JP2002529128A - Food container with cut-resistant surface - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A food container (10) having a first user facing surface (11) and a second surface (12). The cut resistant outer surface (32) is juxtaposed with, and preferably coincides with, the first surface (11). This outer surface (32) comprises a single layer of particulate material (34). The particulate material (32) comprises particles having a particle size of at least 5 microns, preferably ranging from 50 microns to 200 microns. Preferably, the particles have a Mohs hardness of at least 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a food container, and more particularly to a food container having a user-facing surface with improved cut resistance.

BACKGROUND disposable food containers of the invention are well known in the art. Disposable food containers include ordinary paper dishes, bowls, clamshells, trays, and the like.

[0003] This technology makes these food containers into shapes other than just planes, puts them into molds,
Great attention is paid to molding and finishing. In this latter step, one blank material is prepared. This blank material is inserted between the platens to be combined and pressed to form. The blank has a radial groove in the peripheral area. This radial groove is provided for the accumulation of the material to be formed by the platen. A typical prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,434 issued May 8, 1962 to Carson, 1977 issued to Morris et al., Issued May 8, 1962, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,458 issued May 31, 2016; U.S. Pat. No. 4,60 issued Aug. 19, 1986 to Marx et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,140, issued Sep. 2, 1986 to Van Handel et al., Issued to Van Handel et al.
U.S. Patent No. 4,721,500 issued January 26, 988; U.S. Patent No. 5,230,939 issued July 27, 1993 to Bohm;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,0, issued Jul. 5, 1994 to Cheshire et al.
No. 20 is included.

[0004] Attempts in these techniques, however, suffer from several disadvantages. As illustrated in many attempts to improve the rigidity and stability of food containers,
Prior art attempts fail to provide food containers with sufficient strength. If the food container becomes over-packed due to this lack of strength, or otherwise limits the amount of food placed on the food container unreasonably for a specified period of time, You will be spilled.

Several attempts have been made in the prior art to improve the rigidity of such food containers. For example, in the prior art, food containers are known which have a bottom wall, a side wall arranged radially outward from the periphery of the bottom wall and an outer peripheral edge arranged radially outward from the periphery of the side wall. In the prior art, a food container having a reinforced area in a side wall portion has been attempted. Similarly, extending radially through the annular portion of the outer peripheral edge,
Containers having circumferentially spaced reinforcement regions are known. These prior art attempts claim to provide resistance to bending throughout the structure. A specific explanation of such an attempt is given by Marx et al. On August 19, 1986.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,496 issued to the United States and U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,140 issued Sep. 2, 1986 to Van Handel et al.

[0006] Food containers according to the prior art are coated to improve their resistance to penetration by liquids such as fats and oils. This coating has also been used to attempt to impart cut resistance, gloss, ink absorption, etc. in the finished product. An example of such an attempt is U.S. Pat. No. 5,727, issued Jul. 7, 1998 to Shanton.
No. 76,619. Shanton teaches a coated paper board having two coated sides, a basecoat and a topcoat. Each coated surface consists of a polymer latex and a particulate pigment. The topcoat comprises a mixture of about 90% kaolin clay, having a particle size of less than 2 microns with about 80% particles. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5, Jan. 20, 1998 issued to Anderson.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,709,913 discloses in Example 12 an inorganically filled paper tray, which is allegedly more rigid than conventional trays.

Another attempt in the prior art is illustrated in US Pat. No. 5,635,279 issued Jun. 3, 1997 to Mah et al. Ma et al. Disclose a paper board having a polymer matrix / wax / pigment mixture applied as an aqueous formation. The coated surface comprises pigments, including natural and synthetic silicates, bentonite, kaolin and other clays. U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,716 issued Feb. 27, 1996 to Sir Ann et al. Discloses a food tray having an aqueous coated surface with styrene / acrylic latex and other chemicals. . U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,449 issued Aug. 2, 1994 to Bergman discloses a paper having a base coat and a mixture of kaolin, calcium, carbonate, casein and butadiene styrene latex. I have. U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,472 issued Mar. 31, 1992 to Fusit et al. Discloses a paper coated surface containing clay or calcium carbonate.

[0008] Similar attempts have been made in dissimilar techniques to utilize wear resistant particles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,906 issued Sep. 24, 1996 to Alblink et al. Discloses about 25 microns and 3 parts mixed in a two to one ratio.
A decorative laminate comprising an abrasion resistant material comprising alumina particles having a micron particle size is disclosed.

[0009] In addition, mineral pigments such as titanium dioxide, as well as particulate fillers such as water and kaolin clay, have been used as opaque additives in dissimilar technologies such as tissues. This example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4, August 28, 1990 issued to Gregory et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,890 issued Mar. 18, 1997 to Vinson et al. And U.S. Pat.
No. 5,672,249, issued Sep. 30, 1997. In addition, as seen in US Pat. No. 5,670,021, issued Sep. 23, 1997, to which Owens was granted filler and cationic starch, in dissimilar technologies such as newsprint manufacturing. Is taught.

Thus, the present invention provides a food container that is simpler in implementation than the cut-resistant surface provided by prior art attempts and has a more favorable cut-resistant surface for consumers. In particular, the present invention not only improves cut resistance and penetration resistance to liquids such as fats and oils, but also can provide a favorable tactile sensation when using ordinary edible utensils such as tableware silverware. Provided is a food container having a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a food container. The food container has a first user facing surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The food container has an outer surface juxtaposed with, and preferably conforming to, the first surface, the outer surface including cut resistant particles. This outer surface constitutes a single layer of particulate material. The particulate material is at least 3, preferably 7
Mohs hardness of

[0012] The particulate material has a particle size of at least 5 microns, preferably 10 microns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS . 1 and 2, a food container 10 according to the present invention comprises a dish, bowl, tray, clamshell or any other form known in the art.

Typically, a food container 10 according to the present invention has a concave first surface 11 and a convex second surface 12. The concave first surface 11 of the food container 10 is typically
The surface that faces the user during use. The convex side of the food container 10 is typically opposed at a position far from the user, and rests on a horizontal surface such as a table.

Therefore, the food container 10 has a first user-facing surface and the first surface 11
And a second surface 12 on the opposite side. Further, the food container 10 is provided with a cut-resistant outer surface 32 juxtaposed with and preferably coincident with the first surface 11. This cut resistant outer surface 32 comprises a particulate material 34 arranged as a single layer. Cut resistant outer surface 32
Is disposed in contact with and supported by the substrate 30.

The food container 10 has a central area 14 and a peripheral area 16. Although a flat food container 10 is contemplated as a less preferred embodiment, the central region 14 and the peripheral region 16 are preferably located on two different planes. The flat food container 10 has utility, for example, as a food tray or cutting board.

This central area 14 defines the XY plane of the food container 10. The X direction of the food container 10 is X
Perpendicular to the Y plane. The food container 10 has a transition area 20 from a central area 14 to a peripheral area 16. As described above, the peripheral region 16 is spaced from the central region 14 in the Z direction, or the food container 10 is a flat surface. In normal use, the peripheral area 16 stands upright with respect to the central area 14. Central region 14 of food container 10 defines a first portion of food container 10. Similarly, the peripheral area 16 of the food container 10 defines a second portion of the food container 10.

Accordingly, food container 10 is preferably multi-planar. Multi-plane means that different parts of the food container 10 are located on different planes. A multi-planar example of the food container 10 of the present invention is illustrated by a central region 14 and a peripheral region 16 of the food container 10. The central region 14 and the peripheral region 16 of the food container 10 are spaced apart in the Z direction, thus making the food container 10 multi-planar.

It is necessary to absorb the accumulation of materials that occurs when forming the food container 10. As is known in the art, pleats or gathers are often used for such purposes. Folds and gathers, particularly integrated folds having a radial orientation, are contemplated for use.

Neither the central area 14 nor the peripheral area 16 need be parallel or entirely planar with the XY plane. For example, a bowl having a generally concave bottom is suitable for use with the present invention. Distance in the Z direction from the bottom of the central area 14 to the top of the peripheral area 16
(Measured when the food container 10 is in a normal state during use and generally in a horizontal position)
Is referred to as a depth 19 of the food container 10 in the Z direction. If the depth of each part of the food container 10 is different, the Z-direction depth is measured as the maximum value of the Z-direction distance.

The boundary and shape of the peripheral area 16 are defined by the outer peripheral edge 18 of the food container 10. It can be appreciated that the dimensions and relative proportions of the peripheral region 16 and the central region 14 of the food container 10 will vary depending on the exact size of the food container 10 and the intended use. While a round food container 10 is contemplated, one of ordinary skill in the art can select any suitable shape and depth for the food container 10 to use for the present invention,
It can be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such shapes. Other suitable shapes include squares, rectangles, ovals, various polygons, and the like.

The substrate 30 of the food container 10 comprises at least two layers, a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is smaller than the first layer, so that at least a portion of the food container 10 does not have a second layer. The second layer and the first layer are concentric. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), it can be appreciated that the food container 10 may be comprised of three or more layers.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the food container 10 is a rigid material, in particular the food container 10
It comprises a single layer of material capable of supporting a cut-resistant outer surface 32 juxtaposed with, preferably corresponding to, the user facing surface. Suitable rigid materials include foams, plastics and various types of synthetic materials. The food container 10 is preferably made of cellulose and is made of kraft, homogenous sulfite bleach (SBS)
It may be constructed from boards or as layers made of various types of fibers, including recycled cellulose. The food container 10 may be formed from a pulp slurry using a mold, or may be formed by pressing a blank material supplied between platens to be combined. Both manufacturing methods are well known in the art.

The outer surface 32 imparts permeation resistance such that high-temperature fats and oils do not penetrate into the inside of the base material 30 of the food container 10. The outer surface 32 also provides a tactile sensation that the user does not feel uncomfortable when touching the first surface 11 of the food container 10 or when cutting food on that surface using an edible utensil such as a knife.

One skilled in the art can recognize that particulate material 34 is particularly preferred for forming outer surface 32. Due to the material having discontinuous, discrete particles, this outer surface is less fragile and can be more robust and cut resistant. With this combination, the food container 10 can be handled and transported during normal transportation and use without breakage or cracking, and the surface of the outer surface 32 does not peel or chip.

It is important that the first surface 11 of the food container 10 is not hard and brittle, but is hard and flexible. Further, this arrangement can impart cut resistance to the first surface 11 of the food container 10. As used herein, a surface does not leach normally through the substrate 30 of the food container 10 while cooking and eating separately prepared food, and the surface exerts normal pressure on the user. If it is possible, it is considered "cut resistant". Furthermore, it is important to provide a suitable tactile sensation to the fingertips whether the first surface 11 is touched directly or transmitted through various edible utensils.

The particle material 34 that forms the outer surface 32 is at least 3, preferably at least 7
And Mohs hardnes with a value approximately equal to or greater than 9
It is preferred to have s). A Mohs hardness between 6.5 and 7.5 has been found to be suitable for use with the food container 10 according to the claimed invention. This Mohs hardness of the particulate material 34 on the outer surface 32 (scale as measured by the reference talc to diamond scale from No. 1 to No. 10) is described in the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, No. 78, incorporated herein by reference. Edition (1997-1)
998), pages 4-132 to 4-139, 12-93 to 12-97, and 12-205 to 12-206. Of course, the hardness of the particulate material 34 constituting the outer surface 32 is measured before mixing the particulate material 34 with the base material 30 of the food container 10 or placing the particulate material.

The provision of the particulate material 34 having the above-described hardness makes it possible to obtain a food container 10 having a suitable and preferable tactile sensation. When the user cuts food on the food container 10 using a sharp knife by providing such hardness, the knife cuts the food container 10 without feeling discomfort, gravy, broth, etc. The food can be cut while preventing it from flowing out through the food container 10.

Further, it has been surprisingly found that the particulate material 34 has a preferred particle size.
This preferred particle size should provide a robust feel that is not uncomfortable to the touch. The user can use the sharp knife or other edible utensil for the food container 1.
It can be done without hesitation to cut the food placed on top.

The particulate material 34 comprising the outer surface 32 is at least 5 microns, preferably 10 microns
It has a particle size of microns. The particle material 34 ranges in size from 20 microns to 200 microns, and preferably from 50 microns to 200 microns. Particle size is L3P Sonic Shifter Separator available from VWR Scientific Products, ATM (Cat. No. 57353-).
035).

The particulate material 34 that makes up the outer surface 32 is one or more mixtures of particles of minerals and other types known in the art and available. For example, alumina, silica, carbonate, oxide, carbide, nitride, bromide, hard metal, hard alloy,
Various particles made of hard elements. If carbide is chosen, suitable carbides include tantalum carbide, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, beryllium carbide or silicon carbide (carborundum). If we choose bromide,
Suitable bromides include aluminum bromide, tantalum bromide, zirconium bromide and titanium bromide. Boron can also be used. If nitrides are to be chosen, suitable nitrides include aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride and titanium nitride. Metals can be used for the particulate material 34, including hard metals such as iron, alloys and chromium. Ceramic particle material 34 has been found to be suitable for ceramics, such as stoneware, and especially porcelain. Particularly suitable are aluminum oxide (gold sand), silicon dioxide (quartz), calcium carbonate, potassium aluminosilicate and feldspar. Silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate and aluminum oxide are described in T. Baker, Marinecroft Baker (JT Bak)
er Co. , Mallincroft Baker, Inc. Catalog numbers JT3405, JT1 from the divisions of Phillipsburg, NJ
301 and JT0536, respectively.

The particle material 34 may further be made of clay. Kaolin Clay has been found to be particularly convenient. A suitable kaolin clay is described in T
. It is available from Baker (JT Baker Co., Phillipsburg, NJ) under catalog number JT2242.

A suitable mixture for the outer surface 32 is kaolin clay 80% and aluminum oxide 2
A 0% ratio was found. Another suitable mixture is Kaolin Clay 80
% And 20% calcium carbonate. All ratios described herein are weight ratios, unless otherwise specified.

The particulate material 34, including any clay, is added to the water-based resin to form a coated surface. Acrylic resins are particularly preferred. Suitable coating surface is 5
It has from 0% to 90% resin and 10% to 50% particulate material mixed with it.

A convenient additional level for the particulate material 34 comprising the outer surface 32 of the food container 10 is from about 0.5 to 100 grams per square meter, and preferably from about 1 to 50 grams per square meter. For a circular food container 10 having a finished diameter of about 22.9 cm, it has been found that a range of 0.1 to 2 grams of particulate material 34 comprising the outer surface 32 is suitable.

Preferably, the particulate material 34, including any resin or carrier used therewith, is applied as a single layer to the substrate 30 of the food container 10. This single layer has the advantage that the additional level can be more precisely adjusted beyond the teachings of the prior art two layers, only one processing operation needs to be performed, and a commercially available dry operation can be applied. is there. In contrast, the teachings of the prior art two-layer construction require doubling the stock of raw materials and doubling the machinery for applying the particulate material 34 to the substrate 30.

The coating that finally forms the outer surface 32 is applied to the surface of the base material 30 of the food container 10 after forming the container. The coating that incorporates the particulate material 34 is applied by blade coating, print coating or spray coating, as is known in the art. If blade coating is used, the hardness of the blade must be at least as high as the hardness of the particulate material 34. Preferably, an air knife coating is used to apply the particulate material 34 to the substrate 30. Preferably, the substrate 30 of the food container 10 is
0 is not immersed in the coating liquid so that the second surface 12 remains uncoated.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible. For example, the particulate material 34 may be applied with a gradient. This slope preferably increases the added level in use, typically near the center of the food container 10 where cutting is likely to occur. Typically, less of the particulate material 34 is applied to the exposed surface and the peripheral area 16, which serve to retain food within the peripheral area 16 of the food container 10. This is when using
This is because the particulate material 34 is typically concentrated in the area where the maximum wear is received, and the effective use of the particulate material 34 is also taken into consideration. With such an arrangement, a gradient in the Z-direction can be provided in which the amount increases as the distance from the center of the food container 10 increases and decreases as the distance from the outer periphery approaches, at the same time as the concentration.

In an alternative, the particle material 34 may be changed in pattern between an area composed of the first surface 11 having the particle material 34 and an area having no particle material 34 in the XY plane. The particle material 34 may be applied, for example, in a lattice pattern or a stripe pattern. Suitable patterns include concentric rings, radial lines (either straight or spiral), parallel lines, and the like. This arrangement has the advantage that the food container 10 retains its flexibility in the region without the particulate material 34 and can maintain its rigidity in the region with the particulate material 34. Thus, a food container 10 with a cut-resistant outer surface 32 still results.

Optionally, outer surface 32 may include at least one protective layer (not shown). The protective film serves to protect the outer surface 32 of the food container 10 from being peeled off and the particulate material 34 being removed. In addition, the protective film defines a first surface 11 and has a relatively smooth first surface 11. Preferably, the overcoat is too smooth, otherwise the first surface 1 may not have a suitable tactile sensation.
1 must not be constructed.

This protective film is made of an acrylic resin. Preferably, the acrylic resin is transparent or translucent, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing first surface 11. The overcoat is applied by print coating, spray coating, dip coating, blade coating, air knife coating, etc., as is known in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken longitudinal sectional view of the food container shown in FIG.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (71) Applicant ONE PROCTER & GANBLE PLAZA, CINCINNATI, OHIO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (72) Inventor Whole Bruce Nail United States Ohio, Cincinnati, West Fork Road, 4094 F-term (Reference) 3B001 AA11 AA3A20A08 BA10 BA13 BB01 BB02 BB08 CA03 DA08 DD01 EA01 EA10

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A food container comprising a first user facing surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an outer surface juxtaposed with the first surface, wherein the outer surface is provided. Comprises a single layer composed of a particulate material. 2. The food container of claim 1, wherein the particulate material has a Mohs hardness of at least about 3. 3. The food container according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface further comprises a resin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said outer surface further comprises clay.
4. The food container according to 2 or 3. 5. A food container comprising a first user-facing surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an outer surface juxtaposed with the first surface, wherein the outer surface is provided. Comprises a particulate material having a particle size of at least 5 microns. 6. The food container of claim 5, wherein said particulate material ranges in size from 20 microns to 200 microns. 7. The food container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the particulate material is one selected from the following group: alumina, silica, carbonate. , Oxides, silicates, carbides, nitrides, borides, hard metals, hard alloys and mixtures thereof. 8. A first user-facing surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a central area surrounded by a peripheral portion, and an outer surface juxtaposed with the first surface. With
In a food container wherein the outer surface comprises a particulate material, the particulate material is arranged with a gradient, whereby the particulate material is closer to the central region of the food container than to the peripheral portion of the food container. A food container characterized by being arranged in a large number. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a central area and an adjacent peripheral area, wherein the adjacent peripheral area and the central area are arranged on two different planes and are connected by a transition area. Food container. 10. A food container comprising a first user facing surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an outer surface having a particulate material juxtaposed with the first surface. The food container according to claim 1, wherein the first surface includes a region containing the particulate material and a region not containing the particulate material.