Produce carrying trays and method of cooling produce in a five-down configuration
US7007802B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D2205/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cooling produce contained in ventilated trays arranged in a five-down configuration on a pallet. The ventilated trays according to the present invention have openings that correspond to fluid passageways in contained clamshells in order to efficiently and effectively channel cooling air into the clamshells and over the contained produce. The present invention creates direct airflow channels to the produce that cause an optimal amount of the forced air to enter and flow over the produce within the produce carrying containers and not around the produce carrying containers as can occur with conventional six-down configurations. As a result, more air enters the produce carrying containers, more passes over the produce and more produce is effectively cooled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.