JP2003335318A - Packaging container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaging container that is easy to crush after use. <P>SOLUTION: The packaging container 1 is formed from an OPS film and is a box type container having a bottom 1b and a side wall 1a and being open at the top. In order to serve as stress concentration means, steps 2 parallel to the bottom 1b are formed in the side wall 1a at specific intervals. After use, the empty packaging container 1 is placed on a proper support face G with the bottom 1b facing down and then vertical pressing force P is exerted to it. Consequently, stress concentrates on the steps 2 of the side wall 1a and these portions are first plastically deformed, with the result that the side wall 1a is deformed such that the height of the packaging container 1 decreases. Thus, the packaging container 1 can be comparatively easily crushed. The steps 2 deformed plastically do not return to their original shapes even after released from the pressing force P. Accordingly, the container when disposed of, is unbulky. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to strawberries, plums,
The present invention relates to a packaging container suitable for containing fresh food products such as fruits such as grapes and blueberries or vegetables such as tomatoes and other articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fruits such as strawberries sold at fruit stores, greengrocers or supermarkets are contained in a box-shaped packaging container made of a transparent thick plastic film, and the upper surface thereof is covered with a transparent wrap. It is displayed covered with a film.

[0003] Such a packaging container is relatively lightweight and strong, and since the contents can be visually confirmed from the outside, it is suitable for displaying fresh fruits and the like, whose freshness is one of the commercial values, Conventionally, various sizes and shapes have been used.

[0004]

When a strawberry or the like housed in such a packaging container is purchased at a supermarket or the like, the packaging container after the contents are taken out is discarded, but in the shape as it is. Since it is bulky, measures such as applying external force to crush it are taken.

However, the conventional packaging container is made relatively strong in order to protect the contents from being damaged by external pressure or impact, and therefore, the external force such as bending or pressing is applied. Although it is deformed when applying, it returns to its original shape when the external force is released and cannot be easily crushed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging container which can be crushed relatively easily after use.

[0007]

The packaging container of the present invention comprises:
A box-shaped packaging container made of synthetic resin film or sheet material, for plastically deforming the side wall so that the height of the container is reduced by applying a pressing force in the vertical direction of the container. Is provided on a part of the side wall. With such a configuration, when a vertical pressing force is applied to the emptied container after use, stress concentrates on the stress concentrating means provided on a part of the side wall and preferentially plastically deforms. As a result, the side wall is deformed so that the height of the container is reduced, so that the container can be crushed relatively easily.

As the stress concentrating means, it is desirable to provide at least one of a step portion, an inflection portion, a fold, a thin portion, and a groove portion on a part of the side wall. Here, the step portion means a portion where a part of the side wall is bent in a step shape, and the inflexion portion means a portion where a part of the side wall is bent with a curvature different from the surroundings or a portion where the curvature is changed. , A fold means a part of the side wall that is easier to bend than the surroundings, a thin part means a part of the side wall that is thinner than the surroundings, and a groove means a part of the side wall. It is a portion that is recessed so as to form a groove shape when viewed from the inner surface side or the outer surface side.

With this structure, when a vertical pressing force is applied to the container, stress is efficiently concentrated on the stepped portion of the side wall, and these portions are formed on other portions of the side wall. Since the side wall is deformed so that the height of the container is reduced by preferentially plastically deforming the container, the side wall becomes more easily crushed.

It is desirable that the step portion, the inflection portion, the fold line, the thin portion, the groove portion, and the like be provided in a shape that goes around the side wall in parallel with the bottom surface of the container. When, is added, a plastically deformed portion that continuously makes a round around the side wall of the container can be generated, so that the crushability is improved and restoration after releasing the pressing force can also be suppressed. Further, it is also possible to provide stepped portions around the side wall at a plurality of positions at predetermined intervals in the container height direction, or to provide stepped portions in a spiral shape along the side wall. For example, when the vertical pressing force is applied to the container, the side walls are plastically deformed at a plurality of locations, so that the container can be crushed so that the size in the vertical direction becomes smaller.

Further, when the step portion is provided on the side wall, since the side wall portions located above and below the step portion are in a stepped state, the step portion is sandwiched when the container is crushed by applying a vertical pressing force. The upper and lower side wall portions do not interfere with each other and can be crushed smoothly.

When the side wall is provided with an inflectional portion, it is possible to eliminate a sharp angled portion which may adversely affect the contents, so that it is suitable for packaging flexible articles such as strawberries which are easily damaged by pressure. If a plurality of concave and convex inflection portions are provided, the side wall becomes so-called wavy, so that the rigidity is increased, so that the strength can be improved during normal use.

When the folds are provided on the side wall, the stress concentration is higher than that of the other stress concentration means, and therefore, when a pressing force in the vertical direction of the container is applied, it is possible to surely cause plastic deformation at the folds. The container can be crushed with a relatively small pressing force.

When a thin portion is provided on the side wall, when a vertical pressing force is applied to the container, stress concentrates on the thin portion having a small sectional area, so that the thin portion is surely plastically deformed. Not only can it be crushed with a relatively small pressing force, but also the bending strength itself of the thin portion is weak, so restoration after crushing can be almost eliminated.

When the groove is provided on the side wall, the groove can serve as a flow path of air in the state where the article is accommodated, so that the air circulation in the container can be improved, and damage is likely to occur due to partial air retention in the container. It becomes suitable as a container for packaging articles.

Here, if a plurality of through holes are arranged along the stress concentrating means, the stress is further concentrated on the side wall portion between the adjacent through holes, so that the crushability can be further enhanced. . Since these through holes can ensure air permeability between the inside of the container and the atmosphere, it is possible to prevent adverse effects such as excessive humidity in the container and deterioration of the quality of the contained items. Further, since these through holes also function as drainage holes and drain holes when washing the contained material with water, convenience is improved.

By providing the side wall with a reinforcing means for preventing the side wall from being deformed, the side wall can be prevented from being deformed before use or in a state where the article is stored therein. Can be secured.

As the reinforcing means, it is desirable to form a reinforcing rib in a part of the side wall in a direction intersecting with the contracting direction of the side wall. By providing such reinforcing ribs, it is possible to prevent the side wall from being deformed during use without deteriorating the appearance and adversely affecting the stored items.

The synthetic resin film or sheet material forming the container is preferably OPS (oriented polystyrene) or PET (polystyrene terephthalate). If OPS is used, a highly transparent container can be formed, and if PET is used, a container that can be easily recycled and used as a resin material after crushing can be formed.

[0020]

1 is a side view showing a packaging container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the packaging container shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which crushed the packaging container shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packaging container 1 of this embodiment is formed of an OPS film material which is one of synthetic resins, has a bottom portion 1b and a side wall 1a, and has an open top surface. It is a box type container, and as a stress concentration means,
A plurality of step portions 2 each having a shape that goes around the side wall 1a in parallel with the bottom portion 1b are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction of the packaging container 1. Since the packaging container 1 has the same strength as a conventional packaging container of the same kind, it is possible to store fruits and vegetables in the same manner as in the conventional case.

When the empty packaging container 1 is discarded after use, as shown in FIG. 3, the packaging container 1 is placed with its bottom portion 1b facing down on a suitable supporting surface G, When a pressing force P in the vertical direction is applied, stress concentrates on the plurality of step portions 2 provided on the side wall 1a, and these portions are preferentially plastically deformed, whereby the side wall 1a becomes the packaging container 1. Since it deforms so that its height decreases, the packaging container 1 can be crushed relatively easily. The plastically deformed step portion 2 does not return to its original shape even if the pressing force P is released, and therefore does not become bulky at the time of disposal.

Further, since the side wall 1a is provided with the plurality of step portions 2 to increase the rigidity of the side wall 1a, it is possible to improve the strength of the entire packaging container 1 during normal use.
By providing the step portion 2 on the side wall 1a, the portions located above and below the step portion 2 of the side wall 1a are in a stepped state, and therefore, when the packaging container 1 is crushed by applying a pressing force P in the vertical direction. Thus, the side wall 2 portions located above and below the step portion 2 do not interfere with each other, and the packaging container 1 can be crushed smoothly.

Next, the packaging container 20 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the packaging container 1 described above, the packaging container 20 is a box-shaped container that is formed of an OPS film material, has a bottom portion 20b and a side wall 20a, and has an open top surface. A plurality of folds 21 are formed in parallel with the bottom portion 20b at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of through holes 22 are formed along the folds 21 at predetermined intervals.

The packaging container 20 can also store fruits and vegetables in the same manner as in the conventional case. Since a plurality of through holes 22 that communicate the inside of the container and the atmosphere are formed in the side wall 20a, air can enter and exit through these through holes 22, so that fresh food or the like can be stored. If so, it is possible to prevent the humidity in the packaging container 20 from becoming excessive and the quality of the contained items from being deteriorated.

When aromatic fruits such as strawberries are stored in the packaging container 20, the aroma of strawberries is diffused to the surroundings through the through holes 22, so that the packaging container 20 is used as a display sales container in a supermarket or the like. When used, the fragrance of strawberries will float near the display area, and a product appeal effect that stimulates the purchaser's willingness to purchase can be exerted.

Further, when the purchaser wishes to wash the fruits and the like contained in the packaging container 20 with water, after removing a wrap film (not shown) covering the upper opening, the packaging container is removed from the upper opening. Pour water into 20 and make side wall 2
It is convenient because it can be washed with water while draining from the through hole 22 in 0a. If the packaging container 20 is tilted after washing with water, residual water falls through the through hole 22 and draining is easy. The shape, size, number of arrays of the through holes 22,
The arrangement interval and the like may be set to such a size that the contained items do not fall through the through holes, and thus can be arbitrarily set according to the size and the property of the contained items. The holes can also be arranged.

When the empty packaging container 20 is discarded after use, the packaging container 20 is discarded as in the case of FIG. 3 described above.
Is placed on a suitable support surface G with its bottom 20b facing downward, and if a vertical pressing force P is applied, stress concentrates on the folds 21 provided on the side wall 20a, and By preferentially plastically deforming each part,
Since the packaging container 20 is deformed so that its height decreases,
It can be easily crushed, and the plastically deformed fold 21 does not return to its original shape even when the pressing force P is released, and therefore does not become bulky at the time of disposal. When the fold line 21 is provided on the side wall 20b, stress is particularly concentrated on the acute-angled fold line 21 portion, so that plastic deformation can be reliably generated at the fold line 21 portion, and the packaging container 20 can be pressed with a relatively small pressing force. Can be crushed.

Next, the packaging containers 30 and 40 of the third and fourth embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. The packaging container 30 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a step portion 31 parallel to the bottom portion 30b on the side wall 30a as a stress concentration means. In the packaging container 40 shown in FIG. 6, a fold 41 parallel to the bottom 40b is provided on the side wall 40a as a stress concentration means, and a plurality of through holes 42 are arranged along the fold 41.

When discarding the empty packaging container 30 after use, as shown in FIG. 7, the packaging container 30 is placed on the support surface G and the vertical pressing force P is applied to the opening portion. Thirty
If it is added to the peripheral edge of c, the stress is concentrated on the step portion 31, and the step portion 31 is preferentially plastically deformed.
Since the side wall 30a is deformed so as to lift toward the opening 30c, the packaging container 30 can be crushed so that the height of the packaging container 30 is halved. Similarly to FIG. 7, the packaging container 40 can be crushed by applying a pressing force P so that its height is halved. Other functions and effects are similar to those of the packaging containers 1 and 20. In addition, packaging container 3
In the case of 0, since the side wall 30a is increased in rigidity by providing the step portion 31 on the side wall 30a, the strength of the entire packaging container 30 can be improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the packaging containers 50 and 60 of the fifth and sixth embodiments will be described. In the packaging container 50 shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of groove portions 51 parallel to the bottom portion 50b are formed on the side wall 50a as the stress concentration means. Groove 51 is side wall 50a
It has a V-shaped cross section when viewed from the inner surface side. Figure 8
In the packaging container 60 shown in (b), a plurality of groove portions 61 parallel to the bottom portion 60b and a plurality of through holes 62 arranged along the groove portions 61 are formed on the side wall 60a as stress concentration means.
Is equipped with. The groove 61 has a shape of a semicircular cross section when viewed from the inner surface side of the side wall 61a.

The packaging containers 50 and 60 have bottom portions 50b and 60, respectively.
It has a plurality of groove portions 51 and 61 which are continuous in the direction parallel to b, and the circulation of air around the inner surfaces of the side walls 50a and 60a when articles are stored is good. Therefore, when fresh fruits and the like are stored, it is possible to prevent the fresh fruits and the like from being damaged by air retention near the inner surfaces of the side walls 50a and 60a. The function and effect of the through hole 62 provided in the packaging container 60 are the same as those of the through holes 22 and 42 in the packaging containers 20 and 40 described above.

Packing containers 50, 60 after use
By applying the pressing force P in the manner shown in FIG.
Since it can be easily crushed, it does not become bulky when discarded. Other functions and effects are similar to those of the packaging containers 1, 20, 30, 40 described above. In the packaging containers 50 and 60, the side walls 50a and 60a are provided with a plurality of groove portions 51 and 61 to enhance the crushability when receiving a pressing force in the vertical direction of the container, but these groove portions 51 and 61 are Since it also has a function of preventing the wall surfaces 50a, 60a from being dented or curved when an external force in a direction perpendicular to the wall surfaces 50a, 60a is applied, the deformation resistance against the force received during normal use is also improved. ing. In the packaging containers 50, 60, the side walls 50a,
Although the groove portions 51 and 61 having a concave shape when viewed from the inner surface side of 60a are provided, conversely, it is possible to provide the groove portion having a concave shape when viewed from the outer surface side of the side walls 50a and 60a, Even in this case, the same effect can be obtained with respect to the crushability.

Next, the packaging container 70 of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, in the packaging container 70, a corrugated plate shape is formed by providing a plurality of concave-convex inflection portions 71 parallel to the bottom portion 70b on the side wall 70a as stress concentration means. ing. When discarding the packaging container 70 after use, the packaging container 70 is placed on the support surface G as shown in FIG.
Are placed and a vertical pressing force P is applied, stress concentrates on the concave and convex inflection portions 71 and these preferentially plastically deform. Therefore, similar to the case shown in FIG. 3, the packaging container 70 can be easily crushed.

In the packaging container 70, the side wall 7 serves as a reinforcing means for preventing the side wall 70a from being deformed during use.
One reinforcing rib 72 is provided on each of the four side walls 70a in a direction intersecting with the contraction direction (vertical direction) of 0a. These reinforcing ribs 72 are formed in a U-groove shape protruding from the inner surface of the side wall 70a toward the outer surface thereof. By providing these reinforcing ribs 72, it is possible to prevent the side wall 70a from being deformed during use or the like without deteriorating the appearance and adversely affecting the stored object S.

Since the side wall 70a of the packaging container 70 has a corrugated plate shape having a smoothly curved concave-convex inflection portion 71, the contents S and the inner surface of the side wall 70a when the contents S are accommodated. Not only has a small contact area, but also secures a gap between the container S and the side wall 70a that is continuous in the direction parallel to the bottom portion 70b, so that air circulation in the container is also good. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the contents S from being damaged by the contact between the contents S and the inner surface of the side wall 70a.
It is also possible to suppress damage to the stored object S due to air retention near the inner surface. Further, since air movement in the vertical direction is also possible through the U-shaped reinforcing rib 72, this also improves the air circulation in the container 70.

Next, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG.
The packaging container 80 of the embodiment will be described. In the packaging container 80, the side wall 80a is used as a stress concentration means.
In addition, a bellows shape is formed by providing a plurality of concave and convex inflection portions 81 parallel to the bottom portion 80b. When discarding the empty packaging container 80, as shown in FIG.
When the packaging container 80 is placed on the support surface G and a vertical pressing force P is applied, stress is concentrated on the uneven inflection portion 81 and preferentially plastically deforms, so that it is shown in FIG. As in the case
The packaging container 80 can be easily crushed. Since the concave-convex inflection portion 81 of the packaging container 80 has a V-groove shape,
The stress is more likely to be concentrated than in the case of the U-groove shape, and the packaging container 7
It can be crushed with a pressing force P less than 0.

Also in the packaging container 80, as a reinforcing means for preventing the deformation of the side wall 80a during use, one reinforcing rib 82 is formed on each of the four side walls 70a in a direction intersecting with the contracting direction (vertical direction) of the side wall 80a. We have each one. These reinforcing ribs 82 have a V-groove shape protruding from the inner surface of the side wall 80a toward the outer surface thereof. By providing these reinforcing ribs 82, the side wall 80a is not injured in appearance and does not adversely affect the contents, and the sidewall 80a is in use.
Can be prevented from being deformed.

Since the side wall 80a of the packaging container 80 has a bellows shape having a plurality of concave-convex inflections 81, it is possible to further reduce the contact area between the container and the inner surface of the side wall 80a. And a side wall 80a between them and the bottom 80b, a continuous gap is secured, and the V-shaped reinforcing rib 8 is formed.
Since air movement in the vertical direction is also possible through 2, the air circulation in the container is good. Therefore, like the packaging container 70, it is possible to prevent damage to the stored item due to contact between the stored item and the inner surface of the side wall 80a, and to suppress damage to the stored item due to air retention near the inner surface of the side wall 80a.

Incidentally, as in the above, the packaging containers 70, 80
Also in the above, the side walls 70a, 80a are provided with the concave and convex inflection portions 71, 81, respectively.
Since the rigidity of the packaging container 70 is increased, the packaging container 70,
The strength of the entire 80 can be improved.

[0041]

The present invention has the following effects.

(1) In a box-shaped packaging container made of a film material or sheet material made of a rigid resin, the side wall is plastically deformed so that the height of the container is reduced by applying a pressing force in the vertical direction. By providing a stress concentrating means on a part of the side wall for applying a vertical pressing force to the empty container, stress concentrates on the stress concentrating means on the side wall and preferentially plastically deforms the container. Since the side wall is deformed so that the height of the side wall is reduced, the side wall can be crushed relatively easily.

(2) As a stress concentration means, by providing at least one of a step portion, an inflection portion, a fold, a thin portion, and a groove portion in a part of the side wall, when the vertical pressing force is applied, the side wall Since the stresses are efficiently concentrated on the stepped portion, it becomes easier to crush, and the shape restoration after crushing can be suppressed.

(3) By arranging a plurality of through holes along the stress concentrating means, the stress is further concentrated on the side wall portion between the adjacent through holes, so that the crushability can be further enhanced. Since these through-holes can ensure air permeability inside and outside the container, it is possible to prevent adverse effects such as deterioration of the quality of the contained items due to excessive humidity inside the container. Further, since these through holes can be used as drainage holes and drain holes when washing the contents with water, convenience is improved.

(4) Since the side wall is provided with a reinforcing means for preventing the side wall from being deformed, the side wall can be prevented from being deformed before use or in the state of containing articles, so that the strength of the container is prevented from being lowered and the practical strength is improved. Can be secured.

(5) As a reinforcing means for preventing deformation, by forming a reinforcing rib in a direction intersecting with the shrinking direction of the side wall on a part of the side wall, the appearance is deteriorated or the stored items are adversely affected. Without this, it is possible to prevent the side wall from being deformed during use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a packaging container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the packaging container shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the packaging container shown in FIG. 1 is crushed.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a packaging container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing a packaging container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing a packaging container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a crushed state of the packaging container shown in FIG.

8A is a partially cutaway side view showing a packaging container according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a partially cutaway side view showing a packaging container according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a packaging container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a plan view of the packaging container shown in FIG. 9. FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

12 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state where the packaging container shown in FIG. 9 is crushed.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a packaging container according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state in which the packaging container shown in FIG. 9 is crushed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 Packaging containers 1a, 20a, 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a, 70
a, 80a Side walls 1b, 20b, 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b, 60
b, 80b Bottom part 2,31 Step part 21,41 Fold line 22,42,62 Through hole 30c Opening part 51,61 Groove part 71,81 Inflection part 72,82 Reinforcing rib G Support surface P Pressing force S

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A box-shaped packaging container formed of a synthetic resin film material or sheet material, wherein the height of the container is reduced by applying a vertical pressing force to the container. A packaging container characterized in that a stress concentrating means for plastically deforming is provided in a part of the side wall. 2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a step portion, an inflection portion, a fold, a thin portion, and a groove portion is provided on a part of the side wall as the stress concentration means. 3. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of through holes are arranged along the stress concentrating means. 4. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is provided with a reinforcing means for preventing deformation of the side wall. 5. The packaging container according to claim 4, wherein, as the reinforcing means, a reinforcing rib in a direction intersecting with a contracting direction of the side wall is formed on a part of the side wall.