Coating material container

The coating material container addresses aesthetic and functional issues by using flange-shaped wall portions to conceal fitting parts, ensuring efficient and long-term usability.

JP7851013B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-24TOKIWA CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
TOKIWA CORP
Filing Date
2022-04-05
Publication Date
2026-04-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional applicator containers have aesthetic issues due to visible fitting parts, and there is a risk of coating material getting trapped, leading to inefficient fitting over time.

Method used

The coating material container features a design with flange-shaped wall portions and aligned fitting portions, where protrusions and recesses are hidden by the wall portions, allowing for efficient fitting and preventing material entrapment.

Benefits of technology

Improves aesthetics and ensures efficient fitting of the containers by hiding the protrusions and recesses, reducing the likelihood of material entrapment even with prolonged use.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a coating material storage tool capable of achieving preferable appearance, and efficiently performing fitting.SOLUTION: A coating material storage tool 10 comprises: a flange wall part 14 protruded to an opposite side of an opening, on a side face; a first fitting part 15 having a salient part 17 which is formed at a position opposite to a top face of the wall part 14; and a second fitting part 16 which is formed at a position opposite to the top face of the wall part 14 and separated from the first fitting part 15, and has a recess 18 to which the salient 17 is fitted. The salient 17 of one coating material storage tool 10 is fitted to the recess 18 of the other coating material storage tool 10, and the salient 17 of the other coating material storage tool 10 is fitted to the recess 18 of the one coating material storage tool 10, therefore, the one coating material storage tool 10 and the other coating material storage tool 10 are coupled each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an applicator container for storing an applicator material.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various applicator containers for storing applicator materials have been known. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43289 describes a compact case for storing an applicator material. The compact case includes a case body having a concave plate frame storage portion into which a plate frame containing a cosmetic is inserted. A plurality of plate frame locking portions for locking the plate frame are formed on the side wall of the plate frame storage portion.

[0003] The plate frame locking portion is composed of a locking projection that protrudes from the side wall of the plate frame storage portion and is semicircular in plan view, and a locking groove that is formed at a position separated from the locking projection and is recessed in a semicircular shape in plan view on the side wall of the plate frame storage portion. Each of the plurality of plate frames has a plate frame engaging portion that is engaged with the plate frame storage portion. The plate frame engaging portion is composed of an engaging projection that protrudes semicircularly in plan view from the side surface of each plate frame, and an engaging groove that is recessed semicircularly in plan view on the side surface of each plate frame.

[0004] Each plate frame is fitted into the plate frame storage portion of the case body from above. At this time, the engaging projection of each plate frame engages with the locking groove of the plate frame storage portion, and the locking projection of the plate frame storage portion engages with the engaging groove of each plate frame. The above-mentioned engaging projection, locking groove, engaging groove, and locking projection are exposed when the plate frame is fitted into the case body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned compact case, when the metal plate frame is fitted into the case body, the protrusions such as engaging projections and locking projections, and the grooves such as engaging grooves and locking grooves are visible. In other words, the fitting parts such as the semicircular protrusions and grooves are visible in plan view, so there is room for improvement in terms of the aesthetics of the coating material container.

[0007] Furthermore, if the above-mentioned mating portion is exposed, it is anticipated that the coating material may become trapped between the projection and the groove during prolonged use. When the coating material becomes trapped between the projection and the groove, the smooth mating of the projection into the groove becomes impossible, which could lead to a problem in efficiently mating the coating material container.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a coating material container that improves aesthetics and allows for efficient fitting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] A coating material container relating to one aspect of the present disclosure is a coating material container having a top surface having an opening formed therein that exposes the contained coating material, and a side surface extending from the top surface in a direction intersecting the top surface. The coating material container comprises a flange-shaped wall portion projecting on the side surface away from the opening, a first fitting portion having a convex portion formed at a position opposite to the top surface of the wall portion, and a second fitting portion formed at a position opposite to the top surface of the wall portion and spaced apart from the first fitting portion, having a recess into which the convex portion fits. The amount of protrusion of the first fitting portion relative to the side surface is greater than the amount of protrusion of the wall portion relative to the side surface on the top surface side of the first fitting portion. The convex portion protrudes in one direction in the circumferential direction, which is the direction in which the outer edge of the opening extends. The concave portion is formed to be recessed in the other direction in the circumferential direction. The first and second fitting portions are aligned along the circumferential direction on the side surface. The convex portion of the first fitting portion protrudes toward the second fitting portion. The second fitting portion has an inclined projection that is sloped such that the amount of projection from the side surface increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion. The protrusion of one coating material container fits into the recess of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container fits into the recess of the first coating material container, thereby connecting the two coating material containers to each other.

[0010] The coating material container relating to one side comprises a flange-shaped wall portion projecting from the side opposite to the opening where the coating material is exposed, a first fitting portion having a protrusion formed on the wall portion opposite to the top surface, and a second fitting portion having a recess formed on the wall portion opposite to the top surface. The protrusion of the first fitting portion of one coating material container fits into the recess of the second fitting portion of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the first fitting portion of the other coating material container fits into the recess of the second fitting portion of the one coating material container. Furthermore, the protrusion of one coating material container fits into the recess of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container fits into the recess of one coating material container, thereby connecting one coating material container to the other coating material container. Therefore, when the protrusions and recesses of one coating material container are fitted into the recesses and protrusions of another coating material container, at least a portion of the pair of flange-like walls located on the top surface are in contact with or close to each other, making it difficult to see the recesses and protrusions of each coating material container from the top surface. In other words, at least a portion of the recesses and protrusions can be hidden by the flange-like walls. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the coating material containers when viewed from the top surface can be improved. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the recesses and protrusions are hidden by the flange-like walls, it is possible to suppress the coating material from getting stuck in the recesses and protrusions. Therefore, even when the coating material containers are used for a long period of time, the sticking of the coating material can be suppressed, and the fitting of the coating material containers can be performed efficiently.

[0011] [2] A coating material container relating to another aspect of the present disclosure is a coating material container having a top surface having an opening formed therein that exposes the contained coating material, and a side surface extending from the top surface in a direction intersecting the top surface. The coating material container comprises a wall portion projecting on the side surface away from the opening, a first fitting portion having a protrusion formed on the side of the wall portion away from the top surface, and a second fitting portion formed on the side of the wall portion away from the first fitting portion and having a recess into which the protrusion fits. The amount of protrusion of the first fitting portion relative to the side surface is greater than the amount of protrusion of the wall portion relative to the side surface on the top surface side of the first fitting portion. The convex portion protrudes in one direction in the circumferential direction, which is the direction in which the outer edge of the opening extends. The concave portion is formed to be recessed in the other direction in the circumferential direction. The first and second fitting portions are aligned along the circumferential direction on the side surface. The convex portion of the first fitting portion protrudes toward the second fitting portion. The second fitting portion has an inclined projection that is sloped such that the amount of projection from the side surface increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion.When the protrusion of one coating material container is fitted into the recess of another coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container is fitted into the recess of the first coating material container, when viewed from the top, at least a portion of the protrusion of the first coating material container is hidden by the wall of the other coating material container, and at least a portion of the protrusion of the other coating material container is hidden by the wall of the first coating material container.

[0012] This coating material container relating to another side comprises a wall portion provided on the side, a first fitting portion having a protrusion formed on the opposite side of the wall portion from the top surface, and a second fitting portion having a recess formed on the opposite side of the wall portion from the top surface. When the protrusion of one coating material container is fitted into the recess of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container is fitted into the recess of the one coating material container, at least a part of the protrusion of the one coating material container and at least a part of the protrusion of the other coating material container are hidden from the top surface. Therefore, similar to the coating material container relating to one side described above, the recess and protrusion of each coating material container can be made difficult to see from the top surface, and at least a part of the recess and protrusion can be hidden by the wall portion, thus improving aesthetics. Furthermore, since at least a part of the recess and protrusion can be hidden by the wall portion, it is possible to suppress the coating material from getting stuck in the recess and protrusion, so that fitting in the coating material container can be performed efficiently even when the coating material container is used for a long period of time.

[0013] [3] In the coating material container described in [1] or [2] above, the convex portion may have a convex inclined portion that fits into the recess and is inclined with respect to the side surface, and the recess may have a recess inclined portion that faces the convex inclined portion and is inclined with respect to the side surface. In this case, the convex inclined portion can be inserted into the recess inclined portion from the direction inclined with respect to the side surface, so that the convex portion can be fitted into the recess more smoothly.

[0014] Zhou The protrusions can be fitted into the recesses along the direction, and the coating material container can be moved in the lateral direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the top surface, to fit the protrusions into the recesses, thus making fitting in the coating material container even easier.

[0015] [5] In the coating material container described in any of [1] to [4] above, a gap may be formed between the convex portion and the wall portion, and the wall portion may have a stepped portion connected to a concave portion. In this case, the stepped portion of one coating material container can be inserted into the gap of one coating material container to fit the convex portion into the concave portion. Therefore, positioning can be achieved by fitting one coating material container to another coating material container.

[0016] [6] In the coating material container described in any of [1] to [5] above, the coating material may include a solid drawing material and a holder for holding the solid drawing material. The holder may have either a groove or a shaft. The coating material container may have either the groove or the shaft. The holder may be rotatably supported with respect to the coating material container with the shaft fitted into the groove. In this case, the holder can be rotatably supported with respect to the coating material container by fitting the shaft provided on one of the holder and the coating material container into a groove provided on the other. In this case, since the holder of the coating material is rotatable with respect to the coating material container, the holder can be easily removed from the coating material container by this rotation.

[0017] [7] In the coating material container described in [6] above, the holder may have a pair of protrusions formed at the end of the holder and a groove formed between the pair of protrusions. The groove may have a first groove into which the shaft of the coating material container fits, and a second groove extending from the first groove to the side opposite the end. In this case, the formation of the second groove extending from the first groove to the side opposite the end allows for an appropriate elastic force when gripping the shafts of the pair of protrusions. Therefore, the groove makes it possible to adjust the elastic force of the pair of protrusions, making it easy to attach the holder to the coating material container.

[0018] [8] In the coating material container described in [6] or [7] above, the holder may have a hole into which a rod-shaped object for lifting the holder can be hooked. In this case, the holder can be lifted by hooking a rod-shaped object such as a finger into the hole, making it even easier to remove the holder from the coating material container.

[0019] [9] In the coating material container according to any one of [6] to [8] above, the holder may have a plate shape having a pair of protrusions formed at the ends of the holder and a groove formed between the pair of protrusions. The holder may have a thin portion formed at a position adjacent to the groove. In this case, since the thin portion of the plate-shaped holder is formed at a position adjacent to the groove, the rotational resistance of the shaft portion fitted into the groove can be made appropriate. Therefore, the rotational operation of the holder with respect to the coating material container can be performed more smoothly.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, the aesthetic property can be improved, and the fitting in the coating material container can be efficiently performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing an example of a storage case in which the coating material container according to the embodiment is stored. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the storage case of FIG. 1, a plurality of coating material containers, and a frame body. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a plurality of coating material containers. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a first fitting portion, a second fitting portion, and a wall portion of the coating material container. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the first fitting portion, the second fitting portion, and the wall portion as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a bottom view showing the first fitting portion, the second fitting portion, and the wall portion as viewed from the side opposite to the opening. [Figure 7] It is a bottom view showing a state in which a plurality of coating material containers are fitted together. [Figure 8] It is a bottom view showing a state in which a plurality of coating material containers are fitted. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing a coating material container, a holder, and a solid drawing material according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the coating material container of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the holder. [Figure 12] Figure 9 shows a side view of the holder and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coating material container. [Figure 13] Figure 9 is a front view showing the holder. [Figure 14] This is an enlarged side view of the pair of protrusions and grooves of the holder shown in Figure 9. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing multiple coating material containers, frames, and storage cases related to modified examples. [Figure 16] (a) and (b) are enlarged perspective views of the first fitting portion, second fitting portion, and wall portion of the coating material holder shown in Figure 15. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The embodiments of the coating material container according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, for the sake of ease of understanding, some parts of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated, and the dimensional ratios, etc., are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0023] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a storage case 100 that houses the coating material container 10 according to the first embodiment. The coating material container 10 houses the coating material M. The coating material container 10 is also called a tray. In this disclosure, "coating material" refers to the material to be applied to the part to be coated. The "coating material" may be, for example, a cosmetic or a drawing material. The "part to be coated" refers to the object to be coated by the coating material, and examples include the skin, eyebrows, hair, or paper of the user of the coating material container 10. In this embodiment, the "applied tool" may be, for example, a cosmetic applicator such as a puff, sponge, tip, impregnated body, or brush, or a brush or stationery.

[0024] In this embodiment, the coating material M may be solid, semi-solid, soft, or mousse-like. For example, the coating material M may be eye color, lip color, eyebrow powder, powder foundation, touch-up powder, concealer, blush, or base makeup. The storage case 100 is, for example, a cosmetic palette. In this case, the storage case 100 is also referred to as a makeup palette.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the storage case 100 has a rectangular plate shape. The storage case 100 has, for example, a case body 1. Inside the case body 1, for example, a plurality of coating material containers 10 are housed. The case body 1 extends in a first direction D1, which is the longitudinal direction of the storage case 100, a second direction D2, which is the short direction of the storage case 100, and a third direction D3, which is the thickness direction of the storage case 100. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 intersect each other (for example, orthogonal).

[0026] The case body 1 comprises a main body portion 2 in which a plurality of coating material containers 10 are arranged, and a lid portion 3 for opening or closing the main body portion 2. The main body portion 2 is, for example, rectangular in shape. The main body portion 2 is plate-shaped and extends in a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3. The case body 1 has a hinge 4 on one side of the main body portion 2 in the second direction D2.

[0027] The lid 3 is pivotable relative to the main body 2 via a hinge 4. This allows the main body 2 to be opened and closed. The main body 2 has a stopper 2b that secures the lid 3 at a location opposite to the hinge 4 in the second direction D2. For example, in the main body 2, the stopper 2b is convex and extends along the first direction D1.

[0028] In the following explanation, the direction in which the lid portion 3 is provided relative to the main body portion 2 (one side of the third direction D3) will be described as up, upper, or upward, and the direction in which the main body portion 2 is provided relative to the lid portion 3 (the other side of the third direction D3) will be described as down, lower, or downward. However, these directions are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the placement positions of the components.

[0029] The lid portion 3 is, for example, rectangular in shape. The lid portion 3 is provided on the upper side of the main body portion 2. The lid portion 3 has a protrusion 3b on one side in the shorter direction of the lid portion 3 that fastens to the main body portion 2. For example, the protrusion 3b fits into a hole 2f (see Figure 2) formed on the upper surface of the fastening portion 2b. By the protrusion 3b fitting into the hole 2f, the lid portion 3 is fastened to the main body portion 2 in a sealed state. For example, the lid portion 3 has an inner surface 3c facing the main body portion 2. As an example, the inner surface 3c is a mirror surface. In this case, a mirror 3d is attached to the lid portion 3, and the mirror 3d attached to the lid portion 3 constitutes the inner surface 3c of the lid portion 3.

[0030] For example, the storage case 100 has a frame 5 that fixes the coating material container 10 to the case body 1. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the case body 1, the coating material container 10, and the frame 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 5 has a frame shape with an opening 5b that exposes the coating material container 10.

[0031] In the storage case 100, for example, multiple coating material containers 10 are fixed inside the opening 5b of the frame 5. Inside the opening 5b of the frame 5, for example, multiple coating material containers 10 are arranged along a first direction D1 and along a second direction D2. The number of coating material containers 10 arranged along the first direction D1 and the number of coating material containers 10 arranged along the second direction D2 are changeable.

[0032] The main body 2 has a recess 2c that is recessed in the second direction D2 on the side opposite to the hinge 4 in the second direction D2. For example, a stopper 2b is formed on the outer surface of the recess 2c in the main body 2. An upward-opening hole 2f is formed on the upper surface of the stopper 2b, and the convex portion 3b of the lid 3 described above fits into the hole 2f. When the convex portion 3b fits into the hole 2f, the convex portion 3b engages inside the hole 2f, causing the lid 3 to engage with the main body 2 while closing the main body 2. When the stopper 2b is pushed inward in the second direction D2 while the lid 3 is engaged with the main body 2, the engagement of the convex portion 3b inside the hole 2f is released, making it possible to open the lid 3 from the main body 2 and release the coating material container 10. The frame 5 has a projection 5c that protrudes downward. The projection 5c fits into a space further inward in the second direction D2 than the hole 2f in the main body 2. The protrusion 5c of the frame 5 that holds the coating material container 10 fits into the space, thereby housing the coating material container 10 in the main body 2.

[0033] The frame 5 has, for example, an upper surface 5d, a lower surface 5f, an inner surface 5g that defines an opening 5b, and an outer surface 5h that faces the opposite side of the inner surface 5g. As an example, the upper surface 5d and the lower surface 5f are both flat. The frame 5 has a claw portion 5j on its upper surface 5d that rests on the case body 1.

[0034] For example, the frame 5 has a pair of claws 5j aligned along a first direction D1, and each claw 5j rests on the edge 2g of the main body 2 adjacent to the hinge 4. For example, the claws 5j are elastically deformable in a third direction D3, and the frame 5 can be removed from the case body 1 (main body 2) by hooking a finger or the like onto the claws 5j.

[0035] The frame 5 has a projection 5k that protrudes downward on its inner surface 5g, and a projection 5m that protrudes inward from the inner surface 5g when viewed from above. For example, the frame 5 has a plurality of projections 5k and a plurality of projections 5m. The projection 5m is formed on at least one of the plurality of projections 5k. The projection 5m is the part that fits into the coating material container 10.

[0036] In this disclosure, “fitting” means that multiple objects fit together with one another. “Fitting” is not limited to multiple objects fitting together completely, but also includes multiple objects fitting together with a gap formed between them, that is, multiple objects fitting together with a clearance formed between them (also referred to as a clearance fit, interference fit, or intermediate fit). For example, the coating material container 10 is held in the frame 5 by the protrusion 5m fitting into the coating material container 10.

[0037] Next, the coating material container 10 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the coating material container 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, for example, the multiple coating material containers 10 include a first coating material container 10A and a second coating material container 10B of different sizes. For example, the length of the first coating material container 10A in the first direction D1 is longer than the length of the second coating material container 10B in the first direction D1. The type of coating material container 10 is not limited to the first coating material container 10A and the second coating material container 10B described above, and for example, a coating material container 10 that is even longer than the length of the first coating material container 10A in the first direction D1 may be provided, and is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, it is possible to freely fit and connect multiple types of coating material containers 10 having different sizes or different shapes.

[0038] Some components of the first coating material container 10A are identical to some components of the second coating material container 10B. Therefore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first coating material container 10A and the second coating material container 10B, both the first coating material container 10A and the second coating material container 10B will be described as coating material container 10.

[0039] The coating material container 10 has an opening 10b through which the contained coating material M is exposed, and the opening 10b is oriented upward. The outer edge of the opening 10b extends in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the direction in which the outer edge of the opening 10b extends is referred to as the circumferential direction. The coating material container 10 has a top surface 11 that is oriented upward, a side surface 12 that is oriented in either the first direction D1 or the second direction D2, and a bottom surface 13 that faces away from the top surface 11. The top surface 11 has an opening 10b through which the contained coating material M is exposed. When viewed from above, the top surface 11 has the shape of a rectangular frame with rounded corners. The coating material M is contained inside the top surface 11 when viewed from above.

[0040] The side surface 12 extends from the top surface 11 in a direction intersecting the top surface 11. The side surface 12 includes a wall portion 14, a first fitting portion 15 located below the wall portion 14, and a second fitting portion 16 provided at a different position from the first fitting portion 15 at the bottom of the wall portion 14. For example, the side surface 12 includes a first side surface 12b oriented in a first direction D1 and a second side surface 12c oriented in a second direction D2.

[0041] Each of the first side surface 12b and the second side surface 12c has at least one first fitting portion 15 and at least one second fitting portion 16. On the first side surface 12b, the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 are aligned along the second direction D2, and on the second side surface 12c, the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 are aligned along the first direction D1.

[0042] For example, one first fitting portion 15 and one second fitting portion 16 are formed on the first side surface 12b and the second side surface 12c of the second coating material container 10B. For example, one first fitting portion 15 and one second fitting portion 16 are formed on the first side surface 12b of the first coating material container 10A. In contrast, two first fitting portions 15 and two second fitting portions 16 are formed on the second side surface 12c of the first coating material container 10A.

[0043] The wall portion 14 protrudes from the side surface 12. That is, the wall portion 14 has a flange-like shape that protrudes to the outside of the coating material container 10 (opposite side from the opening 10b) when viewed from above (plan view). In plan view, the wall portion 14 extends in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0044] For example, the wall portion 14 is provided around the entire circumference of the coating material container 10 when viewed from above. As an example, the wall portion 14 has a lower surface 14b facing downward, an outer surface 14c facing outwards from the coating material container 10 in a plan view, and a curved surface 14d located between the outer surface 14c and the top surface 11.

[0045] The first fitting portion 15 is the part that fits into the second fitting portion 16 of another coating material container 10, and the second fitting portion 16 is the part that fits into the first fitting portion 15 of another coating material container 10. The first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 protrude from the side surface 12. For example, the maximum amount of protrusion of the first fitting portion 15 relative to the side surface 12 and the maximum amount of protrusion of the second fitting portion 16 relative to the side surface 12 are greater than the maximum amount of protrusion of the wall portion 14 relative to the side surface 12. For example, in a side view (when viewed from a direction intersecting the third direction D3, or when viewed from either the first direction D1 or the second direction D2), the first fitting portion 15 has an L-shape, and the second fitting portion 16 has a rectangular shape. The details of the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 will be described below.

[0046] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 viewed from below. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 viewed from below. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the first fitting portion 15 has a first projection 15b protruding from the side surface 12, a second projection 15c protruding upward from the first projection 15b, and a convex portion 17 protruding circumferentially from the first projection 15b.

[0047] The first projection 15b protrudes, for example, in a rectangular shape from the side surface 12. For example, the first projection 15b has a lower surface 15b1 facing downward, an outer surface 15b2 extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3, and a side surface 15b3 facing away from the second fitting portion 16. The lower surface 15b1, the outer surface 15b2, and the side surface 15b3 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0048] For example, the second projection 15c has an upper surface 15c1 facing upward, an outer surface 15c2 extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3, a first side surface 15c3 facing the second fitting portion 16, and a second side surface 15c4 facing away from the second fitting portion 16. For example, the outer surface 15c2 is flush with the outer surface 15b2 of the first projection 15b, and the second side surface 15c4 is flush with the side surface 15b3 of the first projection 15b. The upper surface 15c1, the outer surface 15c2, the first side surface 15c3, and the second side surface 15c4 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0049] The second fitting portion 16 has an inclined projection 16b that is inclined such that the amount of protrusion from the side surface 12 increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion 15, a top surface portion 16c that extends circumferentially from the side of the inclined projection 16b opposite to the first fitting portion 15, a projection 16d that protrudes from the top surface portion 16c on the opposite side of the first fitting portion 15 and away from the side surface 12, and a recess 18 formed between the projection 16d and the side surface 12.

[0050] As an example, the inclined projection 16b has a lower surface 16b1 and an inclined surface 16b2 that is inclined with respect to the side surface 12 such that the amount of protrusion from the side surface 12 increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion 15. The upper end of the inclined surface 16b2 is connected to the lower surface 14b of the wall portion 14. The lower surface 16b1 and the inclined surface 16b2 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0051] The top surface 16c has a bottom surface 16c1 and an outer surface 16c2 extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3. For example, the outer surface 16c2 may be flush with the outer surface 14c of the wall 14, or a small step may be formed between the outer surface 16c2 and the outer surface 14c of the wall 14. For example, the height of the outer surface 16c2 relative to the side surface 12 may be the same as the height of the outer surface 14c of the wall 14 relative to the side surface 12, or it may be slightly lower than the height of the outer surface 14c of the wall 14 relative to the side surface 12. The bottom surface 16c1 and the outer surface 16c2 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0052] For example, the second fitting portion 16 has a curved portion 16f that curves so that the second fitting portion 16 becomes thinner at the base of the projection portion 16d. The curved portion 16f is formed between the top surface portion 16c and the projection portion 16d. The curved portion 16f is curved so as to be recessed between the top surface portion 16c and the projection portion 16d. As a result, the flexibility of the projection portion 16d (flexibility in the direction approaching the side surface 12 and moving away from the side surface 12) starting from the curved portion 16f can be increased.

[0053] For example, the second fitting portion 16 has a surface 16j at the base of the projection 16d that faces away from the first fitting portion 15. The projection 16d has, for example, an inclined portion 16g and an extended portion 16h that extends from the inclined portion 16g toward the opposite side of the first fitting portion 15. The inclined portion 16g has, as an example, a lower surface 16g1, an inclined surface 16g2 that extends from the curved portion 16f toward the side surface 12, and an upper surface 16g3.

[0054] The lower surface 16g1, the inclined surface 16g2, and the upper surface 16g3 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface. For example, the extended portion 16h has a lower surface 16h1, an outer surface 16h2 extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3, and an upper surface 16h3. The lower surface 16h1, the outer surface 16h2, and the upper surface 16h3 are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0055] The protrusion 17 of the first fitting portion 15 protrudes in one direction in the circumferential direction (for example, towards the second fitting portion 16). The protrusion 17 is the part that fits into the recess 18 of the second fitting portion 16. A gap 10c is formed between the protrusion 17 and the wall portion 14. The protrusion 17 has, for example, an inner surface 17b facing the side surface 12, an outer surface 17c facing the opposite side of the inner surface 17b, a lower surface 17d, and an upper surface 17f.

[0056] The inner surface 17b, outer surface 17c, lower surface 17d, and upper surface 17f are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface. The inner surface 17b has, for example, an extended portion 17b1 extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3, and a convex inclined portion 17b2 that is inclined to move away from the side surface 12 relative to the extended portion 17b1. The convex inclined portion 17b2 is inclined with respect to the side surface 12 and is the portion that fits into the recess 18. The inclination angle of the convex inclined portion 17b2 with respect to the side surface 12 (the side surface 12 that the convex portion 17 faces) is acute (less than 90°).

[0057] The recess 18 of the second fitting portion 16 is formed to recess toward the other side in the circumferential direction (for example, toward the first fitting portion 15). The recess 18 has, for example, a recessed inclined portion 18b facing the opposite side (side surface 12 side) from the inclined surface 16g2. The recessed inclined portion 18b is inclined with respect to the side surface 12. The wall portion 14 has a stepped portion 14f connected to the recess 18. The stepped portion 14f rises inward from the side surface 12 into the recess 18. For example, the recess 18 is defined by the recessed inclined portion 18b, the surface 16j, the side surface 12, and the stepped portion 14f. The inclination angle of the recessed inclined portion 18b with respect to the side surface 12 (the side surface 12 that the recess 18 faces) is acute (less than 90°). Therefore, it is possible to make the insertion of the convex portion 17 (convex inclined portion 17b2) into the recess 18 even easier.

[0058] Next, the assembly method of the coating material container 10 using the first fitting portion 15 and the second fitting portion 16 will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figures 7 and 8 show the bottom surfaces 13 of multiple coating material containers 10. First, as shown in Figure 7, the multiple coating material containers 10 are arranged facing each other along a direction intersecting the third direction D3 (for example, the second direction D2).

[0059] The heights of the multiple coating material containers 10 in the third direction D3 are aligned. At this time, for example, the heights of the multiple coating material containers 10 in the third direction D3 are aligned by placing the bottom surfaces 13 of the multiple coating material containers 10 on a flat mounting surface. Then, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first fitting portion 15 of one coating material container 10 is fitted into the second fitting portion 16 of another coating material container 10, and the second fitting portion 16 of one coating material container 10 is fitted into the first fitting portion 15 of another coating material container 10.

[0060] At this time, the protrusion 17 of the first fitting portion 15 is fitted into the recess 18 of the second fitting portion 16. For example, the inclined portion 17b2 of the protrusion 17 enters the recess 18, and the inclined portion 18b of the recess faces the inclined portion 17b2, so that the protrusion 17 is fitted into the recess 18. At this time, at least a part of one wall portion 14 is in contact with at least a part of the other wall portion 14. By following the above procedure, it is possible to easily connect multiple coating material containers 10 arranged along the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 to each other.

[0061] After connecting the multiple coating material containers 10 to each other, the multiple coating material containers 10 are fixed to the frame 5 by, for example, fitting the frame 5 onto the multiple coating material containers 10 from above. When removing the multiple coating material containers 10 from the frame 5, they are removed by pulling them downwards from the frame 5. After the multiple coating material containers 10 and the frame 5 are placed in the main body 2 of the case body 1, the assembly of the storage case 100 is completed.

[0062] Next, the effects and advantages obtained from the coating material container 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 8, the coating material container 10 comprises a flange-shaped wall portion 14 that protrudes on the side surface 12 opposite to the opening 10b in which the coating material M is exposed, a first fitting portion 15 having a protrusion 17 formed on the wall portion 14 at a position opposite to the opening 10b, and a second fitting portion 16 having a recess 18 formed on the wall portion 14 at a position opposite to the top surface 11. The protrusion 17 of the first fitting portion 15 of one coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the second fitting portion 16 of the other coating material container 10, and the protrusion 17 of the first fitting portion 15 of the other coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the second fitting portion 16 of one coating material container 10.

[0063] Furthermore, the protrusion 17 of one coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the other coating material container 10, and the protrusion 17 of the other coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the one coating material container 10, thereby connecting the two coating material containers 10. In this embodiment, when the protrusion 17 of one coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the other coating material container 10, and the protrusion 17 of the other coating material container 10 fits into the recess 18 of the one coating material container 10, at least a part of the flange-shaped wall portion 14 of the one coating material container 10 contacts (or is close to) at least a part of the flange-shaped wall portion 14 of the other coating material container 10. For example, in a plan view, the pair of wall portions 14 contact each other in a portion of the coating material container 10 other than the corners.

[0064] Therefore, when the protrusions 17 and recesses 18 of one coating material container 10 are fitted into the recesses 18 and protrusions 17 of one coating material container 10, at least a portion of the pair of flange-shaped wall portions 14 located on the top surface 11 side are in contact with or close to each other, making it difficult to see the recesses 18 and protrusions 17 of each coating material container 10 from the top surface 11 side. In other words, at least a portion of the recesses 18 and protrusions 17 can be hidden by the flange-shaped wall portions 14. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the coating material containers 10 when viewed from the top surface 11 side can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, since at least a portion of the protrusions 17 and recesses 18 are hidden by the flange-shaped wall portion 14, it is possible to suppress the coating material M from getting caught in the recesses 18 and protrusions 17. Therefore, even when the coating material container 10 is used for a long period of time, the getting caught in the coating material M can be suppressed, and the fitting in the coating material container 10 can be performed efficiently.

[0066] As described above, the convex portion 17 may have a convex inclined portion 17b2 that fits into the recess 18 and is inclined with respect to the side surface 12. The recess 18 may have a recess inclined portion 18b that faces the convex inclined portion 17b2 and is inclined with respect to the side surface 12. In this case, the convex inclined portion 17b2 can be inserted into the recess inclined portion 18b from a direction inclined with respect to the side surface 12, so that the convex portion 17 can be fitted into the recess 18 more smoothly.

[0067] As described above, the convex portion 17 may protrude in one direction in the circumferential direction, which is the direction in which the outer edge of the opening 10b extends, and the concave portion 18 may be formed to be recessed in the other direction in the circumferential direction. In this case, the convex portion 17 can be fitted into the concave portion 18 along the circumferential direction, and the convex portion 17 can be fitted into the concave portion 18 by moving the coating material container 10 in the lateral direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the top surface 11, thereby making the fitting in the coating material container 10 even easier.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, a gap 10c may be formed between the protrusion 17 and the wall 14, and the wall 14 may have a stepped portion 14f connected to the recess 18. In this case, the stepped portion 14f of one coating material container 10 can be inserted into the gap 10c of the other coating material container 10 to fit the protrusion 17 into the recess 18. Therefore, positioning can be achieved by fitting one coating material container 10 into another coating material container 10.

[0069] (Second Embodiment) Next, the coating material container 20 according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the coating material container 20, like the coating material container 10, is held in the frame 5 and, for example, is housed in the case body 1 together with the coating material container 10. The coating material container 20, like the coating material container 10, includes a top surface 11, side surfaces 12, bottom surface 13, wall portion 14, first fitting portion 15, and second fitting portion 16. Some of the components of the coating material container 20 are the same as some of the components of the coating material container 10. Therefore, in the following, the description of parts that overlap with the coating material container 10 will be appropriately omitted by using the same reference numerals.

[0070] For example, the coating material container 20 houses not the coating material M itself, but a holder 30 that holds the drawing material S. The drawing material S may be a coating material or an applicator. As an example, the drawing material S is a type of coating material, and in the second embodiment, the coating material includes the drawing material S and the holder 30 described later. In this embodiment, the drawing material S is described as a solid drawing material. The coating material container 20 has a box shape with a top surface 11. The coating material container 20 has a storage space 20b that houses the holder 30. As an example, the shape of the coating material container 20 in plan view is rectangular.

[0071] The storage space 20b is defined, for example, by a pair of first inner surfaces 21 facing each other along a first direction D1 (the short direction of the coating material storage container 20 in a plan view), a second inner surface 22 facing each other along a second direction D2 (the longitudinal direction of the coating material storage container 20 in a plan view), and a bottom surface 23 on which the holder 30 is placed. For example, the first inner surfaces 21 and the second inner surfaces 22 are connected to each other via a curved surface, and the second inner surface 22 and the bottom surface 23 are connected to each other via a curved surface. For example, the first inner surfaces 21 and the bottom surface 23 are connected to each other via a curved surface.

[0072] As an example, the coating material container 20 has a hole 25 formed in its bottom surface 23. The portion of the holder 30 opposite to the drawing material S fits into the hole 25. For example, the hole 25 is formed on one side of the bottom surface 23 in a plan view and penetrates the bottom surface 23. By fitting at least a part of the holder 30 into this hole 25, the coating material container 20 can reliably accommodate the holder 30. Furthermore, it becomes possible to reduce the thickness of the coating material container 20 in the thickness direction A3.

[0073] The coating material container 20 has a shaft portion 26 that supports the holder 30. For example, the shaft portion 26 is round in shape. For instance, the shaft portion 26 extends along the short direction of the coating material container 20 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the coating material container 20 in a plan view. For example, the shaft portion 26 faces the hole portion 25 along the thickness direction of the coating material container 20. In this case, the shaft portion 26 is provided directly above the hole portion 25.

[0074] Next, the holder 30 will be described. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the holder 30. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the coating material container 20 into which the holder 30 is inserted. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, for example, the holder 30 has a plate-like shape with an opening 30c at its end face 30b into which the drawing material S is contained.

[0075] For example, the holder 30 has a connecting portion 31 connected to the shaft portion 26 of the coating material container 20, a drawing material holding portion 32 located on the opposite side of the holder 30 from the connecting portion 31 and having an opening 30c formed therein, and an intermediate portion 33 located between the connecting portion 31 and the drawing material holding portion 32. For example, the holder 30 extends in the longitudinal direction A1, the short direction A2 intersecting the longitudinal direction A1, and the thickness direction A3 intersecting both the longitudinal direction A1 and the short direction A2. The connecting portion 31, the intermediate portion 33, and the drawing material holding portion 32 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction A1.

[0076] The drawing material holder 32 has a storage space 32b for accommodating the drawing material S, and the storage space 32b is formed inside the holder 30 with an opening 30c. The storage space 32b is provided with protrusions 32f that bite into the drawing material S. The protrusions 32f are parts that protrude from the inner surface of the drawing material holder 32 that define the storage space 32b. For example, the drawing material holder 32 has a plurality of protrusions 32f (for example, six (3 x 2)), and the plurality of protrusions 32f are arranged along the short side direction A2. For example, two protrusions 32f face each other along the thickness direction A3.

[0077] As an example, the drawing material holding portion 32 has a side surface 32c that extends from the intermediate portion 33 to the end surface 30b, and an end surface 32d that faces the shorter direction A2. The side surface 32c is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction A1 such that the drawing material holding portion 32 becomes thinner towards the end surface 30b. The end surface 32d extends from the intermediate portion 33 to the end surface 30b and, for example, has a trapezoidal shape with the end surface 30b as the upper base.

[0078] The intermediate portion 33 has a hole 33b into which a rod-shaped object for lifting the holder 30 is hooked. The rod-shaped object is inserted into the hole 33b when lifting the holder 30. With the rod-shaped object inserted into the hole 33b, the holder 30 is lifted using the shaft portion 26 as a fulcrum. For example, the rod-shaped object is a finger. In this case, the size of the hole 33b is such that a human finger can fit inside. The intermediate portion 33 also has a side surface 33c that extends in both the longitudinal direction A1 and the short direction A2, and an end surface 33d that extends in both the longitudinal direction A1 and the thickness direction A3. The hole 33b is formed on the side surface 33c.

[0079] For example, the hole 33b is a through-hole that penetrates the holder 30 (intermediate portion 33) in the third direction D3. For example, the hole 33b has a shape having a major axis extending along the short direction A2 and a minor axis extending along the longitudinal direction A1. For example, the hole 33b has an elliptical shape. However, the shape of the hole 33b is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a polygonal shape.

[0080] Figure 13 is a front view showing the holder 30. Figure 14 is an enlarged side view of the connecting portion 31. As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the connecting portion 31 has a groove 34 into which the shaft portion 26 of the coating material container 20 fits. The holder 30 is rotatably supported relative to the coating material container 20 with the shaft portion 26 fitted into the groove 34.

[0081] The length of the holder 30 and the drawing material S protruding from the holder 30 in the longitudinal direction A1 is shorter than the length of the storage space 20b of the coating material container 20 in the second direction D2. The length of the holder 30 in the short direction A2 is shorter than the length of the storage space 20b in the first direction D1. The groove 34 of the holder 30 extends along the short direction A2 and opens at the end 30d in the longitudinal direction A1. Therefore, by fitting the groove 34 extending in the short direction A2 into the shaft portion 26 extending in the short direction of the storage space 20b, the holder 30 is supported so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion 26 relative to the coating material container 20.

[0082] For example, the holder 30 has a pair of projections 35 formed at the end 30d in the longitudinal direction A1 of the connecting portion 31. The groove 34 extends along the longitudinal direction A1 between the pair of projections 35. The groove 34 has a first groove portion 36 into which the shaft portion 26 fits, and a second groove portion 37 extending from the first groove portion 36 on the opposite side from the end 30d.

[0083] The holder 30 has a thin-walled portion 38 formed adjacent to the groove 34, and a hole 39 in the thin-walled portion 38 that penetrates the holder 30 in the thickness direction A3. For example, the thin-walled portion 38 and the hole 39 are located between the hole 33b and the projection 35. When viewed from the third direction D3, for example, the hole 39 is located inside the thin-walled portion 38. When the holder 30 is viewed along the short-side direction A2, the thin-walled portion 38 is formed on both sides of the second groove 37 in the thickness direction A3. That is, the second groove 37 and the thin-walled portion 38 are aligned along the thickness direction A3.

[0084] As an example, the pair of protrusions 35 are symmetrical with respect to the groove 34. For instance, the protrusions 35 are portions that project from the thin-walled portion 38 in the longitudinal direction A1. The protrusions 35 have an outer surface 35b located on the outside (opposite side from the groove 34) in the thickness direction A3, and an inner surface 35c that defines the groove 34. The end portion 30d of the holder 30 is formed between the outer surface 35b and the inner surface 35c.

[0085] For example, the outer surface 35b has a first curved surface 35b1 extending from the thin portion 38 toward the end in the thickness direction A3, a second curved surface 35b2 curving toward the longitudinal direction A1 from the end of the first curved surface 35b1 opposite to the thin portion 38, an extended surface 35b3 extending toward the longitudinal direction A1 from the second curved surface 35b2, and a third curved surface 35b4 curving toward the center in the thickness direction A3 from the extended surface 35b3.

[0086] The groove 34 may have a third groove 40 located on the opposite side (end 30d side) from the second groove 37 when viewed from the first groove 36. The inner surface 35c of the projection 35 has a first inner surface 35c1 extending in the longitudinal direction A1 from the end 30d, an inclined surface 35c2 extending diagonally from the first inner surface 35c1 toward the center in the thickness direction A3, and a second inner surface 35c3 extending in the longitudinal direction A1 from the inclined surface 35c2.

[0087] For example, the third groove 40 is defined by a pair of first inner surfaces 35c1 aligned along the thickness direction A3, a pair of inclined surfaces 35c2 aligned along the thickness direction A3, and a pair of second inner surfaces 35c3 aligned along the thickness direction A3. For example, the shaft portion 26 pushes the pair of second inner surfaces 35c3 apart and moves over the pair of second inner surfaces 35c3 toward the first groove 36 and enters the first groove 36.

[0088] The inner surface 35c of the projection 35 has a curved surface 35c4 extending inward (upward in Figure 14) in the longitudinal direction A1 of the holder 30 from the end opposite to the end 30d of the second inner surface 35c3, and an extended surface 35c5 extending inward in the longitudinal direction A1 of the holder 30 from the end opposite to the end 30d of the curved surface 35c4. For example, the curved surface 35c4 is arc-shaped, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface 35c4 is about the same as the radius of the shaft portion 26. The pair of curved surfaces 35c4 aligned along the thickness direction A3 define the first groove portion 36 into which the shaft portion 26 fits.

[0089] The extending surface 35c5 extends along the longitudinal direction A1. For example, one end of the extending surface 35c5 in the longitudinal direction A1 reaches the center of the thin-walled portion 38 in the longitudinal direction A1. The second groove 37 is defined by a pair of extending surfaces 35c5 aligned along the thickness direction A3. The ends of the pair of extending surfaces 35c5 opposite to the curved surface 35c4 are connected to each other via a curved surface 35c6. The curved surface 35c6 curves inward in the longitudinal direction A1 of the holder 30. For example, when the holder 30 is viewed along the short direction A2, the curved surface 35c6 exhibits an arc shape.

[0090] Next, the effects and advantages obtained from the coating material container 20 and holder 30 according to the second embodiment will be described. The coating material M includes a drawing material S and a holder 30 that holds the drawing material S. The holder 30 has a groove 34, and the coating material container 20 has a shaft portion 26. The holder 30 is rotatably supported relative to the coating material container 20 with the shaft portion 26 fitted into the groove 34. Therefore, by fitting the shaft portion 26 into the groove 34 provided in the holder 30, the holder 30 can be rotatably supported relative to the coating material container 20. At this time, since the holder 30 of the coating material is rotatable relative to the coating material container 20, the holder 30 can be easily removed from the coating material container 20 by this rotation.

[0091] The holder 30 has a pair of protrusions 35 formed on its end portion 30d and a groove 34 formed between the pair of protrusions 35. The groove 34 has a first groove portion 36 into which the shaft portion 26 of the coating material container 20 fits, and a second groove portion 37 extending from the first groove portion 36 to the side opposite the end portion 30d. Therefore, the formation of the second groove portion 37 extending from the first groove portion 36 to the side opposite the end portion 30d allows for an appropriate elastic force when the pair of protrusions 35 grip the shaft portion 26. Consequently, the groove 34 allows for an appropriate elastic force between the pair of protrusions 35, making it easy to attach the holder 30 to the coating material container 20.

[0092] The holder 30 has a hole 33b into which a rod-shaped object for lifting the holder 30 can be hooked. In this case, the holder 30 can be lifted by hooking a rod-shaped object such as a finger into the hole 33b, making it even easier to remove the holder 30 from the coating material container 20.

[0093] The holder 30 has a plate-like shape with a pair of protrusions 35 formed at its end 30d and a groove 34 formed between the pair of protrusions 35. The holder 30 also has a thin-walled portion 38 formed adjacent to the groove 34. Therefore, since the thin-walled portion 38 of the plate-shaped holder 30 is formed adjacent to the groove 34, the rotational resistance of the shaft portion 26 fitted into the groove 34 can be appropriately adjusted. Consequently, the rotational operation of the holder 30 relative to the coating material container 20 can be made even smoother.

[0094] (modified version) Next, the modified coating material container 60 will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. The modified coating material container 60 differs from the aforementioned coating material container 10 (wall portion 14, first fitting portion 15, and second fitting portion 16) in the configuration of the wall portion 64, the first fitting portion 65, and the second fitting portion 66.

[0095] As shown in Figure 15, the coating material container 60 is fixed to a frame 55 that is different from the frame 5 described above. Some of the components of frame 55 are the same as some of the components of frame 5. Therefore, in the following description, the parts of the frame 55 that overlap with those of frame 5 will be described using the same reference numerals and omitted as appropriate.

[0096] The frame 55 has a projection 55k that protrudes downward on its inner surface 5g, and a projection 55m that protrudes inward from the inner surface 5g when viewed from above. The frame 55 has four projections 55k and four projections 55m arranged along the first direction D1. The projections 55m are formed on each projection 55k. The projections 55m are the parts that fit into the second fitting part 66 of the coating material container 60.

[0097] The multiple coating material containers 60 include a first coating material container 60A and a second coating material container 60B, which are of different sizes. The size of the first coating material container 60A and the size of the second coating material container 60B are, for example, the same as the size of the first coating material container 10A and the size of the second coating material container 10B described above. Some of the components of the first coating material container 60A are the same as some of the components of the second coating material container 60B. Therefore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first coating material container 60A and the second coating material container 60B, the first coating material container 60A and the second coating material container 60B will be described as coating material container 60.

[0098] The coating material container 60 comprises a wall portion 64 formed on the side surface 12, a first fitting portion 65 located below the wall portion 64, and a second fitting portion 66 provided below the wall portion 64 at a different position from the first fitting portion 65. For example, the first side surface 12b and the second side surface 12c of the second coating material container 60B each have one first fitting portion 65 and one second fitting portion 66. For example, the first side surface 12b of the first coating material container 60A has one first fitting portion 65 and one second fitting portion 66. In contrast, the second side surface 12c of the first coating material container 60A has two first fitting portions 65 and two second fitting portions 66.

[0099] Figure 16(a) is a perspective view showing a wall portion 64, a first fitting portion 65, and a second fitting portion 66 formed on the first side surface 12b facing the first direction D1. Figure 16(b) is a perspective view showing a wall portion 64, a first fitting portion 65, and a second fitting portion 66 formed on the second side surface 12c facing the second direction D2. The wall portion 64 has, for example, an outer surface 64c extending in the circumferential direction and the third direction D3, and a curved surface 64b located between the outer surface 64c and the top surface 11.

[0100] The first fitting portion 65 protrudes from the side surface 12, and the second fitting portion 66 is recessed from the side surface 12. For example, the maximum amount of protrusion of the first fitting portion 65 relative to the side surface 12 is approximately the same as the maximum amount of recess of the second fitting portion 66 relative to the side surface 12. In a side view, the first fitting portion 65 and the second fitting portion 66 each have a rectangular shape.

[0101] The first fitting portion 65 of one coating material container 60 fits into the second fitting portion 66 of another coating material container 60, and the second fitting portion 66 of one coating material container 60 fits into the first fitting portion 65 of the other coating material container 60. For example, the first fitting portion 65 has a first curved portion 65b that curves relative to the side surface 12, and a protrusion 67 that projects outward from the first curved portion 65b in a plan view of the coating material container 60.

[0102] For example, the first curved portion 65b is the part that curves from the side surface 12 toward the convex portion 67. The second fitting portion 66 has a second curved portion 66b that curves relative to the side surface 12, and a recess 68 that is recessed from the second curved portion 66b toward the inside of the coating material container 60 in a plan view. The second curved portion 66b is the part that curves from the side surface 12 toward the recess 68.

[0103] The protrusion 67 is the portion that fits into the recess 68 of the second fitting portion 66. The protrusion 67 has, for example, an upper surface 67b extending circumferentially below the wall portion 64, an outer surface 67c extending circumferentially and in a third direction D3 at the end of the upper surface 67b opposite to the wall portion 64, a side surface 67d facing circumferentially, and a lower surface 67f. The upper surface 67b, outer surface 67c, side surface 67d, and lower surface 67f are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface.

[0104] The recess 68 has an upper surface 68b that is recessed inward from the lower end of the wall portion 64 into the coating material container 60 in a plan view, an inner surface 68c that extends downward from the upper surface 68b, and an inner surface 68d that extends from the circumferential end of the inner surface 68c toward the side surface 12. The upper surface 68b, the inner surface 68c, and the inner surface 68d are connected to each other, for example, via a curved surface. For example, the side of the recess 68 opposite to the wall portion 64 (the lower side) is open.

[0105] The method for assembling the coating material container 60 using the first fitting portion 65 and the second fitting portion 66 is as follows: First, the heights of the multiple coating material containers 60 in the third direction D3 are aligned, as described above. Then, the first fitting portion 65 of one coating material container 60 is fitted into the second fitting portion 66 of another coating material container 60, and the second fitting portion 66 of one coating material container 60 is fitted into the first fitting portion 65 of another coating material container 60.

[0106] At this time, the protrusion 67 of the first fitting portion 65 is fitted into the recess 68 of the second fitting portion 66. For example, when the protrusion 67 is fitted into the recess 68, almost the entire protrusion 67 is inserted into the recess 68. As a result, at least a part of the protrusion 67 of one coating material container 60 is hidden by the wall portion 64 of the other coating material container 60 (more specifically, the portion of the wall portion 64 above the recess 68), and at least a part of the protrusion 67 of the other coating material container 60 is hidden by the wall portion 64 of the first coating material container 60. In this modified example, when each protrusion 67 is fitted into each recess 68, the protrusion 67 of one coating material container 60 and the protrusion 67 of the other coating material container 60 are not visible from the top surface 11 side.

[0107] As described above, the modified coating material container 60 comprises a wall portion 64 provided on the side surface 12, a first fitting portion 65 having a protrusion 67 formed on the side of the wall portion 64 opposite to the top surface 11, and a second fitting portion 66 having a recess 68 formed on the side of the wall portion 64 opposite to the top surface 11. When the protrusion 67 of one coating material container 60 is fitted into the recess 68 of the other coating material container 60, and the protrusion 67 of the other coating material container 60 is fitted into the recess 68 of the one coating material container 60, at least a part of the protrusion 67 of the one coating material container 60 and at least a part of the protrusion 67 of the other coating material container 60 are hidden from the top surface 11 side.

[0108] Therefore, in the coating material container 60, similar to the coating material container 10 described above, the recesses 68 and protrusions 67 of each coating material container 60 can be made difficult to see from the top surface 11 side, and at least a portion of the recesses 68 and protrusions 67 can be hidden by the wall portion 64, thus improving the aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the recesses 68 and protrusions 67 are hidden by the wall portion 64, it is possible to suppress the coating material M from getting stuck in the recesses 68 and protrusions 67, so that fitting in the coating material container 60 can be performed efficiently even when the coating material container 60 is used for a long period of time. Therefore, the same effects as the coating material container 10 can be obtained from the coating material container 60.

[0109] The various embodiments and modifications of the coating material container according to this disclosure have been described above. However, the coating material container according to this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or modifications described above, and may be modified or used for other purposes within the scope of the gist described in the claims. That is, the configuration, shape, size, number, material and arrangement of each part constituting the coating material container can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist described above.

[0110] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the coating material container 20 has a shaft portion 26 and the holder 30 has a groove 34 into which the shaft portion 26 fits. However, the coating material container may have a groove and the holder may have a shaft portion that fits into the groove. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a holder 30 having a hole portion 39 that penetrates the holder 30 in the thickness direction A3 in the thin-walled portion 38 was described. However, the shape, size, material, number and arrangement of the holder can also be changed as appropriate. For example, the coating material container may have a holder with a hole portion that does not penetrate instead of the hole portion 39. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a holder 30 in which the thin-walled portion 38 is provided between the hole portion 33b and the protrusion portion 35 was described. However, the position of the thin-walled portion of the holder is not limited to the above position and can be changed as appropriate.

[0111] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a coating material container 10 comprising a wall portion 14, a first fitting portion 15, and a second fitting portion 16 was described. However, a coating material container may also be provided without having at least one of the wall portion 14, the first fitting portion 15, and the second fitting portion 16. For example, the coating material container according to this disclosure may be as described in the second embodiment above, The coating material includes a solid drawing material and a holder for holding the solid drawing material. The holder has either a groove or a shaft portion. The coating material container has either a groove or a shaft, the other of the two. The holder is rotatably supported relative to the coating material container with its shaft fitted into a groove, That's fine.

[0112] For example, in the embodiment described above, a storage case 100 was described in which a plurality of coating material containers 10 are fixed to a frame 5, and the frame 5 is fixed to a case body 1. However, the configuration of the storage case can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be a storage case without a frame 5, or it may be a storage case in which one or more coating material containers are directly housed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1…case body, 2…body part, 2b…stop part, 2c…recess, 2f…hole part, 2g…ring part, 3…cover part, 3b…protrusion, 3c…inner surface, 3d…mirror, 4…hinge, 5…stem body, 5b…opening, 5c…protrusion, 5d…top, 5f…bottom, 5g…inner side, 5h…outer side, 5j…claw part, 5k…protrusion, 5m…protrusion, 10…coating material containment device, 10A…first coating material containment device, 10B…second coating material containment device, 10b…opening, 10c…gap part, 11…top surface, 12…side surface, 12b…first side surface, 12c…second side surface, 13…bottom surface, 14…wall part, 14b…bottom, 14c…outer surface, 14d…curved surface, 14f…segment Difference part, 15… First fitting part, 15b… First protrusion, 15b1… Lower part, 15b2… Outer part, 15b3… Side part, 15c… Second protrusion, 15c1… Upper part, 15c2… Outer part, 15c3… First side part, 15c4… Second side part, 16… Second fitting part, 16b… Inclined protrusion, 16b1… Lower part, 16b2… Inclined surface, 16c… Top part, 16c1… Lower part, 16c2… Outer part, 16d… Protrusion, 16f… Curved part, 16g… Inclined part, 16g1… Lower part, 16g2… Inclined surface, 16g3… Upper part, 16h… Extended part, 16h1… Lower part, 16h2… Outer part, 16h3… Upper part, 16j… Surface, 17… Protrusion, 17b… Inner part Surface, 17b1…Extension, 17b2…Protruding sloping part, 17c…Outside, 17d…Below, 17f…Top, 18…Concave, 18b…Concave sloping part, 20…Coating material container, 20b…Retaining space, 21…First inner surface, 22…Second inner surface, 23…Bottom, 25…Cavity, 26…Shaft, 30…Holda, 30b…End face, 30c…Opening, 30d…End, 31…Connecting part, 32…Painting material holding part, 32b…Retaining space, 32c…Side, 32d…End face, 33…Middle part, 33b…Cavity, 33c…Side, 33d…End face, 34…Groove, 35…Protrusion, 35b…Outside, 35b1…First curved surface, 35b2…Second curved surface 35b3…Extending surface, 35b4…Third curved surface, 35c…Inner surface, 35c1…First inner surface, 35c2…Sloping surface, 35c3…Second inner surface, 35c4…Curved surface, 35c5…Extending surface, 35c6…Curved surface, 36…First groove, 37…Second groove, 38…Thin flesh, 39…Cavity, 40…Third groove, 55…Strut Body, 55k…protrusion, 55m…protrusion, 60…coating material container, 60A…first coating material container, 60B…second coating material container, 64…wall, 64b…curved surface, 64c…outer surface, 65…first fitting part, 65b…first curved part, 66…second fitting part, 66b…second curved part, 67…protrusion, 67b…top surface,67c…Outer surface, 67d…Side surface, 67f…Bottom surface, 68…Recess, 68b…Top surface, 68c…Inner surface, 68d…Inner side surface, 100…Storage case, A1…Longest direction, A2…Shortest direction, A3…Thickness direction, D1…First direction, D2…Second direction, D3…Third direction, M…Coating material, S…Drawing material.

Claims

1. A coating material container having a top surface with an opening formed therein that exposes the contained coating material, and a side surface that extends from the top surface in a direction intersecting the top surface, A flange-shaped wall portion protruding from the side opposite to the opening, A first fitting portion having a protrusion formed on the opposite side of the top surface of the wall portion, A second fitting portion is formed on the opposite side of the wall portion from the top surface and at a position separated from the first fitting portion, and has a recess into which the convex portion fits, Equipped with, The amount of the first fitting portion protruding from the side surface is greater than the amount of the wall portion protruding from the side surface on the top surface side of the first fitting portion. The aforementioned protrusion projects in one direction in the circumferential direction, which is the direction in which the outer edge of the opening extends. The recess is formed to be recessed in the other direction in the circumferential direction, The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are arranged along the circumferential direction on the side surface, The protrusion of the first fitting portion protrudes toward the second fitting portion. The second fitting portion has an inclined projection that is inclined such that the amount of protrusion from the side increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion. The protrusion of one coating material container fits into the recess of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container fits into the recess of the one coating material container, thereby connecting the one coating material container and the other coating material container. Coating material container.

2. A coating material container having a top surface with an opening formed therein that exposes the contained coating material, and a side surface that extends from the top surface in a direction intersecting the top surface, A wall portion protruding from the side opposite to the opening, A first fitting portion having a protrusion formed on the opposite side of the top surface of the wall portion, A second fitting portion is formed on the opposite side of the wall portion from the top surface and at a position separated from the first fitting portion, and has a recess into which the convex portion fits, Equipped with, The amount of the first fitting portion protruding from the side surface is greater than the amount of the wall portion protruding from the side surface on the top surface side of the first fitting portion. The aforementioned protrusion projects in one direction in the circumferential direction, which is the direction in which the outer edge of the opening extends. The recess is formed to be recessed in the other direction in the circumferential direction, The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are arranged along the circumferential direction on the side surface, The protrusion of the first fitting portion protrudes toward the second fitting portion. The second fitting portion has an inclined projection that is inclined such that the amount of protrusion from the side increases as it moves away from the first fitting portion. When the protrusion of one coating material container is fitted into the recess of the other coating material container, and the protrusion of the other coating material container is fitted into the recess of the one coating material container, when viewed from the top side, at least a part of the protrusion of one coating material container is hidden by the wall of the other coating material container, and at least a part of the protrusion of the other coating material container is hidden by the wall of one coating material container. Coating material container.

3. The aforementioned protrusion has a protruding inclined portion that fits into the recess and is inclined with respect to the side surface, The recess has a recessed inclined portion that is opposite to the convex inclined portion and is inclined with respect to the side surface. A coating material container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A gap is formed between the protrusion and the wall. The wall portion has a stepped portion that connects to the recess. A coating material container according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The coating material includes a solid drawing material and a holder for holding the solid drawing material. The holder has either a groove or a shaft portion, The coating material container has the other of either the groove or the shaft portion, The holder is rotatably supported with respect to the coating material container with the shaft portion fitted into the groove. A coating material container according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The holder has a pair of protrusions formed at the end of the holder and a groove formed between the pair of protrusions, The groove has a first groove portion into which the shaft portion of the coating material container fits, and a second groove portion extending from the first groove portion to the side opposite to the end portion. The coating material container according to claim 5.

7. The holder has a hole into which a rod-shaped body for lifting the holder is hooked. The coating material container according to claim 5.

8. The holder has a plate-like shape with a pair of protrusions formed at the end of the holder and a groove formed between the pair of protrusions. The holder has a thin portion formed adjacent to the groove, The coating material container according to claim 5.

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