Produce packaging container with dual hinged resealable tops

Abstract

A produce packaging container incorporates a basket body with an opening for inserting items inside the container and a pair of lids for covering the opening in the basket body. Each basket also includes latch elements for securing the lids in a closed configuration. A fastener is used as an extra level of security for sealing the container. The fastener can also be employed advantageously as a label. In some implementations the container is vented. Also, containers can include lids having lid-mounted latches to seal the container. Moreover, in some other implementations, the lids are configured in an overlapping manner with top mounted latches employed to engage the lids together in a closed configuration.

1 . A produce container comprising: 
 a basket body with an opening for inserting items inside the container;    a pair of lids for covering the opening in the basket body, the lids being attached to the basket body by hinges;    a latch formed on the pair of lids for securing the lids in a closed configuration: and    a fastener that is affixed to a closed container to further secure the lids.    
   
   
       2 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the fastener element is a label affixed to the container.  
   
   
       3 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the fastener element is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       4 . The produce container of  claim 2  wherein the label is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       5 . The produce container of  claim 2  wherein the label is substantially opaque.  
   
   
       6 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the hinges include cooling vents formed therein.  
   
   
       7 . The produce container of  claim 6  wherein the cooling vents are formed between the basket body and the lids.  
   
   
       8 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein each of the lids include mated latch elements that are engagable with each other to further secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The produce container of  claim 8  wherein the engageable latch elements comprise sets of more than one pair of mated latch elements arranged to secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The produce container of  claim 8  wherein the engageable latch elements comprise elongate latch elements that are engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The produce container of  claim 10  wherein a major axis of the elongate latch element extends in a direction substantially parallel to hinge axes for the lids.  
   
   
       12 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the pair of lids includes a lower lid and an upper lid arranged so that a portion of the upper lid overlaps a portion of the lower lid when the lids are closed.  
   
   
       13 . The produce container of  claim 12  wherein each of the lids include mated latch elements positioned in overlapping regions of the lids and that are configured to be engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The produce container of  claim 13  wherein the latch elements comprise elongate latch elements that are engagable with each other to secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The produce container of  claim 14  wherein a major axis of the elongate latch element extends in a direction substantially parallel to hinge axes for the lids.  
   
   
       16 . The produce container of  claim 13  wherein the engageable latch elements comprise sets of more than one pair of mated latch elements arranged to secure the lids in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein a bottom portion of the basket body includes a ventilation channel configured to facilitate an air flow underneath the container in a first direction.  
   
   
       18 . The produce container of  claim 17  wherein the bottom portion of the basket body includes a second ventilation channel configured to facilitate another air flow underneath the container in a second direction transverse to the first direction.  
   
   
       19 . The produce container of  claim 17  wherein the bottom portion of the basket body includes a set of raised feet that facilitate air flow underneath the container in a second direction transverse to the first direction.  
   
   
       20 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the basket body includes smooth sided walls.  
   
   
       21 . The produce container of  claim 1  wherein the basket body includes ribbed walls.