SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING VEGETABLES
A container system and method for packaging vegetables. Exemplary embodiments include a container and method for holding different stages of growth of the same vegetable. Other exemplary embodiments include a container and related method for holding other varieties of vegetables.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/882,780, filed Dec. 29, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONExemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a container system and method of packaging vegetables. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a container system and method of packaging a variety of vegetables in one container.
An important part of preparing a great meal is to make the food look as good as it tastes. For this reason, culinary artistry is an important aspect of the restaurant business, as well as other food preparation businesses. As chefs continuously look for ways to manipulate the colors, textures, tastes, and other characteristics of food, many find great benefit in having a wide variety of foodstuffs on hand to work with. This includes having a variety of vegetables on hand to allow for the greatest freedom in creating attractive and delicious dishes.
Currently, it can be difficult for chefs to obtain different sizes or other varieties of the same kind of vegetable or different vegetables. If a chef wants variety, they must seek out which different types of vegetables they want and then order each one separately. This can pose many problems. First, limited availability may force a chef to separately order different varieties of vegetables from different sources, which can increase time in ordering, as well as administrative and transportation costs. Also, going to different vendors can also make it difficult to obtain the same or desired amount of each vegetable, resulting in either a need for more of one variety or waste of another. Furthermore, ordering vegetables separately means that each kind of vegetable must be removed from its packaging and separately prepared to the point where it can be used by the chef. This also takes time and effort. For these reasons, it is often difficult or impractical for a chef to obtain a wide array of vegetables, especially different variations of the same vegetable. The result is that chefs may be dissuaded from utilizing a variety of vegetables in their dishes, sacrificing both taste and appeal of their dishes.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a multi-compartment container system and related method for containing different varieties of vegetables, with each variety in a separate compartment. For instance, one exemplary embodiment is a multi-compartment container system containing a different type of vegetables in each compartment. Another exemplary embodiment is a multi-compartment container system containing one type of vegetable during different stages of growth, with each stage of growth in a separate compartment. Yet another exemplary embodiment may contain or provide different colors of the same or different vegetables, with each color variety in a separate compartment. In light of the disclosure herein, other examples of container systems for packaging a variety of vegetables are also possible.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also include related methods for packaging or containing varieties of vegetables. For instance, exemplary embodiments include methods for packaging varieties of the same or different vegetables in a multi-compartment container. Examples include methods for packaging different colors or stages of growth of the same vegetable in one container. Examples also include methods for packaging different types of vegetables in one container. In light of the disclosure herein, other exemplary methods for packaging a variety of vegetables are also possible.
In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, other benefits will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments.
One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a container system with multiple compartments for containing different varieties of vegetables. The vegetables may differ from one another by type, stage of growth, color, or other suitable variations. The vegetables may be any part of a plant, including greens, stalks, flowers, and seeds. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method of packaging a variety of vegetables together. Based on the present specification, it should be recognized that an exemplary container system and method of the present invention may also be used to package other types of foods for similar purposes.
An exemplary embodiment of a container system of the present invention is shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, a container 10 may include one or more means for engaging the top portion 16 and bottom portion 18 together. The engagement means may be comprised of a top portion outer perimeter 20 having a lip 22 that is slightly larger than the bottom portion outer perimeter 24. In this embodiment the lip 22 of the top portion outer perimeter 20 fits over the bottom portion outer perimeter 24 such that the outer perimeters snap together when pressed against each other. However, there are many different means of engagement that may be present in a container 10. As shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
As can be seen in
In an exemplary embodiment, a container 10 may have a shape that allows multiple containers 10 to be stacked upon one another. In the exemplary embodiment of
In one exemplary embodiment, a container may have three compartments. For example, one embodiment of a container may be approximately 16 inches in length and 8 inches in width, and the compartments may be about 4 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 1.5 inches deep. However, in other embodiments, the dimensions and number of compartments of a container may vary. For example, in some exemplary embodiments that have 4 or more compartments 12, the length of a container 10 may be greater than 16 inches. In some other exemplary embodiments that have only two compartments 12, the length of a container 10 may be less than 16 inches. Nevertheless, the length of a container 10 is not dependent of the number of compartments 12. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the depth of the compartments 12 may be more than 1.5 inches in order to hold more vegetables 14. Numerous other variations are possible. It is preferable that regardless of the amount of vegetables 14 that are packaged in a container 10, the compartments 12 be large enough to hold the desired amount of vegetables 14 in a desired condition, so that vegetables 14 are not packaged so tightly that they are damaged. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, a container 10 may include a label 30 in a suitable location. The label 30 may contain information on the types of vegetables 14 in container 10, instructions on how to prepare the vegetables 14, the date that the vegetables 14 were packed or the date on which they should be used by, or commercial information such as price, product codes, and vendor information. In other embodiments the label may display any other information for the end user of container 10.
In an exemplary embodiment, the compartments 12 of a container 10 may contain different varieties of vegetables 14. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
In other embodiments, the compartments 12 may contain other varieties of vegetables 14. The different varieties packaged together in one container 10 can provide an assortment of colors, textures, or tastes to the consumer. For example, in
There are different ways in which to categorize the stages of vegetable growth.
Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A container system for vegetables, said container system comprising:
- a container having at least two compartments; and
- at least two different varieties of vegetables;
- wherein each of the compartments is filled with a single variety of vegetable.
2. The container system of claim 1, wherein each compartment of the container is filled with a different type of vegetable.
3. The container system of claim 1, wherein:
- said container is comprised of a top portion and a bottom portion, and said container has a means for engaging the top portion and bottom portion together.
4. The container system of claim 1, wherein said container is formed from molded plastic.
5. The container system of claim 1, wherein said container is comprised of three or more of said compartments.
6. The container system of claim 2, wherein said container is comprised of three or more of said compartments.
7. The container system of claim 1, wherein said at least two varieties of vegetables are the same type of vegetable in different stages of growth.
8. The container system of claim 3, wherein said at least two varieties of vegetables are the same type of vegetable in different stages of growth.
9. The container system of claim 1, wherein said compartments contain absorption pads.
10. A method for packaging vegetables, comprising the steps of:
- classifying the stages of vegetable growth;
- selecting vegetables of the same type at a number of stages of growth;
- providing a container with multiple compartments, and
- placing said vegetables into said compartments based on their respective stages of growth.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of placing an absorbing pad into each compartment.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said container is shaped such that multiple containers can be stacked upon one another.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein three different stages of growth of said vegetables are selected.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the vegetables are leafy greens.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein the stages of growth differ in color.
16. A method for packaging vegetables, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container with multiple compartments;
- providing different varieties of vegetables, and
- placing said vegetables into said compartments based on their respective varieties.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the vegetable varieties differ in color.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the vegetable varieties differ in size.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the vegetable varieties differ by type.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the vegetables are leafy greens.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 6, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2008
Inventor: Lee JONES (Huron, OH)
Application Number: 11/697,526
International Classification: B65B 25/04 (20060101);