container

Abstract

To improve convenience.SOLUTION: A container 10 comprises a first cylinder part 11 which is sectioned in an annular shape orthogonal to a depth direction, a second cylinder part 12 which is sectioned in an annular shape orthogonal to the depth direction and having a similarity ratio larger than 1 for the first cylinder part 11, and a connection part 13 which connects side faces of the first cylinder part 11 and second cylinder part 12 to each other. The connection part 13 is formed of metal foil and has smaller rigidity than any of the first cylinder part 11 and second cylinder part 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0003] , ,

[0007] , , ,

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an example of a container capable of expanding and contracting in the depth direction, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The container described in Patent Document 1 includes an upper frame and a lower frame having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper frame, a bottom plate is provided on the lower frame, and a peripheral wall formed of a tubular surface such as a resin material that can be bent is fixed to these upper and lower frames.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The height of the container described in Patent Document 1 is an either-or situation between the state where the peripheral wall is extended and the state where the peripheral wall is contracted. Therefore, there is a problem that the height of the container cannot be adjusted to an arbitrary height, and the convenience is not good.

[0005] The technology described in this specification has been completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to improve convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The means for solving the above problems are as follows. <00​<1> A container comprising: a first cylindrical portion having an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction; a second cylindrical portion having an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction having a similarity ratio greater than 1 to the first cylindrical portion; and a connecting portion connecting the sides of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, wherein the connecting portion is formed of metal foil and has less rigidity than either the first cylindrical portion or the second cylindrical portion.

[0008] <2> The dimensions of the container in the depth direction when the connecting portion is retracted are greater than the dimensions of the articles contained inside. <1> The container described.

[0009] <3> The first cylindrical portion has a dimension in the depth direction that is greater than the dimension of the article in the depth direction. <2> The container described.

[0010] <4> The first cylindrical portion contains food that will be liquefied by cooking as the item. <3> The container described.

[0011] <5> The dimensions of the container in the depth direction when the connecting portion is extended are greater than the dimensions of the articles contained inside. <2> The container described.

[0012] <6> The first cylindrical portion has a bottom surface that closes the end opposite to the connecting portion, and the dimension in the depth direction is smaller than the dimension in the depth direction of the article. <5> The container described.

[0013] <7> The article is a rod-shaped solid. <5> or <6> The container described.

[0014] <8> The connecting portion has a plurality of recesses arranged spirally around an axis along the depth direction. <1> from <7> A container as described in any of the following.

[0015] <9> The first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are formed of the same metal foil as the connecting portion. <1> from <8> A container as described in any of the following.

[0016] <10>The connecting part is the container according to any one of <1> to <9> above, mainly containing aluminum.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the technology described in this specification, convenience can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the container according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting part constituting the container [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where cheese is accommodated in the first cylindrical part, the connecting part is shrunk to the maximum, and a lid is attached to the opening [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is extended to the maximum, the lid is removed, and the bottom is heated [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is shrunk more than in FIG. 4 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is shrunk more than in FIG. 5 [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the container according to Embodiment 2, in a state where a stick confectionery is accommodated inside, the connecting part is extended to the maximum, and a lid is attached to the opening [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is shrunk to the maximum and the lid is removed [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is extended more than in FIG. 8 [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the container in a state where the connecting part is extended more than in FIG. 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, a container 10 for holding food is shown as an example. Note that parts of each drawing show the X, Y, and Z axes that constitute a Cartesian coordinate system, and each axis is drawn so as to be in the direction shown in each drawing. In addition, the X and Y axis directions shown in each drawing coincide with the horizontal direction, and the Z axis direction coincides with the depth direction (height direction).

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the container 10 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top. In plan view, the container 10 is approximately circular, and its horizontal diameter is greater than its depth. The internal space of the container 10 is a storage space for food. The container 10 comprises a first cylindrical section 11, a second cylindrical section 12 located above the first cylindrical section 11 in the Z-axis direction, and a connecting section 13 located between the first cylindrical section 11 and the second cylindrical section 12 in the Z-axis direction, connecting their sides.

[0021] The first cylindrical portion 11 has an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (cross-sectional shape along the X-axis and Y-axis directions). The first cylindrical portion 11 has a bottom portion 11A connected to one end. The first cylindrical portion 11 is configured to rise along the Z-axis direction from the outer peripheral end of the bottom portion 11A. The lower end of the first cylindrical portion 11 is connected to the bottom portion 11A, and the upper end is connected to the connecting portion 13. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11 changes depending on its position in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the first cylindrical portion 11 has a trumpet shape overall, such that its diameter gradually increases from the bottom portion 11A side toward the connecting portion 13 side in the Z-axis direction. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11 is smallest at the end connected to the bottom portion 11A (lower end) and largest at the end connected to the connecting portion 13 (upper end). The bottom portion 11A has a circular plate shape in plan view. The diameter of the bottom portion 11A is the minimum diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11. The bottom portion 11A has a bottom surface 11A1 that is parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis directions (see Figure 3). The bottom surface 11A1 closes the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 11 (the side opposite to the side connected to the connecting portion 13). When food is placed inside the first cylindrical portion 11, the food is supported by the bottom surface 11A1.

[0022] The second cylindrical portion 12 has an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the second cylindrical portion 12 perpendicular to the Z-axis direction is similar to that of the first cylindrical portion 11. The second cylindrical portion 12 has a larger diameter than the first cylindrical portion 11. In other words, the second cylindrical portion 12, whose cross-sectional shape is similar to that of the first cylindrical portion 11, has a similarity ratio greater than 1 to that of the first cylindrical portion 11. The lower end of the second cylindrical portion 12 is connected to the connecting portion 13. The second cylindrical portion 12 has an opening 12A at its upper end that opens upward to the outside. The diameter of the second cylindrical portion 12 changes depending on its position in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the second cylindrical portion 12 has a trumpet shape overall, such that its diameter gradually increases in the Z-axis direction from the connecting portion 13 side to the opening 12A side. The diameter of the second cylindrical portion 12 is smallest at the end connected to the connecting portion 13 (lower end) and largest at the end forming the opening (upper end). The minimum diameter of the second cylindrical portion 12 is greater than the maximum diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11.

[0023] The connecting portion 13 has a cross-sectional shape that is roughly annular, perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The lower end of the connecting portion 13 is connected to the first cylindrical portion 11, and the upper end is connected to the second cylindrical portion 12. The detailed configuration of the connecting portion 13 will be explained later.

[0024] The container 10, having the above configuration, is made of metal foil. That is, the first cylindrical part 11, the second cylindrical part 12, and the connecting part 13 that make up the container 10 are made of the same metal foil. This makes the container 10 highly recyclable. The material of the metal foil that makes up the container 10 mainly contains aluminum. Specifically, the material of the metal foil may be aluminum only, excluding impurities, or it may be an alloy in which aluminum is the main raw material and other metals are blended with aluminum. The thickness of the metal foil that makes up the container 10 is, for example, in the range of 50 μm to 100 μm. The thickness of the metal foil that makes up the container 10 is at least thicker than the thickness of general aluminum foil (about 15 μm to 20 μm) and the same as or thinner than the thickness of general aluminum cans (about 100 μm). In addition, the JIS H 4160 standard (aluminum and aluminum alloy foil) defines the thickness as "6 μm to 200 μm". Therefore, the metal foil constituting the container 10 described in this embodiment conforms to the JIS H 4160 standard (aluminum and aluminum alloy foil).

[0025] The connecting portion 13 according to this embodiment has less rigidity than both the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12. The rigidity of the connecting portion 13 is set to a size that allows it to be sufficiently deformed by human force. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the container 10, the connecting portion 13 deforms before the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12. For example, when the connecting portion 13 is extended, if a force is applied to the container 10 from above along the Z-axis direction, the connecting portion 13 deforms to contract in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the container 10 becomes compressed in the Z-axis direction (see Figure 3). Conversely, when the connecting portion 13 is compressed, if a force is applied to the first cylindrical portion 11 to pull up the second cylindrical portion 12 along the Z-axis direction, the connecting portion 13 deforms to extend in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the container 10 becomes elongated in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the size of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction can be set by extending and contracting the connecting portion 13. Furthermore, since the connecting portion 13 is formed of metal foil, it undergoes plastic deformation during expansion and contraction. Therefore, the size of the connecting portion 13 in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted steplessly. This allows the size of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction to be set arbitrarily, resulting in superior convenience.

[0026] When the connecting portion 13 is extended, it has a trumpet shape overall, with its diameter gradually increasing in the Z-axis direction from the first cylindrical portion 11 side to the second cylindrical portion 12 side. Therefore, when the connecting portion 13 is retracted, the portion connected to the second cylindrical portion 12 (the upper end in the extended state) is positioned outward from the portion connected to the first cylindrical portion 11 (the lower end in the extended state) (see Figure 3). In other words, the retracted connecting portion 13 has a folded cross-sectional shape overall. When the connecting portion 13 is retracted, the upper part of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the lower part of the second cylindrical portion 12 are in an overlapping positional relationship in the Z-axis direction.

[0027] The first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 have greater rigidity than the connecting portion 13. Therefore, even when an external force is applied to extend or retract the connecting portion 13, unintended deformation is less likely to occur in the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12. Specifically, when extending or retracting the connecting portion 13, the second cylindrical portion 12 having the opening 12A is pushed downward along the Z-axis direction or pulled upward along the Z-axis direction. When performing this operation, the shape of the second cylindrical portion 12 is maintained without deformation, resulting in good operability. This makes it possible to efficiently perform the work required to adjust the size of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction, and the time required for the work can be shortened.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting portion 13 has a plurality of recesses 13A formed therein. The recesses 13A are roughly rhombic in shape when viewed from the side of the connecting portion 13. The plurality of recesses 13A are arranged in a spiral pattern around an axis along the Z-axis on the side surface of the connecting portion 13. The rigidity of the connecting portion 13 is made smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 due to the formation of the plurality of recesses 13A. For example, when contracting the connected portion 13 in an extended state, a force is applied to push the second cylindrical portion 12 downward along the Z-axis. Then, the connecting portion 13 is easily plastically deformed by the plurality of recesses 13A arranged in a spiral pattern around an axis along the Z-axis. This makes the workability of the operation to contract the connecting portion 13 excellent. Furthermore, by appropriately adjusting the size, recess depth, and arrangement (arrangement interval, etc.) of the plurality of recesses 13A formed in the connecting portion 13 when viewed from the side, the rigidity of the connecting portion 13 can be easily changed. Therefore, it is easy to set how much manual force is required to deform the connection part 13.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the container 10 according to this embodiment is designed to hold cheese 20, a type of food, as an item inside. Specifically, the cheese 20 placed in the container 10 is for cheese fondue and may contain cornstarch, white wine, etc. Although the cheese 20 is solid at room temperature, it liquefies when heated. Thus, the container 10 according to this embodiment is suitable for shipping and selling with cheese fondue cheese 20 already inside.

[0030] The dimensions of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction when the connecting portion 13 is retracted (a dimension smaller than the maximum value of the Z-axis direction) are larger than the Z-axis direction H1 of the cheese 20 contained inside. Note that the Z-axis direction dimensions of the container 10 when the connecting portion 13 is retracted may vary depending on how much the connecting portion 13 is retracted, but are at least smaller than the dimensions when the connecting portion 13 is fully extended. In this way, the cheese 20 can be contained inside the container 10 even when the connecting portion 13 is retracted from its fully extended state. In other words, the container 10 containing the cheese 20 can be transported with the connecting portion 13 retracted. As a result, the container 10 becomes smaller in the Z-axis direction during transport, making it highly portable.

[0031] More specifically, the dimension H2 of the first cylindrical portion 11 in the Z-axis direction is greater than the dimension H1 of the cheese 20 in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the cheese 20 can be accommodated inside the first cylindrical portion 11 regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting portion 13 (for example, even when it is contracted to its maximum extent). Therefore, even if the cheese 20 contained inside the first cylindrical portion 11 liquefies as it is heated during cooking, the cheese 20 will not spill out of the container 10, regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting portion 13.

[0032] The configuration of the container 10 according to this embodiment is as described above, and the manufacturing method and usage method will be described next. When manufacturing the container 10, a metal foil to be used as material is prepared in the shape of a bottomed cylindrical form. A processing roll is inserted into the bottomed cylindrical metal foil, which is the container 10 before processing, and the bottomed cylindrical metal foil is held from the outside with a jig. When a load is applied by the outer jig while the processing roll is rotated around a rotation axis along the Z-axis direction, the bottomed cylindrical metal foil is twisted. As a result, the surface shape of the processing roll is transferred to the connecting portion 13 of the container 10, and as shown in Figure 1, a plurality of recesses 13A are formed in the connecting portion 13. With the above, a container 10 having a connecting portion 13 with lower rigidity than the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 is manufactured.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, cheese 20 is placed inside the manufactured container 10. The cheese 20 is placed in the container 10 through the opening 12A. The Z-axis dimension H1 of the cheese 20 is smaller than the Z-axis dimension H2 of the first cylindrical portion 11. Therefore, the cheese 20 does not extend above the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 11. A lid 30 is attached to the opening 12A of the second cylindrical portion 12. The lid 30 closes the internal space of the container 10. The container 10 containing the cheese 20 is shipped with the connecting portion 13 retracted. At this time, if the connecting portion 13 is retracted to the maximum extent and plastically deformed, the size of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction can be minimized, which is preferable in terms of volumetric efficiency and saving on transportation costs. In addition, since the extent to which the connecting portion 13 is retracted and plastically deformed can be adjusted steplessly to any height, the connecting portion 13 can be retracted to the optimal level for the transportation conditions. In this way, the size of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction can be set arbitrarily, making it highly convenient. The timing of shrinking and plastically deforming the connecting part 13 can be anytime before or after the timing of placing the cheese 20 inside, or the timing of attaching the lid 30.

[0034] When preparing cheese fondue, as shown in Figure 4, the lid 30 is removed and the second cylindrical part 12 is pulled up relative to the first cylindrical part 11, thereby stretching and plastically deforming the connecting part 13. Here, the container 10 is entirely made of metal foil. Therefore, the flame from the stove or charcoal required for cooking cheese fondue can be directly applied to the bottom 11A of the first cylindrical part 11. In other words, the container 10 can be used as a cooking pot as is, making it very convenient. When the bottom 11A is heated by the flame from the stove or charcoal, the cheese 20 inside the first cylindrical part 11 melts and liquefies. The liquefied cheese 20 eventually boils, and countless bubbles burst on the surface. Here, if the position of the opening 12A in the Z-axis direction is too low, there is a risk that splashes of cheese 20 generated by the bursting bubbles may scatter from the opening 12A to the outside of the container 10. On the other hand, if the position of the opening 12A in the Z-axis direction is too high, it becomes difficult to dip the ingredients skewered through the opening 12A into the cheese 20. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the connecting part 13 provided on the container 10 can be adjusted steplessly to any height in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by adjusting the size of the connecting part 13 in the Z-axis direction, it becomes easier to dip the ingredients skewered into the cheese 20 while suppressing the scattering of cheese droplets. In particular, since the extent to which cheese droplets scatter varies depending on the heat, it is effective to adjust the size of the connecting part 13 in the Z-axis direction to any height according to the heat. Also, as the amount of cheese 20 decreases and the liquid level drops as the meal progresses, it is effective to adjust the size of the connecting part 13 in the Z-axis direction to any height according to that liquid level.

[0035] After cooking and eating, the container 10 can be discarded without washing, making it very convenient. This is especially useful when cooking and eating at a campsite or on a mountaintop, where water for washing dishes may not be available. When disposing of the container, the amount of waste can be reduced by shrinking the connecting part 13 to its maximum extent to allow for plastic deformation. This is especially convenient when cooking and eating at a campsite or on a mountaintop, as shrinking the connecting part 13 to its maximum extent makes the container 10 less bulky to carry home. Alternatively, the used container 10 can be recycled by washing it and then disposing of it in a collection box, similar to aluminum cans.

[0036] As described above, the container 10 of this embodiment comprises a first cylindrical portion 11 having an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction, a second cylindrical portion 12 having an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction having a similarity ratio greater than 1 to the first cylindrical portion 11, and a connecting portion 13 connecting the sides of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12. The connecting portion 13 is made of metal foil and has less rigidity than either the first cylindrical portion 11 or the second cylindrical portion 12.

[0037] The depth of the container 10 can be set by expanding or contracting the connecting portion 13, which has less rigidity than either the first cylindrical portion 11 or the second cylindrical portion 12. Since the connecting portion 13 is made of metal foil, it undergoes plastic deformation when expanded or contracted. Therefore, the depth of the connecting portion 13 can be adjusted steplessly. This allows the depth of the container 10 to be set arbitrarily, making it highly convenient. Furthermore, since the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 have greater rigidity than the connecting portion 13, unintended deformation of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 is less likely to occur when expanding or contracting the connecting portion 13.

[0038] Furthermore, the depth dimension of the container 10 when the connecting portion 13 is retracted is greater than the depth dimension H1 of the cheese 20, which is the item contained inside. Even when the connecting portion 13 is retracted from its maximum extended state, the cheese 20 can be contained inside the container 10. In other words, the container 10 containing the cheese 20 can be transported with the connecting portion 13 retracted. As a result, the container 10 becomes smaller in the depth direction during transport, making it highly portable.

[0039] Furthermore, the depth dimension H2 of the first cylindrical portion 11 is greater than the depth dimension H1 of the cheese 20, which is the item. Regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting portion 13, the cheese 20 can be accommodated inside the first cylindrical portion 11.

[0040] Furthermore, the first cylindrical section 11 contains cheese 20, which is a food that liquefies during cooking. Regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting section 13, it is possible to prevent the cheese 20, which is a food that liquefies during cooking, from spilling outside the container 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the connecting portion 13 has multiple recesses 13A arranged in a spiral pattern around an axis along the depth direction. When contracting the extended connecting portion 13, for example, a force is applied to push the first cylindrical portion 11 or the second cylindrical portion 12 in the depth direction. This allows the connecting portion 13 to be easily plastically deformed by the multiple recesses 13A arranged in a spiral pattern around an axis along the depth direction. This results in excellent workability in the process of contracting the connecting portion 13.

[0042] Furthermore, the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 are formed from the same metal foil as the connecting portion 13. Compared to the case where the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 are formed from a material other than metal foil, this offers superior recyclability. Also, compared to the case where the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 are formed from a different metal foil than the connecting portion 13, manufacturing becomes easier.

[0043] Furthermore, the connecting portion 13 mainly contains aluminum. Compared to the case where the connecting portion 13 mainly contains iron, less force is required to plastically deform the connecting portion 13, and the weight of the container 10 can be reduced.

[0044] <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 7 to 10. This Embodiment 2 shows a case where the shape and use of the container 110 are changed. Note that redundant explanations of the structure, operation, and effects, which are the same as those described in Embodiment 1, will be omitted.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7, the container 110 according to this embodiment has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is deeper than the container 10 described in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 1). The container 110 is approximately circular in plan view, and its depth dimension is greater than its diameter in the horizontal direction.

[0046] The container 110 according to this embodiment is designed to hold multiple snack foods 40, which are a type of food, inside. These snack foods 40 are solid rods (sticks), and are housed in the container 110 in a position where their axial direction (length direction) is generally aligned with the Z-axis direction. Thus, the container 110 according to this embodiment is suitable for shipping and selling with multiple snack foods 40 inside.

[0047] When the connecting portion 113 is extended, the Z-axis dimension H3 of the container 110 is larger than the Z-axis dimension H4 of the snack food 40. Here, the Z-axis dimension H4 of the snack food 40 is the Z-axis dimension of the longest snack food 40 among the multiple snack foods 40 contained in the container 110, i.e., the maximum value. In this way, by retracting the connecting portion 113 from its maximum extended state, the contained snack food 40 becomes easier to remove. By continuously adjusting the size of the connecting portion 113 in the Z-axis direction, it becomes even easier to remove the snack food 40.

[0048] The Z-axis dimension H5 of the first cylindrical portion 111 is smaller than the Z-axis dimension H4 of the snack food 40. In this way, the snack food 40 in contact with the bottom surface 111A1 of the first cylindrical portion 111 will always protrude above the first cylindrical portion 111, that is, towards the connecting portion 113, regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting portion 113. Therefore, by expanding or contracting the connecting portion 113 to adjust its size in the Z-axis direction, it is possible to expose the snack food 40 to the outside. This makes it even easier to take out the snack food 40.

[0049] Furthermore, the Z-axis dimension H5 of the first cylindrical portion 111 is larger than the Z-axis dimension H6 of the second cylindrical portion 112. The Z-axis dimension H6 of the second cylindrical portion 112 is approximately the same as the Z-axis dimension H7 of the extended connecting portion 113. The sum of the Z-axis dimension H5 of the first cylindrical portion 111 and the Z-axis dimension H7 of the extended connecting portion 113 is smaller than the Z-axis dimension H4 of the snack food 40. Therefore, the snack food 40 always protrudes above the connecting portion 113, that is, towards the second cylindrical portion 112, regardless of the extension or contraction state of the connecting portion 113. The first cylindrical portion 111, the second cylindrical portion 112, and the connecting portion 113 are shaped like a trumpet as a whole, with the diameter gradually increasing in the Z-axis direction from the bottom portion 111A to the opening portion 112A. The rate of change in the diameter of the first cylindrical section 111, the second cylindrical section 112, and the connecting section 113 is kept approximately constant.

[0050] The configuration of the container 110 according to this embodiment is as described above, and the method of use will be explained next. The manufacturing method of the container 110 is as described in Embodiment 1. The manufactured container 110 is filled with a plurality of snack foods 40 as articles with the connecting portion 113 extended to its maximum extent. The snack foods 40 are placed inside the container 110 through the opening 112A. The Z-axis dimension H4 of the snack foods 40 with the connecting portion 113 extended is smaller than the Z-axis dimension H3 of the container 110. Therefore, the snack foods 40 do not protrude above the opening 112A. A lid 130 is attached to the opening 112A of the second cylindrical portion 112. The lid 130 closes the internal space of the container 110. The container 110 containing the snack foods 40 is shipped with the connecting portion 113 extended.

[0051] When a person who has purchased a container 110 containing 40 snacks eats the snacks 40, as shown in Figure 8, they remove the lid 130 and operate the second cylindrical part 112 downwards relative to the first cylindrical part 111, thereby shrinking and plastically deforming the connecting part 113. Since the second cylindrical part 112 has greater rigidity than the connecting part 113, deformation of the second cylindrical part 112 is less likely to occur due to the force required for operation. This results in excellent workability in the process of shrinking the connecting part 113. When the connecting part 113 is shrunk, the upper end of the snacks 40 is exposed, protruding above the opening 112A. By pinching this exposed part of the snacks 40, it is possible to easily take out and eat the snacks 40. Here, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the size of the connecting part 113 provided on the container 110 can be adjusted steplessly to any height in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by continuously adjusting the size of the connecting portion 113 in the Z-axis direction, it is possible to optimize the amount of exposure of the snack food 40 in the Z-axis direction. This makes it easier to pick up and remove the snack food 40. Also, if eating is interrupted while some snack food 40 remains, the connecting portion 113 can be stretched and plastically deformed by pulling up the second cylindrical portion 112 relative to the first cylindrical portion 111. This prevents the remaining snack food 40 from being left protruding above the opening 112A. As described above, since the connecting portion 113, which is made of metal foil, is plastically deformed when it expands and contracts, the size of the connecting portion 113 in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted continuously, so the size of the container 110 in the Z-axis direction can be set arbitrarily, which is highly convenient.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, the depth dimension H3 of the container 110 when the connecting portion 113 is extended is greater than the depth dimension H4 of the snack food 40 contained inside. By retracting the connecting portion 113 from its maximum extended state, the contained snack food 40 becomes easier to remove. By continuously adjusting the depth dimension of the connecting portion 113, the snack food 40 becomes even easier to remove.

[0053] Furthermore, the first cylindrical portion 111 has a bottom surface 111A1 that closes the end opposite to the connecting portion 113, and its depth dimension H5 is smaller than the depth dimension H4 of the snack food 40, which is the item. The snack food 40, which is the item that is in contact with the bottom surface 111A1 of the first cylindrical portion 111, protrudes towards the connecting portion 113 regardless of the expansion or contraction state of the connecting portion 113. Therefore, by expanding or contracting the connecting portion 113 to adjust its size in the depth direction, it becomes possible to expose the snack food 40 to the outside. This makes it even easier to remove the snack food 40.

[0054] Furthermore, the snack food 40, which is the item, is a solid in the shape of a stick. The solid in the shape of a stick, the snack food 40, can be easily removed from the outside.

[0055] <Other Embodiments> The technology disclosed herein is not limited to the embodiments described above in the description and drawings, but also includes, for example, the following embodiments.

[0056] (1) In the configuration described in Embodiment 1, the dimension of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction may be larger than the diameter dimension in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the dimension of the container 10 in the Z-axis direction and the diameter dimension in the horizontal direction may be approximately the same.

[0057] (2) The food contained in the container 10 described in Embodiment 1 may be other than the cheese 20 for cheese fondue, such as curry or barbecue sauce.

[0058] (3) It is also possible to put items other than food into the container 10 described in Embodiment 1. Examples of items other than food include detergent and fuel. When fuel is put in as an item, the container 10 can be used as a barbecue grill by including, for example, charcoal and fire starter in the fuel.

[0059] (4) In the configuration described in Embodiment 2, the horizontal diameter of the container 110 may be larger than the Z-axis dimension. Alternatively, the Z-axis dimension and the horizontal diameter of the container 110 may be approximately the same.

[0060] (5) In the configuration described in Embodiment 2, the dimension H6 in the Z-axis direction of the second cylindrical portion 112 may be smaller than or larger than the dimension H7 in the Z-axis direction of the extended connecting portion 113.

[0061] (6) The stick-shaped food contained in the container 110 described in Embodiment 2 may be other than snack foods 40, such as stick-shaped baked goods, stick-shaped baked goods coated in chocolate, or stick-shaped vegetables (vegetable sticks).

[0062] (7) It is also possible to put non-food rod-shaped items into the container 110 described in Embodiment 2. Examples of non-food rod-shaped items include chopsticks (including disposable chopsticks), forks, spoons, straws, toothpicks, writing instruments, etc.

[0063] (8) The shape of the recess 13A formed in the connecting portions 13, 113 when viewed from the side may be other than a rhombus, such as a quadrilateral, triangle, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.

[0064] (9) A layer made of paper material, resin material, etc. may be formed on the inside or outside of the metal foil that constitutes the container 10, 110.

[0065] (10) The metal foil material that makes up the containers 10, 110 may mainly contain iron, copper, etc., in addition to aluminum.

[0066] (11) The first cylindrical parts 11, 111 and the connecting parts 13, 113 may be made of the same metal foil, and the second cylindrical parts 12, 112 may be made of different metal foils. The second cylindrical parts 12, 112 and the connecting parts 13, 113 may be made of the same metal foil, and the first cylindrical parts 11, 111 may be made of different metal foils. The first cylindrical parts 11, 111, the second cylindrical parts 12, 112 and the connecting parts 13, 113 may each be made of different metal foils.

[0067] (12) In the above-mentioned (11), if the first cylindrical portion 11, 111, the second cylindrical portion 12, 112, and the connecting portion 13, 113 are each made of different metal foils, the strength of the metal foil constituting the connecting portion 13, 113 can be made lower than the strength of each of the metal foils constituting the first cylindrical portion 11, 111 and the second cylindrical portion 12, 112. In this way, the rigidity of the connecting portion 13, 113 can be made lower than the rigidity of either the first cylindrical portion 11, 111 or the second cylindrical portion 12, 112. In this case, a recess 13A may be formed in the connecting portion 13, 113, or the recess 13A may not be formed.

[0068] (13) Although the connecting parts 13 and 113 are made of metal foil, at least one of the first cylindrical parts 11 and 111 and the second cylindrical parts 12 and 112 may be made of a material other than metal foil.

[0069] (14) Depending on various conditions such as how external forces are applied when the stretched connecting parts 13 and 113 are contracted, there may be differences in how the connecting parts 13 and 113 actually undergo plastic deformation. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the contracted connecting parts 13 and 113 can naturally be other than those shown in Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0070] (15) Containers 10, 110 that do not contain food or other items may also be used.

[0071] (16) The first cylindrical parts 11, 111 and the second cylindrical parts 12, 112 may have a cross-sectional shape other than a circular ring that is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. Here, "circular" refers to a figure whose outline is closed by going all the way around. Examples of "circular" shapes other than circular rings include an elliptical ring in plan view, an oblong ring in plan view, an egg-shaped ring in plan view, a rectangular ring in plan view, etc., but other shapes are also acceptable.

[0072] (17) Two or more connecting parts 13,113 may be provided for each container 10,110.

[0073] (18) In order to explain the configuration of containers 10 and 110, the depth direction of containers 10 and 110 is defined in each drawing as being perpendicular to the horizontal direction (coinciding with the vertical direction). However, the relationship between the depth direction and the horizontal direction of containers 10 and 110 does not necessarily have to be perpendicular. In other words, the relationship between the depth direction and the horizontal direction of containers 10 and 110 can change depending on how the containers 10 and 110 are actually used. For example, when container 110 described in Embodiment 2 is used in a lying position, the depth direction of container 110 will be roughly aligned with the horizontal direction (parallel or parallel relationship). Thus, the orientation of containers 10 and 110 is not limited to that shown in each drawing. Note that the relationship between the depth direction and the horizontal direction of containers 10 and 110 may be intersecting, even if not perpendicular.

[0074] (19) The recess 13A may not be formed in the connecting portion 13,113. One method for making the rigidity of the connecting portion 13,113 less than that of either the first cylindrical portion 11,111 or the second cylindrical portion 12,112 without forming the recess 13A is to make the thickness of the connecting portion 13,113 thinner than that of either the first cylindrical portion 11,111 or the second cylindrical portion 12,112. Alternatively, for example, the rigidity of the first cylindrical portion 11,111 and the second cylindrical portion 12,112 may be made greater than that of the connecting portion 13,113 by forming recesses (such as vertical grooves) along the depth direction in the first cylindrical portion 11,111 and the second cylindrical portion 12,112. As a result, the rigidity of the connecting portion 13,113 is relatively lower than that of either the first cylindrical portion 11,111 or the second cylindrical portion 12,112.

[0075] (20) It is also possible to combine each of the methods described in (19) above with a configuration in which a recess 13A is formed in the connecting portion 13, 113 as in Embodiments 1 and 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 10,110…Container, 11,111…First cylindrical section, 11A1,111A1…Bottom surface, 12,112…Second cylindrical section, 13,113…Connecting section, 13A…Recess, 20…Cheese (item, food), 40…Snack food (item, food)

Claims

1. The first cylindrical portion has an annular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction, The annular second cylindrical portion has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the depth direction that has a similarity ratio greater than 1 with respect to the first cylindrical portion, It comprises a connecting portion that connects the sides of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, The connecting portion is formed of metal foil and has less rigidity than either the first cylindrical portion or the second cylindrical portion. The connecting portion has a plurality of recesses formed in a spiral shape around an axis along the depth direction, Multiple recesses are arranged in the depth direction, A container in which the size of the connecting portion in the depth direction can be adjusted according to the degree of plastic deformation of the metal foil having the plurality of recesses arranged in the depth direction.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the depth dimension of the container in the retracted state is greater than the depth dimension of the article contained inside.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the first cylindrical portion has a depth dimension greater than the depth dimension of the article.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the first cylindrical portion contains food that is liquefied by cooking as the article.

5. The container according to claim 2, wherein the depth dimension of the container with the connecting portion extended is greater than the depth dimension of the article contained inside.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the first cylindrical portion has a bottom surface that closes the end opposite to the connecting portion, and the depth dimension of the first cylindrical portion is smaller than the depth dimension of the article.

7. The container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the article is a rod-shaped solid.

8. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are formed of the same metal foil as the connecting portion.

9. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting portion mainly contains aluminum.

Images