Tray

Abstract

A tray comprises: a main body (100); a plurality of accommodating parts (110), each accommodating part comprising a space for accommodating food in the main body (100); a seating portion (120) protruding from a bottom surface of the accommodating portion (110); and a liquid storage tank (130) formed in a recessed form in an outer peripheral side of the seating portion (120). The present disclosure not only improves the taste and texture of food by heating the food with steam generated by water injected into a heating tray and cooking the food in the same manner as cooking the food in a steamer, but also solves the problems occurring in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tray for containing food so that the contained food can be heated in a microwave oven for consumption. Background Art

[0002] Convenient foods that can be placed in a microwave oven for heating for consumption are provided.

[0003] Nowadays, these convenient foods have been greatly improved in taste, quality, and nutrition, and are more widely used than past convenient foods.

[0004] At the same time, the problem is that when these convenient foods are heated in a microwave oven, the moisture in the food evaporates and dries out, partially reducing the taste and texture. Even due to an extended heating time, the food becomes hard or partially burned.

[0005] There are various ways to prevent this, such as wrapping the tray containing the food with plastic wrap and heating it, heating the tray together with a separate container containing water, etc. However, since the tray must be sealed with plastic wrap and a separate container needs to be prepared each time for heating, this is very inconvenient. In this case, the food can no longer be regarded as a convenient food.

[0006] There is another method, which is to directly pour water into the tray containing the food and heat them together. However, although this can prevent the food from drying out, the taste of the food may be softer or the food may become moist due to the added water, which deteriorates the taste and texture.

[0007] To maintain the moisture and flavor of convenient foods, Korean Registered Patents Nos. 20-0250078 and 20-0351653 (Patent Documents 1 and 2) disclose a two-stage tray, such as an actual double boiler, in which water is injected into the first-stage tray, and then a second-stage tray having a plurality of holes penetrating through the lower part is coupled to the upper part of the first-stage tray. Then, the tray is heated in a microwave oven so that steam generated by the evaporation of the water contained in the first-stage tray passes through the holes of the second-stage tray and heats the food.

[0008] At the same time, the above method requires the tray to be formed in two stages, which makes the tray structure complex. And since the user himself needs to rely on his subjective judgment to inject an appropriate amount of water into the water injection hole on one side of the second-stage tray, the process is very cumbersome. In addition, if the injected water is insufficient, the generated steam is insufficient, thereby reducing the taste of the food.

[0009] In addition, there is a drawback in that if too much water is injected, the injected water itself will wet the food contained in the second-stage tray through the holes of the first-stage tray, and it also takes time and energy to generate steam to heat the food.

[0010] In addition, there is also a problem that when steam passes through the holes of the second-stage tray and contacts the bottom of the food, too much moisture will be absorbed into the food.

[0011] To solve the problems of Patent Documents 1 and 2, Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1166465 (Patent Document 3) discloses a tray configured as a single-layer tray, in which a water bag with an appropriate capacity is pre-set on one side of the tray, so that when heated in a microwave oven, the water bag bursts, causing steam to leak and diffuse into the tray, thereby heating the food.

[0012] However, since the water bag generates steam from one side of the tray containing multiple food pieces, the steam cannot be evenly diffused inside the tray. Therefore, there is a problem that the food pieces located far from the water bag are not sufficiently heated.

[0013] Possibly recognizing this problem, Patent Document 3 also describes a tray that includes a groove extending from the part accommodating the water bag to the part for placing food, so that the water in the water bag flows through the extending groove to the part for placing food to generate steam.

[0014] However, since the steam only contacts the sides and top of the food, the food as a whole is still not sufficiently heated by the steam.

[0015] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-233306 (Patent Document 4) discloses a tray that is configured as a single-layer tray and includes a water supply container that contains water and is inserted in the center of the tray, so that when heated, the steam generated by the evaporation of the water contained in the water supply container is used to heat the food.

[0016] In this case, the water supply container is located in the center of the tray, allowing for a more uniform steam flow compared to Patent Document 3. However, there is a problem that the water supply container must be removed from the tray, filled with water, and then inserted again for use.

[0017] In addition, the steam flows back to the lower end of the tray and is stored and re-evaporated in the groove in the lower part of the tray to heat the lower part of the food. However, since there are multiple recesses formed on the front side of the lower part of the tray on which the food is placed, there is a problem that moisture may be excessively absorbed into the food.

[0018] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-204049 (Patent Document 5) discloses a two-stage tray in which food is heated by evaporating water injected into the second-stage tray through holes formed in the upper tray.

[0019] In the case of Patent Document 5, since through-holes are not formed in the second-stage tray and thus steam flows to the side, excessive moisture is not absorbed by the food, thereby solving some problems in Patent Documents 1 and 2. However, there are still some problems associated with the two-stage tray, including difficulty in allowing steam to flow between multiple pieces of food accommodated in the tray.

[0020] [Prior Art Documents]

[0021] [Patent Documents]

[0022] Patent Document 1: KR 20-0250078Y1

[0023] Patent Document 2: KR 20-0351653Y1

[0024] Patent Document 3: KR 10-1166465B1

[0025] Patent Document 4: JP 2013-233306 A

[0026] Patent Document 5: JP 2007-204049 A Summary of the Invention

[0027] [Technical Problem]

[0028] Therefore, the present disclosure is conceived based on the problems in the above related art, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a food tray for microwave heating, which not only heats food by steam generated from water injected into the heating tray and improves the taste and texture of food by cooking food in the same way as cooking food in a steamer, but also solves the problems that occur in the above related art.

[0029] To achieve the above object, the present disclosure may provide a tray including: a main body; a plurality of accommodating portions, each accommodating portion including a space for accommodating food in the main body; a placement portion protruding from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion; and a liquid storage tank formed in a concave shape on the outer peripheral side of the placement portion.

[0030] The tray may preferably further include a water injection area located between the plurality of accommodating portions and a flow path communicating between the water injection area and the liquid storage tank.

[0031] The tray may preferably further include an inclined surface which is positioned in the water injection area and inclined towards the flow path.

[0032] The tray may preferably further include an indicating portion which is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the water injection area and at a position lower than the placement portion.

[0033] The tray may preferably further include a gripping portion which includes a gap having a predetermined distance between one side of the outer periphery of the accommodating portion and the outer peripheral side of the main body.

[0034] The tray may preferably further include a protruding portion positioned on the outer peripheral side of the main body.

[0035] The tray may be used for food for microwave heating.

[0036] [Advantageous effects]

[0037] For the food tray for microwave heating according to the present disclosure, the following effects can be obtained.

[0038] 1) By heating the food with the steam generated by heating the water injected into the tray in a microwave oven, the food can be cooked by the steam method, thereby preventing the moisture contained in the food from drying out, and further improving the taste and texture.

[0039] 2) By positioning the liquid storage tank for storing the injected water on the outer peripheral side of the food, the generated steam uniformly heats the entire outer peripheral direction of the food.

[0040] 3) By providing a water injection area communicating with a plurality of accommodating portions and flow paths, the water injected into the water injection area can flow into the plurality of accommodating portions communicating with each other and be stored in the liquid storage tank at the same time.

[0041] 4) By providing an inclined surface in the water injection area, with the inclined surface inclined towards the flow path communicating with each accommodating portion, the water injected into the water injection area can be distributed along the inclined surface, naturally flow into the flow path, and be uniformly stored in the liquid storage tank.

[0042] 5) By the placement portion on which the food accommodated in the accommodating portion is placed and the indicating line indicated to be lower than the placement portion, it is possible to prevent the injected water from directly contacting and being absorbed by the food placed on the placement portion.

[0043] 6) By separating the accommodating portion for accommodating the food and the outer periphery of the main body from each other to provide a portion for gripping, it is possible to prevent risks such as scalding that may occur during the process of moving the tray after heating.

[0044] 7) By increasing the protruding outer peripheral side of the main body to enhance its strength, it prevents the main body from sagging downward when the tray is lifted. Description of the Drawings

[0045] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food tray for microwave heating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 2 is a plan view of a food tray for microwave heating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 and Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line A - A.

[0048] Figure 4 is along Figure 1 and Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line A - A, showing water stored in the liquid storage tank through the water injection area of the tray.

[0049] Figure 5 is along Figure 1 and Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line A - A, showing food being heated in a microwave oven while water is stored in the liquid storage tank of the tray. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0050] By referring to the accompanying drawings and describing in detail certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the above objects, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent. In this process, for clarity and ease of explanation, the thickness of the lines shown in the drawings or the dimensions of the components may be exaggerated. In addition, the terms described herein are terms defined in consideration of the functions in the present disclosure, and they may vary according to the intention or convention of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be described based on the entire content of this specification.

[0051] Furthermore, the embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative purposes of the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] Hereinafter, the structure of a food tray for microwave heating (hereinafter simply referred to as "tray") according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3 the accompanying drawings.

[0053] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, a food tray for microwave heating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 100, a receiving portion 110, a placement portion 120, a liquid storage tank 130, a flow path 141, an inclined surface 142, an indicating portion 143, a gripping portion 150, and a protruding portion 160.

[0054] The main body 100 is plate-shaped and forms the outer shape of the tray. The tray is formed of a material capable of being heated in a microwave oven and may be formed of, for example, polyethylene (PE) which is a plastic, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] The accommodating portion 110 is recessed in the main body 100 and is a space for accommodating food therein. In the present embodiment, four accommodating portions 110 are provided to surround the central portion of the main body 100, but is not limited thereto in all aspects, and two or more accommodating portions may be provided.

[0056] The placing portion 120 is positioned inside the accommodating portion 110. The placing portion 120 is formed as the central portion of the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 110, which protrudes to form a flat surface.

[0057] The upper surface of the placing portion 120 is positioned between the upper surface of the main body 100 and the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 110, such that the lower portion of the food can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 110 while being placed on the placing portion 120.

[0058] The liquid storage tank 130 is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the placing portion 120. Specifically, the liquid storage tank 130 is a portion where the bottom surface between the outer wall of the placing portion 120 and the inner wall of the accommodating portion 110 is recessed due to the protrusion of the placing portion 120 from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 110.

[0059] By introducing and storing water in the liquid storage tank 130, a steam effect can be obtained when heating in a microwave oven, where the food accommodated in the accommodating portion 110 is heated by the high-temperature steam generated by the evaporation of the stored water.

[0060] The water injection area 140 may be positioned between the plurality of accommodating portions 110, and the water injection area 140 may be formed due to the recess of the main body 100 between the plurality of accommodating portions 110.

[0061] The flow path 141 is in the shape of a cavity channel between the water injection area 140 and the liquid storage tank 130, and allows the water injection area 140 of each accommodating portion 110 to communicate with the liquid storage tank 130 with each other.

[0062] By allowing the water injection area 140 positioned between the plurality of accommodating portions 110 to communicate with the plurality of liquid storage tanks 130 via the flow path 141, since water can be injected only into the water injection area 140 and the injected water will flow to the plurality of reservoirs 130 through the flow path 141 and be stored, it is not necessary to inject water into each of the plurality of liquid storage tanks 130.

[0063] In addition, in a state where food is accommodated in the accommodation part 110, that is, without taking out the food from the accommodation part 110, water can be stored in the liquid storage tank 130 through the water injection area 140 and the flow path 141.

[0064] The inclined surface 142 is positioned inside the water injection area 140. One side of the inclined surface 142 protrudes from the inner central part of the water injection area 140, while the other side is positioned in a shape that slopes downward toward the flow path 141.

[0065] In an embodiment where four accommodation parts 110 are provided, there can also be four flow paths 141 communicating with the liquid storage tanks formed in each accommodation part 110. In this case, the four inclined surfaces 142 will form a square pyramid shape, and if there are three accommodation parts 110 and three flow paths 141, their inclined surfaces will form a triangular pyramid shape.

[0066] The water injected into the water injection area 140 through the inclined surface 142 positioned in the water injection area 140 can naturally flow downward along the inclined surface 142 to the flow path 141 and be stored in the liquid storage tank 130.

[0067] The indication part 143 is positioned on one side of the water injection area 140. The indication part 143 gives an indication at a predetermined height on the inner wall on the outer peripheral side of the water injection area 140. The indication part 143 indicates the amount of water injected into the water injection area 140 with a straight line or an arrow, but is not limited to this in all aspects, and can be indicated with a graphic or character capable of showing the amount of water injected by the user.

[0068] Through the indication of the indication part 143, it is possible to easily identify the amount of water to be injected into the water injection area 140.

[0069] In addition, an indication line is formed at a position lower than the height of the placement part 120 in the accommodation part 110 positioned in the water injection area 140.

[0070] Since the water injection area 140 and the liquid storage tank 130 are communicated with each other through the flow path 141, the height of the water injected into the water injection area 140 is the same as the height of the liquid storage tank 130. And if the height of the indication part 143 is positioned higher than the placement part 120, the water injected into the indication part 143 may overflow the liquid storage tank 130 in the accommodation part 110, resulting in the food placed on the placement part 120 being soaked by water.

[0071] Therefore, by marking the height of the indication line as lower than the height of the placement part 120, it is possible to prevent the food placed on the placement part 120 from being soaked by the water injected into the water injection area 140 and stored in the liquid storage tank 130.

[0072] The gripping portion 150 is a gap with a predetermined distance between one side of the outer periphery of the upper portion of the accommodating portion 110 and the outer peripheral side of the upper portion of the main body 100. By forming a space between the outer peripheral side of the accommodating portion 110 and the outer peripheral side of the main body 100, it allows the user to grip the gripping portion 150 and easily lift and move the tray.

[0073] The protruding portion 160 is a portion that is partially curved and protrudes on the outer peripheral side of the main body 100. As described above, the strength can be increased by partially protruding the plate shape of the main body 100.

[0074] When the gripping portion 150 is gripped and the tray is lifted while food is accommodated in the accommodating portion 110, the main body 100 may sag downward due to the weight of the food or the thickness of the main body 100.

[0075] As described above, the protruding portion 160 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the main body 100 to enhance the strength of the main body 100, so that the main body 100 can be prevented from sagging even when the tray containing relatively heavy food is lifted using the gripping portion 150. As long as the same strength is ensured, the main body 100 can be made thinner.

[0076] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of heating food using a tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0077] As Figure 4 shown, food is accommodated in each accommodating portion 110 of the main body 100, and water is injected through the water injection area 140.

[0078] The water injected into the water injection area 140 flows downward along the inclined surface 142 and is stored in the liquid storage tank 130 through the flow path 141. At this time, since the water is injected until the indicated portion 143 on the water injection area 140, the injected water is stored in the liquid storage tank 130 without exceeding the placement portion 120.

[0079] Therefore, in the case where water is stored in the liquid storage tank 130, by gripping the gripping portion 150, placing the tray in a microwave oven, and operating the microwave oven, the moisture stored in the liquid storage tank 130 is heated and evaporated, thereby generating steam that flows upward through the outer peripheral side of the food placed on the placement portion 120.

[0080] The food placed on the placement portion 120 of the accommodating portion 110 is heated in a form similar to steamed dishes by the upward flowing steam. Thus, the original moisture of the food is preserved without loss, its taste and texture are improved, and excessive absorption of moisture into the food is prevented.

[0081] After heating is completed, the user holds the gripping member 150, lifts and removes the tray from the microwave oven, and consumes the food. Since the gripping member 150 is spaced apart from the accommodating member 110 by a predetermined distance, the risk of burns is also prevented.

[0082] The food tray for microwave heating according to the present disclosure can achieve the following effects.

[0083] 1) By heating the food with the steam generated by heating the water injected into the tray in the microwave oven, the food can be cooked by the steam method, thereby preventing the moisture contained in the food from drying out and also improving the taste and texture.

[0084] 2) By positioning the liquid storage tank for storing the injected water on the outer peripheral side of the food, the generated steam uniformly heats the entire outer peripheral direction of the food.

[0085] 3) By providing a water injection area communicating with a plurality of accommodating portions and flow paths, the water injected into the water injection area can flow into a plurality of accommodating members communicating with each other and be stored in the liquid storage tank at the same time.

[0086] 4) By providing an inclined surface in the water injection area, where the inclined surface is inclined toward the flow path communicating with each accommodating portion, the water injected into the water injection area can be distributed along the inclined surface, naturally flow into the flow path, and be uniformly stored in the liquid storage tank.

[0087] 5) By the placement portion on which the food accommodated in the accommodating portion is placed and the indication line indicating below the placement portion, it is possible to prevent the injected water from directly contacting and being absorbed by the food placed on the placement portion.

[0088] 6) By separating the accommodating portion for accommodating the food from the outer periphery of the main body to provide a portion for gripping, it is possible to prevent risks such as burns that may occur during the process of moving the tray after heating.

[0089] 7) By the protruding outer peripheral side of the main body that increases the strength of the main body, the main body is prevented from sagging downward when the tray is lifted.

[0090] Although certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific embodiment. That is, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can make many changes and modifications to the present disclosure, and all such appropriate changes and modifications of equivalents should also be considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] [Reference Signs]

[0092] 100: Main Body

[0093] 110: Accommodating portion

[0094] 120: Placing portion

[0095] 130: Liquid storage tank

[0096] 140: Water injection area

[0097] 141: Flow path

[0098] 142: Inclined surface

[0099] 143: Indication portion

[0100] 150: Gripping portion

[0101] 160: Protruding portion.

Claims

1. A pallet, characterized in that: include: Subject(100); A plurality of accommodating portions (110), each accommodating portion comprising a space for accommodating food in the main body (100); a receiving portion (120) protruding from a bottom surface of the receiving portion (110); and A liquid reservoir (130) is formed in a recessed form in an outer peripheral side of the seating portion (120).

2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a water injection area (140) positioned between the plurality of accommodating portions (110), and a flow path (141) communicating between the water injection area (140) and the liquid storage tank (130).

3. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes an inclined surface (142) which is positioned in the water injection area (140) and is inclined toward the flow path (141).

4. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also included is an indication portion (143) positioned on the outer peripheral side of the water injection area (140) and positioned at a position lower than the seating portion (120).

5. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gripping portion (150) is also included, and the gripping portion includes a gap having a predetermined distance between one side of the outer periphery of the accommodation portion (110) and the outer periphery of the main body (100).

6. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a protruding portion (160) positioned on the outer peripheral side of the body (100).

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