Basket having improved sidewall structure

Abstract

A basket for holding goods comprises a base, a flange, and a sidewall extending from the base to the flange, the sidewall including a plurality of faces. Any two of the faces is joined by a structure having an arcuate shape curving into the basket, the arcuate shape extending from the base to the flange. The arcuate shape provides rigidity to the sidewall, protecting goods within the basket.

1 . A basket for holding goods comprising:
 a base;   a flange; and   a sidewall extending from the base to the flange, the sidewall including a plurality of faces;   wherein two of the faces are joined by a structure having an arcuate shape curving into the basket, the arcuate shape extending from the base to the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The basket of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate shape comprises in series:
 a first arc connected with a first face and having a first radius of curvature;   a second arc having a second radius of curvature; and   a third arc connected with a second face and having a third radius of curvature.   
     
     
         3 . The basket of  claim 2 , wherein the first radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature, and the third radius of curvature are substantially the same. 
     
     
         4 . The basket of  claim 2 , wherein the first radius of curvature and third radius of curvature are substantially the same. 
     
     
         5 . The basket of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid. 
     
     
         6 . The basket of  claim 5 , wherein the lid is connected to the flange by a hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The basket of  claim 5 , wherein the base and the lid include a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         8 . The basket of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a catch protruding from the flange and obstructing the lid when the lid is mated with the flange; and   a latch associated with the lid and adapted to deflect the catch as the lid is brought toward the flange;   wherein when the lid contacts the flange, a spring force of the catch causes the catch to return to an undeflected position capturing the latch.   
     
     
         9 . The basket of  claim 8 , wherein the sidewall includes four faces and the lid is connected to the flange by a hinge; and
 further comprising:
 a first latch at a first position along the flange opposite the hinge; 
 a second latch at a second position along the flange opposite the hinge; 
 a first catch at a first position along the lid opposite the hinge; and 
 a second catch at a second position along the lid opposite the hinge; 
 wherein the first latch is adapted to mate with the first catch; 
 wherein the second latch is adapted to mate with the second catch. 
   
     
     
         10 . The basket of  claim 9 , wherein the base and the lid include a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         11 . The basket of  claim 9 , wherein each of the faces is connected with an adjacent face by a structure having an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         12 . The basket of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of faces are substantially flat. 
     
     
         13 . The basket of  claim 5 , wherein one of the lid and the flange includes an indentation sufficiently sized to permit receipt of a finger. 
     
     
         14 . The basket of  claim 5 , wherein the lid and the flange include indentations aligned with one another so that when the lid is seated on the flange, the aligned indentations permit receipt of a finger so that the seated lid can be urged away from the flange. 
     
     
         15 . A basket for produce comprising:
 a base;   a flange;   a sidewall extending from the base to the flange, the sidewall including four faces;   wherein each of the faces is joined with adjacent faces by a structure having an arcuate shape curving into the basket, the arcuate shape extending from the base to the flange; and   a lid connected to the flange by a hinge.   
     
     
         16 . The basket of  claim 15 , wherein the base and the lid include a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         17 . The basket of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a catch protruding from the flange and obstructing the lid when the lid is mated with the flange; and   a latch associated with the lid and adapted to deflect the catch as the lid is brought toward the flange;   wherein when the lid contacts the flange, a spring force of the catch causes the catch to return to an undeflected position capturing the latch.   
     
     
         18 . The basket of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first latch at a first position along the flange opposite the hinge;   a second latch at a second position along the flange opposite the hinge;   a first catch at a first position along the lid opposite the hinge; and   a second catch at a second position along the lid opposite the hinge;   wherein the first latch is adapted to mate with the first catch;   wherein the second latch is adapted to mate with the second catch.   
     
     
         19 . The basket of  claim 15 , wherein one of the lid and the flange includes an indentation sufficiently sized to permit receipt of a finger. 
     
     
         20 . The basket of  claim 15 , wherein the lid and the flange include indentations aligned with one another so that when the lid is seated on the flange, the aligned indentations permit receipt of a finger so that the seated lid can be urged away from the flange.