Container

Abstract

To provide a container that can restrict movement of stored articles during transportation and can prevent damage to the container and the articles as much as possible.SOLUTION: A container 1 includes a bottom wall 2 and a side wall 3, and is box-shaped and open upward. The bottom wall 2 includes: a flat, non-porous general portion 31; and a large protrusion 32 and a small protrusion 33 provided in the entire upper surface of the general portion 31. The large protrusion 32 has a height from the general portion 31 to an apex and the maximum diameter in a planar view larger than the small protrusion 33. Each of the protrusions 32 and 33 has a generally circular shape in a planar view and a curved cross-section, with the large protrusion 32 and the small protrusion 33 arranged alternately. The rounded shape of each of the protrusions 32 and 33 minimizes damage to the articles stored in the container 1 and the protrusions during transportation. Furthermore, the articles are supported not only by the large protrusion 32 but also by the small protrusion 33, effectively restricting their movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container used for transporting goods, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, containers used for transporting items have a substantially rectangular bottom plate and sidewalls extending upward from the sides of the bottom plate, with items being placed in and removed through an opening at the top. To prevent items stored in the container from shifting due to vibration, impact, or the like during transport, there is a technique for providing a lattice rib with multiple protrusions on the bottom plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, there is a technique for providing convex portions and perforations on the bottom plate to prevent the items from shifting (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-76415 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-175319 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the container described in Patent Document 1 is transported, there is a risk that the stored items may come into contact with the edges of the lattice ribs and the protrusions, and there is a concern that such contact may, for example, result in the items being scraped or the edges or protrusions of the lattice ribs being damaged.

[0005] Furthermore, with regard to the container described in Patent Document 2, as with the container in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the item may be scraped or the convex portion may be damaged due to contact between the item and the convex portion during transportation.

[0006] Furthermore, in addition to the above-mentioned scraping and breakage, the containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may also be susceptible to fragments being generated when multiple items are stored in them due to contact between the items. In particular, with the container described in Patent Document 2, for example, when multiple containers are stacked, there is a concern that fragments of the items or edges may fall through the perforations and get into the containers below.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and its purpose is to provide a container that can restrict the movement of stored items during transportation and can minimize damage to the container and the items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The following describes each means suitable for achieving the above objects, etc., by item. Note that, as necessary, the effects and advantages specific to the corresponding means will be added.

[0009] Means 1. A box-shaped container having a plate-shaped bottom wall portion and a side wall portion extending upward from the side edge of the bottom wall portion, and opening upward, The bottom wall portion includes a flat, non-porous general portion; a plurality of large protrusions and small protrusions provided over the entire upper surface of the general portion; The large protrusion has a height from the general portion to the apex and a maximum diameter in a plan view that are larger than those of the small protrusion, The large protrusion and the small protrusion have a generally round shape in a plan view and a curved shape in a cross section, A container characterized in that the large protrusions and the small protrusions are arranged alternately in a predetermined direction when viewed from above.

[0010] According to Means 1, the large protrusions and small protrusions have a generally round shape in plan view and a curved shape in cross section. That is, all protrusions are rounded without edges (corners). Therefore, it is possible to minimize the risk of the protrusions coming into contact with the articles contained in the container during transport, resulting in scraping of the articles or damage to the protrusions.

[0011] Furthermore, for example, if the bottom wall portion is configured with only protrusions of the same size, the items contained in the container are supported by each of the protrusions of the same size. However, since the apex height of each protrusion is the same, there is a concern that the items contained in the container may move during transport. In this regard, according to the present invention, the bottom wall portion is configured with large protrusions and small protrusions of different apex heights, so to speak, alternately arranged, and the items contained in the container can be supported not only by the large protrusions but also by the small protrusions. Therefore, even if the container has rounded protrusions, it is possible to effectively restrict the movement of the items contained in the container during transport, etc.

[0012] Furthermore, even if fragments of an item are broken during transportation, etc., the absence of holes in the bottom wall makes it possible to prevent the fragments from falling through the holes.

[0013] Means 2. The large protrusions and the small protrusions are alternately arranged in a left-right direction in a plan view parallel to one side of the rectangular bottom wall portion, and in a top-bottom direction in a plan view parallel to the other side perpendicular to the one side, and The container according to means 1, characterized in that the large projections and the small projections are arranged side by side in an oblique direction when viewed from above.

[0014] According to the second aspect, the large protrusions and the small protrusions are arranged alternately in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in a plan view. Therefore, the article is less likely to move in the up-down and left-right directions in a plan view during transportation, etc. As a result, the effect described in the first aspect can be more reliably achieved.

[0015] Furthermore, the large protrusions and the small protrusions are arranged side by side in a diagonal direction when viewed from above. Therefore, for example, items, debris, etc. can easily be trapped in the gaps between the rows of large protrusions extending diagonally when viewed from above. This makes it easier to handle items and remove debris, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0016] Means 3: The container according to means 1, wherein the large protrusions and the small protrusions are in contact with each other in the predetermined direction when viewed from above.

[0017] According to the third aspect, the general portion does not exist between the large protrusions and the small protrusions in a predetermined direction in a plan view, which makes it possible to minimize the risk of damage to the general portion due to contact between the article contained in the container and the general portion during transportation.

[0018] In addition, the phrase "contacting each other" does not only mean, for example, when the main body of a large protrusion and the main body of a small protrusion are in contact with each other, but also includes cases where the base of the large protrusion and the base of the small protrusion are in contact with each other when the large protrusion and the small protrusion each have a main body and a base.

[0019] Means 4: The container according to Means 1, wherein the large projections are spaced apart from one another.

[0020] According to Means 4, the large protrusions are spaced apart from one another. In particular, when focusing on the location (direction) where the large protrusions are arranged side by side, a general portion exists between the large protrusions. Therefore, even if fragments of an article or the like are generated, the fragments can be temporarily collected (during transport) in the general portion between the large protrusions. This prevents further damage to the protrusions or the article or the like due to the fragments moving. Furthermore, since the generated fragments are mainly collected in the general portion, it becomes easy to remove the fragments.

[0021] Means 5: A container according to any one of means 1 to 4, wherein the large projections and the small projections are both spherical.

[0022] According to the fifth measure, it is possible to further prevent the articles contained in the container from coming into contact with the protrusions during transportation, which may result in scraping of the articles or damage to the protrusions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the top side of a container; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the container. [Figure 3] 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the upper surface side of the bottom wall portion of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 5A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the upper surface side of the bottom wall portion of FIG. 4. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 1 has a substantially rectangular bottom wall 2 with a pair of opposing long sides and a pair of opposing short sides, and side walls 3 extending upward from the sides of the bottom wall 2, forming a substantially box-like shape that opens upward. The container 1 also has support legs 11 that protrude outward from the outer surfaces of the corners of the side walls 3, and upper ribs 21 that extend outward from the upper sides of the side walls 3. The container 1 of this embodiment is integrally formed from polypropylene.

[0025] The support legs 11 also include corner ribs 12 that protrude outward from the corners of the container 1 and extend vertically, a pair of side ribs 13 that extend vertically on both sides of the corner rib 12, a support rib 14 that connects the lower ends of the side rib 13 and the corner rib 12, and an intermediate rib 15 that connects the intermediate portions. As shown in FIG. 2, the corner ribs 12 and the side ribs 13 extend from a position slightly above the lower end of the side wall 3 until they connect with the underside of the top rib 21. When multiple containers 1 are stacked one on top of the other, the support rib 14 of the upper container 1 is supported by the upper surface of the top rib 21 of the lower container 1.

[0026] 1 and 2, a downwardly extending return rib 22 is provided at the tip of the top rib 21 between the support legs 11. The return rib 22 is formed to connect the side ribs 13 of a pair of support legs 11 provided on both sides of each side wall 3. Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 23 is provided to connect the back surface of the return rib 22 to the outer surface of the side wall 3 and the underside of the top rib 21 (see FIG. 2). The return rib 22 and the reinforcing rib 23 increase the rigidity of the upper part of the side wall 3 and enable the container 1 to be carried by hooking a finger on the return rib 22. In addition, a flat information display surface 24 is formed on the outer surface of the side wall 3, on which a label bearing information such as a company name or the name of the contained item may be attached or directly printed.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the bottom wall 2 includes a flat, non-porous general portion 31 and a plurality of large protrusions 32 and small protrusions 33 disposed across the entire upper surface of the general portion 31. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the large protrusions 32 are configured to have a greater height from the general portion 31 to their apexes and a greater maximum diameter in a planar view than the small protrusions 33. The maximum diameter of the large protrusions 32 is preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times, more preferably 1.6 to 2.0 times, and even more preferably 1.7 to 1.8 times, the maximum diameter of the small protrusions 33. In this embodiment, the maximum diameter of the large protrusions 32 is approximately 1.75 times the maximum diameter of the small protrusions 33.

[0028] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, each protrusion 32, 33 has a generally round shape in plan view and a curved shape in cross section, with no edges (corners) and a rounded spherical shape. The large protrusion 32 has an inflection point in cross section, and is composed of a first base portion 34 with a relatively gently concave curved surface and a hemispherical first main body portion 35 with an upwardly convex shape, both of which are bounded by the inflection point. Similarly, the small protrusion 33 is composed of a second base portion 36 with a relatively gently concave curved surface and a hemispherical second main body portion 37 with an upwardly convex shape, both of which are bounded by the inflection point of the small protrusion 33. The back surfaces of the large protrusion 32 and the small protrusion 33 are formed in a concave shape corresponding to the shape of each protrusion 32, 33. As a result, the bottom wall portion 2 has a generally uniform thickness, except for a bottom rib 38 (described later).

[0029] 4, 6, etc., the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are arranged alternately in the left-right direction in plan view parallel to the long sides of the bottom wall 2 and in the up-down direction in plan view parallel to the short sides of the bottom wall 2. Furthermore, in the diagonal direction in plan view, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are arranged side by side, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5(a) and other figures, in the cross section taken along line AA in Figure 4 (a cross section taken along a line passing through the centers of the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 in the left-right direction in plan view), the protrusions 32, 33 are arranged so that the first base 34 of the large protrusion 32 and the second base 36 of the small protrusions 33 come into contact with each other. In other words, in the cross section taken along line AA, there is no general portion 31 between the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33. Similarly, in the cross section taken along a line passing through the centers of the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 in the up-down direction in plan view (not shown), there is no general portion 31 between the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33.

[0031] 5(b) and other figures, in the cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 4 (a cross section taken along a line passing through the center of the large protrusions 32 in an oblique direction in a plan view), the large protrusions 32 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other. In other words, in the cross section taken along line BB, the general portion 31 exists between the large protrusions 32.

[0032] 2, 5, etc., a lattice-shaped bottom rib 38 is provided on the entire lower surface of the bottom wall portion 2. In a plan view, the bottom rib 38 is formed so as to pass through the back surfaces of the centers of the small protrusions 33, and the bottom rib 38 increases the rigidity of the bottom wall portion 2. When the container 1 is placed on a flat surface, only the bottom rib 38 of the container 1 comes into contact with the flat surface.

[0033] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 have a generally round shape in plan view and a curved shape in cross section, and therefore have a rounded spherical shape without edges (corners). Therefore, it is possible to minimize the risk of the protrusions 32, 33 coming into contact with the articles contained in the container 1 during transportation, thereby scraping the articles or damaging the protrusions 32, 33.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, if the bottom wall 2 is configured to have only protrusions of the same size, the articles contained in the container 1 are supported by each of the protrusions of the same size. However, because the apex heights of each protrusion are the same, there is a concern that the articles contained in the container 1 may shift during transport. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the bottom wall 2 is configured to have large protrusions 32 and small protrusions 33 with different apex heights alternately arranged, and the articles contained in the container 1 can be supported not only by the large protrusions 32 but also by the small protrusions 33. Therefore, even if the container 1 has rounded protrusions 32, 33, it is possible to effectively restrict the movement of the articles contained in the container 1 during transport, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are arranged alternately in the left-right and up-down directions in a plan view. This makes it difficult for the articles to move in the up-down and left-right directions in a plan view during transportation, etc. As a result, it is possible to more effectively restrict the movement of the articles contained in the container 1 during transportation, etc.

[0036] In addition, even if fragments of an item or the like are broken during transportation, since there are no holes in the bottom wall portion 2, it is possible to prevent the fragments from falling through the holes.

[0037] Furthermore, in a diagonal direction when viewed from above, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are arranged side by side. Therefore, for example, items, debris, etc. can easily be trapped in the gaps between the rows of large protrusions 32 extending diagonally when viewed from above. This makes it easier to handle items and remove debris, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0038] Furthermore, in the cross section of a line passing through the center of the large protrusion 32 and the small protrusion 33 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in plan view, the protrusions 32, 33 are arranged so that the first base 34 of the large protrusion 32 and the second base 36 of the small protrusion 33 are in contact with each other, and therefore no general portion 31 exists between the large protrusion 32 and the small protrusion 33. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the possibility of the general portion 31 coming into contact with the items contained in the container 1 during transport, which would result in damage to the general portion 31.

[0039] In addition, in a diagonal plane view, in a cross section taken along a line passing through the center of the large protrusions 32, the large protrusions 32 are arranged so that they are spaced apart from one another, and therefore the general portion 31 exists between the large protrusions 32. Therefore, even if fragments of an article or the like are generated, the fragments can be temporarily collected (during transport) in the general portion 31 between the large protrusions 32. This prevents further damage to the protrusions 32, 33 or the article or the like due to the fragments moving. Furthermore, since the generated fragments are mainly collected in the general portion 31, removal of the fragments is easy.

[0040] In addition, the bottom rib 38 is formed so as to pass between the back surfaces of the small protrusions 33 without passing through the back surfaces of the large protrusions 32. This increases the rigidity of the bottom wall portion 2. Furthermore, compared to when the bottom rib 38 is provided on the back surfaces of the large protrusions 32, it is possible to eliminate problems caused by the bottom rib 38 being bulky (for example, wasting raw materials, deterioration in appearance quality due to sink marks, etc.).

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows: Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0042] (a) In the above embodiment, the planar shapes of the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are not necessarily limited to circular shapes, and may be, for example, elliptical or oblong shapes. Furthermore, the number, size, and arrangement of the protrusions 32, 33 are not limited to those of the above embodiment. For example, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction in plan view parallel to the long sides of the bottom wall 2 and in the up-down direction in plan view parallel to the short sides of the bottom wall 2, respectively. Furthermore, the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 may be arranged alternately in the diagonal directions of the bottom wall 2 in plan view.

[0043] (b) The shape of the container 1 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the container 1 may be configured to have a square shape in a plan view. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the bottom wall portion 2 and each side wall portion 3 are integral, but they may be separate bodies or may be configured to be foldable. Furthermore, the support legs 11, the upper edge rib 21, the return rib 22, the reinforcing rib 23, the information display surface 24, the bottom rib 38, etc. may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the container 1 may be provided with, for example, a lid.

[0044] (c) Specific examples of items that can be stored in container 1 include, but are not limited to, clothing, food, tools, various types of equipment such as electronic devices, or various parts, as well as flexible or deformable objects.

[0045] (d) In the above embodiment, the large projection 32 has a first base 34 and the small projection 33 has a second base 36, but the bases 34, 36 may be omitted. Also, while the bases 34, 36 have a relatively gently concave curved surface, they may instead have a linear inclined cross section or an upwardly convex curve with a larger radius of curvature than the main body portions 35, 37.

[0046] (e) In the above embodiment, the backsides of the large protrusions 32 and the small protrusions 33 are formed concavely, but the backsides of the protrusions 32, 33 may be flat. Also, the bottom rib 38 may be omitted.

[0047] (f) In the above embodiment, the container 1 is made of polypropylene, but it may be made of other resin materials such as polyethylene, PET, polyamide, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...Container, 2...Bottom wall part, 3...Side wall part, 31...General part, 32...Large protrusion, 33...Small protrusion.

Claims

1. A box-shaped container having an upward opening and including a plate-shaped bottom wall portion and a side wall portion extending upward from a side edge portion of the bottom wall portion, The bottom wall portion includes a flat, non-porous general portion; a plurality of large protrusions and small protrusions provided over the entire upper surface of the general portion; The large protrusion has a height from the general portion to the apex and a maximum diameter in a plan view that are larger than those of the small protrusion, The large protrusion and the small protrusion have a generally round shape in a plan view and a curved shape in a cross section, A container characterized in that the large protrusions and the small protrusions are arranged alternately in a predetermined direction when viewed from above.

2. The large protrusions and the small protrusions are alternately arranged in a left-right direction in a plan view parallel to one side of the rectangular bottom wall portion and in a top-bottom direction in a plan view parallel to the other side orthogonal to the one side, and 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the large projections and the small projections are arranged side by side in an oblique direction in a plan view.

3. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the large protrusion and the small protrusion are in contact with each other in the predetermined direction when viewed from above.

4. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the large projections are spaced apart from one another.

5. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the large projection and the small projection are both spherical.

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