GB2216769A

GB2216769A - Method and container for packaging and preserving fresh fruit

Info

Publication number: GB2216769A
Application number: GB8827710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Takashi Sawada
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-31
Filing date: 1988-11-28
Publication date: 1989-10-18
Also published as: GB8827710D0

Abstract

A container for packaging and preserving slices of fresh fruit such as durian may be of rectangular-pyramid shape and made of transparent plastic material sealed at its edges and be provided with a label. The container also contains a preservative for preventing the fruit from spoiling. Also disclosed is a method for making said container using an automatic machine with a specially designed mould.

Description

METHOD AND CONTAINER FOR PACKAGING AND PRESERVING FRESH FRUIT This invention relates to a container for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as durian and to a method of carrying out the packaging and preservation of the fruit in order to keep it fresh and lasting longer while keeping its odour within the container.

The tropical fruit called durian is conventionally transported whole over long distance; or opened and removed from its thorny skin, then wrapped in cellophane or waxed paper before putting it into a plastic bag for customers to carry over a short distance. Durians are difficult to open and, when opened, it is difficult to preserve the quality of the fruit. Also, the odour of the fruit itself is one which many people find rather offensive. Furthermore, the step of removing the fruit from its skin by fruit vendors involves handling which should be avoided if possible for hygiene reasons.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container for packaging fruit such as durians which eliminates the above-mentioned problems. The invention further provides a method of making a container and for carrying out the packaging of fresh fruit such as durians using said container and a preservative all of which not only increase the life of the fruit but also makes the fruit look attractive and easy to carry.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making containers for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as durians comprising the following steps: feeding a sheet of plastic from a roll into an automatic machine which levels and preheats said plastic sheet, cutting said plastic sheet into the appropriate size, forming said plastic sheet into a container using a mould of specific design, putting a slice of fruit into said container together with preservative to prevent spoilage, and sealing the container.

The invention also provides a container for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as durian wherein the container is made from a transparent material whose edges are sealed by a high frequency technique and has a preservative inside said container.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a flow diagram of a method of making containers of the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mould for forming a container of the invention, and Figures 3 to 6 show a preferred container of the invention.

Figure 1 is a flow diagram of a method for making containers of the invention. In step 1, thin PVC sheet having a roll thickness of e.g. 0.35mm is fed into an automated machine which levels and preheats the plastic sheet to 60-700 C (step 2). The PVC sheet is preferably transparent to give clear visibility of the merchandise with the preferred colour being grey. In this step, the plastic sheet is cut to an appropriate size and formed into a container of the desired shape in the mould sFecifically designed for such purpose.

At the same time, the fresh fruit, such as durians, are cut into a number of slices, e.g. four slices (the number of slices depends on the size of the durian).

The durian may also be divided into lobes with the fruit on both sides of each lobe where the fruit can be easily taken out from the skin. In step 3, a preservative, preferably Keplon DR-S No. 2, is placed at the base inside each container and each slice or lobe of durian is wrapped with microwave-safe polyethylene and then put into the container. The container is then sealed by using a special type of copper moulder employing a high frequency technique.

The finished products are then placed in a freezer room maintained at 8-100C (step 4).

Keplon DR-S of anyhydride bacterial type is used for preserving food with high humidity as it has the capability to absorb oxygen in the container and thus prevent the contents from spoiling. The chemical also helps to maintain taste, flavour and freshness and to prevent discolouration, oxidation of oil and fats, decomposition, mould and noxious insects. The amount of Keplon DR-S used is selected to absorb substantially all the oxygen isolated in the container.

F#igure 2 shows a mould of a special design which is used to form containers according to the invention. The container is of rectangular-pyramid shape moulded on both sides with projecting portions to receive the durian slices. The mould consists of two parts, a base 1 and a cover or upper part 2. The base 1 and cover 2 fit together and are held by holding means 3-3' which may be protrusion and recess type. Base 1 has a thickness corresponding to the required size of packing with the central part shaped to the contour of the durian slices. Cover 2 is correspondingly shaped but of shallower depth to allow for the protrusion of durian slice on this side but with the rest of the slice in base 1. The upper part of the central recess is reserved for the label, brand and other related information.

Figures 3 to 6 show the finished product, i.e. packed durian slices. The specific dimensions of the container are 250mm long and 175mm high, 60mm of the height being used for labelling purposes. The weight of the container is approximately 50 grams and the packed products weigh from 500 to 600 grams.

Although specific dimensions have been given in the example above, it is to be understood that the size and shape can be modified and varied and that other materials suitable for packing the durian and for preserving it can be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of making containers for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as durians comprising the following steps: feeding a sheet of plastic from a roll into an automatic machine which levels and preheats said plastic sheet, and cutting said plastic sheet into the appropriate size, forming said plastic sheet into a container using a mould of specific design, putting a slice of fruit into said container together with preservative to prevent spoilage, and sealing the container.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slice of fresh durian is wrapped in microwave-safe polyethylene before being put into said container.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the preservative is Keplon DR-S No. 2 or the like, the quantity put into the container being enough to absorb substantially all isolated oxygen in said sealed container.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the container is sealed using a high frequency copper moulder.

5. A method of making containers substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A mould for forming a container for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as a slice of durian, said mould comprising a base and cover which fit together through protrusion and recess means, the mould having a cavity therein shaped to accept a durian slice and a space allocated for label and other information.

7. A mould as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mould cavity is of rectangular-pyramid shape.

8. A container for packaging and preserving fresh fruit such as durian wherein the container is made from a transparent material whose edges are sealed by a high frequency technique and has a preservative inside said container.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said transparent material is PVC plast-ic sheet, preferably 0.35mm thick.

10. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said preservative is Keplon DR-S No. 2 in an amount capable of absorbing substantially all oxygen in the sealed container.

11. A container as claimed in any of claims 8-10 wherein said container is of rectangular-pyramid shape.

12. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3-6 of the accompanying drawings.