Consumer oriented system for delivery of product including single-serving package for preservative-free frozen 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 frozen shelf life, wherein fruit is processed to create ready-to-eat single serving packages of preservative-free frozen fruit pieces that may be readily consumed without utensils, and which may include a freezing step that significantly extends frozen shelf life beyond that attainable using conventional fruit processing methods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single serving package for frozen fruit pieces comprising:
 a tube comprising a substantially gas impermeable film, the tube having length, first and second ends, and a tearable zone near the first end and a lateral wall; and   a quantity of frozen 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 frozen 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 frozen 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 frozen fruit pieces are individually quick frozen before being disposed within the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The single-serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is quick frozen after disposing the fruit pieces therein. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the laminate film has a thickness in the range of about 30 to 50 microns. 
     
     
         6 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed by a hot forming process. 
     
     
         7 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a gusset at the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed around the quantity of frozen fruit pieces. 
     
     
         9 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed prior to being filled with the quantity of frozen fruit pieces. 
     
     
         10 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the tube, when sealed, has a headspace of less than 0.5 ounce. 
     
     
         11 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the frozen fruit pieces have a frozen shelf-life of at least 12 months. 
     
     
         12 . The single serving package of  claim 1 , wherein the frozen fruit pieces comprise:
 chopped or diced pineapple, mango, papaya, melon, apple, banana, dragonfruit, guava, kiwi, guanabana, or stone fruits, segments of orange or grapefruit or parts thereof, pomegranate arils, whole grapes, chopped or diced grapes, whole berries, or chopped or diced berries or a mixture thereof.   
     
     
         13 . A method for packaging frozen fruit, comprising the steps of:
 receiving the fruit;   washing the fruit;   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 a quantity of fruit having an aggregate weight in a range of about 1.5 to 6.0 ounces into a package; and   freezing the fruit,   wherein the package comprises a tube comprising a substantially gas impermeable film, the tube having length, first and second ends, and a tearable zone near the first end and a lateral wall,   wherein the tube is configured so that tearing the tearable zone creates an opening providing access to the quantity of frozen 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 frozen fruit pieces through the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising individually quick freezing the fruit before placing the fruit into the package. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising quick freezing the fruit after placing the fruit into the package. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , 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. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the laminate film has a thickness in the range of about 30 to 50 microns. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tube is formed by a hot forming process. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tube includes a gusset at the second end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tube is formed around the fruit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tube is formed prior to being filled with the fruit. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tube, when sealed, has a headspace of less than 0.5 ounce. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the frozen fruit pieces have a frozen shelf-life of at least 12 months. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the frozen fruit pieces comprise: chopped or diced pineapple, mango, papaya, melon, apple, banana, dragonfruit, guava, kiwi, guanabana, or stone fruits, segments of orange or grapefruit or parts thereof, pomegranate arils, whole grapes, chopped or diced grapes, whole berries, or chopped or diced berries or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the receiving and washing steps are performed at a temperature of about 38-50° F.