Packaging containers

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of damage to a package, a fixed object, or a packaging container.SOLUTION: A packaging container (1) includes a container body (20) and a lid (10) that is internally fitted with the container body. At least a portion of an outer lid edge (13) in the lid is located between a lid fastening part (27) and an inner circumferential step part (28) and at least spaced from the inner circumferential step part in a state in which the lid is internally fitted with the container body and a portion of a lid picking piece (14) is accommodated in an accommodation part (29).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a packaging container capable of containing food products and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Plastic packaging containers for storing food products are used in department stores, supermarkets, etc. Food products are sold in such packaging containers and displayed on shelves. An example of such a packaging container is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The packaging container of Patent Document 1 comprises a container body and a lid. A flange located at at least one corner of the container body is provided with an inclined surface that slopes outward from the container body. The lid is provided with a grip that can be gripped when opening the lid, at a position that coincides with the inclined surface when the lid is fitted to the container body (closed state). Therefore, the inclined surface allows the grip to be flipped up toward the outside of the container body, making it easy to grip. Furthermore, the grip protrudes from the container body to an extent that it does not interfere with adjacent packaging containers when the lid is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-171657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the gripping portion is made to protrude from the container body or to be inclined outward at an upward gradient in order to improve the ease of gripping when the lid is closed, the gripping portion becomes more likely to come into contact with a human hand or other objects, etc. If a human hand or the like comes into contact with the gripping portion, the force acting on the gripping portion (referred to as an external force) may tear the packaging material (e.g., plastic wrap) that wraps the packaging container, tear the fastener (e.g., tape) that secures the lid and container body, or cause damage to the packaging container (e.g., dents).

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a packaging container that can reduce the possibility of damage to a packaged item, a fixed item, or the packaging container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A packaging container according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a packaging container comprising a container body and a lid body that fits internally into the container body, wherein the lid body has a lid body gripping piece that protrudes from a portion of the lid body outer edge, which is the outer edge of the lid body, and the container body has a lid locking portion that is located inside the flange portion of the container body and can lock the lid body outer edge from above, an inner peripheral step portion that is located inside the flange portion and below the lid locking portion and can support the lid body outer edge from below, and a storage portion that stores the lid body gripping piece while sloping upward outward, and at least a portion of the lid body outer edge is located between the lid locking portion and the inner peripheral step and is spaced at least apart from the inner peripheral step when the lid body is internally fitted into the container body and a portion of the lid body gripping piece is stored in the storage portion.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the lid gripping piece is subjected to an external force while the lid is fitted inside the container body, at least a part of the outer edge of the lid that is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step can be moved downward (towards the inner peripheral step). In other words, the lid can be sunk while maintaining the state in which the lid is fitted inside the container body. This movement (sinking) absorbs the external force. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the package, fixed object, or packaging container due to the external force can be reduced.

[0009] In the packaging container according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, at least a portion of the outer edge of the lid body that is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step portion may be supported by the inner peripheral step portion by moving downward and abutting against the inner peripheral step portion when an external force acts on the protruding portion of the lid body gripping piece that protrudes from the storage portion and the protruding portion moves toward the storage portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when the protruding portion of the lid gripping piece is subjected to the external force and moves toward the storage section, at least a portion of the outer edge of the lid that is spaced apart from the inner circumferential step portion moves downward and is supported by the inner circumferential step portion, thereby absorbing the external force applied until the entire outer edge of the lid is supported by the inner circumferential step portion.

[0011] In the packaging container according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 or 2, the protruding portion of the lid tab protruding from the storage portion may be a tip portion of the lid tab excluding the tongue portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the protruding portion of the lid tab is the tip of the lid tab, so that the area on which the external force acts can be made small, thereby further reducing the occurrence of damage to the packaged item, fixed object, or packaging container.

[0013] In a packaging container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the top of the storage portion may be a part of the inner end portion of the flange portion.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the inclination of the entire lid gripping piece can be matched to the inclination of the storage section, making it easier to grip the lid gripping piece.

[0015] In a packaging container according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 4, the container body may have a corner cutting portion at at least one of the four corners of the container body, and the storage portion may be formed at a position corresponding to the corner cutting portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when the lid is fitted inside the container body, the lid tab protrudes from the corner cut portion, making the lid tab susceptible to the action of the external force. Even in this configuration, the packaging container of one aspect of the present invention can absorb the external force by moving at least a part of the outer edge of the lid downward when the external force is applied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the possibility of damage to the package, fixed object, or packaging container can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the packaging container. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a container body provided in the packaging container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container body. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are plan views showing corners of the container body and corners of a lid body provided on the packaging container, respectively. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view of the lid body. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a change in the position of the lid body when the lid body is fitted inside the container body. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the lid gripping piece and the container body gripping piece when the lid is fitted inside the container body; FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the lid gripping piece and the main body gripping piece in the packaging container described above and a packaging container as a comparative example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In this embodiment, a packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention will be described as a packaging container for storing food items such as boxed lunches and side dishes, and the packaging container includes a container body and a lid. However, the items stored in the packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention are not limited to food items.

[0020] In this specification, "horizontal" and "vertical (plumb)" are defined based on the case where the packaging container is placed on a horizontal surface so that the bottom of the container body abuts on the horizontal surface. Also, in this specification, "upper" and "upper side" refer to the direction from the container body toward the lid body (+Z axis direction) when the lid body is fitted to the container body, and "lower" and "lower side" refer to the opposite direction (-Z axis direction).

[0021] [Packaging container] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container 1. Reference numeral 1001 in FIG. 2 is a side view of the packaging container 1 when viewed from the short side (a side view of the packaging container 1 when viewed from the viewing direction VD1). Reference numeral 1002 in FIG. 2 is a side view of the packaging container 1 when viewed from the long side (a side view of the container body 20 when viewed from the viewing direction VD2). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packaging container 1 is a container that can contain items such as food, and includes a lid body 10 and a container body 20. The lid body 10 and the container body 20 are configured so that the lid body 10 fits inside the container body 20.

[0022] In this embodiment, the lid 10 and the container body 20 are each formed by thermoforming a resin sheet having a sheet thickness of 0.1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 0.15 mm to 2.5 mm. The lid 10 and the container body 20 may have different sheet thicknesses. The container body 20 according to this embodiment has a shape that is less likely to bend when fitted with the lid 10, so that the required strength can be ensured even if the sheet thickness is thin, such as 0.5 mm or less.

[0023] As the resin sheet, for example, a thermoplastic resin sheet such as a polyolefin resin sheet, a polystyrene resin sheet, or a polyester resin sheet can be used. These resin sheets may be foamed or non-foamed sheets. Furthermore, a laminated sheet can also be used as the resin sheet. Examples of the laminated sheet that can be used include a film-laminated foamed sheet obtained by laminating a film on a foamed sheet, a coextrusion laminated sheet, and an extrusion laminated sheet. Examples of thermoforming methods include vacuum forming, thick air forming, vacuum / pressure forming, and hot plate forming.

[0024] The colors of the lid 10 and the container body 20 are not particularly limited. The lid 10 is preferably made of a transparent material, and more preferably is colorless and transparent. This allows the contents placed in the container body 20 to be easily visible through the lid 10. The color of the container body 20 may be a single color or may include multiple colors.

[0025] Furthermore, a pattern may be applied to the container body 20. For example, the container body 20 may have a black base color with a gold or red pattern applied to at least a portion thereof. In this embodiment, the lid 10 is colorless and transparent, and the container body 20 is solid black.

[0026] [Container body] Fig. 3 is a plan view (top view) of the container body 20. Reference numerals 1011 and 1012 in Fig. 4 are perspective views of the container body 20. Reference numeral 1021 in Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a corner of the container body 20. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the container body 20 includes a storage and mounting portion 21, a mounting wall portion 22, a storage peripheral wall portion 23, an upper peripheral wall portion 24, a flange portion 25, a main body outer edge portion 26, a lid locking portion 27, an inner peripheral step portion 28, a storage portion 29, and a main body gripping piece 30.

[0027] The container body 20 has a rectangular (rectangular) outer shape in a plan view. Here, "rectangular" means a shape that can be regarded as a rectangle when the container body 20 is viewed as a whole, that is, a substantially rectangular shape. Therefore, for example, a protruding portion may be formed on part of the periphery of the container body 20, or at least one corner may be formed as a polygon rather than a right angle, or may be formed as a curved shape. This also applies to the shapes of each part (described below) that constitutes the packaging container 1 when viewed from any direction.

[0028] The outer shape of the container body 20 in plan view is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be a polygonal shape such as a square, triangle, or pentagon, or may be a shape without clear corners, such as a circle.

[0029] The storage and placement section 21 constitutes a surface on which the contents to be contained in the packaging container 1 are placed. The storage and placement section 21 has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view, similar to the container body 20. The placement wall section 22 is a section that protrudes from the storage and placement section 21, and divides the storage and placement section 21 into a plurality of placement sections.

[0030] 3, in this embodiment, the storage placement section 21 is divided into a first storage placement section 211 and a second storage placement section 212 by a placement wall section 22. The first storage placement section 211 is a storage placement section formed at two opposing corners of the four corners (corners) of the storage placement section 21. The second storage placement section 212 is a storage placement section formed adjacent to the first storage placement section 211 and including the other two opposing corners.

[0031] The storage peripheral wall 23 is formed on the peripheral edge of the storage and placement portion 21 and forms a lower portion of the side wall of the container body 20. In this embodiment, the storage peripheral wall 23 is inclined upward from the peripheral edge of the storage and placement portion 21 toward the outside. The storage peripheral wall 23 may not be inclined upward, but may be formed approximately perpendicular to the storage and placement portion 21 from the peripheral edge of the storage and placement portion 21. The term "approximately perpendicular" is a concept that includes perpendicular and an angle that can be regarded as perpendicular. In this embodiment, the storage peripheral wall 23 includes a first storage peripheral wall 231 that forms the first storage and placement portion 211 together with the placement wall 22, and a second storage peripheral wall 232 that forms the second storage and placement portion 212 together with the placement wall 22.

[0032] The storage and placement portion 21, the placement wall portion 22, and the storage peripheral wall portion 23 form multiple spaces for storing the objects to be stored. The position and number of the placement wall portions 22 can be determined arbitrarily. The position and number of the placement wall portions 22 determine the position and size of the space for storing the objects to be stored. The container body 20 does not need to be equipped with the placement wall portion 22. In this case, one storage and placement portion 21 and one storage peripheral wall portion 23 may form one space for storing the objects to be stored.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper peripheral wall 24 is formed above the storage peripheral wall 23 and forms the upper portion of the side wall of the container body 20. The upper peripheral wall 24 is a portion that protrudes upward from the outer end of the inner peripheral step 28 that is continuous with the upper end of the storage peripheral wall 23. In other words, the upper peripheral wall 24 is located outside the upper end of the storage peripheral wall 23 by the width of the inner peripheral step 28 in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the upper peripheral wall 24 is located from the outer end of the inner peripheral step 28 to the inner peripheral step 28. It is formed substantially perpendicular to the

[0034] The flange portion 25 is the upper surface portion of the container body 20 that is continuous with the upper end portion of the upper peripheral wall portion 24. In this embodiment, the flange portion 25 is formed with multiple upwardly protruding portions whose tip portions form ridges in order to improve its design. The flange portion 25 may not be formed with such protruding portions, and may be simply a flat surface. A "flat surface" may be any surface that can be regarded as a flat surface, and the surface may include some irregularities. When the flange portion 25 is simply a flat surface, the flange portion 25 may be a plane that extends along an approximately horizontal plane. The "approximately horizontal plane" is a concept that includes both a horizontal plane and a surface that can be regarded as a horizontal plane. However, the flange portion 25 may also be an inclined surface that is inclined from an approximately horizontal plane.

[0035] The main body outer edge 26 is an outer edge (outer peripheral wall) of the container main body 20 that is continuous with the outer peripheral end of the flange portion 25. In this embodiment, as also indicated by reference numeral 1021 in FIG. 5 , corner cutting portions 261 are formed at the four corners of the main body outer edge 26 (i.e., the four corners of the container main body 20). The corner cutting portions 261 are portions that are continuous with the long and short sides of the main body outer edge 26 in a plan view and extend in a direction different from the long and short sides. When a corner of the main body outer edge 26 is a right angle in a plan view, the corner cutting portion 261 is a portion obtained by cutting out the corner. The corner cutting portions 261 do not have to be formed at all four corners (four corners) of the main body outer edge 26. It is sufficient that the corner cutting portion 261 is formed at at least one of the four corners.

[0036] The lid locking portion 27 is located inside the flange portion 25 and is a portion that can lock the lid outer edge portion 13 (see FIG. 6) from above. The lid locking portion 27 is a portion that protrudes inward from the upper peripheral wall portion 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the lid locking portion 27 is formed on the upper peripheral wall portion 24 at a position spaced apart from an inner peripheral step portion 28 that is continuous with the lower end portion of the upper peripheral wall portion 24.

[0037] In this embodiment, two lid locking portions 27 are formed on each of the four corners of the upper peripheral wall portion 24, one on each side of the four corners. As also shown by reference numeral 1021 in FIG. 5 , in the portion where the accommodation portion 29 is formed at the corner, two lid locking portions 27 are formed on each side of the accommodation portion 29. The lid locking portions 27 may be formed at any position apart from the inner peripheral step portion 28, and for example, the number of lid locking portions 27 and their positions when the container body 20 is viewed from above can be determined arbitrarily. The positions and number of the lid locking portions 27 may be determined taking into consideration the ease of fitting the lid 10 into the container body 20, etc.

[0038] The inner peripheral step 28 is located inside the flange 25 and below the lid locking portion 27, and is a portion that can support the lid outer edge 13 from below. The inner peripheral step 28 is a flat portion whose inner end is continuous with the upper end of the housing peripheral wall 23 and whose outer end is continuous with the lower end of the upper peripheral wall 24. The inner peripheral step 28 is a flat surface that extends along a substantially horizontal plane. In this case, the inner peripheral step 28 can stably support the lid outer edge 13. However, the inner peripheral step 28 may also be an inclined surface that is inclined from a substantially horizontal plane. As described above, the inner peripheral step 28 is formed below the lid locking portion 27 and at a position spaced apart from the lid locking portion 27 (see FIG. 4).

[0039] The accommodation portion 29 is a portion that accommodates the lid body tab 14 (see FIG. 6) while tilting it outward at an upward gradient. The accommodation portion 29 is formed in a position that faces the lid body tab 14 when the lid body 10 is internally fitted and accommodated in the container body 20. That is, the accommodation portion 29 and the lid body tab 14 are formed in the container body 20 and the lid body 10, respectively, so as to face each other when the lid body 10 is internally fitted in the container body 20.

[0040] The accommodation portion 29 is a cutout portion formed in a part of the upper peripheral wall portion 24 and the flange portion 25, and includes an inclined surface 291 that slopes upward outward, and accommodation side walls 292 formed on both ends of the inclined surface 291 along the inclination direction. The length and size may be determined in consideration of the size of the lid tab 14. The inclined surface 291 allows the lid tab 14 to be inclined upward.

[0041] In this embodiment, the top 293 (the outer end of the inclined surface 291) of the accommodation portion 29 is part of the flange portion 25. Specifically, the top 293 of the accommodation portion 29 is the inner end of the flange portion 25.

[0042] If the top 293 is not part of the flange 25, that is, if the top 293 is formed below the flange 25, a side wall that is continuous with the inclined surface 291 and extends substantially vertically is formed between the top 293 and the flange 25. In this case, the lid tab 14 is stored in the storage section 29 in a bent state at the connection between the inclined surface 291 and the side wall. Therefore, when the lid tab 14 is stored in the storage section 29, the length by which the lid tab 14 protrudes from the storage section 29 (referred to as the protrusion length) becomes shorter than the length assumed at the time of design (referred to as the assumed length).

[0043] The expected length is designed taking into consideration the ease of gripping the lid tab 14 and the likelihood of it being hit by a hand or an object. Therefore, if the protruding length is shorter than the expected length, the lid tab 14 becomes difficult to grip. On the other hand, if the top 293 is part of the flange 25, the inclination of the entire lid tab 14 can be adjusted to match the inclination of the storage section 29. Therefore, the lid tab 14 can be made to protrude from the storage section 29 by the expected length, making it easier to grip.

[0044] In this embodiment, the accommodation portions 29 are formed at the corners of the upper peripheral wall portion 24 and the flange portion 25. That is, the accommodation portions 29 are formed at positions corresponding to the corner cutting portions 261. In this embodiment, the accommodation portions 29 are formed at positions corresponding to two of the four corner cutting portions 261 that are diagonally opposite to each other.

[0045] The main body gripping piece 30 is a part that protrudes outward from a part of the main body outer edge 26. The main body gripping piece 30 is a part that is gripped by a user when removing the lid body 10 from the container body 20. In this embodiment, the main body gripping piece 30 is formed at a corner of the main body outer edge 26. That is, the main body gripping piece 30 protrudes from the corner cutting portion 261. In this embodiment, the main body gripping piece 30 is formed at each of two of the four corner cutting portions 261 that are diagonally opposite each other and have storage portions 29 formed at corresponding positions.

[0046] Because the storage section 29 and the main body gripping piece 30 are formed at the corners of the container body 20, the lid gripping piece 14 and the main body gripping piece 30 can be positioned on the same straight line in a plan view when the lid body 10 is fitted inside the container body 20. Therefore, when a user pinches the lid gripping piece 14 and the main body gripping piece 30 to remove the lid body 10 from the container body 20, the lid body 10 can be removed more easily from the container body 20 than when the lid gripping piece 14 and the main body gripping piece 30 are not on the same straight line.

[0047] Furthermore, corner cutting portions 261 are formed at the corners of container body 20, and body gripping pieces 30 are formed in corner cutting portions 261, so that the shape of packaging container 1 can be maintained as a substantially rectangular shape in plan view even if body gripping pieces 30 protrude from corner cutting portions 261. Similarly, by forming storage portions 29 at positions corresponding to corner cutting portions 261, the shape of packaging container 1 can be maintained as a substantially rectangular shape in plan view even if part of lid gripping piece 14 protrudes from storage portion 29.

[0048] The storage sections 29 are formed at positions facing each other diagonally. When removing the lid 10 from the container body 20, the user pinches both of the lid gripping pieces 14 housed in the two storage sections 29, or pinches either one of them. When removing the lid 10 In this case, each or either one of the lid gripping pieces 14 is pulled up, which reduces the possibility that the lid 10 will be tilted relative to the opening surface of the container body 20. Therefore, the possibility that the lid 10 will come into contact with the contents contained in the container body 20 can be reduced.

[0049] However, the storage section 29 and the main body gripping piece 30 do not have to be formed at the corners of the container main body 20. The storage section 29 may be formed on part of a short side or a long side of the upper peripheral wall portion 24 and the flange portion 25. Similarly, the main body gripping piece 30 may be formed on part of a short side or a long side of the main body outer edge portion 26. Furthermore, the storage section 29 and the main body gripping piece 30 do not have to be formed so as to be positioned on the same straight line when viewed in a plane.

[0050] Furthermore, it is sufficient that at least one storage section 29 and one main body gripping piece 30 are formed. When multiple storage sections 29 are formed, the multiple storage sections 29 do not have to be formed on the same straight line (for example, on a diagonal line). The same applies to when multiple main body gripping pieces 30 are formed.

[0051] [Lid] Reference numeral 1031 in Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lid 10. Reference numeral 1032 in Fig. 6 is a side view of the lid 10 when viewed from the short side (a side view of the lid 10 when viewed from the viewing direction VD1). Reference numeral 1033 in Fig. 6 is a side view of the lid 10 when viewed from the long side (a side view of the lid 10 when viewed from the viewing direction VD2). Reference numeral 1022 in Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a corner of the lid 10.

[0052] As shown by reference numeral 1022 in Figures 6 and 5, the lid 10 includes a top plate 11, a lid side wall 12, a lid outer edge 13, and a lid gripping piece 14. The lid 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this way, the lid 10 preferably has a shape that has the same shape as the container body 20 in a plan view.

[0053] Top plate 11 is a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view and is composed of a single surface. The shape of top plate 11 is preferably a shape that forms the same outer shape as the outer shapes of lid 10 and container body 20 in plan view. With such a shape, when top plate 11 is made of a transparent material, it is easy to clearly see the contents through top plate 11 from above packaging container 1.

[0054] The number of surfaces constituting the top plate portion 11 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that there is one. This ensures good visibility of the contents and makes it easy to place the container body 20 on the top plate portion 11 when stacking the packaging containers 1. The top plate portion 11 may be made up of multiple surfaces.

[0055] The lid side wall 12 is a member that is continuous with the periphery of the top plate 11 and extends toward the lid outer edge 13 located below the outer edge of the top plate 11. The lid side wall 12 is inclined outward from the top plate 11 toward the lid outer edge 13. Therefore, the area of the opening of the lid 10 formed inside the lid outer edge 13 is larger than the area of the top plate 11. However, the lid side wall 12 may not be inclined and may extend approximately vertically from the top plate 11.

[0056] The lid outer edge 13 is the outer edge of the lid 10, continuing to the lower end of the lid side wall 12. The lid outer edge 13 is formed in a position on the lid 10 that pairs with the positions where the inner peripheral step 28 and the upper peripheral wall 24 of the container body 20 are formed. The lid outer edge 13 includes a lid bottom 131, a lid peripheral wall 132, and a lid overhang 133.

[0057] The lid bottom 131 is a frame-shaped portion that constitutes the bottom of the lid 10. The lid bottom 131 is a surface that can come into contact with the inner peripheral step 28 when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20. The lid bottom 131 is a flat surface that extends along a substantially horizontal plane. In this case, the inner peripheral step 28 can stably support the lid outer edge 13. However, the lid bottom 131 may also be an inclined surface that is inclined from a substantially horizontal plane.

[0058] The lid peripheral wall 132 is a portion that extends upward from the outer edge of the lid bottom 131. As shown in Fig. 7 described below, the lid peripheral wall 132 extends outward from the outer edge of the lid bottom 131. However, the lid peripheral wall 132 may extend approximately perpendicular to the lid bottom 131.

[0059] The lid overhang portion 133 is a flat surface extending along a substantially horizontal plane from the outer end of the lid peripheral wall portion 132. The outer end of the lid overhang portion 133 is a portion that can abut against the upper peripheral wall portion 24 when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20. When the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20, the entire outer end of the lid overhang portion 133 may abut against the upper peripheral wall portion 24, or only a portion of the outer end may abut.

[0060] The lid 10 and the container body 20 are designed so that the size of the lid outer edge 13 in a plan view is approximately the same as the size of the upper peripheral wall 24 in a plan view. "Approximately the same" is a concept that includes both "same" and differences that can be considered to be the same. That is, the lid 10 and the container body 20 are designed so that, in a cross section parallel to a substantially vertical plane of the packaging container 1, the outer edge of the lid overhang 133 and the upper peripheral wall 24 are in point contact. Furthermore, the vertical length of the lid peripheral wall 132 is shorter than the length between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step 28 of the container body 20.

[0061] Furthermore, when the lid 10 moves upward, the upper surface of the lid eaves portion 133 comes into contact with the lid locking portion 27. Therefore, unless a force is applied to the lid 10 that is strong enough to move it from below the lid locking portion 27 to above, the upward movement of the lid 10 is restricted by the lid locking portion 27. When the lid 10 moves downward, bottom Part 13 1 The lower surface of the cover 10 abuts against the inner peripheral step 28. Therefore, the downward movement of the cover 10 is restricted by the inner peripheral step 28.

[0062] Therefore, when an external force acts on the lid body 10, the lid body 10 fits into the container body 20 while being allowed to move up and down between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step portion 28.

[0063] The lid gripping piece 14 is a part that protrudes from a part of the lid outer edge 13. The lid gripping piece 14 is a part that is grasped by a user when removing the lid 10 from the container body 20. The lid gripping piece 14 is designed, for example, taking into consideration the ease of grasping the lid gripping piece 14 and the likelihood of the lid gripping piece 14 being hit by a hand or an object.

[0064] The lid gripping piece 14 is formed in the lid 10 at a position that pairs with the position where the storage section 29 is formed in the container body 20. In this embodiment, the lid gripping piece 14 is formed at a corner of the lid outer edge 13. Therefore, when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20, the lid gripping piece 14 is located at a position that corresponds to the corner cutting portion 261 where the body gripping piece 30 is formed.

[0065] As indicated by reference numeral 1022 in Fig. 5, the lid gripping piece 14 includes a tongue 141 and a tip portion 142. The tongue 141 is the portion that is gripped by the user. The tip portion 142 is the portion that connects to the tongue 141 at a position that is farthest from the position where the tongue 141 connects to the lid outer edge portion 13. The tip portion 142 is the portion that can protrude from the storage portion 29 when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20.

[0066] [Change in position of lid body on container body] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a change in the position of the lid body 10 when the lid body 10 is fitted inside the container body 20. Reference numeral 1041 in Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lid body outer edge portion 13 is not in contact with the inner peripheral step portion 28, and reference numeral 1042 in Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lid body outer edge portion 13 is in contact with the inner peripheral step portion 28.

[0067] When a user attempts to fit the lid 10 into the container body 20, the underside of the lid bottom 131 abuts against the lid locking portion 27. With the lid bottom 131 abutting against the lid locking portion 27, the lid 10 is pushed into the container body 20, temporarily deforming the shape of the lid 10. As a result, the lid outer edge 13 can move from the upper side to the lower side of the lid locking portion 27 while abutting against the lid locking portion 27. This allows the lid 10 to be fitted into the container body 20.

[0068] At this time, as indicated by reference numeral 1041 in Fig. 7, a portion of the lid tab 14 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 29, and the other portion of the lid tab 14 protrudes from the accommodation portion 29 to facilitate easy grasping. Furthermore, when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20, a portion of the lid outer edge 13 in plan view is located between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step 28, and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step 28. As indicated by reference numeral 1041 in Fig. 7, a portion of the lid bottom 131 in plan view is located a distance DS1 from the inner peripheral step 28.

[0069] When the packaging container has a configuration in which the lid is internally fitted into the container body, the shape of the outer edge of the lid can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the outer edge of the container body is fitted into the outer edge of the lid (a configuration in which the lid is externally fitted into the container body). Therefore, in the case of a packaging container with an internal fitting configuration, more can be manufactured per unit time than in the case of a packaging container with an external fitting configuration, and therefore the packaging container 1 can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0070] However, in the case of an internal fitting configuration, a lid tab is formed on the packaging container to facilitate removal of the lid. The user's hand may come into contact with the protruding portion of the lid tab from the packaging container (in the case of packaging container 1, the protruding portion of lid tab 14 from storage section 29) even though the user does not intend to remove the lid from the container body. Furthermore, the protruding portion is easily touched by objects, etc. If a hand or an object, etc., comes into contact with the protruding portion, the protruding portion is subjected to a downward external force.

[0071] When the lid is fitted into the container body so as not to move up and down relative to the container body (when the lid is fixed to the container body while fitted into the container body), the lid may be deformed by the external force applied to the protruding portion, and this deformation of the lid may result in damage to the lid itself.

[0072] Furthermore, after the contents such as food are placed in the packaging container, the packaging container is wrapped in a wrapping material such as plastic wrap to prevent the contents from leaking out from the gap between the lid and the container body. The wrapping material wraps the packaging container along the shape of the packaging container. Alternatively, the lid and the container body are fastened together with a fastener such as tape. When the lid is fastened to the container body while being fitted inside the container body, deformation of the lid may damage the wrapping material or the fastener.

[0073] In the packaging container 1, as shown by reference numeral 1042 in Fig. 7, when the protruding portion of the lid tab 14 is subjected to an external force, a part of the lid outer edge 13, which is spaced a distance DS1 from the inner peripheral step 28, can be moved toward the inner peripheral step 28. In other words, the lid 10 can be sunk while maintaining its internal fit with the container body 20. This movement (sinking) absorbs the external force acting on the protruding portion, thereby reducing the degree of deformation of the lid 10 due to the external force.

[0074] Therefore, in an internally fitted packaging container 1 that can be manufactured inexpensively, by making a portion of the lid tab 14 protrude, it is possible to maintain the ease of gripping the lid tab 14 while reducing the possibility of damage to the packaged item, fixed item, or packaging container 1. In other words, in an internally fitted packaging container 1, it is possible to maintain the ease of removing the lid 10 while reducing the possibility of damage to the packaged item, fixed item, or packaging container 1.

[0075] In this way, the possibility of the above-mentioned damage occurring in the packaging container 1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of packaging container 1 that is discarded due to the above-mentioned damage. Furthermore, if the packaging container 1 contains items, the amount of the items that are discarded due to the above-mentioned damage can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the achievement of Goal 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" and Goal 14 "Conserve and sustainably use the water below sea level" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0076] Furthermore, by forming the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step portion 28 at a distance from each other, when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20, a part of the lid outer edge 13 in a plan view can be moved up and down between the lid locking portion 27 and the inner peripheral step portion 28. Therefore, the capacity of the packaging container 1 can be increased, and the possibility that the contents contained in the packaging container 1 will adhere to the lid 10 and spoil the aesthetic appearance of the packaging container 1 can be reduced.

[0077] 7, when an external force is applied to the protruding portion of the lid gripping piece 14, the protruding portion moves toward the storage section 29. At this time, a part of the lid outer edge 13 that is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step 28 moves downward and comes into contact with the inner peripheral step 28, and is thereby supported by the inner peripheral step 28.

[0078] Therefore, a portion of the lid outer edge 13 can move toward the inner circumferential step 28 (downward) until it is supported by the inner circumferential step 28. Therefore, an external force applied to the protruding portion until the entire lid outer edge 13 is supported by the inner circumferential step 28 can be absorbed by the movement of the portion of the lid outer edge 13 that is separated from the inner circumferential step 28 until it abuts against the inner circumferential step 28 (sinking of the lid 10). Furthermore, the inner circumferential step 28 restricts the portion of the lid outer edge 13 from moving downward from the inner circumferential step 28. Therefore, the downward movement of the portion of the lid outer edge 13 can reduce the possibility that the contents contained in the packaging container 1 will adhere to the lid 10.

[0079] In this embodiment, the storage section 29 is formed at a position corresponding to the corner cutting section 261. In this case, when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20 and viewed from above, the lid tab 14 is likely to protrude from the packaging container 1. Therefore, the lid tab 14 is easily subjected to external forces. In the packaging container 1, when an external force is applied to the lid tab 14, a portion of the lid outer edge 13 that is separated from the inner peripheral step 28 moves downward, thereby absorbing the external force. Therefore, even if the storage section 29 is formed at a position corresponding to the corner cutting section 261, the possibility of damage to the packaged item, fixed object, or packaging container 1 can be reduced.

[0080] When a portion of the lid outer edge 13 in plan view is separated from the inner circumferential step 28, another portion of the lid outer edge 13 may be in contact with the inner circumferential step 28. On the other hand, the entire lid outer edge 13 in plan view may be separated from the inner circumferential step 28. The portion of the lid outer edge 13 separated from the inner circumferential step 28 may be at least a portion of the lid outer edge 13 in plan view.

[0081] Furthermore, when the lid body 10 is fitted inside the container body 20, at least a portion of the lid body overhanging portion 133 in a plan view may be locked by the lid locking portion 27. By locking the lid body overhanging portion 133 with the lid locking portion 27, the lid body 10 can be maintained in a state of being fitted inside the container body 20 until a force that can remove the lid body 10 is applied to the lid body 10.

[0082] In this embodiment, the protruding portion of the lid body tab 14 is the tip portion 142 of the lid body tab 14. The smaller the protruding portion, the smaller the portion of the lid body tab 14 on which an external force acts. When the protruding portion is the tip portion 142, damage to the packaged item, fixed object, or packaging container 1 can be further reduced compared to when the tongue 141 of the lid body tab 14 protrudes from the storage section 29 in addition to the tip portion 142.

[0083] As shown by reference numeral 1042 in FIG. 7 , when the lid bottom 131 is in contact with the inner peripheral step 28, the entire lid tab 14 may be accommodated in the accommodation section 29. In other words, the vertical movement distance of the lid outer edge 13 may be determined so that the entire lid tab 14 can be accommodated in the accommodation section 29. In this case, an external force acting on the lid tab 14 until the entire lid tab 14 is accommodated in the accommodation section 29 can be absorbed by the downward movement of the lid outer edge 13. However, the entire lid tab 14 does not have to be accommodated in the accommodation section 29. It is sufficient that a portion of the lid tab 14 can move toward the accommodation section 29 when the lid tab 14 is subjected to an external force.

[0084] When the lid 10 is removed from the container body 20, the lid 10 is lifted upward from a state in which the upper surface of the lid overhang portion 133 is engaged with (contacting) the lid engagement portion 27, temporarily deforming the shape of the lid 10. Therefore, the lid outer edge portion 13 can move from the lower side to the upper side of the lid engagement portion 27 while contacting the lid engagement portion 27. Therefore, the lid 10 can be removed from the container body 20.

[0085] [Positional relationship between the lid knob and the main body knob] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the lid gripping piece 14 and the main body gripping piece 30 when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container main body 20. Reference numeral 1051 in Figure 8 is a perspective view of the packaging container 1 at the corner cutting portion 261. Reference numeral 1052 in Figure 8 is a plan view of the packaging container 1 at the corner cutting portion 261.

[0086] Reference numeral 1061 in Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 in the packaging container 1. Reference numeral 1062 in Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 in a packaging container 101 as a comparative example. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 when viewed from the horizontal direction.

[0087] 8, when the lid 10 is fitted inside the container body 20, the main body gripping piece 30 is located outside the lid gripping piece 14. The positions of the storage section 29 and the main body gripping piece 30 in the container body 20 are specified to achieve this positional relationship.

[0088] As described above, the packaging container 1 is packaged in a packaging material that conforms to the shape of the packaging container 1. At this time, the packaging material packages the packaging container 1 in a state in which the packaging material abuts against at least a part of the main body piece outer edge 301 of the main body tab 30 and at least a part of the lid piece outer edge 143 (including the tip portion 142) of the lid tab 14.

[0089] As shown by reference numeral 1062 in Fig. 9, in the case of a packaging container 101 in which the entire main body tab 30 is not located outside the lid tab 14, the tension generated in the package 500 tends to be concentrated at the lid tab 14. As shown by reference numeral 1061 in Fig. 9, in a packaging container 1 in which the entire main body tab 30 is located outside the lid tab 14, the angle α formed by the package 500 at the lid tab 14 can be made larger than in the packaging container 101. Therefore, by distributing the tension generated in the package 500 to the main body tab 30 as well, the tension of the package 500 at the lid tab 14 can be reduced.

[0090] 9, the package 500 located between the lid tab 14 and the main tab 30 in the packaging container 1 is longer than the corresponding package 500 in the packaging container 101. In other words, the area of the package 500 located between the lid tab 14 and the main tab 30 in the packaging container 1 is larger than the area of the corresponding package 500 in the packaging container 101. The larger the area of the package 500, the smaller the tension of the package 500 generated by the lid tab 14 and the main tab 30 tends to be.

[0091] Therefore, in the packaging container 1, when an external force acts on the lid tab 14 from above the package 500, the package 500 can easily absorb the external force. Therefore, the external force can be easily dispersed within the surface of the package 500.

[0092] In this way, in the packaging container 1, the lid outer edge 13 can move toward the inner peripheral step 28, so that the external force can be absorbed, and the external force can be dispersed due to the positional relationship between the lid gripping piece 14 and the main body gripping piece 30. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the packaged item 500 or the packaging container 1 can be further reduced.

[0093] In this embodiment, the entire main body tab 30 is located outside the lid tab 14, but it is sufficient if at least a part of the main body tab 30 is located outside the lid tab 14. Even in this case, the tension of the package 500 at the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 can be reduced compared to the case of the packaging container 101 (see reference numeral 1062 in FIG. 9), so the external force can be dispersed within the surface of the package 500.

[0094] In this embodiment, as shown by reference numeral 1052 in Fig. 8, the size of the main body tab 30 is larger than the lid tab 14. In this case, the main body tab 30, which is larger than the lid tab 14, is positioned further outward than the lid tab 14, so the angle formed by the package 500 can be increased across the entire lid tab outer edge 143. Furthermore, compared to when the main body tab 30 is the same size as the lid tab 14, the area of the package 500 positioned between the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 can be increased. Therefore, the tension of the package 500 at the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 can be reduced. This makes it easier to disperse the external force.

[0095] In this embodiment, as shown by reference numeral 1051 in Fig. 8, the main body tab 30 is located lower than the lid tab 14 when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20. In other words, when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20, the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 are spaced apart. The positions of the storage section 29 and the main body tab 30 in the container body 20 are specified to achieve this positional relationship.

[0096] The greater the separation between the lid tab 14 and the main tab 30, the larger the area of the package 500 located between them. Therefore, the tension on the package 500 at the lid tab 14 and the main tab 30 can be reduced compared to when the protruding portion of the lid tab 14 protruding from the storage section 29 and the outer edge portion 301 of the main tab are at approximately the same vertical position (height). In other words, the tension on the package 500 can be reduced compared to when the heights of the portion of the lid tab 14 that contacts the package 500 and the portion of the main tab 30 that contacts the package 500 are approximately the same.

[0097] In this embodiment, the main body tab 30 is formed at the lower end of the main body outer edge 26 (specifically, the corner cutting portion 261), but it may also be formed, for example, at the upper end of the main body outer edge 26 (the boundary between the main body outer edge 26 and the flange portion 25). Even in this case, the main body tab 30 is located lower than the protruding portion of the lid tab 14, so that the tension on the package 500 can be reduced.

[0098] Therefore, "the main body tab 30 is located lower than the lid tab 14" includes the concept that when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20, the main body tab outer edge 301 is located lower than the protruding portion of the main body tab 14. In other words, it includes the concept that the portion of the main body tab 30 that comes into contact with the package 500 is located lower than the portion of the lid tab 14 that comes into contact with the package 500.

[0099] 8, the extending direction of the main body gripping piece 30 (first extending direction DR1) and the extending direction of the inclined surface 291 of the storage section 29 (second extending direction DR2) are different from each other, and they are spaced apart as they move away from the packaging container 1. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 291 with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the main body gripping piece 30 with respect to the horizontal plane. Specifically, the main body gripping piece 30 extends along a substantially horizontal plane, and the inclined surface 291 has an upward slope toward the outside.

[0100] When the main body tab 30 and the inclined surface 291 extend outward so as to be spaced apart from each other, the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 can be spaced apart when the lid 10 is fitted into the container body 20. Specifically, the portion of the lid tab 14 that contacts the package 500 can be spaced apart from the portion of the main body tab 30 that contacts the package 500. Therefore, the area of the package 500 between the lid tab 14 and the main body tab 30 can be made larger than when the first extension direction DR1 and the second extension direction DR2 are substantially the same direction or when they approach each other as they move away from the packaging container 1. Therefore, the tension on the package 500 can be reduced.

[0101] In this embodiment, the main body tab 30 protrudes from the corner cutting portion 261. In this embodiment, the storage portion 29 is formed at a position corresponding to the corner cutting portion 261, so the lid body tab 14 stored in the storage portion 29 is easily subjected to the action of external forces. By forming the main body tab 30 at a position corresponding to the storage portion 29, the external forces acting on the lid body tab 14 can be effectively dispersed.

[0102] In the case where the lid 10 and the container body 20 are fixed by a fixed object instead of the package 500, the package 500 can be interpreted as the fixed object. That is, the positional relationship between the lid tab 14 and the container body tab 30 described above allows the external force acting on the lid tab 14 to be dispersed within the plane of the fixed object.

[0103] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Packaging container 10 Lid 13 Outer edge of lid 14 Lid knob 141 Tongue piece 142 Tip part 20 Container body 25 flange 26 Outer edge of main body 261 Corner cut section 27 Lid locking part 28 Inner step 29 Storage section 293 Top 30 Main body knob DR1 First extension direction (extension direction of the main body grip) DR2: Second extension direction (extension direction of the inclined surface of the storage section)

Claims

1. A packaging container comprising a container body and a lid body that fits inside the container body, The lid has a lid tab that protrudes from a part of an outer edge of the lid, The container body is a lid locking portion located inside the flange portion of the container body and capable of locking the outer edge portion of the lid from above; an inner peripheral step portion located inside the flange portion and below the lid locking portion, the inner peripheral step portion being capable of supporting the outer edge portion of the lid from below; a storage section that stores the lid body gripping piece while tilting it outward at an upward gradient, the lid outer edge portion has a lid bottom portion, a lid peripheral wall portion extending from an outer end portion of the lid bottom portion, and a lid eave portion extending from the outer end portion of the lid peripheral wall portion, the lid locking portion is formed at a position that protrudes inward from the container body and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step portion, When the lid is fitted into the container body and a part of the lid gripping piece is accommodated in the accommodation part, at least a part of the outer edge of the lid is located between the lid locking part and the inner peripheral step part and is spaced apart from at least the inner peripheral step part, When the lid moves upward, the upper surface of the lid overhanging portion abuts against the lid locking portion, and the upward movement is restricted by the lid locking portion; When the lid body moves downward, the lower surface of the bottom of the lid body abuts against the inner peripheral step portion, thereby restricting the downward movement of the packaging container.

2. 2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer edge of the lid body that is spaced apart from the inner peripheral step portion moves downward and abuts against the inner peripheral step portion at the bottom of the lid body when an external force acts on the protruding portion of the lid body gripping piece that protrudes from the storage portion and the protruding portion moves toward the storage portion, thereby being supported by the inner peripheral step portion.

3. 2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion of the lid tab protruding from the container portion is a tip portion of the lid tab excluding a tongue portion.

4. The packaging container according to claim 1 , wherein the top of the container portion is a part of the flange portion.

5. The container body has a corner cutting portion at at least one of the four corners of the container body, The packaging container according to claim 1 , wherein the storage portion is formed at a position corresponding to the corner cutting portion.

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