초록 ▼

A stackable, atmospheric controlled container is provided having upper and lower members that are hermetically sealed together for containing perishables therein. Inlet and outlet valves are provided for allowing the interior of the container to be provided with gases or combinations of gases to ret

A stackable, atmospheric controlled container is provided having upper and lower members that are hermetically sealed together for containing perishables therein. Inlet and outlet valves are provided for allowing the interior of the container to be provided with gases or combinations of gases to retard the spoilage process for food products and extend the shelf life of perishables several times over their normal life. The valves allow the container interior to be pressurized, purged of oxygen, and/or maintained at vacuum condition. The present containers can be used for storage and transportation of perishable food and other items as well as delicate non-perishables such as electronic components. The ability to control the interior atmosphere such as by purging it of oxygen is advantageous in that it inhibits the buildup of corrosion on electronic parts and equipment. A resilient member preferably is provided in the interior of the container to keep the atmosphere or gases therein within a desired pressure range. The resilient member responds to pressure changes in the container interior by flexing to either increase the volume so that pressure gains are minimized or alternatively, by decreasing the volume so that interior pressure losses are minimized.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A stackable, atmospheric controlled container comprising:a main lower housing member having a bottom and walls upstanding therefrom for containing perishables and other atmosphere sensitive items;an upper housing member for being removably seated on top of the upstanding walls and

[ We claim:] [1.] A stackable, atmospheric controlled container comprising:a main lower housing member having a bottom and walls upstanding therefrom for containing perishables and other atmosphere sensitive items;an upper housing member for being removably seated on top of the upstanding walls and cooperating with the lower housing member to form an interior container space in which perishable items are sealed for storage and transportation;a groove and resilient seal of the lower and upper housing members which cooperate to hermetically seal the container interior space from the exterior environment when the upper member is seated on the upstanding walls;latch portions of the container members for being engaged and releaseably locking the upper member on the lower member with the seal tightly received in the groove by a compression fit;an inlet valve of the container which provides communication between the interior space and exterior of the sealed container to allow selected gases to be introduced into the container interior space;an outlet valve of the container which provides communication between the interior space and exterior of the sealed container to control pressure in the interior space and to exhaust gas from the space for being replaced with a different gas; andstacking members formed on the upper and lower housing members for allowing a plurality of containers to be securely stacked and maintaining spaces between stacked containers for air flow therebetween to assist in keeping the container interior space at temperatures that minimize damage to the items sealed in the container for storage and transportation.