US4012530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Produce tray
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1975-07-07
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Granted: 1977-03-15
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Expires: 1995-07-07
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a thermoplastic produce tray characterized by having a series of spaced apart, concave ribs or saddles extending upward from the bottom into the side walls. The ribs are adapted to cradle substantially globular produce.
Inventors
- 👤 Morell J. Holden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/003; B65D1/00; B65D1/34; B65D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A tray packaging substantially globular produce comprising a single, continuous substantially planar bottom member joined integrally around its periphery to a continuous upstanding pair of side walls and pair of end walls; said bottom member being interrupted by a plurality of uniformly spaced concave ribs extending upwardly from said bottom member into said side walls and extending from side wall to side wall, thus forming saddle-like members whose concave profile defines an arc of a circle and each of which cradle substantially globular produce; said saddle-like members being aligned in a single row with planar sections of said bottom separating said saddle-like members; the width of each saddle-like member being between about 0.5 inch and about 1.5 inches and the space between adjacent saddle-like members being between about 1 inch and about 2 inches, said width being sufficient to cradle and support one article of produce when said produce is positioned on adjacent members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A tray packaging substantially globular produce comprising a single, continuous substantially planar bottom member joined integrally around its periphery to a continuous upstanding pair of side walls and pair of end walls; said bottom member being interrupted by a plurality of uniformly spaced concave ribs extending upwardly from said bottom member into said side walls and extending from side wall to side wall, thus forming saddle-like members whose concave profile defines an arc of a circle and each of which cradle substantially globular produce; said saddle-like members being aligned in a single row with planar sections of said bottom separating said saddle-like members; the width of each saddle-like member being between about 0.5 inch and about 1.5 inches and the space between adjacent saddle-like members being between about 1 inch and about 2 inches, said width being sufficient to cradle and support one article of produce when said produce is positioned on adjacent members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tray as described in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the circle of which the saddle-like member defines an arc, is about 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the substantially globular produce to be packaged in said tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tray as described in claim 1, wherein said tray is a thermoplastic tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A tray as described in claim 3, wherein said thermoplastic is foamed polystyrene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A packaged product that comprises a tray as defined in claim 1, a plurality of items of substantially globular produce cradled in each of said ribs, and a transparent overwrap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |