JPH0540181U - Cold storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] As a cold container for precooling and shipping vegetables,
It should be able to maintain good ventilation for both depressurization and pressurization in the cooling chamber, and at the normal distribution stage, it should have a certain degree of airtightness so that the inside cannot be seen and outside air and dust are difficult to enter. obtain. A protruding edge 1a is formed on an opening edge of a container body 1 made of a synthetic resin foam, and a fitting groove 2a for the protruding edge 1a is formed on a lower surface of a peripheral portion of a lid body 2. This lid 2
The fitting groove 2a at the periphery of the fitting groove 2a is made slightly deeper than the fitting portion with the projecting edge 1a to form the inner bottom portion of the fitting groove 2a as a continuous communication passage 3a in the circumferential direction. A ventilation groove 3b communicating with the inside of the container from the communication passage 3a is formed at a required location on the inner wall of the fitting groove 2a, and the communication passage 3a is formed on the outer wall of the fitting groove.
A ventilation groove 3c communicating with the outside of the container is formed by being displaced from the ventilation groove 3b in the circumferential direction.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention mainly relates to a cold storage container suitable for precooling and shipping vegetables.

[0002]

[Prior art and problems to be solved]

 Generally, when shipping and transporting fresh vegetables and fruits such as strawberries, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli to a distant place, depending on the type of these vegetables, they are stored in a container such as a shipping box with heat insulation. In this state, vacuum cooling or differential pressure cooling is performed, and the cold state is maintained.

The above-mentioned pre-cooling of vegetables by vacuum cooling varies depending on the type of vegetables. For example, in the case of strawberries, the atmosphere in the cooling chamber is gradually changed from a normal pressure of 760 mmHg over a period of 8 to 10 minutes. The pressure is reduced, and finally the pressure is reduced to about 30 mmHg and vacuumed to maintain the cooling temperature at 1 to 2 ° C., and this state is maintained for about 15 to 20 minutes to cool and then returned to normal pressure after cooling.

As a container for pre-cooling and shipping of the above vegetables, it has heat insulating properties for keeping cold, and at the time of the above-mentioned pre-cooling, air can be discharged well in the container even with a lid. In order to simplify the pre-cooling process, it is necessary that the inside of the container can be quickly depressurized and evacuated.

As a cold container for pre-cooling and shipping of vegetables of this kind, it is troublesome to remove or attach the lid, so it is possible to discharge and inject air even with the lid. As described above, it has been proposed to provide ventilation means such as holes and grooves at the joint portion between the container body and the lid body fitted to the container body (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-131982). Kokoku 63-616).

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-131982 has a notch hole in the inside and outside directions of the container which is formed in the lower surface of the peripheral portion which is the joint of the lid with the opening of the container body. Even in a normal state when it is worn, not only is the inside not visible from the cutout hole, but outside air easily flows in from the cutout hole and there is a problem in maintaining the cold insulation effect. There is a drawback that it is easy to enter inside.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-616, in a structure in which a protrusion and a groove are fitted or a staggered staircase-like uneven shape, a ventilation groove is formed along the fitting surface. However, since this ventilation groove opens at almost the same position inside and outside the container, it has a certain bottleneck effect, but its distribution distance is relatively short, and if the lid floats even a little There is a drawback that the inside can be seen from the part, so that outside air is likely to flow into the container, which is problematic in keeping cold, and that dust and the like are likely to enter.

[0008] In particular, this type of pre-cooling and cold-storage container used for shipping needs air permeability during pre-cooling, but at the normal distribution stage, there is a certain degree to prevent outside air and dust from entering. What has the airtightness of is preferable.

In view of the above, the present invention, as a cold storage container for precooling and shipping vegetables, can maintain air permeability that can reliably and reliably cope with both depressurization and pressurization in the cooling chamber. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cold insulation container provided with a flow passage means in which the inside cannot be seen at the normal distribution stage and outside air and dust are hard to enter.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The cold storage container of the present invention which solves the above problems is a container including a container body made of synthetic resin foam and a lid body that can be fitted therein, and has a projecting edge at the opening edge of the container body. At the same time, the lower surface of the peripheral edge of the lid has a fitting groove for the projection edge, and the fitting groove of the peripheral edge of the lid is set slightly deeper than the fitting portion with the projection edge, and the fitting groove is formed. The inner bottom portion of the fitting groove is formed as a continuous communication passage in the circumferential direction, and a ventilation groove communicating with the inside of the container through the communication passage is formed at a required position in the inner wall portion of the fitting groove, and the outer wall of the fitting groove is formed. A ventilation groove communicating with the outside of the container from the communication passage is formed in the portion at a position displaced from the inside ventilation groove in the circumferential direction.

[0011]

[Action]

 In the cold-insulating container of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, when the vacuum precooling is performed with the container body containing vegetables and the like and the lid body attached, the fitting groove to the opening edge of the container body is fitted. Since the ventilation groove provided in the inner and outer wall portions of the fitting groove communicates with each other through the communication passage of the inner bottom portion, the air in the container is reduced in pressure as the pressure in the cooling chamber is reduced to a low pressure. The gas is discharged to the outside from the ventilation groove provided in (1) through the communication path formed by the fitting groove and the ventilation groove provided in the outer wall portion, and the inside of the container is evacuated to vacuum. In this way, cooling is performed for a certain period of time while maintaining the predetermined cooling temperature.

After the pre-cooling, when the pressure in the cooling chamber is increased to return to the normal pressure, on the contrary to the above, external air flows from the ventilation groove of the outer wall to the communication passage by the fitting groove and the inner ventilation groove. After that, it quickly flows into the container.

In particular, as the flow passage means for the ventilation, the inner bottom of the fitting groove is formed in the fitting portion formed by the protruding edge provided on the opening edge of the container body and the fitting groove of the lid body fitted to the protruding edge. Since the inner and outer ventilation grooves formed in the inner and outer wall portions of the fitting groove are provided so as to be displaced from each other in the circumferential direction with the portion as a communication passage, the inside cannot be seen from the outer ventilation groove portion. , In particular, even if the lid is slightly raised, the inside cannot be seen unless the protruding edge is disengaged from the fitting groove.

Further, since the communication passage formed by the fitting groove in the circumferential direction is interposed between the inner and outer ventilation grooves, the circulation distance is long, and this is combined with the formation of a bent flow passage. , It exhibits an appropriate bottleneck effect and makes it difficult for outside air and dust to enter during the normal distribution stage.

[0015]

【Example】

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1 to 5, (1) is a rectangular container main body made of synthetic resin foam, such as a rectangular shape in a plane, and (2) is made of the same material as the above, with respect to the container main body (1). It is a lid that can be fitted freely. As a fitting structure of the lid body (2) with respect to the container body (1), an upward projecting edge (1a) is provided on the inner surface side of the upper end of the side wall of the container body (1), and a peripheral portion of the lid body (2) is provided. Is provided with a groove (2a) that fits into the protruding edge (1a).

In a state where the fitting groove (2a) at the peripheral portion of the lid body (2) is formed slightly deeper than the fitting dimension with the projecting edge (1a) and is fitted to the projecting edge (1a), The inner bottom portion of the fitting groove (2a) is formed as a communication passage (3a) continuous in the circumferential direction. Further, in the inner wall portion (2b) of the fitting groove (2a), a vertical ventilation groove (3b) communicating from the communication passage (3a) to the inside of the container body (1) is formed at a required position in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a ventilation groove (3c) communicating with the outside of the container from the communication passage (3a) is located in the inner surface and the lower surface of the outer wall portion (2c) of the fitting groove (2a) in the circumferential direction with respect to the ventilation groove (3b). It is formed by shifting.

That is, the inner ventilation groove (3b) and the outer ventilation groove (3c) communicate with each other through the communication passage (3a) formed by the fitting groove (2a). Therefore, when the lid body (2) is attached to the container body (1), the inside and outside of the container can flow through the communication passage (3a), the inner ventilation groove (3b) and the outer ventilation groove (3c). ing.

In particular, when the inner and outer ventilation grooves (3b) and (3c) are provided at the same position, the circulation distance is short and the bottleneck effect is small, and the ventilation is too good, so that the air and dust are not discharged in the normal circulation stage. However, if the inner and outer ventilation grooves (3b) (3c) are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction as described above, the protrusion edge (1a) and the fitting groove (2a) are fitted together. In addition to the refraction due to, the air is also refracted in the circumferential direction and the circulation distance is long, it is difficult for outside air and dust to enter, and the inside cannot be seen unless the projecting edge (1a) separates from the fitting groove (2a). It will be.

The inner ventilation groove (3b) can be provided at any position, but the outer ventilation groove (3c) is arranged in parallel because a large number of containers (A) are arranged in parallel during precooling. As shown in the figure, it is desirable to provide them on the rounded surfaces of the four corners so that they can retain sufficient air permeability even in the state.

The depth, number, and formation position of the ventilation grooves (3b) and (3c) are suitable for air discharge and inflow during pre-cooling work, and can ensure a certain degree of airtightness during normal operation. It is set so that it can be done. Further, it is preferable that the fitting groove (2a) is usually deepened by about 2 to 4 mm so that a space serving as the communication passage (3a) can be retained.

In the container (A) of the illustrated embodiment, the left and right and front and rear side surfaces of the container body (1) and the lid (2) are slightly recessed to connect a plurality of containers (A) to each other. When they are arranged side by side, they are formed so as to have a continuous ventilation space in the vertical direction between each container.

Further, it is desirable that the bottom surface of the container body (1) and the top surface of the lid body (2) be provided with protrusions that are fitted to each other in a stacked state. ) The rib-shaped protrusions (5) having an L-shaped plane are provided at the four corners of the upper surface of the container so that they can be stacked while holding a ventilation space. 5) A convex portion that fits with 5) is provided. In the case of the container not having the above-mentioned projection, a spacer may be interposed between the upper and lower containers to hold a space for cold air circulation during vacuum cooling or the like.

Examples of the synthetic resin foam which is a constituent material of the container body (1) and the lid (2) include polystyrene resin and styrene resin foam such as styrene-based copolymer, and polyolefin resin foam. A body, a polyvinyl chloride resin foam or other synthetic resin foam can be used, and in particular, a non-foaming reinforcing skin layer can be provided on the surface of the foam.

The cold insulation container (A) configured as described above is used for precooling and shipping of cold insulation vegetables. When vacuum precooling, differential pressure precooling, or the like, strawberries are attached to the container body (1). Place vegetables such as spinach and lettuce into the cooling room with the lid (2) covered and place them side by side or stack them side by side.

In vacuum cooling, for example, as the cooling chamber is gradually decompressed and evacuated, the air in the container is a ventilation passage (3b) (3c) and a fitting groove (2a) that are flow passage means. Is gradually discharged through the communication passage (3a). In this way, the reduced pressure and vacuum state is maintained at a predetermined cooling temperature, and cooling is performed for a certain period of time according to the type of stored vegetables (B).

After this cooling, the pressure in the cooling chamber is raised in a short time so as to return to the normal pressure. At the time of pressurization, contrary to the above, external air rapidly flows in through the communication passage (3a) formed by the ventilation grooves (3b) (3c) and the fitting groove (2a).

At a normal distribution stage such as during transportation, the ventilation grooves (3b) (3c), which are the flow passage means, remain in the communicating state via the communication passage (3a). Vent grooves (3b) (3c) are formed along the inner surfaces of both inner and outer side wall portions (2b) (2c) of the fitting groove (2a) with respect to the projecting edge (1a), and the inner bottom portion of the fitting groove (2a) is formed. The inner and outer ventilation grooves (3b) and (3c) are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction as the communication passage (3a) that is continuous in the circumferential direction, so that the flow passage is bent and the circulation distance is long. Therefore, a proper bottleneck effect is exerted to increase the flow resistance, the airtightness is high, the outside air is difficult to flow in, and the dust and the like can be prevented from entering the inside of the container body (1).

Moreover, since the inner and outer ventilation grooves (3b) (3c) are displaced in the circumferential direction, even if the lid (2) is slightly lifted, the projecting edge (1a) and the fitting groove (2a) ) Is not visible unless it is disengaged, and the appearance is maintained.

[0030]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the cold-insulating container of the present invention, when pre-cooling vegetables by vacuum cooling or the like, the air inside the container can be discharged, that is, the decompression and vacuuming of the container can be performed quickly and efficiently with the lid kept closed. Air inflow at the time of pressurization can be performed without any problem.

In particular, by utilizing the structure of the projecting edge and the fitting groove which are the fitting portion between the container body and the lid, the fitting portion is deepened to form the inner bottom portion as a continuous communication passage in the circumferential direction. By providing the ventilation grooves communicating with each other through the communication passages in the inner and outer wall portions of the fitting groove at different positions in the circumferential direction, the ventilation grooves are always open and in communication with each other. Due to the bottleneck effect due to the long circulation distance and the refraction, it is possible to give an appropriate resistance to the circulation action. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inflow of the outside air at the normal distribution stage, to keep the cool state well, and to prevent the intrusion of dust and the like.

Further, by providing the inner and outer ventilation grooves at different positions in the circumferential direction, even if the lid is slightly lifted up, there is no possibility of seeing the inside from the ventilation groove portion, and it is kept in good shape. Yes, you can use it with confidence.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention with a lid separated.

FIG. 2 is a plan view (a) of a part of the lid body turned upside down and a plan view (b) of a part of the container body.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view in which a lid is attached to a container body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an inner ventilation groove portion in which a lid body is fitted to a container body.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an outer ventilation groove portion in which a lid is fitted to a container body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Container body (1a) Projection edge (2) Lid body (2a) Fitting groove (2b) Inner side wall part (2c) Outer side wall part (3a) Communication path (3b) Inner ventilation groove (3c) Outer side Ventilation groove

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A container comprising a container body made of a synthetic resin foam and a lid body which can be fitted into the container body, wherein the container body has a projecting edge on an opening edge thereof, and the lid body has a lower surface at a peripheral portion thereof. A fitting groove for the protruding edge is provided, and the fitting groove at the peripheral edge of the lid is made slightly deeper than the fitting portion with the protruding edge so that the inner bottom portion of the fitting groove is continuous in the circumferential direction. A ventilation groove communicating with the inside of the container through the communication passage is formed on the inner side wall of the fitting groove at a required position, and a ventilation groove communicating with the outside of the container through the communication passage on the outside wall of the fitting groove. A cold storage container, wherein the cold storage container is formed by displacing a position in the circumferential direction with the inner ventilation groove.