JP2007161309A - Tray for fruit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tray for fruits that can be adapted sufficiently for a difference in size or shape even at a fruit storing portion extending along a flange-like edge at an outer periphery of the tray and can facilitate a loading or unloading of the fruit to the storing portion. <P>SOLUTION: This tray A for fruits is formed of a synthetic resin foamed sheet, the tray has a plurality of fruit storing portions 2 inside a flange-like edge 1 forming the outer peripheral edge of the tray, a plurality of independent fruit holding protrusions 3, 3a and 3b protruded upwardly are formed at the peripheral part of each of the fruit storing portions, and a wall surface 31 of each of the protrusions 3, 3a and 3b facing at the fruit storing portions 2 is faced upwardly to expand in an outward slant form so as to hold the fruits with the wall surface 31 at the protrusion. The flange-like edge 1 is placed at a position within a plane of substantially the same level as that of the tray bottom surface and each of the protrusions 3a, 3b at the outer periphery of the tray is made independent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fruit tray used for harvesting, selecting, shipping, transporting various fruits such as apples, pears and peaches, and particularly to a fruit tray suitable for fruit harvesting.

  For harvesting, selecting, shipping, and transporting various fruits, synthetic resin foam sheets and pulp are used for the purpose of facilitating the handling of fruits and preventing and protecting them from contact with each other and with other objects. A tray in which a plurality of fruit storage portions that can store and hold fruits in an individual packaging state using a material having moderate elasticity such as a mold is used.

  By the way, the size and shape of the fruits stored in the tray vary depending on the type, and the size and shape of the same type of fruits vary. In particular, the range of variation in the size and shape of the fruit stored at the time of harvesting increases. Therefore, in this type of fruit tray, it is desired to be able to cope with the difference in size and shape of the fruit to be stored, and various fruit trays that meet such a demand have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in a fruit tray made of a synthetic resin foam sheet or a pulp mold, a convex portion having an inclined wall that extends upward independently from the peripheral edge portion of the fruit storage portion is formed. The fruit is held by the inclined wall of the part, and the upper part of the independently formed convex part can be elastically deformed relatively easily, so that it can cope with some differences in the size and shape of the fruit to be stored Tray has been proposed.

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, since the flange-like edge on the outer periphery of the tray is continuously formed on the entire upper surface of the tray, in the fruit storage portion along the flange-like edge, The inclined wall of the convex portion is continuous. For this reason, the convex portion on the outer periphery side of the tray cannot be sufficiently elastically deformed, and is inferior in response to the variation of stored fruit, and in some cases, the stored fruit strongly contacts the inclined wall on the outer peripheral side of the tray. Doing so may cause damage.

  Moreover, since the inclined wall is continuous even in the portion between the convex portions on the outer periphery side of the tray as described above, there is no space for inserting a finger for gripping the fruit on the outer peripheral side of the tray. The direction of the gripping hand is limited, making it difficult to put in and out the fruit. In particular, when the fruit to be stored is a peach, it is desirable to lightly grip the lower side from the center in the height direction (equator). However, as described above, insert a finger on the outer periphery of the tray where the flange-like edge exists. Because there is no space to enter, you can not have the bottom of the fruit. That is, the upper side of the fruit is strongly held, which may cause damage.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a tray made of pulp mold having a plurality of storage recesses, the bank body part can be deformed by providing a slit-like opening in the bank body part that partitions adjacent storage recesses. There have been proposed ones that can easily cope with the size and variation of the stored fruit and prevent floating during transportation. Further, in Patent Document 3, in a tray made of a non-woven fabric having a bowl-shaped storage recess or a molded product made of a synthetic resin sheet, a U-shaped cutout is provided at a connecting portion that defines each storage recess, or By providing a groove in the center, the connecting portion can be deformed to some extent, and it has been proposed to cope with changes in the size and shape of spherical fruits and vegetables such as fruits.

In the case of these Patent Documents 2 and 3, as in the case of Patent Document 1, the flange-like edge on the outer periphery of the tray is formed continuously on the entire periphery on the upper surface of the tray. Have a problem.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-349073 JP 2005-96807 A JP 2001-206472 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in the fruit storage portion along the flange-shaped edge while securing the shape-retaining strength by the continuous flange-shaped edge on the outer periphery of the tray, Providing a fruit tray that can cope with differences in the size and shape of the fruit to be stored, and can be easily put in and out of the storage by making the convex part independent and deformable. To do.

  The fruit tray of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is formed from a synthetic resin foam sheet, and has a flange-like edge that forms a substantially rectangular outer periphery in a plane, and a plurality of pieces disposed inside the flange-like edge. A tray having a fruit storage part, wherein a plurality of independent convex holding parts for holding fruits are formed on the periphery of each fruit storage part, and a wall surface on the fruit storage part side of each convex part In the fruit tray that has an inclination that spreads outward outward and holds the fruit by the wall surface of the convex portion, the flange-like edge is located at a position in a plane substantially at the same level as the bottom surface of the tray. .

  According to this fruit tray, since the flange-like edge on the outer periphery of the tray is located at the same level as the bottom surface of the tray, even if the flange-like edge is continuous over the entire circumference, Each convex part on the tray outer periphery side of the fruit storage part along the edge will be formed independently at an interval, compared with the conventional convex part formed continuously on the tray outer peripheral side. Thus, it can be easily elastically deformed.

  Therefore, while maintaining the shape-retaining strength by the flange-like edge that continues around the entire circumference, even in the fruit storage part along the flange-like edge, it can be sufficiently elastically deformed according to the difference in the size and shape of the fruit, Can cope with a wide range of sizes (sizes) and shapes, and can accommodate and hold fruits with different sizes without difficulty. There is no risk of strong contact. In addition, the fruit stored in the fruit storage part can be gripped on the lower side using the space between the convex parts on the outer peripheral side of the tray, and the fruit can be easily put in and out of the fruit storage part. Yes.

  In the fruit tray, a groove is preferably formed on the upper surface of the convex part between adjacent fruit storage parts. Thereby, the convex part for holding the fruit is easily deformed on the upper surface part, the fruit can be elastically held to provide good buffer protection, and the convex part can be easily deformed and has a degree of deformation. By becoming larger, it becomes possible to deal with a wider range of differences in fruit size and shape.

  Moreover, in the said fruit tray, the convex part for a partition is formed between adjacent convex parts, and the height from the tray bottom face of this convex part is 1 / of the height from the tray bottom face of the said convex part. 2 or less is preferable. Thereby, the shape retaining property of the entire tray made of the synthetic resin foam sheet can be improved by the convex surface portions between the adjacent convex portions, and between the adjacent convex portions where the convex surface portions are formed. In this part, the lower part of the fruit stored in the fruit storage part is exposed, and the lower part of the fruit can be gripped and taken out without any problem.

  In the fruit tray described above, it is preferable that side plates be extended so as to be bendable at flange-like edges on each side of the four circumferences. In this case, when storing and using the fruit tray in the outer box, the side plate is folded upward with respect to the flange-shaped edge and stored in the outer box, so that the side plate has a restoring force at the bent portion. Because of this, it will elastically contact the inner wall of the outer box side wall, so that it can regulate the tray movement in the outer box and keep it stable, and stable when stacking trays in the outer box The property is also kept good.

  In addition, the side plate enhances the buffering property against the fruit in the tray, and also prevents the fruit stored in the fruit storage part along the flange-shaped edge from contacting the inner surface of the side wall of the outer box, further protecting the fruit. Can be done well.

  As described above, according to the fruit tray of the present invention, the flange-like edge on the outer periphery of the tray is located at a position in a plane substantially at the same level as the bottom surface of the tray. The fruit-holding convex portions can also be made independent of each other. Therefore, the convex portions can be elastically deformed in the same manner as the inner convex portions, and the shape retaining strength by the flange-like edges on the outer periphery of the tray can be increased. While ensuring, it can respond easily and sufficiently to the difference in size and shape of the fruit, and can hold the stored fruit without damaging it.

  In addition, as described above, the convex portion on the tray outer periphery side of the fruit storage portion along the flange-like edge also has an independent form, so that the portion between the convex portions around the fruit storage portion, particularly the tray. At the portion between the convex portions including the outer peripheral side, the lower side of the fruit can be grasped and taken out or stored, and it can be easily put in and out without damaging the fruit.

  In particular, in the case of a fruit tray in which side plates are foldably extended at the flange-like edges of each side of the four sides, the tray is stably placed in the outer box with the side plates bent upward without fear of floating. It can be stored and used with good quality, and the fruit stored in the tray can be well protected, and is suitable for use in combination with an outer box.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples shown in the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a fruit tray according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fruit tray, FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the same, and FIG. 4 is housed in an outer box. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a state.

  The fruit tray A of the present invention is integrally formed from a thermoplastic synthetic resin foam sheet having an appropriate elasticity and shape retention, for example, from a polypropylene resin foam sheet, by means of a thermoforming process such as vacuum forming or pressure forming. Molded. The fruit tray A has a flange-like edge 1 that forms a substantially rectangular outer periphery of the tray in a plane, particularly a flange-like edge 1 at a position in a plane substantially at the same level as the bottom of the tray, as will be described later. The inside of the edge 1 has a plurality of fruit storage portions 2 arranged in parallel in the vertical and horizontal directions with a predetermined interval in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the periphery of each fruit storage part 2, four independent fruit holding hollow convex parts 3, 3 a, 3 b projecting upward in diagonal directions so as to define each fruit storage part 2. Are formed at a necessary interval, and each of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b has a curved slope in which the wall 31 on the fruit storage portion 2 side extends outwards upward, and these convex shapes The wall surface 31 of the parts 3, 3a, 3b is formed so as to elastically hold the fruit F stored in the fruit storage part 2 from four directions.

  Of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b, the inner convex portions 3 except for the convex portions 3a, 3b along the flange-like edge 1 on the outer periphery of the tray face different fruit storage portions 2, respectively. The wall surface 31 has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape having diagonally four sides, and has a substantially quadrangular (diamond-shaped) upper surface 32 when viewed from the plane. Moreover, about the convex part 3a between the adjacent fruit storage parts 2 and 2 of the said convex parts 3a and 3b of the outer peripheral part along the said flange-shaped edge 1, it faces both fruit storage parts 2 and 2 The substantially triangular frustum shape having two wall surfaces 31 and the convex portion 3b at the four corners of the tray have a substantially triangular frustum shape having one wall surface 31 facing the fruit storage portion 2 at the four corner portions, and are substantially viewed from the plane. It has triangular upper surfaces 32a and 32b.

  The height H from the bottom of the tray of each convex part 3, 3a, 3b, that is, the height H1 from the bottom 21 of the fruit storage part 2 to the convex part upper surfaces 32, 32a, 32b is usually the fruit storage part. 2 is lower than the height dimension H2 of the fruit F to be stored, for example, in the range of 1/3 to 4/5 of the height dimension H2, preferably 2 / 5 to 2/3.

  The wall surface 31 of each of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b is preferably a curved surface curved in a substantially concave arc shape corresponding to the shape of the fruit to be stored as shown in the figure, but part of the wall surface. Or the whole can also be made into a linear inclined surface in a cross section.

  In the case of the figure, grooves 33 and 33a in at least one vertical and horizontal direction are formed on the upper surfaces 32 and 32a of the respective convex portions 3 and 3a excluding the convex portions 3b at the four corners. The upper portions of the portions 3 and 3a can be easily elastically deformed by reducing the rigidity thereof to some extent. On the wall surface 31 of each of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b, a vertical convex shape is provided for improving the accommodation of the fruit F to be stored and for providing the pressure resistant strength of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b. Ribs 31a are formed. In addition, a through hole 22 serving as a drain hole and a vent hole is formed in the bottom 21 of each fruit storage part 2 in the center when the fruit F generating moisture is stored. The convex part 23 which receives the fruit F accommodated is formed.

  Further, a raised convex part 34 for partitioning, which serves as reinforcement for the partition and the entire tray, is formed between the convex parts 3, 3a, 3b. The height H3 of the convex surface portion 34, that is, the height H3 from the bottom 21 to the top surface of the fruit storage portion 2, is ½ or less of the height H1 of the convex portion, in particular, the height H1 of the convex portion. Of 1/5 or more and 1/2 or less, more preferably 1/3 or less. Thereby, when taking out the fruit F stored in the fruit storage part 2, the lower side part of the fruit F can also be hold | gripped also in the part of the convex part 34 between each said convex-shaped part.

  Each of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b including the above-described structure is formed so that the original sheet surface is used as the bottom of the tray as it is when forming from the synthetic resin foam sheet as a constituent material. A part corresponding to the flange-like edge 1 is left on the sheet surface together with the bottom 21 of the sheet, and each of them is independently protruded and formed upward. Thereby, the said flange-shaped edge 1 exists in the position in the plane of the substantially the same level as the tray bottom face by the bottom part 21 of the said fruit storage part 2. FIG. That is, the flange-like edge 1 is continuously formed over the entire periphery of the tray in the same plane as the tray bottom surface. The outer dimension of the tray by the flange-like edge 1 is slightly smaller than the inner dimension of the outer box B because the tray A is accommodated and used in an outer box B such as a cardboard box.

  In the case of the fruit tray A of the illustrated embodiment, a flap-shaped side plate 12 that can be bent via a hinge portion 11 formed by a V-shaped groove or the like by heating and pressing is provided on the flange-shaped edge 1 on each side of the four circumferences. It is extended. The width dimension W in the extending direction of each side plate 12 can be set as appropriate, but in practice, in the state where the side plate 12 is bent upward, it is equal to or higher than the height H1 of the convex portion. It is preferable to set the height of the fruit F so as to fall within the same height range as the height H2. In particular, when the tray A is housed in an outer box B such as a cardboard box and stacked and used in a plurality of stages, the height of the fruit F in which the height of the side plate 12 bent as described above is stored. It is preferably set to be approximately the same as the dimension H2.

  Each of the side plates 12 is bent at the back side, that is, upward, at a portion at every required interval in the length direction along the flange-like edge 1, preferably at a portion parallel to each of the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b. When the convex part 13 which bulges in the outer side surface of a state is formed and it accommodates and uses in the outer case B in the state which bent the side plate 12 as mentioned above, the said convex part is like FIG. When 13 abuts on the side wall surface of the outer box B, a gap S is formed between the side plate 12 and the side wall surface of the outer box B at a portion between the convex portions 13 and 13 of the side plate 12. Thereby, the buffer property when the accommodated fruit F contacts the side plate 12 can be improved. Further, when taking out the tray A from the outer box B, the gap S can be used to lift the tray A with a finger.

  Synthetic resin foam sheets used as the constituent material of the fruit tray A include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyester resins, polystyrene resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, and other appropriate elastic and retaining materials. Various synthetic resin foam sheets having shape strength, or synthetic resin foam sheets obtained by laminating a non-foam resin on one side or both sides of these synthetic resin foam sheets are used. Among them, a foamed sheet of a polypropylene resin having a good balance between rigidity and flexibility, excellent cushioning properties, strength, and excellent shape retention, restoration property, and moldability is preferably used. That is, with this foamed sheet, even if the convex portion is deformed by storing the fruit, when the fruit is taken out, it is restored to a gradually dimensional shape and can be used repeatedly. Therefore, it is suitable for repeated use as a harvesting tray.

The thickness of the synthetic resin foam sheet varies depending on the material used, but in the case of a polypropylene resin foam sheet, it is about 1.0 to 8.0 mm, preferably about 2.0 to 5.0 mm, and the density is 0. Those foaming to about 0.06 to 0.03 g / cm ³ are preferable. If the thickness of the foamed sheet is smaller than the above, sufficient support strength cannot be obtained, and if the thickness is larger than the above, molding from the foamed sheet becomes difficult and bulky. Further, if the density due to foaming is larger than the above range, sufficient buffering properties cannot be obtained, the amount of resin used is large and uneconomical, and if the density is smaller than the above range, there is a problem in strength.

  The fruit tray A configured as described above is used for fruit harvesting by folding the side plate 12 upward as shown in FIG. At this time, the side plate 12 elastically abuts against the side wall surface of the outer box B, so that the movement of the tray A in the outer box B can be restricted and can be held stably.

  And if the fruit F is accommodated in each fruit accommodating part 2, this fruit F will be hold | maintained by the wall surface 31 of the convex-shaped part 3, 3a, 3b for fruit holding formed in the circumference part of each fruit accommodating part 2. . At this time, there is a difference in the size or shape of the fruit to be stored, for example, even if the fruit is larger than the standard, the convex portions 3, 3a, 3b are each elastically deformed, and thus the difference in the size, etc. Can be absorbed and stored.

  In particular, in the case of the fruit tray A of the present invention, the flange-like edge 1 on the outer periphery of the tray is continuous over the entire circumference, and each convex part 3a on the tray outer periphery side of the fruit storage part 2 along the flange-like edge 1 is provided. , 3b are independently formed at intervals, and can be sufficiently elastically deformed. Therefore, in the fruit storage part 2 along the flange-like edge 1, the size and shape of the fruit F are different from those in the past. It can be used in a wide range and can store and hold fruits of different sizes without difficulty. Therefore, even if a large fruit F is accommodated, there is no fear of excessively contacting the wall surface 31 of the convex portions 3a and 3b, and the fruit surface is not damaged.

  Moreover, the fruit F stored in the fruit storage part 2 can be gripped on the lower side using the space between the convex parts 3a and 3b on the outer periphery side of the tray. The fruit can be easily put in and out.

  The fruit tray of the present invention can be suitably used for fruit trays used for harvesting, selecting, shipping, transporting various fruits such as apples, pears and peaches, especially for fruit harvesting.

It is a perspective view which shows one Example of the tray for fruits concerning this invention. It is a top view of the tray for the fruits. It is a partial expanded sectional view same as the above. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the state which accommodated the tray in the outer box.

Explanation of symbols

  A ... fruit tray, 1 ... flange edge, 2 ... fruit storage part, 3, 3a, 3b ... convex part, 11 ... hinge part, 12 ... side plate, 13 ... convex part, 21 ... bottom part, 22 ... through hole , 23 ... convex part, 31 ... wall surface, 32, 32a, 32b ... upper surface, 33, 33a ... groove, 34 ... convex surface part for partition, H1 ... height of convex part, H2 ... height dimension of fruit, H3 ... Height of convex surface part, S ... gap.

Claims (4)

A tray that is formed from a synthetic resin foam sheet and has a flange-like edge that forms a substantially rectangular outer periphery in a plane, and a plurality of fruit storage portions disposed inward of the flange-like edge, each fruit storing A plurality of independent fruit-holding convex portions projecting upward are formed around the periphery of the portion, and the wall on the fruit storage portion side of each convex portion has an inclination that spreads outward toward the upper side. In the fruit tray that holds the fruit by the wall of the part,
The fruit tray, wherein the flange-like edge is located in a plane substantially at the same level as the bottom surface of the tray.   The fruit tray according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed on an upper surface of the convex portion between adjacent fruit storage portions.   A partitioning convex surface portion is formed between adjacent convex portions, and the height of the convex portion from the tray bottom surface is ½ or less of the height of the convex portion from the tray bottom surface. 2. A tray for fruits according to 2.   The tray for fruits according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a side plate is provided so as to be bendable at a flange-like edge on each side of the four circumferences of the tray.

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