Packaging for packing fresh food products tending to discharge liquid

Abstract

Packaging for fresh food products prone to exuding liquids, such as delicate fruits, comprising a container for the products to be packaged having a base 2 and a peripheral wall 1. The base 2 has a central raised base 4 relative to a peripheral channel 3 located at the base of the wall 1, said base 4 being provided with alternately recessed and raised patterns 6 and with openings 7.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a new packaging for the conditioning and preservation of fresh food products, intended in particular for delicate fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, etc. These fruits tend to exude liquids, which negatively impacts their preservation. Thus, the delicate fruits covered by the invention tend, at least with regard to the part in contact with an exudate, to rot much more quickly than in the absence of liquid.

[0002] In fact, between the time they are packaged, then transported from their packaging location to a merchant's stall, and finally purchased by an end customer, fruit trays undergo relative movements, friction and sometimes shocks which obviously have an influence on their aging and on a possible production of liquid.

[0003] Because the problem is not new, solutions exist for managing liquid release from the bottom of fresh produce packaging. Moreover, the issue is not limited to fruit; it also affects meat and seafood products, which also face these preservation challenges related to liquid production. These challenges have become even more acute since the advent of self-service fresh produce sections, particularly in supermarkets.

[0004] The current trend, driven by the growing popularity of large retailers, is to increase the number of products offered through this channel, which has the advantage of sparing consumers queues at stalls selling products in bulk. In this scenario, the goods are handled by a salesperson who must be approached and who selects, weighs, etc., customer by customer, which can be time-consuming during peak hours. Avoiding this route is often preferable, and pre-packaged products, readily accessible, are increasingly popular. For products that release liquids, the containers used are often plastic, equipped with features to mitigate the problem caused by the release of liquids.

[0005] To date, the bottoms of these packages are equipped with a mattress / cushion, bubble film, whose function is twofold: firstly, to act as a resilient cushion between the rigid bottom of the package and the fruit, in order to absorb any shocks and movements during handling, and secondly, to act as an interlayer to reduce the contact of the fruit with exuded liquids.

[0006] These mattresses are generally made of polyethylene, a material well-suited to the aforementioned functions and different from the plastics used for the actual packaging, such as the fruit containers. These containers can be made, for example, of polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate, which may be recyclable. However, manufacturing packaging using several plastic materials can be a drawback because it makes recycling somewhat more complex.

[0007] An additional problem is that the use of a mattress / pad involves gluing within the container, adding extra synthetic material that can further complicate the recycling of the entire assembly. US patent 10294005B discloses packaging that forms the basis of the preamble to claim 1.

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy this, by proposing a new packaging design intended to solve the aforementioned problems, in particular to protect the fruit and to eliminate or at least mitigate the effects of exudates released by products packaged in such packaging on the aging of said products, and then to make the packaging more attractive from an environmental point of view.

[0009] For these purposes, the invention implements packaging according to the characteristics of claim 1.

[0010] The concept of a base, and the definition of the word, refers to a foundation upon which an object can rest stably, with the notion of a "massive" structure (the word aptly conveys the volumetric compactness of a base) serving to elevate the object. The base thus presents a coherent unity that distinguishes it from a collection of disparate elements such as ribs.

[0011] Preferably, for reasons explained in more detail below, these openings are located on or near the tops of the raised patterns on the base. To fully perform its function of preserving the quality of the delicate fruit inside the packaging, the base is designed to channel any liquids released by the fruit, first through the base itself, and then through the surrounding gutter, thus eliminating, in principle, any possibility of fruit / liquid contact. The base is therefore designed with technical characteristics, particularly mechanical ones, that enable it to, if not replace, at least perform some of the functions of a base mat, and to mitigate the stresses placed on the fruit due to the container's geometry and the way the fruit is stacked.The existence of the base means that a significant portion of the bottom of the packaging is raised, giving it a form of flexibility that allows it to regain the "cushion" effect obtained until now with a honeycomb mattress.

[0012] According to the invention, to fulfill the primary function of separating solids and liquids, the shapes and dimensions of the raised and recessed patterns constitute a fragmented upper surface of the base, capable of keeping food products from coming into contact with the exuded liquid. In other words, the geometry of the recessed patterns prevents fruit from entering them.

[0013] Furthermore, each recessed pattern is connected to the chute or to another pattern connected to the chute, and has a base positioned higher than the bottom of said chute. This facilitates the drainage of liquids, particularly during handling of the packaging of the invention, so that liquid retention in the hollow part of the base cannot be encouraged in any way, regardless of the packaging's position, even if such retention is possible in certain configurations for reasons of improved distribution. In some cases, optimizing the distribution also helps to resolve the problem of contact between the fruit and the released liquid.

[0014] As previously mentioned, the holes in the base are preferably positioned towards the tops of the raised patterns. This allows them—in combination with the recessed patterns in the base—to ensure proper ventilation at the bottom of the container, while preventing spilled liquids from running out as much as possible. This ventilation increases the shelf life of the fruit.

[0015] Preferably, the raised edge of the base is inclined towards the bottom of the peripheral channel. This is one of the aforementioned configuration features designed to improve the base's resilience, and consequently its flexibility under various mechanical stresses, like a mattress, which is omitted in the packaging of the invention.

[0016] Generally speaking, the patterns can take any geometric form, provided they meet the previously mentioned characteristics. Thus, in a particularly suitable configuration, the raised and hollow patterns can consist of regular undulations, with the openings located on or near the apexes of at least some of these undulations. Between their raised sections, the undulations form hollows in the form of parallel channels for draining exuded liquids, the apexes of the undulations creating a fragmented upper surface. Essentially, this fragmented upper surface is composed of parallel bands with a curved cross-section at their apexes.

[0017] According to one example of a possible configuration, the undulations can have an axial orientation with a diagonal appearance, which allows the outlets of the channels forming the recessed patterns to be distributed over the entire periphery of the base, and consequently to supply the gutter from all sides of the raised base.

[0018] More precisely, the undulations present, in cross-section, a succession of circular sectors of first radius R and center located under the raised base, forming the raised patterns, linked two by two by a second circular sector of second radius r, r being less than R, and center located above the raised base, forming channels constituting the recessed patterns.

[0019] This undulating shape is, of course, only one of the many possible forms of raised and recessed patterns for the base equipping the bottom of the container, and is in no way limiting to the invention. Numerous variations are possible, provided that the fruit in contact with the base is not in contact with the liquid, and that the liquid can be managed at the bottom of the packaging to prevent it from coming into contact with the fruit and to prevent any leakage outside the container.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description, relating to embodiments given by way of example only. Understanding this description will be particularly facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: There figure 1 represents a perspective view of an embodiment of packaging according to the invention; The figure 2 shows a top view of the packaging of the invention; The figure 3 illustrates a front view of this packaging, the left half of which is shown in section according to section plane BB of the previous figure, and the right half is a simple front elevation view.

[0021] With reference to the figure 1 The container of the invention mainly comprises a peripheral wall 1 and a base 2 which concentrates the features of the present invention. Thus, for the reasons explained above, the mattresses traditionally used in the bases of such containers, in packaging intended to hold fresh fruit that may exude liquid, are here replaced by a particular shape given to the base 2. This base is a single piece with the rest of the container, and designed to emulate, in a way, the technical characteristics of a mattress, or to replace them with mechanical characteristics ensuring the same type of functions.

[0022] The base 2 comprises two distinct zones: a peripheral channel 3 surrounding a central base 4, which is raised above the base of the channel 3. The base 4 itself is differentiated, in terms of zones, as it is composed of a series of undulations directed along a diagonal orientation, meaning that there is a succession of summit ridges 5 and valleys 6. The former 5 constitute, in other words, the raised patterns according to the invention, while the latter 6 are the recessed patterns. The patterns are parallel in this particular base configuration.

[0023] More specifically, the raised motifs 5 are, in cross-section, rounded in shape, substantially representing a portion of a circle with a center placed outside the container, under the base 2. The hollow portions 6, the "valleys" or channels, are also rounded in shape, consisting in substance of portions of a circle of much smaller diameter, and with a center placed above the base 4, inside the volume of the container.

[0024] Through holes 7 are placed in several places on the bottom 2, all located on the base 4. These holes 7 are placed slightly to the side or, preferably, on the top 5 of the undulations, as far as possible not in the channels, so that a ventilation effect is possible under the fruit, without leaks occurring and allowing liquid to flow outwards.

[0025] There figure 2 This clearly shows that the gutter 3 is homogeneous around the entire perimeter of the bottom, devoid of any opening which would inevitably cause leaks since this is the deepest part of the bottom, and that the channels 6 made up of the hollow valleys of the raised base open at their two ends into said gutter 3. The fresh fruits being mostly placed at the level of the base 4, resting on the raised parts 5 of the latter - making in practice a fractionated upper surface for supporting the fruits - the exudates collected are mostly collected in the hollow channels 6.

[0026] The chute 3 has a connecting wall 8 with the base 4, which rises at a certain angle (see in particular in figure 3 ) towards the split upper surface of said base 4. The channels 6 open into this wall 8, at a level higher than the bottom of the chute 3, which is also apparent in the figure 3 With reference to the latter, the succession and alternation of the raised motifs 5 and the recessed motifs 6 appears very clearly, with the recessed motifs 6 for liquid drainage being narrower than the raised motifs 5, although in this case the visible section is not transverse because the cutting plane of the figure 2 is not perpendicular to the orientation of the diagonal undulations. This orientation is just one possible configuration; any other orientation respecting the same undulating base will work. It should be noted that the narrowness of the channels helps ensure that there is no contact between the fruit and the exudates.

[0027] The channels 6 are not solely for the drainage of exuded liquids, but also play a crucial role in aeration, thus extending the shelf life of the fruit. In addition to ensuring that the fruit does not come into contact with the juice flowing from it, the channels 6 also allow air to circulate beneath the fruit, coming from the openings 7, which is beneficial for preservation. Tests conducted on strawberries have indeed shown that, in packaging based on a container such as the one illustrated, the strawberries lose less weight after 7 days, thanks to the improved aeration provided by the invention's design. In this respect, it is a far more favorable and advantageous solution than existing trays with a padded film.

[0028] These holes 7 can vary in number and shape, provided they are positioned so that the maximum number of them are towards the top parts of the raised areas 5. It is in particular the shape of the packaging, and the volume it contains, which determines the number of holes 7 to be provided for the base 4.

[0029] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to better distribute the liquid that exudes from the fruit, and the channels 6, due to the particular shape given to them in the illustrated configuration, also allow some retention of the juice, reducing the risk of leakage to the outside and organizing a better distribution over the whole of the bottom 2.

[0030] The example configuration shown in the figures should not be considered exhaustive of the invention, which, on the contrary, encompasses the variant forms alluded to previously: geometry of the raised and recessed motifs, provided there is a connection with the peripheral channel, number of holes, etc. 1

Claims

1. Packaging for fresh food products that tend to exude liquids, of the fragile fruit type, comprising a container for the products to be packaged including a bottom (2) and a peripheral wall (1), wherein the bottom (2) has a base (4) provided with orifices (7), characterised in that said base (4) is a central base in relief relative to a peripheral trough (3) placed at the base of the wall (1), said base (4) being provided with alternating recessed (6) and raised (5) patterns, the shapes and dimensions of the raised patterns (5) and those of the recessed patterns (6) forming a fragmented upper surface of the base (4) capable of maintaining the food products without contact with the exuded liquid.

2. Packaging for fresh food products according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the orifices (7) are located on or near the top parts of the raised patterns (5) of the base (4).

3. Packaging for fresh food products according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each recessed pattern (6) is connected to the trough (3) or to another recessed pattern (6) connected to the trough (3), and has a bottom placed at a level higher than the bottom of said trough (3).

4. Packaging for fresh food products according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge (8) of the base (4) is sloped towards the bottom of the peripheral trough (3).

5. Packaging for fresh food products according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the raised (5) and recessed (6) patterns consist of regular waves, the holes (7) being located on the crests or near the crests of at least several waves.

6. Packaging for fresh food products according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the waves have a diagonal axial orientation.

7. Packaging for fresh food products according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the waves have, in a transverse cross-section, a succession of circular sectors having a first radius R and a centre disposed under the raised base (4), forming the raised patterns (5), connected in pairs by a second circular sector having a second radius r, r being less than R, and a centre located above the raised base, forming channels constituting the recessed patterns (6).

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