Foldable rice ball case

Abstract

We provide a foldable rice ball case that maintains the triangular shape of the rice ball and can be folded compactly after use. [Solution] This is a case for storing typical triangular rice balls. On a rectangular sheet, foldable side walls are provided, configured in an upright and tilted state, for the purpose of holding the side portion of the triangular rice ball. After erecting the aforementioned foldable side wall section and storing the rice ball, By enclosing the rectangular sheet beneath the rice ball inwards, so as to wrap around the rice ball, the rice ball can be kept in place without losing its shape. This foldable rice ball case features a design where, after eating, the foldable side walls can be tilted inward to overlap, and the rectangular sheet can also be folded inward, resulting in a flattened and compact design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice ball case.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, commercially available portable rice ball cases are in the shape of a triangular prism that is slightly larger than a rice ball and can store one or two to three rice balls. The materials include plastic and cloth products, etc., and they are widely distributed in the general public. The purpose of putting a rice ball in a case is to protect the rice ball from being crushed during movement and to serve as a packaging cover so that food is not directly placed in a bag, etc. Places where people take rice balls out are, for example, parks, schools, workplaces, cram schools, club activities, etc. The reasons for taking rice balls are also various, such as not wanting to carry too many things, not wanting to spend money, not eating as much as a bento, not having time or a place to eat a bento, and eating it as a supplement to a bento. Thus, the scene of not needing a bento but taking one rice ball can be often seen in life. When buying a rice ball at a convenience store, etc., after eating, one only needs to throw away the garbage. However, when bringing a rice ball case from home, bringing the case back after eating can sometimes be troublesome. As a countermeasure, there are also cases of wrapping it in a flat lunch cloth or putting it in a plastic bag. In that case, it may get mixed in the bag and the rice ball may be crushed.

[0003] Homemade rice balls are usually wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storage, and in such cases, they often have furikake (rice seasoning) mixed in or are already wrapped in seaweed. In recent years, with the widespread availability of convenience store rice balls, the style of wrapping the seaweed just before eating has become more common than buying pre-wrapped rice balls. Although it takes more effort, wrapping the seaweed just before eating allows you to enjoy the satisfaction of completing the rice ball yourself, and you can feel the crisp texture and flavor of the seaweed. When wrapping seaweed on a rice ball while out and about, there is no storage space in the rice ball case, so you have to wrap the seaweed in plastic wrap or put it in a resealable plastic bag, or prepare it separately outside the rice ball case, which makes it inconvenient to carry. In addition, sometimes a rice ball wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil is covered with seaweed, which is then placed in a rice ball case. However, if there isn't enough space in the rice ball case, the seaweed has to be forced in, which can cause it to tear.

[0004] When eating onigiri (rice balls), people often buy other items like instant noodles or side dishes from convenience stores, or drinks from vending machines, and consume them together with the onigiri. Due to dual-income households or family circumstances, some families may have onigiri for lunch and eat out for dinner, or onigiri for breakfast and school cafeteria lunch, or they may be given onigiri and cash. When children have long hours at extracurricular activities or cram school, or when preparing meals for the elderly, giving them onigiri and cash can be difficult to manage depending on their age and circumstances.

[0005] If I prepared side dishes in addition to rice balls, I would need to use a separate lunch box, which meant carrying chopsticks, a lunch box, and ice packs, making my luggage bulky. Also, rice ball cases that are washable and can hold rice balls directly, and lunch boxes for side dishes, could develop a rotten smell if not washed immediately after returning home. If I was out all day, I had to carry the used rice ball cases and lunch boxes around and wash them immediately upon returning home, which was troublesome.

[0006] After eating a rice ball, seaweed would sometimes get stuck to my teeth or lips, and I couldn't check it when I was out, which was embarrassing.

[0007] Various types of rice ball cases have been proposed, including those that can store rice balls and seaweed, and foldable rice ball cases. (See prior art documents below) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-164480 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-36997 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3149980 Gazette [Patent Document 4] Utility Model Registration No. 15-7127526 (Publication Gazette) [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-264929 [Patent Document 6] Design Registration No. 1771990 Gazette [Patent Document 7] Design Registration No. 1484588 Gazette [Patent Document 8] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-50520 [Patent Document 9] Utility Model Registration No. 3126414 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The onigiri case described in Patent Document 1 allows users to directly place rice into the case to form an onigiri and then carry it around. However, after each use, the case must be washed and the nori (seaweed) stored inside must be thoroughly dried, which is time-consuming. Also, while hard cases prevent the onigiri from losing its shape, they remain bulky after use. The present invention differs in that it can be folded compactly after use.

[0010] The multi-functional lunch belt described in Patent Document 2 is made of a flexible packaging material and covers a wide variety of shapes (cylinders, triangular prisms, cubes, etc.), covering items such as rice balls, sandwiches, and mochi according to their shape. While it is fine when carried by hand, if placed in a bag or backpack and used on a crowded train, for example, the flexible packaging material lacks the ability to protect the shape of the food. Also, when covering multiple items of different shapes, gaps may form inside the packaging, causing the food items to come into contact with each other and lose their shape. This multi-functional lunch belt is fine for items with a uniform shape, such as three rice balls or two sandwiches, but it becomes difficult to use when there is only one rice ball, for example. The multi-functional lunch belt is a belt that holds food together and is not a case or container that protects against crushing, so its features differ from those of the present invention.

[0011] The onigiri bento box described in Patent Document 3 can store side dishes, rice, and seaweed. It has a rice dispenser, and the onigiri is eaten by placing the seaweed on a bamboo mat and rolling it up, but this is difficult to do outdoors where there is no table. Also, it is as large as a regular bento box, and is too big to carry around as a light snack when you just want to eat a little. The present invention differs in that it can be folded compactly after use and is easy to carry.

[0012] The nori-wrapped rice ball portable container described in Patent Document 4 is a container that can form one rice ball and carry the rice ball formed together with seaweed, but the present invention differs in that its side walls can be folded inward, making it compact.

[0013] The foldable container described in Patent Document 5 is a container for holding several rice balls, side dishes, sandwiches, etc., and its capacity is the size of a typical lunch box. After use, it can be folded and made compact, but it has a lid, inner lid, body, and fork, making cleanup time-consuming. The present invention differs in that it can hold the side of a triangular rice ball in a triangular shape at the side wall, and can compactly store one triangular rice ball.

[0014] The bamboo-leaf-style lunch cloth with cooling and warming properties described in Patent Document 6 has a mesh pocket for storing ice packs, but it is a lunch cloth that can store rice balls together and does not protect them from being crushed like a case or container, so its features differ from those of the present invention.

[0015] The rice ball storage container described in Patent Document 7 is a foldable, flexible sheet body with a heat-insulating and cold-retaining sheet material on its inner surface, and is suitable for storing three rice balls. The present invention differs in that it stores only one rice ball. Furthermore, while the present invention wraps the rice ball in a single sheet, the present invention differs in that it has foldable side walls that can be configured in both an upright and tilted position.

[0016] The lunchbox with a mirror described in Patent Document 8 has a mirror attached to the lid of the lunchbox. While it is possible to check one's mouth using the lid of the lunchbox, it can be difficult to check one's mouth if there are people around, and it is also difficult to remove any food particles. The present invention has a horizontal shape and is made of a flexible material, so it can be curved to cover the face. It differs in that it allows one to check their mouth while concealing their face.

[0017] The paper cup-shaped lunch box described in Patent Document 9 has a mirror attached to the lid. While it is possible to check one's mouth using the lid of the lunch box, it can be difficult to check one's mouth if there are people around, and it is also difficult to remove any food particles. The present invention has a horizontally elongated shape and is made of a flexible material, so it can be curved to cover the face. It differs in that it allows one to check their mouth while concealing their face.

[0018] Conventionally, rice ball cases had the following drawbacks. (A) In general, rice ball cases and lunch boxes become lighter after eating, but the size of the container does not change, making it cumbersome to take them home. Also, when carrying a single rice ball as it is in a lunch cloth or plastic bag, the shape may get crushed. (B) When using a general rice ball case, there is no space to store nori seaweed. As a result, it becomes either a moist type of nori rice ball with the nori already rolled up in advance or a type mixed with sprinkles, and it was impossible to enjoy the original crispy texture of the nori. Also, if one wanted to enjoy the crispy texture, nori had to be prepared separately, which was cumbersome to carry. (C) When giving rice balls and cash to children, the elderly, etc., it was sometimes difficult to manage depending on their age and situation. (D) Just having rice balls was not enough, and when one wanted to take side dishes, one had to separately carry a lunch box, chopstick case, and coolant, which was cumbersome. After use, it was also cumbersome to carry around a dirty lunch box or to have to wash the lunch box immediately after taking it home. (E) When eating nori rice balls, nori sometimes stuck to the teeth, and it was difficult to check when outside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0019] A case for storing a general triangular rice ball, On a rectangular sheet, there is provided a foldable side wall portion configured to be in a standing state and a tilted state for the purpose of holding the side surface portion of the triangular rice ball. After standing up the foldable side wall portion and storing the rice ball, When the rectangular sheet under the rice ball is included inside so as to wrap the rice ball, the rice ball can be held without losing its shape. After eating, it is characterized in that the foldable side wall portion is tilted so as to overlap inside, and the rectangular sheet is also folded inside to become a flat state and become compact. A foldable rice ball case.

[0020] A foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, comprising: a rectangular sheet 1 and a rectangular sheet 2 are layered together, the edges are sewn together in an L-shape or a U-shape with an open top, and a storage compartment similar to the billfold of a wallet is provided, allowing for the storage of seaweed wrapped in plastic wrap and banknotes inside.

[0021] On the outside of the side wall that stores the triangular rice ball, there is a box-shaped structure that surrounds the rice ball on all four sides. The foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, characterized in that it has foldable side walls that can be configured in an upright state and a tilted state, allowing side dishes to be placed in the empty space, and after eating, the side walls of the box-shaped body and the side walls of the rice ball are tilted inward so that they overlap, and the rectangular sheet is also folded flat, making it compact.

[0022] A foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, wherein a mirror is provided in the center of a rectangular sheet, allowing the user to check their mouth while concealing their face with the rectangular sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the rice ball case described in claim 1, a typical triangular rice ball can be carried without losing its shape, and after eating, it can be flattened and folded compactly, so it does not get in the way when placed in a bag and is easy to use. By bringing your own rice ball as a main meal, you can reduce the cost of eating out and the hassle of going to buy food.

[0024] According to the rice ball case described in claim 2, a rectangular sheet is provided with a storage compartment similar to the bill compartment of a wallet, allowing for the storage of seaweed and banknotes inside. The seaweed, wrapped in plastic wrap, can be stored unfolded along with the rice ball, allowing for the enjoyment of the crispy texture of the seaweed, similar to that of convenience store rice balls, providing a sense of satisfaction. Since banknotes can also be stored inside, busy parents can encourage their children to bring their own rice balls and purchase other items, then hand them all together.

[0025] According to the rice ball case described in claim 3, a foldable side wall section is provided on the outside of the side wall section that stores the triangular rice ball, and this box-shaped section can be configured in an upright and tilted position to surround the rice ball on all four sides. Since side dishes can be placed in the remaining space, it is a rice ball case that is just right for people who find rice balls alone insufficient, although it is not as substantial as a bento box. For example, you can wrap naturally thawed fried chicken in plastic wrap and put it in the remaining space, or wrap a boiled egg in plastic wrap and store everything in the gaps. By doing so, you can eat with one hand holding the plastic wrap without using chopsticks or a fork, and there is no washing up to do, making cleanup easy. In addition, by naturally thawing frozen food as a substitute for ice packs, food poisoning can be prevented and the effort of preparing food is saved.

[0026] According to the rice ball case described in claim 4, a mirror is provided in the center of a rectangular sheet, and the rectangular sheet can be curved to cover the face for inspection, allowing for checking for dirt around the mouth or lipstick smudges. This allows for inspection while concealing the face without worrying about being seen, providing peace of mind even when out and about. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] Overhead view of a rice ball case (Example 1) [Figure 2] An overhead view of rice balls and seaweed being stored (Example 1) [Figure 3] Rice ball fixed in place, overhead view (normal size approx. 130g) (Example 1) [Figure 4] Rice ball fixing, side view (normal size approx. 130g) (Example 1) [Figure 5] Rice ball fixed in place, overhead view (convenience store size, approximately 110g) (Example 1) [Figure 6] Rice ball fixed in place: overhead view (approximately 160g, equivalent to one bowl of rice) (Example 1) [Figure 7] Case in an upright position with rice balls stored inside (Example 1) [Figure 8] Side view of the rice ball when stored (Example 1) [Figure 9] Folded wing view (Example 1) [Figure 10] Side view of the folded wings (Example 1) [Figure 11] Folded case overhead view (Example 1) [Figure 12] Folded case side view (Example 1) [Figure 13] Overhead view of a rice ball case that can also hold side dishes (Example 2) [Figure 14] An overhead view of rice balls, side dishes, and seaweed being stored (Example 2) [Figure 15] Storage for rice balls and side dishes: Overhead perspective view (Example 2) [Figure 16] Storage for rice balls and side dishes: Storage side (Example 2) [Figure 17] Side view of rice ball storage; trapezoidal fold line (Example 2) [Figure 18] Side view of rice ball storage; fold line isosceles triangle (Example 2) [Figure 19] Side view of rice ball storage, without fold lines (Example 2) [Figure 20] Overhead perspective view of the rice ball storage folding process (Example 2) [Figure 21] Overhead view of the rice ball storage after folding (Example 2) [Figure 22] Storage for rice balls and side dishes. Upright perspective view (Example 2) [Figure 23] Folded case overhead view (Example 2) [Figure 24] Folded side view (Example 2) [Figure 25] Front view with mirror (Example 3) [Figure 26] Mirror-assisted perspective view (Example 3) [Modes for carrying out the invention] [Examples]

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is an unfolded view of the rice ball case. A rectangular sheet 1 and a rectangular sheet 2 are stacked on top of each other, and the ends are sewn together to form an L-shape or a U-shape with an open top, forming a pouch-like shape similar to the billfold of a wallet. Two folded side walls, formed by an upper wing portion 6 and a lower wing portion 7, are provided in a V-shape on top of the rectangular sheet 2. The upper wing portion 6 and the lower wing portion 7 are made of one piece, with a fold line 4 in the center, and only the bottom portion of the lower wing portion 7 is placed on top of the rectangular sheet 2. The lower wing portion 7 is an isosceles trapezoid, and the upper wing portion 6 is shaped like the letter D with a slightly protruding tip. The shapes of the upper wing portion 6 and the lower wing portion 7 can also be regular hexagons, but the shape of the upper wing portion 6, which is like the letter D with a slightly protruding tip, makes it easier to secure when storing large rice balls. The two wing sections 6 on the left and right are provided with a pair of hook-and-loop fastener protrusions 8 and hook-and-loop fastener recesses 9, one on the inside and the other on the outside. The rectangular sheet 2 is provided with sides 5 and a flap 3. The inner surface of the flap 3 is provided with hook-and-loop fastener protrusions 10, and the corresponding hook-and-loop fastener recesses 11 are provided on the outer surface of the rectangular sheet 1, on the end opposite to the hook-and-loop fastener protrusions 10. The rectangular sheet 2 has a pocket section 13, which can be opened and closed by a pocket closure section 12. This pocket is for storing coins, plastic wrap waste, ice packs, etc. A mirror 14 is provided in the center of the rectangular sheet 2.

[0029] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is an overhead view showing the rice ball and nori being stored. Rectangular sheet 1 and rectangular sheet 2 are overlapped, and a sheet of nori 16, half the size of a sheet of nori and wrapped in plastic wrap, is stored inside the rectangular sheet 2 which is formed into a bag. The wing portion 7 is raised to create a side wall, and a rice ball 17 wrapped in plastic wrap is stored inside. The hook-and-loop fastener convex 8 and hook-and-loop fastener concave 9 of the wing portion are closed and joined together, overlapping and in close contact with the size of the rice ball.

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is an overhead view showing the product joined to enclose a standard-sized rice ball (approximately 130g). The overlapping area of ​​the two wing-shaped upper parts 6 is where the hook-and-loop tapes 8 and 9 are joined. The hook-and-loop tapes are joined to conform to the shape of the rice ball, fixing them in place at the points where they fold, thereby forming and holding a triangular shape that matches the size of the rice ball.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a side view of the rice ball holder and an enlarged view of the rectangular sheets 1 and 2. The shape of the rice ball 17 wrapped in plastic wrap is maintained by the side wall of the lower wing portion 7, and the hook-and-loop fastener convex 8 and hook-and-loop fastener concave 9 of the wing portion overlap and are joined together when the upper wing portion 6 is placed on top of each other. The enlarged view shows the inside of the bag-shaped rectangular sheets 1 and 2, where the seaweed 16 wrapped in plastic wrap is stored. The inside of rectangular sheet 1 consists of three layers: 1a outer packaging material, 1b intermediate material, and 1c inner material. The 1b intermediate material is a thin, rigid board, and the 1a outer packaging material and 1c inner material are fabric. Similarly, the inside of rectangular sheet 2 consists of three layers: 2a outer packaging material, 2b intermediate material, and 2c inner material. In this way, the presence of the intermediate material provides rigidity, allowing the rice ball to be protected even when it is thin.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is an overhead view showing a convenience store-sized rice ball 17 (approximately 110g) wrapped in plastic wrap being secured. The overlapping portion of the two upper wing sections 6 is the joined part. The area of ​​the hook-and-loop fastener protrusions 8 and recesses 9 on the wing sections is large, ensuring a secure fixation.

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is an overhead view showing a rice ball 17 (approximately 160g) the size of one bowl, wrapped in plastic wrap, being secured. The overlapping portion of the two upper wing sections 6 is the joined part. Although the area of ​​the hook-and-loop fastener convex 8 and concave 9 of the wing section is shallow, the overlapping of the vertices of the upper wing sections 6 ensures a secure fixation. Rice balls made at home are often slightly larger, and it is common to thaw frozen packaged rice, wrap it in plastic wrap, and then make rice balls. In this way, even if the size of the rice ball changes, the overlapping of the upper wing sections 6 can accommodate this.

[0034] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the rice ball stored inside and standing upright. The handle 15 makes it easy to carry.

[0035] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a side view of the container with a rice ball stored inside, oriented horizontally. The lower part 7 of the wing section forms a side wall, preventing the rice ball 17 wrapped in plastic wrap from falling out. The presence of the fold line 4 creates a box-like structure, eliminating wasted space and neatly holding the rice ball.

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is an overhead view of the wing portion in a folded state. The two wing portions 6 and 7 are folded flat on top of each other. At that time, the hook-and-loop fasteners 8 and 9 are folded so that they do not overlap, and one side of the hook-and-loop fastener is at the top so that the fastener surfaces do not join together, making it easy to use the next time.

[0037] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a side view of the wing portion in a folded state. When the wing portion is folded, it becomes flat. By positioning the hook-and-loop fasteners 8 and 9 so that they do not overlap, with one side of the hook-and-loop fastener at the top, the fastener surfaces do not join together, making it easy to use the next time.

[0038] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is an overhead view of the folded state. The bag-shaped rectangular sheet is folded in half along the fold line 4, and the hook-and-loop fastener protrusion 10 and hook-and-loop fastener recess 11 located under the flap 3 are joined together to close it, making it compact.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a side view of the folded state. The presence of fold line 4 makes it easier to fold in half, resulting in a flatter shape. [Examples]

[0040] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is an overhead view of an onigiri case that can also hold side dishes. It is a box-shaped body in which four side walls (side wall sections 22 x 2 and side wall sections 24 x 2) are fixed on top of a rectangular sheet 2 which is formed by overlapping rectangular sheets 1 and 2 to form a bag shape. Two side walls (side wall sections 23 x 2) are fixed in a V shape inside, creating a triangular space. Onigiri can be stored in the triangular space, and small amounts of side dishes can be placed in the two spaces on either side.

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14 is an overhead view of a rice ball case that can also hold side dishes, showing the process of storing rice balls, side dishes, and seaweed. A rice ball 17 wrapped in plastic wrap is stored in the central triangular space, and side dishes 18 wrapped in plastic wrap (e.g., frozen fried chicken wrapped in plastic wrap, boiled egg wrapped in plastic wrap, frozen broccoli wrapped in plastic wrap, cherry tomatoes wrapped in plastic wrap, etc.) are stored in the two spaces on either side. Rectangular sheet 1 and rectangular sheet 2 overlap to form a bag-like structure, and a sheet of seaweed 16, half the size of a sheet, wrapped in plastic wrap, is stored inside the rectangular sheet 2.

[0042] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15 is an overhead perspective view showing a rice ball and side dishes stored inside. Viewed from an angle, it can be seen that the rice ball 17 and side dishes 18, wrapped in plastic wrap, are surrounded by the side walls (22, 23, 24).

[0043] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 16. Figure 16 is a side view showing a rice ball and side dishes stored inside. The trapezoidal fold line 22 of the side wall has a trapezoidal fold line 4 and is structured to be easily folded inward, but the material of the side wall is firm, so it becomes less likely to tip over when filled with side dishes.

[0044] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 17. Figure 17 is a side view of the rice ball storage unit, showing a trapezoidal fold line 22. The side wall section, like the rectangular sheets 1 and 2, consists of three layers: an outer wrapping material, an intermediate material, and an inner material. The intermediate material is a rigid board, while the outer wrapping material and inner material are fabric. There is a trapezoidal fold line 4, making it easy to fold inward and stand upright.

[0045] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 18. Figure 18 is a side view of the rice ball storage, showing an isosceles triangle fold line 23. As described above, there is an isosceles triangle fold line 4 on the side wall, making it easy to fold inwards.

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 19. Figure 19 is a side view of the rice ball storage container without fold lines 24. There are no fold lines on the side walls, and the structure is designed to be easily folded inward while maintaining its rectangular shape.

[0047] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is an oblique overhead view of the rice ball storage folding process. When the side wall portion 24 and the fold lines 4 of the side wall portions 22 and 24 are folded inward and pressed towards the center, the box-shaped body changes from an upright state to a tilted state and is folded into a flattened state.

[0048] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21 is an overhead view of the folded rice ball storage container. The trapezoidal fold line 22 and isosceles triangle 23 of the side wall are folded inward along the fold line 4, and the part without a fold line 24 is folded inward as is, so that the box-shaped body becomes flat. The right-angle portion of the vertex of the isosceles triangle 23 of the side wall is folded to either the left or the right. The folding method is similar to that of an origami trick boat or a morning glory, and it can be folded flat using a combination of triangles and squares.

[0049] An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 22. Figure 22 is an upright perspective view showing a container holding rice balls and side dishes. The contents are wrapped with a fixing band 19 to prevent them from spilling out of the side walls 22, and the entire container is secured by joining the hook-and-loop fastener cone 20 and hook-and-loop fastener concave 21 in the center of the front. A handle 15 is attached to the top for easy carrying.

[0050] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23 is an overhead view of the folded state. The bag-shaped rectangular sheet is folded in half along the fold line 4, the hook-and-loop fastener protrusion 10 and hook-and-loop fastener recess 11 located under the flap 3 are joined together to close the entire structure, and the hook-and-loop fastener protrusion 20 and hook-and-loop fastener recess 21 provided on the fixing band 19 are joined together to fasten it.

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 24. Figure 24 is a side view of the folded state. The presence of the fold line 4 makes it easier to fold the bag-shaped rectangular sheet in half.

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 25. Figure 25 is a front view when the mirror is in use. A mirror 14 is provided in the center of the rectangular sheet 2. The flat, bag-shaped rectangular sheet is spread out horizontally and curved to cover the face, allowing the user to see the mirror 14 in the center of the rectangular sheet 2 while concealing their face, and to check their mouth.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figure 26. Figure 26 is a perspective view of the mirror in use. As described above, not only the mouth but also the profile can be concealed, so the face being checked cannot be seen by those around. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] This product can be used in a variety of situations and by a wide range of people, such as when you want to bring one rice ball, one rice ball and a small side dish, or a rice ball as a supplement to your lunch. In some places, it may be difficult to open a lunch box, but this product allows you to eat with one hand without using chopsticks, using plastic wrap for the rice ball and side dish, making it convenient when you are short on time or space. It also makes preparation and cleanup easier, reducing the burden of housework. Like convenience store rice balls, you can carry a set of rice balls with crispy seaweed, and since you make them at home, you can reduce the cost of eating out. It can also be folded compactly, so it is not cumbersome and does not burden the user. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 rectangular sheet 1a outer material 1b intermediate material 1c inner material 2 rectangular sheets 2a outer material 2b intermediate material 2c inner material 3. Cover 3a outer material 3b intermediate material 3c inner material 4 fold lines 5 sides 6 Rice ball storage, wing section (upper) 7 Onigiri storage Feather subordinate 8-winged hook-and-loop fastener (convex) 9-winged hook-and-loop fastener (recessed) 10-hook fastener (convex) 11-hook fastener (recessed) 12 pocket closure 13 pockets 14 mirror 15 handles Nori wrapped in 16 pieces Rice ball wrapped in 17 pieces of plastic wrap Side dishes wrapped in 18 pieces of plastic wrap 19 fixed bands 20 fixing band hook-and-loop fasteners (convex) 21 Fixing band hook-and-loop fastener (concave) 22 Side wall section, folded trapezoidal shape 23 Side wall section: Isosceles triangle 24 Side wall section: No fold lines 25 People checking the mouth area

Claims

1. This is a case for storing typical triangular rice balls. On a rectangular sheet, foldable side walls are provided, configured in an upright and tilted state, for the purpose of holding the side portion of the triangular rice ball. After erecting the aforementioned foldable side wall section and storing the rice ball, By enclosing the rectangular sheet beneath the rice ball inwards, so as to wrap around the rice ball, the rice ball can be kept in place without losing its shape. This foldable rice ball case features a design where, after eating, the foldable side walls can be tilted inward to overlap, and the rectangular sheet can also be folded inward, resulting in a flattened and compact design.

2. A foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, wherein a rectangular sheet 1 and a rectangular sheet 2 are stacked, the edges are sewn together in an L-shape or a U-shape with an open top, and a storage compartment similar to the billfold of a wallet is provided, allowing for the storage of seaweed wrapped in plastic wrap and banknotes inside.

3. On the outside of the side wall that stores the triangular rice ball, there is a box-shaped structure that surrounds the rice ball on all four sides. The foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, characterized in that it has foldable side walls that can be configured in an upright state and a tilted state, allowing side dishes to be placed in the empty space, and after eating, the side walls of the box-shaped body and the side walls of the rice ball are tilted inward so that they overlap, and the rectangular sheet is also folded flat, making it compact.

4. A foldable rice ball case according to claim 1, wherein a mirror is provided in the center of a rectangular sheet, allowing the user to check their mouth while concealing their face with the rectangular sheet.

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