JP7727992B2 - Packaging containers for fruit vegetables - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act On February 3, 2021, Japan Cooperative Planning Co., Ltd. supplied Kyowa Engei Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. with packaging containers for fruit and vegetables invented by Miyata Kazuo.

The present invention relates to a packaging container for fruit and vegetables used to box various fruit and vegetable products such as tomatoes, strawberries, pears, melons, peaches, grapes, pears, hassaku oranges, La France pears, mangoes, and papayas.

Fruit vegetables such as tomatoes are sometimes sold in boxes packed in thin, tray-shaped cardboard boxes. When sold in boxes, the vegetables are laid flat with the opening facing upwards so that they are easy to see when displayed. Conventionally, tray-shaped packaging boxes with an opening at the top (Patent Documents 1 and 2) have been known as containers used to pack fruit vegetables such as tomatoes.

JP 2012-101829 A Utility Model Registration No. 2546325

Tray-shaped packaging boxes like those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are widely used because they make it easy to see the displayed fruits and vegetables. When carrying fruits and vegetables packed in such packaging boxes, they need to be carried in the same orientation as when they were displayed to prevent them from rolling over. However, holding the box in the flat position when displayed can be problematic, as the box can hit the user's legs and make it difficult to hold.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and its goal is to provide a packaging container for fruit and vegetables that can be held vertically (rotated 90 degrees from a flat position to an upright position) so as not to hit the legs or other parts of the container.

The fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention is a fruit and vegetable packaging container for storing fruit and vegetables, and comprises a container body having a storage section with an opening, a lid section for opening and closing the opening, and a holding section for holding the lid section with the opening closed, and a gap filler placed on the outside of the fruit and vegetables stored in the storage section, so that the lid section that closes the opening of the storage section is held by the holding section. The fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention can also be equipped with a fruit and vegetable tray that is stored in the storage section. In this case, the fruit and vegetable tray can be equipped with one or more storage recesses for storing fruit and vegetables.

The present invention is configured so that the lid is held by the holding part with a gap filler placed between the fruit or vegetable and the lid, and can be held vertically, making it easier to hold than conventional fruit or vegetable packaging containers that must be held flat.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention is used. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention in an open state; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention. An explanatory diagram of a state in which gap filler is placed on the outside of the fruit and vegetables contained in the storage recess. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

(Embodiment)
An example of an embodiment of a packaging container for fruits and vegetables (hereinafter simply referred to as a "packaging container") of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, in the following, the lower surface when the container is placed vertically as shown in Figure 1 will be referred to as the bottom surface, the surfaces rising from both outer sides of the bottom surface in the longitudinal direction (width direction) will be referred to as the right and left sides, the upper surface will be referred to as the top surface, the open surface will be referred to as the front surface, and the surface directly opposite the front surface will be referred to as the back surface.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the packaging container of this embodiment comprises a container body 10, a fruit or vegetable tray 20 (Figure 3), and a gap filler 30 (Figures 3 and 4).

The container body 10 is the main body of the packaging container. In this embodiment, the container body 10 is constructed by folding a sheet material (in this embodiment, cardboard) formed into a predetermined shape. As an example, the container body 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a storage section 11 with an opening 11f, a lid section 12 that opens and closes the opening 11f, and a holding section 13 that holds the lid section 12 with the opening 11f closed.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 11 is a container having a bottom surface 11a, a left side surface 11b, a right side surface 11c, a top surface 11d, a back surface 11e, and an opening 11f. Insertion holes 11g for inserting insertion pieces 12f (described below) are provided at the corners between the side surfaces 11b, 11c and the top surface 11d, and a handle 11h is provided on the top surface 11d so that the container can be held by hand.

The lid 12, which opens and closes the opening 11f, is provided at the front end of the bottom 11a of the storage section 11. In this embodiment, the lid 12 is made of the same cardboard that makes up the storage section 11 and is integral with the storage section 11. The lid 12 is designed to be bent in the opening and closing direction of the opening 11f from a folding portion 11i provided at the front end of the bottom 11a.

The lid portion 12 in this embodiment has a rectangular lid body 12h of approximately the same size as the square opening 11f, and is provided on both widthwise outer sides with lid horizontal pieces 12a that fit inside the storage portion 11. Both lid horizontal pieces 12a protrude outward from the widthwise direction of the lid body 12h and are bent at boundary portions 12b with the lid body 12h .

A flap portion 12c is provided at the free end of the lid portion 12. The flap portion 12c overlaps the outer surface of the top surface 11d of the storage portion 11 and is designed to be folded at the boundary portion 12e with the lid portion 12. In this embodiment, the flap portion 12c is rectangular with a width approximately the same as the width of the lid portion 12, and has a through-hole 12d in the center that allows the handle portion 11h to pass through.

On both longitudinal (widthwise) ends of the flap portion 12c, there are outward-protruding insertion pieces 12f that can be inserted into insertion holes 11g formed in the storage portion 11. Both insertion pieces 12f are designed to be bent at the boundary 12g with the flap portion 12c. The ends of both insertion pieces 12f are arc-shaped to make them easier to insert into the insertion holes 11g.

In this embodiment, with the opening 11f closed by the lid 12, the flap 12c is placed on the surface of the container body 10 on which the handle 11h is provided (top surface 11d) so that the handle 11h passes through the through-hole 12d, and both insertion pieces 12f are inserted into the respective insertion holes 11g, thereby maintaining the storage section 11 in a closed state. In this embodiment, the holding section 13 is formed by both insertion holes 11g and both insertion pieces 12f.

The fruit or vegetable tray 20 is a dish-shaped member for placing fruit or vegetable X on, and is stored within the storage section 11 when in use. As an example, the fruit or vegetable tray 20 shown in Figure 3 has nine storage recesses 21 for storing fruit or vegetable X. The number of storage recesses 21 may be more or less than nine. The shape and size of the storage recesses 21 may also be appropriate depending on the shape and size of the fruit or vegetable X. For example, the bottom side of the storage recesses 21 may be made to protrude more toward the front than the top side, so that the fruit or vegetable X can be supported from below when the packaging container is held upright.

The gap filler 30 is placed on the outside of the fruit or vegetable X stored in the storage recess 21 to fill the gap between the fruit or vegetable X and the lid portion 12, and functions as a cushioning material to prevent damage to the fruit or vegetable X and as a pressing member to prevent the fruit or vegetable X from shifting position.

The gap filler 30 can be, for example, bubble cushioning material with multiple protrusions that contain air. One or more layers of bubble cushioning material can be used. The thickness and size of the bubble cushioning material can be adjusted depending on the size of the storage box and the number and size of the fruit and vegetable pieces X stored therein.

(Example of use)
An example of how the packaging container of the embodiment is used will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the packaging container is laid flat, and with the lid 12 open, a fruit or vegetable tray 20 is placed in the storage section 11, and fruit or vegetables X are placed in the storage recess 21 of the placed fruit or vegetable tray 20. When the product is placed in a storefront, it can be displayed in this flat state.

On the other hand, when handling the boxed fruit and vegetables X, the gap filler 30 is placed on the outside of the fruit and vegetables X stored in the storage recess 21 in the same manner as above, and the lid 12 is closed. Then, the flap 12c is placed on the top surface 11d of the storage section 11 so that the handle 11h passes through the through-hole 12d, and both insertion pieces 12f are inserted into the respective insertion holes 11g. In this manner, the boxed fruit and vegetables X are stabilized within the container body 10 and can be carried upright as shown in Figure 1.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the fruit and vegetable X is placed on the fruit and vegetable tray 20 housed in the storage section 11, but the fruit and vegetable tray 20 may be omitted. For example, when packaged strawberries or the like housed in a plastic container are stored in the plastic container, the fruit and vegetable tray 20 may be omitted.

In this case, gap filler 30 is placed on the outside of the packed strawberries stored in the storage section 11, and the lid section 12 is closed. The flap section 12c is then placed on the top surface section 11d of the storage section 11 so that the handle section 11h passes through the through-holes 12d, and both insertion pieces 12f are inserted into the respective insertion holes 11g, allowing the packaging container containing packed strawberries, etc., to be transported vertically.

In the above embodiment, the storage section 11 is flat, but the fruit and vegetable tray 20 can be omitted by forming a recess corresponding to the storage recess 21 in the back surface 11e of the storage section 11 and allowing the fruit and vegetable X to be stored in that recess. If the fruit and vegetable tray 20 is omitted, a gap filler similar to the gap filler 30 can be placed inside the storage section 11 instead of the fruit and vegetable tray 20 to prevent the fruit and vegetable X from shifting or being damaged.

In the above embodiment, the container body 10 is formed from cardboard, but the container body 10 can also be made from materials other than cardboard, such as cardboard, coated cardboard, or plastic corrugated cardboard. In either case, the container body 10 can be made by folding or combining one or more sheet-like members.

In the above embodiment, bubble cushioning material is used as the gap filler 30, but the gap filler 30 only needs to have the functions of preventing the fruit or vegetable X from shifting position, preventing damage, and filling the gap between the lid portion 12 and the fruit or vegetable X. Various types of cushioning, such as foam cushioning material, paper cushioning material, or air cushioning material, can also be used.

In the above embodiment, the gap filler 30 is separate from the lid portion 12, but the gap filler 30 can also be fixed to the back side of the lid portion 12 to form an integrated unit. In some cases, a component that performs the function of the gap filler 30 can be provided as part of the lid portion 12.

In addition, regardless of whether it is separate from the lid portion 12 or integrated with it, any material that is placed outside the fruit or vegetable X and has the function of preventing the fruit or vegetable X from shifting position, preventing scratches, and filling the gap between the lid portion 12 and the fruit or vegetable X is included in the gap filler 30 of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the retaining portion 13 is formed by both insertion holes 11g and both insertion pieces 12f, but the retaining portion 13 may have other configurations. For example, it may be formed by a hook-and-loop fastener with a set of hook and loop surfaces, or a snap button with a set of uneven parts.

When a hook-and-loop fastener is used as the retaining portion 13, either the hook surface or the loop surface can be provided on the surface of the upper surface 11d of the storage portion 11, and the other on the back surface of the flap portion 12c. When a snap button is used as the retaining portion 13, either the concave part or the convex part can be provided on the surface of the upper surface 11d of the storage portion 11, and the other on the back surface of the flap portion 12c. The retaining portion 13 can also be constructed of other materials.

The packaging container of the above embodiment is an example, and the packaging container of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. The packaging container of the present invention can be modified, with its configuration changed, replaced, or omitted, etc., as long as the gist of the container is not changed.

The fruit and vegetable packaging container of the present invention can be used to store a variety of fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes, strawberries, pears, melons, peaches, grapes, pears, hassaku oranges, La France pears, mangoes, and papayas.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Container body 11 Storage section 11a Bottom surface 11b Left side surface 11c Right side surface 11d Top surface 11e Back surface 11f Opening 11g Insertion hole 11h Handle 11i Folded section 12 Lid 12a Lid side piece 12b Boundary section 12c Flap section 12d Through hole 12e Boundary section 12f Insertion piece 12g Boundary section
12h lid body
13 Holding portion 20 Fruit and vegetable tray 21 Storage recess 30 Gap filling material X Fruit and vegetable

Claims (4)

A packaging container for storing fruit and vegetables,
The container body (10), in which the storage section (11) and the lid section (12) are continuous, is formed by folding a paper sheet-like material,
The storage section (11) is box-shaped and surrounded by a bottom section (11a), a top section (11d), a left side section (11b), and a right side section (11c) erected on the peripheral edge of a rectangular plate-shaped back section (11e), and the top section (11d), the left side section (11b), and the right side section (11c) are double-layered by folding a sheet-like material, the back section (11e) has a width large enough to store two or more rows of fruit and vegetables (X) arranged horizontally, a depth large enough to store only one layer of fruit and vegetables (X), the depth dimension is shorter than the width dimension of the back section (11e), and the surface facing the back section (11e) is an opening (11f), forming a shallow box shape.
The rear surface (11e) has two or more rows of storage recesses (21) arranged side by side, each capable of storing one fruit or vegetable (X), and the top surface (11d) has a handle (11h).
The storage section (11) can be placed flat with the back section (11e) facing downwards and the opening section (11f) facing upwards, or can be placed vertically with the bottom section (11a) facing downwards and the top section (11d) facing upwards. When placed flat and the lid section (12) is opened to open the opening section (11f), the fruit and vegetables (X) stored in the storage recess (21) can be displayed so that they can be seen from the opening section (11f). When the opening section (11f) is closed with the lid section (12) and placed vertically, the handle section (11h) can be held by hand and the product can be carried in a handbag-like state.
The lid portion (12) has a rectangular plate-shaped lid body (12h) of a size that can close the opening (11f), and the lid body (12h) is continuous with the upper edge of the opening (11f) in a bendable manner, and when folded from the continuous part, it covers the opening (11f) to close the opening (11f), and when folded back, it opens the opening (11f).
The lid body (12h) has lid horizontal pieces (12a) on both sides in the width direction, and a flap portion (12c) is foldably continuous with the tip of the lid body (12h), and a through hole (12d) is formed in the flap portion (12c);
When the lid portion (12) is folded and the lid body (12h) is placed over the opening (11f), the lid horizontal pieces (12a) can be inserted into the left side surface (11b) and the right side surface (11c) of the storage portion (11).
When the lid part (12) is folded and the lid body (12h) is placed over the opening (11f), the flap part (12c) can be placed on the outside of the upper surface part (11d) of the storage part (11), and in the placed state, the handle part (11h) can be pulled out from the through hole (12d), and the pulled out handle part (11h) can be held by hand to carry the container body (10) in a hand-carried state.
A packaging container for fruits and vegetables. The packaging container for fruits and vegetables according to claim 1,
The storage recess (21) is formed directly on the back surface (11e) or is formed on a fruit and vegetable tray (20) that is separate from the storage section (11) and has a size that can be placed on the inner surface of the back surface (11e) of the storage section (11).
A packaging container for fruits and vegetables. The packaging container for fruits and vegetables according to claim 1 ,
The container body (10) includes a fruit and vegetable tray (20) and a gap filler (30) that are separate from the container body (10).
The fruit and vegetable tray (20) is sized to fit on the inner surface of the back surface (11e) of the storage section (11), and has two or more rows of storage recesses (21) arranged side by side, each capable of storing one fruit or vegetable (X);
The gap filler (30) can be placed on the fruit or vegetables (X) stored in the storage recess (21) formed directly on the back surface (11e) of the storage section (11) or the storage recess (21) of the fruit or vegetable tray (20) to fill the space between the inner surface of the lid body (12h) that closes the opening (11f) of the storage section (11) and the fruit or vegetables (X).
A packaging container for fruits and vegetables. The packaging container for fruits and vegetables according to claim 3 ,
A gap filling material (30) separate from the container body (10) is attached to the inner surface of the lid body (12h),
By opening and closing the lid body (12h), the lid body (12h) can be placed over the fruit and vegetables (X) stored in the storage recess (21) formed directly on the back surface (11e) of the storage section (11) or in the storage recess (21) of the fruit and vegetable tray (20), thereby filling the space between the inner surface of the lid body (12h) that closes the opening (11f) of the storage section (11) and the fruit and vegetables (X).
A packaging container for fruits and vegetables.