TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a container, which is preferably applied to a carton
containing a plurality of small sized articles, to be handled, such as PET bottles,
cans, cigarettes, pencils, and filled parts and a package box for various kinds of
electric equipment or the like. More particularly, it relates to a container, one
of container-constituting surfaces of which has an opening with a predetermined size,
which is provided with five container-constituting portions that make mountain or
valley fold, the container-constituting portions having predetermined shapes and sizes.
The container is constituted so that a lid-closing part and an intermediate lid-pushing
part are successively inserted into a slit of a first lid-constituting part, the intermediate
lid-pushing part covers the first lid-constituting part and a second lid-constituting
part covers the intermediate lid-pushing part so that the lid-closing part wraps a
container-constituting part, and the other lid-closing part is engaged with the container-constituting
portion with the other lid-closing part wrapping the lid-closing part. By configuring
the container so as to be so, it is possible to close the opening doubly by the first
and second lid-constituting parts and the intermediate lid-pushing part as well as
it is possible to open the opening only by pulling the lid-constituting parts and
the lid-closing parts from a side of the container-constituting portion to a side
of the container-constituting surface.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, a plurality of small sized articles, to be handled, such as PET bottles,
cans, cigarettes, pencils, and filled parts has been often distributed with a desired
carton containing them or various kinds of electric equipment or the like have been
often distributed with a package box using corrugated cardboard containing them. Such
a carton or a package box is made by performing the taking of measurements on carton
material or box material with a predetermined size, creating a development of the
container, cutting notches into predetermined portions of the developed container
and erecting the container by making mountain or valley fold on the carton material
or box material.
[0003] In accordance with such a container, a packing case for supplement of article and
a method of supplementing the article for a vending machine using the same have been
disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
Hei05-04640. According to this packing case, the articles are contained in the container so that
they are aligned in a longitudinal direction thereof. In the container, the articles
are bound by a band for fixing the articles. The band is fixed into the container
at forward and rearward ends thereof. The container is set onto the vending machine
with a forward end thereof being positioned at a downward direction. It is constituted
that after setting, a perforated portion is separated so that the forward end is opened,
and then, the band for fixing the articles is disengaged. By taking such a container
configuration, it is capable of filling the article into a desired position in the
vending machine the moment the band for fixing the articles is disengaged.
[0004] Further, a package box has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication
No.
2001-02057. This package box has an outer container with a predetermined size and a triangular
opening in an outer container configuration surface. On the other hand, an inner container
is provided within the outer container. The inner container uses corrugated cardboard
vertically. A lid-constituting portion is provided so as to extend from side surfaces
of the outer container to an upper surface thereof continuously and is closed by a
string on a predetermined position on the upper surface of the outer container. In
this package box, it is configured that a stripe pattern of the corrugated cardboard
of the inner container is exposed from the triangular opening. By configuring such
a container, it is possible to present a package box that has strength vertically
and is rich in a sense of high quality.
[0005] Further, a package with a dispenser has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No.
2005-53555. In accordance with this package, a carton having the dispenser at its forward end
portion is provided and in the dispenser, a separation part is defined by cutting
carton-constituting portion that is constituted of side walls, an upper surface and
a bottom surface of the forward end portion of the carton-constituting portion into
one with a predetermined size and an opening is obtained by folding a part by which
a side of this separation part is common in the carton-constituting portion and pulling
out the separation part to a side of the carton-constituting portion. It is constituted
that when such an opened package is held so that its posture is directed to a vertical
direction, the opening is positioned at a low position. The opening has such a size
that allows a predetermined article contained in the package to be removed therefrom.
By taking such a container configuration, it is capable of easily removing the articles
one by one from the package without any complicated works, thereby enabling workability
to be improved.
[0006] An opening assist for a dispensing carton has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No.
2005-53584. In accordance with this dispensing carton, a carton having the dispenser at its
forward end portion is provided and in the dispenser, a displaceable portion is defined
by cutting carton-constituting portion that is constituted of side walls, an upper
surface and a bottom surface of the forward end portion of the carton-constituting
portion into one with a predetermined size and an opening is obtained by folding a
part by which a side of this displaceable portion is common in the carton-constituting
portion and tearing up the displaceable portion near a user. It is constituted that
when such an opened package is held so that its posture is directed to a horizontal
direction, the opening is positioned at an upper position. The opening has such a
size that allows a predetermined article contained in the carton to be removed therefrom.
By taking such a container configuration, it is capable of dispending the article
from the carton without tearing up the carton itself.
[0007] According to the conventional containers each having the opening, however, as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
Hei05-04640, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2001-02057, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53555 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53584, the dispenser is formed by cutting carton-constituting portion that is constituted
of side walls, an upper surface and a bottom surface of the forward end portion of
the carton-constituting surfaces into one with a predetermined size. Accordingly,
if the container is installed into a vending machine or an automatic machine such
as a binding machine and various kinds of power tools and the articles to be contained
therein is provided (supplied) but a filling space is blocked in three directions
when it has a dispenser configuration like ones disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No.
Hei05-04640, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2001-02057, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53555 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53584, there is such a problem that any workability is deteriorated because an operator's
hand does not reach the right and left side surfaces and a rear surface of the filling
space.
[0008] Particularly, if a plurality of small articles each having a complicated shape is
installed into the automatic machine or the like when the container with the dispenser
disclosed in any of Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
Hei05-04640, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2001-02057, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53555 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-53584 is applied from point of view such that conveyance (delivery) of articles and installation
operation are compatible, there is such any possibility that install operation thereof
becomes difficult or complicated.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A container according to the present invention in which one of container-constituting
surfaces forms an opening with a predetermined size, is
characterized in that if two constituting surfaces standing facing each other across the opening are supposed
as first and second constituting surfaces, it is provided with a first folding surface
that makes a mountain fold on the first constituting surface, the first folding surface
having a length extending beyond the opening, a second folding surface that makes
a valley fold on the first folding surface, a third folding surface that makes a valley
fold on the second folding surface, a fourth folding surface that makes a mountain
fold on the second constituting surface, the fourth folding surface having a predetermined
length, and at a predetermined position, a slit portion for allowing the fourth folding
surface to be inserted, wherein when the opening is closed, the fourth folding surface
is inserted into the slit portion for allowing the folding surface to be inserted,
the fourth folding surface covers the first folding surface and the second folding
surface covers the fourth folding surface so that the third folding surface is engaged
with the first constituting surface.
[0010] In the container according to the present invention, when the opening formed by one
of the container-constituting surfaces is closed, the first, second and third folding
surfaces and the fourth folding surface are assembled so that the first and second
folding surfaces can cover the opening and the first, second and fourth folding surfaces
can close the opening doubly. Further, it is possible to open the opening easily and
simply only by pulling the first folding surface and the second folding surface from
a side of the first constituting surface toward a side of the first constituting surface.
Accordingly, the articles contained in the container can be discharged downwardly
with a good reproducibility in a state where its opening side stands facing downwards
under pull-out operation to the side of the first constituting surface. This enables
it to be amply applied to a charge and storage of the articles to the vending machine
or various kinds of part cassettes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011]
[FIG. 1] is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a container 100
as an embodiment according to the present invention.
[FIG. 2] is a diagram showing an example of measurements in container material 101.
[FIG. 3] is an assembly process diagram showing a lid closure example (part one thereof)
of the container 100 according to a first embodiment.
[FIG. 4] is the assembly process diagram showing the lid closure example (part two
thereof) of the container 100.
[FIG. 5A] is the assembly process diagram showing the lid closure example (part three
thereof) of the container 100.
[FIG. 5B] is an enlarged diagram showing the lid closure example in the container
100.
[FIG. 6A] is the assembly process diagram showing the lid closure example (part four
thereof) of the container 100.
[FIG. 6B] is an enlarged diagram showing the lid closure example in the container
100.
[FIG. 7] is a perspective view showing another engaging example of a lid-closing part
13.
[FIG. 8A] is a cross sectional view showing a configuration example of the lid-closing
part 13 on the occasion of its engagement.
[FIG. 8B] is an enlarged view showing a configuration example of the lid-closing part
13 on the occasion of its engagement.
[FIG. 9] is a perspective view showing an aspect example of the container 100 on the
occasion of a completion of the lid closure.
[FIG. 10] is a perspective view showing a configuration example when the container
100 is loaded to an automatic machine 400 or the like.
[FIG. 11] is a perspective view showing a loaded example of the container 100.
[FIG. 12A] is a cross sectional view showing a lid-opening example (part one thereof)
of the container 100.
[FIG. 12B] is an enlarged view showing the lid-opening example of the container 100.
[FIG. 13A] is a cross sectional view showing the lid-opening example (part two thereof)
of the container 100.
[FIG. 13B] is an enlarged view showing the lid-opening example of the container 100.
[FIG. 14] is a cross sectional view showing the lid-opening example (part three thereof)
of the container 100.
[FIG. 15] is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a container 200
as a second embodiment.
[FIG. 16] is a perspective view showing an opening example of the opening 6 in the
container 200.
[FIG. 17] is a diagram showing an example of measurements in container material 201.
[FIG. 18] is a perspective view showing an aspect example of a container 300 as a
third embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has an object to provide a container by which when one of container-constituting
surfaces forms an opening with a predetermined size, the opening may be closed doubly
by devising a closure mechanism and may be opened easily only by pulling a part of
the closure mechanism.
[0013] The following will describe embodiments of a container according to the present invention
with reference to drawings. The container 100 shown in FIG. 1 is applicable to a package
box for a plurality of small sized articles, to be handled, such as PET bottles, cans,
cigarettes, pencils, and filled parts and for various kinds of electric equipment
or the like and one of container-constituting surfaces forms an opening 6 with a predetermined
size. In other words, one of the six surfaces constituting the container 100 is opened.
The following will describe the container-constituting surface as a container-constituting
part.
[0014] A size of the entire container 100 is constituted of a height H1, a length L1 and
a width W1 and a size of the opening 6 is obtained by multiplying L1 by W1. In the
container 100, if two container-constituting parts standing facing each other across
the opening 6 are supposed as first and second container-constituting parts 1, 2,
a first lid-constituting part 11 constituting a first folding surface is unfolded
onto the container-constituting part 1 as a side wall. In this embodiment, the lid-constituting
part 11 extends continuously from a side prescribing the length L1 of the container-constituting
part 1 up to a length similar to the width W1 of the opening 6. The lid-constituting
part 11 has a length extending beyond the opening 6 of L1 multiplied by W1 and has
at a predetermined position a slit portion 11a with a width w1 for allowing the folding
surface to be inserted. The lid-constituting part 11 folds and makes a mountain fold
on the container-constituting part 1 on the basis of outside of the container.
[0015] A second lid-constituting part 12 constituting a second folding surface is unfolded
onto the lid-constituting part 11. In this embodiment, the lid-constituting part 12
extends continuously from a side prescribing the length L1 of the lid-constituting
part 11 up to a length similar to the width W1 of the opening 6. The lid-constituting
part 12 has a size similar to that of the lid-constituting part 11 and folds and makes
a valley fold on the lid-constituting part 11. A first lid-closing part 13 constituting
a third folding surface is unfolded onto the lid-constituting part 12. In this embodiment,
the lid-closing part 13 extends continuously tapered from a side prescribing the length
L1 of the container-constituting part 12 up to a predetermined length. The lid-closing
part 13 has a predetermined shape and a size and folds and makes a valley fold on
the lid-constituting part 12. In this embodiment, the lid-closing part 13 is shaped
so as to become a trapezoid with a protrusion 13a. The protrusion 13a constitutes
a tag.
[0016] The intermediate lid-pushing part 14 constituting a fourth folding surface is unfolded
onto a container-constituting part 2 as the other side wall. In this embodiment, the
intermediate lid-pushing part 14 has a length across the opening 6, for example, a
length similar to a width W1 of the opening 6 and folds and makes a mountain fold
on the container-constituting part 2. The intermediate lid-pushing part 14 is positioned
at a position facing at the slit portion 11a and is set to have a width meeting the
width w1 of the slit portion 11a. A second lid-closing part 15 constituting a fifth
folding surface is unfolded onto the intermediate lid-pushing part 14. The lid-closing
part 15 has a predetermined protruded length and folds and makes a mountain fold on
the intermediate lid-pushing part 14.
[0017] The intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing part 15 are inserted into
the above-mentioned slit portion 11a. The slit portion 11a is set at a position that
is deviated slightly from a folded line between the lid-constituting part 11 and the
lid-constituting part 12 near a side of the container-constituting part 1 and is an
almost middle thereof (L1/2) and its width w1 is almost L1/3. Of course, it is not
limited thereto but it may be almost L1/4. The width w1 may be set based on the length
L1. This is because the strength of the lid-constituting part 11, the lid-constituting
part 12 and the like is kept by balancing the strength of the opening 6 and any portion
other than the opening 6 when the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing
part 15 are inserted into the slit portion 11a. Regarding other container-constituting
parts, container-constituting parts 3, 4 are disposed between the container-constituting
parts 1, 2 and the container-constituting part 3 fills so as to constitute a side
wall. The container-constituting part 4 fills so as to constitute the other side wall.
A container-constituting part 5 fills at a side of bottom shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the
container 100 with a double lid structure is configured.
[0018] The following will describe a method of manufacturing the container 100 with reference
to FIG. 2. According to a measurement example of a container material 101 (exploded
example of the container 100) shown in FIG 2, the container material 101 of a size,
for example, one shown in FIG. 2 is prepared if manufacturing the container 100 as
shown in FIG. 1. As the container material 101, for example, coated cardboard with
paper quality of 350 g/m
2 is used. A development may be drawn so that a coated surface thereof forms an inside
of the container 100. This is because the articles contained in the container 100
are easy to slide inside the container and are easy to be loaded into an automatic
machine or the like when setting parts.
[0019] The coated cardboard has a size constituted of a vertical length W0 and a horizontal
length L0. Though depending on a finished measurement of the container 100, the vertical
one W0 may be almost 4W1+ H1 or more and the horizontal one L0 may be almost 2L1+2W1+a
margin for connection or more. The container material 101 is not limited to the coated
cardboard but corrugated cardboard, plastic panel with a predetermined thickness may
be used therefor according to containing uses. If a container which can be used repeatedly
again and again is formed, the container using the plastic panel can be increased
in its used times more than that of a paper container.
[0020] According to the expanded example of the container 101 shown in FIG. 2, the container-constituting
part 1 or 2 of length L1 and height H1, the container-constituting part 3 or 4 of
width W1 and height H1, and the margin 7 for connection of height H1 are drawn below
almost a half of the container material 101 and the container-constituting parts 1
and 2, the container-constituting parts 3 and 4 and the margin 7 for connection are
continuously arranged so that they are aligned horizontally. Further, the lid-constituting
part 11 or 12 of length L1 and width W1, the trapezoidal lid-closing part 13, and
the protrusion 13a having a predetermined shape are drawn on an upper part of the
container-constituting part 1 so that the lid-constituting parts 11 and 12, the lid-closing
part 13 and the protrusion 13a are arranged at positions that are continuous with
the container-constituting part 1. The slit portion 11a is drawn in the lid-constituting
part 11 and then is opened.
[0021] Further, the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 of length W1 and width w1 and the lid-closing
part 15 with the predetermined length are drawn on an upper part of the container-constituting
part 2 and the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing part 15 are arranged
at positions that are continuous with the container-constituting part 2. Further,
regarding a shape of a bottom of the container 100, for example, if folding double
door type, a container-constituting part 5 of length L next to the container-constituting
part 2, a container-constituting piece 5a of length W1 next to the container-constituting
part 3, a container-constituting part 5 of length L next to the container-constituting
part 1, and a container-constituting piece 5b of length W1 next to the container-constituting
part 4 are drawn.
[0022] It is to be noted that, in the figure, a container-constituting piece 8a may be
disposed on a position over the container-constituting part 3 shown by alternate long
and two short dashes line and a container-constituting piece 8b may be disposed on
a position over the container-constituting part 4 shown thereby. The container-constituting
piece 8a constitutes a sixth folding surface and folds and makes a mountain fold on
the container-constituting part 3 next to the container-constituting part 1. The container-constituting
piece 8b constitutes a seventh folding surface and folds and makes a mountain fold
on the container-constituting part 4 next to the container-constituting part 2. Disposition
of the container-constituting pieces 8a, 8b enables the strength of the entire container
100 to be increased. Of course, the disposition of the container-constituting pieces
8a, 8b may be omitted.
[0023] In the figure, broken lines show positions for mountain or valley folding. In this
example, when cutting the container material 100 along a solid line by using a cutter,
scissors or the like, an exploded shape of the container 100 is completed as shown
in FIG. 1. Further, when assembling it by folding and making mountain or valley folds
along the broken lines, the container 100 as shown in FIG. 9 can be completed.
EMBODIMENT 1
[0024] The following will describe a lid closure example (part one through three thereof)
of the container 100 according to a first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 3 through
6A and 6B. Triangle marks (i) through (v) in white shown in FIGS. 3 through 5A and
5B are all folding positions.
[0025] First, the container 100 shown in FIG. 3 is prepared. The container 100 is formed
so that each of the container-constituting parts 1 through 4 and the margin 7 for
connection in the exploded form shown in FIG. 2 folds and makes a mountain fold to
form the container-constituting parts 1 through 4 as a box and the container-constituting
part 4 is connected with the margin 7 for connection by an adhesive, a staple or the
like. The container-constituting pieces 5a, 5b are then folded inwardly in advance
to build up a bottom surface and the container-constituting parts 5 fold and make
mountain folds onto the container-constituting pieces 5a, 5b. It is constituted that
butt portions of the container-constituting parts 5 are stuck onto each other by a
tape or the like. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the container 100 is obtained such that
the lid-constituting parts 11, 12, the lid-closing part 13 and the protrusion 13a
extend upwards in succession from the container-constituting part 1; the intermediate
lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing part 15 extend upwards in succession from
the container-constituting part 2; and the opening 6 is defined.
[0026] In this embodiment, articles 30 are loaded into the container 100 through the opening
6 shown in FIG. 3. the articles 30 are , for example, a plurality of small sized ones,
to be handled, such as PET bottles, cans, cigarettes, pencils, and filled parts, various
kinds of electric equipment or the like. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening 6 is
closed. In this moment, the lid-constituting part 11 and the intermediate lid-pushing
part 14 fold and make mountain folds on the folding positions (i), (iv) and the lid-closing
part 15 and the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 are successively inserted into the
slit portion 11a for allowing the folding surface to be inserted.
[0027] Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 pushes
an upper portion of the lid-constituting part 11 down and the lid-constituting part
12 folds and makes a valley fold on the folding position (ii) so that the lid-constituting
part 12 covers the upper portion of the intermediate lid-pushing part 14. The lid-closing
part 15 then folds and makes a mountain fold on the folding position (v) so that the
lid-closing part 15 wraps the container-constituting part 1. At the same time, as
shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lid-closing part 13 folds and makes a mountain fold
on the folding position (iii) and the lid-closing part 13 is engaged with the container-constituting
part 1 with the lid-closing part 13 wrapping the lid-closing part 15. In this embodiment,
a double-sided tape sticks the protrusion 13a and the container-constituting part
1. Of course, a sticking method is not limited thereto. Thus, the opening 6 in the
container 100 can be firmly closed (see FIG. 9).
[0028] The following will describe another engaging method of the lid-closing part 13 in
the container 100 with reference to FIG. 7. The container-constituting part 1 shown
in FIG. 7 has a pair of slit portions 1a, 1b for allowing folding parts to be engaged
at predetermined positions. A length of each of the slits 1a, 1b is 12. The slits
1a, 1b are provided at positions of the container-constituting part 1 which lid-closing
pieces 13b, 13c face when the lid-closing part 13 closes over the container-constituting
part 1. The lid-closing pieces 13b, 13c constituting first and second folding pieces
with a predetermined width w2 are provided at both sides of the protrusion 13a extending
from the lid-closing part 13. The width w2 of each of the lid-closing pieces 13b,
13c is set so as to be almost 12 (w2=12). Both of the lid-closing pieces 13b, 13c
fold and make mountain folds on the protrusion 13a. Forward end of each of the lid-closing
pieces 13b, 13c has a shape of circular arc. This is because they cause the articles
loaded in the container 100 to be protected.
[0029] Here, the following will describe a configuration example of the lid-closing part
13 on the occasion of its engagement with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. In this embodiment,
it is configured that when the lid-closing part 13 is engaged with the container-constituting
part 1, the lid-closing piece 13b is inserted into the slit portion 1a shown in FIG.
7 and the lid-closing piece 13c is inserted into the slit portion 1b, respectively.
In other words, the lid-closing piece 13b shown in FIG. 8A is inserted into the slit
1a and it is configured that by catching the lid-closing piece 13b in the slit 1a,
the lid-closing part 13 shown in FIG. 8B is engaged with the container-constituting
part 1. The lid-closing piece 13c also acts similarly.
[0030] Then, the following will describe an aspect example of the container 100 on the occasion
of a completion of the lid closure with reference to FIG. 9. According to the container
100 shown in FIG. 9, the lid-closing part 13 can be firmly fixed onto the container-constituting
part 1. Even if the container-constituting parts 5 direct upward and a double-lid-structure
part directs downward, it is capable to keep the opening shown in FIG. 7 firmly closed.
Such a configuration of the container 100 enables the articles that are subject to
scattering to be easily handled by the container-constituting parts 1 through 5 and
the lid-constituting parts 11, 12. That enables the contents therein to be protected
when carrying them or transporting them. When loading the articles, it can be avoided
to touch the contents directly by his hand so that the articles can be prevented from
changing their shape. When loading the container 100 into any automatic machine, a
power tool or the like, it is possible to open the lid-constituting parts 11, 12 easily
by pulling the protrusion (tag) 13a projected toward this side under a situation where
the container 100 is set on the machine, tool or the like.
[0031] The following will describe a loaded example of the container 100 with reference
to FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the container 100 is set to the automatic
machine 400 or the like with a side of its lid-closing part directing downward. The
automatic machine 400 shown in FIG. 10 is a vending machine, a binding machine, various
kinds of power tools or the like and has a loading space 401 for loading the container
100 as shown in FIG. 7. The loading space 401 is blocked in its three directions.
Namely, there is a situation such that an operator's hand cannot enter into right
and left side surfaces and a back surface of the loading space 401. A side of a bottom
surface of the loading space 401 becomes parts-loading space 402, which has often
such a structure that an operator's hand cannot enter into it depending on a type
of automatic machine 400. When the container 100 with double-lid structure according
to the present invention is loaded into the automatic machine 400 having such a loading
space 401, the container 100 is laded (set) so that it directs from an upper part
of the loading space 401 to a lower part thereof or from a front surface thereof to
a back surface thereof.
[0032] According to the loaded example of the container 100 shown in FIG. 11, a mechanism
of stopping the container 100 at a middle of the loading space 401 is provided. For
example, a stopper mechanism, not shown, is provided at the right or left side surface
or a back surface of the loading space 401 and it is configured that when dropping
the container 100 from the upper part of the loading space 401 to a lower part thereof
along the space, the stopper mechanism stops movement of the container 100. Such a
mechanism enables to be realized a structure in which the operator's hand can enter
into a lower part of the loading space 401 under the container 100 stopping at a middle
thereof, thereby keeping any working space. In this embodiment, it is configured that
the lid-constituting parts 11 and 12 are opened by pulling the lid-closing part 13
positioned at this side under a situation where the container 100 is set into the
above-mentioned loading space 401.
[0033] The following will describe a lid-opening example of the container 100 with reference
to FIGS. 12A and 12B through 14. In this embodiment, a case is illustrated where the
container 100 in which the lid-closing pieces 13b, 13c shown in FIG. 7 have been engaged
with the slits 1a, 1b is opened. First, when the opening 6, not shown, is opened by
pulling the lid-closing part 13 out of the container-constituting part 1 as shown
in FIG. 12A, the lid-closing pieces 13b, 13c are disengaged with the slits 1a, 1b
and the protrusion 13a is also disengaged with the container-constituting part 1.
In this moment, it is configured that the lid-closing part 13 is pulled toward this
side. According to FIG. 12B where this portion is enlarged, the lid-closing piece
13b is pulled out of the slit portion 1a and the lid-closing piece 13c is pulled out
of the slit portion 1b as well as the lid-closing piece 13b is separated from the
slit portion 1a and the lid-closing piece 13c is separated from the slit portion 1b.
By such a separation operation, the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 under the lid-constituting
part 11 becomes a state just before it becomes free.
[0034] Next, it is configured that the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing
part 15 are successively pulled out of the slit portion 11a for allowing the folding
surface to be inserted, as shown in FIG. 13A. In this moment, it is configured that
a user is pulling the lid-closing part 13 toward this side. According to FIG. 13B
where this portion is enlarged, the lid-closing part 15 and the intermediate lid-pushing
part 14 are pulled out of the slit portion 11a in this order. By such a pulling operation,
the articles 30 loaded in the container 100 are barely held by sections of the lid-constituting
part 11 and the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 so as to become a situation just
before the articles 30 drop.
[0035] According to the container 100 shown in FIG. 14, by keeping further pulling the lid-closing
part 13 toward this side, the lid-constituting parts 11, 12 and the lid-closing part
13 are disengaged from the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing part
15 so that the lid-constituting parts 11, 12 covering the opening 6 can be opened.
In this moment, by keeping further pulling the lid-closing part 13 toward this side,
the intermediate lid-pushing part 14 and the lid-closing part 15 go back by being
pushed by the articles 30. This enables the opening 6 to be formed, thereby allowing
the articles 30 loaded in the container 100 to be fallen freely and allowing the articles
30 to be loaded into the automatic machine 400 shown in FIG. 10.
[0036] Thus, according to the container 100 as the first embodiment, when closing the opening
6 constituting one of the six container-constituting parts, the lid-constituting parts
11, 12 and the lid-closing part 13 are combined with the intermediate lid-pushing
part 14 and the lid-closing part 15 so that the lid-constituting parts 11, 12 can
cover the opening 6 and the opening 6 can be closed doubly by the lid-constituting
parts 11, 12 and the intermediate lid-pushing part 14. Further, it is possible to
open the opening 6 only by pulling the lid-constituting parts 11, 12 at a side of
the container-constituting part 1. Accordingly, it is possible to take the articles
30 contained in the container 100 out thereof downwardly with a good reproducibility
under the situation where the side of the opening 6 directs downward by pulling operation
at a side of the container-constituting part 1. Thus, it is capable of being sufficiently
applied to a loading and containing system of the articles 30 to various kinds of
parts cassettes of a vending machine, binder device, a power tool or the like. It
is also not necessary to enter the hand into a machine, a tool or the like so that
safety is given and by allowing the lower-surface-double-lid-body to be opened by
only one operation, it is possible to load parts or the like onto the loading space
401 under one-touch control.
EMBODIMENT 2
[0037] The following will describe a configuration example of a container 200 as a second
embodiment with reference to FIG. 15. According to the container 200 shown in FIG.
15, slits 1d, 1e for assisting opening and closure are provided in a container-constituting
part 1 on a vertical direction thereof. The slits 1d, 1e are provided in the container
200 at a side of disposition of double-lid structure and are provided at right and
left two positions on a surface lying on the same plane of the container-constituting
part 1. Length of each of the slits 1d, 1e is 13. The length 13 is almost a half of
a height H1 of the container 200. This is figured out to enable the lid-constituting
part 11 to be further pulled toward this side. It is possible to open the opening
6 wider than that of the first embodiment, which is easy to set the articles 30 in
the container to the automatic machine 400 or the like.
[0038] In this embodiment, it is designed that a handle 5e and an opening 5f for the handle
are provided on an upper part of the container 200 so that the container 200 is easy
to be carried. The handle 5e and the opening 5f are disposed on the container-constituting
part 2 at an opposite position to the disposed position of the intermediate lid-pushing
part 14. A container-constituting part 5c is provided on the container 200 at an opposite
position to the disposed position of the double-lid structure thereof. In the container-constituting
part 5c, a circular window portion 5d is provided so that the articles 30, not shown,
in the container can be checked through visual inspection. This is because an occasion
in which the articles 30 in the container are checked from outside by their color
or the like may arise. It is to be noted that the slits 1d, 1e may be provided at
a side of the container-constituting part 2. For example, the slits 1d, 1e are provided
at positions of the container-constituting part 2, which are identical to those of
the container-constituting part 1. Thus, it is possible to open the opening 6 much
wider than that of the first embodiment, which is easier to set the articles 30 in
the container.
[0039] Here, the following will describe an opening example of the opening 6 in the container
200 with reference to FIG. 16. In this embodiment, it is also configured that the
disposition of the double-lid structure directs downwards and the lid-closing part
13 is removed to open the opening 6. In this embodiment, it is configured that the
lid-closing part 13 is removed from the container-constituting part 1 as shown in
FIG. 16 and the lid-closing part 13 is pulled toward this side. In this moment, the
container-constituting part 1 is curved due to the slits 1d, 1e provided on a vertical
direction by a larger amount than that of the first embodiment so that it is possible
to open the opening 6 much wider.
[0040] The following will describe a method of manufacturing the container 200 with reference
to FIG. 17. According to an example of measurements in container material 201 (an
exploded example of the container 200) shown in FIG. 17, if the container 200 as shown
in FIG. 15 is manufactured, the container material 201 having, for example, a size
shown in FIG. 17 is prepared. As the container material 201, coated cardboard with
paper quality of 350 g/m
2 is used, similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a development may be
also drawn so that a coated surface thereof forms an inside of the container 200.
The reason therefor has been described in the first embodiment, the description of
which will be omitted.
[0041] The coated cardboard has a size constituted of a vertical length W0' and a horizontal
length L0. The container material 201 that is larger than that of the first embodiment
is prepared to form the handle 5e and the container-constituting part 5c. Though depending
on a finished measurement of the container 200, the vertical length W0' may be almost
5W1+ H1 or more and the horizontal one L0 may be almost 2L1+2W1+a margin for connection
or more. The container material 201 is not limited to the coated cardboard but the
ones described in the first embodiment may be used therefor.
[0042] According to the container material 201 shown in FIG. 17, the slits 1d, 1e are drawn
so that they are provided in the container-constituting part 1 and slits 1f, 1g are
drawn so that they are provided in the container-constituting part 2. In this embodiment,
the handle 5e and the opening 5f are drawn so that they extend continuously from the
container-constituting part 2 at an opposite side of the disposed position of the
double-lid structure. The handle 5e and the opening 5f are reinforced through the
double structure to obtain any strength. In the figure, the handle 5e' and the opening
5f' are reversed patterns of the handle 5e and the opening 5f. The handle 5e' is set
so that its projection length is larger than that of the handle 5e. This is because
the projection portion thereof is inserted into the container. Further, it has such
a structure that both sides of each of the handles 5e, 5e' make mountain folds and
bends inwardly to each other to maintain the strength thereof and both of the triangular
mountain-folded portions are folded inwardly. This enables both sides of each of the
handles 5e, 5e' to be formed slantwise as shown in FIG. 15.
[0043] Further, the container-constituting part 5c is drawn at a position of the container
200 so that it extends continuously from the container-constituting part 1 at an opposite
side of the disposed position of the double-lid structure. In the container-constituting
part 5c, a circular window portion 5d is disposed. Other parts thereof are similar
to those of FIG. 2, the description of which will be omitted. Thus, a development
of the container 200 is constituted and folding it allows the container 200 shown
in FIG. 15 to be obtained.
[0044] Thus, according to the container 200 as the second embodiment, the slits 1d, 1e or
the like are provided at both of the right and left sides of the container-constituting
part 1 on a vertical direction so that it is possible to curve the container-constituting
part 1 by a large amount when opening the lid. Accordingly, the opening 6 can be opened
by larger amount, thereby enabling operability at a front surface to be improved as
compared by that of the first embodiment.
EMBODIMENT 3
[0045] The following will describe an aspect example of a container 300 as a third embodiment
with reference to FIG. 18. According to the container 300 shown in FIG. 18, a case
is illustrated where the opening 6' is broader than that of the first embodiment.
A height of the container is H3, a length thereof is L3 and a width thereof is W3.
A size of the opening 6' is obtained by multiplying L3 by W3. The embodiment is a
case where, of the container, the height is less than that of the first embodiment,
H3<H1 and the size of the opening 6' is broader, L3 by W3>L1 by W1. Although a case
where it is used with the double-lid structure directing downwards has been described
in the first embodiment, it may be used with the double-lid structure directing upwards
as shown in the third embodiment. This enables the double-lid structure at upper surface
thereof to be opened by one operation. It is possible to expose the opening 6' with
a single touch.
[0046] In the container 300, the lid-constituting part 31 extends continuously from a side
prescribing the length L3 of a container-constituting part 1' up to a length that
is almost identical to the width W3 of he opening 6'. The lid-constituting part 31
has a length across the opening 6' of L3 by W3, and has at a predetermined position
a slit portion 31a for allowing the folding surface to be inserted with a width w3.
The lid-constituting part 31 folds and makes a mountain fold on the container-constituting
part 1' on the basis of outside of the container.
[0047] A lid-constituting part 32 is unfolded onto the lid-constituting part 31. In this
embodiment, the lid-constituting part 32 extends continuously from a side prescribing
the length L3 of the lid-constituting part 31 up to a length that is almost identical
to the width W3 of he opening 6'. The lid-constituting part 32 has a size similar
to that of the lid-constituting part 31 and folds and makes a valley fold on the lid-constituting
part 31. A lid-closing part 33 is unfolded onto the lid-constituting part 32. In this
embodiment, the lid-closing part 33 extends continuously from a side prescribing the
length L3 of the container-constituting part 32 up to a predetermined length. The
lid-closing part 33 has predetermined shape and size and folds and makes a valley
fold on the lid-constituting part 32. In this embodiment, the lid-closing part 33
is shaped so as to become a trapezoid with a protrusion 33a. The protrusion 33a constitutes
a tag.
[0048] The intermediate lid-pushing part 34 is unfolded onto a container-constituting part
2', not shown, as the other side wall. In this embodiment, the intermediate lid-pushing
part 34 has a length across the opening 6', for example, a length that is almost identical
to a width W3 of the opening 6' and folds and makes a mountain fold on the container-constituting
part 2'. The intermediate lid-pushing part 34 is positioned at a position facing at
the slit portion 31a and is set to have a width meeting the width w3 of the slit portion
31a. A lid-closing part 35 is unfolded onto the intermediate lid-pushing part 34.
The lid-closing part 35 has a predetermined protruded length and folds and makes a
mountain fold on the intermediate lid-pushing part 34.
[0049] The intermediate lid-pushing part 34 and the lid-closing part 35 are inserted into
the above-mentioned slit portion 31a. The slit portion 31a is set at a position that
is deviated slightly from a folded line between the lid-constituting part 31 and the
lid-constituting part 32 near a side of the container-constituting part 1' and is
a middle thereof (L3/2) and its width w3 is almost L3/3. Of course, it is not limited
thereto but it may be almost L3/4. The width w3 may be set based on the length L3.
[0050] Thus, according to the container 300 as the third embodiment, when closing the opening
6', the lid-constituting parts 31, 32 and the lid-closing part 33 are combined with
the intermediate lid-pushing part 34 and the lid-closing part 35 so that the lid-constituting
parts 31, 32 can cover the opening 6' and the opening 6' can be closed doubly by the
lid-constituting parts 31, 32 and the intermediate lid-pushing part 34. Further, it
is possible to open the opening 6' only by pulling the lid-constituting parts 31,
32 at a side of the container-constituting part 1'. Accordingly, it is possible to
take the articles contained in the container 300 out thereof upwardly with a good
reproducibility under the situation where the side of the opening 6' directs upward
by pulling operation at a side of the container-constituting part 1'. Thus, it is
capable of being sufficiently applied to a package box for various kinds of electric
equipment such as a hot plate and a fish oven, or for an appliance such as a decorated
plate and a trey.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0051] The present invention is very preferably applicable to a carton containing a plurality
of small sized articles, to be handled, such as PET bottles, cans, cigarettes, pencils,
and filled parts and a package box for various kinds of electric equipment, an appliance
or the like.