storage container

Abstract

To provide a storage container from which vertically long tableware such as chopsticks can be easily taken out. [Solution] A storage container for holding multiple vertically long tableware such as chopsticks has a hollow storage section 3, a bottom section 4, and a cap member 6. An opening 5 in the cap member 6 is defined by multiple diaphragm blades 7. The diaphragm blades 7 are operated by an iris diaphragm mechanism, and the size of the opening in the opening 5 can be changed depending on the number of tableware.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a storage container suitable for storing vertically long tableware such as chopsticks and straws, and vertically long household items such as cotton swabs and writing implements. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, containers for storing multiple vertically long tableware used at home, such as chopsticks and straws, are well known as chopstick holders. For example, the chopstick holder described in Patent Document 1 has a base with a convex portion in the center of the bottom, and a peripheral wall extending from the base toward the top opening is designed so that the diameter of the opening gradually increases toward the top opening. When this chopstick holder is filled with chopsticks, the tips of the chopsticks are spaced apart from each other, in other words, spread out radially, making it easy to take out the chopsticks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-88534 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology described in the above document, when there are only a few chopsticks in the chopstick holder, the chopsticks may become separated from each other, making it difficult to remove multiple chopsticks, for example, two chopsticks, in one operation.

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to propose a storage container that allows chopsticks to be quickly removed even when there are only a few chopsticks in the chopstick holder. Although there is no limit to the items that can be stored in the container of this invention, typical examples include chopsticks, as well as long tableware such as straws, spoons, forks, and knives, and long household items such as cotton swabs and writing utensils. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention, which aims to solve the above problem, is a storage container that can store multiple vertically long tableware such as chopsticks, straws, forks, spoons, and toothpicks, as well as vertically long household items such as cotton swabs and writing implements, in an upright position.

[0007] The features of the present invention regarding such a storage container are as follows: the storage container has a hollow storage section extending vertically, a bottom section that keeps the lower end of the storage section closed, and an opening at the top of the storage section that allows the insertion and removal of the tableware and household furniture. The opening employs an iris diaphragm mechanism that allows the diameter of the opening to be changed so that it becomes larger or smaller depending on the shape and number of the tableware and household furniture to be stored.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the iris diaphragm mechanism is biased in a direction in which the diameter of the opening becomes smaller.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the iris diaphragm mechanism has an opening diameter that can be changed manually.

[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom has a mortar-like cross section in the radial direction, the depth of which increases toward the center in the radial direction.

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the top portion including the iris diaphragm mechanism is provided as a part that is detachable from the housing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The storage container according to the present invention, constructed in this way, employs an iris diaphragm mechanism in the opening, allowing the diameter of the opening to be adjusted depending on the number of long tableware, such as chopsticks, placed in the opening. Therefore, for example, if the number of chopsticks is small, by reducing the diameter of the opening, the chopsticks will gather in the center of the opening, making it easier to remove, for example, two chopsticks at a time. This also prevents dust from entering the storage container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a chopstick holder. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the chopstick holder in Figure 1. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cap member similar to FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a chopstick holder different from that shown in FIGS. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chopstick stand 1, which is an example of an embodiment of this invention, and FIG. 2 is a see-through view of the chopstick stand 1, with four chopsticks 2 standing in the chopstick stand 1. The chopstick stand 1 has a cylindrical hollow storage section 3, a base section 4 that forms the bottom of the storage section 3, and a cap member 6 that is located at the top of the storage section 3 and includes an opening 5 through which chopsticks 2 can be inserted and removed. The opening 5 is defined by a plurality of diaphragm blades 7. The diaphragm blades 7 form part of the iris diaphragm mechanism used in the chopstick stand 1, and can be moved by fingertip manipulation and / or, if the mechanism incorporates a biasing spring, by the action of the biasing spring (not shown), thereby changing the diameter of the opening 5 depending on the number of chopsticks 2 to be stored.

[0016] In the case of the chopstick stand 1 shown in Figure 1, the opening diameter can be made smaller or larger by reciprocating the operating knob 23 on the cap member 6 in the circumferential directions A and B of the storage section 3. To change the opening diameter in this manner, this device employs an iris diaphragm mechanism for the cap member 6. In the illustrated example, moving the operating knob 23 clockwise as indicated by arrow A reduces the opening diameter, whereas moving the operating knob 23 counterclockwise as indicated by arrow B increases the opening diameter. As will be described later, the opening diameter can be changed depending on the number of chopsticks 2 inserted in the opening 5. Although not shown, the cap member 6 can be removed by lifting it upward relative to the storage section 3, and the removed cap member 6 can be fitted back into the storage section 3 by pressing it against the storage section 3.

[0017] Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing four chopsticks 2 placed in chopstick holder 1, but chopsticks 2 are shown in phantom lines. In Figure 2, operating knob 23 in Figure 1 has been moved slightly counterclockwise to widen opening 5. Note that ring-shaped portion 12 of cap member 6 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the portion that covers and protects diaphragm blades 7.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the cap member 6 includes a cover member 10, a guide member 20, and a blade attachment member 30, which form the iris diaphragm mechanism. The cover member 10 includes a ring-shaped portion 12, which covers and protects the guide member 20 and the blade attachment member 30 and also improves the appearance of the chopstick stand 1. A first chopstick insertion hole 16 is formed in the center. A notch 18 is formed in the annular peripheral wall portion 17. A second chopstick insertion hole 29 is formed in the center of the guide member 20, and multiple guide holes 22 for pins (described later) are formed in the plate-shaped ring portion 21. A pair of operating knobs 23 protrude radially outward from the peripheral edge. A third chopstick insertion hole 36 is formed in the center of the blade attachment member 30, and multiple elastic legs 37 extend downward from the annular portion 34 that defines the hole 36. The elastic legs 37 can move radially into and out of the cylindrical storage portion 3 while elastically deforming. The blade mounting member 30 also has a plurality of blade-shaped throttle plates 38 arranged around the third chopstick insertion hole 36 so as to surround the third chopstick insertion hole 36. In the figure, some of the throttle plates 38 are shown removed from the blade mounting member 30 so that the shape of the throttle plates 38 can be understood. Each of the throttle plates 38 is formed with a first pin 41 that extends toward a bearing hole 39 formed in the annular portion 34 and is rotatably inserted into the bearing hole 39 to serve as a pivot shaft, as described below, and a second pin 42 that is slidably fitted into the guide hole 22 formed in the guide member 20 in the length direction. A rib 43 that goes around the annular portion 34 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 34.

[0019] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing all the diaphragm plates 38 attached to the blade mounting member 30 in Figure 3. In the blade mounting member 30, the third chopstick insertion hole 36 is defined by the ring-shaped diaphragm plates 38. When the cover member 10, guide member 20, and blade mounting member 30, which are arranged vertically in Figure 4, are stacked together, the cap member 6 in Figure 1 is obtained. In this cap member 6, the blade mounting member 30 and guide member 20 form the iris diaphragm mechanism described above, with each second pin 42 fitting into a corresponding guide hole 22 in the guide member 20, and the operation knob 23 of the guide member 20 extending radially outward from the cutout portion 18 in the cover member 10. The center of the third chopstick insertion hole 36 in the blade mounting member 30 coincides with the center of the second chopstick insertion hole 29. When the cover member 10 is placed over the overlapping guide member 20 and blade mounting member 30, the inner peripheral surface (not shown) of the cover member 10 presses against the rib 43 of the blade mounting member 30, elastically deforming in the radial direction and integrating with the blade mounting member 30 to form the cap member 6. When the operating knob 23 extending from the peripheral wall portion 17 of the cap member 6 is moved in the circumferential direction A or B (see Figure 1), the guide hole 22 in the guide member 20 also moves in the circumferential direction. At this time, the second pin 42 of the blade mounting member 30 is driven by the peripheral wall portion of the guide hole 22 and moves in the circumferential direction A or B, and the movement of the second pin 42 moves each of the diaphragm plates 38 so as to decrease or increase the diameter of the third chopstick insertion hole 36. As a result, the diameter of the opening 5 in the chopstick holder 1 changes, allowing the chopsticks 2 inserted in the chopstick holder 1 to be bundled according to the number of chopsticks inserted. In other words, the smaller diameter of the opening 5 makes it easier to simultaneously take out multiple pairs of chopsticks 2. It also makes it easier to prevent dust from entering the chopstick holder 1.

[0020] In an iris diaphragm mechanism that operates in this manner, by incorporating an appropriate biasing spring (not shown) therein, it is possible to bias the blade mounting member 30 in the direction in which the diameter of the opening 5 increases, or conversely, in the direction in which the diameter of the opening 5 decreases.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a chopstick stand 101 showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The chopstick stand 101 has a storage section 103 and an opening 105 similar to the storage section 3 and opening 5 of the chopstick stand 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom 104 in FIG. 5 is different from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, being an inverted cone, or in other words, a mortar-like shape. Therefore, the lower ends of the chopsticks 2 stored in this chopstick stand 101 are gathered at the apex 110 of the inverted cone, which is the radial center of the chopstick stand 101. Meanwhile, the opening 105 of the chopstick stand 101 is in the same position as the opening 5 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, the chopsticks 2 in the chopstick stand 101 are gathered at the radial center of the chopstick stand 101 as shown in the figure, making it extremely easy to remove, for example, two chopsticks 2 at a time.

[0022] This invention exemplified by the chopstick holder 1 and chopstick holder 101 is not limited to a specific use, and can be used for items other than chopsticks 2, such as long tableware such as straws, forks, spoons, toothpicks, etc. It can also be used for long household items such as cotton swabs and writing implements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1 chopstick holder 2 chopsticks 3. Storage section 4 Bottom 5 Opening 6 Cap member 7 aperture blades 101 Chopstick holder 105 Opening 110 Top

Claims

1. A storage container capable of storing a plurality of vertically long tableware including chopsticks, straws, forks, spoons, and toothpicks, and vertically long household items including cotton swabs and writing implements, in an upright position, The container has a hollow container section extending in the vertical direction, a bottom section that keeps the lower end of the container section closed, and an opening at the top of the container section that allows the insertion and removal of either the tableware or the household furniture, The storage container is characterized in that the opening employs an iris diaphragm mechanism, and the diameter of the opening can be changed to be larger or smaller depending on the shape and number of the tableware and household accessories to be stored.

2. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the iris diaphragm mechanism is biased in a direction in which the diameter of the opening becomes smaller.

3. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the aperture diameter of the iris diaphragm mechanism can be changed manually.

4. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom has a mortar-like cross section in the radial direction, the depth of which increases toward the center in the radial direction.

5. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the top portion including the iris diaphragm mechanism is provided as a component that is detachable from the container portion.

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