CA2486715A1 - Resiliently compressible force absorption system conformable to fruit - Google Patents

Resiliently compressible force absorption system conformable to fruit Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2486715A1
CA2486715A1 CA002486715A CA2486715A CA2486715A1 CA 2486715 A1 CA2486715 A1 CA 2486715A1 CA 002486715 A CA002486715 A CA 002486715A CA 2486715 A CA2486715 A CA 2486715A CA 2486715 A1 CA2486715 A1 CA 2486715A1
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Canada
Prior art keywords
fruit
force absorption
protector
foam material
banana
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Granted
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CA002486715A
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French (fr)
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CA2486715C (en
Inventor
Casey M. Scalise
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of CA2486715A1 publication Critical patent/CA2486715A1/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B7/00—Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/03—Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes

Abstract

A fruit protection and transportation system providing various apparatus and methods to absorb impact and compression forces to reduce damage to fruit (3 ). Particular embodiments of the invention comprise a fruit protector blank (1) of resiliently compressible force absorption material having a substantially planar surface (2) that can be conformed to a portion of the exterior surfac e of various kinds of fruit (3). Other embodiments of the invention provide a molded force absorption cover (21) of resiliently compressible foam material that elastically conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit (3 ).

Claims (147)

1. A method of protecting a fruit, comprising the steps of:
a. positioning said fruit on a substantially planar surface of a resiliently compressible force absorption material;
b. conforming said substantially planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material to a portion of the exterior surface of said fruit;
c. obtaining sufficient frictional engagement between said substantially planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit to retain said fruit within said resiliently compressible force absorption material; and d. engaging a closure to maintain said sufficient frictional engagement between said planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit to retain said fruit within said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
2. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, wherein said fruit is selected from the group consisting of an apricot, a plums, an apple, a banana, a quince, a persimmon, a bread fruit, a carambola, a guava, a pear, a paw paw, a star fruit, a papaya, a mango, an ugli fruit, a watermelon, a cantaloupe, a banana, a pomegranate, a pineapple, a mango, an avocado, an orange, a tangerine, a grapefruit, a lime, a lemon, a tomato, a tomatilla, a kiwi, and a bunch of grapes.
3. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, wherein said closure comprises a discrete closure having operably mated closure elements coupled to said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
4. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of locating said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material within a food container.
5. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 4, further comprising the step of securing said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material to a location within said food container.
6. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 5, wherein said step of securing said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material to a location within said food container comprises the step of engaging operably mated securement elements.
7. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 6, wherein said step of engaging operably mated securement elements comprises the step of mating a clasp responsive to said resiliently compressible force absorption material to an eyelet joined at said location within said food container.
8. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 6, wherein said step of engaging operably mated securement elements comprises the step of mating a clasp joined at said location within said food container to an eyelet responsive to said force absorption material.
9. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 6, wherein said food container is selected from the group consisting of a fabric bag, a plastic container, and a lunch box.
10. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of securing said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material to a location on a garment.
11. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 10, wherein said step of securing said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material to a location on a garment comprises the step of engaging operably mated securement elements.
12. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 11, wherein said step of engaging operably mated securement elements comprises the step of mating a clasp responsive to said compressible force absorption material to an eyelet joined at said location on said garment.
13. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 11, wherein said step of engaging operably mated securement elements comprises the step of mating a clasp joined at said location on said garment to an eyelet responsive to said force absorption material.
14. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 11, wherein said step of engaging operably mated securement elements comprises the step of compressing a portion of material of said garment between a first surface and a second surface of a compression element responsive to said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
15. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 10, wherein said garment is worn by an animal selected from the group consisting of a human, a horse, a donkey, a burro, a dog, and a cat.
16. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 15, further comprising the step of transporting said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material through movement of said animal.
17. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 4, further comprising the step of transporting said fruit retained within said resiliently compressible force absorption material through movement of said container.
18. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of coloring a portion of said substantially planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material which conforms to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
19. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of coloring said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
20. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of increasing reflectivity of a portion of said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
21. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing warning indicia on a portion of the exterior surface of said force absorption material.
22. A method of protecting a fruit as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of engaging friction enhancement elements coupled to said substantially planar surface with the exterior surface of said fruit to enhance said frictional engagement between said substantially planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
23. A method of consuming a fruit, comprising the steps of:
a, disengaging a closure that maintains frictional engagement between a portion of the exterior surface said fruit and a substantially planar surface of a resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit;
b. reducing frictional engagement between said portion of the exterior surface said fruit and said planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit;
c. returning said planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material conformed to said portion of said exterior surface of said fruit to a substantially planar configuration; and d. removing said fruit from a position on said substantially planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material;
e. removing inedible waste material from said fruit to expose an edible portion of said fruit; and f. consuming said edible portion of said fruit.
24. A method of consuming a fruit as described in claim 23, further comprising the step of disposing of said inedible waste material removed from said fruit into a waste-material storage coupled to said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
25. A method of consuming a fruit as described in claim 24, wherein said inedible waste material removed from said fruit comprises a peel of said fruit.
26. A method of consuming a fruit as described in claim 24, closing said waste-material storage coupled to said resiliently compressible force absorption material.
27. A method of consuming a fruit as described in claim 26, engaging a closure having operably mated closure elements to secure said waste-material storage in a closed configuration.
28. A method of fabricating a fruit protector, comprising the steps of:
a. cutting from a sheet of resiliently compressible force absorption material having at least one substantially planar surface a fruit protector blank; and b. attaching a discrete closure to said fruit protector blank.
29. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, wherein said resiliently compressible force absorption material comprises a foam material.
30. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 29, wherein said foam material comprises a closed cell foam material.
31. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 29, wherein said foam material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate foam material, polypropylene foam material, urethane foam material, polyurethane foam material, olefin foam material, polyolefin foam material.
32. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 29, wherein said resiliently compressible foam material has a density of between one pound per cubic foot and three pounds per cubic foot.
33. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 29, further comprising the step of covering a portion of said fruit protector blank with a non-porous material.
34. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 33, wherein said step of covering a portion of said fruit protector blank with a non-porous material comprises laminating a vinyl sheet to a portion of said fruit protector blank.
35. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of coupling a friction enhancement surface to said fruit protector blank.
36. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 35, wherein said step of coupling a friction enhancement surface to said fruit protector blank comprises the step of coupling said friction enhancement surface to said substantially planar surface.
37. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of laminating a cloth material to said fruit protector blank.
38. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of coloring said fruit protector blank.
39. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 38, wherein said step of coloring said fruit protector blank further comprises the step of coding color said fruit protector blank, wherein each color corresponds to one each kind of fruit.
40. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of establishing graphic information on said fruit protector blank, wherein said graphic information corresponds to said one each kind of fruit.
41. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of establishing nutritional information on fruit protector blank, wherein said nutritional information corresponds to said one each kind of fruit.
42. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of conforming said at least one substantially planar surface of said fruit protector blank to a portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
43. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of heating said foam material to conform said at least one substantially planar surface of said fruit protector blank to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
44. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, wherein said step of attaching a discrete closure to said fruit protector blank comprises the step of bonding a hook material at a location on the surface of said fruit protector blank and the step of bonding a loop material at a different location on the surface of said fruit protector, wherein said hook material and said loop material operably mate to form said discrete closure.
45. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 44, further comprising the step of engaging said discrete closure to conform said substantially planar surface of said fruit protector blank to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
46. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of attaching a securement element at a location on the surface of said fruit protector.
47. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 46, wherein said securement element comprises a clasp.
48. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 46, further comprising the step of securing said fruit protector at a location within a container.
49. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 48, wherein said step of securing said fruit protector at a location within a container further comprising the step of retaining said fruit within said fruit protector.
50. A method of fabricating a fruit protector as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of coupling a waste-material receiving element to said surface of said fruit protector blank.
51. A banana protector, comprising:
a. a first force absorption element having a substantially planar surface configured to operably conform to a portion of the exterior surface of a banana;
b. a second force absorption element having a substantially planar surface configured to operably conform to a second portion of the exterior surface of said banana;
c. a hinge element which provides a rotation axis about which said first force absorption element and said second force absorption element rotate; and d. at least one closure, wherein said at least one closure has a first closure element coupled to said first force absorption element and a second closure element coupled to said second force absorption element, and wherein said first closure element mates with said second closure element to maintain engagement of said first force absorption element and said second force absorption element with said portion of the exterior surface of said banana.
52. A banana protector as described in claim 51, wherein said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element are cut from a single piece of foam material having a continuous integral planar surface.
53. A banana protector as described in claim 52, wherein said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element provide a continuous integral planar surface configured to operably conform to said portion of the exterior surface of said banana.
54. A banana protector as described in claim 53, wherein said foam material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate foam material, polypropylene foam material, urethane foam material, polyurethane foam material, olefin foam material, polyolefin foam material.
55. A banana protector as described in claim 53, wherein said foam material has a thickness between about one-eighth inch and about one-quarter inch (about two centimeters to about three centimeters).
56. A banana protector as described in claim 55, wherein said foam material comprises a closed cell foam material
57. A banana protector as described in claim 56, wherein said foam material has a density of between about one pound per cubic foot and about three pounds per cubic foot.
58. A banana protector as described in claim 52, wherein said foam material comprises heat formable foam material.
59. A banana protector as described in claim 58, wherein at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element are heated to establish a configuration which conforms to said portion of the exterior surface of said banana.
60. A banana protector as described in claim 51, wherein said foam material comprises colored foam material.
61. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising graphic information on the surface of at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element.
62. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising nutritional information on the surface of at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element.
63. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising a non-porous material coupled to the surface of at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element.
64. A banana protector as described in claim 63, wherein said non-porous material comprises a laminable vinyl sheet.
65. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising a friction enhancement surface coupled to the surface of at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element.
66. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising a cloth material coupled to the surface of at least one of said first force absorption element, said second force absorption element, and said hinge element.
67. A banana protector as described in claim 51, wherein said closure element comprises a hook material bonded at a location on the surface of said first force absorption element and a loop material bonded on the surface of said second force absorption element, wherein said loop material operably mates to said hook material to form said closure.
68. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising a waste-material storage coupled to said first force absorption element or said second force absorption element.
69. A banana protector as described in claim 51, further comprising a securement element coupled to the surface of said banana protector.
70. A banana protector as described in claim 69, wherein said fastener element comprises a clasp.
71. A kit to protect fruit, comprising:
a. a fruit protector, comprising:
i. a resiliently compressible force absorption material having at least one planar surface configured to operably conform to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit;
ii. a closure coupled to said resiliently compressible force absorption material which operates to maintain sufficient frictional engagement between said at least one planar surface of said resiliently compressible force absorption material and said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit to retain said fruit within said resiliently compressible force absorption material; and iii. a securement element coupled to said force absorption material;
and b. a container to which said securement element operably couples.
72. A kit to protect fruit as described in claim 71, wherein said securement element operably couples to the inside of said container.
73. A kit to protect fruit as described in claim 72, wherein said container is selected from the group consisting of a fabric bag, a plastic container, and a lunch box.
74. A kit to protect fruit as described in claim 73, wherein said fruit protector conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit selected from the group consisting of an apricot, a plums, an apple, a banana, a quince, a persimmon, a bread fruit, a carambola, a guava, a pear, a paw paw, a star fruit, a papaya, a mango, an ugli fruit, a watermelon, a cantaloupe, a banana, a pomegranate, a pineapple, a mango, an avocado, an orange, a tangerine, a grapefruit, a lime, a lemon, a tomato, a tomatilla, a kiwi, and a bunch of grapes.
75. A fruit protector, comprising:
a. a force absorption material having at least one planar surface configured to operably conform to a portion of the exterior surface of a piece of fruit;
and b. a closure coupled to said force absorption material which operates to maintain sufficient frictional engagement between said planar surface of said force absorption material and said fruit to retain said fruit within said force absorption material.
76. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, wherein said force absorption material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate foam material, 35~~

polypropylene foam material, urethane foam material, polyurethane foam material, olefin foam material, polyolefin foam material.
77. A fruit protector as described in claim 76, wherein said force absorption material has a thickness between about one-eighth inch and about one quarter inch (between about two centimeters and three centimeters).
78. A fruit protector as described in claim 77, wherein said force absorption material comprises a closed cell foam material
79. A fruit protector as described in claim 78, wherein said foam material has a density of between about one pound per cubic foot and about three pounds per cubic foot.
80. A fruit protector as described in claim 79, wherein said foam material comprises heat formable foam material.
81. A fruit protector as described in claim 80, wherein said force absorption material is heated to establish a configuration that conforms to said portion of the exterior surface of said fruit.
82. A fruit protector as described in claim 81, wherein said foam material comprises colored foam material.
83. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising graphic information on the surface of said force absorption material.
84. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising nutritional information the surface of said force absorption material.
85. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising a non-porous material coupled to a portion of the surface of said force absorption material.
86. A fruit protector as described in claim 85, wherein said non-porous material comprises a vinyl sheet laminated to said portion of said force absorption material.
87. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising a friction enhancement surface coupled to the surface of said force absorption material.
88. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising a cloth material laminated to the surface of said force absorption material.
89. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising a waste-material storage coupled to said force absorption material.
90. A fruit protector as described in claim 75, further comprising a securement element coupled to the surface of said banana protector.
91. A fruit protector as described in claim 90, wherein said securement element comprises a clasp.
92. A fruit protector, comprising:
a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit, wherein said molded force absorption cover has a thickness of between about one-eighth inch and about one-quarter inch (about two centimeters and about four centimeters), and wherein said molded force absorption cover comprises a resiliently compressible foam material.
93. A fruit protector as described in claim 92, wherein said resiliently compressible foam material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate foam material, polypropylene foam material, urethane foam material, polyurethane foam material, olefin foam material, polyolefin foam material.
94. A fruit protector as described in claim 93, wherein said resiliently compressible foam material comprises a closed cell foam material.
95. A fruit protector as described in claim 94, wherein said resiliently compressible foam material has a density of between about one pound per cubic foot and about three pounds per cubic foot.
96. A fruit protector as described in claim 95, wherein said molded force absorption cover elastically conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of said fruit selected from the group consisting of an apricot, a plums, an apple, a banana, a quince, a persimmon, a bread fruit, a carambola, a guava, a pear, a paw paw, a star fruit, a papaya, a mango, an ugli fruit, a watermelon, a cantaloupe, a banana, a pomegranate, a pineapple, a mango, an avocado, an orange, a tangerine, a grapefruit, a lime, a lemon, a tomato, a tomatilla, a kiwi, and a bunch of grapes.
97. A fruit protector as described in claim 92, further comprising a force absorption cover access element which encloses a portion of the exterior surface of said fruit not engaged by said molded force absorption cover.
98. A fruit protector as described in claim 97, wherein said force absorption cover access element comprises a discrete force absorption access element.
99. A fruit protector as described in claim 98, further comprising a tether between said force absorption cover and said force absorption cover access element.
100. A fruit protector as described in claim 97, wherein said force absorption cover, said force absorption cover access element, and said tether comprise a single integral piece of molded resiliently compressible foam material.
101. A fruit protector as described in claim 97, wherein said force absorption cover access element comprises a sleeve of material joined to said force absorption cover.
102. A fruit protector as described in claim 101, wherein said sleeve has a terminal end closure.
103. A fruit protector as described in claim 102, wherein said terminal end closure comprises a drawstring.
104. A fruit protector as described in claim 102, wherein said terminal end closure comprises an operably paired hook and loop.
105. A fruit protector as described in claim 92, further comprising a rigid planar base coupled to said force absorption cover.
106. A fruit protector as described in claim 92, further comprising a friction enhancement surface coupled to a portion of the exterior surface of said molded force absorption cover.
107. A fruit protector as described in claim 92, further comprising a securement element coupled to the exterior surface of said molded force absorption cover.
108. A fruit protector as described in claim 107, wherein said securement element comprises a clasp.
109. A fruit protector as described in claim 107, wherein said securement element comprises an eyelet.
110. A fruit protector as described in claim 107, further comprising a container within which said molded force absorption cover removably locates.
111. A fruit protector as described in claim 110, wherein said molded force absorption cover secures to a location within said container.
112. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector, comprising the steps of:
a. providing a mold having a cavity configured to form a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit;
b. foaming a material to establish a plurality of cells within said material;
c. curing said material having said plurality of cells within said mold to form said molded force absorption cover; and d. removing said molded force absorption cover from said mold.
113. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, urethane, polyurethane, olefin, and polyolefin.
114. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of foaming a material to establish a plurality of cells within said material further comprises the step of establishing a plurality of open cells within said material.
115. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of foaming a material to establish a plurality of cells within said material further comprises the step of establishing a plurality of closed cells within said material.
116. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of foaming a material to establish a plurality of cells within said material comprises the step of establishing a sufficient number of cells within said material to provide a resiliently compressible foam material.
117. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of foaming a material to establish a plurality of cells within said material comprises the step of generating a elastically conformable foam material having a density of between one pound per cubic foot and three pounds per cubic foot.
118. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of providing a mold having a cavity configured to form a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit comprises providing a mold configured to form said molded force absorption cover of said resiliently compressible foam material having a thickness of between about one-eighth inch and about one-quarter inch (about two centimeters and about four centimeters).
119. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, further comprising the step of coupling a base element to said molded force absorption cover.
120. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 119, wherein said step of coupling a base element to said molded force absorption cover further comprises the step of coupling said base element to said molded force absorption cover within said mold.
121. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, further comprising the step of coupling a shell to the exterior of said molded force absorption cover.
122. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 121, wherein said step of coupling a shell to the exterior of said molded force absorption cover comprises the step of coupling a shell to the exterior of said molded force absorption cover within said mold.
123. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 121, further comprising the step of preforming said shell distinct from molding said molded force absorption cover.
124. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, further comprising the step of coupling said shell to the interior of said molded force absorption cover.
125. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 124, wherein said step of coupling said shell to the interior of said molded force absorption cover comprises the step of coupling said shell to the interior of said molded force absorption cover within said mold.
126. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, wherein said step of providing a mold having a cavity configured to form a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit further comprises the step of configuring said cavity of said mold to form a molded force absorption cover access.
127. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 126, wherein said step of curing said material having said plurality of cells within said mold to form said force absorption cover further comprises the step of curing said material having said plurality of cells within said mold to form said force absorption cover access.
128. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 112, further comprising the step of coupling a force absorption cover access to said molded force absorption cover.
129. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 128, wherein said step of providing a mold having a cavity configured to form a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit further comprises the step of configuring said cavity of said mold to form a tether between said force absorption cover access and said molded force absorption cover.
130. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 126, further comprising the step of providing a closure between said force absorption cover access and said molded force absorption cover.
131. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 130, wherein said step of providing a closure between said force absorption cover access and said force absorption cover comprises the step of providing Tupperware like seal.
132. A method of manufacturing a fruit protector as described in claim 130, wherein said step of providing a closure between said force absorption cover access and said molded force absorption cover comprises the step of providing operably mated hook material and loop material.
133. A method of marketing fruit, comprising:
a. displaying at least one kind of fruit; and b. proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit.
134. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of proximately displaying a fruit protector comprising a force absorption material having a planar surface which conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of said at least one kind of fruit.
135. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of proximately displaying a fruit protector comprising a molded force absorption cover elastically conformable to a portion of the exterior surface of said at least one kind of fruit.
136. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of proximately displaying a fruit protector comprising a force absorption shell configured to enclose said at least one kind of fruit.
137. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of displaying at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of displaying said at least one kind of fruit selected from the group consisting of an apricot, a plums, an apple, a banana, a quince, a persimmon, a bread fruit, a carambola, a guava, a pear, a paw paw, a star fruit, a papaya, a mango, an ugli fruit, a watermelon, a cantaloupe, a banana, a pomegranate, a pineapple, a mango, an avocado, an orange, a tangerine, a grapefruit, a lime, a lemon, a tomato, a tomatilla, a kiwi, and a bunch of grapes.
138. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit is displayed.
139. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit grows in the natural environment.
140. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 139, wherein said step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit grows in the natural environment comprises the step of arranging a plurality of banana fruit protectors to resemble a bunch of bananas.
141. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 139, wherein said step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit grows in the natural environment comprises the step of arranging a plurality of banana fruit protectors to resemble a bunch of bananas hanging from a tree.
142. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 139, wherein said step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit grows in the natural environment comprises the step of arranging a plurality of apple fruit protectors to resemble apples hanging from branches of an apple tree.
143. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 139, wherein said step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a manner similar to which said at least one kind of fruit grows in the natural environment comprises the step of arranging a plurality of pineapple fruit protectors to resemble pineapples growing on a pineapple plants.
144. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 133, wherein said step of proximately displaying a fruit protector corresponding to said at least one kind of fruit comprises the step of arranging a plurality of said fruit protectors in a hammock suspended between two substantially vertical supports.
145. A method of marketing fruit as described in claim 144, wherein said two substantially vertical supports represent trees.
146. Methods substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples.
147. Apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples,
CA2486715A 2001-06-28 2002-06-28 Resiliently compressible force absorption system conformable to fruit Expired - Fee Related CA2486715C (en)

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WO2003001890A3 (en) 2003-02-27
US20040208959A1 (en) 2004-10-21
US7303076B2 (en) 2007-12-04
US6918231B2 (en) 2005-07-19
AU2002322354A1 (en) 2003-03-03
US20030003198A1 (en) 2003-01-02
US7377392B2 (en) 2008-05-27
CA2486715C (en) 2011-03-29
WO2003001890A2 (en) 2003-01-09
US20050249850A1 (en) 2005-11-10

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