Resin container

Abstract

A container according to the present invention is a resin container (11) for a water supply device, which can hold a predetermined amount of liquid and is flexible, the container being deflated as the liquid is discharged. The resin container (11) includes: an upper surface portion (21) formed with a liquid inlet / outlet portion (24); a side surface portion (22) connected to the upper surface portion (21); and a bottom surface portion (23) disposed on the opposite side of the upper surface portion (21) and connected to the side surface portion (22). The side surface portion (22) is formed with a rounded corner surface portion (25) so that the container (11) has a rounded polygonal shape when viewed from the upper surface portion (21) side. A shoulder portion (28) of the upper surface portion (21) defined between the rounded corner surface portion (25) of the side surface portion (22) and the inlet / outlet portion (24) is thicker than a portion (29) of the upper surface portion (21) adjacent to the shoulder portion (28).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on October 18, 2018, with application number 201880073767.3 (corresponding PCT application number is PCT / JP2018 / 038871), and invention name is “Resin Container”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a resin container for a water server. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with increasing awareness of health and the need to prepare for natural disasters, demand has also increased for bags-in-box (BIBs). BIBs are composite containers in which a resin container filled with a liquid, such as drinking water (mineral water), is enclosed in an outer casing, such as a cardboard box or carton. The resin container is stored and transported within the outer casing. When in use, the container is removed from the outer casing and placed in a dispenser (water dispenser) for water supply, etc.

[0004] Resin containers are thin containers formed, for example, by blow molding a flexible material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using a blow molding machine, and have a capacity of approximately 5 to 15 liters. The resin container is flexible and, when used in an inverted position in a water dispenser, collapses due to atmospheric pressure as liquid is discharged. Because this thin and flexible resin container is particularly useful as a disposable (one-way) container that collapses and is discarded after use.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a container for a water server, which includes a belt-shaped hanging tool having flexibility near its bottom surface.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a container for a water dispenser, in which, as liquid is discharged, the container is collapsed in the axial direction of the container by a force generated by a difference between the pressure inside the container and the external air pressure.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-46216

[0010] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2016 / 050977 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] Soft containers used in water dispensers can become deflated due to atmospheric pressure during use. When the container has a rounded sidewall rather than a fully cylindrical sidewall, the lower shoulder with rounded corners formed at the four corners of the upper portion can invert downward, with the neck of the container serving as the base point, when discharging liquid. In this case, a poor connection (neck separation) occurs between the nozzle of the water dispenser and the neck of the container, resulting in poor discharge. Furthermore, there are cases where liquid remains in the inverted shoulder, causing poor discharge.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a resin container for a water supplier, which can suppress the occurrence of discharge failure in which liquid remains in the container.

[0014] Solutions for solving problems

[0015] A resin container according to the present invention that can solve the above-mentioned problems is a resin container for a water supply, the resin container being capable of containing a predetermined amount of liquid and having flexibility, the container being deflated as the liquid is discharged, the container comprising:

[0016] an upper portion, wherein a liquid inlet and outlet portion is formed on the upper portion;

[0017] a side portion connected to the upper portion; and

[0018] a bottom portion arranged on the opposite side of the upper portion and connected to the side portion;

[0019] wherein a rounded surface portion is formed on the side surface portion so that when the container is viewed from the upper surface portion, the container has a polygonal shape with rounded corners, and

[0020] A shoulder portion of the upper surface portion defined between the rounded surface portion of the side surface portion and the inlet and outlet portion has a greater wall thickness than a portion of the upper surface portion adjacent to the shoulder portion.

[0021] Furthermore, in the resin container according to the present invention,

[0022] Preferably, a wall thickness of a lower shoulder portion connecting the shoulder portion and the side portion is smaller than a wall thickness of a portion of the side portion adjacent to the lower shoulder portion.

[0023] Furthermore, in the resin container according to the present invention,

[0024] Preferably, the upper surface portion is formed with a plurality of recessed portions extending radially from the inlet and outlet portion when the container is viewed from the upper surface portion.

[0025] Furthermore, in the resin container according to the present invention,

[0026] It is preferable that the rounded surface portion of the side surface portion is formed with a fold deformation inducing portion, and the depth of the recess formed in the upper surface portion is greater than the depth of a groove of the fold deformation inducing portion.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a resin container for a water supply device which can suppress occurrence of poor discharge of liquid remaining in the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a side view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 2 is a side view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 5A is a side view of a preform for manufacturing a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 5B is a perspective view showing a cross section of the preform viewed in the direction of arrow X-X in Figure 5A .

[0035] Figure 6 is a graph showing a thickness distribution of a resin container for a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 7 is a side view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a second embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 8 is a side view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a second embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a resin container for a water supply device according to a second embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Embodiments of a resin container according to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0040] (First embodiment)

[0041] Figures 1 to 4 is a diagram showing a resin container 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the resin container 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the container 11) includes an upper portion 21, a side portion 22 connected to the upper portion 21, and a bottom portion 23 arranged on the side opposite to the upper portion 21 and connected to the side portion 22, and the resin container 11 is formed into a roughly cubic shape. It is capable of accommodating a predetermined amount of liquid (such as drinking water, etc.) therein. The resin container 11 and the resin container 111 described later are made of, for example, a synthetic resin material (such as polyester (such as PET), etc.), weigh 90g to 130g (preferably 100g to 120g) before being filled with liquid, and have a filling capacity of 10L to 12L.

[0042] The upper portion 21 forms the top surface of the container 11 and has an upwardly protruding cylindrical inlet 24 formed at its center. Liquid is introduced into the container 11 through the inlet 24. The liquid in the container 11 is discharged through the inlet 24. A lid is attached to the inlet 24. The lid can be attached to and detached from the inlet 24, and the container 11 is sealed by attaching the lid to the inlet 24.

[0043] When the container 11 is viewed from the upper surface portion 21, a plurality of recesses 30 extending radially outward from the inlet 24 are formed in the upper surface portion 21. The depth of the recesses 30 is formed to be greater than the depth of the grooves of the first to sixth folding and deformation inducing portions 31 to 36 described below.

[0044] When the container 11 is viewed from the upper surface 21 side, the upper surface 21 of the container 11 looks like a square shape with rounded corners at the four corners. The upper surface 21 includes shoulders 28 formed at the four corners and adjacent portions 29 arranged between the shoulders 28 at positions adjacent to the shoulders 28 in the circumferential direction. The shoulders 28 include a first shoulder 28A, a second shoulder 28B, a third shoulder 28C, and a fourth shoulder 28D (see FIG. Figure 3 The first shoulder 28A and the third shoulder 28C are arranged at positions opposite to each other with the inlet 24 as the center. The second shoulder 28B and the fourth shoulder 28D are arranged at positions opposite to each other with the inlet 24 as the center.

[0045] The side surface portion 22 forms the circumference of the container 11 and is connected to the upper surface portion 21 and extends downward. The bottom surface portion 23 forms the bottom surface of the container 11 and is arranged on the opposite side of the upper surface portion 21 and connected to the bottom surface portion 23.

[0046] The rounded surface portion 25 is formed to the side surface portion 22 so that when the container 11 is viewed from the upper surface portion 21 side, the container 11 has a square shape with rounded corners.Figure 3 The dotted line in FIG represents the portion corresponding to the rounded corner surface 25 of this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the rounded surface portion 25 refers not only to a portion where the rounded corners are formed but also to a portion extending from the portion where the rounded corners are formed to a flat portion. Figures 1 to 4 The two-dot chain line does not represent a three-dimensional shape but is an imaginary line for facilitating identification of the rounded surface portion 25 .

[0047] The wall thickness of the shoulder portion 28 defined between the rounded corner portion 25 of the side portion 22 and the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the upper portion 21 is formed to be greater than the wall thickness of the adjacent portion 29 of the upper portion 21 adjacent to the shoulder portion 28 in the circumferential direction. The wall thickness of the lower shoulder portion 39, which is the boundary portion connecting the shoulder portion 28 and the side portion 22, is smaller than the wall thickness of the adjacent portion 49 of the side portion 22 adjacent to the lower shoulder 39 in the circumferential direction. Figure 1 and Figure 6 The thickness distribution of each portion of the container 11 will be described.

[0048] A longitudinally long first folding deformation inducing portion 31 is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 11 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A and the rounded surface portion 25 overlap each other (that is, when the container 11 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A and the rounded surface portion 25 overlap each other), the first folding deformation inducing portion 31 is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. Figure 2 When viewed from the side shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as viewing the container 11 from the rounded surface portion 25 side), the first folding deformation inducing portion 31 is formed to be inclined relative to the central axis A passing through the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11. The term "inclined" as used in this specification means that the angle relative to the central axis A is greater than 0° and less than 90°, or greater than 90° and less than 180°.

[0049] A longitudinally elongated second folding and deformation inducing portion 32 is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 11 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, the second folding and deformation inducing portion 32 is formed to be inclined relative to the central axis A at an angle different from the angle of inclination of the first folding and deformation inducing portion 31 relative to the central axis A. When the container 11 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A overlaps with the centerline of the rounded surface portion 25, the second folding and deformation inducing portion 32 and the first folding and deformation inducing portion 31 are line-symmetrical with respect to the central axis A.

[0050] A longitudinally long third folding induction portion 33 is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 11 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, the third folding induction portion 33 is formed to be orthogonal to the central axis A at a position where the central axis A passes through the center point of the third folding induction portion 33.

[0051] When the container 11 is viewed from the side of the rounded face portion 25, a fourth fold deformation inducing portion 34 and a fifth fold deformation inducing portion 35, which are elongated, are formed on the rounded face portion 25 in line-symmetrical relation to the first fold deformation inducing portion 31 and the second fold deformation inducing portion 32, respectively, with the third fold deformation inducing portion 33 as an axis of symmetry.

[0052] When the container 11 is viewed from the side of the rounded face portion 25, a sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36, which is elongated and longer than the third fold deformation inducing portion 33, is formed on the rounded face portion 25 in such a manner as to sandwich the first fold deformation inducing portion 31 to the fifth fold deformation inducing portion 35 and be orthogonal to the central axis A.

[0053] It is desirable that no annular concave-convex rib or bellow be formed on the main body portion formed by the rounded face portion 25 and the side face portion 22 directly below the shoulder portion 28 (lower shoulder portion 39). In other words, it is desirable that the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36 not be connected annularly directly below the shoulder portion 28. If the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36 is connected to form an annular concave-convex rib or bellow, a wrinkle is formed along the concave-convex rib or bellow directly below the shoulder portion 28 in the final stage of the drainage, and the shoulder portion 28 is in an elongated state. As a result, the resistance to collapse is increased and poor drainage can occur. The same applies to the third fold deformation inducing portion 133d and the seventh fold deformation inducing portion 137d in the second embodiment described later. Furthermore, it is desirable that the depth in the radial direction of the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36 and the seventh fold deformation inducing portion 137d directly below the shoulder portion 28 be made shallower than the depth in the radial direction of the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36, the third fold deformation inducing portions 133a, 133b, 133c, and the seventh fold deformation inducing portions 137a, 137b, 137c on the side of the bottom face portion 23 from the positions where the respective inducing portions are located directly below the shoulder portion 28. Thereby, the elongated state that can occur directly below the shoulder portion 28 in the final stage of the drainage can be further reduced.

[0054] The first fold deformation inducing portion 31 to the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36 are recesses provided in the rounded face portion 25, respectively. Three units formed by the first fold deformation inducing portion 31 to the sixth fold deformation inducing portion 36 are formed side by side in the direction of the central axis A in the rounded face portion 25.

[0055] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a view showing a preform 100 for manufacturing the container 11. Figure 5A is a side view of the preform 100, Figure 5B is a view showing a cross section of the preform 100 viewed in the direction of the arrow X-X in Figure 5A .

[0056] AsFigure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the preform 100 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a bottom. The inner wall surface defining the hollow portion 103 includes four flat portions 101 and an arcuate portion 102 connecting the flat portions 101. During injection molding, the four flat portions 101 for forming the inner wall surface of the hollow portion 103 are formed by using a core obtained by chamfering four positions of a circular shape in a top view (hereinafter also referred to as a 4-chamfered injection core). The preform 100 is injection molded using the 4-chamfered injection core using a four-station type (preform injection molding, temperature adjustment treatment, blow molding, container removal) manufacturing equipment, and after temperature adjustment, blow molding is performed under predetermined conditions, thereby facilitating the production of a container 11 having a desired thickness distribution.

[0057] Typically, in hot parison blow molding, thinner portions of a preform tend to have less residual heat (their temperature tends to drop) than thicker portions and are less likely to expand. Therefore, after blow molding, the portion corresponding to the thinner portion of the preform tends to thicken in the container. In the present invention, since preform 100 is provided with four relatively thin arcuate portions 102, the shoulders 28 and the upper portion of the rounded corner portions 25 of resin container 11 and resin container 111 described later, located in the diagonal direction (the direction of the rounded corner portions 25), are relatively thicker, and the rigidity of shoulder 28 can be improved.

[0058] This suppresses the inverted deformation of the shoulder 28 due to discharge, and discharge defects can be reduced. Furthermore, the four flat portions 101, which have been relatively thickened by the preform 100, are appropriately elongated, and the main bodies of the resin containers 11 and 111 (the lower portion of the side portions 22 and the rounded corner portions 25) are formed to be relatively thin. Due to the difference in elongation between the four curved portions 102 and the four flat portions 101 due to the difference in residual heat, the circumferential wall thickness of the main bodies of the resin containers 11 and 111 is thin and uniform. Therefore, by adopting the above-described preform 100, the shoulder 28, where rigidity is desired to be enhanced, can be thickened, and the main body (the lower portion of the side portions 22 and the rounded corner portions 25) where rigidity is desired to be suppressed can be thinned. Thus, it is possible to provide the resin containers 11 and 111 with an effective thickness distribution while suppressing the amount of resin. To selectively increase the wall thickness of the shoulder 28 of the resin container 11 and the resin container 111 , the temperature of the lower portion of the body of the preform 100 may be adjusted to be higher than the temperature of the upper portion of the body of the preform 100 through a temperature adjustment process.

[0059] Next, we will refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The thickness distribution of the container 11 will be described. Figure 6The horizontal axis of the graph in represents the position where the wall thickness of the container 11 is measured and corresponds to Figure 1 The reference numerals A to K are shown in FIG. Figure 6 The vertical axis of the graph in represents the difference in wall thickness between the shoulder portion 28 and the adjacent portion 29 at a predetermined measuring position.

[0060] In the examples of Curve X and Curve Y, the preform 100 described above is used. The difference between the examples of Curve X and Curve Y lies in the blow molding conditions, where parameters such as blow molding pressure and time are adjusted to achieve the desired thickness distribution. In both the examples of Curve X and Curve Y, the graphs show peaks in the positive region at measurement position B. These peaks indicate that the wall thickness of the shoulder 28 is greater than that of the adjacent portion 29 at the height of measurement position B. Furthermore, these peaks are at their maximum value at measurement position B, indicating that the difference between the wall thickness of the shoulder 28 and the adjacent portion 29 at measurement position B is greater than at other measurement positions. Meanwhile, in the example of Curve Z, a preform injection-molded using a normal injection core without chamfers (a preform having a substantially constant wall thickness in the circumferential direction) is used, and no positive peaks are shown in the positive region at any of the measurement positions A to D corresponding to the shoulder 28.

[0061] At measurement position E, the graphs show a negative peak in the negative region in both the example of curve X and the example of curve Y. This indicates that the wall thickness of lower shoulder 39, which is the boundary portion connecting shoulder 28 and side portion 22, is smaller than the wall thickness of portion 49 adjacent to lower shoulder 39 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, this indicates that the wall thickness of lower shoulder 39, which is the boundary portion connecting shoulder 28 and side portion 22, is smaller than the wall thickness of the portion adjacent to lower shoulder 39 in the vertical direction at measurement positions (D and F).

[0062] At measurement positions F through K, the values ​​fluctuate around zero in both the example of Curve X and the example of Curve Y. This indicates that at each height of measurement positions F through K, the wall thickness of shoulder portion 28 and the wall thickness of the portion adjacent to shoulder portion 28 in the circumferential direction are substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. In other words, this indicates that the entire body portion of side portion 22 of container 11 has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

[0063] As described above, according to the resin container 11 of this embodiment, the shoulder portion 28 defined between the rounded corner portion 25 of the side portion 22 and the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the upper portion 21 is formed to have a greater wall thickness than the adjacent portion 29 of the upper portion 21, which is circumferentially adjacent to the shoulder portion 28. This enhances the strength of the shoulder portion 28. Consequently, when the resin container 11 is used upside down in a water server, the rounded corners of the shoulder portion 28 at the four corners of the upper portion 21 are less likely to invert relative to the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11 during the process of the container collapsing due to atmospheric pressure during liquid discharge, thereby maintaining their original shape. Consequently, a poor connection (neck separation) between the nozzle of the water server and the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11 is less likely to occur, and liquid is less likely to remain in the inverted shoulder portion 28.

[0064] As described above, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide the resin container 11 for a water supplier capable of suppressing the occurrence of discharge failure in which liquid remains in the container 11 .

[0065] In the resin container 11 of this embodiment, the wall thickness of the lower shoulder portion 39 connecting the shoulder portion 28 and the side portion 22 is smaller than the wall thickness of a portion 49 of the side portion 22 adjacent to the lower shoulder portion 39 in the circumferential direction.

[0066] According to this configuration, during the process of the container 11 being deflated by atmospheric pressure during discharge of liquid, the container 11 becomes easily and smoothly deflated to the lower shoulder 39 of the side surface portion 22 , and furthermore, the liquid in the container 11 is less likely to remain.

[0067] In the resin container 11 of the present embodiment, a plurality of recessed portions 30 are formed in the upper surface portion 21 so as to extend radially outward from the inlet and outlet portion 24 when the container 11 is viewed from the upper surface portion 21 side.

[0068] According to this configuration, the strength of the entire upper surface portion 21 including the shoulder portion 28 is further enhanced. For this reason, when the resin container 11 is used in a water dispenser upside down, during the process of the container 11 being deflated by atmospheric pressure during the discharge of liquid, the shoulder portions 28 having rounded corners at the four corners of the upper surface portion 21 are less likely to be reversed relative to the container 11 as a base point, thereby easily maintaining the original shape.

[0069] In the resin container 11 of the present invention, the first to sixth folding and deformation inducing portions 31 to 36 are formed in the rounded surface portion 25 of the side surface portion 22. The depth of the recessed portion 30 formed in the upper surface portion 21 is greater than the depth of the grooves of the first to sixth folding and deformation inducing portions 31 to 36.

[0070] According to this structure, during the process of the container 11 being deflated by atmospheric pressure during the discharge of liquid, the first folding deformation inducing portion 31 to the sixth folding deformation inducing portion 36 can easily and smoothly deflate the container 11 to the lower shoulder 39 of the side portion 22, and the strength of the shoulder 28 can be enhanced by the recess 30 extending radially on the upper portion 21.

[0071] The container 11 is placed in an inverted state in a box-shaped receiving portion on the top of the water dispenser. In this state, the water as the liquid inside is supplied to the water dispenser from the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11.

[0072] As the water in container 11 decreases with consumption through the water dispenser, the flexible soft resin container 11 deforms and its volume decreases accordingly. Therefore, air is prevented from entering container 11 as the water level decreases, ensuring hygiene. At this time, the folding deformation inducing portions 31 to 36 on the rounded corner surface portion 25 of the side surface portion 22, which serves as the peripheral surface, easily deform as the water level decreases.

[0073] In this embodiment, a first folding and deformation inducing portion 31, recessed toward the inside of container 11, is provided on the rounded surface portion 25. This first folding and deformation inducing portion 31 facilitates the starting point of folding and deformation and prevents the rounded surface portion 25 of the side portion 22 of container 11 from becoming a support. This allows container 11 to be deflated, eliminating any liquid from remaining in container 11. More specifically, the first folding and deformation inducing portion 31 induces forces acting on container 11 in irregular directions as liquid is discharged, preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the side portion 22 of container 11 from becoming a support. As a result, container 11 can be deflated, eliminating any liquid from remaining in container 11. Irregular forces are believed to be caused by the flow of water, slight variations in the thickness of container 11 during molding, and minor scratches and distortions on container 11 during transportation. In this embodiment, container 11 can be deflated, eliminating any liquid from remaining in container 11, regardless of its state.

[0074] In this embodiment, a second folding and deformation inducing portion 32 is further provided on the rounded surface portion 25, recessed toward the inside of the container 11. This second folding and deformation inducing portion 32 is provided in conjunction with the folding and deformation starting point of the first folding and deformation inducing portion 31. The first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 31 and 32 are provided in different directions, thereby inducing forces applied to the container 11 in irregular directions, thereby preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the side surface 22 of the container 11 from becoming a support.

[0075] In this embodiment, a third folding and deformation inducing portion 33, recessed toward the inside of the container 11, is further provided on the rounded surface portion 25. This folding and deformation starting point is provided together with the folding and deformation starting points of the first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 31, 32. In addition to the first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 31, 32 being arranged in different directions, the third folding and deformation inducing portion 33 is positioned orthogonally to the central axis A. This allows for the induction of forces acting on the container 11 in irregular directions, preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the side surface portion 22 of the container 11 from further supporting the container 11 and allowing the rounded surface portion 25 to fold and deform inward.

[0076] In this embodiment, the rounded surface portion 25 is further provided with fourth to sixth folding deformation inducing portions 34, 36 that are recessed toward the interior of the container 11, thereby providing an area for inducing folding deformation. Since folding deformation can be induced in this area, forces acting on the container 11 in irregular directions can be induced over a wide range.

[0077] In this embodiment, three regions for inducing the folding deformation are provided on the rounded surface portion 25 along the direction of the central axis A. This allows inducing a force applied to the container 11 in an irregular direction over a wide range relative to the direction of the central axis A.

[0078] (Second embodiment)

[0079] Figures 7 to 9 1 is a diagram showing a resin container 111 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The resin container 111 according to this embodiment is the same as the resin container 11 according to the first embodiment, except that the folding deformation inducing portion formed on the rounded surface portion 25 is different. Figures 7 to 9 The two-dot chain lines in ⊂ do not indicate a three-dimensional shape but are imaginary lines for facilitating identification of the rounded surface portion 25 .

[0080] In this embodiment, a longitudinally long first folding deformation inducing portion 131 (131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d are collectively referred to as 131) is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 111 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A and the rounded surface portion 25 overlap each other (that is, when the container 111 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A and the rounded surface portion 25 overlap each other), the first folding deformation inducing portion 131 is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. Figure 8 When viewed as shown in FIG. 1 , hereinafter referred to as viewing the container 111 from the rounded surface portion 25 side, the first folding deformation inducing portion 131 is formed to be inclined relative to the central axis A passing through the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 111 .

[0081] A longitudinally elongated second folding and deformation inducing portion 132 (132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d are collectively referred to as 132) is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 111 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, the second folding and deformation inducing portion 132 is formed to be inclined relative to the central axis A at an angle different from the angle of inclination of the first folding and deformation inducing portion 131 relative to the central axis A. When the container 111 is viewed from the side portion 22 so that the central axis A overlaps with the centerline of the rounded surface portion 25, the second folding and deformation inducing portion 132 is linearly symmetrical with the first folding and deformation inducing portion 131, with the central axis A as the target axis.

[0082] A longitudinally elongated third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 (133a, 133b, 133c, and 133d are collectively referred to as 133) is formed on the rounded surface portion 25. When the container 11 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 is formed orthogonally to the central axis A at a position where the central axis A passes through the center point of the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133. The first folding and deformation inducing portion 131, the second folding and deformation inducing portion 132, and the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 are formed continuously.

[0083] When viewing container 111 from the rounded surface portion 25, a longitudinally elongated fourth folding deformation inducing portion 134 (134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d are collectively referred to as 134) and a longitudinally elongated fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135 (135a, 135b, 135c, and 135d are collectively referred to as 135) are formed on rounded surface portion 25 in a line-symmetrical relationship with first folding deformation inducing portion 131 and second folding deformation inducing portion 132, with third folding deformation inducing portion 133 as the axis of symmetry. Third folding deformation inducing portion 133, fourth folding deformation inducing portion 134, and fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135 are formed continuously.

[0084] When viewing container 111 from the rounded surface portion 25, a sixth folding deformation inducing portion 136 (136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d are collectively referred to as 136) and a seventh folding deformation inducing portion 137 (137a, 137b, 137c, and 137d are collectively referred to as 137) are formed on the rounded surface portion 25, extending longer than the third folding deformation inducing portion 33, sandwiching the first folding deformation inducing portion 131 through the fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135 and perpendicular to the central axis A. The first folding deformation inducing portion 131, the second folding deformation inducing portion 132, and the sixth folding deformation inducing portion 136 are formed continuously. The fourth folding deformation inducing portion 134, the fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135, and the seventh folding deformation inducing portion 137 are formed continuously.

[0085] First folding deformation inducing portion 131 and second folding deformation inducing portion 132 are formed so as to point toward the inside of container 111 as they extend from the end on the side of sixth folding deformation inducing portion 136 toward the end of third folding deformation inducing portion 133. Fourth folding deformation inducing portion 134 and fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135 are formed so as to point toward the inside of container 111 as they extend from the end of seventh folding deformation inducing portion 137 toward the end of third folding deformation inducing portion 133. Four units, each formed from first to seventh folding deformation inducing portion 131 to 137, are formed side by side on rounded surface portion 25 in the direction of central axis A.

[0086] When the container 111 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, a trapezoidal shape can be observed on the rounded surface portion 25, with the first and second folding deformation inducing portions 131 and 132 serving as hypotenuses (legs), the third folding deformation inducing portion 133 serving as an upper base, and the sixth folding deformation inducing portion 136 serving as a lower base. When the container 111 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, a trapezoidal shape can be observed on the rounded surface portion 25, with the fourth and fifth folding deformation inducing portions 134 and 135 serving as hypotenuses, the seventh folding deformation inducing portion 133 serving as an upper base, and the third folding deformation inducing portion 133 serving as a lower base.

[0087] In the first unit formed by the first to seventh folding deformation induction portions 131a, 137a, on the bottom portion 23 closest to the container 111, two trapezoidal shapes are formed that are symmetrical with respect to the third folding deformation induction portion 133a, which serves as the target axis, when the container 111 is viewed from the rounded portion 25. In the second unit formed by the first to seventh folding deformation induction portions 131b, 137b, on the bottom portion 23 closest to the container 111, two identical trapezoidal shapes are formed. In the third unit formed by the first to seventh folding deformation induction portions 131c, 137c, on the bottom portion 23 closest to the container 111, two identical trapezoidal shapes are formed. In the fourth unit formed by the first to seventh folding deformation induction portions 131d, 137d, on the bottom portion 23 closest to the container 111, two identical trapezoidal shapes are formed. The height of the trapezoidal shapes in each unit increases from the bottom portion 23 side toward the upper portion 21 side.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first folding and deformation inducing portion 131 of the rounded surface portion 25, extending from the end on the sixth folding and deformation inducing portion 136 side toward the end of the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133, tends to serve as the starting point for folding and deformation. This prevents the rounded surface portion 25 of the container 111 from becoming a support, allowing the container 111 to be deflated so that no liquid remains. More specifically, the first folding and deformation inducing portion 31 induces forces acting on the container 111 in irregular directions as liquid is discharged, preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the container 111 from becoming a support. As a result, the container 111 can be deflated so that no liquid remains. Irregular forces are believed to be caused by the flow of water, slight variations in the thickness of the container 111 during molding, and minor scratches and distortions on the container 111 during transportation. In this embodiment, the container 111 can be deflated so that no liquid remains, regardless of its state.

[0089] In this embodiment, the rounded surface portion 25 is further provided with a second folding and deformation inducing portion 132 that extends from the end of the sixth folding and deformation inducing portion 136 toward the end of the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 and points inwardly toward the container 111. This second folding and deformation inducing portion 132 also has a folding and deformation starting point that is located together with the folding and deformation starting point of the first folding and deformation inducing portion 131. The first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 131, 132 are arranged in different directions, thereby inducing forces applied to the container 111 in irregular directions, thereby preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the container 111 from becoming a support.

[0090] In this embodiment, the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 is positioned further inwardly of the container 111 than the sixth folding and deformation inducing portion 136, and its folding and deformation origin is provided together with the folding and deformation origins of the first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 131, 132. In addition to the first and second folding and deformation inducing portions 131, 132, which are positioned in different directions, the third folding and deformation inducing portion 133 is positioned orthogonally to the central axis A. This allows for the induction of forces applied to the container 111 in irregular directions, preventing the rounded surface portion 25 of the container 111 from further becoming a support and causing the rounded surface portion 25 to fold and deform inward.

[0091] In this embodiment, the rounded surface portion 25 is further provided with a fourth folding deformation inducing portion 134 and a fifth folding deformation inducing portion 135, which extend from the end of the seventh folding deformation inducing portion 137 toward the end of the third folding deformation inducing portion 133 and point inward toward the container 111. A region for inducing folding deformation is defined by the first folding deformation inducing portion 131 through the seventh folding deformation inducing portion 137. Since folding deformation can be induced in this region, forces acting on the container 111 in irregular directions can be induced over a wide range.

[0092] In this embodiment, four regions for inducing the folding deformation are provided on the rounded surface portion 25 along the central axis A. Thus, a force applied to the container 111 in an irregular direction can be induced over a wide range relative to the central axis A.

[0093] In a resin container 111 for a water dispenser, when liquid in container 111 is drained, the side surface 22 located on the bottom surface 23 side collapses before the side surface 22 located on the top surface 21 side. By reducing the height of the trapezoidal shape observed in the first cell closest to the bottom surface 23 of container 111, deformation of container 111 can be easily induced at the start of liquid discharge, and the rounded corner surface 25 of container 111 can be prevented from becoming a support. When liquid is discharged, the vertical length of the deformation of container 111 generally increases as the liquid inside decreases and the support is lost. By increasing the height of the trapezoidal shape observed in each cell toward the top surface 21 of container 111, deformation of container 111 can be easily induced during and at the end of liquid discharge, and the rounded corner surface 25 of container 111 can be prevented from becoming a support.

[0094] In the first embodiment described above, when the container 11 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, a trapezoidal shape can be observed on the rounded surface portion 25, with the first and second folding deformation inducing portions 31 and 32 serving as hypotenuses, an imaginary line connecting the ends of the first and second folding deformation inducing portions 31 and 32 on the third folding deformation inducing portion 33 serving as the upper base, and an imaginary line connecting the ends of the first and second folding deformation inducing portions 31 and 32 on the sixth folding deformation inducing portion 36 serving as the lower base. Furthermore, when the container 11 is viewed from the rounded surface portion 25, a trapezoidal shape can be observed on the rounded surface portion 25, with the fourth and fifth folding deformation inducing portions 34 and 35 serving as hypotenuses, an imaginary line connecting the ends of the fourth and fifth folding deformation inducing portions 34 and 35 on the sixth folding deformation inducing portion 36 serving as the upper base, and an imaginary line connecting the ends of the fourth and fifth folding deformation inducing portions 34 and 35 on the third folding deformation inducing portion 33 serving as the lower base. That is, two trapezoids can be observed in one unit formed by the first to sixth folding deformation inducing portions 31 to 36 .

[0095] Similarly, in the first embodiment, the first to sixth folding and deformation inducing portions 31 to 36 can be formed so that the height of the trapezoidal shape observed in each cell increases from the bottom surface portion 23 side toward the top surface portion 21 side. By reducing the height of the trapezoidal shape observed in the cell closest to the bottom surface portion 23 of the container 11, deformation of the container 11 can be easily induced at the start of liquid discharge, and the rounded corner surface portion 25 of the container 11 can be prevented from becoming a support. By increasing the height of the trapezoidal shape observed in each cell toward the top surface portion 21 side of the container 11, deformation of the container 11 can also be easily induced during and at the end of liquid discharge, and the rounded corner surface portion 25 of the container 11 can be prevented from becoming a support.

[0096] As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a resin container for a water supplier capable of preventing liquid from remaining in the container.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the resin container 111 of this embodiment, similar to the resin container 11 of the first embodiment, the wall thickness of the shoulder portion 28 defined between the rounded corner portion 25 of the side portion 22 and the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the upper portion 21 is formed to be greater than the wall thickness of the adjacent portion 29 of the upper portion 21, which is circumferentially adjacent to the shoulder portion 28. This strengthens the shoulder portion 28. Consequently, when the resin container 11 is used upside down in a water dispenser, the rounded corners of the shoulder portion 28 at the four corners of the upper portion 21 are less likely to invert relative to the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11 during the process of the container collapsing due to atmospheric pressure during liquid discharge, thereby maintaining their original shape. Consequently, a poor connection (neck separation) between the nozzle of the water dispenser and the inlet and outlet portion 24 of the container 11 is less likely to occur, and liquid is less likely to remain on the inverted shoulder portion 28.

[0098] As described above, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide the resin container 11 for a water supplier capable of suppressing the occurrence of discharge failure in which liquid remains in the container 11 .

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, quantities, configuration positions, etc. of the components in the above-mentioned embodiments are optional and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0100] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0101] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-203345 filed on October 20, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 11, 111: resin container, 21: upper portion, 22: side portion, 23: bottom portion, 24: entrance and exit portion, 25: rounded portion, 28: shoulder portion, 30: recessed portion, 31, 131: first folding deformation inducing portion, 32, 132: second folding deformation inducing portion, 33, 133: third folding deformation inducing portion, 34, 134: fourth folding deformation inducing portion, 35, 135: fifth folding deformation inducing portion, 36, 136: sixth folding deformation inducing portion, 137: seventh folding deformation inducing portion, A: center axis.

Claims

1. A resin container for a water supply device, the resin container being capable of containing a predetermined amount of liquid and having flexibility, the container collapsing as the liquid is discharged, the container being made of polyethylene terephthalate, the container comprising: an upper portion, wherein a liquid inlet and outlet portion is formed on the upper portion in a manner passing through the central axis of the container; a side portion connected to the upper portion; as well as a bottom portion arranged on the opposite side of the upper portion and connected to the side portion; wherein a rounded surface portion is formed on the side surface portion so that when the container is viewed from the upper surface side, the container has a polygonal shape with rounded corners; A plurality of recesses are formed on the upper surface portion so as to radially extend from the liquid inlet and outlet portion when the container is viewed from the upper surface portion, and A lower shoulder portion, which is a shoulder portion connecting the upper portion and defined between the rounded surface portion of the side portion and the liquid inlet and outlet portion and a boundary portion of the side portion, has a wall thickness smaller than a wall thickness of an upper adjacent portion.

2. The resin container according to claim 1, wherein A wall thickness of a lower shoulder portion connecting the shoulder portion and the side portion is smaller than a wall thickness of a portion of the side portion adjacent to the lower shoulder portion.

3. The resin container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A folding deformation inducing portion is formed on the rounded surface portion of the side portion, and The depth of the recessed portion formed in the upper surface portion is greater than the depth of the groove of the folding deformation inducing portion.

4. A resin container for a water supply device, the resin container being capable of containing a predetermined amount of liquid and having flexibility, the container collapsing as the liquid is discharged, the container being made of polyethylene terephthalate, the container comprising: an upper portion, wherein a liquid inlet and outlet portion is formed on the upper portion in a manner passing through the central axis of the container; a side portion connected to the upper portion; a bottom portion disposed on an opposite side of the upper portion and connected to the side portion; four rounded surface portions, each of the four rounded surface portions being formed on the side surface portion so that when the container is viewed from the upper surface portion side, the container has a polygonal shape with rounded corners; and a folding deformation inducing portion unit formed on each of the rounded corner face portions, The folding deformation inducing portion unit is formed by a plurality of folding deformation inducing portions, each of which has a longitudinal shape and is recessed toward the inside of the container. A plurality of the folding deformation inducing portion units are formed side by side on each of the rounded corner portions, and A lower shoulder portion, which is a shoulder portion connecting the upper portion and defined between the rounded surface portion of the side portion and the liquid inlet and outlet portion and a boundary portion of the side portion, has a wall thickness smaller than a wall thickness of an upper adjacent portion.

5. The resin container according to claim 4, wherein The folding deformation inducing portion unit includes a first folding deformation inducing portion, and When the container is viewed from the side so that the center axis and one of the rounded corner surfaces overlap each other, the first folding deformation inducing portion is formed on each of the rounded corner surfaces in a manner inclined relative to the center axis of the liquid inlet and outlet portion passing through the container.

6. The resin container according to claim 5, wherein The folding deformation inducing portion unit includes a second folding deformation inducing portion, and When the container is viewed from the side surface so that the central axis and one of the rounded surface portions overlap each other, the second folding deformation inducing portion is formed obliquely relative to the central axis at an inclination angle different from that of the first folding deformation inducing portion relative to the central axis.

7. The resin container according to claim 6, wherein: The folding deformation inducing portion unit includes a third folding deformation inducing portion, and The third folding deformation inducing portion is formed to be orthogonal to the central axis when the container is viewed from the side surface portion so that the central axis and one of the rounded surface portions overlap each other.

8. The resin container according to claim 7, wherein The folding deformation inducing portion unit includes a fourth folding deformation inducing portion and a fifth folding deformation inducing portion, and When the container is observed from the side portion so that the center axis and one of the rounded corner portions overlap with each other, the fourth folding deformation inducing portion and the fifth folding deformation inducing portion are formed to be linearly symmetrical with the first folding deformation inducing portion and the second folding deformation inducing portion respectively with the third folding deformation inducing portion as the axis of symmetry.

9. The resin container according to claim 8, wherein The folding deformation inducing portion unit includes a sixth folding deformation inducing portion, and When the container is viewed from the side portion so that the center axis and one of the rounded corner portions overlap with each other, the sixth folding deformation inducing portion is formed to be orthogonal to the center axis, and the sixth folding deformation inducing portion is parallel to the third folding deformation inducing portion and is longer than the third folding deformation inducing portion.

10. The resin container according to claim 6, wherein An angle between the first folding deformation inducing portion and the second folding deformation inducing portion is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.

11. The resin container according to claim 9, wherein The angle between the first folding deformation inducing portion and the second folding deformation inducing portion is equal to or greater than 90 degrees, and An angle between the first folding deformation inducing portion and the sixth folding deformation inducing portion is equal to or less than 90 degrees.

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