US20160244242A1 - Fruit packaging containers - Google Patents
Fruit packaging containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160244242A1 US20160244242A1 US14/628,063 US201514628063A US2016244242A1 US 20160244242 A1 US20160244242 A1 US 20160244242A1 US 201514628063 A US201514628063 A US 201514628063A US 2016244242 A1 US2016244242 A1 US 2016244242A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- panel
- box
- outer panel
- panels
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
- B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/14—Linings or internal coatings
- B65D25/16—Loose, or loosely-attached, linings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/007—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags for facilitating the separation of the two walls, e.g. walls of inequal height, tabs; for maintaining the mouth of the sack or bag open
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
- B65D33/1683—A pair of interconnecting rigid strips made of plastic material, e.g. one or both being provided with a handle or suspension means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
- B65D33/25—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
- B65D33/2508—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/56—Linings or internal coatings, e.g. pre-formed trays provided with a blow- or thermoformed layer
- B65D5/60—Loose, or loosely attached, linings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
- B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
- B65D81/2084—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container
- B65D81/2092—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container with one or several rigid inserts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
- B65D5/0015—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel
Definitions
- This application is related to bags and other packaging containers for fresh fruit, and especially commercially packaged fruit that is transported from one geographic region to another.
- Described herein are sealable, breathable bags for packaging fresh fruit in boxes.
- the bags protects the fruit from pests and contaminants while maintaining a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
- the bags are constructed in such a way that they have a flattened closed configuration and a fully opened configuration that allows them to efficiently fit into a generally cuboid, open-topped packaging box to be filled with fresh fruit.
- a sealable, breathable bag for packaging fresh fruit within an open-topped box comprise a front outer panel, a front inner panel, a rear inner panel, and a rear outer panel formed from a folded sheet of breathable polymeric material.
- the front outer panel transitions to the front inner panel along a first lower fold
- the front inner panel transitions to the rear inner panel along an intermediate fold at upper ends of the front and rear inner panels
- the rear inner panel transitions to the rear outer panel along a second lower fold, such that the folded sheet forms a generally “W” shaped cross-sectional profile.
- the four panels of the bag extend laterally along a length of the flattened bag between a first sealed side of the bag and an opposing second sealed side of the bag.
- the first sealed side of the bag includes a first lower sealed side and a first upper sealed side
- the second sealed side of the bag includes a second lower sealed side and a second lower sealed side.
- the first and second lower sealed sides comprise a joining of lateral edges of the all four panels below the intermediate fold
- the first and second upper sealed sides comprise a joining of the first lateral edges of just the front and rear outer panels above the intermediate fold.
- the front and rear outer panels form an upper opening and an upper closure adjacent the upper opening.
- the upper closure is configured to selectively seal closed the upper opening with fresh fruit packaged within the bag such that a modified atmosphere environment can be created around the fresh fruit within the sealed bag.
- the bag is in the fully open configuration when the bag is placed in an open-topped box having a rectangular lower panel, two rectangular end panels extending upward from opposing ends of the lower panel, and two rectangular side panels extending upward from opposing sides of the lower panel and extending between the two end panels.
- the bag In the fully open configuration, the bag overlies an upper surface of the lower panel and inner surfaces of the two end panels and two side panels of the box, and the upper opening of the bag is spread apart with upper edges of the front and rear outer panels being positioned adjacent to or folded over upper edges of the two side panels and the two end panels of the box, such that fresh fruit can be placed inside the bag within the box.
- the lower sealed sides are longer than the upper sealed sides, such that the intermediate fold is closer to the upper edges of the bag than the lower end of the bag in the flattened, closed configuration.
- the breathable polymeric material is permeable to CO 2 and O 2 .
- the bag in the fully open configuration, defines a generally cuboid open internal region that is generally the same size as an internal space defined by the box.
- a middle portion of the intermediate fold is flattened out along the lower panel of the box such that the front inner panel and the rear inner panel of the bag overlie the lower panel of the box.
- the bag in the flattened, closed configuration, can include a first interior pocket between the first outer panel and the first inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the first lower fold.
- the bag can also define a second interior pocket between the second outer panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the second lower fold.
- an exterior pocket is also formed between the first inner panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and below the intermediate fold.
- the first interior pocket in the fully open configuration, can be divided into a first interior corner pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second interior corner pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box, and the second interior pocket can be divided into a third interior corner pocket adjacent the first end panel of the box and a fourth interior corner pocket adjacent the second end panel of the box.
- the four interior corner pockets can be generally triangular in shape, and can each be defined in part by one of the first or second lower sealed sides.
- the four interior corner pockets can each have an open upper end that extends from one of the first and second sealed sides of the bag.
- the exterior pocket in the fully open configuration, is divided into a first exterior end pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second exterior end pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box.
- the first and second exterior end pockets can also be generally triangular in shape.
- the first and second exterior end pockets can have open lower ends that extend horizontally across a majority of the length of the respective end panels of the box.
- the bag can also have a sealed configuration wherein the bag encloses fresh fruit within the box with the upper closure sealing the upper opening closed above the fresh fruit between the two end panels of the box, wherein in the sealed configuration a modified atmosphere environment is created around the fresh fruit within the bag.
- FIG. 1A shows an exemplary box and an exemplary sealable bag, in a flattened configuration, for packaging fresh fruit.
- FIGS. 1B and 1C are horizontal cross-sectional views of the bag of FIG. 1A .
- FIG. 1D is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1A .
- FIG. 1E is a perspective view of another exemplary sealable bag in a slightly opened configuration.
- FIG. 1F is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1E .
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1A , in a partially opened configuration.
- FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a rear half of the bag in the partially open configuration of FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 3 shows the bag of FIG. 1A and 2A in a fully open configuration and positioned in the box of FIG. 1A .
- FIG. 4 shows the box and bag in the configuration of FIG. 3 with six cartons of fresh berries positioned in the bag and box.
- FIG. 5 shows the bag sealed closed around the fresh berries inside the box.
- Described herein are examples of fruit packaging containers, including sealable, breathable bags for packaging fresh fruit.
- the bags can be constructed in a manner that is simple to manufacture and use, provides sufficient strength and durability, protects the fruit from pests and contaminants, and maintains a desired internal gas environment around the fruit to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
- FIG. 1A shows an exemplary flexible, sealable bag 2 and an exemplary open-topped box 30 for packaging and transporting fresh fruit.
- FIG. 2A shows the bag 2 in a partially open configuration
- FIG. 3 shows the bag 2 in a fully open configurations and placed inside the box 30 with the bag's upper open end folded over the four sides of the box.
- fresh fruit 80 can be placed in the bag 2 and the box 30 , as shown in FIG. 4
- the bag 2 can then be sealed around the fruit, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the box 30 can be stacked, stored, and/or transported while maintaining desired environment around the fruit until the fruit is ready to be displayed, sold, and/or consumed.
- the disclosed containers can be used for packaging any type of fresh fruit, including berries, cherries, plums, kiwis, apples, etc.
- the bag 2 can be breathable.
- breathable as used herein means that the material of the bag is permeable to, or allows transpiration of, certain gasses while being impermeable to other substances.
- the bag 2 can be made from sheet material that is permeable to CO 2 and O 2 .
- Such a breathable, sealable bag can be an example of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and can allow for the formation of a controlled gas environment, or modified atmosphere environment, when the fruit is sealed within the bag, which can help keep the fruit fresher longer and/or help control how fast the fruit ripens.
- MAP modified atmosphere packaging
- the bag 2 can create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit inside the sealed bag that comprises a different percentage of certain gases than the outside ambient air.
- the bag 2 can create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit with a higher percentage of CO 2 and/or a lower percentage of O 2 relative to the outside ambient air.
- Exemplary materials that can be used in the bag 2 include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon and nylon-based materials, high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene.
- LDPE low density polyethylene
- LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
- HDPE high density polyethylene
- PEAKfresh® One exemplary modified atmosphere packaging
- the bag 2 can comprise a non-breathable material and/or a material not specifically designed to create a modified atmosphere environment.
- some embodiments of the bag 2 can be used primarily for moisture retention.
- the bag 2 can be formed from a single, four-sided (e.g., rectangular) sheet of material that is folded and permanently sealed along its lateral sides, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D .
- the bag 2 includes a upper opening 4 between two upper edges 6 that extend laterally across the length of the bag, two lower folds 8 that extend laterally across the length of the bag, an intermediate fold 18 that extends laterally across the length of the bag, upper sealed side 10 and lower sealed side, or gusset, 14 of the one lateral end (left side of FIG. 1 ), and upper sealed side 12 and lower sealed side, or gusset, 16 on the opposite lateral end (right side of FIG. 1 ).
- the single sheet of material is folded in a generally “W” shaped pattern, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1D , forming a rear outer panel 20 , front outer panel 22 , front inner panel 24 , and rear inner panel 26 , such that all four panels extend across the entire length of the bag.
- FIG. 1B shows a horizontal cross-section take above the intermediate fold 18 and looking upwardly, such that only the outer panels 20 and 22 are visible
- FIG. 1C shows a horizontal cross-section take below the intermediate fold 18 and looking upwardly, such that all four panels 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 and the fold 18 are visible.
- FIG. 1C illustrates that all four panels are joined together at their lateral ends to form the lower gussets 14 , 16 that reinforce the ends of the bag.
- the point at which the intermediate fold 18 intersects the left-hand edges of the panels is labeled at point 50 and the point at which the intermediate fold 18 intersects the right-hand edges of the panels is labeled at point 52 .
- the portions of the lateral edges above the points 50 and 52 form the upper sealed sides 10 and 12 and include the joining of only the outer panels 20 and 22 , as shown in FIG. 1B .
- the portions of the lateral edges below the points 50 and 52 form the lower sealed sides 14 and 16 and include the joining of all four of the outer panels 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , as shown in FIG. 1C .
- the lower ends of the lower sealed sides 14 , 16 are labeled with points 54 and 56 .
- the points 54 , 56 also represent the juncture of the lower folds 8 with the lower sealed sides 14 and 16 .
- the bag 2 in the flattened configuration can form two generally rectangular internal pockets 60 extending laterally between the lower sealed sides 14 and 16 and vertically between the intermediate fold 18 and the lower folds 8 .
- One internal pocket 60 is between the rear outer panel 20 and the rear inner panel 24
- the other internal pocket 60 is between the front outer panel 22 and the front inner panel 26 .
- the bag 2 in the flattened configuration can form a generally rectangular external pocket 64 that is between the two internal pockets 60 and extends laterally between the lower sealed sides 14 and 16 and vertically between the intermediate fold 18 and the lower folds 8 .
- the side-to-side length of the bag 2 can be sized to allow the upper opening to be folded over the upper perimeter of a particular box, such as the box 30 (see FIG. 3 ).
- the length of the bag (or at least the upper end of the bag) can be greater than one-half of the perimeter of the upper edges of the box (e.g., greater than the length plus the width of the box).
- a bag with a length of 24 inches or greater can be suitable for use with a box having a length of 16 inches and a width of 8 inches (perimeter of 48 inches). This allows the upper opening the bag to fold over all four upper corners of the box, as shown in
- the bag can have a length of at least 12 inches, at least 16 inches, at least 18 inches, at least 20 inches, at least 22 inches, or at least about 30 inches.
- the height of the bag can be selected to allow the bag to fit around whatever objects (e.g., cartons of fresh fruit) are being packed in the bag and remain easy to manipulate and seal the upper opening. Thus, the height can be greater than the height/depth of the box. Significant extra height can be provided to the bag to allow excess material to allow the bag to comfortably extend around the objects being packed inside the bag.
- the bag can have a height of at least 6 inches, at least 7 inches, at least 8 inches, at least 9 inches, at least 10 inches, or at least about 12 inches.
- the bag 2 in FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary bag having a length of about 24 inches and an overall height of about 9 inches.
- the height of the gusseted lower portion of the bag can have any ratio relative to the overall height of the bag.
- the lower sealed sides 14 , 16 can be about equal in height (linear length of the seam) to the height of the upper sealed sides 10 , 12 .
- the lower sealed sides 14 , 16 can have a height that is greater than or less than the height of the upper sealed sides 10 , 12 .
- the lower sealed sides 14 , 16 can have a height that at least one-third or at least one-fourth of the overall height of the bag.
- the sum of the heights of all four panels of the bag can determine how far the bag can extend around the objects being packed in the bag in the width and height dimensions. For example, the sum of the heights of all four panels can be greater than the sum of two times the width of the box plus two times the height of the box. Since the upper closure 28 (see next paragraph) is located a distance below the upper edges of the bag, the heights described herein can be calculated based on the height of the upper closure 28 instead of the upper edges of the bag, to ensure the two sides of the closure can reach each other and seal together over the fruit.
- the bag 2 can have an internal volume that varies based on the configuration of the bag.
- the minimum volume can be zero when in the flattened closed state.
- the maximum volume can be selected based on the size of the box and/or the volume and configuration of fruit desired to be packed inside the bag.
- the bag can have a maximum volume that is greater than the volume of the fruit to allow excess material such that the box can conform the shape of the box and seal above the fruit without being unduly stretched or strained.
- the bag can have a volume of at least 5.6 quarts.
- the bag 2 comprises an upper closure 28 that includes a longitudinal strip extending across both of the outer panels 20 , 22 between the upper sealed sides 10 , 12 , which allows the upper portions of the outer panels to be selectively sealed together and unsealed, in order to manually open and close the bag around the fruit.
- the upper closure 28 can comprise, for example, a zipper, slider, ziplock®-type structure, tongue-and-groove type structure, or similar structure.
- the upper closure 28 can be permanently sealable, such as using a pressure-sensitive adhesive or the like.
- the box 30 can have any shape and size commensurate with the shape and size of the bag 2 .
- the box 30 has a lower panel 32 , end panels 34 and 36 , side panels 38 and 40 , and an open top.
- the box 30 can be comprised of corrugated paperboard, polymeric materials, metallic materials, and/or other materials sufficient to provide a rigid structure to support the fruit for stacking, storage, and transportation.
- the box 30 can optionally also comprise vents, drain holes, hand holes, stacking tabs, and/or other features.
- the box 30 and bag 2 can be sized to receive a particular volume of smaller packaging containers, such as the six blueberry containers 80 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- the bag 2 Prior to placing the smaller fruit containers 80 in the box 30 , the bag 2 is placed in the box in the open configuration shown in FIG. 3 . In this configuration, the upper edges 6 of the bag 2 are folded over the four vertical panels 32 - 38 of the box and out of the way so that the fruit containers 80 can be placed inside the bag 2 and the box 30 at the same time.
- the bag 2 can include permanent creases along the folds 8 and 18 , while in other embodiments the folds 8 and 18 can simply comprise elastically bent regions that are not visible when the folds are unfolded.
- the intermediate fold 18 can flatten out along the bottom panel 32 of the box and no longer be visible.
- a fold line or crease remains visible even when the fold is opened and laid flat. For this reason, the unfolded, flat portion 18 A of the intermediate fold 18 is shown with a dashed line in FIGS. 2A and 3 , while the lateral ends 18 B of the fold 18 can remain partially folded and are shown with a solid line.
- the degree of folding can vary gradually over the fold 18 , such that the fold 18 becomes gradually flatter moving inwardly from the points 50 , 52 at the sealed sides to the fully flattened out portion 18 A extending along the flat bottom panel 32 of the box.
- the lateral ends 18 B of the intermediate fold 18 can curve gradually upwardly, or transition to a more vertical direction, moving from the flat portion 18 A up to the end points 50 and 52 , which can be located near the upper edge of the end panels 34 and 36 .
- the lower folds 8 of the bag When the bag 2 is opened, the lower folds 8 flatten out, or unfold, along their middle portions 8 A, which can be positioned near the junctures of the bottom panel 32 with the side panels 38 and 40 of the box 30 . These middle portions 8 A are shown with solid lines in FIG. 2A to indicate that in the open position the bag can remain partially folded, or can be curved, as the bag transitions from the more horizontal inner panels 24 , 26 of the bag to the more vertical outer panels 20 , 22 of the bag at the folds 8 A.
- the lateral ends of the lower folds 8 are joined with the lower side seals 14 and 16 at the points 54 and 56 , such that the lateral end portions 8 B of the lower folds 8 gradually become more unfolded moving inwardly from the lateral end points 54 , 56 .
- the lateral end portions 8 B of the lower folds 8 can extend along, or adjacent to, the juncture of the bottom panel 32 of the box and end panels 34 , 36 of the box, such the lateral end portions 8 B can be generally perpendicular to the middle portions 8 A of the lower folds 8 .
- the two lower folds 8 can form a general rectangle extending around, or near to, the perimeter of the bottom panel 32 of the box 30 .
- the two internal pockets 60 and the external pocket 64 (shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D ) open up and flatten out along the middle portions 8 A and 18 A of the folds 8 and 18 .
- the lateral ends of the pockets 60 and 64 remain closed at the lower side seams 14 and 16 , which cause the internal pockets 60 to divide into two left internal corner pockets 61 near the left lower side seam 14 and two right internal corner pockets 62 near the right lower side seam 16 , and causes the external pocket 64 to divide into a left external pocket 65 and a right external pocket 66 .
- the two left internal corner pockets 61 are formed on either side of the left lateral portion 18 B of the intermediate fold 18
- the two right internal corner pockets 62 are formed on either side of the right lateral portion 18 B of the intermediate fold 18 .
- the left exterior pocket 65 (and similarly for the right external pocket 66 ) is defined generally between the lower side seam 14 and the sloping left end portion 18 B of the intermediate fold 18 .
- the left interior pockets 61 have a similar triangular profile as the left exterior pocket 65 , but are closed on the lower side at 8 B and are open on the sloped upper side.
- the pockets 61 , 62 , 65 , and 66 are generally flattened against the side ends 34 , 36 of the box, with the two left internal pockets 61 being sandwiched between the left external pocket 65 and the left end panel 34 , and the two right internal pockets 62 being sandwiched between the right external pocket 66 and the right end panel 36 .
- Each of the internal pockets 61 , 62 can cover about half the area of each of the external pockets 65 , 66 .
- two diagonal folds 9 are created at either lateral side of the bag 2 , each of which extends downwardly at an angle from the points 50 and 52 to the lower folds 8 (e.g., to the points where 8 A and 8 B meet and/or near the four internal corners of the box 30 ).
- These diagonal folds 9 define the upper sloped sides of the both the internal pockets 61 , 62 and the external pockets 65 , 66 .
- the four folds 9 define the four openings of the pockets, while for the two external pockets 65 , 66 the four folds 9 (in two groups or two) define the peaked upper limits of the two pockets.
- the bag 2 defines an internal region that closely matches the shape of the box 30 , which can be a cuboid or close to a cuboid.
- the folds 8 , 9 , and 18 along with the sealed edges 10 , 12 , 14 , 16 allow the bag 2 to assume such a cuboid shape with minimal wrinkling or overlapping material (except the triangular overlap areas around the pockets 61 , 62 , 65 , 66 at the ends), thereby making efficient use of the bag material and maximizing the space remaining inside the box 30 for loose fruit or fruit containers such as the containers 80 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the upper edges 6 of the bag can be lifted up over the fruit and the upper closure 28 can be used to join the panels 20 and 22 together to fully enclose the fruit inside the bag 2 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the upper portions of the closed bag can then optionally be folded over the top of the fruit or left extending over the end panels 34 , 36 of the box.
- several of the boxes 30 with bag-enclosed fruit can be stacked on top of each other, such as by utilizing the stacking tabs on the side panels 38 , 40 . Later, the upper closures 28 can be reopened to access the fruit for display or consumption.
- the breathability of the bag material can maintain a modified atmosphere while allowing the fruit to respire, preserving the freshness of the fresh fruit, slowing the ripening process or slowing the fruit's metabolism/respiration rate, blocking contaminates and pests from entering or exiting the bag, limiting odors and other unwanted gases from escaping, and maintaining moisture in the bag to reduce fruit weight loss (limit dehydration) and to preserve fruit firmness for prolonged shipping transit or storage times.
- FIGS. 1E and 1F illustrate another exemplary bag 100 for packaging fresh fruit inside a box such as the box 30 .
- the bag 100 can be similar to the bag 2 in all respects, except that the lower sealed sides, or gussets, 14 and 16 are each divided apart into two separate lower sealed sides, or gussets, 14 A, 14 B, 16 A and 16 B.
- Lower fold 8 A extends between the lower ends 54 A, 56 A of gussets 14 A and 16 A
- lower fold 8 B extends between the lower ends 54 B, 56 B of gussets 14 B and 16 B.
- the left-hand gussets 14 A, 14 B are joined at their upper ends at point 50 , where they also join with the upper sealed side 10 .
- right-hand gussets 16 A, 16 B are joined at their upper ends at point 52 , where they also join with the upper sealed side 12 .
- the gussets 14 A and 16 A can pivot apart from the gussets 14 B and 16 B about the points 50 and 52 , allowing the gussets to become more horizontally oriented and less vertically oriented.
- the middle of the intermediate fold 18 flattens out (unfolds) and can bow downwardly from its end points 50 and 52 to allow the inner panels 24 , 26 to spread apart from the outer panels 20 , 22 and create an open volume inside the bag.
- the lower ends 54 A, 54 B, 56 A, 56 B of the four gussets can extend to or near the four interior corners of the box, and the two lower folds 8 A and 8 B can be positioned along or near the junctures of the side panels 38 , 40 with the lower panel 32 , which allows the bag to efficiently cover the inside the box and allows the bag and box to be efficiently filled with fresh fruit.
- the terms “a”, “an”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present.
- the terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element.
- the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements.
- the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A”, “B,”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, or “A, B, and C.”
- the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language.
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Abstract
Described herein are sealable, breathable bags for packaging, storing, and transporting fresh fruit in boxes. The bags protects the fruit from outside contaminants while maintaining a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit to preserve the freshness of the fruit. Furthermore, the bags are constructed in such a way that they have a flattened closed configuration and an fully opened configuration that allows them to efficiently fit into a generally cuboid, open-topped packaging box to be filled with fresh fruit and then seal around the fruit in the box.
Description
- This application is related to bags and other packaging containers for fresh fruit, and especially commercially packaged fruit that is transported from one geographic region to another.
- It can be difficult to keep fruit fresh from the time the fruit is harvested until the time is consumed. For example, some fruits are only available to be harvested in certain parts of the world during certain times of the year, but are desired for consumption all over the world and all year long. Thus, some fruits need to be kept fresh for several months while the fruit is packaged, stored, and transported around the world. When exposed to the ambient atmospheric gases and temperatures, many freshly harvested fruits will quickly ripen and then spoil in an undesirably short time. Furthermore, fresh fruit can be delicate and prone to bruising or other physical damage that devalues the fruit, and can be susceptible to pests and other contaminates that can harm the fruit. Therefore, there is a need for packaging technologies that can protect and preserve freshly harvested fruit in a way that maintains the freshness and overall quality of the fruit while it is packaged, stored, and transported.
- Described herein are sealable, breathable bags for packaging fresh fruit in boxes. The bags protects the fruit from pests and contaminants while maintaining a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit to preserve the freshness of the fruit. Furthermore, the bags are constructed in such a way that they have a flattened closed configuration and a fully opened configuration that allows them to efficiently fit into a generally cuboid, open-topped packaging box to be filled with fresh fruit.
- Some embodiments of a sealable, breathable bag for packaging fresh fruit within an open-topped box comprise a front outer panel, a front inner panel, a rear inner panel, and a rear outer panel formed from a folded sheet of breathable polymeric material. In the flattened, closed configuration, the front outer panel transitions to the front inner panel along a first lower fold, the front inner panel transitions to the rear inner panel along an intermediate fold at upper ends of the front and rear inner panels, and the rear inner panel transitions to the rear outer panel along a second lower fold, such that the folded sheet forms a generally “W” shaped cross-sectional profile.
- The four panels of the bag, along with the first and second lower folds and the intermediate fold, extend laterally along a length of the flattened bag between a first sealed side of the bag and an opposing second sealed side of the bag. The first sealed side of the bag includes a first lower sealed side and a first upper sealed side, and the second sealed side of the bag includes a second lower sealed side and a second lower sealed side. The first and second lower sealed sides comprise a joining of lateral edges of the all four panels below the intermediate fold, while the first and second upper sealed sides comprise a joining of the first lateral edges of just the front and rear outer panels above the intermediate fold.
- The front and rear outer panels form an upper opening and an upper closure adjacent the upper opening. The upper closure is configured to selectively seal closed the upper opening with fresh fruit packaged within the bag such that a modified atmosphere environment can be created around the fresh fruit within the sealed bag.
- The bag is in the fully open configuration when the bag is placed in an open-topped box having a rectangular lower panel, two rectangular end panels extending upward from opposing ends of the lower panel, and two rectangular side panels extending upward from opposing sides of the lower panel and extending between the two end panels. In the fully open configuration, the bag overlies an upper surface of the lower panel and inner surfaces of the two end panels and two side panels of the box, and the upper opening of the bag is spread apart with upper edges of the front and rear outer panels being positioned adjacent to or folded over upper edges of the two side panels and the two end panels of the box, such that fresh fruit can be placed inside the bag within the box.
- In some embodiments, the lower sealed sides are longer than the upper sealed sides, such that the intermediate fold is closer to the upper edges of the bag than the lower end of the bag in the flattened, closed configuration.
- In some embodiments, the breathable polymeric material is permeable to CO2 and O2.
- In some embodiments, in the fully open configuration, the bag defines a generally cuboid open internal region that is generally the same size as an internal space defined by the box.
- In some embodiments, in the fully open configuration, a middle portion of the intermediate fold is flattened out along the lower panel of the box such that the front inner panel and the rear inner panel of the bag overlie the lower panel of the box.
- In the flattened, closed configuration, the bag can include a first interior pocket between the first outer panel and the first inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the first lower fold. The bag can also define a second interior pocket between the second outer panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the second lower fold. In the flattened, closed configuration, an exterior pocket is also formed between the first inner panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and below the intermediate fold.
- In some embodiments, in the fully open configuration, the first interior pocket can be divided into a first interior corner pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second interior corner pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box, and the second interior pocket can be divided into a third interior corner pocket adjacent the first end panel of the box and a fourth interior corner pocket adjacent the second end panel of the box. The four interior corner pockets can be generally triangular in shape, and can each be defined in part by one of the first or second lower sealed sides. The four interior corner pockets can each have an open upper end that extends from one of the first and second sealed sides of the bag.
- In some embodiments, in the fully open configuration, the exterior pocket is divided into a first exterior end pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second exterior end pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box. The first and second exterior end pockets can also be generally triangular in shape. The first and second exterior end pockets can have open lower ends that extend horizontally across a majority of the length of the respective end panels of the box.
- The bag can also have a sealed configuration wherein the bag encloses fresh fruit within the box with the upper closure sealing the upper opening closed above the fresh fruit between the two end panels of the box, wherein in the sealed configuration a modified atmosphere environment is created around the fresh fruit within the bag.
- The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
-
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary box and an exemplary sealable bag, in a flattened configuration, for packaging fresh fruit. -
FIGS. 1B and 1C are horizontal cross-sectional views of the bag ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 1D is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bag ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 1E is a perspective view of another exemplary sealable bag in a slightly opened configuration. -
FIG. 1F is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bag ofFIG. 1E . -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the bag ofFIG. 1A , in a partially opened configuration. -
FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a rear half of the bag in the partially open configuration ofFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 3 shows the bag ofFIG. 1A and 2A in a fully open configuration and positioned in the box ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 4 shows the box and bag in the configuration ofFIG. 3 with six cartons of fresh berries positioned in the bag and box. -
FIG. 5 shows the bag sealed closed around the fresh berries inside the box. - Described herein are examples of fruit packaging containers, including sealable, breathable bags for packaging fresh fruit. The bags can be constructed in a manner that is simple to manufacture and use, provides sufficient strength and durability, protects the fruit from pests and contaminants, and maintains a desired internal gas environment around the fruit to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
-
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary flexible,sealable bag 2 and an exemplary open-toppedbox 30 for packaging and transporting fresh fruit.FIG. 2A shows thebag 2 in a partially open configuration, andFIG. 3 shows thebag 2 in a fully open configurations and placed inside thebox 30 with the bag's upper open end folded over the four sides of the box. In the fully open configuration ofFIG. 3 ,fresh fruit 80 can be placed in thebag 2 and thebox 30, as shown inFIG. 4 , and thebag 2 can then be sealed around the fruit, as shown inFIG. 5 . In the sealed configuration ofFIG. 5 , thebox 30 can be stacked, stored, and/or transported while maintaining desired environment around the fruit until the fruit is ready to be displayed, sold, and/or consumed. - The disclosed containers can be used for packaging any type of fresh fruit, including berries, cherries, plums, kiwis, apples, etc.
- The
bag 2 can be breathable. The term “breathable” as used herein means that the material of the bag is permeable to, or allows transpiration of, certain gasses while being impermeable to other substances. For example, thebag 2 can be made from sheet material that is permeable to CO2 and O2. Such a breathable, sealable bag can be an example of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and can allow for the formation of a controlled gas environment, or modified atmosphere environment, when the fruit is sealed within the bag, which can help keep the fruit fresher longer and/or help control how fast the fruit ripens. Thebag 2 can create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit inside the sealed bag that comprises a different percentage of certain gases than the outside ambient air. For example, thebag 2 can create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit with a higher percentage of CO2 and/or a lower percentage of O2 relative to the outside ambient air. Exemplary materials that can be used in thebag 2 include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon and nylon-based materials, high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene. One exemplary modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) material that may be used in the disclosed technology is sold under the trade name PEAKfresh®. In some embodiments, thebag 2 can comprise a non-breathable material and/or a material not specifically designed to create a modified atmosphere environment. For example, some embodiments of thebag 2 can be used primarily for moisture retention. - The
bag 2 can be formed from a single, four-sided (e.g., rectangular) sheet of material that is folded and permanently sealed along its lateral sides, as shown inFIGS. 1A-1D . Thebag 2 includes aupper opening 4 between twoupper edges 6 that extend laterally across the length of the bag, twolower folds 8 that extend laterally across the length of the bag, anintermediate fold 18 that extends laterally across the length of the bag, upper sealedside 10 and lower sealed side, or gusset, 14 of the one lateral end (left side ofFIG. 1 ), and upper sealedside 12 and lower sealed side, or gusset, 16 on the opposite lateral end (right side ofFIG. 1 ). The single sheet of material is folded in a generally “W” shaped pattern, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 1D , forming a rearouter panel 20, frontouter panel 22, frontinner panel 24, and rearinner panel 26, such that all four panels extend across the entire length of the bag. - The lower end of the outer
rear panel 20 transitions to the lower end of the innerrear panel 24 at one of thelower folds 8, while the lower end of the outerfront panel 22 transitions to the lower end of the frontinner panel 26 at the otherlower fold 8. The upper ends of the rearinner panel 24 transitions to the upper end of frontinner panel 26 at theintermediate fold 18.FIG. 1B shows a horizontal cross-section take above theintermediate fold 18 and looking upwardly, such that only theouter panels FIG. 1C shows a horizontal cross-section take below theintermediate fold 18 and looking upwardly, such that all fourpanels fold 18 are visible.FIG. 1C illustrates that all four panels are joined together at their lateral ends to form thelower gussets - The point at which the
intermediate fold 18 intersects the left-hand edges of the panels is labeled atpoint 50 and the point at which theintermediate fold 18 intersects the right-hand edges of the panels is labeled atpoint 52. The portions of the lateral edges above thepoints sides outer panels FIG. 1B . The portions of the lateral edges below thepoints sides outer panels FIG. 1C . The lower ends of the lower sealedsides points points lower folds 8 with the lower sealedsides - As shown in
FIGS. 1C and 1D , in the flattened configuration thebag 2 can form two generally rectangularinternal pockets 60 extending laterally between the lower sealedsides intermediate fold 18 and the lower folds 8. Oneinternal pocket 60 is between the rearouter panel 20 and the rearinner panel 24, while the otherinternal pocket 60 is between the frontouter panel 22 and the frontinner panel 26. As also shown inFIGS. 1C and 1D , in the flattened configuration thebag 2 can form a generally rectangularexternal pocket 64 that is between the twointernal pockets 60 and extends laterally between the lower sealedsides intermediate fold 18 and the lower folds 8. - The side-to-side length of the
bag 2 can be sized to allow the upper opening to be folded over the upper perimeter of a particular box, such as the box 30 (seeFIG. 3 ). Thus, the length of the bag (or at least the upper end of the bag) can be greater than one-half of the perimeter of the upper edges of the box (e.g., greater than the length plus the width of the box). For example, a bag with a length of 24 inches or greater can be suitable for use with a box having a length of 16 inches and a width of 8 inches (perimeter of 48 inches). This allows the upper opening the bag to fold over all four upper corners of the box, as shown in -
FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, the bag can have a length of at least 12 inches, at least 16 inches, at least 18 inches, at least 20 inches, at least 22 inches, or at least about 30 inches. - The height of the bag can be selected to allow the bag to fit around whatever objects (e.g., cartons of fresh fruit) are being packed in the bag and remain easy to manipulate and seal the upper opening. Thus, the height can be greater than the height/depth of the box. Significant extra height can be provided to the bag to allow excess material to allow the bag to comfortably extend around the objects being packed inside the bag. In various embodiments, the bag can have a height of at least 6 inches, at least 7 inches, at least 8 inches, at least 9 inches, at least 10 inches, or at least about 12 inches. The
bag 2 inFIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary bag having a length of about 24 inches and an overall height of about 9 inches. - The height of the gusseted lower portion of the bag can have any ratio relative to the overall height of the bag. For example, the lower sealed
sides sides sides sides sides upper closure 28 instead of the upper edges of the bag, to ensure the two sides of the closure can reach each other and seal together over the fruit. - The
bag 2 can have an internal volume that varies based on the configuration of the bag. The minimum volume can be zero when in the flattened closed state. The maximum volume can be selected based on the size of the box and/or the volume and configuration of fruit desired to be packed inside the bag. The bag can have a maximum volume that is greater than the volume of the fruit to allow excess material such that the box can conform the shape of the box and seal above the fruit without being unduly stretched or strained. In some examples, the bag can have a volume of at least 5.6 quarts. - The
bag 2 comprises anupper closure 28 that includes a longitudinal strip extending across both of theouter panels sides upper closure 28 can comprise, for example, a zipper, slider, ziplock®-type structure, tongue-and-groove type structure, or similar structure. In other embodiments, theupper closure 28 can be permanently sealable, such as using a pressure-sensitive adhesive or the like. - As shown in
FIG. 1A , thebox 30 can have any shape and size commensurate with the shape and size of thebag 2. Thebox 30 has alower panel 32,end panels side panels box 30 can be comprised of corrugated paperboard, polymeric materials, metallic materials, and/or other materials sufficient to provide a rigid structure to support the fruit for stacking, storage, and transportation. Thebox 30 can optionally also comprise vents, drain holes, hand holes, stacking tabs, and/or other features. Thebox 30 andbag 2 can be sized to receive a particular volume of smaller packaging containers, such as the sixblueberry containers 80 shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . - Prior to placing the
smaller fruit containers 80 in thebox 30, thebag 2 is placed in the box in the open configuration shown inFIG. 3 . In this configuration, theupper edges 6 of thebag 2 are folded over the four vertical panels 32-38 of the box and out of the way so that thefruit containers 80 can be placed inside thebag 2 and thebox 30 at the same time. - In some embodiments, the
bag 2 can include permanent creases along thefolds folds bag 2 is opened up and placed into thebox 30, as shown inFIG. 3 , theintermediate fold 18 can flatten out along thebottom panel 32 of the box and no longer be visible. In other embodiments, a fold line or crease remains visible even when the fold is opened and laid flat. For this reason, the unfolded,flat portion 18A of theintermediate fold 18 is shown with a dashed line inFIGS. 2A and 3 , while the lateral ends 18B of thefold 18 can remain partially folded and are shown with a solid line. In reality, the degree of folding can vary gradually over thefold 18, such that thefold 18 becomes gradually flatter moving inwardly from thepoints portion 18A extending along theflat bottom panel 32 of the box. In the open configuration ofFIG. 3 , the lateral ends 18B of theintermediate fold 18 can curve gradually upwardly, or transition to a more vertical direction, moving from theflat portion 18A up to the end points 50 and 52, which can be located near the upper edge of theend panels - A similar quality can also be true for the
lower folds 8 of the bag. When thebag 2 is opened, thelower folds 8 flatten out, or unfold, along theirmiddle portions 8A, which can be positioned near the junctures of thebottom panel 32 with theside panels box 30. Thesemiddle portions 8A are shown with solid lines inFIG. 2A to indicate that in the open position the bag can remain partially folded, or can be curved, as the bag transitions from the more horizontalinner panels outer panels folds 8A. The lateral ends of thelower folds 8 are joined with the lower side seals 14 and 16 at thepoints lateral end portions 8B of thelower folds 8 gradually become more unfolded moving inwardly from the lateral end points 54, 56. In the open configuration ofFIG. 3 , thelateral end portions 8B of thelower folds 8 can extend along, or adjacent to, the juncture of thebottom panel 32 of the box and endpanels lateral end portions 8B can be generally perpendicular to themiddle portions 8A of the lower folds 8. Together, the twolower folds 8 can form a general rectangle extending around, or near to, the perimeter of thebottom panel 32 of thebox 30. - As the
bag 2 is opened from the flattened configuration ofFIGS. 1A-1D to the open configurations ofFIGS. 2A and 3 , the twointernal pockets 60 and the external pocket 64 (shown inFIGS. 1C and 1D ) open up and flatten out along themiddle portions folds pockets internal pockets 60 to divide into two left internal corner pockets 61 near the leftlower side seam 14 and two right internal corner pockets 62 near the rightlower side seam 16, and causes theexternal pocket 64 to divide into a leftexternal pocket 65 and a rightexternal pocket 66. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B , the two left internal corner pockets 61 are formed on either side of the leftlateral portion 18B of theintermediate fold 18, while the two right internal corner pockets 62 are formed on either side of the rightlateral portion 18B of theintermediate fold 18. - As shown in
FIG. 2B , the left exterior pocket 65 (and similarly for the right external pocket 66) is defined generally between thelower side seam 14 and the slopingleft end portion 18B of theintermediate fold 18. The leftinterior pockets 61 have a similar triangular profile as the leftexterior pocket 65, but are closed on the lower side at 8B and are open on the sloped upper side. - When the
bag 2 is in the fully open position ofFIG. 3 , thepockets internal pockets 61 being sandwiched between the leftexternal pocket 65 and theleft end panel 34, and the two rightinternal pockets 62 being sandwiched between the rightexternal pocket 66 and theright end panel 36. Each of theinternal pockets external pockets - In the fully open configuration of
FIG. 3 , twodiagonal folds 9 are created at either lateral side of thebag 2, each of which extends downwardly at an angle from thepoints diagonal folds 9 define the upper sloped sides of the both theinternal pockets external pockets internal pockets folds 9 define the four openings of the pockets, while for the twoexternal pockets - In the configuration of
FIG. 3 , thebag 2 defines an internal region that closely matches the shape of thebox 30, which can be a cuboid or close to a cuboid. Thefolds edges bag 2 to assume such a cuboid shape with minimal wrinkling or overlapping material (except the triangular overlap areas around thepockets box 30 for loose fruit or fruit containers such as thecontainers 80 shown inFIG. 4 . - Once the fruit is placed inside the
bag 2 in thebox 30, theupper edges 6 of the bag can be lifted up over the fruit and theupper closure 28 can be used to join thepanels bag 2, as shown inFIG. 5 . The upper portions of the closed bag can then optionally be folded over the top of the fruit or left extending over theend panels boxes 30 with bag-enclosed fruit can be stacked on top of each other, such as by utilizing the stacking tabs on theside panels upper closures 28 can be reopened to access the fruit for display or consumption. While thebag 2 is closed, the breathability of the bag material can maintain a modified atmosphere while allowing the fruit to respire, preserving the freshness of the fresh fruit, slowing the ripening process or slowing the fruit's metabolism/respiration rate, blocking contaminates and pests from entering or exiting the bag, limiting odors and other unwanted gases from escaping, and maintaining moisture in the bag to reduce fruit weight loss (limit dehydration) and to preserve fruit firmness for prolonged shipping transit or storage times. -
FIGS. 1E and 1F illustrate anotherexemplary bag 100 for packaging fresh fruit inside a box such as thebox 30. Thebag 100 can be similar to thebag 2 in all respects, except that the lower sealed sides, or gussets, 14 and 16 are each divided apart into two separate lower sealed sides, or gussets, 14A, 14B, 16A and 16B.Lower fold 8A extends between the lower ends 54A, 56A ofgussets lower fold 8B extends between the lower ends 54B, 56B ofgussets hand gussets point 50, where they also join with the upper sealedside 10. Similarly, right-hand gussets point 52, where they also join with the upper sealedside 12. As thebag 100 opens and theouter panels gussets gussets points intermediate fold 18 flattens out (unfolds) and can bow downwardly from itsend points inner panels outer panels box 30, the lower ends 54A, 54B, 56A, 56B of the four gussets can extend to or near the four interior corners of the box, and the twolower folds side panels lower panel 32, which allows the bag to efficiently cover the inside the box and allows the bag and box to be efficiently filled with fresh fruit. - For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
- Any of the features or characteristics described herein in relation to any one or more of the described embodiments can also be used with or included in any of the other described embodiments where possible, even if such features or technologies are not specifically mentioned in direct connection to a specific embodiment.
- Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, materials, or other descriptors provided in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
- Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.
- As used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element. As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A”, “B,”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, or “A, B, and C.” As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language.
- In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is at least as broad as the following claims. We therefore claim all that comes within the scope of these claims.
Claims (20)
1. A sealable bag for packaging fresh fruit within an open-topped box, the bag comprising:
a front outer panel, a front inner panel, a rear inner panel, and a rear outer panel formed from a folded sheet of polymeric material;
wherein the bag has a flattened, closed configuration wherein:
the front outer panel transitions to the front inner panel along a first lower fold, the front inner panel transitions to the rear inner panel along an intermediate fold at upper ends of the front and rear inner panels, and the rear inner panel transitions to the rear outer panel along a second lower fold, such that the folded sheet forms a generally “W” shaped cross-sectional profile;
the front outer panel, the front inner panel, the rear inner panel, the rear outer panel, the first and second lower folds, and the intermediate fold extend laterally along a length of the bag between a first sealed side of the bag and an opposing second sealed side of the bag;
the first sealed side of the bag includes a first lower sealed side and a first upper sealed side, and the second sealed side of the bag includes a second lower sealed side and a second lower sealed side,
the first lower sealed side comprises a joining of first lateral edges of the front outer panel, the front inner panel, the rear inner panel, and the rear outer panel below the intermediate fold, and the second lower sealed side comprises a joining of opposing second lateral edges of the front outer panel, the front inner panel, the rear inner panel, and the rear outer panel below the intermediate fold;
the first upper sealed side comprises a joining of the first lateral edges of the front outer panel and the rear outer panel above the intermediate fold, and the second upper sealed side comprises a joining of the second lateral edges of the front outer panel and the rear outer panel above the intermediate fold; and
the front outer panel and the rear outer panel form an upper opening between the first upper sealed side and the second upper sealed side, and the front outer panel and the rear outer panel include an upper closure adjacent the upper opening, the upper closure configured to selectively seal closed the upper opening with fresh fruit packaged within the bag such that a modified atmosphere environment is created around the fresh fruit within the sealed bag; and
wherein the bag has a fully open configuration when the bag is placed in the open-topped box, the box having a rectangular lower panel, two rectangular end panels extending upward from opposing ends of the lower panel, and two rectangular side panels extending upward from opposing sides of the lower panel and extending between the two end panels,
wherein in the fully open configuration, the bag overlies an upper surface of the lower panel and inner surfaces of the two end panels and two side panels of the box, and the upper opening of the bag is spread apart with upper edges of the front and rear outer panels being positioned adjacent to or folded over upper edges of the two side panels and the two end panels of the box, such that fresh fruit can be placed inside the bag within the box.
2. The bag of claim 1 wherein, in the flattened, closed configuration, a first interior pocket is defined between the first outer panel and the first inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the first lower fold; and a second interior pocket is defined between the second outer panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and above the second lower fold.
3. The bag of claim 1 wherein, in the flattened, closed configuration, an exterior pocket is defined between the first inner panel and the second inner panel, between the first lower sealed side and the second lower sealed side, and below the intermediate fold.
4. The bag of claim 1 , wherein the first lower sealed side is longer than the first upper sealed side, and the second lower sealed side is longer than the second upper sealed side.
5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag further has a sealed configuration wherein the bag encloses fresh fruit within the box with the upper closure sealing the upper opening closed above the fresh fruit between the two end panels of the box, wherein in the sealed configuration a modified atmosphere environment is created around the fresh fruit within the bag.
6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag comprises a breathable polymeric material that is permeable to CO2 and O2 and configured to create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit within the bag when the bag is sealed closed.
7. The bag of claim 1 wherein, in the fully open configuration, a middle portion of the intermediate fold is flattened out along the lower panel of the box such that the front inner panel and the rear inner panel of the bag overlie the lower panel of the box.
8. The bag of claim 2 wherein, in the fully open configuration, the first interior pocket is divided into a first interior corner pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second interior corner pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box; and the second interior pocket is divided into a third interior corner pocket adjacent the first end panel of the box and a fourth interior corner pocket adjacent the second end panel of the box.
9. The bag of claim 8 wherein in the four interior corner pockets are generally triangular in shape when the bag is in a fully open configuration and mounted inside a cuboid box.
10. The bag of claim 8 wherein the four interior corner pockets are each defined in part by one of the first or second lower sealed sides.
11. The bag of claim 8 , wherein the four interior corner pockets each have an open upper end that extends from one of the first and second sealed sides of the bag.
12. The bag of claim 3 wherein, in the fully open configuration, the exterior pocket is divided into a first exterior end pocket adjacent a first end panel of the box and a second exterior end pocket adjacent a second end panel of the box.
13. The bag of claim 12 wherein the first and second exterior end pockets are generally triangular in shape.
14. The bag of claim 12 wherein the first exterior end pocket has an open lower end that extends horizontally across a majority of the length of the first end panel of the box, and the second exterior end pocket has an open lower end that extends horizontally across a majority of the length of the second end panel of the box.
15. A sealable bag for packaging fresh fruit for transportation and storage, the bag comprising:
a front outer panel and a rear outer panel which together define a central interior space therebetween, the front and rear outer panels each having free upper ends with respective mating sealing mechanisms to allow the upper ends to be selectively joined to one another to seal the upper ends of the front and rear outer panels or separated to open the bag, the front and rear outer panels each being joined at opposed first and second lateral edges, the lower end being foldable into the central interior space to a distance less than the overall height of the bag to create a “W” shaped cross-sectional profile, the profile including a lower portion of the front outer panel, a lower portion of the rear outer panel, a front inner panel created by the fold, and a rear inner panel created by the fold; and
a laterally opposed first pair of gussets, each sealingly joining the lower portion of at least one of the front and rear outer panels to at least one of the front and rear inner panels.
16. The bag of claim 15 wherein the bag comprises a breathable polymeric material that is permeable to CO2 and O2 and configured to create a modified atmosphere environment around the fruit within the bag when the bag is sealed closed.
17. The bag of claim 15 wherein the first pair of gussets each sealingly joins together opposed lateral edges of the lower portion of the rear outer panel, lower portion of the front outer panel, and front and rear inner panels.
18. The bag of claim 15 including a laterally opposed second pair of gussets, the first pair of gussets sealingly joining together opposed lateral edges of the front outer panel to the front inner panel, and the second pair of gussets sealingly joining together opposed lateral edges of the rear outer panel to the rear inner panel.
19. The bag of claim 17 wherein the first pair of gussets are joined to the second pair of gussets at their upper ends, while lower portions of the first pair of gussets are not joined to lower portions of the second pair of gussets.
20. The bag of claim 15 wherein the height of the first pair gussets is at least about one-half of the overall height of the bag when the bag is in a flattened condition.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/628,063 US20160244242A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2015-02-20 | Fruit packaging containers |
CL2015001181A CL2015001181A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2015-05-05 | An airtight bag for packing fresh fruit inside an open box, the bag comprising: a front outer panel, a front inner panel, a rear inner panel, and a rear outer panel formed from a folded sheet of polymeric material; characterized in that the bag has a flattened, closed configuration where: the front outer panel passes to the front inner panel along the first lower fold. |
US15/012,353 US20160244243A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-01 | Fruit packaging containers |
CN201610096209.1A CN105905408A (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-22 | Fruit packaging containers |
US15/623,921 US10472103B2 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2017-06-15 | Fruit packaging containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/628,063 US20160244242A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2015-02-20 | Fruit packaging containers |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/012,353 Continuation-In-Part US20160244243A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-01 | Fruit packaging containers |
US15/623,921 Continuation-In-Part US10472103B2 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2017-06-15 | Fruit packaging containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160244242A1 true US20160244242A1 (en) | 2016-08-25 |
Family
ID=56692895
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/628,063 Abandoned US20160244242A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2015-02-20 | Fruit packaging containers |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160244242A1 (en) |
CL (1) | CL2015001181A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD840807S1 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2019-02-19 | Visy R & D Pty Ltd | Blank for forming a tray |
USD842098S1 (en) * | 2016-07-19 | 2019-03-05 | Visy R & D Pty Ltd | Blank for forming a tray |
US10472103B2 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2019-11-12 | Orchard View Farms, Inc. | Fruit packaging containers |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3484037A (en) * | 1968-04-19 | 1969-12-16 | Emanuel Kugler | Bag with unfolding insert |
US4262581A (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1981-04-21 | Kcl Corporation | Method and apparatus for making printed gusset bags |
US4837849A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1989-06-06 | The Dow Chemical Company | Stand-up plastic bag and method of making same |
US4848930A (en) * | 1987-08-05 | 1989-07-18 | Trinity Paper & Plastics Corporation | Free-standing plastic bag |
US6880971B1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2005-04-19 | Packaging Innovations, Inc. | Plastic film bag assembly and process of filling |
US20070189640A1 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2007-08-16 | Jeffrey Linton | Pouch with divider |
-
2015
- 2015-02-20 US US14/628,063 patent/US20160244242A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-05-05 CL CL2015001181A patent/CL2015001181A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3484037A (en) * | 1968-04-19 | 1969-12-16 | Emanuel Kugler | Bag with unfolding insert |
US4262581A (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1981-04-21 | Kcl Corporation | Method and apparatus for making printed gusset bags |
US4848930A (en) * | 1987-08-05 | 1989-07-18 | Trinity Paper & Plastics Corporation | Free-standing plastic bag |
US4837849A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1989-06-06 | The Dow Chemical Company | Stand-up plastic bag and method of making same |
US6880971B1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2005-04-19 | Packaging Innovations, Inc. | Plastic film bag assembly and process of filling |
US20070189640A1 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2007-08-16 | Jeffrey Linton | Pouch with divider |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10472103B2 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2019-11-12 | Orchard View Farms, Inc. | Fruit packaging containers |
USD840807S1 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2019-02-19 | Visy R & D Pty Ltd | Blank for forming a tray |
USD842098S1 (en) * | 2016-07-19 | 2019-03-05 | Visy R & D Pty Ltd | Blank for forming a tray |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CL2015001181A1 (en) | 2015-10-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ORCHARD VIEW FARMS, INC., OREGON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUROW, RYAN;REEL/FRAME:034999/0658 Effective date: 20150216 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |