JP7470326B2 - Egg packaging container - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applied. Sold to Sun Egg Co., Ltd. on February 4, 2021.

This invention relates to improvements to egg packaging containers, specifically designed to be able to stably store the same number of large eggs while still having the same small size (external dimensions) as small egg packaging containers.

Eggs are generally categorized into four sizes: LL (2L), L, M, and MS. Therefore, four different sizes of clear plastic packaging containers are used to store eggs, depending on the size of the eggs.

In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an egg packaging container that can accommodate all four of the above sizes, which not only eliminates the need to stock four different types of containers for each size, but also provides the advantage of achieving mass production efficiency by requiring only one type of cardboard box and molding die for packaging.

Patent No. 3205907

However, in the egg packaging container disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, [Claim 1] of the [Claims] and especially paragraph [0007] state that "the egg-containing recess (11) of the container body (1) is set to a size such that its side wall portion (11a) can contain approximately the lower half of a large-sized egg (ELL), and is formed of a curved surface portion (11b) with a narrowed bottom that can approximately fit the curved surface of the lower part of the egg, which continues from the side wall portion (11a), and a bottom surface portion (11c) that continues from the curved surface portion (11b) in order to accommodate a small-sized egg (EMS)." As is clear from the description, the egg-containing recess (11) has a side wall portion (11a) with a size that can contain the maximum-sized (LL) egg (E), and therefore the size (external dimensions) of the egg packaging container (product) is maximum. In other words, "big can be small," and small cannot be large.

As a result, more plastic sheet material is used to form the container, which not only increases costs but also requires the use of special large cardboard boxes for packaging. In other words, a large egg packaging container for storing the largest size (LL) eggs (E) cannot be neatly and conveniently packed into a small cardboard box together with smaller egg packaging containers for storing smaller sizes (L, M, MS) of eggs (E).

In addition, if the four types of eggs (E), which have three different sizes from the largest size (LL) to the smallest size (MS), were stored in a random, mixed state in order to be sold as a fixed weight, the appearance would be very poor due to the lack of uniformity, and there is a risk that the eggs would give the impression of low quality or cause a sense of discomfort to the buyer.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, if only the smallest size (MS) eggs (E) are stored, the eggs (E) will sink completely, and the partition function between adjacent eggs on the lid (2) side will no longer work, and they may shake and come into contact and break. In addition, a large space (dead space) will be generated above the eggs (E), which will cause the containers to deform and tilt when stacked, making it difficult to maintain a stable stacked state.

The present invention aims to improve these problems, and to achieve this aim, in claim 1, a pair of a container body and a lid body, each of which is formed from a transparent plastic sheet material into a substantially rectangular planar contour shape of the same size, are pivotally connected so that they can be opened and closed freely by opening and closing hinges interposed at the boundary between the adjacent long edge flanges, so that the long edge flanges and the short edge flanges come into contact in a palm-to-palm state,

An egg packaging container in which multiple egg storage recesses, each of which is roughly truncated cone-shaped or truncated octagonal pyramid-shaped and recessed downward from the joint plane, are enclosed within the long edge flange and short edge flange of the container body, and are partitioned into two rows in a lattice shape by partition lattice walls that are orthogonal vertically and horizontally so that adjacent eggs do not come into contact with each other,

The egg packaging container is a large-sized egg packaging container in which the egg storage recess of the container body is large enough to store large eggs,

For the four pairs of large egg storage recesses that are adjacent to the short edge edge flange of the container body, the angle at which the inclined upright wall surface of the truncated cone or truncated octagonal pyramid crosses an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body is set to an upright state with a steeper angle than that of the four corresponding small egg storage recesses for storing small eggs in the small egg packaging container.

The size of the container body of the large-sized egg packaging container is kept small, the same as that of the small-sized egg packaging container.

In addition, in claim 2, the inclined vertical wall surface of the egg storage recess, which is in the shape of a truncated cone or a regular octagonal pyramid, is a steeply inclined vertical wall surface whose upper base end side from the middle part that is depressed downward intersects with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body at a small angle,

The lower end of the halfway section is shaped in a bent state so that it forms a gently sloping vertical wall with a large angle where it intersects with the virtual vertical plane.

A plurality of reinforcing ribs are arranged in a row in a vertical direction on the gently inclined vertical wall surface at the lower tip side of the inclined vertical wall surface, so as to protrude inward.

Similarly, the steeply inclined vertical wall surface on the upper base end side is characterized in that a plurality of reinforcing ribs are arranged in a row along the vertical direction so as to protrude outward .

In claim 3 , the angle at which the steeply inclined upright wall surface at the upper base end of the inclined upright wall surface of the egg storage recess intersects with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body is set to an angle smaller than that of the total of four corresponding small egg storage recesses in the small-sized egg packaging container.

In claim 4, the angle at which the inclined vertical wall surface or the steeply inclined vertical wall surface of the egg storage recess intersects with a virtual vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body is set to 5 to 6 degrees, which corresponds to approximately half of the angle of the four corresponding small egg storage recesses in the small-sized egg packaging container .

Furthermore, claim 5 is characterized in that the difference in size between the large egg storage recess of the container body of the large-sized egg packaging container and the small egg storage recess of the container body of the small-sized egg packaging container is set to one step difference between the large LL size and the small L size of eggs, or one step difference between the large L size and the small M size of eggs.

According to the configurations of claims 1 and 3 , it is possible to reliably solve all of the problems associated with the egg packaging containers described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

That is, although the egg packaging container of the present invention is a large-sized egg packaging container, and the egg storage recess of the container body is sized to store large-sized eggs, the size (outer dimensions) of the container body itself remains small, the same as the container body of a small-sized egg packaging container, so that the small can be packed accurately and stably together with a small-sized egg packaging container that stores smaller-sized eggs (e.g., L size) in a small cardboard box that is used to pack the small-sized egg packaging container, thereby obtaining advantages such as reduced manufacturing and transportation costs and convenience for the large-sized egg packaging container.

Moreover, the multiple egg storage recesses partitioned and formed in the container body of the large-sized egg packaging container are literally sized to accommodate large-sized eggs, and large-sized eggs (such as the LL size exemplified above) are stored inside, so there is no risk of egg purchasers feeling uncomfortable or getting the impression that the eggs are of low quality due to the unevenness of the sizes being visible through the container, or of the eggs cracking due to shaking when stored unevenly or collapsing when stacked unstably.

In addition, if the configuration of claim 2 is adopted, the outward-protruding reinforcing ribs arranged in a row on the steeply sloping upright wall of the egg storage recess allow large-sized eggs (the LL size example given above) to be smoothly and effortlessly received into the storage recess and effectively cushion the egg against external impacts. In addition, the inward-protruding reinforcing ribs arranged in a row on the gently sloping upright wall allow the egg to be directly and stably received and supported as it floats up from the bottom of the storage recess.

In particular, if the configuration of claim 4 is adopted, when the container body of a large-sized egg packaging container is formed to the same small size (outer dimensions) as the container body of a small-sized egg packaging container, it is possible to reliably prevent the thickness of the inclined vertical wall surface or the steeply inclined vertical wall surface in the large egg storage recess of the container body from becoming too thin when molded from the plastic sheet material, which could result in a decrease in strength, and this has the effect of enabling stable molding.

Furthermore, if the configuration of claim 5 is adopted, the above effects of claims 1 and 3 can be further improved, and the configuration has excellent practicality.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a developed state of a large-sized egg packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a portion A in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a portion B in FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the closed (lidded) state of the above-mentioned large-sized egg packaging container. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the unfolded state of a small-sized egg packaging container serving as a comparative example of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion C in FIG. 8 . FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion II of FIG. 9 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the closed (lidded) state of the small-sized egg packaging container.

Figures 1 to 6 show an egg packaging container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a large-sized egg packaging container (A) having a container body (10a) with multiple large egg storage recesses (G) for storing large-sized (LL) eggs (E).

In contrast, Figures 7 to 12 show a small-sized egg packaging container (B) that is a comparative example to the above embodiment, and the container body (10b) has the same multiple small egg storage recesses (g) for storing small-sized (L) eggs (E).

Therefore, we will first describe in detail the common components of the large-sized egg packaging container (A) and the small-sized egg packaging container (B) that perform substantially the same functions. To facilitate reference to the corresponding relationship, the common components are marked on the large-sized egg packaging container (A) side with a number accompanied by the letter "a," and on the other side, the small-sized egg packaging container (B) side with the same number accompanied by the letter "b."

In Figures 1 to 12, which show the large-sized egg packaging container (A) and the small-sized egg packaging container (B), the pair of container body (10a) (10b) and lid body (11a) (11b) constituting each of the egg packaging containers (A) and (B) are vacuum-formed into a continuous, integral unit with the same size and approximately rectangular planar contour shape from polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, or other thin-walled (e.g., 0.2 to 0.3 mm thick) thermoplastic sheet material. The container body (10a) (10b) and lid body (11a) (11b) have the same size (external dimensions) of length (long side) (Y): 243 mm x width (short side) (X): 106.5 mm in the illustrated example.

(12a) and (12b) are the parallel long edge edge flanges of the container body (10a) and (10b), (13a) and (13b) are the parallel short edge edge flanges of the container body (10a) and (10b), (14a) and (14b) are the parallel long edge edge flanges of the lid body (11a) and (11b), and (15a) and (15b) are the parallel short edge edge flanges of the lid body (11a) and (11b). The adjacent long edge edge flanges (12a) (12b) (14a) and (14b) of the container body (10a) and (10b) and the lid body (11a) and (11b) are pivotally connected to each other via band-shaped opening and closing hinges (16a) and (16b) so as to be freely opened and closed.

When each egg packaging container (A) (B) is closed (covered) in a half-folded state by the opening and closing hinges (16a) (16b), the long edge flanges (12a) (12b) (14a) (14b) of the container body (10a) (10b) and the cover body (11a) (11b) as well as the short edge flanges (13a) (13b) (15a) (15b) of the container body (10a) (10b) and the cover body (11a) (11b) come into contact with each other in a folded state. (O-O) indicates the substantially flat folded surface.

The long edge trimmed flanges (12a) (12b) (14a) (14b) in the folded state are sealed at the free ends facing the opening and closing hinges (16a) (16b) with heat seals, adhesive tape, staples, etc. (not shown).

(17a), (17b), (18a), (18b) are partition lattice walls arranged and installed in a vertically and horizontally orthogonal relationship as shown in Figures 1 and 7 inside a rectangular compartment in plan view surrounded by the long edge flanges (12a) (12b) and short edge flanges (13a) (13b) of the container body (10a) (10b). The vertical partition lattice walls (17a) (17b) and the horizontal partition lattice walls (18a) (18b) form a plurality of egg storage recesses (G) (g) (in the example shown, 5 recesses x 2 rows, totaling 10). (D) (d) indicate the depth of each egg storage recess (G) (g) recessed from the gable plane (O-O), and (P) (p) indicate the equal interval pitch between adjacent egg storage recesses (G) (g).

The egg storage recesses (G) (g) of the container body (10a) (10b) are shaped approximately in the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated regular octagonal pyramid that gradually becomes narrower as it goes downward, as shown in Figures 2 to 5 and 8 to 11. Moreover, the relatively shallow upper base end side from the middle part of the inclined vertical wall surface (19a) (19b) that forms a truncated cone shape or a truncated regular octagonal pyramid shape that sinks downward forms a steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) (19b-u) that intersects with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) (10b) at a relatively small angle (α), while the relatively deep lower tip side remaining from the middle part forms a gently inclined vertical wall surface (19a-d) (19b-d) that intersects with the virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) at a relatively large angle (β), forming a bent state at the middle part (boundary part) (20a) (20b).

In this case, the gently sloping vertical wall surfaces (19a-d) (19b-d) at the lower end of the sloping vertical wall surfaces (19a) (19b) are provided with a number of reinforcing ribs (21a) (21b) extending in the vertical direction along the gently sloping vertical wall surfaces (19a) (19b) so as to protrude inward and come into contact with the egg (E). The height of the inward protrusion is 1 mm in the illustrated example.

(22a) (22b) are multiple (four in the illustrated example) intermediate partition pillars that rise from the orthogonal portion between the vertical partition lattice walls (17a) (17b) and the horizontal partition lattice walls (18a) (18b) in the container body (10a) (10b) relative to the depression of the egg storage recess (G) (g), and are shaped into an approximately truncated regular square pyramid (diamond) or a truncated regular octagonal pyramid that gradually tapers upward, continuing with the steeply inclined vertical wall surfaces (19a-u) (19b-u) of the inclined vertical wall surfaces (19a) (19b) in the egg storage recess (G) (g).

On the other hand, the lids (11a) and (11b) do not have the partition lattice walls (17a) and (17b) and the multiple egg storage recesses (G) and (g) divided thereby as in the container bodies (10a and 10b). Instead, the lids (11a) and (11b) are formed into a simple inverted U-shape facing the container bodies (10a) and (10b) as shown in Figures 3 and 9, with tapered inclined surrounding wall surfaces (23a) and (23b) that rise upward from the long side edge flanges (14a) and (14b) and the short side edge flanges (15a) and (15b) in the opposite direction to the egg storage recesses (G) and (g) of the container bodies (10a) and (10b) and the flat ceiling surfaces (24a) and (24b) supported thereby. The height of the lids (11a) and (11b) protruding from the above-mentioned joint plane (O-O) is always lower (shallower) than the depth (D) (d) of the egg storage recesses (G) (g) in the above-mentioned container body (10a) and (10b), which is 29 mm in the example shown.

(25a) (25b) are the same partition legs that correspond to the intermediate partition columns (22a) (22b) of the container body (10a) (10b), and are recessed from the ceiling surface (24a) (24b) of the lid body (11a) (11b) toward the joint plane (O-O) with the container body (10a) (10b), and are roughly a truncated cone or a truncated octagonal pyramid that gradually becomes narrower as it goes downward.

The insert projections (26a) (26b) protruding from the bottom surface of each partition leg (25a) (25b) and the projection receiving grooves (27a) (27b) recessed into the top surface of each intermediate partition pillar (22a) (22b) described above fit together when each egg packaging container (A) (B) is closed (lidded), thereby keeping adjacent eggs (E) stored in the egg storage recesses (G) (g) from touching each other.

In addition, from the portion where the vertical partition lattice walls (17a) (17b) that define the egg storage recesses (G) (g) intersect at right angles with the long side edge flanges (12a) (12b) of the container body (10a) (10b), multiple long side partition end posts (28a) (28b) (in the illustrated example, four on each side facing each other, for a total of eight) are raised in the same manner as the intermediate partition posts (22a) (22b).

Furthermore, from the portion where the horizontal partition lattice walls (18a) (18b) of the egg storage recess (G) (g) intersect at right angles with the short-side edging flanges (13a) (13b) of the container body (10a) (10b), multiple short-side partition end posts (29a) (29b) (two in total, one facing each other in the illustration) are raised in the same manner as the intermediate partition posts (22a) (22b).

These long-side partition end posts (28a) (28b) and short-side partition end posts (29a) (29b) are shaped to have a planar contour shape that is roughly the thickness of the truncated square pyramid (diamond) or truncated octagonal pyramid intermediate partition posts (22a) (22b) vertically divided into two equal parts, and these also participate in dividing the egg storage recesses (G) (g) of the container body (10a) (10b) into a lattice shape.

Next, we will compare the large-sized egg packaging container (A) in Figures 1 to 6 with the small-sized egg packaging container (B) in Figures 7 to 12, while illustrating specific numerical values such as dimensions and angles, and explain the unique configuration of the large-sized egg packaging container (A) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In both the large-sized egg packaging container (A) and the small-sized egg packaging container (B), the container body (10a) (10b) and the lid body (11a) (11b) are approximately rectangular and of the same size as described above, with the external dimensions of length (long side) (Y): 243 mm × width (short side) (X): 106.5 mm as exemplified above, but the container body (10a) of the large-sized egg packaging container (A) is formed to the same size (external dimensions) as the container body (10b) of the small-sized egg packaging container (B).

As shown in Figures 7 to 12, the container body (10b) of the small-sized egg packaging container (A) has the above-mentioned size (external dimensions) of length (long side) (Y): 243 mm x width (short side) (X): 106.5 mm, and inside it are multiple small egg storage recesses (g) (5 eggs x 2 rows, total of 10 eggs) for storing small-sized (L) eggs (E), which are partitioned in a lattice pattern with a constant equal spacing pitch (p) (46.5 mm). In the illustrated example, the size (opening diameter) of each egg storage recess (g) is 46.5 mm, and the depth (d) is 37 mm.

In this case, as shown enlarged in Figures 10 and 11, not only the angle (α) at which the steeply inclined upright wall surface (19b-u) of the inclined upright wall surface (19b) of the small egg storage recess (g) in the truncated cone shape or truncated octagonal pyramid shape, which are arranged adjacent to the short-side edge flange (13b) of the container body (10b), which is a total of four, intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10b) in only four of them, but also the angle (γ) at which the steeply inclined upright wall surface (19b-u) of all egg storage recesses (g), including the total of four of them, intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hy-Hy) parallel to the long side of the container body (10b), is shaped to be the same relatively large angle of 11 degrees.

As is clear from the enlarged views in Figures 10 and 11, not only the angle (β) at which the gently sloping upright wall surfaces (19b-d) of the inclined upright wall surfaces (19b), particularly the gently sloping upright wall surfaces (19b-d) of the inclined upright wall surfaces (19b-d) of the four small egg storage recesses (g) arranged adjacent to the short edge edge flange (13b) of the container body (10b) intersect with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10b), but also the angle (θ) at which the gently sloping upright wall surfaces (19b-d) of all four egg storage recesses (g) intersect with the imaginary vertical plane (Hy-Hy) parallel to the long side of the container body (10b) are all shaped to be the same larger angle of 28.69 degrees.

In short, the size (outer dimensions) of the container body (10b) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B) is the minimum size necessary to partition a plurality of small egg-storing recesses (g) with a size (opening diameter) (46.5 mm) suitable for small-sized (L) eggs (E) at an equal interval pitch (p) (46.5 mm) inside the enclosure of the container body (10b), and the length (long side) (Y) as described above. The dimensions are: width (short side) (X): 243 mm x width (short side) (X): 106.5 mm, and for that reason, the angle (α) at which the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19b-u) of the inclined vertical wall surface (19b) intersects with an imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10b) and the angle (γ) at which the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19b-u) intersects with an imaginary vertical plane (Hy-Hy) parallel to the long side of the container body (10b) are the same for all egg storage recesses (g).

In this regard, if we were to assume that the same multiple large egg storage recesses (G) with a size (opening diameter) (47.5 mm) suitable for large size (LL) eggs (E) as shown in Figures 1 to 3 were to be formed inside the enclosure of the container body (10a) of the large size egg packaging container (A) based on the same idea as above at an equal interval pitch (P) (47.5 mm), the minimum size required for the container body (10a) would be proportionally larger than that of the container body (10b) of the small size egg packaging container (B), and the long side (length) (Y) of the rectangle would be particularly long, so that the container body (10a) could not be formed to the same small size (external dimensions) as the container body (10b) of the small size egg packaging container (B).

Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 6 corresponding to Figures 7 to 12, the large-sized egg packaging container (A) is configured such that a plurality of large egg storage recesses (G) (5 in two rows, total of 10) having a size (opening diameter) (47.5 mm) suitable for large-sized (LL) eggs (E) are partitioned and formed in a lattice shape with a constant equal spacing pitch (P) (47.5 mm) in the container body (10a), and the plurality of large egg storage recesses Of the (G), for only the four pairs of two adjacent to the short edge trimmed flange (13a) of the container body (10a), as is clear from the enlarged view of Figure 4, the angle (α) at which the steeply inclined upright wall surface (19a-u) at the upper base end side of the inclined upright wall surface (19a) forming a truncated cone shape or truncated regular octagonal pyramid shape intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) is set to 5 to 6 degrees, preferably 5.6 degrees. The depth (D) of each egg storage recess (G) is 38 mm.

In other words, as already explained based on Figures 10 and 11, in the container body (10b) of the small-sized egg packaging container (B), for only two pairs of walls (total of four) arranged in parallel along the short-side edge flange (13b) of the container body (10b) in the small egg storage recess (g), the angle (α) at which the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19b-u) of the inclined vertical wall surface (19b) intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10b) is set to a relatively large angle of 11 degrees. Meanwhile, in the container body (10a) of the large-sized egg packaging container (A), the steeply inclined upright wall surface (19a-u) corresponding to the egg storage recess (G) is raised at an angle (α) of about half the angle at which it intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a), which is 5 to 6 degrees as described above. This ensures that the size (external dimensions) of the container body (10a) is the same small size (external dimensions) as the container body (10b) of the small-sized egg packaging container (B).

If the angle (α) at which the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) of the large egg storage recess (G) intersects with the imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) is set to an angle smaller than 5 degrees to approach a vertical state, the plastic sheet material is excessively stretched during molding and becomes extremely thin, significantly reducing the strength of the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u). On the other hand, if the angle is set to an angle larger than 6 degrees to maintain a gentle inclination, the container body (10a) will be significantly extended in its length direction, and its size (external dimensions) cannot be kept as small as that of the container body (10b) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B). For this reason, it is preferable that the intersection angle (α) is 5.6 degrees as in the illustrated embodiment.

As is clear from the enlarged views of Figures 4 and 5, the angle (γ) at which all of the steeply inclined vertical wall surfaces (19a-u), including the four in total that are arranged in pairs adjacent to the short-side edge flange (13a) of the container body (10a) in the large egg storage recess (G), intersect with an imaginary vertical plane (Hy-Hy) parallel to the long side of the container body (10a), is smaller than the angle (α) (5.6 degrees as previously exemplified) at which they intersect with an imaginary vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a). The larger angle is set to 11 degrees, and the angle (β) at which all of the gently sloping vertical wall surfaces (19a-d), including the total of four, intersect with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) and the angle (θ) at which all intersect with a virtual vertical plane (Hy-Hy) parallel to the long side of the container body (10a) are both set to the same 28.69 degrees, which is the same as the intersecting angles (γ) and (θ) at the corresponding positions of the container body (10b) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B).

On the other hand, the angle at which the tapered inclined surrounding wall surfaces (23a) (23b) of the lids (11a) (11b), which form a simple inverted U-shape overall, intersect with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the lids (11a) (11b) and with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the long side, can be set to the same angle of 14 degrees. This is because the height of the lids (11a) (11b) protruding from the above-mentioned gable plane (O-O) is necessarily lower (shallower) than the depth (D) (d) of the egg-storing recesses (G) (g) in the container body (10a) (10b).

In this case, it is desirable to provide a row of reinforcing ribs (30a) protruding outward by a certain height (1 mm in the illustrated example) along the vertical direction of the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) forming the upper base end side of the inclined vertical wall surface (19a) in the large egg storage recess (G), particularly in the vertical wall surface portion where the cross angle (γ) is 11 degrees, as is clear from Figures 1, 3, and 5, so that a large-sized (LL-sized) egg (E) can be accommodated in the storage recess (G) without difficulty (restriction) and the reinforcing ribs (30a) have a cushioning effect. In the small egg storage recess (g) of the container body (10b) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B), such outwardly protruding reinforcing ribs (30a) are not provided in a row.

In the configuration of the above embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 12, the large egg storage recess (G) of the container body (10a) in the large-sized egg packaging container (A) is for storing large LL (2L) size eggs (E) as shown in Figure 6, and the small egg storage recess (g) of the container body (10b) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B) is for storing small L size eggs (E) as shown in Figure 12, and the container bodies (10a) and (10b) are formed to be the same small size (outer dimensions). As a result, it is the most widely manufactured and commonly used egg. This has the advantage that a relatively small number of LL (2L) size egg packaging containers can be packed together in a cardboard box for packing L size egg packaging containers, reducing manufacturing costs and making transportation more convenient. However, if the difference in size between the egg storage recesses (G) (g) is one size difference in eggs (E), the larger egg storage recess (G) can be used to store larger L size eggs (E) and the smaller egg storage recess (g) can be used to store smaller M size eggs (E).

The number of egg storage recesses (G) (g) can be 10 as in the illustrated embodiment, or 6 to 12, as long as the recesses are partitioned into two rows in a lattice pattern.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the lids (11a) and (11b) of the large-sized egg packaging container (A) and the small-sized egg packaging container (B) are simply inverted U-shaped with multiple partition legs (25a) and (25b) recessed from the flat ceiling surfaces (24a) and (24b), but they are not limited to this shape and configuration. It is also acceptable to use lids (11a) and (11b) in which multiple egg storage recesses (not shown) facing and corresponding to the egg storage recesses (G) and (g) of the container body (10a) and (10b) are partitioned in a lattice pattern.

(10a) (10b)... Container body (11a) (11b)... Lid body (12a) (12b)... Container body long edge flange (13a) (13b)... Container body short edge flange (14a) (14b)... Lid body long edge flange (15a) (15b)... Lid body short edge flange (16a) (16b)... Opening and closing hinge (17a) (17b) (18a) (18b)... Partition lattice wall (19a) (19b)... Inclined vertical wall surface (19a-d) (19b-d)... Gently inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) (19b-u)... Steeply inclined vertical wall surface (20a) (20b)... Midway portion (21a) (21b) (30a)... Reinforcement rib (A)... Large size egg packaging container (B) Small-sized egg packaging container (E) Egg (G) (g) Egg storage recess (Hx-Hx) Imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body (O-O) Gable plane (α) Angle at which the steeply sloping vertical wall intersects with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body (β) Angle at which the gently sloping vertical wall intersects with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the short side of the container body

Claims (5)

A pair of container bodies (10a) (10b) and lid bodies (11a) (11b) are formed from a see-through plastic sheet material into a substantially rectangular planar contour shape of the same size, and are pivotally connected so as to be able to be opened and closed freely by opening and closing hinges (16a) (16b) interposed at the boundaries between adjacent long edge edge flanges (12a) (12b) (14a) (14b), such that the long edge edge flanges (12a) (12b) (14a) (14b) come into contact with each other and the short edge edge flanges (13a) (13b) (15a) (15b) come into contact with each other in a joined state;
An egg packaging container in which a plurality of egg-storing recesses (G) (g), each having a substantially truncated cone shape or a truncated octagonal pyramid shape recessed downward from a joint plane (O-O) of the container body (10a) (10b) within the interior surrounded by the long-side edge flanges (12a) (12b) and the short-side edge flanges (13a) (13b), are partitioned into two rows in a lattice shape by partition lattice walls (17a) (17b) (18a) (18b) that are orthogonal in lengthwise and widthwise directions so that adjacent eggs (E) do not come into contact with each other,
The egg packaging container is a large-sized egg packaging container (A) having an egg storage recess (G) of a container body (10a) of a size for storing large-sized eggs (E),
For only the four large egg storage recesses (G), each consisting of two pairs of recesses arranged adjacent to the short-side edge flange (13a) of the container body (10a), the angle (α) at which the truncated cone-shaped or truncated octagonal pyramid-shaped inclined upright wall surface (19a) intersects with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) is set to an upright state at a steeper angle than that of the four small egg storage recesses (g) corresponding thereto for storing small eggs (E) in the small-sized egg packaging container (B),
The egg packaging container is characterized in that the size of the container body (10a) in the large-sized egg packaging container (A) is kept as small as the container body (10b) of the small-sized egg packaging container (B). The inclined vertical wall surface (19a) of the egg storage recess (G) having a truncated cone shape or a truncated regular octagonal pyramid shape is configured such that the upper base end side of the middle portion (20a) which is recessed downward becomes a steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) having a small angle (α) intersecting with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a);
Similarly, the middle portion (20a) is shaped in a bent state so that the lower tip side of the middle portion (20a) becomes a gently inclined vertical wall surface (19a-d) having a large angle (β) intersecting with the virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx),
A plurality of reinforcing ribs (21a) are arranged in a row in an inwardly protruding state along the vertical direction of the gently inclined vertical wall surface (19a-d) at the lower tip side of the inclined vertical wall surface (19a),
2. The egg packaging container according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs (30a) arranged in a row along the vertical direction of the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) on the upper base end side so as to protrude outward . The egg packaging container according to claim 2, characterized in that an angle (α ) at which a steeply inclined upright wall surface (19a-u) on the upper base end side of the inclined upright wall surface (19a) of the egg storage recess (G) intersects with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) is set to a steeper angle smaller than those of a total of four small egg storage recesses (g) correspondingly positioned in the small-sized egg packaging container (B) . The egg packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an angle (α) at which the inclined vertical wall surface (19a) or the steeply inclined vertical wall surface (19a-u) of the egg storage recess (G) intersects with a virtual vertical plane (Hx-Hx) parallel to the short side of the container body (10a) is set to 5 to 6 degrees, which corresponds to approximately half of that of a total of four small egg storage recesses (g) corresponding to the small-sized egg packaging container (B). The egg packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the difference in size between the large egg storage recess (G) of the container body (10a) in the large egg packaging container (A) and the small egg storage recess (g) of the container body (10b) in the small egg packaging container (B) is set to one step difference between the large LL size and the small L size of the eggs (E) or one step difference between the large L size and the small M size.