Ventilated container for produce
A ventilated container for produce includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. The sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. A plastic film can be applied over the top of the container and is adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container, aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. Moreover, an aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow.
1. A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising:
a bottom portion having a perimeter;
at least one sidewall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion, the sidewall portion being oriented substantially along a first plane, the bottom portion and the sidewall portion defining at least a portion of a cavity for holding the produce therein;
a rim portion proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall portion, the rim portion being substantially uninterrupted along a portion thereof; and
a cover for contacting the rim portion for enclosing the cavity formed by the bottom portion and the sidewall portion;
wherein the upper portion of the sidewall portion includes an indentation proximate the rim portion and extending into a portion of the cavity from the sidewall portion, the indentation including a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim portion, the first surface extending substantially along a second plane, the second plane being transverse to the first plane, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim portion, the aperture having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity when the cover is covering at least a portion of an upper surface of the rim portion, the aperture being proximate to the rim portion providing an exit for the flow of rising ethylene gas near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is oriented away from the bottom portion.
3. The container of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is disposed inwardly relative to an inner edge portion of the rim portion.
4. The container of claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the indentation is positioned below the upper surface of the rim portion.
5. The container of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is elongate.
6. The container of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is quarter moon-shaped.
7. The container of claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the indentation includes a single aperture.
8. The container of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is approximately 1 inch (25.4 mm) long and approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) wide.
9. The container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall portion comprises a first sidewall and second sidewall and wherein the container includes at least one opening in a corner formed at a juncture of at least the first sidewall and the second side wall.
10. The container of claim 1 , wherein the indentation has a curved portion extending inwardly of the sidewall portion, the curved portion includes soft geometrical edges configured to limit potential damage to the produce within the container.
11. A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising;
a bottom portion having a perimeter;
at least a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion, the bottom portion and the sidewall portion defining at least a portion of a cavity for holding the produce therein;
a rim portion proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall portion, the rim portion including an upper surface, the rim portion being substantially uninterrupted along a portion thereof; and
a cover for contacting the upper surface of the rim portion for enclosing the cavity formed by the bottom portion and the sidewall portion;
wherein the upper portion of the sidewall portion includes an indentation proximate the rim portion and extending into a portion of the cavity from the sidewall portion, the indentation including a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim portion, the first surface extending substantially along a plane, the plane being transverse to a portion of the sidewall portion, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim portion, the aperture having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity when the cover is engaged to the upper surface of the rim portion, the aperture being proximate to the rim portion providing an exit for the flow of rising ethylene gas near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.
12. The container of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is oriented away from the bottom portion.
13. The container of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is disposed inwardly relative to an inner edge portion of the rim portion.
14. The container of claim 11 , wherein the first surface of the indentation is positioned below the upper surface of the rim portion.
15. A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising;
a bottom portion having a perimeter;
at least a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion, the bottom portion and the sidewall portion defining a cavity for holding the produce therein; and
a rim proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall portion,
wherein the upper portion of the sidewall portion includes an indentation proximate the rim and extending into a portion of the cavity from the sidewall portion, the indentation including a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim, the first surface protruding into the cavity, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim, the aperture having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity, the aperture being proximate to the rim providing an exit for the flow of rising ethylene gas near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.
16. The container of claim 15 , wherein the rim has an upper surface that is uninterrupted along a portion thereof.
17. The container of claim 15 , wherein the rim includes a complete perimeter of the container.
18. The container of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is oriented away from the bottom portion.
19. The container of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the indentation is disposed inwardly relative to an inner edge portion of the rim.
20. The container of claim 15 , wherein the first surface of the indentation is positioned below an upper surface of the rim.