JP3187378B2 - Food tray transport tray and transport method using this tray - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray for transporting food cups and a method of transporting food cups using the tray for transporting food cups. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport tray and a transport system that can be transported without being transported, and that can recycle and reuse transport materials.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a generally employed transport mode, a plurality of food cups are stored in a plastic bag and sealed, and then stored in a cardboard packaging container and transported to a filling factory.

[0003]

However, in the packaging container made of cardboard, fine dust is easily generated, and there is a concern that the fine dust adheres to the food cup during packing and unpacking. In addition, there is also a problem that the cardboard packaging container cannot be reused even after collection after unpacking.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of food cups to be transported in a sanitary manner without using a cardboard packaging container, and to be recycled or reused after use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible transport tray, and to provide a transport system using the transport tray.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a specially shaped transport tray has been developed in the present invention. That is, on one surface, there is a horizontal step portion that regulates the degree of fitting of the cup mouth portion by abutment of the convex portion on which the cup mouth portion is fitted externally and the flange portion of the cup mouth portion, and the inside of the cup bottom portion is fitted on the other surface. The side wall of the concave portion has an inclined surface extending toward the opening, and the peripheral portion connected to the side wall of the concave portion has a guide inclined surface that largely expands outward. This is a food cup transport tray in which a part and a concave part are formed so that the centers thereof are aligned on one surface and the other surface, and are arranged in the same number of rows and columns at the same pitch.

If two such trays are used, the mouth or bottom of the food cup is fitted into the convex or concave portion of the tray at the uppermost and lowermost stages of the food cups stacked in a plurality of stages, and two upper and lower trays are used. The food cups are stacked in multiple rows and rows and columns in a tray, bound together, tied together, wrapped in a plastic bag and sealed to form a small package. A scheme can be adopted.

[0007] Further, the above-mentioned small packages are stacked on a pallet in a plurality of stages, a top plate is placed on the uppermost stage, and the whole pallet is bound and transported. Cover with a plastic sheet,
A transport system in which the entire side surface is covered with a plastic film and transported can be adopted.

In the case where the convex portion for externally fitting the cup opening and the concave portion for internal fitting of the cup bottom are all formed into the same height as the concave and convex shape, they are adjacent to each other at the time of packing, transportation or unpacking. The flanges of the food cup fitted into the convex and concave portions may come into contact with each other and may be damaged, but the convex and concave portions are vertically and horizontally alternately heightened with respect to the adjacent convex and concave portions. If the arrangement is adopted, contact between the flange portions can be avoided.

The inner wall of the concave portion into which the bottom of the cup is fitted has an inclined surface extending toward the opening, and the peripheral portion connected to the inner wall of the concave portion has a guide inclined surface which largely expands outward. Therefore, when the bottom of the cup is internally fitted into this recess, even if the cup is slightly displaced to the left, right, front and back, it can be easily fitted because it is guided on the inclined surface, causing deformation and damage to the food cup. There is no fear. The size of the fitting portion into which the cup bottom is fitted adjusts the gap between the inner wall surface and the cup bottom diameter so that a large number of stacked cups can stand by themselves when the cup is fitted.

Also, it is desirable that the peripheral edge of the convex portion into which the cup mouth is fitted into the outside be formed into an arcuate curved surface so that the cup mouth can be fitted without difficulty. In particular, the tray with the concave side facing up is placed at the bottom, the cup bottom is internally fitted, and the cup is stacked in multiple stages, and the tray with the convex side facing down at the top is fitted to the cup opening. The upper part of the multi-tiered cups tends to tilt slightly, so the positional relationship between the cups is unstable, and the tray may not be covered smoothly. This may cause problems such as causing the stacked cups to fall over and scatter on the floor. In addition, when the upper tray covered in the filling factory is detached, there is a danger that the cup may be lifted or fallen unless the convex portion comes off lightly from the cup opening. Therefore, it is assumed that the corners of the peripheral edge of the convex portion are formed into an arcuate curved surface, and the shape and size of the outer peripheral wall of the convex portion are formed to the most preferable size based on the shape and size of the cup mouth portion.

Further, the convex portion and the concave portion are formed by the same wall surface, and the large-diameter convex portion side wall and the small-diameter concave portion side wall are located on the same wall and are formed by the same wall surface, so that the arc surfaces divided from each other are formed. If the convex side wall and the concave side wall are formed by the above, the degree of adhesion of the fitted food cup is small, and the fitting / removal becomes easy.

Further, since the cups are stacked in multiple stages, when fitting the tray to the uppermost cup, if the stability of the multi-stacked cups is poor, the tray is fitted.
When smooth fitting is not obtained, there is a concern that the cup may fall down.However, the convex part to which the cup mouth fits outside consists of a chevron projection that fits into the cup and the side wall where the peripheral edge of the cup mouth circumscribes. The concave portion in which the cup bottom is internally fitted has a side wall in which the peripheral portion of the cup bottom is inscribed, and a horizontal step portion which regulates the degree of fitting of the cup bottom portion, and the side wall of the projection and the side wall of the concave portion are located on a concentric circle. When the tray is formed by the same wall surface, the angled projection fitted into the cup serves as a guide portion when the tray is put on the tray, so that a smooth fitting state can be obtained.

The above-mentioned transport tray is made of a thermoplastic such as polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, AB
It is preferable to integrally mold with S resin or the like. The thickness of the tray is determined in consideration of the number of cups to be placed on the tray, the total weight including the cup weight per tray, the number of trays on which the cups are loaded, and the like. It is determined.

Although the transport trays are used in pairs,
Since two identical trays are used, the concave and convex portions coincide with each other, and the two trays can be stacked in a multi-tiered state, so that a large space is not required at the time of storage and at the time of collection from a filling factory. Also, when using the tray, it can be placed in the standby position in a stacked state, which is suitable for sequential work.

[0015] The trays collected from the filling factory are washed with water,
It can be reused after chemical sterilization and drying treatment. It can also be recovered as a disposable type molded from recycled raw materials, crushed, and recommercialized as tray raw materials.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray for transporting food cups according to the present invention, and FIG.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the transport tray 1. A convex portion 4 into which the cup opening 3 of the food cup 2 is fitted is formed on the upper surface side, and a cup bottom portion 5 is formed on the lower surface side. A concave portion 6 is formed in which is fitted. FIG. 3 is a side view of the tray 1, FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an end view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG.
8 is an end view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in FIG. As is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the convex portions 4 and the concave portions 6 are formed so that the centers thereof are aligned on the upper surface side and the lower surface side at the same pitch and in the same number of rows and columns. A horizontal step portion 7 is formed on the upper surface side having the convex portion 4 so that the flange portion 3a of the cup mouth portion 3 abuts thereon to regulate the degree of fitting of the cup mouth portion 3,
In addition, the convex part peripheral corner part 4a is an arc-shaped curved surface. Also,
The side wall 6a of the concave portion 6 formed on the lower surface side has an inclined surface that spreads toward the opening, and a guide inclined surface 8 that largely expands outward in the peripheral portion connected to the concave side wall 6a.
Are formed.

Further, as is apparent from the drawing, the convex portion 4 and the concave portion 6 are formed of the same wall surface, and as shown in FIG. 8, a slightly large-diameter convex portion side wall 4b and a slightly small-diameter concave portion side wall 6a are concentric. It is located on the top and is composed of the same wall. That is, in the illustrated example, the convex side wall 4b and the concave side wall 6a are formed by four arcuate surfaces divided from each other, and when the food cup 2 is fitted to each of them, they do not adhere over the entire circumference. ,
Fitting / removing can be performed relatively easily.

As shown in FIG.
The adjacent convex portions and concave portions are arranged vertically and horizontally alternately with a difference in height. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the food cup 2 is externally fitted to the convex portion 4 and internally fitted to the concave portion 6. When combined
The flange portions 3a of the adjacent food cups 2 are in a state where they do not touch each other, thereby preventing the flange portions 3a from contacting each other and being deformed or damaged when the cup is fitted or removed. When transporting food cups, two such transport trays 1 are used as a set.
As shown in the figure, the transport tray 1 is placed on the lowermost stage with the convex portion 4 side up, the food cups 1 are stacked in a plurality of stages, a plurality of rows and columns, and the concave portion 6 side is directed downward at the uppermost stage. The food cups 1 stacked on the tray 1 and stacked in a plurality of stages are stacked in a plurality of rows and columns.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The transport tray 1 is placed with the side facing upward, and the food cups 1 are stacked in a plurality of stages, arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, and the uppermost stage is covered with the transport tray 1 with the convex portion 4 facing downward and stacked in a plurality of stages. Food cups 1 can be stacked in a plurality of rows and columns.

After being collected in this manner, as shown in FIG. 12, the whole is tied and bound with a polypropylene band or a polyethylene band, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and heat-sealing or sealing with tape to form a small package 10.

In the case of small-lot demand, the small packages 10 can be transported as they are, but in the case of large-lot transport, as shown in FIGS.
1, a plurality of tiers are stacked on top of each other, a top plate 12 is placed on the top tier, and the entire pallet 11 is
A method of binding and transporting in step 3 can be adopted.

In order to prevent contamination, the entire pallet 11 is bound together with a polypropylene band 13 and then a polyethylene sheet 14 is placed on the upper part as shown in FIGS. A method in which the entire side surface is covered with a plastic film and transported is adopted.

FIGS. 20 to 22 show another embodiment of the transport tray 1. In this example, the convex portion 4 into which the cup opening 3 is fitted externally has a mountain-shaped projection 4c into which the cup is fitted. A recess 6 into which the periphery of the cup mouth is circumscribed has a recess 6 into which the bottom of the cup is fitted, and a side wall 6a with which the periphery of the cup bottom is in contact, and a horizontal step 6b which regulates the degree of fitting of the cup bottom. However, except that the side wall 4b of the convex portion and the side wall 6a of the concave portion are located on concentric circles and are constituted by the same wall surface,
The configuration is almost the same as the transport tray shown in the above embodiment. By providing a chevron projection 4c that fits into the cup, the fitting and disengagement from the cup is facilitated.

In any of the embodiments, since the same tray is used in pairs, the same tray is used at the time of storage and collection from the filling factory, and also at the time of use of the tray, as shown in FIGS. In the stand-by state, it can be handled in a stacked state, so that a large space is not required, and when the tray is used, it can be placed in the stand-by position in the stacked state, which is suitable for continuous work. Also,
If the tray is collected from the filling factory, it can be reused after washing and drying.If the tray is formed from recycled materials, it can be collected as a disposable type, crushed, and recycled as a raw material for the tray .

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the food cup transport tray and the transport method using the tray according to the present invention, fine dust is generated as in the case of using a cardboard packaging container. There is no danger and it is optimal as a food cup transport tray and transport system. Further, since a plurality of food cups can be provided to the filling factory in an orderly stacked state, it is convenient for handling at the filling factory.

Further, the transport tray itself can be stacked in a multi-stage state as it is, and does not require a large space at the time of storage, collection, standby of work, etc., and is suitable for continuous work.

Further, either a transport tray to be reused after collection or re-commercialization as a raw material after collection can be adopted, which can meet the demand for resource saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of a transport tray according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same,

FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an end view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1;

6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an end view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the same DD line in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which food cups are accumulated using the tray.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another integrated state;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the accumulated food cups are tied and bound.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plastic bag is covered;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a small package is sealed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which small packages are stacked in multiple stages on a pallet;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which a top plate is placed,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state of being bound by a band,

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state where a plastic sheet is covered on the upper part;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state where the entire side surface is covered with a plastic film.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the transport tray.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an accumulation state of food cups.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the tray shown in FIG.
Partial enlarged view corresponding to the A-line end view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Transportation tray 2 ... Food cup 3 ...
Cup mouth 3a: flange 4: convex 4a: peripheral edge
4b ... side wall 4c ... angled slope 5 ... cup bottom 6 ... recess
6a ... side wall 6b ... horizontal step 7 ... horizontal step 8 ... guide inclined surface 9 ... plastic bag 10 ... small packaging 11 ... pallet 12 ... top plate 13 ... polypropylene band 14 ... polyethylene sheet 15 ... stretch film

Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65D 19/24 B65D 1/36 B65D 19/44 B65D 71/02 B65D 85/44

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A surface having a horizontal step for restricting the degree of fitting of the cup opening by contacting a convex portion on which the cup opening externally fits with a flange of the cup opening on one surface, and a cup bottom on the other surface. It has a concave portion that fits inside, the side wall of the concave portion has an inclined surface extending toward the opening, and the peripheral portion connected to the side wall of the concave portion has a guide inclined surface that largely expands outward. ,
A food cup transport tray in which the convex portions and the concave portions are formed so that the centers thereof coincide on one surface and the other surface and are arranged in the same number of rows and columns at the same pitch. 2. A large-diameter convex side wall to which the peripheral edge of the cup mouth circumscribes and a small-diameter concave side wall to which the peripheral edge of the cup bottom inscribes are located on a concentric circle and have the same wall surface. A tray for transporting a food cup according to claim 1. 3. The tray for transporting food cups according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the convex portion has an arcuate curved surface. 4. A convex portion into which the cup mouth is externally fitted comprises a mountain-shaped protrusion into which the cup is fitted, and a side wall with which the peripheral portion of the cup mouth is circumscribed. 2. A side wall in which the peripheral portion is inscribed, and a horizontal step portion which regulates the degree of fitting of the cup bottom portion, wherein the side wall of the convex portion and the side wall of the concave portion are located on a concentric circle and are formed of the same wall surface. Tray for transporting food cups. 5. The food tray transport tray according to claim 1, wherein the convex portions and the concave portions are arranged vertically and horizontally with a difference in height between the adjacent convex portions and the concave portions. . 6. A food cup having a plurality of food cups stacked at the top and bottom of a plurality of food cups by fitting the mouth or bottom of the food cup into the projection or recess of the tray. Claim 1, wherein the sheets are stacked in a plurality of rows and columns, wrapped and bound as a whole, wrapped in a plastic bag, sealed, and transported.
A food cup transport system using the food cup transport tray according to 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. A food cup having a plurality of food cups at upper and lowermost stages of the food cups stacked in a plurality of stages by fitting a mouth portion or a bottom portion of the food cup into a convex portion or a concave portion of the tray, and using upper and lower two trays. Stacked in multiple rows and columns, wrapped and tied together, wrapped in plastic bags, sealed and made into small packages.These small packages were stacked in multiple layers on a pallet, and the top plate was placed on top. Claim 1, wherein the entirety of the pallet is placed and the entire pallet is bound and transported.
A food cup transport system using the food cup transport tray according to 2, 3, 4 or 5. 8. At the top and bottom of the food cups stacked in a plurality of stages, the mouth or bottom of the food cup is fitted into the projection or the recess of the tray, and the food cups are placed in a plurality of stages by two upper and lower trays. Stacked in multiple rows and columns, wrapped and tied together, wrapped in plastic bags, sealed and made into small packages.These small packages were stacked in multiple layers on a pallet, and the top plate was placed on top. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entirety of the pallet is placed on the pallet, the entirety of the pallet is bound, a plastic sheet is further covered on the pallet, and the entire side portion is covered with a plastic film for transportation.
A food cup transport system using the food cup transport tray described in the above.