Storage container

Abstract

To provide a storage container that solves a problem as when manually opening and closing the inner lid thereof, if the amount of waste stored in a garbage bag is small, the garbage storage container is light and the housing's position becomes unstable, making it difficult to open and close the inner lid.SOLUTION: A storage container 10 has a pair of inner lids 50A, 50B that are provided inside the housing 20 so as to be able to open and close freely, and that divide the interior space of the housing 20 into upper and lower spaces when in a closed state. The storage container 10 has an operation pedal 44 that is rotatably supported on the housing 20, and mechanisms 90L, 90R that are operatively connected between the inner lids 50A, 50B and the operation pedal 44. When the operation pedal 44 is operated to be depressed, it opens the inner lids 50A, 50B via the mechanisms 90L, 90R without being linked to the outer lids while pressing the housing 20 downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a garbage storage unit for storing waste. The garbage storage container comprises a housing having an upper opening, an outer lid configured to be able to open and close the upper opening, and a garbage bag clamping mechanism provided below the outer lid inside the housing and configured to be able to change the state of communication between the lower space and the upper space within the housing.

[0003] The outer lid is opened by depressing the pedal. The garbage bag clamping mechanism has a pair of clamping bodies that clamp the garbage bag at the center of the upper part of the garbage bag attached to the upper edge of the housing so that it can be opened and closed. The clamping bodies of the garbage bag clamping mechanism are manually operated to be opened and closed by a knob provided on the side of the housing.

[0004] In this garbage bag storage, the user opens the outer lid by stepping on the pedal, and then places waste on the garbage bag that has been closed by the clamping bodies of the garbage bag clamping mechanism. The user then releases the pedal to close the outer lid, and then operates the knob to separate the clamping bodies of the garbage bag clamping mechanism. This opens the top center of the garbage bag, allowing the waste to fall and be stored inside the garbage bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-61503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the garbage storage box described in Patent Document 1, when opening and closing the inner lid, if the amount of waste stored in the garbage bag is small, the garbage storage box is light and the housing becomes unstable, making it difficult to open and close the inner lid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A storage container for solving the above problems comprises a storage container body having an upper opening, an outer lid for opening and closing the upper opening, a pair of inner lids that are freely opened and closed inside the storage container body and that, when closed, divide the internal space of the storage container body into upper and lower sections, an operating pedal that is rotatably supported on the storage container body, and a mechanism that is operatively connected between the inner lid and the operating pedal, and when depressed, the operating pedal presses the storage container body downward and opens the inner lid via the mechanism without being linked to the outer lid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view of a storage container according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the storage container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view of a lower part of the mechanism section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of the third link of the mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the rack gear, pinion, turnover mechanism, and inner lid of the gear mechanism arranged on the left side of the storage container. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 10] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 11]1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 12] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 13] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 14] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the operating state of the corresponding inner lid. [Figure 15] 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the operating state of the turnover mechanism. [Figure 16] 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the operating state of the turnover mechanism. [Figure 17] 5 is an explanatory diagram of the rotational torque of a return spring and a turnover spring acting on an inner lid, and the combined torque of the two. FIG. [Figure 18] 13(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the operating states of the lock rack gear, the lock gear, and the inner lid. [Figure 19] 13(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the operating states of the lock rack gear, the lock gear, and the inner lid. [Figure 20] 13A is an explanatory diagram of the initial state of a mechanical section and a push link mechanism in a second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing the position of a cam follower with respect to a motion guide groove of a motion restricting guide body in the initial state of the mechanical section. [Figure 21] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical part and the push link mechanism when the operating pedal is depressed for the first time, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the cam follower relative to the operating guide groove of the operation regulating guide body when the operating pedal is depressed for the first time. [Figure 22] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical part and the push link mechanism after the first depression of the operating pedal, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the cam follower relative to the operating guide groove of the operation regulating guide body after the first depression. [Diagram 23]1A is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical part and the push link mechanism when the operating pedal is being depressed for the second time, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the cam follower relative to the operating guide groove of the operation regulating guide body when the operating pedal is being depressed for the second time. [Figure 24] 1A is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical part and the push link mechanism after the operating pedal is depressed for the second time, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the cam follower relative to the operating guide groove of the operation regulating guide body after the operating pedal is depressed for the second time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) A storage container according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 19(a) and Fig. 19(b). The storage container according to this embodiment is intended to store waste, for example, but the stored items are not limited to waste and may be waste other than waste.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage container 10 includes a housing 20 as a storage container body, an outer lid 12, an operation pedal 44, inner lids 50A and 50B, and mechanism parts 90R and 90L.

[0011] 1 and 2 is referred to as the front, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear. In addition, when a person is positioned in front of the housing 20, the right side of the housing 20 as seen by the person is referred to as the right, and the left side is referred to as the left.

[0012] The storage container 10 has a structure that is symmetrical in the left-right direction. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of one side in the left-right direction will be described, and the configuration of the other side will simply be described as being "symmetrical in the left-right direction" or may be omitted from illustration.

[0013] (Housing 20) The housing 20 has an upper case portion 20A, a central case portion 20B provided below the upper case portion 20A, and a lower case portion 20C provided below the central case portion 20B.

[0014] (Upper case part 20A) 1 and 2, the upper case portion 20A is formed with an upper front wall 21, an upper right side wall 22, an upper left side wall 23, and an upper rear side wall 24 as peripheral walls. In this embodiment, the upper front wall 21, the upper right side wall 22, the upper left side wall 23, and the upper rear side wall 24 are molded from a synthetic resin, but are not limited to a synthetic resin.

[0015] The left-right length of the upper front wall 21 and the upper rear wall 24 is longer than the front-rear length of the upper right wall 22 and the upper left wall 23. As a result, the upper case portion 20A is provided to have a rectangular shape when viewed from above. As shown in Fig. 1, an upper opening K is formed at the top of the first storage space S1 in the upper case portion 20A.

[0016] 1 and 7, ribs 21a, 24a protrude horizontally and face each other at positions slightly below the upper ends on the inner surfaces of the upper front wall 21 and the upper rear wall 24. For ease of explanation, the cover panel 26 of the gear boxes GBR, GBL, which are disposed on the left side of the storage container 10 (described later), is omitted in FIG.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a rib 22a protrudes horizontally from the inner surface of the upper right wall 22 at a position slightly below the upper end. As shown in Fig. 6, on the inner surface of the upper left wall 23, a rib 23a protrudes horizontally at a position slightly below the upper end, symmetrically with the rib 22a in the left-right direction, facing the rib 22a. The ribs 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a are formed to be at the same height. The upper surfaces of the ribs 22a and 23a are provided with recesses 22b and 23b at predetermined intervals. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, a rib 23m protrudes parallel to the rib 22a at a position slightly above the lower end on the inner surface of the upper left wall 23.

[0018] 7, on the inner surfaces of the upper front wall 21 and the upper rear wall 24, the hook plates 21b, 24b protrude to face each other and extend in the left-right direction at the middle part in the up-down direction. It is preferable that the extension length of the hook plates 21b, 24b covers the entire left-right length of the inner surfaces of the upper front wall 21 and the upper rear wall 24.

[0019] (Gearbox GBR, GBL) Gear boxes GBR, GBL (see FIG. 1) are provided on the inner surface of the upper right side wall 22 and the inner surface of the upper left side wall 23. The gear boxes GBR, GBL house gear mechanisms 120 of the mechanism units 90R, 90L, which will be described later.

[0020] The gear box GBL provided on the inner side of the upper left wall 23 will now be described. The cover panel 26 of the gearbox GBL shown in Figures 1 and 6 is disposed parallel to and spaced from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23. The cover panel 26 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. As shown in Figure 6, a plurality of mounting pieces 26a, 26b, 26c are provided at the top end, front end, and rear end of the cover panel 26 so as to protrude toward the inner surface of the upper left wall 23.

[0021] The mounting piece 26a shown in FIG. 6 is fitted into the recess 23b in the rib 23a of the upper left side wall 23 and fixed thereto. As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of inner ribs 23c, 23d extending in the up-down direction protrude from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23. The mounting piece 26b is fitted and fixed to a plurality of recesses 23e provided on the front surface of the inner rib 23c. The mounting piece 26c is fitted and fixed to a plurality of recesses 23f provided on the rear surface of the inner rib 23d.

[0022] In the gearbox GBR, the mounting configuration of the cover panel to the upper right side wall 22 is symmetrical in the left-right direction to the mounting configuration of the cover panel 26 to the upper left side wall 23 in the gearbox GBL, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] The upper ends of the upper front wall 21, upper right wall 22, upper left wall 23 and upper rear wall 24 have the same height, and are detachably covered with a frame 28 as shown in FIG. (Frame 28 and outer lid 12) The frame 28 has a ring-shaped top wall 28a that is rectangular in plan view, an outer wall 28b that extends downward from all four sides of the top wall 28a, and an inner wall 28c (see Figure 18(a)) that protrudes downward from the inner underside of the top wall 28a and is arranged parallel to the outer wall 28b.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the opening surrounded by the top wall 28a is an outer lid placement opening 28d. As shown in Fig. 18(a), a fitting groove 28e is provided between the inner wall 28c and the outer wall 28b on all four sides and opens downward.

[0025] The frame 28 is detachably fitted in the fitting grooves 28e to the upper ends of the upper front wall 21, the upper right side wall 22, the upper left side wall 23, and the upper rear wall 24. The upper ends of the upper front wall 21, the upper right side wall 22, the upper left side wall 23, and the upper rear wall 24 correspond to the upper opening edge of the storage container body.

[0026] The upper edge of the garbage bag M is clamped between the frame body 28 and the upper ends of the upper front wall 21, upper right side wall 22, upper left side wall 23, and upper rear wall 24, with the frame body 28 fitted into these side walls as described above.

[0027] At the outer lid placement opening 28d of the top wall 28a, the outer lid 12 is axially supported at the rear side edge so as to be freely opened and closed between an outer lid closed position that closes the outer lid placement opening 28d shown by the solid line in Figure 2, and an outer lid open position shown by the dotted line.

[0028] A gripping member 12a that rotates between a locked position and an unlocked position is supported on the free end side of the outer lid 12. When the outer lid 12 is in the outer lid closed position, the gripping member 12a is positioned at a locked position where it is locked by a locking portion (not shown) provided on the frame 28, thereby maintaining the closed state. When the gripping member 12a is operated to an unlocked position where it is released from the locking portion, the outer lid 12 can be rotated to an open position. When the outer lid 12 is positioned in the open position, the upper opening K is opened.

[0029] (Central case part 20B) 1 and 2, the central case portion 20B has a front door portion 29, a central right side wall 30, a central left side wall 31, a central rear side wall 32, and a central bottom wall 33. The central right side wall 30, the central left side wall 31, and the central rear side wall 32 have the same vertical length. In this embodiment, the front door portion 29, the central right side wall 30, the central left side wall 31, the central rear side wall 32, and the central bottom wall 33 are molded from a synthetic resin, but are not limited to a synthetic resin.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the central bottom wall 33 has a rectangular bottom plate 33a and side walls 33b extending upward from all four sides of the bottom plate 33a. The central right wall 30 has a rectangular shape whose vertical length is longer than its front-rear length, and the inner surface of its lower end is fixed to the right side wall 33b of the bottom plate 33a so as to cover its outer surface. The front-rear length of the central right wall 30 is the same as the front-rear length of the upper right wall 22. The upper end of the central right wall 30 is connected to the upper right wall 22 so that the outer surface is flush with each other.

[0031] The central left wall 31 has a rectangular shape whose vertical length is longer than its front-rear length, and the inner surface of its lower end is fixed to the left side wall 33b of the bottom plate 33a so as to cover its outer surface. As shown in Fig. 2, the front-rear length of the central left wall 31 is the same as the front-rear length of the upper left wall 23. The upper end of the central left wall 31 is connected to the upper left wall 23 so that the outer surfaces are flush with each other.

[0032] The central rear wall 32 has a rectangular shape whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, and the inner surface of its lower end is fixed to the rear side wall 33b of the bottom plate 33a so as to cover its outer surface. The horizontal length of the central rear wall 32 is the same as the horizontal length of the upper rear wall 24. The upper end of the central rear wall 32 is connected to the upper rear wall 24 so that the outer surface is flush with the upper rear wall 24.

[0033] 2, an opening 38 is formed which is surrounded by the central right side wall 30, the central left side wall 31, the front side wall 33b of the central bottom wall 33, and the upper front side wall 21. When a front door portion 29, which will be described later, is opened, the second storage space S2 in the central case portion 20B communicates with the external space through the opening 38.

[0034] 2, the front door section 29 has a rectangular shape whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, and its lower end is pivotally supported on the front side wall 33b of the bottom plate 33a. The horizontal length of the front door section 29 is the same as the horizontal length of the upper front side wall 21.

[0035] The front door section 29 can transition between a front door closed position where the opening 38 is closed as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and a front door open position where the opening 38 is opened as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0036] An operating knob 34 is rotatably supported on an upper portion of the front door portion 29 by a shaft 34a that penetrates the front door portion 29 in the front-rear direction. A middle portion of a lever 35 is integrally connected to the inner end of the shaft 34a in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 34a. A pair of latches 36, 37 that are supported on the inner surface of the front door portion 29 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction are rotatably connected to both ends of the lever 35.

[0037] 2, when the front door portion 29 is in the front door closed position, if the operating knob 34 is rotated counterclockwise, the free ends of the latches 36, 37 move away from each other to positions where they interfere with the inner faces of the front ends of the central right wall 30 and the central left wall 31. This makes it possible to maintain the front door portion 29 in the front door closed position.

[0038] Conversely, when the operating knob 34 is rotated clockwise from this state, the free ends of the latches 36, 37 move toward each other and are positioned so as not to interfere with the inner front end faces of the central right wall 30 and the central left wall 31. This makes it possible to move the front door portion 29 to the front door open position.

[0039] (Lower case part 20C) 1 and 2, the lower case portion 20C includes a lower left side wall 40, a lower right side wall 41, a lower rear side wall 42, and a lower bottom wall 43. In this embodiment, the lower left side wall 40, the lower right side wall 41, the lower rear side wall 42, and the lower bottom wall 43 are molded from a synthetic resin, but are not limited to a synthetic resin.

[0040] The lower bottom wall 43 has a rectangular bottom plate 43a and side walls 43b extending upward from the rear end, left end, and right end of the bottom plate 43a. The length of the bottom plate 43a in the left-right direction is the same as the length of the bottom plate 33a in the left-right direction. The front end of the bottom plate 43a extends further forward than the front end of the bottom plate 33a.

[0041] The lower left wall 40 and the lower right wall 41 are formed symmetrically in the left-right direction, so the shape of the lower left wall 40 will be described. 2, the lower left side wall 40 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape. That is, this generally trapezoidal shape has an upper base, a lower base that is longer than the upper base, a rear leg that is perpendicular to the upper and lower bases, and a front leg that extends obliquely forward as it goes downward.

[0042] The upper ends of the lower left wall 40 and the lower right wall 41 are integrally connected to cover the left and right side walls 33b of the central bottom wall 33, respectively. The lower ends of the lower left wall 40 and the lower right wall 41 are integrally connected to cover the left and right side walls 43b of the bottom plate 43a, respectively. The upper and lower ends of the lower rear side wall 42 are integrally connected to cover the side wall 33b of the central bottom wall 33 and the side wall 43b of the bottom plate 43a, respectively.

[0043] (Operation pedal 44) 1 and 2, the operation pedal 44 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, and is pivotally supported at the front edge of the bottom plate 43a so as to be able to swing freely on both the left and right ends. The operation pedal 44 is biased in the direction opposite to the depression direction by a torsion spring (not shown) wound around a pivotally supporting shaft.

[0044] (Regulation member 45) 1 and 3, a restricting member 45 is fixed to the front half of the upper surface of the bottom plate 43a. The restricting member 45 has a restricting plate portion 45a disposed below the front end of the central bottom wall 33, and a left plate 45b and a right plate 45c disposed adjacent to the left and right side walls 43b of the bottom plate 43a from the left and right ends of the restricting plate portion 45a and extending forward along the left and right side walls 43b.

[0045] The restricting plate portion 45a has a cross section formed in an arc shape. The left side plate 45b and the right side plate 45c are formed symmetrically in the left-right direction and are formed in a fan shape so that the height decreases toward the front.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plate-shaped stopper 45d protrudes from the upper end of the regulating plate portion 45a so as to interfere with the rotation trajectory of the operating pedal 44 and is positioned so as to cover a portion of the front side wall 33b of the central bottom wall 33.

[0047] As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating pedal 44 is restricted by the stopper 45d so as not to move beyond a position (hereinafter referred to as the standby position) along the slanted front edges of the lower left side wall 40 and the lower right side wall 41.

[0048] (Inner lid 50A, 50B) As shown in Fig. 1, the inner lids 50A and 50B are disposed in the lower part of the upper case part 20A. When the inner lids 50A and 50B are in the inner lid closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 are in a non-communicating state, and when the inner lids 50A and 50B are in the inner lid open position, the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 are in a communicating state. In this embodiment, the inner lids 50A and 50B are made of synthetic resin, but the material is not limited thereto.

[0049] Since the inner lids 50A and 50B have symmetrical shapes in the front-rear direction, the following description will focus on the inner lid 50A. Each part of the inner lid 50B corresponds to a part of the inner lid 50A. The same reference numerals are used for the parts. For ease of explanation, each part of the inner lid 50A will be described in the state shown in Figs. 1 and 8, in which the inner lid is in the closed position. The inner lid 50A is formed symmetrically in the left-right direction.

[0050] The inner lid 50A has a bottom plate 51 extending in the left-right direction, a pair of side walls 52 erected on both left and right ends of the bottom plate 51, and a side wall plate 53 extending in an upward concave curve along the entire length of the front end edge of the bottom plate 51 and having left and right ends connected to both side walls 52. In this embodiment, the side wall plate 53 is curved, but is not limited to being curved and may be in the shape of a flat plate or the like.

[0051] A protrusion 54 that protrudes forward is formed on the upper end of the side wall plate 53. The protrusion 54 is preferably formed over the entire length of the upper end of the side wall plate 53 in the left-right direction. Mutually opposing and vertically extending protrusions 55 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 52. Grooves 56, which are closed at the upper end and open at the lower end, are formed on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 52 corresponding to the protrusions 55. Engagement protrusions 125, 126 (see Figures 6 and 8), which will be described later, are fitted into the grooves 56.

[0052] That is, the engaging protrusion 125 is engaged with the groove 56 of the inner lid 50A. Also, the engaging protrusion 126 disposed on the rotation axis C described later is inserted into the groove 56 of the inner lid 50B. This allows the inner lids 50A and 50B to freely rotate around the rotation axis C.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the rotation angle of the inner lids 50A, 50B is 0° when the inner lids are in the closed position, the inner lids are positioned in the open position when rotated 90° in opposite directions about the rotation axis C. The rotation angle to the open position is preferably 90°, but is not limited to this angle.

[0054] 7 and 8, in the inner lid 50A located in the inner lid closed position, a relative portion 57 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the rear end of the bottom plate 51. The relative portions 57 of the inner lids 50A and 50B located in the inner lid closed position are formed to be in close contact with each other.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, when the inner lid 50A is in the inner lid closed position, the entire protrusion 54 of the inner lid 50A is formed to be in close contact with the upper surface of the latch plate 21b of the upper front wall 21 and locked thereto.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, when the inner lid 50B is in the inner lid closed position, the entire protrusion 54 of the inner lid 50B is formed to be in close contact with the upper surface of the latch plate 21b of the upper front wall 21 and locked thereto.

[0057] The first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 are closed off by the close contact between the opposing parts 57 and between the protrusions 54 and the hook plates 21b, 24b, thereby preventing the diffusion of the smell of garbage that may be floating in the second storage space S2 into the first storage space S1.

[0058] When the inner lid 50A is in the inner lid open position, the portion of the mating portion 57 of the inner lid 50A on the upper front wall 21 side is formed to be engaged in close contact with the lower surface of the hook plate 21b of the upper front wall 21 (see FIG. 13(b)). Similarly, when the inner lid 50B is in the inner lid open position, the portion of the mating portion 57 of the inner lid 50B on the upper rear wall 24 side is formed to be engaged in close contact with the lower surface of the hook plate 24b of the upper rear wall 24 (see FIG. 13(b)).

[0059] (mechanism part 90R, 90L) Since the mechanism units 90R and 90L are formed symmetrically in the left-right direction, the configuration of the mechanism unit 90L will be described as a representative example. The description of the mechanism unit 90R will be omitted. In the drawings, the illustrated members and configurations of the mechanism unit 90R are given the same reference numerals as the members corresponding to those described for the mechanism unit 90L.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the mechanism portion 90L has a link mechanism 92, a gear mechanism 120, a turnover mechanism 140 (140A, 140B (see FIG. 7)), and a rotation lock mechanism 150 (see FIG. 6).

[0061] (Link mechanism 92) As shown in Fig. 1, the link mechanism 92 includes a first link 93, a second link 94, and a third link 95. As shown in Fig. 3, the rear end of the first link 93 is axially supported so as to be swingable up and down relative to the left side wall 43b of the lower bottom wall 43. As shown in Fig. 3, a biasing member 93a such as a torsion spring is wound around the shaft supporting the first link 93, so as to constantly bias the first link 93 upward.

[0062] A guided shaft 96 protrudes to the right from the front end of the first link 93. As shown in Fig. 1, the guided shaft 96 slidably passes through an arc-shaped guide hole 97 provided in the left side plate 45b of the restricting member 45. The guide hole 97 guides the swinging movement of the first link 93.

[0063] 3, the guided shaft 96 that passes through the guide hole 97 passes slidably through an elongated hole 44a formed in the left side wall of the operating pedal 44. The elongated hole 44a allows the operating pedal 44 to be operated in the depressing direction and the counter-depressing direction. When the operating pedal 44 is depressed in the standby position, the guided shaft 96 is pressed against the left side wall that forms the elongated hole 44a, causing the first link 93 to swing downward via the guided shaft 96.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, the second link 94 has a lower end rotatably supported at approximately the middle of the first link 93. The third link 95 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the second link 94. The third link 95 shown in Fig. 1 is disposed to extend upward so as to be close to the inner surfaces of the lower left wall 40, the central left wall 31, and the upper left wall 23, and has an upper portion housed within the gear box GBL.

[0065] 5, a pair of cover side walls 98 extending in the up-down direction protrude to the right on the inner surface of the central left wall 31. A storage groove 98a extending in the up-down direction is formed in the pair of cover side walls 98. A third link 95 is slidably disposed to pass through the storage groove 98a.

[0066] A cover 99 extending in the vertical direction is fixed between the inner ends extending to the right of the pair of cover side walls 98, so that the third link 95 is not exposed to the second storage space S2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a spring storage hole 95a penetrates the lower end of the third link 95 in the left-right direction and extends in the vertical direction.

[0067] 4, a spring 100 is stored in the spring storage hole 95a, and a spring receiving seat 101 protruding from the lower left side wall 40 is slidably inserted into the spring storage hole 95a. The spring 100 has an upper end disposed between the upper end inner wall of the spring storage hole 95a and the spring receiving seat 101, so that the spring 100 constantly biases the third link 95 upward.

[0068] (1. Action of the link mechanism 92 when the operation pedal is depressed) When the operation pedal 44 in the standby position is depressed to the lowest position against the biasing force of a torsion spring or the like wound around a shaft supporting the pedal 44 so as to be able to swing freely, the first link 93 swings downward against the biasing member 93a. Then, the third link 95 moves downward via the second link 94 against the spring 100.

[0069] (2. Function of the link mechanism 92 when the operation pedal is released) When the operation pedal 44, which is in the lowest position, is released from depression, the operation pedal 44 returns to the standby position by the torsion spring wound around the shaft supporting it so as to be able to slide, etc. At the same time, the first link 93, the second link 94, and the third link 95 move upward by the biasing member 93a, the spring 100, etc.

[0070] (Gear mechanism 120) 1 and 5, the gear mechanism 120 has a rack gear 122 and pinions 124a, 124b. The rack gear 122 is provided at the upper end of the third link 95. The rack gear 122 has rack teeth 122a, 122b arranged in the vertical direction on the front and rear sides at the upper end of the third link 95. As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of fixed shafts 23g, 23h arranged side by side in the front-rear direction protrude to the right on the inner surface of the upper left wall 23.

[0071] Rotating bodies 123A and 123B are supported by fixed shafts 23g and 23h so as to be rotatable around rotation axes C of fixed shafts 23g and 23h, respectively. A pinion 124a is integrally formed with rotating body 123A. A pinion 124b is integrally formed with rotating body 123B. In this embodiment, pinions 124a and 124b are partial gears, but they are not limited to partial gears and may be spur gears, for example.

[0072] When the operating pedal 44 is in the standby position, the rack gear 122 (i.e., the third link 95) is located at a position P1 shown in Fig. 7 due to the biasing force of the spring 100. When the rack gear 122 is located at this position P1, the rack teeth 122a, 122b of the rack gear 122 are arranged so as not to mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b.

[0073] Furthermore, the rack gear 122 is disposed so as to mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b when it moves downward to a position P2 shown in FIG. 13(a), which is lower than the position P1.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 6, the rotating body 123A has an engagement protrusion 125 provided integrally with and adjacent to the right side surface of the pinion 124a. In addition, a lever 142 extending downward and rearward is provided at the base end of the engagement protrusion 125. As shown in Fig. 6, the rotating body 123B has an engagement protrusion 126 provided integrally with and adjacent to the right side surface of the pinion 124b. In addition, a lever 145 extending downward and frontward is provided at the base end of the engagement protrusion 126.

[0075] The engaging protrusions 125, 126 are formed so that their cross sections are non-circular, for example, rectangular. 6 and 8, the engaging protrusions 125, 126 on the gear box GBL side are engaged with the grooves 56 on the left end side of the inner lids 50A, 50B via the through holes 26d formed in the cover panel 26. Although not shown, the engaging protrusions on the gear box GBR side are engaged with the grooves 56 on the right end side of the inner lids 50A, 50B via a through hole (not shown) formed in the cover panel 25 (see FIG. 1).

[0076] (1. Action of the gear mechanism 120 when the operation pedal is depressed) When the operation pedal 44 in the standby position is depressed to the lowest position, the rack gear 122 provided on the third link 95 is moved from position P1 to a position lower than position P2. As the rack gear 122 moves downward, the rack teeth 122a, 122b mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b, and the inner lids 50A, 50B are rotated and move from the inner lid closed position to the inner lid open position.

[0077] (2. Action of the gear mechanism 120 when the operation pedal is released) When the operation pedal 44, which is in the lowest position, is released from depression and the operation pedal 44 returns to the standby position, the rack gear 122 provided on the third link 95 moves upward to position P1. When the rack gear 122 moves upward to position P2, the rack teeth 122a, 122b are engaged with the pinions 124a, 124b, so that the inner lids 50A, 50B rotate from the inner lid open position to the inner lid closed position. Then, when the rack gear 122 moves upward beyond position P2, the meshing between the pinions 124a, 124b and the rack teeth 122a, 122b is released, and the rack gear 122 moves to position P1.

[0078] (Turnover mechanism 140 (140A, 140B)) 7, a pair of turnover mechanisms 140 are provided, and will be described with reference numerals 140A and 140B attached to them. Turnover mechanism 140A is provided on the rotating body 123A side. Turnover mechanism 140B is provided on the rotating body 123B side.

[0079] The turnover mechanism 140A has the lever 142, and a return spring 143 and a turnover spring 144 attached to the lever 142. The return spring 143 and the turnover spring 144 are, for example, torsion springs.

[0080] A coil portion 143a of the return spring 143 is wound around the fixed shaft 23h. One end of the return spring 143 is hooked to a portion on the lower end side of the lever 142. The remaining end of the return spring 143 is hooked to the underside of a projection 23j protruding from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23, as shown in Fig. 6. The projection 23j is disposed at a position slightly higher than the height of the fixed shaft 23h.

[0081] Coil portion 144a of turnover spring 144 is disposed so as to be located diagonally forward and downward of coil portion 143a of return spring 143. One end of turnover spring 144 is hooked to protrusion 142a (see FIG. 5) at the lower end of lever 142. The other end of turnover spring 144 is hooked to the upper surface of protrusion 23k protruding from the inner surface of upper left wall 23 shown in FIG. 6. Protrusion 23k is disposed at a position below fixed shaft 23h.

[0082] The arrangement of the turnover springs 144 will be described in detail later. The turnover mechanism 140B has the lever 145, and a return spring and a turnover spring attached to the lever 145. The return spring and the turnover spring of the turnover mechanism 140B are simply provided symmetrically to the return spring and the turnover spring of the turnover mechanism 140A in the front-rear direction.

[0083] For this reason, the springs of turnover mechanism 140B and the protrusions on the inner surface of upper left wall 23 that hook the springs are given the same reference numerals as those of the springs and protrusions described in turnover mechanism 140A, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 5, the lower end of lever 145 is provided with protrusion 145a that hooks turnover spring 144.

[0084] (Arrangement and action of turnover spring 144) Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the rotational torque of the return spring 143 and the rotational torque of the turnover spring 144 acting on the inner lid, and the combined torque of the two. In Fig. 17, the vertical axis represents the rotational torque, and the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of the inner lid. If the combined rotational torque, which will be described later, is negative, the inner lid will operate in the opening direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 17, when the inner lids 50A, 50B are in the inner lid closed position (rotation angle 0°), the spring force of the return spring 143 is set so as to be greater than the rotation torque of the turnover spring 144.

[0086] When the inner lids 50A, 50B are in the inner lid closed position, the rotational torque of the return spring 143 is an attachment load that is capable of clamping the garbage bag M containing garbage between the mating parts 57 of the inner lids 50A, 50B and maintaining that state, as shown in Figure 12 (b).

[0087] When the inner lids 50A, 50B are in the inner lid closed position (rotation angle 0°, (1. Action of the gear mechanism 120 when the operation pedal is depressed)), the turnover mechanisms 140A, 140B are as shown in FIG. 15(a). When the inner lids 50A, 50B rotate in the opening direction from the inner lid closed position to a predetermined rotation angle θ (e.g., 30°) as shown in FIG. 17, the return spring 143 is stored so as to gradually increase its force.

[0088] On the other hand, when the inner lids 50A, 50B rotate in the opening direction from the inner lid closed position to a predetermined rotation angle θ, the rotation torque of the turnover spring 144 is arranged to gradually decrease in a direction that biases the inner lids 50A, 50B in the closing direction. Also, the rotation torque of the turnover spring 144 is set to be 0 at the rotation angle θ.

[0089] Therefore, as shown in Figure 17, when the inner lids 50A, 50B rotate in the opening direction from the inner lid closed position to a predetermined rotation angle θ, the rotational torques of both springs are added together, and thus the combined torque is greater than the rotational torque of the return spring 143.

[0090] The operation of depressing the operation pedal 44 is executed by applying a torque larger than this composite torque. Fig. 15(b) illustrates the state of the turnover mechanisms 140A, 140B when the inner lids 50A, 50B have rotated to a rotation angle θ. Fig. 16(a) illustrates the state of the turnover mechanisms 140A, 140B when the inner lids 50A, 50B have rotated beyond the rotation angle θ. Fig. 16(b) illustrates the state when the inner lids 50A, 50B have rotated to the inner lid open position.

[0091] 17, from the rotation angle θ of the inner lids 50A, 50B to the inner lid open position, the return spring 143 continues to gradually increase, while the turnover spring 144 gradually decreases by a negative value. As a result, from the rotation angle θ of the inner lids 50A, 50B to the inner lid open position, the combined torque is a value obtained by subtracting the rotation torque of the turnover spring 144 from the rotation torque of the return spring 143, and therefore is a value smaller than the rotation torque of the return spring 143.

[0092] Therefore, when the rotation angle of the inner lids 50A, 50B exceeds the rotation angle θ by depressing the operation pedal 44, the operation of depressing the operation pedal 44 becomes easier by the amount of the rotation torque of the turnover spring.

[0093] When the pedal is released, the biasing force of the torsion spring wound around the shaft that supports the operating pedal 44 so that the operating pedal 44 can return to the standby position, the biasing member 93a, the spring 100, etc. is set to be greater than the composite torque.

[0094] (Rotation lock mechanism 150) 5 and 7, the rotation lock mechanism 150 includes a lock rack gear 152, a storage chamber 153 that stores the lock rack gear 152, a lock gear 154 that is arranged to be able to mesh with the lock rack gear 152, and a spring 157. The lock rack gear 152 corresponds to a first lock member. The lock gear 154 corresponds to a second lock member.

[0095] 6 and 7, the storage chamber 153 is provided on the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 between the fixed shafts 23g and 23h. As shown in Fig. 6, the rear wall of the storage chamber 153 is formed of a rib 23n that protrudes from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 and has both upper and lower ends integrally connected to the ribs 23a and 23m, respectively.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 6, the front wall of the storage chamber 153 has a rib 23o that protrudes from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 and has an upper end integrally connected to the rib 23a, and a rib 23p that protrudes from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 and has a lower end integrally connected to the rib 23m. As shown in Fig. 18(a), the rib 23o and the rib 23p are formed to be aligned in a straight line.

[0097] The upper wall of the storage chamber 153 is formed by a part of the rib 23a. A through hole 23r penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in the upper wall of the storage chamber 153. The front-rear length of the through hole 23r is shorter than the distance between the rib 23o and the rib 23n.

[0098] Note that Figures 18(a), 18(b), 19(a) and 19(b) are explanatory views showing the fixed shafts 23h, 23g in cross section and the upper left side wall 23 as seen from the inner surface side, and the dimensional ratios of each component are different from those in Figure 6 for ease of explanation.

[0099] A gap t is formed between the rib 23o and the rib 23p. The lower wall of the storage chamber 153 is formed of a rib 23q between the ribs 23m and 23p, which protrudes from the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 and has both front and rear ends integrally connected to the ribs 23m and 23p. The area between the rib 23p and the rib 23 corresponds to the lower portion 155 of the storage chamber 153, and a sliding contact portion 152c is disposed therebetween.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 6, the lock rack gear 152 is disposed between the inner surface of the upper left wall 23 and the third link 95, and is disposed so as to be vertically movable within the storage chamber 153. As shown in Fig. 18(a), the lock rack gear 152 is shaped like a long plate extending in the vertical direction, and rack teeth 156 are formed on the front end surface of the lock rack gear 152, passing through the gap t and facing the fixed shaft 23g.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 5, a spring housing hole 152a is drilled upward in the lower end surface of the lock rack gear 152. As shown in Figs. 18(a) and 18(b), a spring 157 is disposed in the spring housing hole 152a. The upper end of the spring 157 is engaged with the terminal end of the spring housing hole 152a of 152a, and the lower end is engaged with the rib 23q. The spring 157 constantly urges the lock rack gear 152 upward.

[0102] 5 and 7, the upper and lower parts of the lock rack gear 152 form a pair of sliding contact parts 152b, 152c that come into sliding contact with the ribs 23o, 23n. In the lock rack gear 152, a portion above the sliding contact part 152b forms a pressed part 152d. The pressed part 152d is formed so that its front-to-rear length is shorter than that of the sliding contact part 152b, and its cross-sectional area is smaller.

[0103] The lock rack gear 152 is pressed upward by the urging force of the spring 157, so that the pressed portion 152d enters into the through hole 23r of the rib 23a. When the frame body 28 is fitted to the upper ends of the upper front wall 21, the upper right side wall 22, the upper left side wall 23, and the upper rear wall 24, the pressed portion 152d is pressed by the frame body 28 as shown in Fig. 18(a) so that the upper end face does not protrude upward from the rib 23a.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 18(b), when the frame body 28 is removed from the upper front wall 21, etc., the lock rack gear 152 is moved upward by the biasing force of the spring 157, and the upper end surface of the pressed portion 152d protrudes upward from the rib 23a.

[0105] When the lock rack gear 152 is not engaged with a lock gear 154 (described later), the lock rack gear 152 is allowed to move upward until the sliding contact portion 152b engages with the lower surface of the rib 23a. The position of the lock rack gear 152 when the sliding contact portion 152b engages with the lower surface of the rib 23a is the locked position.

[0106] The lock gear 154 is integrally connected to the pinion 124a so as to be coaxial with the pinion 124a, and rotates integrally with the pinion 124a in the same direction. The lock gear 154 is made up of a partial gear.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 18(a), when the inner lids 50A, 50B are in the inner lid closed position and the pressed portion 152d is pressed against the frame body 28, the lock gear 154 is arranged to be in a non-interlocking position in which it does not engage with the rack teeth 156.

[0108] Also, as shown in FIG. 18(b), even when the inner lids 50A, 50B are positioned in the inner lid closed position and the pressed portion 152d is not pressed against the frame body 28, the lock gear 154 is positioned so as not to engage with the rack teeth 156 of the lock rack gear 152.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 19(a), the lock gear 154 is disposed so as to mesh with the rack teeth 156 of the lock rack gear 152 positioned at the lock position when the operation pedal 44 is depressed and the inner lids 50A, 50B move from the inner lid closed position to the inner lid open position. Due to this meshing, as shown in Fig. 18(a), the lock gear 154 is configured to move downward from the lock position against the biasing force of the spring 157. The rotation angle of the inner lids 50A, 50B when the lock gear 154 moves downward from the lock position is set to be in a range exceeding the rotation angle θ in Fig. 17.

[0110] 19(b), when the operation pedal 44 is released from the depressed state, the lock gear 154 returns the inner covers 50A, 50B to the inner cover closed position side by the biasing force of the biasing member 93a and the spring 100 of the link mechanism 92. On the other hand, the lock rack gear 152 is moved upward by the biasing force of the spring 157 to be positioned at the lock position.

[0111] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the inner lids 50A, 50B return slightly toward the inner lid closed position from the inner lid open position, but are designed to maintain the open state. (Action and effect of rotation lock mechanism 150) Therefore, in this state, the clamping between the opposing parts 57 of the garbage bag M is released, so the garbage bag M can then be tied and removed from the storage container. In other words, since the inner lids 50A, 50B are maintained in the open state, the inner lids 50A, 50B do not get in the way, improving the operability of removing the garbage bag M and replacing it with a new garbage bag M.

[0112] (Operation of the first embodiment) Next, the operation of the storage container 10 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Figures 9(a), 10(a), 11(a), 12(a), 13(a) and 14(a) are simplified explanatory diagrams to allow understanding of the state of the mechanism 90L and the inner lids 50A, 50B. For ease of explanation, some components such as the cover panel 26 are omitted from these figures. Figures 9(b), 10(b), 11(b), 12(b), 13(b) and 14(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the state of the garbage bag M corresponding to each figure (a).

[0113] (1. Depressing the control pedal) FIG. 9(a) shows the storage container 10 in a state where the outer lid 12 closes the outer lid placement opening 28d (see FIG. 2) to close the upper opening K. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the inner lids 50A, 50B are in the inner lid closing position. At this time, the rack teeth 122a, 122b of the rack gears 122 of the mechanism units 90R, 90L are in a position where they do not mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b. In FIG. 9(b), some garbage G has been placed in the garbage bag M.

[0114] In this state, when the outer lid 12 is manually moved to the open position as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the upper opening K is opened. Even when the upper opening K is opened, it is held in that state by being sandwiched between the opposing parts 57 of the inner lids 50A and 50B. Therefore, the smell of the garbage G in the second storage space S2 does not drift into the first storage space S1, and does not leak out to the outside.

[0115] In this state, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), trash G is thrown into the trash bag M in the first storage space S1. As shown in Fig. 12(b), the thrown-in waste G is placed on the inner lids 50A, 50B that are in the inner lid closed position. As shown in Fig. 12(a), after the outer lid 12 is manually moved to the inner lid closed position, the gripping member 12a (see Fig. 2) is positioned at the lock position, whereby the outer lid 12 is locked.

[0116] Next, as shown in FIG. 13(a), when the operating pedal 44 in the standby position is depressed to its lowest position, the link mechanism 92 operates as described above (1. Action of the link mechanism 92 when the operating pedal is depressed), and the rack gear 122 moves downward.

[0117] As a result, the gear mechanism 120 operates as described above (1. Action of the gear mechanism 120 when the operation pedal is depressed), and the inner lids 50A, 50B move from the inner lid closed position to the inner lid open position (see FIG. 13(b)). As shown in FIG. 13(b), when the inner lids 50A, 50B move from the inner lid closed position to the inner lid open position, the garbage G falls into the garbage bag M in the second storage space S2.

[0118] When the inner lids 50A, 50B move from the inner lid closed position to the inner lid open position, the turnover mechanisms 140A, 140B operate as described above (the arrangement and action of the turnover spring 144). That is, the inner lids 50A, 50B rotate with a composite rotational torque larger than the rotational torque of the return spring 143 from the inner lid closed position (rotation angle 0°) to the rotation angle θ. Then, in the latter half of the operation when the rotation angle of the inner lids 50A, 50B exceeds the rotation angle θ, the composite rotational torque becomes smaller than the rotational torque of the return spring 143, so that the depressing force of the operating pedal 44 can be reduced compared to the first half of the operation.

[0119] In this embodiment, when the operation pedal 44 is depressed to the lowest position, the operating load generated when the operation pedal 44 is depressed is applied to the entire lower bottom wall 43 that supports the operation pedal 44 and the first link 93. Therefore, by depressing the operation pedal 44, the entire storage container 10 is pressed down against the floor or the like on which the storage container 10 is placed. Therefore, the storage container 10 does not move laterally when the operation pedal 44 is depressed, and the placement position of the storage container 10 can be stabilized. Therefore, the waste G can be dropped into the storage container 10 in a stable state.

[0120] The above explanation of the operation is based on the assumption that garbage G has already accumulated in the garbage bag M in the second storage space S2, but when there is no garbage G accumulated in the garbage bag M in the second storage space S2, or when garbage G is initially dropped into an empty garbage bag M, the storage container 10 is lighter.

[0121] In this way, even though the storage container 10 is lighter, the storage container 10 does not move laterally when the operating pedal 44 is depressed, and waste G can be dropped into the storage container 10 in a stable state. (2. Release of operation pedal depression) When the depression of the operation pedal 44 is released, the link mechanism 92 operates as described above (2. Action of the link mechanism 92 when depression of the operation pedal is released), and the rack gear 122 moves upward. As a result, while the rack gear 122 moves upward to position P2, the gear mechanism 120 operates as described above (2. Action of the gear mechanism 120 when depression of the operation pedal is released), and the inner lids 50A, 50B are positioned from the inner lid open position to the inner lid closed position (see FIG. 14(a)).

[0122] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The storage container 10 has an outer lid 12 that opens and closes an upper opening K, and a pair of inner lids 50A, 50B that are provided inside the housing 20 (storage container body) so as to be freely openable and closable, and that divide the interior space of the housing 20 into upper and lower spaces when in a closed state. The storage container 10 also has an operation pedal 44 that is rotatably supported on the housing 20, and mechanisms 90L, 90R that are operatively connected between the inner lids 50A, 50B and the operation pedal 44. When the operation pedal 44 is depressed, it presses the housing 20 downward and opens and closes the inner lids 50A, 50B via the mechanisms 90L, 90R without being linked to the outer lid 12.

[0123] With this configuration, even if the storage container 10 is light, such as when the amount of waste stored in the garbage bag is small, the storage container can stabilize the position of the housing when the operating pedal is depressed, allowing stable operation of the inner lid.

[0124] (2) The mechanism units 90L, 90R include a gear mechanism 120 that operates the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B in the opening direction when the operation pedal 44 is depressed. According to this configuration, when the operation pedal 44 is depressed, the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B are actuated in the opening direction by the gear mechanism 120. As a result, the mechanism section includes a gear mechanism, so that the mechanism section can have a simple configuration.

[0125] (3) The gear mechanism 120 includes a rack gear 122 supported to be movable up and down in cooperation with the operation pedal 44, and a pair of pinions 124a, 124b. When the rack gear 122 moves downward, the pair of pinions 124a, 124b mesh with the rack gear 122 to open the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B. When the rack gear moves upward, the pair of pinions 124a, 124b are released from meshing with the rack gear 122 to allow the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B to be closed.

[0126] According to this configuration, the inner lids 50A, 50B are opened and closed by the rotation of the pinions 124a, 124b meshed with the rack gear 122. When both inner lids 50A, 50B are closed, the smell of the garbage G stored in the lower internal space can be prevented from diffusing into the upper internal space. As a result, the operating range of the rack gear 122 only needs to ensure vertical movement, and the operating range of the pinions 124a, 124b only needs to provide a space that allows rotation. Therefore, the storage volume of the gear mechanism 120 can be limited with respect to the side wall of the housing 20, and the feeling of protruding from the side wall can be reduced.

[0127] (4) The pinions 124a, 124b are provided with turnover mechanisms 140A, 140B that reduce the depressing force on the operating pedal 44 in the latter half of the operation compared to the first half of the operation. According to this configuration, when the operating pedal is depressed, the turnover mechanism operates in the latter half of the operation, thereby reducing the depressing force on the operating pedal.

[0128] (5) The storage container 10 has a frame 28 fitted to the edge of the upper opening K of the housing 20. The storage container 10 has a lock rack gear 152 (first locking member) that operates from a state where it is engaged with the frame 28 and stops at a locked position when the frame 28 is removed from the edge of the upper opening K, and a lock gear 154 (second locking member). The lock gear 154 rotates coaxially with the pinions 124a, 124b in the same direction as the pinions 124a, 124b. When the inner covers 50A, 50B are in the inner cover closed position and the lock rack gear 152 stops at the locked position, the lock gear 154 is not engaged with the lock rack gear 152 and is not linked to the lock rack gear 152. When the inner covers 50A, 50B are opened from the inner cover closed position by the operation pedal 44, the lock gear 154 is engaged with the lock rack gear 152. After the operation of the operation pedal 44 is released, the lock rack gear 152 is moved to the lock position by meshing with the lock rack gear 152, thereby maintaining the inner lids 50A, 50B in an open state.

[0129] According to this configuration, when the garbage bag is tied and removed from the storage container, the inner lid is kept open, so that the inner lid does not get in the way, improving the operability of removing the garbage bag and replacing it with a new garbage bag.

[0130] Second embodiment Next, a storage container 10 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The storage container 10 of this embodiment is similar to the storage container 10 of the first embodiment, except that a cam mechanism CA and an outer lid link mechanism 160 are added.

[0131] As shown in Fig. 20(a), the cam mechanism CA is provided on each of the mechanism parts 90R and 90L. The cam mechanisms CA provided on the mechanism parts 90R and 90L are formed symmetrically with respect to each other in the left-right direction, so the cam mechanism CA on the mechanism part 90L side will be described. The description of the cam mechanism CA on the mechanism part 90R side will be omitted.

[0132] (Cam mechanism CA) As shown in Fig. 20(a), the cam mechanism CA includes a cam body 170 and a cam follower 180. The cam body 170 is generally plate-shaped so as to be disposed between the first link 93 and the inner surface of the lower left side wall 40 shown in Fig. 2, and has an upper end supported by a shaft portion 171 so as to be freely swingable relative to the inner surface of the lower left side wall 40.

[0133] (Cam body 170) As shown in Fig. 20(b), a groove 173 is formed on the right side surface of the cam body 170 so as to have a heart cam 172 in the center in the up-down direction. The groove 173 corresponds to a sliding groove. Note that in each of Figs. 20 to 24(b), the heart cam 172 and the groove 173 are shown with broken lines, but for convenience of explanation, the heart cam 172 and the groove 173 are shown with solid lines. The reason for this is to make it easier to compare with the movement trajectory E of the cam follower 180 shown in each of Figs. 20 to 24(a).

[0134] In this embodiment, the heart cam 172 has a V-shaped recess on the upper end surface side, and the lower end surface side is formed in a V shape. The groove portion 173 has a first cam groove 173a, a second cam groove 173b, a first extending groove 173c, a third cam groove 173d, a second extending groove 173e, and a fourth cam groove 173f.

[0135] 20(b), the initial state of cam body 170 is set to a state of being suspended in the up-down direction. Based on this initial state, first cam groove 173a, second cam groove 173b, first extension groove 173c, third cam groove 173d, second extension groove 173e, and fourth cam groove 173f of groove portion 173 will be described.

[0136] The first cam groove 173a is continuously formed from the first position a to the second position b. The first position a is provided in the vertical center of the cam body 170. The second position b is provided slightly below and slightly rearward of the first position a. That is, the second position b is a position within the V-shaped recess of the heart cam 172 as shown in FIG. 20(b).

[0137] The second cam groove 173b is continuously formed from the second position b to the end of the second cam groove 173b. The end of the second cam groove 173b is diagonally upward and rearward from the second position b and at a higher position than the first position a. The end of the second cam groove 173b is also the branch point of the first extension groove 173c and the third cam groove 173d. The first extension groove 173c extends linearly upward from the end of the second cam groove 173b, and its end is the third position c. The third position c is therefore higher than the first position a. The first cam groove 173a, the second cam groove 173b, and the first extension groove 173c correspond to the first outward path.

[0138] The third cam groove 173d is formed so as to extend from the end of the second cam groove 173b to the end of the third cam groove 173d located below. The upper half of the third cam groove 173d is formed so as to be continuous with the first extending groove 173c in a straight line. The lower half of the third cam groove 173d is formed so as to bend downward and forward with respect to the upper half. The end of the third cam groove 173d is also the branch point of the second extending groove 173e and the fourth cam groove 173f.

[0139] The starting end of the second extension groove 173e is continuously connected to the end of the third cam groove 173d, and is formed in a straight line downward to the end including the fourth position d. The fourth position d is located lower than the second position b. The first extension groove 173c, the third cam groove 173d, and the second extension groove 173e correspond to the second outward path.

[0140] The fourth cam groove 173f has a starting end connected to the end of the third cam groove 173d so as to bend diagonally upward and forward in a V shape. The fourth cam groove 173f extends diagonally upward and forward, and then extends further upward, and after extending upward, extends diagonally upward and backward to be connected to the starting end of the first cam groove 173a. The second extending groove 173e and the fourth cam groove 173f correspond to the return path.

[0141] That is, the third cam groove 173d is formed along the rear side surface of the heart cam 172. On the other hand, the fourth cam groove 173f is formed along the front side surface of the heart cam 172. The third cam groove 173d and the fourth cam groove 173f are connected at the lower end of the V-shape of the heart cam 172, as shown in Figure 20(b).

[0142] (Cam follower 180) 20(a), cam follower 180 is provided integrally with first link 93. Cam follower 180 is slidably inserted into groove portion 173 of cam body 170 so as to be located closer to the tip side than second link 94. Cam follower 180 is formed of a pin or the like.

[0143] The cam follower 180 moves integrally with the first link 93 when the operating pedal 44 is depressed between the standby position and the lowest position, and when the operation is released, thereby describing a movement path E shown in Figures 20(a) and 20(b). In the initial state of the cam body 170 as shown in Figure 20(a), the start end of the first cam groove 173a is set to be located on the movement path E.

[0144] Since the cam body 170 is supported by the shaft portion 171 so as to be freely swingable, the cam follower 180 is allowed to move sequentially on the movement trajectory E to the first position a, the second position b, the third position c, and the fourth position d, as described below.

[0145] That is, when the operation pedal 44 is in the standby position, the cam follower 180 is located at the first position a with the cam body 170 in the initial state as shown in Fig. 20(b). When the operation pedal 44 is depressed for the first time, it moves from the first position a to the second position b. When the first depression of the operation pedal 44 is released, the cam follower 180 moves from the second position b to the third position c.

[0146] In this embodiment, the biasing force of the biasing member 93a and spring 100 provided on the link mechanism 92, such as the operating pedal 44 and the first link 93, is set to have a biasing force that can push the outer lid 12 up to the initial open position when the rack gear 122 moves to position P3, which will be described later.

[0147] Next, when the operation pedal 44 is depressed a second time after moving to the third position c, the cam follower 180 moves from the third position c to the fourth position d. When the second depression of the operation pedal 44 is released, the cam follower 180 returns from the fourth position d to the first position a.

[0148] As described above, when the cam follower 180 is located at the first position a, as shown in Fig. 20(b), the link mechanism 92 is set to position the rack gear 122 at position P1. When the cam follower 180 is located at the second position b, as shown in Fig. 21(b), the link mechanism 92 is set to position the rack gear 122 at position P2. In other words, the rack gear 122 is not engaged with the pinions 124a, 124b.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 22(b), when the cam follower 180 is in the third position c, the link mechanism 92 is set to position the rack gear 122 in a position P3 that is higher than the position P1.

[0150] 24(b), when the cam follower 180 moves to the fourth position d, the link mechanism 92 moves the rack gear 122 downward from the position P2 to mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b. This moves the inner lids 50A, 50B to the inner lid open position.

[0151] (Outer cover link mechanism 160) As shown in FIG. 20( a ), the outer lid link mechanism 160 includes a first lever 161 , a first connecting link 162 , a second lever 163 , a second connecting link 164 , and a pusher 165 .

[0152] The first lever 161 is supported at its approximate center so as to be pivotable up and down relative to the upper inner surface of the upper left wall 23 (see FIG. 2). The second lever 163 is supported at its approximate center so as to be pivotable up and down relative to the upper inner surface of the upper left wall 23 so as to be located rearward and below the first lever 161.

[0153] The first connecting link 162 is connected to the rear end of the first lever 161 and the front end of the second lever 163 . The lower end of the second connecting link 164 is connected to the rear end of the second lever 163. The pusher 165 is connected to the upper end of the second connecting link 164. The second connecting link 164 and the pusher 165 are guided so as to move up and down by a guide portion (not shown) provided on the upper inner surface of the upper left wall 23.

[0154] When the operating pedal 44 is in the standby position, the front end of the first lever 161 of the outer lid link mechanism 160 is in contact with the upper surface of the rack gear 122 located at position P1 due to the weight of the outer lid 12. Hereinafter, the position where the front end of the first lever 161 is in contact with the upper surface of the rack gear 122 is referred to as the initial position of the first lever 161.

[0155] In this state, as shown in FIG. 20(a), the pusher 165 is disposed so as to abut against the inner surface on the base end side of the outer lid 12 located at the inner lid closed position. Also, as shown in FIG. 21(a), when the rack gear 122 moves downward from position P1, the outer lid link mechanism 160 is positioned in the same position as that shown in FIG. 20(a).

[0156] Also, as shown in Fig. 22(a), when the rack gear 122 moves upward from position P1 to position P3 described later, the front end of the first lever 161 of the outer lid link mechanism 160 is pushed upward by the rack gear 122. This causes the pusher 165 to push the inner surface of the base end of the outer lid 12. As a result, as shown in Fig. 22(a), the outer lid 12 is positioned in the outer lid open position by the pressure of the pusher 165.

[0157] (Operation of the second embodiment) Next, the operation of the storage container 10 of the second embodiment will be described. In the following description of this embodiment, it is assumed that the lock of the outer lid 12 in the outer lid closed position by the gripping member 12a described in the first embodiment is released.

[0158] (First depression of operation pedal 44) As shown in Fig. 20(a), when the operation pedal 44 is in the standby position, the outer lid 12 is located at the outer lid closed position. As shown in Fig. 20(b), the cam follower 180 is located at the first position a of the groove portion 173. In this state, the inner lids 50A and 50B are located at the inner lid closed position, as shown in Fig. 9(b).

[0159] In this state, when the operating pedal 44 in the standby position is depressed for the first time, the first link 93 is rotated downward, causing the cam follower 180 to slide downward along the first cam groove 173a and move to the second position b (see Figures 21(a) and 21(b)).

[0160] (First release of operation pedal 44) When the first depression of the operation pedal 44 is released, the first link 93 swings upward due to the biasing force of the spring 100 and the like provided on the operation pedal 44, the first link 93, and the like.

[0161] The swinging of the first link 93 is regulated by the cam action of the cam follower 180 by the cam body 170. That is, as shown in Fig. 22(b), the cam follower 180 slides in the second cam groove 173b and the first extension groove 173c from the second position b to the third position c, thereby regulating the swinging of the first link 93.

[0162] Due to the regulated upward swing of the first link 93, the rack gear 122 moves from position P1 to position P3. Due to this movement, the outer lid link mechanism 160 positions the outer lid 12 at the outer lid open position by the pusher 165 via the first lever 161, the first connecting link 162, the second lever 163, and the second connecting link 164 (see FIG. 22(a) and FIG. 10(b)).

[0163] During this time, as shown in Fig. 22(a), the rack gear 122 does not mesh with the pinions 124a, 124b, so the inner lids 50A, 50B remain in the inner lid closed position. In this state, as shown in Fig. 11(b), garbage G is thrown into the garbage bag M in the first storage space S1 and placed on the inner lids 50A, 50B in the inner lid closed position.

[0164] (The second depression of the operating pedal 44) Next, when the operating pedal 44 is depressed for the second time, the first link 93 swings downward as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0165] When the cam follower 180 is positioned at substantially the same height as the first position a as shown in Fig. 23(b) by the downward swing of the first link 93, the rack gear 122 moves down to position P1. Then, the first lever 161 of the outer lid link mechanism 160 is positioned at the initial position, and the outer lid 12 is positioned at the outer lid closed position by its own weight. That is, the outer lid 12 closes the upper opening K (see Fig. 12(b)).

[0166] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 24(a) and 24(b), when the operating pedal 44 is depressed for the second time to its lowest position, the first link 93 swings downward, causing the cam follower 180 to slide along the third cam groove 173d and the second extension groove 173e, and to be positioned at the fourth position d.

[0167] The cam action of the cam follower 180 caused by the cam body 170 moves the rack gear 122 below position P2. As a result, the rack gear 122 meshes with the pinions 124a, 124b, and the inner lids 50A, 50B, which were in the inner lid closed position, move to the inner lid open position. As a result, the garbage G falls into the garbage bag M in the second storage space S2, as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0168] (Release the operation pedal 44 for the second time) When the second depression of the operation pedal 44 is released, the first link 93 swings upward due to the biasing force of the spring 100 and the like provided on the operation pedal 44, the first link 93, and the like. The upward swing of the first link 93 causes the cam follower 180 to slide in the fourth cam groove 173f and return to the first position a. The cam action of the cam follower 180 by the cam body 170 moves the rack gear 122 to position P1.

[0169] That is, while the cam follower 180 moves from the fourth position d to the first position a, the rack gear 122 moves the inner lids 50A, 50B from the inner lid open position to the inner lid closed position by meshing with the pinions 124a, 124b (see FIG. 14(b)). After that, the rack gear 122 releases the meshing with the pinions 124a, 124b and returns to position P1.

[0170] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment (1) to (5), and also has the following effects. (1) An outer lid link mechanism 160 is provided between the outer lid 12 and the rack gear 122 so as to be capable of linking with the outer lid 12. The cam mechanism CA provided in the mechanism parts 90R, 90L allows the lock rack gear 152 to move upward in a disengaged state with the pinions 124a, 124b when the first depression operation of the operation pedal 44 is released. This causes the outer lid 12 to be opened via the lock rack gear 152 and the outer lid link mechanism 160.

[0171] Furthermore, the cam mechanism CA opens the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B by the pair of pinions 124a, 124b meshing with the downwardly moving lock rack gear 152 when the operation pedal 44 is depressed a second time. The cam mechanism CA also allows the pair of inner lids 50A, 50B to be closed by the pinions 124a, 124b in a non-mesh state in which the meshing with the rack gear 122, which moves upwards, is released when the second depression operation is released.

[0172] With this configuration, the outer lid and the inner lid can be opened and closed in sequence by depressing one operation pedal twice and then releasing the depressing operation. (2) The cam mechanism CA includes a cam body 170 and a cam follower 180 disposed between the operation pedal 44 and the rack gear 122. The cam body 170 has a heart cam 172 and a groove portion 173 (slide groove) formed around the heart cam 172, along which the cam follower 180 slides. The groove portion 173 has a first cam groove 173a, a second cam groove 173b, and a first extending groove 173c (first outward path) along which the cam follower 180 slides when the operation pedal 44 is depressed a first time and when the operation is released.

[0173] Furthermore, the groove portion 173 has a first extension groove 173c, a third cam groove 173d, and a second extension groove 173e (second outward path) along which the cam follower 180 slides from the end of the first outward path as a starting point when the operating pedal 44 is depressed a second time. The groove portion 173 includes a second extension groove 173e along which the cam follower 180 slides and returns to the starting point of the first outward path from the end of the second outward path as a starting point when the second depression is released, and a fourth cam groove 173f (return path).

[0174] The cam body 170 moves the rack gear 122 upward in response to the sliding of the cam follower 180 on the first outward path, thereby opening the outer lid 12 via the outer lid link mechanism 160. The cam body 170 moves the rack gear 122 downward in response to the sliding of the cam follower 180 on the second outward path, thereby opening the inner lids 50A and 50B. The cam body 170 moves the rack gear 122 upward in response to the sliding of the cam follower 180 on the return path to the start end of the first outward path, thereby closing the inner lid.

[0175] With this configuration, the cam body and the cam follower enable the outer lid and the inner lid to be opened and closed in sequence by depressing one operation pedal twice. <Example of change> The embodiment can be modified as follows: The embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0176] The housing 20 is not limited to being made of resin. The housing may be made of metal. The garbage G put into the container 10 is not limited to dirt, but may be other garbage. The container 10 may also be used as a storage container.

[0177] In the first embodiment, the mechanism units 90R and 90L are provided, but in each embodiment, one of the mechanism units may be omitted. In each embodiment, the turnover mechanisms 140A and 140B may be omitted.

[0178] <Additional Notes> The above embodiment includes the configurations described in the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] a pair of inner lids that are freely openable and closable inside the storage container body and that, when in a closed state, divide the internal space of the storage container body into upper and lower sections; an operation pedal that is rotatably supported on the storage container body; and a mechanism that is operatively connected between the inner lid and the operation pedal, wherein, when the operation pedal is depressed, the operation pedal presses the storage container body downward, thereby opening the inner lid via the mechanism without being linked to the outer lid.

[0179] [Appendix 2] The storage container described in [Appendix 1], wherein the mechanism includes a gear mechanism that operates the pair of inner lids in an opening direction when the operating pedal is depressed.

[0180] [Appendix 3] The gear mechanism includes a rack gear that is linked to the operation pedal and supported so as to be movable up and down; A storage container as described in [Appendix 2], which is provided with a pair of pinions that, when the rack gear moves downward, engage with the rack gear to open the pair of inner lids, and, when the rack gear moves upward, disengage from the rack gear and allow the pair of inner lids to be closed in a non-engaged state.

[0181] [Appendix 4] The storage container described in [Appendix 3], wherein the pinion is provided with a turnover mechanism that reduces the depression force on the operating pedal in the latter half of the operation compared to the first half of the operation.

[0182] [Appendix 5] A storage container as described in [Appendix 3] or [Appendix 4], comprising: a frame body fitted to an upper opening edge portion of the storage container body; a first locking member that operates from a state engaged with the frame body and stops at a locked position when the frame body is removed from the upper opening edge portion; and a second locking member that rotates coaxially and in the same direction as the pinion, wherein the second locking member is not linked to the first locking member when the inner lid is positioned in the inner lid closed position and the first locking member is stopped at the locked position, and when the inner lid is opened from the inner lid closed position by the operating pedal, the second locking member engages with the first locking member, and after the operation by the operating pedal is released, the first locking member is moved to the locked position by engaging with the first locking member, thereby maintaining the inner lid in an open state.

[0183] [Appendix 6] An outer lid link mechanism is provided between the outer lid and the rack gear so as to be capable of linking with the outer lid, The mechanism portion includes a cam mechanism, The cam mechanism allows the rack gear to move upward in the disengaged state with the pinion when the first depression operation of the operation pedal is released, thereby opening the outer lid via the rack gear and the outer lid link mechanism, A storage container as described in any one of [Appendix 3] to [Appendix 5], wherein when the operating pedal is depressed a second time, the pair of pinions engage with the rack gear moving downward to open the pair of inner lids, and when the second depression operation is released, the pinions are disengaged from the rack gear moving upward to allow the pair of inner lids to close.

[0184] [Appendix 7] The cam mechanism includes a cam body and a cam follower disposed between the operation pedal and the rack gear, the cam body having a heart cam and a sliding groove formed around the heart cam and along which the cam follower slides, the sliding groove being divided into a first forward path along which the cam follower slides when the operation pedal is depressed a first time and then released, a second forward path along which the cam follower slides from the end of the first forward path as the operation pedal is depressed a second time, and a second forward path along which the cam follower slides when the operation pedal is depressed a second time, and a third forward path along which the cam follower slides when the operation pedal is released from the end of the first forward path. The storage container described in [Appendix 6] includes a return path in which the cam follower slides from the end of the second outward path to the start of the first outward path, and the cam body moves the rack gear upward in response to the sliding of the cam follower on the first outward path to open the outer lid via the outer lid link mechanism, moves the rack gear downward in response to the sliding of the cam follower on the second outward path to open the inner lid, and moves the rack gear upward in response to the sliding of the cam follower via the return path to close the inner lid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 10…Storage container 12...Outer lid 20. Housing 20A…Upper case part 20B…Central case part 20C…Lower case part 21…Upper front wall 21a…Rib 21b…Latching plate 22…Top right wall 23...Top left wall 23a…Rib 23b…Recess 23c…Inner rib 23d…Inner rib 23e…recess 23f…Recess 23g…Fixed shaft 23h…Fixed axis 23j…protrusion 23k…protrusion 24…Upper rear side wall 24a…Rib 24b…Latching plate 25…Cover panel 26…Cover panel 26a…Mounting piece 26b…Mounting piece 26c…Mounting piece 26d...Through hole 28…Frame body 28a...Top wall 28b…Outer wall 28c…Inner wall 28d…Outer lid placement opening 28e…Mating groove 29…Front door section 30…Central right wall 31…Central left wall 32…Center rear wall 33…Central bottom wall 34...Operation knob 35…Lever 36...barrel 38…Aperture 40…Lower left wall 41…Lower right wall 42…Lower rear wall 43…Lower base wall 44...Operation pedal 44a…long hole 45...Regulatory components 45a…Regulation plate section 45b…Left side plate 50A, 50B…Inner lid 51...Bottom plate 52…Side wall 53...Side wall panel 54...projection 55…Protrusion 56...Groove 57…Opposite part 90L, 90R... Mechanism section 92...Link mechanism 93…1st link 94…Second link 95…3rd Link 96...Guided shaft 97...Guide hole 98…Cover side wall 98a…Storage groove 99…Cover 100…Spring 101...Spring support seat 120…Gear mechanism 122…Rack gear 122a, 122b...Rack teeth 123A, 123B...Rotating body 124a, 124b...Pinion 125...Engagement protrusion 126...Engagement protrusion 140A, 140B...Turnover mechanism 142…Lever 142a...protrusion 143…Return spring 143a…Coil section 144…Turnover spring 145…Lever 145a...protrusion 150…Rotation lock mechanism 152…Lock rack gear 153…Storage room 154…Lock gear 156…Rack teeth 157…Spring 160…Outer cover link mechanism 161…First lever 162…First connecting link 163…Second lever 164…Second connecting link 165…Pusher 170…Cam body 171...Shaft 172...Heart Cam 173…Groove 173a…First cam groove (first outward path) 173b...Second cam groove (first outward path) 173c…First extension groove (first outward path, second outward path) 173d…Third cam groove (second outward path) 173e…Second extension groove (second outward and return) 173f…4th cam groove (return) 180…Cam follower C: Rotation axis S1: First storage space S2: Second storage space K... Upper opening a... First position b... Second position c... Third position d... Fourth position

Claims

1. a pair of inner lids that are freely openable and closable inside the storage container body and that, when in a closed state, divide the internal space of the storage container body into upper and lower sections; an operation pedal that is rotatably supported on the storage container body; and a mechanism that is operatively connected between the inner lid and the operation pedal, wherein, when the operation pedal is depressed, the operation pedal presses the storage container body downward, thereby opening the inner lid via the mechanism without being linked to the outer lid.

2. 2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a gear mechanism that operates the pair of inner lids in an opening direction when the operation pedal is depressed.

3. The gear mechanism includes a rack gear that is linked to the operation pedal and supported so as to be movable up and down; 3. The storage container according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of pinions which, when the rack gear moves downward, engage with the rack gear to open the pair of inner lids, and, when the rack gear moves upward, are disengaged from the rack gear to allow the pair of inner lids to be closed.

4. 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the pinion is provided with a turnover mechanism for reducing a depression force on the operating pedal in a latter half of the operation compared to an early half of the operation.

5. a frame fitted to an upper opening edge portion of the storage container body; a first locking member that operates from a state where it is engaged with the frame body and stops at a locked position when the frame body is removed from the upper opening edge portion; a second locking member that rotates coaxially with the pinion and in the same direction as the pinion, the second locking member is not linked to the first locking member when the inner lid is in the inner lid closed position and the first locking member is stopped at the locking position, 5. A storage container as described in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein when the inner lid is opened from the inner lid closed position by the operating pedal, the inner lid engages with the first locking member, and after the operation by the operating pedal is released, the first locking member is moved to the locked position by engaging with the first locking member, thereby maintaining the inner lid in an open state.

6. An outer lid link mechanism is provided between the outer lid and the rack gear so as to be capable of linking with the outer lid, The mechanism portion includes a cam mechanism, The cam mechanism allows the rack gear to move upward in the disengaged state with the pinion when the first depression operation of the operation pedal is released, thereby opening the outer lid via the rack gear and the outer lid link mechanism, A storage container as described in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein when the operating pedal is depressed a second time, the pair of pinions engage with the rack gear moving downward to open the pair of inner lids, and when the second depression operation is released, the pinions are disengaged from the rack gear moving upward to allow the pair of inner lids to be closed.

7. The cam mechanism includes: A cam body and a cam follower are disposed between the operation pedal and the rack gear, the cam body has a heart cam and a slide groove formed around the heart cam and in which the cam follower slides, The sliding groove is a first forward path in which the cam follower slides when the operation pedal is depressed a first time and then released; a second forward path in which the cam follower slides from the end of the first forward path as a starting point by a second depression operation of the operation pedal; a return path in which the cam follower slides and returns to the start end of the first outward path from the end end of the second outward path by releasing the depression, The cam body moves the rack gear upward in response to the sliding of the cam follower in the first forward path, thereby opening the outer lid via the outer lid link mechanism, 7. The storage container according to claim 6, wherein the rack gear is moved downward to open the inner lid in response to the sliding of the cam follower on the second outward path, and the rack gear is moved upward to close the inner lid in response to the sliding of the cam follower via the return path to the start end of the first outward path.

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