Patent Application
20070056980
The present invention relates to an improved method and produce packaging configuration enabling the improved packing, cooling, storage, and shipping of produce. More particularly, the present invention improves a flow of cooling air through a container system (comprising vented produce containers aligned in vented holding trays) and increases the packaging density of pallets.
Many produce products are harvested and packed in the field into containers which are ultimately purchased by the end consumer. Examples of such produce items include, but are not limited to, tomatoes, berries (including, but not limited to raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and so on), grapes, mushrooms, radishes and broccoli florets. Many of these produce items require substantial post-harvest cooling in order to enable shipping over long distances and to prolong shelf life. Additionally, increased fuel costs make high packing densities increasingly advantageous for reasons to be explained in greater detail below.
In use, a grower's harvesting crew harvests produce items of the type previously discussed directly from the plant in the field into the container. The containers are then loaded into trays, which contain a specific number of individual containers and the trays, when filled, are loaded onto pallets. The most common pallet used in the produce industry in the United States is the forty by forty-eight inch (40″×48″) wooden pallet, and the vast majority of produce handling, storage and shipping equipment is designed around pallets of this size.
After the pallets have been filled and loaded in the field, they are transported to shippers who perform a variety of post-harvest processes to enhance the marketability of the produce itself. For many types of produce, including berries, a significant packing evolution is the post-harvest cooling of the packed fruit. Indeed, berry shippers are often referred to as “coolers”. The process of cooling berries typically includes injecting a stream of cooling air into one side of a tray and thence through the individual baskets and around the berries stored therein. As the air cools the berries, it picks up heat which is exhausted from apertures on the opposite side of the tray.
In one common usage the produce is loaded into a one pound (1 lb.) container. Almost exclusively, eight (8) one pound baskets are loaded into a packaging tray. Such a configuration has existed since the introduction of the clear plastic packaging basket. All freight, storage, and sales pricing is calculated with this configuration in mind. Thus, in the industry there is considerable inertia and history behind this eight to a tray packing configuration.
Once trays are loaded commonly used packaging configuration are used. One such is referred to in the industry as the so-called “five-down” packaging configuration. It is referred to a five down package because at each layer of a pallet five “trays” are stacked. Each of the “trays” is loaded with produce containers filled with produce. In some approaches each of the trays has many vents all over each side of the tray or no vents at all. In such cases the prior art has not paid much attention to vent placement. The point of this prior philosophy being that more vents is better. Alternatively, in many systems no tray vents at all are used.
Importantly, none of the prior art technologies paid any attention to the cooling, packing, or shipping efficiencies of the various configurations. In particular, no attention was paid to integrating the tray vents with vents in the produce containers (in those cases where the produce containers actually had vents). No attention was given to the idea of specifically sized and shaped containers or to placed in the containers and trays in a specific alignment to maximize produce cooling or to maximize pallet content.
These same defects are known to be a problem with other pallet loading configurations. For example, pallet loading configuration such as a six-down system comprising six (6) trays per layer on the pallet. This implementation also employs an eight (8) one pound basket per tray loading configuration. Again, this means that 48 pounds of fruit are packed per layer on a standard 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. As currently employed, the current six down configuration suffers from sub-optimal tray and container packing. Neither the trays nor the containers shipped therein are fitted together properly. Thus, the package does not fully utilize the surface area of a 40″−48″ pallet. Therefore, current use packages and trays under-utilize the pallet. This frequently leads to still higher costs. This same problem is found to exist across all size ranges for produce shipping trays and containers.
The industry has been using trays loaded with eight one pound plastic containers per tray since the introduction of the modern plastic container by Sambrailo Packaging twenty years ago. There is significant resistance in the industry to any changes in packaging formats. This problem has prevented the industry from changing from the eight per tray format. All distributors, shippers, and manufacturers have relied upon containers particularly formatted to this eight container per tray.
What is needed is a packaging method and cooling configuration that can fully take advantage of the packing space available on a standard 40″×48″ pallet and also available using a standard footprint 16 inch by 20 inch tray and provide improved cooling performance over the prior art. Moreover, there is a need for an improved berry packing system which will significantly reduce the cooling time and cooling expense for the fruit contained in the baskets. To make such an improved system feasible, it must interface with commonly used and preferred facilities and apparatus (e.g., the previously discussed forty by forty eight inch pallets in current use in the grocery industry).
Accordingly, what is needed is a packaging configuration and approach that provides increased cooling performance and increased packing density using standard pallet formats.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an improved system and method for packaging, transporting, storing, and cooling produce are disclosed.
In general, the present invention is directed toward methods and produce packaging systems that improve cooling rates for harvested produce and increase packing density on a standard size pallet thereby increasing the per pallet produce volume.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a produce packaging and shipping system involving a produce packaging tray loaded with nine produce packaging containers. The tray having a venting arrangement with first and second cutouts arranged on opposite ends of the tray and also having an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. The nine containers each have a lid that is connected to a body with a hinge and securable using latches. When the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body with the slots being arranged at opposite ends of the container. Each container sized to hold about 1 lb of produce product. The container is configured with exterior width dimensions of in the range of about (4½-5½ inches) and exterior length dimensions of about (6-6¼ inches), and having a more vertical sidewall then current products. Accordingly, embodiments of the clamshell include substantially vertical sidewalls. The nine containers are arranged in the tray in three columns of three containers so that the ventilation slots of the containers of each row of containers are in alignment with the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers and through each of the containers by ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same row of containers. Additionally, the ventilation slots of the containers of each row are in alignment with the ventilation cutouts of passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray.
In another embodiment the invention describes a produce packing method. The method involves providing a produce packaging tray having an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. The tray including a venting arrangement having first and second cutouts positioned at opposite ends of the tray from each other. Nine produce packaging containers are provided. Each container having a lid connected to a body with a hinge and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container, with each container adapted to contain about 1 lb of produce product, each container having an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5 inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls. The method involving arranging the nine containers in the tray to form a packing layer comprising three columns of containers with each column having three containers positioned so that the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of containers are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers, and further arranging the containers so that the ventilation slots of the containers of each column of containers are in substantial alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays. This arranging enables airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers of the arrangement and through each of the containers of the arrangement by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a packing system configured to enhance cooling properties and increase packing density. The includes a produce packaging tray having a bottom and sidewalls with an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches and including a venting arrangement with a first cutout at a top portion of a first sidewall of the tray at a first end of the tray and a second cutout at a top of a second sidewall of the tray at a second end of the tray at the opposite end of the tray from the first cutout. The first and second cutouts are arranged to enable alignment with ventilation the slots of containers placed in the tray as a second layer of containers arranged on top of a first layer of containers. The tray further including intermediate height cutouts. The intermediate cutouts include a third cutout in the first sidewall arranged between the first cutout and the bottom of the tray, the height of the third cutout further arranged so that it can be aligned with ventilation slots of the first layer of containers placed in the tray. The intermediate cutouts also include a fourth cutout in the second sidewall between the second cutout and the bottom of the tray, the height of the fourth cutout arranged so that it can be aligned with ventilation slots of first layer of containers. The system further including a plurality of produce packaging containers adapted to contain about 8 oz. of produce product, with each container having an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5 inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls. Moreover, the container lids are connected to a body using hinges. The lids are capable of being secured in a closed position using latches and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots positioned at opposite ends of the container between the lid and body. The containers are arranged inside the tray as first layer of nine containers set on the bottom of the tray, arranged in three columns of containers with each column having three containers. The containers further arranged so that ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of the first layer are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers in the first layer. Also, wherein the ventilation slots of the containers of each column of containers in the first layer are in substantial alignment with the third and fourth cutouts of the trays. This enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the third cutout, into the ventilation openings of the containers of the first layer and through each of the containers of the first layer by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the fourth cutout at the opposite end of the tray. The second layer of containers comprising nine produce packaging containers arranged on top of the first layer in three columns of three containers per column. The containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the containers of each column of the second layer of containers are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers of the second layer and wherein the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of the second layer are in substantial alignment with the first and second cutouts of the trays. This enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout, into the ventilation openings of the containers of the second layer and through each of the containers of the second layer by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray.
In another system embodiment, the invention includes a produce packaging tray having a bottom and sidewalls and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. The tray includes a venting arrangement with a first cutout in a first sidewall at one end of the tray and a second cutout in a second sidewall at an opposite end of the tray from the first cutout. Six produce packaging containers are arranged in the tray. Each container adapted to hold about 2 lbs of produce and includes a lid that is connected to a body with a hinge and configured so that the closed container can be secured with latches. When the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body with the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container. The containers being arranged in the tray in two columns of containers with each column having three containers with each container having an exterior width dimension of about 5 inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of about 9 inches to about 10 inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls. The containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the containers are in alignment with ventilation slots of other containers in the tray and wherein the ventilation slots of the containers are in alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays. This enabling cooling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers and through each of the containers by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The following detailed description will be more readily understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is to be understood that in the drawings like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Also, it is understood that the depictions in the Figures are not necessarily to scale.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain embodiments and specific features thereof. The embodiments describe here are to be taken as illustrative rather than limiting. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Generally, the principles of the invention encompass packaging and cooling methods and systems designed to improve cooling efficiencies, reduce damage to the contents of containers, and increase product packing density. A system of the present invention incorporates baskets loaded into trays and trays loaded in preferred configurations on a pallet. The trays are loaded with baskets arranged in the tray so that ventilation slots and/or channels of the baskets are aligned with tray ventilation features.
In one particularly advantageous implementation, the inventors contemplate that a tray having an approximate dimension of 16 inches by 20 inches can be loaded with nine (9) produce containers, each containing one pound of produce product. In related approaches, a double-layered tray can be loaded with two layers of nine (9) produce containers (per layer) with a top layer of nine containers placed on top of a similar bottom layer of nine containers. In this approach the containers are eight (8) ounce (oz.) or one pint (pt.) containers. Additionally, the inventors contemplated that six (6) two pound (2 lb.) containers can be loaded into a tray with an approximate 16 inch by 20 inch footprint. Such 16 inch by 20 inch trays can be loaded six trays to a pallet layer and loaded as high as 17 to 20 pallet layers high. In an additional implementation, six (6) trays can be loaded onto the standard pallet in a 2 by 3 configuration.
It must be pointed out that these configurations currently face significant resistance from the agricultural and grocery industries which are invested in older less efficient approaches and technologies.
Additionally, the inventive containers, trays, and packaging arrangements are arranged so that the tray ventilation features are in alignment with ventilation features of other trays of the same layer. Also, the ventilation features of the trays are aligned with the ventilation features of the containers held within the trays. As will be discussed below, these configurations are contrary to many established trends and practices in the industry. However, even so, they provide a number of cost advantages and surprising cooling advantages relative to the known standard packaging configurations.
One typical embodiment comprises a “1 pound” container for holding one pound of produce product. Such a container typically has an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5 inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and stands about 3½ to about 4½ inches tall. Importantly, the sidewalls of the container are substantially vertical. This means that the angle φ of the sidewalls from the horizontal is in the range of about 87-90° (degrees). This is steeper than the sidewalls of commonly used containers that use sloped sidewalls with an angle of on the order of 84° or less (i.e., a greater slope). This small change to a more upright container with substantially vertical sidewalls (that is to say about 2-3° cant off of 90° instead of the common sloped sidewall of 6° or more cant off of 90°) alters the size of the container just enough to enable nine 1 lb containers to be fitted into each tray. This increased density format translates into a 12-14% increase in the amount of produce that can be packed in each tray. Accordingly, this translates into a significant increase in the amount of produce that can be loaded onto each pallet. Given the steady increases in fuel prices, this increased product packing density represents a significant cost savings. When coupled with the increased cooling efficiencies inherent in this patented technology, this invention represents a significant step forward in terms of cost savings and cooling efficiency.
Referring back to
Also, the depicted embodiment is shown with a ventilation slot 14a that passes through the hinge 13 and an opposing ventilation slot 14b in the front face of the container opposite the hinge. This hinge vent slot 14a enables directional ventilation flow through the top portion of the container. Slots 14a and 14b enable a cross flow that is transverse to the flow enabled by slots 15. In a related embodiment, vent slot 14a can comprise several vents through the hinge which still accomplishing the purposes of the invention. Alternatively, the slots 14a and 14b need not be used at all. They are shown here for completeness.
The inventors point out that the lid 12 of the container 20 is secured to the body 11 using a number of latching mechanisms. Such latches 19 are generally releasable, enabling a consumer to easily access the produce closed inside. Here in the depicted embodiment, four “edge catch” latches are used to secure the lid in a closed configuration. However, numerous other latching mechanisms can be employed to secure the lid, these include, but are specifically not limited to, edge catches, button catches, snaps, hook-and-loop closures, and other closure methodologies well-known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the term “latch” as used herein may further comprise alternative lid closure methodologies known to those having ordinary skill in the art including shrinkwrap banding the lid to the body, and the use of elastic bands or adhesive tapes to perform this latching function.
The inventors also specifically point out that instead of venting through the hinge or even at the interface between the lid and body, the vents can be located in the sidewalls of the lid to facilitate cooling flow through the container. Additionally, the inventors specifically contemplate “flat-bottomed” containers that have flat bottoms without the arched bottoms of the containers depicted in, for example,
This depiction provides a good view of an embodiment having substantially vertical sidewalls 11s. Again, substantially vertical sidewalls 11s mean that the angle φ of the sidewalls 11s from the horizontal is in on the order of about 87-90° (degrees) providing a cant of about 2-3° cant off of 90° instead of the more standard 6° of more cant off or 90°. When each of the four sidewalls are substantially vertical, the maximum packing density can be obtained. The closed lid 12 defines a ventilation slot 15 between the lid 12 and basket body 11 enabling a cooling airflow to enter the container 20. The airflow exits through a matching ventilation slot (not shown in this view) at the opposite of the container 20. In some embodiments vents 14a can be made in the hinge 13. The arched bottom 16 that defines a ventilation channel under the container 20 is well shown in this view. Additionally, more than one channel can be formed under a side of the container. Moreover, arched bottoms can be formed in a bottom portion of an adjacent wall 17 of the container to facilitate ventilating cross flow. Alternatively, feet or protrusions can be added to the bottom of some embodiments to enable a cooling cross flow of air to pass underneath the container in more than one direction. Such issues are addressed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,263 which was previously incorporated by reference for all purposes. Moreover, similar issues are addressed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/302,059, filed Nov. 21, 2002, entitled: “Produce Packaging System Having Produce Containers with Double Arched Bottom Ventilation Channels” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/177,107, filed Jul. 7, 2005, entitled: “Produce Packaging System Having Produce Containers with Double Arched Bottom Ventilation Channels” both incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Also, the depicted embodiment is shown with a ventilation slot 14a that passes through the hinge 13 and an opposing ventilation slot 14b in the front face of the container opposite the hinge. This hinge vent slot 14a enables directional ventilation flow through the top portion of the container. Slots 14a and 14b enable a cross flow that is transverse to the flow enabled by slots 15. In a related embodiment, vent slot 14a can comprise several vents through the hinge which still accomplishing the purposes of the invention. Alternatively, the slots 14a and 14b need not be used at all. They are shown here for completeness.
Still referring to
The inventive system and packaging method enables high packing density and superior cooling performance achieved by a specially designed family of produce containers (“clamshells”) having particularly positioned and shaped ventilation slots optionally coupled (and optionally, particularly positioned and shaped ventilation channels) integrated with specifically mated ventilation features of a tray, further integrated with an aligned tray loading configuration arranged on each layer of a shipping pallet.
Again referencing
The depicted containers 20 can be formed of a number of different materials, however, clear plastic container is preferred. The depicted embodiment is a vacuum formed one piece plastic structure with hinged lid. The inventors point out that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to alternative materials and manufacturing technologies. In one embodiment of the present invention, the basket is formed of Kodapak® PET Copolyester 9921, available from Eastman Kodak. Alternative materials include, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes; metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood and combinations of the foregoing. Alternative manufacturing technologies include, but are again not limited to thermocasting, thermoforming; casting, including die-casting; thermosetting; extrusion; sintering; lamination; the use of built-up structures and other processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Commonly, the lid is secured to the basket body using a latch mechanism. As described previously, many different latching mechanisms can be employed and moreover, the term “latch” as used herein may further comprise alternative lid closure methodologies known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
With continued reference to
The inventors point out that while some embodiments make use of lower ventilation openings 33 that are in alignment with the ventilation channels 16 and upper ventilation openings 31 are provided to enable air to flow into and through the containers 20, other embodiments can be employed using trays having only upper ventilation openings or only lower ventilation openings 33 depending on the need, requirements, and desires of the end user.
While the preceding discussion regarding a first set of embodiments has centered on a one piece basket incorporating the basket body and lid joined by a hinge, it will be immediately apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles of the present invention may with equal facility be embodied in a two piece implementation utilizing a separate body and lid. This embodiment is specifically contemplated by the teachings of the present invention.
Additionally, continued research into produce cooling has shown that some produce type/quantity combinations require different velocities of cooling air to achieve optimal cooling. This can be attained by altering the size of slots 15. For example, in some implementations, the vertical extent of slot 15 can be substantially increased upwardly or downwardly from the embodiment shown in
The inventors point out that the embodiments can be formed of cut and folded corrugated cardboard formed in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. One such corrugated cardboard is Georgia-Pacific USP120-USP 85-USP120, although any number of packaging materials well known to those of ordinary skill in the art could, with equal facility, be used. Such alternative materials include, but are not limited to various cardboards, pressboards, flakeboards, fiberboards, plastics, metals and metal foils. Alternatively or additionally, tray embodiments using additives, coatings, and/or liners are contemplated by the inventors. For example, wax treated papers, or plastic coated trays can be used and are well within the contemplated inventive aspects of the invention. In some embodiments of a tray, it may further be advantageous to incorporate a gluing, adhesive or fastening step in fabrication of the tray, again in accordance with generally accepted practices in container design and fabrication.
When smaller sized trays are employed with the present invention, a lighter grade of corrugated board can be used for their manufacture than are trays required to support the greater weight and greater area of larger baskets. This lighter weight not only minimizes shipping costs, but can significantly reduce packaging costs for the shipper, again lowering consumer costs. The principles of the present invention may be implemented using alternative tray materials including, but are not limited to various polymeric and monomeric plastics again including but not limited to styrenes, polyethylenes including HDPE and LPDE, polyesters and polyurethanes; metals and foils thereof; paper products including chipboard, pressboard, and flakeboard; wood; wire; and combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, materials such as polyvinyl alcohols and poly lactic acid can be employed as tray materials.
Additionally, basket embodiments have been previously discussed that enable bidirectional cooling. As previously explained, some embodiments feature ventilation slots on the hinge and face sides of the basket instead of just the sides as shown in
Having reference now to
The present inventive system enables nine (9) one pound strawberry baskets, a maximum of 54 pounds of fruit may thus be loaded in each layer of a pallet.
In contrast, in one embodiment of the present invention the baskets are configured to receive one pound of strawberries and are sized in a range of approximately 4½-5½ inches to about 6-6¾ inches with a height in the range of about 3-4½ inches. In one example, a container of about 5¼ inches by 6¼ inches by 3½ inches high, when closed, is used. The substantially, vertical walls enable a container of this size to hold the required 1 lb of produce (e.g., strawberries). The associated inventive tray has an external dimension of about 16″×20″ with an interior dimension sized at approximately 14½-15¼ inches×18½-19¾″. This size enhances the volume of produce containable in a standard footprint pallet. In another implementation having tighter size range a clamshell of approximately 4½-5½ inches to about 6-6½ inches with a height in the range of about 3-3½ inches can also be used. This change in footprint means that each layer on the previously described pallet can have 54 pounds of produce per layer. This translates into 972 lbs per pallet versus 864 lbs per pallet for the prior art packing methods. This translates into a 12.5 percent increase in fruit volume per pallet. Since shipping and cooling fees are charged on a per pallet basis, the merchant is not paying for wasted shipping volume and his shipping costs are thereby reduced, which can result in further savings to the consumer.
In another embodiment, the one pound of strawberries are arranged in an associated tray of the present invention that is sized and configured to accommodate two layers of baskets for each tray. Again, five or six such trays can be loaded on to a pallet layer. This can facilitate a loading of 1080 baskets per pallet and still maintain a 75″ height limit. This translates into a 25 percent increase in fruit volume per pallet. Since fees are charged on a per pallet basis, the merchant is not paying for wasted shipping volume and his shipping costs are thereby reduced, which can result in further savings to the consumer. In one representative example, the freight saved for California strawberry production alone (about 135 million trays of strawberries) could be as high as $65 million, including gas consumption. With the ever rising costs of fuel these numbers could actually be higher at the time of publication of this patent.
With continuing reference to
Of particular note to such an implementation is the presence of a number of ventilation features 54 in the tray 51. These ventilation features can include top cutouts 54t which are arranged on opposite ends of the tray 51 and arranged in alignment with the vent slots 53v of the containers to enable airflow to pass through the containers of a tray and then out the backside where it again passes through the containers of other trays in an effective cooling flow until it exits out the backside of the pallet. As previously described, the trays may include bottom cutouts 54b near the bottom of the trays (also being arranged on opposite ends of the tray 51) and arranged in alignment with the channels at the bottom of the containers of the lower layer in the tray (not shown in this view). Similar cooling airflow properties are engendered by this configuration.
Additionally, in a two layer stacked container arrangement, intermediate height cutouts 54i can be defined in the sidewalls between the first cutout 54t and the bottom of the tray. The intermediate height cutouts 54i are arranged at a height sufficient to enable alignment with ventilation slots of the containers of the first layer containers (i.e., the ones placed at the bottom of the tray and obscured from view). These intermediate height cutouts 54i are arranged in alignment with the vent slots 53v of the bottom layer of containers to enable airflow to pass through the containers of a tray and then out the backside where it again passes through the containers of other trays in an effective cooling flow until it exits out the backside of the pallet. Additionally, if desired the intermediate height cutouts 54i can be enlarged so that airflow through the cutout 54i passes through ventilation channels of the second layer of containers (stacked on the first layer) or alternatively another cutout can be used to accomplish this purpose.
A bi-directional embodiment is briefly described with respect to
The inventors point out that good temperature management involves rapid cooling and maintenance of low fruit temperature. In fact, this has been shown to be the single most important factor in fruit deterioration. This is especially the case for delicate fruit like strawberries, etc. Quick cooling and keeping the pulp temperature low maximize the postharvest life of the fruit.
It is important to cool the fruit as soon as possible after harvesting in order to maintain a maximum post harvest life. Removing the post harvest “field heat” as quickly as possible has proven to be a difficult yet critically important factor in fruit longevity. Additionally, quick cooling reduces produce moisture loss, inhibits the growth and spread of microorganisms, and increases the fruits robustness when subject to bruising and other injuries.
As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art many factors impact berry cooling rate. And it has been determined that keeping berry temperatures near 34° F. (1° C.) is an important factor in berry longevity. An increase of temperature of 10° C. (i.e., from 34° F. to 50° F.) results in a rate of deterioration that is 2-4 times greater than that of berries kept at 34° F. For every hour that a berry is exposed to room temperature, the shelf life is significantly reduced. However, by quickly cooling the berries using pre-cooling and proper storage the shelf life of strawberries can be extended beyond one week. These nine container trays are compact may increase cooling efficiencies.
As described above, the standard pallet is confined to 864 pounds of fruit per pallet versus 1080 pounds (or 972 lbs. depending on configuration) per pallet for the inventive system. This of can add a further 25% to the value of each pallet, which can result in a further $216.00 in increased economic value per pallet. Moreover, when coupled with the advantages of the smooth wall baskets (which lead to less bruising and loss of fruit) a further 7% reduction in fruit damage losses can be obtained. Thus, the system and its unique packing arrangement enables a substantial and unexpected increase in the amount of salable fruit provided to the end user. Additionally, higher packing densities decrease per pallet costs in shipping and cooling. This results in a substantial savings to the grower, merchant, and consumer.
Once the trays are loaded by layers onto a pallet using the inventive system. Several identically oriented layers of trays are stacked on top to fill out each pallet. Various embodiments can be loaded onto the pallet in layers as high as 20 layers high (although more commonly 17 or 18 layers will be used). These pallets are then loaded into a cooler and refrigerated to the desired temperature (usually near 32° F.) where they remain till shipped.
The preceding discussion of an embodiment of the present invention has focused on one specific berry package design. It will be immediately obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles set forth herein are also applicable to a wide range of produce package sizes and utilizations. By way of illustration but not limitation, the present invention specifically contemplates the forming of 1 pint (also sometimes referred to as 8.8 oz., 8 oz., or 250 g.) and ½ pint (also sometimes referred to as 6 oz. or 125 g.) berry baskets, as well as a vast array of different sized baskets configured to receive therein specific produce shapes, types and counts. An example of the latter is the “long stem pack” used in the berry industry for shipping specific package counts of large, premium berries. Furthermore, while the discussion of the principles set forth herein has centered on packages for the berry industry, it is recognized that these principles may be applied with equal facility to the packaging of a broad range of materials including other foodstuffs or any item that would benefit from the advantages set forth herein. Such applications are specifically contemplated. These principles include the use of a family of trays, having fixed “footprints” or lengths and widths, but with whose heights are varied to accommodate baskets having different heights and/or counts per tray. By maintaining the footprint at a constant value, the advantages of minimizing lateral movement between individual trays and between layers of trays are attained because the trays of one layer interlock with the layer of trays above or below it. This is true even where adjacent tray layers contain significantly differing sizes of baskets, holding the same or different produce items.
Where the tray is designed to receive one pound strawberry baskets as previously discussed, the height of the tray varies between about 3½ inches to about 4½ inches. Where other berries, or indeed other produce products are shipped, the length and width of the tray do not change, but remain at the previously defined optimal size. Changes in tray volume necessary to accommodate differing numbers and volumes of baskets are accommodated by altering the height of the tray. In similar fashion, the baskets are designed for a nine basket per tray implementation.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims. In particular, the use of alternative basket forming technologies, tray forming technologies, basket and tray materials and specifications, basket shapes and sizes to conform to differing produce requirements, and vent configurations are all contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and specific features thereof. However, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to describe the principles of the invention, not limit its scope. Therefore, as is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Other embodiments and variations to the depicted embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Although only a few specific configurations are expressly disclosed herein, it should be appreciated by anyone having ordinary skill in the art that, using the teachings disclosed herein, many different packaging configurations can be implemented and still fall within the scope of the claims. Further, reference in the claims to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly stated, but rather, “one or more”. Furthermore, the embodiments illustratively disclosed herein can be practiced without any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
This application is a Continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 11/481,537, filed Jul. 5, 2006, which is in turn a divisional co-pending of prior application Ser. No.: 10/017,893, filed Dec. 12, 2001, and allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,788, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/590,631, filed Jun. 8, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/060,453 filed Apr. 14, 1998 and allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,676, issued on Jun. 13, 2000, and which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/060,453 filed Apr. 14, 1998 and allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,676, issued on Jun. 13, 2000, both of which are continuation-in-part applications from U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,890 issued on Apr. 14, 1998 (and filed on Jan. 24, 1996). This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/818,929 of the same name filed Jul. 5, 2006. This application also claims priority to prior application Ser. No. 11/474,096, filed Jun. 22, 2006, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No.: 10/017,893, filed Dec. 12, 2001, and allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,788 (as indicated above), which is in turn a continuation-in-part of co-pending. Accordingly, this patent hereby claims priority from all of the foregoing issued patents and patent applications under 35 U.S.C. §120.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60818929 | Jul 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10017893 | Dec 2001 | US |
| Child | 11481537 | Jul 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09060453 | Apr 1998 | US |
| Child | 09590631 | Jun 2000 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11481537 | Jul 2006 | US |
| Child | 11581064 | Oct 2006 | US |
| Parent | 09590631 | Jun 2000 | US |
| Child | 10017893 | Dec 2001 | US |
| Parent | 08591000 | Jan 1996 | US |
| Child | 09060453 | Apr 1998 | US |
