Consumer oriented system for delivery of product including single-serving package for preservative-free fruit pieces

Abstract

A consumer-oriented method of processing and packaging single serving packages is provided that improves convenience and safety, reduces pathogens and spoilage, and promotes improved dietary intake, while extending refrigerated shelf life, wherein fruit is processed to create ready-to-eat single serving packages of preservative-free fruit pieces that may be readily consumed without utensils, and which may include a cold pasteurization processing step that significantly extends refrigerated shelf life beyond that attainable using conventional fruit processing methods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single serving package for fruit pieces comprising:
 a tube comprising a substantially gas impermeable film, the tube having length, first and second ends, a tearable zone near the first end and a lateral wall; and   a quantity of fruit pieces disposed within the tube, the fruit pieces being preservative-free and comprising at least one of individual whole units of fruit, fruit segments or chopped or cubed pieces of fruit, the quantity of fruit pieces having an aggregate weight in a range of about 1.5 to 6.0 ounces,   wherein the tube is configured so that tearing the tearable zone creates an opening providing access to the quantity of fruit pieces,   wherein the length is in a range of about 4 to 10 inches, and a diameter of the opening is in a range of about 0.7 to 1.5 inches, and wherein the tube is configured so that squeezing the tube along the lateral wall from the second end to the first end ejects the fruit pieces through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The single-serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the film comprises a laminate film having a thickness in a range of about 30 to 200 microns, the laminate including at least a base layer and a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the laminate film has a thickness in the range of about 30 to 50 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed by a hot forming process. 
     
     
         5 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a gusset at the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed around the quantity of fruit pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The single serving package of  claim 1  wherein the tube is formed prior to being filled with the quantity of fruit pieces. 
     
     
         8 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube, when sealed, has a headspace of less than 0.5 ounce. 
     
     
         9 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the fruit pieces have a shelf-life in a range of about 7 to 14 days. 
     
     
         10 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the fruit pieces are processed by a high pressure pasteurization process. 
     
     
         11 . The single serving package of  claim 10 , wherein the fruit pieces have a shelf-life in a range of about 14 to 90 days. 
     
     
         12 . The single serving package of  claim 1  wherein the fruit pieces comprise: chopped or diced pineapple, mango, papaya or melon, segments of orange or grapefruit or parts thereof, pomegranate arils, whole grapes, or stone fruits. 
     
     
         13 . A single serving package for fruit pieces comprising:
 a tray comprising a substantially gas impermeable material rigid base and a substantially gas impermeable top film, the base having a bowl portion and a utensil compartment; and   a quantity of fruit pieces disposed within the bowl portion, the fruit pieces being preservative-free and comprising at least one of individual whole units of fruit, fruit segments or chopped or cubed pieces of fruit, the quantity of fruit pieces having an aggregate weight in a range of about 1.5 to 6.0 ounces,   wherein the top film is disposed in close fitting relation to the fruit pieces, and   tray and fruit pieces are treated using a cold pasteurization process that extends refrigerated shelf life.   
     
     
         14 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , wherein one of the base and the top film comprises a laminate film having a thickness in a range of about 30 to 200 microns, the laminate including at least a base layer and a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         15 . The single serving package of  claim 14 , wherein the laminate film further comprises a layer of nylon bonded to the layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , wherein the cold pasteurization process extends refrigerated shelf life to at least 90 days without detectable deterioration of taste, texture or freshness of the fruit pieces. 
     
     
         17 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , wherein the cold pasteurization process extends refrigerated shelf life to at least 120 days without spoilage of the fruit pieces. 
     
     
         18 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , wherein air between the top film and base is at least partially evacuated. 
     
     
         19 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , further comprising a disposable utensil disposed in the utensil compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The single serving package of  claim 13 , wherein the fruit pieces comprise: chopped or diced pineapple, mango, papaya or melon, segments of orange or grapefruit or parts thereof, pomegranate arils, whole grapes or stone fruits. 
     
     
         21 . A method for packaging fruit, comprising the steps of:
 receiving the fruit at a temperature between 38°-50° F.;   washing the fruit at a temperature between 38°-50° F.;   optionally coring, skinning, and/or removing seeds from the fruit under aseptic conditions;   optionally slicing the fruit into pieces;   optionally passing the fruit through a metal-detection system;   placing the fruit into a package; and   cold pasteurizing the package with the inserted fruit in a high-pressure process system.