peripheral engagement surface 4126a. Each outer support panel 4128a includes at least one aperture 4132 for draining liquid from above into the corresponding outer liquid collection reservoir 4124a therebelow.
For use, the insert 4104 is assembled onto the base 4102 by pressing the insert peripheral engagement surfaces 4130 into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with respective base peripheral engagement surfaces 4126 (
After use, the insert 4104 can be separated from the base 4102 by disengaging the releasable engagement surfaces 4126, 4130. The insert 4104 and the base 4102 can then be rinsed and delivered to a recycling process.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
At least a lower portion 5238 of the reservoir sidewall 5218 is spaced laterally inwardly from the base upper sidewall 5186 by a lateral distance. In the example illustrated, the lower portion 5238 reservoir sidewall 5218 is spaced laterally inwardly from the base upper sidewall 5186 by a lateral distance 5222. The lateral distance 5222 between the reservoir sidewall 5218 and the base upper sidewall 5186 can help to impede visual access to liquid in the liquid collection reservoir 5124.
In the example illustrated, the reservoir sidewall 5218 includes an upper portion 5240 disposed laterally outward of the lower portion 5238 and connected to the lower portion 5238 by a generally horizontal step surface 5241. The step surface 5241 engages the underside surface of the insert 5204 when the insert 5204 is assembled onto the base 5202.
With reference to
In the example illustrated, the base lower peripheral engagement surface 5126 includes the step surface 5241 and the upper portion 5240 of the reservoir sidewall 5218 (
With reference to
In the example illustrated, the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 5130 includes the insert lower sidewall 5140 and a peripheral portion of the support panel 5128 (
In the example illustrated, the insert 5104 is a low-profile insert, without an insert upper sidewall (like the insert upper sidewall 174) extending upward from the flange 5144 to an upper end of the container 5100. The insert 5104 is also without an insert upper peripheral engagement surface (like the insert upper peripheral engagement surface 184).
With reference to
Referring again to
Referring still to
In the example illustrated, the base 5102 includes a plurality of spaced-apart panel braces 5246. Each panel brace 5246 projects upwardly from the reservoir bottom panel 5106 and is generally cylindrical in shape. When the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102 (
Referring again to
In some examples, the base 5102 includes additional structural elements for maintaining the vertical separation between the support panel 5128 and the reservoir bottom panel 5106 when the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102. In the example illustrated, the base 5102 includes a plurality of elongate panel braces 5247 that project upwardly from the reservoir bottom panel 5106. Each elongate panel brace 5247 has a rounded top surface that abuts the underside surface of the support panel 5128 between adjacent risers 5166 when the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102. In the example illustrated, the base 5102 also includes plurality of supplemental panel braces 5249 that are generally spaced apart about the perimeter of the reservoir bottom panel 5106. The supplemental panel braces 5249 project upwardly from the reservoir bottom panel 5106 and abut the underside surface of the support panel 5128 when the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102. When the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102 and one or more food items are loaded on the support panel 5128, the panel braces 5247, 5249 can further assist in maintaining a vertical separation between the support panel 5128 and the reservoir bottom panel 5106 by abutting the underside surface of the support panel 5128.
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the base lower shoulder 5238 supports a peripheral portion of the support panel 5128 from below when the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102. This engagement can help maintain a vertical separation between the support panel 5128 and the reservoir bottom panel 5106 about the perimeter of the liquid collection reservoir 5124.
Referring again to
For use, the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102 by pressing the insert lower peripheral engagement surface 5130 into snap-fit, interlocking sealed engagement with the base lower peripheral engagement surface 5126 (
In the example illustrated, snap-fit interlocking assembly of the base and insert lower peripheral engagement surfaces 5126, 5130 is facilitated by having the upper end of the base intermediate sidewall 5240 define (or bound) an opening that is slightly smaller than a footprint defining the lower edge of the insert lower sidewall 5140. To assemble the insert 5104 onto the base 5102, the lower edge of the insert lower sidewall 5140 can be pressed vertically downward (as viewed in
When the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102, a vertical distance extends 5223 between the reservoir bottom panel 5106 and the underside surface of the support panel 5128. The lateral distance 5222 between the lower portion 5238 of the reservoir sidewall 5218 and the base upper sidewall 5186 is at least as great as the vertical distance 5223 between the reservoir bottom panel 5106 and the underside surface of the support panel 5128. Such a configuration helps to impede visual access to liquid in the liquid collection reservoir 5124 when the insert 5104 is assembled onto the base 5102. In the example illustrated, the lateral distance 5222 between the lower portion 5238 of the reservoir sidewall 5218 and the base upper sidewall 5186 is about two times greater than the vertical distance 5223 between the reservoir bottom panel 5106 and the underside surface of the support panel 5128 (
After use, the insert 5104 can be separated from the base 5102 by disengaging the releasable engagement surfaces 5126, 5130. The insert 5104 and the base 5102 can then be rinsed and delivered to a recycling process. Referring to
Referring to
The base 6102 includes a reservoir bottom panel 6106, a peripheral bead 6108, a base lower peripheral engagement surface 6126, and a base sidewall 6186, like those of the base 102. In the example illustrated, the base sidewall 6186 further includes a base rim 6194. The base 6102, in the example illustrated, is without a base upper peripheral engagement surface (like the base upper peripheral engagement surface 196 of the base 102).
Referring to
Referring to
Assembly of the insert 6104 onto the base 6102 of the container 6100 involves pivoting the insert 6104 relative to the base 6102 about the first living hinge 6206 (
With reference to
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the risers 6166 have hollow interiors bounded at least in part by concave inner surfaces. The inner surfaces of the risers 6166 are directed toward the reservoir bottom panel 6106 and form a ceiling of the liquid collection reservoir 6124 (
Referring again to
In the example illustrated, the panel braces 6246 each have an upper end spaced above the reservoir bottom panel 6106. The upper end of each panel brace 6246 is, in the example illustrated, sized to fit within the hollow interior of a corresponding one of the risers 6166 of the support panel 6128 when the insert 6104 is assembled onto the base 6102 (
In the example illustrated, the container 6100 further includes an optional lid 6208 having a lid rim 6154 that is releasably engageable with the base rim 6194 to open and close the container 6100. The lid 6208 is, in the example illustrated, formed together with the base 6102 and insert 6104 from the same single sheet of plastic. The lid 6208 is connected to the base 6102 along a second edge of the base 6102 by a second living hinge 6210. The container 6100 can be selectively opened and closed by pivoting the lid 6208 relative to the base 6102 about the second living hinge 6210.
Referring to
The base 6102 optionally includes a plurality of base vents 6258. In the example illustrated, the base vents 6258 are laterally spaced apart about the perimeter of the base 6102. Each base vent 6258, in the example illustrated, has a lower portion formed in the base bottom wall 6252 and a contiguous upper portion formed in the base sidewall 6186 that extends upwardly from a laterally outer edge of the lower portion.
The insert 6104 optionally includes a plurality of insert vents 6260. In the example illustrated, insert vents 6260 are laterally spaced apart about the perimeter of the insert 6104. Each insert vent 6260, in the example illustrated, has a lower portion formed in the lower flange 6144 and a contiguous upper portion formed in the insert upper sidewall 6174 that extends upwardly from a laterally outer edge of the lower portion.
When the insert 6104 is assembled to the base 6102 and the lid 6208 is closed, the base and insert vents 6258, 6260 allow air to pass into and out of the interior of the container 6100. Some food items (e.g., fruits) naturally emit ethylene gas when stored. Ethylene accelerates the ripening of fruit. The base and insert vents 6258, 6260 allow the emitted gas to escape so that the stored food items do not spoil too quickly.
In the example illustrated, when the insert 6104 is assembled to the base 6102, each of the insert vents 6260 aligns with a corresponding one of the base vents 6258. Such a configuration can provide a direct pathway for air to flow into and out of the interior of the container 6100. In an alternative example, the insert vents 6260 and the base vents 6258 do not align when the insert 6104 is assembled to the base 6102. The lid 6208 optionally includes a plurality of lid vents 6262. In the example illustrated, the lid vents 6262 are laterally spaced apart about the perimeter of the lid 6108. The lid vents 6262 further increase the volume of air that can be circulated through the interior of the container 6100.
After use, the lid 6208 can be opened and the insert 6104 can be disassembled from the base 6102 by pivoting the insert 6104 relative to the base 6102 about the first living hinge 6206 with sufficient force to disengage the releasable engagement surfaces 6126, 6130. The insert 6104, the base 6102 and, optionally, the lid 6208 can then be rinsed and delivered to a recycling process.
The container 6100 includes optional stacking features that facilitate stacking the containers 6100 when in a closed configuration (
What has been described above is intended to be illustrative of examples of the teaching disclosed herein, without limiting the scope of patent claims granted herefrom. The scope of such claims should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/414,271 filed Oct. 7, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63414271 | Oct 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CA2023/051326 | Oct 2023 | WO |
Child | 18610252 | US |