Retail produce box and method for selling a variety of produce therein

Abstract

There is provided an improved retail produce box, preferably for fresh potatoes. Each box comprises a bottom wall, four side walls with beveled corners where adjacent side walls meet, said bottom wall and side walls defining a substantially rectangular box interior. That interior is covered by a lid made from folded over extensions of two opposed side walls with one of said lid extensions at least partially overlapping the other lid extension to minimize light penetration into the box interior and allow for some settlement of contents after filling. The bottom wall may have a plurality of apertures for visual inspection of the contents and facilitating air circulation within. Preferably, the overlapping lid extension includes a hinged and tabbed section that can be flipped open for visually inspecting the box contents and lowered back down after. A plurality of such boxes, in various produce quantities, may be boxed together for shipping in a master container. A method for selling varying produce in the same box entails inserting a divider into that box to form chambers into which different varieties of potatoes, or potatoes along with other produce like onions, may be packaged.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 195,327, filed on Oct. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The packaging, transportation, retail display and storage of fresh vegetables and fruits require special environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, etc., for maintaining the freshness of such products in terms of food value and appearance until purchased and consumed. Proper packaging of such foods plays an important role in achieving desirable results.[0003]Many types of produce packages are known. One common variety is a corrugated paperboard (fiberboard) container which is lightweight and readily available at relatively low cost. Corrugated paperboard / cardboard is also biodegradable and environmentally acceptable. Although such containers are commonly used for the packaging and distribution of wholesale quant...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]One objective of the present invention is to provide a produce box having a lid that allows for settlement of contents after filling and during shipment to its resale destination. A related objective of the invention is to provide a produce box that protects the box contents from most light until a prospective customer views the contents. Yet another objective provides a produce box with bottom viewing and venting holes or apertures while not interfering with structural rigidity especially when stacked high for transport and / or sales display.

[0014]Therefore, it is a primary objective of this invention to provide an improved, “hand-carryable” corrugated cardboard container for packaging, transporting and storing fresh produce, particularly items of a pre-selected size, and for aiding in the freshness maintenance of that produce by limiting light access to the container interior while providing a limited degree of air circulation. Such containers will promote the maintenance of desirable temperature and humidity conditions within the container while providing visual consumer access to the interior and its contents. With the use on internal container dividers, it is expected that the boxes of this invention may be filled with a variety of produce, either in the same field (as in both white and red potatoes) or in smaller serving convenience packs with other produce (like combinations of potatoes with onions, carrots, celery and / or garlic, for instance).

Problems solved by technology

However, the handling of easily bruised fruits and vegetables in bulk, and their general deterioration due to exposure to the elements, result in considerable loss (or “shrink”) to the retailer.

When fresh produce is packaged in other container forms like paper or plastic bags, the quality range in terms of product size, form and appearance is determined by the packager and may not suit the needs or desires of smaller volume retailers and / or their consuming public.

In either case, the attention and care needed to maintain special quality characteristics is often lacking or minimal.

Potatoes, for example, are subject to greening on excessive exposure to natural or artificial light.

Accordingly, the bulk presentation / display of potatoes, especially white or yellow potatoes, in light-admitting containers can result in rapid, quality deterioration.

Humidity control, where required, is difficult or impossible to achieve when produce is handled in bulk quantity lots, substantially open or fully closed containers.

If the produce to be microwaved differs greatly in size, some may be overdone and others underdone.

However, prior art containers suffer from one or more mechanical or economic disadvantages making them less than entirely suitable for their intended purpose.

While that carton was satisfactory for shipping and displaying extra grade potatoes, it did not achieve widespread use due to economic considerations.

Images