WO2007097533A1

WO2007097533A1 - Multipurpose storage container having compound structure

Info

Publication number: WO2007097533A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/000607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Deok Ahn
Original assignee: Jong-Deok Ahn
Priority date: 2006-02-23
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: KR200415613Y1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure. The container includes main bodies each having a shape of a hollow cylinder which has a predetermined volume and is open at a top thereof. A locking means is provided on the outer circumference of an upper portion of each main body and is locked to a lower coupling means of another main body or to a lid. A coupling means is provided on the inner circumference of a coupling piece that protrudes downwards from a circumference of a bottom of each main body, and is coupled to the upper locking means of another main body. A lid has a coupling means on an inner surface of a coupling piece which protrudes downwards from a circumference of the lid, and is mounted to an upper opening of an associated main body to open or close the main body.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

MULTIPURPOSE STORAGE CONTAINER HAVING COMPOUND STRUCTURE

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates, in general, to a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure and, more particularly, to a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, in which each of main bodies for storing and carrying various kinds of foods, including powdered milk, has a locking means and a coupling means on an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body, so that the main bodies can be coupled to be stacked in multiple layers, thus allowing foods to be easily carried and stored, and in which a sealing means is provided in a coupling part of the main bodies, thus preventing contents and odors from escaping from each main body while foods are carried or stored, therefore being sanitary.

[Background Art] Typically, most storage containers for storing and carrying various kinds of foods, including powdered milk, are simply constructed so that a lid is mounted to the upper portion of a main body. Thus, it is impossible to vertically stack and carry main bodies . When one main body is stacked on another main body, the main bodies tip and fall over, so that lids are opened. Thereby, contents spill from the main bodies. Recently, in order to solve the problem, a food storage container having a compound structure was invented, and is disclosed in Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-0366851. As shown in FIG. 1, the food storage container includes a main body and a lid. Locking protrusions 72 are provided on the lower portion of the main body 71 at angular intervals of 90° . Each of the locking protrusions 72 provided on the lower portion of the main body 71 has an inclined part 73, which is provided on the lower end of the main body 71 such that a lower end thereof is widened outwards. An anti-slip piece 79 is fastened to the lower end of each locking protrusion 72. Each locking protrusion 72 protrudes from the main body in such a way as to be curved. The lid 74 has in an upper portion thereof a body insert part 75. Fastening parts 76 are formed in the body insert part 75 at angular intervals of 90^° . A protruding part 77, which is wide at a lower end thereof, is provided in each fastening part 76. A stopper 78 protrudes from an end of the protruding part 77.

However, such a construction cannot be used to couple the main bodies to each other without using the lids. That is, the locking protrusions and the protruding parts are provided on the main body and the lid, respectively, so that the locking protrusions, which are provided on the lower portion of a main body located at an upper position, are locked to the protruding parts formed on the lid. Thus, the cost of the product is high, and the body insert part of an uppermost lid for receiving the lower portion of another main body is exposed to the outside, so that the body insert part is soiled with various impurities, and thereby is unsanitary. Meanwhile, recently, powdered milk has been given to an infant or baby in place of mother's milk, so that parents brining up the baby frequently use containers for containing powdered milk therein. While the parents stay at home together with the baby, powdered milk is transferred from a milk box to a nursing bottle so as to feed the baby.

However, when the parents go out together with the baby, it is difficult to carry the large and heavy milk box. Further, it is difficult to transfer the proper amount of powdered milk from the milk box to the nursing bottle so as to feed the baby.

Particularly, when the parents go out together with the baby, baby goods, including diapers, toys, clothes, and beverages, must be carried as well as the milk box. Thus, it is inconvenient to carry the milk box. Therefore, recently, in order to solve the above- mentioned difficulty and inconvenience, a milk storage container that contains a serving of powdered milk to be fed to a baby was invented and has been used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the milk storage container includes main bodies 81 each having a space for holding a predetermined amount of powdered milk therein. A coupling groove 82 and a protrusion coupling recess 83 are formed in the bottom of each main body 81 while forming a step. A helical part 85 is formed on the inner surface of a strip- type projecting part 84 defining the coupling groove 82, and a threaded part 86 is formed on the circumference of the upper portion of each main body 81 and engages with the helical part 85 of the projecting part 84. A cap-type cover 88 is provided on the upper portion of each main body 81, and has in a center thereof an input protrusion 87. The main bodies 81 are coupled to each other through a screw- type fastening method to be stacked in multiple layers. A lid 91, having a protrusion closing part 92 which closes the input protrusion 87, is fastened to the threaded part 86 of the uppermost main body 81 through a screw-type fastening method. A cap-type base plate 93 is fastened to the helical part 85 formed on the projecting part 84 of the lowermost main body 81 through a screw-type fastening method.

Such a storage container does not have a sealing function. Thus, the storage container can store powder, such as powdered milk, and solid food without any difficulty. However, when the storage container containing liquid foods, such as liquid milk, tips or falls over during transport or storage thereof, liquid may leak through each input protrusion or coupling part.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, in which each of main bodies for storing and carrying various kinds of foods, including powdered milk, has a locking means and a coupling means on an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body, so that the main bodies are coupled to be stacked in multiple layers, thus being easy to store and to use to carry various kinds of foods, and being sanitary, and in which a sealing means is provided in a coupling part of the main bodies, thus preventing contents and odors from escaping from each main body even if the main bodies are inclined or fall over during transport or storage.

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, including a plurality of main bodies each having a shape of a hollow cylinder which has a predetermined volume and is open at a top thereof; a locking means provided on an outer circumference of an upper portion of each of the main bodies, and locked to lower coupling means of another main body, which is stacked on the main body, or locked to a lid; a coupling means provided on an inner circumference of a coupling piece which protrudes downwards from a circumference of a bottom of each of the main bodies, and coupled to the upper locking means of another main body, which is coupled to a lower portion of the main body; and the lid having coupling means on an inner surface of a coupling piece which protrudes downwards from a circumference of the lid, and mounted to an upper opening of an associated main body to open or close the main body.

Further, a base plate, which has on an upper surface thereof a ring-shaped coupling piece and has a locking means on the outer circumference of the coupling piece, is detachably mounted to the coupling means of the coupling piece, which is provided on the bottom of each main body.

Further, an enlarged part and an inclined part are provided on an upper end of each of the main bodies, the inclined part extending continuously from the enlarged part and being inclined inwards. A ring-shaped guide protrusion is provided inside the coupling piece provided on the bottom of each of the main bodies or the coupling piece of the lid, and is slightly wider than each main body. An inclined surface is formed in an outer edge of a lower portion of the guide protrusion and has an inclination angle corresponding to an inclination angle of the inclined part.

The guide protrusion may be inclined outwards . Further, a height of the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies or the lid is lower than a height of the coupling piece. The multipurpose storage container further includes sealing means which are provided between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies, and between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid.

The sealing means comprising a rubber ring may be mounted to an inner wall of a groove which is formed between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies, or between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid. The sealing means may be seated in a seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion. The sealing means is formed to have an L-shaped vertical cross- section, and is integrally fitted along the inner wall of the groove which is formed between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies and the seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion, or is fitted along the inner wall of the groove between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid and the seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion. Meanwhile, the coupling means, which is provided on the inner surface of the coupling piece of each main body or the lid, comprises a plurality of inclined protrusions which are arranged at regular intervals. As necessary, a locking groove may be formed on the upper surface of the rear portion of each inclined protrusion. Further, a linear part and a stop piece may extend from the rear portion of each inclined protrusion, and a locking groove may be formed on the upper surface of the linear part.

Moreover, the coupling means, which is provided on the inner surface of the coupling piece, comprises a plurality of inclined grooves which are arranged at regular intervals. As necessary, a locking groove may be formed on the lower surface of the rear portion of each inclined groove. Further, a linear part may extend from the rear portion of each inclined groove, and a locking groove may be formed on the lower surface of the linear part .

Further, the locking means, which is provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of each main body or the outer circumference of the coupling piece of the base plate, comprises cylindrical protrusions, or locking pieces each having an inclination angle corresponding to that of the inclination angle of each inclined protrusion or inclined groove.

[Advantageous Effects]

As described above, a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure is constructed so that each main body for storing and carrying various kinds of foods, including powdered milk, has a locking means and a coupling means on an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body, so that the main bodies are coupled to be stacked in multiple layers, thus being easy to use to store and carry various kinds of foods, being economical, and being sanitary. Further, the multipurpose storage container can contain several side dishes according to a preset menu, so that it is not necessary to prepare side dishes for every meal, and all people in a family can easily use the container. The multipurpose storage container is constructed so that a sealing means is provided in a coupling part of the main bodies, thus preventing contents and odors from escaping from each main body even if the main bodies are inclined or fall over during transport or storage.

[Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional container having a compound structure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional milk storage container having a compound structure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, according to the present invention; FIGS. 4a to 4c are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of sealing means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of guide protrusions of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6a to βd are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of inclined protrusions of a coupling means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention; FIGS. 7a to 7d are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of inclined grooves of the coupling means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention; and

FIGS . 8a and 8b are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of a locking means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention.

[Best Mode]

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, according to the present invention, FIGS. 4a to 4c are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of sealing means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention, FIGS. 5a and 5b are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of guide protrusions of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention, FIGS. 6a to 6d are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of inclined protrusions of a coupling means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention, FIGS. 7a to 7d are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of inclined grooves of the coupling means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention, and FIGS. 8a and 8b are partial enlarged sectional views showing embodiments of a locking means of the multipurpose storage container, according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the multipurpose storage container having the compound structure according to this invention includes main bodies 1 each having the shape of a hollow cylinder which has a predetermined volume and is open at a top thereof . A locking means 3 is provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of each main body 1, and is locked to a lower coupling means 2 of another main body 1, which is stacked on the main body, or to a lid 4.

The coupling means 2 is formed in the inner circumference of a coupling piece 13 which protrudes downwards from the circumference of the bottom of each main body 1 and has a ring shape, and is coupled to the upper locking means 3 of another main body 1 which is coupled to the lower portion of the main body.

The lid 4 has a ring-shaped coupling piece 41 which protrudes downwards from the circumference of the lid, with the coupling means 2 provided in the coupling piece. The lid is mounted to the upper opening of the main body 1 to open or close the main body.

Furthermore, H-beam guide slots 130b are formed in the bottom part 142b of the driver panel 130. H-beam members 114, which are provided in the protective shell 110, are slidably inserted into the respective H-beam guide slots 130b.

Each main body 1 has on the upper end thereof an enlarged part 11. An inclined part 12 extends from the enlarged part 11 to be inclined inwards. A ring-shaped guide protrusion 14 or 42 is formed inside the coupling piece 13, which is provided on the bottom of the main body 1, or inside the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4, and is slightly wider than the main body 1. An inclined surface 141 or 421 is formed on the outer edge of the bottom of the guide protrusion 14 or 42, and has an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the inclined part 12.

The guide protrusion 14 is characterized in that it is inclined outwards, as necessary. Further, the height h of the guide protrusion 14 of the main body 1 or the guide protrusion 42 of the lid 4 is lower than the height H of the coupling piece 13 or 41.

Further, a sealing means 6 is provided in a groove 15 which is defined between the coupling piece 13 of each main body 1 and the guide protrusion 14, or in a groove 43 which is defined between the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4 and the guide protrusion 42.

In this case, the sealing means 6 is a rubber ring, and may be mounted to an inner wall of the groove 15 defined between the coupling piece 13 of the main body 1 and the guide protrusion 14, or to an inner wall of the groove 43 defined between the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4 and the guide protrusion 42. Further, a seating groove 142 or 422 may be formed in the guide protrusion 14 or 42, so that the sealing means may be seated in the seating groove 142 or 422. Further, the sealing means is formed such that it has an L- shaped vertical cross-section, and is integrally fitted along the inner wall of the groove 15 defined between the coupling piece 13 of the main body 1 and the guide protrusion 14 and the seating groove 142 formed in the guide protrusion 14, or is fitted along the inner wall of the groove 43 defined between the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4 and the guide protrusion 42 and the seating groove 422 formed in the guide protrusion 42. Meanwhile, the coupling means 2, which is formed on the inner surface of the coupling piece 13 of the main body 1 or the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4, includes a plurality of inclined protrusions 21 which are arranged at regular intervals. As necessary, a locking groove 22 may be formed on the upper surface of the rear portion of each inclined protrusion 21. Further, a linear part 23 and a stop piece 24 may be provided on the rear portion of each inclined protrusion 21. A locking groove 25 may be formed on the upper surface of the linear part 23.

Moreover, the coupling means 2, which is formed on the inner surface of the coupling piece 13 or 41, includes a plurality of inclined grooves 26 which are arranged at regular intervals. As necessary, a locking groove 27 may be formed on the lower surface of the rear portion of each inclined groove 26. Further, a linear part 28 may be provided on the rear portion of each inclined groove 26. A locking groove 29 may be further formed on the lower surface of the linear part 28.

Further, the locking means 3, which protrudes from the outer circumference of the upper portion of each main body 1 or the outer circumference of the coupling piece 51 of the base plate 5, comprises cylindrical protrusions 31, or locking pieces 32 which have an inclination angle corresponding to that of each inclined protrusion 21 or inclined groove 26. The operational effect of the present invention, which is constructed as described above, is as follows. First, the multipurpose storage container having the compound structure according to the present invention includes the main bodies 1, the lid 4, and the base plate 5.

In the state where the main bodies 1 are stacked in multiple layers, the multipurpose storage container can be used.

Each main body 1 has the shape of a hollow cylinder which has a predetermined volume to contain a predetermined quantity of food, and is opened at a top thereof.

Further, the coupling means 2 are provided on the inner circumference of the coupling piece 13, which protrudes downwards from the circumference of the bottom of each main body 1 and has a ring shape, and are provided on the inner circumference of the ring-shaped coupling piece 41, which protrudes downwards from the circumference of the lid 4. The coupling means 2 is coupled to the locking means 3 of another main body 1 which is coupled to the lower portion of each main body, or is coupled to the locking means 3 of the base plate 5.

As shown in FIG. 6a, the coupling means 2 includes the plurality of inclined protrusions 21 which are arranged at regular intervals and protrude from the inner circumference of the coupling piece 13 of each main body 1 or the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4. As necessary, as shown in FIG. 6b, the locking groove 22 may be formed on the upper surface of the rear portion of each inclined protrusion 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 6c, the linear part 23 and the stop piece 24 may extend rearwards from each inclined protrusion 21. As shown in FIG. 6d, the locking groove 25 may be formed in the upper surface of the linear part 23.

Furthermore, the coupling means 2, which is formed on the inner surface of the coupling piece 13 of each main body 1 or the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4, may include the plurality of inclined grooves 26 which are arranged at regular intervals, as shown in FIG. 7a. As necessary, as shown in FIG. 7b, the locking groove 27 may be formed on the lower surface of the rear portion of each inclined groove 26. Further, as shown in FIG. 7c, the linear part 28 extends rearwards from each inclined groove 26. The locking groove 29 may be formed in the lower surface of the linear part 28, as shown in FIG. 7d. Meanwhile, the locking means 3 are provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of each main body 1 and the outer circumference of the ring-shaped coupling piece 51, which protrudes upwards from the base plate 5. The locking means is locked to the lower coupling means 2 of another main body 1 which is stacked on the main body, or is locked to the coupling means 2 of the lid 4.

Such a locking means 3 comprises the cylindrical protrusions 31, as shown in FIG. 8a. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8b, the locking means may comprise the locking pieces 32 each having an inclination angle that corresponds to that of each inclined protrusion 21 or inclined groove 26 of the coupling means 2. Each locking piece 32 may be formed to be shorter than the corresponding inclined protrusion 21, because a greater frictional force acts between the locking piece and the inclined protrusion 21 or the inclined groove 26.

In this case, the number of the inclined protrusions 21 or the inclination angle of the inclined grooves 26 of the coupling means 2, and the number of the cylindrical protrusions 31 or the inclination angle of the locking pieces 32 of the locking means 3, are determined depending on the size of each main body 1. Preferably, the number and the inclination angle are determined so that each main body 1, the lid 4, and the base plate 5 are coupled to each other when rotated about 30 to 45 degrees. Meanwhile, as described above, the lid 4 has the ring- shaped coupling piece 41 which protrudes downwards from the circumference of the lid. The coupling means 2 is provided on the inner surface of the coupling piece 41. The lid is mounted to the upper opening of the main body 1 to open or close the main body.

Further, the base plate 5 has on the upper surface thereof the ring-shaped coupling piece 51. The locking means 3 is provided on the outer circumference of the coupling piece 51. The base plate is detachably mounted to the main body 1, which is located at the lowermost position, when the main bodies are stacked in multiple layers . Preferably, the diameter of the base plate 5 is larger than that of the bottom of each main body 1, thus allowing the container to be stably maintained without falling over, when the main bodies of the container are stacked in multiple layers .

As such, when a user desires to couple the main bodies 1, each having the coupling means 2 and the locking means 3 on the lower portion and the upper portion thereof, to each other, couple the main body 1 to the lid 4, or couple the main body 1 to the base plate 5, the cylindrical protrusions 31 or the locking pieces 32 of the locking means 3 are disposed between the inclined protrusions 21 of the main body 1 or the lid 4. In such a state, an associated part is turned, so that the cylindrical protrusions 31 or the locking pieces 32 move along the inclined surfaces of the inclined protrusions 21 or the inclined grooves 26, and then are stopped at the position where the upper portion of the lower main body 1 or the upper portion of the coupling piece 51 of the base plate 5 comes into close contact with the upper main body 1 or the inner wall of the lid 4. The coupling of the parts is maintained by frictional force between the parts. Further, when the cylindrical protrusions 31 or the locking pieces 32 are located at the linear parts 23 or 28 of the inclined protrusions 21 or the inclined grooves 26, the coupling of the parts is maintained. Meanwhile, when the locking grooves 22 or 27 are formed in the inclined protrusions 21 or the inclined grooves 26, or the locking grooves 25 or 29 are formed in the linear parts 23 or 28 extending from the inclined protrusions 21 or the inclined grooves 26, the cylindrical protrusions 31 or the locking pieces 32 are locked into the locking grooves 22, 27, 25, or 29. Such a coupling is much firmer than the above-mentioned coupling.

In this case, the stop piece 24 that is perpendicular to the rear portion of the linear part 23 of each inclined protrusion 21 functions to limit the rotating angle between the lid 4 and the main body 1, the rotating angle between the main bodies 1, or the rotating angle between the main body 1 and the base plate 5.

Further, as described above, if the main bodies 1 having only the coupling pieces 13 are coupled to each other, or the main body 1 and the lid 4 having only the coupling pieces 13 and 41 are coupled to each other, a coupling force between the upper portion of the main body 1 and the lower portion of another main body 1 or the lid 4 becomes weak, and in addition, sealing ability is deteriorated. Consequently, some contents may escape from each main body 1 through a gap formed in a coupled part .

Thus, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5a, the enlarged part 11 and the inclined part 12, extending continuously from the enlarged part 11 to be inwardly inclined, are provided on the upper end of each main body 1. The ring-shaped guide protrusion 14 or 42 is provided inside the coupling piece 13 provided on the bottom of each main body 1 or the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4, and is slightly thicker than each main body 1. In this case, the inclined surface 141 or 421 is provided on the outer edge of the lower portion of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 to correspond to the inclination angle of each inclined part 12.

Therefore, when the main body 1 is coupled to another main body 1 or to the lid 4, the coupling means 2 and the locking means 3, provided on the respective parts, are coupled to each other. The outer surface of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 formed on each main body 1 or the lid 4 moves downwards while being in close contact with the inner surface of the enlarged part 11 which is provided on the upper portion of each main body 1. When the coupling of the main bodies 1 or the coupling of the main body 1 with the lid 4 is completed, the inclined surface 141 or 421 of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 is in close contact with the inclined part 12, which is provided under the enlarged part 11 of each main body 1. Thereby, the gap between the main bodies 1 or the gap between the main body 1 and the lid 4 is sealed.

Meanwhile, when the guide protrusion 14 or 42 is formed, as shown in FIG. 5b, the guide protrusion may be inclined slightly outwards. In this case, when the main body 1 is coupled to another main body 1 or the lid 4, the lower end of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 , which is formed on each main body 1 or the lid 4 at an incline, moves downwards while being in close contact with the inner surface of the enlarged part 11 which is provided on the upper portion of the lower main body 1, so that the coupling of the main bodies 1 or the coupling of the main body 1 with the lid 4 is completed. At this time, the guide protrusion is pushed by the inclined part 12 of each main body 1, so that the shape of the coupled part is similar to a straight-line shape. Simultaneously, the lower end of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 is in close contact with the inclined part 12 which is provided under the enlarged part 11 of each main body 1, so that no gap is formed between the main bodies 1 or between the main body 1 and the lid 4.

The guide protrusion 14 or 42 of each main body 1 or the lid 4 is inserted into the upper end of another main body 1 when the main bodies 1 are stacked up. Thus, when the main bodies 1 containing various kinds of foods are stacked up and are shaken during storage or transport, the food contained in each main body 1 covers the guide protrusion 14 or 42 of the upper main body 1 or the lid 4.

Thus, if the coupling piece 13 or 41 of each main body 1 or the lid 4 is formed to have the same height as the guide protrusion 14 or 42, when the main bodies 1 and the lid 4 are separated from each other and are placed on a table or the like so as to eat food contained in the main bodies 1, the bottom of the coupling piece 13 or 41 and the bottom of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 are in direct contact with the table. Thereby, the table is stained with the food covering the guide protrusion. Moreover, when the main bodies and the lid are coupled to each other again, the food contained in the main bodies may be contaminated. That is, such a construction is unsanitary.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the height h of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 of each main body 1 or the lid 4 is formed to be lower than the height H of the coupling piece 13 or 41. Hence, even if food covers the lower end of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 during the transport and storage of the food, only the bottom of the coupling piece 13 or 41 contacts the table, but the bottom of the guide protrusion 14 or 42 is not in direct contact with the table, when the main bodies 1 and the lid 4 are separated from each other and are placed on the table. Therefore, such a construction prevents the table from being stained with the food covered on the bottom of the guide protrusion 14 or 42, and prevents the parts from contaminating the food contained in the main bodies when the parts are coupled to each other again, thus being sanitary.

As described above, although the enlarged part 11 and the inclined part 12 are provided on the upper end of each main body 1, and the guide protrusion 14 or 42 having the inclined surface 141 or 421 is formed inside the coupling piece 13 provided on the bottom of each main body 1 or the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4, gaps may be undesirably formed due to the deterioration of the sealing ability of the parts.

Thus, according to the present invention, the sealing means 6 comprising the rubber ring may be installed in the groove 15 between the coupling piece 13 of each main body 1 and the guide protrusion 14, or the groove 43 between the coupling piece 41 of the lid 4 and the guide protrusion 42. Thereby, a double sealing operation is realized by the sealing means 6 as well as the guide protrusion 14 or 42.

In a detailed description, as shown in FIG. 4a, the sealing means 6 is installed in the inner wall of the groove 15 between the coupling piece 13 and the guide protrusion 14 of each main body 1, or in the inner wall of the groove 43 between the coupling piece 41 and the guide protrusion 42 of the lid 4. As shown in FIG. 4b, the seating groove 142 or 422 is formed in the guide protrusion 14 or 42, so that the sealing means 6 may be installed in the seating groove 142 or 422. Further, the sealing means 6 may be formed to have an L-shaped vertical cross-section. Thereby, the sealing means is integrally fitted along the inner wall between the coupling piece 13 and the guide protrusion 14 of each main body 1 and the seating groove 142 formed in the guide protrusion 14, or is fitted along the inner wall of the groove 43 defined between the coupling piece 41 and the guide protrusion 42 of the lid 4 and the seating groove 422 formed inside the guide protrusion 42.

Among the various methods of installing the sealing means 6, the sealing ability of the sealing means, which is installed along the groove 15 or 43 and the seating groove 142 or 422, is superior to that of the sealing means which is installed in the groove 15 or 43 or installed in the seating groove 142 or 422. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[industrial Applicability]

As described above, the present invention provides a multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, in which each of main bodies for storing and carrying various kinds of foods, including powdered milk, has a locking means and a coupling means on an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body, so that the main bodies are coupled to be stacked in multiple layers, thus allowing foods to be easily carried and stored, and in which a sealing means is provided in a coupling part of the main bodies, thus preventing contents and odors from escaping from each main body while food is carried or stored, therefore being sanitary.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

A multipurpose storage container having a compound structure, comprising: a plurality of main bodies each having a shape of a hollow cylinder which has a predetermined volume and is open at a top thereof; locking means provided on an outer circumference of an upper portion of each of the main bodies, and locked to lower coupling means of another main body, which is stacked on the main body, or locked to a lid; coupling means provided on an inner circumference of a coupling piece which protrudes downwards from a circumference of a bottom of each of the main bodies, and coupled to the upper locking means of another main body, which is coupled to a lower portion of the main body; and the lid having coupling means on an inner surface of a coupling piece which protrudes downwards from a circumference of the lid, and mounted to an upper opening of an associated main body to open or close the main body, whereby the main bodies are stacked in multiple layers.

[Claim 2]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: a base plate detachably mounted to the coupling piece formed on a bottom of a lowermost main body, and having locking means on an outer circumference of a coupling piece which protrudes from an upper surface of the base plate.

[Claim 3] The multipurpose storage container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an enlarged part and an inclined part provided on an upper end of each of the main bodies, the inclined part extending continuously from the enlarged part and being inclined inwards; and a guide protrusion provided inside the coupling piece provided on the bottom of each of the main bodies or the coupling piece of the lid.

[Claim 4] The multipurpose storage container according to claim 3, wherein an inclined surface is formed in an outer edge of a lower portion of the guide protrusion and has an inclination angle corresponding to an inclination angle of the inclined part.

[Claim 5]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 4, wherein the guide protrusion is inclined outwards. [Claim 6]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 5, wherein a height (h) of the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies or the lid is lower than a height (H) of the coupling piece.

[Claim 7]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 6, further comprising: sealing means provided between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies, and between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid.

[Claim 8]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 7, wherein the sealing means is mounted to an inner wall of a groove which is formed between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies, or between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid.

[Claim 9] The multipurpose storage container according to claim 7, wherein the sealing means is seated in a seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion. [Claim lθ]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the sealing means is formed to have an L- shaped vertical cross-section, and is integrally fitted along the inner wall of the groove which is formed between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of each of the main bodies and the seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion, or is fitted along the inner wall of the groove between the coupling piece and the guide protrusion of the lid and the seating groove which is formed in the guide protrusion.

[Claim ll]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of inclined protrusions or inclined grooves which are arranged at regular intervals.

[Claim 12]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 11, wherein a locking groove is formed in an upper surface of a rear portion of each of the inclined protrusions, or is formed in a lower surface of each of the inclined grooves.

[Claim 13]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 11, wherein a linear part extends from the rear portion of each of the inclined protrusions or a rear portion of each of the inclined grooves.

[Claim 14] The multipurpose storage container according to claim 13 , wherein a locking groove is formed in an upper surface of the linear part of each of the inclined protrusions, or is formed in a lower surface of the linear part of each of the inclined grooves.

[Claim 15]

The multipurpose storage container according to claim 13, wherein a stop piece is provided on an end of the linear part of each of the inclined protrusions.

[Claim 16] The multipurpose storage container according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 11, wherein the locking means comprises cylindrical protrusions or locking pieces each having an inclination angle corresponding to an inclination angle of each of the inclined protrusions or inclined grooves.