JP7484602B2 - Shaking container with hinged cap - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a shaker container with a hinged cap.

A card-shaped dispenser has been proposed in which the opening for removing stored cooling tablets and other confectioneries is closed by a hinge cap (Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-293387 A

The shaker container described in Patent Document 1 has a mating wall member on the inner surface of the hinge cap, and when the hinge cap is closed, the outer surface of the mating wall member fits so as to rub against the edge of the opening of the shaker container. This makes it possible to achieve a tight seal at the opening.

However, in the shaker container of Patent Document 1, the opening of the container is formed on both the upper container member and the lower container member, straddling both. This means that when the hinge cap is closed, slight misalignment occurs, creating a gap, and even if the mating wall member is mated to the opening, there is a possibility that the container may be slightly less airtight.

The aim of this invention is to further improve the airtightness of the opening when the hinge cap is closed.

The invention also aims to make it possible to shake out a fixed amount of the contents, or one grain at a time.

The hinge-capped shaker container of this invention comprises an upper container having a top surface and a side wall portion that descends from the outer periphery of the top surface, and a lower container having a bottom surface and a side wall portion that rises from the outer periphery of the bottom surface, and is assembled by engaging the side wall portion of the upper container with the side wall portion of the lower container, and a downward step is formed in the top surface of the upper container, and a stepped top surface portion with a lower height is formed in a part of the top surface portion from the step to the outer periphery, and an opening is formed in the stepped top surface portion, and a hinge cap is provided that covers the stepped top surface portion and the opening when closed via a hinge formed integrally with the top surface portion of the upper container, and a sliding frame portion is integrally formed on the back surface of the top surface of the hinge cap, the outer periphery of which slides against the edge of the opening of the stepped top surface portion over the entire circumference when the hinge cap is closed.

The upper and lower containers that make up the shaker container are assembled by engaging the side walls. The contents (typically tablets) are stored in the internal space formed inside the shaker container.

The contents in the shaker container are removed from the opening in the upper container. The opening in the upper container is formed in a stepped top surface that is lower in height than the top surface of the upper container. The stepped top surface and the opening formed therein are covered by a hinge cap. The hinge cap is integral with the upper container via a hinge formed on the top surface of the upper container, and is opened and closed around the hinge.

According to this invention, when the hinge cap is closed, the sliding frame portion formed integrally with the back surface of the top surface of the hinge cap fits into the opening of the stepped top surface. The outer peripheral surface of the sliding frame portion can be fitted by sliding against the edge of the opening formed only in the upper container over its entire circumference. High airtightness can be achieved around the opening when the hinge cap is closed.

In one embodiment, the opening in the stepped top surface of the upper container is formed continuously to the stepped surface connecting the top surface of the upper container and the stepped top surface. The contents can be passed through the opening formed in the stepped surface to reach the opening in the stepped top surface, so even thick contents can be dumped out through the opening.

In one embodiment, the step surface is an inclined surface that slopes diagonally downward toward the outer edge of the top surface of the upper container. This allows the contents to move smoothly toward the opening.

Preferably, when the hinge cap is closed, the top surface of the hinge cap is flush with the top surface of the upper container, and the side wall of the hinge cap is flush with the side wall of the upper container. This provides a beautifully-looking shaker container.

In another embodiment, a damming rib that blocks the contents that reach the opening is formed on the bottom surface of the lower container at a position facing the hinge cap or in its vicinity. The contents that reach the opening can be smoothly shaken out of the opening, and the contents can be shaken out in small amounts (one grain at a time).

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hinged cap shaker container of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hinged cap shaker container of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the upper container that constitutes the hinged cap shaker container of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinged cap shaker of the first embodiment in an open state. 3 is an enlarged end view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hinged cap shaker container according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hinged cap shaker of the second embodiment in an open state.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the hinged cap shaker of the first embodiment, and Figure 2 shows a plan view of the hinged cap shaker. Figure 3 shows a rear view of the upper container constituting the hinged cap shaker, looking at the back side of the upper container. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hinged cap shaker in an open state, and Figure 5 is an enlarged end view taken along line V-V in Figure 2.

The hinged cap shaker container 1 comprises a shallow tray-shaped upper container 10 and a shallow tray-shaped lower container 30. The upper container 10 comprises a roughly rectangular top surface 11 with rounded corners, and a low side wall 12 that extends slightly downward from the outer periphery of the top surface 11. The lower container 30 comprises a roughly rectangular bottom surface 31 with rounded corners, and a low side wall 32 that extends slightly upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 31. The height of the side wall 32 of the lower container 30 is significantly lower than the height of the side wall 12 of the upper container 10. A frame-shaped step 33 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the side wall 32 of the lower container 30. When the side wall 12 of the upper container 10 and the side wall 32 of the lower container 30 are assembled facing each other, the tip surface of the side wall 12 of the upper container 10 contacts the step 33 of the lower container 30, and the upper container 10 and the lower container 30 engage with each other at their peripheries to close airtightly. When the upper container 10 and the lower container 30 are assembled, the outer surface of the side wall 12 of the upper container 10 and the outer surface of the side wall 32 (the lower area constituting the step 33) of the lower container 30 are almost flush with each other. Both the upper container 10 and the lower container 30 are made of, for example, polypropylene. When the upper container 10 and the lower container 30 are assembled, the top surface 11 of the upper container 10 and the bottom surface 31 of the lower container 30 extend parallel to each other with a gap therebetween. A plurality of contents T (typically tablets) are stored in the internal space formed by the upper container 10 and the lower container 30. The shapes of the upper container 10 (its top surface 11) and the lower container 30 (its bottom surface 31) are not limited to rectangular shapes and can be designed arbitrarily.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perforated boss 36 with a cylindrical hole is formed integrally at the periphery and center of the inner surface of the bottom surface 31 of the lower container 30. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, a cylindrical boss 28 having approximately the same dimensions as the cylindrical hole of the perforated boss 36 is formed integrally at the periphery and center of the inner surface of the top surface 11 of the upper container 10. The perforated boss 36 of the lower container 30 and the boss 28 of the upper container 10 are formed in corresponding positions, and when the upper container 10 and the lower container 30 are combined, each of the bosses 28 of the upper container 10 fits into each of the perforated bosses 36 of the lower container 30. The upper container 10 and the lower container 30 are firmly positioned and fixed not only by the periphery but also by these bosses 28 and perforated boss 36.

A hinge cap 20 is attached to one of the four corners of the top surface 11 of the upper container 10 via a thin hinge 21. The hinge cap 20 is also integrally formed with the upper container 10 and is made of polypropylene.

1 and 4, the hinge cap 20 has a top surface 23 of a roughly right-angled triangle, and side wall portions 24 that extend slightly downward almost vertically (downward when the hinge cap 20 is closed) from two sides that sandwich the right angle of the triangular top surface 23. The hypotenuse of the roughly right-angled triangular top surface 23 corresponds to the thin-walled hinge 21, and the upper container 10 and the hinge cap 20 are connected at the hinge 21. A protrusion 22 that protrudes outward (laterally) is integrally formed at the lower end of the center (corner) of the side wall portion 24 of the hinge cap 20, and when the hinge cap 20 is lifted by hooking a nail or finger on the protrusion 22, the hinge cap 20 rotates around the hinge 21 as the rotation axis. Since the shape of the hinge cap 20 (its top surface 23) will conform to the shape of the upper container 10 (its top surface 11), it goes without saying that it is not necessarily limited to a right triangle.

The side wall 12 of the upper container 10 at the corner where the hinge cap 20 is located is cut out, and when the hinge cap 20 is closed, the side wall 12 in the cut-out area comes into contact with the side wall 24 of the hinge cap 20. In addition, when the hinge cap 20 is closed, the top surface 23 of the hinge cap 20 and the top surface 11 of the upper container 10 are approximately flush with each other, and the side wall 12 of the upper container 10 and the side wall 24 of the hinge cap 20 are also approximately flush with each other.

Referring to FIG. 4, the corner of the upper container 10 covered by the hinge cap 20 includes a roughly trapezoidal stepped inclined surface 11a that slopes downward toward the corner apex, with the upper edge corresponding to the hinge 21, and a roughly right-angled triangular stepped top surface portion 11b that spreads horizontally from the lower edge of the stepped inclined surface 11a to the edge. That is, the corner of the upper container 10 has a stepped top surface portion 11b that is lower in height than the top surface portion 11, and the top surface portion 11 and the stepped top surface portion 11b are connected by the stepped inclined surface 11a. A step portion 19 is formed on the edges of two sides that sandwich the right angle of the stepped top surface portion 11b, and when the hinge cap 20 is closed, this step portion 19 comes into contact with the tip surface of the side wall portion 24 of the hinge cap 20.

An opening 18 for removing the contents T is provided from the stepped inclined surface 11a of the upper container 10 to the stepped top surface 11b. The opening 18 is roughly rectangular when viewed from above, but its shape can be designed as desired. By forming the opening 18 continuously not only on the stepped top surface 11b but also on the stepped inclined surface 11a, the contents T, which have a certain thickness, can be dumped out from the opening 18.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a mating frame 25 is integrally formed on the back surface of the top surface 23 of the hinge cap 20, protruding in the same direction as the side wall 24 of the hinge cap 20 extends. The mating frame 25 is formed in the same shape as the opening 18, and when the hinge cap 20 is closed, the mating frame 25 fits into the opening 18 of the upper container 10. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the mating frame 25 rubs against the edge of the opening 18. The outer peripheral surface of the mating frame 25 rubs against (contacts) the edge of the opening 18 over its entire circumference, thereby closing the opening 18 airtight, which effectively prevents moisture from entering through the opening 18 when the hinge cap 20 is closed.

Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5, a pair of guide ribs 34 and a blocking rib 35 are integrally formed at the corner facing the hinge cap 20 among the four corners of the bottom surface portion 31 of the lower container 30. The guide ribs 34 are formed in two places on either side of the corner, and the blocking rib 35 is formed to connect the two guide ribs 34. By bringing the contents T into a roughly pentagonal range (hereinafter referred to as the blocking range 37) surrounded by the guide ribs 34, the blocking rib 35 and the side wall portion 32, the contents T can be smoothly removed from the opening 18 of the upper container 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the amount of protrusion of the blocking rib 35 is small, and when the corner of the shaking container 1 with the hinge cap 20 is faced downward, the contents T pass over the blocking rib 35 and enter the approximately pentagonal blocking range 37. The contents T can be shaken out one grain at a time from the opening 18. In addition, the contents T that enter the blocking range 37 can be lightly blocked by the blocking rib 35.

Figures 6 and 7 show the second embodiment of the hinged cap shaker container, with Figure 6 showing the hinge cap in a closed state and Figure 7 showing the hinge cap in an open state.

The hinged cap dispenser 2 of the second embodiment differs from the hinged cap dispenser 1 of the first embodiment, in that the hinge cap 50 is provided at a location other than the corner of the hinged cap dispenser 2, in that the hinge cap 20 is provided at the corner.

Like the hinged cap shaker 1 of the first embodiment, the hinged cap shaker 2 of the second embodiment also has a tray-shaped upper container 40 and a tray-shaped lower container 60, and the hinge cap 50 is integrally formed with the upper container 40 via a hinge 51. A stepped top surface 41b is formed on the edge of the upper container 40 that is not a corner, and a stepped inclined surface 41a is formed connecting the top surface 41 of the upper container 40 and the stepped top surface 41b, which is one step lower. In addition, an opening 48 is formed from the stepped inclined surface 41a to the stepped top surface 41b. The stepped inclined surface 41a, the stepped top surface 41b, and the opening 48 are covered by the hinge cap 50. A protrusion 52 protruding outward (laterally) is integrally formed at the central lower end of the side wall portion 54 of the hinge cap 50, and the hinge cap 50 can be lifted by hooking a finger or nail on the protrusion 52.

A sliding frame portion 55 of the same shape as the opening 48 is integrally formed on the back surface of the hinge cap 50. When the hinge cap 50 is closed, the outer peripheral surface of the sliding frame portion 55 slides against and engages with the edge of the opening 48, closing the opening 48 airtight.

1, 2 Shaking container with hinged cap
10, 40 Upper container
11 Top surface
11a, 41a Step inclined surface
11b, 41b Step top surface
12 Side wall
18, 48 opening
20, 50 Hinge cap
21, 51 Hinge
23 Top surface
24 Side wall
25, 55 Sliding frame
30, 60 Lower container
31 Bottom
32 Side wall
34 Guide rib
35 Damming Rib T Contents

Claims (4)

A shake-out container comprising an upper container having a top surface portion and a side wall portion that falls from the outer periphery of the top surface portion, and a lower container having a bottom surface portion and a side wall portion that rises from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion, the shake-out container being assembled by engaging the side wall portion of the upper container with the side wall portion of the lower container,
A downward step is formed on the top surface of the upper container,
A stepped top surface portion having a lower height is formed on a part of the top surface portion from the step to the outer edge,
An opening is formed in the top surface of the step,
a hinge cap is provided which includes a top surface portion and a side wall portion rising down from an outer periphery thereof, and which covers the stepped top surface portion and the opening when closed via a hinge which is integrally formed with the top surface portion of the upper container;
A sliding frame portion is integrally formed on the back surface of the top surface portion of the hinge cap, and the outer peripheral surface of the sliding frame portion slides and fits into the edge of the opening of the stepped top surface portion over the entire circumference when the hinge cap is closed ,
The opening of the stepped top surface of the upper container is formed continuously to a stepped surface connecting the top surface of the upper container and the stepped top surface .
Shaking container with hinged cap. The step surface is an inclined surface that is inclined obliquely downward toward the outer edge of the top surface of the upper container.
2. The hinged cap shaker of claim 1 . When the hinge cap is closed, a top surface of the hinge cap is flush with a top surface of the upper container, and a side wall of the hinge cap is flush with a side wall of the upper container.
3. The hinged cap shaker container according to claim 1 or 2 . A damming rib for damming the contents that reach the opening is formed on the bottom surface of the lower container at a position facing the hinge cap or in the vicinity thereof.
4. The hinged cap shaker container according to claim 1.

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