GB2560501B

GB2560501B - A vertical stack of nested thermoformed foodstuffs punnets

Info

Publication number: GB2560501B
Application number: GB1703572.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mccaffrey Thomas; Maguire Ruairi
Original assignee: Quinn Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Quinn Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2017-03-06
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-06
Also published as: IES20180044A2; GB201703572D0; IES86910B2; GB2560501A

Description

Title A vertical stack of nested thermoformed foodstuffs punnets

Field

The present application relates to trays for foodstuffs and in particular the type of foodstuffs tray or container known as a punnet. The application more particularly relates to nestable punnets of different capacities which are stackable one within the other during transportation and storage.

Background

It is well known in the food industry to provide punnet containers within which a foodstuff- typically a fruit or vegetable are stored. It is well known for example to use punnets for packing soft fruits such as strawberries or vegetables such as beans and fungi such as mushrooms.

These punnets are typically fabricated from a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The punnets are typically thermoformed using sheet extrusion technology and once formed are then stacked one within another in a nested configuration for transportation to a filling location such as a farm. A farm will typically source punnets of different dimensions so as to allow filling with a different amount of the ultimate food stuff. For example, when used to pack mushrooms it is known to provide containers that are specifically dimensioned to accommodate ranges from for example 150g to 700g. It will be appreciated that these volumes are exemplary and non-limiting. The colours of the individual punnets are typically brown, blue and black, but again it will be appreciated that these are exemplary of the type of colours that may be used.

The punnets typically have side walls extending upwardly from a base and terminating in a planar flange that defines the perimeter of the opening of the punnet. The flange is typically planar to allow for application of a lid or a sealing film across the volume defined by the punnet. The type of sealing used may vary dependent on the product being packaged. For example, mushroom punnets are generally overwrapped with cling film. Some packages- particularly those fabricated using PET are sealed. A roll-over edge may extend downwardly from the planar flange, or sometimes termed rim of the container, towards the base of the container. A gap is defined between an inner surface of the roll-over edge and an outer surface of the side walls. When two or more punnets are stacked within one another to form a nested arrangement of punnets, a flange of a first lower punnet is typically located within the gap of the second upper container. If the containers are all of the same dimensions, then such a stack of punnets when viewed from the side will typically provide the viewer with visible access to a plurality of individual roll-over edges and the side walls and base of the lower most punnet in the stack. The side walls and bases of the other punnets in the stack will typically be hidden from view as they are located within the other punnets of the stack.

While the actual sizes of the punnets may vary, it is known that such variations can be achieved by simply increasing the depth of the punnet and hence the volume of the actual container. In this way a punnet of a first dimension may have the same plan dimensions as that of a larger second dimension and the punnets of the different volumes can be stacked one within another in the same way as punnets of the same volume can be stacked. As long as the larger volume punnets are located lower in the stack, then the overall visual effect provided to the user of a stack of nested punnets of different dimensions is identical to the arrangement that would be presented to a stack of nested punnets of the same dimensions. If a user wishes to select a punnet of a first volume in preference to a punnet of a second volume, without actually separating the nested punnets from one another, the ultimate user of the punnet has no immediate indication as to where in the stack the desired punnet is located.

Such a failure to discriminate between punnets of different volumes within a stacked or nested arrangement becomes more problematic where the punnets are used in packing locations of reduced visibility such as the situation in the packing of mushrooms. In this packing scenario, it is known to concurrently pack punnets of different volumes of mushrooms (and hence different weights of mushrooms) for delivery to the same retailer. The retailer requires that the punnets are identical in shape and colour, but not in depth, and the only difference is the weight of mushroom that is ultimately packed within that container. Given the fact that the punnets typically all originate from the same manufacturer and are stacked or nested within one another prior to packing, there are issues associated with ensuring that the correct punnet is selected for packing the correct weight of product.

There is a need to address these and other problems.

Summary

These and other problems are addressed by the present teaching by a vertical stack of nested thermoformed punnets, in which each punnet includes a moulded identifier in a roll-over edge portion of the punnet, the identifier providing a visual and tactile indication of the size of that punnet.

Providing the identifier in, or on, the roll-over edge portion of the punnet advantageously ensures that when a plurality of punnets are stacked one within another, that the identifier for each of the individual punnets is identifiable relative to the indicators of each of the others of individual punnets.

The punnets typically have a major axis and a minor axis corresponding to the length and the width of the punnet respectively. The identifier is desirably located along a roll-over edge extending parallel to the major axis. The location of the identifier is desirably fixed in position such that both the relative position of the identifier and the form of the identifier provide visual and tactile confirmation of the punnet size. Locating an identifier for a punnet of a first capacity at a first location on the roll-over edge of that punnet advantageously ensures that when punnets of the same volume are nested within one another in a stack that the indicators for each of the punnets of that capacity are aligned one above the other in that stack.

By having the identifier for punnets of different volumes located at different positions along the roll-over edge, the present invention advantageously ensures that when punnets of two or more volumes are stacked one within another, that the location of punnets of different volumes or capacities are readily identifiable within the stack without having to individually separate the punnets from one another.

The identifier is typically a single character as this ensures that the overall aesthetic of the punnet is not affected significantly by the provided identifier. The present inventor has identified that by selecting a single character that is associated with a colour, that punnets of different sizes can be colour coded and provided in packaging - such as bags that is similarly colour coded. For example by using a “W” as an identifier of a punnet of a first size and then providing all such punnets in a white bag, the operator or packer can readily learn that all punnets with a “W” which are in the white bags are of this first size. By using a “R” as an identifier of a punnet of a second size and then providing all such punnets in a red bag, the operator or packer can readily learn that all punnets with a “R” which are in the red bags are of this second size. Such relationships between the indicators and the packing materials are particularly advantageous for environments where the literacy rates or language capabilities of the operators are not high.

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the application provides a vertical stack of nested thermoformed punnets in accordance with the claims that follow. The stacking arrangement comprises two or more punnets of different capacities which are collectively stackable within one another as detailed in the claims that follow.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a punnet.

Figure 2A is side view of the punnet of Figure 1.

Figure 2B is a side view of a similar punnet to that of Figure 1 but having a larger capacity and subsequently provided with a different identifier.

Figure 2C is a side view of a similar punnet to that of Figure 1 but having a larger capacity and subsequently provided with a different identifier to that of either Figure 2A or 2B.

Figure 3 shows a stacked arrangement of a plurality of punnets selected from the types shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 shows an example of a punnet 100. The punnet 100 comprises side walls 110 extending upwardly from a base 120 and terminating in a sealing flange or sealing rim 130 that defines the perimeter of the opening into the interior volume 140 of the punnet. The flange is typically planar to allow for application of a lid or a sealing film across the volume defined by the punnet. A roll-over edge 150 extends downwardly from the planar flange towards the base of the container. A gap 160 is defined between an inner surface of the roll-over edge 150 and an outer surface of the side walls 110. To assist in de-nesting of a stacked plurality of such punnets, de-nesting features 170 are provided at an inside portion of each corner of each punnet to assist in a de-nesting of a stacked array of similar punnets. Along the side of the roll-over edge 150 are provided two or more transport nicks 175. These are formed as part of the manufacture process and facilitate a transportation of the punnets prior to stacking. .

The punnet has a major axis 180 and a minor axis 190 corresponding to the length and the width of the punnet respectively.

The punnet of Figure 1 differs from prior art punnets in that it further comprises an identifier 195 defined in a roll-over edge portion of the punnet, the identifier providing a visual and tactile indication of the size of that punnet. The identifier in this instance is a single symbol “R” and is provided in the roll-over edge during the thermoforming process that is used to generate the punnet itself. The identifier can therefore be considered as being integrally formed in the fabric of the punnet itself.

By providing the identifier in the roll-over edge portion of the punnet, the present invention advantageously ensures that when a plurality of punnets are stacked one within another, that the identifier for each of the individual punnets is identifiable relative to the indicators of each of the others of individual punnets. This will be further discussed relative to Figure 3 below.

As shown in Figure 1 and further evident in Figure 2, the identifier 195 is desirably located along a roll-over edge extending parallel to the major axis. The location of the identifier is desirably fixed in position such that both the relative position of the identifier and the form of the identifier provide visual and tactile confirmation of the punnet size. As evidenced by comparison of each of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C (where Figure 2A uses the identifier “R” as indication of a container configured to contain 250g of a foodstuff, Figure 2B uses the identifier “W” as indication of a container configured to contain 300g of a foodstuff and Figure 2C uses the identifier “Y” as indication of a container configured to contain 350g of a foodstuff) which differ only in their volume/depth and hence their capacity for storage of foodstuffs, by locating an identifier for a punnet of a first volume at a first location on the roll-over edge of that punnet the present invention advantageously ensures that when punnets of the same volume are nested within one another in a stack that the indicators for each of the punnets of that volume are aligned one above the other in that stack.

By having the identifier for punnets of different volumes located at different positions along the roll-over edge (as evidenced by the location of each of “R”, “W’, and Ύ” in each of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C), the present invention advantageously ensures that when punnets of two or more volumes are stacked one within another, that the location of punnets of different volumes are readily identifiable within the stack without having to individually separate the punnets from one another. This is readily identifiable in the stacked arrangement of Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 1- 3, the identifier is typically a single character as this ensures that the overall aesthetic of the punnet is not affected significantly by the provided identifier.

When two or more punnets are stacked within one another to form a nested arrangement of punnets (as shown in Figure 3), a flange of a first lower punnet is typically located within the gap of the second upper container. If the punnets are stacked according to their relative sizes, then all the “R” type punnets are stacked one within the other with each of their “R” indicators aligned. Correspondingly all the “W’ type punnets will have their “W’ indicators vertically aligned one above the other within the stack and all the Ύ” type punnets will have their Ύ” indicators vertically aligned one above the other.

While Figure 3 shows a stack of three different dimensioned punnets, it will be appreciated that this can be considered as three distinct stacks; an “R” stack, a “W’ stack and a Ύ” stack.

Each of the three stacks when viewed from the side - as shown in Figure 3- will provide the viewer with visible access to a plurality of individual rims and the side walls and base of the lower most punnet in the stack. Each roll-over edge includes a visible, and tactile, identifier. By having mapped the identifier symbol to a specific dimension, the operator or packer will have knowledge from the unique symbol of the dimensions of the punnet which it is associated with. In this way, the operator can quite easily and readily identify all the 250g punnets (the R punnets) from the 300g punnets (the W punnets) from the 350g punnets (the Y punnets). The location of the unique identifier for each of the three differently dimensioned punnets at a specific position on the roll-over edge of the respective punnet also provides further clarity in where the stack of a punnet of a first dimension terminates and that of a second dimension commences.

To further reinforce the significance of the choice of symbol used for each punnet to identify that punnet type from a different punnet type, the present teaching also provides a packing system whereby each of the different punnet types are provided from the manufacturer to the packing location- for example a farm- in a colour coded package or bag. By providing the “R” type punnets in a Red bag, the “W” type punnets in a White bag and the “Y” type punnets in a Yellow bag, the system of the present teaching reinforces the significance of the variation that is symbolised by the actual symbol used. By selecting a single character that is associated with a colour, punnets of different sizes can be colour coded and provided in packaging - such as bags that is similarly colour coded. The operator or packer can thereby readily learn that all punnets with a “R” which are in the red bags are of a particular size. Such relationships between the indicators and the packing materials are particularly advantageous for environments where the literacy rates or language capabilities of the operators are not high.

By providing the unique identifier within the physical form of the roll-over edge, it is an integral part of the roll-over edge. The use of a thermoforming process allows the identifier to adopt an engraved form which is recessed into the surface of the rollover edge so as to provide a reinforced tactile sensory response characteristic to the operator. As it is located on the roll-over edge, it is visible within a stacked array of nested punnets- as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, its location on the roll-over edge ensures that it does not affect the ultimate closure of the punnet- the planar upper surface 130 of the flange is retained for sealing purposes.

It will be appreciated that examples of punnets that each include a unique identifier that is associated with the capacity of the particular punnet have been described. The physical form and location of the identifier provides an operator with information regarding the type of punnet. The alignment of indicators of similarly dimensioned punnets one above the other in a stacked arrangement readily allows identification of the type and number of a particular punnet size within the stack without requiring separation of the stack. Furthermore, the unique location of the identifier at a specific position along the roll-over edge facilitates identification within a mixed stack of the transition from a punnet of a first capacity to a punnet of a second capacity. While specific indicators and locations relative to specific punnet capacities have been described it will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the exemplary arrangement described herein without departing from the scope of the present teaching.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers , steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A vertical stack of nested thermoformed punnets, wherein the stack comprises a first set of punnets and a second different set of punnets, the first and second set of punnets differing in their capacity such that the first set of punnets have a first capacity and the second set of punnets have a second different capacity, wherein each punnet in the first set and the second set comprises: side walls extending upwardly from a base and terminating in a flange that defines the perimeter of an opening into an interior volume of the punnet, the punnet comprising a roll-over edge extending downwardly from the flange towards the base of the punnet, a gap being defined between an inner surface of the roll-over edge and an outer surface of the side walls, the punnet further comprising an integrally formed identifier located on the roll-over edge, the identifier being associated with a capacity of the punnet; wherein the identifiers of the punnets in the first set are located at a different location on the roll-over edge to the identifiers of the punnets of the second set such that on stacking each of the first set of punnets and the second set of punnets in the stack, the identifiers for the first set of punnets are vertically aligned and the identifiers for the second set of punnets are vertically aligned, the alignment of the identifiers of the first set of punnets being spaced apart horizontally from the alignment of the identifiers of the second set of punnets

2. The stack of claim 1 wherein each punnet in the first set and the second set comprises a plurality of de-nesting features to assist in separation of a first punnet from a second punnet in a nested configuration.

3. The stack of claim 1 or 2 wherein the identifier provides a visual and tactile indication to an operator of the capacity of the punnet.

4. The stack of any preceding claim wherein each punnet comprises a major axis and a minor axis corresponding to the length and the width of the punnet respectively and wherein the identifier is located on the roll-over edge extending parallel to the major axis

5. The stack of any preceding claim wherein the identifier of each punnet is provided at a specific location on the roll-over edge, the specific location being associated with the capacity of the punnet indicated by the identifier such that both the relative position of the identifier on the roll-over edge and the form of the identifier provide visual and tactile confirmation of the punnet capacity.

6. The stack of any preceding claim wherein the location of the identifier for each punnet is fixed in position for a particular punnet of a particular capacity such that when punnets of the same capacity are nested within one another in a stack, indicators for each of the punnets of that capacity are aligned one above the other in that stack.

7. The stack of any preceding claim wherein the identifier of each punnet is a single character, the character for a punnet of a first capacity being different to the character for a punnet of a second, different capacity.

8. The stack of claim 7 wherein the single character is associated with a colour such that that punnets of different sizes can be colour coded and provided in packaging that is similarly colour coded.

9. The stack of any preceding claim dimensioned such that when arranged in a stack, the flange of a first punnet is receivable into the defined gap of a second punnet.

10. The stack of claim 1 wherein the horizontal spacing of the vertical alignment of the first and second sets of punnets provides an identification within the formed stack of a transition from punnets of the first capacity to punnets of the second capacity such that the location of punnets of different capacities are readily identifiable within the stack without having to individually separate the punnets from one another.