Sanitary tissue paper storage container

Abstract

A sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 includes a container main body 10 in which a container main body upper portion 11 and a container main body lower portion 12 are arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with and separating from each other, and in which a storage space S for storing sanitary tissue paper P is formed between the container main body upper portion 11 and the container main body lower portion 12, wherein: an annular inner edge portion 117 is provided that the lower edge of the container main body upper portion 11; an annular recessed groove portion 121 is provided at the upper edge of the container main body lower portion 12; the recessed groove portion 121 includes an engaging portion 121a formed on the bottom side and having substantially the same width as the thickness of the inner edge portion 117, and a guide portion 121b formed such that the width thereof gradually increases from the engaging portion 121a toward the opening side of the recessed groove portion 112; and the inner edge portion 117 enters the recessed groove portion 121 through the guide portion 121b so as to engage with the engaging portion 121a, thereby shielding the storage space S.

Description

Storage container for sanitary tissue paper

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for sanitary tissue paper.

[0002] Conventionally, in a container body in which the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body are rotatably connected and can be opened and closed, when refilling wet tissues or the like stored inside, a part of the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body are separated to open the container body. A storage container is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this storage container (container body), a first fitting portion including a recess is formed at the upper edge of the lower part of the container body, and a second fitting portion to be inserted into the recess of the first fitting portion is formed at the lower edge of the upper part of the container body. And a protrusion (contact member for the first fitting portion) made of an elastomer material is provided in the recess of the first fitting portion. When the container body is closed, the second fitting portion contacts the protrusion in the recess, thereby improving the sealing performance of this container.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-41988

[0004] However, in the case of the storage container of Patent Document 1 above, since the protrusion is provided in the narrow recess of the first fitting portion, the operation of extracting the injection-molded container body from the mold may become complicated, and the productivity may deteriorate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage container for sanitary tissue paper that can be manufactured with good productivity and has good sealing performance.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a sanitary tissue paper storage container having a container body in which the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body are arranged to be able to contact and separate from each other, and a storage space for storing sanitary tissue paper is formed between the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body, wherein an annular protrusion is provided on either the lower end of the upper part of the container body or the upper end of the lower part of the container body, and an annular groove is provided on the other, wherein the groove has a fitting portion formed on the bottom side of the groove and having a width substantially the same as the thickness of the protrusion, and a guide portion formed so as to gradually widen from the fitting portion toward the opening side of the groove, wherein the storage space is shielded when the protrusion enters the groove so as to fit into the fitting portion through the guide portion. Herein, "annular" includes not only circular annular shapes but also elliptical annular shapes and polygonal annular shapes.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a sanitary tissue paper storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove portion is provided between the outer peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral wall portion of the container body, an inclined surface is formed on the side of the inner peripheral wall portion that faces the outer peripheral wall portion, and the guide portion is provided in the area where the inclined surface is formed.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the sanitary tissue storage container described in claim 2, the convex portion is fitted into the fitting portion in a state in close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is a sanitary tissue storage container described in claim 2, characterized in that the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body are formed of the same material.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the sanitary tissue storage container described in claim 4, the convex portion is fitted into the fitting portion in a state of close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is a sanitary tissue storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the groove portion having the fitting portion and the guiding portion is provided on at least the left and right side surfaces of the container body.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is a sanitary tissue paper storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a locking portion is provided on the front surface of the upper part of the container body, an engaging projection is provided on the front surface of the lower part of the container body, and the locking portion engages with the engaging projection when the convex portion is inserted into the recessed groove and the storage space is shielded.

[0013] According to the present invention, a sanitary tissue paper storage container can be manufactured with high productivity and has good airtightness.

[0014] This is a perspective view showing the tissue paper storage container of this embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the lid of the tissue paper storage container of this embodiment in the open position. This is a rear perspective view showing the lid of the tissue paper storage container of this embodiment in the open position. This is a perspective view showing the top of the container body of the tissue paper storage container of this embodiment in the open position. This is a front view showing the lid of the tissue paper storage container of this embodiment with the button removed from the top of the container body and the lid open. This is a front view showing the top of the container body of the tissue paper storage container in the open position. This is a bottom view showing the tissue paper storage container. This is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the main part with the top and bottom of the container body separated and facing each other. This is an enlarged explanatory diagram of part X in Figure 9.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the sanitary tissue storage container according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0016] In the following explanation, the X, Y, and Z axes, as well as the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions, will be defined as shown in each figure. Specifically, the side of the sanitary tissue storage container with the opening / closing lid will be called "up," the opposite side "down," the side where the container body and the opening / closing lid are connected will be called "rear," the opposite side "front," the right side when viewed from the front will be called "right," and the left side will be called "left." The axis along the front-to-back direction will be the X-axis, the axis along the left-to-right direction will be the Y-axis, and the axis along the up-to-down direction will be the Z-axis. Note that if the upper part of the container body rotates relative to the lower part of the container body, the direction the upper part of the container body faces will change. However, as shown in Figure 1, the direction will be defined and explained based on the state in which the upper and lower parts of the container body are combined and the storage space S is shielded.

[0017] [Configuration of the Embodiment] (Overall Configuration) The sanitary tissue paper storage container 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, for example, includes a container body 10 having an outlet hole 113a for taking out the sanitary tissue paper P stored inside, an opening / closing lid 2 which is rotatably attached to the container body 10 and opens and closes the outlet hole 113a, and a button part 3 that switches between a closed state in which the opening / closing lid 2 closes the outlet hole 113a and an open state in which the opening / closing lid 2 opens the outlet hole 113a. A storage space S for storing sanitary tissue paper P is formed inside this sanitary tissue paper storage container 1.

[0018] The container body 10 of the sanitary tissue storage container 1 of this embodiment is composed of an upper part 11 that forms the upper part of the container body 10 and a lower part 12 that forms the lower part of the container body 10, as will be described later. The upper part 11 and the lower part 12 are arranged to be able to contact and separate from each other, and a storage space S for storing sanitary tissue P is formed between the upper part 11 and the lower part 12. An annular convex inner edge portion 117 is provided on either the lower end of the upper part 11 or the upper end of the lower part 12, and an annular recessed groove portion 121 is provided on the other. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 4, an annular inner edge portion 117 is provided on the lower end of the upper part 11, and an annular recessed groove portion 121 is provided on the upper end of the lower part 12. In this embodiment, "annular" includes not only circular annular shapes but also elliptical annular shapes and polygonal annular shapes. In this embodiment, the inner edge portion 117 and the recessed groove portion 121 have a roughly rectangular annular shape with rounded corners.

[0019] (Tissue paper for hygiene) As for tissue paper P for hygiene, for example, a so-called pop-up type sheet is used, in which wet sheets (wet wipes) are stacked in an alternating folded state, and when one wet sheet (wet wipe) is pulled out, the next wet sheet (wet wipe) is also pulled out. Alternatively, for example, a roll sheet can be used in which long wet sheets (wet wipes) with perforations at regular intervals along the length are wound in a roll and can be torn off along the perforations for use.

[0020] (Container Body) The container body 10 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, for example, and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-back and up-down directions. This is divided into two halves above the center in the up-down direction, and is formed into an upper container body 11, which constitutes the upper part of the container body 10, and a lower container body 12, which constitutes the lower part of the container body 10. The upper container body 11 and the lower container body 12 are connected at the rear surface of the container body 10 by a connecting part 13. The upper container body 11, the lower container body 12, and the connecting part 13 are integrally formed by a method such as injection molding. The container body 10, which includes the upper container body 11, the lower container body 12, and the connecting part 13, is formed of a hard material, as will be described later.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, for example, the container body 10 is formed by combining the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body, with the internal storage space S shielded, so that the overall dimensions are preferably 60 mm to 150 mm in the front-to-back direction, more preferably 80 mm to 100 mm, preferably 80 mm to 200 mm in the left-to-right direction, more preferably 145 mm to 165 mm, and preferably 30 mm to 100 mm in the up-to-down direction, more preferably 50 mm to 70 mm. The thickness of each surface is preferably 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. With these dimensions and thicknesses, high molding efficiency can be achieved while maintaining sufficient strength for practical use.

[0022] (Connection part) The sanitary tissue storage container 1 is formed to rotate around a connection part 13 that connects the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example. This allows the storage space S to be exposed to the outside, as shown in Figure 4. When shielding the storage space S, the user can rotate the upper part 11 of the container body in the opposite direction. This connection part 13 is formed to be thinner than other parts of the container body 10, making it easy to bend, and the upper part 11 of the container body can be easily rotated relative to the lower part 12 of the container body using the connection part 13 as a pivot point. Specifically, the connection part 13 that connects the rear surface of the upper part 11 of the container body and the rear surface of the lower part 12 of the container body is a thin plate-shaped connection part (thin plate-shaped member) that has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction.

[0023] In other words, the connecting portion 13 is designed to bend along a fold line running in the left-right direction, and by rotating the upper part 11 of the container body using this fold line as a pivot point (axis), the storage space S in the lower part 12 of the container body can be exposed or shielded. In this way, the connecting portion 13, which is bendable as a pivot point, is preferably made of polypropylene, among other rigid materials. In this embodiment, polypropylene is used as the rigid material. By making the connecting portion 13 out of polypropylene, an easily bendable connecting portion 13 is obtained, and a connecting portion 13 with durability against repeated deformation is obtained. As a result, it becomes easier to rotate the upper part 11 of the container body relative to the lower part 12 of the container body using the connecting portion 13 as a pivot point, and it becomes easier to expose or shield the storage space S in the lower part 12 of the container body, thus making it easier to refill the sanitary tissue paper P.

[0024] Furthermore, by dividing the container body 10 into an upper part 11 and a lower part 12 above the vertical center, when the sanitary tissue paper P is stored in the storage space S covered by a predetermined packaging, the risk of the end seal portion of the packaging being pinched between the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body when the storage space S is sealed can be reduced, making it easier to refill the sanitary tissue paper P. Note that the position where the container body 10 is divided into the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 may be near the vertical center.

[0025] (Upper part of the container body) The upper part of the container body 11 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with a roughly rectangular opening on its lower side, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, for example. Near the center of the top surface 111 that forms the upper surface, a recess 112 is formed that is concave downwards. In the center of the recess 112, there is a removal section 113 having a removal hole 113a for removing the sanitary tissue paper P from the storage space S. Furthermore, a storage recess 115 for storing the biasing member 114 is formed at the rear end of the recess 112. In addition, the lower end (opening) of the upper part of the container body 11 has an annular outer edge 116 and an annular inner edge 117 that is provided inside the outer edge 116 and protrudes downward from the outer edge 116. Furthermore, a handle 118 for gripping when exposing the storage space S is formed at the lower end of the front surface of the upper part of the container body 11.

[0026] (Material of the upper part of the container body) The upper part 11 of the container body is formed of a rigid material. As the rigid material, for example, rigid plastics such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), POM (polyacetal), and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin can be used. In this embodiment, polypropylene, which is a rigid plastic, is used, and the upper part 11 of the container body is formed of polypropylene.

[0027] (Recess) The recess 112 is formed near the center of the top surface 111 in a plan view, as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the shape of the recess 112 is shown as a curved, roughly rectangular shape that reaches the front end of the upper part 11 of the container body in a plan view, but the specific shape of the recess 112 is not limited to this.

[0028] The vertical depth of the recess 112 is preferably 5 mm to 20 mm when viewed from the top surface 111. The dimensions in plan view are not particularly limited as long as it is possible to form a take-out section 113 inside, but are preferably 40 mm to 80 mm in the front-to-back direction and 40 mm to 120 mm in the left-to-right direction.

[0029] (Removal section) The removal section 113 is formed near the center of the recess 112 in a plan view and is made of an elastic material. A roughly spherical bulge 113b is formed approximately in the center of the removal section 113, and a removal hole 113a is provided in this bulge 113b. In addition, three protruding pieces 113c are provided on the edge of the removal hole 113a, projecting from the front edge toward the center of the removal section 113.

[0030] The dispensing section 113 is preferably formed in the form of a film with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm in the vertical direction. The elastic material forming the dispensing section 113 can be, for example, silicone rubber or TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers) such as styrene-butadiene, polyester, polyethylene, or urethane, and is preferably hardened to 20 to 90. If the hardness of the elastic material is lower than the above values, it is undesirable because it is too soft, making molding difficult and reducing molding efficiency. Conversely, if the hardness of the elastic material is higher than the above values, the dispensing section 113, where the dispensing holes 113a for dispensing the sanitary tissue paper P are formed, becomes too hard, creating excessive resistance, making it difficult to remove sheets one by one, and making it difficult to insert fingers into the storage space S when pulling out the sheets. The above hardness values ​​were measured according to JIS K 6253 (Type A durometer).

[0031] (Removal Hole) The removal hole 113a is a hole formed in the center of the removal section 113 in a plan view, which connects to the storage space S. For example, in Figure 2, the removal hole 113a has a shape in which each side of a triangle protrudes inward in an arc shape, and three slits intersect at the centroid point, connecting each vertex to the centroid point, forming a roughly inverted Y shape. In addition, the width of the slit extending in the front-to-back direction is wider than the width of the other slits. Note that the number of slits may be fewer or more than this, and for example, the removal hole 113a may be formed by making two slits in a cross shape.

[0032] The dispensing section 113, having an elastic material surrounding the dispensing hole 113a, can apply appropriate resistance to the sanitary tissue paper P and, after the sanitary tissue paper P stored in the storage space S has been pulled out, performs the function of holding the next sheet of sanitary tissue paper P. Furthermore, if the sanitary tissue paper P is a roll sheet, the dispensing section 113 performs the function of cutting the sanitary tissue paper P at the perforations provided on the sanitary tissue paper P.

[0033] (Protruding piece) The protruding piece 113c is the part that the sanitary tissue paper P pulled out from the dispensing hole 113a slides against, and is provided to apply appropriate resistance to the sanitary tissue paper P pulled out from the dispensing hole 113a. Specifically, when a user opens the opening / closing lid 2 of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 to take out the sanitary tissue paper P, the opening / closing lid 2, which is upright at the rear of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1, does not obstruct the action of taking out the sanitary tissue paper P. In this way, the user reaches their hand from the front side of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 and pulls out the sanitary tissue paper P from the dispensing hole 113a, so that the sanitary tissue paper P pulled out from the dispensing hole 113a slides against the protruding piece 113c on the front edge. At this time, the protruding piece 113c, which extends backward from the front edge, slides against the sanitary tissue paper P as it is pulled out towards the front from the dispensing hole 113a. This allows the protruding piece 113c to apply appropriate resistance to the sanitary tissue paper P, preventing it from being pulled out too far from the dispensing hole 113a.

[0034] In other words, the projection 113c extending backward from the front edge provides appropriate friction to the sanitary tissue paper P being pulled out towards the front from the dispensing hole 113a, preventing the next sheet of sanitary tissue paper P pulled out after the one being used from being pulled out too far from the dispensing hole 113a. As a result, the next sheet of sanitary tissue paper P pulled out after the one being used is held in the dispensing hole 113a with its end pulled out to the appropriate length.

[0035] Furthermore, the end of the sanitary tissue paper P held in the dispensing hole 113a is supported by three protrusions, including the front protrusion 113c. Since the dispensing hole 113a that holds the end of the sanitary tissue paper P is provided in the bulging portion 113b of the dispensing section 113, the tip of each protrusion 113c is positioned higher than the dispensing section 113, which is the base surface around the bulging portion 113b. As a result, the end of the sanitary tissue paper P is supported at a higher position than its surroundings by these protrusions 113c and held in the dispensing hole 113a, making it easier to grasp the sanitary tissue paper P.

[0036] (Biasing Member) The biasing member 114 is a strip-shaped member made of an elastic material, as shown in Figure 2, for example. One end of the biasing member 114 is fixed behind the recess 112, and the other end of the biasing member 114 is fixed to the insertion portion 23 (described later) of the opening / closing lid 2. This biasing member 114 biases the opening / closing lid 2 in the opening direction, and when the user presses the button portion 3, it pushes up the opening / closing lid 2 by rotating it around the connection portion with the upper part 11 of the container body as the axis of rotation.

[0037] The biasing member 114 is formed in the shape of a strip, preferably with a width of 2 mm to 30 mm, more preferably 8 mm to 10 mm, and preferably with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. The biasing member 114 is formed to such a size, which allows the opening / closing lid 2 to be pushed up without force when the lid is opened, and allows the biasing member 114 to be easily folded and stored in the storage recess 115 when the lid is closed.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the biasing member 114 is formed to be in an extended state when no force is applied, so that, for example, as shown in Figure 8, when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed and the biasing member 114 is bent, a force is generated that tries to return it to the state shown in Figure 2. This makes it possible for the biasing member 114 to bias the opening / closing lid 2 to rotate backward, using the connection point between the opening / closing lid 2 and the upper part 11 of the container body as the axis of rotation.

[0039] (Storage recess) The storage recess 115 is a recess for storing the bent portion of the biasing member 114 when the biasing member 114 is pushed downward when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed, as shown in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 2, the storage recess 115 is formed to be recessed further downward than the recess 112, behind the outlet portion 113 in the recess 112 and near the front of the biasing member 114. The shape of the storage recess 115 is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction, and it should have enough space to store the biasing member 114 that is pushed in and bent by the opening / closing lid 2 when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed.

[0040] (Outer and Inner Edges) The outer edge 116 is annular, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, for example, and is formed at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body. The inner edge 117 is annular, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, for example, and is provided at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body, further inward than the outer edge 116, and protrudes downward than the outer edge 116. This inner edge 117 is formed to fit into the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, which will be described later, when the storage space S is shielded. The outer edge 116 and the inner edge 117 are part of the upper part 11 of the container body, and are therefore made of polypropylene. Furthermore, since the groove portion 121 (outer peripheral wall portion 1211, inner peripheral wall portion 1212), which will be described later, is also formed of the same polypropylene, the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body slides into the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, making it easy for the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body to fit together tightly and maintain a suitable airtight seal of the storage space S.

[0041] (Handle) The handle portion 118 is formed integrally with the upper part of the container body 11 at the center of the front surface of the upper part of the container body 11, protruding in an arch shape from the front surface, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, and a gap a is formed between it and the front surface of the container body 10, allowing a finger to be hooked onto it. When exposing the storage space S, the handle portion 118 is grasped and the upper part of the container body 11 is rotated using the connecting portion 13 as a pivot point. In addition, two locking portions 1181 are provided on the inner surface of the handle portion 118.

[0042] Furthermore, the shape of the handle portion 118 does not have to be an arched protruding shape; any shape is acceptable as long as it protrudes from the front surface of the upper part 11 of the container body and has a gap a between it and the front surface. Also, when the upper part 11 of the container body and the lower part 12 of the container body are engaged, the handle portion 118 overlaps in the front-to-back direction with the engaging projection 123 (described later) provided on the lower part 12 of the container body. As a result, the engaging projection 123 is not visible from the front.

[0043] (Locking portion) The locking portion 1181 is provided on the front surface of the upper part 11 of the container body, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8. Specifically, two locking portions 1181 are provided on the inner surface of the handle portion 118 at a predetermined interval along the left-right direction, and are formed to engage with the engaging projection 123 of the lower part 12 of the container body when the storage space S is shielded, thereby maintaining the shielded state. The distance between the two locking portions 1181 is arbitrary, but it should be about the width of a typical user's finger. Specifically, they are formed with a distance of 5 mm to 25 mm, and more preferably with a distance of 18 mm to 25 mm. Since this locking portion 1181 is part of the upper part 11 of the container body, it is made of polypropylene. Furthermore, since the engaging projection 123, which will be described later, is also made of polypropylene, the locking portion 1181 is designed to engage suitably with the engaging projection 123, and the upper part 11 of the container body can fit suitably into the lower part 12 of the container body to shield the storage space S. The number of locking parts 1181 is not limited to two; they can be provided at positions separated to the left and right from the center of the inner surface of the handle part 118 in the left-right direction. For example, there may be two on each side (a total of four).

[0044] (Lower part of the container body) The lower part 12 of the container body is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an upper side having a substantially rectangular opening as shown in FIG. 4, and an annular concave groove portion 121 is formed at the upper edge (opening). Further, on the bottom portion 12a of the lower part 12 of the container body, a non-slip portion 122 is formed as a non-slip measure when taking out the sanitary tissue paper P stored in the storage space S through the take-out hole 113a. Further, near the center of the upper end portion of the front surface of the lower part 12 of the container body, an engaging projection 123 is provided which is integrally formed with the lower part 12 of the container body and projects forward.

[0045] (Material of the lower part of the container body) The lower part 12 of the container body is formed of the same hard material as that used in the upper part 11 of the container body. In this embodiment, as the hard material, polypropylene which is a hard plastic is used, and the lower part 12 of the container body is formed of polypropylene.

[0046] (Concave groove portion) The concave groove portion 121 is, for example, annular as shown in FIG. 4, and is formed at the upper end portion of the lower part 12 of the container body so that the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body can enter when shielding the storage space S. This concave groove portion 121 is provided between an outer peripheral wall portion 1211 formed as an outer peripheral wall surface of the lower part 12 of the container body and an inner peripheral wall portion 1212 formed as an inner peripheral wall surface of the lower part 12 of the container body. Note that the concave groove portion 121 (outer peripheral wall portion 1211, inner peripheral wall portion 1212) is a part of the lower part 12 of the container body, and thus is formed of polypropylene.

[0047] As described above, the groove portion 121 in this embodiment is provided between the outer peripheral wall portion 1211 and the inner peripheral wall portion 1212 of the lower part 12 of the container body. Specifically, the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body has, for example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a fitting portion 121a formed on the bottom side of the groove portion 121 and a guide portion 121b formed on the opening side of the groove portion 121. The fitting portion 121a has a width that is approximately the same as the thickness of the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body. Here, the thickness W1 of the inner edge portion 117 and the width W2 of the fitting portion 121a are formed to be the same size. The guide portion 121b is formed so that its width gradually widens from the fitting portion 121a toward the opening side of the groove portion 121. In this embodiment, an inclined surface is formed on the side of the inner peripheral wall portion 1212 that faces the outer peripheral wall portion 1211, and the guide portion 121b is provided in the area where the inclined surface is formed. The inclined surface formed on the inner circumferential wall portion 1212 has an inclination that moves away from the outer circumferential wall portion 1211 as you move from the fitting portion 121a side toward the opening side of the groove portion 121. In other words, the guide portion 121b widens toward the inner circumferential wall portion 1212 side as you move from the fitting portion 121a side toward the opening side of the groove portion 121.

[0048] In the concave groove portion 121 at the lower part of the container body 12, the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body enters the concave groove portion 121 so that the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body fits into the fitting portion 121a through the guiding portion 121b. The width of the guiding portion 121b on the opening side of the concave groove portion 121 is wider than the thickness of the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body, so the inner edge portion 117 can easily enter from the guiding portion 121b of the concave groove portion 121. And the inner edge portion 117 that enters the concave groove portion 121 through the wide guiding portion 121b is easily fitted into the fitting portion 121a. That is, the inner edge portion 117 is more easily fitted into the fitting portion 121a when guided through the guiding portion 121b than when the inner edge portion 117 is directly fitted into the fitting portion 121a having a width substantially the same as the thickness of the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body. By providing the guiding portion 121b in the concave groove portion 121, the inner edge portion 117 is easily fitted into the fitting portion 121a. Also, since the thickness W1 of the inner edge portion 117 and the width W2 of the fitting portion 121a are formed to be the same size, when the inner edge portion 117 is fitted into the fitting portion 121a, the inner edge portion 117 is in a state of being in close contact with both side surfaces of the fitting portion 121a. Thus, when the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body enters the concave groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, the storage space S is shielded.

[0049] In particular, when the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body enters the concave groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, the inner edge portion 117 fits into the fitting portion 121a in a state of being in close contact with the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the fitting portion 121a. That is, in the state where the inner edge portion 117 enters the concave groove portion 121, the tip of the inner edge portion 117 abuts against the bottom surface of the fitting portion 121a. Since the inner edge portion 117 is in close contact with the three surfaces of the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the fitting portion 121a, a relatively strong frictional resistance is applied between the inner edge portion 117 and the fitting portion 121a, and the inner edge portion 117 fitted into the fitting portion 121a is difficult to come off. Also, since the airtightness is increased by the inner edge portion 117 being in close contact with the three surfaces of the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the fitting portion 121a, the storage space S can be suitably shielded.

[0050] Furthermore, the guide portion 121b provided in the groove portion 121 widens towards the inner circumferential wall portion 1212 as it moves from the fitting portion 121a side toward the opening side of the groove portion 121. As a result, the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body that fits into the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body is in closer contact with the outer circumferential wall portion 1211 side of the groove portion 121 than with the inner circumferential wall portion 1212 side. When the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body and the outer circumferential wall portion 1211 side of the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body are in close contact, gaps are less likely to form on the outer surface of the container body 10, making it easier to prevent outside air and foreign matter from entering through such gaps, thus making it possible to suitably shield the storage space S.

[0051] Furthermore, since both the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body and the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body are formed from the same material (polypropylene), the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body slides into the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, allowing the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body to adhere closely together and maintain a suitable airtight seal of the storage space S.

[0052] The groove portion 121 in this embodiment has a fitting portion 121a and a guide portion 121b around its entire circumference. However, the groove portion 121 having the fitting portion 121a and the guide portion 121b only needs to be provided on the left and right side portions (12R, 12L) of the lower part of the container body 12 (container body 10). A connecting portion 13 is provided on the rear side of the container body 10, connecting the upper part 11 of the container body and the lower part 12 of the container body. The front side of the container body 10 is connected by the engagement of the locking portion 1181 of the upper part 11 of the container body and the engaging projection 123 of the lower part 12 of the container body, thereby maintaining a shielded state. Therefore, if groove portions 121 having the fitting portion 121a and the guide portion 121b are provided on the left side portion 12L and the right side portion 12R of the lower part of the container body 12, the storage space S will be shielded. In addition, if a groove portion 121 having a fitting portion 121a and a guide portion 121b is selectively provided on the left side portion 12L and the right side portion 12R of the lower part 12 of the container body, then the front and rear surfaces of the lower part 12 of the container body are provided with a groove portion having a groove shape similar to that of a guide portion.

[0053] (Outer peripheral wall portion and inner peripheral wall portion) The outer peripheral wall portion 1211 is formed as the outer peripheral wall surface of the lower part 12 of the container body and abuts against the outer edge portion 116 of the upper part 11 of the container body when shielding the storage space S. The inner peripheral wall portion 1212 is formed as the inner peripheral wall surface of the lower part 12 of the container body and, as shown in Figure 4, comprises first guide portions 1212a provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the rear surface so as to protrude above the outer peripheral wall portion 1211, and a plurality of second guide portions 1212b provided on the rear surface side.

[0054] (First and Second Guide Sections) As shown in Figure 4, the first guide section 1212a is provided at both ends in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the lower part 12 of the container body, extending across the left or right side, and is taller in the vertical direction than the outer peripheral wall section 1211 and the second guide section 1212b. The second guide section 1212b is wavy and is provided in multiple locations along the left-right direction on the rear surface of the lower part 12 of the container body. It is taller in the vertical direction than the outer peripheral wall section 1211, but shorter than the first guide section 1212a.

[0055] (Anti-slip portion) The anti-slip portion 122 is formed on the bottom 12a of the lower part 12 of the container body, for example, as shown in Figure 4, by an elastic material surrounded by a hard material. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the anti-slip portion 122, which is made of an elastic material and has a substantially circular shape, is provided at the four corners of the bottom 12a of the lower part 12 of the container body, and the anti-slip portion 122 is exposed on the outer surface from the bottom of the lower part 12 of the container body. The anti-slip portion 122 exposed on the outer surface of the lower part 12 of the container body comes into contact with the mounting surface on which the storage container 1 is placed, and plays a role in preventing slippage when the storage container 1 is placed on the mounting surface.

[0056] (Engaging projection) The engaging projection 123 is a projection that protrudes forward, formed integrally with the lower part of the container body 12 at approximately the center of the upper end of the front surface of the lower part of the container body 12, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, and engages with the two locking parts 1181 when the storage space S is shielded. The engaging projection 123 is formed such that its length in the left-right direction is longer than the distance between the two locking parts 1181. Since this engaging projection 123 is part of the lower part of the container body 12, it is made of polypropylene. As described above, the engaging projection 123 and the locking parts 1181, both made of polypropylene, are suitable for engaging, and the upper part of the container body 11 can fit nicely into the lower part of the container body 12 to shield the storage space S.

[0057] (Opening and Closing Lid) The opening and closing lid 2 is a member that is rotatably attached to the rear of the recess 112 in the upper part 11 of the container body, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, for example, and has a flat, curved, substantially rectangular shape. The opening and closing lid 2 has an opening and closing lid side locking portion 21 on the front side when the lid is closed, and on the lower side of the opening and closing lid 2 it has an opening and closing lid side sealing ring portion 22 and an insertion portion 23 into which the biasing member 114 is inserted. Furthermore, the opening and closing lid 2 is formed such that the shape in a plan view when the lid is closed is substantially the same as the shape in a plan view of the recess 112 in the upper part 11 of the container body, excluding the portion where the button portion 3 is provided, so that when the lid is closed it can be fitted into the recess 112 and is formed to be flush with the top surface portion 111.

[0058] (Material of the opening / closing lid) The opening / closing lid 2 is made of the same hard material as that used in the container body 10.

[0059] (Lid-side locking portion) The lid-side locking portion 21 is a claw-shaped portion that protrudes forward from the lid 2, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5. By engaging with the button-side locking portion 313 (described later) formed on the button portion 3, the lid 2 is locked in the closed position. When the user presses the button portion 3, the engagement between the lid-side locking portion 21 and the button-side locking portion 313 is released, and the biasing force generated by the biasing member 114 causes the lid 2 to open. The lid 2 can be closed by rotating the opened lid 2 in the opposite direction to when it was open, and engaging the lid-side locking portion 21 and the button-side locking portion 313 (described later).

[0060] The shape of the locking portion 21 on the opening / closing lid side is arbitrary, as long as it engages with the locking portion 313 on the button side to lock the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed position, and when the user presses the button portion 3, the engagement between the locking portion 21 on the opening / closing lid side and the locking portion 313 on the button side is released. It is not limited to the claw shape shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5.

[0061] (Sealing ring portion on the opening / closing lid side) The sealing ring portion 22 on the opening / closing lid side is substantially rectangular in shape, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, for example, and protrudes downward when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed. As shown in Figure 8, the edge of the sealing ring portion 22 on the opening / closing lid side is formed in the approximate center of the lower surface of the opening / closing lid 2 so as to contact the outer circumference of the dispensing portion 113 formed on the upper part 11 of the container body.

[0062] (Insertion part) The insertion part 23 is, for example, fixed by inserting the biasing member 114 into the rear end of the opening / closing lid 2, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

[0063] (Button section) The button section 3, as shown in Figure 8, for example, has a button mounting section 32 provided on the container body 10 (upper part 11 of the container body), a button 31 attached to the button mounting section 32, and a button elastic member 33 that is elastically deformable interposed between the button 31 and the button mounting section 32. The button 31 and the button mounting section 32 are made of the same hard material as used in the container body 10, and the button elastic member 33 is made of the same elastic material as the dispensing section 113 and the biasing member 114. When the user presses the button 31 of this button section 3, the locking of the opening / closing lid 2 by the button 31 is released, and the opening / closing lid 2 is pushed up by the biasing force of the biasing member 114 and opened.

[0064] (Button Mounting Section) The button mounting section 32 is, for example, a mounting location for the button 31, provided in the part of the container body upper section 11 where the button section 3 is located, on the front side of the recess 112. On both the left and right sides of the button mounting section 32, there are shaft holes (not shown) into which the button shaft 312 (shaft section 312b) of the button 31, which will be described later, is inserted. The button mounting section 32 is also provided with a contact surface 32a against which the tip of the button elastic member 33, which will be described later, abuts. This contact surface 32a faces the lower surface of the button 31 attached to the button mounting section 32.

[0065] (Button) The button 31 is a component formed independently of the button mounting portion 32, as shown in Figure 8, for example, and comprises an upper surface portion 311 that is pressed by the user, button shafts 312, 312 provided on both the left and right sides of the button 31, a button-side locking portion 313 that engages with the opening / closing lid side locking portion 21 of the opening / closing lid 2 to lock the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed state, and elastic member support portions 314, 314 that support the button elastic member 33 on the lower surface side of the button 31.

[0066] (Upper part) The upper part 311 is formed such that, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the rear base end 311b is straight and the front tip 311a is arc-shaped in a plan view, with the tip 311a protruding forward from the recess 112. A gap b is formed between the tip 311a of the upper part 311 and the upper part 11 of the container body. The size of the upper part 311 is determined according to the size of the portion of the recess 112 that is not covered by the opening / closing lid 2, but it is desirable that the longest part in the front-to-back direction is 10 mm to 30 mm long and the longest part in the left-to-right direction is 30 mm to 100 mm long. The tip 311a of the button 31 may be formed to be straight.

[0067] Furthermore, the upper surface portion 311 is formed to slope downward from the base end portion 311b to the tip portion 311a. The inclination angle of this upper surface portion 311 is preferably 6 to 10 degrees. Note that the inclination angle of the upper surface portion 311 may differ between the base end portion 311b and the tip portion 311a. For example, the inclination angle on the base end portion 311b side may be 6 to 8 degrees, and the inclination angle on the tip portion 311a side may be 8 to 10 degrees, thus forming a two-stage inclination.

[0068] (Button shaft) The button shaft 312 has, for example, a base portion 312a provided on the lower surface of the upper portion 311, as shown in Figure 8, and a shaft portion 312b extending outward from the base portion 312a, and a pair is provided on the left and right sides of the button 31. The pair of button shafts 312 are provided symmetrically, and each shaft portion 312b extends in a direction away from each other along the same axis. The shaft portions 312b of the button shafts 312 are inserted into the shaft holes (not shown) of the button mounting portion 32, and the button 31 is pivotally supported on the button mounting portion 32.

[0069] (Button-side locking portion) The button-side locking portion 313 is, for example, a recess formed behind the button 31, as shown in Figure 8. The opening / closing lid-side locking portion 21 formed on the opening / closing lid 2 engages with the button-side locking portion 313, thereby locking the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed position. When the user presses the button portion 3, the engagement of the opening / closing lid-side locking portion 21 is released, and the biasing force generated by the biasing member 114 pushes the opening / closing lid 2 up, causing it to open. The shape of the button-side locking portion 313 is arbitrary as long as it locks the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed position and releases the engagement between the button-side locking portion 313 and the opening / closing lid-side locking portion 21 when the user presses the button portion 3. It is not limited to the recess shown in the figure, and may be, for example, a claw portion into which the opening / closing lid-side locking portion 21 engages.

[0070] (Elastic Member Support) The elastic member support 314 is a plate-shaped projection that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper surface 311, as shown in Figure 8, for example, and is provided in pairs with a gap between them in the front and rear. The button elastic member 33 is positioned between this pair of elastic member support 314, 314. In this example, the front and rear elastic member support 314 are formed to be different in size, with the front elastic member support 314 being smaller than the rear elastic member support 314. However, the front elastic member support 314 may be formed to be larger than the rear elastic member support 314, or they may be formed to be the same size.

[0071] (Button Elastic Member) The button elastic member 33 is an elastically deformable plate-shaped member made of an elastic material. The button elastic member 33 is positioned on the lower surface of the button 31 in such a manner that its upper end is sandwiched and supported between a pair of elastic member support parts 314, 314. The button elastic member 33 here has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the button 31, and the button elastic member 33 positioned on the button 31 extends along the front edge on the tip portion 311a side of the button 31. It is preferable that the button elastic member 33 is positioned over approximately the entire width of the button 31. When the button 31, with the button elastic member 33 supported by the pair of elastic member support parts 314, 314, is attached to the button mounting portion 32, the tip portion, which is the free end of the button elastic member 33, abuts against the contact surface portion 32a of the button mounting portion 32. In particular, since the upper end of the button elastic member 33 is supported by a pair of elastic member support parts 314, 314, the tip of the lower end of the button elastic member 33 abuts against the contact surface 32a of the button mounting part 32 in a stable position.

[0072] (Operation of the button) As described above, the button-side locking portion 313 of the button 31 engages with the locking portion 21 on the opening / closing lid 2, and the button 31 locks the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed position. When the button 31 that is locking the opening / closing lid 2 in the closed position is pressed, the button elastic member 33 elastically deforms, causing the button 31 to rotate, and the position of the button 31 is switched so that the tip portion 311a of the button 31 goes down. This releases the lock on the opening / closing lid 2 by the button 31, and the opening / closing lid 2 is opened, putting it in the open position. When the pressure on the button 31 is released, the restoring force of the button elastic member 33 causes the tip portion 311a of the button 31 to rise, and the position of the button 31 returns to its original position.

[0073] [Effects of the Embodiment] The sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment is provided with a container body 10 in which the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body are arranged to be able to contact and separate from each other, and a storage space S for storing sanitary tissue paper P is formed between the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body. In the container body 10, an annular inner edge portion 117 is provided on either the lower end of the upper part 11 or the upper end of the lower part 12 of the container body, and an annular groove portion 121 is provided on the other. The groove portion 121 has a fitting portion 121a formed on the bottom side of the groove portion and having a width approximately the same as the thickness of the inner edge portion 117, and a guide portion 121b formed so as to gradually widen in width from the fitting portion 121a toward the opening side of the groove portion 121. The inner edge portion 117 enters the groove portion 121 through the guide portion 121b to fit into the fitting portion 121a, thereby shielding the storage space S. In the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment, an annular inner rim portion 117 is provided at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body, and an annular groove portion 121 is provided at the upper end of the lower part 12 of the container body.

[0074] In the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment, the width of the guide portion 121b on the opening side of the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body is wider than the thickness of the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body. Therefore, the inner edge portion 117 can easily enter through the guide portion 121b of the groove portion 121, and the inner edge portion 117 that enters the groove portion 121 through the wide guide portion 121b can easily fit into the fitting portion 121a. For example, the inner edge portion 117 guided through the guide portion 121b can fit into the fitting portion 121a more easily than the inner edge portion 117 which has approximately the same width as the thickness of the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body. In other words, the presence of the guide portion 121b in the groove portion 121 makes it easier for the inner edge portion 117 to fit into the fitting portion 121a. Furthermore, the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body fits into the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body and engages with the fitting portion 121a, thereby effectively shielding the storage space S. In addition, the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body fits into the fitting portion 121a of the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, making it difficult for the inner edge 117 to come out of the groove 121.

[0075] Furthermore, in the case of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment, a groove 121 is provided between the outer peripheral wall portion 1211 and the inner peripheral wall portion 1212 of the lower part 12 of the container body, and an inclined surface is formed on the inner peripheral wall portion 1212 side to provide a guide portion 121b. As a result, the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body that fits into the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body becomes more closely in contact with the outer peripheral wall portion 1211 side of the groove portion 121 than with the inner peripheral wall portion 1212 side. Because the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body and the outer peripheral wall portion 1211 side of the groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body are in close contact, gaps are less likely to occur on the outer surface side of the container body 10, so the storage space S can be suitably shielded.

[0076] Furthermore, in the case of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment, when the inner edge portion 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body fits into the recessed groove portion 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, the inner edge portion 117 fits into the fitting portion 121a in close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion 121a. As a result, a relatively strong frictional resistance is applied between the inner edge portion 117 and the fitting portion 121a, making it difficult for the inner edge portion 117 fitted into the fitting portion 121a to come loose. In addition, since the inner edge portion 117 is in close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion 121a, the airtightness is increased, and the storage space S can be suitably shielded.

[0077] Furthermore, in the case of the sanitary tissue paper storage container 1 of this embodiment, the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body and the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body are made of the same material (in this case, polypropylene). As a result, the inner edge 117 of the upper part 11 of the container body slides into the groove 121 of the lower part 12 of the container body, allowing the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body to be in close contact and the airtightness of the storage space S to be suitably maintained.

[0078] In the embodiments described above, an annular inner rim portion 117 is provided at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body, and an annular groove portion 121 is provided at the upper end of the lower part 12 of the container body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an annular groove portion may be provided at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body, and an annular inner rim portion may be provided at the upper end of the lower part 12 of the container body. Even when a groove portion is provided at the lower end of the upper part 11 of the container body, the groove portion shall have the fitting portion and the guiding portion described above.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body are connected by a connecting part 13, and the storage space S of the lower part 12 of the container body is exposed or shielded by rotating the upper part 11 of the container body using the connecting part 13 as a pivot point (axis). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the container body are separate parts, and the storage space S can be shielded by attaching the upper part 11 of the container body to the lower part 12, or the storage space S can be exposed by removing the upper part 11 of the container body from the lower part 12. In this case, the recessed groove 121 has a fitting part 121a and a guide part 121b around its entire circumference.

[0080] Furthermore, it goes without saying that other specific structural details can be modified as needed.

[0081] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it can be used as a storage container for sanitary tissue paper.

[0082] 1. Container for storing sanitary tissue paper 10. Container body 11. Upper part of container body 113. Dispensing part 113a. Dispensing hole 114. Biasing member 117. Inner edge (protruding part) 1181. Locking part 12. Lower part of container body 12a. Bottom part 12r. Right side part 12l. Left side part 121. Groove part 121a. Fitting part 121b. Guiding part 1211. Outer peripheral wall part 1212. Inner peripheral wall part 122. Anti-slip part 123. Engaging projection 13. Connecting part 2. Opening / closing lid P. Sanitary tissue paper S. Storage space

Claims

1. A sanitary tissue paper storage container comprising a container body in which the upper part and lower part of the container body are arranged to be able to contact and separate from each other, and a storage space for storing sanitary tissue paper is formed between the upper part and the lower part of the container body, wherein an annular protrusion is provided on either the lower end of the upper part of the container body or the upper end of the lower part of the container body, and an annular groove is provided on the other, the groove having a fitting portion formed on the bottom side of the groove and having a width substantially the same as the thickness of the protrusion, and a guide portion formed so as to gradually widen in width from the fitting portion toward the opening side of the groove, the sanitary tissue paper storage container characterized in that the storage space is shielded when the protrusion enters the groove through the guide portion and fits into the fitting portion.

2. The container for storing sanitary tissue paper according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove portion is provided between the outer peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral wall portion of the container body, an inclined surface is formed on the side of the inner peripheral wall portion that faces the outer peripheral wall portion, and the guide portion is provided in the area where the inclined surface is formed.

3. The sanitary tissue storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that the protruding portion is fitted into the fitting portion in a state of close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion.

4. The sanitary tissue storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper part of the container body and the lower part of the container body are formed of the same material.

5. The sanitary tissue storage container according to claim 4, characterized in that the protruding portion is fitted into the fitting portion in a state of close contact with the bottom surface and both sides of the fitting portion.

6. The sanitary tissue storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the groove portion having the fitting portion and the guiding portion is provided on at least the left and right side surfaces of the container body.

7. A sanitary tissue paper storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a locking portion is provided on the front surface of the upper part of the container body, an engaging projection is provided on the front surface of the lower part of the container body, and the locking portion engages with the engaging projection when the convex portion fits into the recessed groove and the storage space is shielded.

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