JP2010047271A - Separable connected container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connected container configured so that at least two unit containers are used in a connected state when agricultural products are shipped or transported, and are separated into individual unit containers for distribution in a small quantity in a place to which they are transported and so that a connecting operation and a separating operation are easily and stably performed. <P>SOLUTION: The separable connected container is formed such that the plurality of unit containers 11 that are rectangular as viewed from above and open at the top are arranged parallel to each other at least one of vertical and horizontal directions and are integrally connected with an easy to part connecting portion 15. The connecting portion 15 is integrally formed in the lower portion of the external surfaces of opposite sidewalls 12 of the adjacent unit containers 11 so as to connect both the sidewalls 12 with an empty space between them. The connecting portion 15 includes: a plate-like connecting portion 15a extending along a bottom wall 14; and an upright connecting portion 15b extending upward so as to be continuous with part of the plate-like connecting portion 15a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a severable connecting container that can be suitably used for shipping, transportation, distribution to retail stores, and the like of vegetables and fruits such as vegetables and fruits.

  For example, foamed resin insulated containers are used for shipment and transportation from producers of fruits and vegetables and other various agricultural products or agricultural cooperatives and collection centers where agricultural products gather. For example, if the agricultural product is mushrooms such as nameko, a large number of plastic bags or containers each containing a required amount (for example, 100 g, 150 g, etc.) are stored in the foamed resin container and packed. Are shipping.

  In the shipping and transportation of such agricultural products, from the viewpoint of loading and unloading work and transportation efficiency, the container having the above-mentioned heat insulation structure is used having a certain large capacity. For example, in the case of mushrooms such as the nameko In general, a relatively large container having an internal volume of about 4 kg was generally used.

  In recent years, as a method of purchasing products from supermarkets and other retail stores, there are an increasing number of methods that purchase the amount handled by multiple stores in a lump, and subdivide and distribute the purchased agricultural products to each store. Yes. In this case, there is a problem that the container having a relatively large internal capacity needs to be refilled for distribution to each store, and another container for distribution is also required. In addition, storing and shipping the necessary amount of agricultural products for distribution in the container having a relatively large internal volume results in low transportation efficiency and high cost.

  Therefore, as the container of the heat insulation structure used for shipping and transporting such agricultural products, it is desirable that the container is a container having a relatively large capacity on the shipping side such as a producer or an agricultural cooperative or a collection center. On the purchase side of retailers and the like having a large capacity, it is desired that the container has a relatively small content for distribution to each store.

  As a container that meets this demand, Patent Document 1 proposes a collective container that can be divided and used as appropriate. This proposed collection container is composed of a plurality of unit containers connected by an easy-to-cut part and a support connecting part, and handling such as transportation and storage in the stored state can be performed in a connected state, and a plurality of units are transported at the transportation destination. It can be divided into containers.

  However, in the container disclosed in Patent Document 1, an easily cut portion at the lower portion of the side wall outer surface and a connection support portion at the upper portion of the outer surface of the side wall are provided separately. It is necessary to separate both of the connection support parts, and it is also necessary to use a tool such as a cutter for cutting the connection support part, which makes the separation operation cumbersome and the structure for the upper connection support part. This structure is complicated, and because of this structure, the molding die slides together, making molding difficult, and the die may be damaged.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of storage portions serving as unit containers are connected via a thin connecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the side wall outer surface, and the plurality of storage portions can be easily formed by the thin portions. There has been proposed a packaging container that can be divided into pieces.

However, in this case, the thin-walled portion for the connection only extends with the same thickness over the entire length in the longitudinal direction near the bottom of the container. For this reason, there is a risk that the thin-walled portion may be divided during handling of an empty container until the contents are stored, and when the contents are stored and a lid is attached, the thin-walled portion may be lifted from the bottom. There is a possibility that the force is applied to cause a breakage, and the thin wall portion may be broken due to handling or vibration during transportation.
JP-A-4-72136 Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-78212

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and devised a structure of a connecting portion that connects a plurality of unit containers, has a good connection state stability, and can be easily divided depending on lifting action, vibration during transportation, etc. On the other hand, it is an object of the present invention to provide a severable connecting container that can be easily divided into a plurality of unit containers and that has a simple structure and can be easily molded.

  The connecting container of the present invention that solves the above problems is formed of a synthetic resin foam, and a plurality of planar rectangular unit containers that open upward are arranged in parallel in at least one direction in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the connecting part can be easily divided. A severable connecting container integrally connected to each other via the gap, wherein the connecting part is integrated with the lower part of the outer surface of the side walls so as to connect the opposing side walls of the adjacent unit containers with a gap. And is formed of a plate-like connecting portion extending along the bottom wall portion and a rising connecting portion extending continuously upward from a part of the plate-like connecting portion.

  The connection container of the present invention having the above-described configuration is used in the above-mentioned connection state when shipping and transporting agricultural products from producers, agricultural cooperatives, collection centers, or the like. In this use, the connecting portion connected at the lower outer surface of the opposite side walls of the adjacent unit containers is provided with a rising connecting portion that extends upward continuously from the plate-like connecting portion along the bottom wall portion. Compared to the case where only the plate-like connecting portions along the bottom wall portion are connected, the connecting state of both unit containers is stable, for example, the lifting action in the state in which the contents are stored, transportation, transportation, etc. There is no risk of being broken up by the handling vibration.

  In addition, when dividing into a plurality of unit containers at the transportation destination, etc., by applying a force to split between the two unit containers from above, the division is started from the rising connection part, and the break is connected to the plate-like connection By extending to the part, the dividing operation by dividing the connecting part can be easily performed.

  In the severable connection container, the rising connection part of the connection part is provided at least at two positions with an interval in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like connection part, in particular, in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like connection part. Those provided at both ends or in the vicinity of both ends are preferred. That is, the rising connection part provided at the above-mentioned interval further stabilizes the connection state of the adjacent unit containers, hardly causes distortion of the parts between the two unit containers, and has a great effect of preventing the connection part from being divided. Become.

  In addition, the rising connecting portion of the connecting portion has a triangular or trapezoidal cross section in which at least one side end surface rises as an inclined surface, and the width of the upper end portion of the rising connecting portion is narrower than the width of the lower end base portion. Therefore, if the adjacent unit containers are split open from above, the division is started without difficulty from the upper end of the rising connection portion, and thus the division operation at the connection portion can be easily performed. .

  As the connecting portions, plate-like connecting portions along the bottom wall portions of the opposite side walls are separately provided at both side end portions in the width direction of the both side walls, and the rising connection is made to each separated plate-like connecting portion. A part may be provided.

  In addition, as the severable connecting container, a plurality of unit lids made of synthetic resin foam that can be attached to the opening of each unit container are connected to be severable in a connected state corresponding to the unit container. What comprises a cover body is especially preferable. That is, by attaching the lid, the connected state of the unit containers is further stabilized, and by dividing the lid into unit lids, the unit containers are connected as described above while being attached. By dividing the portion, it can be easily divided into a plurality of unit containers.

  As described above, according to the severable connecting container of the present invention, the connecting part is a lower part of the outer surface of the side wall by the easily-splitting connecting part having the plate-like connecting part and the rising connecting part along the bottom wall part. Even in this case, each unit container can be held well in a connected state, and the handling of empty containers until the agricultural products are stored, and handling such as transportation and transportation in the state where the agricultural products are stored, breaks up in delirium. There is nothing. Therefore, operations such as storage, packing, transportation and unloading of agricultural products can be easily performed, which can contribute to improvement in transportation efficiency.

  In addition, on the purchase side, such as a supermarket that purchases agricultural products, the connecting part can be divided without difficulty without using tools such as a cutter, and it is easy to divide into each unit container. Work can be done easily.

  In addition, since the connecting portion is a relatively simple form in which the rising connecting portion is provided continuously to the plate-like connecting portion along the bottom wall portion at the lower portion of the outer surface of the side wall, The mold structure is not so complicated, and the connecting container can be integrally molded without any problem, and the implementation becomes easy.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a severable connecting container according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the connecting container with a lid attached thereto, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a connecting portion between both unit containers. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the rising connecting portion of the connecting portion, FIGS. 5A to 5F are schematic cross-sectional views showing other examples of the connecting portion, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view when the lid body is opened, FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view when the lid body is divided, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the same as above, and FIG.

  The severable connecting container 1 of the present invention includes a main body 10 that connects a plurality of unit containers 11, and a lid body 20 that connects a plurality of unit lids 21 that can be fitted and attached to each unit container 11. Thus, the main body 10 and the lid 20 are each formed from a synthetic resin foam such as expanded polystyrene having heat insulation properties, and can be used as a cold storage container. Although the present invention can be implemented with a connecting container having only the main body 10 that does not have the lid 20, the one having the lid 20 as in the embodiment is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of protecting the contents and the cold insulation effect. preferable.

  The main body portion 10 of the connection container 1 includes a plurality of flat rectangular unit containers 11 that are open upward, and can be easily divided between both side walls that are adjacent to each other in parallel in at least one vertical and horizontal direction, as will be described later. It is integrally connected via the part 15. In the figure, 12 indicates the side wall on the long side of each unit container 11, 13 indicates the side wall on the short side, and 14 indicates the bottom wall portion. In the case of the figure, the connecting portion 15 is connected so that the two unit containers 11, 11 are connected to each other at both sides of the long side walls 12, 12 with a required gap S between the side walls 12, 12. And is integrally formed so that it can be divided at the portion of the connecting portion 15.

  As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 15 is a plate extending along the bottom wall portion 14 on the side walls of the unit containers 11, 11 that are close to each other, that is, on the lower outer surface of the long side walls 12, 12. The connection part 15a and the rising connection part 15b extended upward in the state which connected the outer surfaces of the both side walls 12 and 12 which face continuously from a part of this plate-like connection part 15a.

  The rising connecting portion 15b of the connecting portion 15 may be located at any position in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like connecting portion 15a. However, in practice, at least two locations spaced in the longitudinal direction, for example, as shown in the figure It is preferable to provide it at both ends in the longitudinal direction or in the vicinity of both ends in order to suppress torsional deformation and distortion of the connected unit containers 11 and 11.

  Further, as the form of the rising connection part 15b (divided cross section shape), the upper end part can be implemented in various shapes such as a semicircular or arcuate shape, a trapezoidal quadrangle, a triangular shape, etc. In practice, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d), at least one side end face has a triangular shape with an inclined surface or a trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIGS. 5 (e) and 5 (f). It is particularly preferable that the width W1 of the upper end portion is narrower than the width W2 of the lower end base portion, and is easily cut off by the rising connection portion 15b by the action of splitting the unit containers 11 and 11 from above. .

  The rising connecting portion 15b can be implemented by providing a slightly rising rising connecting portion (not shown) such as a gently inclined triangular shape, an arc shape, or a trapezoidal shape at one place such as a central portion. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the rising connection portion 15 b is formed with a V-groove-shaped concave portion 15 c for assisting in dividing, and the rising connection portion is opened during the operation of cleaving between the unit containers 11, 11. It is preferable that the division is easily started from the upper end portion of 15b.

  Moreover, the said plate-shaped connection part 15 in alignment with the bottom wall part 14 can be separated and provided in the longitudinal direction intermittently like FIG.5 (f). In this case, for example, the rising connection portion 15b can be provided on the plate-like connection portions 15a and 15a at both ends. In addition, the plate-like connecting portion 15a may be simply plate-shaped, and a V-shaped or U-shaped groove for subsidence can be formed as necessary.

  It should be noted that the plate-like connecting portion 15a and the rising connecting portion 15b of the connecting portion 15 are provided on the connecting side wall, for example, as shown in the figure, in order to avoid the breakage during the dividing operation from reaching the thick portion of the side wall 12. It is preferable to provide in the part of the outer surface corresponding to the bottom wall part 14 or the other side wall 13 in the outer surface of the side wall 12 on the long side.

  A cut-out step 14a is formed on the lower peripheral edge of the bottom wall 14 of each unit container 11, and a convex part 14b that fits into the opening 18 of the lower container when the center part is stacked without attaching the lid 20. It is formed as.

  The lid body 20 is provided with a recess 22 that fits with a protruding edge 19 at the upper end of the side wall that forms the opening 18 of the unit container 11 along the peripheral edge of the lower surface of each unit lid 21. 19 and the recess 22 are attached to the opening 18 by fitting. The recess 22 is preferably one that can be elastically fitted to the protruding edge 19 so as not to be easily removed. At the boundary between the unit lids 21 and 21, for example, a U-shaped or V-shaped concave groove 23 is formed on the upper surface, and can be easily divided and divided by bending at the location of the concave groove 23. It is like that. As shown in FIG. 3, the concave groove 23 is also formed with rising connection portions 23a at both ends so as to stabilize the normal connection state and is not easily broken in use. It can comprise and implement so that it can divide by adding.

  In addition, at the peripheral edge of the upper surface of each unit lid 21 of the lid 20, the convex edge 25 to which the convex portion 14 b of the bottom center portion of the bottom wall portion 14 fits when stacked with the lid attached. The connecting container 1 to which the lid body 20 is attached can be stacked with good stability.

  In addition, in the state where only the main body 10 that does not adhere to the lid 20 is stacked, cold air for differential pressure pre-cooling can be introduced into each unit container 11 at the side portion of the bottom wall portion 14. Also in the connecting container 1 provided with the notch 17 for ventilation, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the connecting part 15 between the two adjacent unit containers 11, 11 is arranged at the position of the notch 17. Except for the above, it is implemented in the same manner as described above in the form of a plate-like connecting portion 15a that is separated into both end portions in the longitudinal direction and a rising connecting portion 15b that extends continuously upward from the plate-like connecting portion 15a. can do.

  In the drawing, reference numerals 12a and 13a denote notch portions for hooking fingers when the lid 20 is opened, and 11a denotes a handle portion for lifting the container.

  The connection form of the unit containers 11 in the connection container 1 is not limited to connecting the two unit containers 11 as shown in the figure, and three or more unit containers can be divided in one direction by the same connecting portion. It can also be carried out by connecting a plurality of unit containers in parallel in the vertical and horizontal directions so that they can be cut through the above-described easily cut-off connecting portions.

  In the present invention, the synthetic resin foam that is a component of the connection container includes styrene-modified polyolefin resin, polystyrene, high impact polystyrene, styrene-ethylene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile. Polystyrene resins such as copolymers, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and foams of various synthetic resins such as polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate can be used. From the viewpoint of easy separation, the polystyrene resin foam is preferred, and those having an expansion ratio of 50 to 65 times are preferably used.

  The connection container 1 according to the present invention having the above-described structure connects, for example, a main body 10 in a form in which at least two unit containers 11 are connected when various agricultural products are shipped or transported from a producer or an agricultural cooperative or a collection center. After using the state as it is and storing the agricultural products to be shipped and transported, the body 20 is fitted and attached with the lid 20 in a form in which the unit lid 21 corresponding to each unit container 11 is connected.

  In this use, the connecting portion 15 connected at the lower outer surface of the opposing side walls 12, 12 of the adjacent unit containers 11 is connected to the plate-like connecting portion 15 a along the bottom wall portion 14, and the rising connecting portion 15 b extends upward. Is provided, so that the connected state of both unit containers 11 is stable as compared with a case where the unit container 11 is connected only by the plate-like connecting part along the bottom wall part 14. There is no risk of being divided into illusions due to action, vibrations in handling such as transportation and transportation, etc., and operations such as storage, packing, transportation and unloading of agricultural products can be easily performed, contributing to improvement in transportation efficiency. When the lid 20 is opened, the unit lids 21 and 21 connected as shown in FIG.

  And when dividing into a plurality of unit containers on the purchase side such as a supermarket where the transport destination, that is, the agricultural product is purchased, first, one unit lid 21 of the lid 20 is lifted from the end as shown in FIG. The unit lids 21 and 21 are separated by bending at the concave groove 23. With the unit lid 21 thus separated attached to each unit container 11, as shown in FIG. 9, by applying a force so as to split between the adjacent unit containers 11, 11 from above, the rising connection portion By dividing from 15b and reaching the plate-like connecting portion 15a, the dividing operation of the connecting portion 15 can be easily performed.

  In particular, when the rising connection portion 15b has a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape whose width is narrowed at the upper end portion, the unit container 11 is split from above so that it can be separated from the upper end portion of the rising connection portion 15b. It is easy to be divided and can be reliably divided by the connecting portion 15 without reaching the side wall of the unit container.

  In addition, the plate-like connecting portion 15a and the rising connecting portion 15b of the connecting portion 15 are provided at locations on the outer surface of the other side wall 13 or the bottom wall portion 14 orthogonal to the outer surface of the side wall 12, respectively. Even if the broken line in the connecting portion 15 is slightly deviated, it is not affected.

  Further, according to the structure of the connecting portion 15 described above, the rising connecting portion 15b is provided in the lower part of the outer surface of the side wall 12 and continuously to the plate-like connecting portion 15a along the bottom wall portion 14. Since the structure of the molding die is not so complicated, for example, a template corresponding to the gap S between the adjacent unit containers 11 and 11 is compared with the connecting portion 15. Therefore, the connection container 1 can be molded integrally without any problem, and can be easily carried out without any risk of damage to the molding die.

  The severable connecting container of the present invention can be suitably used for shipping, transportation, distribution to each retail store, etc. of fruits and vegetables and other various agricultural products.

It is a perspective view of the container main-body part and lid which show one Example of the container of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the state which adhered the cover body of the connection container same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the connection part between both unit containers same as the above. It is the cross-sectional perspective view to which the rising connection part of the connection part same as the above was expanded. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of each connection part of (a)-(f). It is a partial cross section figure in the case of providing the parting assistance recessed part in a rising connection part. It is a schematic perspective view at the time of opening a cover body. It is a schematic perspective view at the time of dividing a lid. It is an outline perspective view at the time of separating a unit container which separated and adhered a unit lid. It is a partial expanded sectional view same as the above. It is a perspective view of the container main-body part and cover which show the other Example of the connection container of this invention. It is sectional drawing which adhered the cover body of the connection container same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the connection part between both unit containers same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection container, 10 ... Main part, 11 ... Unit container, 12 ... Long side wall, 13 ... Short side wall, 12a, 13a ... Finger notch part, 14 ... Bottom wall part, 14a ... Notch Stepped portion, 14b ... convex portion, 15 ... connecting portion, 15a ... plate-like connecting portion, 15b ... rising connecting portion, 16 ... recessed portion, 17 ... notched portion, 18 ... opening, 19 ... projecting edge, 20 ... lid, 21 ... Unit lid, 22 ... Concave, 23 ... Concave groove, 25 ... Convex edge.

Claims (6)

A splittable connection formed by a synthetic resin foam, and a plurality of flat rectangular unit containers opening upward are connected in parallel in at least one direction in the vertical and horizontal directions and connected together via an easily severable connecting portion. A container,
The connecting part is formed integrally with the lower part of the outer surface of the two side walls so as to connect the opposing side walls of the adjacent unit containers with a gap, and extends along the bottom wall part, A separable connection container comprising a rising connection part extending continuously upward from a part of a plate-like connection part.   The split connection container according to claim 1, wherein the rising connection parts of the connection parts are provided in at least two places at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like connection part.   The division | segmentation connection container of Claim 1 or 2 with which the rising connection part of the said connection part is provided in the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the said plate-shaped connection part, or both end vicinity.   The rising connecting portion of the connecting portion has a triangular or trapezoidal cross section in which at least one side end surface rises as an inclined surface, and the width of the upper end portion of the rising connecting portion is narrower than the width of the lower end base portion. The division | segmentation connection container of any one of Claims 1-3.   As the connecting portion, plate-like connecting portions along the bottoms of the opposite side walls are separately provided at both end portions in the width direction of the both side walls, and the rising connection is respectively connected to each separated plate-like connecting portion. The division | segmentation connection container of any one of Claims 1-4 by which a part is provided.   A plurality of unit lids made of a synthetic resin foam that can be attached to the opening of each unit container include a lid body that is detachably connected in a connected state corresponding to the unit container. The division | segmentation connection container of any one of these.

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