Spacer assembly
US5291836A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D57/003
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacer to facilitate cooling, stacking, and handling of meat includes first and second channels, preferably of identical cross-sectional shape, placed transverse to each other so as to define multiple interconnected passageways for conducting conditioned air therethrough when placed in a stack of alternating layers of boxed meat and spacers. The channels include lateral flanges which are bonded to each other at a plurality of intersections by adhesive, and may also be joined by pressing a section of material from one lateral flange through the thickness of a section of the other lateral flange followed by clinching the sections together. The clinched sections hold the intersections together until the adhesive cures, and also contribute to the ultimate joint strength. The first channels further include outwardly protruding embossments and the second channels include apertures for receiving the embossments, the apertures and embossments acting as locaters to locate adjacent spacers when stacked on each other for storage while awaiting use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.