Produce and fruit packaging containers and assemblies

Abstract

A packaging technology including a packaging cup and lid configured as a packaging container. In one approach the containers can have a frustro-conical shape having a lid with a securing rib and groove. The container can be arranged within a packaging sleeve apparatus suitable for shipping, secure storage, and easy cooling. Additionally, the packaging assembly can include a packaging tray configured to receive a plurality of containers arranged in a sleeve such that the sleeve is in registry with side vents of the tray.

1 . A packaging container comprising:
 a cup, the cup comprising a cup sidewall, a bottom, and a rim about an annular top opening;   a lid joined to the cup by a flexible hinge, the lid having lid side wall, the lid sidewall being configured to receive the rim wherein the lid further comprises a finger grip extending from and edge of the cup sidewall; and   a first engagement feature configured to nest with a second complementary engagement feature between the cup sidewall proximate the rim and the lid sidewall near a distal edge of the lid while the lid is in a closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the lid includes and elongate ventilation slot arranged on the lid. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 2  wherein the elongate slot includes a major axis and a minor axis, a longer dimension of the slot extends coextensively with the major axis with a short dimension of the slot extending coextensively along the minor axis, the slot arranged such that the major axis is generally parallel with an upper surface of the cup rim. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cup is sized such that it can be arranged snuggly in an automobile cup holder. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first engagement feature comprises an annular groove that extends around an inner surface of the lid sidewall and the second complementary engagement feature comprises an annular protrusion that extends around the rim arranged such that when the lid is closed the annular protrusion is nested with the annular groove to assist in maintaining the lid in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first engagement feature comprises an annular protrusion that extends around an inner surface of the lid sidewall and the second complementary engagement feature comprises an annular protrusion that extends around the rim arranged such that when the lid is closed the annular protrusion is nested with the annular groove to assist in maintaining the lid in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cup has a bottom and wherein the bottom has formed therein at least one ventilation aperture suitable for enabling at least one of fluid drainage out the bottom or ventilation of the contents of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 7  wherein indentations are formed in the cup arranged such that a ventilation aperture is arranged between a pair of said indentations. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cup has a protruding bottom that extends downward from a lower portion of the cup such that a step is formed between the cup sidewall and the protruding bottom. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cup has a protruding bottom that extends downward from a lower portion of the cup such that a step is formed between the cup sidewall and the protruding bottom. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging container as recited in  claim 10  wherein an edge of the step has a rounded contour suitable for reducing damage to produce items contained within the container. 
     
     
         12 . A packaging assembly comprising:
 a plurality of packaging containers, each container comprising,
 a cup, the cup comprising a cup sidewall, a bottom and a rim about a top opening of the cup, an upper portion of the cup having a larger outer dimension than an outer dimension of the cup bottom, the container further comprising, 
 a lid, the lid having a top and a sidewall, the lid sidewall being configured to receive the rim of the cup and the lid sidewall including at least one at least one vent opening therein; and 
 a carrier sleeve, the carrier sleeve comprising a base having at least two container holes, each of the at least two container holes configured to receive the cup bottom but not the outer dimension of the cup top opening, whereby a cup received in one of the at least two holes can be inserted into the hole without the cup top opening passing through the hole and with the lid receiving the rim of the cup the at least one lid vent opening resides above the carrier sleeve base, the carrier sleeve further comprising a top opposite the base spaced from the base a distance sufficient to receive the container lid therebetween. 
   
     
     
         13 . A packaging assembly comprising,
 a carrier sleeve having a base, a top and two sidewalls arranged between the top and base to form a plenum with a space defined by the base, the top and the two sidewalls, the sleeve having a pair of open ends arranged at opposite sides of the sleeve, the base comprising at least two container holes arranged between the two open ends; and   a plurality of packaging containers arranged in the container holes of the sleeve.   
     
     
         14 . A packaging assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein,
 the plurality of packaging containers are configured such that each container comprises,
 a cup, the cup comprising a cup sidewall, a bottom and a rim about a top opening of the cup, the container further comprising, 
 a lid, the lid having a top and a sidewall, the lid sidewall being configured to receive the rim of the cup and the lid sidewall including at least one at least one vent opening therein; 
   the cups are arranged in the container holes of the carrier sleeve: and   wherein the at least two container holes of the base are configured to receive the cup bottom such that a cup received in a corresponding hole enables the cup to be inserted into the hole without the lid passing through the hole and with the lid receiving the rim of the cup such that said at least one lid vent opening resides above the carrier sleeve base.   
     
     
         15 . The packaging assembly recited in  claim 14 , wherein,
 the cup of the packaging containers are configured such that an upper portion of the cup has a larger outer dimension than an outer dimension of the cup bottom;   and   the container holes of the carrier sleeve are configured to receive the cup bottom but not the larger outer dimension of the upper portion of the cup such that when the cup is received into the hole, the lid does not pass through the hole.   
     
     
         16 . The packaging assembly recited in  claim 15 , wherein the lid of the cup is arranged within the plenum of the carrier sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging assembly recited in  claim 16 , further comprising a packaging tray, the tray comprising a bottom and first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls with
 the first and third sidewalls arranged on opposite sides from one another,   the first and third sides having elongate slots formed therein, the sleeve arranged in the tray such that the open ends of the sleeve are substantially aligned with the elongate slots of the tray enabling an airflow to pass through the plenum of the sleeve.   
     
     
         18 . The packaging assembly recited in  claim 17 , wherein
 at least two sleeves are arranged side by side in the tray,   the first and third sides having supplementary holes formed therein, said holes arranged to enable another air flow through the tray outside the plenums and between sleeves.