JPH08282669A - Tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a tray wherein the trays can be safely and effectively stacked, and also the tray can be used in a standing posture. CONSTITUTION: Side plates 5b on four sides are formed as inclined plates expanding upward in order to allow a plurality of trays 1 to be stacked in multiple stages in a nested state, while a cut window 16 for opening the short side plate 5b upward is formed. Thus a straight-standing rib 18 which can enter the cut window 16 while the trays are stacked is made to protrude on an outer face site from a lower side of the window 16 to a lower end face of the side plate, while a protruding side face 18a at the lower end of the rib 18 and the outer face at an upper end opening rim of the short side plate are positioned on the same plane perpendicular to a bottom plate 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention packs beverages in cans and bottles, canned foods, and the like in units, and transports them in that state.
The present invention relates to a tray container that can be repeatedly stored and sold, and particularly relates to a tray container that is improved in usability and handling during transportation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, canned beverages such as canned juice and canned beer are stored in a cardboard box, and the cardboard boxes used for such purposes are usually used only once. Later, since it is discarded, not only is it very wasteful, but there are increasing voices pointing out the occurrence of pollution at the time of disposal.

In order to meet such social demands, the inventors of the present invention filed Japanese Patent Application No. 6-2339 filed prior to the present application.
No. 19, the bottom plate 3 as shown in FIG.
And a tray container 1 made of synthetic resin comprising side plates 5 integrally extending from four sides of the bottom plate 3 via thin hinge portions 4, respectively. The article is housed in the container 1, and the tray container 1 and the portion of the article projecting from the upper opening of the tray container are almost entirely covered with a shrink wrap 2 serving as a packaging film, and the shrink wrap 2 is thermally shrunk. In this way, a packaging case (tray container) configured to hold and hold the article was proposed. In addition, 15
Is a tear tape.

According to the tray container having the above-described structure, for example, a unit number of canned beverages are stored as an article in the tray container 1 and then wrapped with a shrink wrap 2 to form the tray container 1 and the canned beverages stored therein. Since it is integrally fixed by the shrink wrap 2, excellent handleability which is not inferior to the case where a conventional cardboard box is used is realized, but after the empty box, the tray container 1 is In addition to allowing repeated use, if each side plate 5 is laid down and expanded to form a flat plate, a large number of tray containers 1 can be stacked, which is advantageous in transportation and storage.

[0005]

However, in the structure of the above-mentioned prior art example, it was first clarified that there was a problem in handleability during transportation or storage after collecting empty boxes. That is, after taking out the canned beverage, the tray container 1 which has become an empty box can be expanded again to have a flat plate shape as shown in FIG. It is considered that there is a great merit in transportation and storage in that it can effectively use the tray, but for the person who handles this kind of product, the tray container that has already been assembled can be re-installed during various various operations. The fact that the work to be expanded is added is actually regarded as a disadvantage that the work load will be increased, and if possible, it should be possible to handle it in the assembled state even during transportation and storage. Can be said to be desirable.

However, in the prior art example shown in FIG. 13, the side plates 5 adjacent to each other at the corners are joined together by means of engagement or the like so that the side plates 5 are held in the assembled state. However, in this case, it is difficult to assemble into a shape that expands upward as shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), each side plate 5 can only be set upright, which makes stacking difficult during transportation and storage, and the bottom edge of the tray container 1 on the upper side is the tray container 1 on the lower side. Since the four side plates 5 are placed on the upper peripheral surface of the four side plates 5, there is a limit to the number of steps even if they are stacked in multiple steps.

Therefore, instead of the above-mentioned assembly structure using the hinge, it is integrally formed in a box shape in advance and, as shown in FIG. 14B, each side plate 5 of the tray container 1 is expanded upward. It is conceivable that a plurality of tray containers 1 can be stacked in a multi-tiered manner by forming them in the shape of an inclined plate, but in this case, another problem as described below occurs.

That is, if the side plate 5 is inclined in the assembled state, it is impossible to stand up and the above-described usage mode cannot be adopted. In addition, it cannot be transported by being loaded upright (standing up) on the bed of a transport vehicle.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to stack tray containers safely and effectively, and it is possible to use the tray containers in an upright posture. The present invention aims to provide a simple tray container.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tray container made of synthetic resin, which is integrally formed with a bottom plate and a plurality of side plates rising from respective end edges of the bottom plate. Each side plate of the tray container is formed in an inclined plate shape that expands upward so that a plurality of tray containers can be stacked in a nested manner.

A cutout window that opens upward is formed on at least one side plate, and an outer surface portion from the lower side of the cutout window to the lower end surface of the side plate can be inserted into the cutout window in a stacked state of tray containers. A rib is provided so as to project, and the side surface of the rib projecting from the lower end portion and the outer surface of the upper end opening edge of the side plate are located on the same plane that is perpendicular to the bottom plate.

In the above structure, the cutout window may be cut out from the upper end surface of the side plate to a maximum height of about 1/2 of the side plate. Further, when a plurality of tray containers are stacked, a flange-shaped rib that horizontally projects outward is provided at the lower edge of the cutout window and the upper edge of the side plate on which the cutout window is formed. In the state where the upright ribs that have entered the cutout window on the upper stage are received on the flanged ribs of the lower tray container, the contact area of the upright ribs increases, so that the stacking state is stabilized. It can be said that it is preferable because it can be performed.

[0013]

According to the above construction, when the tray containers in the assembled state are stacked, the rib provided on the same side plate of the upper tray container enters the notch window provided on the side plate, and the lower end surface of the rib is lower. It is received on the lower side of the cutout window of the tray container. Therefore, when stacking multiple tray containers in multiple stages, the upper tray containers will be nested in the lower tray container and can be stacked in a stable state. In addition, it is possible to obtain a stacked state in which the height is suppressed.

Further, since the rib has the lower end projecting side surface and the outer surface of the side plate upper end opening edge located on the same plane perpendicular to the bottom plate, when the tray container is erected, The ribs come into contact with each other along a horizontal surface such as a floor surface, and hold the tray container in an upright posture. Therefore, as described above, when not in use, a plurality of tray containers can be stacked in an assembled state, but can be stood in a stable state when leaning against them during transportation.

[0015]

EXAMPLES Examples in which the present invention is applied to a tray container for canned beverages will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 3 shows the overall structure of the tray container of this embodiment, FIG. 1 shows an example of the usage state, FIG. 2 shows the details of the bottom plate 3, and FIG.
Shows the vertical side surfaces of the bottom plate and the side plates. The tray container 1 of this embodiment shown in these figures is a canned beverage C having a specified size.
Is used for packing every unit number (2 dozen in the figure), and the can beverage C of the unit number is stored. Reference numeral 2 is a packaging film made of a heat-shrinkable film (hereinafter referred to as shrink wrap).

The tray container 1 includes, for example, canned drinks C in 6 columns,
It is a synthetic resin injection-molded product that is formed in a size that fits in four rows in a row and that fits in with almost no space. It is a rectangular bottom plate 3 and is integrally extended vertically from each end edge of the bottom plate 3. Each of the long and short is composed of two side plates 5a and 5b. Each side plate 5a, 5b is formed in a trapezoidal shape that expands upward, and each of the four side plates 5a, 5b
The tray container 1 as a whole is formed in a box shape of an inverted truncated pyramid by 5b and the bottom plate 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 3 has, as one unit, radial ribs 6 conforming to the bottom shape of the canned beverage C,
These are formed in a pattern in which they are arranged in a matrix on the left and right, and by forming a hole 7 between the ribs 6, it is possible to achieve effective weight reduction, It achieves higher strength than when the entire bottom plate is made of flat plates.

Note that tray containers of this type are generally stacked in multiple stages at the time of transportation, storage, etc., or in store displays at mass retailers, etc. The ribs 6 of each unit of the tray container bottom plate 3 come into contact with the upper peripheral edge of the canned beverage C in the lower tray container, thereby providing a non-slip action.
It has the effect of preventing load collapse as much as possible.

Of the vertical and horizontal side plates 5a, 5b, the side plate having the longer dimension (hereinafter referred to as the long side plate) 5a is a trapezoidal frame body 8
By arranging ribs 9 at appropriate intervals in the inside, a hole 10 is formed in the central portion. In addition, each of the side plates 5a and 5b is formed at a height that can cover the middle of the canned beverage C in the standing posture. The side plate 5b with the shorter dimension
The short side plate (hereinafter referred to as the short side plate) has a posture in which the short side plate 5b is erected at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the bottom plate 3. The short side plate 5b may be opened and closed by a hinge, which makes it convenient when the short side plate 5b is put into a vending machine.

Polypropylene resin is recommended as a constituent material of the tray container 1 because it is excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance, stress cracking resistance and inexpensive.
It is not necessarily limited to polypropylene resin. A typical example of the shrink wrap 2 is a polyethylene film. In this example, 50
A film having a thickness of -80 μm is suitable.

When packing a unit number of canned drinks C using the tray container 1 and the shrink wrap 2, first, the canned drinks C are stored in the tray container 1, and the tray container 1 and the upper surface of the tray container 1 are packed. After the upper half of the canned beverage C projecting from the opening is almost entirely covered with the shrink wrap 2, the wrap 2 is heat-shrinked, so that the canned beverage C is stored in the tray container 1.
Hold it in place.

By applying the shrink wrap package as described above, the shrink wrap 2 has a fixing function, which is advantageous in that it is not necessary to use a fixing means such as an adhesive tape or a binding band which is required in the conventional cardboard box. Is. Further, in the packed state, slippage is prevented by the characteristic of the shrink wrap 2 even when stacked in multiple stages at the time of display, transportation and storage, so that the rib 6 provided on the bottom plate 3 can further prevent slippage, and thus can be more reliable. The anti-slip effect can be obtained.

Returning to FIG. 1, the shrink wrap 2 includes:
A tear tape 15 is provided in a circular shape to facilitate the opening. The attachment site of the tear tape 15 may be set arbitrarily, but from the viewpoint of the peeling work and the usage mode, it is desirable that the tear tape 15 be biased to one end side of the tray container 1.

Therefore, when the tray container in which the canned beverage C is packed is opened, the tear wrap 15 is peeled off to remove the shrink wrap 2. Since it has a shape protruding from the tray container 1, it can be offered for over-the-counter sales even in this state at a mass retailer.

After the tear tape 15 is peeled off, only one end of the shrink wrap 2 is removed, and most of the shrink wrap 2 is left unsealed.
Since the canned drink C in the tray container 1 can be taken out while being integrally fixed and held by the remaining portion of the shrink wrap 2, it is convenient when supplying the canned drink C to a vending machine or the like. Will be good.

After taking out the canned beverage C,
Since the shrink wrap 2 removed from the tray container 1 is small in quantity, even if it is disposed of, there is no problem like the conventional cardboard box. Further, after being collected, it can be recycled as a product by dissolving and regenerating it.

5 to 8 show the short side plate 5b in an enlarged manner. As shown in these figures, a cutout window 16 that opens upward is formed in the center of the short side plate 5b. This cutout window 16 is formed from the upper end surface of the short side plate 5b to approximately 1
It is cut into a concave shape that expands upwards to / 2 height. Further, a flange-shaped rib 17 that horizontally extends outward is provided at the upper edge of the short side plate 5b passing through the side edge of the cutout window 16.

Further, from the lower side of the cutout window 16 to the short side plate 5b.
A pair of front and rear upright ribs 1 is provided on the outer surface portion reaching the lower end surface of the
8 are projected in parallel. These upright ribs 18 are formed on the inclined surface of which the outer side faces downward and outward, but only the lower end is formed on the vertical side. In addition, the interval between the pair of upright ribs 18 is equal to the cutout window 16
The width is slightly shorter than the width of the lower side. Then, the lower end protruding end surface 18a of the upright rib 18 and the outer surface of the flanged rib 17 at the upper end opening edge of the short side plate 5b are flush with the bottom plate 3 on the same plane (indicated by a chain line in FIG. 8). (Shown).

Reference numeral 19 is a reinforcing convex portion provided on both sides of the upright rib 18 at a distance from each other, and 20 is a punch hole interposed between each reinforcing convex portion 19 and the upright rib 18. By forming this hole 20, the short side plate 5
In addition to reducing the weight of the part b, distortion is prevented from occurring due to resin shrinkage during molding. The mechanical strength that is reduced by forming the punched holes 20 is compensated by forming the reinforcing projections 19.

In the tray container having the above-described structure, since the lower end protruding side surface 18a of the upright rib 18 and the outer surface of the upper end opening edge of the short side plate 5b are located on the same plane, the tray container is erected. In this case, the upright ribs 18 come into contact with each other along a horizontal surface such as a floor surface to hold the tray container in an upright posture. Therefore, it is stable when leaning against it during transportation.

Further, at the time of collecting tray containers after taking out the canned beverage C, a large number of tray containers can be stacked in the assembled state. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the plurality of tray containers 1 to be stacked are all formed in the shape of an inclined plate in which the respective side plates 5a and 5b expand upward. It is possible to stack the upper and lower tray containers in a multi-tiered manner with the tray containers fitted in a nested shape.

At the time of stacking, as the upper tray container is fitted into the lower tray container while being aligned, the cutout window 1 of the short side plate 5b of the lower tray container 1 is inserted.
6, a pair of upright ribs 1 of the upper tray container short side plate 5b
8, the lower end surface of the upright rib 18 is received by the lower side of the lower tray container cutout window 16. Therefore, when stacking multiple tray containers in multiple stages,
The upper tray containers are stacked with the lower tray container in a telescopic type.

9 to 11 show modifications of the cutout window 16 and the upright rib 18 provided on the short side plate 5b.
As shown in these drawings, the notch window 16 may be configured to have a width slightly wider than the distance between the pair of upright ribs 18 and the width of the upper and lower ends does not change, and in order to facilitate the manufacture of a mold or the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the upright rib 18 is positioned so as to be located on the same plane as the outer surface of the flanged rib 17 at the upper edge of the short side plate over the entire protruding side surface and at a right angle to the bottom plate 3. You may form in.

In any of the above embodiments, the notch window 16 and the upright rib 18 may be formed only on the short side plate 5b which is the lower surface side when the tray container is erected, or all the long and short sides are formed. Notch window 1 on the side plates 5a, 5b
6 and upright ribs 18 may be provided. Furthermore, the number and width of the upright ribs 18, or the notch window 16
It is needless to say that the location and the like can be set arbitrarily.

FIG. 12 shows a cutout window 16 and an upright rib 18.
In this embodiment, the side plates 5a are provided at two places and the side plate 5b is provided at one place. In this way, not only the stacked state is more stable, but also the tray containers 1 can be stacked without worrying about the directionality.

[0036]

As described above, the tray container of the present invention has the epoch-making effect which has never been seen in the conventional art, because of the following constitution.

That is, according to the present invention, at least the tray container is formed by forming each side plate of the tray container in the shape of an inclined plate that expands upward so that a plurality of tray containers can be stacked in a nested manner in multiple stages. A cutout window that opens upward is formed on one side plate, and a rib that can enter into the cutout window in a stacked state of tray containers is provided at an outer surface portion from the lower side of the cutout window to the lower end surface of the side plate,
Further, since the protruding side surface of the lower end portion of the rib and the outer surface of the upper end opening edge of the same side plate are located on the same plane perpendicular to the bottom plate, the tray containers in the assembled state are stacked. In this case, the standing of the lower tray container, the notch window provided on the side plate facing the inclinable side plate, the rib provided on the same side plate of the upper tray container enters,
The lower end surface of the rib is received by the lower side of the cutout window of the lower tray container.

Therefore, when a plurality of tray containers are stacked in multiple stages, the upper tray containers can be stacked with the lower tray container in a telescopic manner, and a large number of tray containers can be stacked in a stable state. In addition, it is possible to obtain a stacked state in which the height is suppressed.

Further, the ribs are located on the same plane where the lower end projecting side surface and the outer surface of the side plate upper end opening edge are perpendicular to the bottom plate, and when the tray container is erected, Since the ribs come into contact with each other along a horizontal surface such as the floor surface and hold the tray containers in the upright posture, it is possible to stack a plurality of tray containers in the assembled state as described above, It can be leaned in a stable state during transportation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cutout window is cut out from the upper end surface of the side plate to approximately half the height of the side plate, the stacked height can be compressed to the maximum, and transportation is possible. It is possible to maximize the loading efficiency on the loading platform or the like at the time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the flange-like ribs projecting horizontally outward are provided on the lower end edge of the cutout window and the upper edge portion of the side plate on which the cutout window is formed,
When stacking a plurality of tray containers, the contact area of the upright ribs becomes large when the upright ribs that have entered into the upper cutout window are received on the flanged ribs of the lower tray containers. , The stacking state can be stabilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packed state of beverage cans according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view with a part thereof omitted.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a side plate.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts showing a stacked state of tray containers.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing a main part of a side plate.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a stacked state of tray containers.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a modified mode of the rib.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part of a side plate showing another modification.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the stacked state of the tray containers.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a packaged state of a beverage can according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an outline of a prior art example.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an inconvenient state when the tray containers are stacked.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tray Container 2 Packaging Film (Shrink Wrap) 3 Bottom Plate 4 Thin Hinge Part 5a Side Plate 5b Side Plate 16 Notch Window 17 Flange Rib 18 Upright Rib 18a Lower Side Projection Side C Article (Canned Beverage)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tray container made of synthetic resin, wherein a bottom plate and a plurality of side plates rising from respective end edges of the bottom plate are integrally formed, and the side plates are stacked in a nested manner in multiple stages. In a tray container formed in the shape of an inclined plate that expands upward, at least one side plate is formed with a cutout window that opens upward, and at the outer surface portion from the lower side of the cutout window to the side plate lower end surface, A rib that can enter the cutout window in a stacked state of the tray containers is provided in a protruding manner, and the protruding side surface of the lower end portion of the rib and the outer surface of the upper end opening edge of the side plate are flush with the bottom plate. A tray container, which is configured to be positioned above. 2. The tray container according to claim 1, wherein the cutout window is cut out from the upper end surface of the side plate to approximately half the height of the side plate. 3. The tray container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flange-shaped rib that horizontally projects outward is provided on the lower edge of the cutout window and the upper edge of the side plate on which the cutout window is formed. .