CONTAINER FOR ENCLOSING CONTENTS THEREIN WITH CALENDAR FUNCTION AND VENDING MACHINE FOR SAID CONTAINER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to such container for sealedly packing a content as for example a juice can made of steel or aluminum sold in an automatic vending machine and to an automatic vending machine for said container.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently a canned juice is being marketed in a large quantity in an automatic vending machine. It is a metal container for sealedly packing content which is made of steel or aluminum and is sealedly packing juice as its content. Designs with elaborate and novel ideas intended for attracting interest and attention of consumers for promoting sales are printed together with a name of merchandise, a trade mark, identification of raw material, and date of production, etc. on a surface of the container for sealedly packing the content. The date of production there is to guarantee the quality of the content juice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Such container for sealedly packing a content has, after an outlet is made, its content taken out from the container through the outlet for consumption or use. And when the content is eliminated the empty container is ordinarily thrown away. In a case of juice can which is a container for sealedly packing a content made of aluminum or steel having juice as its content has an outlet closure piece (pull-tab) provided at one side of the juice can which is pulled out, thus forming an outlet. After that the content juice is consumed through the outlet. Then the empty container is ordinarily thrown away at once, which generates a problem in the standpoint of keeping the environment clean.

[0004] Also, while showy design, etc is marked on a surface of such container for a sales promotion, such design, etc is of rather little use for daily life in spite of the showy design, etc, and the container merely has a function of sealedly packing the content.

[0005] Under the circumstances, the present invention is made to solve the problem and is intended to provide a container for sealedly packing a content which is directly useful for daily life by providing a calendar function to the container, and at the same time to provide a permanent use to the container for sealedly packing a content as a result, thus providing a container for sealedly packing a content which serves for keeping a clean environment and to provide an automatic vending machine for the container.

[0006] For achieving said object, a first invention in the present application is to provide a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function characterized by having at least a continuous part of a calendar inscribed on a surface of the container for sealedly packing a content.

[0007] The "continuous part of a calendar" here means a calendar containing not only a date of production, etc although it is a part of a calendar but a further part of a calendar. An inscription with only one day can not perform an essential function as a calendar which is used in making a schedule, etc. For providing a calendar function an inscription of at least one week or one month will be necessary ordinarily. Also, "inscribed" means a case where printing is originally provided and a state where an inscription has an integrity with the container such as placing a sticker on the container, etc. However, the printing originally provided like a name of the merchandise has larger advantages in handling, surface gloss and an integrity with the container, etc.

[0008] The second invention of the present application is to provide a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function for a specific date or a specific period of time characterized by that a continuous part of a calendar and information corresponding to said continuous part of the calendar determined from a specific date or a specific period of time is inscribed on a surface of the container.

[0009] The third invention of the present application is to provide a container for sealedly packing a content, which is of one time use with a time limit for tasting or using the content determined solely in correspondence with a date of production due to a nature of the content and the container characterized by that at least a part of a calendar sandwiched by the date of production and the time tilit for tasting or using the content is inscribed on a surface of the container.

[0010] The "a time limit for tasting or using the content determined solely in correspondence with a date of production due to a nature of the content and the container" means, that "a time limit for tasting the content is automatically determined by counting from a date of production due to a nature of a content and of a container", for example:

10 In a case of an aluminum made juice can, a time limit for tasting the content is ordinarily about one year from a date of production due to a nature of the container as being made with aluminum and the content juice as beverage. 02 In a case of an ordinary cigarette pack a period during which the cigarette can be smoked is ordinarily about one year from a date of production due to a nature of the container as being made of paper and of the content cigarette for human consumption.

③ In a case of tetragonal shape paper having milk, etc as its content, a time limit for tasting is ordinarily about one to two weeks from a production date due to a nature of container as being made of paper product and a perishable nature of the content like milk.

[0011] The "one time use" means as "not used again in a same manner" such as:

10 In a case of an ordinary juice can made of aluminum, after a pull-tab is removed and a content is consumed this pull-tab can not be attached back to the same juice can again to form a juice can.

02 In a case of an ordinary cigarette pack, after the pack is opened and the cigarettes are consumed a same cigarette pack can not be made by inserting new cigarettes into the same pack.

[0012] Thus, "one time use" means "expendable" as not being able to recycle in a same manner. The "recycle" here does not include a case where for example a production is repeated again from a metal casting stage.

[0013] That is, the present invention does not include a container in which a container can be reused by replacing the content consecutively like an ordinary container with a cover (for example a lunch box, etc.). In other words, an object of the present invention is "an expendable container", that is "a one time use container for sealedly packing a content".

[0014] The "a part of calendar sandwiched by a date of production and a period of taste" means for example in a case of a date of production of 15th of February, 1991 and a time limit for taste is 18th of December, 1991,

10 A calendar for 5 months from March, 1991 to July, 1991 (not including both the date of production and the time limit for taste);

02 A calendar for one year from January, 1991 to December, 1991 (including the both);

③ A calendar for a half year from January, 1991 to June, 1991 (including the date of production only); and

@ A calendar for a half year from July, 1991 to December, 1991 (including the time limit for taste only), etc.

[0015] The fourth invention of the present application is to provide an automatic vending machine for the above mentioned container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function, in which at least two kinds of containers for sealedly packing contents having a calendar function are housed and the above mentioned continuous part of calendar is different or the information determined from a specific date or a specific period of time is different, characterized by that a calendar type designating means corresponding to at least a continuous part of each calendar or means for designating a specific date or a specific period of time corresponding to each specific date or specific period of time is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 are drawings showing respectively 1 st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd examples of a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a drawing to show a first example of use of a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a drawing showing a second example of use of a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function according to the present invention. Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are drawings respectively showing a fifth example of use of a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function according to the present invention. Fig. 11 is a drawing to show an automatic vending machine for a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Fig. 17 is a drawing to show an automatic vending machine for a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function which is intended solely for a specific date or a specific period of time according to the present invention. Fig. 21 is a drawing to show an example of use of a twelfth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Fig. 31 is a drawing to show an effect of the invention. Fig. 32 is a drawing to show a control flow chart of an automatic vending machine according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] Now, examples of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function and an automatic vending machine for said container according to the present invention will be explained referring to the drawings.

[First Example]

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a juice can representing a first example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. That is, it is in a state that a calendar for one month is printed and inscribed on a surface of a juice can which has juice sealedly packed therein as a content. When a calendar for one month is inscribed on a surface of a juice can sold by an automatic vending machine, etc, this juice can can serve as a calendar table if it is placed at a conspicuous place as it is before the juice is consumed. And when the juice is drunk, an outlet closure piece of one touch type ( a pull tab) provided at one side of the juice can is pulled out to form an outlet. After that the juice will be drunk through the outlet. When the juice is consumed, the juice is ordinarily drunk intermittently. Thus when the juice is not drunk, the juice can serve its function as a calendar table, and when the juice is drunk the juice can performs it normal function to supply the juice. Then after the juice is finished, the juice can becomes to have a very light weight as the juice has been consumed. And this juice can with a reduced weight can be used again as a calendar table. The juice can with a reduced weight will be convenient for carrying around. Since a juice can after use can be effectively used as a calendar table as mentioned, a juice can which has hitherto been easily thrown away as an empty can would not be thrown away, which contributes to a purpose of keeping the environment clean. Also, since a juice can is usually made of such metal as aluminum or steel, if a calendar is printed thereon along with a name of merchandise beforehand, it can be used for a prolonged period of time performing a function as a calendar table in view of its durability, gloss and smoothness of surface, and attractive looks. Fig. 2 shows a case when a plurality of such juice cans having a calendar function are inserted into a stand thus forming a calendar table. Here, a diameter of a hole provided on the stand is of about same dimension as a diameter of the juice can, such hole alone can rotatably hold a juice can.

[Second Example]

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a second example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the first example, a calendar for two months is inscribed on a surface of the juice can. Therefore, a calendar for two months can be obtained from one juice can, serving a greater role as a calendar table. Fig. 4 shows an example when two of these juice cans having a calendar function fixedly piled up thus being used as calendar table, which provides a portable convenience.

[Third Example]

[0020] Fig. 5 is a development of a juice can having a calendar function representing a third example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the second example, a calendar for one year is inscribed on a surface of the juice can. Therefore a calendar for one year can be obtained from one juice can, thus its role as a calendar table is further enhanced. While this example contains a calendar for one year, a calendar for more than one year may be inscribed there.

[Fourth Example]

[0021] Fig. 6 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a fourth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the first example, a calendar for one month is printed thereon in a lateral direction so that it can be used in a state as being placed on its side. When a printing is made in the lateral direction, a large space in the lateral direction can be made available, which make the can remarkably easier to look at as long as the lateral direction is concerned.

[Fifth Example]

[0022] Fig. 7 is a development of a juice can having a calendar function representing a fifth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from Fig. 6, a calendar for one year is printed in a lateral manner in a direction to which a juice can can be rotated. As a manner of using this juice can, the juice can can be used in combination with stands which can rotatably hold the cans as shown in Flgs. 8, 9, and 10. It will be also possible to replace either the stands or juice cans from time to time thus forming new calendar tables.

[0023] Fig. 11 shows an automatic vending machine for a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function which has been described. This automatic vending machine has a calendar type designating means provided besides an ordinary content designating means. For example, when an orange juice is wanted and at the same time a juice can with a calendar for one year printed thereon is wanted, first a coin or coins will be inserted into a coin slot. Next, an orange juice designating means out of the content designating means is pushed. Then, in continuation, the means designating a calendar for one year out of the calendar type designating means is pushed. Then, an orange juice can with a calendar for one year printed thereon will come out to an outlet through the content designating means and the calendar type designating means provided inside of the automatic vending machine.

[0024] While three content designating means are provided in this example, if a vending machine is intended for one kind of content, the automatic vending machine can have only the calendar type designating means provided therein without the content designating means.

[Sixth Example]

[0025] Fig. 12 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a sixth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth example, a biorhythm information determined from a specific date is inscribed also on a surface of the juice can besides an ordinary calendar as the information determined from a specific date or a specific period of time. That is, a container for sealedly packing a content is made for sole use for a specific date or a specific period of time.

[0026] The biorhythm information is the information determined from one's birthday and has cycles of 23 days, 28 days and 33 days respectively corresponding to the physical (P), sensitive (S) and intellectual (I) rhythms. Since meaningful life can be had when a daily life plan is made based on such biorhythm information, it is important to know the biorhythm information.

[0027] Each individual can obtain his/her own biorhythm information corresponding to a calendar by having a juice can which is specifically for his/her birthday, thus such juice can will be have an added usefulness for his/her daily life.

[Seventh Example]

[0028] Fig. 13 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a seventh example of a container having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the sixth example, the specific date here is designated as a date of a month without a year, thus making it a juice can having a calendar function solely for that specific date. That is, this juice can has the biorhythm information for said specific date in each of a plurality of years inscribed thereon. Each person can obtain his/her own biorhythm information at the calendar by obtaining a juice can on which his/her birthday is designated as the specific date solely for his/her use and by finding out the biorhythm information corresponding to his/her own year of birth. As a result such information as directly useful for daily life can be obtained, and a juice can will not be immediately thrown away as an empty can, thus helping to keep an environment clean.

[Eighth Example]

[0029] Fig. 14 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a eighth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the seventh Example, a calendar table and a viorhythm table are printed in a lateral direction so that the juice can may be used in a state as being placed on its side. Like in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, various kinds of calendar tables which are intended for specified use can be made.

[Ninth Example]

[0030] Fig. 15 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a ninth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the seventh and eighth examples, it is a juice can having a calendar function solely for a specific constellation in the horoscope. That is, a period of time common to a constellation in the horoscope is made as the specific period of time. It is a juice can having a calendar function solely for that specific period of time.

[0031] The horoscope is based on a constellation determined by a birthday of each person, and one year is divided into 12 constellations, for example the constellation for a person borne from March 21 to April 20 is the Aries and that for a person borne from April 21 to May 20 is the Taurus and so on. And this horoscope information is important as a kind of information wanted by individuals. Thus a juice can has a calendar function solely for a specific constellation in the horoscope, and it can serve as the means for supplying the horoscopic information corresponding to a calendar of an individual even after the content juice has been consumed, therefore it will not be thrown away instantly and will be quite useful for keeping an environment clean.

[Tenth Example]

[0032] Fig. 16 shows a juice can having a calendar function representing a tenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the seventh, eighth and ninth examples, it is a juice can having a calendar function solely for a specific star in the Tetrastyle Destiny. That is, it is a juice can having a calendar function solely for a specific period of time which is a period of time in which a star in the Tetrastyle Destiny is common.

[0033] The Tetrastyle Destiny is based on a star which is determined by a birthday of each person, comprising a total of nine stars, for example the star for a person borne in March, 1963 is the First White Mercury, and the star for a person borne in June, 1964 is the Ninth Purple Mars, the star for a person borne in April 1969 is the Fourth Green Jupiter and so on. The information concerning this Tetrastyle Destiny is important as an information an individual wishes to have. As a result, if a juice can has a calendar function arranged solely for a specific star in the Tetrastyle Destiny, the juice can may be used even after the juice contained therein is consumed as the means for securing the information concerning an individual in the Tetrastyle Destiny corresponding to the calendar shown on the juice can, therefore the juice can would not be thrown away instantly, thus contributing to keeping an environment clean.

[0034] While the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth examples show a juice ca having a calendar function intended solely for a specific date or a specific period of time, all of them indicate a calendar information for one month only, but the calendar may be for two months or longer can be provided.

[0035] Also, while the first to ninth examples are juice cans, it may be a can containing other substances such as beer. It should be noted, however, that as juice cans and beer cans are usually made of such metal as aluminum or steel, they can be kept semi- permanently, thus an effect in dealing the empty can problem will be quite significant in such cans.

[0036] It may be a canned foods such as canned orange or canned peach, etc. Since an entire one end which serves as an outlet closure is removed for consuming the content, such can may be used also as a container for small articles in addition to a use as a calendar information source.

[0037] Also, it may be a tetra type paper pack containing milk and the like. In such case, a straw is inserted thereinto after an outlet closure paper is removed for consuming the content milk, etc. Since milk is perishable which calls for a soon consumption, if a calendar for one to two months including the date of production is printed on the paper pack a user can have a clear idea on the number of days involved, which is convenient for consumption. Although its preservability is inferior as compared with a metal can, the paper pack may be used after consumption as a calendar information providing means. It also may be a glass bottle sealedly packing milk and the like. But as glass is breakable, it would not be so good in its handling characteristics.

[0038] Fig. 17 shows an example of an automatic vending machine for a juice can having a calendar function for a specific date or a specific period of time. Concretely it is an automatic vending machine for a juice can solely for constellations in the horoscope.

[0039] This automatic vending machine has constellation designating means provided in addition to an ordinary content designating means, and content selecting means and constellation selecting means respectively corresponding to the designating means are provided at an inside of the machine.

[0040] For example, when a person of the Aries wants to drink an orange juice, it works as follows. First, a coin or coins will be put in to a coin slot. Next, an orange designating means is pushed out of the content designating means. After that an Aries designating means is pushed out of the constellation designating means. Then an orange can having the Aries information printed thereon will come out to a take out outlet. Now, this automatic vending machine does not have a calendar designating means, and that is because the type of calendar is predetermined as one month type. If the calendar type is not predetermined, a calendar type designating means will be required.

[Eleventh Example]

[0041] Fig. 18 shows a cigarette box having a calendar function representing a eleventh example of a container sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. A cigarette box is ordinarily a paper container having a plurality of cigarettes as its content. As cigarettes are known to serve for refreshing or changing air purpose but are also known as harmful for health, smokers should exercise care for not smoking excessively.

[0042] A calendar for one month is printed on a surface of this cigarette box. A smoker can make a better control of smoking for preventing an excessive smoking and maintaithe health by using this calendar. For instance if a decision is made not to smoke over ten cigarettes in a week, a smoking behavior can be better controlled by looking at this calendar. Also as a calendar is printed on a surface of a cigarette box as mentioned, an empty box after consuming the cigarette may be used as a means for securing a calendar information.

[Twelfth Example]

[0043] Fig. 19 shows a cigarette box having a calendar function representing a twelfth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. A calendar for two months is inscribed on a surface of this cigarette box being different from the eleventh example. Therefore, a calendar information for two months can be obtained from one cigarette box and at the same time it can be used for a health sake control over a period of two months, thus its usefulness is enhanced. Fig, 20 shows an example of use of this cigarette box where a plurality of the boxes are piled up over a suitable stand to form various kinds of calendar tables.

[Thirteenth Example]

[0044] Fig. 21 shows a cigarette box having a calendar function representing a thirteenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. On a surface of this cigarette box a calendar for one month and a biorhythm information in the calendar specifically for 31 st of March of 1963 are printed. That is a cigarette box is made as an item intended for a specific date among diversifying demands.

[0045] As a biorhythm information for a specific date is printed on a surface of a cigarette box along with one month's calendar, each person can make better control for the health like determining a number of cigarettes to be consumed in a day based on the biorhythm information by obtaining a cigarette box prepared for his/her birthday. While a calendar table and a viorhythm information are both printed on a same side in this example, they may be printed separately as one being on a front and the other being on the other side. That provides a larger space for larger amount of information.

[Fourteenth Example]

[0046] Fig. 22 shows a cigarette box having a calendar function representing a fourteenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the thirteenth example, a day and a month only constitute a specific date without a year in this example, thus making this cigarette box for use in connection with a specific date. That is a viorhythm information for a specific day is printed for each one of plural number of years.

[0047] An individual can obtain a cigarette box specifically intended for a certain date which corresponds to his/her birthday thus finding out a viorhythm information corresponding to the year of his/her birth, and can learn his/her biorhythm information in that calendar.

[Fifteenth Example]

[0048] Fig. 23 shows a cigarette box having a calendar function representing a fifteenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. Being different from the thirteenth and fourteenth example, this cigarette box is solely for the Aries in the Horoscope. That is, this cigarette box has, along with an ordinary calendar, an information on the Aries corresponding to the calendar inscribed.

[0049] Each person will be able to perform a health control based on the constellation information and so on by obtaining a cigarette box prepared specifically for his/her constellation. Now, Fig. 24 shows an information on a specific star in the Tetrastyle Destiny inscribed in place of the constellation information as a sixteenth example.

[0050] While the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth examples have information on one month only printed therein, it could be for two months or more.

[0051] While the eleventh to sixteenth examples showed a cigarette box it could be a paper box containing tissue paper. Also, it could be a plastic bag containing such cake as rice cakes, etc. However, such plastic bag has an unstable shape and its role as a calendar information supplying means will not be as great as that of a rigid cigarette box, nevertheless if a calendar for one to two months is printed thereon including its production date for a control of its content cake, etc, it will be convenient without a question.

[Seventeenth Example]

[0052] Fig. 25 shows a tooth paste tube having a calendar function representing a seventeenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. This tooth paste tube is a sealing container with tooth paste as its content. Ordinarily a tooth paste is used at a certain fixed time or times of a day as before going to bed or in the morning, etc.

[0053] A calendar for one month is printed on the tooth paste tube having a calendar function according to the seventeenth example. Therefore a calendar information for one month can be obtained from this tooth paste tube at a same time when the tube is used. Particularly as the calendar information can be obtained at a certain fixed time of a day, it will be quite convenient for a planning of daily life for each person.

[Eighteenth Example]

[0054] Fig. 26 shows a tooth paste tube having a calendar function as a eighteenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. A calendar for three months is printed on a surface of this tooth paste tube being different from the seventeenth example. Therefore, a calendar information of three months can be obtained from one tooth paste tube, thus its value in use will be higher.

[0055] Now, as the content tooth paste is consumed, a less amount of the tooth paste will remain in the tube. Therefore the tube is wound up from a tail end (the opposite end from the outlet end) in turn. In view of this practice an order of positioning of monthly calendars should be so arranged that earlier month is printed from the tail end as shown in Fig. 26.

[Nineteenth Example]

[0056] Fig. 27 shows a tooth paste tube having a calendar function representing a nineteenth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. This tooth paste tube has, in addition to an ordinary calendar for one month, a viorhythm information for 30th of March, 1963 corresponding to the calendar inscribed. That is, a tooth paste tube is made for use intended for a specific date among a trend of diversified demand pattern.

[0057] Each person can use a tooth paste in which his/her birthday constitutes a specific date and thus can obtain his/ her viorhythm information in the calendar along with a calendar information, which is helpful for making a sound life plan.

[Twentieth Example]

[0058] Fig. 28 shows a tooth paste tube having a calendar function representing a twentieth example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. This tooth paste tube has in addition to an ordinary calendar for one month, plural number of viorhythm information for 30th of March corresponding to the calendar inscribed on its surface for each year. That is a tooth paste is made for use solely for a specific date without a specific year.

[0059] A person can use a tooth paste tube prepared solely for a specific date which is a day and a month for his/her birthday and can find out the viorhythm information corresponding to his/her age, thus obtaining the viorhythm information in a calendar along with an ordinary calendar information.

[Twenty-first Example]

[0060] Fig. 29 shows a tooth paste tube having a calendar function representing a twenty-first example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. This tooth paste tube with a calendar function has, in addition to an ordinary calendar, a role for a specific period of time which is a period of time common to a constellation.

[0061] An individual can use a tooth paste tube with a calendar function solely for his/her own constellation and can obtain his/her constellation information corresponding to the calendar in a regular manner, thus providing a high usefulness to the tube.

[Twenty-second Example]

[0062] Fig. 30 shows a tooth pate tube having a calendar function representing a twenty-second example of a container for sealedly packing a content having a calendar function according to the present invention. This tooth paste tube has, in addition to an ordinary calendar, the information on the First White Mercury in the Tetrastyle Destiny inscribed thereon. That is a tooth paste tube having a calendar function is intended solely for a specific period of time which is a period of time in which a star in the Tetrastyle Destiny is common.

[0063] Each person can use a tooth paste tube having a calendar function solely intended for his/her star and can obtain the information on his/her star corresponding to the calendar, which is quite useful.

[0064] While the viorhythm information and a calendar information are inscribed together on a container for sealedly packing a content intended solely for a specific date or specific period of time, the axis of abscissa in a viorhythm graph may be used as a calendar table.

[0065] While first to twenty-second examples have been explained, when the calendar table and the information on a specific date or a specific period of time are inscribed with fluorescent marking material, they can be easily distinguished from other printed matter even at night, which is convenient.

[0066] In a case of tetra-pack made of paper containing perishable milk, etc, a calendar table for about 1 - 2 weeks or one month which includes the production date in its earlier position will be best suited as a calendar style in a paper made pack in view of the perishable nature of the content and easily burned characteristics of the sealing container.

[0067] Contrary to this, in a case of a metal juice can containing liquid coffee made of aluminum and so on, it can withstand for a prolonged period of time before and after the drinking because of a not easily perishable nature of the content due to a metal can in which the content is packed and the fact the juice can as a sealing container is made of metal. Therefore, a calendar table for three months to one year would be best suited as a calendar type in view of the nature of content as not easily perishable and a long durability of the sealing container. However, as the content is liquid coffee for human drinking the calendar table should include the production date to clearly indicate the guarantee for the quality. Also, it will be convenient to inscribe the production date only with a different color to have the date distinguished. Further if a display for clearly showing a tasteful consumption period is provided in a manner as including a time limit for tasteful consumption, it will be more convenient.

[0068] Also in a case of a tissue paper box, a calendar type may be of a longer period of time regardless of the production date as both the content and the sealing container withstand for a long period of time.

[0069] Also, as a calendar type for a tooth paste tube containing tooth paste, one to two months from a presumed date of consumption would be best suited since the tooth paste is consumed in one to two months and the tooth paste tube is easily disposable.

[0070] Also, as to a position at which the calendar is printed or inscribed, for example in a case of a juice can, it is desirable to have the calendar printed or inscribed at a same side with an outlet provided at the juice can. The outlet will be facing a consumer when the content is drunk making the calendar easily visible.

[0071] Also, the examples described so far have an outlet for taking out a content intentionally provided for consumption of the content from a container for sealedly packing a content, it may be something like a lighter in which the content liquid fuel is evaporated into gas and the ignitable gas thus generated is ignited by ignition means. A container may be a ball point pen or a fountain with a content ink. Also, a container may be of a kind that taking- out means is of an electric or magnetic type or the like.

[0072] In any event, any kind of sealedly packing a content regardless of a kind of content falls under a container for sealedly packing a content in the present invention as long as the content in a sealing container is consumed or used time-wise

[0073] Also, referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, which show a stand on which a juice can is rotatably placed, a stand may be of any type as long as a container can be rotatably placed thereon. Especially, if a container is of a center gravity type as shown in these drawings, there is little possibility that a juice can and the like coming out of place, thus providing a great effect. Also this kind of calendar table can be provided on any kind of a cylindrical shape not only a juice can.

[0074] Fig. 32 shows a control flow chart in an automatic vending machine shown in Fig. 17 according to the present invention. It includes a part A which judges whether a signal generated from the designating means pushed by an individual is the one from the content designating means or not, a part C which defines a value of the signal, a part B which defines a signal on a calendar if the signal is not for the kind of content, and a part D which confirms whether the both signals have been defined or not. When the both signals are defined at the part D, a corresponding container sealedly packing a content having a calendar function will be carried out. when the both signals are not defined, an original state is reinstated.

CAPABILITY OF EXPLOITATION IN INDUSTRY

[0075] As has been explained, a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function according to the first invention in the present application has at least a continuing part of a calendar inscribed on its surface, therefore the container can be used as a calendar table before the content is consumed, and can serve a combined role of a server for consumption + a calendar table when the content is consumed, then can play a role as a calendar table after the content is consumed with its weight having been reduced.

[0076] Further, when a container is formed solely for a specific date or a specific period of time as in the second invention in the present application, a container can respond to a trend of diversification of demand also information wanted by each individual can be obtained instantly.

[0077] The following effects can be obtained from the third invention in the present application:

10 As a calendar corresponding to a production date and a time limit for tasting or using the content is inscribed on a container for sealedly packing a content, a consumer can positively and clearly confirm the quality of the content in better manner.

02 While a container has been thrown away immediately after use ordinarily, a container according to the present invention can serve a calendar function even after a consumption of the content, thus it would not be thrown away soon.

03 Among a circulation of a merchandise (a container for sealedly packing a content of one time use) as shown in Fig. 31, as a calendar relative to the quality of the content is inscribed, (A) a transportation business people can clearly identify a time for transportation of the container; (B) a sales business people can clearly determine the time of sales of the container; (C) a consumer can clearly confirm the quality of the content; and (D) a time for disposition after use for re-casting can be postponed.

[0078] Also, when an automatic vending machine according to the fourth invention in the present application is used, a container for sealedly packing a content with a calendar function wanted by an individual can be automatically obtained by suitably combining a calendar type designating means and a means for designating a specific date or a specific period of time.

Claims

1. A container for sealedly packing content characterized by that a continuous part of a calendar is inscribed on a surface of said container for sealedly packing content.

2. A container for sealedly packing content having a calendar function solely intended for a specific date or a specific period of time characterized by that a continuous part of a calendar and such information as corresponding to said continuous part of calendar which is determined from a specific date or a specific period of time are inscribed on a surface of said container.

3. A container for sealedly packing content which is of one time consumption or use and has its time limit for tasting or use determined solely in correspondence with a date of its production due to a nature of the content and the container characterized by that at least such part of a calendar as sandwiched by said date of production and said tasting or use time limit is inscribed on a surface of said container for sealedly packing content.

4. An automatic vending machine for said container for sealedly packing content with a calendar function where at least two or more kinds of containers for sealedly packing content having a calendar function are housed in said machine and said continuing parts of the calendar are different or said specific dates or specific periods of time in the information determined from a specific date or s specific period of time are different, characterized by that a calendar type designating means corresponding to at least a continuing part of each of said calendar or a means for designating a specific date or a specific period of time corresponding to each one of said specific dates or specific periods of time are provided.

Amended claims

1. (Canceled).

2. A container for sealedly packing content having a calendar function intended solely for a specific date or a specific period of time characterized by that a continuing part of a calendar and such information as corresponding to said continuing part of the calendar determined from a specific date or a specific period of time are inscribed on a surface of said container for sealedly packing content.

3. A container for sealedly packing content which is of one time consumption or use and has its time limit for tasting or use solely determined corresponding to a date of its production because of a nature of the content and of the container characterized by that at least a part of a calendar which is sandwiched by said date of production and said time limit for tasting or use is inscribed on a surface of said container for sealedly packing content.

4. (Amended) An automatic vending machine for said container for sealedly packing content with a calendar function, where at least two or more kinds of said containers for sealedly packing content with a calendar function are housed in the machine and said continuing parts of calendar are different or said specific dates or a specific periods of time in said information determined from a specific date or from a specific period of time are different, characterized by that a content designating means and a means for designating a type of calendar corresponding at least to a continuing part of each calendar or a means for designating a specific date or a specific period of time corresponding to a specific date or a specific period of time are provided, and a control means for taking said container out of a stocking place when signals from said independent designating means are all provided is also equipped therein.

5. (Added) An automatic vending machine which has two or more kinds of independent designating means and can take out two or more kinds of containers from a stocking place, characterized by that a control means for taking said container out from a stocking place when signals from said independent designating means are all provided is equipped therein.