NL2005962C2

NL2005962C2 - Sealer for vegetables or fruit, wrapped vegetables or fruit and a method for wrapping and/or bundling of vegetables or fruits.

Info

Publication number: NL2005962C2
Application number: NL2005962A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Guido Maurinus Adriana Maria Aarts
Original assignee: Aa Specialty Products B V
Priority date: 2011-01-07
Filing date: 2011-01-07
Publication date: 2012-07-10

Description

P93184NL00

Title: Sealer for vegetables or fruit, wrapped vegetables or fruit and a method for wrapping and/or bundling of vegetables or fruits.

The invention relates to a sealer. The invention further relates to a vegetable or fruit, wrapped and sealed and to a bundle of vegetables or fruits. Moreover the invention relates to a method for wrapping vegetables or fruits in a foil wrapping, such as a bag and to a method for bundling vegetables or 5 fruits.

Vegetables, such as leafy, bulbous vegetables, for example lettuce, is known to be wrapped in a plastic bag, which can be left open or can be closed over the vegetable. Especially such vegetable can be inserted into the bag root side first. Then the bag can be gathered on a side opposite the root side and 10 can be sealed by tying a closing element such as a clip, a band or a tape around the gathered bag material. Similarly fruits are known to be wrapped. Leaving the wrapping open runs the risk of contamination of the vegetable, unwrapping of the vegetable and damage to the vegetable. Closing the wrapping in the described manner leads to an undesirable appearance of the 15 vegetable and wrapping and runs the risk of damage to the wrapping and/or wrapping, because the gathered material can get stuck, for example when loading, shifting or unloading the vegetables in a secondary packaging, such as for example a crate, bag, cart or the like.

Vegetables and fruits having a substantially elongated shape, such 20 as stalk vegetables, for example asparagus, leaks, rhubarb, celery and the like, are known to be bundled and tied into a bundle using a paper wrapper or tape. To this end a bundle of vegetables is pushed against a length of tape extending perpendicular to the pushing direction, such that the tape is folded around the bundle and adhered to itself, tying the bundle together. Ends of the tape 25 adhered together will stick out from the bundle. This is undesirable for aesthetic reasons but also because the ends sticking out can be caught and the 2 bundle can be unwrapped, for example when packing bundles together or when taking bundles out from a package.

The present disclosure aims at providing an alternative to these known methods of packaging and the tools used therefore. The present 5 disclosure also aims at providing a sealer for sealing wrapped vegetables or fruits or bundling such.

In an aspect of the present disclosure a sealer for vegetables or fruits can comprise at least a holder for tape, at least one guide element for tape and a table. The guide element is at least partly provided at a first side of a part of 10 the table and a tape cutter element can be provided at an opposite side of said part of the table.

In another aspect of the present disclosure a vegetable or fruit, wrapped in foil, especially in a foil bag, can be characterised in that said foil or bag is closed over a side of the vegetable or fruit, preferably a stem or root 15 portion, forming a closure, wherein a tape is provided over the closure, such that the closure extends substantially parallel to a surface area of the vegetable or fruit. The stem or root portion can also be referred to a s a butt portion. The tape preferably covers the butt portion, such that it is no longer visible from outside the package.

20 Alternatively in an aspect the present disclosure can be characterised by a bundle of vegetables or fruits, tied together by tape, wherein the tape has at least two layers, wherein a first layer is enclosed between a second layer and the vegetables or fruits.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure a method is 25 described for wrapping vegetables or fruits, providing a plastic or paper wrap around at least one vegetable or fruit. An open side thereof is closed, forming a closure. Tape is provided over said closure, substantially parallel to a vegetable or fruit surface. The vegetable or fruit can be substantially spherical, the tape following part of the spherical surface, especially near a butt portion 3 thereof. This can provided for a substantially spherical form of the packaged vegetable or fruit too.

In the present disclosure furthermore a method is described, in which at or near a place of harvesting vegetables or fruits a tape is used for 5 sealing a closure of a wrapping of vegetables or fruits, especially using tape which is provided over a closure substantially parallel to and/or along a surface area of the vegetable or fruit near said closure. Preferably coding is applied to the packaged fruit or vegetable at said place of wrapping, preferably on or by the tape, indicating aspects of the vegetable and its handling.

10 Different vegetables or fruits can be coded differently. Similarly vegetables or fruits can be bundled using tape at or near a place or harvesting the fruits or vegetables. Again coding can be used in the same or similar manner.

In the following description embodiments of a sealer, vegetable or fruit and method of the present invention shall be described, by way of 15 example and elucidation only, with reference to the drawings, which show:

Fig. 1 schematically in perspective view a sealer for vegetables or fruits;

Fig. 2 schematically in side view a sealer of fig. 1, with tape fed over a table, and a wrapped butt lettuce on the table; 20 Fig. 2A an example of sealing tape, constituted by lengths of at least a first and second tape, superimposed;

Fig. 3 schematically part of a feeding mechanism for tape to the table;

Fig. 4A and B schematically a knife near a table edge, in a fixed 25 position and movable, respectively;

Fig. 5 sealers for sealing a wrapping around a vegetable or fruit, at or near a place of harvesting the vegetables or fruits;

Fig. 6 a vegetable or fruit, especially a butt lettuce, wrapped in a wrapping and sealed; and 4

Fig. 7 a sealer with a bundle of vegetables being tied and a bundle of tied vegetables.

In this description and with reference to the drawings, embodiments will be shown and described, in which the same or similar elements will have 5 the same or similar reference signs. In these embodiments a sealer will be disclosed, comprising at least one holder for tape, especially adhesive tape, and preferably at least two holders for tape, at least one for adhesive tape and at least one for non adhesive tape or for one sided adhesive tape dispensed such that adhesive sides of the two tapes will be facing each other during and after 10 dispensing, leaving an adhesive strip free of at least one of the tapes, beside the other of the two tapes.

In this description reference will be made to vegetables and/or fruits, especially bulbous vegetables and/or fruits. Bulbous vegetables should be understood as at least encompassing leafy vegetables growing in a 15 substantially bulbous or crop like form, or where applicable, bulb and stem vegetables, or flower vegetables, such as but not limited to lettuce crops, butt lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli or fruits, such as for example but not limited to melons and bell peppers. In this description further reference will be made to butt lettuce, by way of example only.

20 In this description reference will be made to wrappings, foils or bags, which have to be understood as including but not limited to materials made of or as foil, such as plastic, plastic laminates or fibrous or non fibrous foil or sheet materials, or combinations thereof, which can enclose at least partly and preferably entirely the vegetables or fruits, preferably wrapped individually, 25 and can be shaped substantially to the outer shape and contours of the products, such as vegetables or fruits to be wrapped. Preferably a bag is used. The material for wrapping can be transparent, such that the product wrapped can be seen through the wrapping material. Prints can be provided on the material, such as logo’s, product information, regulations and the like. In the 30 same or other embodiments the material can be partly or entirely opaque.

5

In this description reference will be made to tape. This can be adhesive tape and/of non adhesive tape. Tape should in general be understood as meaning a strip of material having a length and a width, perpendicular to each other and a thickness, perpendicular to the length and width, wherein the 5 thickness is very small compared to the width and length. The width can be smaller than the length. In case an adhesive tape is disclosed this can for example be made of paper or plastic, and can be provided with an adhesive at least at one side. In case a non-adhesive tape is disclosed this can be made of paper or plastic, wherein both sides are substantially free of adhesive. Tape is 10 to be understood as strips of material, sufficiently flexible to be folded or bent over and along a surface of a wrapped vegetable or fruit without tearing and without damaging the vegetable or fruit or wrapping.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a sealer 1 for vegetables and/or fruits, comprising a frame 2, which can for example be made of metal, plastic or 15 combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. The frame comprises at least one holder 3 for tape 4, especially adhesive tape. The holder 3 can also be referred to as a first holder 3. This tape 4 can be provided on the holder 3 as a roll of tape 4, wound on a core 5 to be placed on the holder 3. The holder 3 and core 5 can be provided with provisions that ensure that only a specific core 5 20 and thus a specific roll of tape 4 can be placed on the holder 3 and/or that a roll of tape 4 can only be placed on a proper orientation, for reasons to be discussed. The tape 4 can also be referred to a first tape 4. In the embodiment as shown in fig. 1, there are a first holder 3 and a second holder 6. The second holder 6 can be provided for holding a second tape 7, especially a roll of second 25 tape 7 wound on a second core 8. Again the core 8 and the second holder 6 can be provided with provisions that ensure that only a specific core 8 and thus a specific roll of tape 7 can be placed on the holder 6 and/or that a roll of tape 7 can only be placed on a proper orientation, for reasons to be discussed. The provisions can for example be form lock provisions, dimensional restrictions, 30 mechanical locking elements or the like.

6

In an embodiment the first tape 4 can be adhesive tape, made of plastic and provided with an adhesive 9 at a first side 10, as shown more specifically in fig. 2. The tape and adhesive can be partly or entirely transparent. The adhesive 9 can be provided as a pressure sensitive adhesive, 5 for example but not limited to a water based adhesive or a hot melt. A water based adhesive may be preferable in view of the products to be wrapped. The second tape 7 can be a non adhesive tape, such as but not limited to a plastic or paper tape. The second tape can be substantially opaque, non transparent, such that when applied to a product or wrapping, the product directly behind 10 the second tape 7 cannot be seen through the second tape 7. The second tape 7 can be provided with printing, such as but not limited to text, logos, coding and the like, as will be discussed later on, and can be visible through the first tape 4. The second tape can be a water resistant tape, such as water resistant paper tape, for example waxed or coated, in order to prevent damage to the tape due 15 to moisture from the fruits or vegetables or moisture or humidity in the environment in which it is to be stored and/or used.

In the embodiment the frame 2 is provided with a foot 53 by which it can be set on and/or attached to for example a table, bench, truck bed or the like, or can be made free standing. A table 11 is provided, for example near the 20 side of the frame comprising the foot 53, which can in normal use be at a lower end of the frame 2. The table 11 can for example be positioned below the first and second holders 3, 6, spaced apart therefore, allowing for a operating space 12 between an upper surface 13 of the table 11 and a lower side of the lowest roll of tape 4, 7. To this end the frame 2 can be substantially L-shaped, a leg 14 25 of the frame 2 extending from the foot 53 upward, and an arm 15 extending from an upper end 16 of the leg 14 to a position above the table 11. In the further description a side of the frame 2 at which the table 11 is provided will be referred to as a front side 17, whereas the opposite side of the frame 2 will be referred to as the rear side 18. The side of the foot 53 will be referred to as 7 the lower side 19 of the frame, whereas the opposite side of the frame 2 will be referred to as the upper side 20.

The leg 14 and, especially, the arm 15 can carry the holders 3, 6 above each other, which includes at least a positioning in which one of the 5 holders 3, 6 is spaced apart from the foot 53 further than the other of the holders 3, 6. In the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2 the first holder 3 is an upper holder, the second holder 6 a lower holder. Near the table 11 at least one tape guide 21 is provided, for guiding tape to the table 11. The first tape 4 is wound such that the adhesive side 9 of the tape 4 faces upward when placed on the 10 table 11, whereas the second tape 7 is placed on the adhesive side of the first tape 4, and thus on the side facing upward from the table 11. The second tape 7 can be adhered to the first tape 4. In another embodiment they could be placed freely on each other. The guide can be placed such that it forces the tapes 4, 7 against each other, just prior to being provided over the table 11.

15 Tension rollers 50A and/or B can be provided, for guiding and tensioning the first tape 4 and/or the second tape 7. Feed rollers 51 can be provided near a slot 52 in the table 11, for feeding the sealing tape 4 or the combined sealing tape 4, 7 onto the table 11.

The first tape 4 has a first width Wi and the second tape 7, which 20 can be paper, has a second width W2, the first width Wi being wider than the second width W2, as schematically shown in fig. 2A. The first and second tape 4, 7 are joined by providing the second tape, especially the paper, on an adhesive side of the first tape 4. Preferably they are joined such that on either side of the second tape 7, seen in the width direction of the tape, a stripe 25 of 25 adhesive is kept free of the tape 7, such that the joined tapes 4, 7 can be adhered to a product surface by said stripes 25.

The table 11 has a first side 22 at the guide element or elements 21 and a second side 23 at an opposite side. At the second side a tape cutting element 24 can be provided. This can comprise a fixed knife 26, such as for 30 example shown in fig. 4A. In this embodiment the knife 26 can extend only 8 slightly above an upper side 27 of an edge 29 of the table 11 at the second side 23. The tape 4 or tapes 4, 7 can then be cut by the knife 26 when it is pulled over the knife 26 and moved slightly down passed the knife 26. In the embodiment of fig. 4B the cutting element 24 can comprise a movable knife 26, 5 which can be moved from a lower position, below the said edge 29 to a higher position, comparable to the knife position shown in fig. 4A. This movement can be initiated by a user or automatically, for example by movement of the tape over the table 11 or the knife 26. The knife 26 can for example be movable by a handle or foot pedal 30, as schematically shown in fig. 4B. Alternatively the 10 table 11 could be movable by similar means, relative to the knife 26, or both.

The table 11 comprises a part 28 extending between the first and second side 22, 23, between the slot 52 and the cutting element 24. The part 28 can have a concave upper surface 31 or surface part, at least in the direction between the first and second side 22, 23 and comprises the slot 52. The concave 15 surface part can for example be substantially cylindrical or spherical, or can be facetted or curved otherwise. The curvature can be chosen depending on products to be sealed with the apparatus. The curvature has to be understood as also comprising a shape of a facetted surface 28, 31 having multiple parts 11 A, B connected at angles, such that a cylinder can be placed on the surface, 20 touching at least two of the parts 11 A, 1 IB at a middle portion thereof, the cylinder having a radius R. The curvature can have a radius R. The radius R can for example be between 0.1 and 1 times, preferably between 0.25 and 0.75 times the distance D between the upper surface 31 in the middle between the first and second side 22, 23, and a lower side 32 of the lower roll of tape 7.

25 when full, for example between about 0.25 and 0.5 times said distance D. The curvature can be chosen such that a substantially spherical product 40 can be placed fittingly on the top surface 31 of the part 28 of the table 11 and fit well below the lower side 32, spaced apart there from, over a distance D1 which can for example be between 0.05 and 0.3 times the distance D, for example 9 between 0.1 and 0.3 times the distance D, more specifically between about 0.1 and 0.2 times said distance D.

The top surface 31 of at least the part 28 of the table 11 can be at least partly static, permanently or for example by static means, for example by 5 electricity. In another embodiment the top surface 31 of the surface part 28 can be made static by the tape 4 and/or 7 moving over the surface part 28. The static capacity can add to adherence between the tape 4 and the table 11.

Along part of the part 28 of the table surface 31 guide elements 33 can be provided for the tape 4 or combined tape 4, 7, as for example shown in fig. 3.

10 Edge portions 34 of the tape 4 can be guided under the guide elements 33, between the guide elements 33 and the surface of the part 28, holding the tape 4, 60 close to and preferably against the surface 31 of the part 28 of the table 11. This can especially be advantageous when a sealer 1 is used outside, that is for example in possibly windy situations. This can for example be at or near a 15 place of harvesting products to be wrapped and sealed.

In fig. 2 a product 40 is shown, on the table 11, which can be a vegetable or fruit, such as for example but not limited to a crop of lettuce, for example butt lettuce. The product 40 has been inserted into a bag 41 of foil, as shown in fig. 6, left hand side, preferably an at least partly and more 20 preferably substantially completely transparent bag 41. The product 40 can have a butt 42, which can for example be the result of cutting a root or stem or the like, and an opposite side 43. In the embodiments shown preferably the product 40 is or has been inserted into the bag 41 with the opposite side 43 first, resulting in the butt 42 facing an opening 44 of the bag 41, as shown in 25 fig. 6, left hand side. The opening 44 is formed by a mouth portion 44A of the bag 41, which mouth portion 44A can for example comprise two opposite parts 44B, 44C of the bag 41. The bag 41 is then folded over the product 40, such that a closure 45 is formed, at, preferably over the butt 42, the bag 41 lying substantially flat against the product 40. To this end the mouth portion 44A 30 can be closed by bringing the opposite sides 44B, C towards each other and the 10 product 40. This position is schematically shown in fig. 6, right hand side. The opposite parts 44B, C could be folded partly over each other or could be folded such that they are slightly spaced apart.

A length of sealing tape 60, such as tape 4 or combined tapes 4, 7, 5 can be placed over the closure 45, such that the bag 41 is sealed over and against the product 40. The tape 4 can be adhered to the outer side of the bag 41, preferably free from the product 40. To this end the tape 4 can be adhered to the opposite parts 44B, 44C. If length of combined tape 4, 7 is used, the second tape 7 forming, seen in a width direction of the length, a non adhering 10 portion between two stripes 25 of adhesive 9 of the first tape 4, the stripes 25 of adhesive 9 can be adhered to the bag 41, whereas the intermediate portion can cover an intermediate portion of the bag or the product 40, if exposed between the opposite parts 44B, C of the mouth portion 44A of the bag 41. This can for example be the butt 42. This portion will then not adhere to the 15 product 40. Removal is easily possible with the length of tape 60 being the combined length of tape 4, 7, by inserting a finger or tool between the non adhering portion and the product 40 and/or bag 41, and lifting this, tearing the tape 60 off the bag 41. The tape 4 or combined tapes 4, 7, which can both be referred to as a length of sealing tape 60, could be provided manually but are 20 preferably provided by using a sealer 1. To this end a product 40 wrapped in the bag 41, preferably with the closed closure 45 is placed on a length of sealing tape 60 extending over the part 28 of the table 11, adhesive side 10 facing upward. The bag 41 or foil is pushed against the length of tape 60, such that it adheres at least to part of the bag 41, after which the product 40 with 25 the bag is rotated, pulling more sealing tape 60 from the rolls and covering the closure 45 further. Once a sufficient length of sealing tape 60 is provided, sufficiently covering the closure 45, the sealing tape 60 can be cut by the cutting knife 26 and the packed and sealed product 40 in the bag 41 can be put aside. A next length of sealing tape 60 will extend over the part 28 of the table 30 11, for a next product 40. Especially when the part 28 is or can be static, the 11 tape 4 may easily adhere to the table 11. The static part can be provided as a pad of foam 62.

Different sealers 1 can use differently coded tapes 4 or 4, 7, for example differing in colour, printing or combinations thereof, especially of the 5 second tape 7, if used. This will provide for the possibility to see later on with which sealer the product has been sealed, which can be retraced to for example position of harvesting, day and/or time of harvesting, person sealing or other aspects of the product and its handling. In embodiments the sealing tape 60, especially the second tape 7 can be provided with the coding 64 prior to 10 dispensing from the relevant holder. In alternative embodiments coding means can be provided for or near the sealers 1, with which a coding can be provided at the site where the products are packed and sealed, such as but not limited by suing a printer.

In fig. 5 schematically a series of sealers 1 is shown, placed at or 15 near a harvesting position for natural products such as vegetables or fruits to be packaged, especially wrapped and sealed. The sealers 1 can for example be placed on a cart or table 61 on a field or in an orchard. The field can for example be a field growing lettuce 40, such as butt lettuce, iceberg lettuce, cabbage, melons or such products, or an orchard. People can harvest the 20 products 40, which can then easily be packed in for example foil or, preferably, bags 41 in a manner disclosed here above, and sealed using the sealers 1. Each person can use the same coding for all products from the same filed or orchard. In other embodiments each person can use individualised coding, such that a product 40 can be traced back to the actual person sealing the product 40 in 25 the bag 41 or foil. In further alternative embodiments combinations of such codings can be used. Preferably the coding 64 is provided on the second tape 7, visible through the first tape 4, such that the coding is protected. A coding 64 can for example comprise one or more of a date, an identification number of a field, producer, harvester, period, product type, bar code, colour code or other 30 coding means. The codings 64 can be pre-printed and/or printed at location.

12

Obviously a sealer or a number of sealers 1 can be used in a similar way as described in an other position, for example in a storage facility, warehouse, shop or home area.

As can be seen in fig. 6, a bulbous product such as a crop, for 5 example lettuce, cabbage, melon or the like, but also other products such as broccoli can be wrapped, forming basically a substantially spherical shape without for example a closing element extending from it. Moreover there is no need for for example heat for sealing the bag or foil. The equipment is very easy to use and reliable. The products 40 can be presented in a very clear and 10 pleasant manner, wherein a butt 42 or such visually less pleasing element can be covered by the sealing tape 4, especially tape 7, out of view from outside the wrapping bag or foil. The sealing tape 60 can furthermore be used for advertising, information or coding purposes, as discussed before.

In fig. 7 schematically a bundle 63 of vegetables 40A is shown, for 15 example stalk vegetables such as but not limited to asparagus, leaks, paksoi, rhubarb, spinach, cabbages, celery, or such vegetables, which can have an at least partly elongated shape. In fig. 7 a bundle 63 of such vegetables 40A is placed on a concave part of the table 11, on top of the strip of tape 60 extending over the surface 13. The strip 60 can be provided as a first tape 4 only, the 20 adhering side thereof facing upward. The bundle 63 of vegetables 40A, comprising any number of vegetables, is then rotated in the direction D over the table surface 13, such that the tape 4 is wound around the bundle 63 of vegetables 40A, tying them together. Then when at least about one rotation has been made, preferably at least slightly more than one full rotation, such 25 that one end of the tape 4 will lay over the opposite end of the tape 4, where after the tape can be cut with the cutting element 24.

In a preferred embodiment of fig. 7 again a tape 60 with two layers of tape 4, 7 is provided, one over the other, as described before, wherein the width of the first tape 4 can be larger than the width of the second tape 7, 30 which second tape 7 can be non adhesive, at least at a side facing the bundle 13 63 of vegetables, and can be positioned such that two strips 25 of adhesive of the first tape 4 extend on either side, width wise, of the second tape 7, to be adhered to the vegetables, a wrap wound around the vegetables and/or to the tape 4 itself, for tying the bundle 63 and/or sealing the wrap. Again coding 64 5 can be provided, shown in the drawing as “code”, in any suitable manner, such as described, especially on the second tape 7 at the side facing the first tape 4, the first tape 4 being at least party transparent, such that the coding 64 or at least a relevant part thereof can be seen through the first tape 4. The coding 64 can be as described here above and the bundling can be done at or near the 10 place of harvesting, as described before with respect to the wrapping and sealing. The coding 64 can be pre-printed on one of the tapes, especially the second tape 7, but can also at least partly be provided during or just prior to use in a sealer 1.

The bundle 63 as shown in fig. 7 has been provided with two wraps 15 of tape 60, for tying and/or sealing the bundle 63. They are conveniently spaced apart. Any number of such tapes 60 can be used, for example depending on the length of the bundle, the type of vegetable 40A, the desired appearance, clients desires or preferences, legal requirements or the like. For providing multiple tapes 60 on a bundle, the same sealer 1 can be used a corresponding 20 number of times on the same bundle, or a number of sealers 1 can be positioned side by side, for forming the multiple wrappings of tape 60 simultaneously. Obviously, to that end one sealer could also be provided with a series of sealing means, as if multiples sealers are integrated into one.

Similarly other vegetables can be wrapped or taped, for example into 25 a bundle, with a sealer and/or method of the present disclosure, such as root or tuber vegetables, leaf vegetables, and corn, or for example cucumber, pickles, peppers or the like, for example primarily for coding purposes.

In all embodiments or uses the first tape 4 can have a width of for example between 1 and 10 cm, such as between 1 and 3 cm, for example about 30 1 to 2 cm. The width of a second tape can be smaller, for example between 0.25 14 and 0.9 times the width of the first tape 4, more specifically between 0.5 and 0.8 times. Obviously the widths can be chosen at any suitable size and combination, depending for example on the size of the product to be sealed. For a product a length of sealer tap can be used, for example between 5 and 30 cm, 5 such as between 10 and 25 cm. In an example about 15 to 20 cm is used for a crop of lettuce. In embodiments the length of sealing tape can be chosen to have a length similar to about a quarter to about half the circumference of the product over which it is supplied. In another embodiment it can extend around about the entire circumference.

10 By providing coding 64 on the second tape 7, covered by the first tape 4, may better prevent damage to or tampering with the coding 64. Obviously, the second tape 7 could be provided on a wrapping or bundle or vegetable or fruit first, where after the first tape 4 can be provided, covering said second tape 7.

15 The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown and described by way of example. Obviously all kinds of amendments are possible within the scope if the invention as defined by the claims. For example a sealer can be used having one roll of tape only. The table 11 can be flat or differently curved, for example in two directions. Mechanical or electrical means can be 20 provided for feeding tape 4 and/or 7 to and/or over the table 11. Also a sealing tape 60 could be used of different properties or dimensions. For example a tape could be used having only stripes 25 of adhesive 9 along edge portions 34, a middle portion being non adhesive.

These and similar amendments, including but not limited to all 25 combinations of embodiments or parts thereof are consideered to have been disclosed herein too.

Claims

A sealing device for fruit or vegetables, comprising at least one holder for tape, at least one guide element for tape and a table, the guide element being provided at least partially at a first side of a part of the table and a tape cutting element preferably is provided at an opposite side of the part of the table.

Seal device according to claim 1, wherein a second holder for tape is provided.

3. Sealing device according to claim 2, wherein one of the first and second holders is provided with a roll of adhesive tape, and the other of the first and second holders is provided with a roll of paper.

The sealing device of claim 3, wherein the tape on the roll of tape has a first width and the paper on the roll of paper has a second width, the first width being wider than the second width, the paper and the tape being connected by provide the paper on an adhesive side of the tape.

A sealing device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tape is supplied over the part of the table, wherein an adhesive side of the tape is turned away from the part of the table.

6. Sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table has an at least partially static table or static table surface.

7. Sealing device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the table has at least partially a substantially concave surface, wherein preferably the part of the table between the conductor element and the cutting element is concave, in a direction between the conductor element and the cutting element.

A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table, at least between the conductor element and the cutting element, is provided by an elastomeric or rubber surface or a metal surface.

9. Seal device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one tape holder is provided above an upper surface of the table, wherein preferably at least two tape holders are provided at least partially above each other.

10. A piece of vegetable or fruit wrapped in foil, in particular in a foil bag, wherein the foil or the bag is closed over a side of the vegetable or fruit, preferably a stem or root part, forming a closure, wherein a tape is provided over the closure such that the closure extends substantially parallel to a surface area of the piece of fruit or vegetable.

11. Piece of vegetable or fruit according to claim 10, wherein the tape is provided with a coding and / or a paper strip providing or provided with a coding.

A bundle of vegetables or fruit bound together with tape, the tape having at least two layers, a second layer of the at least two layers being enclosed between a first layer of the at least two layers and the vegetable or fruit.

The bundle of claim 12, wherein the second layer is coded on a side facing the first layer, the first layer being at least partially transparent to provide a view of the coding.

14. Group of bundles according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least two bundles have different first or second layers and / or different coding on the first or second layer.

15. Method for wrapping fruit or vegetables, comprising of providing a plastic or paper wrap around at least one piece of fruit or vegetable, closing an open side thereof, forming a closure, and providing a tape across the closure, substantially parallel to a vegetable or fruit surface.

16. Method for bundling vegetables or fruit by binding a double-layered tape around a bundle of vegetables or fruit, wherein at least one of the layers is provided with a code, visible from outside the bundle, preferably by a other of the 5 layers.

A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the tape is provided at a place of harvesting the vegetable or fruit.

18. Method as claimed in any of the claims 15 or 17, wherein different vegetables or fruit are wound or bundled in a similar manner, wherein differently coded tape is used for the different vegetables or fruit.

19. Method as claimed in any of the claims 15-18, wherein the tape is supplied over a table, and wherein a piece of vegetable or fruit is wrapped in a wrapper, in particular a bag, which is closed over the piece of vegetable or fruit, forming a closure, wherein or after which the wrapped piece of vegetable or fruit is moved, in particular rotated over the tape on the table, to close the closure; or vegetable or fruit is bundled, whereafter the bundle of vegetable or fruit is moved, in particular rotated over the tape on the table, to bind the bundle.

20. Method for encoding a vegetable or fruit, wherein a tape with at least two layers is provided, wherein a second layer is enclosed between a first layer and the vegetable or fruit, wherein the second layer is provided with coding on a side facing the first layer, the first layer being at least partially transparent to provide a view of the coding.