Container with sealable body for packaging and transporting fruit and vegetable produce and method for applying a sealing film to the container

Abstract

Container for the packaging and transport of horticultural products, the container being made up of a body comprising a bottom, a pair of larger walls and a pair of smaller walls also comprising on its upper edge a flange that protrudes to the outer faces of all the walls of the container forming a surface for the application of a sealing film. A method of applying a sealing film to said container is also proposed.

1 . A container for packing and transporting horticultural products, the container being made up of a body ( 200 ) comprising a bottom, a pair of major walls ( 210 ),a pair of minor walls ( 220 ) and pillars ( 230 ) at its corners, CHARACTERIZED in that the container also comprises on its upper edge a flange ( 250 ) which protrudes to the outer faces of all the walls ( 210 ,  220 ) of the container forming a surface for the application of a sealing film. 
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the volume formed by the bottom and the walls ( 210 ,  220 ) is hermetic. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the pillars ( 230 ) are hollow. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the pillars ( 230 ) have an open base. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises stacking projections ( 251 ) in the upper part of its corners. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the flange ( 250 ) has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the upper face of the flange (250) is aligned with the upper face of the pillars (230). 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the pillars have corner protrusions ( 236 ) arranged in the lower part of each one of them. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that from the lower edge of the smaller walls ( 220 ) a lower ridge ( 222 ) extends downwards reaching the lower end of the pillars ( 230 ) and forming part of these. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a lid ( 100 ). 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 11 , CHARACTERIZED in that the lid ( 100 ) is configured with lid perforations ( 123 ). 
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 11 , CHARACTERIZED in that the lid ( 100 ) has a projection ( 120 ) on its upper face. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 11 , CHARACTERIZED in that the lid ( 100 ) has minor side edges ( 102 ) with lid corners ( 110 ) projecting horizontally in the cross direction of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The container according to  claim 11 , CHARACTERIZED in that on each lid corner ( 110 ) protrude outer corner ridges ( 111 ). 
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the pillars ( 230 ) comprise inside one or more inner ribs ( 232 ). 
     
     
         17 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the lower face of the body has channels formed by recessed sections. 
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED in that the minor faces ( 220 ) of the body have a handle ( 221 ). 
     
     
         19 . A method for applying a sealing film in a container for the packaging and transport of horticultural products according to  claim 1 ,CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises:
 a) arranging a container body ( 200 ) in a sealing machine, said body ( 200 ) comprising a bottom, a pair of major walls ( 210 ), a pair of minor walls ( 220 ) and pillars ( 230 ) at its corners;   b) aligningan upper face of a sealing plate ( 310 ) of the sealing machine with an upper face of a flange ( 250 ) of the body of the container that protrudes to outer faces of all the walls ( 210 ,  220 ) thereof;   c) arranging a sealing film on the faces mentioned in step b);   d) pressing a sealing counter plate ( 320 ) on the sealing plate ( 310 ), sealing the sealing film on the upper face of the flanges ( 250 ) and the pillars ( 230 ) of the body of the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , CHARACTERIZED in that step a) comprises locating pillars ( 230 ) of the container in container supports ( 311 ) of the sealing machine. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , CHARACTERIZED in that step a) further comprises introducing into each pillar ( 230 ) a vertical element ( 312 ) located on the container supports ( 311 ).