Pallet device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2026004384_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Pallet device
[0001] This disclosure relates to a pallet device for placing food products.
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a pallet equipped with a plasma device that generates ozone gas in a part of the pallet for placing food products.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-162480
[0004] In the pallet described in Patent Document 1, the freshness of the food products placed on the pallet can be maintained over a long period by the ozone gas generated by the plasma device.
[0005] However, when the present disclosure's author evaluated the freshness of food products using this pallet, it was found that the period during which the freshness of the food products could be maintained was not very long.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a pallet device that can maintain the freshness of food products over a long period.
[0007] [1] The pallet device according to the present disclosure includes at least one pallet for placing food products, an ozone generator placed on at least one of the at least one pallet, and a sheet for wrapping the food products and the ozone generator placed on the at least one pallet.
[0008] In this pallet device, since the ozone generator is placed on at least one pallet, the freshness of the food products placed on the at least one pallet can be maintained by the ozone gas generated by the ozone generator. And since the food products and the ozone generator placed on the at least one pallet are wrapped by the sheet, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of the ozone gas generated by the ozone generator to the outside of the at least one pallet device. As a result, within the sheet, the ozone gas can be maintained at a predetermined concentration, so that the freshness of the food products can be maintained over a long period.
[0009] [2] In the pallet device described in [1], the sheet may have gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas. In this pallet device, since the sheet has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas, it is possible to further suppress the diffusion of ozone gas generated by the ozone generator to the outside of the pallet device.
[0010] [3] In the pallet device described in [2], the sheet may be permeable to moisture. In this pallet device, because the sheet is permeable to moisture, the humidity inside the sheet can be appropriately maintained. As a result, even if the food products are those that contain moisture, such as fruits and vegetables, the freshness of the food products can be maintained for an even longer period of time.
[0011] [4] In the pallet device described in any of [1] to [3], the sheet may be divided into multiple parts. In this pallet device, since the sheet is divided into multiple parts, the food products and ozone generator placed on the pallet can be easily wrapped.
[0012] [5] The pallet device described in any of [1] to [4] may further include containers for storing food products and being placed on at least one pallet. In this pallet device, since it includes containers for storing food products and being placed on at least one pallet, food products can be easily placed on at least one pallet by storing the food products in the containers and placing the containers on at least one pallet.
[0013] [6] The pallet device described in [5] further comprises food products contained in containers, and the sheet may wrap the containers and the ozone generator on at least one pallet. In this pallet device, since the sheet wraps the containers and the ozone generator on at least one pallet, the freshness of the food products contained in the containers can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0014] [7] In the pallet device described in [5] or [6], the sheet may have a lower sheet portion, at least a part of which is positioned on the side of at least one pallet containing the container and the ozone generator, and an upper sheet portion, at least a part of which is positioned on the side opposite to the at least one pallet containing the container and the ozone generator. In this pallet device, the sheet has a lower sheet portion, at least a part of which is positioned on the side of at least one pallet containing the container and the ozone generator, and an upper sheet portion, at least a part of which is positioned on the side opposite to the at least one pallet containing the container and the ozone generator. For example, by placing the container and the ozone generator on the lower sheet portion on at least one pallet and covering the container and the ozone generator with the upper sheet portion from above, the container and the ozone generator can be easily wrapped by the lower sheet portion and the upper sheet portion.
[0015] [8] In the pallet device described in [5] or [6], the sheet may have a lower sheet portion that opens on the side opposite to at least one pallet and covers the container and ozone generator from at least one pallet side, and an upper sheet portion that opens on the side opposite to at least one pallet and covers the container from the side opposite to at least one pallet. In this pallet device, the sheet has a lower sheet portion that opens on the side opposite to at least one pallet and covers the container and ozone generator from at least one pallet side, and an upper sheet portion that opens on the side opposite to at least one pallet and covers the container from the side opposite to at least one pallet. For example, on at least one pallet, the lower sheet portion can be placed over the container and ozone generator from at least one pallet side, and the upper sheet portion can be placed over the container from the side opposite to at least one pallet, thereby easily wrapping the container and ozone generator with the lower sheet portion and the upper sheet portion.
[0016] [9] In the pallet device described in [8], the upper sheet portion has an upper sheet end that is folded outward on the side of the container, and the lower sheet portion has a lower sheet end that is superimposed on the outside of the upper sheet end on the side of the container, and the upper sheet end and the lower sheet end may be folded towards the container side while superimposed on each other. In this pallet device, the upper sheet end of the upper sheet portion is folded outward on the side of the container, and the lower sheet end of the lower sheet portion is superimposed on the outside of the upper sheet end on the side of the container, and the upper sheet end and the lower sheet end are folded towards the container side while superimposed on each other. As a result, leakage of ozone gas generated from the ozone generator from inside the sheet can be further suppressed. Moreover, even if the parts of the upper sheet end and the lower sheet end that are folded towards the container side slide down due to gravity or the like, this fold is difficult to open. As a result, leakage of ozone gas due to the opening of this fold can be suppressed.
[0017] In the pallet device described in
[10] , [8], or [9], the outer circumference of the lower sheet portion may be greater than or equal to the outer circumference of at least one pallet. In this pallet device, since the outer circumference of the lower sheet portion is greater than or equal to the outer circumference of at least one pallet, a pallet can be placed in the opening of the lower sheet portion. For example, when placing the lower sheet portion over the container and ozone generator from at least one pallet side on at least one pallet, the side portion of the lower sheet portion can be slid down onto the side of at least one pallet while the lower sheet portion is laid on at least one pallet. As a result, the container and ozone generator can be easily placed on the lower sheet portion on at least one pallet, and the lower sheet portion can be easily placed over the container and ozone generator from at least one pallet side.
[0018]
[11] In the pallet device described in any of [8] to
[10] , the lower sheet portion may have a lower sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the lower sheet portion, and the upper sheet portion may have an upper sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the upper sheet portion. In this pallet device, the lower sheet portion has a lower sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the lower sheet portion, and the upper sheet portion has an upper sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the upper sheet portion. Therefore, regardless of whether the lower sheet portion or the upper sheet portion is positioned on the outside, leakage of ozone gas from between the lower sheet portion and the upper sheet portion can be suppressed.
[0019]
[12] In the pallet device described in any of [1] to [4], each of at least one pallet may have a container section for storing food products. In this pallet device, each of at least one pallet has a container section for storing food products, so food products can be placed on at least one pallet without having to prepare separate containers.
[0020]
[13] The pallet device described in
[12] further comprises food products contained in a container, and the ozone generator is housed in the container, and the sheet may wrap the food products and the ozone generator within the container. In this pallet device, since the sheet wraps the food products and the ozone generator within the container, the freshness of the food products contained in the container can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0021]
[14] In the pallet device described in any of [1] to
[13] , the ozone generator has a power cord for receiving power from an external power source, and the sheet may have a feed-out section for passing the power cord. In this pallet device, since the sheet has a feed-out section for passing the power cord of the ozone generator, power can be supplied to the ozone generator from an external power source. This makes it possible to operate the ozone generator for a long period of time.
[0022]
[15] In the pallet device described in
[14] , the dispensing section may extend in a cylindrical shape. In this pallet device, since the dispensing section extends in a cylindrical shape, a power cord can be passed through the dispensing section and the dispensing section can be constricted. This makes it possible to suppress the leakage of ozone gas.
[0023]
[16] In the pallet device described in any of [1] to
[15] , an illuminance sensor may be further provided, which is wrapped in a sheet together with the ozone generator. In this pallet device, since an illuminance sensor is wrapped in a sheet together with the ozone generator, it is possible to determine whether or not external light is entering from the sheet that is wrapping the ozone generator. In other words, it is possible to determine the state of wrapping the ozone generator with the sheet. This makes it possible, for example, to prevent the ozone generator from generating ozone gas if the ozone generator is not sufficiently wrapped in the sheet.
[0024]
[17] The pallet device described in
[16] further comprises a control device for controlling the ozone generator, wherein the control device controls the ozone generator so as not to generate ozone when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is below a threshold. In this pallet device, the control device for controlling the ozone generator controls the ozone generator so as not to generate ozone gas when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is below a threshold. As a result, if the ozone generator is not sufficiently enclosed by the sheet, ozone gas will not be generated from the ozone generator, thereby preventing ozone gas from leaking out of the sheet.
[0025]
[18] The pallet device according to the present disclosure comprises a pallet for placing food products and a sheet for wrapping the food products placed on the pallet, wherein the sheet has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas, and the internal atmosphere of the sheet consists of a gas mainly composed of ozone gas.
[0026] In this pallet system, food products placed on the pallet are wrapped in a sheet with gas barrier properties that suppresses the permeation of ozone gas, and the atmosphere inside the sheet consists mainly of ozone gas. As a result, the freshness of the food products can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0027] According to this disclosure, the freshness of food products can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0028] This is a schematic perspective view of a pallet device according to an embodiment. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pallet device shown in Figure 1. This is a schematic perspective view showing the pallet device shown in Figure 1 with the sheet removed. This is a schematic plan view of the pallet. This is a schematic perspective view of the lower sheet section. This is a schematic perspective view of the lower sheet section viewed from the opposite side (below) to Figure 5. This is a schematic bottom view of the lower sheet section. This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII shown in Figures 5 and 7. This is a schematic perspective view of the upper sheet section. This is a schematic perspective view of the upper sheet section viewed from the opposite side (below) to Figure 9. This is a schematic plan view of the upper sheet section. This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII shown in Figures 9 and 11. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the overlapping state of the upper sheet end of the upper sheet section and the lower sheet end of the lower sheet section. This is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how to use the pallet device of a modified pallet device. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. This is a schematic perspective view of a modified pallet used in the pallet device shown in Figure 21. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. This is a plan view illustrating the outer perimeter lengths of multiple pallets. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device.
[0029] The pallet device of the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pallet device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pallet device shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pallet device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a pallet 2, a plurality of containers 3, an ozone generator 4, and a sheet 5.
[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the pallet device shown in Figure 1 with the sheet removed. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pallet 2 is a platform (base) for placing goods such as food products 6, and for transporting and storing the placed goods. In this embodiment, the pallet 2 holds the food products 6 by placing multiple containers 3 containing the food products 6 on it. The pallet 2 also holds the ozone generator 4.
[0032] The food products 6 placed on the pallet 2, that is, the food products 6 contained in the container 3, are not particularly limited and may include, for example, fruits and vegetables containing moisture. Examples of such fruits and vegetables include potatoes and sweet potatoes, citrus fruits such as mandarins, oranges, and lemons, legumes such as peas and green beans, bulbs such as onions and garlic, tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and lychees, and fruits such as grapes, strawberries, cherries, and avocados.
[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the pallet. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the pallet 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The top surface 21 of the pallet 2 is a mounting surface on which multiple containers 3 and an ozone generator 4 are placed. The side surface 22 of the pallet 2 is composed of a first side surface 22a, a second side surface 22b, a third side surface 22c, and a fourth side surface 22d. The first side surface 22a is adjacent to the third side surface 22c and the fourth side surface 22d, the second side surface 22b is adjacent to the first side surface 22a and the third side surface 22c, the third side surface 22c is adjacent to the second side surface 22b and the fourth side surface 22d, and the fourth side surface 22d is adjacent to the third side surface 22c and the first side surface 22a. An opening 23 is formed in the side surface 22 of the pallet 2 into which the forks of a forklift (not shown) are inserted.
[0034] Pallet 2 has, for example, an upper plate portion 24, a lower plate portion 25, and a beam portion 26 positioned between the upper plate portion 24 and the lower plate portion 25. The upper plate portion 24 and the lower plate portion 25 may be, for example, a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged parallel to each other with space between them (see Figure 3). The beam portion 26 is positioned between the upper plate portion 24 and the lower plate portion 25 such that an opening 23 is formed between them. As pallet 2, a pallet commonly distributed in Japan and other countries for transporting and storing goods such as food products 6 can be used.
[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each of the multiple containers 3 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "container 3") is a container for holding food products 6. Each container 3 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an opening at the top. The containers 3 can also be stacked vertically. As containers 3, those commonly distributed in Japan and other countries for holding goods such as food products 6 can be used. The number of multiple containers 3 placed on the pallet 2 is not particularly limited, but Figures 1 to 3 show an example in which 24 containers 3 are placed on the pallet 2. Specifically, six containers 3 are stacked vertically at each of the four locations on the top surface 21 of the pallet 2, and when the six stacked containers 3 are considered as one container stack, two sets of container stacks are placed at each end of the top surface 21 of the pallet 2 in the left-right direction, so that the center of the top surface 21 of the pallet 2 is empty.
[0036] The ozone generator 4 is a device capable of generating ozone gas. The ozone generator 4 is also called an ozonizer. The ozone generator 4 can generate ozone gas by any means necessary, as long as it can generate ozone gas. For example, ozone gas may be generated by performing discharges such as corona discharge, arc discharge, or high-frequency discharge. As the ozone generator 4, for example, plasma generators such as corona discharge devices, arc discharge devices, and high-frequency discharge devices can be used. The number of ozone generators 4 placed on the pallet 2 is not particularly limited, but Figures 1 to 3 show an example in which two ozone generators 4 are placed on the pallet 2. Specifically, the Figures show an example in which two ozone generators 4 are stacked vertically between two sets of stacked containers on the left and right sides of the top surface 21 of the pallet 2.
[0037] In this embodiment, the ozone generator 4 is a device that generates ozone gas by receiving power from an external power source. For this reason, the ozone generator 4 has a power cord 41 for receiving power from an external power source. When the ozone generator 4 generates ozone gas by performing a discharge such as corona discharge, arc discharge, or high-frequency discharge, the discharge part (not shown) of the ozone generator 4 may be portable (cartridge type) that can be attached to and detached from the ozone generator 4. Since the discharge part is a consumable part, if the discharge part of the ozone generator 4 is portable (cartridge type), the replacement of the consumable discharge part can be easily performed.
[0038] Sheet 5 is intended to wrap the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 placed on the pallet 2. In this embodiment, the food products 6 are placed on the pallet 2 in multiple containers 3, so sheet 5 wraps the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 on the pallet 2. By wrapping the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 on the pallet 2, sheet 5 prevents ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 4 from leaking out. Sheet 5 is made of a thin sheet-like material and has the flexibility to be folded and bent.
[0039] The sheet 5 has a gas barrier property that suppresses the permeation (passage) of ozone gas. Having a gas barrier property that suppresses the permeation of ozone gas means not only completely blocking the permeation (passage) of ozone gas, but also including reducing the permeation rate (passage rate) of ozone gas while allowing the permeation (passage) of ozone gas.
[0040] The ozone concentration inside the sheet 5 can be arbitrarily set according to the type and state of the food product. For example, it may be 0.01 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less, preferably 0.1 ppm or more and 500 ppm or less, and more preferably 1 ppm or more and 200 ppm or less. The ozone concentration inside the sheet 5 may change with time.
[0041] The ozone concentration outside the sheet 5 may be, for example, 0 ppm or more and 1 ppm or less, preferably 0 ppm or more and 0.5 ppm or less, and more preferably 0 ppm or more and 0.1 ppm or less, which is lower than the allowable concentration of 0.1 ppm as the working environment standard defined by the Japanese Society for Occupational Health.
[0042] The sheet 5 has moisture permeability. Having moisture permeability means allowing the permeation (passage) of moisture.
[0043] The water vapor transmission rate of the sheet 5 is, for example, 100 g / m ２ / day or more and 100000 g / m ２ / day or less. A more preferable range can be arbitrarily changed according to the type of food product and the recommended storage environment. For example, for citrus fruits, it may be 5000 g / m ２ / day to 100000 g / m ２ / day or less, and for sweet potatoes, it may be 100 g / m ２ / day or more and 5000 g / m ２ / day or less.
[0044] The sheet 5 may be divided into a plurality of parts or may be dividable into a plurality of parts. In the present embodiment, the sheet 5 is divided into a lower sheet portion 100 and an upper sheet portion 200.
[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the lower sheet portion. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the lower sheet portion as viewed from the opposite side (lower side) of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view of the lower sheet portion. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII shown in Figures 5 and 7. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5 to 8, the lower sheet portion 100 is a member at least partially disposed on the pallet 2 side of the plurality of containers 3 and the ozone generator 4. Further, the lower sheet portion 100 is a member that opens to the side opposite to the pallet 2 and covers the plurality of containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 from the pallet 2 side. That is, the lower sheet portion 100 is a member that opens upward and covers the plurality of containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 from below.
[0046] The lower sheet portion 100 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped bag that is open upward. Unless otherwise specified, the description of the lower sheet portion 100 shall be in the state where the lower sheet portion 100 is unfolded. The lower sheet portion 100 has a rectangular bottom sheet portion 101 and side sheet portions 102 that extend from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom sheet portion 101 to form the outer peripheral surface of the lower sheet portion 100.
[0047] The bottom sheet portion 101 has a first side 101a, a second side 101b, a third side 101c, and a fourth side 101d. The first side 101a and the third side 101c are opposite sides, and the second side 101b and the fourth side 101d are opposite sides.
[0048] The side sheet portion 102 is composed of a first side sheet portion 102a extending from the first side 101a, a second side sheet portion 102b extending from the second side 101b, a third side sheet portion 102c extending from the third side 101c, and a fourth side sheet portion 102d extending from the fourth side 101d.
[0049] The first side sheet portion 102a is connected to the second side sheet portion 102b and the fourth side sheet portion 102d. The second side sheet portion 102b is connected to the first side sheet portion 102a and the third side sheet portion 102c. The third side sheet portion 102c is connected to the second side sheet portion 102b and the fourth side sheet portion 102d. The fourth side sheet portion 102d is connected to the third side sheet portion 102c and the first side sheet portion 102a. Therefore, the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d form the outer circumferential surface of the lower sheet portion 100. An opening 103 is formed by the edges of the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d that are opposite to the bottom sheet portion 101, thereby opening up the internal space of the lower sheet portion 100.
[0050] The lower sheet portion 100 has a lower sheet constricting portion 104 that narrows the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100. The lower sheet constricting portion 104 is attached to the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side, that is, to the end of the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d on the opening 103 side. The lower sheet constricting portion 104 can be made of any material that can narrow the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100, for example, it may be rubber or string. If the lower sheet constricting portion 104 is rubber, it may be attached to the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side, for example, by sewing or gluing. If the lower sheet constriction portion 104 is made of rubber or string, the lower sheet constriction portion 104 may be attached to the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side by passing it through a through hole (not shown) formed at the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side. The through hole extends in a direction along the opening 103. The direction along the opening 103 is the circumferential direction of the lower sheet portion 100, and is the direction that goes around the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d. The through hole can be formed, for example, by folding the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side into a bag shape.
[0051] The outer circumference of the lower sheet portion 100 is greater than or equal to the outer circumference of the pallet 2, and may be longer than the outer circumference of the pallet 2. The outer circumference of the lower sheet portion 100 is the circumferential length of the lower sheet portion 100 that goes around the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d, and is the sum of the lengths of the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d shown in Figure 7. The outer circumference of the pallet 2 is the circumferential length of the pallet 2 that goes around the first side portion 22a, the second side portion 22b, the third side portion 22c, and the fourth side portion 22d, and is the sum of the lengths of the first side portion 22a, the second side portion 22b, the third side portion 22c, and the fourth side portion 22d shown in Figure 4.
[0052] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the upper sheet portion. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the upper sheet portion viewed from the opposite side (below) to Figure 9. Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the upper sheet portion. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII shown in Figures 9 and 11. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 9 to 12, the upper sheet portion 200 is a component that is positioned on the opposite side of the pallet 2 of the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4, at least a portion of which is opposite. The upper sheet portion 200 is a component that opens towards the pallet 2 and covers the multiple containers 3 from the opposite side of the pallet 2. In other words, the upper sheet portion 200 is a component that opens downwards and covers the multiple containers 3 from above. If the upper sheet portion 200 is too short vertically to reach the ozone generator 4, the upper sheet portion 200 does not need to be placed over the ozone generator 4. On the other hand, if the upper sheet portion 200 is long enough vertically to reach the ozone generator 4, the upper sheet portion 200 may be placed over the ozone generator 4. In this embodiment, the upper sheet portion 200 is long enough vertically to reach the ozone generator 4, and the upper sheet portion 200 is placed over the ozone generator 4.
[0053] The upper sheet portion 200 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped bag that is open downwards. Unless otherwise specified, the description of the upper sheet portion 200 will be in the state in which the upper sheet portion 200 is unfolded. The upper sheet portion 200 has a rectangular top sheet portion 201 and side sheet portions 202 that extend from the outer peripheral edge of the top sheet portion 201 and form the outer peripheral surface of the upper sheet portion 200.
[0054] The top sheet portion 201 has a first side 201a, a second side 201b, a third side 201c, and a fourth side 201d. The first side 201a and the third side 201c are opposite sides, and the second side 201b and the fourth side 201d are opposite sides.
[0055] The side sheet portion 202 is composed of a first side sheet portion 202a extending from the first side 201a, a second side sheet portion 202b extending from the second side 201b, a third side sheet portion 202c extending from the third side 201c, and a fourth side sheet portion 202d extending from the fourth side 201d.
[0056] The first side sheet portion 202a is connected to the second side sheet portion 202b and the fourth side sheet portion 202d. The second side sheet portion 202b is connected to the first side sheet portion 202a and the third side sheet portion 202c. The third side sheet portion 202c is connected to the second side sheet portion 202b and the fourth side sheet portion 202d. The fourth side sheet portion 202d is connected to the third side sheet portion 202c and the first side sheet portion 202a. The first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d form the outer circumferential surface of the upper sheet portion 200. An opening 203 is formed by the edges of the first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d opposite to the top sheet portion 201, thereby opening up the internal space of the upper sheet portion 200.
[0057] The side sheet section 202 has a feed section 205 for passing the power cord 41 of the ozone generator 4. The feed section 205 penetrates the side sheet section 202 and connects the inside and outside of the side sheet section 202. The feed section 205 may be provided in any of the first side sheet section 202a, the second side sheet section 202b, the third side sheet section 202c, and the fourth side sheet section 202d, but Figure 9 and others show an example where the feed section 205 is provided in the second side sheet section 202b. The feed section 205 extends in a cylindrical shape. By passing the power cord 41 through the feed section 205, it is possible to supply power to the ozone generator 4 from the outside.
[0058] The upper sheet portion 200 has an upper sheet constricting portion 204 that narrows the opening 203 of the upper sheet portion 200. The upper sheet constricting portion 204 is attached to the end of the upper sheet portion 200 on the opening 203 side, that is, to the end of the first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d on the opening 203 side. The upper sheet constricting portion 204 can be made of any material that can narrow the opening 203 of the upper sheet portion 200, such as rubber or string. The attachment of the upper sheet constricting portion 204 to the end of the upper sheet portion 200 on the opening 203 side can be the same as the attachment of the lower sheet constricting portion 104 to the end of the lower sheet portion 100 on the opening 103 side.
[0059] The outer circumference of the upper sheet portion 200 may be greater than or equal to the outer circumference of the pallet 2, similar to the outer circumference of the lower sheet portion 100, and may also be longer than the outer circumference of the pallet 2. The outer circumference of the upper sheet portion 200 is the length in the circumferential direction of the upper sheet portion 200 that goes around the first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d, and is the sum of the lengths of the first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d as shown in Figure 11.
[0060] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the overlapping state of the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet portion. As shown in Figures 2 and 13, the upper sheet portion 200 is folded outward at the end on the opening 203 side, on the side of the multiple containers 3. The end of the upper sheet portion 200 that is folded outward on the side of the multiple containers 3, on the opening 203 side, is called the upper sheet end portion 206. The upper sheet end portion 206 is the end on the opening 203 side of the first side sheet portion 202a, the second side sheet portion 202b, the third side sheet portion 202c, and the fourth side sheet portion 202d.
[0061] The lower sheet portion 100 overlaps the outer edge of the upper sheet portion 206 on the side of the multiple containers 3 at the end facing the opening 103. The end of the lower sheet portion 100 that overlaps the outer edge of the upper sheet portion 206 on the side of the multiple containers 3 at the opening 103 is called the lower sheet portion 106. The lower sheet portion 106 is the end of the first side sheet portion 102a, the second side sheet portion 102b, the third side sheet portion 102c, and the fourth side sheet portion 102d on the end facing the opening 103.
[0062] The upper sheet end 206 and the lower sheet end 106 are folded into the multiple containers 3 side while overlapping each other. The multiple containers 3 side is the internal space side of the sheet 5 (lower sheet portion 100 and upper sheet portion 200). The folding of the upper sheet end 206 and the lower sheet end 106 into the multiple containers 3 side may be done once or two or more times.
[0063] Next, the method of using the pallet device 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 14 to 18. Figures 14 to 18 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the method of using the pallet device.
[0064] First, as shown in Figure 14, the lower sheet portion 100 is placed on the pallet 2, and the bottom sheet portion 101 of the lower sheet portion 100 is laid on the top surface 21 of the pallet 2. Then, the side sheet portions 102 of the lower sheet portion 100 (first side sheet portion 102a, second side sheet portion 102b, third side sheet portion 102c, and fourth side sheet portion 102d) are slid down from the top surface 21 to the side surface 22, and the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100 is secured to the side surface 22. At this time, the opening 103 is narrowed by the lower sheet constricting portion 104, which secures the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100 to the side surface 22.
[0065] Next, as shown in Figure 15, the multiple containers 3 containing the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 are placed on the bottom sheet portion 101 of the lower sheet portion 100 laid on the pallet 2. As a result, the bottom sheet portion 101 is positioned on the pallet 2 side of the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4, and the multiple containers 3 containing the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 are placed on the top surface 21 of the pallet 2 via the bottom sheet portion 101.
[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 16, the upper sheet portion 200 wraps around the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from above. That is, the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 are placed into the internal space of the upper sheet portion 200 through the opening 203 of the upper sheet portion 200. As a result, the side sheet portions 202 of the upper sheet portion 200 are positioned to the sides of the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4. Then, the upper sheet end portion 206 of the upper sheet portion 200 is folded outwards to the sides of the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4. As a result, the upper sheet end portion 206 is folded outwards from the pallet 2 side (downwards) to the opposite side of the pallet 2 (upwards). At this time, the power cord 41 of the ozone generator 4 is passed through the feed portion 205 of the upper sheet portion 200 and the feed portion 205 is tightened.
[0067] Next, as shown in Figure 17, the lower sheet end 106 of the lower sheet portion 100 is lifted from the side surface 22 of the pallet 2 and overlapped with the upper sheet end 206. As a result, the lower sheet end 106 is positioned outside the upper sheet end 206, and the upper sheet end 206 and the lower sheet end 106 are superimposed.
[0068] Next, as shown in Figure 18, the upper sheet edge 206 and the lower sheet edge 106 are folded towards the multiple containers 3 while overlapping each other. As a result, the upper sheet edge 206 and the lower sheet edge 106 are folded towards the multiple containers 3 while overlapping each other.
[0069] As a result, the sheet 5 (lower sheet portion 100 and upper sheet portion 200) encloses the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 on the pallet 2. Then, the ozone generator 4 is activated to generate ozone gas from the ozone generator 4.
[0070] As described above, in the pallet device 1 according to this embodiment, the ozone generator 4 is placed on the pallet 2, so that the ozone gas generated by the ozone generator 4 can maintain the freshness of the food products 6 placed on the pallet 2. Furthermore, since the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 placed on the pallet 2 are wrapped in the sheet 5, the diffusion of the ozone gas generated by the ozone generator 4 to the outside of the pallet device 1 can be suppressed. As a result, the ozone gas can be maintained at a predetermined concentration within the sheet 5, so that the freshness of the food products 6 can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0071] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the sheet 5 has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas, it is possible to further suppress the diffusion of ozone gas generated by the ozone generator 4 to the outside of the pallet device 1.
[0072] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the sheet 5 is permeable to moisture, the humidity inside the sheet 5 can be appropriately maintained. As a result, even if the food products 6 are fruits and vegetables or other items that contain moisture, the freshness of the food products 6 can be maintained for an even longer period of time.
[0073] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the sheet 5 is divided into multiple sections, it is possible to easily wrap the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 placed on the pallet 2.
[0074] Furthermore, since this pallet device 1 is equipped with multiple containers 3 for storing food products 6 when placed on the pallet 2, the food products 6 can be easily placed on the pallet 2 by storing the food products 6 in the multiple containers 3 and placing the multiple containers 3 on the pallet 2.
[0075] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the sheet 5 wraps around the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 on the pallet 2, the freshness of the food products 6 contained in the multiple containers 3 can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0076] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, the sheet 5 has a lower sheet portion 100, at least a part of which is positioned on the pallet 2 side of the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4, and an upper sheet portion 200, at least a part of which is positioned on the opposite side of the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the pallet 2. For this reason, for example, on the pallet 2, the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 can be placed on the lower sheet portion 100, and the upper sheet portion 200 can be placed over the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from above, so that the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 can be easily wrapped by the lower sheet portion 100 and the upper sheet portion 200.
[0077] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, the sheet 5 has a lower sheet portion 100 that opens on the side opposite to the pallet 2 and covers the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the pallet 2 side, and an upper sheet portion 200 that opens on the pallet 2 side and covers the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the side opposite to the pallet 2. For example, on the pallet 2, the lower sheet portion 100 can be placed over the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the pallet 2 side, and the upper sheet portion 200 can be placed over the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the side opposite to the pallet 2, thereby easily wrapping the multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 with the lower sheet portion 100 and the upper sheet portion 200.
[0078] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, the upper sheet end 206 of the upper sheet portion 200 is folded outward on the side of the multiple containers 3, and the lower sheet end 106 of the lower sheet portion 100 is overlapped with the outside of the upper sheet end 206 on the side of the multiple containers 3, so that the upper sheet end 206 and the lower sheet end 106 are folded into the multiple containers 3 side while overlapping each other. As a result, leakage of ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 4 from inside the sheet 5 can be further suppressed. Moreover, even if the folded portions of the upper sheet end 206 and the lower sheet end 106 towards the multiple containers 3 slide down due to gravity or the like, this fold is difficult to open. As a result, leakage of ozone gas due to the opening of this fold can be suppressed.
[0079] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the outer circumference of the lower sheet portion 100 is greater than or equal to the outer circumference of the pallet 2, the pallet 2 can be placed into the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100. For example, when placing the lower sheet portion 100 over multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the pallet 2 side on the pallet 2, the bottom sheet portion 101 of the lower sheet portion 100 can be laid on the pallet 2, and the side sheet portion 102 of the lower sheet portion 100 can be slid down onto the side 22 of the pallet 2. As a result, multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 can be easily placed on the lower sheet portion 100 on the pallet 2, and the lower sheet portion 100 can be easily placed over multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 from the pallet 2 side.
[0080] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, the lower sheet portion 100 has a lower sheet constricting portion 104 that narrows the opening 103 of the lower sheet portion 100, and the upper sheet portion 200 has an upper sheet constricting portion 204 that narrows the opening 203 of the upper sheet portion 200. Therefore, regardless of whether the lower sheet portion 100 or the upper sheet portion 200 is positioned on the outside, it is possible to suppress the leakage of ozone gas from between the lower sheet portion 100 and the upper sheet portion 200.
[0081] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, the sheet 5 has a feed-out section 205 for passing the power cord 41 of the ozone generator 4, so that power can be supplied to the ozone generator 4 from an external power source. This allows the ozone generator 4 to operate for a long period of time.
[0082] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1, since the dispensing section 205 extends in a cylindrical shape, the power cord 41 can be passed through the dispensing section 205 to restrict its position. This helps to suppress the leakage of ozone gas.
[0083] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.
[0084] For example, in the above embodiment, the sheet was described as being divided into an upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion, but the sheet may not be divided into an upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion.
[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a structure in which the upper sheet end of the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet end of the lower sheet portion are overlapped was specifically described as a structure that suppresses the leakage of ozone gas from the sheet. However, the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet portion may be related in any structure as long as the leakage of ozone gas from the sheet is suppressed.
[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet portion were described as being folded and overlapped with each other to suppress the leakage of ozone gas from between the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet portion. However, they may also be detachably attached to each other using fasteners or the like to suppress the leakage of ozone gas from between the upper sheet portion and the lower sheet portion.
[0087] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having multiple containers placed on a pallet and multiple containers wrapped in a sheet, it is also possible to have one container placed on the pallet and this one container wrapped in a sheet.
[0088] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as wrapping the food product in a sheet by wrapping the container in a sheet, the food product may also be wrapped in a sheet inside the container.
[0089] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having the dispensing unit provided on the upper sheet, the dispensing unit may also be provided on the lower sheet, or on both the upper and lower sheet. If the dispensing unit is provided on the lower sheet, it may be provided on the bottom sheet portion of the lower sheet, or on the side sheet portion of the lower sheet. If the dispensing unit is provided on the bottom sheet portion of the lower sheet, the power cord of the ozone generator may be routed inside the pallet or between the pallet and the lower sheet.
[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, the pallet device may also include an illuminance sensor wrapped in a sheet and a control device that controls the ozone generator based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor.
[0091] Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. The pallet device 1A shown in Figure 19 is basically the same as the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment in that it further includes an illuminance sensor 7 and a control device 8.
[0092] The illuminance sensor 7 is a sensor that detects ambient illuminance. The illuminance sensor 7 is enclosed in a sheet 5 along with multiple containers 3 and an ozone generator 4. The position of the illuminance sensor 7 within the sheet 5 is not particularly limited and can be placed at any position.
[0093] The control device 8 is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control device 8 performs various controls by, for example, loading a program stored in ROM into RAM and executing it with the CPU.
[0094] The control device 8 controls the timing of ozone gas generation by the ozone generator based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor 7. For example, the control device 8 generates ozone gas from the ozone generator for a predetermined time, and then stops generating ozone gas from the ozone generator for a predetermined time. The control device 8 then controls the ozone generator 4 so as not to generate ozone gas if the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is below a threshold. The threshold is not particularly limited, but it can be set to a threshold that allows determination of whether or not there is a gap in the sheet 5 that would allow ozone gas to leak out.
[0095] Thus, in this pallet device 1A, an illuminance sensor 7 is enclosed in the sheet 5 together with the ozone generator 4, so it is possible to determine whether or not external light is entering from the sheet 5 that encloses the ozone generator 4. In other words, it is possible to determine the degree to which the sheet 5 encloses the ozone generator 4. As a result, for example, if the ozone generator 4 is not sufficiently enclosed in the sheet 5, it is possible to prevent the ozone generator 4 from generating ozone gas.
[0096] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1A, the control device 8 that controls the ozone generator 4 controls the ozone generator 4 so as not to generate ozone gas when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is below a threshold. As a result, if the ozone generator 4 is not sufficiently enclosed by the sheet 5, ozone gas will not be generated from the ozone generator 4, thereby suppressing the leakage of ozone gas from the sheet 5.
[0097] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, the pallet device may include support members such as towers that are placed on the pallet.
[0098] Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. The pallet device 1B shown in Figure 20 is basically the same as the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment in that it further includes a support member 9.
[0099] The support member 9 is a member that supports the multiple containers 3 to prevent them from tipping over. The support member 9 is also called a tower. The support member 9 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped frame that is long in the vertical direction. The support member 9 is positioned in the center of the top surface of the pallet 2 in the left-right direction. The multiple containers 3 are positioned on both sides of the support member 9, and the ozone generator 4 is positioned inside the support member 9. The support member 9, along with the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4, is wrapped in a sheet 5.
[0100] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the pallet may have a container section for storing food products.
[0101] Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. The modified pallet device 1C shown in Figure 21 is basically the same as the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment in that it uses a pallet 2C instead of a pallet 2 and a container 3, and the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 are wrapped in a sheet 5 inside the pallet 2C.
[0102] The pallet device 1C comprises a pallet 2C, a second container 3C, an ozone generator 4, and a sheet 5.
[0103] Figure 22 is a schematic perspective view of a modified pallet used in the pallet device shown in Figure 21. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the pallet 2C is basically the same as the pallet 2 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet 2 of the above embodiment in that it has a container section 21C for storing food products 6. The pallet 2C comprises a container section 21C and a pallet section 22C.
[0104] The container section 21C is a part for containing the food product 6. Similar to the container 3 in the above embodiment, the container section 21C is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an opening at the top. The food product 6 and the ozone generator 4 are contained in the container section 21C, and the sheet 5 wraps around the food product 6 and the ozone generator 4 within the container section 21C.
[0105] The pallet section 22C is formed by the bottom of the container section 21C and a plurality of legs that protrude downward from the bottom of the container section 21C. Recesses 23C are formed between the plurality of legs of the pallet section 22C into which the forks of a forklift (not shown) are inserted.
[0106] As shown in Figure 21, the second container 3C is a container that is stacked on the pallet 2C and has a shape that is upside down compared to the pallet 2C. The second container 3C has a container section 31C and a support section 32C.
[0107] The container section 31C is formed in the same way as the container section 21C of the pallet 2C, with an opening at the top. The food product 6 and the ozone generator 4 are housed in the container section 31C, and the sheet 5 wraps around the food product 6 and the ozone generator 4 within the container section 31C.
[0108] The support portion 32C is the part that supports the pallet portion 22C of the pallet 2C when the pallet 2C is stacked on top of the second container 3C. The support portion 32C is formed by a plurality of protrusions that extend upward from the container portion 31C at positions corresponding to the plurality of legs of the pallet portion 22C of the pallet 2C.
[0109] Then, pallet 2C and the second container 3C are stacked alternately, with pallet 2C being at the bottom.
[0110] Thus, in this pallet device 1C, since the pallet 2C has a container section 21C for storing food products 6, food products 6 can be placed on the pallet 2C without having to prepare a separate container.
[0111] Furthermore, in this pallet device 1C, since the sheet 5 encloses the food products 6 and the ozone generator 4 within the container section 21C and the container section 31C, the freshness of the food products 6 contained in the container section 21C and the container section 31C can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0112] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having one pallet, the pallet device only needs to have at least one pallet, and may have two or more (multiple) pallets, for example, as shown in Figure 23.
[0113] Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. The pallet device 1D shown in Figure 23 is basically the same as the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment in that it has multiple pallets and the sheet encloses multiple food products and ozone generators placed on the multiple pallets. That is, the pallet device 1D comprises multiple pallets 2, multiple containers 3, ozone generators 4, and a sheet 5D. In Figure 23, as an example, the case in which the pallet device 1D has two pallets 2 as multiple pallets 2 is shown.
[0114] The multiple pallets 2 may be spaced apart from each other or in contact with each other. In the example shown in Figure 23, two pallets 2 are shown spaced apart from each other as an example.
[0115] Multiple containers 3 are placed on each of the multiple pallets 2. In addition, an ozone generator 4 is placed on at least one of the multiple pallets 2. Note that Figure 23 shows, as an example, a case in which multiple containers 3 are placed on each of two pallets 2, but the ozone generator 4 is placed on only one of the pallets 2. That is, an ozone generator 4 is placed on one of the two pallets 2, but not on the other pallet 2. Figure 23 shows an example in which two ozone generators 4 are placed on one pallet 2. Specifically, it shows an example in which two ozone generators 4 are stacked vertically between two sets of container stacks (six containers 3 stacked vertically) placed on one pallet 2.
[0116] Sheet 5D is basically the same as sheet 5 in the above embodiment, but differs from sheet 5 in that it is formed to a size that can enclose multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 placed on multiple pallets 2. Sheet 5D encloses multiple containers 3 (food products 6 contained in the containers 3) and ozone generators 4 placed on multiple pallets 2. In other words, one sheet 5D encloses the entirety of multiple containers 3 and ozone generators 4 placed on multiple pallets 2.
[0117] Sheet 5D is divided into a lower sheet portion 100 and an upper sheet portion 200, similar to sheet 5 in the above embodiment.
[0118] At least a portion of the lower sheet portion 100 is positioned on the side of the multiple containers 3 and the multiple pallets 2 of the ozone generator 4. The lower sheet portion 100 then opens on the side opposite to the multiple pallets 2 and is placed over the multiple containers 3 and the ozone generator 4 from the side of the multiple pallets 2.
[0119] At least a portion of the upper sheet portion 200 is positioned on the side opposite to the multiple containers 3 and the multiple pallets 2 of the ozone generator 4. The upper sheet portion 200 opens towards the multiple pallets 2 and is placed over the multiple containers 3 from the side opposite to the multiple pallets 2.
[0120] The outer circumference of the lower sheet portion 100 is greater than or equal to the outer circumference of the multiple pallets 2, and may be longer than the outer circumference of the multiple pallets 2.
[0121] Figure 24 is a plan view illustrating the perimeter lengths of multiple pallets. As shown in Figure 24, the perimeter length of the multiple pallets 2 is the perimeter length of the convex hull that encloses the multiple pallets 2. The dashed line shown in Figure 23 represents the convex hull that encloses the multiple pallets 2, and the length of this dashed line is the perimeter length of the multiple pallets 2.
[0122] In this way, the pallet device 1D is equipped with multiple pallets 2, and the sheet 5 encloses the multiple containers 3 (food products 6 contained in the containers 3) and the ozone generator 4 placed on the multiple pallets 2, thereby allowing ozone gas to spread throughout the entire sheet 5. For this reason, even if an ozone generator 4 is not placed on all of the pallets 2, the freshness of the food products 6 placed on all of the pallets 2 can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0123] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as including an ozone generator, if the sheet has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas, and the internal atmosphere of the sheet consists of a gas mainly composed of ozone gas, then the pallet device may be omitted.
[0124] Figure 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified pallet device. The pallet device 1E shown in Figure 25 is basically the same as the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment, but differs from the pallet device 1 of the above embodiment in that it does not have an ozone generator. That is, the pallet device 1E comprises a pallet 2, a plurality of containers 3, and a sheet 5, and does not have an ozone generator.
[0125] Sheet 5, like the embodiment described above, has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation (passage) of ozone gas. Also, like the embodiment described above, Sheet 5 has moisture permeability.
[0126] Furthermore, the internal atmosphere of the sheet 5 consists of a gas primarily composed of ozone. Since the sheet 5 has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation (passage) of ozone gas, by wrapping multiple containers 3 (food products 6) placed on the pallet 2 with the sheet 5 and then supplying ozone gas into the sheet 5, the internal atmosphere of the sheet 5 can be made to consist of a gas primarily composed of ozone gas. Alternatively, by wrapping multiple containers 3 (food products 6) placed on the pallet 2 with the sheet 5 in an atmosphere of gas primarily composed of ozone gas, the internal atmosphere of the sheet 5 can be made to consist of a gas primarily composed of ozone gas.
[0127] Thus, since the sheet 5 has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation (passage) of ozone gas, and the internal atmosphere of the sheet 5 consists of a gas mainly composed of ozone gas, the ozone gas can be maintained at a predetermined concentration within the sheet, thereby enabling the freshness of food products to be maintained for a long period of time.
[0128] 1...Pallet device, 1A...Pallet device, 1B...Pallet device, 1C...Pallet device, 1D...Pallet device, 1E...Pallet device, 2...Pallet, 2C...Pallet, 3...Container, 3C...Second container, 4...Ozone generator, 5...Sheet, 6...Food product, 7...Illuminance sensor, 8...Control device, 9...Support member, 21...Top surface, 21C...Container section, 22...Side, 22a...First side section, 22b...Second side section, 22c...Third side section, 22d...Fourth side section, 23...Opening, 22C...Pallet section, 23C...Recess, 24...Upper plate section, 25...Lower plate section, 26...Beam section, 31C...Container section, 32C...Support section, 41...Power cord, 100...Lower sheet section, 101...Bottom sheet section, 101a...First side , 101b...second side, 101c...third side, 101d...fourth side, 102...side sheet section, 102a...first side sheet section, 102b...second side sheet section, 102c...third side sheet section, 102d...fourth side sheet section, 103...opening, 104...bottom sheet constriction section, 106...bottom sheet end, 200...top sheet section, 201...top sheet section, 201a...first side, 201b...second side, 201c...third side, 201d...fourth side, 202...side sheet section, 202a...first side sheet section, 202b...second side sheet section, 202c...third side sheet section, 202d...fourth side sheet section, 203...opening, 204...top sheet constriction section, 205...feed-out section, 206...top sheet end.
Claims
1. A pallet device comprising: at least one pallet for placing food products; an ozone generator placed on at least one of the at least one pallet; and a sheet for wrapping the food products and the ozone generator placed on the at least one pallet.
2. The pallet device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas.
3. The pallet device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet is permeable to moisture.
4. The pallet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is divided into multiple parts.
5. The pallet device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising containers for holding the food products and being placed on each of the at least one pallet.
6. The pallet device according to claim 5, further comprising the food product contained in the container, wherein the sheet wraps the container and the ozone generator on at least one pallet.
7. The pallet device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet comprises a lower sheet portion, at least a portion of which is positioned on the side of the container and the ozone generator to the at least one pallet, and an upper sheet portion, at least a portion of which is positioned on the side opposite to the container and the ozone generator to the at least one pallet.
8. The pallet device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet has a lower sheet portion that opens on the side opposite to the at least one pallet and covers the container and the ozone generator from the side of the at least one pallet, and an upper sheet portion that opens on the side of the at least one pallet and covers the container from the side opposite to the at least one pallet.
9. The pallet device according to claim 8, wherein the upper sheet portion has an upper sheet end that is folded outward on the side of the container, the lower sheet portion has a lower sheet end that is superimposed on the outside of the upper sheet end on the side of the container, and the upper sheet end and the lower sheet end are folded towards the container side while superimposed on each other.
10. The pallet device according to claim 8, wherein the outer circumference of the lower sheet portion is equal to or greater than the outer circumference of at least one pallet.
11. The pallet device according to claim 8, wherein the lower sheet portion has a lower sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the lower sheet portion, and the upper sheet portion has an upper sheet constricting portion that narrows the opening of the upper sheet portion.
12. The pallet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one pallets has a container portion for storing the food products.
13. The pallet device according to claim 12, further comprising the food product contained in the container portion, the ozone generator being housed in the container portion, and the sheet enclosing the food product and the ozone generator within the container portion.
14. The pallet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ozone generator has a power cord for receiving power from an external power source, and the sheet has a feed-out section for passing the power cord through.
15. The pallet device according to claim 14, wherein the dispensing portion extends in a cylindrical shape.
16. The pallet device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an illuminance sensor enclosed in the sheet together with the ozone generator.
17. The pallet device according to claim 16, further comprising a control device for controlling the ozone generator, wherein the control device controls the ozone generator so as not to generate ozone when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is below a threshold.
18. A pallet device comprising a pallet for placing food products, and a sheet for wrapping the food products placed on the pallet, wherein the sheet has gas barrier properties that suppress the permeation of ozone gas, and the internal atmosphere of the sheet consists of a gas mainly composed of ozone gas.