WO2020194219A1

WO2020194219A1 - Vented produce pack

Info

Publication number: WO2020194219A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/052838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Richard EAST; Gonzalo Martinez; Gerhard Francis Dio LENTING
Original assignee: Oji Fibre Solutions (Nz) Limited
Priority date: 2019-03-26
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Also published as: AU2020250030A1

Abstract

A pack for packing produce is provided having improved ventilation which allows improved cooldown performance when produce packs are stacked in a cool store for shipping. The lidded pack is primarily intended for tray stacked produce such as pipfruit etc which settle somewhat after packing. There is provided a pack comprising an unlidded corrugated paperboard case with a vertical flute run in its walls and with a base defining flaps and a further flap lidded corrugated paperboard surround for walls of the case. Both the case and the surround have vent openings that index to allow through wall venting both before and after pack settling in a pack stack and the surround has additional through wall vent openings to vent above said transverse cut flute of the case before pack settling in a pack stack, at which time the additional through wall vents close.

Description

VENTED PRODUCE PACK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved vented produce pack. More particularly, it relates to a vented produce pack for fruit in tray separated layers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Produce boxes for pipfruit are important, as they can influence the freshness and quality of the fruit delivered to a store. The quality of the fruit usually impacts the value of the fruit. Therefore, it is generally desirable to provide produce boxes which protect the fruit, allow for effective cooling, is easy transport, and have reduced environmental impact.

To maintain the quality of the fruit and prevent it from spoiling, it is typically necessary to cool the fruit quickly and effectively soon after harvest and maintain adequate ventilation until the fruit arrives at its destination. Allowing for adequate airflow through the produce boxes is important, especially due to heat generated by respiration of fruit.

Furthermore, pipfruit in produce boxes are generally transported in big stacks of produce boxes, so cooling fruit located towards the centre of the stack is usually difficult. Vent openings on the produce boxes may be provided to allow for some airflow, however traditional venting patterns negatively affect the strength of the produce boxes, and/or inadequately provide airflow pathways to some fruit in the boxes.

It would be desirable to provide pipfruit produce boxes, stored and transported in stacks, with improved ventilation to fruit located in different positions in the box, while not unduly compromising the strength of the produce boxes in the stack.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be chronologically ordered in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vented produce pack which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention broadly comprises a stackable vented produce pack for receiving and storing fruit in tray separated layers comprising :

an open-top base member, a lid member adapted to be paired with the base member to achieve telescopic closure of the produce pack,

the base member and the lid member each having a pair of opposing major sidewalls and a pair of opposing endwalls forming a generally rectangular form, and

a plurality of lid member vent openings and base member vent openings located on the sidewalls to provide ventilation to the multiple layers of fruit, and wherein the stackable vented produce pack has an initial condition where the lid member is partially raised from the base member, and a subsequent settled condition where the pack is closed such that a top perimeter of the base member engages an underside of the lid member,

wherein the lid and base member vent openings at least partially overlap in both the initial and settled condition to allow venting through the sidewalls,

wherein the base member has a continuous top perimeter to improve compression strength of the pack, and

wherein the lid member further comprises one or more closeable vent openings located at least partially above the continuous base top perimeter in the initial condition to allow venting to at least a top layer of fruit.

According to another aspect one or more lid and base member vent openings are upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the upper vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the top of the vented produce pack, and

one or more lid and base member vent openings are lower vent openings spaced below the upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the lower vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the bottom of the vented produce pack, and

wherein a lower end of the upper vent openings is located above the upper end of the lower vent openings.

According to another aspect the closeable vent openings are located at or towards the top perimeter of the lid.

According to another aspect wherein at least an upper most portion of said closeable vent openings are located on a top score-line of the lid member.

According to another aspect the continuous top perimeter of the base member is uninterrupted by any one of:

a) scalloping,

b) cuts,

c) notches,

d) cut-outs, or

e) vent openings. According to another aspect the continuous top perimeter of the base member is horizontal, flat and planar to provide an even load bearing perimeter.

According to another aspect the closeable vent openings of the lid member are exposed in the initial condition to provide ventilation and assist rapid cooling of fruit, and the closeable vent openings are closed by a corresponding sidewall region of the base member in the settled condition.

According to another aspect the closeable vent openings are located on both the major and endwalls.

According to another aspect the base and lid vent openings are elongate vent openings to allow ventilation through the sidewall in both initial and settled conditions.

According to another aspect the closeable vent openings are shorter than the vent openings.

According to another aspect the horizontal spacing between closeable vent openings is the same as the horizontal spacing between lower vent openings.

According to another aspect the closeable vent openings and the upper vent openings are horizontally spaced apart and a lower region of the closeable vent openings align with a top region of the upper vent openings on the lid member so that the closeable vent openings assists ventilation to a top layer of fruit in the initial condition and the upper vent openings assists ventilation to the same layer of fruit in the settled condition.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises a stackable vented produce pack for receiving and storing fruit in tray separated layers comprising :

an open-top base member,

a lid member adapted to be paired with the base member to achieve telescopic closure of the produce pack,

wherein one or more of said lid and base member vent openings are upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the upper vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the top of the vented produce pack, wherein one or more of said lid and base member vent openings are lower vent openings spaced below the upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the lower vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the bottom of the vented produce pack, and

According to another aspect the upper vent openings are vertically spaced above the lower vent openings to form a strength zone between the upper and lower vent openings.

According to another aspect the horizontal spacing between the upper vent openings is different to the horizontal spacing between the lower vent openings.

According to another aspect the horizontal spacing between the upper vent openings is less than the horizontal spacing between the lower vent openings.

According to another aspect the lower vent openings on the major sidewall are spaced 100 to 200mm apart.

According to another aspect the upper vent openings on the major sidewall are spaced 300 to 400mm apart.

According to another aspect each layer of fruit receives airflow from at least one vent opening vertically spanning its row, for direct ventilation and cooling.

According to another aspect the vent openings are vertically elongate vent openings to allow ventilation in both the initial and settled conditions.

According to another aspect the vent openings are symmetrically located, having a vertical axis of symmetry.

According to another aspect the vent openings are asymmetrically located.

According to another aspect the lid member has substantially the same height as the base member.

According to another aspect in the initial condition, the lid member is spaced between 20 and 50mm above the top perimeter of the base member.

According to another aspect the lid member and base member comprises flaps depending from the lid and base sidewalls adapted to be folded inwards to form a top elongate slot and base elongate slot respectively.

According to another aspect opposing sidewalls of each of the base and lid members have the same or substantially similar vent pattern to allow cross airflow through the produce pack box.

According to another aspect the produce pack is formed from corrugated paperboard.

According to another aspect the trays are moulded fibre trays. According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises a method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing stackable vented produce packs,

arranging fruit in tray separated layers until the base member is overfill such that a top layer of fruit is at least partially above the top perimeter of the base member,

positioning the lid member over the base member such that the lid member is partially raised from the base member to allow venting to a top layer of fruit in the initial condition, and

stacking one or more layers of produce packs above the first produce pack layer.

According to another aspect arranging multiple produce packs side by side to form a layer of produce packs.

According to another aspect aligning vent openings of neighbouring packs such that air flow between the produce packs.

According to another aspect adjacent layers of produce packs are stacked so that the top and base elongate slots are aligned for air flow through the top and base of the produce pack.

According to another aspect the lid member is positioned over the base member so the underside of the lid touches the top layer of the overfilled fruit in the initial condition.

According to another aspect loading the stackable vented produce packs onto a pallet.

According to another aspect storing the vented produce packs in a cool-store room to rapidly provide ventilation and cooling to the fruit.

According to another aspect erecting the lid and base members from box blanks. According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises a pack of a tray stacked pipfruit to settle in a to settle pack stack;

wherein there is an unlidded corrugated paperboard case with a vertical flute run in its walls and with base defining flaps and

there is a flap lidded corrugated paperboard surround for walls of the case; wherein the transverse cut of the flute at the top of each of the four walls of the case is uninterrupted by any relief profile (e.g. scalloping); and

wherein both the case and the surround have vent openings that index to allow through wall venting both before and after pack settling in a pack stack and the surround has additional through wall vent openings to vent above said transverse cut flute of the case before pack settling in a pack stack.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises paired, or pairable, corrugated paperboard box forms to achieve a telescopic closure of that box form as the case by that box form as the lidding surround; wherein, in addition to mutually indexable through wall vent openings, there are through wall vent openings of the box form as the lidding surround to vent, in use, prior to final settling, the space above the box form as the case.

According to another aspect the box form as the case has no scalloping at the top of its walls and its flute run is vertically in those walls.

According to another aspect each box form has flaps from each of their walls to provide the base and top respectively.

According to another aspect at least the mutually indexable openings are vertically elongate.

According to another aspect the additional openings of that box form as the lidding surround are vertically elongate.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises the use of forms to contain a trayed stack of pipfuit.

According to another aspect initial closure of the case, and prior to final settling, allows the venting, via the additional openings of that box form as the lidding surround, to at least pipfruit still emergent above the box form as the base.

According to another aspect the surround has vertical flute run in its walls and three sets of vent openings on each of its major walls, a lower spaced apart set of vertically elongate openings, a higher spaced apart set of elongate openings, and a higher still set of openings (preferably elongate but of less elongate extent).

According to another aspect the spacing apart differs for the lower two sets of openings.

According to another aspect the higher still set has each of its openings directly above openings of the lowermost set.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which :

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a vented produce pack.

Figure 2A shows a schematic of pipfruit stacked in an initial overfilled condition.

Figure 2B shows a schematic of pipfruit stacked in a settled condition.

Figure 3A shows perspective view of the vented produce pack in the initial condition.

Figure 3B shows perspective view of the vented produce pack in the settled

condition.

Figure 4A shows a box blank of the base member.

Figure 4B shows a box blank of the lid member.

Figure 5A shows a symmetric vent pattern.

Figure 5B-D shows an asymmetric vent pattern.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a stack of vented produce packs.

Figure 7A shows a schematic of neighbouring base members of produce packs in the same row.

Figure 7B shows a schematic of neighbouring base members of produce packs on two adjacent rows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to various aspects of the various embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in figures 1-7B, there is provided a vented produce pack for fruit, such as pipfruit, which will now be described. It will be appreciated that these figures illustrate the general principles of construction, and that the invention is not limited to the precise configurations, or applications illustrated and described.

With particular reference to figure 1, there is provided a vented produce pack 1 for storing and transporting pipfruit 2 such as apples and pears. Optionally other fruit such as citrus fruit, or other produce may be stored and transported in the produce pack. The described vented produce pack 1 is a box adapted for fruit 2 on multiple layers within the produce pack, where each layer is typically separated by a moulded fibre tray 3.

The vented produce pack 1 is adapted to store and transport pipfruit which 1 may move from an initial pack condition (figure 3A) within the box, to a subsequent settled condition (figure 3B). The settled condition is where some or all layers of the pipfruit settle to a lower position in comparison to the initial pack condition, as the fruit sinks into depressions 4 in the tray 2 and/or the tray deforms or is pushed downwards due to the weight of box contents or stacked boxes above it.

The illustrated produce pack 1 is sized and dimensioned to receive 4 to 6 trays of pipfruit, depending on the type and size of the fruit. It is anticipated that the dimensions of the box and its features may vary in proportion as required. Similarly, it is anticipated that the trays 3 may take a number of different forms including flat fibreboard layers, and/or fibreboard trays including pockets. In the accompanying illustrations, the trays are illustrated schematically only.

The vented produce pack 1 is preferably a box which comprises a base member 100 and a lid member 200 for receiving and storing pipfruit. Preferably, the base member 100 and lid member 200 are paired or pairable to achieve a telescopic closure of the produce pack 1.

The vented produce pack 1 comprises vent openings to allow adequate air flow through the packs for cooling multiple rows of fruit, and removes heat such as caused by fruit respiration.

Preferably, the vent openings provide ventilation to the multiple layers of pipfruit, while limiting the effect the vent openings have on the strength of the produce boxes. Ventilating each layer may be particularly important as trays between layers may limit the flow of air between the layers and increase cooling time. While ventilation and cooling is important after harvesting, the strength of the produce packs is also important. The structural integrity of the box protects the fruit, especially when the boxes are stacked (for example, on a pallet) as shown in figure 6.

Providing vent openings for cooling and offering strength are typically competing interests in cardboard produce boxes for pipfruit. The prior art generally sacrifices one of these qualities, for the other. The present vented produce pack 1 has been designed to address both important aspects of a produce box for pipfruit.

Preferably, the vented produce pack 1 is formed from corrugated paperboard. Using corrugated paperboard packaging to protect, store and transport pipfruit may be advantageous as the boxes can be efficiently stored as box blanks (figures 4A-4B), can be easily erected from the blanks 10, 20 especially when score lines are provided. Corrugate paperboard is light, recyclable, easy to manufacture, economical, and can provide adequate strength.

Optionally, the box blanks include a side flap 117 dependent from a sidewall. Preferably, the side flap 117 is adapted to assist adhesion to another side wall to form the rectangular shape of the produce box.

Optionally, sidewalls are adhered together, from a blank box form. The boxes with glued sidewalls may remain folded to be compactly transported, and erected when the box is required.

In the preferred configurations, the vented produce pack 1 comprises a base 100 as referenced in figure 1. Preferably, the base member 100 is an open-top base member.

In the preferred configurations, the vented produce pack 1 comprises a lid member 200 configured to cover the base member 100.

Preferably, the lid member 200 is sized to be generally the same size and profile, or slightly bigger to fit over the base member 100. Preferably, the lid member 200 has substantially the same height as the base member 100. Lid and base members having the same height will improve the strength of the vented produce pack, as it will provide a double wall.

Preferably, the base member 100 as shown in figure 1, comprises a pair of opposing major sidewalls 111 and a pair of opposing endwalls 112 forming a generally rectangular form when assembled (although it is intended that a square and/or cube form is included). The base member 100 further comprises a base 113 depending from the sidewalls 111, 112.

The sidewalls 111, 112 are formed from a base blank 10 by folding the base member 100 along sidewall score-lines 101.

The base 113 is formed by folding the base member 100 along base score-lines

102.

In the preferred configurations, the base 113 is formed by a pair of major base flaps 114 and a pair of minor base flaps 115 folded inwardly towards each other. Preferably, when in a box form, the pairs of base flaps 114, 115 create a base elongate slot 116 as the edges of opposing flaps do not meet when the flaps close.

The base elongate slot 116 may aid adequate airflow between top and bottom neighbouring produce boxes 1, when in a stack.

Preferably, the lid member 200, comprises a pair of opposing major sidewalls 211 and a pair of opposing endwalls 212 forming a generally rectangular form when assembled. The lid member 200 further comprises a top 213 depending from the sidewalls 211, 212.

The sidewalls 211, 212 are formed from a lid blank 20 by folding the lid member 200 along sidewall score-lines 201.

The top 213 is formed by folding the lid member 200 along top score-lines 202.

In the preferred configurations, the top 213 is formed by a pair of major top flaps 214 and a pair of minor base flaps 215 folded inwardly towards each other. Preferably, when in a box form, the pairs of top flaps 214, 215 form a top elongate slot 216 as the edges of opposing flaps do not meet.

Preferably, the top elongate slot 216 is sized and aligned in generally the same location as the base elongate slot 116, so that ventilation can be provided through neighbouring stacked produce boxes 1 and/or through the top and bottom of the box itself. Figure 7B shows a schematic of two layers of base members 100.

Preferably, the adjacent layers of produce packs 1 are stacked so that the top and base elongate slots 216, 116 are aligned for air flow through the produce pack.

In the preferred configurations, some vent openings 130, 133 of neighbouring produce packs 1 are at least partially aligned for air flow between packs as shown in schematic figure 7A (showing a row of base members 100).

To retain the base and lid members 100, 200 in an assembled condition (figure 3A), preferably, adhesive is applied. Preferably, adhesive is applied to adhere the base flaps 114, 115 together. Similarly, the top flaps 214, 215 are adhered together to form the top and retain the members in the assembled condition.

Adhesive such as hot melt glue or other suitable adhesives known to a person skilled in the art may be used.

Fastening methods such as tape, or staples may also be used as an alternative, or to supplement the adhesive.

It is anticipated that the dimensions of the sidewalls may be altered from the illustrated produce packs, to provide different dimensioned packs, including packs which create a generally square form.

It is anticipated that the described vented produce pack 1 may be used for produces other than pipfruit which have similar ventilation and protection needs. Some minor modifications may be made to the produce pack to accommodate these other produces.

Preferably, the base member 100 and lid member 200 each comprises vent openings to allow airflow through the box and cooling of the pipfruit 2.

In the most preferred configurations, vent openings are present on the major sidewalls 111, 211 and endwalls 112, 212 of the vented produce pack.

Preferably, the vent openings 130, 131, 132, 133, 230, 231, 232, 233 are vertically elongate. Vertically elongate vent openings may be advantageous as the vertical position of the pipfruit may change (e.g. when the pipfruit in the moulded fibre tray 3 settles) overtime.

Furthermore, vertically elongate vent openings will allow lid and base vent openings to overlap even when the lid member is partially raised from the base member.

Preferably, opposing sidewalls of each of the base and lid members 100, 200 have the same or substantially similar vent patterns to allow cross airflow through each box.

In the preferred configurations, the produce pack 1 has two types of vent openings (matching vent openings and standalone vent openings).

Matching vent openings (130, 131, 132, 133, corresponding to 230, 231, 232, 233) are lid and base vent openings which align with corresponding base and lid vent openings, when the lid member 200 is paired onto the base member 100 as shown in figure 3B.

Standalone vent openings 240, 241 are vent openings on the lid member 200, which do not correspond to base vent openings when the lid member is paired onto the base member 100.

With particular reference to figures 1, 4A-4B, the base and lid members 100, 200 preferably comprises one or more upper vent openings 130, 230 on its major sidewalls 111, 211. Preferably, the base and lid members 100, 200 comprises one or more lower vent openings 131, 231 on its major side wall 111.

Preferably, a lower end of the upper vent openings is located above the upper end of the lower vent openings.

Preferably, the upper vent openings are vertically spaced above the lower vent openings, to form a strength zone between the upper and lower vent openings.

Preferably, the base and lid members 100, 200 comprises one or more upper vent openings 133, 233 on its endwalls 112, 212.

Preferably, the base and lid members 100, 200 comprises one or more lower vent openings 132, 232 spaced below the upper vent openings 133, 233 on its endwalls 112, 212.

A produce pack 1 comprising multiple vent openings split vertically may be advantageous to increase the compression strength of the pack. In comparison, a single long vent opening may decrease the compression strength of the pack.

The upper vent openings are adapted to provide direct airflow to fruit located at or near the top of the vented produce pack 1. The lower vent openings are adapted to provide direct airflow to fruit located at or near the bottom of the vented produce pack 1.

The presence of both upper vent openings and lower vent openings located at upper and lower zones of the sidewalls respectively, is important as the present vented produce pack 1 is adapted particularly for pipfruit 1 on layered trays 3.

Preferably, the vent pattern provides direct ventilation to the multiple layers of fruit.

Most preferably, each layer of fruit receives airflow from at least one vent opening vertically spanning its row, for direct ventilation and cooling.

Preferably, the upper vent openings 230 span two to three layers of fruit 2 located at or near the top of the vented produce pack as illustrated in figure 2B where the vent pattern in one configuration is shown.

Preferably, the lower vent openings 231 span two to three layers of fruit 2 located at or near the bottom of the vented produce pack.

In the preferred configurations, the lid member 200 comprises one or more closeable vent openings 240, 241. The closeable vent openings 240, 241 are spaced above the upper vent openings 230, 233.

Preferably, the major sidewalls 211 comprise uppermost venting openings 240.

Preferably, the endwalls 212 comprise uppermost venting openings 241.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are standalone vent openings on the lid member 200 which does not correspond to vent openings on the base member 100, when the lid member is paired onto the base member 100 in the settled condition as illustrated in figure 3B (discussed in more detail later). In some configurations, it is contemplated that the vented produce pack does not include closeable vent openings 240, 241 on the lid member 200. These configurations the produce pack is as shown in the figures, but with the closeable vent openings 240, 241 deleted. The improvement in these configurations relies on the particular vent pattern zones created by upper and lower vent openings.

Preferably, the vented produce pack 1 comprises vent openings at a combination of two or more venting zones (upper, lower and uppermost zones) on each of its sidewalls 111, 112, 211, 212. Combinations of vent openings include:

a) Upper and lower vent openings,

b) Closeable and lower vent openings,

c) Closeable and upper vent openings,

d) Upper, lower and closeable vent openings.

In the most preferred configurations, the vented produce pack 1 comprises vent openings at each of the three venting zones (upper, lower and uppermost) on each of its sidewalls.

Optionally, a vent opening 133, 233 on each endwall 112, 212 is horizontally elongate to provide handles to the vented produce pack 1. The handles 133, 233 are multifunctional as handles and vent openings to provide ventilation and cooling to the pipfruit.

In the preferred configurations, the vent pattern is symmetrically located, as best shown in figures 1 and 5A. In this configuration, the sidewalls 111, 211, 112, 212 have a vertical axis of symmetry 203, where the vent openings on a first side of the axis of symmetry mirrors the second side.

Produce packs 1 with symmetrical vent pattern may be beneficial as the vent patterns can easily match up with neighbouring produce packs in the same row. People who pack the produce packs will not need to spend time orientating the boxes to ensure the vent holes align.

In some configurations, the vent pattern is asymmetrically located, as best shown in figures 5B-5D. In this configuration, the vent pattern on the sidewalls 111, 211, 112, 212 are not symmetrical. Asymmetry may be present where there is a vent opening on one side of the vertical axis 203 of the sidewall, but not the other side. Asymmetrical vent patterns may be beneficial as the produce packs 1 are strong due to fewer vent openings being present.

In some configurations, as shown in figures 5B-5C, one upper vent opening 230, two lower vent openings 231 and two closeable vent openings 240 are present. In this configuration, the upper zone has one fewer vent opening causing asymmetry.

In some configurations, as shown in figure 5D, the lower zone has one fewer vent opening causing asymmetry. In the preferred configurations, the horizontal spacing 204 between the upper vent openings 230 differs from the horizontal spacing 205 between the lower vent openings 231, as referenced in figure 5A. The difference in spacing may be advantageous as it provides better ventilation along the length of the produce pack 1.

In the preferred configurations, the horizontal spacing 204 between the upper vent openings 230 is less than the horizontal spacing 205 between the lower vent openings 231.

Preferably, one of the upper vent openings 230 is adapted to match with handle vent opening 133 on a neighbouring produce box 1 as shown in figure 7A.

In the preferred configurations, the horizontal spacing 206 between the closeable vent openings 240 is the same as the horizontal spacing between the lower vent openings 231.

In the most preferred configurations, the lid member 200 comprises closeable vent openings 240, 241.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are located on one or more sidewalls 211, 212 of the lid member 200. Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are located at or towards the top perimeter of the lid, when the box is in its assembled condition.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are located on both the major sidewalls 211 and endwalls 212 of the vented produce pack 1.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are located at the top score-line 202 as best shown in figures 3B and 4B.

The closeable vent openings 240, 241 are adapted to provide airflow particularly to the top layer 6 of pipfruit 2 and ventilation generally to the fruit in the pack.

As the vented produce pack 1 moves from the initial pack condition (figures 2A and 3A), where the lid member 200 is partially raised from the base member 100, to the subsequent settled condition where the lid and base are aligned (figures 2B and 3B), the location of the lid vented openings (230, 231, 232, 233, 240, 241) change relative to the corresponding base vent openings (130, 131, 132, 133).

Features of the lid member 200 interact with features of the base member 100 to provide an improved combination of ventilation and strength, while accounting for the changes in position of the fruit 2 as it settles downwards within the base member 100.

In the initial pack condition, (figures 2A and 3A), the lid member 200 is raised from the base member 100, so that the top perimeter 207 of the lid is spaced 208 above the top perimeter 107 of the base. The vented produce pack 1 may be in the initial pack condition as the box is overfilled with pipfruit 2, so that the top layer 6 of pipfruit is packed at least partially above the top perimeter 107 of the base member. In the initial pack condition, the pipfruit 2 may loosely sit in the trays 3 (pocket trays shown schematically). Overfilling the produce packs 1 in an initial condition may be beneficial, to help support the load of produce packs 1 stacked above it. The fruit 1 works with the produce packs 1 to support the load above the pack.

Preferably, in the initial condition, the lid member 200 is spaced between 20 and 50mm above the top perimeter 107 of the base member.

Preferably, the lid member 200 is positioned fover the base member 100 so an underside of the lid touches the top layer 6 of overfilled fruit in the initial condition.

Over time, the lid member 200 is forced downwards towards the settled condition, (figures 2B and 3B), so that the top perimeter 207 of the lid is aligned with the top perimeter 107 of the base.

In some configurations, the lid member 200 moves to the settled condition over time, under the weight of produce boxes stacked above it in the stack 5 as shown in figure 6.

The lid member 200 may also lower towards the settled condition as the contents of the vented produce pack 1 settle to a lower positioned in comparison to the initial pack condition. As previously described, the layers of fruit 2 settle as it sinks into depressions 4 in the tray 2, and/or the tray deforms or is pushed downwards due to absorption of moisture, or the weight of box contents or stacked boxes above it.

As shown in figure 3A, in the initial pack condition, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 in the lid member 200 are located at the top perimeter 207 of the lid.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings are located at least partially above the position of the top perimeter 107 of the base member 100 when in the initial condition. At this initial stage, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are exposed (as they are not blocked by the sidewalls of the base member) to provide ventilation and assist rapid cooling of the pipfruit 2 (particularly to the top layer) in the produce pack 1.

Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are closed by the base member sidewalls in the settled condition (a corresponding region of the base member sidewall blocks the closeable vent opening of the lid).

Furthermore, as the upper and lower vent openings of the lid and base members 100, 200 do not overlap fully in the initial condition as shown in figure 3A, the effective area of vent openings of the upper and lower vent openings 130, 131, 132, 133, 230, 231, 232, 233 decreases. The closeable vent openings 240, 241 provides extra ventilation to maintain the effective area of vent openings in the initial condition.

The effective area of vent openings can be defined as the area of vent openings which allow air to flow through in the produce pack 1. Vent openings are blocked and prevent airflow in certain positions as vent openings are not perfectly aligned with corresponding vent openings in the lid and base members. The elongate vent openings in the preferred configurations are beneficial as some corresponding vent openings of the lid and base members 100, 200 overlap to allow airflow, even when the lid does not sit fully onto the base member.

The elongate vent openings are adapted to allow ventilation through the sidewall in both the initial and settled conditions as the vent opening of the lid and base members will at least partially overlap.

In the settled pack condition, as the lid member 200 slides further down onto the base member 100 the closeable vent openings 240, 241 become less exposed or are no longer exposed as shown in figure 3B.

In the settled pack condition, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 of the lid 200 are at least partially blocked by a sidewall of the base member 100. The closeable vent openings 240, 241 do not correspond with a base vent opening at the same location.

Preferably, in the settled pack condition, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 are fully closed as it is blocked by a region of a sidewall of the base member 100.

Preferably, the top perimeter 107 of the base 100 is continuous and uninterrupted by any relief profile (e.g. scalloping, cuts, notches, cut-outs, vent openings) as best shown in figure 1. The continuous top perimeter 107 helps maintain the load bearing area to improve the compression strength of the pack.

Preferably, the top perimeter 107 of the base 100 is substantially horizontal, flat and planar to provide an even load bearing perimeter.

Preferably, the top region of the base 100, including the top perimeter 107, is continuous and untarnished such that the structural integrity and strength of the pack is not unduly sacrificed for ventilation.

The continuous top perimeter 107 of the base is unlike the lid 200 in the preferred configurations, where closeable vent openings 240, 241 are located at the top perimeter 207.

Preferably, the base member 100 has a continuous top perimeter 107 at each of its four sidewalls 111, 112.

In the settled condition, the uninterrupted top perimeter 107 of the base member 100 engages with an underside of the lid 100. An uninterrupted top perimeter 107 is advantageous as it improves the strength (particularly compression strength and resistance to buckling) of the base member 100. The strength at the top perimeter 107 of the base member 100 is important as it engages and supports lid 100, and provides structural integrity to the vented produce pack 1 as a whole.

Vent openings or other features at the top perimeter 107 of the base member 100 would be undesirable as it could decrease the strength of the base member 100, and therefore the overall strength of the produce pack 1 in a stack 5. Features at the top perimeter 107 could provide a region of weakness on the base member, which may propagate. If the produce pack 1 crumples, the pipfruit within the pack may be damaged.

A strong top perimeter 107 to withstand downward forces applied to the lid 200 of the vented produce pack (e.g. due to weight of boxes stacked above), is particularly important at the settled condition. The produce box typically absorb moisture from the air which can affect the strength of the box, as it is formed from paper-board. Moisture vapour may come from high humidity cool stores, or condensation from doors being open, for example. The strength of the produce box after some time (e.g. in the settled condition) may be lower in comparison to the box in the initial condition.

In the preferred configurations, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 and the upper vent openings are horizontally spaced apart and a lower region of the closeable vent openings align with a top region of the upper vent openings on the lid member. Preferably, the closeable vent openings 240, 241 assists ventilation to a top layer of fruit in the initial condition and the upper vent openings assists ventilation to the same layer of fruit in the settled condition.

In some configurations, the produce packs 1 are loaded onto a pallet as shown in figure 6.

In some configurations, the produce packs 1 are stored in a cool-store room to rapidly provide ventilation and cooling to the fruit.

The closeable vent openings 240, 241 of the lid member 200 and the continuous top perimeter 107 of the base member 100 work in synergy to provide improved both ventilation and strength characteristics at different stages of the produce pack 1.

During testing, it has been found that the described vented produce pack 1 provides an improved combination of ventilation and strength.

Ventilation is important at early stages as the fruit needs to be cooled quickly and effectively soon after harvest. The preferred vent patterns not only provide overall effective ventilation, but also focused ventilation for different regions of the produce pack, such as the different rows of fruit (which also shift vertically downwards with time). The vented produce pack 1 with the described vent locations, can provide ventilation in both the initial condition and settle condition. Improved ventilation can also reduce cooling time which saves costs.

Features such as the continuous top perimeter 107 of the base member 100, to maintain or improve the strength of the produce pack 1 is important at later stages especially when the packs have been stacked. The sidewalls of the pack may have weakened due to the weight of the stacks and absorption of moisture.

Furthermore, the lid 200 vent openings move down relative to the base member 100 from the initial to settled condition. This is advantageous as the pipfruit within the produce pack 1 would have moved downwards in the base member 100, as the trays 3 move downwards and sag due to the tray absorbing moisture and/or the weight of the tray and pipfruit.

The described vented produce pack 1 takes into account different priorities at different stages of the produce pack in a stack, each produce pack having layers of pipfruit 2 in trays 3.

Ranges of dimensions of preferred dimensions for the lid member 200 will now be included with reference to figure 4B. However, it is anticipated the dimensions of the produce pack may vary as required. These ranges are the same or similar for the base member 100 where suitable.

In the preferred configurations, the major sidewalls 211 are 450mm to 550mm wide.

In the preferred configurations, the endwalls 212 are 300mm to 350mm wide.

In the preferred configurations, the flaps 214, 215 are 100mm to 150mm in height.

In the preferred configurations, the upper and lower vent openings have a height between 65mm and 100mm.

In the preferred configurations, the handle vent opening 233 has a length between 80 and 90mm and a height of 30 to 50mm.

In the preferred configurations, the lower vent openings on the major sidewall 211 are spaced 100 to 200mm apart.

In the preferred configurations, the upper vent openings on the major sidewall 211 are spaced 300 to 400mm apart.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known

equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Claims

1. A stackable vented produce pack for receiving and storing fruit in tray separated layers comprising :

an open-top base member,

2. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in the previous claim wherein

one or more lid and base member vent openings are upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the upper vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the top of the vented produce pack, and

3. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the closeable vent openings are located at or towards the top perimeter of the lid.

4. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in the previous claim wherein at least an uppermost portion of said closeable vent openings are located on a top score-line of the lid member.

5. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the continuous top perimeter of the base member is uninterrupted by any one of: a) scalloping,

b) cuts,

c) notches,

d) cut-outs, or

e) vent openings.

6. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the continuous top perimeter of the base member is horizontal, flat and planar to provide an even load bearing perimeter.

7. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein

the closeable vent openings of the lid member are exposed in the initial condition to provide ventilation and assist rapid cooling of fruit, and

the closeable vent openings are closed by a corresponding sidewall region of the base member in the settled condition.

8. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the closeable vent openings are located on both the major and endwalls.

9. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the base and lid vent openings are elongate vent openings to allow ventilation through the sidewall in both initial and settled conditions.

10. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the closeable vent openings are shorter than the vent openings.

11. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the horizontal spacing between closeable vent openings is the same as the horizontal spacing between lower vent openings.

12. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the closeable vent openings and the upper vent openings are horizontally spaced apart and a lower region of the closeable vent openings align with a top region of the upper vent openings on the lid member so that the closeable vent openings assists ventilation to a top layer of fruit in the initial condition and the upper vent openings assists ventilation to the same layer of fruit in the settled condition.

13. A stackable vented produce pack for receiving and storing fruit in tray separated layers comprising :

an open-top base member,

wherein one or more of said lid and base member vent openings are upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the upper vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the top of the vented produce pack,

wherein one or more of said lid and base member vent openings are lower vent openings spaced below the upper vent openings on the major sidewalls, the lower vent openings spanning two to three layers of fruit located at or near the bottom of the vented produce pack, and

14. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in the previous claim wherein the upper vent openings are vertically spaced above the lower vent openings to form a strength zone between the upper and lower vent openings.

15. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein the horizontal spacing between the upper vent openings is different to the horizontal spacing between the lower vent openings.

16. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in the previous claim wherein the horizontal spacing between the upper vent openings is less than the horizontal spacing between the lower vent openings.

17. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein the lower vent openings on the major sidewall are spaced 100 to 200mm apart.

18. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein the upper vent openings on the major sidewall are spaced 300 to 400mm apart.

19. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein each layer of fruit receives airflow from at least one vent opening vertically spanning its row, for direct ventilation and cooling.

20. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the vent openings are vertically elongate vent openings to allow ventilation in both the initial and settled conditions.

21. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the vent openings are symmetrically located, having a vertical axis of symmetry.

22. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in claims 1 to 20 wherein the vent openings are asymmetrically located.

23. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the lid member has substantially the same height as the base member.

24. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein in the initial condition, the lid member is spaced between 20 and 50mm above the top perimeter of the base member.

25. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the lid member and base member comprises flaps depending from the lid and base sidewalls adapted to be folded inwards to form a top elongate slot and base elongate slot respectively.

26. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein opposing sidewalls of each of the base and lid members have the same or substantially similar vent pattern to allow cross airflow through the produce pack box.

27. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the produce pack is formed from corrugated paperboard.

28. A stackable vented produce pack as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the trays are moulded fibre trays.

29. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing stackable vented produce packs as claimed in any one of the previous claims,

30. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in the previous claim further comprising arranging multiple produce packs side by side to form a layer of produce packs.

31. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in the previous claim further comprising aligning vent openings of neighbouring packs such that air flow between the produce packs.

32. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in claims 29 to 31 wherein adjacent layers of produce packs are stacked so that the top and base elongate slots as claimed in claim 25 are aligned for air flow through the top and base of the produce pack.

33. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32 wherein the lid member is positioned over the base member so the underside of the lid touches the top layer of the overfilled fruit in the initial condition.

34. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33 further comprising loading the stackable vented produce packs onto a pallet.

35. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 34 further comprising storing the vented produce packs in a cool-store room to rapidly provide ventilation and cooling to the fruit.

36. A method of providing improved ventilation and storing fruit on tray separated layers as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 35 further comprising erecting the lid and base members from box blanks.

37. A pack of a tray stacked pipfruit to settle in a to settle pack stack;

38. Paired, or pairable, corrugated paperboard box forms to achieve a telescopic closure of that box form as the case by that box form as the lidding surround; wherein, in addition to mutually indexable through wall vent openings, there are through wall vent openings of the box form as the lidding surround to vent, in use, prior to final settling, the space above the box form as the case.

39. Forms as in claim 38 wherein that box form as the case has no scalloping at the top of its walls and its flute run is vertically in those walls.

40. Forms of claim 38 or 39 wherein each box form has flaps from each of their walls to provide the base and top respectively.

41. Forms of any one of claims 38 to 40 wherein at least the mutually indexable openings are vertically elongate.

42. Forms of claim 41 wherein the additional openings of that box form as the lidding surround are vertically elongate.

43. The use of forms of any one of claims 38 to 42 to contain a trayed stack of pipfuit.

44. The use of claim 43 wherein initial closure of the case, and prior to final settling, allows the venting, via the additional openings of that box form as the lidding surround, to at least pipfruit still emergent above the box form as the base.

45. A box form of corrugated board for use as a lidding surround in a pack of claim 37, in forms of any one of claims 38 to 42, and/or in a use of claim 43 or 44, wherein the surround has vertical flute run in its walls and three sets of vent openings on each of its major walls, a lower spaced apart set of vertically elongate openings, a higher spaced apart set of elongate openings, and a higher still set of openings (preferably elongate but of less elongate extent).

46. A box form of claim 45 wherein the spacing apart differs for the lower two sets of openings.

47. A box form of claim 46 wherein the higher still set has each of its openings directly above openings of the lowermost set.