container

Abstract

A container that takes a spherical form by assembling a first hemispherical member and a second hemispherical member, the container including: a first fixing portion provided for the first hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, positioned on an outside of the second hemispherical member; and a second fixing portion provided for the second hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, fixes the first fixing portion, wherein the second fixing portion is formed with an opening portion communicating with an inside of the second hemispherical member formed at a position corresponding to an end of the first fixing portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a container.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Conventionally, spherical capsules containing products to be stored and discharged by vending machines have been widely used. In addition, a capsule (article storage container) in which a plurality of holes are arranged has been developed (JP 2024-126278 A).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] However, in the article storage container described in JP 2024-126278 A, it is necessary to release the engagement state between the coupling portion and the engagement opening at the time of disassembly, and thus there is room for further improvement.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a container that can be easily disassembled.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the container of the present invention is

[0006] a container that takes a spherical form by assembling a first hemispherical member and a second hemispherical member, the container including:

[0007] a first fixing portion provided for the first hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, positioned on an outside of the second hemispherical member; and

[0008] a second fixing portion provided for the second hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, fixes the first fixing portion, wherein

[0009] the second fixing portion includes an opening portion that is formed at a position corresponding to an end of the first fixing portion and that communicates with an inside of the second hemispherical member.

[0010] According to the container of the present invention, upon pressing the first fixing portion in the direction away from the second fixing portion, a user's finger can be easily hooked on the first fixing portion by inserting the user's finger into the opening portion.

[0011] Thus, the container of the present invention can be easily disassembled.

[0012] Note that the above effect is merely exemplary for convenience of description, and not restrictive. In addition to or instead of the above effect, any effect described in the present disclosure or an effect obvious to those skilled in the art can be provided.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in an assembled state in which a first hemispherical member and a second hemispherical member are assembled;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container in an exploded state;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the first hemispherical member;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the second hemispherical member;

[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a range A in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an engagable portion without a finger grip portion;

[0019] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining an aspect of the container in which the first hemispherical member and the second hemispherical member of the container in the disassembled state are assembled;

[0020] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining an aspect of the container in which the first hemispherical member and the second hemispherical member of the container in the disassembled state are assembled;

[0021] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining an aspect of the container in which the first hemispherical member and the second hemispherical member of the container in the disassembled state are assembled;

[0022] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for explaining a disassembly method of disassembling the container in the assembled state;

[0023] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view for explaining dimensions of the container;

[0024] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view for explaining a first mold for forming the first hemispherical member; and

[0025] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining a second mold for forming the second hemispherical member.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of convenience, descriptions will be made using three-dimensional directions perpendicular to each other (that is, X direction, Y direction, and Z direction). Further, for convenience of description, rotation about a virtual axis extending in a predetermined direction as a rotation axis may be simply expressed as rotation about an axis in a predetermined direction. Similarly, for convenience of description, “a virtual axis extending in a predetermined direction” such as movement along a virtual axis extending in a predetermined direction or a circle about a virtual axis extending in a predetermined direction may be expressed as “an axis in a predetermined direction”.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a perspective view of a container 1 in an assembled state in which a first hemispherical member 11 and a second hemispherical member 12 are assembled. Also referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the container 1 in an exploded state is illustrated. The container 1 includes the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12. The container 1 takes a spherical form by assembling the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12. When the container 1 is in the spherical form, a space is formed inside the container 1. Accordingly, when the container 1 is in the spherical form, an article can be stored in the container 1. That is, the container 1 can be used as a container of a capsule product to be stored and discharged by a vending machine described in JP 2019-207580 A, for example.

[0028] The first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 include resin, for example. Each of the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 is an integrally molded product. That is, the container 1 includes two members, and thus can be produced easily. The first hemispherical member 11 is a substantially hemispherical member protruding in the Z direction as viewed from the X direction and the Y direction. The first hemispherical member 11 includes a first mesh portion 21, a first rigid portion 23, a fitting portion 25, and an engagable portion 27 (first fixing portion).

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, a top view of the first hemispherical member 11 is illustrated. The first mesh portion 21 is a portion including a plurality of openings (first openings 21a) and formed in a lattice shape. That is, the first openings 21a are in a square shape when viewed from the Z direction, and arranged in a grid pattern. Specifically, the first openings 21a are arranged in a direction forming 45° with respect to the X direction as viewed from the Z direction (imaginary line B in FIG. 3). In other words, in the first mesh portion 21, the first openings 21a are defined by forming a plurality of first ribs 29 extending in the direction, which forms 45° with respect to the X direction as viewed from the Z direction, and in a direction perpendicular to this direction.

[0030] According to FIG. 2, the first rigid portion 23 is an annular portion along a circle centered on an axis extending in the Z direction. When the container 1 is in the spherical form, the first rigid portion 23 is in contact with a second rigid portion 33, which will be described later, of the second hemispherical member 12. Forming the first rigid portion 23 allows the first hemispherical member 11 to prevent a portion on which a finger 100 of a user touches from being locally deformed and damaged when an end on a -Z side is pressed by the finger 100 in the X direction or the Y direction, for example.

[0031] The fitting portion 25 is a portion formed on a radially inside of the first rigid portion 23. Specifically, the fitting portion 25 is a recessed portion formed so as to offset a portion on the -Z side of a radially inner surface of the first rigid portion 23 in a direction radially outward. The fitting portion 25 covers the radially outside of a guiding portion 35, which will be described later, of the second hemispherical member 12. The engagable portion 27 is a portion protruding from the first rigid portion 23 in the -Z direction. When the container 1 is in the spherical form, the engagable portion 27 is positioned radially outside (X side) of an engaging portion 37, which will be described later, of the second hemispherical member 12. The number of the engagable portion 27 formed for the first rigid portion 23 is four, for example, and the engagable portions 27 are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction.

[0032] The second hemispherical member 12 is a substantially hemispherical member protruding in the -Z direction as viewed from the X direction and the Y direction. The second hemispherical member 12 includes a second mesh portion 31, the second rigid portion 33, the guiding portion 35, and the engaging portion 37 (second fixing portion).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, a bottom view of the second hemispherical member 12 is illustrated. Similarly to the first mesh portion 21, the second mesh portion 31 is a portion including a plurality of openings (second openings 31a) and formed in a lattice shape. That is, the second openings 31a are in a square shape when viewed from the -Z direction, and arranged in a grid pattern. Specifically, the second openings 31a are arranged in a direction forming 45° with respect to the X direction as viewed from the -Z direction. In other words, in the second mesh portion 31, similarly to the first mesh portion 21, the second openings 31a are defined by a plurality of second ribs 39 extending in the direction, which forms 45° with respect to the X direction as viewed from the -Z direction, and in the direction perpendicular to this direction.

[0034] According to FIG. 2, similarly to the first rigid portion 23, the second rigid portion 33 is an annular portion along a circle centered on an axis extending in the Z direction. When the container 1 is in the spherical form, the second rigid portion 33 is in contact with the first rigid portion 23 of the first hemispherical member 11. Similarly to the first rigid portion 23, forming the second rigid portion 33 allows the second hemispherical member 12 to prevent damages due to an external force such as pressing.

[0035] The guiding portion 35 is a portion protruding in the Z direction from a portion radially inside of the second rigid portion 33. The guiding portion 35 is formed at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 25 of the first hemispherical member 11, and is positioned inside the fitting portion 25 when viewed in the radial direction. As a result, the movement of the guiding portion 35 in the X direction and the Y direction is restricted by the fitting portion 25. The engaging portion 37 is a portion radially cut inward from an outer peripheral surface of the second rigid portion 33. The number of the engaging portion 37 formed for the second rigid portion 33 is four, for example, and the engaging portions 37 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 5, an enlarged view of a range A in FIG. 1 is illustrated. Here, in FIG. 5, the container 1 is in a disassembled state in which the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 are separated from each other. The engagable portion 27 includes a protrusion 41, a weight-reducing groove 42, an engaged hole 43, and a finger grip portion 45.

[0037] The protrusion 41 is a portion protruding from the first rigid portion 23 in the -Z direction. The weight-reducing groove 42 is a groove extending in the Z direction from the Z side of the finger grip portion 45 in the protrusion 41. The engaged hole 43 is a hole communicating radially inward from the weight-reducing groove 42. The finger grip portion 45 is an end of the protrusion 41 in the -Z direction. The finger grip portion 45 has a plurality of grooves formed radially outward.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the engagable portion 27 without the finger grip portion 45 is illustrated. Among the four engagable portions 27, the two engagable portions 27 have the above-described finger grip portions 45, and the other two engagable portions 27 do not have the finger grip portions 45. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the engagable portion 27 having the finger grip portion 45 is referred to as an engagable portion 27A, and the engagable portion 27 without the finger grip portion 45 is referred to as an engagable portion 27B. According to FIG. 3, the engagable portion 27A and the engagable portion 27B are arranged in the circumferential direction by being formed for the first rigid portion 23. The engagable portion 27A and the engagable portion 27B are alternately arranged, for example. Returning to FIG. 6, the engagable portion 27B includes a guiding groove 47 formed in place of the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27A at the end of the protrusion 41 in the -Z direction. The guiding groove 47 is a groove formed in a radially inner edge portion of the protrusion 41. The guiding groove 47 is positioned on the Z side with respect to the finger grip portion 45.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 5, the engaging portion 37 includes an insertion groove 51, an engagement claw 53, a recessed portion 55, and an opening portion 57. The insertion groove 51 is a groove formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 41 and extending in the Z direction. The insertion groove 51 is formed so as to have a width wider than the width direction (Y direction) of the protrusion 41. The engagement claw 53 is a protrusion extending radially outward (X direction) from a bottom surface 51a of the insertion groove 51. An end surface 53a of the engagement claw 53 on the -Z side is inclined to the -Z direction as it goes radially outward from the bottom surface 51a. In addition, the engagement claw 53 is formed with an arcuate surface 53b having a substantially arcuate shape, as viewed in a cross section, from the radially outside surface to the end on the Z side toward the radially inside in the Z direction.

[0040] The recessed portion 55 is a recessed portion that is recessed radially inward from the bottom surface 51a of the insertion groove 51. When the container 1 is in the spherical form, the recessed portion 55 is formed at a position corresponding to the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27. That is, the recessed portion 55 is formed so as to be recessed in a direction away from the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27 when the container 1 is in the spherical form. The opening portion 57 is a hole communicating from the recessed portion 55 to the radially inside (the inside of the container 1). The opening portion 57 is formed, when the container 1 is in the spherical form, at a position spaced apart from the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27 in a direction away from the first hemispherical member 11 to the -Z direction. That is, the opening portion 57 is formed at a position that is not covered by the finger grip portion 45.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, explanatory views for explaining aspects of the container 1 when the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 of the container 1 in the disassembled state are assembled are shown as a cross-sectional view along the Z-X plane. Hereinafter, aspects of the engagable portion 27 and the engaging portion 37 when the container 1 is changed from the disassembled state to the spherical form will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0042] According to FIG. 7, as the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 of the container 1 in the disassembled state are brought close to each other with the first rigid portion 23 and the second rigid portion 33 facing each other in the Z direction and the -Z direction, the finger grip portion 45 and the engagement claw 53 come into contact with each other.

[0043] According to FIG. 8, as the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 are further brought close to each other in the Z direction and the -Z direction after the finger grip portion 45 and the engagement claw 53 come into contact with each other, the finger grip portion 45 is pressed radially outward (X direction) by the engagement claw 53. Specifically, the arcuate surface 53b of the engagement claw 53 comes into contact with the radially inside (-X side) of an end of the finger grip portion 45 in the -Z direction. Thereafter, as the engagement claw 53 moves in the Z direction, the finger grip portion 45 is pressed in the X direction by the arcuate surface 53b of the engagement claw 53. As described above, the protrusion 41 on which the finger grip portion 45 is formed protrudes from the first rigid portion23 to the -Z direction. That is, as the engagement claw 53 moves in the Z direction, the protrusion 41 bends on the Z side (that is, a base of the protrusion 41) as an axis. Therefore, since the arcuate surface 53b is formed on the engagement claw 53, the engagement claw 53 can suitably enter the radially inside (-X side) of the finger grip portion 45.

[0044] According to FIG. 9, the engagement claw 53 is positioned in the engaged hole 43 after passing through the finger grip portion 45 by moving in the Z direction. Specifically, since the finger grip portion 45 passes through the engagement claw 53 and is not pressed by the engagement claw 53, the protrusion 41 that is bent as illustrated in FIG. 8 returns to its original state by elastic deformation. The end surface 53a of the engagement claw 53 positioned in the engaged hole 43 in this manner comes into contact with the inner edge of the engaged hole 43 on the -Z side. As a result, since the engaging portion 37 is engaged with the engagable portion 27, a coupled state between the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 (that is, the spherical form of the container 1) can be maintained.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 10, an explanatory view for explaining a disassembly method of disassembling the container 1 in the assembled state is shown as a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-X. Hereinafter, an example of the disassembly method of disassembling the container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10. When the spherical container 1 is disassembled, the user first hooks the finger 100 on the end of the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27A on the -Z side and pulls the end radially outward (X direction) (FIG. 10). As a result, the protrusion 41 bends on the Z side (that is, the base of the protrusion 41) as an axis such that the end of the finger grip portion 45 on the -Z side moves in the X direction. Next, the user pulls the finger grip portion 45 (that is, the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27 on the -X side) different from the finger grip portion 45 illustrated in FIG. 10 radially outward (-X direction) similarly to the finger grip portion 45 illustrated in FIG. 10. As a result, the engagable portions 27A on the X side and the -X side are disengaged from the engagement to the engaged holes 43 by the engagement claws 53. At this time, since the end surface 53a of the engagement claw 53 on the -Z side is inclined to the -Z direction toward the radially outside from the bottom surface 51a, the engagable portion 27A comes into contact with the radially outside of the engagement claw 53. That is, when the user releases the finger 100 from the finger grip portion 45 after the engagement of the engagement claw 53 to the engaged hole 43 is released, the engagable portion 27A contacts the radially outside of the engagement claw 53 while being bent (while releasing the engagement of the engagement claw 53).

[0046] Thereafter, the user presses the recessed portion 55 of the engaging portion 37 on both sides of a Y side and a -Y side corresponding to the engagable portion 27B radially inward. As a result, the second rigid portion 33 of the second hemispherical member 12 is bent so that the engagement claw 53 of the pressed engaging portion 37 moves radially inward. When the engagement claw 53 moves radially inward in this manner, the engagable portion 27B is eventually disengaged from the engagement to the engaged hole 43 by the engagement claw 53.

[0047] That is, when the engagable portion 27B is disengaged by the engagement claw 53 in a state where the engagable portion 27A is in contact with the radially outside of the engagement claw 53, the engaged state of all the engagable portions 27 is released. Therefore, the user can easily release the engagement to the engaged hole 43 by the engagement claw 53. Therefore, the user can easily cancel the coupling state between the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12.

[0048] Here, when the user hooks the finger 100 on the finger grip portion 45, the tip of the finger 100 enters the recessed portion 55. Therefore, by forming the recessed portion 55 at the position corresponding to the finger grip portion 45 of the engaging portion 37, the user can easily hook the finger 100 when hooking the finger 100 on the finger grip portion 45. In particular, since the opening portion 57 is formed in the recessed portion 55, that is, the bottom surface 51a of the insertion groove 51, a tip of the user's finger 100 enters the opening portion 57, the finger 100 can be accurately hooked on the finger grip portion 45.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 11, an explanatory view for explaining dimensions of the container 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container 1 in the spherical form on a plane formed by an imaginary line B inFIG. 3 and the Z axis. Hereinafter, the dimensions of the container 1, the first hemispherical member 11, and the second hemispherical member 12 will be described.

[0050] A diameter φ of the container 1 indicating a distance at most separated positions between the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 of the container 1 in the spherical form is equal to or greater than 27 mm and equal to or smaller than 70 mm. As a specific example, the diameter φ is 65 mm. A plate thickness t1 of each of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 in the radial direction is equal to or greater than 1.1 mm and equal to or smaller than 1.5 mm. As a specific example, the plate thickness t1 is 1.1 mm. A plate thickness t2 of the second rigid portion 33 in the radial direction is equal to or greater than 1.8 mm and equal to or smaller than 3.0 mm. As a specific example, the plate thickness t2 is 2.2 mm. In particular, the plate thickness t2 is preferably twice or more of the plate thickness t1. As a result, it is possible to increase the strength of the second rigid portion 33 which is easily bent when the container 1 is disassembled.

[0051] A width t3 of each of the first rib 29 and the second rib 39 is equal to or greater than 1.1 mm and equal to or smaller than 2.0 mm. As a specific example, the width t3 is 1.5 mm. In particular, the plate thickness t1 is preferably equal to or less than the width t3. As a result, the rigidity of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 in the radial direction can be reduced.

[0052] A position L1 of an end portion of the first mesh portion 21 on the -Z side is a position where an angle θ1 formed by the Z direction and the tangential plane (tangent line viewed in FIG. 11) on the radially outside of the first mesh portion 21 is equal to or greater than 25° and equal to or less than 45°. As a specific example, the angle θ1 is 25°. Similarly to the first mesh portion 21, a position L2 of the end portion of the second mesh portion 31 on the Z side is a position where an angle θ2 formed by the -Z direction and the tangential plane (tangent line viewed in FIG. 11) on the radially outside of the second mesh portion 31 is equal to or greater than 25° and equal to or less than 45°. As a specific example, the angle θ2 is 25°. Thus, when the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 are formed, a first mesh forming portion 71 and a second mesh forming portion 81 formed in a mold, which will be described later, can be formed so as to extend uniformly in the Z direction and the -Z direction. That is, the mold for forming the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 can be simplified.

[0053] Here, in the present embodiment, the diameter φ is 65 mm, but in a case where the diameter φ is increased or decreased, the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 are formed so as to satisfy the above-described conditions of various dimensions. Specifically, with respect to the first ribs 29 and the second ribs 39, it is conceivable to increase the number of the first ribs 29 and the second ribs 39 rather than making the width t3 greater than 2.0 mm or smaller than 1.1 mm. As a result, the container 1 having various diameters φ can be formed while maintaining flexibility, strength, and the like of the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12.

[0054] As described above, by forming the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 on the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12, rigidity can be reduced and flexibility can be improved. In addition, by forming the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 in the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12, it is possible to allow the user to visually recognize the product stored in the container 1.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 12, an explanatory view illustrating a first mold 61 for forming the first hemispherical member 11 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-X. Further, referring to FIG. 13, an explanatory view for explaining a second mold 62 for forming the second hemispherical member 12 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-X. Hereinafter, the first mold 61 for manufacturing the first hemispherical member 11 and the second mold 62 for manufacturing the second hemispherical member 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0056] According to FIG. 12, the first mold 61 includes a first cavity 64 and a first core 65. The first cavity 64 is a mold that forms the Z side of the first hemispherical member 11. The first cavity 64 includes a first spherical surface forming portion 70, the first mesh forming portion 71, and a first engagable portion forming portion 73. The first spherical surface forming portion 70 is a portion for forming the radially outer surface of the first hemispherical member 11. The first mesh forming portion 71 is a portion having a plurality of block-shaped portions extending to the -Z direction from the first spherical surface forming portion 70. The end portion of the first mesh forming portion 71 on the -Z side is in contact with a first inner surface forming portion 75 of the first core 65 which will be described later. In addition, the first mesh forming portion 71 has an outer peripheral edge having the same shape as the inner peripheral edge of the first openings 21a.

[0057] The first engagable portion forming portion 73 is a portion for forming the outer shape of the engagable portion 27 on the Z side. The first engagable portion forming portion 73 is provided with a first shut-off portion 73a. The first shut-off portion 73a is a portion for forming the weight-reducing groove 42 and the engaged hole 43 of the engagable portion 27. Specifically, a portion of the first shut-off portion 73a on the -Z side forms an edge of the engaged hole 43 on the Z side. A portion on the radially inside (-X side) of the first shut-off portion 73a forms the radially outside (X side) of the weight-reducing groove 42.

[0058] The first core 65 is a mold that forms the -Z side of the first hemispherical member 11. The first core 65 includes a first inner surface forming portion 75 and a second engagable portion forming portion 77. The first inner surface forming portion 75 is a portion for forming the radially inner outer surface of the first hemispherical member 11. The end of the first mesh forming portion 71 on the -Z side is in contact with the first inner surface forming portion 75. The second engagable portion forming portion 77 is a portion having a shape conforming to the outer shape of the engagable portion 27 on the -Z side. A first relief portion 77ais formed in the second engagable portion forming portion 77. The first relief portion 77a is a portion corresponding to the engaged hole 43, and a portion on the radially outside (X side) is in contact with a portion on the radially inside (-X side) of the first shut-off portion 73a.

[0059] By providing the first cavity 64 and the first core 65 as described above, the first mold 61 forms the first mesh portion 21 and the engagable portion 27 of the first hemispherical member 11. Specifically, when a raw material of the first hemispherical member 11 is filled in a state where the first cavity 64 and the first core 65 are coupled, the raw material enters the gap portion between the first cavity 64 and the first core 65 and is cured, whereby the first hemispherical member 11 is formed.

[0060] At this time, since the first ribs 29 are formed by the first mesh forming portion 71, the first openings 21a can be formed. Further, the engaged hole 43 can be formed by bringing the first shut-off portion 73a into contact with the first relief portion 77a. Furthermore, since the first mesh forming portion 71, the first shut-off portion 73a, and the first relief portion 77a extend toward the Z direction or the -Z direction, the first hemispherical member 11 after curing can be pulled out from the first cavity 64 and the first core 65 in the Z direction or the -Z direction. That is, by forming the first openings 21a and the engaged hole 43 by the first mesh forming portion 71, the first shut-off portion 73a, and the first relief portion 77a protruding to the Z direction or the -Z direction in the first cavity 64 and the first core 65, the first hemispherical member 11 can be formed by the two molds, and consequently, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0061] According to FIG. 13, the second mold 62 includes a second cavity 67 and a second core 68. The second cavity 67 is a mold that forms the -Z side of the second hemispherical member 12. The second cavity 67 includes a second spherical surface forming portion 80, the second mesh forming portion 81, and a first engaging portion forming portion 83. The second spherical surface forming portion 80 is a portion for forming the radially outer surface of the second hemispherical member 12. The second mesh forming portion 81 is a portion having a plurality of block-shaped portions extending in the Z direction from the second spherical surface forming portion 80. The end portion of the second mesh forming portion 81 on the Z side is in contact with a second inner surface forming portion 85 of the second core 68 which will be described later.

[0062] The first engaging portion forming portion 83 is a portion for forming the outer shape of the engaging portion 37 on the -Z side. The first engaging portion forming portion 83 is provided with a second shut-off portion 83a. The second shut-off portion 83a is a portion for forming the recessed portion 55 and the opening portion 57 of the engaging portion 37. The portion of the second shut-off portion 83a on the Z side forms an edge of the recessed portion 55 on the -Z side. A portion on the radially inside (-X side) of the second shut-off portion 83a forms the radially outside (X side) of the recessed portion 55.

[0063] The second core 68 is a mold that forms the Z side of the second hemispherical member 12. The second core 68 includes a second inner surface forming portion 85 and a second engaging portion forming portion 87. The second inner surface forming portion 85 is a portion for forming the radially inner outer surface of the second hemispherical member 12. The end of the second mesh forming portion 81 on the Z side is in contact with the second inner surface forming portion 85. The second engaging portion forming portion 87 is a portion having a shape conforming to the outer shape of the engaging portion 37 on the Z side. A second relief portion 87a is formed in the second engaging portion forming portion 87. The second relief portion 87a is a portion corresponding to the opening portion 57, and a portion on the radially outside (X side) is in contact with a portion on the radially inside (-X side) of the second shut-off portion 83a.

[0064] By including the second cavity 67 and the second core 68 as described above, the second mold 62 forms the second mesh portion 31 and the engaging portion 37 of the second hemispherical member 12. Specifically, when a raw material of the second hemispherical member 12 is filled in a state where the second cavity 67 and the second core 68 are coupled, the raw material enters the gap portion between the second cavity 67 and the second core 68 and is cured, whereby the second hemispherical member 12 is formed.

[0065] At this time, since the second ribs 39 are formed by the second mesh forming portion 81, the second openings 31a can be formed. Further, the opening portion 57 can be formed by bringing the second shut-off portion 83a into contact with the second relief portion 87a. Furthermore, since the second mesh forming portion 81, the second shut-off portion 83a, and the second relief portion 87a extend in the Z direction or the -Z direction, the second hemispherical member 12 after curing can be pulled out from the second cavity 67 and the second core 68 in the Z direction or the -Z direction. That is, by forming the second openings 31a and the opening portion 57 by the second mesh forming portion 81, the second shut-off portion 83a, and the second relief portion 87a protruding in the Z direction or the -Z direction in the second cavity 67 and the second core 68, the second hemispherical member 12 can be formed by the two molds, and consequently, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0066] As described above, the container according to the present invention is the container 1 that takes the spherical form by assembling the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12, and the container 1 includes: the engagable portion 27 formed for the first hemispherical member 11, and, in the spherical form, positioned on the outside of the second hemispherical member 12; and the engaging portion 37 formed for the second hemispherical member 12, and, in the spherical form, fixing the engagable portion 27, wherein the engaging portion 37 includes the opening portion 57 that is formed at a position corresponding to an end of the first fixing portion and that communicates with the inside of the second hemispherical member 12. Thus, when the engagable portion 27 is pulled in the direction away from the engaging portion 37, the user's finger 100 can be easily hooked on the engagable portion 27.

[0067] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that in the spherical form, at least a part of the opening portion 57 is formed at a position spaced apart from the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27 in a direction away from the first hemispherical member 11. As a result, the user can put the finger 100 into the opening portion 57 when hooking the finger 100 on the finger grip portion 45. Therefore, the user can suitably hook the finger on the finger grip portion 45.

[0068] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the engaging portion 37 includes a recessed portion 55 that is formed at a position corresponding to the finger grip portion 45 of the engagable portion 27 and that is recessed in a direction away from the engagable portion 27, and the opening portion 57 is formed in the recessed portion 55. As a result, the user's finger 100 can be suitably hooked on the engagable portion 27 so as to be inserted into the opening portion 57.

[0069] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 are formed with the first mesh portion 21 having the plurality of first openings 21a and the second mesh portion 31 having the plurality of second openings 31a. As a result, even in a case where the permeability of the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 is low, for example, the user can visually recognize the inside of the container 1.

[0070] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that in the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31, at least a part of the plurality of first openings 21a and second openings 31a are arranged in a grid pattern when viewed from the Z direction (predetermined direction). Thus, for example, the design of the first openings 21a and the second openings 31a when viewed from the Z direction can be improved.

[0071] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the second hemispherical member 12 is formed with the second mesh portion 31 having the plurality of second openings 31a, and the second openings 31a and the recessed portions 55 of the engaging portions 37 are formedalong the Z direction which is an identical direction. As a result, the formation of the second openings 31a and the recessed portion 55 of the engaging portion 37 can be performed by a set of molds (second mold 62).

[0072] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the engagable portion 27 is provided in a plurality, the plurality of engagable portion 27 are arranged at equal intervals in acircumferential direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of aligning the relative positional relationship between the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12.

[0073] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the number of the engagable portion 27 is equal to or smaller than four. As a result, when one engaged state between the engaging portion 37 and the engagable portion 27 is released, a release rate of engagement with respect to all the engagable portions 27 can be improved. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of disengagement of the engagable portions 27 required when disassembling the container 1.

[0074] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that the plate thickness t1 of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 in the radial direction is equal to or greater than 1.1 mm. In the container according to the present invention, a shortest distance between the first openings 21a in the first mesh portion 21 and a shortest distance between the second openings 31a in the second mesh portion 31 are equal to or greater than the plate thickness t1 in the radial direction of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31. As a result, moderate strength can be formed while flexibility is provided.

[0075] Further, the container according to the present invention is configured such that in the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31, the angle formed by the tangential plane on the radially outside of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 and the direction along which the first openings 21a and the second openings 31a are arranged is equal to or greater than 25°. As a result, the first openings 21a and the second openings 31a can be suitably formed in the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12.

[0076] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0077] For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the number of the engagable portions 27 is four, but may be three or less, or may be five or more. Similarly, the number of the engaging portions 37 has been described to be four, but may be three or less, or five or more. In the present embodiment, the number of the engagable portions 27 protruding in the -Z direction is preferably equal to or less than the number of the engaging portions 37 storing the engagable portions 27. That is, when the number of the engagable portions 27 is smaller than the number of the engaging portions 37, all the engagable portions 27 can be stored by the engaging portions 37 when the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 are assembled. In particular, the engaging portions 37 are preferably formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As a result, the user can assemble the first hemispherical member 11 and the second hemispherical member 12 without being conscious of the position of the engaging portion 37.

[0078] In the above description, the shapes of the first mesh portion 21 and the second mesh portion 31 in the present embodiment have been specifically described, but the shapes may be appropriately changed. For example, the first openings 21a and the second openings 31a are in a square shape when viewed from the -Z direction or the Z direction, but may have a silhouette shape such as a rectangle, a triangle, a polygon of a pentagon or more, a circle, or a character, or may have a partially or entirely different shape.

[0079] In addition, the terms in the above-described embodiment are merely used to distinguish configurations and the like from each other, and other terms may be used depending on functions and aspects. In addition, in the present disclosure, even though "first", "second", and the like are described, it does not mean that the present disclosure is limited to only two elements to which "first" and "second" and the like are attached. It should be understood that "third", "fourth" and more elements may be included.

Claims

1. A container that takes a spherical form by assembling a first hemispherical member and a second hemispherical member, the container comprising:a first fixing portion provided for the first hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, positioned on an outside of the second hemispherical member; anda second fixing portion provided for the second hemispherical member, and, in the spherical form, fixes the first fixing portion, whereinthe second fixing portion includes an opening portion that is formed at a position corresponding to an end of the first fixing portion and that communicates with an inside of the second hemispherical member.

2. The container according to claim 1, whereinin the spherical form, at least a part of the opening portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the first hemispherical member in a direction away from the end of the first fixing portion.

3. The container according to claim 1, whereinthe second fixing portion includes a recessed portion that is formed at a position corresponding to the end of the first fixing portion and that is recessed in a direction away from the first fixing portion, andthe opening portion is formed in the recessed portion.

4. The container according to claim 1, whereinat least one of the first hemispherical member and the second hemispherical member are formed with a mesh portion having a plurality of openings.

5. The container according to claim 4, whereinthe mesh portion is configured such that at least a part of the plurality of openings are arranged in a grid pattern when viewed from a predetermined direction.

6. The container according to claim 3, whereinthe second hemispherical member is formed with a mesh portion having a plurality of openings, andthe openings and the recessed portion of the second fixing portion are formed along an identical direction.

7. The container according to claim 1, whereinthe first fixing portion is provided in a plurality, the plurality of first fixing portions arearranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction.

8. The container according to claim 7, whereinthe number of the first fixing portion is equal to or smaller than four.

9. The container according to claim 4, whereina plate thickness of the mesh portion in a radial direction is equal to or greater than 1.1 mm.

10. The container according to claim 4, whereina shortest distance between the plurality of openings in the mesh portion is equal to or greater than a plate thickness of the mesh portion in a radial direction.

11. The container according to claim 5, whereinthe mesh portion is configured such that an angle formed by a tangential plane on a radially outside of the mesh portion and a direction along which the openings are arranged is equal to or greater than 25°.

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