Sheet container

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet container that facilitates smooth retrieval of sheets while keeping the entire sheet container from rising up during sheet retrieval. A sheet container (1) has a containing space that contains an assemblage (40) of a plurality of sheets and a retrieval opening (23) through which to retrieve sheets contained inside the containing space. In a few-sheets state in which there are 15 or fewer sheets in the assemblage, the gravity of the sheet container containing the assemblage is higher than the tensile force when a sheet is retrieved from the retrieval opening. A sheet container according to another aspect has a containing space that contains an assemblage of a plurality of sheets and a retrieval opening through which to retrieve sheets contained inside the containing space. The sheet container has a restraining means that keeps the sheet container from rising up off a placement surface on which the sheet container has been placed.

Description

Seat storage unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet container that stores a collection of sheets such as wet tissues.

[0002] A sheet container for storing a collection of sheets has been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sheet container has a storage space for storing a collection of multiple sheets and an outlet for removing the sheets stored in the storage space. A user stores the collection in the sheet container in advance and removes the sheets from the outlet when using them.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-196517

[0004] When using sheets, the sheets are removed through the removal opening, so if the sheets get caught in the removal opening or if the sheets do not separate smoothly, the entire sheet container may float up when removing the sheets, making it difficult to remove the sheets smoothly. In particular, when the number of sheets remaining in the storage space decreases as sheets are used, the gravity of the entire sheet container becomes lighter, making the entire sheet container more likely to float up when removing sheets, making it difficult to remove the sheets smoothly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sheet container that prevents the entire sheet container from floating up when sheets are removed, making it easy to remove sheets smoothly.

[0006] According to one aspect, a sheet container includes a storage space for storing a collection of sheets, and an outlet for removing the sheets stored in the storage space. When the number of sheets in the collection is 15 or less, the gravity of the sheet container storing the collection is greater than the tensile force required to remove the sheets from the outlet.

[0007] According to another aspect, a sheet container has a storage space for storing a collection of a plurality of sheets, and an outlet for the sheets stored in the storage space. The sheet container has a suppression unit for suppressing the sheet container from floating up from a surface on which the sheet container is placed.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet container according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet container according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for measuring tensile force when the number of sheets is small. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing gravity and tensile force when the number of sheets is small for the sheet containers according to Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the tensile force of an assembly stored in the sheet containers according to Examples 1 and 4, and the tensile force of an assembly according to Example 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet container according to a second embodiment.

[0009] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The following points become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. The invention according to Aspect 1 is a sheet container having a storage space for storing a collection of multiple sheets and an outlet for the sheets stored in the storage space. When the number of sheets in the collection is 15 or less, the gravity of the sheet container storing the collection is higher than the tensile force when removing the sheets from the outlet. According to this aspect, when the number of sheets is low, the gravity of the sheet container is higher than the tensile force when removing the sheets from the outlet, so that the sheet container is prevented from floating up due to the gravity of the sheet container, allowing the sheets to be removed smoothly.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 1. The average value of the tensile force in the small number state is 3.0 N or less. Because the tensile force is relatively low, 3.0 N or less, the user can easily pull out the sheets without applying a large force. Because the sheets can be pulled out without applying a large force, the sheets can be pulled in the intended direction without applying excessive force when pulling out the sheets, and the sheet container can be further prevented from floating up when pulling out the sheets.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2. The sheet container is configured to store the assembly packaged in a packaging body. The removal opening is positioned to overlap at least a portion of a packaging opening formed in the packaging body. The sheets are configured to be removed from the sheet container through the packaging opening and the removal opening. In the small-number state, the tensile force required to remove the sheets of the assembly stored in the sheet container from the removal opening is lower than the tensile force required to remove the sheets of the assembly not stored in the sheet container from the packaging opening. According to this aspect, storing the sheets in the sheet container can more effectively prevent the sheet container from floating up when the sheets are pulled out, compared to using the sheets as a single assembly.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the invention is a sheet container having a storage space for storing a collection of multiple sheets and an outlet for the sheets stored in the storage space. The sheet container has a suppression means for suppressing the sheet container from floating up from the installation surface on which the sheet container is installed. According to this aspect, the suppression means prevents the sheet container from floating up, allowing the sheets to be smoothly removed.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may be the invention according to Aspect 4, and have the following features. The suppression means is a joining means that detachably joins the sheet container to the installation surface. When the number of sheets in the assembly is 15 or less, the peel strength at which the joining means and the installation surface peel apart is higher than the tensile force required to remove the sheets of the assembly stored in the sheet container from the removal opening. According to this aspect, because the peel strength is higher than the tensile force, the sheet container is prevented from floating up relative to the installation surface when the sheets are removed, allowing the sheets to be removed smoothly.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to either Aspect 4 or Aspect 5. The suppression means is an engagement means that detachably engages the sheet container with the installation surface. When the number of sheets in the collection is 15 or less, the separation strength at which the engagement means and the installation surface separate is higher than the tensile force required to remove the sheets of the collection stored in the sheet container from the removal opening. According to this aspect, because the separation strength is higher than the tensile force, the sheet container is prevented from floating up relative to the installation surface when the sheets are removed, allowing the sheets to be removed smoothly.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 7 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6: the opening area of ​​the outlet is 4.0 cm ２ According to this aspect, the opening area of ​​the outlet is 4.0 cm ２ As a result, the area of ​​the sheet passage can be secured and the resistance when removing the sheet can be reduced, thereby reducing the tensile force of the sheet and preventing the sheet container from floating up, allowing the sheet to be removed smoothly.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 8 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, and have the following features. The sheet container has a take-out surface on which the take-out opening is provided and a storage side surface adjacent to the take-out surface and covering the side of the assembly. The sheet container has a separation guide portion that guides the separation of the sheets taken out from the take-out opening. The rigidity of the separation guide portion is 0.9 to 1.1 times the rigidity of the storage side surface. According to this aspect, the separation guide portion is unlikely to deform when it comes into contact with a sheet, and does not excessively follow the sheet when it is taken out. This prevents the tensile force from becoming too high, and allows for smooth sheet removal while preventing the sheet container from lifting up.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 9 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, and have the following features. The sheet container has a removal surface on which the removal opening is provided and a storage side surface adjacent to the removal surface and covering the side of the assembly. The sheet container has a separation guide portion that guides the separation of the sheets removed from the removal opening. The separation guide portion and a surrounding area on the removal surface that surrounds the separation guide portion are made of the same material. The separation guide portion is configured to be as resistant to deformation as the surrounding area that covers the top surface of the assembly. Therefore, the separation guide portion is resistant to deformation when it comes into contact with a sheet and does not follow the sheet too closely when the sheet is removed. This prevents the tensile force from becoming too high, preventing the sheet container from floating up, and allows the sheets to be removed smoothly.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 10 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9: the sheet container has a plurality of separation guide portions that guide the separation of the sheets taken out from the take-out opening, and the minimum distance between the separation guide portions is 5 mm or more.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10. In a plan view of the sheet container, the center of gravity of the sheet container overlaps with the removal opening. According to this aspect, since the center of gravity of the sheet container overlaps with the removal opening, the force pulling out the sheets is easily applied to the center of gravity of the sheet container, and tilting of the sheet container during removal can be suppressed. According to this aspect, the minimum distance between the separation guide sections is 5 mm or more, which ensures the width of the sheet path and suppresses resistance during sheet removal. This reduces the tensile force on the sheets, suppresses the sheet container from floating up, and allows for smooth sheet removal.

[0020] (2) Overall Configuration of the Sheet Container According to the Embodiment The following describes the sheet container 1 according to the embodiment with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet container 1 according to the embodiment, as seen from the top surface 11. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet container 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIGS. 1 to 3 show the sheet container 1, the assembly 40, and the packaging body 50. FIG. 1 shows the sheet container 1 with the first and second storage bodies 31 and 32 separated, and the assembly 40 removed from the storage space. FIGS. 2 to 4 show the assembly 40 and the packaging body 50 stored in the storage space 22.

[0021] The sheet container 1 is configured to store an assembly 40 of multiple sheets 41. The sheet container 1 may have a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12 opposite the top surface 11, and side surfaces that cover the sides of the assembly 40. The side surfaces may include a left surface 15, a right surface 16, a front surface 13, and a rear surface 14. In the sheet container 1 of this embodiment, the top surface 11 is provided with an outlet 23, and the top surface 11 constitutes the "removal surface" of the present invention. The side surfaces 13 to 16 are adjacent to the top surface 11, which is the removal surface, and are configured to cover the sides of the assembly 40, and constitute the "storage side surfaces" of the present invention.

[0022] The assembly 40 of this embodiment is an assembly of multiple stacked sheets 41 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the sheet container 1 also has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The sheet container 1 has a third direction D3 that follows the stacking direction of the sheets 41 in the assembly 40, and a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 that extend in the planar direction of the sheets 41 and are perpendicular to each other. When the sheets 41 are folded, the first direction D1 may be a direction that follows the fold FL of the assembly 40. The first direction D1 may be the longitudinal direction of the sheet container 1 as in this embodiment, or, in a modified example, the lateral direction of the sheet container 1. Furthermore, when the assembly 40 is cylindrical in shape and the sheets 41 are rolled up, the sheet container 1 may also be cylindrical in shape.

[0023] The sheet 41 may be a dry sheet or a wet sheet (e.g., wet tissue). The sheet 41 in this embodiment is a wet tissue. The assembly may be formed by connecting multiple sheets 41 via a fragile portion, or by stacking multiple separate sheets 41 as in this embodiment. The fragile portion may be, for example, a perforation. The assembly 40 may be an assembly of sheets 41 stacked in the third direction D3. The sheets 41 may be at least folded around a fold line FL along the first direction D1. In the folded state, adjacent sheets 41 in the third direction D3 may be arranged alternately. The assembly 40 may be folded along a fold line other than the fold line FL, either before or after the fold line FL. That is, the sheets 41 may be folded around a fold line along the second direction D2, and then folded around a fold line along the first direction D1. The fold line FL along the first direction D1 of the present invention is a fold line that serves as a base point when the sheets 41 are unfolded from the assembly 40. In a modified example, the assembly 40 may be a roll of multiple sheets 41, or multiple sheets 41 may be continuous with weak portions interposed therebetween, and the continuous sheets may be rolled up.

[0024] The assembly 40 may be packaged in a packaging body 50. The packaging body 50 is configured to contain the entire assembly 40. The packaging body 50 may have a packaging opening 52 that serves as an outlet for removing the sheets 41. The packaging body 50 may be made of a film. The material of the film is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a mixture of polypropylene and polyethylene. The packaging opening 52 may be located on the upper surface 11 side. The assembly 40 may not be packaged in the packaging body 50. In other words, the sheet container 1 may contain the assembly 40 packaged in the packaging body 50, or may contain the assembly 40 not packaged in the packaging body 50.

[0025] The sheet container 1 has at least a storage space 22 that stores the assembly 40 and an outlet 23 for the sheets stored in the storage space 22. The storage space 22 is a space for storing the assembly 40 and is a space surrounded by a side surface, a top surface 11, and a bottom surface 12. The outlet 23 is an opening for removing the sheets 41 and is connected to the storage space 22. When the assembly 40 is packaged in the packaging body 50, the outlet 23 is positioned to overlap at least a portion of the package opening 52. The outlet 23 may be positioned to overlap a portion of the package opening 52 or may be positioned to overlap the entire package opening 52. When the assembly 40 is packaged in the packaging body 50, the sheets 41 are removed from the sheet container 1 through the package opening 52 and the outlet 23.

[0026] The sheet container 1 may have a separation guide section 24. The user pulls the sheet 41 out of the sheet container 1 through the outlet 23 (or through the outlet 23 and the package opening 52 in the case of a configuration having a package 50). At this time, the separation guide section 24 abuts the sheet 41, and functions to pull out only the sheet to be pulled out when both the sheet to be pulled out and the next sheet 41 (located on the bottom side) are about to be pulled out.

[0027] The sheet container 1 may have multiple components that engage with each other. Specifically, the first container 31 may have a first container body 31 and a second container body 32. The first container body 31 has a bottom surface 12 of the sheet container 1 and a container side surface extending upward (in the third direction D3) from the bottom surface 12. When the second container body 32 is not disposed on the first container body 31, an opening is formed on the top surface 11 of the first container body 31 for inserting and removing the assembly 40. The second container body 32 is located closer to the top surface 11 than the first container body 31 and is configured to open and close the opening of the first container body 31. The second container body 32 has a bottom surface 12 of the sheet container 1 and a container side surface extending upward (in the third direction D3) from the bottom surface 12. The length (height) of the second container body 32 in the third direction D3 may be shorter than the length of the first container body 31 in the third direction D3. The length of the first accommodating body 31 in the third direction D3 may be longer than the length of the assembly 40 in the third direction D3. Preferably, the length of the accommodating space 22 in the third direction may be longer than the length of the assembly 40 in the third direction D3.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , the second storage body 32 may have a sheet 41 outlet 23, a separation guide 24, and a lid 26 that can open and close and cover the outlet 23. The lid 26 may be configured to cover the outlet 23 or expose the outlet 23, with a hinge 28 as the opening and closing base. FIG. 1 shows the state in which the lid 26 is open and exposing the outlet 23, while FIG. 2 shows the state in which the lid 26 is closed and covers the outlet 23. When removing the sheet 41, the user opens the lid 26 with the hinge 28 as the base, and when not removing the sheet 41, the user closes the lid 26 to cover the outlet 23. Note that the sheet storage body 1 is not limited to a configuration having a first storage body 31 and a second storage body 32, and may have other configurations.

[0029] (3) Preventing the Sheet Container from Lifting Up Next, a configuration for preventing the entire sheet container 1 from lifting up when sheets 41 are removed in the sheet container 1 configured as described above will be described. The configurations for preventing the entire sheet container 1 from lifting up can be broadly divided into a first configuration and a second configuration. First, the first configuration will be described. In the sheet container 1 according to the first configuration, when the number of sheets 41 in the assembly 40 is 15 or less, the gravity of the sheet container 1 containing the assembly 40 is higher than the tensile force when the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 are removed from the removal opening 23. When the number of sheets 41 in the assembly 40 is 15 or less, the number of remaining sheets 41 is small, and the gravity of the entire sheet container 1 is lighter, making the entire sheet container 1 particularly susceptible to lifting up when sheets 41 are removed. In this state where the number of sheets is small, the gravity of the sheet container 1 is higher than the tensile force when the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 stored in the sheet container 1 are removed from the removal opening 23, so the gravity of the sheet container 1 prevents the sheet container 1 from floating up, and the sheets 41 can be removed smoothly.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing gravity and tensile force in the sheet containers according to Examples 1 to 4 in the low-sheet-count state. It was found that, in the sheet containers according to Examples 1 to 4, even in the low-sheet-count state, the sheet container 1 is prevented from floating up when the sheets are pulled for removal, allowing the sheets 41 to be removed smoothly. In the low-sheet-count state, the average gravity of the sheet container 1 may be higher than the average tensile force when the sheets 41 are removed from the outlet 23. Furthermore, the maximum gravity of the sheet container 1 in the low-sheet-count state may be higher than the maximum tensile force when the sheets 41 are removed from the outlet 23 in the low-sheet-count state. Furthermore, the minimum gravity of the sheet container 1 in the low-sheet-count state may be higher than the minimum tensile force when the sheets 41 are removed from the outlet 23 in the low-sheet-count state. Preferably, in any of the low-sheet-count states (from one sheet to fifteen sheets), the gravity of the sheet container 1 may be higher than the tensile force when the sheets 41 are removed from the outlet 23.

[0031] Here, the gravity of the sheet container 1 is the gravity when a small number of sheets (1 to 15 sheets) is contained in the sheet container 1, and in the case of the assembly 40 packaged in the packaging 50, it is the gravity when the assembly 40 packaged in the packaging 50 is contained in the sheet container 1, and specifically, it can be calculated using Formula 1. (Formula 1) Gravity (N) of the sheet container (including the assembly) = Weight (g) of the sheet container (including the assembly) * 0.0098

[0032] The tensile force when removing sheets 41 from a collection 40 (containing 1 to 15 sheets) stored in the sheet container 1 through the outlet 23 is the tensile force of the sheets 41 when the number of sheets is small, and can be measured using the following method. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2, illustrating the method for measuring the tensile force when the number of sheets is small. When measuring the tensile force, the collection 40 contains 15 sheets, and one sheet 41 is removed from the outlet 23. The length of the sheet 41 removed should be 10 mm (the length required to hook the digital force gauge FGP-2). In this state, the tip 201 of the digital force gauge 200 is hooked onto the leading edge of the sheet 41, and the digital force gauge is pulled upward to remove the sheet 41. Measurements are continued until the sheet 41 is completely removed from the outlet, and the maximum value is taken as the sheet tensile force (N). This process is repeated, measuring the tensile force for each number of sheets, until the tensile force reaches zero. The average value of the tensile force is defined as the tensile force in the small number state. The tensile force for 15 sheets is the tensile force when the remaining 15 sheets are pulled, and when the sheets are pulled out, it is defined as the tensile force when the remaining 14 sheets are pulled.

[0033] The average value of the tensile force when the number of sheets is small may be 3.0 N or less. The average value is the average of the tensile force values ​​measured when the number of sheets is small, ranging from 15 to 0. Because the tensile force when the number of sheets is small is relatively low, at 3.0 N or less, the user can easily pull out the sheets 41 without exerting a large force. Because the sheets 41 can be pulled out without exerting a large force, excessive force is not exerted when pulling out the sheets 41, which prevents the sheet container 1 from tilting due to excessive force, allows the sheets 41 to be pulled in the intended direction, and further prevents the sheet container 1 from floating up when pulled out.

[0034] In the small number state, the tensile force required to remove the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 stored in the sheet container 1 from the removal opening 23 may be lower than the tensile force required to remove the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 that are not stored in the sheet container 1 from the package opening 52. According to this configuration, storing the sheets 41 in the sheet container 1 can more effectively prevent the sheet container 1 from floating up when the sheets are pulled out, compared to when the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 are used alone.

[0035] More specifically, by storing the assembly 40 in the sheet container 1, the gravity of the sheet container 1 acts to press down on the sheet container 1, preventing the sheet container 1 from floating up. Furthermore, by storing the assembly 40 in the sheet container 1 having the separation guide section 24, the sheet 41 being pulled out becomes caught in the separation guide section 24. When caught in the separation guide section 24, not only the sheet 41 being pulled out but also the next sheet 41 being pulled out may float up, causing the sheets 41 to separate from each other. This reduces the tensile force of the sheet 41, preventing the sheet container 1 from floating up. Furthermore, when the assembly 40 packaged in the packaging body 50 is not stored in the sheet container 1, pulling the sheet 41 causes the packaging body 50 to deform, causing the inner surface (top surface) of the packaging body 50 to come into close contact with the sheet 41, resulting in increased tensile force due to the resulting friction. On the other hand, when the assembly 40 packaged in the packaging body 50 is contained in the sheet container 1, even if the packaging body 50 is deformed, the packaging body 50 is pressed by the inner surface of the sheet container 1, and the packaging body 50 and the sheet 41 do not come into too close contact with each other. This prevents the frictional resistance of the sheet 41 against the inner surface of the packaging body from increasing, keeps the tensile force of the sheet 41 low, and prevents the sheet container 1 from floating up.

[0036] 6 is a diagram showing the tensile force of the assembly stored in the sheet container 1 according to Examples 1 and 4, and the tensile force of the assembly 40 according to Example 5. The tensile force of the assembly according to Example 5 is when not stored in the sheet container. The assembly according to Example 5 is the same as the assembly used in the sheet container 1 according to Examples 1 and 4. The assembly 40 according to Examples 1 to 4 is packaged in a package 50. The tensile force when removing the sheet 41 of the assembly 40 that is not stored in the sheet container 1 through the package opening 52 when the assembly 40 is packaged in the package 50 is the tensile force when removing the sheet 41 from the package opening 52. The measurement method can be the same as the tensile force when removing the sheet 41 from the sheet container 1. In addition, the tensile force when removing a sheet 41 of an assembly 40 that is not contained in the sheet container 1 when the assembly 40 is not packaged in the packaging body 50 is the tensile force when separating the sheet 41 from the assembly 40, and is measured until one sheet 41 is separated from the assembly 40, and the maximum value is the tensile force of the sheet 41.

[0037] Next, a second embodiment of a configuration for preventing the entire sheet container 1 from floating up when the sheets 41 are removed will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sheet container 1X according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram based on the same cross section as that shown in FIG. 3. The sheet container 1X according to the second embodiment has a suppression unit 70 that suppresses the sheet container 1X from floating up from the installation surface LS on which the sheet container 1X is installed. The suppression unit 70 prevents the sheet container 1X from floating up, allowing the sheets 41 to be removed smoothly. The suppression unit 70 may be provided on the bottom surface 12 of the sheet container 1 as shown in FIG. 7, or on another outer surface, or on a portion other than the outer surface of the sheet container 1 (e.g., the interior). The suppression unit 70 may suppress the sheet container 1 from floating up by itself, without requiring an external power supply, such as a motor that receives power.

[0038] The suppression means 70 may be a joining means for detachably joining the sheet container 1X to the installation surface LS. The joining means may be any means capable of detachably joining the sheet container 1X to the installation surface LS, and may be configured, for example, as a suction cup, adhesive tape, or magnet. When the number of sheets 41 in the assembly 40 is 15 or less, the peel strength at which the joining means peels from the installation surface LS may be higher than the tensile force required to remove the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 from the sheet container 1X through the removal opening 23. This configuration, because the peel strength is higher than the tensile force, prevents the sheet container 1X from lifting up relative to the installation surface LS when removing the sheets 41, allowing for smooth removal of the sheets 41. The peel strength at which the joining means peels from the installation surface is measured by attaching a digital force gauge FGP-2 to the sheet protruding from the container with a hook and measuring the value when the sheet is removed directly above the digital force gauge FGP-2.

[0039] The restraining means 70 may be an engaging means for detachably engaging the sheet container 1X with the installation surface LS. Examples of the engaging means include a hook that catches on the installation surface LS, a screw that screws into the installation surface LS, a hook-and-loop fastener that catches on the installation surface LS, a button that can be hung on the installation surface, a recess into which the installation surface can be inserted, and a fastener that engages with the installation surface. In the small-sheet state, the separation strength at which the engagement between the engaging means and the installation surface LS is released may be higher than the tensile force required to remove the sheets 41 of the assembly 40 stored in the sheet container 1X from the removal opening 23. With this configuration, because the separation strength is higher than the tensile force, the sheet container 1X is prevented from lifting up relative to the installation surface when the sheets 41 are removed, allowing the sheets 41 to be removed smoothly.

[0040] Next, a preferred configuration for the first and second embodiments will be described. The opening area of ​​the outlet 23 is 4.0 cm ２ The opening area of ​​the outlet 23 may be 4.0 cm ２ As a result, the area of ​​the path for the sheet 41 can be secured, and resistance when removing the sheet 41 can be reduced. This reduces the tensile force of the sheet 41, prevents the sheet container 1 from floating up, and allows the sheet 41 to be removed smoothly.

[0041] The rigidity of the separation guide portion 24 may be 0.9 to 1.1 times the rigidity of the storage side surface. The rigidity of the separation guide portion 24 is the same as or close to the rigidity of the storage side surface. The separation guide portion 24 is configured to be as resistant to deformation as the storage side surface surrounding the assembly 40. Therefore, the separation guide portion 24 is resistant to deformation when it comes into contact with a sheet, and does not follow the sheet 41 too closely when the sheet 41 is removed. This prevents the tensile force from becoming too high, and allows the sheet 41 to be smoothly removed while preventing the sheet storage body 1 from lifting up.

[0042] The separation guide portion 24 and the surrounding region disposed around the separation guide portion 24 on the removal surface may be made of the same material. The surrounding region is a region extending outward in the planar direction from the separation guide portion 24. The boundary between the separation guide portion 24 and the surrounding region may be, for example, a virtual line connecting the base of the separation guide portion 24, which bulges inward. The separation guide portion 24 is configured to be as resistant to deformation as the surrounding region covering the upper surface 11 of the assembly 40. Therefore, the separation guide portion 24 is resistant to deformation when it contacts the sheet 41 and does not excessively follow the sheet 41 when the sheet 41 is removed. Furthermore, because the separation guide portion 24 is integrated with the surrounding region, no difference in rigidity is formed between the separation guide portion 24 and the surrounding region, making it even less resistant to deformation and preventing the sheet 41 from excessively following the sheet 41 when the sheet 41 is removed. This prevents excessive tensile force from becoming too high, preventing the sheet container 1 from lifting up, allowing the sheet 41 to be removed smoothly.

[0043] A plurality of separation guide sections 24 may be provided. In this embodiment, two separation guide sections 24 are provided at a distance in the third direction D3. The minimum distance between the separation guide sections 24 may be 5 mm or more. When the minimum distance between the separation guide sections is 5 mm or more, the width of the path for the sheets 41 can be ensured and resistance when the sheets 41 are removed can be reduced. This reduces the tensile force on the sheets 41, prevents the sheet container 1 from floating up, and allows the sheets 41 to be removed smoothly. Preferably, the minimum distance between the separation guide sections may be 8 mm or more, and more preferably, 10 mm or more.

[0044] In the plan view of the sheet container 1 shown in Fig. 2, the center of gravity of the sheet container 1 may overlap with the outlet 23. If the center of gravity of the sheet container 1 is offset from the outlet 23, the force pulling the sheet 41 upward when removing the sheet 41 will be offset from the center of gravity of the sheet container 1, which could cause the sheet container 1 to tilt or fall over when removing the sheet 41. However, because the center of gravity of the sheet container 1 overlaps with the outlet 23, the force pulling the sheet 41 is more likely to be applied to the center of gravity of the sheet container 1, which can prevent the sheet container 1 from tilting when removing the sheet 41.

[0045] An antistatic agent may be applied to the surface of the sheet container 1. This can suppress the generation of static electricity on the surface and prevent minute foreign matter from adhering due to static electricity, thereby maintaining the hygiene of the sheet container 1. Examples of the antistatic agent include nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants, as well as polyether, quaternary ammonium salt, sulfonic acid, and betaine polymeric antistatic agents.

[0046] (4) Environmentally Friendly Sheet Container In recent years, environmental awareness has increased, and awareness of eliminating disposable items has grown. Therefore, sheet containers that can be used multiple times are accepted. However, in other aspects, sheet containers are discarded after a certain number of uses and new sheet containers are required. The applicant's extensive research has revealed that, particularly when parts that are easily touched by users (e.g., the lid) become dirty, hygiene concerns arise, leading to the replacement of the sheet container. The sheet container of this embodiment may be configured to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly.

[0047] Next, the environmentally friendly sheet container will be described in detail. The first container body 31 and the second container body 32 are configured to be separable. Therefore, when one needs to be replaced due to damage or soiling, only that one can be replaced. When a portion of the sheet container 1 needs to be replaced, only that portion can be replaced without replacing the entire sheet container 1, reducing waste and being more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the first container body 31 has the function of storing the assembly 40, while the second container body 32 has the function of separating the sheets 41 from each other. The first container body 31 and the second container body 32 have different functions, shapes, and manufacturing methods. By configuring the first container body 31 and the second container body 32 as separate bodies, it is possible to select appropriate materials and shapes for each function, thereby reducing design limitations.

[0048] At least one of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 has an engaging portion 60 that separably engages with the other. The first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 are configured to be separable, and can be engaged and separated via the engaging portion. The engaging portion 60 may be provided on both the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32, or on just one of them. The engaging portion 60 may be any mechanism that can fit together, and examples of the engaging portion 60 include a hook, a hinge, a rib, etc. The engaging portion 60 may be made of a material that is different from the main material of the second housing body 32 and the main material of the first housing body 31.

[0049] The engaging portion 60 in this embodiment is composed of a protrusion 61 that protrudes downward from the second housing body 32, an inner wall portion 62 that is located on the first housing body 31 outside the protrusion 61 in a plan view, and a flexible member (silicone) 63 that is disposed between the protrusion 61 and the inner wall portion 62. When the second housing body 32 is attached to the first housing body 31, the flexible member 63 deforms, and the second housing body 32 and the first housing body 31 fit together. The flexible member 63 adheres closely to the protrusion 61 and the inner wall portion 62, maintaining the engagement between the second housing body 32 and the first housing body 31 and preventing either the second housing body 32 or the first housing body 31 from dropping or falling off, and also improving the airtightness of the assembly 40 accommodated therein. Another possible form of the engagement portion is one in which an accommodating protrusion provided on the top surface of the first accommodating body 31 and a lid protrusion provided on the bottom surface of the second accommodating body 32 fit together.

[0050] The density of one of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 is 1 g / cm ３ The density of the other of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 is 1 g / cm ３ The applicant's extensive research has revealed that if the density of the first housing body 31 and the density of the second housing body 32 are the same, their physical properties, such as feel and ease of deformation, are the same, making it difficult to engage and separate them. However, because the density of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 are different and their physical properties are different, they are easy to engage and separate, allowing for easy assembly.

[0051] Preferably, the density of the second housing body 32 is 1 g / cm ３ The density of the first housing body 31 is less than 1 g / cm ３That is, the density of the second storage body 32 may be lower than the density of the first storage body 31. According to this aspect, the density of the second storage body 32 is low and the density of the first storage body 31 is high, so the center of gravity of the sheet storage body 1 is located lower. Therefore, when the sheets 41 are removed, the sheet storage body 1 is less likely to float up, and the sheets 41 can be removed smoothly. Furthermore, because the density of the second storage body 32 is low, the second storage body 32 is light and can be easily operated, improving operability.

[0052] In a modified example, the density of the second housing body 32 is 1 g / cm ３ The density of the first housing body 31 is 1 g / cm ３ The density of the second storage body 32 may be less than 1 / 2 . That is, the density of the second storage body 32 may be higher than the density of the first storage body 31. According to a modified example, the density of the second storage body 32 is high and the density of the first storage body 31 is low, so the center of gravity of the sheet storage body 1 is located higher. As a result, the second storage body 32 is less likely to float up, and the airtightness of the sheet storage body 1 can be improved. Furthermore, when the assembly 40 contains a volatile chemical solution (such as wet wipes), the second storage body 32 adds weight to the engagement between the second storage body 32 and the first storage body 31, reducing evaporation of the chemical solution caused by inadvertent disengagement of the second storage body 32 or loosening of the engagement of the engagement portion 60, and suppressing deterioration of the function of the assembly 40.

[0053] The material of the first storage body 31 and the second storage body 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can be processed into the shape of the sheet storage body 1. Examples of materials for the first storage body 31 and the second storage body 32 include polypropylene, polyethylene, wood (cedar, cypress, cherry, etc.), silicon, polyoxymethylene (homopolymer), polyoxymethylene (copolymer), polyester, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, pottery, glass, stainless steel, alumina, ceramics, zirconia, steatite, and enamel. The first storage body 31 and the second storage body 32 may be formed from a single material of these materials or may be formed from a combination of these materials. Table 1 below shows the density of each major material. When the density is 1 g / cm ３ A material with a density of less than 1 g / cm is considered low density. ３ The above materials are considered to be high density. In the present invention, one of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 is made of a low-density material, and the other of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 is made of a high-density material.

[0054]

[0055] At least one of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 may be formed from a thermoplastic resin. Thermoplastic resins are easy to mold, have a high degree of design freedom, and are easy to realize the intended shape. Alternatively, both the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32 may be formed from a thermoplastic resin. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, AS resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, PET resin, polyethylene terephthalate, PVA resin, polyvinyl alcohol, and silicone resin.

[0056] The second storage body 32 is formed from a thermoplastic resin, and the shape of the separation guide portion 24 in a plan view of the second storage body 32 may be a convex shape that bulges toward the inside of the outlet 23. The separation guide portion 24 may be configured to protrude inward from the outer edge of the outlet 23 and guide separation of the sheets 41 from each other. More specifically, the separation guide portion 24 protrudes from the center of the outlet 23 in one of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 toward the inside in the other of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to guide separation of the sheets 41 from each other. The separation guide portion 24 of this embodiment may be a portion that protrudes inward in the second direction D2 beyond the outer edge of the outlet 23 in the second direction D2. Note that in a modified example, the separation guide portion 24 may be a portion that protrudes inward in the first direction D1 beyond the outer edge of the outlet 23 in the first direction D1. A second storage body 32 made of a thermoplastic resin is easy to mold, allows for a high degree of design freedom, and makes it easy to achieve an intended shape. While being environmentally friendly, the sheet 41 can be made easier to remove.

[0057] As an index showing the ease or difficulty of deformation of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32, the Young's modulus of the first housing body 31 may be higher than the Young's modulus of the second housing body 32. The Young's modulus is a tensile modulus, which is the tensile stress and the corresponding strain within the tensile proportional limit. The higher the value, the more difficult it is to deform, and it can be measured using the following equation (1). Young's modulus (E) unit: MPa

[0058] As another indicator of the deformability of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32, the bending strength of the first housing body 31 may be higher than the bending strength of the second housing body 32. The bending strength is measured by supporting a test specimen horizontally at two supports, applying a load from above to the center, bending the test specimen, and reading the maximum load before breakage, and then calculating the bending strength using a predetermined formula. The bending strength of the first housing body 31 may be 320 MPa or higher. As another indicator of the deformability of the first housing body 31 and the second housing body 32, the compressive hardness of the first housing body 31 may be higher than the compressive strength of the second housing body 32. Compressive strength represents the material strength capable of withstanding a compressive load. Compression per unit area refers to a step load. The compressive strength of the first housing body 31 may be 900 MPa or higher.

[0059] The first housing body 31 is less likely to deform, while the second housing body 32 is more likely to deform, making it easier to engage and separate them. Furthermore, because the first housing body 31 is less likely to deform, the housing space 22 is more easily maintained, and it is possible to eliminate reinforcing parts such as reinforcing ribs for maintaining the housing space 22. By not providing reinforcing parts, the design can be improved. Furthermore, by not providing reinforcing parts, the first housing body 31 can be easily cleaned, making it easier to reuse. Furthermore, because the second housing body 32 is more likely to deform than the first housing body 31, opening and closing the second housing body 32 is easier.

[0060] The weight of the sheet container 1 may be greater than the removal resistance value when removing the sheet 41 from the removal opening 23. Because the weight of the sheet container 1 is heavy, the sheet container 1 is less likely to float when removing the sheet 41, improving the operability when removing the sheet 41. Here, the weight of the sheet container 1 can be calculated by multiplying the mass (g) of the sheet container 1 by the acceleration of gravity (9.8 m / s2). The removal resistance value is measured using a test specimen including the sheet container 1, the assembly 40 contained in the sheet container 1, and, if the assembly 40 is packaged in a packaging 50, the packaging. The removal resistance value is measured by pulling one sheet 41 5 cm from the test specimen through the removal opening 23, hooking the pulled-out portion onto a digital force gauge, and recording the maximum value when the sheet 41 is pulled out from the removal opening 23. Furthermore, since the measurement of the removal resistance value varies between the beginning and end of use of the assembly 40, it is preferable to measure the overall average (10 or more sheets) or the 10th sheet or later from the beginning of removal.

[0061] The inner surface of the first storage body 31 may be a smooth surface without ribs. Here, ribs are protrusions that protrude inward from the inner surface and do not include protrusions with a height of 2 mm or less. According to this embodiment, compared to a configuration with ribs, the inner surface of the first storage body 31 can be easily cleaned and is easy to use for a long period of time. Furthermore, the shape without ribs results in a simple appearance, improving aesthetics and making it easier for the seat storage body to blend in with the interior.

[0062] The applicant's intensive research has revealed that the number of users who regularly use a collection 40 of wet wipes or the like has been increasing in recent years. These users often keep the sheet container 1 in their room at all times, rather than taking it out from a shelf or the like when using it. Therefore, there is a demand for the sheet container 1 to have a good design and to blend in with the interior. The sheet container 1 can have a different appearance between the first container body 31 and the second container body 32, thereby improving the design of the sheet container 1.

[0063] The first storage body 31 and the second storage body 32 may be provided as an integrated unit or separately. For example, multiple first storage bodies 31 made of different materials may be provided, and multiple second storage bodies 32 made of different materials may be provided, allowing the purchaser to select the first storage body 31 and lid respectively and use the seat storage body 1 in their preferred combination. Furthermore, an appropriate combination of materials can be selected depending on the location, purpose, environmental awareness, lifestyle, etc. of the seat storage body 1. For example, if used in an office, the first storage body 31 and second storage body 32 can be selected from materials that match the office interior. Furthermore, if used in a car, the first storage body 31 and second storage body 32 can be selected from materials with high durability. By selecting and using the materials desired by the user in this way, users are more conscious of continued use, reduce waste, and become more environmentally conscious.

[0064] (5) Sheet Container Group Next, the sheet container group will be described. The sheet container group includes a plurality of first container bodies 31 and a plurality of second container bodies 32. The first container bodies 31 and second container bodies 32 constituting the sheet container group may be included in the first container body 31 and second container body 32 constituting the sheet container 1 described above. The first container body 31 and second container body 32 constituting the sheet container group are configured to be separable. At least one of the first container body 31 and the second container body 32 has an engagement portion 60 that separably engages with the other. The second container body 32 has a separation guide portion 24 that guides the separation of sheets taken out from the take-out opening 23. The density of the first container body 31 is 1 g / cm ３ The density of the second housing body 32 is 1 g / cm ３ is less than.

[0065] The multiple first storage bodies 31 have the same shape but are made of different materials. The multiple second storage bodies 32 have the same shape but are made of different materials. The multiple first storage bodies 31 all have the same shape and can be used in combination with any of the multiple second storage bodies 32. Similarly, the multiple second storage bodies 32 all have the same shape and can be used in combination with any of the multiple first storage bodies 31. Therefore, a user can combine one of the multiple first storage bodies 31 with one of the multiple second storage bodies 32 to form a sheet storage body 1 that stores the assembly 40. This allows the user to select an appropriate combination of materials depending on the location, purpose, environmental awareness, lifestyle, etc. of the sheet storage body 1. Furthermore, when one needs to be replaced due to damage or soiling, only that one part can be replaced. When a part of the sheet storage body 1 needs to be replaced, only that part can be replaced without replacing the entire sheet storage body, reducing waste and being more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the density of the second housing body 32 is lower than that of the first housing body 31, and the physical properties thereof are different from those of the first housing body 31, so that the two bodies can be easily engaged with and separated from each other, and can be easily assembled.

[0066] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be embodied in various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the sheet container 1 has been described. However, the present invention may also be configured with only the first container body 31 used together with the second container body 32 in the sheet container 1, or may also be configured with only the second container body 32 used together with the first container body 31 in the sheet container 1.

[0067] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-223508, filed on December 28, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] It is possible to provide a sheet container that prevents the entire sheet container from floating up when sheets are removed, and that makes it easy to remove sheets smoothly.

[0069] 1, 1X: Sheet container 22: Storage space 23: Discharge port 24: Separation guide section 31: First container body 32: First container body 40: Assembly 41: Sheet 60: Engagement means 70: Suppression means

Claims

1. A sheet container having an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of sheets and an outlet for the sheets accommodated in the accommodation space, wherein in a state where the number of sheets in the aggregate is 15 sheets or less, the gravity of the sheet container accommodating the aggregate is higher than the tensile force when taking out the sheets of the aggregate from the outlet.

2. The sheet container according to claim 1, wherein an average value of the tensile force in the state of a small number of sheets is 3.0 N or less.

3. The sheet container is configured to accommodate the aggregate wrapped by a packaging body, the outlet is arranged to overlap at least a part of a packaging opening formed in the packaging body, the sheet is configured to be taken out from the sheet container through the packaging opening and the outlet, and in the state of a small number of sheets, the tensile force when taking out the sheets of the aggregate accommodated in the sheet container from the outlet is lower than the tensile force when taking out the sheets of the aggregate not accommodated in the sheet container from the packaging opening. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A sheet container having an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of sheets and an outlet for the sheets accommodated in the accommodation space, wherein the sheet container has a suppressing means for suppressing the sheet container from lifting from an installation surface on which the sheet container is installed.

5. The suppressing means is a joining means for detachably joining the sheet container to the installation surface, and in a state where the number of sheets in the aggregate is 15 sheets or less, the peeling strength at which the joining means and the installation surface are peeled off is higher than the tensile force when taking out the sheets of the aggregate accommodated in the sheet container from the outlet. The sheet container according to claim 4.

6. The suppressing means is an engaging means for detachably engaging the sheet container with the installation surface, and in a state where the number of sheets in the aggregate is 15 sheets or less, the separation strength at which the engagement between the engaging means and the installation surface is separated is higher than the tensile force when taking out the sheets of the aggregate accommodated in the sheet container from the outlet. The sheet container according to claim 4.

7. The opening area of the outlet is 4.0 cm ２ or more. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 4.

8. The sheet container has a take-out surface provided with the take-out opening, and a storage side surface adjacent to the take-out surface and covering the side of the aggregate. The sheet container has a separation guiding portion for guiding the separation of the sheets taken out from the take-out opening. The rigidity of the separation guiding portion is 0.9 times or more and 1.1 times or less with respect to the rigidity of the storage side surface. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 4.

9. The sheet container has a take-out surface provided with the take-out opening, and a storage side surface adjacent to the take-out surface and covering the side of the aggregate. The sheet container has a separation guiding portion for guiding the separation of the sheets taken out from the take-out opening. The separation guiding portion and the peripheral region arranged around the separation guiding portion on the take-out surface are made of the same material. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 4.

10. The sheet container has a plurality of separation guiding portions for guiding the separation of the sheets taken out from the take-out opening. The minimum distance between the separation guiding portions is 5 mm or more. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 4.

11. In a plan view of the sheet container, the center of gravity of the sheet container overlaps with the take-out opening. The sheet container according to claim 1 or claim 4.

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