Lower container, packaging container

Abstract

To realize a lower container which enables a lidded container to be used as an upper container and can store a material with a storage space divided into upper and lower parts without impairing convenience of the lidded container, and to realize a packaging container comprising the lower container and the lidded container.SOLUTION: A lower container (2) forming a rectangular shape in a plan view includes: a storage bottom surface part (21); a peripheral wall part (22); placement step parts (24) which support an outer edge part of an upper container, which is a lidded container forming the rectangular shape in the plan view, to place the upper container above the storage bottom surface part; engagement parts (25) which engage with the outer edge part of the placed upper container; and a relief part (26) provided at a portion corresponding to a hinge part of the placed upper container. The relief part has a portion which enables opening and expanding of the hinge part occurring when a lid of the upper container placed and engaged opens or closes. The placement step parts are formed in at least center positions on the long side and the short side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lower container, a packaging container, capable of containing food or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in various stores and the like that sell takeout food, various foods such as bento boxes and prepared dishes are sold in packaging containers. Also, customers can purchase the required amount of food from various prepared dishes lined up on a table by placing it in a packaging container. The work of placing the food in a packaging container is sometimes done by store employees, and sometimes done by the purchaser themselves.

[0003] Packaging containers come in a wide variety of shapes and structures, and one known example is a lid-integrated container in which a container body and a lid are connected by a hinge, known as a food pack (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] There are also packaging containers that include an inner tray in addition to a container body and a lid (for example, Patent Document 2). In such containers, for example, cooked rice or noodles are stored below the inner tray, and side dishes or rice bowl ingredients are stored above the inner tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-41599 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-145285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, lid-integrated containers are highly convenient products in that the lid of the container body can be easily closed and opened, but since the interior is not divided, they are inferior in terms of storing food separately.

[0007] In contrast, a packaging container with an inner tray is superior in that the interior can be divided into upper and lower sections by the inner tray, allowing different foods to be stored separately. However, because the container body, lid, and inner tray are separate parts, they do not offer the convenience of a container with an integrated lid.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a lower container that uses an integrated lid container as an upper container and can store food, etc., by dividing the storage space into upper and lower sections without compromising the convenience of the integrated lid container, and a two-tiered packaging container consisting of this lower container and the integrated lid container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a lower container according to one aspect of the present invention is a lower container having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and includes a bottom container, a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom container, an upper container being an integrated lid container having a rectangular shape in a plan view, located on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall and having a container body and a lid connected by a hinge, a placement step that supports an outer edge of the upper container and places it above the bottom container, and a support that is located above the placement step and places it on the placement step. and an escape portion provided at a position corresponding to the hinge portion of the upper container placed on the mounting step, wherein the escape portion has a portion that allows the hinge portion to expand when the lid body is opened or closed when the upper container is placed on the mounting step and the outer edge portion is engaged by the escape portion, and the mounting step is formed at least in a central position on each of the long side and the short side.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the upper container can be placed on and locked onto the lower container using the mounting step and locking portion of the lower container. This achieves a two-tiered packaging container in which the upper container is stably set on top of the lower container. Moreover, the lower container has a relief portion that allows the hinge portion to expand when the lid of the upper container set on the lower container is opened or closed, so the lid of the upper container set on the lower container can be opened and closed freely.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the mounting step is formed at least at the center of each of the long and short sides. The center is more likely to bend than the end portions of both the lower and upper containers, and the upper container also sinks more due to the weight of the contents. Therefore, by providing the mounting step at least at the center and supporting the upper container at the center, the upper container can be stably placed on the lower container.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the mounting step may be formed so that the width at the center is wider than the width at the end portions on each of the long and short sides.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the mounting step is formed wider at the central position, which is more likely to bend and sink more than the end positions, so that the upper container can be placed more stably on the lower container.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the length of the wide portion formed in the central position of the mounting step along the outer edge of the upper container may be different between the long side and the short side.

[0015] In the above configuration, the length of the wide portion formed in the center of the mounting stage is different between the long side and the short side, so that, for example, the length of the wide portion formed in the center of the mounting stage can be set to correspond to each of the long side and the short side, thereby allowing the upper container to be placed more stably on the lower container.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the length of the wide portion formed at the central position may be longer on the long side than on the short side.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the length of the wide portion formed at the center on the long side, which is more prone to bending than the short side and is also more prone to sinking as described above, is longer than that on the short side, so that the upper container can be placed more stably on top of the lower container even if bending or sinking occurs.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, the placement step and the locking portion may be provided point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the storage bottom portion.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the mounting step and the locking portion are provided point-symmetrically around the center of the storage bottom portion, so the upper container can be set on the lower container even if it is rotated 180 degrees. This makes it easy to set the upper and lower containers by simply matching their shapes without having to consider the position of the hinge portion of the upper container, making it easy to use.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, the peripheral wall may further include a flange portion extending flatly laterally from an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, and a pair of corner chamfers may be formed at diagonal positions of the flange portion.

[0021] Some lid-integrated containers, which are upper containers, have a tab formed on the end of the opening edge of the lid opposite the hinge portion to be gripped with the fingertips when opening the lid. With this configuration, even if the upper container is rotated 180 degrees and set, the tip of the tab always protrudes from the corner cut, improving usability.

[0022] In order to solve the above problem, a packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an upper container which is a rectangular container in a plan view, in which the container body and the lid body are connected by a hinge portion, and a lower container according to one aspect of the present invention described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lid-integrated container can be used as an upper container to create a lower container that can store food, etc. by dividing the storage space into upper and lower sections without compromising the convenience of the lid-integrated container, and a two-tiered packaging container consisting of the lower container and the lid-integrated container can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in an open state. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of the upper container of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in an open state, as viewed from the container body side. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower container 2 of the packaging container of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower container of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic end view of a main part of the connecting side of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a closed state. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic end view of a main part of the connecting side of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in an open state. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram illustrating the orientation of an upper container relative to a lower container in the packaging container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing the upper container in the open lid state shown in FIG. 9 rotated 180 degrees. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In one embodiment of the packaging container of the present invention, the lid-integrated container itself functions as an inner tray separating the top and bottom and as a lid for the packaging container, and allows for separate storage of the top and bottom without compromising the convenience of the lid-integrated container.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In this embodiment, a food packaging container that stores food items as the contents will be described as an example of a packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention. However, the contents stored in the packaging container according to one aspect of the present invention are not limited to food items.

[0027] (Overview of packaging containers) An overview of a packaging container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging container 1 of Figure 1 in an open state.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the packaging container 1 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The packaging container 1 includes a lower container 2 and an upper container 3, and the lower container 2 and upper container 3 each have a rectangular shape in a plan view. The lower container 2 has a pair of short sides 2S and a pair of long sides 2L. The upper container 3 similarly has a pair of short sides 3S and a pair of long sides 3L.

[0029] "Rectangular in plan view" means that the outer shape in plan view is rectangular or approximately rectangular as a whole. Therefore, as long as the outer shapes of the lower container 2 and the upper container 3 are approximately rectangular as a whole in plan view, at least some of the four corners may be chamfered (folded) or curved.

[0030] The upper container 3 is an integrated lid container having a hinge portion 33, and the lid body 32 of the upper container 3 serves as the lid of the packaging container 1. In other words, the packaging container 1 is a two-tiered packaging container in which the storage space is separated into upper and lower parts. A storage bottom surface portion 21 of the lower container 2, which will be described later, forms the bottom of the packaging container 1, a main body bottom surface portion 34 of the upper container 3 forms the middle bottom that separates the upper and lower parts of the packaging container 1, and the lid body 32 of the upper container 3 forms the lid of the packaging container 1.

[0031] The packaging container 1 is designed so that the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be freely opened and closed when the upper container 3 is placed and locked on the lower container 2. Hereinafter, placing the upper container 3 on the lower container 2 and locking them together will also be referred to as "setting," and this state will also be referred to as the "set state."

[0032] The lower container 2 and the upper container 3 can be manufactured by thermoforming a synthetic resin sheet, although there is no particular limitation to the material. The synthetic resin sheet may be either a non-foamed resin sheet or a foamed resin sheet.

[0033] In the case of a non-foamed resin sheet, a sheet having a thickness of 0.12 mm to 0.45 mm, particularly 0.18 mm to 0.30 mm, is preferably used. In the case of a foamed resin sheet, a sheet having a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm, particularly 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, is preferably used. Furthermore, in the case of a foamed resin sheet, an expansion ratio of 1.05 to 20.0, particularly 1.5 to 15.0, is preferably used.

[0034] Examples of non-foamed resin sheets that can be used include thermoplastic resin sheets such as polyolefin resin sheets, such as polyethylene resin sheets and polypropylene resin sheets, and polyester resin sheets, such as polystyrene resin sheets, polyethylene terephthalate resin sheets, and heat-resistant modified polyethylene terephthalate resin sheets. Furthermore, sheets that can withstand heating in a microwave oven, such as heat-resistant polystyrene resin sheets, polypropylene resin sheets, and heat-resistant modified polyethylene terephthalate resin sheets, may also be used.

[0035] Examples of foamed resin sheets that can be used include foamed polyolefin resin sheets, foamed polystyrene resin sheets, and foamed polyester resin sheets such as foamed polyethylene terephthalate.

[0036] Laminated sheets obtained by laminating synthetic resin sheets can also be used. Examples of laminated sheets include laminated sheets obtained by thermally laminating a resin film onto a non-foamed resin sheet or a foamed resin sheet, laminated sheets obtained by co-extrusion, and laminated sheets obtained by extrusion lamination.

[0037] Examples of thermoforming include vacuum forming, pressure forming, vacuum pressure forming, and hot plate forming.

[0038] The lower container 2 and the upper container 3 may be colored, such as black or white, or may be transparent or translucent so that the inside can be seen. In this embodiment, the lower container 2 is black and opaque, and the upper container 3 is colorless and transparent. The lower container 2 and the upper container 3 may be provided with ribs or the like for reinforcement.

[0039] (Upper container) The upper container 3 is placed above the lower container 2, and therefore also functions as a lid that closes the opening of the lower container 2 (see Figures 1 and 2). Figure 3 is a perspective view of the upper container 3 of the packaging container 1 in Figure 1 in an open state, seen from the container body 31 side. The upper container 3 is what is called a food pack, which contains various foods.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, the upper container 3 is a lid-integrated container in which a container body 31 and a lid 32 are connected by a hinge portion 33. The lid 32 can be rotated up and down around a horizontal axis relative to the container body 31 by the hinge portion 33. The specific configurations of the container body 31 and the lid 32, and the hinge portion 33 that connects them together, are all arbitrary, but the configuration shown in the figure, for example, can be adopted.

[0041] In this embodiment, the container body 31 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and includes a body bottom portion 34, a body side portion 35, a convex portion 36, and a body flange portion 37.

[0042] The main body bottom surface 34 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The main body side surface 35 is a wall surface that rises at an angle so as to widen upward from the outer edge of the main body bottom surface 34. The main body side surface 35 is provided on all four sides (four sides) so as to surround the outer edge of the main body bottom surface 34.

[0043] The convex portion 36 is provided around the entire periphery on the side of the upper end of the main body side surface portion 35 and is convex upward. Specifically, the convex portion 36 is formed at the upper end of the main body side surface portion 35 by extending slightly to the side, then rising, then extending flatly to the side, and then falling again.

[0044] The main body flange portion 37 is provided around the entire periphery at the lower end of the outer wall that forms the convex portion 36. Specifically, the main body flange portion 37 is formed so as to extend flatly laterally from the lower end of the outer wall that forms the convex portion 36.

[0045] The lid body 32 has a shape corresponding to the container body 31 and is rectangular in plan view, and is configured so as to face the container body 31 in the closed state. The lid body 32 has a shape that bulges upward in the closed state.

[0046] The lid body 32 includes a top surface 38, a lid side surface 39, a recessed portion 40, and a lid flange portion 41. Although Fig. 3 shows the lid in an open state, for ease of explanation, the configuration of each part of the lid body 32 will be described based on the lid in a closed state.

[0047] The top surface 38 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The lid side surface 39 is a wall surface that slopes downward from the outer edge of the top surface 38 so as to widen downward when the lid is closed. The lid side surface 39 is provided on all four sides (four sides) so as to surround the outer edge of the top surface 38.

[0048] The recessed portion 40 is provided around the entire periphery from the lower end of the lid side surface portion 39 and is recessed upward when the lid is in the closed state. Specifically, the recessed portion 40 is formed by extending slightly to the side at the lower end of the lid side surface portion 39 when the lid is in the closed state, then rising up, then extending flatly to the side, and then falling down again.

[0049] The lid flange 41 is provided around the entire periphery at the lower end of the outer wall that forms the recessed portion 40. Specifically, the lid flange 41 is formed so as to extend flatly laterally from the lower end of the outer wall that forms the recessed portion 40 in the closed state.

[0050] In this embodiment, the convex portion 36 of the container body 31 fits into the concave portion 40 of the lid body 32, whereby the lid body 32 is locked (fitted) to the container body 31, and the upper container 3 is in a closed state. The body flange portion 37 and the lid flange portion 41 are configured to overlap with each other in the closed state.

[0051] The hinge portion 33 is provided at the connecting portion between the main body flange portion 37 and the lid flange portion 41. The container main body 31 and the lid body 32 are connected by the hinge portion 33. In this embodiment, the hinge portion 33 is formed on the long side of the main body flange portion 37 and the lid flange portion 41, i.e., on one side of the pair of long side portions 3L of the upper container 3. Hereinafter, the side on which the hinge portion 33 is located will be referred to as the connecting side, and the side opposite to the connecting side will be referred to as the opening side.

[0052] The hinge portion 33 can have various shapes, and Fig. 3 shows the hinge portion 33 having an arc-shaped cross section. The hinge portion 33 may also have a U-shaped cross section. The hinge portion 33 may also be configured to be flat in the open state and to be folded in half vertically by a folding portion in the closed state. The folding portion is a linear portion formed in the center of the hinge portion 33.

[0053] The above-mentioned body flange 37, lid flange 41, and hinge 33 are located on the outer edge of the upper container 3. At least a portion of the outer edge of the upper container 3 is supported by a mounting step 24 (see FIG. 4 ) of the lower container 2, which will be described later, so that the upper container 3 is placed above the lower container 2. In other words, the "outer edge" includes at least the connecting edge on one side where the hinge 33 is formed, and the opening edge opposite to the connecting edge, which is the side of the body flange 37 and lid flange 41 on which the hinge 33 is not formed.

[0054] A lid knob (knob) 42 is formed on the opening edge of the lid flange 41. Similarly, a main body knob (knob) 43 is formed on the opening edge of the main body flange 37. When the upper container 3 is in the closed state, the lid knob 42 and the main body knob 43 are configured to overlap each other.

[0055] By pinching the lid knob 42 with the fingertips, the lid body 32 can be easily opened from the container body 31. Furthermore, by pinching the overlapping portion of the lid knob 42 and the body knob 43 together, the upper container 3 can be easily removed from the lower container 2. In this embodiment, the lid knob 42 and the body knob 43 are both formed on both ends of the opening edge.

[0056] (lower container) The lower container 2 is configured so that the upper container 3 can be placed on top of it, and is a type of packaging container that realizes a two-tiered packaging container 1 by placing the upper container 3 on it (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0057] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower container 2 of the packaging container 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower container 2 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5. Note that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cross sections are emphasized by being thicker than they actually are. FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of a main part of the connecting side of the packaging container 1 of FIG. 1 in a closed state. FIG. 9 is a schematic end view of a main part of the connecting side of the packaging container 1 of FIG. 1 in an open state. The state of the hinge portion 33 shown in FIG. 9 is the expanded state of the hinge portion 33. Note that FIGS. 8 and 9 only show an end view of the connecting side of the packaging container 1 cut vertically. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the orientation of the upper container 3 relative to the lower container 2 in the packaging container 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the upper container in the open state shown in FIG. 9 rotated 180 degrees.

[0058] 4 and 5, the lower container 2 has a shape corresponding to the upper container 3, is rectangular in plan view, and is open at the top. The lower container 2 includes a housing bottom surface 21, a peripheral wall 22 extending upward from the housing bottom surface 21, a container flange (flange portion) 23, a mounting step 24, a locking portion 25, and a relief portion 26.

[0059] In this embodiment, the storage bottom portion 21 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the outer edge has a zigzag shape in a plan view. In addition, a recess 21-1 that is one step lower than the rest of the storage bottom portion 21 is formed on the outer edge of the storage bottom portion 21, and the portion other than the recess 21-1 is formed flat.

[0060] The peripheral wall 22 is formed to rise at an angle so as to widen upward from the outer edge of the housing bottom 21, and the portion surrounded by the upper end 22a of the peripheral wall 22 forms an opening. The peripheral wall 22 has a first peripheral wall 22-1 connected to the outer edge of the housing bottom 21 and a second peripheral wall 22-2 located above the first peripheral wall 22-1.

[0061] The first peripheral wall portion 22-1 is formed so as to bulge out toward the center of the lower container 2, and a flat step portion is provided between the upper end of the first peripheral wall portion 22-1 and the lower end of the second peripheral wall portion 22-2. This step portion constitutes the mounting step portion 24.

[0062] The cross-sectional shape of the first peripheral wall portion 22-1 cut along a plane parallel to the housing bottom surface portion 21 and the shape of the inner edge of the placement step portion 24 also have a zigzag shape.

[0063] The mounting step 24 is located on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 22, and supports the outer edge of the upper container 3 to place the upper container 3 above the accommodation bottom surface 21. The provision of the mounting step 24 makes it possible to place the upper container 3 above the lower container 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, the mounting step 24 supports the upper container 3 by abutting at least a portion of the mounting step 24 against the outer edge of the upper container 3.

[0064] 4 and 5, the mounting step 24 includes a long-side mounting step 24L located on the pair of long side portions 2L and a short-side mounting step 24S located on the pair of short side portions 2S. In this embodiment, the mounting step 24 is formed in an annular shape around the entire periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22, and therefore, the ends of the long-side mounting step 24L and the short-side mounting step 24S are connected to each other.

[0065] However, forming the mounting step 24 in a ring shape is not essential. The central positions of each side of the lower container 2 and upper container 3 are more likely to bend than the end positions, and the upper container 3 also sinks more significantly due to the weight of the contents. Therefore, it is sufficient that the long side mounting step 24L and the short side mounting step 24S are formed at least in the central positions on each of the long and short sides. In this way, by forming the long side mounting step 24L and the short side mounting step 24S at least in the central positions, the outer edge of the upper container 3 can be supported at the central position, allowing the upper container 3 to be stably placed on the lower container 2.

[0066] In this embodiment, the long-side placing step 24L and the short-side placing step 24S are formed to be wider at the center than at the end positions. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the long-side placing step 24L and the short-side placing step 24S are formed so that the width WC at the center is wider than the width WE at the end positions. In other words, WC>WE.

[0067] In this way, the mounting step 24 is formed wider at the central position, which is more likely to bend and sink more than the end positions, so that the upper container 3 can be placed more stably on the lower container 2.

[0068] In this embodiment, the length of the wide portion formed in the center of the mounting step 24 in the direction along the outer edge of the upper container 3 differs between the long side and the short side. That is, the length of the wide portion formed in the center of the long side mounting step 24L in the direction along the outer edge of the upper container 3 differs between the long side mounting step 24L and the short side mounting step 24S.

[0069] With this configuration, for example, the length of the wide portion formed in the center of the mounting step 24 can be adjusted to correspond to each of the long and short sides, thereby allowing the upper container 3 to be mounted more stably on the lower container 2.

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the length LL of the wide portion 24LW of the long-side mounting step 24L is longer than the length LS of the wide portion 24SW of the short-side mounting step 24S. In other words, LL > LS. Note that the wide portions 24LW and SW are hatched in Figs. 5 and 4. The hatched wide portions 24LW and SW are trapezoidal in plan view, but may have various shapes.

[0071] In the rectangular lower container 2 and upper container 3, bending is more likely to occur on the long sides than on the short sides. Furthermore, the upper container 3 sinks more on the long sides than on the short sides due to the contents. By making the length of the wide portion 24LW on the long sides, which is more likely to bend than on the short sides and also experiences more sinking than the short sides, longer than the wide portion 24SW on the short sides, the upper container can be placed stably even if bending or sinking occurs.

[0072] 8 and 9, a predetermined storage space having a predetermined height h is secured between the storage bottom 21 and the main body bottom (bottom) 34 of the container body 31 of the upper container 3 placed on the placing step 24. In other words, the placing step 24 is provided at a height that ensures the predetermined height h between the main body bottom 34 of the upper container 3 placed on the placing step 24 and the storage bottom 21.

[0073] In this embodiment, the mounting step 24 has a hinge mounting step 24-1 on which the hinge portion 33 is mounted. The hinge mounting step 24-1 abuts against and supports the hinge portion 33. With this configuration, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the hinge portion 33, which changes shape as the lid 32 of the upper container 3 is opened and closed, can be mounted on the hinge mounting step 24-1 and stably supported, thereby stabilizing the opening and closing operation of the lid 32.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 22-1 is located inside the second peripheral wall portion 22-2 over the entire circumference. Therefore, the mounting step portion 24 is formed in an annular shape over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall portion 22. With this configuration, the outer edge of the upper container 3 is supported by the lower container 2 over the entire circumference, allowing the upper container 3 to be mounted on the lower container 2 in a more stable state.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first peripheral wall 22-1 protrudes more at the center of each side and at the four corners than at other parts, and the mounting steps 24 located at the center of each side and at the four corners have a larger area than the other parts. With this configuration, the first peripheral wall 22-1 can ensure a certain level of storage capacity even when the lower container 2 protrudes, and the large mounting steps 24 located at key points can stably support the upper container 3.

[0076] 4 and 5, the configuration of the mounting step 24 is not limited to the configuration exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, and may be any configuration that can abut against the outer edge of the upper container 3 to support (hold) the upper container 3. For example, the second peripheral wall 22-2 may be formed with a rib shape that extends horizontally and protrudes toward the center of the lower container 2, the upper surface of which may serve as the mounting step. Furthermore, mounting steps may be provided only at the four inner corners of the peripheral wall 22 so that the opening of the lower container 2 has a chamfered rectangular shape in plan view.

[0077] The locking portion 25 is located above the mounting step 24 and locks the outer edge of the upper container 3 placed on the mounting step 24. The provision of the locking portion 25 makes it possible to lock the upper container 3 to the lower container 2. In this embodiment, the locking portion 25 is provided on the inner circumferential side of the peripheral wall portion 22.

[0078] In this embodiment, the locking portions 25 are located at the upper end portion 22a of the peripheral wall portion 22, and as shown in Fig. 6, are provided on the second peripheral wall portion 22-2 in the form of ribs that convex toward the center of the lower container 2. The upper surface of the outer edge of the upper container 3 abuts against the lower surface of the locking portions 25, thereby locking the upper container 3. In this embodiment, such locking portions 25 are provided on the upper end portion 22a of the peripheral wall portion 22 in the direction in which the edge of the upper end portion 22a extends, with a total of eight locking portions 25 provided, two on each side.

[0079] In this embodiment, the locking portion 25 is located above the hinge mounting step 24-1 and has a hinge locking portion 25-1 that locks the hinge portion 33. With this configuration, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the hinge portion 33, which changes shape as the lid 32 of the upper container 3 is opened and closed, can be locked by the hinge locking portion 25-1, stabilizing the opening and closing operation of the lid 32.

[0080] The configuration and location of the locking portion 25 are not limited to the configurations exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, but may be any configuration that can lock the outer edge of the upper container 3 placed on the placement step 24.

[0081] The relief portion 26 is provided at a position corresponding to the hinge portion 33 of the upper container 3 placed on the placement step portion 24. In this embodiment, the relief portion 26 is provided on the peripheral wall portion 22. The relief portion 26 has a portion that allows the hinge portion 33 to expand when the lid 32 is opened or closed, when the upper container 3 is placed on the placement step 24 and the outer edge is locked by the locking portion 25. In other words, the relief portion 26 allows the lid 32 to be opened and closed by preventing any change in shape that occurs when the hinge portion 33 expands in the placed and locked state (set state).

[0082] By providing the relief portion 26, the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be freely opened and closed even when the upper container 3 is set on the lower container 2. The relief portion 26 makes it possible to open the lid 32 at an angle of 90 degrees or more relative to the container body 31.

[0083] In this embodiment, the distance between the hinge mounting step 24-1 and the hinge locking portion 25-1 is set to a distance that allows for a change in shape when the hinge portion 33 is opened and closed, and a space that allows for the opening and closing of the lid body 32 is secured above the hinge locking portion 25-1, thereby forming the escape portion 26. It is also possible to secure a space that allows for the opening and closing of the lid body 32 above the hinge mounting step 24-1 by locking the outer edge of the upper container 3 at a portion other than the hinge portion 33 and not providing the hinge locking portion 25-1, thereby forming the escape portion 26. In short, the escape portion 26 may have any shape that allows for a space that allows for a change in shape when the hinge portion 33 is opened and closed when the lid body 32 is opened and closed, at the portion where the hinge portion 33 of the upper container 3 is located in the set state.

[0084] The container flange portion 23 is formed so as to extend flatly laterally from the upper end portion 22a of the peripheral wall portion 22. The container flange portion 23 is provided around the entire periphery of the upper end portion 22a of the peripheral wall portion 22.

[0085] 9, the inner edge of the container flange 23, i.e., the upper edge 22a of the peripheral wall 22, functions as a stopper that restricts the movement of the lid 32 of the upper container 3 set on the lower container 2 in the opening direction. This configuration prevents the lid 32 of the upper container 3 set on the lower container 2 from opening too far, keeping it in a half-open state. This reduces the footprint of the two-tiered packaging container 1 when the lid 32 is open.

[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting step 24, the locking portion 25, and the relief portion 26 are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the storage bottom portion 21. With this configuration, as shown by reference numerals 101 and 102 in Figure 10, the upper container 3 can be set even when rotated 180 degrees relative to the lower container 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be opened and closed even when the upper container 3 is rotated 180 degrees.

[0087] This eliminates the need to consider which of the two long sides of the lower container 2 the opening edge of the upper container 3 should be positioned on when placing the upper container 3, and allows the upper container 3 to be easily set by simply matching the shapes of the lower container 2 and the upper container 3.

[0088] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, a pair of corner cutouts 27 are formed at diagonal positions on the container flange 23. The corner cutouts 27 allow the tips of the lid knob 42 and main body knob 43, which are the knobs of the set upper container 3, to protrude beyond the outer edge of the lower container 2, making it easier to open the lid 32 by pinching the knobs. By providing a pair of such corner cutouts 27 at diagonal positions on the container flange 23, the knobs can always protrude even when the upper container 3 is set after being rotated 180 degrees.

[0089] In this embodiment, the corner of the second peripheral wall 22-2 where the corner cutting portion 27 is located has an inclined surface 28 that is inclined so as to widen from the upper end of the second peripheral wall 22-2 toward the upper end of the first peripheral wall 22-1. By providing the inclined surface 28, the lid knob 42 and the main body knob 43 of the set upper container 3 face diagonally upward, with their tips facing diagonally upward and protruding. This makes it easier to remove the upper container 3 from the lower container 2 by gripping both the lid knob 42 and the main body knob 43.

[0090] (effect) As described above, with the lower container 2 and packaging container 1 of this embodiment, the upper container 3, which is an integrated lid container, functions as an inner tray that separates the upper and lower storage space of the packaging container 1 and as a lid for the packaging container 1, allowing for separate storage of the upper and lower halves without compromising the convenience of an integrated lid container. Moreover, the lower container 2 is formed with relief portions 26 that allow the lid 32 to open and close by accommodating deformation of the hinge portion 33 of the upper container 3 when it is opened and closed. Therefore, the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be opened and closed freely even when set on the lower container 2.

[0091] This allows the user to easily open and close the lid 32 to add side dishes, etc., even when the upper container 3 containing side dishes such as tempura is set on top of the lower container 2 containing rice, noodles, etc.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the placement step portion 24 and the locking portion 25 are arranged point-symmetrically around the center P of the storage bottom portion 21, so that the upper container 3 can be set on the lower container 2 even if it is rotated 180 degrees.

[0093] This allows for easy assembly by simply matching the shapes of the lower container 2 and the upper container 3 without having to consider the position of the hinge portion of the upper container 3, making it easy to use.

[0094] Moreover, in the above configuration, the escape portion 26 is also provided point-symmetrically around the center P of the storage bottom portion 21, so that the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be freely opened and closed even when the upper container 3 is rotated 180 degrees and set.

[0095] In other words, with the above configuration, the upper container 3 can be set even when rotated 180 degrees relative to the lower container 2, and the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be opened and closed even when the upper container 3 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the lower container 2.

[0096] Here, a configuration in which the upper container 3 can be set with 180-degree rotational symmetry has been exemplified, but such a configuration is not necessary in a configuration in which the lid 32 of the upper container 3 can be freely opened and closed when set on the lower container 2.

[0097] Furthermore, since the upper container 3, which is an integrated lid container, functions as the lid and inner tray of the two-tiered packaging container, the lid 32 is doubly locked (fitted) with the container body 31 and locked by the locking portion 25 of the lower container 2. This effectively prevents the lid 32 from accidentally opening and causing waste of the contents when the container is being carried.

[0098] Furthermore, by designing the lower container 2 to match an existing integrated lid container, it is possible to realize a two-tiered packaging container 1 using the existing integrated lid container. As a result, even if a new upper container 3 is designed, the upper container 3 can be used both alone and in combination with the lower container 2.

[0099] As a result, we will be able to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" and Goal 14 "Life below water."

[0100] Although an example in which the lid-integrated container is placed on the lower container as the upper container has been shown, the use is not limited to this. Instead of the lid-integrated container, a fitting lid can be fitted to the lower container.

[0101] 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]

[0102] 1 Packaging container 2 Lower vessel 3 Upper vessel 21 Storage bottom part 22 Peripheral wall section 22a Upper end 23 Container flange (flange) 24 Loading step 24L Long side loading step 24LW Wide part on the long side 24S Short side loading step 24SW Wide part on the short side 25 Locking part 26 Relief 31 Container body 32 Lid 33 Hinge part (outer edge)

Claims

1. A lower container having a rectangular shape in a plan view, A storage bottom portion; a peripheral wall portion extending upward from the housing bottom surface portion; a mounting step portion that is located on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion, supports an outer edge of the upper container, and mounts the upper container on top of the storage bottom portion, the upper container being an integrated lid container that is rectangular in plan view and has a container body and a lid connected by a hinge portion; a locking portion located above the mounting step portion and configured to lock an outer edge of the upper container placed on the mounting step portion; a relief portion provided at a position corresponding to the hinge portion of the upper container placed on the placement step portion, the relief portion has a portion that allows the hinge portion to expand and contract when the lid body is opened and closed in a state in which the upper container is placed on the placement step and the outer edge portion is locked by the locking portion, The mounting step is formed at least at a central position on each of the long side and the short side, The mounting step portion is formed such that the width at the center of each of the long and short sides of the lower container is wider than the width at each of the end portions.

2. The lower container according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the wide portion formed at the center of the mounting step along the outer edge of the upper container is different between the long side and the short side.

3. The lower container according to claim 2, wherein the length of the wide portion formed at the central position is longer on the long side than on the short side.

4. The lower container according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting step and the locking portion are provided symmetrically with respect to a center of the housing bottom portion.

5. The housing further includes a flange portion extending laterally and flatly from an upper end of the peripheral wall portion, 5. The lower container according to claim 4, wherein a pair of corner chamfers are formed at diagonal positions of the flange portion.

6. an upper container that is a rectangular container in a plan view, in which a container body and a lid body are connected by a hinge portion; A packaging container comprising a lower container according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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