AU2005229681A1 - A Container for Bananas - Google Patents

Description

o A Container for Bananas ci o Field of the Invention.

z This invention is directed to a container for bananas and particularly to a container where bananas can be packed into the container at the harvest site and displayed at

OO

0the retail outlet supermarkets for fruit and vegetable shop) without needing to be repacked or ci Ci 10 unpacked.

0 ci Background Art.

Bananas fall in to a special category of fruit in that the bananas are quite susceptible to bruising, and if the bananas are bruised, they brown and become quite unsightly and therefore no longer suitable for retail sale.

Therefore, there have been significant developments in the banana harvesting industry to ensure that when bananas are harvested, they do not become bruised and therefore unsuitable for retail sale.

Another peculiarity to bananas (and a few other fruit) is that the bananas are harvested in the green (unripe or semi ripe) stage and are then ripened either naturally or artificially during transportation to the retail outlets.

The ripening process during transportation is advantageous as harvesting green bananas results in less bruising.

To ripen bananas either naturally or artificially (artificial ripening including the use of a ripening gas), it is necessary to ensure that the bananas are in contact with air (for natural ripening) or the ripening gas.

o For this reason, it is known to pack unripe or semi ripe ci bananas into cardboard boxes which have ventilation o openings, to stack the boxes into a transportation Z vehicle for transportation and possibly some storage, to S 5 enable the bananas to ripen during transportation/storage. These boxes are quite large and can hold many bunches of bananas (typically between

OO

ND 100 bananas). However, a disadvantage with the system is p that the bananas need to the unpacked prior to retail sale. As the bananas are now ripened, the unpacking and Cpositioning on retail shelves can result in bruising.

In respect of most retail outlets, bananas (and other fresh fruit and vegetables) are displayed in open trays.

Therefore, the bananas need to the unpacked from the cardboard box and then placed on the trays. Often, this is done quite roughly resulting many of the bananas becoming bruised. If one banana in a bunch is bruised, the consumer will be reluctant to purchase the entire bunch.

It is known to unpack bananas from a bulk box, and then to place the bananas in a smaller pack for retail display. The smaller pack will typically comprise a polystyrene tray containing the bananas and the bananas are covered in a plastic wrap. An advantage of this is that there is reduced likelihood of the bananas bruising during consumer handling as the consumer inspects and selects the desired bananas. A disadvantage is that the retail outlet is required to unpack the bananas and to repack the bananas in smaller trays which is timeconsuming, and the packing process of the ripened bananas makes the bananas susceptible to bruising.

It is also known to simply place the bananas or bunches of bananas into a plastic bag. However, this provides no protection to the bananas against bruising.

o Another disadvantage with wrapping bananas in plastic, or ci placing bananas in a plastic bag is that bananas do sweat o and this can result in an unsightly product which will not be purchased by the consumer.

oD There is no advantage in placing bananas in a polystyrene tray and wrapping the bananas in plastic at the point of 00 IND harvest, as the bananas will not ripen when sealed in plastic, or will not ripen properly.

ci i o There is generally no advantage in simply displaying 0 C bananas in the bulk box in which the bananas are transported. The reason for this is that the bulk box layers the bananas in the box. If the box is displayed, a consumer will typically rummage through the bananas and because the box is relatively small, this will result in increased bruising of the remaining bananas in the box.

It is known to hang the bananas on a device that looks similar to a "coat hangar". The bananas are hung on the coat hangar in a bunch. The coat hangar can be supported on a horizontal rod in an elevated position. The advantage of this arrangement is that the bananas can be hung above the ground and will not be bruised etc by being placed in a retail tray and handled by consumers.

A disadvantage with this arrangement, and a disadvantage generally, is that many consumers do not wish to buy a bunch of bananas, but instead wish to buy just a few bananas. Usually, the consumer will simply rip off the required number of bananas from the bunch and this can result in bruising of the remaining bananas, splitting of the banana peel, and the left over bunch is unsightly and it is unlikely that another consumer will purchase the left over bunch of bananas.

It is also known to display bananas on a rack that is similar to a shoe rack. The rack contains a lower o horizontal rail, and an upper horizontal rail which ci positioned above and behind the lower horizontal rail.

o The bananas can then be placed in the rack in a side-by- Z side relationship. A disadvantage with this arrangement S 5 is that the bananas still need to be unpacked from the bulk box and placed in the rack. The bananas can still be handled by multiple consumers. The rack does however 00 Io provide some protection to the bananas against bruising.

ci C 10 Another general disadvantage with the conventional Sdisplay of bananas in a retail outlet is that many C consumers do not particularly like purchasing fruit and especially soft skin fruit such as bananas if the consumer is of the opinion that the fruit has been handled by many other people.

Another general disadvantage with transportation of bananas (and possibly other food products) is that unpacking the bananas from a transport box and placing in the retail outlet for sale results in the creation of a large number of empty transport boxes that need to be disposed of. Therefore, there would be an advantage if some form of system could be developed that did not result in empty boxes being left at the retail outlet.

Therefore, there is a need in the marketplace to provide a solution to at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Vq3 o Object of the Invention.

o It is an object of the invention to provide a container Z for bananas that may overcome at least some of the above- S 5 mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

00 IND In a broad form, the invention resides in a container for 0" bananas, the container able to hold bananas in a side-byside relationship and able to hold between 1-10 bananas, O the construction and design of the container being such ci that the bananas can be packed in the container at the harvest site (or other convenient place) and can then be transported to the retail outlet and placed in the retail outlet for sale without needing to remove the bananas from the container.

In another form, the invention resides in a container for bananas, the container able to hold bananas in a side-byside relationship and able to hold between 1-10 bananas, the container comprising a rear wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and a front wall, the front wall extending from the bottom wall and being less than 50% the height of the rear wall, the front wall adapted to support one end of a banana to stop the banana from falling out the front of the container, and a strap that extends above the front wall and adapted to extend in front of the bananas in the container.

The arrangement of the container provides various benefits. Firstly, the bananas can be packed into the specially designed container at the harvest site and can be transported to the retail outlet in the container, and the design of the container is such that the bananas can be displayed for sale at the retail outlet in the same container.

O0 o The intention is that the consumer will simply take the ci entire container containing the bananas and it is not o necessary to remove the bananas from the container.

Z Indeed, the bananas, when taken home, can be kept in the S 5 container and the bananas can be removed one by one when required. This again protects the bananas against bruising right up to the point of use or consumption.

OO

00 0-q The container can be taken home with the consumer and therefore there will not be large numbers of empty o containers left at the retail outlet.

0 Another benefit is that the container allows the bananas to ripen during the transportation process as the bananas do not need to be wrapped in plastic or polystyrene.

The container can provide a reasonable level of protection to the bananas against bruising. That is, there is a reasonable level of protection for the bananas in one container against being bruised by contact with another similar container.

The container enables bananas to be removed one by one from the container without needing to open the container.

However, if desired, the strap can be opened or removed to facilitate removal of the bananas.

Another advantage is that the design of the container makes it relatively easy to pack the bananas in the container. For instance, the strap can be initially opened up to make it quite easy to place bananas into the container, and the strap can then be closed to hold the bananas in the container in a relatively secure manner.

This is an advantage over other containers which may protect the bananas but where packing the bananas in the containers is quite time-consuming (eg plastic wrapping the bananas).

w 7 o Another advantage is that the bananas can be held in a ci substantially upright configuration.

0 Z The container can be made of any suitable material. It S 5 is considered that stiff paper, waxed paper, coated paper, cardboard, plastic sheets, metal sheets, and other composite materials will comprise suitable materials. In

OO

ND a preferred embodiment, the container is made of a stiff q paper.

ci i o The size of the container can vary depending on the size 0 c-q of bananas in the container and the number of bananas in the container. It is preferred that the container can hold and display between 1-10 bananas and therefore the container will typically have a length of between 10-50 centimetres and in a particular embodiment, the container will have a length of between 10-20 centimetres.

Of course, the invention need not be limited only to a container that can hold between 1-10 bananas although at this stage it is considered that the container will do so.

The height of the container will vary depending on the size of the bananas. It is preferred that the height of the container is such that at least 50% and preferably between 50%-100% of the banana sits within the height of the container. It is considered that the container will typically have a height of between 10-30 centimetres and more typically between 10-20 centimetres.

The width of the container (that is the distance between the back wall and the front wall) can also vary depending on the size of the bananas. This distance may be between 5-20 centimetres and will typically be about centimetres.

It should be appreciated that the invention need not be o limited to a container only having the above dimensions.

ci o The container may be made from a blank of material Z containing cut lines and/or fold lines to enable the S 5 container to be assembled from the blank of material.

However, it is envisaged that the container may also be made from separate parts that are assembled together.

OO

kO The container has a rear wall. It is preferred that the rear wall is substantially continuous to protect at least o a major portion of the bananas that are in the container.

iq Therefore, the rear wall may have a height of between to 100% of the length of the banana. If desired, the rear wall may be taller and may be folded either inwardly or outwardly to provide a flap. The flap may contain advertising material, or may provide strength to the upper part of the rear wall to enable the container to be lifted.

The rear wall will typically have a height of between centimetres and a length of between 15-20 centimetres, although no particular limitation should be placed on the invention by these sizes.

The rear wall will typically be substantially rectangular although the wall may also comprise other shapes such as oval, or have irregular shapes. If desired, the rear wall may be provided with at least one opening. If desired, the rear wall (and indeed other parts of the container) may be provided with strengthening means which may comprise struts, thickened portions, gussets, reinforcing mesh, lines, and the like.

The container contains a bottom wall. The bottom wall typically extends from the bottom of the rear wall about a fold line. The bottom wall will typically have a length which is about the same as the length of the rear wall, and may have a width which is sufficient to enable o the bananas to be positioned within the container, and ci this width will typically be between 5-10 centimetres.

O

Z The bottom wall may be provided with at least one S 5 opening.

If desired, at least one stabilising member may be 00 ND provided that can extend rearwardly of the rear wall to reduce the chance of the container tipping backwardly.

The stabilising member may comprise a tab of flap that Scan be pushed out of the rear wall. A pair of tabs of ci flaps may be provided although it is not considered that the invention should be limited by any particular shape, size and number of stabilising members.

The container contains a front wall. The front wall extends upwardly from the bottom wall but typically does not extend to the same height as the rear wall. Instead, the front wall may be less than 70% of the height of the rear wall to enable the bananas to be displayed to the consumer. The front wall may have a height of between centimetres. The front wall may be curved outwardly (that is convex when viewed by a consumer) to facilitate placement and holding of the curved bananas in the container. The front wall may be provided with at least one opening if desired.

The container may contain at least one and preferably a pair of sidewalls. The sidewalls typically extend from the bottom wall and between the rear wall and the front wall. The sidewalls are typically designed to prevent the bananas from falling out the side of the container.

The sidewalls may be provided with attachment means to enable the front wall to be attached to the sidewalls.

The attachment means may comprise a tab or slot on the, or each, side wall that engages with a corresponding slot or tab on the front wall.

<IV

0 0 ci A strap means may be provided that extends above the o front wall and in front of the bananas to stop the Z bananas from tipping out of the container and over the o 5 front wall, it being appreciated that the height of the front wall is less than the height of the rear wall. By providing a strap means, the bananas can still be quite 00 INO easily seen by a consumer.

ci The term strap should be interpreted broadly as any type o of elongate member and therefore may comprise a strip, a Ci strap, a line member, a link member, a plurality of strap members and the like.

It is preferred that the strap comprises extensions of the, or each, side wall. It is preferred that the strap comprises at least a pair of strap portions that can be attached together.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following illustrations in which: Figure 1. Illustrates a front view of a container containing three bananas.

Figure 2. Illustrates a side view of the container of figure 1.

Figure 3. Illustrates a rear view of the container of figure 1.

Figure 4. Illustrates the container of figure 1 without the bananas.

Figure 5. Illustrates the blank of material from which the container is assembled.

w q11 0 0 Detailed Description.

O

Z Referring to the illustrations, and initially to figure o 5 5, there is illustrated a blank from which the container can be made. The blank contains various cut lines and fold lines. Specifically, the blank contains a rear wall

OO

1 of 10, a bottom wall 11, a pair of sidewalls 12, 13, and a front wall 14. Rear wall 10 contains a top panel Ci 10 that is folded inwardly to lie against rear wall 10, this Sbeing best illustrated in figure 4 Sidewalls 12, 13 contain strap portions 15, 16 which are also better illustrated in figure 4. Each strap portion contains a slit, and strap portion 15 contains a pair of spaced apart slits 18 such that strap portion 16 can be attached to strap portion 15 at two positions to provide a degree of length adjustment.

The junction between rear wall 10 and bottom wall 11 contains a pair of stabilising members in the form of tabs 19 that can be pushed out of the blank to provide rear stabilising legs, these being illustrated in figure 3.

In use, the sidewalls 12, 13 can be bent at 900 relative to rear wall 10. The bottom wall 11 can be bent upwardly at 900 relative to rear wall 10. The tabs 19 can be pushed out. The front wall 14 can be bent upwardly to sit in front of sidewalls 12, 13. Front wall 14 contains a pair of push out portions, which, when pushed out, define openings 20 (see also figure Each side wall 12, 13 is provided with a small shoulder portion 21 which engages into the openings 20 on the front wall 14 to attach the front wall to the sidewalls (see also figure 2).

The top panel 15A can then be bent inwardly (see figure o 4).

ci o The bottom of each side wall 12, 13 is provided with a Z panel 30 which contains a slit 30A, and tab 31 passes S 5 into the slit 30A on each panel 30 to connect the bottom wall 11 with the side wall 12, 13.

OO

Bananas can then be placed into the almost completely 0, assembled container, and thereafter, the strap portions 15, 16 can be bent to overlie the front of the bananas o and are then attached to each other via the slits on each 0 Ci strap portion 15, 16.

Referring to figures 1-3 there is illustrated a front view, side view and back view of the container which contains three bananas 23. The bananas are held safely within the confines of the container in a side-by-side relationship and are supported in a generally vertical manner. The arrangement of the container, and particularly the low front wall 14 enables the bananas to be viewed by a consumer (which is important for purchasing). The strap (15, 16) keeps the bananas safely within the container and prevents the bananas from falling out.

The rear tabs 19 stabilise the container against being tipped backwardly.

The container provides many advantages many of which overcome the disadvantages given in the background art section of the present specification. For instance, the container can be made in a cost-effective manner. The container enables bananas to be ripened during transportation and storage. The bananas can be placed in the container at the point of harvest and transported, stored and displayed at the retail outlet without the bananas needing to be touched again or unpacked etc. the bananas are held relatively securely within the container 0 o and will not strike each other very strongly or bounce against each other to cause bruising of the flesh. The o bananas can still be viewed by a consumer which means Z that it is unlikely that consumer will need to remove and S 5 handle the bananas prior to a purchasing decision being made. The container enables the bananas to be packed relatively easily at the harvesting point. The bananas

OO

ND are purchased with the container and therefore the container is removed from the retail outlet and taken home with the purchaser. The bananas are therefore protected against bruising right up to the point of C consumption or use. The container in the particular embodiment contains three bananas, or relatively few bananas which means that a consumer will probably be happy to purchase the entire container. If more bananas are required, a number of containers can be purchased.

The container will be particularly suitable for banana varieties that are very creamy and sweet and are quite susceptible to bruising.

The container has been described with reference to holding bananas, but it should be appreciated that the container may also be suitable for other types of fruit and vegetables that may benefit from being displayed and stored in the container.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the w In 14 0 terms.

0 It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described S 5 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

00 ci cO 0D ci

Claims (14)

1. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the strap can be opened to facilitate removal of the bananas from the container.
2. 3. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is manufactured from stiff paper, waxed paper, coated paper, cardboard, plastic sheets, and metal sheets.
3. 4. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a length of between centimetres, and preferably a length of between 10-20 centimetres. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the height of the container is between centimetres and preferably between 10-20 centimetres.
4. 6. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the container is between 20 centimetres and preferably about 10 centimetres.
5. 7. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is made from a blank of material containing o cut lines and/fold lines which can be assembled. ci O 8. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding Z claims, wherein the rear wall contains a flap that is folded inwardly or outwardly relative to the rear wall.
6. 9. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding O0 0 claims, wherein the bottom wall extends from the bottom 0C of the rear wall about a fold line. ci i ci o 10. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding 0y claims, wherein the bottom wall contains at least one opening.
7. 11. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including at least one stabilising member adapted to extend rearwardly of the rear wall to reduce the chance of the container tipping backwardly.
8. 12. The container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stabilising member comprises at least one tab that can be pushed out of the rear wall.
9. 13. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front wall extends upwardly from the bottom wall and has a height which is less than 70% of the height of the rear wall to enable bananas to be displayed to the consumer.
10. 14. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the front wall as a height of between 5-10 cm. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of sidewalls, each side wall extending from the bottom wall and between the rear wall and the front wall.
11. 16. The container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the <Il 0 o sidewalls are provided with attachment means to enable ci the front wall to be attached to the sidewalls. O
12. 17. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the S 5 attachment means comprises a tab or slot on the, or each, side wall that engages with a corresponding slot or tab on the front wall. 00 Va 0" 18. The container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap comprises extensions of the, or Seach, side wall.
13. 19. The container as claimed in claim 18, wherein the strap comprises at least a pair of strap portions that can be attached together. A container for bananas, and which is able to hold bananas in a side-by-side relationship and able to hold between 1-10 bananas, the construction and design of the container being such that the bananas can be packed in the container at the harvest site (or other convenient place) and can then be transported to the retail outlet and placed in the retail outlet for sale without needing to remove the bananas from the container.
14. 21. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 3 rd day of November 2005 Fada Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.