Consumer oriented system for delivery of product including single-serving package for preservative-free frozen fruit pieces
OwnerCyrus A. SEPEHRinventor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims25
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.