U.S. patent application number 10/272191 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-12 for pallet packaging and display assembly.
Invention is credited to Mazziliano, Robert.
Application Number | 20030106826 10/272191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26955356 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030106826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mazziliano, Robert |
June 12, 2003 |
Pallet packaging and display assembly
Abstract
A pallet packaging and display assembly for shipping products to
a retail establishment and displaying the products in the
establishment. The present assembly is particularly configured for
shipping and displaying fresh produce, such as grapes. The assembly
has retail package and pallet box components. The retail package is
a generally box-shaped container having a transparent top section
hingedly attached to a bottom section configured to hold the
products. The pallet box has a base portion forming a cavity
configured to removably receive a plurality of retail packages in a
generally side-by-side relationship and a top portion configured to
at least partially enclose the retail packages inside the cavity
during shipment. The top portion can be a cover or lid to fully
enclose the retail packages in the cavity. The consumer can
selectively remove one or more of the retail packages from the
pallet box for inspection and purchase.
Inventors: |
Mazziliano, Robert; (Fresno,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN & ENGNATH
8469 N. MILLBROOK AVENUE, SUITE 104
FRESNO
CA
93720
US
|
Family ID: |
26955356 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272191 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60329189 |
Oct 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/521.1 ;
206/521.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/0413
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/521.1 ;
206/521.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A packaging and display assembly, comprising: a plurality of
retail packages, each of said retail packages having one or more
products disposed therein; and a pallet box having a base portion
and a top portion, said base portion having opposing sides,
opposing ends and a bottom configured to form a cavity in said base
portion, said top portion attached to said base portion and
configured to at least partially enclose said plurality of retail
packages in said cavity during shipping of the assembly, said
cavity sized and configured to removably receive said plurality of
retail packages in a generally side-by-side relationship forming
one or more layers of said retail packages in said pallet box.
2. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1, wherein
each of said retail packages is in a generally box-shaped
configuration having a top section removably attached to a bottom
section.
3. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 2 further
comprising a hinge interconnecting said top section to said bottom
section of said retail package.
4. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 2 further
comprising one or more connectors on said top section and one or
more corresponding receivers on said bottom section for securely
closing said retail package.
5. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 2, wherein
said top section is transparent.
6. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 2 further
comprising one or more spacers on said top section or said bottom
section to space said top section from said bottom section.
7. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1, wherein
said one or more products in said retail package is fresh
produce.
8. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 7, wherein
said fresh produce is grapes.
9. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1, wherein
said cavity is sized and configured to securely receive said retail
packages therein.
10. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a lip member
attached to said ends or said sides of said base portion.
11. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a
cross-member attached to said base portion.
12. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a cover
removably attached to said base portion, said cover configured to
enclose said retail packages in said cavity during shipment of said
assembly.
13. A packaging and display assembly, comprising: a plurality of
retail packages, each of said retail packages having a top section
removably attached to a bottom section and fresh produce disposed
in said bottom section; and a pallet box having a base portion and
a top portion, said base portion having opposing sides, opposing
ends and a bottom configured to form a cavity in said base portion,
said top portion attached to said base portion and configured to at
least partially enclose said plurality of retail packages in said
cavity during shipping of the assembly, said cavity sized and
configured to removably receive said plurality of retail packages
in a generally side-by-side relationship forming a single layer of
said retail packages in said pallet box.
14. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said retail package further comprises a hinge
interconnecting said top section and said bottom section and means
for securely connecting said top section to said bottom
section.
15. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 14,
wherein said retail package further comprises one or more spacers
on said top section or said bottom section to space said top
section from said bottom section.
16. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said top section is transparent.
17. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a lip member
attached to said ends or said sides of said base portion.
18. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a
cross-member attached to said base portion.
19. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a cover
removably attached to said base portion, said cover configured to
enclose said retail packages in said cavity during shipment of said
assembly.
20. A packaging and display assembly, comprising: a plurality of
retail packages, each of said retail packages having a transparent
top section hingedly attached to a bottom section and connecting
means for securely connecting said top section to said bottom
section, said retail package having fresh produce disposed in said
bottom section; and a pallet box having a base portion and a top
portion, said base portion having opposing sides, opposing ends and
a bottom configured to form a cavity in said base portion, said top
portion attached to said base portion and configured to at least
partially enclose said plurality of retail packages in said cavity
during shipping of the assembly, said cavity sized and configured
to removably securely receive said plurality of retail packages in
a generally side-by-side relationship forming a single layer of
said retail packages in said pallet box.
21. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 20,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a lip member
attached to said ends or said sides of said base portion.
22. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 20,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a
cross-member attached to said base portion.
23. The packaging and display assembly according to claim 20,
wherein said top portion of said pallet box comprises a cover
removably attached to said base portion, said cover configured to
enclose said retail packages in said cavity during shipment of said
assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/329,189 filed Oct. 15, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A. Field of the Invention
[0003] The field of the present invention relates generally to
packaging and display assemblies configured for shipping and
displaying multiple quantities of individually packaged products.
More particularly, the present invention relates to such assemblies
and methods of utilizing such assemblies for economically shipping
and displaying fresh produce, such as fruit and fresh vegetables,
to and in a retail establishment.
[0004] B. Background
[0005] Many products are shipped in bulk containers from the
manufacturer or producer of the product to retail establishments
for sale to the consumer. During the process of manufacturing or
producing the product for ultimate retail sale to the consumer, the
products often go through a number of different packing and
unpacking steps. A typical process involves multiple packaging and
unpackaging of these same goods before it is purchased by the
consumer. For instance, after the manufacturer or producer makes
the product, it usually encloses the product in a package suitable
for sale to the consumer (i.e., the retail package). The standard
retail package is either intended to be visually attractive to the
consumer or allow the-consumer to see into the package so that he
or she may see the product and, thereby, be enticed into purchasing
the product. In order to ship the products without damage to the
packaging or theft of the products, the manufacturer or producer
will typically place a plurality of these retail packages in a
single larger bulk package suitable for safely, securely and
efficiently shipping the packaged products to the retailer. At the
retail store, the retailer must remove the individually packaged
products from the bulk package in order to place the retail
packages on the store shelves or other display stands where the
consumer can view the products and, hopefully, purchase one or more
of the products. Although bulk packages are typically discarded by
the retailer, depending on the material used for the bulk package
and the arrangements made with the manufacturer or producer, it may
be returned to the manufacturer or producer for reuse.
[0006] The aforementioned method of packaging and shipping products
is costly, both to the manufacturer or producer who has to
initially package the products twice and to the retail
establishment which must unpack the retail goods in order to place
the products out for display to the consumer. In addition, with
regard to certain items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, which
are more subject to damage from handling during packaging and
shipping, the systems that utilize this typical
producer-to-retailer packaging can result in substantial lost
product from being handled multiple times.
[0007] To avoid the costs and product losses from repeated
handling, some products are packaged and shipped in bulk packages
that can be reformed by the retailer into a display case or stand
at the retailer's establishment. For instance, some bulk packages
are suitable for reforming the package, either by cutting or
tearing, to create a stand or other display assembly that the
retailer can utilize in its store without removing the individual
packages from the bulk package. By utilizing this type of
packaging, the retail packages placed in the bulk package are not
removed from the bulk package until done so by the consumer. In
order for this type of packaging to be effective, however, the
ultimate display assembly and presentation of the retail products
inside the assembly must be appealing to the consumer so as to
result in the desired sales activity. Naturally, the manufacturer
or producer of the product must rely on personnel at the retail
establishment to properly set-up the display assembly. By relying
on the personnel at the retail establishment to open the bulk
package and setup the display assembly, the manufacturer or
producer loses control over the ultimate display of its
product.
[0008] Recently there have been some new packaging solutions
suitable for retail products that have combined the shipping and
displaying properties discussed above. One such shipping and
displaying assembly is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,050,420 and
5,979,662 to Green, also the subject of design patent U.S. Pat.
Nos. Des. 412,631 and Des. 353,092. These patents describe a
shipping and display assembly having a display base for displaying
a plurality of display packs, each having a product disposed
inside, and a separate, removable shipping cover for protecting the
assembly during shipping. The sides of the display base has
multiple slots configured for receiving an edge of the display pack
to hold the display pack in a generally vertical position. The
display packs are placed into the display stand by the manufacturer
of the product and covered with the shipping cover for shipment. At
the retail establishment, the shipping cover is removed and the
assembly is placed in the retail establishment for display.
[0009] To the best of the inventor's knowledge, none of the known
packaging solutions have been applied to or have been suitable for
fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly fresh grapes. For
instance, these types of products are not generally suited for the
vertical display systems of the Green patents. Fresh grapes, as an
example, are typically packaged by the producer (i.e., a packing
house) into plastic netting-type bags having a certain quantity of
grapes therein, such as three or four pounds of fresh grapes. These
bags are then placed into larger boxes, suitable for holding a
number of such bags, for shipping to the retailer. Although the
larger shipping boxes are generally suitable for protecting the
grapes from shipping damage, they do not function well for display
purposes. The retailer opens the shipping box and removes the bags
of grapes so that it may place the netting-type bags on the shelves
in the fresh fruit aisles of the stores.
[0010] For certain types of retail establishments, such as the
warehouse-type stores that sell items in bulk quantities, the
current process of packaging and selling grapes does not work well
at all. In these stores, the boxes containing the grapes are
shipped to the store on pallets and are placed in the store on the
same pallets. Typically, the boxes (on the pallets) are merely
opened and the grape bags are "displayed" to the consumer in the
open box. The display that results is not generally very conducive
to retail sales. As a result, there exists a need for an improved
packaging and shipping assembly and method of using the same for
shipping and displaying fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly
fresh grapes, to and in a retail establishment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The packaging and display assembly and method of the present
invention overcomes the limitations identified above. That is to
say, the present invention discloses a new and useful packaging
assembly for both shipping and displaying quantities of separately
packaged quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly
grapes, in manner that allows securely, safely and efficiently
shipping the produce and for easily and effectively displaying the
produce at the retail establishment. The packaging and display
assembly of the present invention substantially reduces the cost of
handling such produce and reduces losses from mishandling.
[0012] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
pallet packaging and display assembly comprises a plurality of
retail packages that are each configured to have one or more
products disposed therein. In its preferred configuration, the
packaging and display assembly is particularly beneficial for use
with shipping and displaying fresh produce, such as grapes. The
preferred container is a generally box-shaped container having a
transparent top section hingedly attached to the bottom section
with one or more connectors on the top section and one or more
corresponding receivers on the bottom section for securely closing
the retail package. The assembly also comprises a pallet box with a
base portion and a top portion. The preferred base portion has
opposing sides, opposing ends and a bottom configured to form a
cavity for removably receiving the retail packages in a generally
side-by-side relationship so as to form a single layer of retail
packages in the pallet box. The top portion attaches to the base
portion and is configured to at least partially enclose the retail
packages in the cavity during shipping of the completed assembly.
Preferably, the retail package also has one or more spacers to
space the top section from the bottom section to improve air flow
for the fresh produce. The top portion of the pallet box can be a
lip member attached to the ends or the sides of the base portion
and extending part way over the cavity, a cross-member attached to
the base portion across the sides or ends of the base portion or a
cover removably attached to the base portion and configured to
fully enclose the retail packages in the cavity during shipment of
the assembly. The cover can be in the form of a sheet of plastic
material or lid member.
[0013] The packaging and display assembly of the present invention
allows the producer or processor of the fresh produce to directly
place the produce in a retail package suitable for displaying the
produce and then place a plurality of those packages in a pallet
box for shipping to the retail establishment. The pallet box is
configured to contain and protect the retail packages and produce
from damage during shipment. After the retail establishment
receives the pallet box, all it has to do to prepare the produce
for display is to remove any top cover or other protective member
that is utilized and place the entire assembly on a pallet, shelf,
table or other display device. The consumer can inspect the produce
in the retail packages as they sit in the pallet box and remove the
retail package from the pallet box for purchase.
[0014] Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention
is to provide a packaging and display assembly that overcomes the
limitations heretofore associated with the presently available
assemblies for shipping and displaying fresh fruit and vegetables,
particularly grapes.
[0015] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a packaging and display assembly that holds a plurality
of retail packages, protects those packages and the products stored
therein during shipping and displays the products to the
consumer.
[0016] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a packaging and display assembly comprising a pallet box
configured to removably receive a plurality of retail packages
having produce inside so as to protect the retail packages and
produce during shipping and to display the produce to the consumer
in the retail establishment.
[0017] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a packaging and display assembly suitable for shipping a
quantity of produce to a retail establishment and displaying that
produce in the retail establishment in a manner that allows the
consumer to inspect the produce.
[0018] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a packaging and display assembly that is particularly
suitable for use with shipping and displaying multiple packages of
fresh grapes.
[0019] The above and other objectives of the present invention will
be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures
and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As
set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel
features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination
of processes presently described and understood by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the separate retail package
that is suitable for shipping and displaying the produce according
to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the retail package of FIG. 1 with
fresh grapes disposed in the bottom section;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pallet box suitable for
shipping in pallet compatible groups and for containing and
displaying the retail package shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of the pallet box of FIG. 3 with six
retail packages of FIG. 1 disposed inside the pallet box;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top view of a pallet box having an alternative
top portion comprising a cross-member; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top view of a pallet box having an alternative
top portion comprising a removable cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] With reference to the above figures where like elements have
been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's
understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments
of the present invention are set forth below. The retail package of
the present invention, designated generally as 10, is suitable for
receiving produce, such as grapes or other easily damaged produce,
at the producer's facility, such as a packing house, and for
displaying the produce to the consumer. The retail package 10 is
sized and configured such that a plurality of such packages 10 will
fit within pallet box 12, which is also used to display retail
package 10 at the retail establishment, particularly those retail
establishments that sell bulk or large quantity goods (i.e.,
warehouse-type stores) on pallets. The present invention combines
the aspects of shipping and displaying produce into a single, less
expensive assembly, collectively shown as 13 in FIG. 4, that is
effective for packaging and shipping of the produce by the producer
and for handling and displaying of the produce by the retailer.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retail package 10 is a
generally box-shaped container having a top section 14 and a bottom
section 16 that are hingedly connected by hinge 18 along one edge
of bottom section 16, preferably rearward edge 20. Bottom section
16 of retail package 10 is configured to be suitable for holding a
quantity of produce 21 therein, such as grapes (as shown in FIG.
2). In the preferred embodiment, top section 14 and bottom section
16 are made out of a lightweight, transparent material suitable for
use with fresh fruit and vegetables that allows the produce to at
least be seen through top section 14 when it is closed against
bottom section 16. Having a transparent top section 14 allows the
consumer to see the produce 21 in retail package 10 even when it is
displayed in pallet box 12. Although top section 14 and bottom
section 16 can be two separate pieces, it is preferred that they
are connected by an integral hinge 18 so that the producer,
retailer or consumer can lift open top section 14 to look into or
handle the produce 21, as desired or necessary, without risk of top
section 14 being lost. As is well known in the produce and retail
sales industries, consumers like to inspect by looking at and
touching produce 21 they are considering purchasing to see if it is
of a desirable quality. Integral hinge 18 allows consumers to do
this without losing top section 14. As described in more detail
below, retail package 10 should be shaped and configured such that
one or more packages fit within the interior of pallet box 12 in a
single layer, side-by-side relationship.
[0029] To securely close retail package 10, top section 14 has one
or more connectors 22 on forward edge 24 for securely connecting to
one or more corresponding receivers 26 on the forward edge 28 of
bottom section 16, as shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment,
connectors 22 protrude outwardly from bottom surface 29 of forward
edge 24 and are configured such that they are received into
receivers 26 with a snap-type action that securely closes top
section 14 against bottom section 16 to prevent produce 21 from
falling out of the package 10 during packaging or shipping. The
consumer, as well as the producer or retailer, can open package 10
by lifting up on forward edge 24 of top section 14 to cause
connectors 22 to release from receivers 26. In the preferred
embodiment, package 10 also comprises one or more spacer elements
30 that are used to provide an airflow space between top section 14
and bottom section 16 when package 10 is closed (i.e., by use of
connectors 24 and receivers 26 described above). Spacer elements 30
allow top section 14 to securely close against bottom section 16
but maintain a gap between top section 14 and bottom section 16 so
that air can flow in and out of package 10. As is well known in the
produce industry, produce 21 inside a container such as retail
package 10 will last longer if cool air can flow in and warm air is
allowed to flow out of the container. Although FIG. 1 is shown with
spacer elements 30 on both top section 14 and bottom section 16, it
does not have to be so configured. Instead, depending on the size
of spacer elements 30, package 10 can have spacer elements 30
located on one or the other sections 14 and 16 and still provide a
sufficient gap for air to flow in and out of retail package 10.
[0030] To provide structural integrity for retail package 10, sides
32 of bottom section 16 can have ribbed members 34 thereon to
provide support for bottom section 16 when multiple layers of
retail packages 10 are stacked on top of each other. As is known in
the art, ribbing 34 can be made to be integral with sides 32 and be
formed during the process of making bottom section 16. For further
structural support, top section 14 can also comprise ribbing 36
formed integral with top side 38 of top section 14 so as to provide
additional support for retail package 10 as it is stacked with
other packages 10. Top ribbing 36 can be shaped and configured to
interact with ribbing (not shown) on the bottom side 40 of bottom
section 16 so that when multiple packages are stacked on top of
each other they are not easily tipped or knocked over. To further
improve air flow through retail package 10, top side 38 can also
comprise one or more air holes 42. In addition, sides 32 of bottom
section 16 can have one or more openings (not shown) in the form of
holes or slots for air circulation. Bottom section 16 can comprise
one or more drain holes 44 to allow liquid to drain out of package
10.
[0031] Pallet box 12 comprises a base portion 45 having sides 46,
ends 48 and bottom 50 that form cavity 52, as best shown in FIG. 3.
Preferably, pallet box 12 is made out of a lightweight, strong and
relatively durable material, such as cardboard or various plastics.
Pallet box 12 should be sized and configured to hold a plurality of
retail packages 10 such that the packages 10 can be safely shipped
and conveniently displayed in a side-by-side relationship (as shown
in FIG. 4). For instance, cavity 52 of pallet box 12 should have
dimensions that are only slightly larger than the size of the
number of retail packages 10 that will be shipped therein to avoid
undesirable movement of the retail packages 10 inside pallet box
12. Also, for most produce 21 it is preferred that the height of
sides 46 and ends 48 be only slightly greater than the height of
the retail packages 10 such that pallet box 12 provides cavity 52
that is only a single layer deep. Bottom 50 of pallet box 12 should
be sufficiently strong to allow container 12 to be placed and moved
on a pallet with a plurality of other containers.
[0032] Attached to or integral with base portion 45 is a top
portion 54 configured to enclose or partially enclose the plurality
of retail packages 10 inside pallet box 12. In a preferred
embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, top portion 54 comprises a portion of
upper edge 56 of sides 46 and a lip member 58 which extends inward
from ends 48 to form an opening 60 into cavity 52. As shown in FIG.
4, lip member 58 holds retail packages 10 inside cavity 52 and yet
allows the consumer to easily and without much effort remove retail
package 10 from cavity 52 for inspection or purchase. With lip
member 58 only at ends 48, the consumer can relatively easily
remove a retail package 10 from pallet box 12 even when it is full
of such packages 10. Naturally, after a retail package 10 is
removed, removal of the other retail packages 10 in pallet box 12
will be easier. While the configuration for top portion 54 shown in
the figures is the preferred embodiment, lip member 58 can extend
all around opening 60 to more securely retain retail packages 10
inside pallet box 12. Alternatively, as described below, lip member
58 does not have to be utilized with pallet box 12.
[0033] Pallet box 12 should be configured to be stackable with
other similarly configured pallet boxes 12. One way to accomplish
this, shown best in FIG. 3, is through the use of one or more
relatively stiff tabs 62 that extend generally vertically from base
portion 45 at or near upper edge 56 and which are configured to
connect with a corresponding slot 64 on bottom 50 of the base
portion 45 of an above placed pallet box 12. Alternatively, slot 64
can be configured to be integral with ends 48, both tabs 62 and
slots 64 can be integral with sides 46 of pallet box 12, or tabs 62
and slots 64 can be located on both sides 46 and ends 48.
[0034] In alternative configurations for pallet box 12 of the
present invention, top portion 54 of pallet box 12 can comprise one
or more cross-members 66 or a cover 68, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the preferred embodiment of these configurations, cross-member
66 and cover 68 should removably attach to base portion 45 so that
the retail store operator can completely remove cross-member 66 or
cover 68 for display in the retail store so as to allow greater
access to the retail packages inside cavity 52. In this manner, the
use of one or more cross-members 66 or cover 68 will protect and
retain the retail packages 10 inside pallet box 12 while being
shipped, but allow sufficient visibility and accessability to
retail packages 10 in pallet box 12 when used for display.
Alternatively, cross-member 66 or cover 68 can be attached at one
side such that cross-member 66 or cover 68 is only partially
removable (sufficient to allow access to and removal of retail
packages 10). Cross-member 66 and cover 68 can be made out of the
same material as pallet box 12 or other suitable materials. For
instance, as shown in FIG. 6, cover 68 can be a sheet of
transparent plastic material, such as plastic wrap, that can be
folded back and removed from base portion 45. Alternatively, not
shown, cover 68 can be made out of a solid cardboard or plastic
material in the form of a lid type member that removably attaches
to the top of base portion 45. Additionally, cover 68 can be used
in conjunction with lip member 58 or cross-member 66 (i.e., over
the top of these members to cover cavity 52).
[0035] In use, the producer of the fresh fruit or vegetables
prepares the shipping and display assembly 13 by placing a quantity
of produce 21 (i.e., three or four pounds of grapes) in a retail
package 10 after the producer prepares the produce 21 in its normal
manner. A plurality of retail packages 10, each containing the
selected quantity of produce 21, are then placed into container 12
in a configuration such that retail packages 10 suitably display
the produce 21 therein, for instance in the side-by-side
relationship shown in FIG. 4. Pallet boxes 12 are then stacked on
and secured to pallets or other shipping devices and shipped to the
retailer. After receiving the pallet boxes 12, the retailer merely
removes container 12 from the pallet or other shipping device and
places the container 12, with retail packages 10 therein, on its
retail floor in a manner that displays the produce 21 in retail
package 10, such as placing the entire pallet box 12 on a shelf or
table. If a cross-member 66 or cover 68 is utilized, the retailer
removes, folds back or otherwise exposes the cavity 52 so as to
make the retail packages 10 inside pallet box 12 more accessible.
In this manner, the amount of handling of the fresh produce 21 is
reduced and the retailer has a ready-to-display assembly 13 that
allows the consumer to view and inspect the produce 21 before
buying.
[0036] While there are shown and described herein certain specific
alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but
is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in
design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present
invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional
relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly,
materials, size, shape and use.
* * * * *