Consumer oriented system for delivery of product including single-serving package for preservative-free frozen fruit pieces

Abstract

A consumer-oriented method of processing and packaging single serving packages is provided that improves convenience and safety, reduces pathogens and spoilage, and promotes improved dietary intake, while extending frozen shelf life, wherein fruit is processed to create ready-to-eat single serving packages of preservative-free frozen fruit pieces that may be readily consumed without utensils, and which may include a freezing step that significantly extends frozen shelf life beyond that attainable using conventional fruit processing methods.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to a consumer-oriented system for the delivery of frozen fruit pieces that promotes dietary fruit intake, including convenient and accessible single serving packaging that enhances the consumer's ease of use, reduces the presence of pathogens, increases frozen shelf life, and reduces spoilage.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is a universal desire to eat healthy that transcends all cultures, societies, and beliefs. This desire to consume more unprocessed fruits and vegetables is borne through the realization that the fresher the food, the better it is. By way of contrast, it is widely believed, and supported through a panoply of empirical scientific research, that the addition of various preservatives, and conventional pasteurization processes inexorably attenuates the nutritional value and attendant health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.[0003]To fulfill this desire, public health officials and other leading n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for processing and packaging frozen fruits, particularly fruit pieces, to enhance ease of use and consumption, reduce contamination and spoilage, improve frozen shelf-life and nutritional value, and facilitate the distribution of preservative-free frozen fruit pieces. The methods involve processing whole fruits under aseptic conditions to remove the rind and chop, dice or segment the fruits into conveniently-sized pieces, which are frozen or packaged in a preservative-free manner in a substantially gas impermeable single serving tray or tube. The tray or tube may be sealed so as to reduce the headspace in the package. The apparatus includes a system for receiving, washing, coring, skinning, and / or removing seeds from the fruits, slicing them into small bite-sized pieces, passing them through a metal detection system, and packaging them into the tube. The tube is designed to be opened by tearing the tearable zone, which creates an opening providing access to the quantity of frozen fruit pieces. The length of the tube is in a range of about 4 to 10 inches, and a diameter of the opening is in a range of about 0.7 to 1.5 inches.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, attaining these goals is stifled by several logistical and safety issues, such that most inhabitants of the U.S. and other developed nations fall far short of these dietary guidelines.

Aside from certain fruits that naturally occur in single-serving portions, like bananas, apples and peaches, most fruit involves considerable processing effort before it can be rendered into a form suitable for consumption.

These methods oftentimes require a substantial amount of time, a kitchen or similar facility, knives, or special equipment, which may not be available to someone who is on her / his lunch break, is on the go, or is in school or at the beach.

Such processing steps usually require access to a sink, cutting board, trash receptacle, dishes, and utensils, are messy, and take a substantial investment of time in both preparation and clean-up.

While such packages obviate many of the difficulties associated with fruit preparation, these packages generally contain multiple servings, and / or include preservatives.

Such bulk packages require continual refrigeration, and therefore do not meet the time constraints imposed by modern society.

For example, refrigerated multi-serving packages must be repackaged for daily consumption, and oftentimes the contents of the bulk packages spoil before they can be completely consumed.

To consume only a portion of such a package, the user may need to mechanically separate the desired portion from the lump, which may require manual strength or the use of a utensil, which is inconvenient and possibly even dangerous.

However, such a sequence of steps may be inconvenient and time-consuming.

Moreover, the quality of the remaining portions may deteriorate upon being refrozen, and the remaining portions may solidify into a lump that is even more solid than when originally purchased.

Even if it is not necessary to thaw and refreeze the fruit to obtain a portion from the package, the fruit within the reclosed package may deteriorate more rapidly within the freezer than in the original packaging, e.g., may experience freezer burn.

Because of such inconveniences and inefficiencies, a household may purchase such a package of frozen fruit primarily if there is a particular recipe in which to use it, such as a smoothie or dessert.

Such a process may remove many nutrients and fiber from the fruit, and the popsicles may be undesirably high in sugar to be eaten on a frequent basis.

Another public health issue, which inheres with the consumption of fruit, is the prevalence of pathogens.

Each year, many people die from the consumption of pathogen-contaminated fruit.

Also, each year, billions of dollars worth of fruit are lost to spoilage.

In particular, grocery stores battle the complexities of logistics to maintain an adequate supply of fresh fruit.

When a grocery store receives fruit, this fruit must be sold as quickly as possible, otherwise the fruit will spoil and have to be discarded.

Moreover, conventional pre-cut fruit pieces have a very limited shelf-life, typically less than seven days from the packaging date.

A related issue is when a customer brings the fruit home from the grocery store.

Oftentimes, the vagaries of life will result in spoiling fruit in one's refrigerator or kitchen counter.

As the fruit starts to turn brown and dehydrates, many customers simply throw the fruit away.

What's more, many canned fruits are infused with sugars, or corn syrup, which may make the fruit less healthy.

Unfortunately, these processes seriously compromise the quality and taste, as well as the aesthetic looks, the nutritional value, price, and the anticipated salutary effects of the fruit.

Despite the ubiquitous recognition that increased fruit consumption is desirable, the prior art is virtually devoid of practical solutions to provide single serving packaging for preservative-free fresh or frozen fruits, and especially convenient packaging that eliminates the need for utensils.

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