Containers for raisins and other sticky produce

Abstract

A container for transporting or storing raisins or other sticky produce features a flexible membrane secured within a container structure which has a base and four walls. The flexible membrane is secured within the container structure so as to overlie a major part of the base, such that, when the container is filled with sticky produce and inverted, the flexible membrane peels away from the sticky produce, thereby releasing the sticky produce while the flexible membrane itself remains secured within the container structure for subsequent use.

1 . A container for transporting or storing raisins or other sticky produce, the container comprising:
 (a) a container structure including a base and four walls; and   (b) at least one flexible membrane secured within said container structure so as to overlie a major part of said base,   
     such that, when the container is filled with sticky produce and inverted, said at least one flexible membrane peels away from the sticky produce, thereby releasing the sticky produce while remaining secured within said container structure. 
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible membrane is implemented as a single flexible membrane overlying substantially the entirety of said base. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said flexible membrane is secured at a plurality of locations around a periphery of said flexible membrane while a central portion of said flexible membrane is free to part from said base. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein a length of said flexible membrane between two of said securing locations is greater than a distance between said two securing locations such that said flexible membrane exhibits slack in at least one direction. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein said slack is provided by a pattern of undulations formed in said membrane. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said pattern of undulations provides slack in two perpendicular directions. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said walls and said base are separately formed, interconnected elements, and wherein said at least one flexible membrane is secured by being interposed between said walls and said base during interconnection of said walls and said base. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said base and said walls are formed with projecting features for interlocking between said base and said walls, and wherein said at least one flexible membrane is formed with a plurality of apertures for accommodating said projecting features, thereby securing said at least one flexible membrane within the container. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein said container structure further includes a plurality of locking elements, said base and said walls being formed with recesses for receiving said locking elements so that said locking elements interlock between said base and said walls, and wherein said at least one flexible membrane is formed with a plurality of apertures for accommodating said locking elements, thereby securing said at least one flexible membrane within the container. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said locking elements are corner posts additionally operative to interlock said walls. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible membrane is formed with:
 (a) a plurality of apertures for securing said at least one membrane to said container structure; and   (b) reinforced regions of increased thickness surrounding said apertures.   
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one flexible membrane is formed by injection molding of polymer material. 
   
   
       13 . A method for transporting or storing raisins or other sticky produce, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a container including:
 (i) a container structure including a base and four walls, and 
 (ii) at least one flexible membrane secured within the container structure so as to overlie a major part of the base; 
   (b) filling the container with a quantity of the sticky produce for transport or storage of the produce; and   (c) inverting the container so that the at least one flexible membrane peels away from the sticky produce, thereby releasing the sticky produce while the at least one flexible membrane remains secured within the container structure.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising repeating steps (b) and (c) without removal of the at least one flexible membrane from the container. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one flexible membrane is implemented as a single flexible membrane overlying substantially the entirety of the base. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible membrane is secured at a plurality of locations around a periphery of the flexible membrane while a central portion of the flexible membrane is free to part from the base. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a length of the flexible membrane between two of the securing locations is greater than a distance between the two securing locations such that the flexible membrane exhibits slack in at least one direction. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the slack is provided by a pattern of undulations formed in the membrane. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the pattern of undulations provides slack in two perpendicular directions. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one flexible membrane is formed with:
 (a) a plurality of apertures for securing the at least one membrane to the container structure; and   (b) reinforced regions of increased thickness surrounding the apertures.