US20100133277A1

US20100133277A1 - Container for packaging kimchi

Info

Publication number: US20100133277A1
Application number: US12/598,843
Authority: US
Inventors: Tae Hong Cheong; Eun jin Park
Original assignee: CJ CheilJedang Corp
Current assignee: CJ CheilJedang Corp
Priority date: 2007-05-28
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2010-06-03
Also published as: KR20080104568A; JP2010527864A; WO2008147082A1; KR100987247B1

Abstract

A kimchi packaging container, in which a flexible pouch is coupled with an injection molding that can be produced by injection molding, can easily transport kimchi packaged and stored in a container in a sealed state. The kimchi packaging container includes a pouch section, which has a shape of a flexible bag whose upper side is open and in which kimchi is stored, a coupler section, which is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section, is bonded with the pouch section such that the open upper side of the pouch section has a predetermined area, and is formed in a looped shape so as to input kimchi after bonded with the pouch section, and a cover section, which is coupled with the coupler section and seals the open upper side of the pouch section.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a kimchi packaging container and, more particularly, to a kimchi packaging container, in which a flexible pouch is coupled with an injection molding that can be produced by injection molding, thereby easily transporting kimchi packaged and stored in a container in a sealed state.

BACKGROUND ART

Kimchi is a representative fermented food, and is fermented to emit its peculiar perfume during long-term storage. Further, when coming into excessive contact with external air, kimchi itself is deteriorated to reduce its peculiar taste and perfume. In this respect, technology for storing kimchi is important.
Meanwhile, traditionally, kimchi was directly prepared in the family, was stored in a refrigerator, a jar, or the like, and was eaten. These days, kimchi itself is treated as one product, and thus is produced and distributed in commercial quantity by a kimchi maker etc. A large quantity of kimchi is exported abroad or imported at home.
In this situation, in addition to the technology for storing kimchi, technology for packaging kimchi is required to distribute kimchi with kimchi stored in a long period. As described above, there is a need for the kimchi packaging container capable of maintaining the taste and perfume peculiar to kimchi as well as the state in which kimchi is not deteriorated in a period when kimchi is distributed from the kimchi maker to the consumers. In another respect, there is a need for the kimchi packaging container offering a regular shape so as to be efficiently loaded in a restricted volume.
Most of the conventional kimchi packaging containers are generally used for sealing kimchi using synthetic resin (plastic) material such as polyethylene tube.
However, this conventional kimchi packaging container itself is expanded due to moisture and gas occurring while kimchi is fermented and ripened, and thus becomes deficient in internal volume. As a result, there is a possibility of the kimchi packaging container itself being damaged despite external weak impact.
Further, it is difficult to immerse the main ingredients in kimchi such as Chinese cabbage, radish etc. in seasoned water containing a great deal of seasonings in the container for a long time, so that the taste and perfume of kimchi itself are reduced.
Meanwhile, in the process of distributing kimchi, the conventional kimchi packaging container is formed of polyethylene tube into a shapeless bag. As such, when a great deal of kimchi products are loaded and transported, there is a high possibility of causing damage to the kimchi packaging container itself, and thus it is difficult to efficiently load and transport the kimchi products.
Moreover, when the kimchi products are displayed at ordinary stores, the kimchi packaging containers themselves are shapeless, which makes it difficult to display the kimchi products up to a predetermined height at regular intervals, and thus for the consumer to select the kimchi products.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention provides a kimchi packaging container, in which a flexible pouch is coupled with an injection molding that can be produced by injection molding, thereby maintaining a regular shape.
In addition, the present invention provides a kimchi packaging container, which is provided with a separate handle section so as to be easily transported.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kimchi packaging container, which comprises: a pouch section, which has a shape of a flexible bag whose upper side is open and in which kimchi is stored; a coupler section, which is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section, is bonded with the pouch section such that the open upper side of the pouch section has a predetermined area, and is formed in a looped shape so as to input kimchi after bonded with the pouch section; and a cover section, which is coupled with the coupler section and seals the open upper side of the pouch section.
Here, the cover section may include: a sealing plate sealing the pouch section bonded to the coupler section; and a lateral plate defining an edge of the sealing plate and having a coupling step protruding inwards from an inner circumference thereof such that the cover section is fixedly coupled to the coupler section.
Further, the coupler section may include: a catch step formed on an outer circumference thereof the corresponding to the coupling step of the cover section such that the cover section is fixedly coupled to the coupler section; and lower extension pieces protruding downwardly from an edge of the coupler section so as to be enclosed and bonded by the open upper side of the pouch section.
Also, the coupler section may have one of a quadrilateral shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, and a polygonal shape.
Further, the coupler section may be coupled with a handle section for transportation.
In addition, the coupler section may include handle pegs, to which the handle section is coupled, on opposite sides of the coupler section, and the handle section is formed in a flexible elongate strip shape so as to be fixedly coupled to the handle pegs formed on the opposite sides of the coupler section.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, the kimchi packaging container couples the flexible pouch with an injection molding that can be produced by injection molding so as to maintain a regular shape, so that it can be efficiently loaded when a great deal of kimchi is transported and stored, and improve efficiency in the distribution of kimchi products. Further, the handle section is separately formed, so that the kimchi packaging container can be easily transported.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating a cover section included in a kimchi packaging container according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a coupler section included in a kimchi packaging container according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a pouch section included in a kimchi packaging container according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a kimchi packaging container to which the components of FIGS. 1 through 4 are coupled according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the kimchi packaging container of FIG. 5, to which a handle section is added.

BEST MODE

Mode for Invention

Hereinafter, a kimchi packaging container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The kimchi packaging container according to the present invention comprises a pouch section 300 (FIG. 4), which has the shape of a flexible bag whose upper side is open and in which kimchi is stored, a coupler section 200 (FIG. 3), which is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section 300 and is bonded with the pouch section with heat, a cover section 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is coupled with the coupler section 200 and seals the open upper side of the pouch section 300, and a grip section 400 (FIG. 6) which is coupled with the coupler section 200 so as to facilitate transport. Hereinafter, these components will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover section 100 of the kimchi packaging container of the present invention includes a sealing plate 110 sealing the pouch section 300, and a lateral plate 120 defining an edge of the sealing plate 110. The sealing plate 110 and the lateral plate 120 are based on concept for explaining the cover section 100 in detail, and preferably are integrally formed with the cover section.
The sealing plate 110 serves as a body of the cover section 100.
The cover section 100 is preferably formed of a plastic injection molding. Generally, a printed medium, on which a trademark, etc. of the kimchi product are printed, is bonded to the top of the sealing plate 110.
The lateral plate 120 forms an edge of the sealing plate 110, and has a coupling step 127. The coupling step 127 protrudes from the inner portion of the lateral plate 120 so as to be fixedly coupled to the coupler section 200, which will be described below. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lateral plate 120 preferably extends in a downward direction at a predetermined length like a circumferential step 125 extending in an upward direction. Thus, as in FIG. 2, the lateral plate 120 extending in the downward direction at a predetermined length has the coupling step 127 protruding from the inner portion of the lateral plate 120. Here, it is sufficient to understand the “inside” of the lateral plate 120 as a side, which is not observed from the outside and comes into contact with the outside of the coupler section when coupled with the coupler section to be described below.
Since the coupling using this coupling step 127 is not essential, any physical configuration for coupling the cover section 100 and the coupler section 200 can be applied to such coupling. Further, as in FIG. 2, the coupling step 127 may protrude throughout the inner circumference of the lateral plate 120, or at parts of the inner circumference of the lateral plate 120. This configuration can be variously modified according to intent of a designer.
A protruding piece 122 protrudes from the lateral plate 120 of the cover section 100, and can be used as a handle when a consumer decouples the cover section 100 from the coupler section 200.
Referring to FIG. 3, the coupler section 200 of the kimchi packaging container of the present invention is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section 300, and is bonded with the pouch section 300 with heat. Further, the coupler section 200 is preferably formed in a shape in which opposite ends of a band are integrally connected with each other. The pouch section 300 is formed of a flexible material, and thus has difficulty in offering a regular shape. Thus, the coupler section 200 serves to fix the open upper side of the pouch section 300 in a predetermined shape. This coupler section 200 is preferably manufactured by plastic injection molding like the cover section 100.
The coupler section 200 is formed in a looped band shape, and thus can fix the open upper side of the pouch section 300 so as to have a predetermined opening, through which kimchi can be input and stored. Thus, a shape of the opening of the open upper side of the pouch section 300 is dependent on the shape of the coupler section 200. Preferably, the coupler section 200 is a quadrilateral shape. Here, the shape of the coupler section 200 may be variously modified into, for instance, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. Further, the coupler section 200 is allowed to seal the pouch section 300 while coupled with the cover section 100 described above.
The coupler section 200 includes a catch step 210 formed on an outer circumference thereof corresponding to the coupling step 127 formed on the inner circumference of the lateral plate 120 of the cover section 100 described above. In the process of coupling the cover section 100 to the coupler section 200, when the cover section 100 is pressed, the coupling step 127 formed on the inner circumference of the lateral plate 120 of the cover section 100 slides downwards in contact with the catch step 210 protruding from the outer circumference of the coupler section 200, and then goes past the catch step 210. Thereby, an upper side of the coupling step 127 comes into contact with a lower side of the catch step 210, so that the cover section 100 is prevented from escaping from the coupler section 200.
The coupler section 200 includes lower extension pieces 230 protruding downwardly from an edge thereof. Preferably, each lower extension piece 230 is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section 300. In this state, heat is applied to a predetermined extent, so that the lower extension pieces 230 is boned with the open upper side of the pouch section 300. As described above, the coupler section 200 and the pouch section 300 are preferably formed of synthetic resin, i.e. plastic. Thus, the synthetic resin of coupler section 200 can be bonded with that of the pouch section 300 by the heat. This heat bonding is well known, and so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Any shape will do if each lower extension piece 230 can be heat-bonded with the pouch section 300. Thus, the shape of each lower extension piece 230 is not particularly limited. Further, since the lower extension pieces 230 are included in the coupler section 200, it is sufficient to understand each lower extension piece 230 as a lower portion of the coupler section 200 regardless of its shape.
However, as in FIG. 3, in the case in which four corners of the coupler section 200 extend in a downward direction at a predetermined length, they can serve to maintain the pouch section 300 in which kimchi is stored in a quadrilateral pillar shape.
The coupler section 200 is additionally provided with handle pegs 220, to which the handle section 400 to be described below is coupled. The handle pegs 220 are symmetrically formed on opposite sides of the coupler section 200 as in FIG. 3. When the handle section 400 is coupled to the handle pegs 220 for transportation, the handle pegs 220 are preferably formed to be able to properly distribute a load.
Referring to FIG. 4, the pouch section 300 is formed in the shape of a flexible bag, on an upper side of which is open. Preferably, the pouch section 300 is formed in an “M” shape so as to be able to stand erect during distribution and exhibition in the state in which kimchi is stored. Of course, the regular shape of the pouch section 300 is guaranteed by the coupler section 200 described above. Moreover, the pouch section 300 preferably maintains a quadrilateral pillar shape in the state in which kimchi is stored in terms of efficient loading, distribution and exhibition of the kimchi products.
Referring to FIG. 5, the cover section 100, the coupler section 200, and the pouch section 300, which has been described up to now, are coupled to form one kimchi packaging container. The outside of the coupler section 200, particularly the outside of the lower extension pieces 230 (FIG. 3) of the coupler section 200 is heat-bonded in the state in which it is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section 300, particularly by the inner circumference of the open upper side of the pouch section 300. The coupling method of the cover section 100 and the coupler section 200 has already been described. Thus, in the state of FIG. 5, kimchi is stored in the pouch section 300, and can be distributed to the consumer in the state in which the pouch section maintains the regular shape.
Referring to FIG. 6, the handle section 400 is added to the kimchi packaging container of FIG. 5 for the purpose of easy transportation. The handle section 400 is coupled to the coupler section 200 described above, and preferably to the handle pegs 220 of the coupler section 200. The handle section 400 is preferably formed in the shape of a flexible elongate strip. Thus, the consumer or a transporter of the kimchi maker can easily carry the kimchi packaging container in which kimchi is stored using the handle section 400.

Claims

1. A kimchi packaging container comprising:

a pouch section, which has a shape of a flexible bag whose upper side is open and in which kimchi is stored;

a coupler section, which is enclosed by the open upper side of the pouch section, is bonded with the pouch section such that the open upper side of the pouch section has a predetermined area, and is formed in a looped shape so as to input kimchi after bonded with the pouch section; and

a cover section, which is coupled with the coupler section and seals the open upper side of the pouch section.

2. The kimchi packaging container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover section includes:

a sealing plate sealing the pouch section bonded to the coupler section; and

a lateral plate defining an edge of the sealing plate and having a coupling step protruding inwards from an inner circumference thereof such that the cover section is fixedly coupled to the coupler section.

3. The kimchi packaging container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupler section includes:

a catch step formed on an outer circumference thereof the corresponding to the coupling step of the cover section such that the cover section is fixedly coupled to the coupler section; and

lower extension pieces protruding downwardly from an edge of the coupler section so as to be enclosed and bonded by the open upper side of the pouch section.

4. The kimchi packaging container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupler section has one of a quadrilateral shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, and a polygonal shape.

5. The kimchi packaging container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupler section is coupled with a handle section for transportation.

6. The kimchi packaging container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupler section includes handle pegs, to which the handle section is coupled, on opposite sides of the coupler section, and the handle section is formed in a flexible elongate strip shape so as to be fixedly coupled to the handle pegs formed on the opposite sides of the coupler section.