Maze container

Abstract

This invention provides a maze container in which the internal space can only be closed and opened by solving the maze. [Solution] The inner container 10 is a bottomed cylindrical body made of metal, the outer container 20 is a bottomed cylindrical body made of metal that is coaxial with the inner container and covers the outer circumference of the inner container, the outer container has a labyrinth consisting of grooves 25 formed on its inner circumferential surface 22, and the inner container has protrusions 14 formed on its outer circumferential surface 12 that can engage with the grooves, and when the outer circumferential surface of the inner container and the outer container move relative to each other while the protrusions and grooves are engaged, the protrusions move along the grooves and the outer container acts as a lid to seal and open the internal space 10a of the inner container.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Toys that can be locked and unlocked in two pieces by navigating a maze are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0005] However, no known configuration existed for cylindrical containers like tea caddies that could be locked and unlocked by navigating a maze, thereby allowing for the closure and opening of the internal space of the container. Furthermore, since these were toys, there was a problem in that the maze could be forcibly unlocked by moving them roughly.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and aims to achieve the following objectives. 1. To provide a maze container in which the internal space can be closed and opened only after the maze is resolved. 2. To provide a maze container that prevents the internal space from being closed and opened without unraveling the maze. 3. Provide a highly rewarding maze container that requires a high level of difficulty, strong reasoning skills, and spatial awareness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A maze container according to one aspect of the present invention is An inner container of a bottomed cylindrical body made of metal, An outer container made of metal, which is a bottomed cylindrical body, is coaxial with the inner container and covers the outer circumference of the inner container, A maze consisting of grooves formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer container, A protrusion formed on the outer surface of the inner container and capable of engaging with the groove, It has, When the outer circumferential surface of the inner container and the inner circumferential surface of the outer container are moved relative to each other while the protrusion and the groove are engaged, the protrusion moves along the groove, causing the outer container to act as a lid, sealing and opening the internal space of the inner container. This resolved the above issues. (2) The maze container of the present invention is as described in (1) above, The inner circumferential surface of the outer container is provided with a groove extending around its entire circumference at a lid-closing position close to the bottom, and when the protrusion moves along this groove, the inner container and the outer container can rotate relative to each other. It is possible. (3) The maze container of the present invention is as described in (1) above, A flat portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner container, surrounding the protrusion. It is possible. (4) The maze container of the present invention is as described in (1) above, The aforementioned protrusion has a circular contour shape when viewed in the direction of protrusion from the outer surface of the inner container. The cross-sectional width dimension of the groove in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the protrusion is either the same as the diameter dimension of the protrusion, or has a portion that is larger than the diameter dimension of the protrusion. It is possible. (5) The maze container of the present invention is as described in (1) above, At least one end of the groove is open at the open end of the outer container. It is possible. (6) The maze container of the present invention is as described in (1) above, The inner container has a gripping portion formed near the bottom, with the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the outer container. It is possible.

[0008] In the configuration described in (1) above, the internal space of the inner container can be sealed by engaging the protrusions with the grooves and inserting the outer container over the inner container, and by inserting the inner container into the outer container while moving the protrusions along the maze. Similarly, the internal space of the inner container can be released by moving the engaged protrusions along the grooves and pulling the outer container out of the inner container, and by separating the inner container from the outer container so that the protrusions can be removed from the groove which is the exit of the maze. Furthermore, since the maze-like grooves are formed on the inner surface of the outer container, the maze pattern cannot be seen, requiring players to move the inner and outer containers relative to each other by touch, resulting in a highly challenging gameplay experience. In other words, the entire maze cannot be seen from the outside of the maze container alone, requiring strong reasoning and spatial awareness skills. Players can experience a sense of accomplishment and euphoria when they escape the maze. Also, since items can be placed inside, these items can be prepared as rewards for escaping the maze. Therefore, it is possible to provide a maze container that is ideal for events and gifts. Here, escaping the maze means changing to one of two states: a state in which the protrusions are removed from the grooves so that the inner container and the outer container can be separated, or a state in which the outer container acts as a lid for the inner container, closing off the internal space and minimizing the axial length of the maze container. Furthermore, when the convex portion and the concave groove are engaged, the inner container and the outer container cannot be separated, and the internal space of the inner container can be kept sealed. Additionally, a diagram of the maze can be provided as a hint. However, even with this diagram, the brain cannot understand it unless it can convert the relative positions of the inner and outer containers. Therefore, the maze container activates the brain by requiring manual and mental effort. Furthermore, because the inner and outer containers are made of metal, the only way to separate them is to move the protrusions along the grooves and remove them from the grooves that serve as the exit for the maze. This allows the internal space of the inner container to remain sealed.

[0009] In the configuration described in (2) above, when the convex portion is engaged with the concave circumferential groove (recessed groove) provided around the entire circumference at the lid closing position near the bottom, the axial length of the labyrinth container can be minimized. In this state, the outer container can maintain the closure of the internal space by acting as a lid for the inner container, and the outer container can rotate relative to the inner container without changing its axial position. In contrast, when the convex portion is engaged with a recessed groove other than the concave circumferential groove, there are directions in the circumferential and / or radial directions in which the inner container and the outer container cannot move relative to each other. In this way, by ensuring that the axial length of the maze container is minimized and that the inner container and the outer container can rotate relative to each other without interfering with each other, it is possible to easily recognize that the maze has been escaped from. Note that from the concave circumferential groove, a maze pattern can be formed in which a plurality of concave grooves branch in the axial direction.

[0010] In the configuration described in (3) above, by forming the flat portion, the base of the convex portion is located radially inward of the outer peripheral surface of the inner container that does not form the flat portion. For this reason, even in a state where the convex portion is engaged with the concave groove, the peripheral region of the convex portion is maintained in a state of being separated from the inner peripheral surface of the outer container. Therefore, even when the volume of the internal space changes in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the inner container and the inner peripheral surface of the outer container are in contact and the internal space is sealed, air can move inside and outside the convex portion through the vicinity of the flat portion within the concave groove. Therefore, the inner container and the outer container can be relatively moved in the axial direction without hindering the air flow between the internal space and the outside. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the escape from the maze. Note that the contour shape of the flat portion viewed in the radial direction can be circular or circular with a part cut off by the opening end. In this case, the center of the convex portion and the center of the flat portion can be formed to coincide with each other. [[ID=​11]]

[0011] In the configuration described in (4) above, since the contour of the convex portion is circular, when the convex portion is moved with respect to the concave groove in a state where the convex portion is engaged with the concave groove, the convex portion can easily move along the concave groove without being caught by the concave groove. Also, even when the direction in which the concave groove extends is the radial direction, the circumferential direction, and the oblique direction therebetween, the convex portion can easily move along the concave groove without being caught by the concave groove. Thereby, when escaping from a maze that is not visible and has a high difficulty level, it is possible to escape from the maze without giving unnecessary stress.

[0012] In the configuration described in (5) above, by inserting the convex portion into the concave groove at the opening end, the outer container and the inner container can be in a state where they escape from the maze and are enjoyed. Further, by detaching the convex portion from the concave groove at the opening end, it can be recognized that the outer container and the inner container are separated and in a state where they have escaped from the maze and ended. Further, by forming the opening of the concave groove at the opening end, a separation distance corresponding to the flat portion is formed between the opening end of the inner container and the convex portion. Thereby, before inserting the convex portion into the concave groove, a portion corresponding to the flat portion of the inner container can be inserted into the outer container portion to serve as a guide when inserting the convex portion into the concave groove, and it becomes easy to insert the convex portion into the concave groove. Furthermore, by forming the opening of the concave groove at the opening end, even if the cross-sectional shape of the concave groove and the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion exactly match, they can be easily inserted into each other.

[0013] In the configuration described in (6) above, the outer peripheral surface of the inner container is housed inside the outer container except for the gripping portion. Also, the outer peripheral surfaces of the gripping portion and the outer container form a flush cylindrical surface. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the maze container has an outer shape with a flush cylindrical surface, improving the design. Moreover, since the outer peripheral surfaces of the gripping portion and the outer container have the same diameter dimension, when relatively moving the inner container and the outer container in the axial direction and the radial direction to escape from the maze, the operability can be improved. It can be done.

[0014] Furthermore, in the maze container of the present invention, in the above, the outer container and the inner container are formed by machining. It can be done.

[0015] In the above configuration, the inner container and the outer container have sufficient strength. In particular, even when the inner container and the outer container are relatively moved to escape from the maze, the convex portion does not come off from the concave groove. Also, since the state where the convex portion is engaged with the concave groove can be maintained, it becomes easy to maintain the state where the outer container seals the inner space as a lid with respect to the inner container.

[0016] In the present invention, The outer container has a uniform thickness in the radial and axial directions in the portion where the grooves forming the maze are formed. It is possible.

[0017] In the above configuration, when grooves are formed in the outer container as a maze, the outer container can maintain sufficient strength to prevent deformation even when stress is applied for movement during escape from the maze. At the same time, since the internal shape of the grooves does not change, sufficient strength can be maintained so as not to hinder the movement of the protrusions.

[0018] In the present invention, The protrusion dimension of the convex portion in the radial direction of the inner container, and the depth dimension of the groove in the radial direction of the outer container, are less than or equal to half the thickness of the portion of the outer container in which the labyrinth is formed. It is possible.

[0019] In the above configuration, even when stress is applied for movement during escape from the maze, the outer container can maintain sufficient strength to prevent deformation. At the same time, because the internal shape of the grooves does not change, sufficient strength can be maintained so as not to hinder the movement of the protrusions.

[0020] In the present invention, The outer surface of the aforementioned protrusion is spherical. It is possible.

[0021] In the above configuration, when the protrusion is moved relative to the groove while engaged with it, the protrusion can move easily along the groove without getting caught on it. Furthermore, even if the groove extends in the radial direction, circumferential direction, or diagonal direction in between, the protrusion can move easily along the groove without getting caught on it. This allows players to escape mazes that are difficult to navigate due to poor visibility, without causing unnecessary stress. Here, the cross-section of the groove can also be formed on the corresponding cylindrical surface.

[0022] In the present invention, The maze-like grooves are formed along the axial and circumferential directions of the maze container. It is possible.

[0023] In the above configuration, the maze can be escaped simply by moving the inner container and the outer container relative to each other in the axial and radial directions. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the arrangement of the grooves formed as a maze pattern; it is sufficient that at least one path is secured connecting the circumferential grooves and the exit at the open end. Furthermore, the groove may extend not only in the radial and circumferential directions, but also in diagonal directions between the radial and circumferential directions. In addition, the width dimension of the groove may be larger than the diameter dimension of the protrusion in some parts, so that the protrusion can move with a moderate amount of play within the groove.

[0024] In the present invention, The groove provided around the lid closing position has a cross-sectional width dimension in the axial direction that is the same as the diameter dimension of the protrusion. It is possible.

[0025] In the above configuration, when the protrusion is fitted into the recessed groove (concave groove) provided around the lid closing position, the direction of movement of the protrusion is limited to the circumferential direction, except at the branching portion of the groove. This allows the outer container to act as a lid for the inner container, maintaining the closure of the internal space, while the axial length of the maze container is minimized, and the outer container can rotate relative to the inner container without changing its axial position. Furthermore, when the protrusion is fitted into the recessed groove (concave groove) provided around the lid closing position, the axial length of the maze container can be kept to a minimum, except when the protrusion is at a branching portion of the groove, and the outer container, acting as a lid, can be closed to the inner container. This state of the maze container can be used as the starting state for escaping the maze.

[0026] In the present invention, The aforementioned grooves are formed by branching out in multiple axial directions from the grooves that are provided around the lid closing position. It is possible.

[0027] In the above configuration, by pulling the inner and outer containers apart from each other and rotating them relative to one another, the protrusions enter the branched grooves that serve as the starting point for escaping the maze, thus initiating the escape from the maze. Furthermore, multiple trials can be conducted to select the direction of movement of the protrusions from multiple branches. Moreover, the maze pattern cannot be seen during these trials. This makes it possible to improve the playfulness and increase the difficulty of the intellectual task. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, escaping the maze by moving the inner container and outer container relative to each other requires high reasoning ability and spatial awareness, resulting in a highly challenging gameplay experience and providing a maze container with a high reward system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the inner container in an embodiment of the maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the outer container in an embodiment of the maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a view from the open end showing the inner container of an embodiment of a maze container according to the present invention, viewed in the axial direction. [Figure 4] This is a radial view showing the inner container of an embodiment of the maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a radial cross-sectional view showing the inner container rotated 90°. [Figure 6] This is a view of the outer container of an embodiment of the labyrinth container according to the present invention, as seen axially from the open end. [Figure 7] This is a radially cross-sectional view showing the outer container in an embodiment of the maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an unfolded view showing the maze of the outer container in an embodiment of the maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a maze container according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a maze container according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the maze container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the inner container of the maze container in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the outer container of the maze container in this embodiment. In the figures, the dimensions of each component have been altered from the actual dimensions for illustrative purposes and are not limited to the notation shown in the figures. In the figures, reference numeral 1 denotes the maze container.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the maze container 1 according to this embodiment has an inner container 10 and an outer container 20. The inner container 10 is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder. The outer container 20 is also formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder. The labyrinth container 1 is formed by aligning the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 so that their openings face each other and are coaxial, and moving them relatively close to each other in the axial direction, thereby covering the inner container 10 with the outer container 20. Both the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are formed from metal. Both the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 can be formed by machining metal. It is preferable that the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are formed from the same metal. The inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are formed from, for example, aluminum.

[0032] Figure 3 is a side view showing the inner container as viewed axially from the opening side in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the inner container as viewed radially from the convex side in this embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner container as viewed radially in this embodiment. As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, the inner container 10 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by an insertion part 11, a gripping part 13, and an inner bottom part (bottom part) 16. The inner container 10 has an internal space 10a The internal space 10a is surrounded by an insertion portion 11, a gripping portion 13, and an inner bottom portion (bottom portion) 16.

[0033] The insertion portion 11 is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 is constant in the axial direction. The thickness of the insertion portion 11 is constant in the radial direction. The thickness of the insertion portion 11 is constant in the axial direction. The gripping portion 13 is connected to the insertion portion 11 adjacent to it in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the gripping portion 13 is larger than that of the insertion portion 11. The gripping portion 13 has a circular outer shape when viewed in the axial direction. One end of the gripping portion 13 is closed by an inner bottom portion 16. The insertion portion 11 has an open end portion 11a on the side opposite to the inner bottom portion 16 in the axial direction. The open end portion 11a may have rounded corners.

[0034] An internal space 10a is formed inside the insertion portion 11 and the gripping portion 13. One end of the internal space 10a in the axial direction is open as an open end 11a, and the other end in the axial direction is closed by an inner bottom portion 16. The radial thickness of the insertion portion 11 is constant in the axial direction, except for the area near the flat portion 15, which will be described later. The axial thickness of the inner bottom portion 16 is constant in the radial direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the inner bottom portion 16 is set to be larger than that of the outer bottom portion 26, which will be described later. This ratio makes it possible to improve the balance when using the maze container 1 upright, making it less likely to tip over.

[0035] A protrusion 14 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 at a position close to the open end 11a. The protrusion 14 projects radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 12. The protrusion 14 is spaced apart axially from the open end 11a. The protrusion 14 has a circular contour shape when viewed in the radial direction. The outer surface of the protrusion 14 is formed as a sphere. Alternatively, the outer surface of the protrusion 14 may be formed as a cone, a frustocone, or a cylinder. The outer surface of the protrusion 14 is formed to be movable along the inner surface of the groove 25, which will be described later. The protrusion 14 has a central axis that extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 12, and is formed symmetrically with respect to this central axis. The protrusion 14 has a circular contour shape when viewed in the radial direction, protruding from the outer circumferential surface 12.

[0036] The protrusion 14 is formed integrally with the insertion portion 11. The protrusion 14 can be formed by cutting the insertion portion 11 so that only the corresponding portion remains. Alternatively, the protrusion 14 may be formed by attaching, for example, a spherical member to a mounting recess formed in the insertion portion 11 so as to be recessed from the outer peripheral surface 12, or to a through hole formed in the insertion portion 11. In any case, the protrusion 14 is fixed integrally with the insertion portion 11. A flat surface 15 is formed on the outer surface 12 around the convex portion 14.

[0037] The flat portion 15 is formed around the convex portion 14. The flat portion 15 is formed between the convex portion 14 and the outer circumferential surface 12. The flat portion 15 is formed concentrically with the center of the convex portion 14, which has a circular contour shape when viewed radially. The flat portion 15 is formed parallel to the axis of the insertion portion 11. The flat portion 15 is formed on a plane parallel to the tangent surface of the outer circumferential surface 12 at the center of the convex portion 14. The flat portion 15 is recessed compared to the outer circumferential surface 12. The flat portion 15 has a smaller thickness dimension in the corresponding part than other parts of the insertion portion 11. The flat portion 15 may be formed by cutting only the corresponding area of ​​the cylindrical outer circumferential surface 12 into a planar shape.

[0038] The planar portion 15 has a substantially circular contour shape when viewed in the radial direction. Alternatively, the planar portion 15 may have a shape where a portion of the circular contour shape, when viewed in the radial direction, overlaps with the open end 11a, resulting in a shape where the periphery of the circle is missing. The flat portion 15 is in contact with the open end 11a. The flat portion 15 extends axially from the open end 11a. The flat portion 15 extends axially from the convex portion 14 to the insertion portion 11. The flat portion 15 extends circumferentially from the convex portion 14 to the insertion portion 11.

[0039] Figure 6 is a side view showing the outer container in this embodiment as viewed axially from the opening side. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the outer container in this embodiment as viewed radially. As shown in Figures 2, 6, and 7, the outer container 20 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape by a covering cylinder portion 21, an open end portion 23, and an outer bottom portion (bottom portion) 26.

[0040] The covering portion 21 is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion 21 is constant in the axial direction. The thickness of the covering portion 21 is constant in the radial direction. The thickness of the covering portion 21 is constant in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface 22 of the covering portion 21 is capable of contacting the outer circumferential surface 12 of the insertion portion 11. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 22 of the covering portion 21 is set to be equal to the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 12. The outer bottom portion 26 of the covering portion 21 is connected adjacently in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion 21 is set to be equal to the outer diameter of the gripping portion 13. The covering cylinder portion 21 has an opening at one end in the axial direction, which is an open end portion 23. The other end in the axial direction of the covering cylinder portion 21 is closed by an outer bottom portion 26. A labyrinthine portion 24 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 22 of the covering cylinder portion 21.

[0041] Figure 8 is an unfolded view showing the maze of the outer container in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the maze section 24 is formed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the inner surface 22. The maze section 24 is formed over almost the entire length of the inner surface 22. A groove 25 is formed in the maze section 24.

[0042] The grooves 25 are formed throughout the entire area of ​​the maze section 24. The grooves 25 form a predetermined maze pattern in the maze section 24. The grooves 25 are engageable with the protrusions 14. The maze section 24 has a recessed circumferential groove (recessed groove) 25a formed around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 22 at a lid closing position close to the outer bottom 26 in the axial direction of the outer container 20. Multiple recessed grooves 25 can be formed in the recessed circumferential groove 25a so as to branch out in the axial direction. The recessed circumferential groove 25a is formed so that the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 can rotate relative to each other when the protrusion 14 moves along the recessed circumferential groove 25a.

[0043] When the protrusion 14 is fitted into the concave circumferential groove 25a, the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are in the lid-closed position. In the lid-closed position, the axial length between the inner container 10 and the outer container 20, that is, the axial length of the maze container 1, is minimized. In the lid-closed position, the outer container 20 can act as a lid for the inner container 10 to maintain the closure of the internal space 10a. In the lid-closed position, the open end 23 is in contact with the step of the gripping portion 13. In the lid-closed position, the outer circumferential surface 12 of the covering cylinder portion 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the gripping portion 13 are flush. In the lid-closed position, as will be described later, the maze container 1 can be in the initial state for escaping the maze, or in the final state after escaping the maze.

[0044] The groove 25 has at least one opening at the open end 23 at its end in the maze section 24. The groove 25 is formed such that the path in the maze section 24 connects the recessed circumferential groove 25a and the exit at the open end 23 in at least one way. The cross-sectional width dimension of the recessed groove 25 in the direction intersecting the direction of movement of the protrusion 14 is the same as the diameter dimension of the protrusion 14. The end of the groove 25 that opens into the open end 23 has the same cross-sectional shape as the convex portion 14. However, the end of the groove 25 that opens into the open end 23 may have a slightly larger cross-sectional shape than the convex portion 14.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the recessed groove 25 has a cross-sectional width dimension W25 on the surface perpendicular to the direction of movement of the protrusion 14 that is the same as the diameter dimension W14 of the protrusion 14. In particular, the recessed circumferential groove 25a has a cross-sectional width dimension W25 on the surface parallel to the axial direction that is the same as the diameter dimension W14 of the protrusion 14. Of the recessed grooves 25, the recessed grooves 25 that branch off from the recessed circumferential groove 25a in the axial direction may have a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14. The grooves 25 can be formed along the axial and circumferential directions of the outer container 20. Furthermore, they may have portions that extend not only along the axial and circumferential directions, but also diagonally between the radial and circumferential directions.

[0046] Furthermore, the groove 25 may have a portion where the cross-sectional width dimension in the direction intersecting the direction of movement of the protrusion 14 is larger than the diameter dimension of the protrusion 14. In other words, the groove 25 may be configured such that its width dimension is larger than the diameter dimension of the protrusion 14, allowing the protrusion 14 to move with a moderate amount of play inside the groove 25. Furthermore, the arrangement of the grooves 25 is not limited to the maze pattern shown in Figure 8, but can be formed in any arbitrary pattern.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the groove 25 has a radial depth dimension D25 of the outer container 20 that is less than or equal to half the thickness T21 of the outer container 20 in the maze portion 24. The depth dimension D25 of the groove 25 from the inner circumferential surface 22 corresponds to the projection dimension T14 of the protrusion 14 from the outer circumferential surface 12 in the radial direction of the inner container 10. Therefore, the projection dimension T14 of the protrusion 14 is less than or equal to half the thickness T21 of the outer container 20 in the maze section 24. Furthermore, the depth dimension D25 of the groove 25 is smaller than the height of the protrusion 14 from the flat section 15. In other words, the flat section 15 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 22. In addition, the thickness T21 of the outer container 20 in the maze section 24 can be the same as or greater than the thickness dimension T11 in the insertion section 11.

[0048] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the axial length of the maze container in this embodiment is at its maximum. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the axial length of the maze container in this embodiment is at its minimum. In the maze container 1 of this embodiment, with the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 separated, the insertion part 11 can be inserted into the open end 23 and assembled before inserting the protrusion 14 into the recessed groove 25 of the opposing end 23. This state can be the starting state for escaping the maze in the maze container 1, or the final state after escaping the maze in the maze container 1. At this time, the protrusion 14 is not in contact with the open end 11a.

[0049] Starting from this state, the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are moved relative to each other in the axial and radial directions, so that the protrusion 14 is inserted into the groove 25 of the open end 23, as shown in Figure 9. Then, by simply moving the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 relative to each other in the axial, radial, and oblique directions, the protrusion 14 can be fitted into the concave circumferential groove 25a, resulting in the final state of escaping the maze. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, the axial length of the maze container 1 is minimized, the outer container 20 closes the internal space 10a by acting as a lid for the inner container 10, and the outer container 20 can rotate relative to the inner container 10 without changing its axial position.

[0050] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the initial state is the lid closed position where the protrusion 14 is fitted into the concave circumferential groove 25a. From this state, by moving the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 relative to each other in the axial, radial, and oblique directions, the tip of the insertion part 11 is inserted into the open end 23 without the protrusion 14 contacting the open end 11a. Then, as shown in Figure 9, the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are separated, reaching the final state, and the maze can be escaped. In this state, the internal space 10a is open to the outside.

[0051] While navigating the maze, the outer surface 12 of the inner container 10 and the inner surface 22 of the outer container 20 slide against each other. Therefore, the surface roughness of the outer surface 12 of the inner container 10 and the inner surface 22 of the outer container 20 is set to Ra 0.8 μm to 1.6 μm. Similarly, the convex portion 14 and the concave groove 25 slide against each other while escaping the maze. The surface roughness of the convex portion 14 and the concave groove 25 is set to Ra 1.6 μm to 3.2 μm.

[0052] In the maze container 1 of this embodiment, the flat portion 15 and the inner circumferential surface 22 are spaced apart. Therefore, even if the volume of the internal space 10a changes while the outer circumferential surface 12 and the inner circumferential surface 22 are in contact with the groove 25 and the internal space 10a is sealed, air can move inside the groove 25 both inside and outside the protrusion 14 via the vicinity of the flat portion 15. Thus, the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 can move relative to each other in the axial direction without obstructing the airflow between the internal space 10a and the outside. Therefore, escape from the maze can be made easier.

[0053] In the maze container 1 of this embodiment, since the maze pattern cannot be seen from the outside when escaping the maze, it is necessary to move the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 relative to each other by touch. This makes it a highly challenging game. In other words, since the entire maze pattern cannot be seen from the outside of the maze container 1 alone, a high level of reasoning ability and spatial awareness is required. When one escapes the maze, one can experience a sense of accomplishment and euphoria. In addition, since an item can be placed in the internal space 10a, this item can be prepared as a reward for escaping the maze. Therefore, it is possible to provide a maze container 1 that is ideal for events and gifts.

[0054] Furthermore, when the protrusion 14 and the recessed groove 25 are engaged, the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 cannot be separated. In this state, the labyrinth container 1 can maintain a tight seal over the internal space 10a. Furthermore, a diagram of the maze can be provided as a hint. However, even with this diagram, the brain cannot understand the diagram unless it can translate the position of the protrusions 14 on the maze pattern to the relative positions of the inner container 10 and the outer container 20. Therefore, the maze container 1 can stimulate brain activity by requiring the use of hands and the brain.

[0055] Furthermore, since the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are made of metal, the only way to separate them is to move the protrusion 14 along the groove 25 and remove it from the open end 23, which is the exit of the maze. Therefore, the items sealed in the internal space 10a cannot be removed unless the maze is escaped. For this reason, the sense of accomplishment and euphoria can be varied depending on the difficulty of the maze.

[0056] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is also possible to individually select and combine each of the configurations in the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1…Maze container 10…Inner container 10a…Internal space 11… Insertion part 11a...Open end 12...Outer surface 13...Gripping part 14…Convex part 15...Plane part 16…Inner bottom (bottom) 20…Outer container 21...Cover tube part 22…Inner peripheral surface 23...Open end 24…Maze part 25… recessed groove 25a…Concave circumferential groove (concave groove) 26...Outer bottom (bottom)< / url:>

Claims

1. An inner container of a bottomed cylindrical body made of metal, An outer container made of metal, which is a bottomed cylindrical body, is coaxial with the inner container and covers the outer circumference of the inner container, A maze consisting of grooves formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer container, A protrusion formed on the outer surface of the inner container and capable of engaging with the groove, It has, When the outer circumferential surface of the inner container and the inner circumferential surface of the outer container are moved relative to each other while the protrusion and the groove are engaged, the protrusion moves along the groove, causing the outer container to act as a lid, sealing and opening the internal space of the inner container. A maze container characterized by the following features.

2. The inner circumferential surface of the outer container is provided with a groove extending around its entire circumference at a lid-closing position close to the bottom, and when the protrusion moves along this groove, the inner container and the outer container can rotate relative to each other. The maze container according to claim 1.

3. A flat portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner container, surrounding the protrusion. The maze container according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned protrusion has a circular contour shape when viewed in the direction of protrusion from the outer surface of the inner container. The cross-sectional width dimension of the groove in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the protrusion is either the same as the diameter dimension of the protrusion, or has a portion that is larger than the diameter dimension of the protrusion. The maze container according to claim 1.

5. At least one end of the groove is open at the open end of the outer container. The maze container according to claim 1.

6. The inner container has a gripping portion formed near the bottom, with the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the outer container. The maze container according to claim 1.

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