Molded fiber composition for a fruit-holding container

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to molded fiber formulations suitable for the automated, efficient, high-speed production of fiber-based containers, particularly for containers for use with produce such as apples. Fiber compositions are created as slurries to be used in the manufacture of molded fiber products. Embodiments of the fiber composition include a fiber base mixture of pulp and water, with some amount of a fiber substitute additive that is chemically compatible with the product to be stored in contact with the final molded fiber product. In an embodiment, apple pomace is a compatible fiber substitute for use in an apple container in that it is compatible with apples. Pomace is the pulp residue remaining after processing of fruit to extract its juice, e.g., by crushing, pressing. Pomace includes the processed residue of seeds, stems, skin and core material of the fruit in addition to at least some residue of the fruit juice itself as it is typically not possible to extract all the juice in a processing operation. Pomace may be added to the base fiber as a dried pulp, a wet pulp, or a rehydrated pulp (i.e., the pomace was dried and then rehydrated with water) or any combination of the preceding.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fiber slurry composition comprising:
 water;   an amount of base fiber consisting of NBSK and NBHK;   a second fiber component consisting of pomace; and   a water sizing component is added in the range of 0.01%-2% by weight of the total dry base fiber.   
     
     
         2 . A molded fiber product made from the fiber slurry composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the pomace is apple pomace. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the pomace is a fruit pomace selected from the pomaces of one or more of the following fruits: apples, peaches, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, pineapples, mangoes, kiwis, blueberries, pears, cherries, plums, lemons, grapefruits, raspberries, and avocados. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber component is from 5% to 60% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber component is from 10% to 40% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber component is from 15% to 35% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber component is from 17.5% to 30% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber slurry of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber component is from 20% to 25% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         10 . A fiber slurry composition consisting of:
 water;   an amount of base fiber consisting of NBSK and NBHK;   a second fiber component consisting of pomace; and   a water sizing component is added in the range of 0.01%-2% by weight of the total dry base fiber.   
     
     
         11 . The fiber slurry of  claim 10 , wherein the pomace is apple pomace. 
     
     
         12 . A molded fiber product made from the fiber slurry composition of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . The fiber slurry of  claim 10 , wherein the pomace is a fruit pomace selected from the pomaces of one or more of the following fruits: apples, peaches, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, pineapples, mangoes, kiwis, blueberries, pears, cherries, plums, lemons, grapefruits, raspberries, and avocados. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber slurry of  claim 10 , wherein the second fiber component is from 5% to 60% by weight of the total base fiber by dry pulp. 
     
     
         15 . A combination of fruit and molded fiber container comprising:
 the molded fiber container; and   a fruit inside and in contact with the molded fiber container;   wherein the molded fiber container was created from a fiber slurry comprising:
 water; 
 an amount of base fiber; 
 a compatible fiber substitute consisting of pomace of the same fruit as that inside the molder fiber container. 
   
     
     
         16 . The combination of fruit and molded fiber container of  claim 15 , wherein the fruit is selected from apples, peaches, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, pineapples, mangoes, kiwis, blueberries, pears, cherries, plums, lemons, grapefruits, raspberries, and avocados and the pomace is pomace of the selected fruit. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of fruit and molded fiber container of  claim 15 , wherein the fruit is apple and the pomace is apple pomace.