JPH068845Y2 - Aseptic food container - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a food container such as a heavy box, a lunch box, a rice pot, and a pot, and in particular, the food container can be semipermanently kept sterile. Aseptic food container packaging container.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional food containers such as heavy boxes, lunch boxes, rice jars, and vases are usually formed by secondary molding a sheet obtained by extrusion molding a thermoplastic resin with an extruder. or,
This food container was made by adding a foaming agent and a nucleating agent to a thermoplastic resin, such as polystyrene, to form a mixture, which was placed in an extruder and extruded under heat and pressure, and attached to the tip of the extruder. It is made by subjecting a foam obtained by extruding from a die to a low-pressure zone by secondary molding. Food containers made of these thermoplastic resin sheets and foams have passed the PL standard for some time, but do not have antibacterial properties, so contamination of bacteria during storage and transportation of these food containers is possible. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and sterilize the food container just before filling the food container with hygiene management.

By the way, generally, various food freshness preservation methods are conceivable. First, if the concept of food freshness preservation is arranged, (a) the spoilage of the food itself is prevented. That is, various preservatives are directly added to foods to prevent bacterial growth.

(B) Try not to spoil the flavor and taste. For example, preventing rancidity of fats and oils.

(C) Prevent color deterioration. For example, prevent ultraviolet rays.

(D) For living organisms, removal of aging-promoting substances. For example, adsorption with ethylene gas.

Etc.

It goes without saying that the most primitive method of keeping food freshness is preservation at low temperature (prevents bacterial growth), and the reverse contrast is retort (sterilization at high temperature). Further, with the progress of plastic processing technology, methods such as vacuum packaging, gas displacement Ageless (registered trademark), and use of antimold have been developed one after another, and the direction is now moving toward aseptic filling.

Therefore, it has come to be emphasized that these plastics themselves are always sterilized. Recently, an antibacterial agent that exerts its effect by mixing it in plastics (resin, film and sheet) or applying it on the surface, Many antifungal agents and fungicides have been developed, and some of them are on the market.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, a food container using plastic as a material having an antibacterial and bactericidal effect by mixing an antibacterial agent into these plastics or applying them to the surface is, for example, an elution type and is eluted from these plastics. Since the antibacterial property is exerted by the antibacterial agent or the like, the taste of food may be changed. Further, although the temperature reaches 250 ° C. or higher due to processing of plastics, conventional antibacterial agents, especially organic ones, decompose and the antibacterial effect is weakened. Furthermore, in order to obtain the prescribed antibacterial and sterilizing power, a considerable amount, for example, 2.5
%, The amount of addition is required. However, if many antibacterial agents and the like are used, the physical properties inherent in plastics are impaired. That is, the transparency, slipperiness, heat seal strength, air permeability, etc. are affected, resulting in problems in the processability.

Due to the above-mentioned problems, a food container using a plastic as a material in which an antibacterial agent is mixed in or coated on the surface of these plastics is rarely used. For this reason, each food manufacturer and restaurant are currently forced to make a large investment to maintain the hygienic condition of food, and make efforts to improve processing machinery, install a sterile room, etc. according to the scale. I am doing it. As a part of this, with respect to the items brought in from the outside, that is, the food container into which these foods are directly put, a large investment is required for the equipment for cleaning and sterilization. In some cases, the sanitary condition is left to the other party and an unprotected case may be considered. That is, even if these food containers are in a sterilized state at the time of shipping, there is a problem that they may be contaminated at the time of transportation and storage.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can exhibit antibacterial properties without elution of antibacterial agents, etc., and the antibacterial components do not decompose even at the temperature required for plastic processing, and the addition amount It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilized food container which has a small amount, has a long-lasting antibacterial property, is well processed, and does not discolor.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the aseptic food container of the present invention is a food container comprising a container body and a lid, and at least the inner surfaces of the container body and the lid are made of resin and ion-exchangeable ions. Which is mainly composed of an antibacterial zeolite obtained by substituting ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions for part or all of the above, and the antibacterial zeolite in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight with respect to the total weight of the resin. It is composed of.

[Action]

According to the above configuration, at least the inner surface of the container body and the lid is made of an antibacterial material containing an antibacterial zeolite obtained by substituting a part or all of the ion-exchangeable ions with ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions. Therefore, the microorganisms adhering to the inner surfaces of the container body and the lid are killed by the metal ions having a bactericidal action in the antibacterial zeolite, the container body and the inner surface of the lid are kept sterile, and ammonium ion prevents the discoloration of the zeolite. You can

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of the aseptic food container of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. In both figures, 1 indicates a sterile food container for a lunch box (hereinafter, simply referred to as a sterile container), and the sterile container 1 is housed in a container body 2, a lid 3 and the container body 2. It consists of a tray 4 to be used.

The container body 2 is made of an antibacterial material containing antibacterial zeolite, and the antibacterial material is molded into a substantially cylindrical shape. The wall thickness of the container body 2 has a slight thickness in terms of heat retention and durability.

The antibacterial material of the container body 2 is, as shown in FIG.
The resin 5 and the antibacterial zeolite 6 are mainly contained, and the antibacterial zeolite 6 is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight based on the total weight of the resin 5.

The resin 5 can be mixed with the antibacterial zeolite 6 and has characteristics required for a food packaging container, for example, it can withstand a certain low temperature and a high temperature and has a heat retaining property. The rigidity of
The food does not smell, and it has water resistance.
Any substance may be used as long as it is not toxic.

The resin 5 is, for example, ABS resin, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride, nylon, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polyamide, polyacetal, polyvinyl alcohol, polycarbonate,
Thermoplastics such as acrylic resin, fluororesin, polyurethane elastomer, polyester elastomer, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, rayon, cupra, acetate, triacetate, nibiliden, natural and synthetic rubber Alternatively, a thermosetting resin can be used.

Of these, ABS resin is most suitable.

The antibacterial zeolite 6 may be such that some or all of the ion-exchangeable ions of natural zeolite or synthetic zeolite are replaced with antibacterial metal ions such as silver, copper and zinc, and ammonium ions (special characteristics). Application for December 4, 1987, claiming priority under the provisions of Article 42-2, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Patent Application No. 61-290144 (JP-A-63-26580)
9)), that is, the zeolite is generally an aluminosilicate having a three-dimensional skeleton structure, and the general formula is XM ² / _n O · Al ₂ O ₃ · YSiO ₂ · ZH ₂ O. Here, M represents an ion-exchangeable ion, and is usually a monovalent or divalent metal ion and an ammonium ion, for example, each ion of sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, etc., and n is an atom of the metal ion. Valency, X is the coefficient of metal oxide, Y is the coefficient of silica, and Z is the number of molecules of water of crystallization, which is represented by the general formula XM ² / _n O · Al ₂ O ₃ · Y.
The ion exchange capacity of the zeolite represented by SiO ₂ · ZH ₂ O is 2.6 ^meq / _{g to} 11.5 ^meq / _g . Therefore, the antibacterial zeolite 6 is obtained by substituting the ion-exchangeable ions with antibacterial metal ions such as silver, copper and zinc, and ammonium ions. In terms of antibacterial properties, the antibacterial zeolite 6 preferably contains these antibacterial metal ions in the zeolite in an amount of about 0.1 to 15% by weight (shown by weight% on a 110 ° C. dry basis).

Furthermore, the reason why ammonium ions are added as described above is to effectively prevent discoloration of the antibacterial zeolite 6, and the ammonium ions in the antibacterial zeolite 6 are
It is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2.0% by weight. Further, from the viewpoint of substantially preventing discoloration of the resin 5, the content of the antibacterial zeolite 6 containing the ammonium ion in the resin 5 is preferably 0.1 to 3.0%.

The antibacterial properties, durability of antibacterial activity, heat resistance, and safety of this antibacterial zeolite 6 are described in detail in this publication. That is, the antibacterial activity was reconfirmed by the antibacterial activity test as described later. Regarding the antibacterial activity, the antibacterial zeolite was uniformly packed in a glass column having an inner diameter of 22 mm and the packed bed volume was 10 m. Tap water is passed through this column at a flow rate of 25 to 30 m / _min ,
The antibacterial zeolite still retains its antibacterial activity even after passing a water amount of 5,000, and the antibacterial activity can be said to be semi-permanent. In addition, it can withstand heat up to 550 ° C, and has also passed safety tests such as antibacterial metal elution tests.

The antibacterial material of the container body 2 is, as shown in FIG.
The thermoplastic resin 5'and the antibacterial zeolite 6 are mainly contained, and the antibacterial zeolite 6 is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight with respect to the total weight of the thermoplastic resin 5'and 0.03 mm to
It may be a multi-layer sheet 9 in which at least one thermoplastic resin sheet 8 is fused or adhered to a sheet 7 having a thickness of 0.1 mm. The substantially cylindrical container body 2 is molded with the sheet 7 containing the antibacterial zeolite 6 of the multilayer sheet 9 inside. The reason for using the multilayer sheet 9 in this way is to impart antibacterial properties to the inner surface of the container body 2, and to reduce the amount of the antibacterial zeolite 6 used and to reduce costs. The thermoplastic resin 5'is a resin excluding the thermosetting resin among the resins exemplified as the resin 5, for example, ABS.
Resin, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

Further, the antibacterial material of the container body 2 is, as shown in FIG.
Foaming resin 5 ″, antibacterial zeolite 6, foaming agent and nucleating agent 1
The antibacterial zeolite 6 is 0.1 to 3.0% by weight, the blowing agent is 5 to 15% by weight, and the nucleating agent 10 is 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the foaming resin 5 ″. Further, it may be formed on the foam 11. The foam 11 is particularly excellent in cold insulation and is lightweight.
For example, ABS resin, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc. are used, as the foaming agent, for example, Freon 12, butane, propane, pentane, etc. are used, and for the nucleating agent 10, for example, talc, calcium carbonate, clay, etc. are used. To be done.

The lid 3 has the same antibacterial zeolite 6 as the container body 2.
It is also made of an antibacterial material containing, and is formed so as to be detachably fitted to the upper end edge 2a of the opening of the container body 2. Since the lid 3 is similar to the container body 2 in other respects, the description thereof will be omitted.

The tray 4 is made of an antibacterial material containing the antibacterial zeolite 6 like the container body 2 and has a triangular shape and is housed in the container body 2. Since this tray 4 is similar to the container body 2 in other configurations and operations,
The description is omitted.

Next, a usage state of the aseptic container 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be shown.

First, the container main body 2 of the aseptic container 1 stored in layers is taken out, and food such as leaflet sushi is put in the container main body 2. Next, the tray 4 that is also stored in the same manner is taken out, an incense stick or the like is put in the tray 4, and the tray 4 is stored in the container body 2. Then, the lid 3 which is also stored in the same manner is taken out, and the lid 3 is put on the container body 2. At this time, since the inner surfaces of the container body 2 and the lid 3 of the aseptic container 1 and the inner and outer surfaces of the tray 4 which are stored in an overlapping manner have antibacterial properties, these are sterilized unless they are contaminated by dust or dust. Since the inside of the container 1 is kept aseptic, it is not necessary to wash or sterilize the aseptic container 1. It is possible to put leaflets and pickles in the aseptic container 1 as it is. I can. Further, since the container body 2 and the lid 3 have a heat retaining property, it is difficult to hold food.
In particular, when the container body 2 and the lid 3 are made of the foamed material 11, very high heat retention and antibacterial property can be obtained at the same time.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the aseptic container 1 of the present invention, which is different only in shape, and is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS.

Next, the antibacterial activity test of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus is performed on the aseptic container 1 of the present invention.

The test method is shown below.

1) Test strain Escherichia coli IFO 3301 (Escherichia coli) Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P (Staphylococcus aureus) Salmonella typhimurium <Laboratory isolate> (Salmonella) Vibrio parahaemolyticus IFO 12711 (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) 2) Culture medium E. coli, yellow grape For cocci, Salmonella ...... 0.2% meat extract-containing normal agar medium For Vibrio parahaemolyticus …… 3% salt-containing 0.2% meat extract-containing normal agar medium 3) Preparation of bacterial solution E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella bacterium; normal broth medium After culturing overnight at 37 ° C., it was prepared using sterile physiological saline so that the number of bacteria was 10 ^{4 to 5} per 1 m.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus; After culturing in normal broth medium containing 3% sodium chloride at 37 ℃ overnight, the number of bacteria per 1m was 10 using sterile 3% saline.
^It was prepared so as to be ^{4 to 5} .

4) Test operation Test piece of Example (4.8 cm x 4.8 cm) after washing with ethanol
A fixed amount of the bacterial solution was sprayed on one side of the test piece (4.8 cm x 4.8 cm) of the comparative example and stored at 37 ° C. Storage start O (immediately after spraying), 24 and 48 hours later, SCDLP liquid medium (Daigo Nutrition Chemistry) was used to wash out the surviving bacteria on the test piece, and the washing solution was subjected to a pour plate culture method using a culture medium (37 ° C
The number of surviving cells was measured for 2 days) and converted into the number of viable cells per one test piece. In addition, after dispensing the same amount of bacterial solution as sprayed on the test piece into a Petri dish, store it at 37 ° C and immediately after 2
The number of viable bacteria after 4 and 48 hours was measured and used as a target.

Example 1 1.0% by weight of antibacterial zeolite in ABS resin
After adding and mixing, make a sample piece at.

Comparative Example 1 A test piece is made only from ABS resin. Table 1 shows the test results.

[Effect of device]

As described in detail above, the sterile food container of the present invention is
A food container comprising a container main body and a lid, wherein at least the container main body and the inner surface of the lid are replaced with resin and some or all of the ion-exchangeable ions with ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions. Since it is mainly composed of zeolite and is composed of an antibacterial material in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of the antibacterial zeolite with respect to the total weight of the resin, the container is made of an antibacterial metal ion having a bactericidal action in the antibacterial zeolite. Microorganisms adhering to the inner surfaces of the main body and the lid can be killed, the container main body and the inner surface of the lid can be kept sterile, and the discoloration of the zeolite can be prevented by ammonium ions. Therefore, even though the container body and lid are stored for a long period of time, the structure is simple,
The container body and the lid can be kept aseptic, hygiene management of the container body and the lid becomes easy, and if the container body and the lid are stored so that dirt such as dust and dust does not adhere to the container body and the lid, When filling the container body and the lid with food, it is not particularly necessary to clean and disinfect the container body and the lid. Further, since the container does not change color or is not colored, the user does not feel uncomfortable. Since the antibacterial substance does not elute or vaporize from the antibacterial zeolite unlike conventional bactericides, the taste of food is changed by the antibacterial substance and there is no toxicity due to the antibacterial substance. Antibacterial effect lasts for a long time (semi-permanently).

In addition, since antibacterial zeolite is strong against heat, it is not easily affected by heat, and it is 550 ° C when the container body and lid are manufactured.
If the above temperature is not applied, the antibacterial effect does not diminish.

Further, the amount of antibacterial zeolite added to obtain a predetermined antibacterial and sterilizing power may be small, and the processability is maintained without deteriorating the inherent physical properties of resin and the like, and its economic efficiency There is an effect that it can also retain the sex.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a part of the aseptic food container of the present invention in section, and FIG. 2 is a part taken along line II-II of FIG. Sectional views, FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of an antibacterial material, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... Aseptic food container 2 ... Container body 3 ... Lid 5 ... Resin, 5 '... Thermoplastic resin 5 "... Foaming resin 6 ... Antibacterial zeolite 7 ... Sheet 8 ... Thermoplastic resin sheet 9 …… Multilayer sheet, 10 …… Nucleating agent 11 …… Foam

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B65D 81/28 Z 9028-3E C01B 33/34 Z 6750-4G (56) Reference JP 62- 212221 (JP, A) JP 60-181002 (JP, A) Actually open Sho 62-171469 (JP, U) Actually open Sho 62-28767 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A food container comprising a container body and a lid, wherein at least the inner surfaces of the container body and the lid are made of a resin and some or all of the ion-exchangeable ions, ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions. The aseptic food container is mainly composed of an antibacterial zeolite substituted with, and the antibacterial zeolite is composed of an antibacterial material in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight with respect to the total weight of the resin. container. 2. The aseptic food container according to claim 1, wherein the resin is an ABS resin. 3. The utility model registration claim 1 or 2 wherein the antibacterial metal ion is an ion of silver, copper or zinc.
Aseptic food container according to the item. 4. The antibacterial material is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin and an antibacterial zeolite obtained by substituting a part or all of ion-exchangeable ions with ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions. The antibacterial zeolite is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight with respect to the total weight, and at least 1 in a sheet having a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm.
The aseptic food container according to one of claims 1 to 3, which is a multi-layer sheet obtained by fusing or adhering a single thermoplastic resin sheet. 5. The antibacterial material is a foaming resin, an antibacterial zeolite obtained by substituting a part or all of ion-exchangeable ions with ammonium ions and antibacterial metal ions,
Mainly composed of a foaming agent and the agent, 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of the antibacterial zeolite with respect to the total weight of the foamable resin,
Sterile according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the foaming agent is in the range of 5 to 15% by weight and the agent is in the range of 0.1 to 5% by weight. Sex food container.