Display packaging for fruits or vegetables

This invention discloses a method and apparatus for packaging fruits or vegetables. The package comprises a reusable plastic food container, a lid for such container, and a layer of breathable transparent film. The container is placed on top of the lid, the fruits or vegetables are placed in the container, the assembly is wrapped with the transparent film, such that the edges overlap underneath the lid, and the overlapping edges of the film are heat sealed together. Once the package is unwrapped and the contents are used, the container can be used to store leftovers or other food products in a refrigerator, etc. The clear breathable transparent film allows prospective customers to clearly view the product inside. The film also allows ethylene and other gases emitted from the fruits or vegetables contained therein to escape, thereby maintaining freshness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrated therein is a display package 10 made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Package 10 comprises a plastic container 20 for holding fruits or vegetables 25 such as cherry tomatoes, a lid 30 positioned underneath the container 20 , and a sheet of clear plastic film 40 for overwrapping and securing together container 20 and lid 30 . As best shown in FIG. 2 , container 20 has an open top 22 defined by rim 24 having a circumferential ridge 26 , side walls 28 and closed bottom 32 . Container 20 is selected to have a capacity for containing a predetermined amount of fruits or vegetables, typically one pint in the case of cherry tomatoes 25 . Lid 30 is shaped to releasably enclose top 22 of container 20 . Lid 30 comprises a circumferential groove 35 sized to fit over ridge 26 of container 20 , so as to provide an airtight seal between lid 30 and container 20 . Lid 30 also includes handle 37 which assists a use in removing lid 30 from container 20 . Container 20 and lid 30 are preferably commercially available reusable plastic food storage containers and lids, such as those made by ZIPLOK, GLADWARE or TUPPERWARE. When lid 30 is placed on container 20 , an airtight enclosure is created, which is suitable for storage of leftovers or other food products. Container 20 and lid 30 are preferably made of a microwave-safe plastic material. Sheet of plastic film 40 is sized to fit over container 20 and lid 30 and to extend under and completely cover the bottom of the lid such that the edge portions 42 of film 40 overlap. Edge portions 42 are then heat sealed, such that the film secures lid 30 and container 20 together during handling and display. Alternatively, the edge portions of film 40 could be gathered together and secured by a suitable closure. Plastic film 40 is made of a clear material which enables consumers to view the contents of package 10 when it is on display in a fruit market or a supermarket. Film 40 is preferably a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or other breathable film, which allows ethylene and other gases generated by cherry tomatoes or other fruits or vegetables to escape from container 20 . Film 40 also inhibits bacteria from entering container 20 , thereby slowing down the decay process. Alternatively, the film could be made of other plastic material having a high rate of gas permeability, or the film could be a non-breathable plastic film having perforations. Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 , once display package 10 is purchased by a consumer, and film 40 and fruits or vegetables 25 are removed, container 20 can be used together with lid 30 to store leftovers or the like, instead of being thrown away. Leftovers or other food products 45 can be stored in a conventional fashion, by placing them in container 20 , and positioning lid 30 in place on container 20 , by snapping ridge 26 of container 20 into groove 35 of lid 30 . Display package 10 is preferably assembled using a package wrapping machine. After container 20 is hand-loaded with fruits or vegetables, filled container 20 is placed on top of lid 30 on a conveyor belt, which moves the filled container/lid sub-assembly into an elevator station. An elevator then pushes this sub-assembly up into a film web, thereby stretching the film over the sides of the container and the lid. The film is then folded underneath lid 30 by movable underfolders, and the film is cut to size by knives, such that the edges of film 40 overlap underneath lid 30 . The assembly is then placed on a hotplate, where the overlapping edge portions 42 of film 40 are heat sealed together. Alternatively, display package 10 could be hand assembled. While the material used to overwrap and secure the container to the lid is preferably a plastic film, it could comprise a plastic mesh bag secured by a bread clip or wire clip. Also, while the drawings depict a round food storage container suitable for holding about a pint of cherry tomatoes, the container could be larger or smaller, and it need not be round. For example, the container could be a larger container sized to hold two pounds of kiwi fruit, or a square plastic sandwich container sized to hold a twin pack of tomatoes. It should therefore be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptations of the preferred embodiments described herein are possible without departure from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.