AU2016346678A1

AU2016346678A1 - Container, container with lid, and method for manufacturing container-with-lid

Info

Publication number: AU2016346678A1
Application number: AU2016346678A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryo Funajima; Takashi Kado; Katsumi Kameda; Masako Tsuchida
Original assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-29
Filing date: 2016-10-28
Publication date: 2018-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-28
Also published as: CN108349639B; AU2016346678B2; WO2017073742A1; CN108349639A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a container having excellent initial sealability and re-sealability. [Solution] A container has: a bottom surface; side surfaces erected from the bottom surface; and a flange part continuously provided on the upper sections of the side surfaces. The flange part includes: an inner portion that is continuously provided on the side surfaces along the entire circumference of the flange part; an outer portion positioned outward from the inner portion; and a connecting portion that is provided between the inner portion and the outer portion and connects the inner portion and the outer portion. The upper surface of the outer portion is positioned lower than the lower surface of the inner portion. The outer portion is provided with a protruding section that protrudes to the inner portion side.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001]

The present invention relates to a container having an opening formed therein. In addition, the present invention relates to a container with lid including a container having an opening formed therein, and a lid joined to the container so as to cover the opening, and a manufacturing method of the same.

Background Art [0002]

Recently, as a container having an opening formed therein for accommodating food products or chemical products, there is proposed a container configured to be capable of stably covering the opening thereof, after the lid has been once removed from the container. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that a container, which includes a tray and a cover frame removable from the tray, is provided with a cover foil welded to an upper surface of the tray and an upper surface of the cover frame. This container is configured such that, when the cover foil is removed from the tray, the cover frame together with the cover foil is also removed from the tray. The cover frame is configured to be snap-fitted to the tray. Thus, the opening of the container can be again stably closed, by covering the tray with the cover foil having been removed from the tray, and by fixing the cover frame welded to the cover foil to the tray by snap-fitting.

[0003]

Patent Document 1: JP2014-502584A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]

In the aforementioned Patent Document 1, when the opening of the container is again covered, the cover frame is fixed to the tray by snap-fitting. However, the resealing performance is actually not sufficient.

[0005]

The object of the present invention is to provide a container, a container with lid and a manufacturing method of a container with lid, which can effectively solve such a problem.

[0006]

The present invention is a container having an opening formed therein, the container comprising: a bottom surface; a side surface standing from the bottom surface; and a flange part continuously disposed on an upper part of the side surface; wherein: the flange part includes an inside portion continuously disposed on the side surface therearound, an outside portion positioned outside the inside portion, and a connection portion disposed between the inside portion and the outside portion so as to connect the inside portion and the outside portion; an upper surface of the outside portion is positioned below a lower surface of the inside portion; and the outside portion is provided with a projection projecting toward the inside portion.

[0007]

In the container of the present invention, the projection may project toward the inside portion more than an end of the inside portion on the side of the outside portion by 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0008]

In the container of the present invention, the container may be made of a thermoplastic resin.

[0009]

In the container of the present invention, a thickness of the connection portion may be smaller than a thickness of the inside portion and a thickness of the outside portion.

[0010]

In the container of the present invention, the connection portion may be intermittently formed along the inside portion therearound.

[0011]

In the container of the present invention, the connection portion may be continuously formed along the inside portion so as to function as a hinge part.

[0012]

In the container of the present invention, the connection portion may include a pair of hinge parts that connects the inside portion and the outside portion so as to define a rotation axis about which the outside portion is rotated with respect to the inside portion, and a part of the inside portion may project more outside than the rotation axis. For example, the rotation axis is a straight line passing through a part of one of the hinge parts hinge parts, which is the closest to a central point of the opening, and a part of the other hinge part, which is the closest to the central point of the opening.

[0013]

In the container of the present invention, a size of the part of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, is preferably not less than 3 mm.

[0014]

In the container of the present invention, a size of the part of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, is preferably not more than 10 mm.

[0015]

In the container of the present invention, the inside portion may have a polygonal shape including a plurality of sides and a plurality of corners, and the pair of hinges of the connection portion may connect the inside portion and the outside portion such that one of the sides of the inside portion is positioned more outside than the rotation axis.

[0016]

In the container of the present invention, the inside portion may have a polygonal shape including a plurality of sides and a plurality of corners, and the pair of hinges of the connection portion may connect the inside portion and the outside portion such that one of the corners of the inside portion is at least partially positioned more outside than the rotation axis.

[0017]

The present invention is a container with lid comprising: a container having an opening formed therein; and a lid joined to the container so as to cover the opening of the container; wherein: the container includes a bottom surface, a side surface standing from the bottom surface, and a flange part continuously disposed on an upper part of the side surface; the flange part includes an inside portion continuously disposed on the side surface therearound, and an outside portion positioned outside the inside portion; the lid is continuously joined to an upper surface of the inside portion therearound, and is at least partially joined to an upper surface of the outside portion; the upper surface of the inside portion and the upper surface of the outside portion are at least partially positioned coplanarly, and a lower surface of the outside portion is positioned below a lower surface of the inside portion; and the outside portion is provided with a projection projecting more inside than an outside end of the inside portion.

[0018]

In the container with lid of the present invention, the flange part may further include a connection portion connecting the inside portion and the outside portion; the connection portion may include a pair of hinge parts that connect the inside portion and the outside portion so as to define a rotation axis about which the outside portion is rotated with respect to the inside portion; and a part of the inside portion may project more outside than the rotation axis.

[0019]

In the container with lid of the present invention, a part of the upper surface of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, may not be joined to the lid.

[0020]

In the container with lid of the present invention, a joint force between the lid and the upper surface of the outside portion may be greater than a joint force between the lid and the inside portion.

[0021]

The present invention is a manufacturing method of a container with lid, comprising the steps of: preparing the aforementioned container; placing a lid on an upper surface of the inside portion of the container; and pressing the upper surface of the inside portion downward by a hotplate through the lid, while holding a lower surface of the outside portion of the container, so that the upper surface of the outside portion and the upper surface of the inside portion are coplanarly positioned, and that the lid is welded to the upper surface of the indie portion and the upper surface of the outside portion.

[0022]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container, a container with lid and a manufacturing method of a container with lid excellent in initial sealing performance and resealing performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023]

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of members constituting a container with lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a container before a lid is welded thereto.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion including a projection of the container with lid.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the portion including the projection of the container before a lid is welded thereto.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion including a connection portion of the container with lid.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion including the connection portion of the container before a lid is welded thereto.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the container.

Fig. 8A is a view showing a manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 8B is a view showing the manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 8C is a view showing a manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 9A is a view showing a manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 9B is a view showing a manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 9C is a view showing a manufacturing method of the container.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of Fig. 9A.

Fig. 11 is a view showing an operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a modification example of the container with lid.

Fig. 13 is a view showing a modification example of the container with lid.

Fig. 14A is a view showing a modification example of the container with lid.

Fig. 14B is a view showing a state in which the lid of the container with lid shown in Fig. 14A is opened.

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a first joint portion of an inside portion of a flange part and a second joint portion of an outside portion of a flange part.

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a modification example of the container.

Fig. 17 is a view showing the container shown in Fig. 16 and the container with lid including a lid.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a portion including a hinge part of a connection portion of the container with lid shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a view showing an operation of the container with lid shown in Fig. 17.

Fig.	20 i	s a	view	showing	a	modification	example
container.
Fig.	21 i	s a	view	showing	a	modification	example
container.
Fig.	22 i	s a	view	showing	a	modification	example

container.

Fig. 23 is a view showing the container shown in Fig. 22 and the container with lid including a lid.

Fig. 24 is a view showing a modification example container.

Fig. 25 is a view showing the container shown in Fig. 24 and the container with lid including a lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] <Embodiment of Present Invention>

An embodiment of the present invention is described herebelow with reference to Figs. 1 to 11 and 15. Firstly, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a container with lid 10 in this embodiment is described as a whole.

[0025]

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of members constituting a container with lid 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a container 20 constituting the container with lid 10, wherein a lid 50 is not welded to the container 20. The container with lid 10 includes the container 20 having an opening 28 formed therein, and the lid 50 joined to the container 20 so as to cover the opening 28 of the container 20. In this specification, the term join/joining is a concept including both welding and bonding. The term weld/welding means that at least one of the container 20 and the lid 50 is at least partially fused so that the lid 50 is attached to the container 20. In addition, the term bond/bonding means that a constituent element such as an adhesive, which is different from the container 20 and the lid 50, is used so that the lid is attached to the container 20.

[0026]

In addition, in this specification, the container with lid means a state in which, after the lid 50 has been joined to the container 20, the lid 50 is never removed therefrom yet, unless otherwise specified. In the below description, the container 20 from which the lid 50 has been removed is sometimes referred to as unsealed container 21.

[0027] (Container)

Next, the container 20 is described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container 20 has a bottom surface 22, a side surface 24 standing from the bottom surface 22 to spread therearound along an outer edge 22e of the bottom surface 22, and a flange part 26 continuously disposed on an upper part of the side surface 24. The aforementioned lid 50 is joined to the flange part 26 of the container 20. Figs. 1 and 2 show an example in which the flange part 26 is continuously disposed on an upper edge of the side surface 24 so as to horizontally extend outside. In this specification, the terms side surface, upper part, upper edge, and the below-described terms upper surface, lower surface and horizontally/horizontal direction) represent positions and directions of the container with lid 10, the container 20, the lid 50 and their constituent elements, with a state in which the container with lid 10 and the container 20 are placed such that the bottom surface 22 of the container 20 is positioned downward, as a reference.

[0028]

Figs. 1 and 2 show an example in which the bottom surface 22 and the side surface 24 of the container 20 are configured such that the opening 28 has a rectangular profile in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the concept of a rectangle includes a shape in which corners of the rectangle are chamfered so that each corner has an arcuate shape projecting convexly outside. As long as a desired product can be accommodated in the container 20, the shape of the container 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the flange part 26 defining the opening 28 may have a rectangular or polygonal profile in the horizontal direction. In addition, the profile of the bottom surface 22 and the profiles of the flange part 26 and the lid 50 may be either similar or not similar.

[0029]

A product to be accommodated in the container 20 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, household dishes, confectionaries and the like. As described later, one of the characteristic features of the container with lid 10 according to this embodiment is that it is excellent in initial sealing performance. In addition, as described later, another feature of the container with lid 10 according to this embodiment is that the opening 28 of the unsealed container 21, from which the lid 50 has been removed, can be covered by utilizing the lid 50 by covering the unsealed container 21 again with the lid 50, i.e., the container with lid 10 is excellent in resealing performance. The initial sealing performance means an adhesion performance between the flange part 26 of the container 20 and the lid 50 in the container with lid 10, i.e., in a state where the lid 50 is never removed therefrom yet, after the lid 50 has been joined to the container 20.

[0030] (Flange Part)

The flange part 26 of the container 20 is described in detail below, with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion including a below-described projection 36 of the container with lid 10. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion including the projection 36 of the container 20 before the lid 50 is welded thereto. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion including a below-described connection portion 40 of the container with lid 10. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion including the connection portion 40 of the container 20 before the lid 50 is welded thereto [0031]

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the container 20, and Fig.

is a plan view showing the container with lid 10. In Fig. 15, in order to avoid complexity, a part other than an inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and an outside portion 35 thereof is omitted.

[0032]

As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the flange part 26 includes the inside portion 30 continuously disposed on the side surface 24 therearound, an outside portion 35 positioned outside the inside portion 30, and a connection portion 40 disposed between the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 so as to connect the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35. In this specification, the term outside means a side far from the opening 28 of the container 20 in the horizontal direction. The term inside means a side close to the opening 28 of the container 20 in the horizontal direction.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the container with lid 10 according to this embodiment is configured such that, when the connection portion 40 of the container 20 is broken so as to remove the lid 50 from the container 20, the outside portion 35 together with the lid 50 is removed from the container 20 (unsealed container 21). Thus, in the state of the container with lid 10, the lid 50 is joined at least partially to an upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35.

[0033]

As shown in Fig. 7, the connection portions 40 are intermittently disposed at six locations along the inside portion 30 therearound. Alternatively, the connection portion 40 may be continuously disposed along the inside portion 30 therearound. The outside portion 35 extends continuously to the inside portion 30 therearound through the connection portion 40. As shown in Fig. 15, a lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is continuously joined to an upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 therearound. Due to the structures of the flange part 26 of the container 20 and the lid 50, the opening 28 of the container 20 can be tightly sealed. Namely, the initial sealing performance can be achieved.

[0034]

As shown in Fig. 1, the flange part 26 has the outside portion 35 that continuously extends around. As long as the lid 50 can be removed from the container 20 while keeping the outside portion 35 to be at least partially joined to the lid 50, the shape of the outside portion 35 and the specific joint state between the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 are not particularly limited. For example, Fig. 1 shows an example in which the outside portion 35 continuously extends along the inside portion 30 therearound, and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is continuously joined to the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 therearound, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Although not shown, as long as the state in which the outside portion 35 is at least partially joined to the lid 50 can be maintained upon removal of the lid 50 from the container 20, the outside portion 35 may intermittently extend along the inside portion 30 therearound. In this case, the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is continuously joined to the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 therearound, and is at least partially joined to the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35. Also in this case, due to the joint between the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30, the opening 28 of the the container 20 can be tightly sealed. Namely, the initial sealing performance can be achieved. In addition, owing to the joint between the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35, the state in which the outside portion 35 is at least partially joined to the lid 50 can be maintained upon removal of the lid 50 from the container 20.

[0035]

In Fig. 15, a first joint portion that is a portion at which the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 are joined is indicated by the mark 30A, while a second joint portion that is a portion at which the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 is indicated by the mark 35A. In this embodiment, the first joint portion 30A is formed such that it does not reach an inner edge and an outer edge of the inside portion 30, and the second joint portion 35A is formed such that it does not reach an inner edge and an outer edge of the outside portion 35, for example. However, not limited thereto, the first joint portion 30A may be formed to reach the inner edge and/or the outer edge of the inside portion 30, as well as the second joint portion 35A may be formed to reach the inner edge and/or the outer edge of the outside portion 35.

[0036]

The joint between the lid 50 and the flange part 26 has to be configured such that the lid 50 can be removed from the container 20 while maintaining the state in which the outside portion 35 is at least partially joined to the lid 50. On the other hand, in a case where a joint force of the second joint portion 35A is less than a joint force between another portion of the lid 20 and the lid 50, e.g., a joint force of the first joint portion 30A, when a force is applied to a tab 26x of the flange part 26 in order to remove the lid 50 from the container 20, there is a possibility that the lid 50 is detached from the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 before the lid 50 is detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. In consideration of this point, the container with lid 10 is preferably configured such that the joint force of the second joint portion 35A is greater than the joint force of the first joint portion 30A. Thus, it can be prevented that, when the lid 50 is removed from the container 20, the lid 50 is firstly detached from the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35.

[0037]

The joint forces of the first joint portion 30A and the second joint portion 35A can be measured by means of a Tensilon tensile tester (e.g., manufactured by OR.IENTECH Co., Ltd., RTC-1310A).

[0038]

A procedure example of measuring a joint force is described below.

[0039]

Firstly, a sample formed by joining the lid 50 and the flange part 26 is cut to have a width of 15 mm. Then, a part of the lid 50 is peeled from the flange part 26. The part of the lid 50 is gripped by one grip tool of the Tensilon, and the flange part 26 is gripped by the other grip tool. Thereafter, the part of the lid 50 and the flange part 26 are pulled at a tension speed of 300 mm/min, such that an angle defined therebetween becomes 180°. A maximum value of a load measured when the rest part of the lid 50 is peeled from the respective parts of the flange part 26 is regarded as a joint force between the lid 50 and the respective parts of the flange part 26.

[0040]

When a sample already has a portion at which the lid 50 and the flange part 26 are not joined, the step of partially peeling the lid 50 and the flange part 26 may be omitted, before a load is measured.

[0041]

When a joint force is calculated by means of the above measuring method, the joint force of the second joint portion 35A is preferably greater than 20N, and more preferably greater than 30N, while the joint force of the first joint portion 30A is preferably not more than 20N, and more preferably not more than 15N.

[0042]

A specific structure and/or method for making greater the joint force of the second joint portion 35A than the joint force of the first joint portion 30A is/are not particularly limited. For example, an area or a width of the second joint portion 35A may be increased as compared with an area or a width of the first joint portion 30A. Alternatively, when the lid 50 is joined to the flange part 26 by welding caused by heating, a temperature at which the lid 50 is welded to the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 may be elevated as compared with a temperature at which the lid 50 is welded to the upper surface

30a of the inside portion 30.

[0043]

As described above, the connection portion 40 is a potion that is broken when the lid 50 is removed from the container 20. When strength of the connection portion 40 is too large, an excessively large force is applied to the flange part 26 in order to break the connection portion 40, so that a portion of the container 20 other than the connection portion 40 may be broken or deformed. Thus, the connection portion 40 is configured so as to be breakable with an appropriate force. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the inside portion 30, the outside portion 35 and the connection portion 40 are configured such that a thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is smaller than a thickness Tl of the inside portion 30 and a thickness T2 of the outside portion 35.

[0044]

Fig. 3 shows an example in which the upper surfaces 30a and 35a of the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 and the lower surfaces 30b and 35b thereof are parallel to each other, whereby the thicknesses Tl, T2 and T3 are constant regardless of their positions. However, not limited thereto, the thicknesses Tl, T2 and T3 may vary depending on their positions. For example, the upper surfaces 30a and 35a and the lower surfaces 30b and 35b may not be parallel. In addition, as described later, when the outside portion 35 has a projection 36, a reinforcement part 37 or a wall part 38, the thicknesses Tl, T2 and T3 may vary depending on their positions. In this case, the fact that the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is smaller than the thickness Tl of the inside portion 30 and the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35 may mean that an average value of the thickness T3 is smaller than an average value of the thickness Tl and an average value of the thickness T2. Alternatively, it may mean that a maximum value of the thickness T3 is smaller than a maximum value of the thickness Tl and a maximum value of the thickness T2. The thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is a thickness along the horizontal direction of the connection portion 40, while the thicknesses of the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 are thicknesses along the vertical direction of the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35, respectively.

[0045]

The smaller the thickness T3 is, the easier the connection portion 40 is broken. Thus, in terms of facility of unsealing the container with lid 10, the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is preferably small. On the other hand, in a case where the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is too small, before the lid 50 is joined to the container 20 or when the lid is joined to the container 20, there is a possibility that the connection portion 40 is undesirably broken because of an impact given to the container 20. In consideration of this point, the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is preferably set to be not less than 0.2 mm and not more than 0.8 mm. In addition, the thickness TI of the inside portion 30 and the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35 are preferably set such that the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 is not more than 50% of the thickness TI of the inside portion 30 and the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35. The thickness TI of the inside portion 30 and the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35 are set to be not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 2.0 mm, for example.

[0046]

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35 may be larger than the thickness TI of the inside portion 30. For example, the thickness T2 of the outside portion 35 is preferably 1.5 times or more the thickness thickness TI of the inside portion 30, and more preferably twice or more.

[0047]

From the viewpoint of facility in unsealing and of preventing unintended breaking, the connection portion 40 is preferably provided on an area of not less than 0.1% and not more than 5.0% of an outer circumference of the inside portion of the flange part 26, and more preferably on an area of not less than 0.3% and not more than 3.0%. As shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, the connection portion 40 is provided on an area of 0.5% of the outer circumference of the inside portion 30.

[0048]

In order to improve the sealing performance between the container 20 and the lid 50, a width W1 of the inside portion is set to be in a range of not less than 4 mm. In addition, a width W2 of the outside portion 35 is preferably set such that the lid 50 is not separated from the outside portion 35 when the lid 50 is removed from the container 20, and that the lid 50 can be easily located in position on the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35, in the step of joining the lid 50 to the container 20. For example, the width W2 of the outside portion 35 is preferably set to be not less than 3 mm. Thus, easiness in production when the lid 50 is joined to the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 can be improved, and further, the outside portion 35 can be easily handled upon removal of the lid 50 from the container 20. In addition, for example, a width W3 of the first joint portion 30A is set to be not less than 1 mm and not more than 2 mm. In addition, a width W4 of the second joint portion 35A is preferably set to be not less than 2 mm, and more preferably not less than 3 mm. The width W4 of the second joint portion 35A is preferably once or more the width W3 of the first joint portion 30A, and more preferably 1.5 times or more. Thus, the initial sealing performance can be easily ensured, while the lid 50 can be unlikely to be separated from the outer portion 35 upon removal of the lid 50 from the container 20.

[0049]

Next, the positions of the inside portion 30, the outside portion 35 and the connection portion 40 in the vertical direction with respect to the container with lid 10 are described. In this embodiment, at least a part of the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and at least a part of the upper surface

35a of the outside portion 35, which are in contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50, are coplanarly positioned. Figs. 3 and 5 show an example in which, when the lid 50 is welded to the flange part 26, the whole area of the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and the whole area of the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 are coplanarly positioned. Thus, the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 can be more uniformly joined to the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35. Namely, the lid 50 can be stably joined to the flange part 26 of the container 20. Thus, it can be prevented that the joint force between the flange part 26 of the container 20 and the lid 50 varies depending on position and/or individual product, whereby the container with lid 10 excellent in initial sealing performance can be achieved.

[0050]

The fact that the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 are coplanarly positioned means that a difference between a vertical position of an end of the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30, which is on the side of the connection portion 40, and a vertical position of an end of the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35, which is on the side of the connection portion 40, is not more than 0.5 mm, preferably not more than 0.2 mm.

[0051]

Preferably, an angle defined between a part of the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30, which is in contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50, and a part of the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35, which is in contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50, is not more than ±30 degrees.

[0052]

A material forming the container 20 and a manufacturing method of the container 20 are selected such that the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 can be at least partially joined to the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. For example, the bottom surface 22, the side surface 24 and the flange part 26 may be integrally formed by injection molding with resin. For example, a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene may be used as a resin forming the container 20.

[0053]

Next, a structure of the flange part 26 for improving the resealing performance of the container with lid 10 is described. As shown in Fig. 3, the lower surface 35b of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 is located below the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30. In addition, the outside portion 35 is provided with the projection 36 projecting more inside than an outside end 30e of the inside portion 30. Thus, the outside portion 35 can be securely fixed to the inside portion 30. Namely, the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21 can be made excellent. The four projections 36 in total are disposed on four corners of the outside portion 35 in a plan view (see Fig. 7).

[0054]

The projection 36 preferably projects from the outside end 30e of the inside portion 30 toward the inside portion 30 within a range of not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 1.0 mm, and more preferably projects toward the inside portion 30 within a range of not less than 0.2 mm and not more than 0.5 mm. In Fig. 4, a length of the projection 36 from the outside end 30e of the inside portion up to a distal end is indicated by the mark LI. When the length LI of the projection 36 from the outside end 30e of the inside portion up to the distal end is not more than 0.1 mm, it is difficult to fully achieve the resealing performance. When the length LI is not less than 1.0 mm, it is difficult to remove, from the container 20, the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto.

[0055]

For example, the projection may be disposed above the lower surface 35b of the outside portion 35, and may be disposed on an area between the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30 and the lower surface 35b of the outside portion 35. When the projection 36 is close to or in contact with the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30, the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21 can be improved. For example, although Fig. 3 shows the container with lid 10 in which the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and the projection 36 are close to each other, with a gap DI defined between the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and the projection 36. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the container with lid 10, the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and the projection 36 may be in contact with each other. The same applies to the unsealed container 21 which is covered with the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto. The gap DI is preferably not more than 0.5 mm. The gap DI not more than 0.5 mm can improve the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21.

[0056]

In addition, the projection 36 is preferably disposed such that it can be in contact with an area of not less than 25% of the outer circumference of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26, and more preferably it can be in contact with an area of not less than 50%. Thus, the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21 can be improved. In addition, the projection 36 is preferably disposed such that it can be in contact with an area of not more than 5% of the outer circumference of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26, and more preferably it can be in contact with an area of not more than 3%. Thus, it can be easy to remove, from the container 20, the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto.

[0057]

Next, a preferred example of the container 20 to which the lid 50 is not joined is described. As described above, Figs.

and 5 are sectional view of the container with lid 10, and Fig.

and 6 are sectional views of the container 20 to which the lid 50 is not joined.

[0058]

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, in the container 20 to which the lid 50 is not joined, the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 is positioned below the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Preferably, the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 is positioned below the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30.

[0059]

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, when the lid 50 is welded to the container 20, the lower surface of the flange part 26 of the container 20 is held by a retainer 70, and the lid 50 is placed on the flange part 26 of the container 20. The retainer 70 is formed such that, after the flange part 26 and the lid 50 have been welded, the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 can be coplanarly positioned. To be specific, the retainer 70 is formed such that its portion to be in contact with the inside portion 30 more projects than its portion to be in contact with the outside portion 35. Then, while the lower surface of the flange part 26 of the container 20 is being held by the retainer 70, a first hotplate 75 and a second hotplate 76 are respectively lowered from above the lid 50 toward the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26.

[0060]

Thus, the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 is pressed downward by the first hotplate 75 through the lid 50. As a result, the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 is relatively elevated with respect to the inside portion 30, so that the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 can be positioned coplanarly to the the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. In this case, the upper surfaces 30a and 35a of the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 are heated and welded between the retainer 70 and the first and the second hotplates 75 and 76. In the above example, the fist hotplate 75 and the second hotplate 76 are respectively used, but one hotplate may be used for heating.

[0061]

During this, the connection portions 40, which are located at six positions between the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 along the same direction, are bent between the inside portion 30 and outside portion 35 to remain therebetween. Alternatively, during this welding operation, the connection portions 40 may be broken from the inside portion 30 or the outside portion 35.

[0062]

By heating and welding the inside and the outside portions 30 and 35 and the lid 50 between the retainer 70 and the first and the second hotplates 75 and 76, the container with lid 10 composed of the container 20 and the lid 50 can be obtained. As described above, when the connection portion 40 was broken from the inside portion 30 or the outside portion 35, the container 20 of the container with lid 10 does not include the connection portion 40.

[0063] (Lid)

Next, the lid 50 to be joined to the container 20 is described. A material forming the lid 50 is selected such that the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 can be joined to the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35. For example, the lid 50 may include a substrate layer, and a sealant layer forming the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. A thickness of the lid 50 is, for example, not less than 20 pm and not more than 100 pm.

[0064]

A polyester-based resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, a polyamide-based resin such as nylon, a polypropylene or the like can be used as a material forming the substrate layer. In addition, a polypropylene, a mixture resin of polypropylene and polyethylene or the like can be used as a material forming the sealant layer. When both the substrate layer and the sealant layer contain polypropylene, a biaxially oriented polypropylene is used in the substrate layer, and a cast polypropylene is used in the sealant layer.

[0065]

The aforementioned mixture resin of polypropylene and polyethylene is a material having relatively a small joint force, which is also referred to as easy peel sealant. Thus, when the sealant layer of the lid 50 contains the mixture resin of polypropylene and polyethylene, the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 can be reliably joined to the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 and the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 thereof. When the sealant layer of the lid 50 contains the mixture resin of polypropylene and polyethylene, a joint force between the lid 50 and the flange part 26, which is calculated by means of a method using the above-described tensile tester, is preferably not more than 20N, and more preferably not more than 15N.

[0066]

On the other hand, in a case where the sealant layer of the lid 50 is formed of a single layer of a polypropylene, a joint force thereof is larger than that when the mixture resin of polypropylene and polyethylene is used.

[0067] (Manufacturing Method of Container)

Next, a manufacturing method of the container 20 is described with reference to Figs. 8A to 10. Herebelow, an example of manufacturing the container 20 by injection molding is described.

[0068]

Firstly, a first die 81 and a second die 82 are placed so that the first die 81 on the upper surface side of the flange part 26 and the second die 82 on the lower surface side of the flange part 26 are opposed to each other (see Fig. 8A). Then, the first die 81 and the second die 82 are closed so as to form a predetermined cavity space (see Fig. 8B). Then, a melted resin 83 is injected into the cavity space from a gate 81a of the first die 81. By solidifying the resin 83 between the first die 81 and the second die 82, the container 20 is molded (see Fig. 8C). The resin 83 may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin.

[0069]

Then, while holding the container 20 on the second die 82, the first die 81 is lifted to be separated away from the second die 82 (see Fig. 9A).

[0070]

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of this state. As shown in Fig. 10, by separating the first die 81 away from the second die 82, an area in which the flange part 26 can be deformed upward and laterally can be ensured.

[0071]

Namely, the outside portion 35 is provided with the projection 36 projecting toward the inside portion 30, and the projection 36 is in the second die 82. Since the area in which the flange part 26 can be deformed upward and laterally is ensured above the second die 82, the container 20 having the projection 36 on the flange part 26 can be demolded from the second die 82.

[0072]

Then, as shown in Fig. 9B, the bottom surface 22 of the container 20 pushed by a first pin 82a provided on the second die 82, and the flange part 26 is pushed by a second pin 82b.

[0073]

In this case, since the first die 81 has been previously separated from the second die 82, when the flange part 26 is pushed by the second pin 82b, the flange part 26 can be deformed upward and laterally. Thus, the container 20 can be demolded from the second die 82.

[0074]

Then, as shown in Fig. 9C, the bottom surface 22 of the container 20 is sucked by a sucking mechanism 85, and the container 20 can be discharged outside by the sucking mechanism 85 from the first die 81 and the second die 82.

[0075]

In this embodiment, the first die 81 and the second die 82 are perpendicularly arranged. However, not limited thereto, the first die 81 and the second die 82 may be horizontally arranged.

[0076] (Manufacturing Method of Container with Lid)

Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the container with lid is described.

[0077]

Firstly, by the above-described injection molding method, the container 20 having the integrally formed bottom surface 22, the side surface 24 and the flange part 26 is formed. In this case, the container 20 has a structure to which the lid 50 is not yet welded (see Figs. 4 and 6). In addition, the lid 50 having a profile corresponding to the flange part 26 of the container 20 is prepared. Then, as described above, the lower surface 35b of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 of the container 20 is held by the retainer 70, and the lid 50 is placed on the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. While the flange part 26 of the container 20 is being held by the retainer 70, the first hotplate 75 and the second hotplate 76 are respectively lowered toward the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35. At this time, a part of the lid 50, which corresponds to the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 of the container 20, is heated from the side of the upper surface 50a, so that the sealant layer of the lid 50 becomes melted. Thus, the lid 50 can be welded to the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 thereof. At this time, the flange part 26 may be melted.

[0078]

In this manner, the container with lid 10 having the container 20 and the lid 50 can be obtained. In this case, since the inside portion 30 is welded to the lid 50, the opening 28 of the container 20 can be tightly sealed. Namely, the initial sealing performance can be achieved. Further, the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 and the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 are at least partially positioned coplanarly. Thus, the container with lid 10 excellent in initial sealing performance can be obtained.

[0079] (Unsealing Method of Container with Lid)

Next, an example of an unsealing method of the container with lid 10 is described.

[0080]

Firstly, as shown by the mark Fa in Fig. 1, an upward force is applied to a part of the tab 26x of the flange part 26 of the container 20, so as to break the connection portion 40. Simultaneously, the lid 50 is detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Thus, as shown in Fig. 11, the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto is removed from the container 20, whereby the container 20 can become the unsealed container 21. When the connection portion 40 is broken upon manufacture of the container with lid 10, the operation of breaking the connection portion 40 is omitted.

[0081]

In this embodiment, as described above, the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto is removed from the container 20. Thereafter, the opening 28 of the unsealed container 21 can be again closed by using the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto. For example, by covering the container 20 with the lid 50 such that the outside portion 35 joined to the lid 50 is positioned more outside than the inside portion 30 of the unsealed container 21, the unsealed container 21 can be resealed (see Fig. 3). At this time, since the projection 36 of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 projects more inside than the outside end 30e of the inside portion 30, the outside portion 35 can be securely fixed to the inside portion 30. Namely, the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21 can be made excellent.

[0082]

In addition, in this embodiment, since the lid 50 with the outside portion 35 being joined thereto is removed from the container 20, it can be prevented that the lid 50 is deformed, e.g., the lid 50 is curved or curled, as compared with a case in which only the lid 50 is removed from the container 20. Thus, the flatness of the lid 50 can be more stably maintained, when the unsealed container 21 is resealed by using the lid 50.

[0083]

The aforementioned embodiment can be variously modified. Herebelow, modification examples are described with reference to the drawings according to need. In the below description and the drawings used in the below description, the same element that can be similarly made as that of the above embodiment is shown by the same mark as that used in the corresponding element in the above embodiment, and overlapped description is omitted. In addition, when it is apparent that the operation and effect obtained in the above embodiment is obtained in the modification examples, the description is sometimes omitted.

[0084] (Modification Example of Outside Portion)

Next, modification examples of the present invention are described. As shown in Fig. 12, the outside portion 35 may have a wall part 38 that is positioned above the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35, and is positioned more outside than the lid 50. By providing such a wall part 38 so as to surround the lid 50 of the container with lid 10 from outside, it can be prevented that the lid 50 of the container with lid 10 is detached from the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 of the container 20, by accident or failure. In addition, the wall part 38 can increase the rigidity of the outside portion 35. Thus, it can be further prevented that the lid 50, which has been removed from the container 20, is curved or curled. In addition, when the connection portion 40 is broken in order to unseal the container with lid 10, it is easy to handle a part of the outside portion 35, which is equipped with the wall part 38, by fingers. Thus, easiness in unsealing the container with lid 10 can be improved.

[0085] (Modification Example of Outside Portion)

As shown in Fig. 13, the outside portion 35 may have a reinforcement part 37 extending downward. The reinforcement part 37 can increase the rigidity of the outside portion 35. Thus, it can be further prevented that the lid 50, which has been removed from the container 20, is curved or curled. In this modification example, the reinforcement part 37 extends along an inside end 35e of the outside portion 35. In this case, when the unsealed container 21 is covered with the lid 50, since an end of the reinforcement part 37 on the side of the inside portion 30 comes into contact with the outside end 30e of the inside portion 30, an inclined surface 35c can function as a guide for conducing the lid 50 downward. Thus, the resealing operation can be made easier. In order that the reinforcement part 37 can effectively develop the guide function, a length of the reinforcement part 37 is preferably not less than 2 mm. In addition, an inside end 37e of the reinforcement part 37 may be equipped with an inclined surface 35c that is inclined outside as it extends downward. Thus, the resealing operation can be further facilitated.

[0086] (First Modification Example of Connection Portion)

Furthermore, the above embodiment shows the example in which the connection portions 40 are intermittently disposed at six positions along the inside portion 30. However, not limited thereto, as shown in Fig. 14A, the connection portions 40 may be intermittently disposed at four positions along the inside portion 30, and the projections 36 of the outside portion 35 may be disposed at four corners of the outside portion 35. Further, as shown in Fig. 14A, between the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35, a continuous additional connection portion 40A is provided on one side edge of the flange part 26 in a plan view, in this modification example, in an area between the projections 36 opposed to the tab 26x.

[0087]

The continuous additional connection portion 40A is provided on one side edge of the flange part 26. When the tab

26x is lifted to remove the lid 50 from the container 20, the continuous additional connection portion 40A is not cut. As shown in Fig. 14B, when the lid 50 is opened or closed for resealing, the continuous additional connection portion 40A functions as a hinge. In this case, a length L2 of the connection portion 40A can be not less than 5 mm.

[0088] (Second Modification Example of Connection Portion)

Also in this modification example, similarly to the above first modification example of the connection portion, an example in which a part of the connection portion functions as a hinge is described. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the container 20 in this modification example. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing the container with lid 10 having the container 20 shown in Fig. 16, and the lid 50 joined to the flange part 26 of the container 20. In Fig. 17, in order to avoid complexity, a part other than the inside portion 30, the outside portion 35 and the connection portion of the flange part 26 is omitted. Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of a prion including a below-described hinge part 42 of the connection portion 40 of the container with lid 10.

[0089]

As shown in Fig. 16, an outer edge of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 has a rectangular profile including four sides (first side 26a, second side 26b, third side 26c and fourth side 26d). The first side 26a and the third side 26c are opposed, and the second side 26b and the fourth side 26d are opposed. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the first side 26a and the third side 26c are long sides parallel to each other. The second side 26b and the fourth side 26d are shorter than the first side 26a and the third side 26c, and are short sides parallel to each other.

[0090]

In Fig. 16, the marks 26e, 26f, 26g and 26h represent parts at which two sides are connected (referred to as corners below). The first corner 26e is positioned between the first side 26a and the second side 26b. The second corner 26f is positioned between the second side 26b and the third side 26c. The third corner 26g is positioned between the third side 26c and the fourth side 26d. The fourth corner 26h is positioned between the fourth side 26d and the first side 26a.

[0091]

As shown in Fig. 16, the connection portion 40 includes a juncture 41 and a pair of hinge parts 42. The juncture 41 is a portion that has to be broken when the container with lid 10 is unsealed. The juncture 41 in this modification example corresponds to the connection portion 40 in the example shown in Figs. 1 to 15. Since a thickness of the juncture 41 is the same as the thickness T3 of the connection portion 40 in the example shown in Figs. 1 to 15, detailed description thereof is omitted. The hinge part 42 is a portion that continuously connects the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35, after the container with lid 10 has been unsealed. As described later, the pair of hinge parts 42 defines a rotation axis A about which the outside portion 35, which has been separated together with the lid 50 from the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 of the container 20, is rotated with respect to the inside portion 30. The outside portion 35 is present at least partially both at a position outside the rotation axis A and a position inside the same.

[0092]

The container with lid 10 according to this modification example is configured such that, when the lid 50 is removed from the container 20, a part of the outside portion 35, which is not connected by the hinge parts 42 of the connection portion 40, is removed together with the lid 50 from the container 20 (unsealed container 21). In the state of the container with lid 10, the lid 50 is at least partially joined to the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35.

[0093]

As shown in Fig. 16, the junctures 41 of the connection portion 40 are disposed intermittently at a plurality of points, e.g., four points, along the inside portion 30. The connection portion 41 may be continuously disposed along the inside portion 30. The outside portion 35 may be extended continuously to the inside portion 30 therearound through the connection portion 40. As shown in Fig. 17, the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is continuously joined to the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 therearound. Owing to the structures of the flange part 26 of the container 20 and the lid 50, the opening 28 of the container 20 can be tightly sealed. Namely, the initial sealing performance can be achieved.

[0094]

In this modification example, as shown in Fig. 16, for example, the projection may be disposed on the outside portion at a position where the tab 26x is positioned. The projection may be disposed on the outside portion 35 at a position different from the tab 26x. In addition, a plurality of the projections 36 may be disposed on the outside portion 35.

[0095]

Preferably, the projection 36 is disposed, not on the corner of the outside portion 35, but on the side thereof. In this case, it can be prevented that the operation for removing the lid 50 of the container with lid 10 from the container 20 is disturbed by the projection 36.

[0096]

Next, the aforementioned hinge parts 42 of the connection portion 40 are described in detail with reference to Figs. 16 to 18.

[0097]

In the example shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the pair of hinge parts 42 is positioned at the corners of the inside portion 30. To be specific, one of the hinge parts 42 is positioned at the first corner 26e between the first side 26a and the second side 26b, and the other hinge part 42 is positioned at the second corner 26f between the second side 26b and the third side 26c. In addition, the pair of hinge parts 42 is provided such that the rotation axis A is extended parallel to the second side 26b. As shown in Fig. 16 and 17, the rotation axis A is a straight line passing through a closest part of the one hinge part to a center point C of the opening 28, and a closest part of the other hinge part 42 to the center point C of the opening 28.

[0098]

As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, a part of the inside portion 30 of the flange part 26 projects more outside than the rotation axis A. In the example shown in Figs. 16 and 17, a part of the inside portion 30, which includes the second side 26b, is positioned more outside than the rotation axis A. An outer edge of the part (referred to sometimes as locking portion 31 herebelow) of the inside portion 30, which projects more outside than the rotation axis A, comes into contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 and presses the lower surface 50b of the lid 50, when the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 are rotated about the rotation axis A. As a result, a frictional force is generated between the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. By utilizing the frictional force, a user can fix the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 with respect to the inside portion 30, with the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 having been rotated about the rotation axis A over a predetermined angle. Thus, the opening 28 of the unsealed container 20 can be maintained open.

[0099]

In Fig. 17, the mark W5 represents a size of the part of the inside portion 30, which projects more outside than the rotation axis A, in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The size W5 is, for example, not less than 3 mm, and preferably not less than 5 mm. When the size W5 is not less than 3 mm, a sufficient frictional force can be generated between the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50, so that the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 can be fixed with respect to the inside portion 30. In addition, the size W5 is, for example, not more than 10 mm, preferably not more than 7 mm. When the size W5 is not more than 10 mm, it can be prevented that a frictional force generated between the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 becomes excessively large. Thus, it can be prevented that the lid 50 is detached from the outside portion 35, and that the rotation of the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 becomes difficult.

[0100]

As shown in Fig. 17, the first joint portion 30A is not preferably disposed on the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30. In other words, an upper surface of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 is not joined to the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. Herebelow, the reason why such a joint is employed is described.

[0101]

Suppose that the whole upper surface of the inside portion 30 is joined to the lid 50. In this case, in the state of the container with lid 10, when an upward force is applied to the aforementioned tab 26x of the flange part 26, a part of the lid 50, which is positioned on the side of the tab 26x with respect to the rotation axis A, is subjected to a force directed away from upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. On the other hand, a part of the lid 50, which is positioned oppositely to the tab 26x with resect to the rotation axis A, is subjected to a force directed toward the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Thus, by the upward force applied to the aforementioned tab 26x, the part of the lid 50, which is positioned oppositely to the tab 26x with resect to the rotation axis A, cannot be detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. In this case, in the side or the corner of the flange part 26 positioned oppositely to the tab 26x, it is necessary to detach the part of the lid 50, which is positioned oppositely to the tab 26x with resect to the rotation axis A, from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30.

[0102]

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 is not joined to the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. Thus, by applying an upward force to the tab 26x, the lid 50 can be detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Thus, the operation for unsealing the container with lid 10 can be facilitated.

[0103]

In Fig. 16, the mark SI represents a size of the hinge part 42 in a direction along the outer edge of the inside portion 30, and the mark S2 represents a size of the hinge part 42 in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the outer edge of the inside portion 30. The size SI is, for example, not less than 1 mm, preferably not less than 3 mm. In addition, the size S2 is, for example, not less than 1 mm, preferably not less than 2 mm. When the size si is not less than 1 mm and the size S2 is not less than 1 mm, when the outside portion 35 is rotated about the rotation axis A with respect to the inside portion 30, the hinge part 42 can be prevented from being broken. In addition, the size S2 is, for example, not more than 5 mm, preferably not more than 4 mm. When the size S2 is not more than 5 mm, the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 can be appropriately brought into contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50.

[0104]

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a part of the container with lid 10, which includes the hinge part 42. Preferably, an inside end (referred to sometimes as inner end herebelow) 42a of a pair of ends of the hinge part 42 is connected to a position of the inside portion 30, which is closer to the lower surface 30b. In addition, preferably, an outside end (referred to sometimes as outer end herebelow) 42b of the pair of ends of the hinge part 42 is connected to a position of the outside portion 35, which is closer to the upper surface 35a. For example, as shown in Fig. 18, the inner end 42a of the hinge part 42 is connected to the lower surface 30b of the inside portion 30, and the outer end 42b of the hinge part 42 is connected to a position of the inner edge of the outside portion 35, which is closer to the upper surface 35a. The fact of being connected to a position closer to the lower surface means that a distance from the connection part up to the lower surface is shorter than a distance from the connection part up to the upper surface. Similarly, the fact of being connected to a position closer to the upper surface means that a distance from the connection part up to the upper surface is shorter than a distance from the connection part up to the lower surface.

[0105]

A thickness T4 of the hinge part 42 is, for example, not less than 0.1 mm, preferably not less than 0.3 mm. In addition, the thickness T4 of the hinge part 42 is, for example, not more than 1 mm, preferably not more than 0.8 mm.

[0106]

Also in this modification example, similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, the container 20 can be manufactured by the injection molding method. In addition, the lid 50 can be welded to the flange part 26 of the container 20 by using the retainer 70, the first hotplate 75 and the second hotplate 76. During the welding operation, the juncture 41 of the connection portion 40 is bent between the inner portion 30 and the outside portion 35 to remain therebetween. Alternatively, during the welding operation, the juncture 41 may be broken from the inside portion 30 or the outside portion 35. On the other hand, the hinge part 42 of the connection portion 40 is configured so as not to be broken during the welding operation.

[0107]

Next, an example of a method of unsealing the container with lid 10 according to this modification example is described.

[0108]

Firstly, similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, an upward force is applied to a part of the tab 26x of the flange part 26 of the container 20. Thus, around the tab 36x, the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30, and the juncture 41 of the connection portion 40 is broken. Following thereto, as shown in Fig. 19, the force is continuously applied to the tab 26x such that the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 are rotated about the rotation axis A. Thus, the detachment of the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 form the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 proceeds. In addition, the rest junctures 41 are broken. After all the junctures 41 are broken, both a part of the outside portion 35, which is positioned more outside than the rotation axis A, and a part of the outside portion 35, which is positioned more inside than the rotation axis A, can be rotated about the rotation axis A.

[0109]

As the rotation of the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 proceeds, a pressing force at which the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 presses the lid 50 increases, whereby a frictional force generated between the outer edge of the locking part 31 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 increases. When the frictional force exceeds a force by which the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 are displaced by their own weights oppositely to a direction Fa shown in Fig. 19, the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 become stationary with respect to the inside portion 30, even when the user does not apply a force any more to the lid 50 and the outside portion 35. Thus, the opening state of the opening 28 of the unsealed container 21 can be maintained.

[0110]

In this modification example, a material and a thickness of the lid 50 are preferably selected such that the lid 50 can be elastically deformed, when the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 is pressed by the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30.

[0111]

Herebelow, effects of this modification example are summarized. The container 20 according to this modification example includes the pair of hinge parts 42 connecting the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35. Thus, after the lid has been removed from the container 20, the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 joined to the lid 50 can be rotated about the rotation axis A with respect to the inside portion 30 of the unsealed container 21. Thus, a user can easily cover the opening 28 of the unsealed container 21 with the lid 50, without locating the lid 50 in position with respect to the unsealed container 21. In addition, the inside portion 30 of the container 20 includes the locking part 31 that projects more outside than the rotation axis A. When the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 are rotated about the rotation axis A, the outer edge of the locking part 31 can be brought into contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 so as to press the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. Thus, a frictional force is generated between the outer edge of the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 and the lower surface 50b of the lid 50. By utilizing the frictional force, a user can fix the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 with respect to the inside portion 30, with the lid 50 and the outside portion 35 having been rotated about the rotation axis A over a predetermined angle. Thus, the opening state of the opening 28 of the unsealed container 20 can be maintained.

[0112]

In addition, the outside portion 35 of the container 20 according to this modification example is provided with the projection 36 projecting toward the inside portion 30. Thus, in the state of the unsealed container 21 after the juncture 41 of the connection portion 40 has been broken, the outside portion 35 can be rigidly fixed to the inside portion 30. Thus, the resealing performance of the unsealed container 21 can be made excellent.

[0113]

Herebelow, some further modification examples of the container with lid 10 and the container 20 according to this modification example are described.

[0114]

In the stated of the container 20 to which the lid 50 is not joined, the positional relationship in the vertical direction between the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, in the state of the container 20 to which the lid 50 is not joined, the upper surface 35a of the outside portion 35 of the flange part 26 and the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30 thereof may be coplanarly positioned.

[0115]

Although Figs. 16 and 17 show the example in which the outside portion 35 includes the projection 36 projecting toward the inside portion 30, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 21, the outside portion 35 may not include a projection projecting toward the inside portion 30.

[0116]

Figs. 16 and 17 show the example in which the pair of hinge parts 42 connects the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 such that one of the sides of the inside portion 30, specifically, the second edge 26b is positioned more outside than the rotation axis A. In this modification example, there is described an example in which the pair of hinge parts 42 connects the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 such that one of the corners of the inside portion 30 is at least partially positioned more outside than the rotation axis A.

[0117]

Fig. 22 is a plan view showing the container 20 according to this modification example. In the example shown in Fig. 22, the outer edge of the inside portion 30 has a square profile including four sides (first side 26a, second side 26b, third side 26c and fourth side 26d) of the same length.

[0118]

As shown in Fig. 22, the pair of hinge parts 42 connects the inside portion 30 and the outside portion 35 such that a part of the second corner 26f of the inside portion 30 is positioned more outside than the rotation axis A. To be specific, the pair of hinge parts 42 is both positioned on the second corner 26f.

In addition, a predetermined interval is provided between the one hinge part 42 and the other hinge part 42. In this case, a part of the inside portion 30, which projects more outside than the rotation axis A passing through the pair of hinge parts 42, functions as the locking part 31 that is brought into contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 so as to press the lower surface 50b of the lid 50.

[0119]

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the container with lid 10 which is obtained by joining the lid 50 to the container 20 shown in Fig.

22. In this modification example, when an upward force is applied to a part of the outside portion 35 on the side of the fourth corner 26h opposed to the second corner 26f on which the pair of hinge parts 42 is disposed, the lid 50 is detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Preferably, the tab 26x projecting outside is disposed on a part of the outside portion 35, which corresponds to the fourth corner 26h.

[0120]

Similarly to the example shown in Figs. 16 and 17, also in this modification example, preferably, as shown in Fig. 23, the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 is not joined to the lid 50. Thus, by applying an upward force to the tab 26x, the lid 50 can be detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Thus, the operation of unsealing the container with lid 10 can be facilitated.

[0121]

When the pair of hinge parts 42 is positioned on one corner, e.g., on the second corner 26f, as shown in Figs. 22 and

23, an inner edge of the flange part 26 may be positioned closer to the central point C as compared with the other corners. Thus, an area of the inside portion 30, which is positioned more inside than the rotation axis A, can be increased. Thus, even when the inside portion 30 is not joined to the lid 50 outside the rotation axis A, a zone in the second corner 26f for joining the inner portion 30 to the lid 50 can be appropriately ensured inside the rotation axis A.

[0122]

In this modification example, when the container with lid 10 is unsealed, as shown by the arrow Pl in Fig. 23, the detachment of the lid 50 proceeds from the fourth corner 26h toward the central point C. A force required for detaching the lid 50 over a unit length in the direction Pl is in proportion to a length (referred to sometimes as detachment length herebelow) of a part of the first joint portion 30A, which crosses a straight line extending along a direction P2 perpendicular to the direction Pl.

According to this modification example, since the locking part 31 is disposed on the corner of the inside portion 30, the tab 26x can be disposed on the corner of the flange part 26. Thus, as compared with a case in which the tab 26x is disposed on a side of the flange part 26, the detachment length upon start of the operation for unsealing the container with lid 10 can be decreased. Thus, a force required upon start of the operation for unsealing can be decreased. As a result, easiness in unsealing the container with lid 10 can be improved.

[0123] (Modification Example of Shape of Container)

Figs. 16 and 17 show the example in which the flange part 26 of the container 20 has a rectangular profile. In this modification example, an example in which the flange part 26 of the container 20 has a circular profile is described.

[0124]

Fig. 24 is a plan view showing the container 20 according to this modification example. In the example shown in Fig. 24, the inner edge of the inside portion 30 defining the opening 28, and the outer edge of the inside portion 30 both have a circular or elliptic profile. In addition, the outer edge of the inside portion 30 is configured such that its center Cl is eccentric toward the pair of hinge parts 42 with respect to a center C of the opening 28. Also in this modification example, a part of the inside portion 30, which projects more outside than the rotation axis A passing through the pair of hinge parts 42, functions as the locking part 31 that is brought into contact with the lower surface 50b of the lid 50 so as to press the lower surface 502b of the lid 50.

[0125]

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the container with lid 10 which is obtained by joining the lid 50 to the container 20 shown in Fig.

24. Similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, also in this modification example, as shown in Fig. 25, the locking part 31 of the inside portion 30 is not joined to the lid 50. Thus, by applying an upward force to the tab 26x, the lid 50 can be detached from the upper surface 30a of the inside portion 30. Thus, the operation for unsealing the container with lid can be facilitated.

[0126]

Some modification examples of the above-described embodiment have been described, it goes without saying that a plurality of the modification examples can be suitably combined.

10	[0127] Container with lid
20	Container
21	Unsealed container
22	Bottom surface
24	Side surface
26	Flange part
30	Inside portion
30a	Upper surface
30b	lower surface
30A	First joint portion
31	Locking part
35	Outside portion
35a	Upper surface
35b	Lower surface
35c	Inclined surface
35A	Second joint portion
36	Projection
37	Reinforcement part

Wall part

Connection portion

Juncture

Hinge part

50 Lid

C Central point

A Rotation axis

Claims

1. A container having an opening formed therein, the container comprising:

a bottom surface;

a side surface standing from the bottom surface; and a flange part continuously disposed on an upper part of the side surface; wherein:

the flange part includes an inside portion continuously disposed on the side surface therearound, an outside portion positioned outside the inside portion, and a connection portion disposed between the inside portion and the outside portion so as to connect the inside portion and the outside portion;

an upper surface of the outside portion is positioned below a lower surface of the inside portion; and the outside portion is provided with a projection projecting toward the inside portion.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the projection projects toward the inside portion more than an end of the inside portion on the side of the outside portion by 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is made of a thermoplastic resin.

4. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a thickness of the connection portion is smaller than a thickness of the inside portion and a thickness of the outside portion.

5. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection portion is intermittently formed along the inside portion therearound.

6. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a part of the connection portion is continuously formed along the inside portion so as to function as a hinge part.

7. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

the connection portion includes a pair of hinge parts that connects the inside portion and the outside portion so as to define a rotation axis about which the outside portion is rotated with respect to the inside portion; and a part of the inside portion projects more outside than the rotation axis.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein a size of the part of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, is not less than 3 mm.

9. The container according to claim 7 or 8 wherein a size of the part of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, is not more than 10 mm.

10. The container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the rotation axis is a straight line passing through a part of one of the hinge parts hinge parts, which is the closest to a central point of the opening, and a part of the other hinge part, which is the closest to the central point of the opening.

11. The container according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein:

the inside portion has a polygonal shape including a plurality of sides and a plurality of corners; and the pair of hinges of the connection portion connects the inside portion and the outside portion such that one of the sides of the inside portion is positioned more outside than the rotation axis.

12. The container according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein:

the inside portion has a polygonal shape including a plurality of sides and a plurality of corners; and the pair of hinges of the connection portion connects the inside portion and the outside portion such that one of the corners of the inside portion is at least partially positioned more outside than the rotation axis.

13. A container with lid comprising:

a container having an opening formed therein; and a lid joined to the container so as to cover the opening of the container; wherein:

the container includes a bottom surface, a side surface standing from the bottom surface, and a flange part continuously disposed on an upper part of the side surface;

the flange part includes an inside portion continuously disposed on the side surface therearound, and an outside portion positioned outside the inside portion;

the lid is continuously joined to an upper surface of the inside portion therearound, and is at least partially joined to an upper surface of the outside portion;

the upper surface of the inside portion and the upper surface of the outside portion are at least partially positioned coplanarly, and a lower surface of the outside portion is positioned below a lower surface of the inside portion; and the outside portion is provided with a projection projecting more inside than an outside end of the inside portion.

14. The container with lid according to claim 13, wherein: the flange part further includes a connection portion connecting the inside portion and the outside portion;

the connection portion includes a pair of hinge parts that connect the inside portion and the outside portion so as to define a rotation axis about which the outside portion is rotated with respect to the inside portion; and a part of the inside portion projects more outside than the rotation axis.

15. The container with lid according to claim 14, wherein a part of the upper surface of the inside portion, which projects more outside than the rotation axis, is not joined to the lid.

16. The container with lid according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a joint force between the lid and the upper surface of the outside portion is greater than a joint force between the lid and the inside portion.

17. A manufacturing method of a container with lid, comprising the steps of:

preparing the container according to claim 1;

placing a lid on an upper surface of the inside portion of the container; and pressing the upper surface of the inside portion downward by a hotplate through the lid, while holding a lower surface of the outside portion of the container, so that the upper surface of the outside portion and the upper surface of the inside portion are coplanarly positioned, and that the lid is welded to the upper surface of the indie portion and the upper surface of the outside portion.

1/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI1]

EEI2]

2/18

WO 2017/073742

EEI3]

PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI4]

3/18

WO 2017/073742

EEI5]

PCT/JP2016/082097

76 75

26 γ4ί ι/ι

50a .1 ί

50b ^⁵⁰\l0

20J /

τζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζζ.

^zzzzzzzzzz%%

EM

4/18

WO 2017/073742

EEI7]

PCT/JP2016/082097 [EI8A] ί_r

5/18

WO 2017/073742 [EI8B]

PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI8C]

CEI9A]

6/18

WO 2017/073742 [EI9B]

PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI9C]

7/18

WO 2017/073742

EEH0]

PCT/JP2016/082097

EEH1 ]

8/18

WO 2017/073742

ΕΕΠ2]

PCT/JP2016/082097

9/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097 [|g|14A] [g|14B]

10/18

WO 2017/073742

EEI15]

PCT/JP2016/082097

X

26x'

W4

W2 ,W1 fassssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

T

35A 30A

T

11/18

WO 2017/073742

EEI16]

PCT/JP2016/082097

12/18

WO 2017/073742

ΕΕΠ7]

PCT/JP2016/082097

EEU8]

13/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097

ΕΕΠ9]

14/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI20]

15/18

WO 2017/073742 [EI22]

PCT/JP2016/082097

16/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI23]

41 41

17/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097

EEI24]

18/18

WO 2017/073742 PCT/JP2016/082097 [EI25]