Structure and process for packaging and shipping produce

Abstract

Structures and processes for packaging produce in a manner that resists contamination due to dust, debris, and sunlight. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, fresh produce may be placed in a produce container having tabs extending from the top of the produce container walls. The tabs may preferably comprise a hook end. A produce container cover, preferably made from fiberboard or some other suitably lightweight material, comprising tab slots in locations complementary to the tabs of the produce container may be placed on the produce container as a cover. The tab slots of the produce container cover are configured to create a locking effect with the hook end of the tabs located on the produce container. This prevents the produce container cover from inadvertently being displaced during shipping and handling. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, produce container covers may be configured for use with various produce containers in order to achieve the advantages of the present invention.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A process for packaging and shipping produce from an agricultural field to a retail establishment comprising: 
 harvesting fresh produce and placing the produce in a produce container, the produce container comprising a bottom surface, two upstanding side walls, two upstanding end walls, and a plurality of tabs extending from the top of either the side walls or the end walls of the produce container, at least one of the tabs comprising a base portion and a hook end;    placing a produce container cover on the produce container, the produce container cover comprising a plurality of tab slots whereby the tab slots are approximately slightly longer than the length of the tab base, the tab slots of the produce container cover fitting over the tabs of the produce container and creating a positive lock with the at least one tab having a hook end securing the produce container cover to the produce container during shipping and handling of the produce;    transporting the produce from the field to a centralized distribution center;    transporting the produce from the centralized distribution center to a retail point of sale; and    removing the produce container cover and displaying the produce for sale at the retail point of sale.    
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the produce is displayed for sale at the retail point of sale inside the produce container.  
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 9 , further comprising transporting the produce from the field to a cooling center and from the cooling center to the centralized distribution facility.  
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the produce container cover comprises fiberboard.  
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the produce container comprises four tabs extending upwardly from the side walls of the produce container, each of the tabs comprising a hook end.  
   
   
       13 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the produce container comprises at least one opening located in the bottom of the produce container and wherein the produce container cover is configured to form a gap between the edges of the produce container cover and at least one of the walls of the produce container providing ventilation and visual access to the packaged produce.  
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the produce container is the same size as a standard corrugated produce shipping container and a plurality of covered produce containers are transported by truck, the covered produce containers able to be stacked 18 containers high within the truck.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)