Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.

Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.

Abstract: Method for the improved packing of stemmed produce in produce containers, and apparatus to perform the method. The present invention teaches a methodology based on the use of a packaging adaptor for insertion into a produce container, such as a berry basket. The adapter is formed as a substantially hollow, box-like structure having at least one and preferably a plurality of apertures defined in an upper surface thereof. The adapter, inserted into the container defines a first, lower compartment and a second, upper compartment. The adapter is inserted in the container, and the stem of the fruit, for instance a strawberry, is inserted therein. The stems are retained in the first compartment and the body of the fruit in the second compartment. In this manner, the relatively soft body of the fruit is precluded from contact with, and damage from, the relatively tough, woody stem portion of fruit.

Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays are provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the tray vents, through the ventilation channels and thence through the produce packed inside. The trays and baskets are sized so as to occupy all of the surface area of a standard shipping pallet, and to minimize the movement of the baskets within the trays, and of the trays with respect to one another.