Paper containers

Abstract

To provide a three-dimensional storage container made of paper as a main material substituting for a conventional blister pack made of plastic.SOLUTION: A storage container constituted of an inner tray 2 for placing a storage article, a fitting plate 3 which has a fitting protrusion 4 for fitting in the inner tray to fix the inner tray, a lower tray 5 having a downward protrusion shape which has a planar flange part 6, and an upper tray 7 having an upward protrusion shape which has a planar flange part 8, is a paper container 1 characterized in that the lower tray and the upper tray are made by three-dimensionally molding a material mainly containing paper, and are connected via a first hinge part 9, and the fitting plate is, in a side facing the first hinge part of the lower tray, connected to the lower tray via a second hinge part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper container, and more particularly to a paper container that can be used in applications where plastic containers have traditionally been used and that places less strain on the environment. [Background technology]

[0002] A type of packaging known as a blister pack is made by forming a plastic sheet into a shape suitable for the contents using a processing method such as vacuum forming. Because blister packs can be freely formed into the optimal shape depending on the shape of the contents, they are widely used as a packaging form for small electronic devices such as mice and various other products.

[0003] The blister pack described in Patent Document 1 is a container for storing stool collection tubes made of a molded resin sheet, and is a container that allows for the automated removal of transported stool collection tubes, something that previously had to be done manually.

[0004] However, in recent years, as the impact of plastic packaging on the global environment has become a concern, there has been growing expectation that paper blister pack containers, which have a smaller environmental impact, will replace traditional plastic blister packs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6534644 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a three-dimensional storage container made primarily of paper as an alternative to conventional plastic blister packs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a means for solving the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a storage container comprising an inner tray for placing the items to be stored, an engaging plate having an engaging protrusion for engaging with the inner tray and fixing the inner tray, a lower tray having a flat flange portion and a downwardly convex shape, and an upper tray having a flat flange portion and an upwardly convex shape, wherein the lower tray and the upper tray are three-dimensionally molded from a material mainly composed of paper and are connected via a first hinge portion, and the engaging plate is connected to the lower tray via a second hinge portion on the edge opposite the first hinge portion of the lower tray.

[0008] The paper container of the present invention is made by molding a three-dimensional shape from a material primarily composed of paper, and by fixing the inner tray for placing the contents using a fitting plate, it exhibits content retention capabilities comparable to those of conventional plastic blister packs.

[0009] In addition, the invention described in claim 2 is a storage container consisting of a middle tray for placing items to be stored, a fitting plate having a fitting protrusion for fitting into the middle tray and fixing the middle tray, a lower tray having a flat flange portion and a downwardly convex shape, and an upper tray having a flat flange portion and an upwardly convex shape, wherein the lower tray and upper tray are three-dimensionally molded from a material mainly composed of paper, are connected via a first hinge portion, and the fitting plate is fixed to the lower tray.

[0010] In addition, the invention described in claim 3 is a paper container described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an arc-shaped notch is provided in the flange portion of the upper tray that faces the first hinge portion, and the flange portion of the lower tray that faces the first hinge portion can be inserted into this notch, thereby enabling the upper and lower trays to be fixed together.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 4 is a paper container described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the paper-based material constituting the lower tray and the upper tray has an elongation of 10% or more in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 5 is a paper container described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the angle at which the lower tray rises from the flange portion and the angle at which the upper tray rises from the flange portion are both 40° or less.

[0013] The invention described in claim 6 is the paper container described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that perforations are applied to at least one selected from the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The paper container of the present invention is recognized as a paper container because the upper and lower trays, which account for the majority of the container's weight, are made primarily of paper, and therefore has a small impact on the global environment.

[0015] The paper container of the present invention is made by molding a three-dimensional shape from a material primarily composed of paper, and the inner tray for placing the contents is fixed by a fitting plate with a fitting protrusion, thereby enabling the container to retain contents as well as conventional plastic blister packs.

[0016] In the invention described in claim 1, the upper tray, lower tray and fitting plate, excluding the middle tray, are made from a single continuous material mainly made of paper, which reduces the number of parts required and the labor required for assembly, making it advantageous in terms of cost.

[0017] On the other hand, in the invention described in claim 2, the mating plates can be made of a material different from that of the upper and lower plates, which widens the range of material choices and is advantageous in terms of design.

[0018] As in the invention described in claim 3, if an arc-shaped notch is provided in the flange portion of the upper tray that faces the first hinge portion, and the flange portion of the lower tray that faces the first hinge portion is inserted into this notch so that the upper and lower trays can be fixed, the upper and lower trays can be fixed with a simple structure.

[0019] As in the invention described in claim 4, when the paper-based material that makes up the lower and upper trays has an elongation of 10% or more in both the vertical and horizontal directions, the moldability is good and the freedom of shape is increased.

[0020] As in the invention described in claim 5, if the angle at which the lower tray rises from the flange portion and the angle at which the upper tray rises from the flange portion are both 40° or less, tearing during molding is less likely to occur, and stable manufacturing is possible.

[0021] Furthermore, as in the invention described in claim 6, when perforations are applied to one or more of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion, the bending operation of the hinge portion is stable and springback of the hinge portion is less likely to occur. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a paper container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view schematically showing the AA′ cross section of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view showing the state in which the upper tray of the paper container shown in FIG. 1 is open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which the inner tray is removed from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(1) is a schematic plan view showing the state in which the upper tray, lower tray, and fitting plate are horizontally extended before folding the paper container shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 5(2) is an elevation view thereof. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the paper container according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view schematically showing the cross section BB′ of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory perspective view showing the state in which the upper tray of the paper container shown in FIG. 6 is open. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which the inner tray and the fitting plate are removed from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic plan view showing the upper tray, lower tray, and mating plate extended horizontally, and is an explanatory plan view showing the state in which perforations have been applied to the first hinge portion and second hinge portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the angle (α) at ​​which the upper tray rises from the flange portion and the angle (β) at which the lower tray falls from the flange portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The paper container according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a paper container 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view schematically showing the AA' cross section of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective explanatory view showing the paper container 1 shown in Fig. 1 with the upper tray 7 open. Fig. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing the state in which the inner tray 2 has been removed from the state shown in Fig. 3.

[0024] The paper container 1 of the present invention is a storage container comprising an inner tray 2 for placing the contents (not shown), an engaging plate 3 having an engaging protrusion 4 for engaging with the inner tray and fixing the inner tray, a lower tray 5 having a flat flange portion 6 and a downwardly convex shape, and an upper tray 7 having a flat flange portion 8 and an upwardly convex shape.

[0025] The lower tray 5 and upper tray 7 are three-dimensionally molded from a material primarily made of paper, and are connected via a first hinge portion 9. In this embodiment, the engaging plate 3 is connected to the lower tray 5 on the side opposite the first hinge portion 9 of the lower tray 5 via a second hinge portion 10. Therefore, like the lower tray 5 and upper tray 7, the engaging plate 3 is also made from a material primarily made of paper.

[0026] As a material mainly made of paper (hereinafter referred to as laminate), paper alone or a paperboard with a synthetic resin film attached to one or both sides can be used. The synthetic resin film attached to the paperboard is not limited to a single layer, and multiple sheets of different types of synthetic resin film can be attached. It is desirable that 50% or more of the total weight of the entire paper container 1 is paper. The paper used should have a basis weight of 150 g / m 2 A material with elongation of about 10% in both the longitudinal and transverse directions is suitable.

[0027] The laminate can be constructed by laminating a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin film to paper, laminating a polyethylene (PE) resin film to both sides, or laminating a gas barrier film with inorganic oxide vapor deposition to a PET resin film. Depending on the application, it is also possible to impart functionality by laminating aluminum foil or anti-rust film.

[0028] The laminate can be printed or can be combined with embossing, debossing, foil stamping, etc. to enhance its design.

[0029] In this example, the mating plate 3 is horizontal, including the mating protrusion 4, as shown in Figure 2, but it is also possible to perform three-dimensional molding on the mating plate 3 and position the mating protrusion 4 at a lower position or, conversely, at a higher position.

[0030] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the inner tray 2, and it can be selected appropriately depending on the shape and properties of the items to be stored, such as plastic material, paper, or pulp mold. The inner tray 2 must be provided with a recess into which the fitting protrusion 4 of the fitting plate 3 fits. This secures the inner tray 2 in place and prevents it from easily coming off the fitting plate 3.

[0031] In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, an arc-shaped notch 11 is provided in the flange portion of the upper tray 7 that faces the first hinge portion 9, and the flange portion of the lower tray 5 that faces the first hinge portion 9 is inserted into this notch so that the upper tray and lower tray can be fixed together.

[0032] Various other methods can be used to secure the upper tray 7 to the lower tray 5 when the upper tray 7 is closed. Although not specifically shown, one method is to provide a protrusion on the flange portion of the upper tray 7 that faces the first hinge portion 9, and to adhere this protrusion to the back side of the flange portion 6 of the lower tray 5.

[0033] The first hinge portion 9 and the second hinge portion 10 may be formed by simply folding the laminate, or may be formed by perforating 12 as shown in Fig. 10. By forming perforations 12, the hinge portions can be easily bent.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the paper container 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view schematically showing the BB' cross section of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective explanatory view showing the paper container 1 shown in Fig. 6 with the upper tray 7 open. Fig. 9 is a perspective explanatory view showing the state in which the inner tray 2 and fitting plate 3 have been removed from the state shown in Fig. 8.

[0035] In this example, the paper container 1 is composed of a middle tray 2 for placing the contents to be stored, a fitting plate 3 having a fitting protrusion 4 for fitting into the middle tray 2 and fixing the middle tray 2, a lower tray 5 having a flat flange portion 6 and a downwardly convex shape, and an upper tray 7 having a flat flange portion 8 and an upwardly convex shape, and the lower tray 5 and upper tray 7 are three-dimensionally molded from a material mainly made of paper and are connected via a first hinge portion 9, and the fitting plate 3 is fixed to the lower tray 5.

[0036] In this example, the fitting plate 3 is independent, but is fixed to the lower tray 5, so there is no difference in its function of fixing the middle tray 2, as with the examples shown in Figures 1 to 5. Methods that can be used to fix the fitting plate 3 to the lower tray 5 include using an adhesive or heat sealing.

[0037] In the examples shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the material of the fitting plate 3 is different from that of the lower plate 5 and the upper plate 7. This is expected to increase the degree of freedom in providing the paper container 1 with a variety of designs as a whole.

[0038] Methods that can be used to form the lower tray 5 and the upper tray 7 into a three-dimensional shape include press molding using a male and female mold, vacuum forming, vacuum pressure forming, hot plate pressure forming, etc. Heating the mold temperature to around 120°C during molding often makes molding easier.

[0039] As for the three-dimensional shapes of the upper tray 7 and the lower tray 5, as shown in Figure 11, it is more desirable that the angle α at which the upper tray 7 rises from the flange portion 8 and the angle β at which the lower tray 5 falls from the flange portion 6 are both 40° or less. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Paper containers 2. Medium plate 3. Mating plate 4. Fitting protrusion 5. Bottom tray 6. Flange part 7...Top plate 8. Flange part 9. First hinge part 10 Second hinge part 11. Cutting 12. Perforation α: Rising angle of upper tray β: Falling angle of the bottom plate

Claims

1. An inner tray for placing stored items; a fitting plate having a fitting protrusion for fitting into the inner tray and fixing the inner tray; a lower tray having a flat flange portion and a downwardly convex shape; A paper container comprising an upper tray having a flat flange portion and an upper convex shape, The lower tray and the upper tray are three-dimensionally formed from a material mainly made of paper, and are connected via a first hinge portion. The fitting plate is connected to the lower tray via the second hinge portion at a side of the lower tray facing the first hinge portion, A paper container characterized by being an alternative to plastic blister packs, with 50% or more of its total weight being paper.

2. An inner tray for placing stored items; a fitting plate having a fitting protrusion for fitting into the inner tray and fixing the inner tray; a lower tray having a flat flange portion and a downwardly convex shape; A paper container comprising an upper tray having a flat flange portion and an upper convex shape, The lower tray and the upper tray are three-dimensionally formed from a material mainly made of paper, and are connected via a first hinge portion. The mating plate is fixed to the bottom plate, A paper container characterized by being an alternative to plastic blister packs, with 50% or more of its total weight being paper.

3. a flange portion of the upper tray facing the first hinge portion is provided with an arc-shaped notch; 3. The paper container according to claim 1, wherein a flange portion of the lower tray that faces the first hinge portion is inserted into the notch, thereby fixing the upper tray and the lower tray together.

4. 4. The paper container according to claim 1, wherein the material mainly made of paper that constitutes the lower tray and the upper tray has elongation of 10% or more in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.

5. The paper container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the angle at which the lower tray rises from the flange portion and the angle at which the upper tray rises from the flange portion are both 40° or less.

6. The paper container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that perforations are applied to one or more selected from the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion.

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