Food storage containers

Abstract

The objective is to provide a food storage container that can transport small food items while ensuring breathability, and that can also be reused for eating. [Solution] The present invention solves the above problem and provides a food storage container X comprising a main body 1 capable of holding food and a lid 2, wherein the main body 1 has a bottom hole 11 that connects the inside and outside, and the lid 2 has one or more lid holes 21, a cutlery part 22 corresponding to the shape of the lid hole 21, and a gate part 23 that connects the lid hole 21 and the cutlery part 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food storage container that can be diverted for use as tableware.

Background Art

[0002] In food transportation, fruits and the like that contain a lot of moisture are often stored in containers having ventilation holes in order to maintain freshness. For this purpose, ventilation holes were often additionally provided according to the conditions of the stored items.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The fruit packaging container shown in Patent Document 1 is designed according to large fruits and has a configuration in which ventilation holes are provided in the lid. On the other hand, the need to ensure the air permeability of the container is the same for small fruits such as berries. In this case, the size and shape of the ventilation holes are restricted due to the small size of the grains. In addition, although fruits such as berries can be eaten as they are after being washed with running water, with existing transportation containers, it is necessary to prepare tableware separately during meals. At this time, there was a problem that it was difficult to handle due to the small size of the grains.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container that can transport small foods while ensuring air permeability and can be further diverted for use in meals as it is.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is a food storage container comprising a main body capable of containing food and a lid, wherein the main body has a bottom hole that connects the inside and outside, and the lid has one or more lid holes, a cutlery portion corresponding to the shape of the lid hole, and a gate portion connecting the lid hole and the cutlery portion. This configuration allows for the transport of small food items while ensuring ventilation, and the container can also be used as a food storage container for eating.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery portion is provided with a sharp end at one end and an enlarged gripping portion at the other end. This configuration allows the user to easily see the function of the cutlery and also allows for a larger surface area in the lid opening.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom holes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the bottom surface of the main body. This configuration allows the food contained within the container to be evenly affected by ventilation and water flow, regardless of its position within the container.

[0009] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is a food storage container comprising a main body capable of containing food and a lid, wherein the lid has a lid opening that connects the inside and the outside, and the main body has one or more lateral openings, a cutlery section corresponding to the shape of the lid opening, and a gate section connecting the lid opening and the cutlery section. This configuration allows for the transport of small food items while ensuring ventilation, and the container can also be used as a food storage container for eating. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention solves the above problems by providing a food storage container that can transport small food items while ensuring breathability, and can also be used directly for eating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] These are a perspective view and a front view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] These are a plan view and a bottom view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which fruit is stored in a food storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] These are a perspective view and a front view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] These are a perspective view and a front view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a bottom view showing the configuration of the main body of the food storage container. [Figure 7] These are a perspective view and a front view showing the configuration of a food storage container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes the food storage container X according to each embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The description will detail the configuration of the embodiment, the method of implementation, and other embodiments in that order. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] ≪First Embodiment≫ As shown in Figure 1(a), the food storage container X according to this embodiment comprises a main body 1 capable of containing food and a lid 2 capable of closing the opening on the top surface of the main body 1, and each of the main body 1 and the lid 2 has a hole that connects the inside and outside of the container.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the main body portion 1 is a box-shaped or boat-shaped member with an oval bottom surface and a side surface that surrounds the bottom surface and forms an opening at the top, and can accommodate food (especially small fruits, etc.) inside. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the main body portion 1 preferably has a configuration in which a part of the bottom surface is slightly raised in steps, or as shown in FIG. 3(b), a configuration in which an outwardly projecting edge portion is provided at the periphery of the upper opening. With such a configuration, the flexural deformation of the main body portion 1 can be suppressed, and the shape as a container can be stabilized.

[0015] The main body portion 1 has a bottom hole portion 11 on the bottom surface and a side hole portion 12 on the side surface. The bottom hole portion 11 is a number of holes provided on the bottom surface as shown in FIG. 2(b), and communicates the inside of the main body portion 1 capable of accommodating food with the outside. Also, the bottom hole portion 11 is smaller than the size of the food assumed to be accommodated, and is provided evenly over the entire bottom surface. Further, the bottom hole portion 11 preferably has a configuration provided symmetrically (with symmetry) about the center of the bottom surface, either line-symmetrically or rotationally symmetrically. With such a configuration, the accommodated food is more likely to be evenly affected by ventilation and running water regardless of its position inside the container.

[0016] In the example shown in FIG. 2(b), the bottom hole portion 11 is provided in two modes. Inside the oval region at the center of the bottom surface, a central bottom hole portion 111 is provided in an array forming a grid pattern, including a shape cut out into a trapezoid or the like based on a rectangle, and a peripheral bottom hole portion 112 of the oval surrounds the outside thereof and is provided in a regular array. With such a configuration, a large number of holes of a size through which the accommodated food cannot pass through can be provided in a shape that is easy to manufacture and within a range where the strength of the main body portion 1 is maintained. However, not limited to this example, the shape and arrangement of the bottom hole portion 11 can be arbitrarily changed as long as the food cannot pass through and the strength of the main body portion 1 can be ensured.

[0017] The side hole portion 12 is a number of holes provided on the side surface of the main body portion 1 as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), and communicates the inside of the main body portion 1 capable of accommodating food with the outside. Further, the side hole portion 12 is smaller than the size of the food assumed to be accommodated, and is provided evenly over the entire bottom surface. Furthermore, the side hole portion 12 is preferably configured to be provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the bottom surface, either line-symmetrically or rotationally symmetrically. With such a configuration, the accommodated food is likely to be evenly affected by ventilation and running water regardless of its position within the container.

[0018] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the side hole portion 12 is in the shape of a long hole extending upward from the position along the bottom surface to the side surface, and its width is narrower than the particle size of the food to be accommodated. With such a configuration, a number of holes of a size that the accommodated food cannot pass through can be provided within the range where the strength of the main body portion 1 is maintained. However, not limited to this example, the shape and arrangement of the side hole portion 12 can be arbitrarily changed as long as the food cannot pass through and the strength of the main body portion 1 can be ensured.

[0019] The lid portion 2 is a receptacle-shaped or boat-shaped member corresponding to the oval shape of the opening of the main body portion 1, and can close the opening at the upper part of the main body portion 1. Further, the lid portion 2 is preferably provided with a locking portion that can be locked to the edge portion of the main body portion 1, and has a stepped configuration with a one-step rise at the central portion. With such a configuration, in addition to suppressing the bending deformation of the lid portion 2, the shape of the container can be stably maintained together with the main body portion 1.

[0020] The lid portion 2 has a plurality of lid hole portions 21 that communicate the inner side and the outer side thereof, and further has a cutlery portion 22 and a gate portion 23. The lid hole portions 21 are holes provided in plurality on the top surface of the lid portion 2, and are of a size or shape such that the accommodated food cannot pass through. Further, the lid hole portions 21 include a die-cut lid hole portion 211 and a peripheral lid hole portion 212, each having a different arrangement and shape.

[0021] The molded lid hole portion 211 is shaped to correspond to the cutlery portion 22 and is formed to be slightly larger than the cutlery portion 22, allowing the cutlery portion 22 to be held via the gate portion 23. With this configuration, most of the area around the cutlery portion 22 is made into a hole, ensuring ventilation inside the food storage container X.

[0022] The peripheral lid holes 212 are holes arranged near the periphery of the lid 2 as individual holes, and it is preferable that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the lid 2, either by a line or by rotation. This configuration ensures even ventilation throughout the inside of the food storage container X.

[0023] The cutlery section 22 is a component provided inside the molding lid hole 211, guided by the gate section 23, and limits the size of the opening of the molding lid hole 211. The cutlery section 22 also has a pointed section 221, a shaft section 222, and an enlarged gripping section 223, and can be repurposed as tableware for eating food. With this configuration, when the cutlery section 22 is integrated as part of the lid section 2, it ensures ventilation inside the food storage container X and holds the stored food so that it does not escape to the outside, while being easily cut out from the gate section 23 and repurposed as tableware for eating.

[0024] The pointed portion 221 is a flattened cone-shaped or triangular plate-shaped part provided at one end of the cutlery portion 22, and as shown in Figure 3(b), it can be used by piercing food, especially fruit F. In the example shown in the drawing, there are two pointed portions 221 arranged parallel to each other, and the shape is split. With this configuration, the position of the food (fruit F) when the two pointed portions 221 are pierced is stabilized, making it easier to eat.

[0025] The shaft portion 222 is a rod-shaped member that connects the pointed portion 221 and the enlarged gripping portion 223 at the center of the cutlery portion 22. The enlarged gripping portion 223 is a flat plate-shaped portion at the other end of the cutlery portion 22 that widens the shaft portion 222, allowing the user to easily grip the cutlery portion 22.

[0026] The gate portion 23 is a member that connects the molding lid hole portion 211 and the cutlery portion 22, and is configured to be narrower on the cutlery portion 22 side. Furthermore, the gate portion 23 is constructed with sufficient strength to be sheared or twisted off by the force of a person's hand, and it is preferable that it is connected to the shaft portion 222 and / or the enlarged gripping portion 223, but not to the sharp portion 221. With this configuration, when the gate portion 23 is cut and the cutlery portion 22 is cut out for use, gate marks are less likely to remain on the side of the cutlery portion 22, and gate marks are not made on the sharp portion 221 which is likely to come into contact with the user's mouth, so that the cutlery portion 22 can be used safely for eating.

[0027] The molding lid hole 211, the cutlery section 22, and the gate section 23 only need to be provided as at least one set, but it is preferable to have multiple sets provided symmetrically around the center of the lid 2, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a). This configuration makes it easier to create symmetry in the shape of the lid 2, improving its design, and also allows the use of a food storage container X that is intended for meals shared by multiple people.

[0028] The following describes in detail how to implement this invention, using the drawings. The implementation described below is merely an example; the method is not limited to this, and the order of steps may vary.

[0029] ≪Implementation Method≫ Figure 3(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the food storage container X cut along the line A-A' shown in Figure 2(b), and the state of the fruit F contained inside. The thick arrows in Figure 3(a) represent the flow of water when washing the contained fruit F with running water. Here, the user closes the lid 2 and allows water to flow into the food storage container X through the lid hole 21. The water then flows through the gaps between the fruit F particles inside and out of the food storage container X through the bottom hole 11 and the side holes 12. At this time, the user can tilt the food storage container X appropriately to thoroughly wash all the fruit F inside the container with running water. In this way, the food storage container X can be used as a washing container.

[0030] Next, the user drains the water from the food storage container X and opens the lid 2. Then, the user pushes the cutlery part 22 out of the lid 2 and cuts it at the gate 23, separating the cutlery part 22 into an independent component. The user then pierces the fruit F with the sharp end 221 of the cutlery part 22, removes it from inside the main body 1, and eats the fruit F. This allows the user to easily eat the fruit F using only the components of the food storage container X, without having to prepare any additional tableware.

[0031] The following describes a food storage container X according to the second embodiment of the present invention, using the drawings. Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited to these embodiments.

[0032] ≪Second Embodiment≫ As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the food storage container X according to this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, has a main body portion 1 in which the side hole portion 12 includes a molded side hole portion 121 and a peripheral side hole portion 122, and further has a side cutlery portion 13 and a side gate portion 14.

[0033] The molded side hole 121 is an opening provided on the flat side of the main body 1, close to the opening (lid 2), with a shape corresponding to the side cutlery section 13. It has the same configuration as the molded lid hole 211 of the lid 2, and holds the side cutlery section 13 via the side gate section 14. The side cutlery section 13 is a piece of tableware composed of a pointed portion 131, a shaft portion 132, and an enlarged gripping portion 133, similar to the cutlery section 22 of the lid 2, and is held via the side gate section 14 with a predetermined gap from the edge of the molded side hole 121. Furthermore, multiple side cutlery sections 13 are arranged on the side of the main body 1 so as to not impair its strength and to prevent the contained food from spilling out. This configuration improves the ventilation of the main body 1, allows running water to reach and wash the food evenly, and can accommodate meals for a larger number of people.

[0034] In this embodiment, the peripheral lateral holes 122 are preferably elongated holes extending from the bottom surface to the upper side surface in areas where the lateral cutlery portion 13 is not provided, while in areas where the lateral cutlery portion 13 is provided, they are preferably relatively short holes or small holes in a range close to the bottom surface. This configuration maintains the breathability of the main body 1 and makes it easier to drain any remaining water after water has been poured into the food storage container X for washing food.

[0035] In the examples shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the lateral cutlery parts 13 of the same shape are regularly arranged with their positions aligned in the length and width directions. On the other hand, the lateral cutlery parts 13 may be of multiple types with different shapes, or they may be arranged parallel to or diagonally to the depth direction of the main body 1. For example, multiple types of lateral cutlery parts 13 with different lengths of the shaft part 132 and shapes of the enlarged gripping part 133 may be arranged with their positions offset in the length direction. With such a configuration, the user can select and use a lateral cutlery part 13 that suits the size of their hand, and the arranged lateral cutlery parts 13 form a geometric pattern, improving the design of the main body 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the lid portion 2 may not have a molding lid hole portion 211, a cutlery portion 22, and a gate portion 23, and a configuration may be adopted in which the molding lateral hole portion 121, a lateral cutlery portion 13, and a lateral gate portion 14 are provided only on the side surface of the main body portion 1. In this case, it is preferable that the peripheral lid hole portion 212 of the lid portion 2 is provided over a wider area than in the first embodiment. With such a configuration, ventilation in the lid portion 2 can be ensured and the range in which flowing water can enter can be widened.

[0037] The food storage container X according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that components similar to those in the first and second embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited to these embodiments.

[0038] ≪Third Embodiment≫ As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the food storage container X according to this embodiment comprises a main body 1 and a lid 2. In one example of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), it has a rounded square shape when viewed from above or from below. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(b), the main body 1 has a truncated square shape that narrows towards the bottom, and has a bottom hole 11, while no side holes 12 are provided. This configuration makes it easier to maintain the shape of the main body 1 and to apply product wrapping to the side surface of the main body 1.

[0039] The bottom holes 11 are arranged in a manner that is rotationally or linearly symmetrical with respect to the center of the bottom surface in a plan view or bottom view (this may be changed to linear symmetry). In particular, in the examples shown in Figures 5(a), 6(a), and 6(b), each bottom hole 11 is an elongated hole narrower than the particle size of the food to be contained, and these are regularly arranged radially or spirally around the center of the bottom surface. With this configuration, the food contained can be evenly affected by ventilation and water flow, regardless of its position within the container. However, the shape and arrangement of the bottom holes 11 can be arbitrarily changed, as long as food cannot pass through and the strength of the main body 1 is ensured, and this is not limited to this example.

[0040] The food storage container X according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that components similar to those in the first, second, and third embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited to these embodiments.

[0041] ≪Fourth Embodiment≫ As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the food storage container X according to this embodiment, in addition to the third embodiment, has a main body portion 1 in which the side hole portion 12 includes a molded side hole portion 121, a side cutlery portion 13, and a side gate portion 14.

[0042] The molded side hole 121 is an opening provided on the flat side of the main body 1, close to the opening (lid 2), with a shape corresponding to the side cutlery section 13. It has the same configuration as the molded lid hole 211 of the lid 2, and holds the side cutlery section 13 via the side gate section 14. The side cutlery section 13 is a piece of tableware composed of a pointed portion 131, a shaft portion 132, and an enlarged gripping portion 133, similar to the cutlery section 22 of the lid 2, and is held via the side gate section 14 with a predetermined gap from the edge of the molded side hole 121. Furthermore, multiple side cutlery sections 13 are arranged on the side of the main body 1 so as to not impair its strength and to prevent the contained food from spilling out. This configuration improves the ventilation of the main body 1, allows running water to reach and wash the food evenly, and can accommodate meals for a larger number of people.

[0043] In this embodiment, the lateral hole portion 12 is formed solely by having a molded lateral hole portion 121. However, it is preferable that the molded lateral hole portion 121, the lateral cutlery portion 13, and the lateral gate portion 14 are provided in a range close to the upper opening and not in a range close to the bottom surface. With such a configuration, even when the lateral cutlery portion 13 is completely cut out and used, the main body portion 1 can maintain its shape as a container and the food inside will not spill out. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] X Food storage containers 1. Main body 11 Bottom hole 111 Center bottom hole 112 Peripheral bottom hole 12 Side hole 121 Molding side hole 122 Peripheral side holes 13 Side cutlery section 131. Sharp section 132 Shaft 133 Enlarged gripping section 14 Side gate section 2 Lid 21 Cover hole 211 Mold cover hole 212 Peripheral cover hole 22 Cutlery section 221 Sharp section 222 Shaft section 223 Enlarged gripping section 23 Gate section F Fruit

Claims

1. A food storage container comprising a main body capable of holding food and a lid, The main body has a bottom hole that connects the inside and the outside, A food storage container having a lid portion having one or more lid holes, a cutlery portion corresponding to the shape of the lid holes, and a gate portion connecting the lid holes and the cutlery portion.

2. The cutlery portion has a sharp tip at one end and an enlarged gripping portion at the other end. A food storage container according to claim 1.

3. The bottom holes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the bottom surface of the main body. A food storage container according to claim 1.

4. A food storage container comprising a main body capable of holding food and a lid, The lid portion has a lid hole that connects the inside and the outside. The main body portion comprises one or more lateral holes, a cutlery portion corresponding to the shape of the lid hole, and a gate portion connecting the lid hole and the cutlery portion, wherein the container is a food storage container.

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