Protective packaging apparatus and method for curvilinear produce items

Abstract

Packaging and method for safely transporting plural individualized bananas. The bananas are individualized, the stems trimmed, and the bananas are immersed in a cleansing solution and dried. A protective sleeve extends end-to-end over the length of each banana, and plural correspondingly-sized bananas are aligned in an arched, side-by-side arrangement atop an elongate support member within a produce-preserving overwrap. The overwrap is sealed and placed into a typically rectangular container, with the ends of each banana facing downwardly and the outer curvature facing upwardly. A pad end is loosely rolled and tucked beneath the blossom ends of the bananas, the rest of the pad extending over the bananas and tucking between the stem ends of the bananas and a sidewall of the container. An upper pad is placed atop the bananas, and the container is covered and sealed. The container can also be partitioned to receive and retain additional produce items.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.