The UK-based company said its SPS Air container offers significant air flow improvement over conventional punnets.
Sloping lateral vents cut into the base of the punnet enable superior transpiration - allowing the soft fruit to breathe more easily and therefore aiding fruit conservation, company spokesman David Riley told FoodProductionDaily.com.
He added: “Tests conducted in our laboratories have demonstrated the sloping vents cut condensation by a fifth. This means there will always be unimpeded air flow for improved ventilation, even when the punnets have been stacked for transportation or are in storage.”
The sloping design means there is no risk of debris entering the tray as with punched holes. The SPS Air will be available initially in depths of 85mm and 60mm, although the company said it is plans to also produce a 70mm version.
Sharp Interpack, which is in the process of being acquired by French company Guillin, said it will unveil the SPS Air at Fruit Logistica next month.
New SPS range
The punnet is part of the newly launched SPS range that also offers greater product visibility and up to 10 per cent better crate fit. The containers have an uninterrupted product view lengthways with ribs at the corners for extra stability in rigrous pack house and logistical environments, said Sharp Interpack.
They are manufactured from up to 80 per cent recycled PET containing approved post consumer waste from the European and UK waste stream. This material is sourced from recycled cola and mineral water bottles that are re-ground, super-washed and approved for direct food contact.
The packs can be heat-sealed or lidded. There is improved lid retention and ventilation. Lids can be stacked for automatic de-nesting which facilitates automatic lifting of the lids from the stacks.
The general SPS range, which is currently made for the UK, comprises the following depths: 40, 50, 60 and 85mm.
Mark Tollman, company sales director, said: “The soft fruit market has wide and varied packaging demands and our punnets are evolving to fit those customers needs. While providing improved product visibility, the SPS family offers greater crate fit that ultimately means fewer trucks on the road with more volume per truck load.”