AU2014100128A4 - A container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls (12), a base (14) with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections (16) or spaced food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the base and defining liquid receiving regions (22) therebetween, each projection or projecting section is spaced from an adjacent projection or section at substantially equidistant apart; and the height of the projections or sections is greater than the distance the projections or sections are spaced apart. "22 ............

Description

1 A CONTAINER FIELD [0001] The present specification describes to a container for storing or transporting food that may release liquid. In particular, the present specification describes to a container for ready to eat chilled fresh cut produce. BACKGROUND [0002] Plastic containers for storing food stuffs are well known. Some food stuffs release liquids when stored, for example cooked and uncooked meats, seafood, and fresh cut produce. It is desirable that the food does not contact the released liquids for practical reasons, such as prolonging shelf life. Where the food is stored in a clear container for sale, the presence of fluid, and in particular, if the food is sitting in the liquid is generally considered to look unappetizing or unappealing. [0003] The present invention will be described with particular reference to containers for retail of chilled fresh cut produce. However, it would be appreciated by person of skill in the art that the present invention is applicable to the storage and/or transport of any suitable food stuff that may exude liquid and no limitation is intended thereby. [0004] The market for fresh cut produce has witnessed dramatic growth in recent years. Fresh cut produce includes but is not limited to fresh cut tropical fruits such as watermelon, rockmelon, pineapple, paw paw, mangos and mixtures thereof. Fresh cut vegetables are also sold including stir fry mixes, celery stalks, carrot sticks and the like. [0005] There are a number of advantages in providing customers with the choice of buying fresh cut produce. One is the ability to purchase portion controlled amounts in an easy to use format without requiring cutting, peeling and waste disposal. It is also easier to assess the quality and freshness of cut fruit that is presented in a clear, transparent container as compared to a whole fruit. It is therefore important that fresh cut fruit is displayed to advantage on supermarket shelves.

2 [0006] The visual quality of cut fruits is generally assessed in relation to size, and uniformity thereof, colour, glossiness and absence of defects such as bruising, crushing of pieces and browning. [0007] The cut surface of fresh-cut fruit loses moisture at an extremely rapid rate. A known disadvantage of this is that a considerable amount of liquid accumulates in the bottom of a container. This is disadvantageous as the fruits on the bottom of the container sit in the liquid and become soggy, with a decrease in shelf life. Further the look of fruit pieces sitting in a liquid layer is not attractive to a customer who will generally select a container with the least amount of fruit sitting in liquid. [0008] The industry standard for addressing the problem of liquid accumulation in fresh cut produce is to provide a colander type insert in the bottom of the container that elevates the fruit above the liquid that drains into the space below the insert. A disadvantage of using an insert is that there is an added step in placing the insert in the container prior to placing the fruit in the container. Further, there is the added expense of purchasing the insert and the container. There is also a disadvantage to the consumer should they to the fruit into a blender, mixing bowel or the like as the insert can fall in with the fruit. [0009] The present specification is therefore addressed towards providing an alternative container for the storage and transport of food stuffs that release liquid and in particular cut fresh produce. [0010] In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises". SUMMARY [0011] In a first aspect, there is provided a container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls, a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or spaced food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the base and defining liquid receiving regions therebetween, each projection or projecting section is spaced from an adjacent projection or 3 section at a substantially equidistant apart; and the height of the projections or sections is greater than the distance the projections or sections are spaced apart. [0012] The container may be made of any suitable food grade thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polycarbonate. The container may be disposable such as for use as a self-serve portion. Alternatively, the container may be suitable for washing and re-use for storing foods such as fresh cut produce in commercial and domestic kitchens. [0013] The container includes a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or a plurality of spaced projecting sections. That is the container can contain a plurality of discrete and separate food elevating projections or the container may include a continuous projection having spaced projecting sections such as a spiral or serpentine pattern. [0014] The projections or projecting sections may be in any suitable arrangement that can suitably elevate a food above the base of the container. The projections may be in a grid pattern. Alternatively the projections may be in the form of parallel ribs. [0015] More suitably, the projections are arranged in a concentric pattern corresponding to the shape of the container. For example, a circular container may have a pattern of concentric circular projections. A rectangular container may have a plurality of concentric rectangular shaped projections. [0016] An advantage of a concentric pattern is that if the container is tipped to one side, the liquid can flow around to the lower side without running over the top of for example, parallel, linear ribs thereby contacting the base of the food. [0017] According to an alternative aspect, there is provided a container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls and a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections upstanding therefrom that are concentric with the shape of the container, are substantially equidistant distance apart and define concentric liquid receiving regions therebetween and the height of the projections is greater than the spacing between projections. [0018] Suitably the projections are of a substantially constant width, although this is not essential. The width of the projections are suitably wide enough that they may not unduly damage the food, bearing in mind that the food on the bottom layer bears the weight of the upper layers of food.

4 [0019] Suitably the width of the projections is between about 2 to about 10mm, suitably between about 4mm to about 8mm, typically about 5mm to about 7mm. [0020] The base of the container can receive and hold liquid in the regions between the projections. The shape of the liquid receiving regions will therefore depend upon the shape and arrangement of the projections. [0021] The distance between projections corresponds to the width of a liquid receiving region. The distance is substantially equidistant, meaning that it is not strictly necessary for the distance to be identical, but some degree of variation may be tolerated. [0022] The distance between projections is less than the height of the walls of the projections. Such a relationship between height and width requires that the projections are spaced relatively close together when compared to the height. This may prevent or reduce the likelihood of corners of pieces of cut produce entering the space between the projections and contacting liquid. It may also prevent smaller food items, for example, berries in a fruit salad from falling between the projections and into the liquid. Still further, the volume of fluid that may be held in the base of the container may be controlled by regulating the height of the projections instead of increasing the width of the liquid receiving regions. [0023] It will be appreciated that the relative dimensions of the projections and spacing therebetween may depend upon the type of food and the amount of liquid that can be released. Fruits cut into bite size portions are typically in a general cube shape of about 1 to about 3 cm. The spacing between projections would therefore generally about 0.5 to about 0.25 times the average length of the side of a piece of fruit, or in other words between about 2.5mm to about 15mm, suitably between about 4mm to about 10mm. [0024] Thus, the height of the projections must be at least higher than about 0.5 to 0.25 times the average length of the side of a cubed piece of fruit. Suitable dimensions are between about 5 to about 15mm, suitably between about 7mm to 14mm, more suitably between about 10mm to about 12mm. [0025] Pre-cut fruit and vegetables may also be cut into fingers. In this case, the spacing may be proportional to the width of the fingers, which is about 1cm to 3cm. [0026] The projections may delineate discrete liquid receiving regions. For example, where the projections are in the form of concentric circles in a round container, the 5 projections may define discrete circular shaped liquid receiving regions, or rectangular regions as the case may be. [0027] In one aspect, the adjacent liquid receiving regions may be fluidly connected by one or more channels. A working advantage of this aspect is that a cut food stuff may not uniformly release liquid so that some liquid receiving regions may fill before others. By providing at least one channel for liquid communication between liquid receiving regions, the level of liquid in the container may equalise. [0028] Another working advantage may be that when the container is lifted and moved during transport, shelf placement, placed into a shopping trolley or basket, the container does generally not remain horizontal, thereby causing the liquid to flow about in the container. Allowing fluid communication between liquid receiving regions may also reduce the amount of splashing onto the food. [0029] Thus, a further aspect resides in a container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections upstanding from the base that define liquid receiving regions between the projections and channels in the projections to allow liquid communication between the liquid receiving regions. [0030] In another aspect, the container may have an outermost continuous rib concentric with the wall(s) of the container, wherein the outermost rib is spaced from the wall(s) at a distance that is less than the spacing between the other projections in the container. [0031] The working advantage of having a minimal spacing between a continuous outer concentric projection is that less liquid may be received between the wall(s) of the container and the outer wall of the continuous rib. Further, as the rib is continuous, liquid cannot flow from the inner liquid receiving regions into the space between the inner walls of the container and the outer rib. Thus, for a transparent container, it can appear that there is much less liquid in the bottom of the container than there actually is. This is more aesthetic to a consumer at a point of sale. [0032] Thus, in a still further aspect there is described a container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls and base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the base to a height above the base, each projection being spaced from an adjacent projection; and a continuous rib concentric with and 6 spaced from the inner wall at a distance that is less than the distance between the projections. [0033] Alternatively, the container may have an inner ledge concentric with the shape of the container such that the container has the illusion of having no liquid in the bottom thereof. [0034] Thus in a still further aspect, there is described a container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or spaced food elevating projection sections upstanding therefrom, each projection being spaced from an adjacent projection at a substantially the same distance apart; and a continuous inner ledge around the base of the wall that is substantially the same height as the projections. [0035] In yet a further aspect there is provided a container packed with substantially uniformly cut fresh cut fruit, the container comprising, a side wall or walls a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the, each projection being spaced from an adjacent projection at a distance apart; said distance being equal to or less than about one half the average width of the cut fruit pieces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0036] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred container of the present invention; [0037] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1; [0038] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a base of a further preferred container; [0039] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a base of a further preferred container; [0040] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a base of a further preferred container; and [0041] Figure 6 is a schematic view of a base of a further preferred container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS [0042] Figures 1 and 2 show top and bottom perspective views of a preferred container 10 of the invention. The container 10 is round and is made from food grade polyethylene. The container 10 has a volume of about 600ml.

7 [0043] The container has a side wall 12 and a base 14. The base 14 has 4 equally spaced concentric ribs 16, a central round projection 18 and a continuous outer rib 20. Each rib 16 is 5mm in width and 12mm in height. The spacing 22 between the ribs 16 is 6mm. The outer rib 20 is 4mm wide and is spaced 24 2-3mm from the wall 12. [0044] The ribs 14 define round concentric liquid receiving regions 22. The concentric ribs 14 have four radial channels 28 defined therein for liquid communication between the liquid receiving areas 26. [0045] The container 10 is for use in storing fresh cut fruit for sale form a supermarket. The container 10 is transparent for display purposes. The cut fruit portions are typically about 1cm to 2cm cubes. The spacing 22 between the ribs is therefore about one half of the size of the fruit such that they cannot fall between the spaces. [0046] In use, liquid will drain from the cut fruit and collect in the liquid receiving regions 22. The total volume of the liquid receiving regions 22 is about 45 ml. Fluid communication between the liquid receiving regions 22 enables the volume of liquid in the liquid receiving regions 22 to equalise. [0047] Liquid however cannot flow from the liquid receiving regions past continuous rib 20 into the space 24 between the continuous rib 20 and wall 12. This means that when viewed from the outside by a customer, it will appear that there is little, if any, liquid on the base of the container 10. [0048] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an alternative base 30 for a container. The base 30 is similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2, except that the liquid receiving regions 32 are not fluidly connected. [0049] Figure 4 shows a further alternative base 40 design in which the food elevating projection 42 is a continuous spiral. Each section of the spiral is substantially the same distance apart. [0050] Figure 5 shows a further alternative base design 50 for a rectangular container. The base 50 has a series of concentric rectangular ribs 52 that define rectangular shaped liquid receiving regions 54. [0051] Figure 6 shows a base 60 that is similar to that shown in figure 5, except that the inner concentric ribs 62 have channels 64 for liquid communication between the liquid receiving regions 66.

8 [0052] It may be appreciated that the container described herein has a number of working advantages in being able to hold and store food item and in particular cut fresh produce that does not require the use of a separate insert. The food is elevated above the base of the container and away from any liquid in the base. In some forms of the invention, the liquid in the base of the container may be at least partially hidden from view outside the container. [0053] The relationship between the width of the liquid receiving areas and the height of the food elevating projections may prevent corners or smaller pieces of food from contacting any liquid in the base. [0054] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention as described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (5)

1. A container for storing a food stuff that releases liquid, the container comprising, a side wall or walls, a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or spaced food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the base and defining liquid receiving regions therebetween, each projection or projecting section is spaced from an adjacent projection or section at substantially equidistant apart; and the height of the projections or sections is greater than the distance the projections or sections are spaced apart.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the food elevating projections are ribs concentric with the shape of the container that define concentric liquid receiving regions.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein at least some of the ribs have channels for fluidly connecting adjacent liquid receiving regions.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the outermost rib is continuous.

5. A container packed with substantially uniformly cut fresh cut fruit, the container comprising, a side wall or walls, a base with a plurality of spaced food elevating projections or food elevating projecting sections upstanding from the, each projection being spaced from an adjacent projection at a distance apart; said distance being equal to or less than about one half the average width of the cut fruit pieces.