GB2213799A - A container for a living plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 defines an enclosed space into which a living plant e.g. a lettuce, can be located. A well 13 receives at least part of the root structure of the plant. Support means 16 are provided for supporting at least part of that portion of the plant which extends immediately away from the root structure. <IMAGE>

Description

A CONTAINER This invention relates to a container and more particularly a container in which produce can be located.

Freshness of produce is traditionally one of the prime requirements of not only the consumer but also the product seller. The consumer looks for freshness in order to not only obtain prime product but also to be satisfied that the product will "keep". In addition, however, presentation of produce is an important consideration from the seller's point of view especially if an optimum price is to be realised as presentation together with freshness of product will attract the purchaser into paying premium rates. This applies to a certain extent at wholesale level but more particularly at retail level due to increasing pressures of competition. The retailer, however, has to also be conscious of the overhead costs in providing staff which can prepare that produce which requires attention prior to being placed on the shelf.Lettuces are a prime example of all these factors where optimum pricing depends very much on the freshness of product and its presentation. While the retailer may be able to obtain fresh lettuce there is still a high labour content in preparing the lettuce for sale.

The demand for freshness of produce is not confined to the seller of product but is also in increasing demand from establishments such as higher quality restaurants.

In addition, however, establishments such as lunch bars have difficulty preventing wastage due to the produce having to be bought in sufficient quantity to obtain competitive pricing but in quantities in which the produce can be used prior to it spoiling.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container in which a living plant can be located for transportation, storage and/or display purposes.

In the present specification the term plant is taken to mean either a root crop or a vegetative crop though generally the specification is directed more particularly but not exclusively to vegetative crops such as lettuces, cabbages etc.

Broadly in one aspect the present invention provides a container which defines an enclosed space into which a plant and its associated root structure can be located, there being provided within the container a well for location therein of the or at least part of the root structure of a plant and support means for supporting at least a part of that portion of the plant which extends immediately away from said root structure.

Preferably the support means comprises a pair of opposing support surfaces which extend upwardly and outwardly away frop said well.

In a second broad aspect the present invention provides a container which defines an enclosed space, a living plant and its associated root structure located within the enclosed space and root receiving means in which the or at least a part of the root structure of the plant is located.

According to another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a container which defines a sealed enclosed space in which produce can be located, there being means for . controlled release of gas from- within the sealed space whereby development of a modified atmospheric storage environment with the sealed space takes place.

In the following more detailed description of the container according to the present invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end view of the container according to one form of the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the container shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a top plan view of the container as shown in Figures 1 and 2 but with the upper or cover portion of the container removed, Figure 4 is a perspective view (from below) of a modified form of the container shown in Figures 1 to 3, Figure 5 is an elevation view of a second form of the container according to the invention, Figure 6 is a side view of the container in Figure 5, Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in Figures 5 and 6, and Figure 8 is a sectioned view (on enlarged scale) of the form of seal used in the containers of Figures 4 to 7.

In the form of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 the container 10 is formed by two main components being a base 11 and a cover 12. The two components 11 and 12 are preferably formed of a plastics material and generally it has been found that these two components can be constructed using a thermoforming process with each component having sufficient rigidity and strength for the end purpose of containing a plant for transportation, storage and display purposes. By using a plastics thermoforming process the manufacturing costs can be kept at a level commensurate with the desired end cost of the container. Generally it is preferred that the cover portion 12 is transparent or translucent while the base 11 can be the same or can in whole or in part be opaque.

The container 10 as illustrated is designed primarily for a plant such as a lettuce hence the overall shape and configuration is such that when viewed in plan the container is generally circular and in side elevation has a height sufficient to encompass the leaf structure of the plant without crushing or causing damage to the leaf structure. The container can equally be used to contain other plants and their associated root structures and consequently the container can take on other shapes and -dimensions commensurate with the overall shape and 'configuration of the plant concerned. - For example with a plant such as celery a taller and thinner container would be required. For herbs a similar but smaller container would be used. The container as illustrated is thus by way of example only.

The base 11 is formed with a root receiving means such as a well 13 which in the preferred form projects downwardly from the base 11 and is of angular shape (when viewed in plan) as illustrated. It can also be of circular (see Figure 4) or of any suitable shape to accommodate the or at least the major part of the root structure of a plant located within the container. In the form illustrated small strengthening ribs 14 extend between the corners of the well 13 and underside 15 of the base.

two provide support of a plant so that it is located in place, is not prone to being damaged and (to a degree) is presented correctly support means are provided within the base 11. The support means engages the plant in the area where the outside leaves or lower portion of the plant extend outwardly and away from the root structure. In the preferred form as illustrated the support means comprise a pair of flat surfaces 16 which extend upwardly and away from the well 13 and are disposed opposite one another. As illustrated the support surfaces 16 are formed integrally with the base and extend up toward the peripheral extremity of rim 17 of the base 11.

The rim 17 of base 11 engages with an opposing and similar rim 18 of the domed cover 12. Preferably (but not illustrated in Figures 1 to 3) a seal arrangement is provided such that when the cover is in place a sealing effect is achieved between rims 17 and 18. -This seal can be created (as shown in Figure 8) by the mating of suitable sealing surfaces 20 and 21 formed in or with rims 17 and 18 or can be a separate sealing member which is sandwiched between the mating or abutting surfaces'of rims 17 and 18. When the seal is created by mating of sealing surfaces 20 and 21 these sealing surfaces are so constructed that a snap lock arrangement or an interference arrangement (as shown) is achieved whereby the sealing surfaces also form a means of locking/ retaining the cover with the base.

As an alternative a separate external sealing element can be provided and in one form can also provide a means of retaining the cover 12 on base 11. For example a resilient ring having a continuous slit or channel in its inner peripheral surface can be expanded to fit over the abutting flat rims 17 and 18 so as to simultaneously seal and hold rims 17 and 18 together.

In the form as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 a hinge arrangement 19 joins rims 17 and 18. The hinge is such that the cover 12 can be hinged into an open position such that rim 18 effectively lies in the same plane as rim 17. This permits the plant to be located in or removed from the base 11 or for the end user to remove leaves from the plant. Also the fact that the cover can be hinged into such position allows empty containers to be stacked one within another to facilitate a plurality of containers being stored or transported in a minimum of space.

The hinge 19 can be so constructed as to be separable such that the end user can remove the cover and leave the plant within the base alone. In its simplest form the hinge 19 can be formed from the parent plastic material and thus if removal of the cover is required the hinge can merely be severed by the use of a sharp knife or cutting implement.

For- carrying purposes a handle (not shown) can be provided with the cover 12. The handle is preferably hinged to the cover so that in a non-use position it resides within a recess in the top of the cover. As an alternative arrangement a separate handle can be provided and this could for example clip onto the external extent of the rims 17 and 18. In such an arrangement the handle could be formed by a rigid handle portion having strings, cords or the like extending therefrom to engage with the rims 17 and 18. In a still further arrangement a ring element attached in a similar manner to a handle could locate beneath rim 17.

A further embodiment is to provide finger recesses in a manner similar to a ten pin bowling ball. Other carrying arrangements would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In Figure 4 there is shown a modified form of the container in which the well 13 is of circular form (as previously described) and rather than two opposed flat areas 16 a continuous support surface 16a extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper peripheral edge of well 13. The two sections 11 and 12 are coupled together by the sealing arrangement which has been described with reference to Figure 8.

In use of the container a live plant with its associated root structure is located within the base 11 so that the or a major part of the root structure fits within the well 13. Preferably water with or without nutrients is also placed within the well 13 so that the plant maintains it's integrity or receives suitable nourishment while within the container so as to maintain and control growth. The cover 12 is then placed in position and, as aforementioned, is sealed and the plant can then be transported.

If the container were to tip then the sealing arrangement will also ensure that any liquid within the container is confined therein. With the form of the container as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4 the container is more than likely to tip into a stable position by resting of the flat under surface formed by the support surf aces 16 and it is envisaged that the amount of liquid within the container would not be sufficient for it to flow into the region of the rims 17 and 18 when the container is in such a tipped but stable position. The sealing effect between the rims 17 and 18 would thus only be required when the container were tipped into a position whereby the liquid became located in the inner region of the rims 17 and 18.

It is proposed that the container and plant e.g. a lettuce would be transported to a selling outlet such as as retail outlet in the form of a supermarket, shop etc.

The purchaser would then purchase the lettuce within its container and the lettuce would remain within the container during the period over which it is used. The cover can be removed by the end user so as to allow the access of air to the plant to ensure continued freshness of the plant. As a consequence it is believed that a high quality product can be presented to the purchaser and this product can remain fresh for a long period of time due to the plant in effect still being in a living or growing state as a result of the leaf structure still being intact and being fed from water/nutrients located within the well 13.

It will be appreciated that the container is open to modification. For example rather than the container being split horizontally as illustrated it could be split vertically possibly with hinge portions being located within the length of each vertical portion so as to effectively form a cover portion which can be hinged outwardly to permit access to the plant still located within the container.

In the modified form shown in Figure 4 a single continuous support surface is shown, however, a plurality of support surfaces could be provided within the container rather than the single or pair of opposed support "surfaces as illustrated. The -support surfaces need not necessarily be flat but could be slightly curved or could be provided with channels to permit the passage of moisture down into the well and additionally provide strengthening to the container.

In a further form a one way valve can be incorporated in -cover-12 to permit air to gain access into the container but at ' the same time prevent passage therefrom of moisture.

In use the container sits on the flat under surface of the well 13, however, if increased stability is required this base could be extended to form a foot.

Alternatively the physical external dimensions of the well could be extended so as to provide increased stability. Once again to increase rigidity but also achieve increased stability strengthening ribs or webs could be formed in the external surface of the well with these ribs or webs having their lowermost surfaces aligned with the flat base of the well.

The container according to the invention can be formed in a modified form as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings. This container is also designed to contain living produce though without any root structure. The container comprises a base 11 and a cover 12 with the two components being preferably formed of a plastics material and constructed using a thermoforming process. The rims 1 and 18 extending peripherally around components 11 and 12 are formed with seals of the type shown in Figure 8.

As means of fixedly ensuring that the seals do not part, outwardly extending tabs 22 can be provided for fastenings (mechanical) to join the resultant pairs of tabs (ie. when the cover is on the base) together. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such tabs form yet a further alternative means of fixedly coupling the cover to the base and thus can equally be used in the embodiments previously described.

As with the previously described embodiments, the -container 10 is formed with a handle 23 which in the illustrated form is located at one end thereof and is formed by the face to face engagement of suitably shaped mouldings extending integrally from the base and cover.

The handle 23 has a central opening 24 which not only facilitates carrying of the container, but also enables the container to be mounted on suitably shaped support members of a display and/or transportation rack.

The base 11 and cover 12 together form an internal space within which living produce can be located. This produce can be either vegetables or fruit and as with the previously described embodiments, the base and cover form a sealed space which is suitably shaped to conform with the shape of the produce. For example the container as illustrated is designed for the containing of asparagus.

With this form of container, the produce does not have its root structure attached though the produce is considered to be living as it will be cut or picked from the plant and then immediately placed within the container and the container closed. The peripheral seals therefore ensure that the produce is contained within a sealed environment, however, as the produce is still living, controlled release of gas from within the sealed space is necessary in order to facilitate the development of an equalibrium for modified atmospheric storage of the produce. This can be achieved by suitable valve means as previously disclosed and could for example consist of the allocation of an area in the cover which is indispersed with fine apertures.Equally, however, it is known that plastics which are conveniently used for the storage of foods and which can be thermcformed are generally permeable (in varying degrees) to gas. Thus by selection of an appropriate plastic and/or density thereof, it is possible to achieve differential release of gas through the plastic and thereby achieve an equalibrium which provides modified atmospheric storage environment within the enclosed and sealed space. This ensures that the length of storage time for produce, without the produce spoiling, can be increased.

The container according to the invention provides an extremely effective means of marketing fresh produce.

The grower would remove a grown plant and place it directly into the container whereby the container can be sealed and immediately forwarded to market or direct to the end seller. No preparation of the plant is required by the end seller as the product can be placed directly onto the display counter or shelves and no subsequent packaging is required prior to a purchaser transporting the produce to the point of use. Thus effectively packaging for transportation of the fresh produce to the point of use takes place immediately after harvest and at the place of growing.

Claims (16)

1. A container which defines an enclosed space into which a plant and its associated root structure can be located, there being provided within the container a well for location therein of the or at least part of the root structure 'of a plant and support means for supporting at least part of that portion of the plant which extends immediately away from said root structure.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a pair of opposing support surfaces which extend upwardly and outwardly away from said plant receiving well.

R. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the container is formed by a base which incorporates the well and support means and to which a cover is mountable.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover is sealing mountable with the base.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the base and cover incorporate a peripheral sealing member which Wan be inter-engaged to sealingly close the space defined within the base and cover.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including carrying means.

7;- A.container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including means for fixedly attaching the cover to the base.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fixing means comprises integrally formed tabs which extend from the base and cover and which are able to be fastened together.

9. A container which defines an enclosed space, a living plant and its associated root structure located within the enclosed space and root receiving means in which the 'or at least a part of the root structure of the plant is located.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein the container is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A container which defines a sealed enclosed space in which produce can be located, there being means for controlled release of gas from within the sealed space whereby development of a modified atmospheric storage environment within the sealed space takes place.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and 11 wherein the enclosed space is shaped to substantially conform with the shape of the produce to be located therein.

13. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the gas release means is formed by a plurality of fine openings formed in the container.

14. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for release of gas comprises a gas permeable plastics material forming the or a part of the container.

15. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4 or Figures 5 to 7 and Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

16. In combination a container and produce located within a sealed enclosed spaced defined by the container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.