Container for retort food

The present disclosure relates to a container for retort food and, more specifically, to a container for retort food, which includes: a ridge portion having a closed curve shape to surround a tray part; and an exhaust hole surrounded by the ridge portion, so that the container enables a lid film to be automatically peeled off from the ridge portion by means of a steam pressure generated in a food during heating to exhaust steam and can be used for retort food which is stored at room temperature.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a container for retort food and, more specifically, to a container for retort food, which includes: a ridge portion having a closed curve shape to surround a tray part; and an exhaust hole surrounded by the ridge portion, so that the container enables a lid film to be automatically peeled off from the ridge portion by means of a steam pressure generated in a food during heating to exhaust steam and can be used for retort food which is stored at room temperature.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, containers for retort food have been developed, which have a packaging form in which a steam discharge function is automatically implemented even when the food is cooked in a microwave oven without detaching or taking off a lid film prior to the cooking. Such a container for retort food is mainly intended for refrigerated and frozen products, and it is sufficient to have a packaging form that operates a steam discharge function when the food is cooked in a microwave oven.

However, with regard to retort products at room temperature, the products have to be sterilized so as to be distributed at room temperature, and thus, a sterilization process, in which the retort products are sealed and then exposed to high temperature heat for a considerable period of time, has to be performed. In general, since a refrigerated or frozen retort container having a steam discharge function does not have a structure made by assuming that a sterilization process is performed thereon, the steam discharge function is operated during the sterilization process, and accordingly, sealing is broken before the product is distributed. Thus, there is a need to develop a special refrigerated retort container in which a steam discharge structure is not broken at retort sterilization conditions (high temperature, high pressure) and operated only when cooking is performed in a microwave oven.

Furthermore, with regard to a container for a refrigerated or frozen retort food having an automatic steam discharge function according to the related art, a discharge means for conducting discharge is located biased toward one side of the container, and thus, steam is not discharged uniformly, and the texture of food is deteriorated.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Technical Problem

Provide is a container for retort food, which includes: a ridge portion having a closed curve shape to surround a tray part; and an exhaust hole surrounded by the ridge portion, so that the container enables a lid film to be automatically peeled off from the ridge portion by means of a steam pressure generated in a food during heating to exhaust steam and can be used for retort food which is stored at room temperature.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a container for retort food includes: a tray part which has a predetermined area and a depth recessed in a downward direction and has a space open in an upward direction; and a flange part which constitutes a periphery of an upper end of the tray part, wherein the flange part includes an outer flange area which constitutes an outer circumference of the container for retort food and an inner flange area which divides the tray part across the container for retort food, wherein the flange part includes: a ridge portion which is formed on the flange part, has a closed curve shape to surround the tray part, and protrudes in the upward direction; and an exhaust hole which vertically passes through at least a portion of the flange part, wherein the ridge portion includes an inner ridge formed on the inner flange area and an outer ridge formed on the outer flange area and branching from the inner ridge, wherein the exhaust hole is located in the inner flange area, the inner ridge has a branch ridge having a closed curve shape that branches with the exhaust hole therebetween and then joins, and the exhaust hole is located within the closed curve formed by the branch ridge.

According to an example, the branch ridge has a first branch line and a second branch line which branch with the exhaust hole therebetween and are spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction, and at least one of the first branch line and the second branch line has a first tip end sharply protruding toward the tray part adjacent thereto.

According to an example, horizontal widths of the first branch line and the second branch line are less than widths of the other regions of the ridge portion.

According to an example, the inner ridge includes an intermediate ridge which connects the branch ridge and the outer ridge, wherein a radius of curvature of the intermediate ridge is greater than a radius of curvature of the outer ridge.

According to an example, the flange part includes a handle part, at least a portion of which extends outward in a radial direction of the container for retort food, wherein the ridge portion includes a second tip end which is located on the handle part and protrudes in an outward direction of the container for retort food.

According to an example, the tray part has a stacking stepped portion on the outer surface thereof.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

A container for retort food according to the present disclosure is provided with an exhaust hole surrounded by a ridge portion. Thus, when a lid film is peeled off from the ridge portion by means of a steam pressure generated in a food during heating, the steam may be discharged through the exhaust hole. Thus, a user does not need to peel off the lid film before the food is heated.

Furthermore, in the container for retort food according to the present disclosure, the exhaust hole is located in the vicinity of a central region of thereof. Thus, since the steam pressure is intensively applied to the ridge portion around the exhaust hole when the food is heated, the lid film around the exhaust hole may be peeled off earlier.

Also, since the exhaust hole is located in the vicinity of the central region of the container for retort food, steam generated in each of trays may be exhausted relatively uniformly. Thus, the quality of heated food may be improved. Moreover, when a user holds a handle part located on the outside of the heated container for retort food, the user is less likely to feel hot or get burned.

Also, since the steam is discharged through the exhaust hole having a relatively small size, moisture and pressure within the container is maintained relatively high, and thus, cooking for a steamed dish may be performed. Thus, the texture of heated food may be further improved.

In particular, the ridge portion in the container for retort food according to the present disclosure has a closed curve shape that surrounds each of the trays. Thus, the food stored in each of the trays may be individually sealed, and the stored foods may be prevented from being mixed with each other. Thus, it may be used for retort food stored at room temperature in addition to a frozen food.

BEST MODE

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a container for retort food includes: a tray part which has a predetermined area and a depth recessed in a downward direction and has a space open in an upward direction; and a flange part which constitutes a periphery of an upper end of the tray part, wherein the flange part includes an outer flange area which constitutes an outer circumference of the container for retort food and an inner flange area which divides the tray part across the container for retort food, wherein the flange part includes: a ridge portion which is formed on the flange part, has a closed curve shape to surround the tray part, and protrudes in the upward direction; and an exhaust hole which vertically passes through at least a portion of the flange part, wherein the ridge portion includes an inner ridge formed on the inner flange area and an outer ridge formed on the outer flange area and branching from the inner ridge, wherein the exhaust hole is located in the inner flange area, the inner ridge has a branch ridge having a closed curve shape that branches with the exhaust hole therebetween and then joins, and the exhaust hole is located within the closed curve formed by the branch ridge.

Mode of Disclosure

Hereinafter, preferred examples according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS.1and2show the overall structure of a container for retort food according to the present disclosure when viewed from the top and bottom, andFIG.3is an enlarged view showing a region A ofFIG.1. Also,FIG.4is a view conceptually showing a shape of a tray part10in the container for retort food according to the present disclosure, andFIG.5is a view conceptually showing a steam pressure applied to the tray part10in the container for retort food according to the present disclosure.

The container for retort food according to the present disclosure is configured to include: a tray part10which has a predetermined area and a depth recessed in a downward direction and has a space open in an upward direction; and a flange part20which constitutes a periphery of an upper end of the tray part10.

The tray part10has a predetermined area, and is recessed in the downward direction and has a predetermined depth. The space inside the tray part10substantially constitutes a food input and storage space.

The tray part10may have a generally circular shape and may be divided into a plurality of segments by an inner flange area24of the flange part20, which will be described later. Accordingly, the tray part10may include a first tray12and a second tray14. The first tray12and the second tray14may have arbitrary shapes, areas, and volumes. According to one example, preferably, the inner flange area24crosses the vicinity of the central region of the container for retort food as described above, and thus, the first tray12and the second tray14may have relatively similar areas and volumes. Also, the shape of each of the first tray12and the second tray14may have a shape close to a half circle.

The flange part20constitutes a peripheral region of the upper end of the tray part10.

The flange part20may include an outer flange area22and an inner flange area24.

The outer flange area22may be a portion that constitutes an outer circumference of the container for retort food. As a result, the outer flange area22may form an appearance in the planar direction of the container for retort food. Preferably, the outer flange area22may have a generally circular ring shape.

The inner flange area24may be a portion that divides the tray part10across the container for retort food. For example, the inner flange area24may extend to cross the container for retort food approximately in the diameter direction. Thus, both ends of the inner flange area24may constitute a continuation with the inside of the outer flange area22. Preferably, the inner flange area24may have a straight line section or a curved line section having a relatively large curvature.

The tray part10is divided into a plurality of tray elements independent from each other by the inner flange area24. That is, the tray part10may be divided into the first tray12and the second tray14with the inner flange area24therebetween. Also, the inner flange area24and at least a portion of the outer flange area22are merged with each other to form one closed curve, and the closed curve may surround the first tray12and the second tray14.

Obviously, it is not limited thereto, and the number of a plurality of trays constituting the tray part10may be an arbitrary value. Also, the inner flange area24may be provided as a plurality of segments or have a plurality of branches.

A ridge portion100and an exhaust hole200may be formed in the flange part20.

The ridge portion100is formed on the flange part20, and is a component which is formed along the flange part20, has a closed curve shape to surround the tray part10, and protrudes a predetermined height in the upward direction. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, the ridge portion100may be configured by a recess which is formed to be recessed from the bottom surface of the flange part20in the upward direction so that a portion of the flange part20protrudes in the upward direction.

When a lid film is attached to the container for retort food according to the present disclosure, the lid film may be attached to the ridge portion100. That is, an upper end of the ridge portion100may function as an attachment surface to which the lid film is attached (thermally fused).

The exhaust hole200may be a predetermined hole that vertically passes through at least a portion of the flange part20. The exhaust hole200may be located in the inner flange area24. Preferably, the exhaust hole200may be formed at a central position of the container for retort food.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments and effects of the ridge portion100will be described in more detail.

The ridge portion100may include an inner ridge110formed in the inner flange area24and an outer ridge120formed in the outer flange area22and branching from the inner ridge110. Here, the inner ridge110and the outer ridge120have a concept indicating a portion of the ridge portion100.

The inner ridge110is formed on the inner flange area24and may have a straight line or curved line shape as extending along the inner flange area24.

The outer ridge120is formed on the outer flange area22and extends along the outer flange area22. Thus, the outer ridge120may have a generally circular shape corresponding to the entire appearance of the container for retort food.

The outer ridge120may branch from the inner ridge110into a plurality of segments. In other words, the inner ridge110may be understood as the place where two or more outer ridges120join.

That is, when one inner flange area24is provided and the tray part10is divided into the first tray12and the second tray14with the inner flange area24therebetween, one inner ridge110is provided on the inner flange area24, and the outer ridge120may branch from the one inner ridge110. Thus, the outer ridge120may include a first outer ridge122located on the outside of the first tray12and a second outer ridge124located on the outside of the second tray14.

The inner ridge110includes an intermediate ridge130connected to the outer ridge120and a branch ridge140located in the inside of the inner ridge110and connected to the intermediate ridge130. The branch ridge140and the intermediate ridge130have a concept indicating a portion of the inner ridge110.

The intermediate ridge130is a portion which constitutes a portion of the inner ridge110, and has one end connected to the outer ridge120and the other end connected to the branch ridge140. As described later, the branch ridge140is located at a middle position of the inner ridge110, and thus, the intermediate ridge130is provided on each of both sides of the branch ridge140. Thus, the intermediate ridge130may include a first intermediate line132and a second intermediate line134which are disposed with the branch ridge140therebetween and are located at the respective sides of the branch ridge140.

A radius of curvature of the intermediate ridge130may be configured to be greater than a radius of curvature of the outer ridge120. Preferably, the intermediate ridge130may have a straight line shape or a shape close to a straight line.

The branch ridge140is located in a peripheral region of the exhaust hole200. Thus, the branch ridge140is located in a middle region of the inner ridge110. The branch ridge140may have a branch structure which branches at one end into two or more segments and joins at the other end. Here, the exhaust hole200may be located in a space between branches of the branch ridge140.

Particularly, the branch ridge140may have a first branch line142and a second branch line144. The first branch line142and the second branch line144branch from an end of the intermediate ridge130and are spaced predetermined distances from each other in the horizontal direction, and then may join at an end of the intermediate ridge130.

Describing this configuration along a direction of an arrow ofFIG.3, each of the first branch line142and the second branch line144extends after branching at a rear end of the first intermediate line132, and then, when the first branch line142and the second branch line144arrive at a front end of the second intermediate line134, the first branch line142and the second branch line144may join and be connected to the second intermediate line134.

The exhaust hole200may be located in a space V between the first branch line142and the second branch line144. That is, the exhaust hole200is surrounded by the branch lines, the branch ridge140forms a closed curve surrounding the exhaust hole200, and the exhaust hole200is located in the space V within the closed curve.

Hereinafter, the effects of the present disclosure will be described.

For example, when heating is performed without peeling off a lid film in a container for retort food according to the related art, the lid film bursts or peels at an arbitrary position due to a steam pressure generated in heated food. This occurs typically due to the high-pressure steam pressure, and open positions are also irregular while generating noises such as explosion sound.

Furthermore, when heating is performed after peeling off one side region of the lid film, the steam escapes intensively through this region, and thus, moisture in a portion of the food adjacent to this region is lost, which causes deterioration in texture. That is, the moisture in a portion of the food escapes excessively, and the food becomes hard. Moreover, when a user grips the heated container for retort food with a hand, if the user's hand is located close to the position where the steam is exhausted, the user gets burns on the hand or feels hot due to the exhaust of steam. In particular, when the lid film in a peripheral region of a handle becomes peeled off, as the high-temperature steam escaping through the peeled region is transferred to the user who grips the handle, the user gets burns on the hand, or there is inconvenience that the user may not use the handle.

However, the container for retort food according to the present disclosure is provided with the exhaust hole200surrounded by the ridge portion100. Thus, when the lid film is peeled off from the ridge portion100by means of a steam pressure generated in a food during heating, the steam may be discharged through the exhaust hole200. Thus, a user does not need to peel off the lid film before the food is heated.

Furthermore, the exhaust hole200is located at the central region of the container for retort food according to the present disclosure, and since the steam pressure is intensively applied to the ridge portion100around the exhaust hole200when the food is heated, the lid film around the exhaust hole200may be peeled off earlier. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lid film from being peeled off earlier from an unintended region.

Also, since the exhaust hole200is located in the vicinity of the central region of the container for retort food, steam generated in each of trays may be exhausted relatively uniformly. Furthermore, in a steam discharge process, the steam passes through the exhaust hole200formed in the flange part20while staying in all regions around the exhaust hole200, and then, the steam is exhausted downward. Thus, during the exhaust process, moisture of the food located around the exhaust hole200is not excessively eliminated. Thus, the quality of heated food may be improved.

Also, the position of the exhaust hole200is located around the central region of the container for retort food, a handle part160is located relatively far away from the steam exhaust position, and the discharge direction through the exhaust hole200is also the downward direction, and thus, when a user holds the handle part160of the heated container for retort food, the user is less likely to feel hot or get burned.

Also, since the steam is discharged through the exhaust hole200having a relatively small size, moisture and pressure within the container is maintained relatively high, and thus, cooking for a steamed dish may be performed. Thus, the texture of heated food may be further improved.

Also, preferably, since the tray part10has a generally circular shape, it is possible to prevent the steam pressure from being intensively applied to a specific outer region. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lid film from being unintentionally peeled off during the heating.

The structure of the exhaust hole200surrounded by the branch ridge140, the configuration in which the position of the exhaust hole200is located at the central region of the container for retort food, and the structure of the ridge portion100surrounding the tray part10in the closed curve shape may provide following effects. First, the lid film of the container for retort food according to the present disclosure may not be easily peeled off under sterilization conditions (for example, the retort food is exposed to pressurized heat at 70 to 120° C. for 30 minute to 120 minutes). Also, even when heated by a MW, only the lid film on the branch ridge140in the central region of the container for retort food may be peeled off, but the lid film on the outer ridge120and the inner ridge110may not be peeled off. Thus, a function appropriate for a room temperature retort container may be implemented.

Moreover, the lid film in the mid-region of the container for retort food is peeled earlier, and thus, when peeling off the lid film, a user may detach and peel off instantly while holding one side portion thereof. Thus, the user's convenience may be enhanced.

In particular, the ridge portion100in the container for retort food according to the present disclosure has a closed curve shape that surrounds each of the trays. Thus, the food stored in each of the trays may be individually sealed, and the stored foods may be prevented from being mixed with each other. Thus, it may be used for retort food stored at room temperature in addition to a frozen food.

The effects of the container for retort food according to the present disclosure described above have been confirmed through an experiment performed under actual mass-production conditions. For example, when a retort food sterilization process was performed after a container for retort food, in which the shape according toFIG.1is reflected, was filled with a food and sealed with a lid film, the lid film including a mid-lid film was not peeled off at all. Also, when cooked for a suitable time (2 minutes) in a commercialized microwave oven, only the lid film located in the middle region of the container for retort food was peeled off, and a steam discharge function was operated.

Hereinafter, each of detailed embodiments of the present disclosure and the effects thereby will be described.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first branch line142and the second branch line144may have a first tip end150sharply protruding toward the tray part10adjacent thereto. Here, the meaning of protruding sharply is not necessarily limited to the meaning that slopes of tangent lines to the ridge portion100have discontinuity. That is, according to one example, the case having a configuration, in which the magnitudes of the slopes of the tangent lines are continuous but change relatively rapidly compared to other regions, may also be included in the first tip end150.

Thus, when a steam pressure is applied to the first branch line142or the second branch line144, the steam pressure may be intensively applied to the first tip end150. Thus, the lid film located in the first tip end150may be peeled off from the ridge portion100earlier.

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the horizontal widths of the first branch line142and the second branch line144may be less than widths of the other regions of the ridge portion100. For example, as illustrated inFIG.3, a width D1of each of the first branch line142and the second branch line144may be less than a width D2of the intermediate ridge130. Thus, the attachment widths of the lid film attached on the first branch line142and the second branch line144may be less than the attachment widths of the lid film attached on the other regions of the ridge portion100.

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of the intermediate ridge130may be configured to be greater than the radius of curvature of the outer ridge120. Preferably, the intermediate ridge130may have a straight line shape or a shape close to a straight line. As a result, the regions of the inner ridge110may be subjected to a greater steam pressure than the regions of the circular outer ridge120.

For example, when the shape of the tray part10is understood as a virtual elliptical form and illustrated, R1and R2are illustrated as inFIG.4. Thus, the inner ridge110is located in a space where the virtual ellipses constituting the tray part10overlap each other. Thus, the inner ridge110may be simultaneously subjected to the overlapped steam pressures which are applied from the tray part10on both sides. Thus, a steam pressure P1applied to the inner ridge110may be greater than a steam pressure P2applied to the outer ridge120. Moreover, the regions of the branch ridge140having the protruding three-dimensional structure may be intensively subjected to the steam pressure. That is, the branch ridge140may be subjected to the steam pressure more intensively than not only the outer ridge120but also the other regions of the inner ridge110.

Thus, the lid film attached on the region of the branch ridge140may be peeled off earlier than the lid film attached on the other regions. That is, as described above, the configuration about the first tip end150, the configuration about the width of the branch line, and the configuration about the branch ridge140located between the intermediate ridge130having the larger radius of curvature may prevent the lid film from being unintentionally peeled off from the other regions of the ridge portion100earlier. Thus, exhaust effects by the exhaust hole200may be stably achieved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flange part20may include the handle part160, at least a portion of which extends outward in a radial direction of the container for retort food. Preferably, the handle part160may be also provided on the opposite side in the radial direction of the container for retort food so that a user may easily hold the container for retort food with two hands. Also, preferably, the handle part160may be located at a position spaced a predetermined distance from a horizontal line that crosses the inner flange area24.

As the handle part160is provided, a user may easily hold, move, and use the container for retort food according to the present disclosure.

Also, according to a preferred embodiment, the ridge portion100has a second tip end170which is located on the handle part160and protrudes in an outward direction of the container for retort food. The second tip end170has a shape protruding outward from the outer ridge120in a radial direction. Thus, the second tip end170may be located at a position which is further away from the exhaust hole200than the other regions of the outer ridge120.

As the second tip end170is provided, a user may easily peel off the lid film after the food is heated. Also, the second tip end170protrudes in an outer diameter direction of the container for retort food compared to the other regions and is thus subjected to relatively little steam pressure during a heating process. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lid film located on the handle part160from being unintentionally peeled off. If the lid film on the handle part160has been peeled off, steam is discharged through the corresponding region, and thus, a user is likely to feel hot or get burned when holding the handle part160. However, such a limitation may be prevented because the present disclosure has the second tip end170described above to prevent the lid film on the handle part160from unintentionally being peeled off. Furthermore, since the middle region of the lid film is peeled off earlier during a heating process by a microwave oven as described above, the entire lid film may be peeled off instantly by using the second tip end170on one side.

According to a preferred embodiment, a stacking stepped portion180may be formed in the outer circumferential surface of the tray part10. Thus, when the container for retort food according to the present disclosure is stacked, the stacking may be easily performed.

Although the preferred examples have been illustrated and described, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific examples described above, and it is obvious that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims, and it is to be noted that those modifications should not be understood separately from the technical concept and prospect of the present disclosure.