Container for harvested fruits and vegetables

Abstract

A container for harvested fruits and vegetables is shown. The container comprises a bottom and sidewalls supported on a base structure. The sidewalls are formed from side structures. The bottom may be integrally formed with a side structure. A rim and rib may be integrally formed in a side structure. The base structure comprises a slot or pocket that may be integrally formed from a side structure. The slot or pocket may be configured for engagement with a lifting apparatus for the container (e.g. forks of a fork lift). The base structure may comprise a bracket. The bracket of the base structure may be configured to facilitate stacking of one container securely on the rim of another container.

1 . An apparatus for containing products such as harvested fruits and vegetables for collection and transport comprising:
 a bottom;   side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure configured to contain the products;   a base structure supporting the bottom and side structure;   a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge;   a rib around the side structure comprising an outwardly-projecting segment and an inwardly-projecting segment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising slots in the base structure for engagement with forks of a fork lift. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the side structure is formed by providing first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom; providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; and providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the side structure comprises four side structures. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein each of the four side structures is formed from a metal sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the enclosure comprising the side structure is formed by welding. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket on exposed ends of the base structure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the apparatus comprises a container and the bracket is configured to engage the rim of a container so that multiple containers can be stacked. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rib comprises two outwardly-projecting segments and two inwardly-projecting segments. 
     
     
         10 . A container for products such as harvested fruits and vegetables comprising:
 a bottom;   side structure forming with the bottom an open-top enclosure to contain the products;   a base structure supporting the bottom and the side structure;   a rim around the side structure to provide a top edge;   a rib around the side structure comprising two outwardly-projecting segments and two inwardly-projecting segments;   wherein the rib is configured so that the volume displaced by the inwardly-projecting segments of the rib is substantially equivalent to the volume contributed by the outwardly-projected segments of the rib;   wherein the base structure is configured so that one container can be supported and seated on the rim of another container.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising slots in the base structure for engagement with forks of a fork lift. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a bracket on exposed ends of the base structure. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  the bracket is configured to engage the rim of a container so that multiple containers can be stacked. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10  formed by (a) providing first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom; (b) providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; (c) providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure; and (d) providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the first side structure and fourth side structure are formed with an outwardly-projecting rib and wherein the second side structure and third side structure are formed with an inwardly-projecting rib. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a food-grade coating on the side structure. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the rib is configured so that products such as cherries can be dispensed without being entrapped. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the rib comprises an inwardly-projecting segment on the side structure aligned with the slots. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming a container with a bottom and side structure on a base structure to contain products such as harvested fruits and vegetables comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a first side structure comprising a side wall and the bottom;   (b) providing a second side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure;   (c) providing a third side structure comprising a side wall and a part of the base structure;   (d) providing a fourth side structure comprising a side wall;   wherein the first side structure and fourth side structure are formed with an outwardly-projecting rib and wherein the second side structure and third side structure are formed with an inwardly-projecting rib;   so that the side structures when joined form an open-top enclosure into which products can be stored for collection and transport.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 (e) attaching a set of brackets at each end of the base structure; and 
 (f) attaching side structures by welding to form the open-top enclosure.