Packaging containers

Abstract

The force required by the user to attach and detach the lid from the container body is made different in the areas on both sides of the container body housing the lid tab and in the areas other than those on both sides of the housing. [Solution] The packaging container comprises a container body (20) and a lid that closes the container body (20). The container body (20) is located inside the flange portion (25) of the container body (20) and has a lid locking portion (27) that can lock the outer edge of the lid from above, and a housing portion (29) that accommodates the lid while tilting the lid tabs outwards in an upward slope. The length of the lid locking portions (27a) formed in the lid tab regions (AR1) on both sides of the housing portion (29) is different from the length of the lid locking portions (27b) formed outside the lid tab regions (AR2) other than on both sides of the housing portion (29).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a packaging container that can accommodate food products and the like.

Background Art

[0002] In department stores or supermarkets, etc., plastic packaging containers for accommodating food products are used. The food products are displayed and sold on display shelves while being accommodated in the packaging containers. An example of such a packaging container is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The packaging container of Patent Document 1 includes a container body and a lid body that fits inside the container body. The lid body has a lid grip piece that protrudes from a part of the lid outer edge, which is the outer edge of the lid body. The container body has a lid locking portion that is located inside the flange portion of the container body and can lock the lid outer edge from above, an inner peripheral step portion that is located inside the flange portion and below the lid locking portion and can support the lid outer edge from below, and a storage portion that stores the lid grip piece while inclining it upward and outward. In a state where the lid body is fitted inside the container body and a part of the lid grip piece is stored in the storage portion, at least a part of the lid outer edge is located between the lid locking portion and the inner peripheral step portion and is at least separated from the inner peripheral step portion.

[0004] According to the above configuration, in a state where the lid body is fitted inside the container body, when the lid grip piece receives an external force, at least a part of the lid outer edge that is separated from the inner peripheral step portion can be moved downward (toward the inner peripheral step portion). That is, the lid body can be sunk while maintaining the state where the lid body is fitted inside the container body. Since this movement (sinking) absorbs the external force, the possibility of damage to the packaged goods, fixtures, or the packaging container due to the external force can be reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-034348 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the packaging container described in Patent Document 1, the user removes the lid from the container body by grasping the lid tab. Depending on the food product to be contained in the packaging container, it may be preferable for the lid to be easy to remove, or it may be preferable for it to be difficult to remove.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention aims to make the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid from the container body different in the areas of the lid handles on both sides of the housing section that houses the lid handles, and in the areas outside the lid handle regions other than those on both sides of the housing section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A packaging container according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a packaging container comprising a container body and a lid that closes the container body, wherein the lid has a lid tab protruding from a part of the outer edge of the lid, the outer edge of the lid has a lid bottom, a lid peripheral wall extending from the outer end of the lid bottom, and a lid visor extending from the outer end of the lid peripheral wall, the container body has a lid locking portion located inside the flange portion of the container body and capable of locking the outer edge of the lid from above, an inner circumferential step portion located inside the flange portion and below the lid locking portion and capable of supporting the outer edge of the lid from below, and a housing portion that accommodates the lid tab while inclined upward toward the outside, the lid locking portion protruding inward from the container body and the inner circumferential step The lid is formed at a position spaced apart from the part, and when the lid is closed to the container body, if the lid moves upward, the upper surface of the lid visor comes into contact with the lid locking part, thereby restricting the upward movement by the lid locking part, and when the lid moves downward, the lower surface of the lid bottom comes into contact with the inner circumferential step, thereby restricting the downward movement by the inner circumferential step, so that the lid can move up and down between the lid locking part and the inner circumferential step, and the lid locking part is formed in the lid handle area on both sides of the housing part that houses the lid handle, and outside the lid handle area other than on both sides of the housing part, and the length of the lid locking part formed in the lid handle area is different from the length of the lid locking part formed outside the lid handle area.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid gripping portion areas on both sides of the housing portion that houses the lid gripping portion is different from the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid gripping portion areas other than on both sides of the housing portion. This makes it possible to make the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid from the container body different between the lid gripping portion area and the lid gripping portion area.

[0010] In the packaging container according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1, the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid tab area may be shorter than the length of the lid locking portion formed outside the lid tab area.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid gripping area is shorter than the length of the lid locking portion formed outside the lid gripping area. As a result, the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid from the container body is less in the lid gripping area than outside the lid gripping area. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the lid gripping portion and remove the lid from the container body.

[0012] In the packaging container according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2, the flange portion has a first flat portion having a flat portion and a second flat portion having a flat portion one level below the first flat portion, and the second flat portion may be formed at a position corresponding to the lid locking portion.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the position of the lid locking portion located on the lower inner side of the second flat portion becomes easier to see through the second flat portion. Furthermore, during the lid closing operation, the second flat portion serves as a guide when the user presses the lid against the lid locking portion.

[0014] In the packaging container according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in embodiment 3, the lid and the container body are rectangular in plan view, and the second flat portion may be formed at the four corners of the container body.

[0015] With the above configuration, when closing the lid, the user only needs to focus on the four corners of the container body when pressing the lid against the lid locking portion, making the lid closing process easier.

[0016] In the packaging container according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2, the lid and the container body are rectangular in plan view, and the lid locking portion may be continuously formed in the corners of the four corners of the container body that are outside the area of ​​the lid tab.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the force required for the user to attach and detach the lid 10 and the container body 20 can be increased.

[0018] In the packaging container according to Aspect 6 of the present invention, in Aspect 1 or 2, the lid body and the container body are rectangular in plan view, and among the four corners of the container body, the flange portion at the corner outside the lid grip piece region may have one or a plurality of rib-shaped portions.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the user holds the container body, by grasping the corner of the flange portion where the rib-shaped portion is formed, it is possible to suppress the user's finger from slipping at the corner of the flange portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the force required for the user to attach and detach the lid body and the container body can be made different between the region for accommodating the lid grip piece and the region in the vicinity thereof, and the other regions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the above packaging container. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the container body included in the above packaging container. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the above container body. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of the packaging container shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing a certain corner of the above container body and a plan view showing a corner of the lid body included in the above packaging container. [Figure 7] A plan view showing another corner of the above container body [Figure 8] It is a plan view and a side view of the above lid body. [Figure 9] It is a plan view of the container body included in a packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B of the packaging container shown in FIG. 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In this embodiment, as a packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention, a packaging container for containing food products such as bento boxes and prepared foods, comprising a container body and a lid, will be described as an example. However, the contents to be contained in the packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention are not limited to food products.

[0023] In this specification, "horizontal" and "vertical (perpendicular)" are defined based on the case where the packaging container is placed on a horizontal surface such that the bottom of the container body is in contact with the horizontal surface. In this specification, "up" and "upper side" refer to the direction from the container body to the lid when the lid is closed on the container body, and "down" and "lower side" refer to the opposite direction.

[0024] [Packaging container] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging container 1. Reference numeral 1001 in Figure 2 indicates a side view of the packaging container 1 as seen from the short side (side view of the packaging container 1 as seen from viewing direction VD1). Reference numeral 1002 in Figure 2 indicates a side view of the packaging container 1 as seen from the long side (side view of the container body 20 as seen from viewing direction VD2). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging container 1 is a container capable of containing contents such as food products, and comprises a lid 10 and a container body 20. The lid 10 and the container body 20 are configured such that the lid 10 is detachably attached to the inside of the peripheral edge of the container body 20, thereby closing the lid 10 to the container body 20.

[0025] In this embodiment, the lid 10 and the container body 20 are each formed by thermoforming a resin sheet having a sheet thickness of 0.1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 0.15 mm to 2.5 mm. The lid 10 and the container body 20 may have different sheet thicknesses. The container body 20 in this embodiment has a shape that is less prone to bending when the lid 10 is closed, so even if the sheet thickness is thin, such as 0.5 mm or less, the necessary strength can be ensured.

[0026] As the resin sheet, thermoplastic resin sheets such as polyolefin resin sheets, polystyrene resin sheets, and polyester resin sheets can be used. These resin sheets may be foamed sheets or non-foamed sheets. Laminated sheets can also be used as the resin sheet. As laminated sheets, for example, film-laminated foamed sheets (in which a film is laminated to a foamed sheet), co-extruded laminated sheets, and extruded laminated sheets can be used. Examples of thermoforming methods include vacuum forming, thick air forming, vacuum pressure forming, and hot plate forming.

[0027] The colors of the lid 10 and the container body 20 are not particularly limited. The lid 10 is preferably made of a transparent material, and more preferably colorless and transparent. This allows for easy viewing of the contents placed on the container body 20 through the lid 10. The container body 20 may be a single color or may contain multiple colors.

[0028] Furthermore, the container body 20 may have a pattern. For example, the container body 20 may have a base color of black and at least a part of it may have a pattern of gold or red. In this embodiment, the lid 10 is colorless and transparent, and the container body 20 is a single color of black.

[0029] [Container body] Figure 3 is a plan view (top view) of the container body 20. Reference numerals 1011 and 1012 in Figure 4 are perspective views of the container body 20. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container body 20 shown in Figure 1, taken along the line AA. Reference numeral 1021 in Figure 6 is a plan view showing a certain corner of the container body 20. Figure 7 is a plan view showing another corner of the container body 20. Note that in Figure 5, the cross-sectional portion along line AA and the lid locking portion 27 and side damming portion 323, which will be described later, are shown, and other parts are omitted.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the container body 20 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Here, "rectangular" means a shape that can be considered rectangular when the container body 20 is viewed as a whole, that is, approximately rectangular. Therefore, for example, a protruding portion may be formed on a part of the periphery of the container body 20, and at least one corner may be formed as a polygon rather than a right angle, or it may be formed as a curve. This also applies to the shape of each part (described later) that constitutes the packaging container 1 when viewed from any direction.

[0031] The external shape of the container body 20 in plan view is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be a polygon such as a square, triangle, or pentagon, or it may be a circular shape or other shape without clear corners.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the container body 20 comprises a bottom portion 21, a housing peripheral wall portion 22, a connecting portion 23, an upper peripheral wall portion 24, a flange portion 25, a main body outer edge portion 26, a lid locking portion 27, an inner peripheral step portion 28, and a housing portion 29.

[0033] <Bottom part> The bottom portion 21 forms the bottom of the container body 20. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the bottom portion 21 has a bottom body portion 31, a mounting portion 32, and a bottom groove portion 33. The bottom body portion 31 is a flat plate-shaped part, and its outer shape in plan view is rectangular. The four corners of the bottom body portion 31 are rounded.

[0034] The placement section 32 is the part on which food is placed, and is a part that rises upward from the bottom surface 21. The placement section 32 has a placement body section 320 and a lower damming section 34.

[0035] The mounting body portion 320 is a portion that rises upward from the upper surface of the bottom body portion 31 and is a triangular prism-shaped portion that extends laterally. In this specification, the lateral direction refers to the direction from one short side portion 262 to the other short side portion 262 of the outer edge portion 26 of the container body 20 (details will be described later). The mounting body portion 320 has a mounting wall portion 321, a non-mounting wall portion 322, and a side damming portion 323.

[0036] The mounting wall portion 321 is a rectangular portion in plan view and has a top wall 321a, an inclined wall 321b, and a mounting side projection portion 321c (projection portion). The top wall 321a is located at the upper end of the mounting wall portion 321 and is a narrow plate portion that is approximately parallel to the ground contact surface 333, which will be described later. The inclined wall 321b is a flat plate portion whose upper end is connected to one of the longitudinal ends of the top wall 321a. As shown in Figure 5, the inclined wall 321b is inclined in the first direction SD1 (one direction) from its upper end to its lower end. The lower end of the inclined wall 321b is connected to the base on the inclined wall 321b side of the lower damming portion 34, which will be described later.

[0037] The mounting side projection 321c is a portion that protrudes upward from the top wall 321a and the inclined wall 321b and extends along the first direction SD1. Multiple mounting side projections 321c are provided at equal intervals on the top wall 321a and the inclined wall 321b. Each of the multiple mounting side projections 321c has multiple grooves 321d arranged at equal intervals along the first direction SD1. The grooves 321d are arranged alternately for adjacent mounting side projections 321c.

[0038] The food to be contained in the container body 20 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting side protrusions 321c. That is, the mounting inclined surface 321e is a plane that includes the tops of the multiple mounting side protrusions 321c that protrude from the inclined wall 321b. Also, the top part 321f located at the upper end of the mounting inclined surface 321e is the top of the multiple mounting side protrusions 321c that protrude from the top wall 321a.

[0039] The non-mounted wall portion 322 has an inclined wall 322b and a non-mounted side projection 322c. The inclined wall 322b is a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion as shown in Figures 3 to 5, and its upper end is connected to the other end of the longitudinal side of the top wall 321a. As shown in Figure 5, the non-mounted wall portion 322 is inclined toward the second direction SD2 from its upper end to its lower end.

[0040] The first direction SD1 is the direction from the upper end of the mounting wall portion 321 toward one of the long sides 261 of the main body outer edge portion 26, and the second direction SD2 is the direction from the upper end of the non-mounting wall portion 322 toward the other of the long sides 261 of the main body outer edge portion 26. Furthermore, the incline of the first direction SD1 is gentler than that of the second direction SD2. Note that the first direction SD1 and the second direction SD2 are merely examples and can be arbitrarily changed depending on the shape of the mounting main body portion 320, the positional relationship between the bottom main body portion 31 and the inclined walls 321b and 322b, etc.

[0041] The non-mounted side projection 322c is a portion that protrudes upward from the inclined wall 322b and extends along the second direction SD2. Multiple non-mounted side projections 322c are provided at equal intervals on the inclined wall 322b. Multiple mounted side projections 321c of the mounted wall 321 and multiple non-mounted side projections 322c of the non-mounted wall 322 are connected at the top wall 321a.

[0042] The side damming portion 323 is a triangular flat plate portion as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The side damming portion 323 is connected to the short-side ends of the top wall 321a, the inclined wall 321b, and the inclined wall 322b. In other words, the side damming portion 323 blocks the space surrounded by the top wall 321a, the inclined wall 321b, the mounting-side projection 321c, the inclined wall 322b, and the non-mounting-side projection 322c from the side. This restricts the lateral movement of food placed on the upper surface of the mounting-side projection 321c. The lower end of the side damming portion 323 is connected to the base on the side of the lower damming portion 34, which will be described later.

[0043] In this specification, the lateral side refers to the short side 262 of the outer edge 26 of the container body 20. The lateral side can also be described as the direction included in the mounting inclined surface 321e and the side perpendicular to the first direction SD1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the upper end of the side damming portion 323 is at the same height as or lower than the top portion 321f located at the upper end of the mounting inclined surface 321e from the ground surface. This makes it possible to suppress collisions between the side damming portion 323 and the top plate portion 11 of the lid 10.

[0045] According to the above configuration, the food is placed on the mounting wall 321 by leaning it diagonally against it. At this time, the food is leaned against the mounting wall 321 in contact only with the mounting side protrusion 321c. In addition, the multiple grooves 321d on the mounting side protrusion 321c make the surface of the mounting side protrusion 321c uneven, which prevents the food from sliding off.

[0046] If oil, water, broth, or other liquids seep out from the food arranged in this manner over time, these liquids will flow down the support side protrusion 321c to the inclined wall 321b, and due to the downward slope of the inclined wall 321b, they will flow down to the lower end of the inclined wall 321b and into the oil reservoir 334 described later. The liquids will also flow down the non-support side protrusion 322c to the inclined wall 322b, and due to the downward slope of the inclined wall 322b, they will flow down to the lower end of the inclined wall 322b and into the oil reservoir 334 described later. Therefore, these liquids are effectively separated from the food and their re-adhesion to the food can be prevented.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the lower damming portion 34 is a rib-shaped projection located between the lower end of the inclined wall 321b and the accommodating peripheral wall portion 22, which will be described later. Specifically, the lower damming portion 34 protrudes upward from the region between the lower end of the inclined wall 321b and the accommodating peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper surface of the bottom main body portion 31. The lower damming portion 34 also has a plurality of groove portions 341 arranged at equal intervals along the lateral direction.

[0048] The lower damming section 34 supports the food placed on the placement section 32 from below, thereby preventing the food from moving downwards. Furthermore, if liquids such as oil, water, or broth seep out from the bottom of the food arranged as described above over time, these liquids flow down through the groove section 341 to the bottom body section 31 and then into the oil reservoir 334 described later. As a result, the liquids are effectively separated from the food and prevented from reattaching to it.

[0049] The bottom groove 33 is an annular portion formed to surround the outer edge of the bottom body portion 31 and is connected to that outer edge. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the bottom groove 33 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the bottom body portion 31. In other words, the bottom groove 33 protrudes downward from the back surface of the bottom body portion 31 and forms the legs of the container body 20, that is, the legs of the packaging container 1.

[0050] The bottom groove portion 33 has a bottom groove side wall portion 331 and a flat portion 332. The bottom groove side wall portion 331 is the portion that extends downward from the back surface of the bottom main body portion 31 and forms the side wall of the bottom groove portion 33. The flat portion 332 is a plate-like portion that is connected to the lower end of the bottom groove side wall portion 331, and its back surface forms the contact surface 333.

[0051] The bottom portion 21 has a bottom groove portion 33, which makes the contact surface of the packaging container 1 a contact surface 333, thus reducing the area of ​​the contact surface of the packaging container 1. As a result, if the food contained in the packaging container 1 is warmer or colder than the temperature of the place in contact with the contact surface 333, the food will be less affected by the temperature of the aforementioned place. Here, "the place in contact with the contact surface 333" can be, for example, a table on which the packaging container 1 is placed.

[0052] The space surrounded by the bottom groove side wall portion 331 and the flat portion 332 forms an oil reservoir 334. The oil reservoir 334 is a place to store liquids such as oil, water, and broth from food, for example, the liquids that flow down from the mounting side protrusion portion 321c and the non-mounting side protrusion portion 322c. The formation of the oil reservoir 334 reduces the accumulation of the liquids that flow down from the mounting side protrusion portion 321c and the non-mounting side protrusion portion 322c on the upper surface of the bottom main body portion 31 and their re-adhesion to food.

[0053] The configuration of the bottom surface portion 21 is not limited to the example of this embodiment. For example, the non-mounted wall portion 322 may be perpendicular to the bottom surface body portion 31. Here, "perpendicular to the bottom surface body portion 31" does not mean that the non-mounted wall portion 322 is completely perpendicular to the bottom surface body portion 31, but rather is a concept that includes approximately perpendicularity that can be considered perpendicular at a visual level. Also, for example, the mounted side protrusion portion 321c and the non-mounted side protrusion portion 322c do not have to be in communication, and the number and position of each mounted side protrusion portion 321c and non-mounted side protrusion portion 322c can be arbitrarily changed. Furthermore, at least one of the mounted side protrusion portion 321c and the non-mounted side protrusion portion 322c may not be formed. Also, for example, the bottom surface portion 21 does not have a bottom groove portion 33. In this case, the back surface of the bottom surface body portion 31 forms the contact surface.

[0054] <Containment surrounding wall section> The containment peripheral wall portion 22 is formed on the periphery of the bottom surface portion 21 and forms the lower part of the side wall of the container body 20. The containment peripheral wall portion 22 is a frame-shaped portion that extends upward from the upper end of the outer side wall portion of the bottom groove side wall portion 331, and is formed to widen outwards as it goes upward. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the containment peripheral wall portion 22 has two first peripheral wall portions 221 and two second peripheral wall portions 222. The first peripheral wall portion 221 is the longitudinal peripheral wall portion of the containment peripheral wall portion 22, and the second peripheral wall portion 222 is the short peripheral wall portion of the containment peripheral wall portion 22.

[0055] <Connection part> As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the connecting portion 23 is a portion that extends inward from each of the two second peripheral wall portions 222 in the accommodating peripheral wall portion 22, and its inner end is connected to the side damming portion 323. The two side wall portions of the connecting portion 23 have their lower ends extending to the flat portion 332 of the bottom groove portion 33, and are connected to the bottom groove side wall portion 331 and the flat portion 332.

[0056] <Upper peripheral wall> As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the upper peripheral wall portion 24 is formed above the containment peripheral wall portion 22 and forms the upper part of the side wall of the container body 20. The upper peripheral wall portion 24 is a portion that protrudes upward from the outer end of the inner peripheral step portion 28 which is connected to the upper end of the containment peripheral wall portion 22. That is, the upper peripheral wall portion 24 is located outside the upper end of the containment peripheral wall portion 22 by the width of the inner peripheral step portion 28 in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the upper peripheral wall portion 24 is formed from the outer end of the inner peripheral step portion 28, substantially perpendicular to the inner peripheral step portion 28.

[0057] <Flange section> The flange portion 25 is the part that extends outward from the upper end of the upper peripheral wall portion 24, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, and is the upper surface of the container body 20. In this embodiment, the flange portion 25 is a plane that extends along a substantially horizontal plane. A "plane" can be any surface that can be considered a plane, and the surface may contain some irregularities. A "substantially horizontal plane" is a concept that includes a horizontal plane and a surface that can be considered a horizontal plane. However, the flange portion 25 may be an inclined surface that is inclined from a substantially horizontal plane. In addition, the flange portion 25 may have multiple upwardly projecting portions whose tip forms a ridge in order to improve its design.

[0058] <Outer edge of the main body> The outer edge portion 26 of the main body is the outer edge portion (outer wall) of the container body 20, which is connected to the outer peripheral end of the flange portion 25. The outer edge portion 26 of the main body has two long sides 261 and two short sides 262. In this embodiment, as shown by reference numeral 1021 in Figure 6 and in Figure 7, the four corners of the outer edge portion 26 of the main body (i.e., the four corners of the container body 20) are rounded.

[0059] <Lid locking part> The lid locking portion 27 is located inside the flange portion 25 and is the portion that can lock the outer edge portion 13 of the lid (see Figure 8) from above. The lid locking portion 27 is a portion that protrudes inward from the upper peripheral wall portion 24. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the lid locking portion 27 is formed in the upper peripheral wall portion 24 at a position spaced apart from the inner peripheral step portion 28 that is connected to the lower end of the upper peripheral wall portion 24.

[0060] In this embodiment, the lid locking portions 27 are formed in pairs on each of the four corners of the upper peripheral wall portion 24. As shown by reference numeral 1021 in Figure 6, in the portion where the housing portion 29 is formed in the corner, the lid locking portions 27 are formed on both sides of the housing portion 29. The lid locking portions 27 only need to be formed at a position spaced apart from the inner peripheral step portion 28, and for example, the number of lid locking portions 27 and their positions when the container body 20 is viewed from above can be determined arbitrarily. The position and number of the lid locking portions 27 may be determined considering the ease of attaching the lid 10 to the container body 20, etc.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 7, the flange portion 25 has a first flat portion 251 having a flat portion and a second flat portion 252 having a flat portion one level lower than the first flat portion 251, and the second flat portion 252 is formed in a position corresponding to the lid locking portion 27, that is, in the vicinity of the lid locking portion 27. Specifically, the second flat portion 252 is formed at the four corners of the container body 20.

[0062] This makes the position of the lid locking portion 27, located on the lower inner side of the second flat portion 252, easier to see. In addition, during the lid closing operation, the second flat portion 252 serves as a guide for the user when pressing the lid 10 against the lid locking portion 27. Furthermore, during the lid opening operation, the user can easily remove the lid 10 from the container body 20 by grasping the lid gripping piece 14 (see Figure 8) and the second flat portion 252 located near the lid gripping piece 14.

[0063] In this way, the user can attach the lid 10 to the container body 20 by applying force to the appropriate position on the lid during the closing process. Therefore, the possibility of the lid 10 deforming due to the user applying force to an inappropriate position during the closing process, causing deformation of the food contained in the container body 20, and thus requiring the discarding of the deformed lid 10 and food can be reduced. Thus, it can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" and Goal 14 "Life Below Water".

[0064] In this embodiment, the second flat portion 252 is formed as a mold mark when the resin sheet is thermoformed to form the portion corresponding to the container body 20 and the portion corresponding to the lid locking portion 27 is removed from the mold. In other words, the second flat portion 252 is formed as a mold mark when forming the lid locking portion 27.

[0065] <Inner step> The inner circumferential step portion 28 is located inside the flange portion 25 and below the lid locking portion 27, and is a portion that can support the outer edge portion 13 of the lid from below. The inner circumferential step portion 28 is a planar portion whose inner end is connected to the upper end of the housing circumferential wall portion 22 and whose outer end is connected to the lower end of the upper circumferential wall portion 24. The inner circumferential step portion 28 is a plane that extends along a substantially horizontal plane. In this case, the inner circumferential step portion 28 can stably support the outer edge portion 13 of the lid. However, the inner circumferential step portion 28 may be an inclined surface that is inclined from a substantially horizontal plane. As described above, the inner circumferential step portion 28 is formed below the lid locking portion 27 and spaced apart from the lid locking portion 27 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0066] <Storage Area> The storage section 29 is the part that accommodates the lid handle 14 (see Figure 8) while inclining it upwards outwards. The storage section 29 is formed in a position that faces the lid handle 14 when the lid 10 is closed and stored in the container body 20. In other words, the storage section 29 and the lid handle 14 are formed in the container body 20 and the lid 10, respectively, so that they face each other when the lid 10 is closed in the container body 20.

[0067] The housing section 29 is a notched portion formed in part of the upper peripheral wall section 24 and the flange section 25, and includes an inclined surface 291 that slopes upward toward the outside, and housing side walls 292 formed at both ends along the direction of inclination of the inclined surface 291. The inclination angle and size of the inclined surface 291 should be determined considering the size of the lid handle 14. The inclined surface 291 allows the lid handle 14 to be inclined upward.

[0068] In this embodiment, the top 293 of the housing portion 29 (the outer end of the inclined surface 291) is part of the flange portion 25. Specifically, the top 293 of the housing portion 29 is the inner end of the flange portion 25.

[0069] If the top portion 293 is not part of the flange portion 25, that is, if the top portion 293 is formed below the flange portion 25, a side wall is formed between the top portion 293 and the flange portion 25, which is connected to the inclined surface 291 and extends substantially vertically. In this case, the lid handle 14 is housed in the housing portion 29 in a bent state at the connection point between the inclined surface 291 and the side wall. As a result, when the lid handle 14 is housed in the housing portion 29, the length that the lid handle 14 protrudes from the housing portion 29 (referred to as the protruding length) becomes shorter than the length that was assumed during the design (referred to as the assumed length).

[0070] The assumed length is designed considering the ease of grasping the lid grip 14 and the likelihood of collisions with hands or objects. Therefore, if the protruding length is shorter than the assumed length, the lid grip 14 becomes difficult to grasp. On the other hand, if the top portion 293 is part of the flange portion 25, the overall inclination of the lid grip 14 can be matched to the inclination of the housing portion 29. Thus, the lid grip 14 can be made to protrude from the housing portion 29 by the assumed length, making it easier to grasp the lid grip 14.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing portion 29 is formed at the corners of the upper peripheral wall portion 24 and the flange portion 25. In this embodiment, the housing portion 29 is formed at positions corresponding to two corners that are diagonally opposite to each other among the four corners.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the two corners of the flange portion 25 where the housing portion 29 is not formed has one or more striated portions 253. The striated portions 253 may be striated protrusions or striated grooves. When a user holds the container body 20, grasping the corners of the flange portion 25 where the striated portions 253 are formed can prevent the user's fingers from slipping on the corners of the flange portion 25.

[0073] [Lid] Reference numeral 1031 in Figure 8 is a plan view of the cover 10. Reference numeral 1032 in Figure 8 is a side view of the cover 10 as seen from the short side (side view of the cover 10 as seen from viewing direction VD1). Reference numeral 1033 in Figure 8 is a side view of the cover 10 as seen from the long side (side view of the cover 10 as seen from viewing direction VD2). Reference numeral 1022 in Figure 6 is a plan view showing the corner of the cover 10.

[0074] As shown in Figures 8 and 6 (reference numeral 1022), the lid 10 comprises a top plate portion 11, a lid side wall portion 12, a lid outer edge portion 13, and a lid tab 14. The lid 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view. It is preferable that the lid 10 has a shape similar to the outer shape of the container body 20 in plan view.

[0075] The top plate portion 11 is a rectangular plate-shaped member in plan view, consisting of a single top surface. Preferably, the shape of the top plate portion 11 is similar to the external shape of the lid 10 and the container body 20 in plan view. With such a shape, if the top plate portion 11 is made of a transparent material, the contents can be clearly seen through the top plate portion 11 from above the packaging container 1.

[0076] The number of surfaces constituting the top plate portion 11 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that there be one. This ensures good visibility of the contents and makes it easier to place the container body 20 on top of the top plate portion 11 when stacking the packaging containers 1 together. The top plate portion 11 may be composed of multiple surfaces.

[0077] The lid side wall portion 12 is a member that extends around the perimeter of the top plate portion 11 and toward the lid outer edge portion 13 located below the outer end of the top plate portion 11. The lid side wall portion 12 is inclined outward from the top plate portion 11 toward the lid outer edge portion 13. Therefore, the area of ​​the opening of the lid 10 formed inside the lid outer edge portion 13 is larger than the area of ​​the top plate portion 11. However, the lid side wall portion 12 may not be inclined and may extend substantially perpendicularly from the top plate portion 11.

[0078] The outer edge portion 13 of the lid is the outer edge portion of the lid 10, connected to the lower end of the lid side wall portion 12. The outer edge portion 13 of the lid is formed on the lid 10 at a position corresponding to the formation positions of the inner circumferential step portion 28 and the upper circumferential wall portion 24 on the container body 20. The outer edge portion 13 of the lid comprises a lid bottom portion 131, a lid circumferential wall portion 132, and a lid visor portion 133.

[0079] The lid bottom portion 131 is a frame-shaped part that constitutes the bottom of the lid 10. The lid bottom portion 131 is a surface that can abut against the inner circumferential step portion 28 when the lid 10 is closed onto the container body 20. The lid bottom portion 131 is a plane that extends along a substantially horizontal plane. In this case, the inner circumferential step portion 28 can stably support the outer edge portion 13 of the lid. However, the lid bottom portion 131 may be an inclined surface that is sloped from a substantially horizontal plane.

[0080] The lid periphery wall portion 132 is the portion that extends upward from the outer end of the lid bottom portion 131. As shown in Figure 8, the lid periphery wall portion 132 extends outward from the outer end of the lid bottom portion 131. However, the lid periphery wall portion 132 may extend substantially perpendicular to the lid bottom portion 131.

[0081] The lid visor portion 133 is a plane that extends substantially horizontally from the outer end of the lid peripheral wall portion 132. The outer end of the lid visor portion 133 is the part that can abut against the upper peripheral wall portion 24 when the lid 10 is closed on the container body 20. When the lid 10 is closed on the container body 20, the entire outer end of the lid visor portion 133 may abut against the upper peripheral wall portion 24, or only a part of the outer end may abut against it.

[0082] The lid 10 and container body 20 are designed such that the size of the outer edge 13 of the lid in a plan view is approximately the same as the size of the upper peripheral wall 24 in a plan view. "Approximately the same" is a concept that includes identical and differences that can be considered identical. That is, the lid 10 and container body 20 are designed so that, in a cross-section parallel to the approximately vertical plane of the packaging container 1, the outer end of the lid visor 133 and the upper peripheral wall 24 make point contact. In addition, the vertical length of the lid peripheral wall 132 is shorter than the length between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step portion 28 of the container body 20.

[0083] Furthermore, when the lid 10 moves upward, the upper surface of the lid visor 133 comes into contact with the lid locking portion 27. Therefore, unless a force sufficient to move the lid 10 from below to above the lid locking portion 27 is applied, the upward movement of the lid 10 is restricted by the lid locking portion 27. When the lid 10 moves downward, the lower surface of the lid visor 133 comes into contact with the inner circumferential step portion 28. Therefore, the downward movement of the lid 10 is restricted by the inner circumferential step portion 28.

[0084] Therefore, when an external force is applied to the lid 10, the lid 10 is closed to the container body 20 while allowing vertical movement between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner circumferential step portion 28.

[0085] The lid gripping piece 14 is a portion that protrudes from a part of the outer edge 13 of the lid. The lid gripping piece 14 is the part that the user grasps when removing the lid 10 from the container body 20. The lid gripping piece 14 is designed, for example, with consideration to ease of grasping and to minimize the likelihood of collisions between the lid gripping piece 14 and the hand or an object.

[0086] The lid tab 14 is formed on the lid 10 at a position corresponding to the position where the storage portion 29 is formed on the container body 20. In this embodiment, the lid tab 14 is formed at the corner of the outer edge 13 of the lid.

[0087] The lid gripping piece 14 comprises a tongue piece 141 and a tip portion 142, as shown by reference numeral 1022 in Figure 6. The tongue piece 141 is the part that the user grasps. The tip portion 142 is the part that connects with the tongue piece 141 at the position furthest from the connection point with the outer edge portion 13 of the lid on the tongue piece 141. The tip portion 142 is the part that can protrude from the storage portion 29 when the lid 10 is closed on the container body 20.

[0088] In the container body 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the top portion 321f is formed at a position higher from the ground surface 333 than the lid locking portion 27. Furthermore, when the lid 10 is closed on the container body 20, the height of the lid 10, i.e., the vertical length between the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 131 of the lid 10, is designed so that the top portion 11 of the lid 10 and the top portion 321f of the container body 20 are spaced apart. This allows the food contained in the packaging container 1 to be contained close to the top portion 11, making the contents of the food easily visible, while preventing the food from coming into contact with the top portion 11.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the height of the lid 10, that is, the vertical distance L2 between the bottom portion 131 of the lid 10 and the top portion 11, is greater than the vertical distance L1 between the inner circumferential step portion 28 and the top portion 321f of the container body 20. This ensures that space is secured between the top portion 11 of the lid 10 and the top portion 321f of the container body 20.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown by reference numeral 1021 in Figure 6 and in Figure 7, the lengths of the two lid locking portions 27a formed in the areas on both sides of the housing portion 29 that houses the lid tab 14 (referred to as the lid tab area AR1) are different from the lengths of the two lid locking portions 27b formed in the areas other than both sides of the housing portion 29 (referred to as the area outside the lid tab area AR2). This makes it possible to make the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid 10 and the container body 20 different in the lid tab area AR1 and the area outside the lid tab area AR2.

[0091] Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 1021 in Figure 6 and in Figure 7, the length of the two lid locking portions 27a formed in the lid gripping area AR1 is shorter than the length of the two lid locking portions 27b formed in the area outside the lid gripping area AR2. As a result, the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid 10 from the container body 20 is less in the lid gripping area AR1 than in the area outside the lid gripping area AR2. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the lid gripping portion 14 and remove the lid 10 from the container body 20.

[0092] (Additional notes) In this embodiment, two lid locking portions 27 are formed at each of the four corners of the container body 20, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, lid locking portions 27 may be formed at the center of the short side and the center of the long side of the upper peripheral wall portion 24 of the container body 20, and a second flat portion 252 may be formed on the flange portion 25 near the lid locking portion 27. Also, in each of the two corners where the storage portion 29 is not formed, a single continuous lid locking portion may be formed instead of two lid locking portions 27. This increases the force required by the user to attach and detach the lid from the container body.

[0093] Furthermore, various information may be engraved on the bottom body portion 31 of the container body 20. For example, the product name and recycling mark may be engraved on the bottom body portion 31 between the lower dam portion 34 and the containment peripheral wall portion 22, and information regarding environmental considerations may be engraved on the bottom body portion 31 between the non-supporting wall portion 322 and the containment peripheral wall portion 22. Examples of information regarding environmental considerations include information that some plant-derived raw materials are used.

[0094] In this case, the product name may be engraved on the back (bottom) of the container body 20 so that it can be read from there. In this case, a user who purchases the packaging container 1 can easily recognize the product name by referring to the back of the container body 20. In addition, the environmental considerations information may be engraved on the front (top) of the container body 20 so that it can be read from there. In this case, a user who intends to purchase the packaging container 1 containing food can easily recognize the environmental considerations information when looking at the food. In addition, the recycling mark may be engraved on the back of the container body 20 so that it can be read from there. In this case, a user who consumes the food contained in the packaging container 1 and intends to dispose of the packaging container 1 can easily separate and dispose of the packaging container 1 by referring to the back of the container body 20.

[0095] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 10. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0096] Figure 9 is a plan view (top view) of the container body 20A in the packaging container 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the container body 20A shown in Figure 9, taken along the line BB. In Figure 10, only the cross-sectional portion along the line BB, the lid locking portion 27, and the side damming portions 323 and 323A are shown, and other parts are omitted.

[0097] The container body 20A shown in Figures 9 and 10 differs from the container body 20 shown in Figures 3 to 7 in that a new mounting section 32A is provided on the bottom surface 21, but the other configurations are the same. Hereafter, the mounting section 32 shown in Figures 3 to 7 will be referred to as the "first mounting section 32," and the new mounting section 32A will be referred to as the "second mounting section 32A."

[0098] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second mounting section 32A is formed to connect with the lower end of the mounting inclined surface of the first mounting section 32. The second mounting section 32A differs from the first mounting section 32 in that its length from the upper end to the lower end of the first direction SD1 is shorter, but the other configurations are the same.

[0099] The second mounting section 32A is raised upward from the bottom surface 21 and has a mounting inclined surface 321Ae that slopes toward the first direction SD1, and a top portion 321Af located at the upper end of the mounting inclined surface 321Ae. The top portion 321Af of the second mounting section 32A is lower in height from the contact surface 333 than the top portion 321f of the first mounting section 32. This further suppresses contact between food placed on the second mounting section 32A and the top plate portion 11 of the lid 10.

[0100] (Additional notes) Furthermore, the second mounting portion 32A may have the same length from the upper end to the lower end in the first direction SD1 as the first mounting portion 32. In this case, the top portion 321Af of the second mounting portion 32A will be at the same height from the ground surface 333 as the top portion 321f of the first mounting portion 32, thereby preventing the food placed on the first mounting portion 32 and the second mounting portion 32A from coming into contact with the top plate portion 11 of the lid 10.

[0101] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Packaging container 10 Lid 13 Outer edge of the lid 14. Lid tab 20, 20A container body 25 Flange section 27, 27a, 27b Lid locking part 28 Inner step 29 Storage Unit 131 Bottom of lid body 132 Lid peripheral wall 133 Lid body eave part 251 1st flat part 252 2nd flat part 253 Streak AR1 Lid gripping area AR2 Cover grip area outside

Claims

1. A packaging container comprising a container body and a lid that closes the container body, The lid has a tab that protrudes from a part of the outer edge of the lid, which is the outer edge of the lid. The outer edge of the lid comprises a lid bottom, a lid peripheral wall extending from the outer end of the lid bottom, and a lid eaves extending from the outer end of the lid peripheral wall. The container body is A lid locking portion is located inside the flange portion of the container body and capable of locking the outer edge of the lid from above, An inner circumferential step portion is located inside the flange portion and below the lid locking portion, and is capable of supporting the outer edge of the lid from below, It has a housing section that accommodates the aforementioned lid tab while inclining it outward with an upward slope, The lid locking portion is formed to protrude inward from the container body and to be spaced apart from the inner circumferential step portion. When the lid is closed against the container body, if the lid moves upward, the upper surface of the lid's visor comes into contact with the lid locking portion, thereby restricting the upward movement. If the lid moves downward, the lower surface of the lid's bottom comes into contact with the inner circumferential step, thereby restricting the downward movement. Thus, the lid can move up and down between the lid locking portion and the inner circumferential step. The lid locking portion is formed in the lid gripping area on both sides of the housing portion that accommodates the lid gripping piece, and outside the lid gripping area other than on both sides of the housing portion, A packaging container characterized in that the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid gripping area is different from the length of the lid locking portion formed outside the lid gripping area.

2. The packaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the lid locking portion formed in the lid gripping area is shorter than the length of the lid locking portion formed outside the lid gripping area.

3. The flange portion has a first flat portion having a flat section and a second flat portion having a flat section one level lower than the first flat portion. The packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second flat portion is formed at a position corresponding to the lid locking portion.

4. The lid and the container body are rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The packaging container according to claim 3, characterized in that the second flat portion is formed at the four corners of the container body.

5. The lid and the container body are rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, of the four corners of the container body, the corners outside the area of ​​the lid tab are continuously formed with the lid locking portion.

6. The lid and the container body are rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flange portion in the corner of the container body that is outside the area of ​​the lid tab has one or more striated portions.

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