Ventilated container for produce

Abstract

A ventilated container for produce includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. The sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. A plastic film can be applied over the top of the container and is adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container, aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. Moreover, an aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising:
 a bottom;   at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, the sidewall being oriented substantially along a first plane, the bottom and the sidewall defining at least a portion of a cavity for holding the produce therein; and   a rim proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall, the rim being substantially uninterrupted along a portion thereof;   wherein the upper portion of the sidewall includes a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim, the first surface extending substantially along a second plane, the second plane being transverse to the first plane, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim, the aperture having an elongated shape, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity, the aperture being proximate to the rim providing an exit near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface is oriented away from the bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface is disposed inwardly relative to an inner edge portion of the rim. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is positioned below the upper surface of the rim. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is an oval. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is an oblong. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is at least in part curved. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is quarter moon-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface includes a single aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is approximately 1 inch (25.4 mm) long and approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) wide. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a first sidewall portion and second sidewall portion and wherein the container includes at least one opening in a corner formed at the juncture of at least the first sidewall portion and the second side wall portion. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the indentation has a curved portion extending inwardly of the sidewall, the curved portion includes soft geometrical edges configured to limit potential damage to the produce within the container. 
     
     
         13 . A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising:
 a bottom;   at least a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, the bottom and the sidewall defining at least a portion of a cavity for holding the produce therein; and   a rim proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall, the rim including an upper surface, the rim being substantially uninterrupted along a portion thereof;   wherein the upper portion of the sidewall includes a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim, the first surface extending substantially along a plane, the plane being transverse to a portion of the sidewall, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim, the aperture being at least in part polygon-shaped, the aperture having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity, the aperture being proximate to the rim providing an exit for near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface is oriented away from the bottom. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the first is disposed inwardly relative to an inner edge portion of the rim. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the first surface is positioned below the upper surface of the rim. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the aperture is a quadrilateral. 
     
     
         18 . A container for holding produce with ventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within the container, the container comprising:
 a bottom;   at least a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, the bottom and the sidewall defining a cavity for holding the produce therein; and   a rim proximate to an upper portion of the sidewall,   wherein the upper portion of the sidewall includes a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim, the first surface protruding into the cavity, the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rim, the aperture being at least in part curved, the aperture having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the aperture permitting fluid communication between an exterior of the container and the cavity, the aperture being proximate to the rim providing an exit near a top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produce held in the container.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the rim includes a complete perimeter of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface is oriented away from the bottom.