Container

Abstract

To provide a container which allows an opening of the upper portion of the container to be relatively smoothly closed.SOLUTION: There is provided a container having an endless upper edge part 15 for sectioning an opening 21 of the upper portion of the container at the upper ends of container side surfaces 11 and 12. The container has a string 30 for opening / closing the opening 21 and a string mounting structure for mounting the string on the upper edge part 15. The string mounting structure comprises a plurality of loop forming members 32, and a through hole (a metal fitting 33A with a hole) penetrating the upper edge part 15. The loop forming members 32 are arranged at intervals along the upper edge part 15, and each loop forming member 32 is fixed to the inner surface side of the upper edge part to form a string threading loop. The string 30 is held inside the container by making the string 30 pass through each of the string threading loops for threading with the string, and two end portions 30a and 30b of the string are pulled out from the inside to the outside of the container through the through holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly to a container having an opening at the top that can be opened and closed with a string. [Background technology]

[0002] Various containers have been proposed in which the opening at the top of the container can be opened and closed with a string. For example, in the container disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bag portion 8 for inserting a string 9 is formed around the entire periphery of the upper part of the side portion 3 of the container. This bag portion 8 is formed by folding the upper part of the side portion 3 inward (toward the storage space) and sewing the folded portion to the side portion in the circumferential direction. In other words, almost the entire string 9 is housed within the tunnel-shaped bag portion 8, and two end portions of the string 9 extend outward from two openings 81, 82 corresponding to both ends of the tunnel (bag portion 8). With this container, by pulling the end portions of the string 9 outward, the opening at the top of the container gradually narrows like the mouth of a drawstring bag, allowing the opening to be closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6603691 (see, for example, paragraph 0022, Figure 1(a), Figure 2(c)) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a relatively stiff material (in Patent Document 1, a net made of thick fibers woven vertically and horizontally) is selected as the material for the container to prevent bending when the container stands upright, the tunnel-shaped bag portion also becomes stiffer. As a result, when the string is pulled to close the opening at the top of the container, the force required to bend the bag portion gradually increases as the opening is narrowed. Therefore, it can be difficult for women with limited arm strength to fully close the opening at the top of the container.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a container that allows even a person with limited physical strength to close the opening at the top of the container relatively smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a container comprising a plurality of side members and a bottom member connected to the bottom edges of the plurality of side members, the side edges of the plurality of side members being joined together to form a container side surface that surrounds the entire periphery of a storage space, and an endless upper edge portion that defines an opening at the top of the container at the upper end position of the container side surface, The container is provided with a string for opening and closing the opening at the top of the container, and a string attachment structure for attaching the string to the top edge portion, The string attachment structure includes a plurality of loop forming members and a through hole that penetrates the upper side portion, The plurality of loop forming members are arranged at intervals along the top side portion, and each loop forming member is fixed to the inner surface side of the top side portion to form a string threading loop; This container is characterized in that the string is held inside the container by passing it through each of the string threading loops, and the two end portions of the string are pulled from the inside to the outside of the container through the through holes.

[0007] Preferably, the upper side portion is provided with a plurality of metal fittings with holes, one of the plurality of aperture fittings provides a through-hole in the strap attachment structure; The remaining hole fitting is a container that provides an engagement hole for engaging the top edge of the container with a hook provided to hang the container.

[0008] More preferably, the present invention has the following features. (i) The two end portions of the string drawn out to the outside of the container are provided with a binding sliding material that can bind the two end portions and slide along the two end portions. (b) The side surfaces and the bottom surface are made of a net material. (c) The container is a container that can change its shape between a closed state and an open state and can stand on its own in the open state. (d) The container is a garbage container for collecting and storing garbage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the container of the present invention, the string attachment structure for attaching a string to the top edge of the container includes multiple loop-forming members that are spaced apart along the top edge and fixed to the inner surface of the top edge to form a string-threading loop. In particular, because the loop-forming members that hold the string inside the container are made up of multiple spaced-apart pieces (i.e., not a single continuous tunnel), they do not provide additional bending resistance when the top edge is bent. Therefore, even when the string is pulled to close the opening at the top of the container, the opening can be closed relatively smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a container (closed configuration) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view (conceptual diagram) at the position of line AA in Figure 1, and (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view (conceptual diagram) at the position of line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Enlarged cross-sectional view (schematic diagram) at the CC line position in Figure 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view (plan view) of the container (closed configuration) of FIG. 1; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an upright state (open state). [Figure 6] 2 is a top view (plan view) of the container of FIG. 1 in an upright position (open configuration). [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic top view of the container when the opening on the top surface is narrowed from the open state shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a trash container 10 for collecting and storing trash that is changeable between a closed configuration and an open configuration and that can be used in a self-standing state in the open configuration when in use.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4-6, the waste container 10 includes a rectangular first side member 11, a similarly rectangular second side member 12, and a bottom member 13. The bottom member 13 is disposed between the first side member 11 and the second side member 12, connecting the bottom of the first side member 11 and the bottom of the second side member 12. The first side member 11, the second side member 12, and the bottom member 13 are formed from a single sheet of net material. As shown in FIG. 2(A), a first crease is provided along a boundary line K1 at the boundary between the first side member 11 and the bottom member 13, corresponding to the bottom of the first side member 11. A second crease is provided along a boundary line K2 at the boundary between the second side member 12 and the bottom member 13, corresponding to the bottom of the second side member 12. A third crease is provided along a center line K3 at the center of the bottom member 13 (the center line K3 is referred to as the "center crease line"). The boundary line K1, the boundary line K2, and the central fold line K3 are parallel to one another, and therefore the first, second, and third folds also extend parallel to one another. The presence of the three folds, including the central fold line, enables the bottom panel 13 to be folded and stored when the container is in a closed configuration.

[0013] The net material that makes up both side panels 11, 12 and the bottom panel 13 is made by weaving synthetic fibers vertically and horizontally to form a net or mesh, and has a certain degree of flexibility. The thickness of the synthetic fibers used is, for example, 700 to 900 deciDex, but is not limited to this range. However, the thickness of the synthetic fibers used and the coarseness of the net or mesh after weaving must not impair the flexibility of the net material.

[0014] Both side edges of the first side member 11 (left side edge 11a and right side edge 11b shown in FIG. 1) and both side edges (12a, 12b) of the second side member 12 are connected by overlapping the corresponding side edges, folding the overlapped edges back, and then sewing them together vertically (in the height direction) (see seam line S1 and overlapping seam 14 in FIG. 2(B)). The first side member 11 and the second side member 12 connected in this manner form container side surfaces that completely surround the storage space 20 inside the container (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Thus, the container side surfaces (11, 12) that completely surround the storage space 20 and the bottom member 13 form a bag-shaped garbage container 10 with an open top. The overlapping and sewing portion 14 of the first and second side members provides a rigid ridge along the height direction of the container 10.

[0015] The waste container 10 of this embodiment can change its shape between a closed state and an open state depending on whether it is in use or not.

[0016] In the closed state of the waste container, as shown in Fig. 2(A), the first side member 11 and the second side member 12 are arranged close to each other, and the bottom member 13 is stored between these side members in a mountain-folded state. The "mountain-folded state" refers to an inverted V-shape in cross section as shown in Fig. 2(A), which is bent with the central fold line K3 as the apex.

[0017] When the waste container is in the open position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first side member 11 and the second side member 12 are spaced apart, and the bottom member 13 unfolds from the mountain-folded shape to a generally flat shape. The term "generally flat shape" does not mean a strictly flat shape in the geometric sense, but rather a relatively flat shape with a gently curved basin-like shape with slightly raised edges near both ends. Unfolding the bottom member 13 to a generally flat shape expands the base area of ​​the container 10 (i.e., the area where it can be placed or placed on the ground) and allows it to stand on its own, while also expanding the internal volume of the container 10, allowing it to collect and store waste.

[0018] The ability of the trash container to stand on its own in the open configuration is achieved not only by the expansion of the container's base area (10), but also by the synergistic effect of the overlapping and stitching portions 14 of the first and second side panels, which provide a rigid ridge along the container's height. In other words, the overlapping stitching portions 14 function as an upright support or spine when the container is standing, preventing the sides of the container from bending and tipping over. Meanwhile, the bottom panel 13, which expands the container's base area by unfolding into a substantially flattened shape, functions as a support base, allowing the two rigid ridges (14) to remain upright, approximately perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed. Thus, the cooperation of the overlapping stitching portions 14 as a rigid ridge and the unfolded, substantially flattened bottom panel 13 allows the trash container to stand on its own in the open configuration.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper part of the container side surface, which is made up of two side members 11, 12, is folded inward (toward the storage space 20) and the folded part is sewn circumferentially (see seam line S2), thereby forming an endless or circular loop-shaped upper edge portion 15 at the upper end position of the container side surface (11, 12). This upper edge portion 15 defines an opening 21 at the top of the container (see Fig. 5). The waste container 10 is provided with a string 30 for opening and closing the opening 21 at the top of the container, and a string attachment structure 31 for attaching the string 30 to the upper edge portion 15.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the string attachment structure 31 is composed of a plurality of loop forming members (in this example, seven loop forming members 32) attached to the upper edge portion 15, and a plurality of holed metal fittings (in this example, three holed metal fittings 33A, 33B, 33C) also attached to the upper edge portion 15.

[0021] The multiple loop-forming members 32 are located on the inner surface of the top edge portion 15 (the side facing the storage space 20) and are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the top edge portion 15. As shown in Figure 3, each loop-forming member 32 is fixed to the inner surface of the top edge portion 15 by sewing its upper and lower ends to the top edge portion 15 (sewing lines N1, N2 in Figure 3), and a string-threading loop is formed between the loop-forming member 32 and the inner surface of the top edge portion 15.

[0022] Each of the three holed fittings 33A to 33C is a ring-shaped metal part with a hole that passes through its center. When these holed fittings are fixed to the top side portion 15, each holed fitting provides a hole that passes through the top side portion 15. These holes can be selectively used to perform two functions as described below.

[0023] 3, 5, and 6, the string 30 can be held inside the top edge 15 of the container by threading the string 30 through each of the seven string threading loops formed by the loop forming members 32. Furthermore, two end portions 30a, 30b of the string 30 are pulled out from the inside to the outside of the container through the through-holes of one of the three holed metal fittings, metal fitting 33A.

[0024] The two pulled-out end portions 30a, 30b extend outside the trash container and are bound together by a tubular plastic sleeve material 34. This sleeve material 34 can slide relatively along the two end portions 30a, 30b of the string when the string 30 is pulled. In this sense, the sleeve material 34 is positioned as a binding sliding material. It is preferable to tie the two end portions 30a, 30b of the string together at their ends, and use the knot formed at the ends to prevent the sleeve material 34 from falling off.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the waste container 10 is in the open configuration (self-standing) with the top of the container widely open, most of the string 30 is contained inside the container. From this open state, by moving the sleeve material 34 toward the metal fitting 33A of the top edge 15 and pulling both ends 30a, 30b of the string outward, a portion of the string 30 that was inside the container is pulled outward, and the opening 21 on the top of the container gradually narrows. Consequently, as shown in Figure 7, the top edge 15 of the container side is folded and bent into a star shape (an eight-pointed star in this example), closing the opening at the top of the container. The container can be restored to its open state by pushing the top edge 15, which was folded into a star shape without pulling both ends of the string 30, outward.

[0026] [Effects of the embodiment] According to this embodiment, the loop-forming member 32 for holding the string 30 inside the container is made up of seven pieces spaced apart from one another (i.e., it is not a single continuous tunnel-shaped bag portion as in the conventional example), so there is almost no additional bending resistance when the top side portion 15 is folded / folded into a star shape. Therefore, even when the string 30 is pulled to close the opening 21 at the top of the container, the opening 21 can be closed relatively smoothly without requiring a large force.

[0027] Even if the string 30 breaks or is damaged through repeated use, the loop forming materials 32 are spaced apart from one another (they are not a single tunnel-shaped bag portion), which has the advantage that it is easy to thread a new replacement string 30 through these string threading loops.

[0028] In this embodiment, one of the three holed metal fittings (33A) is used as a through-hole for threading a string in the string attachment structure 31. The holed metal fitting used as the through-hole for threading a string is not limited to the holed metal fitting 33A, and depending on the situation, the holed metal fitting 33B or the holed metal fitting 33C may be selected. In other words, this embodiment has the advantage of increasing the options for holed metal fittings that can be used as through-holes for threading a string.

[0029] Furthermore, the two holed metal fittings 33B and 33C, other than the holed metal fitting 33A selected as the string-threading through-hole, are not useless and can be used for purposes other than string-threading through-holes. For example, a pair of hooks can be installed side-by-side on the wall of a building (in this case, the distance between the two hooks corresponds to the distance between the two holed metal fittings 33B and 33C). Then, by engaging the two holed metal fittings 33B and 33C on the top edge portion 15 of the trash container with these two hooks, the trash container can be hung on the wall of a building or the like without relying on the container's self-supporting ability. Thus, according to this embodiment, each hole of the three holed metal fittings 33A, 33B, and 33C can selectively function as a "string-threading through-hole" or an "engagement hole for engaging with a hook." In other words, the three holed metal fittings on the top edge portion 15, while structurally identical, can exhibit the above-mentioned multipurpose performance.

[0030] [Example of change] It goes without saying that the application of the present invention is not limited to garbage containers, but can be applied to other containers in general. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10. Garbage containers 11 First side material (constituting the container side) 11a,11b Side part 12 Second side material (constituting the container side) 12a,12b Side part 13 Bottom material 15 Endless top edge 20 Storage space 21 Opening at the top of the container 30 String 30a, 30b Two end portions of the string 31 String attachment structure 32 Loop forming material (to form a loop for threading string) 33A Perforated fittings (providing through holes) 33B, 33C Holed fittings (providing engagement holes) 34 Sleeve material (binding sliding material)

Claims

1. A plurality of side members and a bottom member connected to the bottom sides of the plurality of side members, A container in which the side edges of the plurality of side members are joined together to form a container side surface that surrounds the entire periphery of the storage space, and an endless upper edge portion that defines an opening at the top of the container at the upper end position of the container side surface, The container is provided with a string for opening and closing the opening at the top of the container, and a string attachment structure for attaching the string to the top edge portion, The string attachment structure includes a plurality of loop forming members and a through hole that penetrates the upper side portion, The plurality of loop forming members are arranged at intervals along the top side portion, and each loop forming member is fixed to the inner surface side of the top side portion to form a string threading loop; A container characterized in that the string is held inside the container by passing the string through each of the string threading loops, and the two end portions of the string are pulled from the inside to the outside of the container through the through holes.

2. The upper side portion is provided with a plurality of metal fittings with holes, one of the plurality of aperture fittings provides a through-hole in the strap attachment structure; 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the remaining metal fittings with holes provide engagement holes for engaging the top edge of the container with a hook provided for hanging the container.

3. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the two end portions of the string drawn out from the container are provided with a binding slider that is capable of binding the two end portions and sliding along the two end portions.

4. The side surface materials and the bottom surface material are formed of a net material, The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a garbage container for collecting and storing garbage, which is capable of changing its shape between a closed configuration and an open configuration and is self-supporting in the open configuration.

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