Food container

Abstract

This utility model relates to the light industry, specifically packaging and, in particular, food containers. The container comprises a container 1 and a lid 2. Container 1 is made of sheet material and has a base 3 connected to sides 4, the top edge of which is bent outward to form a shelf 5. Lid 2 has an edge profile 6 along its perimeter, capable of being secured to shelf 5 of the container. The bend in the top edge of container 1 is non-perforated. An air valve is located at the junction of adjacent sides, connecting the interior of the closed container with the outside environment. The technical result consists of increasing the shelf life of the product.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to light industry, namely to packaging means and, in particular, to containers for placing food products, and can be used for storing and transporting food products, ready-made meals in cafes, canteens, restaurants, and at home.

[0002] Technology Level

[0003] A food container known from the prior art comprises a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle is made of sheet material and has a base connected to the sides. The top edge of the receptacle is bent outward to form a shelf. The lid has an edge profile along its perimeter, which can be fixed to the shelf of the receptacle (Russian Federation Patent for Utility Model 205283, published July 7, 2021). A disadvantage of this known container is the lack of an air channel between the interior of the receptacle and the surrounding environment. As a result, condensation may form inside the container, depositing on the food product and accelerating its spoilage.

[0004] The essence of the utility model

[0005] The objective of the utility model is to develop a container for food products that eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prototype specified in the “Prior Art” section.

[0006] The technical result of the utility model consists in creating an air connection (channel) between the internal volume of the container and the environment by means of an air valve, wherein the air valve can be made on non-perforated bends to maintain the strength and other operational properties of the container.

[0007] The specified technical result is achieved in that the food container contains a container and a lid made of a polymeric material, the said container is made of a sheet material and has a base connected to the sides, the upper edge of the container is bent outward to form a shelf, the lid has an edge profile along its perimeter made with the possibility of fixing the lid on the said shelf of the container, adjacent side sides are connected to each other by means of an angular valve including first and second wedge-shaped elements, characterized in that the bend of the said upper edge of the container is made without perforation, in the corners of the container the shelf has cutouts, and at the junction of the adjacent side sides there is an air valve connecting the internal volume of the closed container with the environment and formed by the space between the wedge-shaped elements of the angular valve and the step of the sheet material,formed by the upper cut of the internal wedge-shaped element of the corner valve,

[0008] The air valve can be located at the top of the junction between the wedge-shaped elements of the corner valve and the container sidewall. The air valve can be located at the middle of the junction between the wedge-shaped elements of the corner valve and the container sidewall.

[0009] A distinctive feature of the utility model is the presence of a special structural element - an air valve, through which air can move from the container to the environment, and from the environment into the container.

[0010] List of drawing figures

[0011] Fig. 1 and 2 show general views of the container and capacity.

[0012] Fig. 3-8 show the designs of the corner valve and the corresponding sheet material developments.

[0013] Implementation of a utility model

[0014] Rectangular or other polygonal containers are ideal for storing and transporting food products, as they allow the use of standard sheet metal blanks, which are cost-effectively converted into volumetric products from a production standpoint, and provide high structural rigidity. These food containers are becoming increasingly popular and are used for an ever-expanding range of operating conditions and product properties.

[0015] One of the problems that arises when using food containers is the formation of condensation inside them. Condensation can occur for various reasons. One such reason is when a container is moved from a warm environment (for example, during transportation) to a room with a higher temperature. Condensation also forms inside the container when heating food in the container in a microwave. Condensation settles on the inner surfaces of the container and the food itself, reducing the transparency of the lid and visibility of the product, shortening the shelf life of the food, and degrading its organoleptic properties.

[0016] This utility model relates to containers with a removable lid that provide packaging and storage.

[0017] The food container has a capacity of 1 and a lid of 2, sides of 4.

[0018] Container 1 is made of sheet material and has a base 3 connected to sides 4. The top edge of container 1 is bent outward to form shelf 5. Shelf 5 is formed at an acute angle to the horizontal. The connection of side walls 4 is conveniently achieved by means of corner flaps 9 folded inward onto container 1, as is done in the prototype.

[0019] The opposite side walls 4 of the container 1 are typically equal in pairs and arranged symmetrically. The shape of the side walls 4 can be isosceles trapezoids, the smaller bases of which are connected to the base 3 of the container 1, while the larger base forms a shelf 5 by bending it. This shape of the side walls ensures a gradual increase in the container's cross-section from the base up the height of the container.

[0020] Lid 2 has an edge profile 6 along its perimeter, designed to be secured to the bent shelf 5 of container 1. Lid 2 of the container can be made of a polymer material and can be of any shape (convex, flat, or concave within the container) and height. The sides of lid 2 can be inclined or flat, depending on the manufacturing technology, operating conditions, and desired properties. Edge profile 6 can be equipped with locking devices in the form of protrusions or other shapes.

[0021] Container 1 should be made from a material having a cellulose-paper base, onto which a laminating layer is attached, forming the inner surface of the container and representing a protective heat-sealable coating.

[0022] To manufacture container 1, a blank is created by punching and applying the necessary creasing and scoring channels to sheet material. The individual blanks are then assembled into the container using sets of punches and dies, and the valve locations are welded thermally by heating and pressing the heat-sealable laminating coating. The container size is selected based on the shape and volume of the product being packaged.

[0023] It is advisable to make lid 2 from transparent plastic to ensure visual accessibility of the container contents, for example, using a thermal vacuum forming method.

[0024] The bend of the top edge of container 1 is not perforated; i.e., there are no perforated elements on the bend line of shelf 5 that would facilitate bending the top edge. The presence of perforations on the bend line reduces the stability of the container and impairs its strength properties. Furthermore, moisture penetrates through the perforated elements, which degrades the container material. Shelf 5 has cutouts 8 in the corners of the container, as shown in Figs. 1-2.

[0025] Adjacent sidewalls are connected by a corner flap 9, which includes a first 10 and second 11 wedge-shaped element. Typically, one wedge-shaped element of corner flap 9 is larger than the other. Corner flap 9 is formed by superimposing the larger wedge-shaped element on the smaller one and attaching the upper portion of the larger wedge-shaped element to the corresponding sidewall 4.

[0026] It is advisable to attach the wedge-shaped elements to the walls 4 by heat welding or other known methods (for example, using glue).

[0027] Fig. 3-5 shows the structure of an angle valve having a larger wedge-shaped element 10 and a smaller wedge-shaped element 11. The upper part 12 of the larger wedge-shaped element 10 is attached to the side 4. Thus, the smaller wedge-shaped element 11 is located between the side 4 and the larger wedge-shaped element 10. Fig. 5 shows the design of an angle valve 9, in which the upper edge of the smaller wedge-shaped element 11 is located below the upper edge of the larger wedge-shaped element 10.

[0028] At the junction of adjacent side walls, there is an air valve 7, connecting the internal volume of the closed container with the outside environment. The air valve 7 can be implemented as a channel located between the side wall 4 and the large wedge-shaped element 10 of the valve 9, as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the air channel is formed due to the lack of a fastening between the middle part of the wedge-shaped element 10 and the side wall 4, as well as due to the height of the step, equal to the thickness of the sheet material from which the container 1 is made. Such a step is formed due to the upper cut on the smaller wedge-shaped element 11. The movement of air in such an air channel is shown by an arrow.

[0029] To form the air valve 7, the upper part of the corner valve 9 may not be attached to the side in the region of the upper corner of the container 1, which forms an additional air gap at the junction of the side sides 4 of the container 1 in its upper part.

[0030] Generally, the air channel width can be from 0.5mm to 10mm, and the area can be from 0.05 square cm to 2 square cm.

[0031] The number and size of air valves 7 are selected based on the container size, food product properties, and operating conditions. The container may have a single air valve 7 located in one of the corner valves 9, or each corner valve 9 may have an air valve 7.

[0032] Example of implementation of the utility model.

[0033] The formation of the capacity of 1 container is carried out by means of corner valves, fastened by thermal welding or with the help of an adhesive composition, as is known from the prototype.

[0034] A rectangular container 1 with side lengths of 200 x 300 mm is manufactured. A 6 mm wide shelf is folded back along the top edge of container 1. Air vents are made in the center of the long side walls by forming cutouts in sheet material (cutout width 4 mm, length 9 mm). A lid of the required shape is manufactured. The product to be packaged is placed in the formed container 1 and closed with lid 2. Edge profile 6 of lid 2 is secured to the folded top edge of the container in the form of shelf 5 by any known method, for example, by means of locks, protrusions, or due to the elastic deformation forces of the material of container 1 and lid 2.

[0035] Due to air valves 7, the internal volume of the closed container communicates with the environment through cutouts or channels.

[0036] The presence of one or more air ducts eliminates the formation of condensation by removing moist air from a container sealed with a lid or by influx of outside air with a lower humidity level, preserving the organoleptic properties of the product.

Claims

1. A container for food products comprising a container and a lid made of a polymeric material, said container being made of a sheet material and having a base connected to the sides, the upper edge of the container being bent outward to form a shelf, the lid having an edge profile along its perimeter made with the possibility of fixing the lid on said shelf of the container, adjacent side sides being connected to each other by means of an angular valve including first and second wedge-shaped elements, characterized in that the bend of said upper edge of the container is made without perforation, at the junction of the adjacent side sides there is an air valve connecting the internal volume of the closed container with the environment and formed by the space between the large wedge-shaped element of the angular valve and the step of the sheet material formed by the upper cut of the smaller wedge-shaped element of the angular valve.

2. The container according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the shelf has cutouts in the corners of the container.

3. The container according to item 1, characterized in that the air valve is made in the upper part of the junction of the wedge-shaped elements of the corner valve with each other and the side wall of the container.

4. The container according to item 1, characterized in that the air valve is made in the middle part of the junction of the wedge-shaped elements of the corner valve with each other and the side wall of the container.

Images