Package container for transport of soft fruit

Abstract

This invention provides a novel packaging system comprising a packaging frame and one or more suspension membrane suspended from the frame, which membrane comprises a flexible membrane material that forms a pocket area shaped to accept an item. The shape of the pocket area allows the area to be self-sizing to accommodate irregularly shaped objects and a variety of sizes in the same package. The flexible pocket area also minimizes pressure points on the packaged item and keeps the item from contacting other items or potentially damaging surfaces.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A packaging container system, comprising: 
 a packaging frame; and,    one or more suspension membrane suspended from the frame, which membrane is shaped to accept an item and which membrane comprises a flexible membrane material.    
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises a continuous piece of flexible membrane material which piece comprises one or more pocket area for accepting the item.  
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises a first suspension membrane and at least a second suspension membrane each comprising separate pocket areas, and wherein the first and at least second suspension membranes are not continuous with each other.  
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end, and which pocket area is open at both top and bottom ends.  
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end, and which pocket area is closed at the bottom end.  
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end and wherein the one or more pocket area is attached to the packaging frame at the bottom end of the pocket area.  
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area and wherein the pocket area is conical.  
     
     
         8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area and wherein the pocket area is cylindrical.  
     
     
         9 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area wherein the pocket area is shaped to contours of the item.  
     
     
         10 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane material is chosen from the group consisting of: cellophane, paper, cloth, plastic film, nylon, PVC film, Tyvek, bubble plastic, a composite material, mylar, and polyethylene.  
     
     
         11 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the item comprises a fruit or a vegetable.  
     
     
         12 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the item comprises a pharmaceutical.  
     
     
         13 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane material flexes to allow accommodation of items of different sizes into the pocket area.  
     
     
         14 . A method of packaging of one or more item, the method comprising: 
 providing a packaging frame;    providing one or more suspension membrane suspended from the frame, which membrane is shaped to accept an item and which membrane comprises a flexible membrane material; and,    placing at least one item within the one or more suspension membrane.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises a continuous piece of flexible membrane material which piece comprises one or more pocket area for accepting the item.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises a first suspension membrane and at least a second suspension membrane each comprising separate pocket areas, and wherein the first and at least second suspension membranes are not continuous with each other.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end, and which pocket area is open at both top and bottom ends.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end, and which pocket area is closed at the bottom end.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area comprising a top end and a bottom end and wherein the one or more pocket area is attached to the packaging frame at the bottom end of the pocket area.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area and wherein the pocket area is conical.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area and wherein the pocket area is cylindrical.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more suspension membrane comprises one or more pocket area wherein the pocket area is shaped to contours of the item.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flexible membrane material is chosen from the group consisting of: cellophane, paper, cloth, plastic film, nylon, PVC film, Tyvek, bubble plastic, a composite material, mylar, and polyethylene.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the item comprises a fruit or a vegetable.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the item comprises a pharmaceutical.