Egg packaging

Abstract

A package for transporting eggs includes a body having individual recesses dimensioned to receive an egg therein. Each recess is connected to the body via a spring means, preferably corrugate regions, which permit movement of the recess relative to the body. Rigid perimeter portions of the package, and/or additional load bearing members spaced inwardly from the perimeter wall may be used to assist in transferring vertical load from one package to another in a stacked array.

1 . A package for transporting associated eggs comprising:
 a body having individual recesses dimensioned to receive a portion of an associated individual egg therein; and   each recess connected to the body via a spring member allowing limited movement of the recess relative to the body.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the recess and the body are formed of substantially the same material. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the body includes means for stacking and partially nesting one package with an adjacent, stacked package. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the spring member includes corrugate regions that permit movements in substantially orthogonal directions. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the spring member includes means for limiting the extent of relative movement whereby an associated egg received in one recess will not contact an associated egg in an adjacent recess in response to elastic deformation of the spring member. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising a hinged cover for receipt over the body once the associated eggs have been received therein. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the cover includes domed regions adapted to contact a portion of an associated egg in a recess. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the cover includes a leg extending outwardly therefrom for receipt in the body when closed over the associated eggs, the leg providing a structural member for transferring load from one package to a next adjacent package when disposed in stacked relation. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of a recyclable material. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the body includes rigid perimeter portions for transferring load from one package stacked on or under an adjacent package. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  further comprising means for transferring load from one package stacked on or under an adjacent package. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the load transferring means is located at least in spaced relation from the perimeter portions. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12  wherein the load transferring means is formed at least in part in a cover received over the body once the associated eggs have been received therein. 
     
     
         14 . An egg package comprising:
 a body having plural recesses therein, each recess dimensioned to receive at least a portion of an associated egg therein;   a spring operatively associated with each recess for connecting the recess to the body, each spring permitting selective limited movement of the recess relative to the body; and   a vertical load member for transferring vertical loads imposed on the package from an associated adjacent stacked package.   
     
     
         15 . The egg package of  claim 14  wherein the vertical load member includes a portion of the body for transferring the vertical loads around the recesses. 
     
     
         16 . The egg package of  claim 14  wherein the vertical load member includes a rigid wall that extends from an upper surface of the body to a lower surface thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The egg package of  claim 14  wherein the vertical load member includes a rigid wall adjacent a perimeter of the body. 
     
     
         18 . The egg package of  claim 14  further comprising a cover dimensioned for receipt over the recesses. 
     
     
         19 . The egg package of  claim 18  wherein the cover is hinged to the body. 
     
     
         20 . The egg package of  claim 18  wherein the cover defines a portion of the vertical load member. 
     
     
         21 . The egg package of  claim 14  wherein the spring is oriented to permit selective movement in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         22 . The egg package of  claim 14  wherein the spring is oriented to permit selective movement in a horizontal direction.