Improved agricultural product container
By designing a hinge with deviated end sections and converging flanges, the problem of easy damage to the hinge of agricultural product containers is solved, and the firmness and durability of the hinge is improved, ensuring the stability and durability of the container during use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411024958.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-28
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-18
AI Technical Summary
The hinges of existing agricultural product containers are easily damaged by fatigue due to the weight of the carrier cover, and are easily torn or worn during the separation process, resulting in failure.
An agricultural product container is designed, with the hinge including a first end section and a second end section, both deviating from a linear section towards the front of the storage section. Furthermore, the top and bottom edges of the hinge are coupled to the second flange and the first flange, respectively, and converge or diverge before coupling.
The design of the hinge enhances its robustness and durability, avoiding the risk of breaking or tearing during separation, making the agricultural product container more stable and durable during use.
Smart Images
Figure CN119460433A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an improved produce container. The present invention more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to hinges for produce containers. Background Art
[0002] Produce containers often have a hinge connecting the lid and the storage portion. The hinge is an important part of the produce container because it is the component that holds and supports the lid, especially when the produce container is in an open position with the lid hanging over the storage portion. Because the hinge must carry the weight of the lid, especially when the lid is open, the hinge is susceptible to fatigue damage caused by stress concentrations in the plastic or polystyrene web that carries the load. Over time, stress concentrations often lead to fractures and loss of stiffness, leading to eventual failure.
[0003] Furthermore, for the purpose of transport, produce containers are often nested within one another, stacked into piles. During unpacking, the produce containers must be separated from one another on the assembly line in order to be ready to pack the fruits and / or vegetables therein. There is often a robotic arm including a separator that engages the hinge of the lowest produce container at the bottom of the stack of nested produce containers to force them apart on the assembly line. The plastic or polystyrene web of each hinge is susceptible to tearing and abrasion, or even damage by the forces generated by the separator, which is usually in the form of a wedge with a chisel end that is driven into the gap between two adjacent (upper and lower) hinges to force the adjacent produce containers apart. Therefore, the hinges need to be strong and durable enough to withstand the forces generated by the separator without breaking or failing during the separation process.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a produce container which overcomes or at least ameliorates the above-mentioned disadvantages, or which meets the above-mentioned needs, or which at least provides a useful choice. Summary of the invention
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided an agricultural product container, comprising:
[0006] a reservoir portion defining a mouth bounded by a rim having a first flange;
[0007] a lid associated with the reservoir for closing the mouth; the lid having a skirt adapted to interact with a rim of the reservoir to retain the lid on the reservoir, and a second flange projecting from the skirt of the lid; and
[0008] a hinge adapted to attach the lid to the storage portion, the hinge having top and bottom edges coupled to the second and first flanges, respectively, and having a linear section extending along a rear portion of the storage portion;
[0009] Wherein the hinge includes a first end section that deviates from the linear section toward the front of the storage portion.
[0010] Preferably, at least one of the second flange and the top flange converges toward the other prior to respectively coupling the top and bottom edges of the hinge. More preferably, the second flange and the first flange converge toward each other prior to respectively coupling the top and bottom edges of the hinge. Even more preferably, one or both of the second flange and the first flange curve toward the rear of the produce container and gradually converge. Most preferably, each or both of the second flange and the first flange diverges prior to respectively coupling the top and bottom edges of the hinge.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first end section is located at or near a first rear corner of the storage portion.Preferably, the first end section is coupled to one end of the linear section.
[0012] Preferably, the hinge comprises a second end section which deviates from the linear section towards the front of the reservoir.
[0013] Preferably, the second end section is located at or close to a second rear corner of the storage portion, the second rear corner being opposite to the first rear corner.
[0014] Preferably, the linear section adjoins the first end section and the second end section at the side and is continuously connected to the first end section and the second end section.
[0015] Preferably, the linear section comprises a vertical flat surface or a curved surface extending horizontally along the rear of the reservoir, the vertical flat surface or the curved surface being substantially perpendicular to the base of the reservoir when the lid is in the closed condition.
[0016] Preferably, at least one of the first end section and the second end section is inclined at an angle towards the front of the storage portion. Most preferably, the angle of inclination is the angle between the plane of the vertical flat surface and the surface of the first end section or the second end section, between 1 and 90 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is 7 degrees.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first end section and the second end section is linear. More preferably, both the first end section and the second end section are linear.
[0018] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first end segment and the second end segment curves away from the linear segment along a curve of one of the respective first corner portion and the second corner portion.
[0019] Optionally, one or both of the first section and the second section have tapered upper and lower edges. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] A preferred embodiment of the produce container of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a produce container of the present invention with the lid closed;
[0022] Figure 2 and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of a rear corner portion of a produce container of Figure 1 Indicated as C and D;
[0023] Figure 2A and Figure 3A yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of a rear corner portion of a produce container of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of an end section having tapered edges and another embodiment of flanges that converge and diverge prior to attachment of a hinge.
[0024] Figure 3B is an enlarged partial side view of the rear portion of the produce container showing Figure 3A Converging and diverging end portions of alternative embodiments of flanges are shown.
[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 a top plan view of a produce container; Figure 4A Shows Figure 1 A produce container with a lid open.
[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of one of the rear corner portions, indicated by E, showing the angle of inclination of the end portion;
[0027] Figure 6 is a side view showing a stack of produce containers nested within one another;
[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 a perspective view of a stack of produce containers supported by a robotic arm and brought into position for separation by a separator; and
[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Side view of a stack of produce containers showing placement of wedges in gaps between adjacent hinges for separating nested produce containers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , produce container 10 is shown having a storage portion 12, a lid 14, and a hinge 16 coupling storage portion 12 and lid 14. Storage portion 12 defines a mouth 18 bounded by a rim 20 having a first flange 22. Lid 14 is associated with storage portion 12 to close mouth 18. Lid 14 has a skirt 24 and a second flange 26 protruding from skirt 24 of lid 14, the skirt being configured to interact with rim 20 of storage portion 12 to retain lid 14 on storage portion 12. Hinge 16 is configured to attach lid 14 to storage portion 12. Hinge 16 has a top edge 28 and a bottom edge 30 coupled to second flange 26 and first flange 22, respectively. Hinge 16 has a linear segment 32 extending along rear portion A of storage portion 12. Hinge 16 has a first end segment 34 and a second end segment 36, each end segment deviating from linear segment 32 toward front portion B of storage portion 12.
[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the first end section 34 is located at or near the first rear corner 38 of the storage portion 12. The first end section 34 is coupled to one end of the linear section 32. The second end section 34 is located at or near the second rear corner 40 of the storage portion 12, which is opposite to the first rear corner 38. In this way, the linear section 32 is connected to the first end section 34 and the second end section 36 at the side and is continuously coupled thereto.
[0032] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the linear section 32 includes a vertical planar surface 42 extending horizontally along the rear portion A of the storage portion 12. The vertical planar surface 42 is substantially perpendicular to the base 44 of the storage portion 12 when the lid is in the closed state.
[0033] like Figures 1 to 4 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each of the first end segment 34 and the second end segment 36 is at an angle θ (see FIG. Figure 5 ) is inclined toward the front B of the storage portion 12. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ is substantially the angle between the plane where the vertical flat surface lies and the flat and linear surface of the first end section 34 or the second end section 36, which is 7 degrees. It should be noted that the inclination angle can be any angle between 1 and 90 degrees.
[0034] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first end segment 34 and the second end segment 36 curves away from the linear segment 32 along the curve of one of the corresponding first corner portion and the second corner portion.
[0035] Go to Figure 2A and Figure 3A In another embodiment, the produce container of the present invention may have a first section 34A and a second section 36A having a tapered upper edge 28A and a lower edge 30A.
[0036] Reference Figure 3 , it can be seen that the second flange 26 extends parallel to the first flange 22. Now turn to Figure 3A In an alternative embodiment, second flange 26B and first flange 22B converge toward each other before respectively joining top edge 28A and bottom edge 30A of hinge 16. Specifically, flanges 26B and 22B curve toward the rear of produce container 10 and gradually converge. Similarly, second flange 26B and first flange 22B expand and diverge before respectively joining top edge 26B and bottom edge 22B of hinge, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A As shown in the circle marked with C.
[0037] In the assembly line, a plurality of produce containers, all of which are identical to produce container 10 and are stacked in stack 48, are supported by robotic arms 52 to be separated one by one in preparation for packaging fresh produce therein. Figures 6 to 8 , a robotic arm having a separator in the form of a wedge 46 having a chisel end is provided to drive into a gap 50 between the hinges of the two lowermost nested produce containers to force them apart.
[0038] Now that the preferred embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that at least one of the described embodiments of the present invention can provide the advantage of at least enhancing the robustness and durability of the hinge. Specifically, the offset of the end segments of the hinge provides a significant benefit, allowing the produce container to be separated during the packaging process without exposing the hinge to breakage or tearing or any other form of damage. In addition, the combination of the offset end segments and the converging flanges provides a synergistic benefit, so that the lid 14 does not wobble when in the open state, but rather is held substantially horizontally and securely, without tilting downward.
[0039] Without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, the above-described preferred embodiments may be modified and / or altered. For example, the surface 42 of the linear segment 32 may be or become slightly curved, particularly when the lid is closed. In this case, the tangent of the curve is located on a plane substantially perpendicular to the base 44 of the storage portion 12. In addition, the size and configuration of the end segments may vary depending on the material from which the agricultural product container is made. In addition, the angle of inclination may vary. In addition, when the flanges 26B and 22B approach and connect the hinge, only one or two of them may converge and diverge. Therefore, the current embodiments are considered to be illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.
[0040] The description of prior art herein, if any, should not be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.
[0041] In the appended claims and in the foregoing description of the invention, except where the context requires due to explicit language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "including" or "having" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. specifying the presence of stated features but not excluding the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. An agricultural product container, comprising: a reservoir portion defining a mouth bounded by a rim having a first flange; a lid associated with the storage portion for closing the mouth; The lid has a skirt adapted to interact with a rim of the storage portion to retain the lid on the storage portion, and a second flange projecting from the skirt of the lid; as well as a hinge adapted to attach the lid to the storage portion, the hinge having top and bottom edges coupled to the second and first flanges, respectively, and having a linear section extending along a rear portion of the storage portion; Wherein the hinge includes a first end section that deviates from the linear section toward the front of the storage portion.
2. The agricultural product container according to claim 1, wherein: The first end section is located at or near a first rear corner of the storage portion.
3. The agricultural product container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first end section is coupled to one end of the linear section.
4. The agricultural product container according to claim 2, wherein: The hinge includes a second end segment that deviates from the linear segment toward the front of the reservoir.
5. The agricultural product container according to claim 4, wherein: The second end section is located at or near a second rear corner of the storage portion, the second rear corner being opposite to the first rear corner.
6. The produce container of claim 4, wherein: The linear section is laterally adjacent to the first end section and the second end section and is continuously coupled to the first end section and the second end section.
7. The produce container of claim 4, wherein: The linear section includes a vertical flat surface or a curved surface extending horizontally along the rear of the storage portion, and when the lid is in a closed state, the vertical flat surface or the curved surface is substantially perpendicular to the base of the storage portion.
8. The produce container of claim 7, wherein: At least one of the first end section and the second end section is inclined at an angle toward a front of the storage portion.
9. The produce container of claim 8, wherein: The inclination angle is an angle between a plane where the vertical flat surface is located and a surface of the first end section or the second end section, and is between 1 and 90 degrees.
10. The produce container of claim 9, wherein: The inclination angle is 7 degrees.
11. The produce container of claim 4, wherein: At least one of the first end section and the second end section is linear.
12. The produce container of claim 4, wherein: The first end section and the second end section are both linear.
13. The produce container of claim 5, at least one of the first and second end segments being curved away from the linear segment along a curve of one of the respective first and second corner portions.
14. The produce container of claim 4, wherein: One or both of the first section and the second section have tapered upper and lower edges.
15. The produce container of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the second flange and the top flange converges toward the other prior to respectively joining the top edge and the bottom edge of the hinge.
16. The produce container of claim 1, wherein: The second flange and the first flange converge toward each other prior to joining the top edge and the bottom edge of the hinge, respectively.
17. The produce container of claim 1, wherein: One or both of the second flange and the first flange are curved and gradually converge toward the rear of the produce container.
18. The produce container according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein: Each or both of the second and first flanges may diverge prior to joining the top and bottom edges of the hinge, respectively.
19. An agricultural product container comprising: a reservoir portion defining a mouth bounded by a rim having a first flange; a lid associated with the storage portion for closing the mouth; The lid has a skirt adapted to interact with a rim of the storage portion to retain the lid on the storage portion, and a second flange projecting from the skirt of the lid; as well as a hinge adapted to attach the lid to the storage portion, the hinge having top and bottom edges coupled to the second and first flanges, respectively, and having a linear section extending along a rear portion of the storage portion; Wherein at least one of the second flange and the first flange converges toward each other and then expands and diverges before respectively joining the top edge and the bottom edge of the hinge.