Lunch box lid and lunch box

Abstract

We provide a lunchbox lid that incorporates a dynamic mechanism to provide the user with a sense of enjoyment, and a lunchbox equipped with this lid. [Solution] The bento box lid 3 has a double structure consisting of a lid body 4 and a transparent or translucent lid cover 5, forming a storage space 3S between the lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 in which a decorative piece 6 can be freely accommodated, and the movement of the decorative piece 6 within the storage space 3S can be seen through the lid cover 5. The bento box 1 is configured such that the container body 2 in which food can be stored can be detachably sealed with this bento box lid 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid for a lunch box with a gimmick that allows a user to feel enjoyment, and a lunch box equipped with such a lid, which are portable.

Background Art

[0002] A normal lunch box generally has a configuration including a container body for containing foods such as rice, rice balls, side dishes, sandwiches, etc., and a lid (lid for lunch box) that covers the container body from above to seal it. The lid for lunch box is often plain, transparent or translucent, but there are some with patterns or characters printed on them (some also have patterns printed on the lunch box body).

[0003] A lid for a lunch box with a printed pattern or the like facilitates the user's identification of their own lunch box. By purchasing and using a lunch box equipped with a lid with a pattern or the like that the user likes, it plays a role of giving a subtle sense of enjoyment when taking out the lunch box from a bag or wrapping cloth.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In other words, the bento box lid according to the present invention is a lid that is used to seal a container body that can hold food ingredients in a removable seal, comprising a lid body that can seal a removable seal with respect to the container body, and a transparent or translucent lid cover that can seal a seal with respect to the lid body, wherein a storage space having a predetermined internal height is formed between the upper surface of the sealed lid body and the lower surface of the lid cover, and a flat decorative piece is movably sealed in this storage space.

[0007] The lunchbox lid according to this invention has a double-layered structure consisting of a lid body and a lid cover, with decorative pieces sealed in a storage space formed between the two so that they can move freely. The lid body only needs to be able to reattach and seal to the container body and have the original function of a lunchbox lid. The lid cover is made of a transparent or translucent material that allows the top surface of the lid body to be visible when sealed to the lid body, so that the user can enjoy watching the decorative pieces move within the storage space. There are no particular restrictions on the number or size of the decorative pieces sealed in the storage space; one or more decorative pieces can be applied as long as their thickness fits within the internal height dimension of the storage space and they can move freely within the storage space.

[0008] In this invention, if the lid cover is fixed to the lid body, the decorative pieces initially placed in the storage space will be sealed inside, and the user will purchase a lunch box or lunch box lid with their preferred decorative pieces sealed inside. In this case, by setting multiple variations of decorative pieces for the lunch boxes or lunch box lids sold, users can choose their preferred one. On the other hand, manufacturers and sellers can suppress initial costs by limiting the variations of lunch box lids in advance, or expect to increase sales volume by providing multiple types of lunch box lids that are interchangeable with the container body. Furthermore, if the lid cover is fixed to the lid body, water can be prevented from entering the storage space when washing the lunch box, while also preventing the storage space from unexpectedly opening and causing small decorative pieces to mix into the food or be accidentally ingested by the user.

[0009] If the lid cover is designed to be detachable from the lid body, it becomes possible to remove the lid cover from the lid body, allowing users to take out decorative pieces, change their number, or swap them with other decorative pieces, thereby increasing the element of enjoyment for the user. On the other hand, manufacturers and distributors can increase the choices available to users and expect to increase the sales volume of decorative pieces by providing a variety of decorative pieces.

[0010] In this invention, the decorative pieces are expected to be off-the-shelf products sold as a set with the lunch box or lid of the present invention, or off-the-shelf products sold as replacement parts specifically for the lid of the lunch box of the present invention. However, if the lid cover is detachable from the lid body, it is also possible for the user to apply their own original pieces featuring their preferred patterns or characters.

[0011] Furthermore, the lunch box of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned lunch box lid and a container body capable of holding food that can be detachably sealed by the lunch box lid. As described above, such a lunch box has decorative pieces that can move within the storage space between the lid body and the lid cover, so that the user can enjoy the pleasure of carrying the lunch (food) inside when going out, or when taking it out of the lunch wrapping (wrapping cloth, lunch bag, lunch case, etc.) at mealtime. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention relates to a lunchbox comprising a lunchbox lid consisting of a double-layered lid body and lid cover, and a container body to which this lunchbox lid is applied to hold food. In the lunchbox lid, decorative pieces are housed in a storage space formed between the lid body and the lid cover so as to move freely, and the movement of the decorative pieces can be seen through the transparent or translucent lid cover. Therefore, unlike a lunchbox that simply holds food, owning and using the lunchbox of this invention makes it possible to provide the enjoyment of seeing the decorative pieces move. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A photographic diagram showing a lunchbox according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A plan view showing the lunch box of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] A front view showing the lunch box of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A right side view showing the lunch box of the same embodiment. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 6] This figure shows the cross-sectional view of each component separated from the other in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 2. [Figure 8] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the lid for the lunch box in the same embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram shows a photograph of the lunch box of the same embodiment with the lid cover removed. [Figure 10] This diagram shows a photograph of the lunch box in the same embodiment with the inner lid cover removed and the decorative piece taken out. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the lunch box 1 according to this embodiment consists of a container body 2 in which food can be placed, and a lunch box lid 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as "lid 3") that can be detachably sealed to the container body 2.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, the container body 2 has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view with rounded ends on both sides, and is an open-topped member with a certain depth sufficient to hold food for a bento box. It consists of a bottom 21 and a peripheral wall 22. A flange 23 is formed at the upper peripheral edge of the peripheral wall 22, projecting almost horizontally. The tips of the flange 23 at both ends 2s have folded-over portions 23a that hang downward, allowing the fastener 7 to be engaged when sealing the lid 3 to the container body 2.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the lid 3 has a double structure including a lid body 4 that can seal the container body 2 as the original function of the lid of the bento box 1, and a transparent lid cover 5 attached to the upper surface side of the lid body 4. The lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 have a configuration in which a decorative piece 6 is accommodated in the accommodation space 3S formed therebetween so as to be able to move freely.

[0017] The lid body 4 includes a horizontal wall 41 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with rounded both side ends so as to be able to just cover the container body 2 from above, a lower inner peripheral wall 42 suspended from a position slightly inward of the peripheral edge of the lower surface 41b of the horizontal wall 41, a lower outer peripheral wall 43 suspended from the peripheral edge of the lower surface 41b of the horizontal wall 41 while being spaced outward from the lower inner peripheral wall 42, an upper peripheral wall 44 erected substantially vertically from the peripheral edge of the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41, and side arm portions 45 extending outward at both side ends.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, a pattern can be applied to the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which a sheet 41s printed with a pattern (a pattern in which flower pictures are scattered on a green background) is attached to the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41. However, this pattern can be appropriately changed and selected to match the pattern and shape of the decorative piece 6. In addition, a pattern can also be directly printed on the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41.

[0019] The outer surface side of the lower inner peripheral wall 42 has an inwardly inclined tapered shape so as to be smoothly detachable from the inner surface side of the peripheral wall 22 of the container body 2. The lower outer peripheral wall 43 is disposed opposite to the upper end side of the lower inner peripheral wall 42, and forms a packing accommodation groove 43a in which a resin packing 3P can be pushed and accommodated therebetween.

[0020] The upper peripheral wall 44 is configured to form a storage space 3S with a certain height together with the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41 and the lower surface 51a of the lid cover 5 by covering the lid cover 5 from above. The left and right side arm portions 45 are portions provided for attaching the fastener 7. Specifically, they protrude outward from the upper end portion of the lower outer peripheral wall 43 and have a hook shape with the tip portion turned downward while being rounded, and form an engagement groove 45a for attaching the fastener 7.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the fastener 7 is a pair of left and right members that can be detachably attached to the lid body 4. It has a partially arc shape curved in the front-rear direction and has a shape in which a handle portion 71 at the center of the base end side is cut out in a rectangular shape. Round bar-shaped engagement shafts 72 protruding inward and elliptical columnar engagement shafts 73 are respectively formed at both end portions of the fastener 7. By pushing the engagement shafts 72 and 73 into the round hole-shaped engagement groove 45a and the elliptical hole-shaped 45b of the lid body and engaging them (see FIG. 2), the fastener 7 is configured to rotate around the engagement shaft 72. Further, due to the engagement shaft 73 being elliptical columnar, when the fastener 7 is in the "open" state (FIG. 3, solid line) in a horizontal posture or in the "closed" state (FIG. 3, two-dot chain line) in a vertical posture, it is configured to be able to maintain each state. Also, an inward and downward claw portion 74 is formed at the tip portion toward the notch portion of the fastener 7. In a state where the packing 3P is adhered and the lid body 4 covers the container body 2, by engaging the claw portion 74 with the folded-back portion 23a, the container body 2 can be sealed by the lid body 4.

[0022] Also, as shown enlarged in FIG. 8, in the lid body 4, a ridge 46 having a substantially equilateral triangle cross-section protruding upward very slightly (about 1 / 4 of the height dimension of the upper peripheral wall 44) is formed around the boundary portion between the upper peripheral wall 44 and the lower outer peripheral wall 43. This ridge 46 is a portion used when attaching the lid cover 5 to the lid body 4.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the lid cover 5 is made of a colorless, transparent material and has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view with rounded ends on both sides so that it can be placed over the upper peripheral wall 44 of the lid body 4 from above. The lid cover 5 has a structure in which a peripheral wall 52 is formed that protrudes downward along the outer peripheral edge on the lower side of the upper wall 51. A peripheral groove 53 that opens downward in a U-shape is formed on the lower side of the peripheral groove 52, and by accommodating the protrusion 46 in this peripheral groove 53, the lid cover 5 can be placed over the lid body 4. In this embodiment, the lid cover 5 is fixed in close contact with the lid body 4 by pressing the aligned peripheral groove 53 and protrusion 46 together with ultrasonic waves. Alternatively, the lid 3 with the lid cover 5 fixed to the lid body 4 can also be constructed by applying adhesive between the peripheral groove 53 and the protrusion 46. On the other hand, if the protrusions 46 are pressed into the circumferential groove 53 to the extent that they do not fall off, the lid cover 5 can be attached to and detached from the lid body 4 as needed.

[0024] Then, by placing the lid cover 5 over the lid body 4 from above, the space that is open downwards from the upper wall 51, which is surrounded by the peripheral wall 52, combines with the space that is open upwards from the horizontal wall 41, which is surrounded by the upper peripheral wall 44 on the lid body 4, to form a storage space 3S for accommodating the decorative piece 6. In this embodiment, the internal height dimension of the storage space 3, that is, the dimension from the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41 of the lid body 4 to the lower surface 51a of the upper wall 51 of the lid cover 5, is set to, for example, 6.55 mm.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10, the decorative piece 6 is one or more small pieces with patterns or designs that are movably housed in the storage space 3S, and is also referred to as a "charm." In this embodiment, the decorative piece 6 is constructed, for example, by attaching a thin acrylic plate, formed to be the same shape as the outer circumference of each pattern, to the upper side of a sheet piece on which a pattern is printed, so that the pattern on the sheet piece can be seen from above the acrylic plate. Each decorative piece 6 has a thickness of 1 to 2 mm, and in the illustrated example, multiple sheet pieces 61 with a dog's face pattern, 62 with a cat's face pattern, 63 with a flower pattern, and 64 with a bone pattern are used as examples of decorative pieces 6.

[0026] Then, with each decorative piece 6 (61-64) placed on the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41 of the lid body 4, the lid cover 5 is placed over the lid body 4 and secured, allowing the decorative pieces 6 and the patterns applied to the upper surface 41a of the horizontal wall 41 of the lid body 4 to be seen through the transparent lid cover 5. Furthermore, when the lunch box 1 is moved, such as by shaking it, each decorative piece 6 moves freely within the storage space 3S, and comes into contact with the horizontal wall 41 and upper peripheral wall 44 of the lid body 4, and the upper wall 51 and peripheral wall 52 of the lid cover 5, generating a rattling sound.

[0027] As described above, in the lunch box 1 and its lid 3 of this embodiment, the lid 3 has a double structure consisting of a lid body 4 and a lid cover 5, and multiple decorative pieces 6 (61-64) of multiple types are housed in a storage space 3S formed between the lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 so that they can move freely. As a result, the user can see how each decorative piece 6 moves freely within the storage space 3S through the transparent lid cover 5, and can also hear the sounds produced by the movement of the decorative pieces 6, thus providing the user with the enjoyment of a dynamic gimmick.

[0028] In this embodiment, since the lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 are fixed in a tightly sealed state, the decorative pieces 6 are pre-sealed in the storage space 3S. Therefore, users can select and purchase a lunch box 1 containing their preferred decorative pieces 6 from those available for sale. Manufacturers and sellers only need to prepare multiple types of lunch boxes 1 containing sets of decorative pieces 6, thus reducing initial costs. Furthermore, by selling replacement lids 3, manufacturers and sellers can encourage the purchase of multiple types of lids 3, and users can purchase multiple types of lids 3 and use them interchangeably according to their mood. In addition, because the lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 are fixed in a tightly sealed state, the inside of the storage space 3S does not get wet when washing the lunch box 1. Moreover, it prevents the lid body 4 and the lid cover 5 from coming apart, which could result in the decorative pieces 6 contaminating the food, and also prevents accidents such as accidental ingestion by the user due to contamination.

[0029] It should be noted that this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the shape and size of the container body, lid, and decorative piece can be changed as appropriate. The patterns on the decorative piece can also be different from those in the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the container body is not limited to a single-tiered type, but may also be a multi-tiered type such as a two-tiered type. The lid cover can be colorless, colored transparent, or translucent, as long as the contents and decorative piece are visible from the outside. Not only patterns but also letters and various designs can be applied to the decorative piece, and it can be decided as appropriate whether or not to apply a pattern to the top surface of the lid body, and what kind of pattern to apply.

[0030] Furthermore, the lid can be designed so that the lid body and lid cover are detachable. In this case, the user can replace the decorative pieces themselves, allowing manufacturers and retailers to prepare and sell replacement decorative pieces and encourage users to purchase their preferred pieces. Additionally, by placing decorative pieces with their own preferred designs (for example, acrylic plates featuring their favorite characters) into the storage space, users can enhance the enjoyment of carrying and using the lunchbox.

[0031] Furthermore, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1... Lunch box 2…Container body 3. Lunch box lid 3S…Storage space 4…Lid body 41a... Upward-facing surface (top surface) 5… Lid cover 51a...Downward surface (bottom surface) 6…Decorative pieces

Claims

1. A lid for a lunch box, which is used to seal and attach to a container body capable of holding food ingredients, The container comprises a lid body that can be detachably sealed to the container body, and a transparent or translucent lid cover that can be sealed to the lid body, A lid for a lunch box, characterized in that a storage space having a predetermined internal height is formed between the upper surface of the sealed lid body and the lower surface of the lid cover, and a flat decorative piece is movably sealed in the storage space.

2. The lid for a lunch box according to claim 1, wherein the lid cover is fixed to the lid body.

3. The lid for a lunch box according to claim 1, wherein the lid cover is configured to be detachable from the lid body.

4. A lunch box that can hold and carry food ingredients, The container comprises a container body capable of holding the aforementioned food ingredients, and a lid for the lunch box that is detachably sealed and used with respect to the container body. The lid for the lunch box comprises a lid body that can be detachably sealed to the container body, and a transparent or translucent lid cover that can be sealed to the lid body. A lunch box characterized in that a storage space having a predetermined internal height is formed between the upper surface of the sealed lid body and the lower surface of the lid cover, and a flat decorative piece is movably sealed in the storage space.

Images