GB2316394A - Package - Google Patents

Abstract

A package eg for a single apple or orange comprises a base, side walls 12 and a lid formed from a folded blank. The lid comprises flaps 13,14 which are folded down to overlap in a closed condition with holes 16 aligned to define an aperture for ventilation and through which a stalk may protrude, while in a carrying configuration the flaps 13,14 cooperate to define a handle with apertures 15 formed as extensions of the holes 16. Trays of individual packages may be accommodated in a carton.

Description

IMPROVED PACKAGING SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to systems for packaging and presenting goods at the point of sale. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited to, the packing and presentation for sale of individual items of fruit such as applies or oranges.

Background to the Invention There has been a considerable increase over recent years in the sales of snack and take-away food. Freshly cut sandwiches, rolis, salads and the like are now available in supermarkets, corner stores and garages to name but a few outlets. Many people now routinely buy lunch or a snack meal in this form.

Special packing has been developed for this purpose. Salads and sandwiches are stored and sold in clear plastic containers sealed with some form of lid. Not only does this packaging keep the food item clean and fresh, especially when stored in a chilled cabinet, but it obviates the need for further packaginglwrapping at the point of sale. It is thus possible to buy in a neatly packaged form just one round of sandwiches and to take them away from the shop for eating later in packaging that will keep them fresh and unsquashed, even when they are mixed up with other food shopping. Whilst this applies to typical high-carbohydrate foods such as sandwiches, there is no equivalent way of purchasing fruit. As a consequence, customers tend to choose chocolate bars, biscuits or cakes instead of fruit. Whilst fruit is often on sale in shops that sell sandwiches, it is not packaged in the same convenient or appealing way.

Typically, apples for example are left in their transit trays or in piles on a fruit counter.

The consumer is thus not tempted to purchase fruit in the same way as highcarbohydrate items.

In fact, the apple is a very much neglected fruit. Whilst an apple makes a wholesome and nutritious snack, they are generally sold by the pound or kilogram. The extra applies have to be stored if not eaten straight away and can bruise or otherwise deteriorate before eating.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above problems and to provide a packaging system to enable the grower to pack fruit individually at the packing station into packaging that can be used as a display at the point of sale.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, in its broadest sense, there is provided a packaging container suitable for containing an individual item of fruit, said container comprising a base, sidewalls and lid, the lid comprising two foldable flaps mounted on opposing sidewalls wherein each flap incorporates an aperture which serves as a breathe hole and an opening through which a fruit stalk can protrude, the apertures in the two flaps being adapted to coincide when the flaps are folded flat across the top of the container.

In this way the fruit can be protected in a sealed box while in transit but the flaps on the individual boxes can be folded back at the point of sale to display their contents.

Preferably the overlapping portions of each flat are adapted to engage one with another to keep the box closed when required.

Preferably the flaps are adapted to incorporate or form a handle.

Preferably the handle takes the form of co-operating handle apertures in the flaps and the breathe holes take the form of an extension of these handle apertures.

Preferably the packaging containers or boxes as defined above are adapted to fit in rows into trays which are in turn adapted to fit into cartons currently used for transporting fruit, the inevitable gap between the rows of boxes being taken up with a raised insert adapted to restrain the boxes from moving during transit.

Preferably the insert is aligned or partly aligned with a handle region at each end of the tray.

Description of the Drawings This invention is intended to cover all the packaging referred to above and to the generally inventive concept of displaying for sale individually wrapped pieces of fruit.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a box according to the first aspect of the present invention suitable for holding an individual piece of fruit; Figure 2 shows an outer box adapted to hold a number of individual boxes; Figure 3 shows an exploded diagrammatic view of the typical contents of the box in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the cutting profile suitable for constructing a box as shown in Figure 1.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical box in which individual items of fruit can be packed.

The box 10 consists of a base 11, sidewalls 12 and two flaps 13, 14 which together form a lid. The box can be formed from a single sheet of card, plastic or board as shown in Figure 4. The fact that the box is so sized and shaped as to accommodate an individual item of fruit such as an apple or an orange and the special lid arrangement are essential elements of the invention.

The flaps 13, 14 extend from opposite sidewalls of the box and, when folded down across the box, overlap. These flaps are adapted to stay in three different configurations. In the closed configuration, the lids overlap each other and form a flat top to the box. In the carrying configuration, shown in Figure 1, the flaps co-operate to form a ridged top to the box and to create a carrying handle. In the open configuration, the flaps extend substantially in line with the sidewalls to reveal the box contents.

Certain important features are present in the closed configuration. First, the overlapping lids are designed to interlock so that they remain closed and in contact.

The interlocking mechanism (not shown) can take a wide variety of forms. For instance, it can include low-tack adhesive, interlocking slits or slots or a press-stud arrangement.

This latter feature can be formed simply by pressing or crimping complementary shapes into the flaps which come into alignment when the flaps are closed.

A breathe hole is also created by providing a hole in each flap, the respective holes falling into alignment when the flaps are in the closed configuration. These can conveniently be arranged by extending handle apertures 15 into slots 16 as described below.

In the carrying configuration, handle portions co-operate to provide a robust handle at least double the thickness of the material used to construct the box itself. The handle region can be further reinforced if necessary.

In the open configuration, the flaps extend away from the box, preferably in line with the sidewalls so that the box content i.e. the piece of fruit, is on full and open display. This can be arranged by adapting the way that the flap fold lines are creased.

The boxes are so sized and shaped that they can accommodate an individual item of fruit e.g. an apple, orange or pear and the fruit would normally sit on a paper napkin. This is not only provided as a courtesy for the consumer, but also serves to reduce bruising during transmit. A wrapped portion of cheese or a biscuit or other consumable item could also be included if desired.

Figure 3 shows how these boxes 10 are packed on trays 20 into a carton outer 21 of the size currently used for shipping apples or other fruit.

Almost inevitably, the rows of boxes will not fill standard trays and any gap between the rows of boxes can be filled by an insert or upstand 22. This creates a convenient gap in the region of the tray handles 23 which would otherwise be obscured by a box. It also provides a convenient location for point of sale advertising.

The essence of this invention is that a fruit producer can pack individual items of fruit directly into individual boxes which will be used at the point of sale without further packaging or wrapping. The individual boxes fit into trays and cartons which are currently in use in the fruit and vegetable trade. This whole system therefore requires little or no change in materials or equipment by the growers, packers or shippers. When the cartons of boxes arrive at the point of sale the lid 31 is removed and the boxes opened to display the fruit.

It is proposed that the individual boxes would be brightly and attractively decorated to set the fruit off in an appealing manner. This is currently not possible with the moulded "egg box" trays currently used to transport fruit. For example, the boxes may be colour-coded red for red apples, green for green apples and orange for oranges. The inside of the box can be coloured to match the outside or to otherwise complement the fruit. The outside of the box can be plastic laminated or lacquered to withstand the conditions inside a chilled cabinet.

The example above is just one way to achieve the objective of the invention. A box with a single fold over lid could also be used by incorporating a handle or handles into the lid or sides of the box. A breathe hole in the lid would still be advantageous, though not essential because a breathing gap or hole could be provided elsewhere.

The result is an attractively presented fruit product which, for the first time, should compete with or complement sandwiches and/or confectionery and which enables the consumer to buy an individual piece of fruit in a way that has not been possible before.

Claims (1)

1. Claim 1

   The improved packing system allows an apple to be transported from farm to customer without being handled until eaten by customer, hence enhancing hygiene Claim 2 When the box is closed for transport there is a cut out in the top allowing the stork of the apple to poke through, at the same time allowing air circulation critical to the fruit Claim 3 When box is closed there is a slot where the handle slots into to keep box closed until purchased Claim 4 When the customer has consumed the enclosed fruit the core is then wrapped in the napkin provided, put back into the box, resealed and disposed of