Produce container

Abstract

A produce container includes a receptacle, a lid and a hinge. The receptacle includes a mouth circumscribed by a rim and a base having an edge. The lid is associated with the receptacle to close off the month. The hinge attaches the lid to the receptacle and is located towards or at the rear of the receptacle. The edge is configured to cooperate with the hinge so as to facilitate disposition of the produce container in an erect position.

1 . A produce container including:
 a receptacle including a base having an edge extending therefrom and a mouth circumscribed by a rim;   a lid associated with the receptacle to close off the mouth; and   a hinge which attaches the lid to the receptacle, the hinge being located towards or at a rear of the receptacle;   wherein the edge is configured to cooperate with the hinge so as to facilitate disposition of the produce container in an erect position, wherein the base is substantially flat relative to a single plane and has a generally rectangular shape.   
     
     
         2 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the produce container has a curved perimeter defined by the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The produce container of  claim 2 , wherein the curved perimeter is substantially circular. 
     
     
         4 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the receptacle is so curved as to correspond to a perimeter of the rim. 
     
     
         5 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the rim has a first, outwardly extending flange. 
     
     
         6 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes two appendages located towards the rear of the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The produce container of  claim 6 , wherein the appendages are provided at opposite ends of the edge. 
     
     
         8 . The produce container of  claim 6 , wherein the appendages are so configured and arranged as to enable the receptacle to be steadily disposed in the erect position. 
     
     
         9 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is elongate in shape extending continuously along the rear of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The produce container of  claim 5 , wherein the lid has a second, outwardly extending flange. 
     
     
         11 . The produce container of  claim 10 , wherein the second flange corresponds with the first flange. 
     
     
         12 . The produce container of  claim 10 , wherein the second flange is spaced from the first flange when the lid is engaged with the receptacle to close off the mouth. 
     
     
         13 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a width of the hinge to a height of the receptacle is 32:13. 
     
     
         14 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the receptacle is a distance from the hinge to the bottom of the appendages. 
     
     
         15 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein width of the hinge is about 64 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the receptacle is about 26 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein when disposed in the erect position, the receptacle is inclined to a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         18 . The produce container of  claim 17 , wherein angle of inclination relative to the horizontal axis is in a range of 68 to 88 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The produce container of  claim 1 , wherein locking means are provided to secure the lid to the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The produce container of  claim 19 , wherein the locking means in the form of interlocking formations forming part of the lid and receptacle, respectively.