JP6860570B2 - Frozen food in a container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a frozen food in a container that can be cooked by a microwave oven such as a microwave oven while being contained in the container.

In recent years, with the spread of household refrigerators and the expansion of food distribution at frozen temperatures, sales of frozen foods that can be eaten simply by cooking with a microwave oven are on the rise. In addition, due to the development of freezing technology, the types of frozen foods are diversifying, and not only the main ingredients such as rice and noodles, but also food sets in which rice and side dishes are arranged in a good-looking manner, or spaghetti and curry rice with sauce. Frozen foods, which are so-called ready-tweet foods, are on sale, such as foods with auxiliary ingredients such as sauce, sauce, and sauce on top of the main ingredients.

However, when frozen foods such as food sets and frozen foods with auxiliary ingredients placed on top of the main ingredients are cooked in a microwave oven, the heating efficiency of the microwave oven differs depending on the type and amount of the ingredients. Therefore, there are many cases where uneven heating occurs. For example, if microwave heating is performed so that the entire food is warmed, partial overheating may result in charring or drying, and microwave heating is performed so that such overheated parts do not occur. When the above was carried out, a portion that was insufficiently heated was generated, and in some cases, an unheated portion that remained frozen without being thawed was produced.

As a conventional technique capable of solving the problem of heating unevenness in microwave cooking of frozen foods, for example, Patent Document 1 states that a part of the outer surface of the bottom of a container in which frozen foods are stored is a micro such as an aluminum plate. It is disclosed to arrange a wave blocking member. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that a heating element, for example, a thin film of aluminum, which generates heat by microwave irradiation, is arranged in the central portion of the inner surface of the bottom of the container in which the frozen food is stored. Since the containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a special structure, special attention is required during their manufacture and heating in a microwave oven. There is a demand for a technique capable of preventing uneven heating in microwave cooking of frozen foods with a simpler container configuration. Further, each of the containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 has only one storage portion for frozen foods, and is not configured to store a plurality of types of frozen foods so as not to be mixed with each other.

Patent Document 3 discloses a container having a plurality of food storage chambers and capable of individually storing a plurality of types of foods including frozen foods in each storage chamber. The container specifically disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3 includes a container body having six storage chambers having a substantially rectangular upper opening in a top view, and a cover sheet for sealing each upper opening. , These six storage chambers are connected to each other via a flange portion that projects horizontally from the opening edge of the upper opening of each storage chamber. Further, the collar portion is provided with a separation assisting portion extending over the entire length in the lateral direction of the container body, and the separation assisting portion divides the six storage chambers into three storage chamber groups, and the separation is performed. By cutting the container body at the auxiliary portion, a storage chamber group consisting of a set of two storage chambers can be separated from the container body. According to the container described in Patent Document 3 having such a configuration, a plurality of types of frozen foods having different cooking times in a microwave oven can be individually stored in each separable storage chamber group, so that conventionally, the cooking time is conventional. It is said that frozen vegetable foods and frozen meat or fish and shellfish foods, which were difficult to store in one container because they are different, can be stored together in one container. Patent Document 3 does not describe the problem of uneven heating in microwave cooking of frozen foods, and naturally does not describe the means for solving the problem.

JP-A-2002-209564 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-226105 Japanese Patent No. 58077798

An object of the present invention is to prepare a frozen food in a container in which frozen foods are individually stored in a plurality of separably integrated container elements, and even if the frozen foods are collectively cooked by microwaves, heating unevenness is unlikely to occur. Regarding providing.

The present invention is a container-filled frozen food for microwave cooking, comprising a container body including two container elements and a frozen food individually housed in each of the container elements, and the two container elements. Is directed outward in the horizontal direction from the bottom on which the frozen food is placed, the peripheral wall rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom, the upper opening located above the bottom, and the opening edge of the upper opening, respectively. The top opening is sealed by a lid, and the two container elements are separated via the flange located between the top openings. It is possibly integrated and formed symmetrically with the flange portion in between, and the peripheral wall of the container element is gradually formed as the length of the horizontal cross section of the container element extends from the bottom portion to the upper opening. Frozen food in a container that is tilted with respect to the vertical direction so as to increase.

The containerized frozen food of the present invention has a configuration in which the frozen food is individually stored in a plurality of separably integrated container elements, and even if the frozen food is collectively microwave-cooked, the frozen food It is easy to handle because uneven heating is unlikely to occur. According to the frozen food in a container of the present invention, two types of frozen foods of the same type but different seasonings, specifically, two types of pasta dishes having different sauces are integrally handled. It is possible to enjoy two flavors with one meal.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a frozen food in a container of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the frozen food in a container shown in FIG. 1 is separated into each container element. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the upper surface of the container body in the container-filled frozen food shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an I-I line cross section of FIG. 3, that is, a cross section along the lateral direction of the container element. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II-II of FIG. 3, that is, a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the container element. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing another embodiment of the frozen food in a container of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the upper surface side of the container body in the container-filled frozen food shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line III-III of FIG. 7, that is, a cross section along the lateral direction of the container element.

Hereinafter, the frozen food in a container of the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container-containing frozen food 1 of the present embodiment includes a container body 2 including two container elements 20 and 20 and a frozen food 3 individually housed in each container element 20. To be equipped with.

The container body 2 is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The two container elements 20 and 20 constituting the container body 2 are located above the bottom portion 21 on which the frozen food 3 is placed, the peripheral wall 22 rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 21, and the bottom portion 21, respectively. It has an upper opening 23 and a flange portion 24 extending outward in the horizontal direction from the opening edge portion of the upper opening 23. In the present embodiment, for the purpose of improving the strength of the container element 20, the peripheral wall 22 is provided with irregularities, and the corners of the flange portion 24 are provided with steps. The frozen food 3 is housed in the internal space of the container element 20 defined by the bottom 21 and the peripheral wall 22 through the upper opening 23, and is taken out from the internal space through the upper opening 23.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper opening 23 of each container element 20 is sealed by the lid 4. The lid 4 is removably moored to the flange portion 24. In the present embodiment, the same number as the plurality of upper openings 23, that is, the two lids 4 individually seal the plurality of upper openings 23, and the plurality of upper openings 23 and the plurality of lids 4 are one. There is a one-to-one correspondence. The lid 4 may be any as long as it can prevent the moisture of the contents from leaking to the outside, and is not particularly limited. For example, a resin film such as a wrapping wrap or a resin plate such as a fitting lid is used. Shaped members can be mentioned. The lid 4 in the present embodiment is a transparent resin film, and is detachably bonded or bonded to the flange portion 24 with an adhesive. The flange portion 24 surrounds the upper opening 23 of each container element 20 in the top view of the container body 2 as shown in FIG. The flange portion 24 functions as a mooring portion of the lid 4 that closes the upper opening 23, and also functions as a handle when the container element 20 is gripped by fingers. The width W1 of the flange portion 24 (see FIG. 3) is not particularly limited, but is usually about 8 mm to 20 mm.

The two container elements 20, 20 are separably integrated via a flange portion 24 located between their upper openings 23, 23, and are individually separated as required as shown in FIG. can do. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the flange portion 24 (hereinafter, the flange portion 24 is also referred to as the “central flange portion 24C”) located between the two container elements 20 and 20 has a flange portion 24 as compared with the peripheral portion. It viewed straight dissecting portion 25 which strength is readily broken by hand low, middle and upper opening width direction of the central flange portion 24C (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of central flange portion 24C) The central flange portion 24C extends along the entire length of the central flange portion 24C, and by cutting the container body 2 at the cutting portion 25, as shown in FIG. 2, two individually independent container elements 20, 20 Can be. The cut-off portion 25 can be formed, for example, by perforation processing that intermittently cuts the forming material of the flange portion 24.

Further, the two container elements 20 and 20 are formed symmetrically with the central flange portion 24C located between the upper openings 23 and 23 thereof interposed therebetween. That is, the two container elements 20 and 20 have the same shape and the dimensions of each part. The term "symmetrically formed" as used herein includes not only a form in which two container elements 20 and 20 having the same shape and dimensions of each part are formed symmetrically with the central flange portion 24C in between. Although the shape and / or the dimensions of each part are different from each other when observed closely, when a person skilled in the art observes the appearance of the two container elements 20 and 20, they are symmetrical with the central flange portion 24C in between. A form that can be judged to be formed without discomfort is included. The latter form is typically caused by so-called manufacturing errors, where the shapes and / or dimensions of the two container elements 20, 20 may unintentionally differ from each other.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper opening 23 of each container element 20 has a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction X and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X in a plan view. Further, in the present embodiment, not only the upper opening 23 but also the bottom portion 21 has a rectangular shape in a plan view similar to the upper opening 23, and the peripheral wall 22 rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 21 is the bottom portion 21 (upper opening 23). It is configured to include a pair extending in the longitudinal direction X and another pair extending in the lateral direction Y.

Further, in the present embodiment, the central flange portion 24C located between the two container elements 20 and 20 and connecting the two, that is, the symmetrically formed two container elements 20 and 20 is symmetrical. The central flange portion 24C forming the axis extends along the long side of the upper opening 23 having a rectangular shape in a plan view. That is, the two container elements 20 and 20 are integrated so that their long sides in a plan view are close to each other in parallel, that is, they are connected in series in the lateral direction Y of the container element 20. ..

One of the main features of the containerized frozen food 1 of the present embodiment is the above-mentioned configuration, that is, "a configuration in which two container elements 20 and 20 individually containing the frozen food 3 are linearly integrated. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peripheral wall 22 of each container element 20 gradually increases in the length of the horizontal cross section of the container element 20 from the bottom 21 toward the upper opening 23. As described above, a point that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z can be mentioned.

In the present embodiment, the peripheral wall 22 is upward from the bottom 21 and outward of the container element 20 in a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction Z (depth direction of the container element 20) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It has an extending straight line, and the angle (inclination angle) θ formed by the peripheral wall 22 with the vertical direction Z is uniform in each part of the peripheral wall 22. Both the bottom portion 21 and the top opening 23 have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and they are in a similar relationship. That is, each of the two container elements 20 and 20 has an inverted quadrangular pyramid shape in which the length of the transfer gradually increases from the bottom portion 21 toward the upper opening 23, except for the flange portion 24. ..

In this way, since the peripheral wall 22 of each container element 20 is an inclined wall that inclines outward from the container element 20, the two container elements 20 and 20 individually contain the frozen food 3 in a state. Even if these are cooked at the same time with a microwave cooker such as a microwave oven, uneven heating of the frozen food 3 is unlikely to occur, and the two frozen foods 3 and 3 can be heated just right at the same time. Can cook food. If the peripheral wall 22 of the container element 20 is not such an inclined wall but a vertical wall parallel to the vertical direction Z, and the two container elements 20 and 20 are simultaneously heated in a microwave oven, it will be described later. As shown in Comparative Example 1, uneven heating of the frozen food 3 cannot be prevented, and uneven thawing may occur.

From the viewpoint of more surely exerting such an action effect, the inclination angle θ (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the peripheral wall 22 is preferably 5 to 25 degrees, more preferably 7 to 20 degrees. If the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall 22 is too small, uneven heating and uneven thawing are likely to occur in the frozen food 3 in the container element 20 in microwave cooking, and a problem may occur in terms of handleability of the container body 2. The problem of handleability is that, for example, when the container body 2 is manufactured or distributed, a plurality of empty container bodies 2 containing no contents are used, and the bottom 21 of the container element 20 of one container body is the other one. When the container elements 20 of the container body 2 are stacked so as to be inserted into the upper opening 23 of the container body 2, if the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall 22 of the container elements 20 constituting each container body 2 is too small, the stacked plurality of them. It becomes difficult to separate the container main body 2 of the above. Another problem caused by the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall 22 being too small is that, in particular, as a method for manufacturing the container body 2, one resin sheet having a uniform thickness is heated and softened to form a predetermined shape. When the press molding method or the like is adopted, the thickness of the sheet becomes thin, so that there is a problem that the impact resistance of the container body 2 becomes weak. On the other hand, if the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall 22 is too large, the depth D (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of each container element 20 becomes shallow, and each container becomes shallow, especially when the container body 2 is manufactured by a press molding method or the like. Since the element 20 has a shallow tray shape, the amount of food filled in the container element 20 is reduced, and the food filled in the container element 20 may easily leak from the container element 20.

From the viewpoint of more reliably preventing uneven heating and uneven thawing of the frozen food 3 in each container element 20, the ratio of the lengths of the long side and the short side of the rectangular upper opening 23 in a plan view is set to L1: L2. (See FIG. 3), preferably 1: 0.6 to 0.95, more preferably 1: 0.7 to 0.9. From the same viewpoint, the ratio of the length L1 of the long side of the upper opening 23 having a rectangular shape in a plan view to the depth D of the container element 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is preferably 1 as L1: D. : 0.2 to 0.4, more preferably 1: 0.25 to 0.35.

The length L1 of the long side of the upper opening 23 is preferably 6 cm or more, more preferably 8 cm or more, and preferably 25 cm or less, still more preferably 22 cm or less.
The length L2 of the short side of the upper opening 23 is preferably 5 cm or more, more preferably 7 cm or more, and preferably 15 cm or less, still more preferably 12 cm or less.
The depth (maximum depth when the depth is not constant) D of the container element 20 is preferably 2 cm or more, more preferably 2.5 cm or more, and preferably 7 cm or less, still more preferably 6 cm or less.

From the same viewpoint, the maximum delivery length L3 (see FIG. 3) of the container body 2 is preferably 10 cm or more, more preferably 14 cm or more, and preferably 30 cm or less, still more preferably 25 cm or less.
The minimum delivery length L4 (see FIG. 3) of the container body 2 is preferably 8 cm or more, more preferably 10 cm or more, and preferably 30 cm or less, still more preferably 25 cm or less.
The maximum delivery length L3 is the delivery length of the portion of the container body 2 having the longest delivery length, and corresponds to the total length of the container element 20 in the same direction as the lateral direction Y in the present embodiment. Further, the minimum delivery length L4 is the delivery length of the portion of the container body 2 having the shortest delivery length, and corresponds to the total length in the same direction as the longitudinal direction X of the container element 20 in the present embodiment.
If the delivery length of the container body 2 is too large, the volume of the container element 20 becomes too large. Therefore, particularly when the container body 2 is integrally microwave-cooked without being separated into individual container elements 20. There is a risk of uneven heating and uneven thawing of the frozen food 3 in the container element 20, and if the delivery length of the container body 2 is too short, the volume of the container element 20 becomes too small. There is a possibility that the time difference required for thawing in the microwave cooking of the frozen food 3 becomes large between one of the two container elements 20 and 20 and the other.

Further, according to the findings of the present inventors, the center 2C in the plan view of the container body 2 (see FIG. 3) and the center 20C in the plan view of each container element 20 constituting the container body 2 (see FIG. 3). If the separation distance L5 from is not within an appropriate range, uneven heating of the frozen food 3 tends to occur when the two container elements 20 and 20 are simultaneously microwave-cooked. In this respect, as described above in the present embodiment, the two container elements 20 and 20 having a rectangular shape in a plan view are connected in series in the lateral direction Y, and these container elements 20 and 20 are connected in the longitudinal direction X. Since the separation distance L5 is shortened and is in an appropriate range as compared with the configuration connected in series with the above, uneven heating is less likely to occur as compared with such a configuration. The separation distance L5 is preferably 3 cm to 12 cm, more preferably 4 cm to 10 cm. Further, from the viewpoint of setting the separation distance L5 to an appropriate length, the width W2 (see FIG. 3) of the central flange portion 24C located between the two container elements 20 and 20 and connecting the two is preferable. It is 5 mm to 40 mm, more preferably 8 mm to 30 mm.

Further, from the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing uneven heating and thawing of the frozen food 3 by setting the amount of the frozen food 3 in each container element 20 as an appropriate range, the long side of the upper opening 23 in each container element 20. The ratio of the length L1 (see FIG. 3) and the separation distance L5 (see FIG. 3) is preferably in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 as L1 / L5. From the same viewpoint, the ratio of the length L2 of the short side of the upper opening 23 to the separation distance L5 in each container element 20 is preferably in the range of 1 to 2 as L2 / L5. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner surface of the bottom portion 21 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 22 of each container element 20 are formed by a smooth curved line that is convex toward the outside of the container element 20. Where they are connected, according to the findings of the present inventors, there are 1) two such configurations as compared to the form in which both inner surfaces are not connected by a smooth curve but are connected by a sharp angle. When the container elements 20 and 20 of the above are simultaneously microwave-cooked, uneven heating of the frozen food 3 is less likely to occur, 2) the impact resistance of the frozen food 3 is improved, and 3) the container body 2 slips on the production line of the container body 2. It becomes difficult. From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting such an action effect, it is preferable that the inner surface of the bottom portion 21 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 22 and the connecting portion have a curve with a radius of 0.5 cm to 20 cm, particularly 1 cm to 15 cm.

The material for forming the container body 2 (container element 20) may be any material that has microwave permeability and has heat resistance and water resistance that can withstand the microwave heating of frozen food 3, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. , Crystallized polyethylene terephthalate, heat-resistant plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene, heat-resistant and water-resistant coated paper, and composite materials thereof.

Further, the container body 2 (container element 20) can be manufactured according to a conventional method. For example, an injection molding method in which a material melted by heating is injected into a mold and cooled and solidified to form a predetermined shape is also possible. It is good, but from the viewpoint of preventing the reduction of microwaves during microwave cooking, improving the thawing efficiency, etc., the sheet-shaped forming material having a uniform thickness is heated and softened, and is adhered to a mold to be formed into a predetermined shape. The method is preferable, and specific examples thereof include a press molding method, a vacuum molding method, and a pressure molding method.

The frozen food 3 may be of any type as long as it can be cooked in a microwave oven as represented by microwave oven heating, and for example, noodles, rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, fruits, soups, and various side dishes ( Gyoza, hamburger, etc.). As a specific example of frozen food 3, rice such as curry rice, beef bowl, doria, Tianjin rice, rice porridge, miscellaneous dishes, risotto (rice with ingredients); noodles with sauce such as spaghetti, ingredients and sauce such as yakisoba Noodles such as mixed noodles; soups and sauces such as stew, sauce with ingredients, soup with ingredients, potage with ingredients; gratin, lasania. The state of the frozen food 3 before freezing is not particularly limited, and for example, a heated state, a cooked state, a semi-heated state, a semi-cooked state, an unheated state, an uncooked state, a seasoned state, and a seasoned state. It may be a state in which a plurality of the foodstuffs in these various states are mixed.

The type and / or composition of the frozen food 3 may be the same or different between the one contained in one of the two container elements 20 and 20 and the one contained in the other. In the present embodiment, the total of two frozen foods 3 and 3 individually contained in each container element 20 are not the same food. That is, both frozen foods 3 and 3 are the same type of food (spaghetti), but the types of sauces on the noodles are different from each other.

Even if the two frozen foods 3 and 3 in the container body 2 are different in type and / or composition to some extent, they are collectively microwave-cooked at one time due to the configuration of the container body 2 (container element 20) described above. Even in this case, uneven heating and uneven thawing can be effectively prevented. Examples of the combination of the two frozen foods 3 and 3 in the container body 2 include combinations of the same type of food but different seasonings. The term "food of the same type" as used herein means foods having a common category such as noodles and cooked rice. The combination of the two frozen foods 3 and 3 can be, for example, two types of spaghetti in which the sauces on the noodles are different from each other. In this case, by reducing the amount of spaghetti, which is the frozen food 3 contained in each container element 20, to half the amount for one serving, it is possible to enjoy two flavors with one meal. Food is obtained.

From the viewpoint of more reliably preventing uneven heating and uneven thawing of the frozen food 3 due to microwave cooking, the mass of the frozen food 3 contained in each of the two container elements 20 and 20 is preferably 110 to 300 g. It is more preferably 120 to 260 g, and more preferably 150 to 220 g. By setting the mass of the frozen food 3 in each container element 20 within such a range, uneven heating and uneven thawing of the frozen food 3 can be effectively caused in combination with the above-mentioned configuration of the container body 2 (container element 20). This is prevented and the heating temperature difference for each container element 20 is reduced. In particular, when the mass of the frozen food 3 in each container element 20 is within the above range, and the mass difference ratio of the frozen food 3 between one container element 20 and the other container element 20 is within 15% by mass. , More preferred. The mass difference ratio of this frozen food is calculated by the following formula. In the following formula, P1 is the weight (g) of the frozen food having a relatively large mass, and P2 is the mass (g) of the frozen food having a relatively small mass.
Weight difference ratio (mass%) of frozen food = {(P1-P2) / P1} × 100

In the container-containing frozen food 1 of the present embodiment, the food in the state before freezing is stored in each container element 20 of the container body 2, the upper opening 23 is sealed with the lid 4, and then the container body 2 is frozen. Can be manufactured by Such a freezing method may be quick freezing or slow freezing, but quick freezing is more preferable from the viewpoint of resistance to aging after thawing and quality maintenance.

The frozen food 1 in a container of the present embodiment can be stored frozen for a long period of time as it is, but it is preferable to package it because it can prevent contamination during the frozen storage. Known means such as sealed packaging, packaging bags, and packaging boxes can be applied to the packaging of the frozen food 1 in a container, but the packaging means that can be sealed is particularly from the frozen food 3 even during long-term storage. It is preferable from the viewpoint of maintaining quality because it can suppress the evaporation of water. The packaging of the frozen food 1 in a container can be carried out at any timing before and after the freezing treatment of the container body 2, that is, the freezing treatment for obtaining the frozen food 3.

The container-containing frozen food 1 of the present embodiment becomes edible by being cooked by a microwave cooker such as a microwave oven as it is, that is, in a state of being contained in the container element 20. When the frozen food 1 in a container is microwave-cooked, it can be microwave-cooked while maintaining the shape of the container body 2 without being separated into the individual container elements 20 and 20, or the cut-off portion 25 is used. It is also possible to separate the individual container elements 20 and 20 and then microwave cook them together. Either method can cook two kinds of foods at the same time by one microwave cooking, and is excellent in handleability.

Hereinafter, the frozen food 1A in a container, which is another embodiment of the frozen food in a container of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Regarding other embodiments described later, components different from the above-mentioned frozen food in a container 1 will be mainly described, and similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The description of the frozen food 1 in a container is appropriately applied to the components not particularly described.

In the containerized frozen food 1A shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the central flange portion 24C, which is a portion of the flange portion 24 located between the two container elements 20 and 20, is larger than the other portions of the flange portion 24. It is located near the bottom 21. More specifically, in the container body 2A constituting the frozen food 1A, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the position of the flange portion 24 in the vertical direction Z (the depth direction of the container element 20), that is, from the bottom portion 21. and the height H (see FIG. 8) is partially different, more specifically, the longitudinal center portion (portion excluding the both end portions of the longitudinal direction) of the central flange portion 24C, the other flange portion 24 The height H from the bottom 21 is lower than that of the portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 4 in the frozen food 1A is a single object having a size capable of covering the entire upper portion of the container body 2A, and the single lid 4 has a central flange. The portion 24C is moored to another portion of the flange portion 24 having a relatively high height H without contacting the portion having a relatively low height H. With the above configuration, a space 26 (gap) is formed between the portion of the central flange portion 24C having a relatively low height H and the lid body 4. This space 26 has a volume capable of accommodating frozen foods, and FIG. 6 shows that a part (noodles) of the constituent elements (noodles) of the frozen foods 3 is accommodated in the space 26. In the frozen food 1A shown in FIG. 6, the frozen food 3 contained in the two container elements 20 and 20 is a spaghetti having noodles, and the spaghetti is a component common to both the frozen foods 3 and 3. Noodles are continuously arranged from one container element 20 across the space 26 over the other container element 20.

In this way, the height H of the central flange portion 24C is lower than that of the other portions of the flange portion 24, so that the container body 2A accommodates frozen foods separately from the upper position of the bottom portion 21 of each container element 20. Since the possible space 26 is additionally provided, it becomes easy to meet the demand for a large size. However, on the other hand, as a result of increasing the integrity of the frozen food individually contained in each container element 20, there is a concern that uneven heating and uneven thawing are likely to occur in the frozen food. From the viewpoint of dispelling such concerns, the height H of the central flange portion 24C having a relatively low height H is 10% of the depth D of the container element 20 (height H of the portion having the highest height H). The height is preferably equivalent to the above, and from the viewpoint of further improving the thawability, the depth D is preferably 30% or more, particularly 50% or more.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the plan-view shape of the container element 20 or the upper opening 23 thereof is not limited to the rectangular shape as in the above embodiment, and may be a triangle, a square, a polygon of a pentagon or more, a circle, an ellipse, or the like. However, the plan view shape of the container element 20 or the upper opening 23 thereof has a long side (long axis) and a short side (short axis) such as a rectangle or an ellipse rather than an isotropic shape such as a square. Anisotropic shape having is preferable. All the parts of only one embodiment described above can be mutually used as appropriate.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In addition, Examples 2, 6, 7, and 11 are reference examples.

[Example 1]
A polypropylene sheet having a uniform thickness of 0.5 mm was molded to produce a container body having the same shape as the container body 2 described above. In addition, after boiling commercially available dried spaghetti (manufactured by Nisshin Foods) to a yield of 230%, the noodles were cooled by exposing them to cold water, and the water was drained well to obtain boiled noodles. Each of the two container elements of the manufactured container body is filled with a predetermined amount of boiled noodles, and a predetermined amount of commercially available carbonara sauce (manufactured by Nisshin Foods) is placed on the upper part of each boiled noodle mass, and then each upper opening is opened. Was sealed with a resin film, and then the entire container body was rapidly frozen at −35 ° C. to obtain the desired frozen food (frozen spaghetti) in a container. The dimensions and the like of each part of the container body of Example 1 are as follows.
・ Length of the long side of the upper opening L1: 12 cm
・ The length of the short side of the upper opening L2: 9 cm
・ Maximum delivery length of container body L3: 22 cm
・ Minimum delivery length of container body L4: 14 cm
-Distance between the center in the plan view of the container body and the center in the plan view of the container element L5: 5.5 cm
・ Width of the central flange W2: 20 mm
・ Depth of container element D: 3 cm
・ Inclination angle of the peripheral wall θ: 10 degrees

[Comparative Example 1]
Frozen food (frozen spaghetti) in a container was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall of the container element was 0 degree, that is, the peripheral wall was a vertical wall.

[Examples 2 to 11]
Frozen food (frozen spaghetti) in a container was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the dimensions (L1, L2) of the upper opening of the container element and the depth D of the container element were appropriately changed.

[Examples 12 to 18]
Frozen food (frozen spaghetti) in a container was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall of the container element was appropriately changed.

[Examples 19 to 33]
A container-filled frozen food (frozen spaghetti) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass of the frozen food contained in each container element was appropriately changed.

[Test example]
The frozen foods in the containers of each Example and Comparative Example were sealed in a polyethylene bag and stored in a freezer for 1 week, and then cooked in a microwave oven at an output of 500 W for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. When cooking frozen food in a container in a microwave oven, the container body is cut at the separation part to separate it into two container elements, and the two container elements are arranged side by side in the microwave oven. Cooked in. We asked 10 panelists to sample the spaghetti after heating in the microwave, and evaluated the degree of thawing of the spaghetti according to the following evaluation criteria. The results (average value of evaluation points of 10 persons) are shown in Tables 1 to 4 below.

<Evaluation criteria for the degree of defrosting>
5 points: There is no uneven thawing and no difference in heating for each container element, and the whole is well heated, which is extremely good.
4 points: Although there is slight difference in heating due to uneven thawing or container elements, it is good as a whole because it is heated.
3 points: There is uneven thawing or a difference in heating for each container element, and even if it is stirred, there is a slight lack of heating as a whole, and it is slightly defective.
2 points: There is uneven thawing or a difference in heating for each container element, and even if it is stirred, the heating is insufficient as a whole, which is defective.
1 point: Uneven thawing or a large difference in heating for each container element, and there are some parts that are frozen and cannot be agitated, which is extremely poor.

As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, the peripheral wall of the container element is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the length of the horizontal cross section of the container element gradually increases from the bottom to the top opening. Compared to Comparative Example 1 in which the peripheral wall is not so inclined and is a vertical wall, the food (spaghetti) has less uneven thawing and is uniform in microwave cooking of frozen foods. The result was excellent in heatability.

In each of the examples shown in Table 2, the dimensions (L1, L2) of the upper opening of the container element and the depth D of the container element are different from each other. From the comparison between Examples 2 to 6, it can be seen that the ratio (L1: L2) of the long side length L1 and the short side L2 of the upper opening is preferably about 1: 0.6 to 0.9. Further, from the comparison between Examples 7 to 11, the ratio (L1: D) of the long side length L1 of the upper opening to the depth D of the container element is about 1: 0.2 to 0.4. It turns out to be preferable.

In each of the examples shown in Table 3, the inclination angles θ of the peripheral walls of the container elements are different from each other. From the comparison between Examples 12 to 18, it can be seen that the inclination angle θ of the peripheral wall is preferably about 5 to 25 degrees.

In each of the examples shown in Table 4, the masses of the frozen foods contained in the container elements of the container body are different from each other. Focusing on the mass difference ratio of the frozen food, Examples 29 to 31 in which this was more than 0% by mass and within 15% by mass were better results than the other Examples. From this, it can be seen that from the viewpoint of obtaining uniform heating property in microwave cooking of frozen foods, it is preferable that the frozen foods have a mass difference ratio, and the mass difference ratio is preferably 15% by mass or less.
Further, comparing Examples 19 to 25 in which the masses of the frozen foods in the two container elements are the same as each other, Example 19 in which the mass of the frozen foods contained in one container element is the smallest is microwave-heated. In addition, the inconvenience that an overheated portion such as charring was observed in the food (spaghetti) obtained by the above, and the result in Example 25 having the highest mass was inferior to that in other examples in terms of the degree of thawing. From this, it can be seen that at least when the frozen food is spaghetti, the mass of the frozen food contained in one container element is preferably 110 to 300 g, which is in the range of Examples 20 to 24.

Claims (4)

Frozen food in a container for microwave cooking
It comprises a container body containing two container elements and a frozen food individually contained in each of the container elements.
The two container elements are, respectively, from the bottom on which the frozen food is placed, the peripheral wall rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom, the upper opening located above the bottom, and the opening edge of the upper opening. It has a flange portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction, and the upper opening is sealed by a lid.
The two container elements are separably integrated via the flange portion located between the upper openings thereof, and are formed symmetrically with the flange portion interposed therebetween.
The peripheral wall of the container element is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the length of the horizontal cross section of the container element gradually increases from the bottom toward the top opening .
The upper opening has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the ratio of the length of the long side to the short side of the upper opening is the length of the long side: the length of the short side = 1: 0.6 to 0.95. The ratio of the length of the long side of the upper opening to the depth of the container element is in the range of long side length: depth = 1: 0.2 to 0.4. Food. The frozen food in a container according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the peripheral wall and the vertical direction is 5 to 25 degrees. The frozen food in a container according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein 110 to 300 g of the frozen food is contained in each of the two container elements. The portion of the flange portion located between the two container elements is closer to the bottom portion than the other portion of the flange portion, and the frozen food can be accommodated between the portion and the lid body. The frozen food in a container according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which a space is provided.

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