JP2009101042A - Chopsticks, die for molding chopsticks and chopstick manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of reducing the resin using amount when forming chopsticks from a resin. <P>SOLUTION: The chopsticks made of the resin are composed by parallelly arranging and partially connecting a chopstick half body and a chopstick half body along the longitudinal direction, wherein the connected part of the chopstick half body and the chopstick half body is the ridge line part of the chopstick half body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to a disposable chopstick made of resin.

  It is no exaggeration to say that disposable chopsticks are Japanese culture. That is, split chopsticks (one pair of chopsticks) are sold, with two shafts (half chopsticks) made of wood or bamboo attached in one place. : A set of chopsticks can be obtained by dividing along the slot. Once used, disposable chopsticks are discarded.

  Since disposable chopsticks are disposable, they are said to be a waste of resources, and an exercise to bring their own chopsticks to the restaurant is proposed. This movement is valued as such.

  However, it is difficult to bring your own chopsticks when eating out.

  Therefore, in some restaurants and the like, there are cases where chopsticks of the type that are washed and used over and over are provided instead of disposable disposable chopsticks.

  However, movements to review disposable chopsticks have been advocated because of the fear of diseases such as AIDS and Thurs. Incidentally, disposable chopsticks are being reconsidered in China, where there was no culture of disposable chopsticks.

  Now, as mentioned above, the chopsticks are usually made of wood or bamboo. If this disposable disposable chopstick is a culture only in Japan, depletion of wood and bamboo resources is not as problematic as it is on the left.

  However, if disposable chopsticks are frequently used in China with a population of more than a billion, depletion of wood and bamboo resources will be a problem. In other words, it will be impossible for Japan to import disposable chopsticks from abroad. In recent years, in particular, there have been a lot of questions about restrictions on the export of disposable chopsticks. Or even if it could be imported, it would be expensive.

  That being said, it is extremely difficult for Japanese people to use chopsticks used by others again.

  Therefore, the development of disposable chopsticks to replace wooden chopsticks made of wood and bamboo has been urgently demanded today. The material that comes to mind as an alternative to wood and bamboo is resin. Now, when molding is performed by molding means using a resin, it is desired to reduce the raw material resin as much as possible. For this purpose, it is conceivable to form a recess on the main surface (surface in the longitudinal direction) of the chopsticks. That is, if the concave portion is formed on the main surface of the chopsticks, the amount of the raw material resin used is reduced accordingly.

  By the way, the wooden chopsticks made of wood and bamboo so far have one side facing each other. That is, the halves are joined to each other between the surfaces. For example, a chopstick half with a square cross section and a chopstick half with a square cross section face each other and face each other, and are joined at the opposite faces. The cross section at is rectangular.

  Now, in such a case, even if it says that a concave portion is formed on the main surface of the chopsticks, the concave portion can be formed only on three surfaces when considered with a chopstick half. This is because, since the halves are combined on one main surface, a concave portion cannot be formed on the main surface of the connecting surfaces when chopsticks are formed by molding means. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to reduce the amount of the raw material resin by forming a recess on the main surface of the chopsticks, there is a limit in the conventional structure.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the amount of resin used when chopsticks are made of resin.

The above-mentioned problem is a resin chopstick in which a chopstick half and a chopstick half are arranged in parallel and partially connected along the longitudinal direction,
The chopsticks half and the chopsticks half are connected to each other by a chopstick that is a ridge portion of the chopsticks half.

In particular, the chopsticks half and the chopsticks half are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction and partly connected to each other.
The chopstick half is a columnar body having a substantially square cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
The chopsticks half and the chopsticks half are connected to each other at a ridge line portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the columnar body.

  The chopsticks described above are solved by the chopsticks characterized in that concave portions are provided on all surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half.

In particular, in the chopsticks described above, all the surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half are provided with recesses,
A chopstick characterized in that a concave portion provided on a surface forming at least one ridge line portion along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half is divided into a plurality of concave portions, and there is no concave portion at the division position. Solved by.

A first mold having a substantially W-shaped cross section and having a molding surface in which a convex portion is formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section;
A chopstick forming mold comprising: a second mold having a substantially W-shaped cross section, and a molding surface having convex portions formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section. Solved by.

A first mold having a substantially W-shaped cross section and a molding surface having a convex portion formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section; Resin injection step of injecting resin into the inner space of a chopstick molding die formed by combining a second die having a molding surface with a convex portion formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the shape surface When,
After the resin injecting step, the first mold and the second mold are separated from each other, and a chopstick taking-out step for taking out a cured molded product is provided.

  In the so-called split chopsticks in which the chopstick half and the chopstick half are partially connected, the present invention connects the chopstick half and the chopstick half at the ridge line portion of the chopstick half. Therefore, in the chopsticks of such a connection system (structure), when the chopsticks are to be constituted by molding means, the concave portions can be formed on all the main surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half. Therefore, the amount of resin used as a material (raw material) for chopsticks can be reduced accordingly.

  The chopsticks of the present invention are resin chopsticks in which a chopstick half and a chopstick half are arranged and connected in parallel along the longitudinal direction. In particular, chopsticks (cotton chopsticks) made of a resin (a thermosetting resin or a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin). Here, “made of resin” does not need to be 100% resin, and an extender and an additive may be mixed. In short, any material that can be molded by a molding means may be used. The chopsticks are molded by a molding means. In this chopstick, the connecting portion between the chopstick half and the chopstick half is the ridge portion of the chopstick half. In particular, the cross-section of the chopsticks half in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is substantially square (a square whose outer shape protrudes to the outside. In other words, a square is a so-called god, but a square having no recessed portion on the inside (concave). Polygons having substantially the same length on each side, in particular, a substantially regular quadrilateral, a substantially regular pentagon, a substantially regular polygon greater than or equal to a regular square such as a substantially regular hexagon, or a rhombus. A chopstick half and a chopstick half are connected to each other at a ridge portion existing along the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. Preferably, all the surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half are provided with recesses (concave grooves). Further, although all the surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half are provided with recesses (concave grooves), they are provided on the surface forming at least one ridge line portion existing along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half. The concave portion (concave groove) is divided into a plurality of concave portions (concave groove), and no concave portion is provided at the division position. The concave portion (concave groove) is formed in the middle part of the chopsticks, for example, in the region extending from the rear end part side to the middle part, but is not formed on the tip part side of the chopsticks. The region where the concave portion (concave groove) is not formed is particularly a region within 3 cm (further 4 cm, further 5 cm) from the tip of the chopsticks.

  The mold for molding chopsticks according to the present invention has a cavity in which the above chopsticks can be molded. That is, a first mold having a substantially W-shaped cross section and a molding surface in which convex portions are formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section; A second mold having a molding surface in which convex portions are formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the shape.

  The method for manufacturing chopsticks according to the present invention includes a resin injecting step of injecting a resin into the cavity of the die, and after the resin injecting step, the first die and the second die are separated and cured. And a chopstick taking-out step for taking out the object.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of chopsticks according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. 1 (c) is an AA line enlarged cross-section. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, X is a disposable chopstick having a total length of 203 mm, which is molded from a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. In addition, a recycled resin can also be used as the resin. Reference numeral 1a denotes a chopstick half that constitutes a portion of chopsticks X, and 1b denotes a chopstick half that forms a pair of chopsticks X in a pair with the chopstick half 1a. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the chopstick half 1a and the chopstick half 1b have the same shape, and their cross-sectional outlines (cross-sectional outlines in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chopstick halves 1a and 1b) are substantially square. (In addition, the length of one side in the maximum part is a substantially square with 6 mm). The chopstick half halves 1a and 1b have a narrow width at the front end side (lower side: the lower side where food is gripped by the front end of the chopsticks: the right end side in FIG. 1 (a)), and the rear end portion. It is molded so that the width of the side (upper side: left end side in FIG. 1A) is thick.

  Since the chopsticks according to the present invention are of the split chopsticks type, the chopstick half 1a and the chopstick half 1b are connected to each other at some points. Conventionally, this connection is arranged and connected so that one surface faces each other, but in the present invention, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (c). , One ridge line (ridge line existing in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half halves 1a, 1b) 2a, 2b. Note that the ridge line portions 2a and 2b are not one-dimensional (line) in a strict sense in mathematics, and have some area spread in the present invention. However, as can be seen from FIG. 1C, it is much narrower than the area of one main surface, and can be regarded as a line in practice. And this invention has the big characteristic in the point that a connection location is the ridgeline parts 2a and 2b. Although the chopstick half 1a and the chopstick half 1b are connected to each other at the ridges 2a and 2b, this connection is not connected over the entire length of the chopsticks, but on the rear end side ( Upper side: left end side in FIG. 1 (a) Only a region extending from a position of 10 mm to a length of 20 mm is connected. In other words, the portions extending from the position where the diameter slightly enters from the rear end portion side having a large diameter to the region of about 10 to 30 mm are connected to each other.

  The four main surfaces existing in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half 1a have grooves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 (a), (b) and (c). 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d (however, 3c, 3d, 5c, 5d, 6c, 6d are not shown) are provided. Similarly, the four main surfaces existing in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half 1b are provided with concave grooves 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 8a, 8b, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 (a), (b), (c). , 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d (however, 7c, 7d, 9c, 9d, 10c, 10d are not shown). The groove grooves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d having a length of 20 mm are provided from the rear end side (upper side) 5 mm toward the front end side. And between the groove groove 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d having a length of 20 mm and the groove groove 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d having a length of 40 mm, or the groove groove 4a having a length of 40 mm, 4b, 4c, 4d and 50 mm long groove 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 50mm long groove 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 30mm long groove Between the grooves 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, between the groove grooves 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d having a length of 20 mm and the groove grooves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d having a length of 40 mm, or Between the groove grooves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d having a length of 40 mm and the groove grooves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d having a length of 50 mm, or Between the groove grooves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d having a length of 50 mm and the groove grooves 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d having a length of 30 mm, a groove groove having a length of 2 mm is formed. No region (non-concave portion) 11 is provided. That is, the groove groove provided on one main surface is divided into several parts. Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 1A and 1B, no groove is formed over a region 52 mm from the tip end side (lower side: right end side in FIG. 1A). Note that the groove width and depth of the concave groove may be appropriately determined in consideration of the strength and the like. For example, the groove width of the concave groove is about 6/10 to 9/10 of the chopstick width. The groove depth of the concave groove is about 1/10 to 4/10 of the chopstick thickness.

  When the disposable chopsticks X made of resin are configured as described above, the amount of resin used can be reduced when the disposable chopsticks X are formed by molding means. That is, as described above, the four main surfaces existing in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick halves 1a and 1b are provided with the groove grooves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d. , 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d. Therefore, the amount of resin used is reduced by the volume of the groove. Moreover, no problem occurs when the mold is removed after molding. This is because, in FIG. 1 (c), a convex portion is formed on a surface that is substantially W-shaped as divided into two at the center of the left and right, and that is along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section. When a mold having a molding surface is used, the grooves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7a, 7b, 7c , 7d, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, a mold having a convex portion formed on the inner surface side of the mold is used. However, when the resin is injected into the cavity of such a mold, the mold is opened after the resin is cured, and the cured and molded chopsticks X are removed from the mold, the above-mentioned convex part does not cause any trouble, and there is no problem. Die cutting can be performed. Moreover, when a die having a substantially W-shaped cross section is used, it is easy to secure a space between the chopstick half 1a and the chopstick half 1b, and molding becomes easy. In addition, the groove is not formed as one long groove, but one groove is divided and a non-concave portion 11 is provided between the groove and the groove. At this time, the pin can be applied to the non-recessed portion 11 so that the die can be easily removed. Theoretically, it is conceivable to press the pin against the ridgeline part and then die-cut, but the width of the ridgeline part is very narrow, so the part where the extruded pin hits is as wide as possible. Therefore, it is preferable to divide one groove groove and to provide a non-groove portion 11 between the groove groove and the groove groove as a contact portion of the extrusion pin. In addition, in FIG. 1, the part shown by (circle) is a part used as an extrusion pin contact part.

  In addition, when holding the chopstick halves 1a and 1b by hand, especially when an infant or the like holds it, a recess is formed on the surface of the split chopsticks halves 1a and 1b. Stops and is easy to hold. As a result, good manners can be eaten. In addition, since the concave groove is not formed over the range of, for example, 3 cm or less from the tip of the chopsticks X, rice or the like does not fit into the concave groove, and manners are not caused. Features that you can eat well. Further, if the resin disposable chopsticks are collected after use, the used disposable chopsticks can be reused as a raw material resin for new disposable chopsticks. This is a feature not found in wood / bamboo disposable chopsticks. That is, with wood and bamboo disposable chopsticks, the used disposable chopsticks cannot be used as a raw material for new disposable chopsticks.

  FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the chopsticks according to the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a front view, FIG. 2 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing.

  In the present embodiment, the chopstick half halves 1a and 1b of the above embodiment have a substantially rhombus shape, whereas the cross-sectional outer shape is a substantially square shape. That is, since it is only a difference between a regular square and a rhombus, detailed description is omitted.

The front view, top view, and AA line expanded sectional view which show one Embodiment of the chopsticks (wari-chopsticks) which become this invention The front view, top view, and AA line expanded sectional view which show one Embodiment of the chopsticks (wari-chopsticks) which become this invention

Explanation of symbols

X Split chopsticks 1a, 1b Chopstick halves 2a, 2b Ridge portions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b Grooves 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b , 10a, 10b Groove 11 Non-groove

Representative Katsumi Udaka

Claims (6)

A chopstick made of resin in which a chopstick half and a chopstick half are arranged in parallel and partially connected along the longitudinal direction,
The chopsticks characterized in that a connecting portion between the chopstick half and the chopstick half is a ridge portion of the chopstick half. The chopstick half is a columnar body having a substantially square cross section in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
2. The chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein the chopsticks half and the chopsticks half are connected to each other at a ridge portion existing along the longitudinal direction of the columnar body. The chopsticks according to claim 1 or 2, wherein concave portions are provided on all surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half. Concave portions are provided on all surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half,
A concave portion provided on a surface forming at least one ridge line portion along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick half is divided into a plurality of concave portions, and there is no concave portion at the division position. The chopsticks according to claim 1. A first die having a substantially W-shaped cross section, and a molding surface in which convex portions are formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section;
A chopstick forming mold comprising: a second mold having a substantially W-shaped cross section, and a molding surface having convex portions formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section. . A first die having a substantially W-shaped cross section and a molding surface having a convex portion formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substantially W-shaped cross section; A resin injecting step of injecting a resin into the inner space of a chopstick molding die formed by combining a second die having a molding surface with a convex portion formed on a surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface;
A chopsticks manufacturing method, comprising: a step of taking out the chopsticks after separating the first mold and the second mold after the resin injecting step and taking out the cured molded product.

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