Unitary molded citrus crate
US4597503A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S220/913
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A unitary molded citrus crate ideally suited for the storage and transport of citrus is disclosed. The citrus crate is specifically configured to provide a combination of flat and convex surfaces in the internal fruit holding portion to prevent damage to the fruit therein to the maximum extent possible. A center divider is provided to prevent separation of the side walls of the crate, the center divider having sufficient height so no more than one fruit such as a lemon or the like may rest thereon, thereby preventing sufficient force between the fruit and the top of the divider to damage the fruit because of the weight of the fruit stacked thereon. Horizontal openings in the side and end wall provide ease of handling of the crate, the openings being of limited height adequate to provide convenient hand grasps yet sufficiently limited to prevent damage to the fruit. The crates are stackable in an interlocking stack to prevent tipping thereof. Various other features of the invention are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.