JPH1120864A - Cold reserving plastic container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control unfrozen temperature of a cold reserving container made of a foam body with skin having a mesh bottom panel and an open top. SOLUTION: A plurality of cold reserving containers 1 made of a foam body with skin having a mesh bottom panel 11 and an open top are stacked to be placed in a big refrigerator for cooling food, etc., stored in an unfrozen condition and are carried to a store kept on a car. In order to keep temperature accurately during this time, a glass thermometer 22 is built in/attached to the container side panel 2 for accurate temperature control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plastic container for keeping cool, and more particularly to a temperature display device for keeping cool of a foldable plastic container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, living foods such as vegetables and fruits, non-living foods such as livestock meat and fresh fish, or processed foods thereof (hereinafter simply referred to as foods) are generally referred to as cold chains. In addition, the temperature of the product is lowered, and the product is distributed in an unfrozen state in a cooled state, thereby delaying the progress of the quality deterioration.

[0003] Foods to be kept in a cool state are put in a cool container, and if the food is not frozen in a large refrigerator, 5%.
They are stored for about 6 hours or about 12 hours in the case of freezing to lower the product temperature. As appropriate, the foods in this cooled state
They are taken out to stores for sale and displayed for general consumers.

[0004] The reason for lowering the temperature of non-living foods is to delay the progress of quality deterioration as much as possible by delaying microbiological, chemical, and physical changes. However, it is said that the temperature of the food is kept unfrozen, in particular, because consumers tend to prefer raw foods to frozen foods.

[0005] Therefore, the cooling of the non-living food in an unfrozen state is a very important matter, and in particular, unlike the living food, the progress of the deterioration is often considerably rapid depending on the cooling temperature. In addition, despite the fact that it is preferable to keep the temperature near the freezing point, if for any reason lowering it slightly causes a slight freezing, which may be undesirable for quality, Temperature control of product temperature has become an important matter.

On the other hand, a foldable container (for example, a returnable box) does not become bulky before and after use, that is, when storing the container, the storage efficiency (accumulation efficiency) referred to as stacking or nesting of the container is improved (hereinafter, referred to as a storage efficiency). , This is referred to as stacking efficiency).

One of the proposals for improving the stacking efficiency of such a foldable container is as follows.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-24181 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-40668,
A side plate of an upward-opening container having a detachable bottom plate is formed in a rectangular shape, and a vertical hinge portion is provided at the center of each of a pair of side plates facing each other on the short side. By folding the side plates inward, the pair of side plates on the other long sides are brought closer to each other with the folded short side plates sandwiched therebetween, thereby improving the stacking efficiency.

More specifically, in FIG. 7, a rectangular upper side container 51A, 51B, 5 is provided by an open-top container 50 having a detachable bottom plate (not shown).
2A, 52B, a pair of opposed side plates 51 on the short side.
A, 51B in the vertical direction (refers to the side plate height direction).
Therefore, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is called the width direction.
Hinges 53), and these short side side plates 51A, 51B are folded inward by the hinge portions 53, so that a pair of opposed side plates 52A, 52B on the other long side. Are brought close to each other with the short side side plates 51A and 51B interposed therebetween to fold the whole, thereby improving the stacking efficiency. Note that these side plates 5
Adjacent ones in 1A, 51B, 52A, 52B are connected by hinge connections 54,54.

In this proposal, particularly, both ends in the width direction of the side plates 52A, 52B on the long side are bent toward the short side plates 51A, 51B in an L-shape, respectively.
5 is formed, and the bending length L is set to the side plate 51 on the short side.
A and 51B are sized to include the thickness. Therefore, the width of the short side plates 51A and 51B is shorter than the width of the container when used.

[0011]

However, in the foldable plastic container 50, since the L-shaped bent portions 55 are formed at both ends of the long side plates 52A and 52B, the container 50 is folded. At this time, the width V of the long side plates 52A and 52B was the same as the width of the container 50 at the time of use, and there was still dissatisfaction with the improvement of stacking efficiency because of the long side plates.

In particular, when a container is formed in a shallow dish shape and a large number of containers are used as a mesh bottom for the purpose of storing a large amount of stored items separately for passing cool air or hot air (for example, In the non-folding type container described in JP-A-6-115568, instead of shortening the height of the side plate, the width of the side plate is enlarged. There was a demand to reduce the width of the side plate of the container (when folded) as much as possible. However, the foldable plastic container cannot sufficiently meet the demand.

[0013] Further, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned collapsible cold storage container which is stacked and transported from the large refrigerator compartment to the storefront, the foods contained therein need to be controlled for the product temperature. Nevertheless, it merely performs indirect temperature control based on the room temperature and the storage time of the large refrigeration compartment, and thus cannot sufficiently meet the quality preservation of foods.

[0014] As described above, in order to maintain the freshness of foods by lowering the temperature of the foods, it is widely practiced to transport the foods in a general foamed resin container (for example, Kimiaki Jikku). No. 60-1104, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-3
1069, JP-B-7-29660, etc.).

By the way, since the temperature control of the product temperature is an important matter as described above, a general container for storing foods is provided with a scale thermometer such as an alcohol thermometer, or a thermometer based on color change. In addition, a temperature display device using a temperature indicating material or the like is provided.

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-34534, a concave portion is provided at the upper opening edge of a container to be covered, and a pen-type thermometer is provided in the concave portion in order to know the internal temperature of the portable cold storage container. It is introduced that it is attached.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-82027, a colored aqueous solution is impregnated in gypsum, and a wax film is formed on the surface of the gypsum. A temperature indicating material is disclosed in which a film is caused to crack, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (thaw temperature), the inside of the colored aqueous solution that has thawed out oozes out of the crack and dyes water.

However, a container provided with such a temperature display device cannot be employed because it is not a delicate, unfrozen state of the temperature management performed without opening the lid.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. The gist of the invention is as follows. 1) The side plate of the open-top type cold storage container having a bottom plate is covered with foam. A heat insulating side plate made of a body, a concave portion is formed in the side plate, a temperature display device is attached to the concave portion, and a transparent plate flush with the side plate outside the temperature display device is provided in the concave portion. A plastic container for cooling, characterized by being covered with the temperature display device, and 2) stacking a plurality of plastic containers for cooling with an upper opening having a mesh bottom plate in a large refrigerator compartment, The temperature of foodstuffs stored in the container is lowered to a frozen or unfrozen state, and the temperature is displayed on the side plate of the container. In plastic container for cold, characterized in that the product temperature of the contained foods was manageable on.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an embodiment of FIG. 1, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a plan view of a main part of (A), and (C) is (B), FIG. 3 is a use state diagram of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is another use state diagram of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG.

The first embodiment is suitable for an upward-opening type container in which a mesh bottom plate for allowing cool air to pass through the storage items is made detachable, and this container is used by stacking many containers. It is. Incidentally, the long side of the rectangular side plate is 60 cm, the short side is 48 cm, and the height is 16 c.
m, the thickness is 2 cm.

First, the embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, a rectangular side plate 2 in a container 1 having an open top includes a pair of opposed short side side plates 3A and 3B,
The side plates 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B are connected to each other by connecting hinges 5, 5,... Adjacent to each other at both ends in the width direction. I have.

The short side plates 3A and 3B are provided with a hinge 6 in the vertical direction at the center thereof.
Is composed of a skin 19 which constitutes a foam with skin described later.

Both ends of the short side plates 3A and 3B in the width direction are connected to the long side plates 4A and 3A when the container is used.
The bent portions 7, 7 are formed in an L shape toward 4B, and the bent length L is set to a size that can include the thickness (thickness) D of the long side plates 4A, 4B.

Therefore, according to the container 1, the length W in the width direction of the side plates 4A, 4B on the long side of the container 1 during use (see also FIG. 2B) is equal to the length of the side plate 4 on the long side.
A, 4B width V (see FIG. 2 (B)) plus bending length L on both sides, so when folded (when not in use)
In this case, the length in the width direction of the side plates 4A and 4B on the long side can be reduced. Of course, if the long side plates 4A, 4B are even thicker or if there are protrusions on the inner surfaces of the long side plates 4A, 4B, for example, a support shelf 8 described later, the bent length is As a result, the length in the width direction of the side plates 4A and 4B on the long side at the time of folding is further reduced, and the side plate width on the short side is slightly reduced.
The overall stacking efficiency is improved.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 9 denotes a broken fitting projection.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a broken recess for fitting, and
Although not shown, a pair of pins are integrally protruded on the long side and a pair of holes are provided on the short side to form a pivot.

Next, a description will be given of a container 1A for keeping cool, that is, a thick side plate using the upward open type container 1. FIG.

In FIG. 2, this container 1A is composed of the above-mentioned side plate 2 and the following bottom plate.

This bottom plate forms a mesh bottom plate 11 having a thickness of 10 mm in a grid pattern as shown in FIG. The mesh bottom plate 11 is placed in the side plate 2 and is detachably mounted. For this purpose, a support shelf 8 is provided at the lower end of the inner surface of the side plate 2.
Are formed integrally (in FIG. 5, a separate beam-shaped support shelf 8 is bonded). The support shelf 8 is also called a projection for locking the bottom plate. The mesh bottom plate 11
May be a perforated plate.

The supporting shelf 8 is provided with short side plates 3A, 3B.
At the lower end of the inner surface, a support shelf 8A divided around the hinge portion 6 is formed. At the lower end of the inner surface of the long side plates 4A, 4B, a pair of support shelves 8B, 8B deviated toward both ends in the width direction is formed. When the side plate 2 is folded, as shown in FIG.
As shown by arrows in FIG. 2B, these support shelves 8A and 8B are positioned so as to form a series without overlapping.

In FIG. 2 (A), reference numeral 13 denotes a recess for handling, which is formed as a recess 13 since the handle cannot be protruded due to the presence of the hinge 6. Further, on the opposite side of the cuff recess 13, that is, on the inner surface, an uneven portion (not shown) may be provided in which the side plates on the short side mesh with each other when the container is used.

The cooling container 1A as described above is shown in FIG.
Are stacked and used on a carriage 15 with a heat insulating bottom plate 16 suspended therefrom. In this container 1A, as shown in FIG. 5, the fitting concave and convex portions 9, 10 are formed over the entire edge of the side plate 2.

The cart 15 is provided with a caster hole 12 into which a caster 14 is partially inserted in order to fix the cart 15 when stacking the carts at the time of collection. Of course, a normal truck is used, and the heat insulating bottom plate 16 is attached to this truck.
And the container 1A may be stacked thereon.

Therefore, the food (meat, meat,
Many trolleys 15 after storing fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, vegetables, etc.)
And put them in a large freezer or a freezer, for example. If it is a frozen car, it is transported to a target place while cooling it in a predetermined manner, and one cart 15 is carried out to, for example, a retail store or a store.

Therefore, the lowermost container 1A has an insulating bottom plate 16, and the uppermost container 1A has an insulating top plate (a cold storage agent may be put in the uppermost container or in the uppermost container).
17 is attached to insulate the entire container from outside air.

These containers 1A are fitted by the fitting concave and convex portions 10 and 9 over the entire edge of the side plate 2 and are stacked to prevent collapse of the load. Further, the trolley 15 and the trolley 15 are tied with the packing belt 18.

Next, the contents of the container 1A are taken out,
When collecting empty containers, the mesh bottom plates 11 of the container 1A are removed and stacked, and each side plate 2 is folded and placed on a cart 15 to collect.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the container 1A is tied with a belt 18 in 10 steps (about 170 cm in height),
30 carts 15 are put together in a 4-ton freezer truck and delivered to a predetermined retail store or store.

Then, the empty container 1A is put into three levels (about 70 cm in height) as shown in FIG. 4, in which the side plates 2 and the mesh bottom plate 11 are all stored and loaded on a collection truck. That is, the ten stages are integrated into three stages and stacked on the collection truck.

At this time, in particular, since the width of the long side plates 4A and 4B is shorter than the container width at the time of use, the folded side plate 2 can be stored in the three empty containers 1A without any trouble. . That is, for example, the lowermost container 1A
The mesh bottom plate 11 of the upper nine containers is stored, and the side plates 2 for seven stages are stored in two layers in the remaining two containers 1A.

Of course, in the container disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the folded side plates need to be inclined along the diagonal line of the container, so that all of them cannot be stored.

As another collection method, when collecting a group of 10 empty containers 1A (for example, 30 sets), as described above, several carts 15 are collectively stacked and stacked as described above.
Comrades can also stack 10 stacks and load them on a collection truck.

Next, the side plate 2 made of skinned foam for constituting the heat insulating side plate will be described.

In FIG. 5, the side plate 2 is made of a foamed body 19 in which a foam 19 is wrapped around a skin 20. Needless to say,
The foam with skin is formed by blow molding a non-foamed parison constituting the skin made of an olefin-based resin such as polyethylene to form a hollow body, in which a foamed bead of a polyolefin-based resin or a polystyrene-based resin is formed. It is made by heating and foaming the foam beads after filling.

In particular, the foam with skin shown in FIG.
Since the foaming beads are filled in the molding die as it is to produce a skinned foam (for example, see JP-A-6-182887), it can be produced at extremely low cost. In particular, in the case of the side plates 3A and 3B on the short side, the skin 20 serves as the hinge portion 6, which is convenient. Therefore, the side plate 2 becomes thick.

It should be noted that the side plate 2 may be a simple hollow blow-molded body instead of a skinned foam, but each is formed to have a thick wall having a heat insulating function. In addition, container 1A
May be used in two or three stacks.

Here, a temperature display device 21 is attached to the above-mentioned cold storage container 1A so as to manage the temperature of the foodstuffs contained therein.

For this reason, the present inventors hunted a temperature sensor suitable for the container 1A at the following check point.

That is, it was checked that it was inexpensive, had a clear reading, was not damaged, was easy to install, and the like. It was found that the thermometer was made of an impact-resistant rod-shaped glass or a liquid-filled thermometer (Bourdon tube type). ), A bimetallic thermometer, and furthermore, a temperature-sensitive liquid crystal and a temperature-indicating paint were found to be applicable.

For example, an impact-resistant rod-shaped glass thermometer 22
2 and 5, the inner and outer skins 20 and the outer skin 20 are provided on the side plate 2, particularly on the short side side plate 3B as shown in FIGS.
A recess 23 is formed such that the thermometer 22 is directly joined to the inner and outer skins 20 in the recess 23.
And fitted.

Therefore, since the thermometer 22 is installed so as to extend inside and outside the container 1A in the concave portion 23, particularly, the temperature sensing portion of the thermometer 22 faces the inside of the container 1A, and the reading portion is exposed to the outside. As a result, the temperature inside the container 1A can be properly detected, and can be clearly recognized by a viewer.

Since the small thermometer 22 is mounted in the concave portion 23 of the side plate 3B on the short side to be folded, it is not exposed when the container 1A is not used.
When the container 1A is used, the container 1A is attached to the concave portion 23, so that damage due to external force is prevented. Of course, a transparent resin plate (26) may be attached to the outer surface of the concave portion 23 to prevent damage.

When a bimetal thermometer is provided, the bimetal portion wound in a spiral shape at the same position as the thermometer 22 is located inside the container 1A and the plate surface of the pointer is located outside, though not shown. It is good to attach. In this case, the container 1A is simple because of its simple structure and, in particular, its robustness.
The temperature display device 21 is convenient. Needless to say, the liquid-filled thermometer and the temperature-indicating paint may be similarly mounted in the recess.

Further, the plastic container 1A for keeping cold with the temperature display device 21 of the first embodiment as described above.
Is a foldable plastic container placed on a trolley, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a rod-shaped glass thermometer 22 folded into a heat-insulating (skinned foam) plastic container 24 as shown in FIG. May be added.

That is, in FIG. 6, a lid 25 is formed on a bottomed plastic container 24 to form a closed container in which foods for cooling are stored. It is made up of a body and made into an insulated container.

A concave portion 25 is formed in the side plate 24A of the bottomed plastic container 24 in substantially the same manner as the concave portion 23, and the rod-shaped glass thermometer 22, which is called a bending thermometer, is attached to the concave portion 25, and its temperature sensitivity is measured. The portion 22A faces the inside of the container, and the concave portion 25 is sealed with a transparent plate 26 so that the thermometer 22 can be further protected against damage, together with the foam with skin.

As described above, since the internal temperature of the cooling container 1A itself is detected and the temperature of the stored items is estimated, the temperature of the food items can be controlled more accurately, and the higher quality food items can be obtained. Can be provided.

[0058]

According to the present invention, the temperature indicator is attached to the plastic container for keeping cool, and the temperature of foods can be controlled. Can be prevented and the quality of foods can be kept favorable.

In particular, since the temperature indicating device is attached to the heat insulating container 1A made of a foam with skin, the temperature indicating device (especially, the temperature indicating material disclosed in the above-mentioned publication) is made resistant to shock and damage. It is possible to maintain good product temperature control by repeated use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

2 (A) is a perspective view, FIG. 2 (B) is a plan view of a main part of FIG. 1 (A), and FIG. 2 (C) is a folded view of FIG. 1 (B).

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a use state of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another use state diagram of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a main part view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Container, 2 ... Side plate, 3A, 3B ... Short side side plate,
4A, 4B: side plate on long side, 6: hinge portion, 7: bent portion, 11: mesh bottom plate, 21: temperature display device, 22:
Thermometer, 23 ... recess

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A side plate of an upper open type cold storage container having a bottom plate is constituted by a heat insulating side plate made of a skinned foam, a concave portion is formed in the side plate, and a temperature display device is attached to the concave portion. A plastic container for cold insulation, wherein a transparent plate flush with a side plate outside the display device is provided in the recess to cover the temperature display device. 2. A plurality of plastic containers for keeping cold, which have an open top, having a mesh bottom plate, are stacked in a large refrigerator, and the temperature of foods contained in the containers is frozen or unfrozen. A plastic container for cold storage, which is lowered and taken out to a store as it is, wherein a temperature display device is attached to a side plate of the container so that the temperature of foods contained in the container can be controlled. .