Item storage container

Abstract

To provide a novel article storage container with good handleability.SOLUTION: An article storage container 1 comprises a body part 10 having a spherical shape. The body part 10 comprises a first outer shell part 11, and a second outer shell part 12 which can be connected to the first outer shell part 11. The first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12 are formed in the same shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article storage container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an article storage container for storing articles (products) and using them for transportation, display, sales, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a capsule (article storage container) including a first storage portion, a second storage portion, a first hinge portion, a hinge-type fastener, and a first locking portion capable of locking the fastener. In this capsule, the hinge-type fastener includes a protrusion protruding outward along the outer surface of either the first storage portion or the second storage portion in a state where the fastener is locked to the first locking portion. Either the other of the first storage portion and the second storage portion has a structure including a second locking portion that accommodates the protrusion and elastically restricts displacement of the fastener in a direction away from the first locking portion in a state where the fastener is locked to the first locking portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The article storage container (capsule) described in Patent Document 1 requires a hinge structure for opening and closing and a fastener for closing two storage portions, and thus has a complicated structure. Furthermore, the two storage portions cannot be separated. Moreover, although not particularly described in Patent Document 1, considering the elastic function, hinge structure, etc., it is assumed to be made of synthetic resin. Therefore, in waste treatment, there are problems in handling, such as the need to distinguish it from general waste in some cases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel article storage container with good handleability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An article storage container according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main body portion having a spherical shape, and the main body portion includes a first outer shell portion and a second outer shell portion that can be connected to the first outer shell portion, and the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured as the same mold.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a novel article storage container with good handleability can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an article storage container.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the article storage container 1 is constituted by a hollow main body part 10 having a spherical shape. The main body part 10 has, for example, a hemispherical first outer shell part 11 and a second outer shell part 12 that can be connected to the first outer shell part 11 and maintain a connected state. Further, the first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12 are configured as separate bodies that can be separated from their combined line BL (see FIG. 2). In this way, since the spherical shape of the main body part 10 is maintained, articles can be stored inside to protect the articles. Further, the main body part 10 has a shape that can roll in a state where articles are stored, and thus is suitable for supplying articles from an article supply device. The article supply device includes a storage part that can store a plurality of article storage containers 1 containing articles in a random arrangement, a supply part that can randomly select and supply the article storage containers 1 one by one from the storage part, a lock part that locks the supply part, an operation part that can be operated to unlock the lock part of the lock part and rotate the supply part on the condition of paying a price, and a passage part that allows the article storage container 1 to roll through from the storage part to the supply port.

[0011] The main body part 10 is configured to contain paper powder or the like, and for example, its color is white or a color in the white system. Further, the content rate of the paper component contained in the main body part 10 is 51% or more in each of the first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the article storage container 1 shown in FIG. 1. The first outer shell portion 11 has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a first connecting portion 110 having a plurality of concavo-convex structures described later is formed at the opening end portion 101 that constitutes the combination line BL. Also, the second outer shell portion 12 also has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a second connecting portion 120 having a plurality of concavo-convex structures described later is formed at its opening end portion 101.

[0013] The first connecting portion 110 of the first outer shell portion 11 is provided with a first convex portion 130 having a rectangular hole 131, two second convex portions 150 having hook-shaped tip locking portions 151, and two flat guide portions 107 as convex structures with different shapes. Also, as concave structures of the first connecting portion 110, a first concave portion 140 having a protrusion 141 with a shape corresponding to the hole 131, two second concave portions 160 having locking ends 161 with a shape corresponding to the tip locking portion 151, and two inner surface recessed portions 108 with a shape corresponding to the guide portion 107 are provided.

[0014] Also in the second connecting portion 120 of the second outer shell portion 12, a first convex portion 130, two second convex portions 150, and two guide portions 107 are provided as convex structures, and a first concave portion 140, two second concave portions 160, and two inner surface recessed portions 108 are provided as concave structures. That is, the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120 have exactly the same configuration. Further, both the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 are provided with four long holes 10h radially (see FIGS. 1 and 3) from the top T near the top T of the outer shell, and they are configured as the same mold having the same spherical swelling shape (hemispherical shape).

[0015] Here, the so-called "same mold" not only means that the shape and structure are the same, but also means a configuration that allows connection. Also, the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 have exactly the same configuration, but are given different reference numerals for the sake of distinction for convenience.

[0016] Figure 3 is a plan view of the opening end portion 101 as viewed from its opening side. In the opening end portion 101, as shown in FIG. 3, the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140 are located on the first diagonal line DL1 of the opening end portion 101. On the second diagonal line DL2, the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 are located. On the third diagonal line DL3, the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 are located. On the fourth diagonal line DL4, another second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 are located. On the fifth diagonal line DL5, another guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 are located. That is, a concave-convex structure that can be fitted to each other is provided at the farthest position of the opening end portion 101. With such a configuration, the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 are configured as the same type that can be connected. Therefore, the first outer shell portion 11 can be connected to, for example, the first outer shell portion 11 of another article storage container 1, and the second outer shell portion 12 can also be connected to the second outer shell portion 12 of another article storage container 1.

[0017] Here, two pairs of the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 are provided on the third diagonal line DL3 and the fourth diagonal line DL4, and since both diagonal lines are adjacent at a small angle, the first pair E1 (lower side in the figure) and the second pair (upper side in the figure) adjacent in the circumferential direction of the opening end portion 101 are formed. In this way, since the portions that fit together are provided close to each other, the operability when separating when assembling the main body portion 10 is considered. Also, the arrangement of both pairs E1, E2 is arranged at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the arrangement of the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140 (the first diagonal line DL1). That is, the connecting portions due to the concave-convex structure are substantially evenly dispersed in the circumferential direction of the opening end portion 101, and are in a position suitable for maintaining the connected state.

[0018] Figure 4 is an explanatory view showing how to assemble the article storage container 1. (a) is a perspective view showing an assemblable alignment, and (b) is a perspective view showing a non-assemblable alignment. When combining the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12, as shown in FIG. 4(a), for example, the first convex portion 130 of the first outer shell portion 11 and the first concave portion 140 of the second outer shell portion 12 are made to face each other. By aligning the two open end portions 101 in such an orientation, the open end portions 101 of each other are connected so as to be joined together. At this time, as will be described later, the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140 are fitted as shown in FIG. 5, the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 are fitted as shown in FIG. 6, and further, the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 are fitted as shown in FIG. 7. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), in an orientation different from that shown in (a), the concavo-convex structure is different and fitting cannot be achieved and connection cannot be made.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion along the line XI-XI in a state where the main body portion 10 is assembled in FIG. 4. Regarding the connection structure between the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140, as shown in FIG. 5, the hole 131 is connected so as to fit onto the protrusion 141 that protrudes toward the outer surface 10us side of the main body portion 10. In the first convex portion 130, during the combination operation, if the protruding tip surface 132 is, for example, an inclined surface or a curved surface shape in its thickness direction, the first convex portion 130 is likely to deform to the outside of the main body portion 10 when it comes into contact with the protrusion 141. On the other hand, in the first concave portion 140, the protrusion 141 is provided with an inclined surface 142 that faces in the direction (lower side in the figure) of retreating from the open end portion 101 toward the protruding tip side from the open end portion 101 side. With such a configuration, when combining the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12, the protruding tip surface 132 is pushed along the inclined surface 142 while contacting the inclined surface 142, whereby the first convex portion 130 is deformed to the outside of the main body portion 10 so that the hole 131 fits into the protrusion 141.

[0020] Also, the locking surface 133 of the hole 131 and the locking surface 143 of the protrusion 141 are configured to be substantially parallel. Thereby, in the state where the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 are combined (the state shown in FIG. 5), the connection between the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140 is maintained by the engagement between the locking surface 143 and the locking surface 133. Note that the release of the engagement between the protrusion 141 and the hole 131 is not performed by an operation that directly deforms the first convex portion 130. Instead, as will be described later, for example, it is performed by deforming a portion away from the first convex portion 130.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion along line XII-XII in a state where the main body portion 10 is assembled in FIG. 4. Regarding the connection structure between the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160, as shown in FIG. 6, the second concave portion 160 has a flat bottom surface 164 that is recessed from the outer surface 10us toward the inner surface 10is, and is provided on the opening end portion 101 so as to face the bottom surface 164 at a predetermined interval. The second concave portion 160 opens in a direction orthogonal to the opening end portion 101, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening structure when viewed from the opening side of the opening end portion 101 (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the second convex portion 150 protrudes from the opening end portion 101 in the opening direction, and its tip locking portion 151 has a hook shape that bends toward the outer surface 10us side (left side in the figure), and this tip locking portion 151 is configured to be caught by the locking end 161 of the second concave portion 160. The tip locking portion 151 of the second convex portion 150 has an inclined surface or a curved surface (an inclined surface in the figure) on the tip surface 152 (the upper surface in the figure) in the opening direction of the opening end portion 101.

[0022] Since the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 are configured as described above, when the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 are combined, for example, the tip surface 152 deforms so as to bend toward the bottom surface 164 side while contacting the locking end 161, and finally the tip locking portion 151 engages so as to be caught on the back side (upper side in the figure) of the locking end 161 (the state shown in FIG. 6). The distance W between the locking end 161 and the bottom surface 164 is set to a dimension that allows movement when the tip locking portion 151 disengages from the locking end 161. Note that the release of the engagement between the tip locking portion 151 and the locking end 161 can be performed in conjunction with the release operation of the engagement between the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140, as will be described later.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion along line XIII-XIII in a state where the main body portion 10 is assembled in FIG. 4. The combination of the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 is provided at a position that sandwiches the connecting portion of the first convex portion 130 and the first concave portion 140 on the combination line BL (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Further, the inner surface recessed portion 108 is formed as a substantially rectangular flat recess having one end side (upper side in the figure) opened to the opening end portion 101 on the inner surface 10is side. And the guide portion 107 is configured such that its guide side surface 107a is in surface contact with the recessed surface 108a of the inner surface recessed portion 108.

[0024] This guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 are the only concave-convex fitting structure provided on the inner surface 10is side of the main body portion 10 at the opening end portion 101. And the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 have a guiding function when combining the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12. Further, when separating the two outer shell portions 11 and 12, although the details will be described later, the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 also have a guiding function during the separation operation.

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of the separation operation of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 will be described. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view for showing an example of the operation when separating the main body portion 10. FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining the separation operation of the main body portion 10 when the operation shown in FIG. 8 is performed.

[0026] When releasing (removing) the combination of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12, for example, the hole 131 of the first convex portion 130 is deformed so as to move from the protrusion 141 to the outside of the main body portion 10. However, the operation at this time is not an operation of directly deforming by pinching the first convex portion 130 or the like. This operation is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, pressing a portion where the first convex portion 130 and the peripheral region A of the first convex portion 130 provided with the guide portion 107 are removed near the combination line BL. This is because in the second outer shell portion 12, the peripheral region A of the first convex portion 130 is difficult to deform (has a resistance to pressing from the outside) because the inner surface 10is (inner surface recessed portion 108) is held by a pair of guide portions 107 on the first outer shell portion 11 side along the combination line BL. Therefore, the outer region B (region without the guide portion 107) of the guide portion 107 separated from the peripheral region A is pushed (the pressing point P1 shown in the figure is pressed).

[0027] This pressing point P1 is also on the back side opposite to the illustration. That is, for example, since it is operated to be grasped by the thumb, index finger, middle finger, etc., the pressing point P1 is near both sides of the pair of guide portions 107. In this way, by pressing the pressing point P1, the portion of the pressing point P1 is deformed so as to be recessed inward of the main body portion 10. Due to this deformation, the second outer shell portion 12 is also pushed inward at the portion in contact with the guide portion 107. However, the portion in contact with the guide portion 107 is not deformed as much as the pressing point P1 because it is supported by the guide portion 107. The side opposite to the pressing point P1 across the guide portion 107 becomes a portion that generates a force to move in the direction away from the first outer shell portion 11 (arrow C direction).

[0028] The outward movement of the first convex portion 130 will be described in more detail. As described above, when the main body 10 is deformed inward by pressing the pressing point P1, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, at the surface where the inner surface 10is (the concave surface 108a) of the second outer shell portion 12 is in contact with the guide portion 107 (the guide side surface 107a), a strong contact point P2 is generated where the portion of the guide portion 107 closer to the pressing point P1 is strongly pressed. It is presumed that this strong contact point P2 plays a major role in changing the inward deformation due to pressing into an outward deformation. That is, with this strong contact point P2 as a fulcrum, the first convex portion 130 moves in such a way that the tip portion 130t bends in a direction away from the first outer shell portion 11 (in the direction of arrow C) along with the deformation of its surroundings.

[0029] Also, by pressing the pressing points P1 at two locations, the front and back, with a finger, a force acts to deform the main body 10 in a direction in which it bulges outward in a direction that is 90 degrees different from the radial direction connecting the pressing points P1 on the combined line BL. At this time, on the left side in the illustration of the pressing point P1, since the connecting portion by the fitting of the second convex portion 150 and the second concave portion 160 is located, it is difficult for the deformation force due to pressing to be transmitted to the left side in the figure. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection on one side (the right side in the illustration) operates so as to be released first.

[0030] Also, in the deformation when the pressing point P1 is pressed, the guide portion 107, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, first, in a state where the first convex portion 130 is about to come off the protrusion 141, as shown in the figure, on the side of the second convex portion 150, the fitting state is maintained, so that, as described above, a state where the opening ends 101 face each other obliquely occurs. In this state, the guide side surface 107a of the guide portion 107 is pressed against the concave surface 108a on the pressed side, and a state where the tip side is elastically deformed inside the outer shell occurs. As a result, the guide side surface 107a is inclined inward with respect to the concave surface 108a, and a contact state is generated, guiding the opening ends 101 of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 to slide in a direction away from each other (in the direction of arrow D). Thereby, the separation of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 is promoted.

[0031] In this way, as the separation distance between the opening end portions 101 of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 increases, the engagement between the tip locking portion 151 of the second convex portion 150 and the locking end 161 of the second concave portion 160 is released. That is, when the engagement between the guide portion 107 and the inner surface recessed portion 108 is disengaged, as a result of the inward deformation due to the pressing of the second outer shell portion 12 increasing, the tip locking portion 151 moves to the bottom surface 164 side where it can be detached from the locking end 161 (see Fig. 6), and the engagement is released.

[0032] As described above, the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 are firmly locked in their combined state by the respective concave-convex structures. However, as described above, by deforming the outer surface 10us of the main body portion 10, they are configured to be separable from each other.

[0033] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a main body portion showing a modification of this embodiment. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the assembled state of the main body portion of the modification shown in Fig. 10. (a) is a side view of a state where outer shell portions of different sizes are connected, and (b) is a side view showing a state where flat outer shell portions are connected among the outer shell portions shown in Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, the first outer shell portion 11 has the same structure and the same shape as that shown in Fig. 2 above. However, in the second outer shell portion 12, the structure of the opening end portion 101 is the same as that of the first outer shell portion 11, and the opening end portions 101 can be combined with each other. The hemispherical shape of the second outer shell portion 12 is configured as a flat hemisphere. Therefore, when the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 shown in Fig. 10 are connected, as shown in Fig. 11(a), a main body portion 10 having a spherical shape with one side being flat and having a smaller bulge can be obtained in a side view. Also, when the second outer shell portions 12 shown in Fig. 10 are connected, as shown in Fig. 11(b), an elliptical main body portion 10 can be obtained in a side view.

[0034] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an example when a light-transmissive material is used for the main body portion. As for the article storage container 1 shown in FIG. 12, the first outer shell part 11 is configured, for example, to contain 51% or more of a paper component having a white-based color, similar to the one described above. On the other hand, the second outer shell part 12 has a light-transmitting transparent or translucent color, and the article G stored inside can be visually observed from the outside. Therefore, no long hole 10h is formed in the second outer shell part 12.

[0035] In this aspect, since the first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12 that constitute the main body part 10 are configured as the same mold with the same structure and the same shape for the first connecting part 110 and the second connecting part 120, the first and second outer shell parts 11 and 12 can be manufactured without separation. Further, when forming the main body part 10, the two outer shell parts 11 and 12 can be assembled without distinction, and the handleability is extremely good. That is, conventionally, since one outer shell part and the other outer shell part, which are combinable outer shell parts, were configured as different molds, it was necessary to consciously select and assemble the outer shell parts. However, in this aspect, any combination of outer shell parts can be assembled, making it possible for infants and children to assemble easily. Further, since the main body part 10 is configured in a spherical shape, it is easy to roll and can be supplied from the article supply device.

[0036] In this aspect, since the first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12 can be assembled separably from each other, when separating and reassembling, in the case of separating a plurality of main body parts 10 simultaneously, if two outer shell parts are selected, assembly can be performed, so the handleability is good. Further, since the first outer shell part 11 and the second outer shell part 12 are not connected, and no hinge part or fastener is provided, complication of the cavity of the molding die is avoided and the moldability is good.

[0037] In addition, in this aspect, since both the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120 adopt two different connecting structures each having a second convex portion 150 different from the first convex portion 130 and a second concave portion 160 different from the first concave portion 140, it is possible to specify the connecting direction and enhance the connecting force. Also, since it has a plurality of types of concave-convex fitting structures, the connection can be made more secure and reliable.

[0038] In this aspect, since a plurality of pairs (first pair E1, second pair E2) of the adjacent second concave portion 160 and second convex portion 150 are provided in the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120, it is possible to create a region where the concave-convex fitting structural portions are close to each other, making it easier to perform the fitting operation and separation operation of the combination.

[0039] In addition, in this aspect, since a plurality of connecting structures are concentratedly formed in the first pair E1 and the second pair E2 more than in other portions, the connecting force can be strengthened. As a result, for example, in a separation operation such as pressing the main body portion 10 to separate, it is possible to create a difference in the ease of deformation and separation on the combination line BL, shifting the separation order by the connecting portion and enabling an effective separation operation.

[0040] In this aspect, since a guide portion 107 protruding toward the inner surface 10is side is provided at the opening end portion 101, positioning when connecting the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 can be easily performed.

[0041] Further, since the guide portion 107 is provided so as to be in contact with the inner surface 10is (inner surface recessed portion 108) at a position that sandwiches the first convex portion 130 in the left - right direction with respect to the first convex portion 130 located on the outer - surface 10us side in the combination line BL, when a portion on the side opposite to the first convex portion 130 is pressed along the vicinity of the combination line BL with the guide portion 107 sandwiched (pressing the pressing point P1), a force is generated to move the first convex portion 130 in a direction to remove it from the first concave portion 140 with the guide portion 107 as a fulcrum (strong contact point P2), and the two outer shell portions 11, 12 can be guided to open in the separating direction. As a result, when separating the main body portion 10, it is not necessary to directly remove the concavo - convex connecting portion with a fingertip, and the main body portion 10 can be easily separated only by pressing the outer surface of the main body portion 10.

[0042] In this aspect, in the separation operation of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12, since it is only necessary to press the outer surface 10us of the outer shell portion, there is no need to provide a special release member for separation, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0043] In this aspect, since a plurality of long holes 10h are formed radially from the top T of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12, even if the long holes 10h have small openings, it is possible to effectively visually recognize substantially the entire article being accommodated.

[0044] In this aspect, since the main body portion 10 is composed of containing 51% or more of paper powder, it can be classified as paper and is easy to handle such as being easy to discard. Further, since the outer shell portion has a paper component and forms a white - based color, it is easy to be dyed with other colors and a colorful capsule container can be enjoyed.

[0045] In this aspect, when either one of the first outer shell portion 11 and the second outer shell portion 12 is configured as a paper - based outer shell member containing paper powder and the other is configured with a light - transmissive material that allows the inside to be visible, an article - containing container 1 having a colored portion and a light - transmissive portion can be enjoyed. Also, it is not necessary to form the long holes 10h with a peek - hole function on the paper - based outer shell member side.

[0046] As described above, one aspect of the present invention has been explained. However, the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical idea. For example, in this aspect, the fitting structure of the first convex portion 130, the first concave portion 140, the second convex portion 150, and the second concave portion 160 is not limited to that shown in the figure and can be appropriately modified.

[0047] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0048] (1) An article storage container, comprising a main body portion having a spherical shape, the main body portion includes a first outer shell portion and a second outer shell portion that can be connected to the first outer shell portion, the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured as the same type, Article storage container.

[0049] (2) The article storage container according to (1), the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be separable from each other, Article storage container.

[0050] (3) The article storage container according to (1) or (2), the first outer shell portion has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a first connecting portion is formed at its open end, the second outer shell portion has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a second connecting portion is formed at its open end, Article storage container.

[0051] (4) The article storage container according to (3), the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have the same structure and the same shape, Article storage container.

[0052] (5) The article storage container according to (3) or (4), wherein the first outer shell portion is configured to be connectable to the first outer shell portion of another such article storage container; the second outer shell portion is configured to be connectable to the second outer shell portion of another such article storage container. Article storage container.

[0053] (6) The article storage container according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be connectable to each other in a state where their opening end portions face each other only in a predetermined orientation. Article storage container.

[0054] (7) The article storage container according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein the first connecting portion includes a first convex portion and a first concave portion; the second connecting portion includes a first concave portion that fits into the first convex portion of the first connecting portion and a first convex portion that fits into the first concave portion of the first connecting portion; in each of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the first convex portion is provided at a position farthest from the first concave portion. Article storage container.

[0055] (8) The article storage container according to (7), wherein a hole is formed in the first convex portion and a protrusion is formed in the first concave portion; the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be connectable to each other by fitting the protrusion into the hole. Article storage container.

[0056] (9) The article storage container according to (7) or (8), wherein the first connecting portion includes a second convex portion and a second concave portion; The second connecting portion includes a second concave portion that fits into the second convex portion of the first connecting portion, and a second convex portion that fits into the second concave portion of the first connecting portion. The first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be connectable to each other by fitting the second convex portion of one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion into the second concave portion of the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. Article storage container.

[0057] (10) The article storage container according to (9), The first convex portion and the second convex portion are configured as convex portions having different shapes. The first concave portion and the second concave portion are configured as concave portions having different shapes. Article storage container.

[0058] (11) The article storage container according to (9) or (10), The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion each include a first pair of the second concave portion and the second convex portion provided adjacent to each other, and a second pair of the second concave portion and the second convex portion provided adjacent to each other. Article storage container.

[0059] (12) The article storage container according to (11), The first pair is provided at a position farthest from the second pair. Article storage container.

[0060] (13) The article storage container according to (11) or (12), The second concave portion of the first pair and the second convex portion of the second pair, and the second convex portion of the first pair and the second concave portion of the second pair are each provided at diagonal positions. Article storage container.

[0061] (14) The article storage container according to any one of (3) to (13), Guide portions for guiding connection to each other are formed at the opening end portions in the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion. Article storage container.

[0062] (15) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (14), The first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be separable from each other on the condition of deformation of at least one of them. Article storage container.

[0063] (16) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (15), A plurality of long holes are formed in the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion so that the articles stored therein can be visually recognized. Article storage container.

[0064] (17) An article storage container according to (16), The long holes are formed radially from the top portions of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion. Article storage container.

[0065] (18) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (17), The main body portion has a shape that can roll to enable supply from an article supply device when an article is stored inside. Article storage container.

[0066] (19) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (18), The main body portion is composed of containing 51% or more of paper powder. Article storage container.

[0067] (20) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (19), The first outer shell part and the second outer shell part are of a white color system. Article storage container.

[0068] (21) An article storage container according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein the first outer shell part is of a white color system, and the second outer shell part is of a transparent or translucent color with light transmissibility. Article storage container.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0069] 1 Article storage container 10 Main body part 10h Long hole 11 First outer shell part 12 Second outer shell part 101 Opening end 107 Guide part 110 First connecting part 120 Second connecting part 130 First convex part 131 Hole 140 First concave part 141 Protrusion 150 Second convex part 160 Second concave part

Claims

1. An article storage container, comprising: a main body portion having a spherical shape; the main body portion includes a first outer shell portion and a second outer shell portion connectable to the first outer shell portion; the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured as the same type; the first outer shell portion has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a first connecting portion including a first convex portion, a first concave portion, a second convex portion, and a second concave portion is formed at its open end; the second outer shell portion has a hemispherical shape with a hollow interior, and a second connecting portion including a first concave portion fitting into the first convex portion, a first convex portion fitting into the first concave portion, a second concave portion fitting into the second convex portion of the first connecting portion, and a second convex portion fitting into the second concave portion of the first connecting portion is formed at its open end; in each of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the first convex portion is provided at a position farthest from the first concave portion; the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be connectable to each other by fitting the second convex portion of one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion into the second concave portion of the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; An article storage container.

2. The article storage container according to claim 1, wherein: a hole is formed in the first convex portion, and a protrusion is formed in the first concave portion; the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are configured to be connectable to each other by fitting the protrusion into the hole; An article storage container.

3. The article storage container according to claim 1, wherein: the first convex portion and the second convex portion are configured as convex portions having different shapes; the first concave portion and the second concave portion are configured as concave portions having different shapes; An article storage container.

4. The article storage container according to claim 2, wherein: each of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion includes a first pair of the second concave portion and the second convex portion provided adjacent to each other, and a second pair of the second concave portion and the second convex portion provided adjacent to each other; An article storage container.

5. The article storage container according to claim 4, wherein: the first pair is provided at a position farthest from the second pair; An article storage container.

6. The article storage container according to claim 5, wherein: the second concave portion of the first pair and the second convex portion of the second pair, and the second convex portion of the first pair and the second concave portion of the second pair are each provided at diagonal positions; An article storage container.

7. The article storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An article storage container, wherein a guide portion for guiding connection to each other is formed at the opening end portions of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion.

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