AU2006202757A1 - Punnet For Storage of Food Items - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Raptis Pax Pty Ltd.

Actual Inventor: John Raptis Address for Service: George Griziotis P.O.Box 321 MOOREBANK NSW 2170 Invention Title: PUNNET FOR STORAGE OF FOOD ITEMS Details of Associated Application Prov. Appln. No. 2005903379 Filed on 27 June 2005 The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing the invention known to the inventors:- IND- \O 3 Field of Invention 0 The field of the present invention is packaging for fresh food items.

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IND There are many examples of packaging for fresh food items available commercially and which may be manufactured using a variety of materials, for example, cardboards or plastics whether moulded, blown or thermoformable plastic. These containers are typically designed so as to maximise the space available for the fresh food produce within the container itself, whilst attempting to reduce the incidence of spoilage of the food products by soft edging or gradient of the wall sections of the containers which 0 hold the food produce.

Still other containers seek to improve air circulation through the packaging with a view to extending the shelf life of fresh food items by incorporating into their design a number of air holes or vents through which air may flow. Experience has shown that the containers that are presently available which provide for such air flow or circulation over the fresh food produce do not effectively extend the shelf life of the produce within the container..

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for fresh food produce which provides for improved air circulation through the container and over the fresh food produce thereby extending the shelf life of the food produce.

The present invention seeks to overcome at least some of the problems identified with the prior art devices whilst at the same time providing a packaging solution for fresh food items which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which facilitates the extension of shelf life of the fresh food products therein contained.

Accordingly there is provided a container for fresh food produce comprising a lid with integrated recesses located upon its lower edge and a base with integrated recesses located upon its upper edge, the lid and base formed complementarily such that the lid closes securely upon the base to contain the fresh food produce within the container and the respective integrated recesses align so as to allow airflow between.

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IMPROVED PUNNET

SYSTEM'

Conventional Punnet systems (Packaging for fresh foo~d items) consist of a Punnet NO 'Base" and a Puninet 'Lid". Fresh food Items are placed in the "Base' and a 'Lid' is claspied/locked on to the "Base".. to -secure the items. To help extend the s helf life: of fresh food items, holes are. punched in the uBasie A Lid%,.athough With this. system, air can only circulate and flow from the too bottom of the Punnet. (Refer Page 3 Figures 2 3) Thiq invention has been, specifically devised to improve air- clrculation/v'entilation: and thu9A-siinfwcantlv extend heshef life of fresh fod is. As per'the Conveina Puninet system, the iMpfbved Punriet sy.stm Also. Cons*sts. of- a "Base and a "Lid" -and can iricorporate holes to allow air to circulate and flow from the top bottom of the Punnet The improved features of this 'Punnet. system are -as follows:- 1. The. "Base' has additional 6cut-outs (Vents) on thea side 6f the top perimeter flange. (Refer Page Flguire§4 2. The-"Lid" has formed. recesses .(vents) around the peieer-hthe' *"Lid" is locked on to the "BaSS"., the recesses of the 'Lid" align with the tcut-outs on the "Base.".

(Refer Page 4 Figure These Improved Punnot system features vastly impoearccutin&vtltonn that,:air can now travel no only through the top bottom of the Piunnet, but through the sides as weall'. Air flow i th Se ofte Pune a nd through the "Base" cut-outs, and "Lid" recesses. (Refer Page 4 Figures 4 This Improved Punnet sys§tem Invention will- significantly extend the shelf life of fresh food items within. This is due to the fa-ct that a larger amriount of air circulates and flowst In out of the Punnet, .As well as around the fresh food.. It ensures the food breathes in all directions.

Claims (6)

1. A punnet for storage of food items, comprising a base having a floor and side walls extending upwardly therefrom so as to define an uppermost perimeter flange, a lid having a roof and side walls extending downwardly therefrom so as to define a lowermost Sperimeter collar, the collar being adapted to be removably locked to the flange so as to form a storage compartment, wherein the base includes at least one cut out portion along the flange and the lid Sincludes at least one recess along the collar, the position of the or NO each cut out portion being aligned with the position of the or each Srecess when the storage compartment is formed so as to form one or more vent holes for circulation of air between the outside and inside of the storage compartment.

2. The punnet of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of cut out portions and recesses.

3. The punnet of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the floor includes a plurality of vent holes.

4. The punnet of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the roof includes a plurality of vent holes.

A punnet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6- A container for fresh food produce comprising: a lid and a base formed complementarily such that the lid closes securely upon the base to contain the fresh food produce within the container; the lid having a lower edge with integrated recesses located thereupon and an upper surface with ventilation holes located thereupon; the base having an upper-fange with integrated recesses located thereupon upon and a lower surface with ventilation holes located thereupon; the integrated recesses of the lid and base align when the container is closed and form a ventilation aperture through which air can flow freely through the container.