TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat insulating container suitable for a cup-shaped
container, in particular, a cup-shaped container for packing instant food products
that can be consumed after heating, in particular, instant food products that can
be consumed after pouring boiling water or heating in a microwave oven.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The applicant of the present application has been granted Japanese Patent No.
4294579 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No.
4391908 (Patent Document 2) relating to a heat insulating container which has a container
main body having a body wall and a bottom wall, and a sleeve fitted on the outer circumferential
surface of the body wall of the container main body, and in which a plurality of slits
defining a plurality of strips in an up-down direction in a fixed range in a height
direction is provided in the sleeve, and the plurality of strips bend or curve, project
at the outer circumferential portion and form a heat insulating grip portion when
the portion of the sleeve that is above or below the strips is slid. In the heat insulating
container of such a structure, which demonstrates the appropriate effect, the strips
are deformed into the heat insulating grip portion by pushing the sleeve up or down
by a human force.
[0003] The important feature of such a heat insulating container is that after the plurality
of strips has bent or curved, projected at the outer circumferential portion, and
formed the heat insulating grip portion, the protruding portions are separated from
the container main body, thereby preventing heat from being transferred to the holding
hand even when the protruding portions are gripped from the outside, and it is required
that the plurality of strip does not return to the original shape.
[0004] Therefore, where the sliding state of the sleeve is maintained only by friction or
gravity force, the plurality of strips can return to the original shape when gripped
strongly, and the heat insulating effect can be reduced. Further, when the protruding
portions of the strips are gripped, they can be deformed and thus can slip out of
the hand.
[0005] For this reason, in well-known heat insulating containers such as described hereinabove,
the abovementioned problems are mitigated by forming the strips that are long in the
height direction and irreversibly folding the strips during sliding, or by maintaining
the protrusions as effectively as possible during gripping by using a complex fold
pattern, or by adding a separate fixing member for maintaining the protrusions of
the strips.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4294579 (entire text, all drawings)
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 4391908 (entire text, all drawings)
[0006] However, a problem associated with such well-known heat insulating containers is
that the heat insulating grip portion cannot be formed in a simple manner, for example,
the scale of the operation of pushing the sleeve up or down is increased or an extra
operation is required, because of the above-described structure and mechanism.
[0007] Another problem caused by the above-described structure and mechanism is that the
production and assembling are time-consuming and costly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to resolve the above-described
problems inherent to the well-known heat insulating containers and to provide a heat
insulating container which can be easily manufactured and assembled at a reduced cost,
in which the heat insulating grip portion can be formed by a simple operation and
the projection of the strips is maintained and the heat insulating effect is reliably
maintained even when the strips are gripped from the outside, and which can be reliably
gripped without being deformed.
[0009] The invention as in claim 1 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing a heat
insulating container that has a container main body having a body wall and a bottom
wall, and also has a sleeve fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the body
wall of the container main body, the sleeve being provided with a plurality of slits
defining a plurality of strips in a vertical direction within a predetermined range
in a height direction, and the plurality of strips bending or curving to project at
an outer circumferential portion, thereby forming a heat insulating grip portion,
as a result of sliding a portion of the sleeve that is above or below the strips,
wherein the plurality of strips includes first strips each having an upper valley
broken line at an upper end and an upper peak broken line close to an upper portion,
and second strips each having a lower valley broken line at a lower end and a lower
peak broken line close to a lower portion, the first strips and the second strips
being arranged alternately and adjacently to each other, and at least one of the plurality
of slits has a bent portion forming a protrusion and a depression in a portion between
the upper peak broken line and the lower peak broken line of strips at both sides,
and also has linear portions extending upward and downward from the bent portion.
[0010] The invention as in claim 2 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the upper valley broken line
and the lower valley broken line form an angle with respect to a horizontal line.
[0011] The invention as in claim 3 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the linear portions of
the plurality of slits have an angle with respect to a vertical line.
[0012] The invention as in claim 4 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 3, wherein the linear portions of the
plurality of slits are bent at positions of the upper peak broken lines and the lower
peak broken lines.
[0013] The invention as in claim 5 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the protrusions
of the strip are formed in succession in the vertical direction, and two or more of
the depressions of the strip are formed in succession in the vertical direction.
[0014] The invention as in claim 6 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the strip on at least one
side of the slit having the bent portion has a notch extending in a horizontal direction
from the depression.
[0015] The invention as in claim 7 resolves the abovementioned problems by providing the
heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the depression and the protrusion
of the strip are formed in a sawtooth shape.
[0016] In the heat insulating container in accordance with the invention as in claim 1,
at least one of the plurality of slits has a bent portion forming a protrusion and
a depression in a portion between the upper peak broken line and the lower peak broken
line of strips at both sides, and linear portions extending upward and downward from
the bent portion. As a result, when the strips bend or curve, project at the outer
circumferential portion, and form the heat insulating grip portion, the opposing protrusions
of the strips at both sides slid in the up-down direction and are locked in a state
of getting over each other. Therefore, the projected shape of the plurality of strips
is maintained and the heat insulating effect is reliably maintained even when the
strips are gripped from the outside, and the strips can be reliably gripped without
being deformed.
[0017] Since the slit merely has a bent portion forming a protrusion and a depression in
a portion between the upper peak broken line and the lower peak broken line of strips
at both sides, the production and assembling are simple and the cost can be reduced.
[0018] Further, when the strips bend or curve, project at the outer circumferential portion,
and form the heat insulating grip portion, the opposing protrusions of the strips
at both sides slid in the up-down direction and are locked in a state of getting over
each other, without a need for any other operation. Therefore, the heat insulating
grip portion can be formed in a simple manner only by the operation of sliding a portion
of the sleeve above or below the strips.
[0019] With the feature described in claim 2, the upper valley broken line and the lower
valley broken line have an angle with respect to a horizontal line. As a result, when
the strips bend or curve and project to the outside at the outer circumferential side,
the strips project so that the height of the peak broken line differs in the width
direction and the entire strip is inclined toward the adjacent strip. Therefore, with
the settings ensuring the inclination at the side of the strip where the protrusion
and depression are formed, the protrusions get close to each other, and because the
strips are inclined, the opposing protrusions are locked at a larger angle.
[0020] In such a case, the locking force increases, the projection shape of the strips is
maintained and the heat insulating effect is reliably maintained even when the sleeve
thickness is small, and the strips can be reliably gripped without being deformed.
[0021] Further, since the sleeve thickness can be decreased, the cost can be further reduced,
and the operation of sliding the sleeve, bending or curving the strips and projecting
the strips at the outer circumferential side can be further facilitated.
[0022] With the feature described in claim 3, the linear portions of the plurality of slits
have an angle with respect to a vertical line. As a result, the side surfaces of the
adjacent strips get close to each other or separate from each other when the strips
bend or curve and project at the outer circumferential side.
[0023] Therefore, as a result of arranging the slits that have a bent portion on the sides
of the strips that are close to each other, the opposing protrusions get closer to
each other and the locking force further increases.
[0024] Further, by also sliding in the rotation direction when sliding the portion of the
sleeve above or below the strips, it is possible to disperse the deformation stresses
caused by inclined projection of the strips through the entire body, without causing
local concentration of the stresses. Therefore, the operation of sliding the sleeve
is facilitated and the heat insulating grip portion can be formed in a simple manner.
[0025] In addition, as a result of dispersing the deformation stresses, it is possible to
reduce the sleeve strength. This is one more reason why the operation of sliding the
sleeve can be facilitated and the production cost can be further decreased.
[0026] With the feature described in claim 4, the linear portions of the plurality of slits
are bent at positions of the upper peak broken lines and the lower peak broken lines.
As a result, the amount of inclination when the strips project with inclination, or
the degree to which the side surfaces of the adjacent strips get close to each other
or separate from each other can be more finely adjusted by the bending angle. Therefore,
the degree of freedom in designing the material or thickness of the sleeve and the
shape of the strips according to the necessary form or application of the container
is increased.
[0027] With the feature described in claim 5, two or more of the protrusions of the strip
are formed in succession in the vertical direction, and two or more of the depressions
of the strip are formed in succession in the up-down direction. As a result, when
the opposing protrusions that should engage with each other gradually shift and reach
the engagement position in a state of overlapping in the sleeve thickness direction
from the start of projection of the strips, although the strips are inclined or the
side surfaces of the adjacent strips get close to each other, the overlapping is canceled
or greatly reduced by the next depression (the opposing side is a protrusion). Therefore,
the edges of the protrusions can be easily locked.
[0028] With the feature described in claim 6, the strip on at least one side of the slit
having the bent portion has a notch extending in the horizontal direction from the
depression. As a consequence, the strip can be easily deformed in the sleeve thickness
direction above and below the notch. Therefore, as a result of the protrusions and
depressions of the opposing strips deforming and shifting in the thickness direction,
the strips can easily move in the up-down direction and the projection of the strips
can be smoothly started.
[0029] Further, even though the protrusion of a strip still overlaps the depression of the
opposing strip in the sleeve thickens direction when the side surfaces of the adjacent
strips get close to each other and the sliding is completed, the protrusion can pass
through the depression as a result of the deformation of the notch, and the opposing
protrusions can be locked to each other.
[0030] Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the angle of the valley broken lines,
the angle of the slit with respect to the vertical direction and shape of the bent
portion can be further increased and the position or angle at which the protrusions
of the adjacent strips are locked can be optimized.
[0031] With the feature described in claim 7, the depression and the protrusion of the strip
are formed in a sawtooth shape. Therefore, as a result of making horizontal edges
on the locking sides of the strip protrusions and inclining the edges at the sides
that move relative to each other when the projection is started, the projection of
the strips is smoothly started and the locking force of the opposing protrusions when
the projection is competed is increased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032]
FIG. 1 is a side view of the heat insulating container of the first embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view taken during sliding of the heat insulating container shown
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a side view taken when the sliding of the heat insulating container shown
in FIG. 1 is ended.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the heat insulating container of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an expanded view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a side view taken during sliding of the heat insulating container shown
in FIG. 6.
FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a side view taken when the sliding of the heat insulating container shown
in FIG. 8 is ended.
FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of the configuration shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of the sleeve of the heat insulating container
of the third embodiment of the present invention.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0033]
- 100, 200
- heat insulating containers
- 110, 210
- container main bodies
- 111, 211
- body walls
- 113, 213
- openings
- 112, 212
- bottom walls
- 120, 220
- sleeves
- 121, 221, 321
- first strips
- 122, 222, 322
- second strips
- 123, 223, 323
- upper valley broken lines
- 124, 224, 324
- upper peak broken lines
- 125, 225, 325
- lower valley broken lines
- 126, 226, 326
- lower peak broken lines
- 127, 227, 327
- protrusions
- 128, 228, 328
- depressions
- 129, 229, 329
- central broken lines
- 130, 230, 330
- slits
- 131, 231, 331
- bent portions
- 132, 232, 332
- linear portions
- 233, 333
- notches
- 334
- vertical portion
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(EMBODIMENT 1)
[0034] The configuration and operation of a heat insulating container 100 of the first embodiment
of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the appended drawings.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows schematically the side view of the heat insulating container 100 of
the first embodiment of the present invention prior to use. The heat insulating container
has a container main body 110 having a body wall 111 and a bottom wall 112, and a
sleeve 120 fitted on the outer circumferential surface of the body wall 111 of the
container main body 110.
[0036] The sleeve 120 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the body wall 111
of the container main body 110 only at the opening 113 side at the top of the container.
The sleeve is provided with a plurality of slits 130 defining a plurality of strips
121, 122 in the up-down direction within a fixed range in the height direction.
[0037] The lowermost end of the sleeve 120 projects by a height H with respect to the lowermost
end of the container main body 110 and is configured to be slidable upward through
this height, while the strips 121, 122 are bent or curved.
[0038] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the sleeve 120. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view
of the strips 121, 122. As shown in those figures, a plurality of strips 121, 122
includes first strips 121 that have a lower valley broken line 125 at the lower end
and a lower peak broken line 126 close to the lower portion, and second strips 122
that have an upper valley broken line 123 at the upper end and an upper peak broken
line 124 close to the upper portion, the first strips and the second strips being
disposed alternately and adjacently to each other.
[0039] Further, no broken lines are provided at the uppermost portion of the first strip
121 and the lowermost portion of the second strip 122, and a central broken line 129
is provided in the up-down direction above the lower peak broken line 126 of the first
strip 121 and below the upper peak broken line 124 of the second strip 122 to increase
the strength during bending.
[0040] In the plurality of slits 130, those having a bent portion 131 and linear portions
132 extending upward and downward from the bent portion 131 are arranged alternately
with those having only a linear portion extending in the up-down direction.
[0041] The bent portion 131 of the slit 130 forms a protrusion 127 and a depression 128
in the intermediate portion of the upper peak broken line 124 and the lower peak broken
line 126 of the strips 121, 122 at both sides.
[0042] In the present embodiment, the slit 130 sandwiched by the left side of the first
strip 121 and the right side of the second strip 122, as viewed from the front surface
of the formed container, is taken as the slit 130 having the bent portion 131.
[0043] The protrusion 127 and the depression 128 formed in the bent portion 131 are formed
alternately, each being taken twice, in the up-down direction from the upper side
of the second strip 122, as shown in FIG. 3, that is, in the order of the protrusion
127 (depression 128 of the first strip 121), the depression 128 (protrusion 127 of
the first strip 121), the protrusion 127 (depression 128 of the first strip 121),
and the depression 128 (protrusion 127 of the first strip 121).
[0044] In the two protrusions 127 and depressions 128, the size from the line connecting
the linear portions 132 extending in the up-down direction of the slit 130 is set
to the same height and depth, and the height T of the protrusion 127 of the second
strip 122 (depth of the depression 128 of the first strip 121) is set to be about
1.5 times the depth S of the depression 128 of the second strip 122 (height of the
protrusion 127 of the first strip 121).
[0045] The in-use operation of the heat insulating container 100 configured in the above-described
manner is explained below.
[0046] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the state after the sleeve 120 has been slid upward
from the state prior to use shown in FIG. 1. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates a state after
the sleeve has been slid through 1/3H, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of FIG.
4, and FIG. 6 illustrates a state after the sleeve has been slid through almost the
entire H.
[0047] In the actual sliding operation, the lower end of the sleeve 120 may be placed on
a horizontal plane, and the sleeve 120 may be slid upward from the strips 121, 122,
or the container main body 110 may be pushed down.
[0048] Where the sleeve 120 is slid upward from the initial state, in the first strip 121,
the lower valley broken line 125 and the lower peak broken line 126 are bent and the
upper end portion curves and slightly projects in the outer circumferential direction,
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0049] In the second strip 122, the upper valley broken line 123 and the upper peak broken
line 124 are bent and the lower end portion curves and slightly projects in the outer
circumferential direction.
[0050] In this case, the side of the second strip 122 below the upper peak broken line 124
projects in the outer circumferential direction while sliding upward together with
the sleeve 120 that slides upward.
[0051] The side of the first strip 121 below the lower peak broken line 126 projects, without
sliding, in the outer circumferential direction.
[0052] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, protrusions 127L1, 127L2 of the left portion
of the first strip 121 and protrusions 127R1, 127R2 of the right portion of the second
strip 122 shift in the sleeve thickness direction of the sleeve 120 and move relative
to each other in the up-down direction, while overlapping the opposing strip.
[0053] The first strip 121, is provided with a first depression 128L1, the first protrusion
127L1, a second depression 128L2, and the second protrusion 127L2 in the order of
description from above, and the second strip 122 is provided with the first protrusion
127R1, a first depression 128R1, the second protrusion 127R2, and a second depression
128R2 in the order of description from above.
[0054] Those protrusions and depression are formed by the bent portion 131 of one slit 130,
and the first depression 128L1 and the first protrusion 127R1, the first protrusion
127L1 and the first depression 128R1, the second depression 128L2 and the second protrusion
127R2, and the second protrusion 127L2 and the second depression 128R2 have absolutely
identical contours in the width direction.
[0055] As a result of the sleeve 120 sliding upward from the initial state, the first protrusion
127R1 of the second strip 122 and the upper linear portion 132 of the slit 130 of
the first strip 121, the second protrusion 127R2 of the second strip 122 and the first
protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121, and the second protrusion 127L2 of the first
strip 121 and the lower linear portion 132 of the slit 130 of the second strip 122
move relative to each other in the thickness direction of the sleeve 120, while overlapping
in the up-down direction.
[0056] Further, as shown in the figures, the protrusion 127 and depression 128 of the two
strips 121, 122 are formed in a sawtooth shape such that the sliding and overlapping
direction thereof is at an angle with respect to the horizontal line, whereas the
reverse direction is substantially horizontal. Therefore, when the sliding is started,
the protrusions 127 can move easily and slide smoothly.
[0057] In the figures, all of the constituent portions of the second strip 122 are shown
to be at the top, but the location thereof is determined by various conditions such
as the degree of force application and is not necessarily as depicted in the figures.
[0058] Where the sliding is substantially completed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first
protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121 reaches the second depression 128R2 of the
second strip 122, the second protrusion 127R2 of the second strip 122 reaches the
first depression 128L1 of the first strip 121, the overlapping in the sleeve thickness
direction is canceled, and the substantially horizontal end portions of the first
protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121 and the second protrusion 127R2 of the second
strip 122 are locked.
[0059] At this time, since a certain gap appears between the adjacent portions of the first
strip 121 and the second strip 122 projecting in the outer circumferential direction,
the first protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121 and the second protrusion 127R2
of the second strip 122 have a certain margin in the horizontal direction with the
second depression 128R2 of the second strip 122 and the first depression 128L1 of
the first strip 121, respectively, the overlapping thereof is canceled, and the first
protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121 and the second protrusion 127R2 of the second
strip 122 are smoothly locked.
[0060] Further, in the present embodiment, since 12 first strips 121 and 12 second strips
122 are provided, the first protrusions 127L1 of the first strips 121 and the second
protrusions 127R2 of the second strips 122 intersect at an angle of about 15°C and
are reliably locked.
[0061] Since the first protrusion 127L1 of the first strip 121 and the second protrusion
127R2 of the second strip 122 are thus locked as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to
maintain the state in which the sleeve 120 has slid upward and the first strip 121
and the second strip 122 project outward, with the peak broken lines 124, 126 thereof
serving as apexes.
[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, the slits 130 having the bent portion 131 are
provided alternately in the circumferential direction, but fewer such slits may be
provided, for example, every third slit may be provided with the bent portion, or
all of the slits may be slits 130 having the bent portion 131, provided that the state
in which the sleeve 120 has slid upward and the first strip 121 and the second strip
122 project outward can be maintained.
(EMBODIMENT 2)
[0063] The configuration and operation of a heat insulating container 200 of the second
embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the appended
drawings.
[0064] FIGS. 8 to 14 correspond to FIGS. 1 to 7 relating to the first embodiment of the
present invention, and the hundreds place in the reference numerals of components
in the first embodiment is taken as two in the second embodiment.
[0065] Similarly to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the heat insulating container
200 of the second embodiment of the present embodiment has a container main body 210
having a body wall 211 and a bottom wall 212, and a sleeve 220 fitted on the outer
circumferential surface of the body wall 211 of the container main body 210.
[0066] The sleeve 220 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the body wall 211
of the container main body 210 only at the opening 213 side at the top of the container.
The sleeve is provided with a plurality of slits 230 defining a plurality of strips
221, 222 in the up-down direction within a fixed range in the height direction.
[0067] The lowermost end of the sleeve 220 projects by a height H with respect to the lowermost
end of the container main body 210 and is configured to be slidable upward through
this height, while the strips 221, 222 are bent or curved.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of strips 221, 222 includes first strips
221 that have a lower valley broken line 225 at the lower end and a lower peak broken
line 226 close to the lower portion, and second strips 222 that have an upper valley
broken line 223 at the upper end and an upper peak broken line 224 close to the upper
portion, the first strips and the second strips being disposed alternately and adjacently
to each other.
[0069] Further, no broken lines are provided at the uppermost portion of the first strip
221 and the lowermost portion of the second strip 222, and a central broken line 229
is provided in the up-down direction above the lower peak broken line 226 of the first
strip 221 and below the upper peak broken line 224 of the second strip 222 to increase
the strength during bending.
[0070] The upper valley broken line 223, the upper peak broken line 224, the lower valley
broken line 225, and the lower peak broken line 226 are inclined at an angle α° with
respect to the horizontal line.
[0071] In the plurality of slits 230, those having a bent portion 231 and linear portions
232 extending upward and downward from the bent portion 231 are arranged alternately
with those having only a linear portion extending in the up-down direction, and the
slits are inclined such that the lower ends are shifted almost by a pitch P of the
strips 221, 222 with respect to the upper ends.
[0072] The bent portion 231 of the slit 230 forms a protrusion 227 and a depression 228
in the intermediate portion of the upper peak broken line 224 and the lower peak broken
line 226 of the strips 221, 222 at both sides.
[0073] In the present embodiment, the slit 230 sandwiched by the left side of the first
strip 221 and the right side of the second strip 222, as viewed from the front surface
of the formed container, is taken as the slit 230 having the bent portion 231.
[0074] Since the upper valley broken line 223, the upper peak broken line 224, the lower
valley broken line 225, and the lower peak broken line 226 are inclined at the same
angle α° with respect to the horizontal line, the alternate arrangement is such that
the slits 230 having the bent portion 231 are short and those constituted only by
the straight line are long.
[0075] The protrusion 227 and the depression 228 formed in the bent portion 231 are formed
alternately, each being taken twice, in the up-down direction from the upper side
of the second strip 222, as shown in FIG. 10, that is, in the order of the protrusion
227 (depression 228 of the first strip 221), the depression 228 (protrusion 227 of
the first strip 221), the protrusion 227 (depression 228 of the first strip 221),
and the depression 228 (protrusion 227 of the first strip 221) .
[0076] In the two protrusions 227 and depressions 228 on the second strip 222 side, the
size from the line connecting the linear portions 232 extending in the up-down direction
of the slit 230 is set to the same height and depth T, and in the two protrusions
227 and depressions 228 on the first strip 221 side, the size from the line connecting
the linear portions 232 extending in the up-down direction of the slit 230 is set
to S on the upper side and to S2, which is larger than the S, on the lower side.
[0077] In the present embodiment, T and S are equal to each other, and S2 is set to 2.5
times the S.
[0078] Additionally provided is an L-shaped notch 233 that extends horizontally from the
apex of the protrusion 227 (depression 228 of the first strip 221) on the upper side
of the second strip 222 towards the first strip 221 side and then further extends
upward from the distal end of the horizontal extension.
[0079] In the present embodiment, the notch 233 extends horizontally through a distance
K from the line connecting the linear portions 232 of the slit 230 that extend in
the up-down direction, and the K is set to be about twice the T.
[0080] The dimensional relationship of those T, S, S2, and K is set optimally, as appropriate,
with consideration for the inclination of the upper valley broken line 223, the upper
peak broken line 224, the lower valley broken line 225, and the lower peak broken
line 226 with respect the horizontal line, and the relative proximity of the first
strip 221 and the second strip 222 determined by the inclination of the slit 230.
[0081] The in-use operation of the heat insulating container 200 configured in the above-described
manner is explained below.
[0082] Where the sleeve 220 is slid upward from the initial state, in the first strip 221,
the lower valley broken line 225 and the lower peak broken line 226 are bent and the
upper end portion curves and slightly projects in the outer circumferential direction,
as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0083] In the second strip 222, the upper valley broken line 223 and the upper peak broken
line 224 are bent and the lower end portion curves and slightly projects in the outer
circumferential direction.
[0084] In this case, the side of the second strip 222 below the upper peak broken line 224
projects in the outer circumferential direction while sliding upward together with
the sleeve 220 that slides upward.
[0085] The side of the first strip 221 above the lower peak broken line 226 projects, without
sliding, in the outer circumferential direction.
[0086] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, protrusions 227L1, 227L2 of the left portion
of the first strip 221 and protrusions 227R1, 227R2 of the right portion of the second
strip 222 shift in the sleeve thickness direction of the sleeve 220 and move relative
to each other in the up-down direction, while overlapping the opposing strip.
[0087] Since the upper valley broken line 223, the upper peak broken line 224, the lower
valley broken line 225, and the lower peak broken line 226 are inclined at the same
angle α° with respect to the horizontal line, the bent portion 231 sides of the upper
peak broken line 224 and the lower peak broken line 226 project higher and tilt in
the direction of getting closer to each other.
[0088] Further, since the slits 230 are tilted such that the lower ends are shifted almost
by a pitch P of the strips 221, 222 with respect to the upper ends, the sides of the
first strip 221 and the second strip 222 where the protrusions and depressions are
formed get closer to each other in the process of sliding.
[0089] The first strip 221, is provided with a first depression 228L1, the first protrusion
227L1, a second depression 228L2, and the second protrusion 227L2 in the order of
description from above, and the second strip 222 is provided with the first protrusion
227R1, a first depression 228R1, the second protrusion 227R2, and a second depression
228R2 in the order of description from above.
[0090] Those protrusions and depressions are formed by the bent portion 231 of one slit
230, and the first depression 228L1 and the first protrusion 227R1, the first protrusion
227L1 and the first depression 228R1, the second depression 228L2 and the second protrusion
227R2, and the second protrusion 227L2 and the second depression 228R2 have absolutely
identical contours in the width direction.
[0091] As a result of the sleeve 220 sliding upward from the initial state, the first protrusion
227R1 of the second strip 222, the second protrusion 227R2 of the second strip 222,
and the second protrusion 227L2 of the first strip 221 move relative to each other
in the thickness direction of the sleeve 220, while overlapping above the upper linear
portion 232 of the slit 230 of the first strip 221, below the first protrusion 227L1
of the first strip 221, and above the lower linear portion 232 of the slit 230 of
the second strip 222, respectively.
[0092] Further, as shown in the figures, the protrusions 227 and depressions 228 of the
two strips 221, 222 are formed in a sawtooth shape such that the sliding and overlapping
direction thereof is at an angle with respect to the horizontal line, whereas the
reverse direction is substantially horizontal. Therefore, when the sliding is started,
the protrusions 227 can move easily and slide smoothly.
[0093] Where the sliding is substantially completed, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first
protrusion 227L1 of the first strip 221 reaches the second depression 228R2 of the
second strip 222, the second protrusion 227R2 of the second strip 222 reaches first
depression 228L1 of the first strip 221, the overlapping in the thickness direction
is canceled, and the substantially horizontal end portions of the first protrusion
227L1 of the first strip 221 and the second protrusion 227R2 of the second strip 222
are locked.
[0094] At this time, the adjacent portions of the first strip 221 and the second strip 222
projecting in the outer circumferential direction get closer to each other (can also
overlap) due to the inclination of the upper peak broken line 224, the lower valley
broken line 225, and the lower peak broken line 226 with respect to the horizontal
direction, or the inclination of the slits 230. Therefore, it is possible that the
overlapping of the first protrusion 227L1 of the first strip 221 and the second protrusion
227R2 of the second strip 222 on the second depression 228R2 of the second strip 222
and the first depression 228L1 of the first strip 221 will not be canceled.
[0095] However, the overlapping is smoothly canceled, and the first protrusion 227L1 of
the first strip 221 and the second protrusion 227R2 of the second strip 222 are smoothly
locked by setting, as appropriate, the size of the abovementioned S2 and the length
K of the notch 233.
[0096] Further, in the present embodiment, since 12 first strips 221 and 12 second strips
222 are provided, the first protrusions 227L1 of the first strips 221 and the second
protrusions 227R2 of the second strips 222 intersect at an angle of about 15°C in
a flat state, and the addition of the angle caused by the protrusion of the first
strip 221 and the second strip 222 above the side where protrusion 227 and depression
228 are formed enables more reliable locking.
[0097] Since the first protrusion 227L1 of the first strip 221 and the second protrusion
227R2 of the second strip 222 are thus locked as shown in FIG. 13, it is possible
to maintain the state in which the sleeve 220 has slid upward and the first strip
221 and the second strip 222 project outward, with the peak broken lines 224, 226
thereof serving as apexes.
[0098] Further, in the present embodiment, the slits 230 having the bent portion 231 are
provided alternately in the circumferential direction, but fewer such slits may be
provided, for example, every third slit may have the bent portion, provided that the
state in which the sleeve 220 has slid upward and the first strip 221 and the second
strip 222 project outward can be maintained.
(EMBODIMENT 3)
[0099] The configuration of a heat insulating container 300 of the third embodiment of the
present invention is explained below. FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. 10 relating to the
second embodiment of the present invention, and the hundreds place in the reference
numerals of components corresponding to the second embodiment is taken as 3. The heat
insulating container of the third embodiment of the present invention is the same
as that of the second embodiment, except for the shape of a slit 330 shown in FIG.
[0100] 15. Therefore, only the features different from those of the second embodiment are
explained below.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of strips 321, 322 includes first strips 321 that
have a lower valley broken line 325 at the lower end and a lower peak broken line
326 close to the lower portion, and second strips 322 that have an upper valley broken
line 323 at the upper end and an upper peak broken line 324 close to the upper portion,
the first strips and the second strips being disposed alternately and adjacently to
each other.
[0102] Further, no broken lines are provided at the uppermost portion of the first strip
321 and the lowermost portion of the second strip 322, and a central broken line 329
is provided in the up-down direction above the lower peak broken line 326 of the first
strip 321 and below the upper peak broken line 324 of the second strip 322 to increase
the strength during bending.
[0103] The upper valley broken line 323, the upper peak broken line 324, the lower valley
broken line 325, and the lower peak broken line 326 are inclined at an angle α° with
respect to the horizontal line.
[0104] In the plurality of slits 330, those having a bent portion 331, linear portions 332
extending upward and downward from the bent portion 331 and inclined with respect
to the vertical line, and vertical sections 334 extending upward from the upper peak
broken line 324 and downward from the lower valley broken line 325 are arranged alternately
with those in which the portion between the upper and lower vertical portions 334
is constituted only by an inclined straight line.
[0105] Thus, the difference between the slit 330 of the present embodiment and the slit
230 of the second embodiment is that the straight linear portion in the former slit
is bent at the positions of the upper peak broken line 324 and the lower peak broken
line 326.
[0106] Because of such bending, the amount of inclination when the strips 321, 322 project
with inclination, or the degree to which the side surfaces of the adjacent strips
321, 322 get close to each other or separate from each other can be more finely adjusted
by the bending angle. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the material or
thickness of the sleeve and the shape of the strips according to the necessary form
or application of the container is increased.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0107] The heat insulating container in accordance with the present invention can be easily
manufactured and assembled at a low cost, the heat insulating grip portion can be
formed by a simple operation, the projection of the strips is maintained and the heat
insulating effect is reliably maintained even when the strips are gripped from the
outside, and the strips can be reliably gripped without being deformed. Therefore,
the container can be advantageously used as a cup-shaped container for packing instant
food products that can be consumed after pouring boiling water or heating in a microwave
oven. Further, since external appearance can be changed to that with decorative features
by a simple operation, the invention is not limited only to heat-resistant applications
and can be applied to a variety of cup-shaped container.