Food Tray

Abstract

To provide a food tray capable of suppressing deformation of food which is placed on it.SOLUTION: A food tray which is used for heating cooking of food includes a placement part in which food is placed, and two pairs of side surface parts opposing to each other. The placement part includes a pair of inclined parts which is formed so as to rise toward one pair of side surface parts out of the two pairs of side surface parts. At the pair of inclined parts, a plurality of ribs are formed respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food tray used for cooking food. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, food has been placed on a tray, sealed with a lid, and then cooked (retort sterilization). The cooked food is transported on the sealed tray and displayed for sale. For example, Cited Document 1 discloses a package provided with a top-sealing lid film that allows easy and clean opening after reheating in a microwave oven. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-70191 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, some cooked foods contained in packages tend to lose their shape due to vibration during transport. For example, when boiled or grilled fish is packed as cooked foods, the flesh of fish is fragile and there is a difference in strength between the abdominal and dorsal parts, so there is a risk that the flesh will fall apart during transport.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a food tray that is capable of preventing food placed on it from losing its shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a food tray used for cooking food, comprising a placement portion for placing the food and two pairs of opposing side portions, the placement portion having a pair of inclined portions formed so as to rise toward one pair of the two pairs of side portions, and a plurality of ribs formed on each of the pair of inclined portions.

[0007] According to the present invention, the movement of the food is restricted by the pair of inclined portions and the multiple ribs formed on the pair of inclined portions, so that the food is prevented from shifting position due to vibration during transportation, and deformation can be prevented. Also, when cooking the food, the pair of inclined portions positions the food near the center and stabilizes it, so uneven heating can be prevented, and the finished quality can be made uniform.

[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

[0009] Preferably, the height of the plurality of ribs is 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm.

[0010] Preferably, the average inclination angle of the pair of inclined portions is between 5 degrees and 35 degrees.

[0011] Preferably, a central portion is provided between the pair of inclined portions, and the length of the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the pair of side portions is 0.1 to 0.5 times the length of the placement portion in the same direction.

[0012] Preferably, no rib is formed in the central portion, or the rib formed in the central portion is smaller than the ribs formed in the pair of inclined portions.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of ribs include a plurality of parallel ribs that are approximately parallel to the pair of side portions and a plurality of vertical ribs that are approximately perpendicular to the pair of side portions, and the plurality of parallel ribs and the plurality of vertical ribs are arranged alternately in a direction parallel to the pair of side portions.

[0014] Preferably, the mounting portion has legs near the four corners, and upper surfaces of the legs form drain spots having the lowest height on the upper surface of the mounting portion.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a food tray used for cooking food, comprising: a placement portion on which the food is placed and two pairs of opposing side portions, the placement portion comprising a pair of inclined portions formed so as to rise toward one pair of the two pairs of side portions, the average inclination angle of the pair of inclined portions being 5 degrees to 35 degrees. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a food tray 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the food tray 1 in FIG. 1, seen from the long side surface 3 side. [Diagram 3] 2 is a side view of the food tray 1 in FIG. 1, seen from the short side surface portion 4 side. [Figure 4] 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which food X is placed on the food tray 1 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a heating packaging container 100 constructed using the food tray 1 of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Also, each feature can be an invention independently.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, food tray 1 of this embodiment comprises a mounting portion 2 on which food X (see Fig. 6) is placed, and two pairs of side portions, that is, a pair of long side portions 3 and a pair of short side portions 4. Mounting portion 2 is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a central portion 20 and a pair of inclined portions 21. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5A, mounting portion 2 comprises legs 22 near its four corners.

[0019] The central portion 20 extends in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction) along the long side portion 3 from the central portion of the mounting portion 2 in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the lateral direction) along the short side portion 4. In this embodiment, no ribs are formed in the central portion 20, and therefore the back surface of the central portion 20 is free of irregularities.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the pair of inclined portions 21 are formed so as to rise from the central portion 20 toward the pair of long side portions 3. In this embodiment, the central portion 20 and the pair of inclined portions 21 are smoothly connected in the short side direction, and are configured to be gently curved so as to be convex downward as a whole. However, the inclination of the central portion 20 is gentler than that of the inclined portions 21, and can be said to be almost flat. Therefore, in this embodiment, the boundary between the central portion 20 and the inclined portions 21 is defined as the position where the inclination angle becomes steep in the process of rising from the center of the short side direction of the central portion 20 toward the long side portion 3. Note that the area where the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b do not exist may be defined as the central portion 20, and the area where the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b exist may be defined as the inclined portions 21.

[0021] In this embodiment, the average inclination angle α of the inclined portion 21 shown in Fig. 4A is preferably 5 degrees to 35 degrees. Here, the average inclination angle is the angle at approximately the center of the inclined portion 21 in the short side direction, and is the angle of a portion where the inclination angle is approximately constant. This inclination angle is approximately the same as the inclination angle of the ridge of the vertical rib 21b, which will be described later, with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the average inclination angle α may be defined as the inclination angle of the ridge of the vertical rib 21b with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0022] Alternatively, the average inclination angle α may be defined as the angle of a tangent line approximately near the center in the short side direction. The average inclination angle α may also be defined as the inclination angle of a straight line connecting the upper and lower ends of the inclined portion 21. The above two definitions are particularly effective when the inclined portion 21 is curved overall. An appropriate definition of the average inclination angle α is adopted that represents the average inclination of the inclined portion 21 depending on the shape of the inclined portion 21.

[0023] The average inclination angle α of the inclined portion 21 is more preferably 5 degrees to 20 degrees, and further preferably 10 degrees to 15 degrees. Specifically, the average inclination angle α of the inclined portion 21 is, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 degrees, and may be within a range between any two of the numerical values ​​exemplified here.

[0024] 1, each of the pair of inclined portions 21 includes, as a plurality of ribs protruding upward, a plurality of parallel ribs 21a (see also FIG. 4B) extending in the longitudinal direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the long side surface portion 3) and a plurality of vertical ribs 21b (see also FIG. 4C) extending in the lateral direction (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the long side surface portion 3). The height of the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b, i.e., the amount of protrusion from the inclined portion 21, is preferably 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The height of the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b is more preferably 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The height of the parallel rib 21a and the vertical rib 21b may be, for example, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, or 5.0 mm, or may be within a range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here. In addition, it is preferable that the heights of the parallel rib 21a and the vertical rib 21b are approximately the same. As shown in FIG. 2, the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b protrude upward and form a recess on the back surface of the inclined portion 21. In this embodiment, the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, one vertical rib 21b is arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the inclined portion 21 so as to divide the two parallel ribs 21a extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the lower end of the parallel rib 21a on the central portion 20 side and the lower end of the vertical rib 21b are located at approximately the same position in the lateral direction, and are arranged on the same straight line along the longitudinal direction. The shape, number, height, and arrangement of the ribs are not limited to the above configuration. However, it is preferable to alternately arrange the vertical ribs extending in the longitudinal direction or a direction close to it and the parallel ribs extending in the lateral direction or a direction close to it so that the drip liquid coming out of the food X does not remain.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, in the present embodiment, the length t1 in the short side direction of the central portion 20 is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 times, more preferably 0.2 to 0.4 times the length t2 in the short side direction of the placement portion 2. Specifically, the value of t1 / t2 is, for example, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, and may be within the range between any two of the values exemplified here.

[0026] And as shown in Fig. 6, the size of the food X to be placed preferably does not fit within the central portion 20 in the short side direction and reaches up to the pair of inclined portions 21. That is, assuming that the length in the short side direction of the food X to be placed is t3, it is preferable to use a food tray 1 in which the length t1 in the short side direction of the central portion 20 satisfies t1 < t3. More preferably, the size of the food tray 1 is selected so that the food X is placed on the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b. When the food tray 1 of such a size is used, the food X is placed on the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b and is in a floating state. In other words, a gap is formed between the lower surface of the food X and the upper surface of the placement portion 2 in contact therewith. Thereby, for example, when heating the food X placed on the food tray 1 with a microwave oven, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of heat spots (concentrated heating phenomenon) peculiar to microwave heating and reduce the overheating of the food X.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the legs 22 are formed in an L shape along the long side surface portion 3 and the pair of short side surface portions 4 at the four corners of the placement portion 2. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5A, the legs 22 are the portions that come into contact with the ground at the place where the food tray 1 is placed and are formed at the lowest position in the placement portion 2. Further, as shown in Fig. 5A, a drain spot 22a having the lowest height is formed on the upper surface of the placement portion 2 on the upper surface of the legs 22.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of long side portions 3 extend in a substantially vertical direction from both ends of the central portion 20 in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the pair of short side portions 4 extend in a substantially vertical direction from both ends of the central portion 20 in the lateral direction. The pair of long side portions 3 and the pair of short side portions 4 form the side of the food tray 1. A flange portion 30 for attaching a film 50 (see FIG. 7) is formed on the upper edges of the long side portion 3 and the short side portion 4 in the circumferential direction. In addition, a tongue portion 31 for making it easy to peel off the film 50 is formed at one of the four corners of the flange portion 30. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5B, a reinforcing rib 40 is formed at the center of the lateral direction of the pair of short side portions 4, protruding toward the inside of the food tray 1. However, the reinforcing rib 40 is not an essential component.

[0029] The food tray 1 having the above-mentioned structure is used for top-seal packaging, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, in which food X, particularly boiled or grilled fish, is placed on the food, the inside of the food tray 1 is replaced with an inert gas such as nitrogen, and the food tray 1 is then sealed with a film 50 for packaging. The food tray 1 sealed with the film 50 is used as a heating packaging container 100 for cooking food by heating (retort sterilization) and for transporting, displaying, and selling the food. The layer structure of the food tray 1 is, for example, polypropylene (PP) / ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) / PP from the outside. The layer structure of the film 50 is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) / nylon (NY) / PP from the outside. However, the materials and layer structure of the food tray 1 and the film 50 are not limited to those described above, and may be any structure depending on the situation.

[0030] As described above, the food tray 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of inclined portions 21, and the inclined portions 21 include a plurality of parallel ribs 21a and a plurality of vertical ribs 21b. As a result, the movement of the food X placed on it is restricted by the pair of inclined portions 21, the parallel ribs 21a, and the vertical ribs 21b (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the food X placed on it is prevented from being displaced due to vibration during transportation, and it is possible to prevent the food X from losing its shape. Furthermore, when the food X placed on it is cooked (by retort sterilization or boiling sterilization), the pair of inclined portions 21 positions and stabilizes the food X near the center in the short direction, making it easier to determine the spatial distance within the container (on the food tray 1). As a result, the spatial distance within the container is easier to determine, so that heat conduction is stabilized, uneven heating during heat treatment is suppressed, and the finished quality can be made uniform.

[0031] Furthermore, in the food tray 1 of this embodiment, no ribs are formed in the central portion 20 of the mounting portion 2, and the back surface of the central portion 20 is smooth, making it easy to attach a product label when the food tray 1 is made into a heating packaging container 100.

[0032] In addition, in the food tray 1 of this embodiment, the mounting portion 2 is provided with an inclined portion 21, and the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction, so that drip liquid from the food X does not remain near the parallel ribs 21a. Furthermore, the drain spot 22a, which is the lowest on the upper surface of the mounting portion 2, is formed on the upper surface of the leg portion 22 of the mounting portion 2, so that drip liquid from the food X is collected in the drain spot 22a, and the drip liquid does not spread and accumulate over a wide area. This makes it possible for the food tray 1 of this embodiment to improve the appearance of the product when it is displayed.

[0033] In addition, in a food tray, if the average inclination angle of the inclined portion 21 of the placement portion 2 is less than 5 degrees, the movement of the food X is not properly restricted, and the drip liquid is dispersed. Furthermore, if the average inclination angle of the inclined portion 21 exceeds 35 degrees, the food X is concentrated on the placement portion 2 due to its own weight or external impact, and the food is deformed. However, in the food tray 1 of this embodiment, the average inclination angle α of the inclined portion 21 is set to 5 degrees to 35 degrees, preferably 5 degrees to 20 degrees, and more preferably 10 degrees to 15 degrees. Therefore, it is possible to properly restrict the movement of the food X, collect the drip liquid, and prevent the food from losing its shape due to its own weight.

[0034] The present invention can also be implemented in the following aspects. In the above-described embodiment, the mounting portion 2 has a substantially rectangular shape, but the mounting portion 2 may also have a square shape. In the above-described embodiment, the placement portion 2 has a central portion 20. However, it is also possible for the placement portion 2 to have no central portion 20, i.e., for the placement portion 2 to have no substantially flat area in the central portion in the short side direction. In this case, the pair of inclined portions 21 are connected to each other at their central portions, and the cross-sectional shape viewed from the short side direction is substantially V-shaped. Even with this configuration, the pair of inclined portions 21 restrict the movement of the food X, thereby preventing the food X from losing its shape and making it possible to achieve a uniform finished quality when cooked. In the above-described embodiment, no ribs were formed in the central portion 20 of the mounting portion 2. However, ribs may be provided in the central portion 20. However, even if ribs are provided in the central portion 20, it is preferable that the projection of the rib be smaller than the parallel ribs 21a and the vertical ribs 21b of the inclined portion 21. In the above-described embodiment, ribs are provided on the inclined portions 21 of the mounting portion 2, but ribs may not be provided. Even if ribs are not provided on the inclined portions 21, the movement of the food X can be restricted by the pair of inclined portions 21. In the above embodiment, the food tray 1 is used for top-seal packaging to form a heating packaging container, but it can also be used for other purposes besides top-seal packaging. For example, the food tray of the present invention can also be used for wrap packaging, packaging with a molded lid, horizontal pillow packaging, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1: Food tray 2: Placement section 3:Long side part 4:Short side part 20: Central part 21: Inclined part 21a: Parallel ribs 21b: Vertical rib 22: Legs 22a: Drain spot 30: Flange part 31: Tongue Club 40: Reinforcement rib 50:Film 100: Heating packaging container α: Average inclination angle X :Food

Claims

1. A food tray used for cooking food, The food product is provided with a placement portion on which the food product is placed and two pairs of opposing side portions, The placement portion includes a pair of inclined portions, and the pair of inclined portions is configured to rise toward a pair of side portions of the two pairs of side portions so that the food is positioned between the pair of inclined portions; In a cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the pair of side surface portions, one and the other of the pair of side surface portions are directly connected to one and the other of the pair of inclined portions, respectively; A central portion is provided between the pair of inclined portions, In a direction in which the pair of side portions face each other, a length t1 of the central portion is 0.1 to 0.5 times a length t2 of the placement portion, A plurality of ribs are formed on each of the pair of inclined portions, No rib is formed in the central portion, The plurality of ribs include a plurality of parallel ribs that are substantially parallel to the pair of side surface portions, and a plurality of vertical ribs that are substantially perpendicular to the pair of side surface portions, A food tray, wherein the plurality of parallel ribs and the plurality of vertical ribs are alternately arranged in a direction parallel to the pair of side portions.

2. 2. The food tray according to claim 1, A food tray, wherein the average inclination angle of the pair of inclined portions is 5 degrees to 35 degrees.

3. The food tray according to claim 1 or 2, The food tray, wherein the placement portion has legs near the four corners, and upper surfaces of the legs form drain spots that are the lowest on the upper surface of the placement portion.

Images