Reusable container assembly for modified atmosphere packaging of goods

Abstract

A reusable container assembly including, a container having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially upwardly from a bottom surface forming an opening and an interior space. The bottom surface includes a plurality of feet extending substantially downwardly from the bottom surface. The assembly also includes a lid having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially downwardly from a top surface, the tapered sidewalls of the lid being configured to receive the tapered sidewalls of the container, such that the lid seals the opening of the container. The top surface of the lid also includes a plurality of raised corners extending substantially upwardly from the top surface, and the feet of the container are configured to receive the raised corners of the lid, when the lid is positioned beneath the container in a stacked configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable container assembly, comprising:
 a container having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially upwardly from a bottom surface forming an opening and an interior space, wherein the bottom surface includes a plurality of feet extending substantially downwardly from the bottom surface; and   a cover extending over the opening, the cover sealing the opening of the container to the environment while selectively controlling transmission of water vapor, carbon dioxide and oxygen into and out of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a lid having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially downwardly from a top surface, wherein the tapered sidewalls of the lid are configured to receive the tapered sidewalls of the container, such that the lid seals the opening of the container, and the top surface further includes a plurality of raised corners extending substantially upwardly from the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the feet of the container are configured to receive the raised corners of the lid, when the lid is positioned beneath the container in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of feet comprise a first raised portion extending below a bottom surface of the container and a second raised portion extending below the first raised portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each of the second raised portions of the plurality of feet have an L-shaped configuration with outer surfaces coextensive with corresponding outer surface of tapered side walls of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the feet of the container receive the raised corners of a lid of an adjacent container such that the lid of the adjacent container is positioned beneath the container in a stacked configuration, an air gap is formed between the bottom surface of the container and a top surface of the lid of the adjacent container. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when a plurality of containers are arranged in a stacked and side-by-side arrangement, a plurality of air gaps are formed between adjacent containers along the tapered sides of the containers. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the lid defines a recess configured for retaining an antimicrobial substance, the recess having a plurality of holes therein in fluid communication with an interior of the lid. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a semipermeable sheet of material disposed over the opening and sealed to the top surface of the container around a perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a semipermeable sheet of material disposed over the recess and sealed to the top surface of the container around a perimeter of the recess, the semipermeable sheet of material limiting passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide while allowing water vapor to pass through the semipermeable sheet of material. 
     
     
         11 . A reusable container assembly, comprising:
 an molded plastic container having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially upwardly from a bottom surface forming an opening and an interior space;   an molded plastic lid having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially downwardly from a top surface, wherein the tapered sidewalls of the lid are configured to receive the tapered sidewalls of the container, such that the lid seals the opening of the container, and the top surface further includes a plurality of raised corners extending substantially upwardly from the top surface, the top surface of the lid defining a recess configured for retaining an antimicrobial substance, the recess having a plurality of holes therein in fluid communication with an interior of the lid; and   a plurality of feet extending substantially downwardly from the bottom surface of the container, the plurality of feet of the container configured to receive the raised corners of the lid, when the lid is positioned beneath the container in a stacked configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of tapered sidewalls define a plurality of spaced apart grooves, horizontally oriented and circumscribing the plurality of tapered sidewalls, the plurality of spaced apart grooves configured to direct air flow around the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of feet comprise a first raised portion extending below a bottom surface of the container and a second raised portion extending below the first raised portion, wherein each of the second raised portions of the plurality of feet have an L-shaped configuration with outer surfaces coextensive with corresponding outer surface of tapered side walls of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 13 , wherein when the feet of the container receive the raised corners of a lid of an adjacent container, when the lid of the adjacent container is positioned beneath the one container in a stacked configuration, an air gap is formed between the bottom surface of the container and a top surface of the lid of the adjacent container. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein when a plurality of containers are arranged in a stacked and side-by-side arrangement, a plurality of air gaps are formed between adjacent containers along the tapered sides of the containers. 
     
     
         16 . The container assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a semipermeable sheet of material disposed over the recess and sealed to the top surface of the lid around a perimeter of the recess, wherein the semipermeable sheet of material limiting passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide while allowing water vapor to pass through the semipermeable sheet of material.