Flat container

Abstract

To provide a flat container suppressed in deformation by distortion of a container body when a container body is pressed, and suppressed in damage of a squeezing property of the container body.SOLUTION: A flat container 100 has a container body 1. The container body has a mouth 3 and a trunk 2. The trunk has first and second face parts 21 and 22 connected via a parting line PL. A panel part 23 and a rib 24 are formed on at least one of the first and second face parts. The panel part is formed of a recessed part partitioned by the rib, and an upper edge of the panel part is curved upward in a convex shape. Out of the panel part, a part most proximity to the parting line in the circumferential direction of the container body is arranged in a range within 15 degrees with the parting line as a reference, in a cross section passing through the part and orthogonal to a center axis of the mouth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a container configured to cause the contents of the container to flow out from the mouth by pressing the container body to deform the container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The container of Patent Document 1 is a flat container. Specifically, in the cross-section of the container body orthogonal to the height direction of the container body, the portion on the longitudinal axis has the longest distance from the central axis of the mouth, and the portion on the short-axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has the shortest distance from the central axis of the mouth. Such a flat container has the property that it is easily deformed when pressed parallel to the short-axis.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the shape of the container body, when the container body is pressed and deformed, or when the internal pressure of the container decreases and the container body is deformed after the mouth is sealed with, for example, a seal, etc., an arbitrary portion of the container body may bend irregularly, and the container body may be distorted and dented. Therefore, a means of making it easier to maintain the container shape by forming a rib structure in the container is conceivable. On the other hand, when a rib structure is formed in the container, the pressing force (load) required to deform the container body becomes large. That is, the squeezability of the container body is impaired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a flat container that suppresses deformation of the container body into a distortion when the container body is pressed and suppresses impairment of the squeezability of the container body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a flat container including a container body, wherein the container body has a mouth portion and a body portion, the body portion has first and second surface portions connected via a parting line, and at least one of the first and second surface portions is formed with a panel portion and ribs, the panel portion is constituted by a concave portion partitioned by the ribs, an upper edge of the panel portion is curved convexly upward, and a portion of the panel portion that is closest to the parting line in the circumferential direction of the container body is disposed within a range of 15 degrees or less with respect to the parting line in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the mouth portion passing through the portion.

[0007] According to the flat container according to the present invention, since the panel portion is constituted by a concave portion partitioned by the ribs, when the panel portion is pressed or the internal pressure decreases, the panel portion deforms, whereas deformation of portions other than the panel portion of the container body is suppressed by the ribs. That is, according to the flat container according to the present invention, since the panel portion deforms intensively during pressing or when the internal pressure decreases, it is possible to avoid irregular bending of an arbitrary portion of the container body, and it is possible to suppress the container body from being distorted and dented. Further, according to the flat container according to the present invention, in the above-described panel portion, a portion that is closest to the parting line in the circumferential direction of the container body is disposed within a range of 15 degrees or less with respect to the parting line in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the mouth portion passing through the portion. That is, the region of the portion (panel portion) that deforms intensively when the container body is pressed is expanded in the circumferential direction of the container body, and it is possible to suppress the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion.

[0008] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. Preferably, the panel portion has a central surface portion and a pair of side surface portions. The central surface portion is formed in a flat surface shape, and the pair of side surface portions are formed in a curved surface shape and are respectively connected to both sides of the central surface portion. A flat container is provided. Preferably, the container body further has a bottom surface portion. In the height direction of the container body, the length from the bottom surface portion to the mouth portion is defined as a first length, and in the height direction of the container body, when the distance from the lowermost portion of the panel portion to the uppermost portion of the panel portion is defined as a second length, the second length is 60% or more of the first length. A flat container is provided. Preferably, a first panel portion as the panel portion is formed on the first surface portion, a second panel portion as the panel portion is formed on the second surface portion, and the ribs are formed on the first and second surface portions. The ribs have upper ribs and lower ribs. The upper ribs are formed above the lower ribs. The upper ribs and the lower ribs are provided at intervals in the height direction of the container body. The first panel portion and the second panel portion are connected to each other at the parting line. A flat container is provided. Preferably, the upper rib has a plurality of tops and a plurality of upper skirt-like portions. The tops and a pair of the upper skirt-like portions are formed on the first and second panel portions. Each top is provided at the uppermost part of the upper rib in each of the first and second panel portions. The upper skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the upper skirt-like portion of the second panel are connected to each other. Each upper skirt-like portion is formed to incline downward from the top to the connection position of the upper skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the upper skirt-like portion of the second panel. A flat container is provided. Preferably, the top is arranged at the central portion in the lateral width direction of the container body. The lateral width direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis and is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second surface portions face each other. A flat container is provided. Preferably, the lower rib has a plurality of bottom portions and a plurality of lower skirt-like portions. In the first and second panel portions, the bottom portion and a pair of the lower skirt-like portions are formed. Each bottom portion is provided at the lowermost part of the lower rib in each of the first and second panel portions. The lower skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the lower skirt-like portion of the second panel are connected to each other. Each lower skirt-like portion is formed to incline downward from the connection position of the lower skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the lower skirt-like portion of the second panel toward the bottom portion. A flat container is provided. Preferably, the bottom portion is disposed at the central portion in the lateral width direction of the container body. The lateral width direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis and orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second side faces face each other. A flat container is provided. Preferably, in the height direction of the container body, the distance between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the upper rib is at least twice the distance between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the lower rib. A flat container is provided. According to another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flat container including a container body. The container body has a mouth portion and a body portion. The body portion has a pair of longitudinal side faces facing each other, a pair of short side faces facing each other, and a plurality of corner portions. Each longitudinal side face and each short side face are connected via the corner portions. A parting line is formed on each short side face. A panel portion and a rib are formed on at least one of the pair of longitudinal side faces and the pair of short side faces. The panel portion is composed of a concave portion partitioned by the rib. The upper edge of the panel portion is curved convexly upward. Among the panel portions, the portions closest to each parting line in the circumferential direction of the container body are respectively disposed on the pair of short side faces. A flat container is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Configuration Explanation As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the flat container 100 includes a container body 1, the container body 1 is configured to be able to accommodate contents, and a cap (not shown) can be attached. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the container body 1 includes a body portion 2 having a flat shape, a mouth portion 3 having a cylindrical shape, and a bottom surface portion 4. The container body 1 is configured to be restored to its original shape when pressed and deformed. The resin constituting the container body 1 can be composed of, for example, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The container body 1 may be composed of a single resin layer or a plurality of layers.

[0011] 1-1-1. Body Portion 2 The body portion 2 is a cylindrical member, with the mouth portion 3 connected to the upper part and the bottom surface portion 4 connected to the lower part. For the sake of convenience of explanation, in a cross-section orthogonal to the height direction of the body portion 2 (the direction parallel to the central axis z of the mouth portion 3 shown in FIG. 5), the axis passing through a pair of parting lines PL in the body portion 2 is defined as the longitudinal axis x, and the axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis x is defined as the short transverse axis y (see FIGS. 3B and 4B). The central axis z passes through the intersection of the longitudinal axis x and the short transverse axis y. The center O shown in FIGS. 3B etc. corresponds to the intersection of the longitudinal axis x and the short transverse axis y. In this first embodiment and other embodiments, in the drawings, the parting line PL is shown as a dashed line. This parting line PL is also formed on the mouth portion 3 and the bottom surface portion 4, but for the sake of convenience of explanation, the parting lines of these parts are not shown.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, the body portion 2 includes first and second surface portions 21 and 22 that are connected via a parting line PL. The first and second surface portions 21 and 22 are provided so as to face each other. In the first embodiment, the shapes of the first and second surface portions 21 and 22 are the same shape. In other words, the container body 1 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the plane formed by the longitudinal axis x - central axis z. On each of the first and second surface portions 21 and 22, a panel portion 23, a rib 24, an upper wall surface portion 25, and a lower wall surface portion 26 are formed. Note that the panel portion 23 formed on the first surface portion 21 is an example of a first panel portion, and the panel portion 23 formed on the second surface portion 22 is an example of a second panel portion.

[0013] <Panel portion 23> The panel portion 23 is composed of a concave portion partitioned by the rib 24. And, as shown in FIG. 3A, a recessed step is formed at the position of the rib 24 that connects the upper wall surface portion 25 and the panel portion 23. Similarly, a recessed step is formed at the position of the rib 24 that connects the lower wall surface portion 26 and the panel portion 23.

[0014] The shape of the upper edge and the shape of the lower edge of the panel portion 23 correspond to the shape of the rib 24. Specifically, the upper edge of the panel portion 23 is formed so as to curve convexly upward. Also, the lower edge of the panel portion 23 is formed so as to curve convexly downward.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, the panel portion 23 includes a central surface portion 23A and a pair of side surface portions 23B. The central surface portion 23A is formed in a flat surface shape, and one side surface portion 23B is connected to one side edge of the central surface portion 23A, and the other side surface portion 23B is connected to the other side edge of the central surface portion 23A. In FIGS. 3B and 4B, the range of the central surface portion 23A is shown as an angle α2 in the circumferential direction of the body portion 2. By the container body 1 including the flat central surface portion 23A, when the internal pressure of the flat container 100 decreases and the shape deforms (when depressurized and deformed), the central surface portion 23A serves to effectively absorb the deformation, and the panel portion 23 deforms beautifully.

[0016] In addition, at the position of the top portion 24A1 described later, the angle α2 is 0 degrees. Also, at the position of the uppermost portion Ar1 (see FIG. 2A) of the side edge of the central surface portion 23A, the angle α2 is approximately 54 degrees, and at the position of the lowermost portion Ar2 of the side edge of the central surface portion 23A, the angle α2 is approximately 48 degrees. Note that the side edge corresponds to the portion where the central surface portion 23A and the side surface portion 23B are connected, as described above. Further, the angle α2 is maximum at the position of the portion Ar3 shown in FIG. 2A and is approximately 72 degrees. That is, in the first embodiment, the angle α2 is within the range of approximately 48 degrees to approximately 72 degrees in the height position range from the uppermost portion Ar1 to the lowermost portion Ar2. Note that the range of the angle α2 is not limited to this. Here, in the height position range from the uppermost portion Ar1 to the lowermost portion Ar2, the angle α1 is defined within the range of the lower limit value to the upper limit value. At this time, the lower limit value of the angle α2 can be, for example, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 degrees. Also, the upper limit value of the angle α2 can be, for example, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120 degrees.

[0017] Also, in the first embodiment, the area of the central surface portion 23A represents approximately 40% of the area of the panel portion 23. The area of the central surface portion 23A is not limited to this, and can be, for example, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50%, and the area of the central surface portion 23A may be defined within the range between any two of the values exemplified here.

[0018] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the shape of the connection portion (the above-mentioned corner) between the central surface portion 23A and the side surface portion 23B is not linear as shown in FIG. 1A, but is formed to be convexly curved in the direction from the central axis z side toward the parting line PL side. For this reason, the functions and effects obtained by providing the flat container 100 with the rib 24 are further enhanced effectively.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the central face portion 23A is provided in an inclined manner. That is, the central face portion 23A forms an angle β with respect to the direction parallel to the central axis z. In the first embodiment, the angle β is 2 degrees. Note that the angle β is not limited thereto, and for example, it can be 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, and the angle β may also be an angular range defined by any two of the angles exemplified herein. Further, the central face portion 23A may be formed with an inverse taper with respect to the central axis z. That is, the angle β may be a negative angle or an angular range.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2A, the side face portion 23B is formed in a curved surface shape. In other words, the side face portion 23B is formed to curve in the circumferential direction of the body portion 2. The side face portion 23B of the first face portion 21 and the side face portion 23B of the second face portion 22 are connected via a parting line PL. That is, in the first embodiment, the panel portion 23 of the first face portion 21 and the panel portion 23 of the second face portion 22 are smoothly (continuously) connected via the parting line PL.

[0021] <Rib 24> As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2A, the rib 24 is formed so as to partition the panel portion 23. That is, the rib 24 is formed so as to partition the panel portion 23, the upper wall face portion 25, and the lower wall face portion 26. By forming the rib 24 in the container body 1, when the panel portion 23 is pressed, the panel portion 23 is deformed intensively, and it is possible to avoid the irregular bending of any part of the container body 1, and it is possible to suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and recessed. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the rib 24 includes an upper rib 24A and a lower rib 24B. The panel portion 23 is formed between the upper rib 24A and the lower rib 24B. In FIG. 3B, the range of the upper rib 24A is shown as an angle α1 in the circumferential direction of the body portion 2.

[0022] The upper rib 24A is formed above the lower rib 24B and is formed to curve convexly upward. The upper rib 24A and the lower rib 24B are independent of each other and are provided at intervals in the height direction of the container body 1. As shown in Fig. 2A, each upper rib 24A of the first and second facing portions 21, 22 includes a top portion 24A1 and a pair of upper skirt-like portions 24A2.

[0023] Each top portion 24A1 is provided at the uppermost part of each upper rib 24A. Each top portion 24A1 is disposed at the central portion in the lateral width direction of the container body 1. Here, the lateral width direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis x. In other words, the lateral width direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis z and orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second facing portions 21, 22 face each other (a direction parallel to the short-axis y). Note that the definition of the lateral width direction is the same for the bottom portion 24B1 described later.

[0024] The upper skirt-like portion 24A2 is formed to incline downward from the top portion 24A1 toward the parting line PL. Here, the upper skirt-like portion 24A2 of the panel portion 23 of the first facing portion 21 and the upper skirt-like portion 24A2 of the panel portion 23 of the second facing portion 22 are connected to each other. Therefore, in other words, the upper skirt-like portion 24A2 is formed to incline downward from the top portion 24A1 to the connection position of these upper skirt-like portions 24A2.

[0025] The lower rib 24B is formed to curve convexly downward. Each lower rib 24B of the first and second facing portions 21, 22 includes a bottom portion 24B1 and a pair of lower skirt-like portions 24B2.

[0026] Each bottom portion 24B1 is provided at the lowermost part of each lower rib 24B. Each bottom portion 24B1 is disposed at the central portion in the lateral width direction of the container body 1.

[0027] The lower skirt portion 24B2 is formed to incline downward from the parting line PL to the bottom portion 24B1. Here, the lower skirt portion 24B2 of the panel portion 23 of the first face portion 21 and the lower skirt portion 24B2 of the panel portion 23 of the second face portion 22 are connected to each other. Therefore, in other words, the lower skirt portion 24B2 is formed to incline downward from the connection position of these lower skirt portions 24B2 to the bottom portion 24B1.

[0028] <The upper wall face portion 25 and the lower wall face portion 26> As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2A, the upper edge portion of the upper wall face portion 25 is connected to the mouth portion 3, and the lower edge portion of the upper wall face portion 25 is connected to the upper rib 24A. The upper wall face portion 25 is formed to taper from the upper rib 24A side to the mouth portion 3 side. The upper edge portion of the lower wall face portion 26 is connected to the lower rib 24B, and the lower edge portion of the lower wall face portion 26 is connected to the bottom face portion 4. The lower wall face portion 26 is formed to taper from the lower rib 24B side to the bottom face portion 4 side.

[0029] The height width of the upper wall face portion 25 is longer than the height width of the lower wall face portion 26. Here, the height width of the upper wall face portion 25 corresponds to the height width Da shown in FIG. 1B, and the height width of the lower wall face portion 26 corresponds to the height width Db shown in FIG. 1B. The height width Da is the length from the uppermost position of the upper wall face portion 25 (the connection position between the body portion 2 and the mouth portion 3) to the lowermost position of the upper wall face portion 25. The height width Db is the length from the uppermost position of the lower wall face portion 26 to the lowermost position of the lower wall face portion 26 (the connection position between the body portion 2 and the bottom face portion 4). And the diameter of the longitudinal axis x at the uppermost portion of the upper wall face portion 25 is smaller than the diameter of the longitudinal axis x at the lowermost portion of the lower wall face portion 26. The same applies to the short axis y. That is, the diameter of the short axis y at the uppermost portion of the upper wall face portion 25 is smaller than the diameter of the short axis y at the lowermost portion of the lower wall face portion 26. Thus, the upper wall face portion 25 has a longer height width than the lower wall face portion 26 and tapers more than the lower wall face portion 26.

[0030] <The height direction dimensions of the upper rib and the lower rib> As shown in FIG. 1A, in the height direction (central axis z direction) of the container body 1, the distance DA between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the upper rib 24A is more than twice the distance DB between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the lower rib 24B. Here, the uppermost part of the upper rib 24A corresponds to the top 24A1, and the lowermost part of the upper rib 24A corresponds to the part of the parting line PL in the upper rib 24A. Also, the uppermost part of the lower rib 24B corresponds to the part of the parting line PL in the lower rib 24B, and the lowermost part of the lower rib 24B corresponds to the bottom 24B1. In the first embodiment, as described above, the upper wall surface part 25 has a greater height width than the lower wall surface part 26 and tapers more than the lower wall surface part 26. For this reason, when the distance DA is more than twice the distance DB, the area of the panel part 23 formed on the surface of the container body 1 is enlarged with good vertical balance, making it easier to achieve both the effect of suppressing the container body 1 from being distorted and concave and the effect of suppressing the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel part 23.

[0031] <Dimensions in the height direction of the container body 1> As shown in FIG. 5, in the height direction (central axis z direction) of the container body 1, the length from the bottom surface part 4 to the mouth part 3 is defined as the first length L1, and in the height direction of the container body 1, the distance from the lowermost part to the uppermost part of the panel part 23 is defined as the second length L2. At this time, the second length L2 is 60% or more of the first length L1. In the first embodiment, the second length L2 is approximately 70% of the first length L1. By satisfying such dimensions, the area of the panel part 23 effectively spreads on the surface of the body part 2. That is, the area of the part (panel part 23) that deforms intensively when the container body 1 is pressed is enlarged in the container body, and the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel part 23 can be effectively suppressed.

[0032] 1-1-2. Mouth part 3 and bottom surface part 4 As shown in FIG. 1A, the mouth portion 3 is a cylindrical member. The mouth portion 3 is configured to be engageable with, for example, a plug-type cap or a screw-type cap. The shape of the mouth portion 3 has an engaging portion such as a groove (not shown) formed therein according to the type of the cap to be engaged. As shown in FIG. 2B, the bottom face portion 4 is disposed at the lowermost part of the container body 1, and a surface for placing the container body 1 in an upright state is formed on the bottom face portion 4.

[0033] 1-2. Operations and Effects of the First Embodiment <Regarding the Effect on Container Deformation> The container described in the embodiment is manufactured by blow molding. Here, although the wall thickness of the container can be controlled to some extent, it is difficult to manufacture a container with a completely uniform wall thickness. Thus, due to the non-uniform wall thickness of the container, when the container is deformed, the container may bend at an unintended location (for example, a parting line or a portion near the parting line). Note that in the case of a cylindrical container, the container is less likely to bend, but when the container is flattened as in the embodiment, such a bending phenomenon is more likely to occur.

[0034] (1) Here, as a situation where the container is deformed and bent, for example, there is a situation where a force is applied to the container when the container is squeezed (pressed) by a user or the like. That is, when the container is squeezed by a user or the like, an arbitrary portion of the container body may bend irregularly, and the container body may be distorted and dented. When the container body is thus dented, it becomes difficult to control the outflow amount of the content. In addition, the container body 1 becomes difficult to return to its original shape, and it becomes difficult to press the container body again, and there is a possibility of causing problems such as a loss of aesthetics and the inability to place the container body in an upright state. (2) Further, as a situation where the container deforms and bends, there is a situation associated with a decrease in the internal pressure of the container. Specifically, after high-temperature contents are sealed and the mouth is sealed with an aluminum seal or the like, when the temperature of the contents drops to, for example, room temperature, the internal pressure of the container decreases, and a force is applied to the entire container. In this way, even when an internal pressure is applied to the container, any part of the container body may bend irregularly, and the container body may be distorted and dented. In such a case, not only the aesthetics of the product are impaired, but also the self-standing property of the product is impaired, and for example, when the product is placed on a product display shelf, there is a possibility of problems such as the product falling over.

[0035] Since the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment includes the panel portion 23 formed by the concave portion partitioned by the upper rib 24A and the lower rib 24B, when the panel portion 23 is pressed, the panel portion 23 deforms intensively, while the deformation of the portions (the upper wall surface portion 25 and the lower wall surface portion 26) other than the panel portion 23 of the container body 1 is suppressed by the rib 24. That is, in the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment, since the panel portion 23 deforms intensively when the panel portion 23 is pressed, even under the situations as described in (1) and (2) above, it is possible to avoid any part of the container body 1 from bending irregularly, and it is possible to suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and dented. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the above-described problems related to (1) and (2).

[0036] In addition, in the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment, since it is provided with the central surface portion 23A forming a flat surface, when the internal pressure of the container body 1 decreases, the central surface portion 23A is preferentially recessed, and it is possible to avoid the deformation of the container body 1 occurring irregularly at arbitrary locations. In other words, in the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment, when the shape is deformed due to a decrease in internal pressure (when undergoing pressure reduction deformation), the central surface portion 23A plays a role of effectively absorbing the deformation, and the panel portion 23 is deformed beautifully. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the product's self-standing property from being impaired. As a result, in the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment, it is further possible to suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and recessed. Note that the shape of the connection portion between the central surface portion 23A and the side surface portion 23B is not linear but convexly curved in the direction from the central axis z side toward the parting line PL side, so it is possible to more effectively suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and recessed.

[0037] <Effect regarding squeezability> Even if the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment is provided with ribs 24 (upper rib 24A and lower rib 24B), it is possible to avoid the squeezability of the container body 1 from being impaired. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the panel portion 23 of the first surface portion 21 and the panel portion 23 of the second surface portion 22 are connected via the parting line PL. In other words, among the panel portion 23, the portion closest to the parting line PL in the circumferential direction of the container body 1 coincides with the position on the parting line PL of the panel portion 23. Therefore, the region of the portion (panel portion 23) that deforms intensively when the container body 1 is pressed is expanded in the circumferential direction of the container body 1, and the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment can suppress the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion 23.

[0038] 1-3. Modification example 1-3-1. Modification example 1 As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the flat container 100 according to Modification 1 does not include the central surface portion 23A (see FIG. 1A) described in the first embodiment, and each panel portion 23 is formed to have a curved surface over the entire circumferential direction. Even in such a flat container 100, the effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained except for the effects related to the central surface portion 23A. That is, the flat container 100 according to Modification 1 can suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and recessed, and can also suppress the pressing force (load) required for deforming the panel portion 23. Note that, compared with the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment, the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment has excellent effects when deforming due to a decrease in internal pressure (when undergoing pressure-reducing deformation).

[0039] 1-3-2. Modification 2 As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the flat container 100 according to Modification 2, the distance DA between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the upper rib 24A is shorter than the distance DB between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the lower rib 24B. In this Modification 2, the second length L2 is about 60% of the first length L1, which is smaller than the ratio in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the central surface portion 23A is recessed inward. In such a flat container 100, the region occupied by the panel portion 23 in the height direction becomes narrower, so that the pressure-reducing deformation surface partitioned by the ribs 24 becomes narrower, and the pressing force (load) required for deforming the panel portion 23 becomes slightly higher. Also in Modification 2, since the panel portion 23 is expanded in the circumferential direction of the body portion 2, the effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Note that, compared with the flat container 100 according to this Modification 2, the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment has excellent effects regarding squeezability.

[0040] 2. Second Embodiment 2-1. Configuration Description The second embodiment mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts is omitted. The rib 24 of the flat container 100 according to the first embodiment includes ribs that form an independent pair of an upper rib 24A and a lower rib 24B, but the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment does not include the upper rib 24A and the lower rib 24B. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rib 24 of the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment is formed on the first and second surface portions 21 and 22 so as to form a closed band shape. Also, in the first embodiment, the panel portion 23 of the first surface portion 21 and the panel portion 23 of the second surface portion 22 are connected via a parting line PL, but in the second embodiment, the panel portion 23 of the first surface portion 21 and the panel portion 23 of the second surface portion 22 are independent of each other. Correspondingly, the rib 24 of the first surface portion 21 and the rib 24 of the second surface portion 22 are also formed independently of each other. Further, the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment does not include an upper wall surface portion 25 and a lower wall surface portion 26 that are independent of each other, and includes one wall surface portion 27.

[0041] Also in the second embodiment, the panel portion 23 extends so as to expand in the circumferential direction. In explaining the configuration in which the panel portion 23 expands in the circumferential direction, the (1) portion pt, the cross section passing through the (2) portion pt, and the broken line R that defines the position of the rib 24 will be described.

[0042] (1) As shown in FIG. 9B, the portion pt is the portion of the panel portion 23 that is closest to the parting line PL in the circumferential direction of the container body 1. Note that the portion of the rib 24 above the portion pt can be regarded as an upper rib, and the portion of the rib 24 below the portion pt can be regarded as a lower rib. That is, in the second embodiment, it can be considered that the upper rib and the lower rib are not independent and are connected to each other. (2) The cross section passing through the portion pt and perpendicular to the central axis z corresponds to the cross section of the broken line A-A shown in FIG. 9A. That is, this cross section corresponds to the cross section shown in FIG. 10. (3) The dashed line R shown in Fig. 10 is a straight line passing through the portion of the rib 24 that is farthest from the parting line PL and the center O. That is, the rib 24 is formed within the angular range between the dashed line R and the parting line PL.

[0043] In the second embodiment, the portion pt is arranged within a range of 15 degrees or less with respect to the parting line PL in a cross-section passing through the portion pt and perpendicular to the central axis z. In other words, in the second embodiment, the angle θ formed by the dashed line R and the longitudinal axis x is 15 degrees or less. In the exemplary form shown in Fig. 10, the angle θ formed by the dashed line R and the longitudinal axis x is 13 degrees. Note that although the illustration of the first embodiment and its modified examples is omitted, the angle θ referred to here is 0 degrees, and the first embodiment and its modified examples also satisfy the above-described angular relationship (within 15 degrees with respect to the parting line PL).

[0044] 2-2. Operations and Effects of the Second Embodiment The flat container 100 according to the second embodiment also has the same operations and effects as the first embodiment. The flat container 100 according to the second embodiment includes the panel portion 23 formed by the concave portion partitioned by the rib 24. Therefore, when the panel portion 23 is pressed, the panel portion 23 deforms, while the deformation of the portion (wall surface portion 27) of the container body 1 other than the panel portion 23 is suppressed by the rib 24. That is, in the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment, when the panel portion 23 is pressed, the panel portion 23 deforms intensively, so that it is possible to avoid irregular bending of any part of the container body 1 and suppress the container body 1 from being distorted and recessed. Also, even if the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment is provided with the rib 24, it is possible to avoid impairing the squeezability of the container body 1. Specifically, the partial pt is arranged within a range of 15 degrees or less with respect to the parting line PL in a cross section passing through the partial pt and perpendicular to the central axis z. For this reason, the region of the portion (panel portion 23) that deforms intensively when the container body 1 is pressed is expanded in the circumferential direction of the container body 1, and the flat container 100 according to the second embodiment can suppress the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion 23.

[0045] 3. Other Embodiments 3-1. Form 1 In the second embodiment, the shape of the rib 24 is defined in relation to the angle of the partial pt, but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the body portion 2 of the container body 1 has a pair of longitudinal surface portions Sr1 facing each other, a pair of transverse surface portions Sr2 facing each other, and a plurality of corner portions Ct, the rib 24 is formed on the transverse surface portion Sr2 instead of the longitudinal surface portion Sr1, and the shape of the rib 24 can also be defined.

[0046] Here, the radius of curvature of the longitudinal surface portion Sr1 is larger than the radius of curvature of the transverse surface portion Sr2. Also, the radius of curvature in the circumferential direction of the body portion 2 is the smallest at the corner portion Ct except for the portion where the rib 24 is formed. A part of the panel portion 23 and a part of the rib 24 are formed on the longitudinal surface portion Sr1. And the longitudinal surface portion Sr1 and the transverse surface portion Sr2 are connected via the corner portion Ct. On the transverse surface portion Sr2, the parting line PL, the other part of the panel portion 23 (the remaining part of the panel portion 23), and the other part of the rib 24 (the remaining part of the rib 24) are formed. And, among the panel portion 23, the partial pt closest to the parting line PL in the circumferential direction of the container body 1 is arranged on the transverse surface portion Sr2. Even in such a form, the operations and effects according to the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0047] 3-2. Form 2 In the first and second embodiments and the modified examples, the form in which the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 are formed on both the first and second facing portions 21 and 22 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Even in a form in which the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 are formed on at least one of the first and second facing portions 21 and 22, the operations and effects similar to those of the first and second embodiments and the modified examples can be obtained.

[0048] 3-3. Form 3 In the first and second embodiments and the modified examples, the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 of the first facing portion 21 and the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 of the second facing portion 22 have the same shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Even if the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 of the first facing portion 21 and the panel portions 23 and the ribs 24 of the second facing portion 22 do not have the same shape, the operations and effects similar to those of the first and second embodiments and the modified examples can be obtained.

[0049] 4. Comparative Example Hereinafter, containers that cannot obtain the operations and effects such as those of the first embodiment and its modified examples 1 and 2 and the second embodiment will be described.

[0050] 4-1. Comparative Example 1 The flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 1 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B has a configuration similar to that of the flat container 100 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10. In the flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the portion pt is arranged at a position of about 30 degrees with respect to the parting line PL in a cross section passing through the portion pt and perpendicular to the central axis z. That is, in Comparative Example 1, the amount of circumferential expansion of the panel portion 23 is smaller than that in the second embodiment. In such a container, the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion 23 becomes correspondingly high, and the container body 1 is likely to bend during squeezing.

[0051] 4-2. Comparative Example 2 The flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 2 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B has an area of the panel portion 23 that is narrower in both the height direction and the circumferential direction than in Comparative Example 1. Also in Comparative Example 2, as in Comparative Example 1, the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion 23 becomes correspondingly high, and the container body 1 is likely to bend during squeezing.

[0052] 4-2. Comparative Example 3 The flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 3 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is provided with ribs 24 corresponding to the upper ribs. Note that the flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 3 does not have lower ribs. The flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 3 can suppress the pressing force (load) required to deform the panel portion 23, but when the flat container 100 is undergoing pressure-reducing deformation, dents are formed, and the entire panel portion 23 is not beautifully pressed and deformed. That is, in the flat container 100 according to Comparative Example 3, the container body 1 is distorted and dented.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 100: Flat container 1: Container body 2: Barrel portion 3: Mouth portion 4: Bottom face portion 21: First face portion 22: Second face portion 23: Panel portion 23A: Central face portion 23B: Side face portion 24: Rib 24A: Upper rib 24A1: Top portion 24A2: Upper skirt-like portion 24B: Lower rib 24B1: Bottom portion 24B2: Lower skirt-like portion 25: Upper wall face portion 26: Lower wall face portion 27: Wall face portion pt: Portion O: Center PL: Parting line Sr1: Longitudinal face portion Sr2: Short-side face Ct: Corner x: Longitudinal axis y: Short-side axis z: Central axis

Claims

A flat container comprising a container body, The container body has a mouth portion and a body portion, The body portion has first and second surface portions connected via a parting line, At least one of the first and second surface portions has a panel portion and ribs formed thereon, The panel portion is composed of concave portions partitioned by the ribs, The upper edge of the panel portion is curved convexly upward, Among the panel portions, the portion closest to the parting line in the circumferential direction of the container body is arranged within a range of 15 degrees or less with respect to the parting line in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the mouth portion passing through the portion, The ribs have upper ribs and lower ribs, The upper ribs are formed above the lower ribs and have a top portion and an upper skirt portion, The top portion is provided at the uppermost part of the upper ribs in the panel portion, The upper skirt portion is formed to incline downward from the top portion toward the parting line, The lower ribs have a bottom portion and a lower skirt portion, The bottom portion is provided at the lowermost part of the lower ribs in the panel portion, The lower skirt portion is formed to incline downward from the parting line toward the bottom portion, The panel portion has a central surface portion and a pair of side surface portions, The central surface portion is formed in a flat surface shape, The pair of side surface portions are formed in a curved surface shape and are respectively connected to both sides of the central surface portion, A flat container in which the shape of the connection portion between the central surface portion and the side surface portion is curved convexly in the direction toward the parting line side. Claim 2 The flat container according to claim 1, The container body further has a bottom surface portion, In the height direction of the container body, the length from the bottom surface portion to the mouth portion is defined as the first length, In the height direction of the container body, when the distance from the lowermost part of the panel portion to the uppermost part of the panel portion is defined as the second length, A flat container in which the second length is 60% or more of the first length.

3. The flat container according to claim 1 or claim 2, On the first surface portion, a first panel portion as the panel portion is formed, On the second surface portion, a second panel portion as the panel portion is formed, On the first and second surface portions, the ribs are formed, The rib has an upper rib and a lower rib, The upper rib is formed above the lower rib, The upper rib and the lower rib are provided at intervals in the height direction of the container body, A flat container in which the first panel portion and the second panel portion are connected to each other at the parting line.

4. The flat container according to claim 3, The upper rib has a plurality of tops and a plurality of upper skirt-like portions, On the first and second panel portions, the top and a pair of the upper skirt-like portions are formed, Each of the tops is provided at the uppermost part of the upper rib in each of the first and second panel portions, The upper skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the upper skirt-like portion of the second panel are connected to each other, A flat container in which each of the upper skirt-like portions is formed to incline downward from the top to the connection position between the upper skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the upper skirt-like portion of the second panel.

5. The flat container according to claim 4, The top is disposed at the central portion in the lateral width direction of the container body, The flat container, wherein the lateral direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis and orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second facing portions face each other. **Claim 6** The flat container according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the lower rib has a plurality of bottom portions and a plurality of lower skirt-like portions, wherein the first and second panel portions are formed with the bottom portion and a pair of the lower skirt-like portions, each of the bottom portions is provided at the lowermost part of the lower rib in each of the first and second panel portions, the lower skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the lower skirt-like portion of the second panel are connected to each other, each of the lower skirt-like portions is formed to incline downward from the connection position of the lower skirt-like portion of the first panel portion and the lower skirt-like portion of the second panel portion to the bottom portion. The flat container. **Claim 7** The flat container according to Claim 6, wherein the bottom portion is disposed at the central portion in the lateral direction of the container body, The flat container, wherein the lateral direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis and orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second facing portions face each other. **Claim 8** The flat container according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein, in the height direction of the container body, the distance between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the upper rib is not less than twice the distance between the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the lower rib. The flat container.

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