AU2011205177B2

AU2011205177B2 - Food Packaging

Info

Publication number: AU2011205177B2
Application number: AU2011205177A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James RATTRAY
Original assignee: FLOWERDALE FARM Pty Ltd
Current assignee: FLOWERDALE FARM Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-11
Filing date: 2011-08-05
Publication date: 2016-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-05
Also published as: WO2012151637A1; AU2011205177A1

Abstract

Abstract A food packaging system for one or more plants, the food packaging system comprising: a first container and a second container; the first container being adapted to receive the second container and including at least one transparent wall portion for allowing the one or more plants to be viewed through the first container, the second container being sized to be received in the first container and having a body for holding the lower end of the one or more plants; wherein the first container includes a securing arrangement for securing the second container at a lower end of the first container to allow for the first container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion. Fig. 1 aa ON) ~tV7

Description

FOOD PACKAGING Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to food packaging. In preferred forms, the present invention relates to improved food packaging systems for protecting living sprouted products such as microgreens and herbs.

Background To The Invention

In the past sprouted products such as microgreens, salad and herbs have been transported in food packaging designed to protect the sprouted product. Such food packaging is generally provided with a soft sleeve to stop rubbing damage. In some food packaging containers there are provided a plurality of ribbed folds for strength.

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

Summary Of The Invention

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a food packaging system for one or more plants, the food packaging system comprising: a first container and a second container; the first container being adapted to receive the second container and including at least one transparent wall portion for allowing the one or more plants to be viewed through the first container, the second container being sized to be received in the first container and having a body for holding the lower end of the one or more plants; wherein the first container includes at least one inwardly extending projection on a side wall, and wherein a rim of the second container is sized to be retained below the inwardly extending projection, to thereby secure the second container at a lower end of the first container and allow for the first container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion.

Preferably the first container includes a securing arrangement for securing the second container at a lower end of the first container to allow for the first container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.

Preferably the securing arrangement comprises at least one abutment portion that extends into the recess provided by the first container.

Preferably the at least one abutment portion comprises two opposed dimple portions formed in opposite walls of the first container, the dimple portions extending into the recess provided by the first container.

Preferably the second container is adapted to relatively rigidly bear against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.

Preferably the second container includes a relatively rigid rim extending around the second container for relatively rigidly bearing against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.

Preferably the rim of the second container is angled upwardly to bear against an abutment of the securing arrangement.

Preferably the first container is formed entirely from transparent plastics material such that the at least one transparent wall portion comprises the outer walls provided by the first container.

The second container may be about one third the height of the first container. The second container may be less than one third the height of the first container. The second container may be less than or equal to 40mm in height. Preferably the second container is less than or equal to 25mm in height.

Preferably the second container includes a number of water channels on its lower surface to assist with water absorption into second container. Preferably the water channels comprise ring type channels in the base of the second container. Preferably the water channels comprise relatively concentric eight sided annular channels that open downwardly.

Preferably the first container comprises a plurality of concavities in its upper rim to allow for ventilation.

Preferably the first container includes a number of bevels at each lower comer thereof to allow for advantageous plug assisted vacuum moulding of the first container.

Preferably the bevels are substantially arc shaped in section.

Preferably the bevels have a longitudinal length of about 15mm.

Preferably the bevels have a normal in the diametric planes of the comers.

Preferably the second container is provided with corresponding bevels and the corresponding bevels have vertical height about half the height of the second container.

Preferably the walls of the second container include a number of horizontally extending projections for assisting with holding a plant medium therein.

According to a second aspect the present invention provides a method of providing packaged food comprising: using a growth container in a hydroponic watering system to raise a number of plants, once the plants have been raised, dropping the container and plants into a further container wherein the further container comprises at least one inwardly extending projection on a side wall, and wherein a rim of the growth container is sized to be retained below the inwardly extending projection to thereby secure the growth container in position, the further container serving to protect the plants from damage during subsequent transportation.

Preferably the hydroponic watering system is a bottom watering system.

As will be discussed there are considered to be a number of preferred arrangements of the present invention that advantageously: (i) Provide food packaging systems with improved rigidity so as to allow for an outer container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions to improve the visibility of sprouted products contained therein. (ii) Provide food packaging systems that are advantageously adapted to assist with the use of bottom watering in a nutrient fed channel system during the growing process. (iii) Provide food packaging systems in which the sprouted products therein can be readily removed from an outer container for subsequent use in catering or otherwise. (iv) Provide food packaging systems in which an outer container is advantageously stackable so as to have a reduced risk of becoming compacted making it difficult to separate individual containers. (v) Provide food packaging systems in which the growing medium is advantageously prevented from becoming separated from an inner grow punnet.

Further advantages and preferred features would be apparent from the drawings and a reading of the specification as a whole. The present invention is considered to find application beyond sprouted products.

Brief Description Of Drawings

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 10 provide several views of a food packaging system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 11 to 13 provide several views of a food packaging system according to another preferred embodiment, the views detailing several preferred food packaging container system dimensions.

Detailed Description Of The Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 10 there is shown a food packaging system Π) according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Advantageously the food packaging system 10 provides an advantageous combination of features, as will be described, which among other things is able to advantageously reduce the requisite number of strengthening portions of the food packaging system 10.

This is considered to improve plant product visibility in the food packaging system 10. In addition the food packaging system 10 is considered to advantageously allow for bottom watering during the plant growing process and for improved stackability of number of outer containers.

In the embodiment, the food packaging system 10 is provided as a container system for one or more sprouted products (not shown) such as alfalfa and water cress.

As shown, the food packaging system 1_0 includes a first container 12 and a second container H. The first container 12 is adapted to receive the second container 14 through an upper opening J_3 of the first container 12. The first container J_2 includes transparent walls J_6 for allowing sprouted plants to be viewed through the first container 12. The second container j_4 is sized to be received by first container 1_2 and be retained at a lower closed end 17 thereof. The second container J_4 has a body f8 for receiving the sprouted products.

Advantageously, the first container 12 includes a securing arrangement 20 for securing the second container J4 at the lower end Γ7 of the first container 12. This advantageously allows the first container 12 to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions 24 in the transparent walls 16 to improve the visibility of the sprouted products when received by the food packaging system 10. As will be described in further detail below, the securing arrangement 20 provides the first container J_2 with advantageous rigidity.

The food packaging system J_0 is considered to be particularly advantageous due to the resultant improved visibility of the sprouted products. In this regard, some existing systems are known to have an outer wall with a multitude of ridges formed vertically in an accordion type manner so as to surround the first container J_2. Such ridges are considered to undesirably obscure the view of the sprouted products within the food packaging making it less likely that the products will be purchased by a consumer in a supermarket or otherwise.

Advantageously, by improving the visibility of the sprouted products, it is considered that consumers will be able to have much better confidence in the freshness of the product in accordance with the use-by date on the food packaging or otherwise.

In the embodiment, the securing arrangement 20 includes two abutment portions 26 in the form of two opposed dimple portions 28. The dimple portions 28 are provided on two opposite walls 30 of the first container 12. As shown in the drawings, opposite walls 30 form one pair of the transparent walls 16.

The dimple portions 28 extend into the recess 32 of the first container 12 and are advantageously formed during the moulding process. The dimples in effect provide corresponding depressions in the outer surface of the walls 30 and projections in the inner surface of the walls 30.

The second container 14 is advantageously adapted to provide relatively rigid walls 34 having a rim portion 36 in the form of a continuous lip. The rim portion 36 extends around the body of the second container M and is advantageously adapted to rigidly bear against the walls 16 of the first container 12. In this manner the rim portion 36 of the second container J_2 provides the first container J_2 with advantageous rigidity to allow for the improved visibility of the sprouted products.

The strengthening portions 24 are provided as impressions extending in a direction outwardly away from first container 12. In current systems it is considered that a relatively large number of ridges are required to provide the first container with sufficient rigidity.

In comparison, the rim 36 of the second container M provides a relatively strong rigid barrier that that rigidly bears against the walls 16 of the first container 1_2 to provide rigidity while limiting the degree to which the sprouted products are obscured by the strengthening portions.

As shown in the drawings the walls 16 of the first container 12 extend upwardly to a rim portion 38. The rim portion 38 of the first container 12 provides a reinforcement that assists the second container 14 with providing rigidity in the walls of the first container 12.

Advantageously the height 42 of the second container 14 is limited to about 25mm to provide a relatively shallow depth. The height 44 of the first container 12 is about 100mm being slightly more than three times the height of the second container 14. This is considered to provide the food packaging system K) with a relatively large, clear and unobstructed view through to the sprouted products, where there are a reduced number of strengthening portions 24. The first container 12 and the second container 1_4 are both formed entirely from transparent plastics material.

The second container 14 also includes a number of advantageous corrugations in the form of channels 46 in its lower surface 48. The channels 46 are provided to advantageously disturb the flow of water during the growing process, before the second container 14 is placed in the first container 12.

Advantageously the second container 14 is used hold the plants from their growth stage in a nutrient fed hydroponic channel system. Conventional systems are considered not to be adapted for this process but rather to be configured only for a top watering process.

As a result, in the present embodiment, the second container can be used to raise the sprouted products in the hydroponic system. Following the growth stage the second container 14 can be moved from the hydroponic system and be placed within the first container 12. A closure is then used to provide a desirable seal for transport and storage.

During the growth stage the flow of water from the hydroponic system is considered to be advantageously disturbed by the channels 46. More particularly the series of ridges in the form of the corrugations advantageously provides a disturbance like stones in a river to causes the water to flow side to side instead of just straight. This is considered to cause the water to be more readily drawn up through the holes 50 in the second container J_4.

In the case of top watering, the leaves of the plants get wetter than they do in bottom watering. This can result in mould and other forms of deterioration of plant quality. Also top watering is considered to require more growth medium to retain water due to the infrequent process of the watering involved.

The reduced amount of growing medium required in the present embodiment, in comparison to top down watering systems, is considered to advantageously allow for a smaller overall second container 14 (growth punnet). This means that the same amount of product can be fitted into a smaller outer punnet in comparison to larger outer punnets on the market.

The benefit of this is that by having a smaller punnet, without compromising the amount of product contained within the punnet, the first container 12 does not require the same extent of side strengthening. Thus the hydroponic growing method in combination with the securing arrangement 20 is considered to allow for a particularly improved reduction in ridge type strengthening of the first container. Thus, in the packaging system of the embodiment the sprouted plant product is much more clearly visible. This is considered to provide large benefits (as previously described) in the sale and communication of the qualities of the end product to the consumer.

In the embodiment the channels 46 comprise eight sided annular channels. The channels 46 are generally concentric and also advantageously assist in strengthening the second container 14.

The securing arrangement 20 in the form of the pair of dimples 28, moulded into the first container J_2, also assists with stabilising movement of the internal product within the first container 12 during transportation, whilst still allowing easy removal of the inner tray by the end user. Advantageously the dimples 28 also provide a self locking mechanism.

The self locking mechanism operates using the weight of the second container 14 (containing the product) to automatically lock the second container j_4 (inner tray) in place when it was dropped into the first container 12 (external punnet). As such the self locking mechanism comfortably secures the inner tray during transport, to assist with preventing the product moving around and becoming damaged. This is considered to be particularly advantageous on rough roads where the lightness of the food packaging system may cause the system to bounce around.

In addition to the advantages described above, a user is able to readily remove the product and the second container M from the first container 12 (external punnet) without much difficulty. This is advantageously achieved by lightly depressing the base of the first container 12 with a finger, with the second container 14 subsequently being caused to be urged upwards and be released from the first container 1_2.

The degree of fixing can be advantageously adjusted by changing the width of the rim/lip of the second container 14 to fit just below the dimples 28. By adjusting the width of the lip one can adjust how tightly it is fitted into the external punnet. Ideally the product and second container j_4 comes out ‘very easily’ while not compromising the operation of the securing mechanism during transit.

The second container 14JS considered to stay in place with hardly any weight in it, due to two small dimples on the sides of the external punnet. The small amount of weight in the tray locks it in place quite comfortably, without requiring additional force. Even turning the product upside down, it does not fall out. Nonetheless only a light depression is advantageously required on the base of the first container 12 with a finger, for the second container 14 to be released. This locking mechanism is considered to be unique and to perform the job relatively ‘perfectly’. Usually, with some other locking mechanisms, physical strength is required to unlock it making the locking mechanism undesirable. The present embodiment is considered to be very easy to use.

In the manufacturing process the first container is formed using a plug assisted vacuum mould. In the process this involves sucking the plastic down into the mould and then pushing a hot plug the rest of the way into the mould to form the shape of the first container 12. This technique has limitations in that the plastic sheeting can only be stretched so far. As the punnet gets deeper, it must also get wider, or increase the top surface area to incorporate more plastic for strength. Thus the depth of the punnet is limited by its strength. In the present embodiment, this problem is considered to be substantially overcome so as to relatively maximise the depth of the punnet without having to greatly reduce product visibility.

Firstly to assist in the manufacture of the first container 12 with the desired depth, inclined portions 52 are provided at each comer of the lower end T7 of the first container 12. The inclined portions 52 are provided as comer bevels 56 and are substantially arc shaped on their upper surfaces as shown. In addition the bevels 56 have a longitudinal length 58 of about 15mm. As shown in the Figures the normals of the bevels lie in the vertical planes connecting opposite comers. The lower width of each bevel when viewed from above is about one quarter the width of a side of the first container. In this case the width of a side of the container is about 107mm where the lower width of a bevel is about 25mm. In other embodiments the lower width of the bevels may be say 20 and 30% of the width of a side of the container. Between the comer bevels 56 are provided a number of inclined wall portions 59.

Secondly the provision of securing arrangement 20 increases the overall strength of the packaging by the second container J_4 fitting inside the first container 12. Thirdly, and in this embodiment, a design is embossed over three sides of the punnet to strengthen the punnet without the use of ribs so to keep the internal content advantageously visible.

The provision of the dimples 28 also assists with stacking of the first containers 12 as shown in the Figures. More particularly the dimples 28 provide an anti-locking lug 60 that prevents individual first containers 12 from sticking together when they are stacked empty. As shown, the dimples 28 are designed to bear against inclined wall portions 59 of the first containers 12 between the comer bevels 56 which are also inclined. This provides a separation height 63 between adjacent upper rims 38·

The second container H is provided with corresponding bevels 61 of similar shape and size to the bevels 56, where the corresponding bevels 61 have vertical height about half the height of the second container \A. The bevels 56 and the bevels 61 are considered to advantageously increase strength of the food packaging system IQ in addition to assisting with the plug assisted vacuum moulding process.

Furthermore, the side walls 34 of the second container J_4 include a number of horizontally extending projections 62 for assisting with holding a plant medium therein. The horizontally extending projections 62 serve to provide holding portions 64 in the form of horizontal side ridges. The holding portions 64 are moulded into the second container 1_4 to secure the growing medium and prevent it from falling out of the container 1_4.

In terms of the sealing of the food packaging system IQ, the first container J_2 includes a plurality of concavities in its upper rim 38 to allow for ventilation. The upper rim 38 is adapted to receive a resealable closure (not shown).

Thus, the present embodiment is considered to provide a new form of fresh food packaging for the reasons discussed above. The first container J_2 and the second container J_4 provide a plastic punnet arrangement specific to the packaging, storage, sale and transportation of living products. As with conventional packaging systems of this type, the system prevents damage to the product during transportation and storage; promotes long shelf life of living products by allowing appropriate ventilation; and assists with transpiration from the leaves, retaining moisture to keep the product longer.

Moreover, the fresh food product is grown using bottom watering as part of the growing process before completing the packaging. The provision of the securing arrangement 20 advantageously allows for the reduction of ridge type strengthening portions in the outer punnet required due to the height of the punnet. The embodiment is considered to provide a relatively clear view of the internal product.

In terms of the dimensions shown they are advantageously adapted such that the food packaging system J_0 fits a standard pallet when stacked for both plane airfreight av’s and truck pallets. The Figures illustrate a number of preferred dimensions considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Thus it is to be appreciated that the embodiments provide an advantageous combination which provides a number advantages for fresh food packaging. There is considered to be provided an advantageous food packaging system that allows for bottom watering during the growth stage after which an external container is used to protect and house fresh food for storage. The bottom watering, securing mechanism and visibility of the fresh food is considered to be particularly advantageous.

In terms of transportation, the container system may be moved through standard distribution systems such as in and out of trucks, cool rooms, supermarkets, greengrocers and restaurants. With such transportation there is a constant change in temperature and humidity which typically has a negative impact on the shelf-life and quality of the microgreens and herbs.

The container system is considered to provide an environment similar to that of a hydroponic hothouse where the plants are grown, assisting in controlling temperature, humidity, airflow, transpiration of the plants by the use of a clear four walled plastic punnet with clear seal over the top stopping the loss of moisture from the transpiration by maintaining a higher humidity than could be created during normal transportation, storage and sale conditions. Due to this humid still environment there is a high risk of mould and bacteria developing in the container and having a detrimental effect on the plants this is managed by the use of a sterile no-soil cellulose based growing medium which drains well and can be packed relatively dry to stop excessive humidity causing rot and mould problems in the container system

In general, preferred systems and methods of the present invention are considered to advantageously: (i) Provide food packaging systems with improved rigidity so as to allow for an outer container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions to improve the visibility of sprouted products contained therein. (ii) Provide food packaging systems that are advantageously adapted to assist with the use of bottom watering in a nutrient fed channel system during the growing process. (iii) Provide food packaging systems in which the sprouted products therein can be readily removed from an outer container for subsequent use in catering or otherwise. (iv) Provide food packaging systems in which an outer container is advantageously stackable so as to have a reduced risk of becoming compacted making it difficult to separate individual containers. (v) Provide food packaging systems in which the growing medium is advantageously prevented from becoming separated from an inner grow punnet.

Further advantages and preferred features would be apparent from a reading of the specification as a whole. Other advantageous features are shown in the drawings.

It is to be recognised that various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents. There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope.

In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the existence of further features. The words ‘comprising’, ‘including’ and ‘having’ are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A food packaging system for one or more plants, the food packaging system comprising: a first container and a second container; the first container being adapted to receive the second container and including at least one transparent wall portion for allowing the one or more plants to be viewed through the first container, the second container being sized to be received in the first container and having a body for holding the lower end of the one or more plants; wherein the first container includes at least one inwardly extending projection on a side wall, and wherein a rim of the second container is sized to be retained below the inwardly extending projection, to thereby secure the second container at a lower end of the first container and allow for the first container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion.
2. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 1 comprising two opposed inwardly extending dimple projections formed in opposite walls of the first container.
3. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second container is adapted to relatively rigidly bear against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.
4. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rim of the second container rigidly bears against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.
5. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rim of the second container is angled upwardly to bear against the at least one inwardly extending projection.
6. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first container is formed entirely from transparent plastics material such that the at least one transparent wall portion comprises the outer walls provided by the first container.
7. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second container is less than or about one third the height of the first container.
8. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the second container is less than or equal to 40mm in height.
9. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the second container includes a number of water channels on its lower surface to assist with water absorption into the second container.
10. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the water channels comprise ring type channels in the base of the second container.
11. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the water channels comprise relatively concentric eight sided annular channels that open downwardly.
12. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the first container comprises a rim having a plurality of concavities to allow for ventilation through the concavities when provided with a closure on the rim.
13. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the first container includes a number of bevels at each lower comer thereof to allow for plug assisted vacuum moulding of the first container.
14. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bevels are substantially arc shaped in section.
15. A food packaging system as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the bevels have a normal in the diametric planes of the comers.
16. A food packaging system as in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the second container is provided with corresponding bevels and the corresponding bevels have vertical height about half the height of the second container.
17. A food packaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the walls of the second container include a number of horizontally extending projections for assisting with holding a plant medium therein.
18. A method of providing packaged food comprising: using a growth container in a hydroponic watering system to raise a number of plants, once the plants have been raised, dropping the container and plants into a further container, wherein the further container comprises at least one inwardly extending projection on a side wall, and wherein a rim of the growth container is sized to be retained below the inwardly extending projection to thereby secure the growth container in position, the further container serving to protect the plants from damage during subsequent transportation.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the hydroponic watering system is a bottom watering system.
20. A food packaging system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.