Biodegradable packaging system

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a biodegradable container designed for holding produce items. Specifically exemplified is a biodegradable container that includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has an image of produce provided thereon. The bottom portion has an image of a basket provided thereon. The top portion also defines a window for the customer to view the produce product disposed within the container. The window has a biodegradable film which covers the window.

1 . A container for holding and displaying a produce product, said container being comprised of a biodegradable cellulose-based material, and comprising:
 a receptacle component comprising a bottom portion and a plurality of walls extending up from said bottom portion;   a lid component attached to at least one wall of said plurality of walls and configured such that said lid component may pivot for disengageable closure over said receptacle component, said lid component comprising a top portion which defines a window; and   a biodegradable transparent film attached to said lid component over said window.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lid component comprises an outer surface onto which an image is provided representing a produce product disposed within said container, wherein said image is provided on at least 50 percent of said lid component outer surface. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said image is provided on at least 60 percent of said lid component outer surface. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said image is provided on at least 70 percent of said lid component outer surface. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said image is provided on at least 80 percent of said lid component outer surface. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said image is provided on at least 90 percent of said lid component outer surface. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said produce product disposed within said container comprises a produce product selected from the group consisting of strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries, kiwis, green beans, cherries, onions, legumes, citrus fruit, grapes, avocados, nectarines, peaches and apricots. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said biodegradable transparent film comprises an image provided thereon covering no more than 50 percent of the surface are of said film. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of walls comprise an outer surface wherein an image of a woven material is provided on at least 90 percent of said wall outer surface. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said image of a woven material resembles a basket. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle component comprises a rectangular bottom portion with at least four walls extending up each respective side of said bottom portion. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein each of said four walls comprise flange sections extending therefrom on an end distal to said bottom portion and wherein said lid component is connected to said receptacle component via at least one of said flange sections. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lid component comprises a top portion and a plurality of walls extending therefrom, said top portion comprising said window defined therein. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lid component comprises a rectangular top portion and at least three walls extending out from said top portion, wherein said at least three walls have an outer surface onto which an image is provided representing a produce product disposed within said container, and wherein said image is provided on at least 50 percent of said outer surface of said at least three walls. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14 ,
 wherein said receptacle component comprises a rectangular bottom portion with at least four walls extending up each respective side of said bottom portion;   wherein each of said four walls comprise flange sections extending therefrom on an end distal to said bottom portion;   wherein said lid component is connected to said receptacle component via at least one of said flange sections; and   wherein said at least three walls extending out from said top portion are arranged and configured to overlap at least three of said flange sections upon closure of the lid component onto the receptacle component.   
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein said at least three walls extending out from said top portion comprise apertures and said flange sections comprise slots, and wherein said apertures and slots are arranged so as to be aligned upon closure of said lid component therein producing a plurality of openings allowing air to pass through said container. 
   
   
       17 . A container for holding and displaying a produce product, said container being comprised of a biodegradable cellulose-based material, and comprising:
 a receptacle component comprising a rectangular bottom portion and at least four walls extending up from said bottom portion;   a lid component attached to at least one wall of said plurality of walls and configured such that said lid component may pivot for disengageable closure over said receptacle component, said lid component comprising a rectangular top portion and at least three walls extending out from said top portion; and   a biodegradable transparent film attached to said lid component over said window;   wherein each of said at least four walls comprise flange sections extending therefrom on an end distal to said bottom portion;   wherein said lid component is connected to said receptacle component via at least one of said flange sections; and   wherein said at least three walls extending out from said top portion are arranged and configured to overlap at least three of said flange sections upon closure of the lid component onto the receptacle component.   
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said at least three walls extending out from said top portion comprise apertures and said flange sections comprise slots, and wherein said apertures and slots are arranged so as to be aligned upon closure of said lid component therein producing a plurality of openings allowing air to pass through said container. 
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said at least three walls of said lid component have an outer surface onto which an image is provided representing a produce product disposed within said container, and wherein said image is provided on at least 50 percent of said outer surface of said at least three walls. 
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said at least four walls comprise an outer surface wherein an image of a woven material is provided on at least 90 percent of said outer surface of said at least four walls.