Containers, container sets and airtight frames

Abstract

To improve airtightness and therefore suppress contents from absorbing moisture.SOLUTION: A container with a lid includes a container body 30, an open-closing lid 10 to open and close an opening of the container body 30, and a middle frame 20 interposed between the container body 30 and the open-closing lid 10. The middle frame 20 is made of elastic resin with elasticity, and has a downwardly opening groove that is to be firmly fitted to an opening upper end 32 of the container body 30. High airtightness between the container body 30 and the open-closing lid 10 can be ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a container, particularly a container suitable for storing powdery or granular contents that are sensitive to moisture. This invention also relates to a container set comprising a container and a bag containing contents that can be refilled into the container. This invention further relates to an airtight frame for providing high airtightness to the container. [Background technology]

[0002] Powdered or granular foods (condiments, dairy products, etc.) such as salt, sugar, powdered milk, etc., which are sold in bags (paper bags, plastic bags, etc.) at stores, are often repackaged into other containers at home for small-portion use. Such containers generally have a container body and an opening / closing lid, and the food taken out of the bag is placed into the container body of the container, or the food is placed into the bag and the container body, and then the opening of the container body is closed with the opening / closing lid.

[0003] If the opening of the container body can be tightly closed with the opening / closing lid, it is possible to reduce the amount of moisture that penetrates into the container body after the opening / closing lid is closed. However, if there is even a small gap between the container body and the opening / closing lid, moisture will penetrate into the container body through the gap and the contents will absorb the moisture. If food absorbs moisture due to moisture that penetrates through the gap, the food will deteriorate faster. In addition, powdered or granular materials other than food, such as detergent, may form clumps due to moisture absorption.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a can body and a synthetic resin lid each having a thread formed thereon. Although the thread can be used to firmly attach the lid to the container body, the lid must be rotated each time it is removed from or attached to the can body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-53260 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION

[0006] The object of this invention is to easily improve airtightness, thereby making the contents less likely to absorb moisture.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to enable general-purpose boiling sterilization.

[0008] The container according to the present invention comprises a container body, an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the opening of the container body, and an airtight frame sandwiched between the container body and the opening / closing lid, and is characterized in that the airtight frame is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, and when fitted into the upper opening end of the container body, it adheres closely to the top and both side surfaces of the upper opening end, and has a first groove portion that surrounds the upper opening end of the container body from three sides.

[0009] The container set according to the present invention comprises a bag body containing contents, a container body in which the contents are stored together with the bag body, an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the opening of the container body through which the bag body is inserted and removed, and an airtight frame sandwiched between the container body and the opening / closing lid, wherein the airtight frame is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, and when fitted into the upper opening end of the container body, it adheres closely to the top and both side surfaces of the upper opening end and has a first groove portion that surrounds the upper opening end of the container body on three sides.

[0010] The present invention also provides an airtight frame constituting a container. The airtight frame according to the present invention is sandwiched between a container body and an opening / closing lid that opens and closes the opening of the container body, is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, and is characterized in that when the airtight frame is fitted into the upper end of the opening of the container body, it comes into close contact with the top surface and both side surfaces of the upper end of the opening, and has a first groove portion that surrounds the upper end of the opening of the container body from three sides.

[0011] According to this invention, the airtight frame sandwiched between the container body and the opening / closing lid is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, so that the airtight frame and the opening upper end of the container body are closely attached by fitting the opening upper end of the container body into the first groove of the airtight frame, thereby improving the airtightness between them. Furthermore, by closely attaching the back surface of the opening / closing lid to the airtight frame when the opening / closing lid is closed, the airtightness of the entire container can be improved, and the contents inside the container can be made less susceptible to moisture absorption.

[0012] Preferably, a second groove portion is formed on the back surface of the opening / closing lid, which is in close contact with the upper surface and both side surfaces of the airtight frame when the opening / closing lid is closed, and surrounds the airtight frame from three sides. When the opening / closing lid is closed, high airtightness can also be ensured between the opening / closing lid and the airtight frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the airtight frame has protruding portions that protrude inward and outward around the entire circumference on both the inner and outer surfaces thereof. When the opening / closing lid is closed, the container body and the airtight frame, and the airtight frame and the opening / closing lid can be closed without any gaps.

[0014] Preferably, the airtight frame has a heat resistance capable of withstanding boiling. The airtight frame can be sterilized by general boiling without the need for chemical disinfection.

[0015] Preferably, at least both ends of the airtight frame are integrally molded with an expansion section made of hard resin that protrudes downward and slopes inward. When the contents are stored together with the bag in the container body, the bag can be pushed open (expanded) from the inside to the outside by the expansion section integrally molded with the airtight frame. The opening of the bag can be pushed open simply and easily to open it wide. Since there is no need to open the opening of the bag with hands or fingers, the bag can also be kept clean when food is placed in it.

[0016] In one embodiment, the elastic resin forming the airtight frame can be an elastomer. The expansion part integrally molded with the airtight frame can be made of polypropylene. For example, two-color molding can be used for integral molding of different resins. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lidded container according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lidded container of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is an oblique view showing an inner frame that constitutes a lidded container of a second embodiment and an opened gusset bag. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an end view corresponding to FIG. 3 of a lidded container according to a second embodiment. Example 1

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container with lid according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the container with lid shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the container with lid taken along line III-III in Fig. 1.

[0019] The container with lid 1 is composed of an opening / closing lid 10, an inner frame (airtightness maintaining frame) 20, and a container body 30.

[0020] The container body 30 has a bottom and is a container in which all surfaces other than the top (side and bottom surfaces) are closed. In this embodiment, the container body 30 is approximately square when viewed from above, with an opening with rounded corners. The shape, height, etc. of the container body 30 can be designed as desired. The container body 30 is made, for example, from relatively hard polypropylene.

[0021] A flange 33 that protrudes slightly outward (sideways) around the entire circumference is formed integrally with the container body 30 at a position slightly below the upper end 32 of the opening of the container body 30. A notch 34 is formed in the flange 33 at locations corresponding to both side portions of the container body 30, and the outward protrusion of the flange 33 is shortened in the range where the notch 34 is formed. A gripping surface 14 formed on the opening / closing lid 10 fits into the notch 34 of the container body 30, as will be described later.

[0022] The middle frame 20 is made of an elastic resin with rubber-like elasticity, such as a styrene-based elastomer, and has the same square shape as the open upper end 32 of the container body 30 when viewed from above so that it fits snugly into the open upper end 32 of the container body 30, with the upper surface protruding upward (a convex ridge) and a groove formed on the lower surface. This convex ridge or groove is defined by the upper surface portion 21, the outer wall surface portion 22, and the inner wall surface portion 23. Please refer to Figure 3 for the cross section of the middle frame 20.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 3, the open upper end 32 of the container body 30 is tightly fitted into the groove portion of the inner frame 20 that opens downward. On the inner surface of the top surface portion 21 and the inner surface of the outer wall surface portion 22 that define the groove of the inner frame 20, the seal protrusions 24A, 24B that protrude slightly inward are formed all around, and when the inner frame 20 is fitted into the open upper end 32 of the container body 30, the open upper end 32 of the container body 30 and the inner frame 20 are airtightly joined. Since the inner frame 20 is made of an elastic resin as described above, it goes without saying that the seal protrusions 24A, 24B are deformed when the open upper end 32 of the container body 30 is tightly fitted into the groove of the inner frame 20. In Fig. 3, for ease of understanding, the seal protrusions 24A, 24B are illustrated in an undeformed state.

[0024] The opening and closing lid 10 is made of a relatively hard resin, such as polypropylene.

[0025] The opening / closing lid 10 comprises a square upper surface 11, an outer frame 12 which is integrally formed around the entire periphery of the edge of the upper surface 11 and protrudes toward the back surface of the opening / closing lid 10, and an inner frame (inner ring) 13 which is integrally formed and protrudes toward the back surface of the upper surface 11 with a gap between it and the outer frame 12. A groove which opens downward is formed on the back surface of the opening / closing lid 10 by the outer frame 12, the inner frame 13 and the upper surface 11 between them. The groove on the back surface of the opening / closing lid 10 has the same rectangular shape as the opening upper end 32 of the container body 30.

[0026] 3, when the opening / closing lid 10 is closed, the middle frame 20 fits tightly into the groove defined by the outer frame portion 12, the inner frame portion 13, and the top surface portion 11. A seal protrusion 24C that protrudes slightly outward is also formed around the entire periphery on the outer surface of the top surface portion 21 of the middle frame 20 that fits into the groove of the opening / closing lid 10, so that the opening / closing lid 10 and the middle frame 20 are also airtightly joined together when the opening / closing lid 10 is closed.

[0027] The outer frame parts 12 on both sides of the opening / closing lid 10 are integrally formed with rectangular gripping surface parts 14 that extend downward outside the container body 30 when the opening / closing lid 10 is closed. The inner surface of this gripping surface part 14 is integrally formed with an engagement protrusion 14A that protrudes slightly inward. As described above, when the opening / closing lid 10 is closed, the gripping surface parts 14 on both sides of the opening / closing lid 10 enter the notch parts 34 of the container body 30. At this time, the engagement protrusions 14A formed on the inner surface of the gripping surface part 14 are lightly snap-locked (engaged) with the flanges 33 that protrude slightly outward in the range where the notch parts 34 of the container body 30 are formed. The snap lock can be released by placing a hand on the outer edge of the gripping surface part 14 and slightly deforming the gripping surface part 14 outward.

[0028] The opening / closing lid 10, inner frame 20, and container body 30 that make up the lidded container 1 are all made of resin that can withstand a heat-resistant temperature of boiling, i.e., a heat-resistant temperature of 100° C. or higher. In other words, the opening / closing lid 10, inner frame 20, and container body 30 can all be disinfected with boiling water, and can be easily sterilized or disinfected without using chemicals.

[0029] When the above-mentioned lidded container 1 was placed in hot water for 30 minutes, no thermal expansion, thermal contraction, deformation, etc. was observed in any of the opening / closing lid 10, inner frame 20, or container body 30, and it was confirmed that the container could be used again without any problems.

[0030] Furthermore, since the inner frame 20 is made of elastic resin as described above, the space between the inner frame 20 and the container body 30, and the space between the inner frame 20 and the opening / closing lid 10 can be closed without any gaps.

[0031] Calcium chloride was placed in the container body 30 of the lidded container 1 and stored in an environment at a temperature of 45°C and a humidity of 90% for one day. The increase in the mass of the calcium chloride was measured, and it was found to be only about 0.11 g (the weight of the absorbed water). It was also confirmed that the lidded container 1 had a high level of airtightness. Example 2

[0032] Fig. 4 shows the inner frame 20A constituting the lidded container of the second embodiment, and a bag body 50 whose upper end has been opened to form an opening 51. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 20A taken along line VV in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged end view corresponding to Fig. 3 of a lidded container in which the inner frame 20A shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is used instead of the inner frame 20 described above.

[0033] The inner frame 20A constituting the lidded container (container) of the second embodiment is configured by further integrally attaching a pair of guide members 27 to the inner frame 20 constituting the lidded container 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0034] 4 and 5, the guide member 27 has an arc-shaped outer edge, a guide surface portion 27A inclined slightly inward, and an adhesive surface portion 27B extending outward almost horizontally at an angle at the end of the guide surface portion 27A. The adhesive surface portion 27B of the guide member 27 is adhered (integrally molded) to the inner wall surface portion 23 of the middle frame 20A. In order to facilitate integral molding of the adhesive surface portion 27B of the guide member 27 with the inner wall surface portion 23 of the middle frame 20A, an extension portion 23A extending slightly inward is integrally formed at the tip portion of the inner wall surface portion 23 of the middle frame 20A, and the adhesive surface portion 27B of the guide member 27 is adhered (integrally molded) to this extension portion 23A.

[0035] Of the middle frame 20A, the top surface portion 21, outer wall surface portion 22, inner wall surface portion 23 and extension portion 23A are made of an elastic resin having rubber-like elasticity, such as a styrene-based elastomer, as with the middle frame 20 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, the guide member 27 integrally molded with the extension portion 23A is made of a relatively hard resin, such as polypropylene. The middle frame 20A and the guide member 27 can be integrally molded by two-color molding.

[0036] The middle frame 20A is preferably used when the contents are not directly stored in the container body 30, but the bag containing the contents is stored in the container body 30 together with the bag. Referring to FIG. 4, the bag 50 containing the contents (not shown) is stored in the container body 30 (not shown in FIG. 4), and then the middle frame 20A is attached to the container body 30. At this time, the guide surface portion 27A of the guide member 27 of the middle frame 20A, which is tilted slightly inward, enters the bag 50 from the opening opening 51 and follows the inner peripheral edge of the opening opening 51 of the bag 50. Referring to FIG. 6, the upper end of the bag 50 is sandwiched between the guide surface portion 27A and the inner surface of the container body 30. If the bag 50 is a gusset bag having folds on both sides, the opening opening 51 of the bag 50 is pushed outward (widened) by the guide surface portion 27A. The opening opening 51 of the bag 50 placed in the container body 30 can be kept widened.

[0037] In the second embodiment, the opening / closing lid 10, the inner frame 20A including the guide member 27, and the container body 30 that constitute the container with lid are all made of resin that can withstand a heat-resistant temperature of boiling, i.e., a heat-resistant temperature of 100° C. or higher. In other words, the opening / closing lid 10, the inner frame 20A, and the container body 30 can all be disinfected with boiling water, and can be easily disinfected or sterilized without using chemicals.

[0038] In addition, since the upper surface portion 21, the outer wall surface portion 22, and the inner wall surface portion 23 of the middle frame 20A are made of elastic resin, the space between the middle frame 20A and the container body 30, and the space between the middle frame 20A and the opening / closing lid 10 can be closed without any gaps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Container with lid (container) 10 Opening and closing lid 11 Top part 12 Outer frame 13 Inner frame 20,20A Inner frame (airtight frame) 21 Top part 22 External wall section 23 Inner wall section 24A, 24B, 24C Seal protrusions 27 Guide member 27A Guide surface 30 Container body 32 Upper end of opening 50 bags 51 Opening mouth

Claims

1. The container includes a container body, an opening / closing lid that opens and closes an opening of the container body, and an airtight frame that is sandwiched between the container body and the opening / closing lid, the airtightness retaining frame is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, and when fitted into the open upper end of the container body, it comes into close contact with the top surface and both side surfaces of the open upper end, and is provided with a first groove portion that airtightly surrounds the open upper end of the container body from three sides all around, A gripping surface portion is integrally formed on each of the frame portions on both sides of the opening / closing lid, the gripping surface portion extending downward on the outside of the container body when the opening / closing lid is closed, and an engagement protrusion protruding inward is integrally formed on the inner surface of the gripping surface portion, the container body is integrally formed with outwardly protruding flanges to which the engaging projections on both sides of the opening / closing lid snap-lock when the opening / closing lid is closed, At least both ends of the airtight frame are integrally molded with an expansion portion made of hard resin, which protrudes downward and inclines inward. container.

2. a second groove portion is formed on the back surface of the opening / closing cover, the second groove portion being in close contact with the upper surface and both side surfaces of the airtight frame when the opening / closing cover is closed, and airtightly surrounding the airtight frame from three sides all around; 2. The container of claim 1.

3. The airtight frame has an inner surface and an outer surface each having a protruding portion protruding inwardly and outwardly along the entire circumference thereof.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The airtight frame has a heat resistance sufficient to withstand boiling. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said airtight frame is made of an elastomer and said expansion portion is made of polypropylene.

6. The container comprises a bag containing contents, a container body in which the contents are stored together with the bag, an opening / closing lid that opens and closes an opening of the container body through which the bag is inserted and removed, and an airtight frame that is sandwiched between the container body and the opening / closing lid, the airtight frame is made of an elastic resin having elasticity, and when fitted into the open upper end of the container body, it comes into close contact with the top surface and both side surfaces of the open upper end, and is provided with a groove portion that airtightly surrounds the open upper end of the container body from three sides all around, A gripping surface portion is integrally formed on each of the frame portions on both sides of the opening / closing lid, the gripping surface portion extending downward on the outside of the container body when the opening / closing lid is closed, and an engagement protrusion protruding inward is integrally formed on the inner surface of the gripping surface portion, When the opening and closing lid is closed, the engaging projections on both sides of the opening and closing lid are engaged with the container body. Each of the raised portions has an integral snap-lock outwardly projecting flange. At least both ends of the airtight frame are integrally molded with an expansion portion made of hard resin, which protrudes downward and inclines inward. Container set.

Images