Packaging box

Abstract

To provide a packaging box that can prevent a falling packaging box from tilting in the left and right direction and getting caught in a commodity storage column, the packaging box applied to a vending machine that supports the packaging box with a spiral extending in a vertical direction, especially two spirals, and drops the packaging box by rotating the spiral(s).SOLUTION: In a packaging box 5, side parts 20a and 20b of a front surface part 20 and side parts 30a and 30b of a rear surface part 30 are tapered, and the side parts 40a and 40b of a right side surface part 40 and the side parts 50a and 50b of a left side surface part 50 are inversely tapered, the right side surface part 40 is inclined so as to be closer to the left side surface as it moves upward from a bottom surface part 10, and the left side surface part 50 is inclined so as to be closer to the right side surface part as it moves upward from the bottom surface part 10, the front surface part 20 is inclined so that it approaches the front side as it moves upward from the bottom surface part 10, and the rear surface part 30 is inclined so that it approaches the rear side as it moves upward from the bottom surface part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging box, and more particularly to a packaging box for use in a vending machine equipped with a spiral-type product storage rack. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vending machines equipped with spiral-type product storage racks have existed, and Patent Document 1 lists a rectangular parallelepiped as the shape of a box to be stored in such a spiral-type product storage rack.

[0003] That is, in Patent Document 1, FIG. 1 and the like disclose that rectangular parallelepiped packed products are stored on both sides of a single spiral wire 2 with a drive shaft 3 therebetween. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Jpn. Jpn. Published No. 61-6537 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the double spiral method, specifically in which the packaging box is supported between two spirals that are installed within a product storage column and extend in a vertical spiral, if the packaging box is a rectangular prism, the packaging box becomes tilted when it falls and is likely to get caught within the product storage column, preventing the packaging box from falling to the product removal outlet.

[0006] That is, in the method of supporting a packaging box between two spirals provided in a product storage column, as shown in Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, two spirals 250A, 250B are provided in a spiral shape extending vertically with a gap in the left-right direction, and a rectangular parallelepiped packaging box 205 is supported between the two spirals 250A, 250B, and multiple packaging boxes 205 are supported in a stacked state with a gap in the vertical direction. Of the multiple packaging boxes, the lowest packaging box is supported by the lower end region of the spiral, and the lower end region of the spiral is in contact with the bottom surface of the lowest packaging box. Then, as the spiral rotates, the support of the lower end of the spiral against the bottom surface of the lowest packaging box is released, and the support by the spiral is released, and the packaging box falls downward.

[0007] In this case, if the timing at which the support by the left and right spirals is released is the same for the left and right spirals, the packaging box falls without tilting left and right, but if the timing of release is different for the left and right spirals, the packaging box will be inclined left and right. For example, as shown in Figure 33, if the timing of release of the right spiral is earlier than the timing of release of the left spiral, the left spiral is still supporting the packaging box when the support by the right spiral is released, so the right side of the packaging box will tilt downward. Then, as shown in Figure 33, the right end of the packaging box (especially the upper end of the right side) and the left end of the packaging box (especially the lower end of the left side) will get caught in the product storage column, and the packaging box will not fall even if the support of the left spiral is released.

[0008] In particular, in the case of a system in which the product is supported by two spirals, the phase change when the two spirals rotate may not be exactly symmetrical, and in such a case the packaging box will not tilt and fall.

[0009] Furthermore, if the number of spirals supporting the packaging box is other than two, for example, even if the packaging box is supported by a single spiral, the packaging box may tilt to the left or right when the support is released and it falls, and there is a risk that the packaging box will get caught in the product storage column.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a packaging box that is supported by a spiral that extends in a spiral shape in the vertical direction, particularly two spirals, and is used in a vending machine that drops the packaging box as the spiral rotates, and that can prevent the falling packaging box from getting caught in a product storage column even if it tilts left or right when the support by the spiral is released. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and firstly, a packaging box for use in a vending machine in which at least one spiral is rotatably provided in a product storage column, the packaging box having a bottom surface portion (10, 110) having a pair of parallel sides and a pair of parallel sides that are perpendicular to the sides, a front surface portion (20, 120) connected to the front side side of the bottom surface portion via a fold line, and a back surface portion (20, 120) connected to the rear side side of the bottom surface portion via a fold line. a right side portion (40, 140) connected to the right side edge of the bottom portion via a fold line, and a left side portion (50, 150) connected to the left side edge of the bottom portion via a fold line; and a lid portion (60, 160) connected to the main body portion, and a pair of first sides (20a, 20b, 120a, 120b) which are sides on both the left and right sides of the front portion, the length between the pair of first sides becoming shorter as it goes upward from the bottom portion. a pair of second sides (30a, 30b, 130a, 130b) which are the sides on both the left and right sides of the back surface portion are formed so that the length between the pair of second sides becomes shorter as it goes from the bottom surface portion to the upper side; a pair of third sides (40a, 40b, 140a, 140b) which are the sides on both the front and rear sides of the right side surface portion are formed so that the length between the pair of third sides becomes longer as it goes from the bottom surface portion to the upper side; and a pair of fourth sides (50a, 50b, 150a, 150b) are formed so that the length between the pair of fourth side portions becomes longer as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion, the right side portion slopes toward the left side as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion, and the left side portion slopes toward the right side as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion, the front portion slopes toward the front side as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion, and the back portion slopes toward the back side as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion.

[0012] In the packaging box of the first configuration, if the packaging box tilts left and right when it falls inside the vending machine due to the support by the spiral being released, particularly if the timing of the release of the two spirals is misaligned and the packaging box tilts left and right, the right side portion tilts toward the left side as it moves upward from the bottom portion, and the left side portion tilts toward the right side as it moves upward from the bottom portion (in other words, both the right side portion and the left side portion are tilted so that the upper side is inward), so the right side portion or left side portion can be prevented from getting caught in the product storage column.

[0013] In addition, the front portion is inclined so that it is closer to the front side as it moves upward from the bottom portion, and the back portion is inclined so that it is closer to the back side as it moves upward from the bottom portion (i.e., both the front portion and the back portion are inclined so that the upper side is facing outward), so that even if the packaging box is inclined in the front-to-back direction relative to the drop surface and the front portion or the back portion comes into contact with the drop surface, the front portion or the back portion prevents the packaging box from tilting further, and a return action can be achieved so that the bottom portion comes into contact with the drop surface, preventing the packaging box from becoming upside down.

[0014] Secondly, in the first configuration, a right upper flap (42, 148) is formed from the upper end of the right side surface portion via a first fold line (C42), and a left upper flap (52, 158) is formed from the upper end of the left side surface portion via a second fold line (C52). The lid portion has a lid portion main body (62, 162) connected to the upper end of the back surface portion via a fold line, and an insertion piece portion (64, 164) connected to the tip of the lid portion main body via a fold line. The lid body right side portion (62b, 162b), which is the side portion on the right side surface of the lid body, is curved inwardly so that the right side portion of the lid body is on the left side of the first fold line when the lid is closed, and the lid body left side portion (62c, 162c), which is the side portion on the left side surface of the lid body, is curved inwardly so that the left side portion of the lid body is on the right side of the second fold line when the lid is closed.

[0015] In the packaging box of the second configuration, the right side portion and the left side portion of the lid body are curved inward, thereby preventing the right side portion and the left side portion of the lid body from getting caught inside the product storage column when the packaging box is tilted left or right. Effect of the Invention

[0016] With the packaging box based on the present invention, if the packaging box tilts left and right when it falls due to the support by the spirals being released inside the vending machine, particularly if the timing of the release of the two spirals is misaligned and the packaging box tilts left and right, the right side portion tilts toward the left side as it moves upward from the bottom portion, and the left side portion tilts toward the right side as it moves upward from the bottom portion, thereby preventing the right side portion or left side portion from getting caught in the product storage column.

[0017] In addition, the front portion is inclined so that it becomes closer to the front side as it moves upward from the bottom portion, and the back portion is inclined so that it becomes closer to the back side as it moves upward from the bottom portion. Therefore, even if the packaging box is inclined in the front-to-back direction relative to the drop surface and the front portion or the back portion comes into contact with the drop surface, the front portion or the back portion prevents the packaging box from inclining further, and a return operation can be performed so that the bottom portion comes into contact with the drop surface, preventing the packaging box from becoming upside down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a reduced development view of the packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a main part of a packaging box (Example 1). [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a front view of a packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a reduced-size development view of a packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a main part of a packaging box (Example 2). [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a front view of a main portion of the product storage column. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing the packaging box when used in a vending machine. [Figure 26] 1 is a right side view of a main portion of the packaging box, showing how it is used in a vending machine. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing the packaging box when used in a vending machine. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing the packaging box when used in a vending machine. [Figure 29]FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing the packaging box when used in a vending machine. [Diagram 30] 1 is a right side view of a main portion of the packaging box, showing how it is used in a vending machine. FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 1 is a front view of a main portion of a conventional packaging box, showing how it is used in a vending machine. [Diagram 32] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a main portion of a conventional packaging box, showing how it is used in a vending machine. [Diagram 33] FIG. 1 is a front view of a main portion of a conventional packaging box, showing how it is used in a vending machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the present invention, the object of providing a packaging box that is applied to a vending machine in which a packaging box is supported by a spiral that extends in a vertical direction, particularly two spirals, and the packaging box falls as the spiral rotates, is to provide a packaging box that can prevent the falling packaging box from getting caught in a product storage column even if it tilts left or right when the support by the spiral is released, and the packaging box falls, as described below. EXAMPLES

[0020] A packaging box (which may also be referred to as a "packaging container") 5 of Example 1 based on the present invention is configured as shown in Figures 1 to 10, and the packaging box 5 includes a bottom portion 10, a front portion 20 connected to a front side edge 10a of the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C1, a glue tab portion 22 connected to a right side edge 20a of the front portion 20 via a fold line, a glue tab portion 24 connected to a left side edge 20b of the front portion 20 via a fold line, a back portion 30 connected to a back side edge 10c of the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C3, a glue tab portion 32 connected to a right side edge 30a of the back portion 30 via a fold line, and a glue tab portion 25 connected to a left side edge 20b of the back portion 30 via a fold line. The packaging box 5 has a glue tab 34 connected to the side 30b on the front side via a fold line, a right side portion 40 connected to the side 10b on the right side of the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C2, a top flap portion 42 connected to the side 40c of the right side portion 40 opposite the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C42, a left side portion 50 connected to the side 10d on the left side of the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C4, a top flap portion 52 connected to the side 50c of the left side portion 50 opposite the bottom portion 10 via a fold line C52, and a lid portion 60 connected to the side 30c of the back portion 30 opposite the bottom portion 10 via a fold line. In the packaging box 5, the configuration excluding the lid portion 60 becomes the main body portion 7.

[0021] The packaging box 5 is formed entirely from a single sheet-like blank (specifically, a blank made of corrugated board (e.g., thin corrugated board)). In other words, the packaging box 5 is a paper packaging box made of corrugated board material (particularly, double-sided corrugated board material) or the like.

[0022] Here, the bottom surface portion 10 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. Note that the bottom surface portion 10 is formed from a single sheet material, and the surface of the bottom surface portion 10 is formed flat, so that even when the spirals 250A, 250B rotate while in contact with the bottom surface portion 10, the rotation of the spirals 250A, 250B is not hindered.

[0023] In addition, in the front portion 20, the side portions (first side portions) 20a, 20b on both the left and right sides form an acute angle with respect to the fold line C1, and the angle α1 between the side portion 20a and the fold line C1 and the angle α2 between the side portion 20b and the fold line C1 are acute angles. The angles α1 and α2 are the same (α1=α2). The side portion 20c of the front portion 20 opposite the bottom surface portion 10 is parallel to the fold line C1. In addition, a semicircular cutout portion 20-1 is provided at the center position in the left-right direction of the side portion 20c of the front portion 20. As described above, the front portion 20 has a shape in which the cutout portion 20-1 is formed in an isosceles trapezoid, and in the front portion 20, the side portions 20a, 20b on both the left and right sides are formed in a tapered shape so that the length between the side portion 20a and the side portion 20b becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion 10.

[0024] The adhesive portion 22 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 5, the adhesive portion 22 is adhered to the inner surface of the right side surface portion 40. In the state in which the adhesive portion 22 is adhered to the right side surface portion 40, the side portion 40a is aligned with the side portion 20a.

[0025] Similarly, the adhesive tab 24 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 5, the adhesive tab 24 is adhered to the inner surface of the left side surface 50. In the state in which the adhesive tab 24 is adhered to the left side surface 50, the side portion 50a is aligned with the side portion 20b.

[0026] In addition, in the rear portion 30, the sides (second sides) 30a and 30b on both the left and right sides form an acute angle with respect to the fold line C3, and the angle α3 between the side 30a and the fold line C3 and the angle α4 between the side 30b and the fold line C3 are acute angles. The angles α3 and α4 are the same, and α3 and α4 are the same as α1 and α2 (α3=α4=α1=α2). The side 30c of the rear portion 30 opposite the bottom surface portion 10 is parallel to the fold line C3. As described above, the rear portion 30 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the rear portion 30, the sides 30a and 30b on both the left and right sides are tapered upward so that the length between the side 30a and the side 30b becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion 10.

[0027] The adhesive portion 32 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 5, the adhesive portion 32 is adhered to the inner surface of the right side surface portion 40. In the state in which the adhesive portion 32 is adhered to the right side surface portion 40, the side portion 40b is aligned with the side portion 30a.

[0028] Similarly, the adhesive tab 34 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 5, the adhesive tab 34 is adhered to the inner surface of the left side surface 50. In the state in which the adhesive tab 34 is adhered to the left side surface 50, the side portion 50b is aligned with the side portion 30b.

[0029] In addition, in the right side portion 40, the sides (third sides) 40a, 40b on both the front and rear sides form an obtuse angle with respect to the fold line C2, and the angle β1 between the side 40a and the fold line C2 and the angle β2 between the side 40b and the fold line C2 are obtuse angles. The angles β1 and β2 are the same (β1=β2). The side 40c of the right side portion 40 opposite the bottom surface portion 10 is parallel to the fold line C2. As described above, the right side portion 40 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the right side portion 40, the sides 40a, 40b on both the front and rear sides are formed in an upward inverse tapered shape so that the length between the side 40a and the side 40b increases from the bottom surface portion 10 toward the upper side.

[0030] The top flap portion 42 is formed in a strip shape along the upper side 40c of the right side portion 40, with the corners on the front side of the elongated rectangular shape being formed in an arc shape and the back side being cut out at an angle. Here, the reason why the back side of the top flap portion 42 is cut out at an angle is to prevent the lid main body 62 from interfering with the top flap portion 42 when assembling the packaging box 5.

[0031] A pair of straight fold lines C40, C41 are formed on the right side surface portion 40 and the top surface flap portion 42. That is, the fold line C40 is provided from the lower end position on the front side of the right side surface portion 40, and the fold line C41 is provided from the lower end position on the back side of the right side surface portion 40, and the fold lines C40 and C41 are tapered so that the length between the fold lines C40 and C41 decreases with increasing distance from the bottom surface portion 10, and the angle of the fold line C40 with respect to the fold line C2 and the angle of the fold line C41 with respect to the fold line C2 are the same, and when the right side surface portion 40 and the top surface flap portion 42 are unfolded, the fold lines C40 and C41 are straight, and the fold lines C40 and C41 are tapered. By providing these fold lines C40, C41, when the packaging box 5 is manufactured using an automatic box-making machine, the fold lines C40, C41 are made into valley folds when viewed from the outside of the packaging box 5, so that the glue tabs 22, 32 can be adhered to the right side portion 40, and further the manufactured packaging box 5 can be folded flat.

[0032] In addition, in the left side surface portion 50, the sides (fourth sides) 50a, 50b on both the front and rear sides form an obtuse angle with respect to the fold line C4, and the angle β3 between the side 50a and the fold line C4 and the angle β4 between the side 50b and the fold line C4 are obtuse angles. The angles β3 and β4 are the same, and β3 and β4 are the same as β1 and β2 (β3=β4=β1=β2). The side 50c on the opposite side of the left side surface portion 50 from the bottom surface portion 10 is parallel to the fold line C4. As described above, the left side surface portion 50 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the left side surface portion 50, the sides 50a, 50b on both the front and rear sides are formed in an upwardly inverse tapered shape so that the length between the side 50a and the side 50b increases from the bottom surface portion 10 upward.

[0033] The top flap portion 52 is formed in a strip shape along the upper side portion 50c of the left side portion 50, with the corners on the front side of the elongated rectangular shape being formed in an arc shape and the back side being cut out at an angle. As in the case of the top flap portion 42, the back side of the top flap portion 52 is cut out so that the lid main body 62 does not interfere with the top flap portion 52 when assembling the packaging box 5.

[0034] A pair of straight fold lines C50, C51 are formed on the left side surface portion 50 and the top surface flap portion 52. That is, the fold line C50 is provided from the lower end position on the front side of the left side surface portion 50, and the fold line C51 is provided from the lower end position on the back side of the left side surface portion 50, and the fold lines C50 and C51 are tapered so that the length between the fold lines C50 and C51 decreases with increasing distance from the bottom surface portion 10, and the angle of the fold line C50 with respect to the fold line C4 and the angle of the fold line C51 with respect to the fold line C4 are the same, and when the left side surface portion 50 and the top surface flap portion 52 are unfolded, the fold lines C50 and C51 are straight, and the fold lines C50 and C51 are tapered. By providing these fold lines C50, C51, when the packaging box 5 is manufactured using an automatic box-making machine, the fold lines C50, C51 are made into valley folds when viewed from the outside of the packaging box 5, so that the glue tabs 24, 34 can be adhered to the left side surface portion 50, and further the manufactured packaging box 5 can be folded into a flat shape.

[0035] In addition, the lid portion 60 has a lid main body 62 connected via a fold line to the side portion 30c opposite the bottom surface portion 10 of the back surface portion 30, and an insertion piece portion 64 connected via a fold line to the side portion 62a of the lid main body 62 opposite the back surface portion 30.

[0036] Here, the lid body 62 has a generally rectangular shape, but the right side surface 62b and the left side surface 62c are curved inwardly in a generally arcuate shape, forming an inwardly recessed shape. That is, the lid main body 62 has a side portion 62b connected to the end portion on the right side of the upper side portion 30c of the rear portion 30, a side portion 62a connected to side portion 62b, and a side portion 62c connected to side portion 62a and formed to the end portion on the left side of side portion 30c, and side portions 62b and 62c are formed in an approximately arc shape, and side portions 62b and 62c are curved toward the inside of the lid main body 62 so that the length between side portions 62b and 62c becomes shorter as it approaches from side portions 30c and 62a to the central position (a position equidistant from side portions 30c and 62a) in the front-to-back direction of the lid main body 62 (the front-to-back direction when the packaging box 5 is in an unfolded state), and the length between side portions 62b and 62c is shortest at the central position in the front-to-back direction.

[0037] In other words, side portion 62b (right side portion of lid main body) which is the side portion on the right side surface of lid main body 62 is curved inwardly so that when lid portion 60 is closed, side portion 62b is on the left side surface side of fold line (first fold line) C42, and side portion 62c (left side portion of lid main body) which is the side portion on the left side surface of lid main body 62 is curved inwardly so that when lid portion 60 is closed, side portion 62c (left side portion of lid main body) which is the side portion on the right side surface side of fold line (second fold line) C52.

[0038] In addition, the length of the lid main body 62 along the side portion 30c and the length along the side portion 62a are substantially the same.

[0039] The length of the lid body 62 in the front-rear direction (the length between the side 62a and the side 30c) is approximately the same as the length of the side 40c and the length of the side 50c. In other words, since the sides 40a, 40b on both sides of the right side 40 and the sides 50a, 50b on both sides of the left side 50 are formed in an inverse tapered shape, the length of the lid body 62 in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the bottom portion 10 in the front-rear direction (the length between the fold lines C1 and C3).

[0040] In this way, the edge 62b on the right side surface and the edge 62c on the left side surface of the lid main body 62 are recessed inward, thereby preventing the edges 62b, 62c of the lid main body 62 from getting caught inside the product storage column of the vending machine when the packaging box 5 placed inside the vending machine is released from its supported state by the spiral and falls.

[0041] In addition, the insertion piece 64 has a shape in which the corners at the tip side of the horizontally elongated rectangular shape are formed into an arc shape, and the insertion piece 64 is inserted into the inside of the front portion 20 when the cover portion 60 is fixed in the closed position.

[0042] In addition, the packaging box 5 is formed to be line-symmetrical on the whole in the unfolded state. In addition, the main body 7, which is the part of the packaging box 5 excluding the lid 60, is formed to be line-symmetrical on the front-rear side in the unfolded state, except that the notch 20-1 is provided and the top flap parts 42, 52 are not line-symmetrical on the front-rear side.

[0043] When the packaging box 5 is assembled, the front portion 20, the back portion 30, the right side portion 40 and the left side portion 50 are folded upward relative to the bottom portion 10, and the adhesive portions 22, 32 are adhered to the inner surface of the right side portion 40, while the adhesive portions 24, 34 are adhered to the inner surface of the left side portion 50.

[0044] Further, the right side surface portion 40 and the top flap portion 42 are folded so that the fold lines C40, C41 form a valley fold when viewed from the outside, and the left side surface portion 50 and the top flap portion 52 are folded so that the fold lines C50, C51 form a valley fold when viewed from the outside, thereby resulting in a folded state of the main body portion 7. Even in the assembled state of the packaging box 5 as shown in Figures 1 to 8, the packaging box 5 is formed symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0045] As described above, in the packaging box 5, the sides on both sides of the front part 20 and the back part 30 are tapered, and the sides on both sides of the right side part 40 and the left side part 50 are inversely tapered. Therefore, when the packaging box 5 is assembled, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the front part 20 and the back part 30 are inclined outward (i.e., inclined so that the upper side is outward), and the length between the front part 20 and the back part 30 is formed so that it becomes longer as it goes upward. In other words, the front part 20 is inclined so that it becomes closer to the front side as it goes upward from the bottom part 10, and the back part 30 is inclined so that it becomes closer to the back side as it goes upward from the bottom part 10. Furthermore, the right side part 40 and the left side part 50 are inclined inward (i.e., inclined so that the upper side is inward), and the length between the right side part 40 and the left side part 50 is formed so that it becomes shorter as it goes upward. That is, the right side surface portion 40 slopes upward from the bottom surface portion 10 toward the left side surface, and the left side surface portion 50 slopes upward from the bottom surface portion 10 toward the right side surface. EXAMPLES

[0046] Next, a packaging box (which may be referred to as a "packaging container") 105 as a second embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in Figs. 11 to 20. The packaging box 105 includes a bottom portion 110, a front portion 120 connected to a side portion 110a on the front side of the bottom portion 110 via a fold line C1, a band-shaped portion 122 connected to a side portion of the front portion 120 opposite the bottom portion 110 via a fold line, an inner front portion 124 connected to a side portion of the band-shaped portion 122 opposite the front portion 120 via a fold line C124, an inner bottom portion 126 connected to a side portion of the inner front portion 124 opposite the band-shaped portion 122 via a fold line C125, and a back portion 130 connected to a side portion 110c on the back side of the bottom portion 110 via a fold line C3. A right side surface portion 140 is connected to a right side surface portion 110b of the bottom surface portion 110 via a fold line C2, a side flap portion 142 is connected to a front side surface portion 140a of the right side surface portion 140 via a fold line, an arm portion 144 is connected to a rear side surface portion 140b of the right side surface portion 140 via a fold line, a top surface flap portion 148 is connected to a side portion 140c of the right side surface portion 140 opposite the bottom surface portion 110 via a fold line C42, and a top surface flap portion 148 is connected to a left side surface portion 110d of the bottom surface portion 110 via a fold line C43. The packaging box 105 has a left side surface portion 150 connected to the left side surface portion 150 via a fold line, a side flap portion 152 connected to a front side edge portion 150a of the left side surface portion 150 via a fold line, an arm portion 154 connected to a rear side edge portion 150b of the left side surface portion 150 via a fold line, an upper surface flap portion 158 connected to a side edge portion 150c of the left side surface portion 150 opposite the bottom surface portion 110 via a fold line C52, and a lid portion 160 connected to a side edge portion 130c of the rear surface portion 130 opposite the bottom surface portion 110 via a fold line.

[0047] Incidentally, packaging box 105 is also formed entirely from a single sheet-like blank (specifically, a blank made of corrugated board (e.g., thin corrugated board)) like packaging box 5. In other words, packaging box 105 is a paper packaging box made of corrugated board material (particularly, double-sided corrugated board material) or the like.

[0048] Here, bottom surface portion 110 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. Like bottom surface portion 10 of packaging box 5, bottom surface portion 110 is formed of a single sheet material, and the surface of bottom surface portion 110 is formed flat, so that even when spirals 250A, 250B rotate while in contact with bottom surface portion 110, the rotation of spirals 250A, 250B is not hindered.

[0049] In addition, in the front portion 120, the sides (first sides) 120a and 120b on both the left and right sides form an acute angle with respect to the fold line C1, and the angle α1 between the side 120a and the fold line C1 and the angle α2 between the side 120b and the fold line C1 are acute angles. The angles α1 and α2 are the same (α1=α2). The side 120c of the front portion 120 opposite the bottom surface portion 110 is parallel to the fold line C1. As described above, the front portion 120 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and the sides 120a and 120b on both the left and right sides are tapered so that the length between the side 120a and the side 120b becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion 110.

[0050] Moreover, a side portion 122a of the band-shaped portion 122 opposite to the front portion 120 is parallel to the side portion 120c.

[0051] In addition, the inner front part 124 is formed substantially symmetrically with the front part 120 in the unfolded state of the packaging box 105, and the left and right side parts 124a and 124b of the inner front part 124 form an acute angle with respect to the fold line C125 between the inner bottom part 126, and the angle α1' between the side part 124a and the fold line C125 and the angle α2' between the side part 124b and the fold line C125 are acute angles. The angles α1' and α2' are the same (α1'=α2'), and the angles α1' and α2' are substantially the same as the angles α1 and α2. As described above, the inner front part 124 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and the left and right side parts 124a and 124b are tapered so that the length between the side part 124a and the side part 124b becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom part 110.

[0052] Moreover, the inner bottom surface portion 126 has an elongated rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction, and the left-right length is formed to be approximately the same as the left-right length of the bottom surface portion 110. This inner bottom surface portion 126 is layered on the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 110 when the packaging box 105 is in an assembled state.

[0053] In addition, in the rear portion 130, the sides (second sides) 130a and 130b on both the left and right sides form an acute angle with respect to the fold line C3, and the angle α3 between the side 130a and the fold line C3 and the angle α4 between the side 130b and the fold line C3 are acute angles. The angles α3 and α4 are the same, and α3 and α4 are the same as α1 and α2 (α3=α4=α1=α2). The side 130c on the opposite side of the bottom surface portion 110 of the rear portion 130 is parallel to the fold line C3. As described above, the rear portion 130 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the rear portion 130, the sides 130a and 130b on both the left and right sides are tapered upward so that the length between the side 130a and the side 130b becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion 110. The rear portion 130 is formed symmetrically with the front portion 120 with respect to the front-rear line when the packaging box 105 is in an unfolded state.

[0054] In addition, in the right side portion 140, the sides (third sides) 140a and 140b on both the front and rear sides form an obtuse angle with respect to the fold line C2, and the angle β1 between the side 140a and the fold line C2 and the angle β2 between the side 140b and the fold line C2 are obtuse angles. The angles β1 and β2 are the same (β1=β2). The side 140c of the right side portion 140 opposite the bottom surface portion 110 is parallel to the fold line C2. As described above, the right side portion 140 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the right side portion 140, the sides 140a and 140b on both the front and rear sides are formed in an upwardly inverse tapered shape so that the length between the side 140a and the side 140b increases from the bottom surface portion 110 toward the upper side.

[0055] In addition, the side flap portion 142 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 105, the side flap portion 142 is sandwiched between the front portion 120 and the inner front portion 124, and the side portion 140a is aligned with the side portion 120a. In addition, in the closed state of the lid portion 160, the side portion 140b is aligned with the side portion 130a.

[0056] The arm 144 is elongated and formed so as to extend from the side 140b of the right side surface 140 to the left side surface side when the packaging box 105 is assembled, and is formed so as to extend from the side 140b to the back surface side when the packaging box 105 is unfolded. The arm 144 is generally belt-shaped and has an arm body 145 having a substantially elongated rectangular shape and a tip 146 connected to the arm body 145 via a fold line C144, and the tip 146 is substantially square. The fold line C144 and a cut K144 are provided between the arm body 145 and the tip 146, and the cut K144 engages with the cut K154 of the arm 154 to connect the arm 144 and the arm 154.

[0057] The upper surface flap portion 148 is formed in a band shape along the upper side portion 140c of the right side surface portion 140.

[0058] In addition, in the left side surface portion 150, the sides (fourth sides) 150a and 150b on both the front and rear sides form an obtuse angle with respect to the fold line C4, and the angle β3 between the side 150a and the fold line C4 and the angle β4 between the side 150b and the fold line C4 are obtuse angles. The angles β3 and β4 are the same, and β3 and β4 are the same as β1 and β2 (β3=β4=β1=β2). The side 150c on the opposite side of the left side surface portion 150 from the bottom surface portion 110 is parallel to the fold line C4. As described above, the left side surface portion 150 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, and in the left side surface portion 150, the sides 150a and 150b on both the front and rear sides are formed in an inverse tapered shape toward the top so that the length between the side 150a and the side 150b increases from the bottom surface portion 110 toward the upper side.

[0059] In addition, the side flap portion 152 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that narrows toward the tip, and in the assembled state of the packaging box 105, the side flap portion 152 is sandwiched between the front portion 120 and the inner front portion 124, and the side portion 150a is aligned along the side portion 120b. In addition, in the closed state of the lid portion 160, the side portion 150b is aligned along the side portion 130b.

[0060] In addition, the arm 154 is formed elongated so as to extend from the side 150b of the left side surface 150 to the right side surface side when the packaging box 105 is assembled, and is formed to extend from the side 150b to the back surface side when the packaging box 105 is unfolded. The arm 154 is generally belt-shaped and has an arm body 155 having a substantially elongated rectangular shape and a tip 156 connected to the arm body 155 via a fold line C154, and the tip 156 is substantially square. The fold line C154 and a cut K154 are provided between the arm body 155 and the tip 156, and the cut K154 engages with the cut K144 of the arm 144 to connect the arm 144 and the arm 154.

[0061] The upper surface flap portion 158 is formed in a band shape along the upper side portion 150 c of the left side surface portion 150 .

[0062] In addition, the lid portion 160 is configured in the same manner as the lid portion 60, and has a lid portion main body 162 connected via a fold line to the side portion 130c opposite the bottom surface portion 110 of the back surface portion 130, and an insertion piece portion 164 connected via a fold line to the side portion 162a of the lid portion main body 162 opposite the back surface portion 130.

[0063] Here, the lid body 162 has a generally rectangular shape, but a side portion 162b on the right side and a side portion 162c on the left side are curved inward in a generally arc shape, forming a concave shape. That is, the lid body 162 has a side portion 162b connected to an end portion on the right side of the side portion 130c on the upper side of the back portion 130, a side portion 162a connected to the side portion 162b, and a side portion 162c connected to the side portion 162a and formed to the end portion on the left side of the side portion 130c, and the side portions 162b and 162c are formed in a generally arc shape, and the length between the side portions 162b and 162c is approximately equal to the length of the side portion 130c. Side portions 162b and 162c are curved toward the inside of lid body 162 so that they become shorter as they approach from side portion 130c and side portion 162a to the central position (a position equidistant from side portion 130c and side portion 162a) in the front-to-back direction of lid body 162 (the front-to-back direction when packaging box 105 is in an unfolded state), and the length between side portions 162b and 162c is shortest at the central position in the front-to-back direction.

[0064] In other words, side portion (right side portion of lid main body) 162b, which is the side portion on the right side surface of the lid main body 162, is curved inwardly so that side portion 162b is on the left side surface side of the fold line (first fold line) C42 when the lid portion 160 is closed, and side portion (left side portion of lid main body) 162c, which is the side portion on the left side surface of the lid main body 162, is curved inwardly so that side portion 162c is on the right side surface side of the fold line (second fold line) C52 when the lid portion 160 is closed.

[0065] In addition, the length of the lid main body 162 along the side portion 130c and the length along the side portion 162a are substantially the same.

[0066] Furthermore, the length of the lid main body 162 in the front-rear direction (the length between the side portion 162a and the side portion 130c) is approximately the same as the length of the side portion 140c and the length of the side portion 150c.

[0067] In this way, edge 162b on the right side and edge 162c on the left side of lid main body 162 are recessed inward, which prevents edges 162b, 162c of lid main body 162 from getting caught in the product storage column of the vending machine when packaging box 105 placed inside the vending machine is released from its spiral support state and falls.

[0068] In addition, the insertion piece 164 has a shape in which the corners on the tip side of the horizontally elongated rectangular shape are formed into an arc shape, and the insertion piece 164 is inserted into the inside of the inner front portion 124 when the lid portion 160 is fixed in the closed state.

[0069] In addition, the packaging box 105 is formed to be line-symmetrical on the whole when it is opened. In addition, in the opened state of the packaging box 105, the front part 120 and the back part 130 are formed to be line-symmetrical on the front and rear, and the right side part 140 and the left side part 150 are formed to be line-symmetrical on the left and right.

[0070] In the assembled state of the packaging box 105, the front part 120, the back part 130, the right side part 140, and the left side part 150 are folded upward with respect to the bottom part 110, and the side flap parts 142, 152 are folded inward and sandwiched between the front part 120 and the inner front part 124, and the inner bottom part 126 is folded backward with respect to the inner front part 124 and contacts the bottom part 110. In addition, the arm part 144 and the arm part 154 are connected by engaging the cut K144 and the cut K154, and are located inside the back part 130. As shown in Figs. 11 to 18, even in the assembled state of the packaging box 105, the packaging box 105 is formed symmetrically with respect to the arms 144, 154, and at least the appearance of the assembled packaging box 105 is formed symmetrically with respect to the arms 144, 154.

[0071] As described above, in packaging box 105, both side portions of front portion 120 and back portion 130 are formed in a tapered shape, and both side portions of right side portion 140 and left side portion 150 are formed in an inverse tapered shape. Therefore, when packaging box 105 is assembled, as shown in Figures 11 to 18, front portion 120 and back portion 130 are inclined outward, and the length between front portion 120 and back portion 130 is formed to become longer as it goes upward, and right side portion 140 and left side portion 150 are inclined inward, and the length between right side portion 140 and left side portion 150 is formed to become shorter as it goes upward. In other words, the front portion 120 inclines toward the front side as it moves upward from the bottom portion 110, and the back portion 130 inclines toward the back side as it moves upward from the bottom portion 110, the right side portion 140 inclines toward the left side side as it moves upward from the bottom portion 110, and the left side portion 150 inclines toward the right side side as it moves upward from the bottom portion 110.

[0072] Next, a vending machine to which the packaging boxes 5, 105 are applied will be described. As shown in Fig. 21, the vending machine 205 has a vending machine main body 210 and a front door 300 that opens and closes relative to the vending machine main body 210. The front door 300 is provided with a plurality of product display sections 302 for displaying products, a product selection section 304 for selecting a product to be purchased, and a product removal opening 306 for removing the selected product.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 22 , the vending machine main body 210 has a main body case 215, a product chute 220 provided at a lower position within the main body case 215, and a number of product storage columns 230 provided at an upper position of the product chute 220 within the main body case 215.

[0074] Here, the product chute 220 guides the products dropped from the product storage column 230 to the product outlet 306, and has a first guide section 222 and a second guide section 224 connected to the first guide section 222. The first guide section 222 guides the products to above the second guide section 224, and has an inclined surface 222a that slopes downward from the back side to the front side, an inclined surface 222b that slopes downward from the left side to the right side, and an inclined surface 222c that slopes downward from the right side to the left side. The second guide section 224 guides the products sent from the first guide section 222 to the product outlet 306, and has an inclined surface 224a that slopes downward from the back side to the front side.

[0075] Next, the product storage column 230 is configured as shown in Figures 23 and 24, etc., and has a column case 232, a pair of spirals 250A, 250B rotatably provided inside the column case 232, and a drive unit 240 disposed on the upper surface of the column case 232. Note that Figure 24 is a front view of the product storage column 230 in Figure 23 with the door 238 removed.

[0076] Here, the column case 232 has a column case body 234 and a door 238 that opens the front side of the column case body 234.

[0077] The column case main body 234 has an upper surface portion 234a, a rear surface portion 234b, a right side surface portion 234c, and a left side surface portion 234d connected downward from the upper surface portion 234a, and a bottom surface portion 234e provided at the lower ends of the rear surface portion 234b, the right side surface portion 234c, and the left side surface portion 234d.

[0078] The top surface portion 234a rotatably supports the pair of spirals 250A, 250B, and the back surface portion 234b, the right side surface portion 234c, and the left side surface portion 234d are formed in a plate shape. A rod-shaped misalignment prevention member 236A for preventing the spiral 250A from being misaligned is attached to the inside of the right side surface portion 234c, and a rod-shaped misalignment prevention member 236B for preventing the spiral 250B from being misaligned is provided on the inside of the left side surface portion 234d. The misalignment prevention member 236A is provided in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the right side surface portion 234c, and is provided inside the right end portion of the spiral 250A, so that the spiral 250A is provided between the right side surface portion 234c and the misalignment prevention member 236A. Similarly, the anti-misalignment member 236B is arranged in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the left side portion 234d and is arranged inside the left end portion of the spiral 250B, whereby the spiral 250B is arranged between the left side portion 234d and the anti-misalignment member 236B.

[0079] The bottom surface portion 234e is formed in a frame shape and has an opening so that the product can be dropped therein.

[0080] Doors 238 are provided on both the right side surface 234c and the left side surface 234d, and function as double doors.

[0081] Further, the driving device 240 rotates the spirals 250A and 250B. That is, the driving device 240 rotates the spirals 250A and 250B about a virtual axis J in the vertical direction.

[0082] In addition, both spirals 250A and 250B are formed in a helical rod shape, with spiral 250A formed in a downward right-handed spiral shape, and spiral 250B formed in a downward left-handed spiral shape. In addition, spirals 250A and 250B are arranged symmetrically to each other (specifically, plane-symmetrical with respect to the center plane in the vertical direction), and by arranging a packaging box in a space equivalent to one pitch in the helical shape of spirals 250A and 250B, multiple packaging boxes are stacked with gaps between them (see Figures 25 and 26).

[0083] Further, the driving device 240 drives and rotates the spiral 250A so as to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from above, and drives and rotates the spiral 250B so as to rotate clockwise when viewed from above.

[0084] The timing, angle, and speed of rotation of the spirals 250A and 250B are basically synchronized between the two spirals 250A and 250B. In other words, the spirals 250A and 250B basically start rotating at the same timing and rotate by the same angle.

[0085] The process of discharging the packaging boxes 5, 105 from the product outlet 306 after being stored in the vending machine 205 will be described below. Note that the same explanation applies to the packaging boxes 5 and 105, so the explanation will be given using the packaging box 5 as an example.

[0086] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, a plurality of packaging boxes 5 are supported by a pair of spirals 250A and 250B. In this case, the front portion 20 of the packaging box 5 faces the front side of the product storage column 230, the right side portion 40 of the packaging box 5 faces the right side portion 234c of the product storage column 230, and the left side portion 50 of the packaging box 5 faces the left side portion 234d of the product storage column 230, with the right side portion 40 side of the packaging box 5 supported by the spiral 250A and the left side portion 50 side of the packaging box 5 supported by the spiral 250B. Note that the back portion 30 may be supported by the spirals 250A and 250B as the front side of the product storage column 230.

[0087] When spirals 250A, 250B rotate (360 degrees) from the state in Figures 25 and 26, the support by spirals 250A, 250B to the bottommost packaging box 5 is released, causing the packaging box 5 to fall. To specifically explain how support by spirals 250A, 250B is released, when spirals 250A, 250B rotate from the state in Figures 25 and 26 to the state in Figure 27, the lower ends of spirals 250A, 250B support the packaging box 5 and so it will not fall. However, when spirals 250A, 250B rotate further and the support by spirals 250A, 250B is released as in Figure 28, the packaging box 5 will fall.

[0088] In this way, when the support of the packaging box 5 by the spirals 250A and 250B is released at the same time, the packaging box 5 will fall without tilting in the left-right direction. However, if the phase changes of the two spirals 250A and 250B are not exactly symmetrical and the timing of the release of the spiral 250A differs from the timing of the release of the spiral 250B, the packaging box 5 is more likely to tilt.

[0089] For example, if the timing of release of spiral 250A is earlier than the timing of release of spiral 250B, as shown in FIG. 29, when the support by spiral 250A is released, spiral 250B still supports packaging box 5, and as a result, packaging box 5 tilts with the right side facing downward.

[0090] As described above, if the release timing of spiral 250A and spiral 250B differs, there is a high risk of packaging box 5 tilting. However, since the upper sides of right side portion 40 and left side portion 50 of packaging box 5 are tilted inward, it is possible to prevent right side portion 40 and left side portion 50 from getting caught inside product storage column 230.

[0091] 29, the right side surface 40 of the packaging box 5 is inclined downward, but since the right side surface 40 is inclined so that the upper side faces inward, it is possible to reduce the risk of the right side surface 40 getting caught on, for example, the misalignment prevention member 236A inside the product storage column 230. Even if the left side surface 50 is inclined downward, since the left side surface 50 is inclined so that the upper side faces inward, it is possible to prevent the left side surface 50 from getting caught inside the product storage column 230.

[0092] In addition, since the side portions 62b, 62c on both the left and right sides of the lid body 62 of the packaging box 5 are curved inward, it is possible to prevent the side portions 62b and 62c from getting caught inside the product storage column 230 when the packaging box 5 is tilted.

[0093] In other words, since the lid main body 62 itself has thickness, if the sides 62b, 62c were not curved inward but were straight along the fold lines C42, C52, there would be a risk that the components inside the column case 232 in contact with the surfaces of the right side portion 40 or the left side portion 50 would get caught on the sides 62b, 62c. However, in the present invention, the sides 62b, 62c are curved inward, thereby preventing this risk.

[0094] 29, the right side surface 40 of the packaging box 5 is inclined downward, but since the side 62b of the lid main body 62 is curved inward, it is possible to prevent the side 62b from getting caught on, for example, the displacement prevention member 236A in the product storage column 230. Similarly, since the side 62c is curved inward, it is possible to prevent the side 62c from getting caught on, for example, the displacement prevention member 236B in the product storage column 230 when the left side surface 50 is inclined downward.

[0095] Similarly, in packaging box 105, right side portion 140 and left side portion 150 of packaging box 105 are inclined so that the upper side faces inward, thereby preventing right side portion 140 and left side portion 150 from getting caught inside product storage column 230, and since side portions 162b, 162c on both the left and right sides of lid main body 162 of packaging box 105 are curved inward, the risk of side portions 162b and 162c getting caught inside product storage column 230 when packaging box 105 is tilted is reduced.

[0096] Furthermore, the packaging box 5 that has fallen from the product storage column 230 falls onto the product chute 220, but since the front part 20 and the back part 30 of the packaging box 5 are inclined so that the upper side faces outward, even if the packaging box falls at an inclination in the front-to-back direction relative to the falling surface, it is possible to prevent the packaging box from turning upside down. In other words, as shown in FIG. 30, when the packaging box 5 falls onto the inclined surface 222a of the first guiding portion 222 or the inclined surface 224a of the second guiding portion 224, the inclined surfaces 222a, 224a are inclined so that the front side faces downward, so that the packaging box 5 falls with the front side tilted upward relative to the falling surface (in other words, when the packaging box 5 comes into contact with the falling surface, an angle γ is formed between the bottom surface 10 of the packaging box 5 and the falling surface). Furthermore, the packaging box 5 is originally installed in the product storage column 230 with the back side tilted downward, so that the angle γ is also large in this respect, but since the front portion 20 and the back portion 30 of the packaging box 5 are inclined so that the upper side faces outward, even if the packaging box 5 falls with the front side tilted upward relative to the falling surface, it is possible to prevent the packaging box 5 from becoming upside down.

[0097] In other words, even if the packaging box is tilted in the front-to-back direction relative to the drop surface and the front or back part comes into contact with the drop surface, the front part 20 and the back part 30 are tilted so that the upper side is on the outside, so that the front part 20 and the back part 30 prevent the packaging box from tilting further, and a return operation can be performed so that the bottom part 10 comes into contact with the drop surface, thereby preventing the packaging box 5 from turning upside down.

[0098] Similarly, in packaging box 105, front portion 120 and back portion 130 of packaging box 105 are inclined so that the upper side faces outward, so that even if packaging box 105 falls in a state in which the front side of packaging box 105 is inclined upward relative to the falling surface, it is possible to prevent packaging box 105 from becoming upside down.

[0099] In the above description, the packaging box 5 (105) is described as being supported by a pair of left and right spirals 250A, 250B, but it may be configured to be supported by one spiral. In that case, either the front, back, left or right side of the packaging box is supported by the spiral, but even in that case, the packaging box may tilt left and right when the support by the spiral is released, and the packaging box 5 (105) of the present invention can prevent the packaging box from getting caught in the product storage column. In addition, the number of spirals supporting the packaging box 5 (105) is arbitrary as long as there is a risk of the packaging box tilting left and right when the support by the spiral is released, and as a result, it is sufficient that the packaging box is configured to be supported by at least one spiral.

[0100] 26, 30, and 32 are views showing the state in which the right side surface portion 234c of the column case 232 is removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 5 Packaging box 7 Main body 10 Bottom part 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d sides 20 Front 20a, 20b sides 22, 24 Glue section 30 Rear part 30a, 30b sides 32, 34 Glue section 40 Right side part 40a, 40b sides 42 Top flap part 50 Left side part 52 Top flap part 60 Lid 62 Lid body 62a, 62b, 62c sides 64 Plug piece 105 Packaging box 107 Main body 110 Bottom part 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d sides 120 Front 120a, 120b sides 122 Belt 124 Inner front 124a, 124b edges 126 Inner bottom part 130 Back section 130a, 130b sides 140 Right side part 140a, 140b sides 142 Side flap part 144 Arm 145 Arm body 146 Tip 148 Top flap 150 Left side part 150a, 150b sides 152 Side flap part 154 Arm 155 Arm body 156 Tip 158 Top flap 160 Lid 162 Lid body 162a, 162b, 162c sides 164 Plug piece 205 Vending Machine 210 Vending machine body 215 Main unit case 220 Product Shoot 222 1st Information Department 222a, 222b, 222c sloped surface 224 2nd Information Department 224a Slope 230 Product Storage Column 232 Column Case 234 Column case body 234a Top part 234b Back part 234c Right side part 234d Left side part 234e Bottom part 236A, 236B Position-displacement prevention member 238 Door 240 Drive Unit 250A, 250B Spiral 300 Front door 302 Product display section 304 Product Selection Section 306 Product outlet C1, C2, C3, C4, C40, C41, C42, C50, C51, C52, C124, C125 Broken line K144, K154 Cutting α1, α2, α3, α4, β1, β2, β3, β4 angle

Claims

1. A packaging box for use in a vending machine having at least one rotatable spiral provided on a product storage column, a main body portion (7, 107) having a bottom surface portion (10, 110) having a pair of parallel sides and a pair of parallel sides that are perpendicular to the sides, a front surface portion (20, 120) connected to the front side side portion of the bottom surface portion via a fold line, a rear surface portion (30, 130) connected to the rear side side portion of the bottom surface portion via a fold line, a right side surface portion (40, 140) connected to the right side side portion of the bottom surface portion via a fold line, and a left side surface portion (50, 150) connected to the left side side portion of the bottom surface portion via a fold line; A cover portion (60, 160) connected to the main body portion, A pair of first side portions (20a, 20b, 120a, 120b) which are sides on both the left and right sides of the front portion are formed so that the length between the pair of first side portions becomes shorter as it goes from the bottom surface portion to the upper side, A pair of second side portions (30a, 30b, 130a, 130b) which are sides on both the left and right sides of the back surface portion are formed so that the length between the pair of second side portions becomes shorter as it goes upward from the bottom surface portion, A pair of third side portions (40a, 40b, 140a, 140b) which are sides on both the front and rear sides of the right side surface portion are formed so that the length between the pair of third side portions increases from the bottom surface portion toward the upper side, A pair of fourth side portions (50a, 50b, 150a, 150b) which are sides on both the front and rear sides of the left side surface portion are formed so that the length between the pair of fourth side portions increases from the bottom surface portion toward the upper side, The right side surface portion is inclined so that it approaches the left side surface as it moves upward from the bottom surface portion, and the left side surface portion is inclined so that it approaches the right side surface as it moves upward from the bottom surface portion, The packaging box is characterized in that the front part is inclined so as to become closer to the front side as it goes from the bottom part to the upper side, and the back part is inclined so as to become closer to the back side as it goes from the bottom part to the upper side.

2. A right upper flap (42, 148) is formed from the upper end of the right side surface portion via a first fold line (C42), and a left upper flap (52, 158) is formed from the upper end of the left side surface portion via a second fold line (C52), The lid portion has a lid body (62, 162) connected to the upper end of the back surface portion via a fold line, and an insertion piece (64, 164) connected to the tip of the lid body via a fold line, a right side portion (62b, 162b) of the lid body, which is a side portion on the right side surface of the lid body, is curved inwardly so that, when the lid is closed, the right side portion of the lid body is located on the left side surface side of the first folded line; The packaging box according to claim 1, characterized in that the left edge portion (62c, 162c) of the lid body, which is the edge portion of the left side surface of the lid body, is curved inwardly so that when the lid is closed, the left edge portion of the lid body is on the right side of the second fold line.

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