WO2012151637A1 - Emballage alimentaire - Google Patents

Emballage alimentaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012151637A1
WO2012151637A1 PCT/AU2012/000528 AU2012000528W WO2012151637A1 WO 2012151637 A1 WO2012151637 A1 WO 2012151637A1 AU 2012000528 W AU2012000528 W AU 2012000528W WO 2012151637 A1 WO2012151637 A1 WO 2012151637A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
food packaging
packaging system
plants
bevels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2012/000528
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James RATTRAY
Original Assignee
Flowerdale Farm Pty Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2011901769A external-priority patent/AU2011901769A0/en
Application filed by Flowerdale Farm Pty Ltd. filed Critical Flowerdale Farm Pty Ltd.
Publication of WO2012151637A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012151637A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
    • B65D85/52—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for living plants; for growing bulbs
    • 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
    • B65D77/0446—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks
    • B65D77/0453—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section
    • B65D77/046—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section and being a tray or like shallow container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to food packaging.
  • the present invention relates to improved food packaging systems for protecting living sprouted products such as microgreens and herbs.
  • a food packaging system for one or more plants, the food packaging system comprising: a first container and a second container; the first container being adapted to receive the second container and including at least one transparent wall portion for allowing the one or more plants to be viewed through the first container, the second container being sized to be received in the first container and having a body for holding the lower end of the one or more plants.
  • the first container includes a securing arrangement for securing the second container at a lower end of the first container to allow for the first container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.
  • the securing arrangement comprises at least one abutment portion that extends into the recess provided by the first container.
  • the at least one abutment portion comprises two opposed dimple portions formed in opposite walls of the first container, the dimple portions extending into the recess provided by the first container.
  • the second container is adapted to relatively rigidly bear against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall portion to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.
  • the second container includes a relatively rigid rim extending around the second container for relatively rigidly bearing against the walls of the first container so as to thereby provide the first container with improved rigidity allowing the reduction of the number of strengthening portions in the at least one transparent wall to improve the visibility of the one or more plants when received by the food packaging system.
  • the rim of the second container is angled upwardly to bear against an abutment of the securing arrangement.
  • the first container is formed entirely from transparent plastics material such that the at least one transparent wall portion comprises the outer walls provided by the first container.
  • the second container may be about one third the height of the first container.
  • the second container may be less than one third the height of the first container.
  • the second container may be less than or equal to 40mm in height.
  • Preferably the second container is less than or equal to 25mm in height.
  • the second container includes a number of water channels on its lower surface to assist with water absorption into second container.
  • the water channels comprise ring type channels in the base of the second container.
  • the water channels comprise relatively concentric eight sided annular channels that open downwardly.
  • the first container comprises a plurality of concavities in its upper rim to allow for ventilation.
  • the first container includes a number of bevels at each lower corner thereof to allow for advantageous plug assisted vacuum moulding of the first container.
  • the bevels are substantially arc shaped in section.
  • the bevels have a longitudinal length of about 15mm.
  • the bevels have a normal in the diametric planes of the corners.
  • the second container is provided with corresponding bevels and the corresponding bevels have vertical height about half the height of the second container.
  • the walls of the second container include a number of horizontally extending projections for assisting with holding a plant medium therein.
  • a method of providing packaged food comprising: using a growth container in a hydroponic watering system to raise a number of plants, once the plants have been raised, dropping the growth container and plants into a. further container wherein the further container contains a securing mechanism for securing the growth container in position, the further container serving to protect the plants from damage during subsequent transportation.
  • the hydroponic watering system is a bottom watering system.
  • Figures 1 to 10 provide several views of a food packaging system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 1 1 to 13 provide several views of a food packaging system according to another preferred embodiment, the views detailing several preferred food packaging container system dimensions.
  • FIG. 1 to 10 there is shown a food packaging system 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the food packaging system 10 provides an advantageous combination of features, as will be described, which among other things is able to advantageously reduce the requisite number of strengthening portions of the food packaging system J O.
  • the food packaging system 10 is considered to advantageously allow for bottom watering during the plant growing process and for improved stackability of number of outer containers.
  • the food packaging system 10 is provided as a container system for one or more sprouted products (not shown) such as alfalfa and water cress.
  • the food packaging system 10 includes a first container 12 and a second container 14.
  • the first container 12 is adapted to receive the second container 14 through an upper opening 16 of the first container 12.
  • the first container ⁇ 2 includes transparent walls 18 for allowing sprouted plants to be viewed through the first container 12.
  • the second container 14 is sized to be received by first container 12 and be retained at a lower closed end 20 thereof.
  • the second container 14 has a body 22 for receiving the sprouted products.
  • the first container 12 includes a securing arrangement 24 for securing the second container 14 at the lower end 20 of the first container 12.
  • a securing arrangement 24 for securing the second container 14 at the lower end 20 of the first container 12. This advantageously allows the first container ⁇ 2 to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions 26 in the transparent walls 18 to improve the visibility of the sprouted products when received by the food packaging system U).
  • the securing arrangement 24 provides the first container 12 with advantageous rigidity.
  • the food packaging system 10 is considered to be particularly advantageous due to the resultant improved visibility of the sprouted products.
  • some existing systems are known to have an outer wall with a multitude of ridges formed vertically in an accordion type manner ⁇ so as ⁇ to surround the first container 12
  • Such bridges- are considered to undesirably obscure the view of the sprouted products within the food packaging making it less likely that the products will be purchased by a consumer in a supermarket or otherwise.
  • the securing arrangement 24 includes two abutment portions 28 in the form of two opposed dimple portions 30.
  • the dimple portions 30 are provided on two opposite walls 32 of the first container 12. As shown in the drawings, opposite walls 32 form one pair of the transparent walls 18. ⁇
  • the dimple portions 30 extend into the recess 34 of the first container 12 and are advantageously formed during the moulding process. The dimples in effect provide corresponding depressions in the outer surface of the walls 32 and projections in the inner surface of the walls 32.
  • the second container 14 is advantageously adapted to provide relatively rigid walls 36 having a rim portion 38 in the form of a continuous lip.
  • the rim portion 38 extends around the body of the second container 14 and is advantageously adapted to rigidly bear against the walls 18 of the first container 12. In this manner the rim portion 38 of the second container 12 provides the first container 12 with advantageous rigidity to allow for the improved visibility of the sprouted products.
  • the strengthening portions 26 are provided as impressions extending in a direction outwardly away from first container 12. In current systems it is considered that a relatively large number of ridges are required to provide the first container with sufficient rigidity.
  • the rim 38 of the second container 14 provides a relatively strong rigid barrier that that rigidly bears against the walls 18 of the first container 12 to provide rigidity while limiting the degree to which the sprouted products are obscured by the strengthening portions.
  • the walls 18 of the first container 12 extend upwardly to a rim portion 40.
  • the rim portion 40 of the first container 12 provides a reinforcement that assists the second container 14 with providing rigidity in the walls of the first container 12.
  • the height 42 of the second container 14 is limited to about 25mm to provide a relatively shallow depth.
  • the height 44 of the first container 12 is about 100mm being slightly more than three times the height of the second container 14. This is considered to provide the food packaging system 10 with a relatively large, clear and unobstructed view through to the sprouted products, where there are a reduced number of strengthening portions 26.
  • the first container 12 and the second container J_4 are both formed entirely from transparent plastics material.
  • the second container 14 also includes a number of advantageous corrugations in the form of channels 46 in its lower surface 48. The channels 46 are provided to advantageously disturb the flow of water during the growing process, before the second container 14 is placed in the first container 12.
  • the second container 14 is used hold the plants from their growth stage in a nutrient fed hydroponic channel system.
  • Conventional systems are considered not to be adapted for this process but rather to be configured only for a top watering process.
  • the second container can be used to raise the sprouted products in the hydroponic system.
  • the second container 14 can be moved from the hydroponic system and be placed within the first container 12.
  • a closure is then used to provide a desirable seal for transport and storage.
  • the flow of water from the hydroponic system is considered to be advantageously disturbed by the channels 46. More particularly the series of ridges in the form of the corrugations advantageously provides a disturbance like stones in a river to causes the water to flow side to side instead of just straight. This is considered to cause the water to be more readily drawn up through the holes 50 in the second container 14.
  • top watering In the case of top watering, the leaves of the plants get wetter than they do in bottom watering. This can result in mould and other forms of deterioration of plant quality. Also top watering is considered to require more growth medium to retain water due to the infrequent process of the watering involved.
  • the reduced amount of growing medium required in the present embodiment, in comparison to top down watering systems, is considered to advantageously allow for a smaller overall second container 14 (growth punnet). This means that the same amount of product can be fitted into a smaller outer punnet in comparison to larger outer punnets on the market.
  • the first container 12 does not require the same extent of side strengthening.
  • the hydroponic growing method in combination with the securing arrangement 24 is considered to allow for a particularly improved reduction in ridge type strengthening of the first container.
  • the sprouted plant product is much more clearly visible. This is considered to provide large benefits (as previously described) in the sale and communication of the qualities of the end product to the consumer.
  • the channels 46 comprise eight sided annular channels.
  • the channels 46 are generally concentric and also advantageously assist in strengthening the second container 14.
  • the securing arrangement 24 in the form of the pair of dimples 30, moulded into the first container 12, also assists with stabilising movement of the internal product within the first container 12 during transportation, whilst still allowing easy removal of the inner tray by the end user.
  • the dimples 30 also provide a self locking mechanism.
  • the self locking mechanism operates using the weight of the second container 14 (containing the product) to automatically lock the second container 14 (inner tray) in place when it was dropped into the first container 12 (external punnet).
  • the self locking mechanism comfortably secures the inner tray during transport, to assist with preventing the product moving around and becoming damaged. This is considered to be particularly advantageous on rough roads where the lightness of the food packaging system may cause the system to bounce around.
  • a user is able to readily remove the product and the second container 14 from the first container 12 (external punnet) without much difficulty. This is advantageously achieved by lightly depressing the base of the first container ⁇ 2 with a finger, with the second container 14 subsequently being caused to be urged upwards and be released from the first container 12.
  • the degree of fixing can be advantageously adjusted by changing the width of the rim/lip of the second container 14 to fit just below the dimples 30. By adjusting the width of the lip one can adjust how tightly it is fitted into the external punnet. Ideally the product and second container .14 comes out 'very easily' while not compromising the operation of the securing mechanism during transit.
  • the second container 14 is considered to stay in place with hardly any weight in it, due to two small dimples on the sides of the external punnet.
  • the small amount of weight in the tray locks it in place quite comfortably, without requiring additional force. Even turning the product upside down, it does not fall out. Nonetheless only a light depression is advantageously required on the base of the first container ⁇ 2 with a finger, for the second container 14 to be released.
  • This locking mechanism is considered to be unique and to perform the job relatively 'perfectly'. Usually, with some other locking mechanisms, physical strength is required to unlock it making the locking mechanism undesirable.
  • the present embodiment is considered to be very easy to use.
  • the first container is formed using a plug assisted vacuum mould. In the process this involves sucking the plastic down into the mould and then pushing a hot plug the rest of the way into the mould to form the shape of the first container 12.
  • This technique has limitations in that the plastic sheeting can only be stretched so far. As the punnet gets deeper, it must also get wider, or increase the top surface area to incorporate more plastic for strength. Thus the depth of the punnet is limited by its strength. In the present embodiment, this problem is considered to be substantially overcome so as to relatively maximise the depth of the punnet without having to greatly reduce product visibility.
  • inclined portions 50 are provided at each corner of the lower end 20 of the first container 12.
  • the inclined portions 50 are provided as corner bevels 52 and are substantially arc shaped on their upper surfaces as shown.
  • the bevels 52 have a longitudinal length 54 of about 15mm.
  • the lower width of each bevel when viewed from above is about one quarter the width of a side of the first container. In this case the width of a side of the container is about 107mm where the lower width of a bevel is about 25mm. In other embodiments the lower width of the bevels may be say 20 and 30% of the width of a side of the container.
  • Between the corner bevels 52 are provided a number of inclined wall portions 56.
  • the provision of securing arrangement 24 increases the overall strength of the packaging by the second container 14 fitting inside the first container 12.
  • a design is embossed over three sides of the punnet to strengthen the punnet without the use of ribs so to keep the internal content advantageously visible.
  • the provision of the dimples 30 also assists with stacking of the first containers 12 as shown in the Figures. More particularly the dimples 30 provide an anti-locking lug 58 that prevents individual first containers 12 from sticking together when they are stacked empty. As shown, the dimples 30 are designed to bear against inclined wall portions 56 of the first containers ⁇ 2 between the corner bevels 52 which are also inclined. This provides a separation height 60 between adjacent upper rims 40.
  • the second container H is provided with corresponding bevels 62 of similar shape and size to the bevels 52, where the corresponding bevels 62 have vertical height about half the height of the second container 14.
  • the bevels 52 and the bevels 62 are considered to advantageously increase strength of the food packaging system 10 in addition to assisting with the plug assisted vacuum moulding process.
  • the side walls 36 of the second container 14 include a number of horizontally extending projections 64 for assisting with holding a plant medium therein.
  • the horizontally extending projections 64 serve to provide holding portions 66 in the form of horizontal side ridges.
  • the holding portions 66 are moulded into the second container 14 to secure the growing medium and prevent it from falling out of the container 14.
  • the first container 12 includes a plurality of concavities in its upper rim 40 to allow for ventilation.
  • the upper rim 40 is adapted to receive a resealable closure (not shown).
  • the present embodiment is considered to provide a new form of fresh food packaging for the reasons discussed above.
  • the first container 12 and the second container 14 provide a plastic punnet arrangement specific to the packaging, storage, sale and transportation of living products.
  • the system prevents damage to the product during transportation and storage; promotes long shelf life of living products by allowing appropriate ventilation; and assists with transpiration from the leaves, retaining moisture to keep the product longer.
  • the fresh food product is grown using bottom watering as part of the growing process before completing the packaging.
  • the provision of the securing arrangement 24 advantageously allows for the reduction of ridge type strengthening portions in the outer punnet required due to the height of the punnet.
  • the embodiment is considered to provide a relatively clear view of the internal product.
  • the embodiments provide an advantageous combination which provides a number advantages for fresh food packaging.
  • an advantageous food packaging system that allows for bottom watering during the growth stage after which an external container is used to protect and house fresh food for storage.
  • the bottom watering, securing mechanism and visibility of the fresh food is considered to be particularly advantageous.
  • the container system may be moved through standard distribution systems such as in and out of trucks, cool rooms, supermarkets, greengrocers and restaurants. With such transportation there is a constant change in temperature and humidity which typically has a negative impact on the shelf-life and quality of the microgreens and herbs.
  • the container system is considered to provide an environment similar to that of a hydroponic hothouse where the plants are grown, assisting in controlling temperature, humidity, airflow, transpiration of the plants by the use of a clear four walled plastic punnet with clear seal over the top stopping the loss of moisture from the transpiration by maintaining a higher humidity than could be created during normal transportation, storage and sale conditions. Due to this humid still environment there is a high risk of mould and bacteria developing in the container and having a detrimental effect on the plants this is managed by the use of a sterile no-soil cellulose based growing medium which drains well and can be packed relatively dry to stop excessive humidity causing rot and mould problems in the container system
  • preferred systems and methods of the present invention are considered to advantageously: (i) Provide food packaging systems with improved rigidity so as to allow for an outer container to have a relatively reduced number of strengthening portions to improve the visibility of sprouted products contained therein.

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système d'emballage alimentaire (10) pour une ou plusieurs plantes. Le système d'emballage alimentaire (10) comprend un premier récipient (12) et un second récipient (14). Le premier récipient (12) est apte à recevoir le second récipient (14). Le système (10) comprend au moins une partie de paroi transparente (18) pour permettre à la ou aux plantes d'être vues à travers le premier récipient (12). Le second récipient (14) est dimensionné de façon à être reçu dans le premier récipient (12). Le second récipient (14) possède un corps (22) pour supporter l'extrémité inférieure de la ou des plantes. Le premier récipient (12) comprend un agencement de fixation (24) pour fixer le second récipient (14) à une extrémité inférieure (20) du premier récipient (12) de façon à permettre au premier récipient (12) d'avoir un nombre relativement réduit de parties de renfort (26) dans la ou les parties de paroi transparentes (18).
PCT/AU2012/000528 2011-05-11 2012-05-11 Emballage alimentaire WO2012151637A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2011901769A AU2011901769A0 (en) 2011-05-11 Food Packaging
AU2011901769 2011-05-11
AU2011205177A AU2011205177B2 (en) 2011-05-11 2011-08-05 Food Packaging
AU2011205177 2011-08-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012151637A1 true WO2012151637A1 (fr) 2012-11-15

Family

ID=47138575

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2012/000528 WO2012151637A1 (fr) 2011-05-11 2012-05-11 Emballage alimentaire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2011205177B2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012151637A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004030444A1 (fr) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-15 Heimo Zimmermann Systeme de bacs modulaire pour la culture de plantes
JP2005224113A (ja) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-25 Kawano Merikuron:Kk 植物栽培用容器及びこれを用いる植物栽培方法
US20100218422A1 (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-09-02 Karl Eckert Two piece plant container with water reservoir
KR20110032103A (ko) * 2009-09-22 2011-03-30 김문회 화분 진열대 겸 운반용 상자

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004030444A1 (fr) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-15 Heimo Zimmermann Systeme de bacs modulaire pour la culture de plantes
JP2005224113A (ja) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-25 Kawano Merikuron:Kk 植物栽培用容器及びこれを用いる植物栽培方法
US20100218422A1 (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-09-02 Karl Eckert Two piece plant container with water reservoir
KR20110032103A (ko) * 2009-09-22 2011-03-30 김문회 화분 진열대 겸 운반용 상자

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2011205177B2 (en) 2016-10-20
AU2011205177A1 (en) 2012-11-29

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