Food container set
The food container set addresses stacking and lid compatibility issues by standardizing opening sizes and angles, enabling stable stacking and common lid usage, while incorporating a basket for enhanced convenience and storage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025001471U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Conventional food containers are not suitable for stacking, have different opening sizes and depths, leading to instability and miscombination of lids, and lack convenience in use and storage.
A food container set with uniform opening sizes and angles, allowing for stacking and using a common lid, and incorporating a basket for additional storage and stability, with handles for easy handling.
Enhances convenience by enabling stable stacking, reduces storage space, simplifies lid usage, and improves transportability by allowing common lids and additional storage for used tableware.
Smart Images
Figure 0003251919000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a food container set including a plurality of containers capable of accommodating food.
Background Art
[0002] In school lunches, employee cafeterias, restaurants, etc., box-shaped containers for putting food are often used. This type of container is generally provided with a lid capable of closing the opening.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] For example, it would be convenient if the containers used for serving food such as school lunches could be used for transporting used tableware and the like after use. However, conventional containers are not necessarily suitable for such use.
[0004] Also, if a plurality of containers can be stacked when not in use, the storage space can be reduced and the convenience of transportation can be enhanced. However, conventional containers were not necessarily all suitable for stacking.
[0005] For example, there may be a plurality of types of containers that are of the same type but have different capacities. Usually, containers with different capacities have different opening sizes and depths. Therefore, problems such as being unable to stack these containers or, even if stacking is possible, being unstable may occur.
[0006] Also, if the opening sizes are different, the sizes of the lids suitable for each container will also be different. When there are a plurality of types of lids, it may be troublesome to distinguish the ones suitable for each capacity of the container. Also, different molds for each lid need to be prepared during manufacturing, and there is a possibility of miscombining the lids and containers during sales.
[0007] In addition, there are various areas for improvement in conventional food containers. Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a container set with enhanced convenience.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0008] A food container set according to an embodiment includes a container having a first side portion with an open upper end, a first bottom portion closing the lower end of the first side portion, and a pair of first handles respectively provided on the outer surfaces of opposite portions of the first side portion; a basket that can be accommodated in the container; and a lid that closes the opening formed by the upper end. Further, the food container set is configured such that when the basket is accommodated in the container, the entire basket is positioned inside the first side portion of the container, and the opening can be closed by the lid.
[0009] For example, the basket includes a lattice-shaped second side portion with an open upper end, a lattice-shaped second bottom portion closing the lower end of the second side portion, and a pair of movable second handles rotatably provided on opposite portions of the upper end of the second side portion, and is configured to be accommodated in the container with the pair of second handles positioned inside the second side portion.
[0010] The food container set may include a plurality of containers including the container. In this case, the capacities of the plurality of containers are different from each other, and each of the plurality of containers may include the first side portion, the first bottom portion, and the pair of first handles. In one example, the plurality of containers are configured to be stackable such that a portion of the upper container below the pair of first handles is accommodated inside the lower container, and the pair of first handles of the upper container respectively contact the upper end of the lower container.
[0011] The size of the opening formed by the upper end of the first side portion in each of the plurality of containers may be the same, and the depths of the plurality of containers may be different. Further, the lid may be configured to fit the opening of each of the plurality of containers. Furthermore, the first side portions in each of the plurality of containers may be inclined at the same angle with respect to the depth direction.
Advantages of the Invention
[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a food container set with improved convenience.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0014] An embodiment of a food container set according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each container, lid, and basket constituting the food container set may be sold (transferred) individually or may be sold together.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a food container set 100 according to the present embodiment. This food container set 100 includes four containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. Note that the number of containers constituting the food container set is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more.
[0016] Containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can be used for transporting food. In one example, containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are bread boxes used for transporting bread.
[0017] In FIG. 1, containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are stacked in order from bottom to top. Containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D have different volumes from each other. Specifically, the volume of container 1B is smaller than the volume of container 1A, the volume of container 1C is smaller than the volume of container 1B, and the volume of container 1D is smaller than the volume of container 1C.
[0018] The food container set further includes at least one lid R. The lid R can be used commonly for each of containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a (a) front view, (b) side view, and (c) top view showing an example of a configuration applicable to container 1A. Container 1A has a side portion 2 (first side portion) with an open upper end 20 and a bottom portion 3 (first bottom portion) closing the lower end of the side portion 2.
[0020] The side portion 2 is a rectangular tube shape having four side walls 21, 22, 23, and 24. Side walls 21 and 22 face each other, and side walls 23 and 24 face each other.
[0021] The opening OP formed by the upper end 20 has a width W1 between side walls 21 and 22 and a width W2 between side walls 23 and 24. In one example, width W1 is slightly larger than width W2. However, widths W1 and W2 may be substantially the same.
[0022] Side walls 21, 22, 23, and 24 are all flat. As shown in FIG. 2(a), side walls 21 and 22 are inclined such that the distance between the two becomes smaller as it approaches the bottom portion 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 2(b), side walls 23 and 24 are inclined such that the distance between the two becomes smaller as it approaches the bottom portion 3.
[0023] In the example of FIG. 2, the angle θ1 formed by the side wall 21 with the depth direction of the container 1A (the vertical direction in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)), the angle θ2 formed by the side wall 22 with the depth direction, the angle θ3 formed by the side wall 23 with the depth direction, and the angle θ4 formed by the side wall 24 with the depth direction are substantially the same. However, the angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 may be slightly different.
[0024] Handles 4 are attached to the side walls 21 and 22, respectively. The handle 4 is, for example, a bent metal rod, and is fixed to the outer surfaces of the side walls 21 and 22 via a pair of fixing portions 41 as shown in FIG. 2(b). As shown in FIG. 2(a), the handle 4 is slightly inclined downward when viewed from the side. However, the handle 4 may not be inclined downward. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the distance L1 from the upper end 20 to the lower end of the handle 4 when the container 1A is viewed from the side is smaller than the distance L2 from the lower end of the handle 4 to the lower end of the side portion 2.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D stacked as shown in FIG. 1. The container 1A has a depth Da, the container 1B has a depth Db smaller than Da, the container 1C has a depth Dc smaller than Db, and the container 1D has a depth Dd smaller than Dc.
[0026] The containers 1B, 1C, and 1D have the same shape as the container 1A shown in FIG. 2 except for the differences in these depths Da, Db, Dc, and Dd. That is, the sizes (widths W1, W2) of the openings OP and the angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 formed by the side walls 21, 22, 23, and 24 with the depth direction in the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are all substantially the same. However, at least one of the angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 may be different among the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D as long as the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can be stacked.
[0027] The differences in the depths Da, Db, Dc, and Dd are caused by the differences in the distance L2 shown in FIG. 2(b). That is, the distance L1 in the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D is also substantially the same.
[0028] In the example of FIG. 3, the portion below the handle 4 of the container 1B is housed inside the container 1A, and the pair of handles 4 of the container 1B are in contact with the upper end 20 of the container 1A respectively. Also, the portion below the handle 4 of the container 1C is housed inside the container 1B, and the pair of handles 4 of the container 1C are in contact with the upper end 20 of the container 1B respectively. Further, the portion below the handle 4 of the container 1D is housed inside the container 1C, and the pair of handles 4 of the container 1D are in contact with the upper end 20 of the container 1C respectively.
[0029] The food container set 100 further includes a basket that can be housed in at least one of the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. An example of such a basket will be described below.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the basket 5 housed in the container 1A. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container 1A and the basket 5. In FIG. 5, the basket 5 is shown by a dashed line.
[0031] The basket 5 includes a side portion 51 (second side portion) with an open upper end 52 and a bottom portion 53 (second bottom portion) closing the lower end of the side portion 51. The side portion 51 has four side walls, just like the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the side portion 51 and the bottom portion 53 are formed in a lattice pattern by wires. Note that the side portion 51 and the bottom portion 53 may be formed of a resin material or the like.
[0032] The basket 5 further includes a pair of movable handles 54 (second handles) rotatably provided at portions of the upper end 52 facing each other. In FIGS. 4 and 5, these handles 54 are located inside the side portion 51. Further, the entire basket 5 is located inside the side portion 2 of the container 1A. Thereby, even when the basket 5 is housed, it is possible to cover the container 1A with the lid R.
[0033] When taking out the basket 5 from the container 1A from the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, each handle 54 may be lifted upward. Thereby, each handle 54 rotates upward, and the basket 5 can be taken out without interfering with the container 1A.
[0034] The basket 5 can also be housed in the containers 1B, 1C, and 1D. However, in this case, a part of the basket 5 may protrude above the upper end 20 of the containers 1B, 1C, and 1D.
[0035] The food container set 100 may include at least one basket sized to be entirely located inside the side portion 2 of the container 1B when housed in the container 1B, a basket sized to be entirely located inside the side portion 2 of the container 1C when housed in the container 1C, and a basket sized to be entirely located inside the side portion 2 of the container 1D when housed in the container 1D, either together with the basket 5 or in place of the basket 5.
[0036] In the food container set 100 according to the present embodiment, the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D having different capacities can be stacked. Thereby, the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D when not in use can be stored compactly.
[0037] Further, when the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are stacked, the pair of handles 4 of the upper container contact the upper ends 20 of the lower containers respectively. Thereby, the stacked containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are stabilized.
[0038] Also, the sizes of the openings OP of the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are substantially the same. Thereby, the lid R can be used in common for the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. With such a configuration, there is no need to prepare lids suitable for the containers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D individually.
[0039] Also, since the food container set 100 includes the basket 5, the convenience of the food container set 100 is further improved.
[0040] For example, after serving food using container 1A, basket 5 may be placed inside container 1A and the dishes after a meal may be stored in basket 5, and in this state, lid R may be placed over container 1A. Thereby, drying of the dirt adhering to the dishes is suppressed, and subsequent washing of the dishes becomes easier. Also, even if dirt drips from the dishes during transportation of container 1A containing the dishes and basket 5, container 1A can receive the dirt. Further, if the dishes are stored in basket 5 inside container 1A, taking out the dishes from container 1A at the washing place or the like becomes easier compared to the case where the dishes are directly stored in container 1A.
[0041] In addition to the above, various favorable effects can be obtained from this embodiment.
[0042] The present invention is not limited to the configuration disclosed in this embodiment, and can be modified into various aspects without departing from the technical idea embodied in this embodiment.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0043] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D... containers, 2... side portions of the container, 20... upper ends of the container, 3... bottom portions of the container, 4... handles of the container, 5... baskets, 51... side portions of the basket, 52... upper ends of the basket, 53... bottom portions of the basket, 54... handles of the basket, 100... food container sets.
Claims
1. A container comprising a first side portion with an open upper end, a first bottom portion closing the lower end of the first side portion, and a pair of first handles respectively provided on the outer surfaces of opposite portions of the first side portion; A basket that can be accommodated in the container; A lid that closes the opening formed by the upper end; Comprising; When the basket is accommodated in the container, the whole of the basket is positioned inside the first side portion of the container, and it is configured such that the opening can be closed by the lid. A food container set.
2. The basket is; A lattice-shaped second side portion with an open upper end; A lattice-shaped second bottom portion closing the lower end of the second side portion; A pair of movable second handles respectively rotatably provided at opposite portions of the upper end of the second side portion; Comprising; The basket is configured to be accommodated in the container with the pair of second handles positioned inside the second side portion. The food container set according to Claim 1.
3. Comprising a plurality of containers including the container; The capacities of the plurality of containers are different from each other; Each of the plurality of containers comprises the first side portion, the first bottom portion, and the pair of first handles; The plurality of containers are configured to be stackable such that a portion of the upper container below the pair of first handles is accommodated inside the lower container, and the pair of first handles of the upper container respectively contact the upper end of the lower container. The food container set according to Claim 1 or 2.
4. The sizes of the openings formed by the upper ends of the first side portions in each of the plurality of containers are the same; The depths of each of the plurality of containers are different. The food container set according to Claim 3.
5. The lid is configured to fit the opening of each of the plurality of containers. The food container set according to Claim 4.
6. The first side portion in each of the plurality of containers is inclined at the same angle with respect to the depth direction. The food container set according to Claim 3.