EP3294642A1

EP3294642A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: EP3294642A1
Application number: EP16724559.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nagomi Makiuchi; Naritada Ohoka; Takashi Takenouchi; Yasuyuki Daigo
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2015-05-13
Filing date: 2016-05-09
Publication date: 2018-03-21
Also published as: CN107635885A; US20180134474A1; BR112017024244A2; TW201708056A; KR20180008547A; WO2016182986A1; JP2016209456A

Abstract

A container can be easily manufactured because the container can be manufactured by die-forming a resin sheet. The container widens toward an outer circumferential side from side parts differing from a long side part on which a hinge part is formed, and is furnished with joining parts having mating surfaces that join with one another, and bent parts at outer circumferential edges of the joining parts, the bent parts being bent between container body parts in a direction in which the two separate from one another. Consequently, the container can maintain a freestanding form on an installation surface using the bent parts which spread so as to mutually separate, as legs. The above facilitates production and makes it possible for the container to stand in a stable state.

Description

CONTAINER

Background

The container disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication

No. 2003-265401, for example, is known as a container for adhesive cleaning tools and the like. Containers such as these are formed by injection molding as a cover-type member that covers the adhesive portion of an adhesive cleaning tool. Injection molded containers can be easily molded in a highly durable form for freestanding storage.

One problem with the containers described above is that they are expensive to produce and that they are heavy because they are formed by injection molding. Consequently, there is a demand for stable, freestanding containers that can be easily manufactured.

Summary

A container according to an embodiment of the present invention is a container that is die-formed from a resin sheet. The container is provided with a container part that is constituted by superposing a multiplicity of side parts of a first container body part and a second container body part, which face one another; a hinge part that links together the first container body part and the second container body part at a first side part of the multiplicity of side parts; joining parts in the first container body part and the second container body part that widen to the outer circumferential side from at least a second side part differing from the first side part, and possess mating surfaces that join to one another; and bent parts at the outer circumferential edges of the joining parts, the bent parts being bent in a space between the first container body part and the second container body part in a direction in which the two separate from one another.

Such an embodiment facilitates production because it makes it possible to manufacture a container by die-forming a resin sheet. Additionally, a container widens to the outer circumferential side from a second side part differing from a first side part on which a hinge part is formed, and is provided with joining parts that possesses mating surfaces that join with one another, and bent parts at the outer circumferential edges of the joining parts that are bent in the space between the first container body part and the second container body part in a direction in which the two separate from one another. Consequently, the container can maintain a freestanding form on an installation surface using the bent parts which spread so as to mutually separate as legs. The above facilitates production and makes it possible for the container to stand alone in a stable state.

In one embodiment, bent parts are formed along the second side part and a third side part that is adjacent to the second side part in the circumferential direction, wherein the bent part formed along the second side part and the bent part formed along the third side part may be connected to one another in the circumferential direction.

In one embodiment, a protruding edge part is formed protruding in the outer circumferential direction on the leading edge of the bent parts.

In one embodiment, the dimension between the leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and the leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part may be less than or equal to the thickness of the container part in the direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

In one embodiment, the dimension between the leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and the leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part may be greater than the thickness of the container part in the direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

In one embodiment, the dimension between the leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and the leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part may be 5% to 150% the thickness of the container part in the direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

In one embodiment, an object to be contained in the container may be an adhesive cleaning tool.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the first container body part and the inner surface of the second container body part may possess a convex part.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the first container body part and the inner surface of the second container body part may be coated with a release agent. The present invention facilitates the production of a container and makes it possible for the container to be freestanding in a stable state.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the present invention, shown in a state containing a contained object.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the container viewed from the negative side of the Y-axis direction.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the container viewed from the negative side of the Z-axis direction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram along the line V-V shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6(a) is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a short side of the container viewed from the negative side of the Z-axis direction, showing the conditions when set on an installation surface.

FIG. 6(b) is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a long side of the container viewed from the positive side of the X-axis direction, showing the conditions when set on an installation surface.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of the container shown in an opened state. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram along the line VIII- VIII shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the container of a modified example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the container of a modified example.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached figures. Further, in the descriptions of the figures, identical or equivalent elements will be assigned the same reference numerals and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

First, the constitution of a container 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8. The container 1 is a molded body die-formed from a resin sheet of, for example, polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), polystyrene resin (PS), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS),

acrylonitrile-ethylene propylene-styrene copolymer resin (AES), polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA (acrylic resin)), or polycarbonate resin (PC). The molding method employed to form the container 1 may be a vacuum molding method wherein a vacuum is created between a sheet and a die while the opposite side is held at atmospheric pressure, thereby forming the sheet to the shape of the die. Alternatively, the molding method employed may be a pressure molding method wherein a vacuum is created between a sheet and a die while the opposite side is pressurized, thereby forming the sheet to the shape of the die. Alternatively, the molding method employed may be a press molding method wherein a sheet is sandwiched between dies to form the sheet to the shape of the dies.

The container 1 is obtained in an open condition after molding (see FIG. 7, FIG. 8), and is put in a condition in which it is able to accommodate a contained object 100 by being folded at the hinge part. Unless specifically described otherwise, the following explanation describes the container 1 in the closed condition. Further, in the present embodiment, the contained object 100 is an adhesive cleaning tool. The adhesive cleaning tool that is the contained object 100 possesses an inner cylinder part 100a (see FIG. 6), wherein an adhesive part is formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof by being wrapped with tape T, and a handle 100b (see FIG. 1). Further, the contained object 100 is not limited to an adhesive cleaning tool, for example, brushes with handles wherein a brush is formed at the end of a handle, textile products with handles wherein a textile product that is able to adhere dust and the like is formed at the end of a handle, and roll products wherein sheets, such as hand wipes or cleaning sheets, are stored wound in a roll- form may also be used. Besides these, the container or the present invention can also be used to accommodate numerous objects, such as soap, stationery, neckties, and fruits and vegetables, because the container can be opened and closed and because, even if the container gets dirty, even with ink, it can be opened and easily cleaned. As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the container 1 is furnished with a container part 2, a hinge part 3, joining parts 4A, 4B, opposing parts 5 A, 5B, bent parts 6A, 6B, and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B.

The container part 2 is configured by overlaying the multiplicity of side parts of a mutually opposing first container body part 10A and second container body part 10B. The container part 2 overall forms a roughly cylindrical shape. The container body parts 10A, 10B have a split shape formed by cutting the container part 2 in half on a specified reference plane (a virtual plane) located at a center line CL. Consequently, the container body parts 10A, 10B each has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. Additionally, side parts are formed in four directions at the cut portions of the container body parts 10A, 10B. Further, the first container body part 10A, joining part 4A, bent part 6 A, and protruding edge 7 A and the second container body part 10B, joining part 4B, bent part 6B, and protruding edge 7B have a plan-symmetric shape about the reference plane. In the descriptions to follow, the direction extending along the center line CL is the "Z-axis direction," the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and parallel with the reference plane described above is the "X-axis direction," and the direction perpendicular to both the Z-axis and the X axis is the "Y-axis direction."

The first container body part 10A possesses long side parts 10a, 10b facing one another along the X-axis direction, and short side parts 10c, lOd facing one another along the Z-axis direction (specifically, see FIG. 2). The long side part 10a is disposed on the negative side in the X-axis direction, and the long side part 10b is disposed on the positive side in the X-axis direction. The short side part 10c is disposed on the negative side in the Z-axis direction, and the short side part lOd is disposed on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. The second container body part 10B possesses long side parts 10a, 10b and short side parts 10c, lOd in locations corresponding to the long side parts 10a, 10b and short side parts 10c, lOd of the first container body part 10A. Further, the first container body part 10A is disposed on the negative side in the Y-axis direction, and the second container body part 10B is disposed on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The long side part 10a in the present embodiment correlates to the "first side part" in the Claims. Additionally, where the short side part 10c is viewed as the "second side part" in the Claims, the long side part 10b correlates to the "third side part" in the Claims. Where the short side part lOd is viewed as the "second side part" in the Claims, the long side part 10b correlates to the "third side part" in the Claims. Additionally, where the long side part 10b is viewed as the "second side part" in the Claims, the short side parts 10c, lOd correlate to the "third side part" in the Claims.

The container body parts 10A, 10B are furnished with circumferential wall parts 11 that enclose, from an outer circumferential side, the outer circumferential surface of a tape T that is wound around an inner cylindrical part 100a of the contained object 100 contained therein (or around the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical part 100a). The circumferential wall parts 11 are furnished with convex parts 1 lb that protrude toward the inner circumferential side from an inner surface 11a (specifically, see FIG 4 and FIG. 6(b)). The convex parts 1 lb prevent the tape T and the inner surface 1 la of the circumferential wall part 11 from sticking together over a wide range by partially contacting the outer circumferential surface of the tape T on the contained object 100. In the present embodiment, the convex parts 1 lb are formed by a pair of ribs that extend in the Z-axis direction with respect to the circumferential wall parts 11 of the container body parts 10A, 10B. The location and quantity of convex parts 1 lb are not limited and, for example, three may be formed every 120 degrees, four may be formed every 90 degrees, five may be formed every 72 degrees, or six may be formed every 60 degrees, or more may be formed. A multiplicity thereof may also be irregularly formed. The form of the convex parts 1 lb is also not specifically limited, and need not be ribs extending in the Z- axis direction. For example, the convex parts 1 lb may exist at points across the inner surface 11a, and convex parts 1 lb may be formed by embossing to achieve a configuration with a design created on the circumferential wall parts 11. Alternatively, the tape T can also be kept from adhering to the inner surfaces 11a not only by fabrication methods, such as debossing, sand blasting, chemical etching, photoetching, and laser etching, but also by the application of silicone, fluorine, and acrylic release agents, and the like.

The container body parts 10A, 10B are furnished with end wall parts 12 on the side of the short side parts 10c formed on the negative side in the Z-axis direction. The end wall parts 12 are opposite the ends of the inner cylinder part 100a and tape T of the contained object 100 on the negative side in the Z-axis direction (specifically, see FIG. 6(a)). In the present embodiment, the end of the inner cylinder part 100a protrudes toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction beyond the end of the tape T. Consequently, a step difference part is formed by the end wall parts 12 so that the area near the center protrudes toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction.

The container body parts 10A, 10B are furnished with end wall parts 13 on the side of the short side parts lOd formed on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. The end wall parts 13 are opposite the ends of the inner cylinder part 100a and tape T of the contained object 100 on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the contained object 100 possesses a handle 100b at the end on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. Consequently, the end wall parts 13 possess conical parts 13a that taper as they proceed toward the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and that possess openings in the area of the leading edge thereof to allow the handle 100b to be inserted.

The joining parts 4 A, 4B are planar parts in the container body parts 10A, 10B that widen toward the outer circumferential direction from the long side part 10b, differing from the long side part 10a in which the hinge part 3 is formed, and the short side parts 10c, lOd, and that possess joining surfaces 16 that join with one another. Further, in the present embodiment, the joining parts 4 A, 4B that are formed along the long side part 10b are referred to as part 4b, and the joining parts 4 A, 4B that are formed along the short side parts 10c, lOd are referred to as parts 4c, 4d.

The part 4b of the joining parts 4 A, 4B widens from the long side part 10b of the container body parts 10A, 10B toward the positive side of the X-axis direction, and extends in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10b. The part 4c of the joining parts 4 A, 4B widens from the short side part 10c of the container body parts 10A, 10B toward the negative side of the Z-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction along the short side part 10c. The part 4d of the joining parts 4A, 4B widens from the short side part lOd of the container body parts 10A, 10B toward the positive side of the Z-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction along said short side part lOd.

At the container body parts 10A, 10B, opposing parts 5 A, 5B widen from the long side part 10a on which the hinge part 3 is formed toward the outer circumferential side, and are planar parts that each face opposing parts 21 A, 2 IB of the hinge part 3 (described in detail below) (specifically, see FIG. 4). The opposing parts 5A, 5B widen from the long side part 10a of the container body parts 10A, 10B toward the negative side of the X-axis direction, while inclining away from one another toward both sides of the Y-axis direction, and extend in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10a.

The bent parts 6A, 6B are planar parts at the outer circumferential edges of the joining parts 4 A, 4B and are bent in the space between the first container body part 10A and second container body part 10B, in the direction in which the two separate from one another. The bent parts 6A, 6B are also planar parts at the outer circumferential edges of the opposing parts 5 A, 5B that are bent in the space between the first container body part 10A and second container body part 10B, in the direction in which the two separate from one another.

Further, in the present embodiment, the bent parts 6A, 6B formed along the long side parts 10a, 10b are referred to as parts 6a, 6b, and the bent parts 6 A, 6B formed along the short side parts 10c, lOd are referred to as parts 6c, 6d.

The part 6a of bent parts 6A, 6B is bent at the edge on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the opposing parts 5A, 5B, in the direction in which they separate in the Y-axis direction, and extends in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10a. The part 6b of bent parts 6 A, 6B is bent at the edge on the positive side in the X-axis direction of part 4b of the joining parts 4A, 4B, in the direction in which they separate in the Y-axis direction, and extends in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10b. The part 6c of bent parts 6A, 6B is bent at the edge on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of part 4c of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, in the direction in which they separate in the Y-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction along the short side part 10c. The part 6d of bent parts 6A, 6B is bent at the edge on the positive side in the Z-axis direction of the part 4d of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, in the direction in which they separate in the Y-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction along the short side part lOd. Further, a through hole is formed in the part 6d of the bent parts 6 A, 6B for pulling out the handle 100b.

Protruding edge parts 7A, 7B are planar parts formed at the leading edge sides of the bent parts 6A, 6B and protrude toward the outer circumferential side. Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that protrude along the long side parts 10a, 10b are referred to as parts 7a, 7b, and the protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B that protrude along the short side parts 10c, lOd are referred to as parts 7c, 7d.

The part 7a of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B protrudes toward the negative side of the X-axis direction at the edges on the negative and positive sides in the Y-axis direction of the part 6a of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and extends in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10a. The part 7b of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B protrudes toward the positive side of the X-axis direction at the edges on the negative and positive sides in the Y-axis direction of the part 6b of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and extends in the Z-axis direction along the long side part 10b. The part 7c of the protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B protrudes toward the negative side of the Z-axis direction at the edges on the negative and positive sides in the Y- axis direction of the part 6c of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and extends in the X-axis direction along the short side part 10c. The part 7d of the protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B protrudes toward the positive side of the Z-axis direction at the edges on the negative and positive sides in the Y-axis direction of the part 6d of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and extends in the X- axis direction along the short side part lOd.

The joining parts 4A, 4B, bent parts 6A, 6B, and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B are formed along the long side part 10b and short side parts 10c, lOd, which are mutually adjacent in the circumferential direction. The part 4b of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, the part 6b of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7b of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that all are formed along the long side part 10b, and the part 4c of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, the part 6c of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7c of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the short side part 10c are connected to one another in the circumferential direction. The part 4b of the joining parts 4A, 4B, the part 6b of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7b of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the long side part 10b, and the part 4d of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, the part 6d of the bent parts 6 A, 6B, and the part 7d of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the short side part lOd are mutually connected in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the edge parts on the positive side in the Z-axis direction of the parts 4b, 6b, and 7b and the edge parts on the positive side in the X-axis direction of parts 4d, 6d, and 7d are connected. Also, the edge parts on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the parts 4b, 6b, and 7b and the edge parts on the positive side in the X-axis direction of parts 4c, 6c, and 7c are connected.

Additionally, the opposing parts 5A, 5B, the part 6a of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7a of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the long side part 10a, and the part 4c of the joining parts 4A, 4B, the part 6c of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7c of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the short side part 10c are mutually connected in the circumferential direction. The opposing parts 5 A, 5B, the part 6a of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7a of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the long side part 10a, and the part 4d of the joining parts 4 A, 4B, the part 6d of the bent parts 6A, 6B, and the part 7d of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B that are all formed along the short side part lOd are mutually connected in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the edge parts on the positive side in the Z- axis direction of the opposing parts 5A, 5B and parts 6b and 7b and the edge parts on the negative side in the X-axis direction of parts 4d, 6d, and 7d are connected. Also, the edge parts on the negative side in the Z-axis direction of the opposing parts 5A, 5B and the parts 6b and 7b and the edge parts on the negative side in the X-axis direction of parts 4c, 6c, and 7c are connected.

The hinge part 3 is a part that connects the container body parts 10A, 10B to one another at the side part 10a on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the container body parts 10A, 10B. In the present embodiment, the hinge part 3 is furnished with a circumferential wall part 20, opposing parts 21A, 21B, a bent part 22, and a protruding edge part 23.

The circumferential wall part 20 is a part that encloses the outer circumferential surface of the tape T on the contained object 100 between the long side part 10a of the first container body part 10A and the long side part 10a of the second container body part 10B (specifically, see FIG. 4 and FIG. 6(b)). The circumferential wall part 20 also extends along the Z-axis direction. The opposing parts 21 A, 21B are connected on the negative side and positive side in the Y-axis direction of the circumferential wall part 20, and are planar parts respectively facing the opposing parts 5A, 5B of the container body parts 10A, 10B. The bent part 22 is a planar part that is bent from each of the edge parts of the opposing parts 5A, 5B toward the negative side of the X-axis direction (specifically, see FIG. 4). The protruding edge part 23 is a planar part that widens from the edge on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the bent part 22 toward the outer circumferential side. The protruding edge part 23 possesses a part that extends in the Z- axis direction at the negative side and positive side of the Y-axis direction, and a part that extends in the Y-axis direction at the negative side and positive side of the Z-axis direction.

The hinge part 3 is connected via a crease with a part 7a on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the protruding edge part 7A at the part of the protruding edge part 23 that is disposed on the negative side of the Y-axis direction. The hinge part 3 is also connected via a crease with a part 7a on the negative side in the X-axis direction of the protruding edge part 7B at the part of the protruding edge part 23 that is disposed on the positive side of the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the opened condition before accommodating the contained object 100 (the condition of the container 1 immediately after molding), the first container body part 10A, the hinge part 3, and the second container body part 10B are arranged in a side-by-side condition. In addition, the hinge part 3 is connected to the first container body part 10A via a crease BL1, and is connected to the second container body 10B via a crease BL2. By setting the contained object 100 in the opening of either of the container body parts 10A, 10B of the container 10 in said condition, and then folding on the creases BL1, BL2, the joining parts 4 A, 4B of the container body parts 10A, 10B are joined to one another. Thus, the contained object 100 can be accommodated in the container 1 as shown in FIG. 1.

Next, the dimensional relationships of the container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the dimension LI between the leading edge of the bent part 6 A of the first container body part 10A and the leading edge of the bent part 6B of the second container body part 10B in the direction in which the first container body part 10A and second container body part 10B face one another (namely, the Y-axis direction) may be less than or equal to the thickness L2 of the container part 2. Such a structure makes it possible to make the overall thickness of the container 1 smaller in order that the bent parts 6A, 6B do not jut out from the container part 2. In this case, the bent parts 6 A, 6B of one container 1 can be prevented from interfering with the bent parts 6A, 6B of another container 1 when containers 1 are aligned on a shelf, or the like, in a retail store, or the like.

The dimension LI between the leading edge of the bent part 6A and the leading edge of the bent part 6B may also be greater than the thickness L2 of the container part 2. In this case, stability can be improved when the container 1 is stood up with the side of the short side part 10c of the container 1 placed on an installation surface (the condition shown in FIG. 1), as the container 1 is supported by the wide bent parts 6A, 6B. Specifically, the dimension LI between the leading edge of the bent part 6A and the leading edge of the bent part 6B may be 5% to 150% the thickness L2 of the container part 2. The dimension LI being 5% or more the thickness L2 makes it possible to keep the container 1 from easily tipping over when the container 1 is stood up with the side of the short side part 10c of the container 1 placed on an installation surface. Further, the minimum percentage of the dimension L may also be set at 36%) or 50%) of the thickness L2 of the container part 2. This can further keep the container 1 from tipping over. Setting the dimension LI to 150% or less the thickness L2 can keep the container 1 from occupying too much space. For example, the quantity of containers 1 that can be displayed when containers 1 are aligned on a shelf can be kept from being reduced too much, and the sense of use can be kept from being diminished when the container 1 is used in the home. Additionally, if the percentage of dimension LI relative to the thickness L2 is too great, the bent parts 6A, 6B (and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B) will become to thin when a single sheet is stretched out by the die, decreasing the strength thereof. By keeping the dimension LI to 150% or less the thickness L2, the bent parts 6A, 6B (and the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B) can be kept from getting too thin, and the container 1 can be kept from tipping over. Further, the maximum percentage of the dimension LI relative to the thickness L2 of the container part 2 may also be set to 120% or 100%. In this way, the quantity of containers 1 that can be displayed can be kept from being reduced too much, and containers 1 can be more reliably kept from tipping over.

The relationship between the dimension LI of the bent parts 6A, 6B on the side of the short side part lOd and the long side part 10b to the thickness L2 of the container part 2 is similar to that on the side of the short side part 10c. Further, in the present embodiment, depending on the structure relationship of the die, the dimension LI of the bent parts 6 A, 6B is set to an equal value at any of the side parts 10a through lOd.

However, the dimension LI of the bent parts 6 A, 6B may also differ for each of the side parts 10a, lOd.

The dimension to which the joining parts 4 A, 4B widen toward the outer circumferential side on the sides of each of the side parts 10a through lOd is not specifically limited, and can be optionally set within a range that the size is maintained in a moldable range and the container 1 does not tip over due to being too large. The dimension to which the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B widen toward the outer circumferential side on the sides of each of the side parts 10a through lOd is not specifically limited, and can be optionally set within a range that the size is maintained in a moldable range and the container 1 does not tip over due to being too large.

The action and effect of the container according to the present embodiment will be described next.

The container 1 according to the present embodiment facilitates production because makes it possible to manufacture a container 1 by die-forming a resin sheet. For example, production costs can be vastly reduced and the weight can be reduced compared with injection-molded containers.

Additionally, the container 1 widens toward the outer circumferential side from side parts 10b through lOd, which differ from the long side part 10a on which the hinge part 3 is formed, and is furnished with joining parts 4A, 4B that possesses mating surfaces 16 that join with one another, and bent parts 6A, 6B at the outer circumferential edges of the joining parts 4A, 4B, the bent parts 6A, 6B being bent in the space between the container body parts 10A, 10B in the direction in which the two separate from one another. Consequently, the container 1 can maintain a freestanding form on an installation surface, using the bent parts 6A, 6B, expanding so as to mutually separate, as legs. The above facilitates production and makes it possible for the container 1 to stand in a stable state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the container 1 can maintain a standalone state on an installation surface G using the bent parts 6 A, 6B on the side of the short side part 10c as legs. In this case, the leading edges of the protruding edge parts 7A, 7B become contact points that abut the installation surface G. In this state, the container 1 can be stood alone in a state with the handle 100b of the contained object extending upward. Consequently, the user can easily grasp the handle 100b at the time of use. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the container 1 can maintain a standalone state on an installation surface G using the bent parts 6 A, 6B on the side of the long side part 10b as legs. Further, in the present embodiment, the container 1 can stand on an installation surface G using the hinge part 3 on the side of the long side part 10a as legs.

In the container 1 according to the present embodiment, the bent parts 6A, 6B are formed along the various side parts 10b through lOd adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and the bent parts 6A, 6B that are formed along each of the side parts 10b through lOd are connected to one another in the circumferential direction. Consequently, when the bent parts 6A, 6B on any one of the side parts are functioning as legs, the bent parts 6 A, 6B of the side parts that are adjacent to the side part function as reinforcing parts that strengthen the legs.

In the container 1 of the present invention, protruding edge parts 7A, 7B protruding toward the outer circumferential side are formed at the leading edge side of the bent parts 6 A, 6B. Thus, the protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B can function as contact points that abut the installation surface G.

The present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above.

For example, bent parts 6A, 6B are formed at least next to either of the short side part 10c and the long side part 10b in the embodiment described above, and bent parts 6 A, 6B may be omitted from other side parts. For example, in the container 1 of the embodiment described above, the joining parts 4A, 4B, bent parts 6A, 6B, and protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B may be omitted from the short side part 10c on the negative side in the Z-axis direction. The container 1 may stand on the short side part 10c with the bottom surface of the end wall part 12 of the container part 2 in contact with the installation surface G. Alternatively, the edge-most surface of the end wall part 12 may also be cut off. Note that in this case, the bent parts 6A, 6B on other side parts function as legs.

Additionally, bent parts 6A, 6B and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B do not need to extend over the entirety of all side parts, and may be formed on only some of the side parts. For example, the bent parts 6 A, 6B and protruding edge parts 7 A, 7B may be cut off at the corners between the various side parts so that they are not continuous with one another in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, bent parts 6A, 6B, and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B may be formed at only a region of an edge part side in each of the side parts. For example, joining parts 4A, 4B, bent parts 6 A, 6B, and protruding edge parts 7A, 7B may be formed only at portions of both edges in the X-direction of the short side part 10c.

Also, an opening may be formed not only on the side of the short side part lOd, but also on the side of the short side part 10c. In a case where the handle 100b is pulled out on the side of the short side part 10c, the container 1 may also stand on the installation surface G with the bent parts 6A, 6B on the side of short side lOd used as legs.

Additionally, the hinge part does not need to be formed on the side of the long side part 10a, and may be formed on another side part. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a hinge part 53 may be formed on the side part on the negative side in the Z-axis direction (in the above embodiment, in the area corresponding to the short side part 10 c). In this case, the opening on the positive side in the Z-axis direction is closed with a seal 54, or the like, during shipping or when marketed in a display, as shown in FIG. 9(b).

Also, a hinge part may also be formed on the side of the short side part in which the opening is formed for pulling out the handle of the contained object 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a hinge part 63 may be formed on the side at the positive side in the Z-axis direction (in the above embodiment, in the area corresponding to the short side part 10 d). In this case, the hinge part 63 may be left in place as shown in FIG. 10(b) during shipping or when marketed in a display, and removed as shown in FIG. 10(a) during use in the home.

Further, the hinge part may not necessarily have a structure in which it is matched between the first container body part and second container body part (namely, having two creases), as in the embodiment described above. For example, the first container body part and second container body part may be connected with a single crease, or the hinge part may further have a structure wherein there is one or more crease.

In the embodiment described above, protruding edge parts are formed and the leading edges of said protruding edge parts function as contact points that abut the installation surface. However, these protruding edge parts may also be omitted. In this case, the surfaces on the outer circumferential side of the bent parts become the contact points that abut the installation surface.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container formed by die-molding a resin sheet, comprising:

a container part that is constituted by superposing a multiplicity of side parts of a first container body part and a second container body part, which face one another;

a hinge part that links together the first container body part and the second container body part at a first side part of a plurality of side parts;

joining parts in the first container body part and the second container body part, the joining parts thereof widening at least to an outer circumferential edge from a second side part differing from the first side part, and possessing mating surfaces that join with one another; and

bent parts at the outer circumferential edges of the joining parts, the bent parts being bent between the first container body part and the second container body part in a direction in which the two separate from one another.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the bent parts are formed along the second side part and a third side part that is adjacent to the second side part in the circumferential direction, and the bent part formed along the second side part and the bent part formed along the third side part are connected to one another in the

circumferential direction.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a protruding edge part is formed protruding in the outer circumferential direction on the leading edge of the bent parts.

4. The container according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a dimension between a leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and a leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part is less than or equal to a thickness of the container part in a direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

5. The container according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a dimension between a leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and a leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part is greater than a thickness of the container part in a direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

6. The container according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a dimension between a leading edge of the bent part on the first container body part and a leading edge of the bent part on the second container body part is between about 5% to about 150% a thickness of the container part in a direction in which the first container body part and the second container body part face each other.

7. The container according to any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein an object contained within the container is an adhesive cleaning tool.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the first container body part and an inner surface of the second container body part possess a convex part.

9. The container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an inner surface of the first container body part and an inner surface of the second container body part are coated with a release agent.