Packaging containers

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging container that maintains its stacked state even when inverted. [Solution] A packaging container comprising a container body 200 and a lid, wherein the container body 200 can be fitted with the lid whether the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 is facing upward, or whether the back surface of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 is facing upward, and is configured to be able to be placed on the top wall of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked, and the surface 211 and back surface of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 are provided with locking parts (410, 420) that can be locked to a part of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, packaging containers for storing foods such as prepared dishes and rice, transporting them to stores, etc., and displaying them have been used in supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.

[0003] There are various types of packaging containers. The packaging container of Patent Document 1 includes a lid and a container body, and is configured to be able to store foods such as prepared dishes and rice. Further, the packaging container of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the storage volume can be changed by inverting the lid upside down and fitting it to the container body. Also, when stacking reversible containers that can be used by inverting the lid or the packaging container as in Patent Document 1, it has been desired that the stacked state does not collapse in any case where inversion is desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a packaging container in which the stacked state does not collapse in any case where inversion is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the packaging container according to claim 1 of the present invention is a packaging container comprising a container body and a lid, wherein the container body can be fitted with the lid even when the surface side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward and when the back side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward, and is configured to be able to be placed on the top wall of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked, and the surface and back side of the bottom wall of the container body are provided with locking parts that can be locked to a part of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked.

[0007] According to the above features, even when the surface side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward, or when the back side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward, the locking part locks onto a part of the lid of the lower stacked packaging container. This prevents the upper stacked packaging container from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container, thus preventing the stack from collapsing.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the packaging container according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the locking portion is provided at two locations on the front and back surfaces of the bottom wall of the container body.

[0009] According to the above features, the two locking points are engaged with a part of the lid of the lower packaging container in the stack, which more effectively prevents the upper packaging container in the stack from shifting laterally relative to the lower packaging container, thus preventing the stack from collapsing.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the packaging container according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the locking portion is provided at four locations on both the front and back surfaces of the bottom wall of the container body.

[0011] According to the above features, the four locking points are secured to a part of the lid of the lower packaging container in the stack, which more effectively prevents the upper packaging container in the stack from shifting laterally relative to the lower packaging container, thus preventing the stack from collapsing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The packaging container of the present invention maintains its stacked state even when inverted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is an overall perspective view of the lid 100, and Figure 1(b) is a plan view of the lid 100. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a side view of the lid 100, and Figure 2(b) is an end view from A-A. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is an overall perspective view of the front side of the container body 200, and Figure 3(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner 270 on the front side of the container body 200. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a plan view of the container body 200, Figure 4(b) is a side view of the container body 200, and Figure 4(c) is an end view from B to B. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is an overall perspective view of the back side of the container body 200, and Figure 5(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner 270 on the back side of the container body 200. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a rear view of the container body 200, Figure 6(b) is a view from end C to C, and Figure 6(c) is a view from end D to D. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is an overall perspective view of stacked packaging containers 300 with the lids 100 attached to the container bodies 200, and Figure 7(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner portion 270 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a plan view of the stacked packaging containers 300, and Figure 8(b) is an end view from E to E. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is an overall perspective view of stacked packaging containers 300 with lids 100 attached to the container bodies 200, and Figure 9(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner portion 270 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300. [Figure 10]Fig. 10(a) is a plan view of the packaging container 300 in a stacked state, and Fig. 10(b) is an end view taken along the line F - F.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0014] 100 Lid 110 Top Wall 200 Container Body 210 Bottom Wall 211 Front Surface 212 Back Surface 300 Packaging Container 410 Locking Portion 420 Locking Portion

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, "upward" means the direction upward in the vertical direction when the packaging container is placed on a horizontal plane, and "downward" means the direction downward in the vertical direction.

[0016] First, Figs. 1 and 2 show the lid 100 of the packaging container 300 according to the present invention. Note that Fig. 1(a) is an overall perspective view of the lid 100, Fig. 1(b) is a plan view of the lid 100, Fig. 2(a) is a side view of the lid 100, and Fig. 2(b) is an end view taken along the line A - A.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lid 100 is made of a synthetic resin sheet, is a deep dish shape with an opening at the bottom, and has a roughly square shape in plan view with corner portions 170 at the four corners. It has a flat top wall 110 that extends horizontally, a side wall 120 that extends downward from the top wall 110, a flat flange portion 130 that extends outward from the side wall 120, and a downwardly convex protrusion 140 between the side wall 120 and the flange portion 130. The inner surface 141 of the protrusion 140 is provided with an inwardly convex first lid-side fitting portion 150. The outer surface 142 of the protrusion 140 is provided with an outwardly convex second lid-side fitting portion 160. Furthermore, the protruding portions 140 located at the corner portions 170 of the lid 100, and the protruding portions 140 located at the side portions 180 between the corner portions 170, are also provided with a first lid-side fitting portion 150 and a second lid-side fitting portion 160. The side walls 120, flange portions 130, and protruding portions 140 are provided continuously or intermittently around the entire circumference of the lid 100 in the circumferential direction. In addition, although the lid 100 is approximately square in plan view, it is not limited to this and can be any shape such as approximately polygonal or approximately circular in plan view.

[0018] Furthermore, near the corner portion 170 of the top wall 110, a recess 119 is provided that is recessed downward from the surface 111 of the top wall 110. As will be described later, when the packaging containers 300 are stacked, the locking portion of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300 can engage with the recess 119. Although the top wall 110 is provided with a recess 119, it is not limited to this, and if the locking portion of the container body 200 can be locked to a part of the top wall 110, the recess 119 does not need to be provided.

[0019] The lid 100 is made from a sheet of synthetic resin with a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and is formed by sheet molding (for example, vacuum forming, pressure forming, hot plate forming, vacuum pressure forming, etc.). For example, the material for the lid 100 can be polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, A-PET, polylactic acid, or biaxially stretched versions thereof.

[0020] Next, Figures 3 to 6 show the container body 200 of the packaging container 300 according to the present invention. Figure 3(a) is an overall perspective view of the front side of the container body 200, Figure 3(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner portion 270 on the front side of the container body 200, Figure 4(a) is a plan view of the container body 200, Figure 4(b) is a side view of the container body 200, Figure 4(c) is a B-B end view, Figure 5(a) is an overall perspective view of the back side of the container body 200, Figure 5(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner portion 270 on the back side of the container body 200, Figure 6(a) is a rear view of the container body 200, Figure 6(b) is a C-C end view, and Figure 6(c) is a D-D end view.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the container body 200 is made of a synthetic resin sheet, is a shallow dish shape with an upward opening, and has a roughly square shape in plan view with corner portions 270 at the four corners. It has a flat, horizontally extending bottom wall 210, a side wall 220 that extends upward from the bottom wall 210, a skirt portion 240 that extends downward outward from the side wall 220, and a flat flange portion 230 that extends outward from the lower end of the skirt portion 240. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a protruding surface 241 that projects laterally and a side surface 242 that extends downward from the protruding surface 241 are provided at a height around the center of the skirt portion 240, creating a stepped structure. In addition, a protruding surface 243 that projects laterally and a side surface 244 that extends downward from the protruding surface 243 are provided on the lower side of the side surface 242 (flange portion 230 side), creating a stepped structure.

[0022] Furthermore, the side surface 242 of the skirt portion 240 is provided with an outwardly convex first container-side fitting portion 250, which is configured to engage with the first lid-side fitting portion 150 of the lid 100 and fit together. In addition, the side surface 244 of the skirt portion 240 is provided with an outwardly concave second container-side fitting portion 260, which is configured to engage with the second lid-side fitting portion 160 of the lid 100 and fit together. The skirt portion 240 located at the corner portion 270 of the container body 200, and the skirt portion 240 located at the side portion 280 between the corner portions 270, are also provided with the first container-side fitting portion 250 and the second container-side fitting portion 260. The side wall 220, flange portion 230, and skirt portion 240 are provided continuously or intermittently around the entire circumference of the container body 200 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, although the container body 200 is approximately square in plan view, it is not limited to this and can be any shape, such as approximately polygonal or approximately circular in plan view.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, locking portions 410 are provided near the corner portions 270 of the bottom wall 210, protruding from the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210. A total of four locking portions 410 are provided at each corner portion 270 of the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200, but this is not limited to this. For example, two locking portions 410 may be provided at one opposing corner portion 270 and not at the other opposing corner portion 270, or one locking portion 410 may be provided at only one corner portion 270, resulting in a total of one locking portion 410. In addition, any number of locking portions 410 may be provided at any location on the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210, other than at the corner portions 270. Furthermore, the locking portion 410 is composed of a pair of protrusions 411, each of which is positioned on an adjacent edge 218 and edge 219 of the bottom wall 210.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, locking portions 420 are provided near the corner portions 270 of the bottom wall 210, protruding from the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210. There are a total of four locking portions 420 provided at each corner portion 270 of the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200, but this is not limited to this. For example, locking portions 420 may be provided at one opposing corner portion 270 and not at the other opposing corner portion 270, resulting in a total of two locking portions 420, or locking portions 420 may be provided at only one corner portion 270, resulting in a total of one locking portion 420. In addition, any number of locking portions 420 may be provided at any location on the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210, other than the corner portions 270. Furthermore, the locking portion 420 is composed of a pair of protrusions 421 and a central protrusion 422 between the protrusions 421, with the pair of protrusions 421 and the central protrusion 422 being connected to form a roughly L-shape. In addition, each of the protrusions 421 is positioned on adjacent sides 218 and 219 of the bottom wall 210.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the locking portion 410 protruding from the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210 and the locking portion 420 protruding from the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210 are provided continuously above and below the bottom wall 210. As a result, the areas around the adjacent locking portions 410 and 420 have an uneven shape, increasing their strength and effectively preventing them from being crushed or deformed. Note that although the locking portions 410 and 420 are provided continuously above and below the bottom wall 210, this is not limited to this arrangement, and the locking portions 410 and 420 may be separated from each other. Also, although the front-side locking portion 410 and the back-side locking portion 420 protrude from the bottom wall 210, this is not limited to this arrangement, and any shape, such as a recessed shape from the bottom wall 210, is acceptable as long as it can be locked to a part of the top wall 110.

[0026] The container body 200 is made from a sheet of synthetic resin with a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and is manufactured by sheet molding (for example, vacuum forming, pressure forming, hot plate forming, vacuum pressure forming, etc.). For example, the material used for the container body 200 can be polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, A-PET, polylactic acid, or biaxially stretched versions of these materials.

[0027] Next, Figures 7 and 8 show a packaging container 300 with a lid 100 attached to a container body 200 facing outwards. Figure 7(a) is an overall perspective view of stacked packaging containers 300 with lids 100 attached to the container body 200, Figure 7(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner 270 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300, Figure 8(a) is a plan view of the stacked packaging containers 300, and Figure 8(b) is an end view from E to E.

[0028] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the packaging container 300 is attached such that the lid 100 is placed over the container body 200. The first lid-side fitting portion 150 of the lid 100 is externally fitted to the first container-side fitting portion 250 of the container body 200. Also, as shown in Figure 8(b), when the lid 100 is fitted to the container body 200 with the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 facing upward, the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 protrudes above the first container-side fitting portion 250, thus narrowing the storage space X1 inside the packaging container 300.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(b), the container body 200 of the upper stacked packaging container 300 has its bottom wall 210 surface 211 facing upward, so around the corner 270, the locking portion 420 protrudes downward from the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210. As a result, the locking portion 420 locks onto a part of the lid 100 of the lower stacked packaging container 300 (in Figure 7, the outer edge of the top wall 110). This prevents the upper stacked packaging container 300 from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container 300, thus preventing the stacked state from collapsing.

[0030] Furthermore, the locking parts 420 are provided in two locations (any two of the four corner sections 270 in Figure 7), and these locking parts 420 engage with a part of the lid 100 of the lower stacked packaging container 300, thereby more effectively preventing the upper stacked packaging container 300 from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container 300, and thus preventing the stack from collapsing. In addition, the locking parts 420 are provided in four locations (all of the four corner sections 270 in Figure 7), and these locking parts 420 engage with a part of the lid 100 of the lower stacked packaging container 300, thereby more effectively preventing the upper stacked packaging container 300 from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container 300, and thus preventing the stack from collapsing. In particular, since the locking parts 420 are provided at four locations on the corner parts 270, they more effectively prevent the packaging container 300 from shifting in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0031] In Figure 7(b), the locking portion 420 is in contact with the recess 119 of the lid 100 of the stacked lower packaging container 300, so that the locking portion 420 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300 can be more strongly locked to a part of the lid 100 of the lower packaging container 300, more effectively preventing the packaging container 300 from shifting. Also, as shown in Figure 8(b), although the flange portion 130 of the lid 100 and the flange portion 230 of the container body 200 are spaced apart vertically, the side wall 220 of the container body 200 protrudes upward and inward from the fitting point between the first lid side fitting portion 150 and the first container side fitting portion 250, so that foreign matter and other foreign objects from the outside can be prevented from entering the storage space X1.

[0032] Next, Figures 9 and 10 show a packaging container 300 with a lid 100 attached to an inverted container body 200. Figure 9(a) is an overall perspective view of stacked packaging containers 300 with lids 100 attached to the container body 200, Figure 9(b) is an enlarged perspective view from the inside of the area around the corner 270 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300, Figure 10(a) is a plan view of the stacked packaging containers 300, and Figure 10(b) is an end view between F and F.

[0033] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the packaging container 300 is attached so that the lid 100 is placed over the container body 200. The second lid-side fitting portion 160 of the lid 100 is internally fitted into the second container-side fitting portion 260 of the container body 200. Also, as shown in Figure 10(b), when the lid 100 is fitted onto the container body 200 with the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 facing upward, the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200 protrudes downward from the second container-side fitting portion 260, thus increasing the storage space X1 inside the packaging container 300. In this way, in order to change the storage volume of the packaging container 300 according to the volume of contents inside the packaging container 300, the container body 200 can be mounted upside down, as shown in Figures 7 and 9.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(b), the container body 200 of the upper stacked packaging container 300 has the back surface 212 of the bottom wall 210 facing upward, so around the corner 270, the locking portion 410 protrudes downward from the surface 211 of the bottom wall 210. As a result, the locking portion 410 locks onto a part of the lid 100 of the lower stacked packaging container 300 (in Figure 9, the outer edge of the top wall 110). This prevents the upper stacked packaging container 300 from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container 300, thus preventing the stacked state from collapsing. Furthermore, the locking parts 410 are provided in two locations (in Figure 9, any two locations around the four corner sections 270, positions where the lid can be locked when stacked regardless of shape, for example, diagonally or at positions that divide the outer circumference into two equal parts), and since the locking parts 410 are locked to a part of the lid 100 of the lower stacked packaging container 300, the upper stacked packaging container 300 is more effectively prevented from shifting laterally relative to the lower stacked packaging container 300, and the stacked state does not collapse. In particular, since the locking parts 410 are provided at four locations on the corner parts 270, they more effectively prevent the packaging container 300 from shifting in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0035] In Figure 9(b), the locking portion 410 is in contact with the recess 119 of the lid 100 of the stacked lower packaging container 300, so that the locking portion 410 of the container body 200 of the upper packaging container 300 can be more strongly locked to a part of the lid 100 of the lower packaging container 300, more effectively preventing the packaging container 300 from shifting. Also, as shown in Figure 10(b), the flange portion 130 of the lid 100 and the flange portion 230 of the container body 200 overlap vertically outside the fitting point of the second lid side fitting portion 160 and the second container side fitting portion 260, so that foreign matter and other foreign objects from the outside can be prevented from entering the storage space X1.

[0036] Furthermore, the packaging container of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims and embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included within the scope of the patent rights.

Claims

1. A packaging container comprising a container body and a lid, The container body is configured to be able to be fitted with the lid whether the surface side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward or whether the back side of the bottom wall of the container body is facing upward, and to be able to rest on the top wall of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked. A packaging container characterized in that the surface and back surface of the bottom wall of the container body are provided with locking parts that can be locked onto a part of the lid of the lower packaging container when the packaging containers are stacked.

2. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking portion is provided at two locations on the front and back surfaces of the bottom wall of the container body.

3. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking portion is provided at four locations on both the front and back surfaces of the bottom wall of the container body.

Images