Packaging container and packaging body containing soft food

Abstract

A packaging container (11) which accommodates a soft food product (31) and a liquid (32) and is sealed by a lid body (12) is provided with an accommodating part (21). The accommodating part (21) is provided with a concave part (27) for accommodating the soft food product (31) and a top space in which the liquid (32) is filled above the soft food product (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container for accommodating a soft food and a package containing a soft food accommodated in the packaging container. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, soft foods have been in circulation as nursing foods for the elderly and the like who have difficulty chewing and swallowing. A soft food is, for example, a food that is formed by grinding a solid food and solidifying it into a desired shape. In addition, as a package containing a soft food, as disclosed in International Publication No. 2013 / 146618, there is known a product in which a custard-like food as a soft food and a liquid flavoring are filled in a cup container as a packaging container and the cup container is sealed with a sealing lid.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2013 / 146618 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the above-described package containing a soft food, since the soft food is sealed in a state of floating in the liquid flavoring filled in the cup container, the entire surface of the soft food comes into contact with the flavoring. Therefore, the taste and / or color of the flavoring is easily transferred to the soft food, and the original taste and / or color of the soft food may be impaired. In addition, the soft food floating in the flavoring in the cup container may be deformed due to vibrations generated during transportation or the like.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging container and a package containing a soft food that can suppress the transfer of taste and / or color between the soft food and the liquid and prevent the soft food from being deformed.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a packaging container accommodates a soft food and a liquid and is sealed with a lid body, wherein the packaging container includes a housing portion that is formed with a recess for accommodating the soft food and a top space for filling the liquid above the soft food.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a package containing a soft food includes: a soft food; a liquid; a housing portion that is formed with a recess for accommodating the soft food and a top space for filling the liquid above the soft food; and a lid body that seals the housing portion.

[0012] Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, there can be provided a packaging container and a package containing a soft food, which can inhibit the transfer of flavor and / or color between the soft food and a liquid and prevent deformation of the soft food. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. is a side view showing the structure of a package containing a soft food according to an embodiment of the present invention in a partial cross section.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. is a plan view showing the structure of the packaging container used for the package containing the soft food.

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. is an explanatory view schematically showing the packaging container in a stacked state.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. is an explanatory view showing the structure of the packaging container.

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the package containing the soft food.

[0019] Figure 6 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of another example of the package containing the soft food.

[0020] Figure 7 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of another example of the package containing the soft food.

[0021] Figure 8 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of another example of the package containing the soft food.

[0022] Figure 9 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of another example of the package containing the soft food.

[0023] Figure 10 FIG. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of another example of the package containing the soft food.

[0024] Figure 11 FIG. is a plan view showing the structure of another example of the packaging container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 10 , the structure of a packaging container 11 for a package containing a soft food according to an embodiment of the present invention and the structure of the packaging container 11 used for the package 1 will be described.

[0026] Figure 1It is a side view showing the structure of the package 1 containing soft food according to an embodiment of the present invention and showing a part of the food 13 accommodated therein with a part of the packaging container 11 of the package 1 containing soft food as a cross-section. Figure 2 It is a top view showing the structure of the packaging container 11. Figure 3 It is an explanatory view schematically showing two packaging containers 11 in a stacked state. Figure 4 It is an explanatory view showing the structure of the packaging container 11. Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the package 1 containing soft food, Figures 6 to 10 They are cross-sectional views schematically showing the structures of another example of the package 1 containing soft food, respectively.

[0027] As Figure 1 As shown, the package 1 containing soft food includes a packaging container 11, a lid 12, and food 13 including soft food 31 and liquid 32. The package 1 containing soft food is a product in which the soft food 31 and the liquid 32 are filled in the packaging container 11 and the packaging container 11 is sealed with the lid 12. The packaging container 11 and the lid 12 form a package for accommodating the food 13. And, the package 1 containing soft food packs the food 13 (soft food 31 and liquid 32) by sealing the packaging container 11 with the lid 12 in a state where the soft food 31 and the liquid 32 are filled in the packaging container 11.

[0028] The package 1 containing soft food is formed, for example, to be capable of heat cooking based on microwave oven and / or hot water heating. In addition, the package 1 containing soft food is formed, for example, to be capable of storage based on normal temperature, refrigeration and / or freezing. In addition, in the present embodiment, the following will describe the up and down directions by setting the side of the packaging container 11 as the lower side and the side of the lid 12 as the upper side.

[0029] As Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the packaging container 11 includes a housing portion 21, a flange portion 22, a rib sealing portion 23, and a splash-proof liquid convex portion 24. The packaging container 11 is formed by shaping a multi-layer thermoplastic resin sheet. That is, the packaging container 11 integrally forms the housing portion 21, the flange portion 22, the rib sealing portion 23, and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 using the thermoplastic resin sheet. In addition, the forming method of forming the thermoplastic resin sheet into the packaging container 11 is typically pressure forming, injection molding, etc., but other forming methods may also be used. The packaging container 11 has self-standing property through the housing portion 21, for example. In addition, the packaging container 11 may have a structure without self-standing property.

[0030] In addition, the thermoplastic resin sheet forming the packaging container 11 only needs to have the rib sealing portion 23, which is the portion for heat-sealing the lid 12, formed of a resin having heat-sealing properties, and it can be formed of a single-layer resin sheet or a multi-layer resin sheet. Further, preferably, the packaging container 11 is preferably constituted by a multi-layer structure including a resin layer having heat-sealing properties in the outer layer. Also, preferably, the packaging container 11 has gas barrier properties in addition to heat-sealing properties.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the packaging container 11 is formed of a multi-layer thermoplastic resin sheet, which is formed by joining a surface layer on the inner and outer surfaces made of polypropylene and an intermediate layer made of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer via an adhesive layer. Further, for example, a heat-sealing olefin resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, or a mixture thereof is used for the surface layer. Additionally, for example, a thermoplastic resin having gas barrier properties such as Mx nylon, vinylidene chloride-based resin, or nylon-based resin is used for the intermediate layer. These surface layer and intermediate layer are joined via an adhesive layer, which is constituted by a resin showing thermo-bonding properties to both of them, such as an acid-modified olefin resin, a copolyester-based adhesive resin, an epoxy-modified thermoplastic adhesive resin, or the like.

[0032] The accommodating portion 21 is formed with a plurality of recesses for accommodating the soft food 31. As a specific example, the accommodating portion 21 has a side wall portion 25, a flat portion 26, and a recess 27.

[0033] The side wall portion 25 is continuously integrated with the flange portion 22 at the open end (upper end) and is continuously integrated with the flat portion 26 at the lower end. In the present embodiment, the side wall portion 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. As a specific example, the side wall portion 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape as follows: having the same diameter from the upper end to the central side in the vertical direction, and being reduced in diameter at the central side, and then gradually reduced in diameter from the central side toward the lower end.

[0034] The flat portion 26 is formed in a planar shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the side wall portion 25. The outer peripheral shape of the flat portion 26 is formed in a circular shape. By making the flat portion 26 recessed at a portion, the recess 27 is formed.

[0035] For example, a plurality of recesses 27 are provided. Preferably, three or more recesses 27 are provided, for example. The plurality of recesses 27 are formed in different shapes, for example. Here, different shapes refer to the opening shape of the recess 27, the shape of the side surface and the bottom surface of the recess 27, the depth of the recess 27, and the like. Further, not all of the plurality of recesses 27 need to be in different shapes, as long as there are at least two or more shapes.

[0036] In the example of the present embodiment, three concave portions 27 are provided, and the three concave portions 27 are formed to have the same depth, and the shapes other than the depth are different. In addition, in this example, the side walls of the three concave portions 27 are inclined in such a manner that the opening shape becomes smaller from the opening at the upper end toward the bottom. Further, the side walls may also have a shape along the vertical direction.

[0037] For example, one of the three concave portions 27 is a trough recessed in an omelette shape, one is a trough recessed in a sausage shape and having an arc shape, and one is a trough recessed in a substantially triangular shape with a bent corner. In addition, the shapes of these concave portions 27 are not limited. For example, as in the concave portion 27 of another embodiment shown Figure 11 it may not be in an omelette shape, but may be formed as a trough recessed in a shape imitating a fish block.

[0038] The arrangement of the plurality of concave portions 27 on the flat portion 26 is an arrangement in which a part of the flat portion 26 exists between adjacent concave portions 27. In other words, the plurality of concave portions 27 are separately arranged on the flat portion 26.

[0039] In addition, the arrangement of the plurality of concave portions 27 on the flat portion 26 is an arrangement in which at least any one of the concave portions and a part of the flat portion 26 exist in each of two mutually orthogonal directions along the surface direction of the flat portion 26. In other words, for the plurality of concave portions 27, at least any one of the concave portions 27 is arranged in the radial direction (radial direction) and in the direction along the radial direction (radial direction) from the center of the flat portion 26.

[0040] That is, as in the case of the plurality of concave portions 271 in the comparative example shown by the double-dot chain line in Figure 4 if the plurality of concave portions 271 are evenly arranged, only the flat portion 26 will exist in any one direction, and a region A where the concave portions 271 are not arranged will be generated. In contrast, for the plurality of concave portions 27 of the embodiment, by arranging at least any one of the plurality of concave portions 27 in the radial direction (radial direction) and in the direction along the radial direction (radial direction) from the center of the flat portion 26, thus, except for the outer peripheral edge of the flat portion 26, it is formed on the flat portion 26 in a non-uniform arrangement where a region A where the concave portions 27 are not arranged is not generated on the flat portion 26.

[0041] In addition, when the packaging container 11 has a self-standing structure, the plurality of concave portions 27 can obtain self-standing property either through the bottom of any one of the concave portions or through the bottoms of two or more of the plurality of concave portions 27.

[0042] The flange portion 22 is provided on the housing portion 21. The flange portion 22 extends outward from the open end of the side wall portion 25 of the housing portion 21. The outer peripheral shape of the flange portion 22 is set to a special-shaped shape such as a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a combination of a corner and a circle. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 22 forms a square outer edge shape with four corners formed into an arc shape, and the inner peripheral shape continuous with the open end of the housing portion 21 is formed into a circular shape.

[0043] In addition, a rib sealing portion 23 and a splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the flange portion 22 to the side opposite to the housing portion 21 side (the flat portion 26 and the plurality of concave portions 27 side) are formed on the flange portion 22. That is, the flange portion 22 has a rib sealing portion 23 and a splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 integrally formed when the packaging container 11 is formed.

[0044] The rib sealing portion 23 protrudes upward from the main surface of the flange portion 22. The rib sealing portion 23 is formed into a ring shape continuous with the upper surface of the flange portion 22. In other words, the rib sealing portion 23 extends over the entire circumference of the flange portion 22 so as to surround the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 22 (the open end of the housing portion 21).

[0045] The upper surface of the rib sealing portion 23 is formed into a flat shape. The upper surface of the rib sealing portion 23 is a sealing surface for heat-sealing the lid body 12 and being in close contact with the lid body 12. The rib sealing portion 23 protrudes upward from the main surface of the flange portion 22 with a predetermined width and height. In addition, the width and height of the rib sealing portion 23 are appropriately set based on various conditions such as formability, sealing performance of the lid body 12, and openability. That is, the sealing surface of the rib sealing portion 23 is set to a predetermined sealing area, and good sealing performance and openability can be ensured. Here, the width of the rib sealing portion 23 refers to the dimension in the direction along the main surface of the flange portion 22 orthogonal to the extending direction of the rib sealing portion 23.

[0046] In addition, in a part of the rib sealing portion 23, a beak portion (first convex portion) 23a is provided at a position corresponding to the opening start portion for opening the lid body 12. As Figure 2 shown, in the present embodiment, beak portions (first convex portions) 23a are provided at four positions corresponding to the corners of the square-shaped flange portion 22 with bent corners. In addition, since the beak portion 23a is provided at the opening start portion of the lid body 12 of the rib sealing portion 23, for example, when the opening start portion is one part, it is only necessary to provide the beak portion 23a at one part of the rib sealing portion 23. That is, the opening start portion is appropriately set according to the shape, use, etc. of the packaging container 11, and the beak portion 23a is provided at a part of the rib sealing portion 23 corresponding to the set opening start portion.

[0047] The beak portion 23a is formed as a rib protruding outward from the flange portion 22. That is, the beak portion 23a is a convex portion formed by protruding a part of the rib sealing portion 23 outward in the radial direction of the opening portion of the accommodating portion 21. As a specific example, the beak portion 23a is formed to have the same width and height as the width and height of the rib sealing portion 23, and is formed in a shape with a pointed front end. Here, the shape with a pointed front end of the beak portion 23a is a beak shape, a mountain shape, a <く> (V-shaped) shape, etc.

[0048] The beak portion 23a only needs to be a shape in which when the lid 12 to be heat-sealed to the rib sealing portion 23 is peeled off from the packaging container 11, stress is concentrated at the front end of the beak portion to make it the starting point of opening and it is easy to peel off the lid, and it does not necessarily have to be a mountain shape or a beak shape with a pointed front end. That is, the beak portion 23a only needs to be a shape in which the front end protrudes, such as a shape in which the front end is bent without being pointed, so that when the lid 12 is moved in the direction of peeling off the lid 12 at the opening start portion, the force for opening the lid 12 can be concentrated by reducing the contact area with the lid 12, and it can be set appropriately.

[0049] The splash-proof liquid convex portion (second convex portion) 24 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the beak portion 23a at a predetermined distance from the beak portion 23a. The splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 has a side surface along the inner surface (inner side surface) of the beak portion 23a, and is disposed on the flange portion 22 separated from the beak portion 23a by a predetermined gap. For example, the gap between the beak portion 23a and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is set to about 1 mm.

[0050] The splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is disposed at a predetermined gap from the beak portion 23a of the rib sealing portion 23, so as to form a gap along the inner surface of the beak portion 23a between the inner peripheral side of the beak portion 23a.

[0051] For example, the upper surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is formed in a planar shape. The upper surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is a sealing surface, and when the lid 12 is heat-sealed to the rib sealing portion 23, the lid 12 is heat-sealed to the upper surface.

[0052] For the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24, either both ends of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 may be formed separately from the beak portion 23a (rib sealing portion 23), or one end of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 may be separated from the beak portion 23a (rib sealing portion 23) and the other end may be formed continuously with the beak portion 23a (rib sealing portion 23).

[0053] For example, as Figure 2 shown, the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is formed in a <く> (V-shaped) shape along the beak portion 23a. In the case of applying such a splash-proof liquid convex portion 24, a structure with a double beak portion is provided at the opening start portion of the flange portion 22 using the beak portion 23a and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24. In addition, the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 may also be in a triangular shape.

[0054] In addition, when the inner side surface of the rib sealing portion 23 and the side surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 extend in a direction inclined with respect to the main surface of the flange portion 22, it is only necessary to make the extending direction of the side surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 along the extending direction of the beak portion 23a. The inclined directions of the inner side surface of the beak portion 23a and the side surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 may also be different.

[0055] That is, the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 only needs to be shaped such that the ridge line (ridge portion) on the side of the beak portion 23a extends along the extending direction of the beak portion 23a.

[0056] The height of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is set to be equal to or lower than the height of the rib sealing portion 23 (beak portion 23a). Preferably, the height of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is set to be lower than the height of the rib sealing portion 23 (beak portion 23a). In addition, preferably, the height of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is set to a height that can suppress the reduction of the splash-proof liquid effect and can suppress the increase in the heat sealing strength between the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 and the lid body 12, thereby reducing the openability. That is, preferably, the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is set to a height that can achieve the splash-proof liquid effect and has a weak bonding force with the lid body 12, so that it will not become a resistance when the lid body 12 is peeled off and can be peeled off smoothly.

[0057] The width of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 is appropriately set. For the width of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24, it is appropriately set according to the bonding force when the lid body 12 is closely attached to the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 by heat sealing, etc. That is, for the width of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24, it is set according to the height, the area of the upper surface, and the shape of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24, etc. In addition, here, the width of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 refers to the dimension in the direction along the main surface of the flange portion 22 that is orthogonal to the extending direction of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24.

[0058] In addition, the inner side surface (inner surface) of the rib sealing portion 23 and the side surface of the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 facing the rib sealing portion 23 (beak portion 23a) may extend in a direction orthogonal to the main surface of the flange portion 22, or may also extend in a direction inclined with respect to the main surface of the flange portion 22.

[0059] The lid body 12 is fixed to the flange portion 22, and the accommodating portion 21 is sealed by covering the accommodating portion 21. The lid body 12 is heat-sealed and fused to the rib sealing portion 23 and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 formed on the flange portion 22 in the packaging container 11. The lid body 12 is formed in a film shape. As an example, the lid body 12 is formed of a multilayer film such as PET / adhesive layer (modified polypropylene) / non-stretched polypropylene.

[0060] In addition, the lid 12 is not limited to the structure welded to the rib sealing portion 23 and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24. For example, it may also be a structure in which the rib sealing portion 23 and the splash-proof liquid convex portion 24 are not formed on the flange portion 22 and the lid 12 is directly welded to the flange portion 22. Additionally, the lid 12 may not be welded, but formed into a cup shape or a dish shape and formed into a shape that fits with the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 22. Further, the lid 12 may be configured to fit with the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 22, that is, the upper inner edge of the side wall portion 25 of the accommodating portion 21.

[0061] The food 13 includes at least the soft food 31 and the liquid 32. According to an example, the food 13 is a universal design food provided for people with swallowing difficulties or chewing difficulties. The universal design food is classified into four categories according to hardness, etc., namely "easy to chew", "can be crushed with gums", "can be crushed with the tongue", and "can be eaten without chewing". For the food classified as "easy to chew", the required hardness is 5×10 5 N / m 2 Hereinafter, for the food classified as "can be crushed with gums", the required hardness is 5×10 4 N / m 2 Hereinafter, for the food classified as "can be crushed with the tongue", the required hardness is 2×10 4 N / m 2 Hereinafter, for the food classified as "can be eaten without chewing", the required hardness is 5×10 3 N / m 2 Hereinafter.

[0062] The soft food 31 is, for example, a custard-like food. The soft food 31 may also be a food obtained by solidifying a liquid containing protein by heat modification of the protein, such as pudding.

[0063] The custard-like food is a food obtained by grinding a solid food, mixing it with a coagulant, etc., and then shaping the mixture into the shape of the accommodating portion of the concave portion 27.

[0064] The solid food is, for example, an animal ingredient, a plant ingredient, or a combination thereof. The solid food can include meat, fish and shellfish, seaweed, fruits, tree fruits, cereals, vegetables, mushrooms, or two or more of them. The solid food can be an ingredient before cooking or a cooked food. In the latter case, the solid food can further include one or more of fats and oils, seasonings such as sugar and salt.

[0065] Preferably, the solid food is ground to a desired particle size. The smaller the particle size, the smoother the texture of the soft food 31. The particle size of the ground food is preferably 2.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less, and still more preferably 0.1 mm or less. Herein, the "particle size" is a value obtained by measuring the particle size distribution using the laser diffraction scattering method.

[0066] The coagulant is, for example, a protein that is thermally modified by heating and irreversibly solidified. Such a protein is, for example, mixed with the ground food in the form of an aqueous solution. As the protein or its aqueous solution, for example, egg white can be used. The protein is preferably added in such a manner that the concentration in the soft food 31 is in the range of 0.1 to 25% by mass, and more preferably in the range of 1 to 15% by mass.

[0067] The mixture of the ground food and the coagulant, etc. is formed into a shape similar to the food whose taste should be reproduced, for example, by the food before grinding or the soft food 31. For example, the shape of the recess 27 of the packaging container 11 is made similar to the food whose taste should be reproduced, and the mixture is filled into the recess 27 and heated. This heating is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range of 50 to 130°C, more preferably in the range of 60 to 130°C, and still more preferably in the range of 80 to 130°C. Thereby, the protein undergoes thermal modification and the mixture solidifies. In addition, the heating of the mixture filled into the recess 27 can be carried out either before sealing the packaging container 11 with the lid 12 or after sealing the packaging container 11 with the lid 12. Further, the heating of the mixture can also be carried out before filling it into the recess 27.

[0068] The soft food 31 preferably has a hardness of 5×10 4 N / m 2 or less. The hardness of the soft food 31 can also be 5×10 3 N / m 2 or less. The problem of shape deformation becomes significant when the soft food 31 is softer. The method described herein is particularly useful when the hardness of the soft food 31 is low.

[0069] The soft food 31 preferably has a hardness of 2×10 3 N / m 2 or more. If the soft food 31 is made too soft, it is difficult to maintain the shape of the soft food 31. The hardness of the soft food 31 can also be 1×10 4 N / m 2 or more.

[0070] The soft food 31 is formed from the bottom surface of the recess 27 to a prescribed height. For example, the soft food 31 may also be formed up to the upper end of the recess 27, formed to a position below the upper end of the recess 27, or formed to a position above the recess 27, i.e., above the flat portion 26 and below the upper end of the side wall portion 25. In other words, the height of the soft food 31 is lower than the height from the bottom (the bottom surface of the recess 27) of the soft food 31 to the flat portion 26, the same as the height from the bottom (the bottom surface of the recess 27) of the soft food 31 to the flat portion 26, or higher than the height from the bottom (the bottom surface of the recess 27) of the soft food 31 to the flat portion 26 and lower than the height to the upper end of the side wall portion 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12). In addition, the soft food 31 is formed in close contact with the recess 27 without a gap. That is, the soft food 31 is formed in close contact with the bottom surface and the side surface of the recess 27.

[0071] The relationship between the soft food 31 and the top space inside the packaging body, i.e., the packaging container 11 and the lid body 12, generated above the soft food 31 will be described. As Figure 5 shown, the height from the lower surface (the bottom surface of the recess 27) of the soft food 31 formed in the recess 27 to the upper surface of the soft food 31 (the height of the soft food 31) is set as H1. In addition, the height from the upper surface of the soft food 31 to the lower surface of the lid body 12 (the height of the top space) is set as H2. At this time, with the height of the soft food 31 set as H1, the height H2 of the top space has a relationship of H1 > H2.

[0072] The liquid 32 is water, a flavoring liquid, porridge, or the like. In the example of the present embodiment, the liquid 32 is a flavoring liquid. Hereinafter, the liquid 32 will be described as the flavoring liquid 32. The flavoring liquid 32 is a liquid containing water, a flavoring agent, an extract of an animal ingredient, an extract of a plant ingredient, an oil and fat component, or a combination thereof. The flavoring liquid 32 is, for example, a solution, a dispersion such as a sol, or a combination thereof.

[0073] The flavoring liquid 32 can further contain a thickening agent. Examples of the thickening agent are guar gum, xanthan gum, tamarind gum, carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, tara gum, locust bean gum, gellan gum, sodium alginate, siam gum, gellan gum, gum arabic, acacia gum, chitin, chitosan, arabinogalactan, welan gum, sesbania gum, aloe extract, dammar resin, gandhi gum, elemi resin, dextran, glucosamine oligosaccharide, abelmoschus manihot, microcrystalline cellulose, tragacanth gum, natto gum, sargassum extract, agar, cinnamon gum, macroviroid, pullulan, aloe arborescens extract, peach resin, black yeast culture solution, guar gum enzyme decomposition product, rhamnogalacturonan, glucosamine, fructan, agrobacterium succinogenes, yeast cell membrane, linseed gum, artemisia annua seed gum, almond gum, scleroglucan gum, or two or more of them, but is not limited thereto.

[0074] Preferably, the thickener is guar gum, xanthan gum, tamarind gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, tara gum, locust bean gum, sodium alginate, Siem Reap gum, gum arabic, gum acacia, welan gum, tragacanth gum, natto gum, carrageenan, cinnamon gum, peach resin, enzymatically decomposed guar gum, rhamnogalacturonan, Agrobacterium succinogenes, or two or more of them.

[0075] More preferably, the thickener is guar gum, xanthan gum, tamarind gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, tara gum, locust bean gum, sodium alginate, Siem Reap gum, welan gum, tragacanth gum, rhamnogalacturonan, Agrobacterium succinogenes, or two or more of them.

[0076] According to one example, the flavoring liquid 32 contains xanthan gum and guar gum as thickeners. Additionally, according to one example, the concentration of the thickener in the food 13 is in the range of 0.01% by mass to 3.00% by mass.

[0077] The flavoring liquid 32 may further contain a gelling agent. The gelling agent is, for example, pectin, gelatin, agar, or two or more of them. The concentration of the gelling agent in the flavoring liquid 32 is preferably 1.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.2% by mass or less, and further preferably 0.1% by mass or less.

[0078] The viscosity of the flavoring liquid 32 is preferably in the range of 0.3 to 20.0 Pa·s, more preferably in the range of 0.3 to 10.0 Pa·s, and further preferably in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 Pa·s. The solutions or sols classified as "can be crushed with the tongue" and "can be eaten without chewing" are required to have a viscosity of 1500 mPa·s or more. In addition, for the sols classified as "can be crushed with the tongue", the hardness is required to be 1×10 4 N / m 2 or less. Additionally, for the sols classified as "can be eaten without chewing", the hardness is required to be 3×10 3 N / m 2 or less.

[0079] The higher the viscosity of the flavoring liquid 32, the more the vibration of the surface of the soft food 31 and the vibration of the flavoring liquid 32 are alleviated when transporting the package 1 containing the soft food. Additionally, the higher the viscosity of the flavoring liquid 32, the more the movement of the soft food 31 in the packaging container 11 is hindered, and it is more difficult to generate contact between the soft food 31 and the inner surface of the container. Therefore, it is difficult to generate the movement of the soft food 31 from the concave portion 27 to the top space between the upper surface of the soft food 31 and the lower surface of the lid 12, and the shape deformation of the soft food 31.

[0080] In addition, the viscosity of the flavoring liquid 32 is a value obtained by using a B-type rotational viscometer, setting the measurement temperature to 20 ± 2°C, rotating the M3 rotor or M4 rotor at 12 rpm, reading the value after 2 minutes, and multiplying it by the value corresponding to this value. The obtained value is expressed in Pa·s.

[0081] The flavoring liquid 32 is filled into the headspace generated above the soft food 31 in the packaging container 11. The amount of the flavoring liquid 32 filled into the packaging container 11 is such that the liquid level becomes a height position above the flat portion 26. The flavoring liquid 32 may be filled in an amount less than the volume of the headspace or in an amount equal to the volume of the headspace. That is, the flavoring liquid 32 may also be filled to a height position below the upper end of the side wall portion 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12) so as to generate a space above the headspace. In addition, the flavoring liquid 32 may also be filled to the same position as the upper end of the side wall portion 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12) to fill the headspace so that no gas exists in the headspace.

[0082] Such a food 13 is, for example, a main dish and / or a side dish. Examples of the main dish and side dish reproduced by the soft food 31 and the flavoring liquid 32 of the food 13 are stewed foods such as curry, western stewed foods, stewed vegetables, and sukiyaki, or grilled foods such as hamburgers, chicken cooked with tomatoes, stir-fried meat with vegetables, Vienna sausages, stewed fish, grilled fish, omelets, and combinations of grilled foods, stir-fried dishes, or stewed foods with sauces such as vegetables and tofu, but are not limited thereto.

[0083] Next, use Figures 5 to 10 , a plurality of embodiments of the soft food 31 and the flavoring liquid 32 filled in the packaging container 11 of the package 1 containing the soft food will be described. In addition, the soft food 31 and the flavoring liquid 32 are not limited to the multiple examples described below. In addition, in Figures 5 to 10 the packaging container 11 is schematically shown, and a part of the structure is shown with omission.

[0084] In Figure 5 the package 1 containing the soft food of the first embodiment is shown. As Figure 5As shown, for the soft food 31 accommodated in a plurality of recesses 27, different types of soft food 31A and 31B are accommodated. Here, different types of soft food refer to two or more types of soft food with different ingredients, and different ingredients mean that at least a part of the ingredients is different. That is, different types of soft food mean that among two or more soft foods, at least one soft food contains an ingredient different from that of other soft foods in a part of the ingredients of one soft food, or the ingredients of one soft food are all formed by ingredients different from those of other soft foods. In addition, the different ingredients include both the case where the ingredients themselves are different and the case where the amounts of the ingredients are different. In addition, each of the soft foods 31A and 31B is filled to a height up to the middle part in the height direction of each recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32 is filled in the top space in the package body and is filled to a position lower than the upper end of the side wall part 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12).

[0085] In Figure 6 Figure 1 shows the food package 1 with soft food according to the second embodiment. As Figure 6 shown, for the soft food 31 accommodated in a plurality of recesses 27, the same type of soft food 31 is accommodated. The soft food 31 is filled above the flat part 26 beyond each recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32 is filled in the top space in the package body and is filled to a position lower than the upper end of the side wall part 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12).

[0086] In Figure 7 Figure 2 shows the food package 1 with soft food according to the third embodiment. As Figure 7 shown, for the soft food 31 accommodated in a plurality of recesses 27, different types of soft food 31A and 31B are accommodated. As a specific example, as Figure 7 shown, for the soft food 31 accommodated in a certain recess 27, the first soft food 31A is filled, and for the soft food 31 accommodated in another recess 27, the second soft food 31B is filled in the lower layer and the first soft food 31A is filled in the upper layer. In addition, the first soft food 31A is filled above the flat part 26 beyond each recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32 is filled in the top space in the package body and is filled to a position lower than the upper end of the side wall part 25 (the lower surface of the lid body 12).

[0087] In Figure 8 Figure 3 shows the food package 1 with soft food according to the fourth embodiment. As Figure 8 shown, in one or more of the plurality of recesses 27, the soft food 31 is accommodated, and in at least one recess 27, the soft food 31 is not filled. The soft food 31 accommodated in the recess can be the same soft food 31 or different soft foods. As a specific example, asFigure 8 As shown, in at least one recess 27, the soft food 31 is filled to the height up to the middle part in the height direction of the recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32 is filled to the upper ends of the recesses 27 filled with the soft food 31 and the recesses 27 not filled with the soft food 31, that is, filled to the flat part 26.

[0088] In Figure 9 Figure 1 shows the food package 1 containing soft food of the fifth embodiment. As Figure 9 shown, for the soft foods 31 housed in the plurality of recesses 27, different types of soft foods 31A and 31B are housed. In addition, the first soft food 31A is filled to the height up to the middle part in the height direction of the recess 27, and the second soft food 31B is filled to the upper end (flat part 26) of the recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32 is filled in the top space inside the package and filled to a position lower than the upper end of the side wall part 25 (the lower surface of the lid 12). In addition, the soft food 31B contains inside different flavors, colors, and / or contents 31a with different hardness from the custard-like food constituting the soft food 31B. The content 31a is, for example, the custard-like food forming the soft food 31B. In addition, the content 31a is not limited to the custard-like food, as long as it can be eaten by the person who eats the soft food 31B, and can also be various foods such as solids. In addition, for example, the content 31a can also be a substance obtained by solidifying a flavoring liquid 32 having a different flavor from the flavoring liquid 32 using a gelling agent.

[0089] In Figure 10 Figure 2 shows the food package 1 containing soft food of the sixth embodiment. As Figure 10 shown, for the soft foods 31 housed in the plurality of recesses 27, the same type or different types of soft foods 31A are housed. The soft food 31A is filled, for example, above the flat part 26 over each recess 27. The flavoring liquid 32A is filled in the top space inside the package and filled to a position lower than the upper end of the side wall part 25 (the lower surface of the lid 12). In addition, the packaging container 11 has one or more recesses 28 provided on the flange part 22 differently from the plurality of recesses 27 formed on the flat part 26, and the soft food 31B and / or the flavoring liquid 32B are housed in the recess 28. For example, the soft food 31A and the flavoring liquid 32A housed in the plurality of recesses 27 are the main dish and / or the side dish, and the soft food 31B and the flavoring liquid 32B housed in the recess 28 provided on the flange part 22 are the main dish and / or the side dish with different flavors, or are desserts such as pudding, jelly, and mousse cake.

[0090] As exemplified in the above-described embodiments, in the package 1 containing the soft food, with respect to the soft food 31 and the flavoring liquid 32 housed therein, as long as the height H1 of the soft food 31 is higher than the height of the top space H2 and at least the flavoring liquid 32 is filled up to the flat portion 26, various structures can be adopted. In addition, the above-described embodiments are just examples, and the structures of various embodiments can be combined. That is, the flavoring liquid 32 of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can also be filled up to fill the top space. In addition, two or more different types of soft food 31 can be filled in one recess 27 and configured to be stacked in two or more layers. Further, the soft food 31 can contain one or more types of contents 31a. In addition, it can be configured to include the contents 31a in the flavoring liquid 32. In addition, the flavoring liquid 32 can also be formed by filling two or more different types of flavoring liquids and mixing them in the common top space generated above the plurality of recesses 27.

[0091] According to the package 1 containing the soft food configured in this way, the soft food 31 is housed in the recess 27 in the shape of the recess 27, and the flavoring liquid 32 is filled in the top space generated above the soft food 31. Thus, the area where the soft food 31 contacts the flavoring liquid 32 is the upper surface of the soft food 31. That is, in the package 1 containing the soft food, since the soft food 31 is filled in the recess 27, the area where the soft food 31 contacts the flavoring liquid 32 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the taste and / or color of the flavoring liquid 32 from being excessively transferred to the soft food 31. In addition, when the taste and / or color of the flavoring liquid 32 is lighter than that of the soft food 31, it is possible to prevent the taste and / or color of the soft food 31 from being excessively transferred to the flavoring liquid 32.

[0092] In addition, in the package 1 containing the soft food, if the height of the soft food 31 filled in the recess 27 is below the flat portion 26, the area where the flavoring liquid 32 contacts each soft food 31 can be minimized as much as possible. Therefore, it is also possible to suppress the transfer of the taste of the soft food 31 to the flavoring liquid 32 and the transfer of the taste and color of the flavoring liquid 32 to the soft food 31.

[0093] In addition, since the soft food 31 is formed in the shape of the recess 27 and housed in the recess 27, even if vibration or impact is applied to the package 1 containing the soft food during transportation, it is difficult for the soft food 31 to move, and deformation of the soft food 31 can be prevented. In addition, since the soft food 31 is housed in the recess 27, the drip liquid generated by the soft food 31 after the soft food 31 is formed will be mixed into the flavoring liquid 32. Therefore, the drip liquid generated by the soft food 31 cannot be seen.

[0094] In addition, even when different soft foods 31 are accommodated in the plurality of recesses 27, the flavoring liquid 32 comes into contact with each soft food 31. Thus, the package 1 containing the soft food is configured such that even when different soft foods 31 are processed, the flavoring liquid 32 comes into contact with the upper surfaces of the respective soft foods 31. Therefore, the flavors and tastes transferred from each soft food 31 are reduced. Consequently, the package 1 containing the soft food can adjust the appropriate taste of the flavoring liquid 32 and can suppress excessive mixing of flavors. In addition, since the flavoring liquid 32 is configured to come into contact only with the upper surface of the soft food 31, excessive penetration of the soft food 31, and changes in taste and hardness can be reduced using the flavoring liquid 32.

[0095] In addition, the package 1 containing the soft food is configured such that the height H1 of the soft food 31 is higher than the height H2 of the top space. When transporting the package 1 containing the soft food or the like, when the package 1 containing the soft food is turned upside down, that is, when the housing part 21 side becomes the upper side and the lid body 12 side becomes the lower side, even if the soft food 31 separates from the recess 27, the soft food 31 does not completely come out of the recess 27, and a part of the soft food 31 remains in the recess 27. Thus, when the posture of the package 1 containing the soft food is restored, that is, when the housing part 21 side becomes the lower side and the lid body 12 side becomes the upper side, the soft food 31 is again accommodated in the recess 27.

[0096] In addition, by positioning the liquid surface of the flavoring liquid 32 at the same position as the upper surface of the flat part 26 or at a position above the flat part 26, even if the package 1 containing the soft food is tilted and the flavoring liquid 32 moves, by restoring the posture, the flavoring liquid 32 can also come into contact with the upper surface of the soft food 31 provided in each recess 27.

[0097] In addition, since the packaging container 11 has the flat part 26 and is configured such that a part of the flat part 26 exists between adjacent recesses 27, the strength can be increased compared to a structure in which the plurality of recesses 27 are continuous.

[0098] In addition, the packaging container 11 is configured such that at least one of the plurality of recesses 27 provided in the flat part 26 and the flat part 26 are arranged in two directions orthogonal to the surface direction of the flat part 26. Thereby, the strength of the packaging container 11 can be increased. That is, as shown by the double-dashed line in Figure 4 in a structure in which the plurality of recesses 271 are evenly separated and arranged, a region A where no recess 271 is arranged is generated in one direction. In this way, the strength of this region A becomes the strength of the flat part 26. Therefore, if an external force is applied and exceeds the strength of the flat part 26, a bending deformation will occur in the region A. In contrast, as in Figure 1As shown, in the direction along the plane of the flat portion 26, excluding the outer peripheral edge of the flat portion 26, there is no region A where only the flat portion 26 is disposed without the recess 27 being disposed. Thus, the packaging container 11 can utilize the recess 27 to increase the strength of the flat portion 26.

[0099] In addition, the number of recesses 27 provided in the packaging container 11 is not limited, but by providing three or more, it is easy to increase the strength of the flat portion 26, and it is easy to dispose at least one recess 27 in the plane direction of the flat portion 26. In addition, since the package 1 containing the soft food can contain three or more different soft foods 31, the types of color combinations and flavors can also be increased.

[0100] As described above, according to the package 1 and the packaging container 11 for soft food of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the transfer of taste and / or color between the soft food 31 and the flavoring liquid 32 and prevent the soft food 31 from deforming.

[0101] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments can be appropriately combined to be implemented, and in this case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, various inventions are included in the above-described embodiments, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the disclosed plurality of constituent elements. For example, in a case where the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the structure obtained by deleting the constituent elements can be extracted as an invention.

[0102] Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 1... Package for soft food, 11... Packaging container, 12... Lid, 13... Food, 21... Receiving portion, 22... Flange portion, 23... Ridge sealing portion, 23a... Beak portion (first convex portion), 24... Anti-convex portion (second convex portion), 25... Side wall portion, 26... Flat portion, 27... Recess, 28... Recess, 31, 31A, 31B... Soft food, 31a... Contents, 32, 32A, 32B... Flavoring liquid (liquid).

Claims

1. A packaging container that houses soft food and liquid and is sealed by a lid, wherein, the packaging container has a housing portion, and the housing portion is formed with a recess for housing the soft food and a top space for filling the liquid above the soft food.

2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein, a plurality of the recesses are provided.

3. The packaging container according to claim 2, wherein, the number of the recesses is three or more.

4. The packaging container according to claim 2, wherein, the housing portion has a flat portion, and the plurality of recesses are formed separately on the flat portion.

5. The packaging container according to claim 4, wherein, at least one of the recesses is arranged in a direction along the plane direction of the flat portion.

6. A packaging body containing soft food, wherein, The packaged body containing soft food comprises: soft food; liquid; a housing portion that is formed with a recess for housing the soft food and a top space for filling the liquid above the soft food; and a lid that seals the housing portion.

7. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 6, wherein, a plurality of the recesses are provided.

8. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 7, wherein, the number of the recesses is three or more.

9. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 7, wherein, the soft food containing different components is housed in the plurality of recesses.

10. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 7, wherein, the housing portion has a flat portion, and the plurality of recesses are formed separately on the flat portion.

11. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 10, wherein, at least one of the recesses is arranged in a direction along the plane direction of the flat portion.

12. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 6, wherein, the height of the soft food housed in the recess is higher than the height of the top space from the upper surface of the soft food to the lower surface of the lid.

13. The packaged body containing soft food according to claim 10, wherein, the height of the soft food housed in the recess is higher than the height from the bottom of the soft food to the flat portion.

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