EP3216710B1

EP3216710B1 - Resin-made container

Info

Publication number: EP3216710B1
Application number: EP15856693.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tatsuya MURASE; Toshiya Kobayashi
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2015-10-29
Publication date: 2020-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-29
Also published as: JP2016088571A; EP3216710A1; EP3216710A4; WO2016072340A1; ES2792906T3; JP6560856B2

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a resin-made container including a container body formed by using a synthetic resin so as to form an internal space for accommodating an article.

BACKGROUND ART

A container made of a synthetic resin represented by a PET bottle (hereinafter also referred to as a resin-made container) has a relatively light weight and is widely used in various applications. Such a resin-made container is constituted, for example, by a container body formed by using a synthetic resin so as to form an internal space for accommodating an article and a cap body for closing an opening portion formed in the container body. As a result, an article to be accommodated in the internal space (those having fluidity such as a liquid and a powder body, for example) can be put in/taken out through the opening portion.
Even for the resin-made containers as above, there is a demand for resource conservation and cost reduction, and thinning of the container body has been promoted with the purpose of satisfying such a demand, but a drop of rigidity involved in thinning of the container body makes a problem. Thus, a resin-made container in which a plurality of convex portions (so-called ribs) is provided in the container body so as to structurally suppress the drop of rigidity is proposed (see Patent Literatures 1 to 5). Specifically, by providing the ribs in the container body, a region (hereinafter, also referred to as a second region) extending from an end portion of a region (hereinafter, also referred to as a first region) at a distal end portion of the convex portion constituting the rib toward one of surface sides (internal space side) of the first region is formed. As a result, since the first region and the second region cross each other three-dimensionally, deformation to the internal space side is suppressed at a connection position between the first region and the second region.
As described above, deformation to the internal space side does not occur easily at the connection position between the first region and the second region, but since the first region is a region spreading two-dimensionally, its rigidity is low and it can be easily deformed toward the internal space side by pressing. When the first region is deformed by pressing, there is a concern that deformation to the internal space side occurs also at the connection portion between the first region and the second region, and if deformation occurs at the connection portion, it becomes difficult to restore a state before the deformation (in other words, permanent deformation occurs).

Citation List

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-127231
Patent Literature 2: National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2003-522681
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-63716
Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-124115
Patent Literature 5: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-108813 JP 2011 121597 discloses a resin-made container according to the preamble of claim 1.

US 2012/000921 A1 discloses a container comprising a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish, a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity, and a plurality of horizontally disposed rib members disposed in at least one of the sidewall portion and the base portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention has an object to provide a resin-made container which can prevent occurrence of permanent deformation in a container body when the container body is pressed.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a resin-made container having the features of claim 1 is provided.
The convex portion includes a pair of second regions extending from each of end portions opposed in the other direction in the first region and a first region, and the second groove portion formed on the single (one) virtual line may be formed continuously from the inside of the first region to each of insides of the pair of second regions.
The second groove portion formed on the single (one) virtual line is formed continuously so as to cross the first region from the inside of the one of the second regions to the inside of the other second region and may be also constituted so as to cross the first groove portion.
A plurality of first groove portions are preferably formed at an interval in the other direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a resin-made container according to the present invention.
Figure 1B is a sectional view of one convex portion in the embodiment.
Figure 2A is a plan view illustrating a part of the one convex portion in the embodiment.
Figure 2B is a perspective view illustrating a part of the one convex portion in the embodiment.
Figure 3A is a plan view illustrating a part of one projection portion of a container body in another embodiment.
Figure 3B is a plan view illustrating one projection portion of a container body in an exemplary embodiment not forming part of the present invention.
Figure 4A is a plan view illustrating a part of one projection portion of a container body according to still another embodiment.
Figure 4B is a plan view illustrating a part of one projection portion of a container body according to still another embodiment.
Figure 5A is a plan view illustrating a part of one projection portion of a container body according to still another embodiment.
Figure 5B is a plan view illustrating a part of one projection portion of a container body according to still another embodiment.
Figure 6A is a plan view illustrating the convex portion of the container body used in an example.
Figure 6B is a plan view illustrating the convex portion of the container body used in a comparative example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by referring to the attached drawings.
A resin-made container 1 according to this embodiment includes a container body 2 formed by using a synthetic resin so as to form an internal space R for accommodating an article and a cap body 3 to be attached to the container body 2 as illustrated in Figure 1A. The article to be accommodated in the container body 2 is not particularly limited and includes those having fluidity such as a liquid, a powder body and the like (drinking water, tea, fruit juice, coffee, cocoa, soft drink, alcoholic drink, milk beverage, soup, sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, ketchup and the like, for example).
Moreover, a capacity of the resin-made container 1 (container body 2) is not particularly limited but can be selected as appropriate in accordance with a type of the article to be accommodated and includes those with a relatively small capacity by the unit of several milliliters to the unit of several hundreds milliliters to those with a relatively large capacity by the unit of several liters (specifically 1 liter to 2 liters).
The container body 2 is formed by using a synthetic resin. The synthetic resin includes polyethylene terephthalate resin, polypropylene resin, high-density polyethylene resin and the like. The cap body 3 may be formed by using the same synthetic resin as that of the container body 2 or may be formed by using a different material.
The container body 2 includes a cylindrical portion 2a formed having a cylindrical shape and a bottom portion 2b formed so as to close one end portion in an axial direction in the cylindrical portion 2a. Then, the internal space R is constituted by a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion 2a and the bottom portion 2b. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 2a is constituted so that a section orthogonal to the axial direction becomes a square shape. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 2a includes four wall portions 21a arranged along the axial direction so that the section orthogonal to the axial direction becomes a square shape. Then, at least one (specifically each of the pair of facing wall portions 21a and 21a) of the four wall portions 21a... includes a convex portion 2e, a first groove portion 2k, and a second groove portion 2m which will be described later.
Moreover, the cylindrical portion 2a includes an opening portion 2c on the other end portion in the axial direction, communicating with the internal space R so that an article can be supplied into the internal space R or the article in the internal space R can be discharged through the opening portion 2c. Then, it is so constituted that the internal space R is brought into a sealed state by attaching the cap body 3 to the container body 2 so as to close the opening portion 2c.
Moreover, the container body 2 (specifically, the cylindrical portion 2a) includes a pressed portion 2d which is pressed by a hand or a jig. The pressed portion 2d is formed at a center part of the cylindrical portion 2a in the axial direction. Moreover, the pressed portion 2d is formed over the whole circumference of the cylindrical portion 2a around an axis of the cylindrical portion 2a. In this embodiment, the pressed portion 2d is constituted by forming a plurality of convex portions 2e at intervals in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2a. Each of the convex portions 2e is formed continuously over the whole circumference of the cylindrical portion 2a around the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a.
Moreover, the container body 2 includes a first region 2g having one surface facing the internal space R and second regions 2h extending from end portions of the first region 2g. The first region 2g has a band shape and is formed with a longitudinal direction thereof along a circumferential direction (specifically, continuously over the whole region in the circumferential direction) of the cylindrical portion 2a around the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a. The second region 2h is formed along the longitudinal direction (specifically, continuously over the whole region in the circumferential direction around the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a) of the first region 2g. Moreover, the second region 2h extends from each of facing end portions in the first region 2g (specifically, the end portions opposed in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2a). In this embodiment, the second region 2h extends from each of the both end portions of the first region 2g in a width direction. Then, the convex portion 2e is constituted by the first region 2g and a pair of second regions 2h and 2h extending from the first region 2g.
Moreover, the second region 2h extends toward a side of the one surface of the first region 2g (specifically, a side facing the internal space R) as illustrated in Figure 1B. Moreover, the second regions 2h are formed on outer sides of a projected region to the internal space R side in the first region 2g. In other words, the second regions 2h extend from the first region 2g toward the outer sides of the first region 2g. Moreover, the pair of second regions 2h and 2h are formed so that an interval thereof is widened as they go away from the first region 2g to the internal space R side. Moreover, the second region 2h includes a shoulder part region 2i formed on the first region 2g side and connected to the end portion of the first region 2g and an internal-space side region 2j formed closer to the internal space R side than the shoulder part region 2i. The shoulder part region 2i is formed so as to be swollen (curved) toward the outer side of the container body 2 from the internal space R side. On the other hand, the internal-space side region 2j is formed having a flat plate shape.
Returning to Figure 1A, the container body 2 includes a first groove portion 2k formed along one direction (specifically, a circumferential direction around the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a) and second groove portions 2m formed along an other direction (specifically, a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the first groove portion 2k) crossing the one direction (specifically, along the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a). In this embodiment, when the container body 2 is placed on a flat surface so that the axial direction becomes a vertical direction, the first groove portion 2k is formed so as to cross (specifically, orthogonal to) the vertical direction and the second groove portions 2m are formed along the vertical direction. Therefore, in the description below, the first groove portion 2k is described as a lateral groove 2k, while the second groove portions 2m as vertical grooves 2m.
The lateral groove 2k is formed along the one direction in the first region 2g (specifically, linearly). A length of the lateral groove 2k is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is a length not exceeding a region visually recognized when the container body 2 is seen from the direction orthogonal to the axis (in more detail, a length longer than the second groove portion 2m).
On the other hand, the vertical grooves 2m are formed so as to overlap virtual lines L set along the other direction crossing (specifically orthogonal to) the one direction as illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. The virtual line L is set so as to cross the lateral groove 2k in the first region 2g. Moreover, the vertical groove 2m is formed continuously from inside of the first region 2g to insides of the second regions 2h. That is, the vertical grooves 2m are formed so as to cross connection positions between the first region 2g and the second regions 2h along the other direction. In this embodiment, the vertical grooves 2m are formed so as to cross the shoulder part region 2i along the virtual line L (that is, along the other direction).
Moreover, the vertical groove 2m formed on the single (one) virtual line L is formed continuously from the inside of the first region 2g to each of the insides of the pair of second regions 2h and 2h. Specifically, the vertical groove 2m is formed continuously so as to cross the first region 2g from the inside of one of the second regions 2h to the inside of the other second region 2h. As a result, the vertical groove 2m is constituted so as to cross the lateral groove 2k in the first region 2g. Moreover, the vertical grooves 2m are formed in plurality at intervals in the one direction (specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the lateral groove 2k). That is, in this embodiment, a plurality of the vertical grooves 2m crosses the one lateral groove 2k.
As described above, according to the resin-made container according to the present invention, occurrence of permanent deformation in the container body when the container body is pressed can be prevented.
That is, when a region including the first groove portion and a plurality of the second groove portions (hereinafter also referred to as a pressed region) in the container body is pressed, the region is deformed to the internal space side, but by removing a force exerted by the pressing, a state before the deformation is restored. Thus, permanent deformation of a part of the container body (pressed region) by the pressing can be prevented.
Specifically, by providing the second groove portion formed continuously from the inside of the first region to the insides of the second regions, a connection portion between the first region and the second region is crossed by the second groove portion along the other direction. As a result, a portion overlapping the second groove portion in the connection portion between the first region and the second region is deformed more easily to the internal space side along the second groove portion. Such second groove portions are formed in plurality at intervals in the one direction and thus, the pressed region becomes flexible with respect to deformation (in other words, deformation along the virtual line) along the other direction (that is, a direction along each of the second groove portions).
Moreover, since the first groove portion is formed so as to cross the virtual line in the first region, the pressed region has rigidity against deformation to the internal space side along the virtual line (in other words, along each of the second groove portions).
As described above, since the container body has both flexibility and rigidity to deformation along the other direction in the pressed region, even when the pressed region is pressed and deformed, the pressed region is restored to the state before the deformation by removing the force exerted by the pressing. As a result, permanent deformation of a part of the container body (pressed region) caused by pressing can be prevented.
Moreover, since the convex portion is constituted by the pair of second regions extending from each of the end portions opposed in the other direction in the first region and the first region, the connection portion between the first region and the second region is located at each of positions opposed in the other direction. Then, since the second groove portion formed on the single (one) virtual line is formed continuously from the inside of the first region to each of the insides of the pair of second regions, the second groove portion crosses each of the connection portions between the first region and the second region along the other direction.
As a result, since the pressed region becomes deformable more easily along the second groove portion (that is, along the other direction), flexibility becomes higher. Thus, since the pressed region having been deformed by pressing is restored to the state before the deformation more reliably as described above, occurrence of permanent deformation in the pressed region can be prevented more reliably.
Moreover, the second groove portion formed on the single (one) virtual line is formed continuously so as to cross the first region from the inside of one of the second regions to the inside of the other second region, and the second groove portion crosses the first groove portion and thus, the pressed region becomes deformable along the second groove portion (that is, along the other direction) more easily, and flexibility becomes higher. Moreover, since the second groove portion and the first groove portion cross each other, rigidity to deformation along the second groove portion of the pressed region as described above becomes higher. As a result, since the pressed region having been deformed by pressing as described above is restored to the state before the deformation more reliably, occurrence of permanent deformation in the pressed region can be prevented more reliably.
Moreover, when the first groove portions are formed in plurality at intervals in the other direction, rigidity to the deformation to the internal space side along the virtual line (in other words, along each of the second groove portions) in the pressed region can be further improved. As a result, deformation of the pressed region to the internal space side can be recovered more effectively.
Moreover, since the cylindrical portion is formed by arranging the four wall portions so that a section of the cylindrical portion becomes a square shape, each of the wall portions becomes deformable to the internal space side due to the pressing more easily, but formation of the convex portion improves rigidity, and provision of the first groove portion and the second groove portion can easily recover the deformation of the convex portion to the internal space side easily.
Moreover, by providing the convex portion, the first groove portion, and the second groove portion in each of the pair of facing wall portions, even when each of the pressed regions of the pair of wall portions is pressed at the same time, the deformation of each of the convex portions of the pair of wall portions can be recovered easily.
Specifically, when the pressed region including the lateral groove 2k and the plurality of vertical grooves 2m in the container body 2 (specifically, a part of the pressed portion 2d) is pressed, the region is deformed to the internal space R side, but by removing the force exerted by the pressing, the state before the deformation is restored. Thus, permanent deformation of a part of the container body 2 (pressed region) by the pressing can be prevented.
Specifically, by providing the vertical grooves 2m formed continuously from the inside of the first region 2g to the insides of the second regions 2h, the vertical grooves 2m cross the connection portions between the first region 2g and the second regions 2h along the other direction. As a result, portions overlapping the vertical grooves 2m in the connection portions between the first region 2g and the second regions 2h become deformable to the internal space R side along the vertical grooves 2m easily. Then, by forming the vertical grooves 2m as above in plurality at intervals in the one direction, the pressed region becomes flexible to deformation (in other words, deformation along the virtual line) along the other direction (that is, the direction along each of the vertical grooves 2m).
Moreover, since the lateral groove 2k is formed so as to cross the virtual lines L in the first region 2g, the pressed region has rigidity to the deformation to the internal space R side along the virtual lines L (in other words, along each of the vertical grooves 2m).
As described above, since the container body 2 has both flexibility and rigidity to deformation along the other direction in the pressed region, even when the pressed region is pressed and deformed, the pressed region is restored to the state before the deformation by removing the force exerted by the pressing. As a result, permanent deformation of a part of the container body 2 (pressed region) caused by pressing can be prevented.
Moreover, since the convex portion 2e is constituted by the pair of second regions 2h extending from each of the end portions opposed in the other direction in the first region 2g and the first region 2g, the connection portion between the first region 2g and the second region 2h is located at each of positions opposed in the other direction. Then, since the vertical groove 2m formed on the single (one) virtual line L is formed continuously from the inside of the first region 2g to each of the insides of the pair of second regions 2h, the vertical groove 2m crosses each of the connection portions between the first region 2g and the second region 2h along the other direction. As a result, since the pressed region becomes deformable more easily along the vertical grooves 2m (that is, along the other direction), flexibility becomes higher. Thus, since the pressed region having been deformed by pressing is restored to the state before the deformation more reliably as described above, occurrence of permanent deformation in the pressed region can be prevented more reliably.
Moreover, the vertical groove 2m formed on the single (one) virtual line L is formed continuously so as to cross the first region 2g from the inside of one of the second regions 2h to the inside of the other second region 2h, and the vertical groove 2m crosses the lateral groove 2k and thus, the pressed region becomes deformable along the vertical grooves 2m (that is, along the other direction) more easily, and flexibility becomes higher. Moreover, since the vertical grooves 2m and the lateral groove 2k cross each other, rigidity to deformation along the vertical grooves 2m of the pressed region as described above becomes higher. As a result, since the pressed region having been deformed by pressing is restored to the state before the deformation more reliably as described above, occurrence of permanent deformation in the pressed region can be prevented more reliably.
The resin-made container according to the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment but is capable of various changes within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, constitutions, methods and the like of a plurality of the aforementioned embodiments may be arbitrarily employed and combined (the constitution, the method and the like according to one embodiment may be applied to the constitution, the method and the like of another embodiment), and furthermore, it is needless to say that constitutions, methods and the like according to various variations described below may be arbitrarily selected and employed for the constitutions, methods, and the like according to the aforementioned embodiment.
For example, a plurality of the vertical grooves 2m is formed so as to cross the one lateral groove 2k in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and as illustrated in Figure 3A, it may be so constituted that the one vertical groove 2m crosses the one lateral groove 2k, for example. In such a case, it may be so constituted that a plurality of the lateral grooves 2k is formed in the one first region 2g, and the one vertical groove 2m crosses each of the lateral grooves 2k.
Moreover, the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m are constituted to cross each other in the aforementioned embodiment. An exemplary embodiment not forming part of the invention is illustrated in Figure 3B, whereby a plurality of (specifically two) vertical grooves 2m is formed on the one virtual line L, and the lateral groove 2k crosses a space between the vertical grooves 2m (that is, the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m do not cross each other), for example.
Moreover, the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m cross each other on a center part side rather than on both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the lateral groove 2k in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and as illustrated in Figure 4A, it may be so constituted that the lateral groove 2k and the vertical groove 2m cross each other at an end portion of the lateral groove 2k, for example.
Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the first region 2g and the second region 2h are formed each having a band shape, but this is not limiting, and as illustrated in Figure 4B, it may be so constituted that the first region 21g is formed having a circular shape, and an annular second region 21h extends from an outer peripheral end portion of the first region 21g, for example. In such a case, a conical convex portion 21e is formed by the first region 21g and the second region 21h.
Moreover, the one lateral groove 2k is formed in the first region 2g in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and as illustrated in Figure 5A, a plurality of (specifically, two) the lateral grooves 2k may be formed in the first region 2g at an interval in the other direction, for example.
Moreover, the virtual lines L are set so as to be substantially orthogonal to a direction where the lateral groove 2k extends (that is, in the one direction) in the aforementioned embodiment (that is, the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m are constituted so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other), but this is not limiting, and the virtual lines L may be set so as to be inclined (at an angle less than 90°) with respect to the direction where the lateral groove 2k extends (that is, in the one direction), for example. In such a case, as illustrated in Figure 5B, the vertical grooves 2m are formed so as to be inclined (at an angle less than 90°) with respect to the lateral groove 2k.
Moreover, the vertical grooves 2m formed on the one virtual line L are formed into each of the insides of the pair of second regions 2h and 2h from the inside of the first region 2g in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and it may be so constituted that the vertical grooves 2m are formed into the inside of only one of the second regions 2h, for example.
Moreover, the first region 2g is formed along a circumferential direction (specifically, along a horizontal direction) around the axis of the cylindrical portion 2a in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and it may be formed along the axis (specifically, along the vertical direction), for example. Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the convex portion 2e includes the one first region 2g and the pair of second regions 2h, but this is not limiting, and the convex portion 2e may be constituted by the one first region 2g and the one second region 2h, for example.
Moreover, the second region 2h includes the curved shoulder-part regions 2i and the flat plate-shaped internal-space side regions 2j in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and the entire second region 2h may be formed so as to be curved, for example.
Moreover, the first region 2g, the second regions 2h, the vertical grooves 2m, and the lateral groove 2k are formed in the cylindrical portion 2a (specifically, in the pressed portion 2d) in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting as long as it is a portion pressed from an outside, and when the bottom portion 2b is pressed from the outside, they may be formed on the bottom portion 2b, for example.
Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the pair of second regions 2h and 2h are constituted such that the interval is widened as they separate away from the first region 2g to the internal space R side, but this is not limiting, and they may be constituted such that the interval is not widened (that is, the pair of second regions 2h and 2h are in parallel), for example.
Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the resin-made container 1 includes the container body 2 and the cap body 3, but this is not limiting, and the resin-made container may be constituted only by the container body 2, for example.
Moreover, the lateral groove 2k is formed at a part of the circumferential direction around the axis of the container body 2 in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and the lateral groove 2k may be formed continuously or intermittently over the entire region in the circumferential direction around the axis of the container body 2, for example. That is, a region in the container body 2 where the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m are formed may be the whole region in the circumferential direction of the container body 2 or may be a part thereof.
Moreover, the convex portion 2e is formed at a center region (specifically, in the pressed portion 2d) of the cylindrical portion 2a in the axial direction in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and the convex portion 2e may be formed on the opening portion 2c side or the bottom portion 2b side from the center region of the cylindrical portion 2a in the axial direction, for example.
Moreover, the first groove portion (lateral groove) 2k and the second groove portions (vertical grooves) 2m are provided in all the convex portions 2e formed in plurality in the container body 2 in the aforementioned embodiment, but this is not limiting, and they may be provided in a part of the convex portions 2e. The first groove portion (lateral groove) 2k and the second groove portions (vertical grooves) 2m may be formed on a space (in more detail, the convex portion 2e located the closest to the center) other than the convex portions 2e located on the opening portion 2c side and the convex portions 2e located on the bottom portion 2b side in the plurality of convex portions 2e, for example. Alternatively, the convex portion 2e on which the first groove portion (lateral groove) 2k and the second groove portions (vertical grooves) 2m are formed and the convex portion 2e on which the first groove portion (lateral groove) 2k and the second groove portions (vertical grooves) 2m are not formed may be arranged alternately.
Moreover, forms of the first groove portion (lateral groove) and the second groove portions (vertical grooves) may be a combination of the aforementioned various forms.

[Example]

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described.

As illustrated in Figure 6A, the container body 2 was formed so that the plurality of vertical grooves 2m crosses the one lateral groove 2k in the first region 2g. Dimensions W1 to W3 of the first region 2g, the second region 2h, and the container body 2 and dimensions W4 to W8 of the lateral grooves 2k and the vertical grooves 2m are shown in the following Table 1.

The container body 2 having the same conditions as those of the example was formed except that the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m were not formed. The dimensions W1 to W3 of the first region 2g, the second region 2h, and the container body 2 are shown in the following Table 2.

As illustrated in Figure 6B, the container body 2 having the same conditions as those of the example was formed except that a plurality of recess portions Z1 and Z2 having different shapes was alternately formed along the one direction in the first region 2g. The dimensions W1 to W3 of the first region 2g, the second region 2h, and the container body 2 and dimensions W9 to W15 of the recess portions Z1 and Z2 are shown in the following Table 3.

A distal end portion (a disk having a diameter of 15 mm) of a push gauge (by Imada Co., Ltd., Digital Force Gauge ZP-100N) was brought into contact with the first region 2g, and the first region 2g was pressed by the push gauge along the direction orthogonal to the first region 2g. Then, strength at each displacement amount (displacement amount at the distal end portion of the push gauge) shown in the following Table 2 was measured. The measurement results are shown in the following Table 4.

Presence of permanent deformation at each of the displacement amounts when the first region 2g was pressed by the push gauge as described above was evaluated. The evaluation is shown in the following Table 4. When the distal end portion of the push gauge is separated from the first region 2g, if the first region 2g was not restored to the state before the deformation, it is described as "Yes (permanently deformed)", while if it is restored, it is described as "None (not permanently deformed)".

[Table 1]

	First region (mm)	Second region (mm)	Width of container body (mm)	Vertical groove (mm)		Lateral groove (mm)		Vertical-groove interval (mm)
	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8
Example	5	3.5	91.4	3.5	1.7	1.7	3.4	1.5

[Table 2]

	First region (mm)	Second region (mm)	Width of container body (mm)	Vertical groove (mm)	Lateral groove (mm)	Recess portion (mm)
	W1	W2	W3	None	None	None
Comparative Example 1	5	3.5	91.4	None	None	None

[Table 3]

	First region (mm)	Second region (mm)	Width of container body (mm)	Recess portion (mm)
	W1	W2	W3	W9	W10	Wll	W12	W13	W14	W15
Comparative Example 2	5	3.5	91.4	2.7	1	3.7	2	5.0	2.3	0.4

As shown in Table 4, when the example and each of the comparative examples are compared, it is found that side surface compression strength is lower in the example. That is, it is found that the region including the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m becomes flexible by providing the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m in the container body 2. Moreover, when the example and each of the comparative examples are compared, it is found that permanent deformation occurs less in the example. That is, by providing the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m in the container body 2, occurrence of permanent deformation in the region including the lateral groove 2k and the vertical grooves 2m can be prevented.

Reference Signs List

1: Resin-made container
2: Container body
2a: Cylindrical portion
2b: Bottom portion
2c: Opening portion
2d: Pressed portion
2e: Convex portion
2g: First region
2h: Second region
2i: Shoulder-part region
2j: Internal-space side region
2k: First groove portion (lateral groove)
2m: Second groove portion (vertical groove)
3: Cap body
L: Virtual line
R: Internal space

Claims

A resin-made container (1) comprising:
a container body (2) formed by using a synthetic resin so as to form an internal space (R) for accommodating an article, wherein

the container body (2) includes a cylindrical portion (2a) that forms the internal space (R) and a bottom portion (2b) that closes one end portion of the cylindrical portion (2a) in an axial direction,
the cylindrical portion (2a) includes four wall portions (21a) arranged along the axial direction so that a section orthogonal to the axial direction becomes a square shape, and
each of a pair of the wall portions (21a) that face each other through the internal space (R) includes a convex portion (2e) including a first region (2g) having one surface facing the internal space (R) and a second region (2h) extending from an end portion of the first region (2g) toward the internal space (R) and formed on an outer side of the first region (2g);

the resin-made container being characterized in that

the convex portion (2e) includes a first groove portion (2k) formed in the first region (2g) along one direction, and a second groove portion (2m) formed along an other direction crossing the one direction, and in that

a plurality of the second groove portions (2m) are formed at an interval along the one direction and each are formed continuously from an inside of the first region (2g) to an inside of the second region (2h) so as to overlap a virtual line (L) crossing the first groove portion (2k) in the first region (2g).
The resin-made container according to claim 1, wherein
the convex portion (2e) includes one first region (2g) and a pair of second regions (2h) extending from each of end portions opposed in the other direction in the first region (2g); and
the second groove portion (2m) formed on the one virtual line (L) is formed continuously from the inside of the first region (2g) to each of insides of the pair of second regions (2h).
The resin-made container according to claim 2, wherein
the second groove portion (2m) formed on the one virtual line (L) is formed continuously so as to cross the first region (2g) from the inside of one of the second regions (2h) to the inside of the other second region (2h) and is constituted so as to cross the first groove portion (2k).
The resin-made container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the first groove portions (2k) are formed in plurality at an interval in the other direction.