Method and apparatus for packaging produce

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packaging fruit in a container is disclosed. The method and apparatus increases the shelf life of fruit, even when unrefrigerated, so that a retailer can sell fruit as a point of purchase item without unacceptable loss due to overripening.

1 . A package for fruit comprising:
 a piece of material cut to be constructed into a container having a front, a back, a left side, a right side, a top, and a bottom, wherein the material is amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET).   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the APET is 12 gauge. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the constructed container is approximately the size of standard beer bottle. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the piece of material is between 22 and 26 square inches per piece of fruit to be packaged. 
     
     
         5 . A package for fruit comprising:
 a piece of material cut to be constructed into a container, wherein the size of the piece of material is between 22 and 26 square inches per piece of fruit to be packaged.   
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the container has a front, a back, a left side, a right side, a top, and a bottom. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the back of the container has a header portion that extends above the top of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the header portion has an opening therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the opening is approximately the diameter of the neck of a bottle of beer. 
     
     
         10 . A method of packaging fruit comprising:
 constructing a container having a width, depth, and height substantially similar to the width, depth, and height of a beer bottle, wherein the container has a header portion with an opening therethrough, and wherein the opening is approximately the diameter of the neck of a beer bottle;   inserting a plurality of pieces of fruit in the container; and   passing the opening over the neck of a bottle of beer to suspend the container thereon.