US3890762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Produce shipping container and packing method
Assignee: Day Star Corp
•
Filing: 1973-08-20
•
Granted: 1975-06-24
•
Expires: 1993-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Surprisingly good preservation of agricultural produce is obtained by packing the product in an insulative container having a corrugated cardboard outer shell and an interior liner that is formed from separate flat panels of polystyrene foam of specified characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 G Fred Ernst
- 👤 William P Faulkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/56; B65D5/566; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of packing produce for shipment comprising, preparing a slab of polystyrene foam having a density of 0.5-1.5 lbs./cu. ft., cutting flat sheets of polystyrene from said slab, cutting said sheets into panels fittable in facial proximity against the respective inside surfaces of a box, said box made of air permeable sheet material having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top, placing so cut bottom and side panels within said box against the bottom wall and side walls thereof to form a liner therefor, said panels being sized to fit snugly against one another at the edges of the box thereby to support one another against the inside surfaces of the box to define a packing space within said liner, packing produce within said packing space, placing a cover panel over the top of said space, the cover panel residing on top edges of the side panels so as to reside adjacent the inside surface of the top of the box, closing the top of the box, and cooling the closed, packed container to shipment temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of packing produce for shipment comprising, preparing a slab of polystyrene foam having a density of 0.5-1.5 lbs./cu. ft., cutting flat sheets of polystyrene from said slab, cutting said sheets into panels fittable in facial proximity against the respective inside surfaces of a box, said box made of air permeable sheet material having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top, placing so cut bottom and side panels within said box against the bottom wall and side walls thereof to form a liner therefor, said panels being sized to fit snugly against one another at the edges of the box thereby to support one another against the inside surfaces of the box to define a packing space within said liner, packing produce within said packing space, placing a cover panel over the top of said space, the cover panel residing on top edges of the side panels so as to reside adjacent the inside surface of the top of the box, closing the top of the box, and cooling the closed, packed container to shipment temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the closed, packed container is cooled in a vacuum cooler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flat sheets are cut from said slab by the hot-wire cutting technique.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said panels are sized so that a slight deformation of the foam occurs along the edges of the panels when placed in said box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
An insulative container for produce comprising, a rectangular, air permeable box having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top which is cooperable with the side walls to form a closure of the box, and a foam plastic liner within said box, said liner comprising removable flat bottom, side and cover panels which respectively are in facial engagement with but unsecured to the inside surfaces of the bottom wall, side walls and top of said box, the said panels abutting one another along their edges, said panels being sized so that deformation of the foam occurs along the edges of the panels where they abut one another, the box positioning and holding said panels in the described relation so that the latter define a hollow rectangular produce volume within the box, the said panels being separate elements and cut from plastic foam having a density in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 lbs./cu. ft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
An insulative container for produce comprising, a rectangular, air permeable box having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top which is cooperable with the side walls to form a closure of the box, and a foam plastic liner within said box, said liner comprising removable flat bottom, side and cover panels which respectively are in facial engagement with but unsecured to the inside surfaces of the bottom wall, side walls and top of said box, the said panels abutting one another along their edges, said panels being sized so that deformation of the foam occurs along the edges of the panels where they abut one another, the box positioning and holding said panels in the described relation so that the latter define a hollow rectangular produce volume within the box, the said panels being separate elements and cut from plastic foam having a density in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 lbs./cu. ft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container of claim 5 wherein said box is made of corrugated board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container of claim 6 wherein said cardboard is 200 lb. test board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The container of claim 6 wherein said foam is a polystyrene foam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container of claim 8 wherein said foam has a density of 1.0 lbs./cu. ft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The container of claim 5 wherein said top of said box is formed from flaps which are hingedly attached to the side walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |