Container

The container design with intersecting ribs and protruding regions addresses label pulling and strength issues, ensuring label appearance and structural integrity.

WO2026018694A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-01-22KAO CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2025/023898
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2025-06-27
Filing Date
2025-07-02
Publication Date
2026-01-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing containers with ribs on their surface face issues where shrink labels are pulled into the ribs, causing unevenness and affecting appearance, and the ribs do not provide sufficient strength against internal and external pressures.

Method used

The container design features intersecting ribs on the main surfaces and protruding regions with additional ribs to prevent label pulling and enhance structural strength, including vertical ribs that intersect the circumferential direction and protruding regions with side ribs to stabilize arrangement.

Benefits of technology

The design effectively prevents shrink label unevenness and improves structural strength against internal and external pressures, maintaining label appearance and preventing deformation during transport and display.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

[Problem] To provide a container prevented from having deformation in a jut-out region thereof. [Solution] This container is provided with a trunk part having a cylindrical shape and forming a storage space for contents. The trunk part has two main faces opposing each other and two lateral faces positioned between the two main faces and opposing each other. At least one of the two main faces has two first intersecting-direction ribs extending along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the trunk part. The two first intersecting-direction ribs are formed in positions between which the center position of the main face in the circumferential direction of the trunk part is interposed.
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Description

container

[0001] The present invention relates to a container.

[0002] In recent years, various containers having a storage space for contents have become known. A label on which the product name, the name of the contents, and the like are printed may be attached to the container. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bottle having a waisted portion with multiple ribs along the axial direction of the bottle. It is described that this bottle exhibits excellent vacuum absorption performance while minimizing the unnatural appearance of the label.

[0003] JP 2018-70214 A

[0004] However, the bottle disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a circumferential groove that extends around the entire circumference of the lower body. When a shrink label is attached to the bottle, the shrink label may be pulled into the circumferential groove in the lower body, damaging the appearance of the shrink label.

[0005] The present invention relates to a container in which, when a label is attached, the label is less likely to be pulled into the ribs.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a container having a cylindrical shape and a body portion that forms a storage space for contents, the body portion having two main surfaces that face each other and two side surfaces that are located between the two main surfaces and face each other, at least one of the two main surfaces having two first intersecting ribs that extend in a direction that intersects with the circumferential direction of the body portion, the two first intersecting ribs being formed at positions that sandwich the center position of the main surfaces in the circumferential direction of the body portion.

[0007] As described above, according to the container of the present invention, when a label is attached, the label is less likely to be pulled into the ribs.

[0008] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a shrink label 30 is attached to a container 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front view of the container 10. FIG. 12 is a side view of the container 10. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the container 10. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the container 10. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of a rib formed on a side surface 220. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of a rib formed on a side surface 220. FIG. 17 is a front view of a container 10-2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the container 10-2 taken along line II shown in FIG.

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a container that forms a storage space for contents. The contents include, for example, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, body soap, cosmetic liquid, medicine, liquid seasoning, and clothing treatment agent. Clothing treatment agents include detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and the like that contain surfactants such as anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants.

[0011] A label may be attached to the container according to the embodiment of the present invention, on which a product name, the name of the contents, etc. is printed. For example, a shrink label may be wrapped around the container along the circumferential direction of the container, and the shrink label may be thermally shrunk to adhere tightly to the container.

[0012] Various pressures may be applied to the container according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, pressure may be applied to the inside of the storage space due to decompression of the storage space and pressure applied to the container by a user. Furthermore, when containers are stacked, pressure may be applied that tends to compress the container in the axial direction of the container. Such pressure generally causes deformation of the container. For this reason, the container according to the embodiment of the present invention has ribs to increase the strength of the container.

[0013] Furthermore, the containers according to the embodiment of the present invention are provided with protruding regions that protrude outward in the radial direction. When the containers are transported or displayed in stores, the protruding regions of adjacent containers come into contact with each other, stabilizing the arrangement.

[0014] (Problems) When creating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, the following problems were encountered, for example.

[0015] The first issue concerns the appearance of the shrink label. When ribs are formed as recesses in the outer surface of a container, the shrink label can be pulled into the ribs when it is attached to the container. When the shrink label is pulled into the ribs, the surface of the shrink label becomes uneven, which detracts from the appearance of the shrink label.

[0016] The second issue concerns deformation of the protruding areas. When the containers are transported or displayed in stores, the protruding areas of adjacent containers come into contact with each other, which can easily cause pressure to be applied to the protruding areas. This can lead to deformation, such as dents, in the protruding areas.

[0017] The third issue concerns improving the strength of the container using ribs. In Patent Document 1, the panel portion formed as a recess in the outer surface has a uniform depth in the axial direction of the bottom wall portion. In Patent Document 1, the bottom wall portion of the panel is formed in a constricted portion, so the bottom wall portion of the panel also convex radially inward to the same extent as the constricted portion. However, with such a structure, it is difficult to ensure sufficient strength against pressure inwardly of the storage space, such as pressure reduction in the storage space and external pressure from the user.

[0018] A first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The first embodiment of the present invention is intended to mainly solve the first and second problems described above, and the second embodiment of the present invention is intended to mainly solve the first and third problems described above.

[0019] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a container 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the container 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a body 20, a bottom 24, a shoulder 26, and a neck 28.

[0020] The container 10 may be made of a blow-moldable olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The amount of resin used in the container 10 may be expressed as a parameter expressed as "internal volume (ml) of the container 10 / amount of resin used (g)" of the container 10, which may be 18 ml / g or more and 30 ml / g or less.

[0021] The body 20 has a cylindrical shape. A bottom 24 is located on one side of the body 20, and a shoulder 26 is located on the other side of the body 20. In this specification, the direction toward the bottom 24 as viewed from the body 20 may be referred to as the downward direction, and the direction toward the shoulder 26 as viewed from the body 20 may be referred to as the upward direction. When the body 20 is placed on a horizontal table, the downward direction may coincide with the direction of gravity, but when the body 20 is in use, the downward direction and the direction of gravity may differ. The up-down direction may also be referred to as the height direction and axial direction of the body 20.

[0022] The body 20 has two main surfaces 210 that face each other and two side surfaces 220 that are located between the two main surfaces and face each other. The length of the main surfaces 210 in the circumferential direction is longer than the length of the side surfaces 220 in the circumferential direction. In other words, the area of ​​the main surfaces 210 is greater than the area of ​​the side surfaces 220. However, the body 20 may be composed of multiple surfaces of roughly equal area, or may have a cylindrical shape.

[0023] The bottom 24 closes the opening at the bottom of the body 20. The shoulder 26 connects the body 20 to the neck 28. Because the outer diameter of the neck 28 is smaller than the outer diameter of the body 20, the shoulder 26 tapers in diameter upward, and the body 20 and shoulder 26 are separated by a ridge. The body 20, bottom 24, and shoulder 26 form a hollow region used as a space to store the contents.

[0024] Neck portion 28 has a cylindrical shape and extends upward from shoulder portion 26. The contents of container 10 are poured out through opening 281 of neck portion 28. A cap, a nozzle, a pump device, or the like may be engaged with the outer peripheral surface of neck portion 28.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, a shrink label 30 may be attached to the container 10 described above. For example, the shrink label 30 is wrapped around the circumferential direction of the container 10 to surround the entire body 20 and parts of the bottom 24 and shoulder 26, and then heat-shrunk to adhere tightly to the container 10. The shrink label 30 may be printed with the product name, contents, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the body 20 is formed with multiple ribs. However, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the shapes of the multiple ribs are less likely to be visible on the shrink label 30, as shown in FIG. 2. The container 10 may also be conceptually defined as including the shrink label 30.

[0026] The general configuration of the container 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the ribs formed on the main surface 210 of the body 20, the ribs formed on the side surface 220, and the ribs formed on the bottom 24 will be described in detail in turn with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a front view of the container 10. FIG. 4 is a side view of the container 10. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the container 10. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the container 10.

[0027] (Rib Configuration of Main Surface 210) As shown in Fig. 3 , the main surface 210 has two longitudinal ribs 212, a longitudinal rib 214, and four circumferential ribs 216. Note that the two longitudinal ribs 212, the longitudinal rib 214, and the four circumferential ribs 216 shown in Fig. 3 may be provided on only one of the two main surfaces 210, or may be provided on both of the two main surfaces 210. Also, Fig. 3 shows an example in which the two longitudinal ribs 212, the longitudinal rib 214, and the four circumferential ribs 216 are formed as recesses in the outer circumferential surface of the main surface 210. However, the two longitudinal ribs 212, the longitudinal rib 214, and the four circumferential ribs 216 may also be formed as recesses in the inner circumferential surface of the main surface 210.

[0028] The longitudinal rib 212 is an example of a first transverse rib extending along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the body portion 20. The depth of the recess of the longitudinal rib 212 may be approximately constant. The length of the longitudinal rib 212 is the longest among the ribs formed on the body portion 20. Specifically, the length D2 of the longitudinal rib 212 in the up-down direction is 60% or more of the length D1 of the main surface 210 in the up-down direction. More specifically, the length D2 is 50% or more of the length D1. More specifically, the length D2 is preferably 50% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 50% or more and 80% or less, and even more preferably 60% or more and 70% or less of the length D1. From another perspective, the length D2 is preferably 50 mm or more and 170 mm or less, and more preferably 70 mm or more and 150 mm or less. Regarding the length of the vertical rib 212, from another perspective, the longitudinal length D6 of the vertical rib 212 is preferably 60 mm or more and 180 mm or less, more preferably 80 mm or more and 160 mm or less. The length D6 is preferably 55% or more and 95% or less, more preferably 55% or more and 85% or less, and even more preferably 65% ​​or more and 75% or less of the length D1. Note that, if the container 10 does not have a ridge separating the shoulder portion 26 and the body portion 20, the length D1 refers to the length from the lower end of the body portion 20 to the lower end of the neck portion 28. Furthermore, the width (short side) of the vertical rib 212 is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less. From another perspective, the width (short side) of the vertical rib 212 is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 15% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less of the circumferential length of the main surface 210. If the width of the longitudinal rib 212 is not uniform, the shortest width, the longest width, or a length between these may be used as the width of the longitudinal rib 212.

[0029] The two longitudinal ribs 212 are formed at positions on either side of the center position O of the main surface 210 in the circumferential direction. The distance D3 between the two longitudinal ribs 212 is greater than the distance D5 between the longitudinal ribs 212 formed on different main surfaces 210 shown in FIG. 4. When the two longitudinal ribs 212 are not formed parallel to each other, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, the distance D3 may be the longest horizontal distance between the two longitudinal ribs 212 at each vertical position. The distance D5 may also be the linear distance (shortest distance) between the longitudinal ribs 212 formed on different main surfaces 210.

[0030] The longitudinal rib 214 is an example of a second intersecting rib that extends in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the body portion 20. The longitudinal rib 214 is located between the two longitudinal ribs 212. More specifically, the longitudinal rib 214 is formed at a position that passes through the center position O of the main surface 210. The length of the longitudinal rib 214 is shorter than the length of the longitudinal rib 212.

[0031] The circumferential ribs 216 are ribs formed along the circumferential direction of the body portion 20 between two longitudinal ribs 212. The four circumferential ribs 216 include two circumferential ribs 216 formed on one circumferential side of the center position O of the main surface 210, and two circumferential ribs 216 formed on the other circumferential side of the center position O of the main surface 210.

[0032] With regard to the expression "along the direction," the state in which the circumferential rib 216 is aligned with the circumferential direction of the torso 20 is not limited to the state in which the longitudinal direction of the circumferential rib 216 coincides with the circumferential direction of the torso 20, but may also include the state in which the main component direction when the longitudinal direction of the circumferential rib 216 is decomposed into multiple directional components including the circumferential direction of the torso 20 is the circumferential direction.

[0033] The circumferential ribs 216 formed on the main surface 210 may include circumferential ribs 216 whose longitudinal length is 25% or less of the circumferential length of the main surface 210. The longitudinal length of the circumferential ribs 216 is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 15% or less, of the circumferential length of the main surface 210. When no ridge line separating the main surface 210 and the side surface 220 is formed in the body portion 20, the maximum width of the body portion 20 when viewed from the front may be used as a reference instead of the circumferential length of the main surface 210. Expressed from another perspective, the longitudinal length of at least one circumferential rib 216, or the longitudinal length of all circumferential ribs 216, is 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. Expressed from yet another perspective, the circumferential ribs 216 formed on the main surface 210 may include circumferential ribs 216 formed within a range of a central angle of 60 degrees or less around the central axis L of the container 10. The central angle of the circumferential rib 216 around the central axis L of the container 10 is preferably 60 degrees or less, more preferably 40 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or less. When a plurality of circumferential ribs are formed along the circumferential direction of the main surface 210, the total value of the central angles of the plurality of circumferential ribs can be designed to satisfy the conditions.

[0034] In addition, the four circumferential ribs 216 include two circumferential ribs 216 formed on one side in the vertical direction of the center position O of the main surface 210, and two circumferential ribs 216 formed on the other side in the vertical direction of the center position O of the main surface 210.

[0035] However, the number of circumferential ribs 216 is not limited to four, and the number of circumferential ribs 216 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

[0036] 4 and 5 , a protruding region 222 is formed on the side surface 220, protruding outward in the radial direction of the body portion 20 relative to other regions of the body portion 20. In this embodiment, the diameter of the body portion 20 decreases from the upper portion to the intermediate position of the body portion 20, and increases from the intermediate position to the lower portion of the body portion 20. The protruding region 222 is formed in the increased diameter portion from the intermediate position to the lower portion of the body portion 20.

[0037] The protruding region 222 has a flat portion 226 that is perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion 20 or closer to perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion 20 than other portions of the protruding region 222. The flat portion 226 is the portion of the protruding region 222 that protrudes most outward in the radial direction, and is the portion where adjacent containers 10 abut against each other. For example, in Fig. 5, the angle θ formed between the flat portion 226 and a radial line H extending from the central axis L of the body portion 20 may be 90 degrees.

[0038] Furthermore, a plurality of side ribs 224 are formed in the protruding region 222. The side ribs 224 are an example of a first rib. The plurality of side ribs 224 are formed so as to avoid the flat portion 226.

[0039] Furthermore, the plurality of side ribs 224 are formed around the upper end V of the flat portion 226. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the plurality of side ribs 224 are formed radially around the upper end V of the flat portion 226.

[0040] (Rib Configuration of Bottom Portion 24) A plurality of bottom ribs 242 are formed on the bottom portion 24. More specifically, the plurality of bottom ribs 242 are formed across from the bottom surface of the bottom portion 24 to the body portion 20. The bottom ribs 242 are an example of a second rib.

[0041] 4 and 5, the upper end of the bottom rib 242 reaches the height at which the flat portion 226 is formed. More specifically, the length D4 from the lower end of the bottom portion 24 to the upper end of the bottom rib 242 shown in FIG. 3 may be 10 mm or more.

[0042] The bottom ribs 242 are formed in the same direction as shown in Fig. 6. However, the bottom ribs 242 may be formed radially around the center of the bottom 24.

[0043] (Effects) The first embodiment of the present invention described above provides a variety of effects. For example, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, two vertical ribs 212 are formed at positions on either side of the center position O of the main surface 210. Pressure can be generated inwardly in the storage space due to decompression of the storage space and pressure on the container 10 by a user. The vertical ribs 212 improve the strength of the container 10 against pressure that attempts to compress the container 10 in the vertical direction. In particular, the compressive strength of the container 10 decreases as the amount of resin in the container 10 decreases, but the formation of the vertical ribs 212 can improve the compressive strength.

[0044] Furthermore, the length of the vertical rib 212 is the longest of all the ribs formed on the body 20. That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the vertical rib 212 formed in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction is the main rib. When the shrink label 30 is attached to the container 10, the shrink label 30 is pulled into the circumferential rib, which tends to create unevenness on the surface of the shrink label 30. However, in the first embodiment of the present invention, because the vertical rib 212 is the main rib, unevenness is less likely to occur on the surface of the shrink label 30, and the appearance of the shrink label 30 is less likely to be impaired. That is, it is possible to improve the visibility and design of the product name printed on the shrink label 30.

[0045] Furthermore, the length D2 of the vertical rib 212 is 60% or more of the length D1 of the main surface 210 in the vertical direction. More specifically, it is desirable that the length D2 be 50% or more of the length D1. Alternatively, it is desirable that the length D6 of the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 212 be 60 mm or more and 180 mm or less. More preferable values ​​are as described above. This configuration is expected to sufficiently improve the strength of the container 10 against pressure inwardly from the storage space and against compression, while suppressing the shrink label 30 from being pulled into the vertical rib 212.

[0046] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of circumferential ribs 216 are formed along the circumferential direction of the body 20 between the two vertical ribs 212. The plurality of circumferential ribs 216 can improve the strength of the container 10 against pressure inwardly of the storage space due to, for example, decompression of the storage space and pressure applied to the inside of the storage space by a user pressing the container 10. Furthermore, the plurality of circumferential ribs 216 may include two circumferential ribs 216 formed at positions on either side of the center position O of the main surface 210 in the circumferential direction, or two circumferential ribs 216 formed at positions on either side of the center position O of the main surface 210 in the vertical direction. In this case, it is possible to reduce differences in strength depending on the position within the main surface 210.

[0047] Here, the circumferential ribs 216 formed on the main surface 210 may include circumferential ribs 216 whose longitudinal length is 25% or less of the circumferential length of the main surface 210. Expressed from another perspective, the circumferential ribs 216 formed on the main surface 210 may include circumferential ribs 216 formed within a range of a central angle of 20 degrees or less around the central axis L of the container 10. Alternatively, the longitudinal length of at least one circumferential rib 216, or the longitudinal length of all circumferential ribs 216, is 20 mm or less. More preferable values ​​are as described above. With this configuration, the shrink label 30 is less likely to be pulled into the circumferential ribs 216.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the vertical rib 214 is formed between the two vertical ribs 212. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of irregularities on the surface of the shrink label 30, while further improving the strength of the container 10 against pressure inwardly from the storage space and against compression.

[0049] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a protruding region 222 is formed on the side surface 220, protruding outward in the radial direction of the body portion 20. The protruding region 222 has a flat surface 226 that is perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion 20 or that is closer to being perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion 20 than other portions of the protruding region 222. With this configuration, when the containers 10 are transported or displayed in stores, the flat surfaces 226 of adjacent containers 10 come into contact with each other, thereby stabilizing the arrangement.

[0050] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of side ribs 224 are formed in the protruding region 222. When the containers 10 are transported or displayed in stores, the flat surfaces 226 of adjacent containers 10 come into contact with each other, making the protruding region 222 susceptible to pressure. Also, the flat surfaces 226 are structurally prone to denting. However, the plurality of side ribs 224 improves the strength against this pressure and can prevent deformation such as denting in the protruding region 222.

[0051] Furthermore, the multiple side ribs 224 are formed so as to avoid the flat surface portions 226. With this configuration, the multiple side ribs 224 do not interfere with the stability of the arrangement due to contact between the flat surface portions 226 of adjacent containers 10.

[0052] Furthermore, the side ribs 224 may be formed radially around the upper end V of the flat portion 226. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the difference in strength depending on the position within the protruding region 222.

[0053] Additionally, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bottom ribs 242 are formed on the bottom 24 and straddle the body 20. With this configuration, when pressure is applied to the container 10 in the vertical direction to compress the container 10, the bottom ribs 242 provide resistance to buckling of the container 10 that may occur near the boundary between the bottom 24 and the body 20.

[0054] Furthermore, the upper end of the bottom rib 242 reaches the height at which the flat portion 226 is formed. More specifically, the length D4 from the lower end of the bottom portion 24 to the upper end of the bottom rib 242 may be 10 mm or more. This configuration is expected to more reliably suppress the occurrence of buckling near the boundary between the bottom portion 24 and the body portion 20. It is also expected to effectively provide resistance to impacts from the outside in the radial direction.

[0055] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a clothing treatment agent containing a nonionic surfactant is stored in container 10. Such clothing treatment agents may have breathability, and container 10 containing the clothing treatment agent is used for a relatively long period of time in a store, home, or the like. In this case, strength against inward pressure of the storage space becomes even more important. However, since the first embodiment of the present invention has improved strength due to the configuration described above, it functions effectively even when container 10 contains a clothing treatment agent containing a nonionic surfactant.

[0056] The plurality of bottom ribs 242 are formed in the same direction. Since blow molding allows for mold removal to form the plurality of bottom ribs 242, it is possible to mold the container 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention by blow molding.

[0057] In the above, an example has been described in which a plurality of side ribs 224 are formed radially around the upper end V of the flat portion 226 on the side surface 220. However, the form of the ribs formed on the side surface 220 is not limited to the above example.

[0058] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of a rib formed on the side surface 220. As shown in Fig. 7, two side surface ribs 227 may be formed on the side surface 220 at positions that sandwich the upper end V of the flat portion 226 in the circumferential direction.

[0059] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the rib formed on the side surface 220. As shown in Fig. 8, an arc-shaped side surface rib 228 may be formed on the side surface 220 so as to surround the upper end V of the flat portion 226.

[0060] Both the side rib 227 shown in Figure 7 and the side rib 228 shown in Figure 8 can improve the strength against pressure caused by contact between the flat surfaces 226 of adjacent containers 10, and can suppress the occurrence of deformations such as dents in the protruding area 222.

[0061] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, the second embodiment is intended to mainly solve the first and third problems described in the "Overview" section.

[0062] Fig. 9 is a front view of a container 10-2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 9, the container 10-2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a body 20-2, a bottom 24, a shoulder 26, and a neck 28. The following mainly describes the configuration of the body 20-2, which differs from the body 20 of the container 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The body portion 20-2 has two opposing main surfaces 210-2 and two opposing side surfaces 220 located between the two main surfaces. The length of the main surfaces 210-2 in the circumferential direction is longer than the length of the side surfaces 220 in the circumferential direction.

[0064] (Rib Configuration of Main Surface 210-2) The main surface 210-2 has two longitudinal ribs 213 and two circumferential ribs 217 formed as recesses in the outer peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2. The longitudinal ribs 213 are an example of a first intersecting rib that extends along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the body portion 20-2. The length of the longitudinal rib 213 is the longest among the ribs formed on the body portion 20-2. For example, the longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib 213 is 20 mm or more. The two longitudinal ribs 213 are formed at positions that sandwich the center position O of the main surface 210-2 in the circumferential direction. The width (short side) of the longitudinal rib 213 is preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 7 mm or less. If the width of the longitudinal ribs 213 is not uniform, the shortest width, the longest width, or a length between these may be used as the width of the longitudinal rib 213.

[0065] The circumferential rib 217 is a rib formed along the circumferential direction of the body portion 20-2 between the two vertical ribs 213. The two circumferential ribs 217 include a circumferential rib 217 formed above the center position O of the main surface 210-2, and a circumferential rib 217 formed below the center position O of the main surface 210-2.

[0066] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the depth of the above-mentioned vertical rib 213 differs between the center position in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213 and positions on both sides of the center position in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213. The configuration of such vertical rib 213 will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 10 .

[0067] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the container 10-2 taken along line II shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 10, in the longitudinal rib 213, the length from the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the main surface 210-2 adjacent to the longitudinal rib 213 to the rib bottom 213B of the longitudinal rib 213, i.e., the depth of the longitudinal rib 213, changes continuously along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib 213. As a result, the depth of the longitudinal rib 213 differs between the center position M of the longitudinal rib 213 and positions E (E1 and E2) on both sides of the center position M in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213.

[0068] Specifically, the depth h1 of the vertical rib 213 at position E1 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213 and the depth h2 of the vertical rib 213 at position E2 on the other side are deeper than the depth h3 of the vertical rib 213 at the center position M in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213.

[0069] For example, the depth h1 of the vertical rib 213 at a position E1 on one side of the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213 may be 1.5 times or more and 2.0 times or less than the depth h3 of the vertical rib 213 at a center position M of the vertical rib 213 in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] Similarly, the depth h2 of the longitudinal rib 213 at the other position E2 in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib 213 may be 1.5 to 2.0 times the depth h3 of the longitudinal rib 213 at the center position M in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib 213. Furthermore, the depth h2 may be the same as or deeper than the depth h1.

[0071] (Effects) The second embodiment of the present invention described above provides a variety of effects. For example, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the ribs formed on the main surface 210-2 can improve the strength of the container 10-2 against pressure inwardly of the storage space and the strength of the container 10-2 against compression, similar to the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal ribs 213 formed in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction are the main ribs. Therefore, unevenness is less likely to occur on the surface of the shrink label 30, and the appearance of the shrink label 30 is less likely to be impaired. In other words, it is possible to improve the visibility and design of the product name printed on the shrink label 30.

[0072] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the depth of the vertical rib 213 differs between the center position M in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213 and positions E (E1 and E2) on both sides of the center position M in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213. With this configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the rib bottom 213B of the vertical rib 213 can be made different from the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2 in the portion adjacent to the vertical rib 213. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the rib bottom 213B can be made structurally strong against pressure inward of the storage space.

[0073] Specifically, the depth h1 of the vertical rib 213 at position E1 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213 and the depth h2 of the vertical rib 213 at position E2 on the other side are deeper than the depth h3 of the vertical rib 213 at center position M in the longitudinal direction of the vertical rib 213. With this configuration, when the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the main surface 210-2 adjacent to the vertical rib 213 is convex inwardly of the accommodation space, the degree to which the rib bottom 213B of the vertical rib 213 is convex inwardly of the accommodation space is reduced, the rib bottom 213B becomes flat, or the rib bottom 213B is convex outwardly of the accommodation space.

[0074] Furthermore, if the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the main surface 210-2 adjacent to the longitudinal rib 213 is straight, the longitudinal rib 213 will be convex outward from the storage space. Furthermore, if the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the main surface 210-2 adjacent to the longitudinal rib 213 is convex outward from the storage space, the degree to which the longitudinal rib 213 is convex outward from the storage space will be strengthened. In either case, based on the principle of the arch structure, it is possible to improve the strength against pressure inward from the storage space compared to when the depth of the longitudinal rib 213 is uniform. It is expected that this effect will be more favorably obtained if the longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib 213 is 20 mm or more.

[0075] While the above describes an example in which the depth of the longitudinal ribs 213 formed as recesses in the outer peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2 is non-uniform, the ribs may also be formed as recesses in the inner peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2. Furthermore, with respect to the ribs formed as recesses in the inner peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2, the depth at both ends of the rib in the longitudinal direction may be greater than the depth at the longitudinal center of the rib. Based on the principles of arch structure, this configuration also makes it possible to improve the strength against pressure inwardly in the storage space compared to when the ribs have a uniform depth. Furthermore, by forming the ribs as recesses in the inner peripheral surface without protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the main surface 210-2, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the shrink label 30 from being impaired.

[0076] Furthermore, although an example in which the depth of the vertical ribs 213 is non-uniform has been described above, the structure of the vertical ribs 213 described above can be similarly applied to other ribs such as the circumferential rib 217. By applying the structure of the vertical ribs 213 described above to other ribs, it is expected that the overall strength of the container 10-2 will be further improved.

[0077] Furthermore, the width (short side) of the vertical rib 213 may preferably be 10 mm or less. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the shrink label 30 from being pulled into the vertical rib 213.

[0078] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present invention can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0079] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Container 20 Body 210 Main surface 212, 213 Longitudinal ribs 213B Ribbed bottom 214 Longitudinal ribs 216, 217 Circumferential ribs 220 Side surface 222 Projecting area 226 Planar surface 224, 227, 228 Side ribs 24 Bottom 242 Bottom rib 26 Shoulder 28 Neck 281 Opening 30 Shrink label

Claims

1. A container having a cylindrical shape and a body that forms a storage space for contents, the body having two main surfaces that face each other and two side surfaces that are located between the two main surfaces and face each other, at least one of the two main surfaces having two first intersecting ribs that extend in a direction that intersects with the circumferential direction of the body, the two first intersecting ribs being formed at positions that sandwich the center position of the main surfaces in the circumferential direction of the body.

2. A container as described in claim 1, wherein the length of the first transverse rib is 60% or more of the length of the main surface in the height direction of the body portion.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of said first transverse rib is not less than 60 mm and not more than 180 mm.

4. A container as described in claim 3, wherein each of the two main surfaces has the two first transverse ribs, and the distance between the two first transverse ribs formed on one main surface is greater than the distance between the first transverse rib formed on one main surface and the first transverse rib formed on the other main surface.

5. The container according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said two main surfaces has a plurality of circumferential ribs along said circumferential direction between said two first transverse ribs.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of circumferential ribs include two circumferential ribs formed at positions on either side of the center of the main surface in the circumferential direction.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of circumferential ribs include two circumferential ribs formed at positions sandwiching the center position of the main surface in the height direction.

8. The container of claim 5, wherein the longitudinal length of at least one or all of the plurality of circumferential ribs is 20 mm or less.

9. A container as described in claim 6, wherein the at least one main surface has, in addition to the two first transverse ribs, a second transverse rib located between the two first transverse ribs and extending in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the body, and the length of the second transverse rib is shorter than the length of the two first transverse ribs.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the lengths of the two first cross-direction ribs are the longest among the ribs formed on the body portion.

11. A container as described in claim 1, further comprising a bottom portion located on one side of the body portion in the height direction and forming a storage space for contents together with the body portion, wherein a protruding region is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion that protrudes radially outward relative to other regions of the body portion, and a first rib is formed on the protruding region.

12. A container as described in claim 11, wherein the protruding region has a flat portion that is perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion or closer to being perpendicular to the radial direction of the body portion than other portions of the protruding region, and the first rib is formed to avoid the flat portion.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of the first ribs are formed around the end of the flat portion on one side in the height direction of the body portion.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of first ribs are formed radially around the edge of the flat portion.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein a second rib is formed across the bottom and body.

16. A container as described in claim 1, wherein the depth of the first transverse rib is different between the center position in the longitudinal direction of the first transverse rib and positions on both sides of the center position in the longitudinal direction of the first transverse rib.

17. A container as described in claim 16, wherein the first transverse rib is formed as a recess in the outer peripheral surface of the body, and the depth of the first transverse rib at positions on both sides of the first transverse rib in the longitudinal direction is greater than the depth of the first transverse rib at the center position.

18. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the contents are a clothing treatment agent containing a nonionic surfactant.

19. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a shrink label surrounding the body along the circumferential direction of the body.

20. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the body is made of an olefin-based resin.

Citation Information

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