Patent Application
20080014383
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
In general, the invention comprises packaging which is particularly suited for storing and transporting fresh foodstuffs, such as fruits and vegetables. The packaging comprises a re-sealable, atmosphere-controlled container. Preferably, the container is comprised of at least two mating portions which are essentially gas impermeable, with at least one of the mating portions having an associated atmosphere control member.
One embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
In one embodiment, the container 20 is generally rectangular in peripheral shape. The container 20 may have a variety of shapes, however, such as oval, square, round, triangular or even irregular. Generally, the shape of the container 20 is dictated by the shapes of the top and bottom portions 22,24 thereof.
As indicated, the bottom portion 24 of the container 20 is preferably configured as a tray. The top portion 22 is configured as a cover having one or more compartments. In this configuration, foodstuffs are generally located in the compartments of the top portion 22 and retained or enclosed by the bottom portion 24. In use, the container 20 is generally oriented so that the bottom portion or tray 24 rests upon a support surface, while the top portion or cover 22 is located over and encloses the foodstuffs.
Referring to
The top portion 22 may have a variety of configurations. Generally, the top portion 22 is configured as a container for containing foodstuffs. The top portion 22 has a periphery or outer edge 32, an outside or top surface 34, and an inside or bottom surface 36. In one embodiment, the top portion 22 has a top with an outwardly extending (or downwardly extending, when the container is in its normal orientation) wall. As illustrated, the peripheral edge 32 extends outwardly beyond a “U” shaped trough 42. This trough 42 is configured to tightly engage upstanding wall of the bottom portion 24, thereby permitting the top and bottom portions 22,24 to engage one another in a press-fit locking arrangement, as described in more detail below.
Still referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the top and bottom portions 22,24 are preferably constructed of a generally gas or air-impermeable material. Preferably, by “air-impermeable” it is meant that atmospheric gas at normal room pressures does not readily pass through the top and bottom portions 22,24. For example, the top and bottom portions 22,24 may be vacuum formed from a plastic material. So that the food stuffs may be viewed by a consumer, the top portion 22 may be constructed of a generally clear or transparent material. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 24 is constructed of a generally opaque material, such as a black plastic. In this manner, the bottom portion 24 may be used as a serving tray.
Means are provided for selectively connecting the top and bottom portions 22,24 to form a closed container. More preferably, the means allow the top and bottom portions 22,24 to be connected in a manner which causes the container 20 to define a generally sealed interior space (i.e. generally atmospherically sealed or controlled). Most preferably, the means for connecting allows the top and bottom portions 22,24 to be selectively connected and disconnected, meaning that the container 20 can be opened and closed, as desired.
In one embodiment, the top and bottom portions 22,24 are connectable by mating first and second locking or sealing members. As described above and illustrated in
As indicated above, the top portion 22 includes a mating trough or tongue 42. The trough or tongue 42 is preferably defined at the bottom of the top portion 22, near the periphery 32 thereof. The trough 42 and wall 40 are configured to mate, and as such, the trough 42 is located in a position on the top portion 22 which corresponds to the location of the wall 40 of the bottom portion 24.
In a preferred embodiment, the trough 42 is sized and shaped to fit tightly against the wall 40. When the wall 40 is continuous, the trough 42 is preferably continuous. As illustrated, an outside surface of the trough 42 is configured as a wall portion with the same slope and shape as the wall 40. Preferably, that portion of the trough 42 is movable relative to the remaining portion of the top portion 22 (will flex inwardly towards the portion of the top separated therefrom by the trough), so that the wall portion will spring fit or compress into engagement with the wall 40. In this manner, the top portion 22 may be press-fitted tightly into engagement with the bottom portion 24.
The container 20 also includes means for controlling the atmosphere therein. When the top and bottom portions 22,24 are connected, they define a generally closed, sealed interior space. In other words, the atmosphere within the container 20 does not interact with the atmosphere outside of the container, owing to the generally atmosphere impermeable nature of the top and bottom portions 22,24 and their sealing connection. Preferably, however, the container 20 includes a means for controlling exchange of gases between the interior and exterior of the container 20.
As illustrated in
Referring to FIGS. 2,3 and 5, the container 20 defines an opening 46. In one embodiment, the opening 46 is located in the top portion 22. The atmosphere control member 44 is associated with the opening 46, preferably by being located over the opening, to selectively control the passage of gases through the opening 46.
In one embodiment, the atmosphere control member 44 is a microporous film made from polyolefin polymers such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The member 44 is generally planar and is dimensionally larger than the opening 46, whereby at least a portion of the member 44 extends beyond the opening around the periphery thereof. The member 44 may be sealed to the top portion 22, such as with a pressure sensitive adhesive that is applied to the periphery of the atmosphere control member 44.
The size and shape of the member 44 (and thus associated opening 46) may vary. The size of the member 44 and associated opening 46 may vary, at least in part, by the size of the container 20 (or the interior space), the types of foodstuffs to be stored, or other factors. The number of members 44 may also, or instead, be varied depending upon such factors.
For convenience, the member 44 may be located at the outside or top 34 of the top portion 22. Preferably, the member 44 is inset from the very top of the top portion 22, whereby if the containers 20 are stacked or if other items are placed on the container 20, the member 44 is not blocked. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the member 44 is located at an inset portion 48 of the top of the top portion 22. The inset portion 48 may comprise a slightly recessed area of one of the compartments 38. One or more raised areas 50 at least partially surround the inset portion 48.
The depth of the inset portion 48 relative to the raised areas 50 may vary. The depth need not be particularly great, but only sufficient to prevent a container or other object from resting directly on the member 44 and preventing or obstructing the flow of gases therethrough. Preferably, the inset portion 48 is relatively small, so that the raised areas 50 will support a portion of another container 50 or other object without that portion or object fitting within the inset portion 48 (i.e. the raised areas 50 generally prevent a portion of a container or other object from resting upon the member 44).
To allow gases to flow to and from the inset area 48, one or more slots 52 or other passageways may be defined through or between the raised areas 50. In this manner, if a container 20 or other object is resting upon the raised areas 50, that container or object not only does not contact the member 44, but does not occlude the inset area 48 from the atmosphere around the container 20.
In a preferred embodiment, a packaging label 54, such as containing consumer information, is located over the inset area 48, and thus the member 44, thus obscuring the member 44 from view, but not preventing its operation. In the embodiment illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the container 20 may have a variety of other configurations which provide for one or more atmosphere control members 44, but which ensure the proper operation thereof.
Use of the container 20 will now be described. As indicated, in a preferred embodiment, the top portion 22 defines one or more compartments 38. As such, the top portion 22 is inverted (so that the inside surface 36 is facing upwardly) and loaded with foodstuffs. Different foodstuffs may be loaded into the various compartments, as desired.
Once filled, the bottom portion 24 is inverted and placed over the top portion 22 and the foodstuffs (i.e. the bottom portion 24 is oriented so that its inside surface 26 faces the top portion 22 and the foodstuffs). The top and bottom portions 22,24 are preferably connected to one another. In one embodiment, this comprises engaging the connecting or sealing means, such as by pressing the trough 42 of the top portion 22 into engagement with the wall 40 of the base portion 24.
The container 20 may then be inverted so that it rests upon the bottom portion 24 and so that the foodstuffs are viewable through the top portion 22. If not already applied, a packaging label 54 may be affixed to the container 20 over the atmosphere control member(s) 44.
If desired, a seal may be associated with the container 20 to provide an indication to the consumer that the container 20 has not been opened prior to purchase. For example, a sealing member, such as a shrink or stretch band, may be located around the edge of the container 20 where the peripheral portions 30,32 of the top and bottom portions 22,24 are located adjacent one another (see
Once the top and bottom portions 22,24 are connected, the interior of the container is generally sealed. However, the atmosphere control member 44 selectively allows gas to exchange between the interior and exterior of the container 20. In this manner, the atmosphere inside the container 20 is controlled. This ensures that the foodstuffs remain fresh.
Upon purchase by a consumer, the consumer may open the container 20. The consumer may utilize the bottom portion 24 as a tray. Advantageously, a consumer may reseal the container 20. In particular, the consumer may seal the top and bottom portions 22,24 back together, thus again sealing the interior space of the container and the foodstuffs therein. At that time, the atmosphere control member 44 again regulates the flow of gases between the exterior and interior of the container 20 to prolong the freshness of the foodstuffs during subsequent storage.
The container of the invention may have a variety of other configurations. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the container may be relatively deep and the top may be shallow, so that the foodstuffs are filled into the bottom portion. In this configuration, the lid could be generally flat (except for preferably including an inset area or areas for the atmosphere control member(s)).
The top and bottom portions may connect one another in other fashions. For example, the top and bottom portions might engage one another in a tongue and groove configuration.
It is possible for the container to include more than one atmosphere control member and those members may be located on the cover or elsewhere (such as on the tray).
The container of the invention has numerous advantages. First, the container is simple in construction. The container can be sealed merely by connecting the top and bottom portions, and without the need for a sealing sheet.
The interior of the container is atmosphere controlled. Once closed, the interior is isolated from the exterior, except via the atmosphere control member(s). This promotes foodstuff freshness.
In addition, once opened, the container can again be closed and sealed. In this manner, the consumer can access the foodstuffs, store unused foodstuffs in the same container, and re-access the unused foodstuffs in the future. When the foodstuffs are re-stored, their freshness is extended because the foodstuffs are again located in an atmosphere controlled interior space.
Because the one or more atmosphere control members are located in an inset area, the containers may be stacked upon one another or other items may be placed on the container without interfering with the operation of the atmosphere control member.
The atmosphere control member is preferably associated with the container itself, so that it is positioned between the interior and exterior and is thus the sole control there between. This ensures that the flow of gases is not prohibited.
A packaging label may be located over the atmosphere control member(s) so that they are not visible, without interfering with their operation.
It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
