JP3055120B2 - Refillable container - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container having a structure capable of refilling a sheet-like inner container filled with liquid into a hard outer container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art PET bottles using PET (polyethylene terephthalate) are used as containers for storing mineral water and soft drinks. This PET bottle is durable, long-lasting, highly transparent, and allows the color and texture of the filled beverage to be visually recognized accurately and gives a sense of cleanliness.

[0003]

However, although this PET bottle is suitable for storing drinking water, the size of the spout is smaller than the size of the whole container, so that the refilling operation for newly filling the contents is performed. Has the disadvantage that it is very troublesome. For example, aside from pouring drinking water from a tap, when pouring from a sheet-shaped bag, the bag does not have a fixed shape, so it is difficult to handle and often spills out of the container.

[0004] In addition, although the consumption of PET bottles is rapidly expanding due to the recent mineral water boom, the ease of carrying, the increase in capacity, and the versatility of drinking water, the per bottle of PET bottles is increasing. The production unit price is relatively high, and on the other hand, wasteful use of resources and environmental destruction have been pointed out due to increased consumption of PET as a raw material due to mass consumption and disposable use by consumers. For this reason, in recent years, signs to promote recycling have been placed on the sides of PET bottles, and although the movement to collect used PET bottles has been gradually increasing, aspects such as methods for collecting empty containers have been increasing. There are many difficult problems, and no remarkable effect has been obtained.

[0005] In order to address such problems, a cartridge type container in which drinking water is filled in a sheet-shaped soft container and hermetically sealed and refillable in a separate hard container is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-75163. No. 5,753,164, Japanese Patent No. 3029128, Japanese Patent No. 3030397, and the like. However, any of these uses a container body and a lid formed of a rigid container separated from each other, and is used by screwing or fitting the lid to the container body having an open upper surface or by integrating the lid body. Therefore, the refilling of the soft container requires time and effort.

[0006] Of the above conventional examples, the former two are provided with a spout at the center of the top of the hard container as shown in FIG. When the container is provided wide, the distance between the container shoulder end and the spout is separated, so unless a pump is installed at the spout as shown in the figure.
It is difficult to directly pour out the content liquid from the spout by tilting the container, while the latter two have the spout on the side of the rigid container as shown in FIG. The liquid easily leaks along the peripheral wall from the spout, and all have disadvantages of poor handling convenience. In the latter two, when filling a full soft container with drinking water, the liquid level becomes higher than the spout, and the liquid content leaks as soon as the spout is opened without tilting the container. Is filled only to the extent that it is slightly lower than the spout, which is wasteful.If the content liquid is not completely filled, the gas mixed in the container and the content liquid will come into contact with each other, causing quality deterioration. There was a problem that it was easy to come.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to refill a liquid content with one hand with one touch, and to smoothly and stably discharge the liquid content. By providing convenient and refillable containers that can be used for efficient use of the content liquid, thereby preventing the waste of resources due to the disposable use of conventional PET bottles, and consequently the environmental destruction. Is to prevent it.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, a refillable container according to the present invention has a tapered top flattened,
A bottomed cylindrical outer container having a shape-retaining hardness in which a pouring hole is formed in the flat portion, and a neck portion for fixing a lid stopper to an end of a soft sheet-shaped sealing bag, are erected, And an inner container in which a protruding piece wider than the pouring hole is protrudingly provided on the outer periphery of the neck portion, wherein the outer container has an upper part passing through the pouring hole and a top portion. From the container body part which divides the side peripheral wall vertically into an appropriate depth vertically and integrates the container from the container bottom wall to the top and the side peripheral wall, and the divided top and part consisting of the side peripheral wall and the front peripheral wall There is a shell part rotatably connected to the container body via a hinge part, and the shell part is rotated to the outside of the container with the hinge part as a support shaft, so that the inner container is obliquely above the container. It is opened to the size that can be loaded, and the shell is turned in the opposite direction to combine with the container main body, and the container main body and the neck are respectively opened. Mutually engaged so the container locking uneven part provided is configured to be shape-retaining in a tubular shape,
The inner container is housed in the outer container with the upper part opened so that the protruding piece is joined to the pouring hole, and the inner container is housed in a state where the outer container is kept in a cylindrical shape. The container is configured to be locked to the edges of the container body and the shell.

According to the refillable container of the present invention, the inner container filled with the content liquid is stored in the opened outer container, and the outer container is closed and integrated. Open the lid and pour out the contents, and when the inner container is empty, remove it from the outer container and discard only the inner container, and refill the outer container with a new inner container full of contents. Use repeatedly.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external view of a refillable container according to the present embodiment. The container is a hard outer container 1 formed to be openable and closable.
And a soft inner container 2 filled with drinking water, the upper portion of the outer container 1 is opened, the inner container 2 is loaded, and the inner container 2 is locked to the outer container 1 as the outer container 1 is closed. This is configured to be held.

The outer container 1 is made of a plastic such as PET or polypropylene. The outer wall 1 is raised from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 3 to an appropriate height, and the upper part of the peripheral wall is narrowed.
A flat portion 5 is provided on the constricted top, and a pouring hole 6 having an appropriate opening diameter is formed in the center of the flat portion 5 to form a bottomed cylindrical shape. At the upper part of the outer container 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the side peripheral wall 4 a was vertically divided into two parts with an appropriate depth through the pouring hole 6 and divided from the bottom wall 3. Side peripheral wall 4
a is divided into a container main body 7 and a shell 8 composed of the divided side peripheral wall 4a and the front peripheral wall 4b, and the shell 8 is provided on the front peripheral wall 4b.
When the shell 8 is rotated in the front of the container (in the direction of the arrow A in the figure) with the hinge 9 as a support shaft, the container 8 is obliquely upward to a size in which the inner container 2 can be loaded. An opening / closing unit 10 is provided for closing the opening when the container 8 is opened and the shell 8 is combined with the container body 7 when the container 8 is turned in the opposite direction (the direction of arrow B in the figure). Container body 7 and shell 8
Are formed so as to be joined to each other, and in a united state, locking projections 8 a protruding from the upper end of the shell 8.
Engages with a locking recess 7a provided inside the upper end portion of the container body 7, so that the two portions are irremovably integrated into a cylindrical shape. Further, semicircular openings 11 are formed in the peripheral walls 4 of both parts, so that a fingertip can be inserted to pinch the peripheral walls 4 of both parts. In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a slit formed in the peripheral wall 4 with an appropriate width and length so that the stored items can be checked from the outside.

The outer container 1 can be made of an appropriate material other than plastic, for example, glass, metal, paper, etc., as long as the outer container 1 has an appropriate rigidity capable of retaining a shape, and is formed in an appropriate size and outer shape. Although it is possible, it is preferable to use a tapered cylindrical shape in order to make it easy to pour out the content liquid. Further, the whole may be made transparent or colored translucent so that the stored items can be checked from the outside. The hinge portion 9 is formed by connecting the shell portion 8 to the peripheral wall 4a of the container body portion 7 so as not to move up, down, left and right but to rotate freely. A thin streak is formed on the peripheral wall portion at the boundary between the shell and the container body 7 to make it easy to bend, or the shell 8 and the container body 7 formed separately.
May be connected to each other by a hinge member such as a hinge.

The inner container 2 is mainly made of a plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and one soft sheet formed by thinly stretching the thin sheet is folded up or down, or a plurality of soft sheets are piled up and down. A hard neck 23 to which the lid 21 is screwed is inserted and arranged at the center of the upper side of the superposed sheet to seal the periphery including the side, and the sealed corner is cut off obliquely. As shown in the figure, the sealing bag 22 is formed in an outer shape in which a neck 23 is erected on the top of a substantially square soft sheet-like sealing bag 22. Neck 23
As shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, a pipe portion 25 is protruded at an appropriate length above a bonding portion 24 to which a sheet edge portion is bonded, and an opening 26 is formed inside these two portions. And is formed in a tubular shape. The pipe portion 25 has an outer diameter dimension that can be inserted into the pouring hole 6 of the outer container 1, and a screw groove 25 a for fixing the lid plug 21 is formed at the tip end thereof. Screw groove 25
On the lower side, projecting pieces 25b and 25c which are wider than the pouring hole 6 and extend horizontally are provided in parallel with at least the thickness of the outer container 1 separated. The opening 26 has its lower half divided into two sides by a partition wall 26a, and is formed so as to easily take in outside air into the sealed bag body 22 when the filled drinking water is poured out.

The size and shape of the inner container 2 correspond to the size and shape of the outer container so that the inner container 2 is almost completely fitted inside the outer container 1 with the liquid such as drinking water filled therein. Although it can be provided in an appropriate shape, in order to fill the liquid as much as possible and use it without waste, the installation position of the neck portion 23 is set to the sealing bag 22 slightly protruding upward.
The center of the upper edge is preferably set.

According to the refillable container of the present embodiment formed as described above, the inner container 2 is sealed by filling the inner container 2 with drinking water and fixing the lid 21 to the neck 23. Therefore, it can be carried as it is, stored, and handled as a normal packaging container. In this state, inner container 2
Since the drinking water can be filled up to the full neck portion 23 of the container, there is no wasteful space inside and no gas is mixed therein, and there is no danger of causing deterioration of the drinking water due to mixing of the gas into the container. . In addition, as long as the lid 21 is used, there is no risk that the filled drinking water leaks or various bacteria enter the inside, so that it is sanitary.

When the inner container 2 is to be stored in the outer container 1, first, the opening / closing portion 10 of the outer container 1 is opened, that is, the shell portion 8 is picked up and rotated in a direction away from the container body portion 7. The upper part of the container is opened, the inner container is loaded into the outer container from here, and the neck 23 of the inner container 2 is inserted into the half surface of the pouring hole 6 formed at the top of the container main body 7. At this time, the protruding piece 25b protruding from the outer periphery of the neck portion 23 is positioned above the pouring hole 6, the protruding piece 25c is positioned below the pouring hole 6, and both pieces are placed in the pouring hole 6. It is joined and locked on both upper and lower surfaces.

Then, the shell 8 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above, so that the peripheral edge thereof is joined to the peripheral edge of the container main body 7, and the locking projection 8a of the shell 8 is engaged with the container main body 7. Recess 7
a into the inner container 2
And the outer container 1 are integrated.

In this state, the neck 23 of the inner container 2 is
As shown in the figure, the protrusions 25b and 25c are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the pouring hole 6 and are arranged in the pouring hole 6 which is circularly opened by merging. Since the container body 7 and the shell 8 are in contact with each other in the sandwiched state without being shifted, the container body 7 and the shell 8 are fixed at the position without being displaced in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the integrated container is shaken or tilted, the neck portion 23 is always held in the pouring hole 6, and the content liquid can be stably poured. In addition, since the neck 23 of the inner container 2 is arranged at the top of the outer container 1, it is possible to use the content liquid filled in the inner container fully while leaning the container slightly when pouring drinking water. In addition, since the tip of the outer container 1 is formed in a constricted shape, when the container is tilted, the neck 23, which is a spout, is disposed immediately close to a cup or the like to pour the liquid without spilling. Can be issued.

On the other hand, when the filled content liquid has been used up and the inner container 2 is empty, the opening / closing portion 10 of the outer container 1 is opened, and the neck portion 23 is slid to lock with the pouring hole portion 6. It is sufficient to remove the inner container 2 from the outer container 1 and store a new inner container 2 filled with the content liquid in the outer container 1 in the same manner as above, and discard only the empty container 2 taken out. ,
The outer container 1 can be used continuously.

As described above, the outer container 1 has an integral opening / closing structure in which the shell 8 is connected to the container main body 7, and the fastening of the two portions is performed by the engagement of the locking uneven portions 7a, 8a. Since it is performed, it is not necessary to fit or screw a plurality of separated members as in the conventional example. Also. When the opening / closing section 10 is opened, the oblique upper part of the outer container 1 is formed to open, and the inner container 2 filled with the content liquid is put into the opening by using its weight, so that the outer container 1 1 can be loaded. Therefore, the refillable container of the present embodiment is extremely simple in refilling operation compared to the conventional container, and can be easily and simply refilled with one hand with one hand, and has excellent operability.

In the above embodiment, the protruding piece protruding from the neck of the inner container is joined to the upper surface of the pouring hole of the outer container. It is good also as a structure provided so that it may join and locking at each position. The number of the projecting pieces provided in parallel in the above embodiment is not limited as long as they can be joined and locked to the pouring hole. The outer container may be configured to be divided into three or more parts as long as each part is integrally connected. Each part to be divided may be formed integrally or may be formed by connecting different parts. As the content liquid filled in the inner container, various solutions such as a juice, a seasoning, an oil solution, and a chemical solution can be applied in addition to drinking water such as mineral water. If the inner container is in the form of a soft sheet, it can be formed by using an appropriate material according to the type of the content liquid to be filled and performing an appropriate processing.

[0022]

As described above, according to the refillable container of the present invention, refilling of the content liquid can be performed with one hand with one touch, and the content liquid can be smoothly and stably poured out, and the handling is easy. In addition, it is possible to suppress the wasteful use of resources due to the conventional disposable plastic bottles, and to prevent environmental destruction. That is, since the inner container for refilling the content liquid is formed in a bag shape with a soft sheet, there is no need to transport the empty container before filling with the content liquid, and the storage space for the empty container is unnecessary. Yes, packaging costs can be greatly reduced, and only empty containers can be discarded after using the contents liquid, so large and easy collection can be achieved, and the efficiency of collecting empty containers can be improved.
This has the effect of promoting efficient use of resources.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of one embodiment of a refillable container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part when the outer container of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner container of FIG. 1 in a state where a cap is removed.

FIG. 4 shows the inner container of FIG. 3, (A) is an enlarged plan view,
(B) is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of (A).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the refillable container of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional refillable container.

FIG. 7 is a member development view of another example of a conventional refillable container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Outer container 2 Inner container 6 Outlet 7 Container body 8 Shell 9 Hinge 10 Opening / closing 21 Lid 22 Bag 23 Neck

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bottomed cylindrical outer container having a flattened top with a pouring hole formed in the flattened portion and having a shape-retaining hardness, and a soft sheet-shaped outer container. A refillable container comprising: an inner container having a neck portion to which a lid stopper is fixed at the end of the sealed bag, and a protruding piece wider than the pouring hole portion protruding around the neck portion. The container is divided into a container body portion in which the upper portion passes through the pouring hole portion and the side peripheral wall is vertically divided into two portions at an appropriate depth from the top and the container bottom wall to the top portion and the side peripheral wall are integrated. A part consisting of the top and side peripheral walls and the front peripheral wall, and is divided into a shell part rotatably connected to the container body via a hinge part, and the outside of the container with the hinge part as a support shaft. The shell is rotated to open the diagonally upper part of the container to the size that allows the inner container to be loaded, and the shell is rotated in the opposite direction to fit the container body. The container is formed so that the container is kept cylindrical in shape by engaging the locking concave and convex portions provided on the container body and the shell with each other. The neck is arranged and housed so that the protruding piece is joined to the pouring hole, and the neck of the inner container is attached to the edge of the container body and the shell with the outer container kept in a cylindrical shape. A refillable container configured to be locked.