JP7609715B2 - Container with cover and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container with a cover, which includes a container for storing food or beverages inside and a sheet-like cover that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the container, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Generally, containers that hold food or beverages etc. have an access section on the top wall for removing the contents. It is desirable for the outer surface of the container near the area where this access section is provided to be kept clean from a hygienic standpoint. For example, when drinking a stored beverage, the mouth may come into direct contact with a part of the top wall including the access section and a part of the surrounding wall. However, foreign matter may adhere to the container during transportation or storage, and the hygienic condition of the outer surface of the container may not always be good.

For this reason, in order to maintain the removal section and its vicinity in good sanitary conditions, the end of the upper wall of the container is covered with a cover. Known covers include those with a base material made of metal, plastic, or paper, but from the standpoint of reducing environmental impact and cutting costs, it is preferable to use a cover with a base material made of paper.

In order to secure the cover, which has a paper base material, to the container, for example, in the covered containers disclosed in JP 2001-122316 A (Patent Document 1) and JP 2000-264357 A (Patent Document 2), an adhesive layer on the cover is adhered to part of the peripheral wall of the container, and in the covered container disclosed in JP 2000-117339 A (Patent Document 3), for example, the cover is fitted into a constricted portion provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the container.

JP 2001-122316 A JP 2000-264357 A JP 2000-117339 A

However, when a cover is adhered to a container, there is a risk that an adhesive layer will remain around the removal section of the container when the cover is removed from the container. Also, even if the cover is fitted into the narrowed section of the container, this alone will not provide sufficient fixing force, and the cover may easily fall off the container.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a covered container and a method for manufacturing the same that can stably maintain the state in which the cover is attached to the container without adhering adhesive to the container, thereby improving hygiene compared to conventional methods.

The container with cover according to the present invention includes a container for containing contents and a sheet-like cover covering at least a part of the outer surface of the container. The cover includes a paper base material and an adhesive layer provided on the main surface of the base material that is located on the container side. The container has a cylindrical peripheral wall and upper and lower walls located in the axial direction of the peripheral wall. The upper wall includes a top plate portion provided with a removal portion for removing the contents. The container at the portion connecting the upper wall and the peripheral wall is provided with an annular protrusion that protrudes outward in both the axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The cover includes an upper wall side cover portion that covers the upper wall and the inner peripheral surface and upper surface of the annular protrusion, and a peripheral wall side cover portion that covers the end of the peripheral wall near the annular protrusion and the outer peripheral surface and lower surface of the annular protrusion. The upper wall side cover portion includes a concave portion that is curved in a concave shape so as to follow the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion and the outer surface of the top plate portion. The peripheral wall cover portion includes a tapered portion that is tapered at least along the underside of the annular protrusion. The tapered portion has a plurality of overlapping portions formed by bending the cover to provide the tapered portion, which are positioned along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall. In the container with cover according to the present invention, in each of the plurality of overlapping portions, the main surfaces of the base material on the side where the adhesive layer is provided are bonded together by the adhesive layer, so that the tapered portion is engaged by the underside of the annular protrusion, and the cover is attached to the container in a non-adhered state.

In the covered container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the constricted portion covering the underside of the annular protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is at least 1.0 mm.

In the covered container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the recessed portion covering the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is at least 1.0 mm.

In the covered container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the recessed portion abuts against the outer surface of the top plate portion.

The method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to the present invention comprises the following steps.
(a) A process for preparing a container having a cylindrical peripheral wall and upper and lower walls located in the axial direction of the peripheral wall, the upper wall including a top plate portion provided with a removal portion for removing the contents, and a ring-shaped protrusion protruding outward in both the axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is provided at a portion connecting the upper wall and the peripheral wall.
(b) A step of preparing a sheet-like cover having a paper substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one of a pair of main surfaces of the substrate, the sheet-like cover having an outer shape larger than the upper wall.
(c) A step of positioning and placing the cover relative to the container so that the main surface of the base on which the adhesive layer is provided faces the top plate portion.
(d) a process in which, with the cover positioned relative to the container, an inner pressing tool having a shape that conforms to the inner surface of the annular protrusion presses the cover toward the top plate, thereby sandwiching a portion of the periphery of the cover between the inner surface of the annular protrusion and the inner pressing tool, thereby bending the cover to conform to the inner surface of the annular protrusion.
(e) a process in which, while the cover is folded so as to conform to the inner surface of the annular protrusion, the inner pressing jig continues to press the cover toward the top plate portion, and a ring-shaped outer pressing jig having a shape that conforms to the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion is extrapolated onto the peripheral wall so as to wrap the folded portion of the cover toward the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion, so that a portion of the periphery of the cover is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion and the outer pressing jig, thereby folding the cover back so as to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion, and multiple overlapping portions are formed in the folded portion of the cover along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall.
(f) in a state in which the multiple overlapping portions are formed, the inner pressing jig maintains its pressing force on the cover toward the top plate portion, while a fixing jig having a shape that conforms to a portion of the container presses the folded-back portion of the cover, corresponding to at least a portion of the underside of the annular protrusion and the end of the peripheral wall near the annular protrusion, from the outside toward the container by the fixing jig, so that the main surfaces of the base material in the portions pressed by the fixing jig are bonded together by the adhesive layer to form a narrowed portion in the cover, whereby the narrowed portion is engaged with the underside of the annular protrusion, and the cover is attached to the container in a non-adhered state.

In the manufacturing method of a container with a cover based on the present invention, in the step of attaching the cover to the container in a non-adhesive state, it is preferable that only the portion of the folded-back portion of the cover that corresponds to the underside of the annular protrusion and the portion of the end of the peripheral wall that is closer to the annular protrusion is locally pressed toward the container by the fixing jig so that the constricted portion is formed corresponding to only the underside of the annular protrusion and a portion of the end of the peripheral wall that is closer to the annular protrusion.

According to the present invention, the cover can be stably maintained attached to the container without applying adhesive to the container, making it possible to provide a covered container and a manufacturing method thereof that are more hygienic than conventional containers.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the covered container shown in FIG. 1 in a state before the cover is attached to the container. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the containers with covers shown in FIG. 1 are stacked. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with a cover according to a first modified example. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a container with a cover according to an embodiment of Modification 1. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with a cover according to a second modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with a cover according to a third modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with a cover according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with a cover according to a fifth modified example.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

(Embodiment)
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container with cover according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the container with cover shown in Fig. 1 in a state before the cover is attached to the container. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. First, the configuration of a container with cover 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the covered container 1 according to this embodiment includes a hollow, generally cylindrical container 10 with one axial end and the other end closed, and a cover 20 that covers a portion of the top wall 11 side of the container 10.

The container 10 is for storing food or beverages, etc., and has a cylindrical peripheral wall 13, and an upper wall 11 and a lower wall 12 located in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 13. In addition, a ring-shaped protrusion 11b that protrudes outward in both the axial direction of the peripheral wall 13 and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is provided at the portion connecting the upper wall 11 and the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. The lower end of the peripheral wall 13 is connected to the lower wall 12, and the upper end of the peripheral wall 13 is connected to the upper wall 11 by the ring-shaped protrusion 11b. The container 10 is a can container called a two-piece can or three-piece can made of metal such as aluminum or steel. The material of the container 10 is not particularly limited to metal, and may be plastic, etc. The shape of the container 10 is not particularly limited to a hollow cylinder, and may be, for example, a hollow prism.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper wall 11 includes a top plate portion 11a having an access portion 11a1 (see Figure 3) on the outer surface for removing the contents. The access portion 11a1 may be a stay-on tab type in which part of the top plate portion 11a is open as shown in Figure 3, or it may be one in which almost the entire top plate portion 11a is opened by pulling up the tab, or one in which a seal lid is affixed to part of the top plate portion 11a. Note that the access portion 11a1 is not shown in the figures except for Figure 3.

For example, in beverage cans or food cans, the annular protrusion 11b is provided by seaming the top lid member and the body member that constitute the container 10. Specifically, the top lid member is placed over the top lid member side end of the body member, the peripheral edge of the top lid member is overlapped with the opening edge of the body member, and both are seamed. As a result, the top lid member side end of the body member is closed by the top lid member, and the seamed part forms the annular protrusion 11b, the part of the top lid member other than the seamed part forms the top wall 11, and the part of the body member other than the seamed part forms the peripheral wall 13. Note that the seaming structure of the annular protrusion 11b is omitted in all drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the annular protrusion 11b has an inner peripheral surface 11b1 and an outer peripheral surface 11b3 positioned opposite each other, and an upper surface 11b2 and a lower surface 11b4 positioned opposite each other. The lower end of the inner peripheral surface 11b1 is connected to the peripheral edge of the outer surface of the top plate portion 11a, and the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 11b1 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface 11b2. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 11b3 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface 11b2, and the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 11b3 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface 11b4. The inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 11b4 is connected to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 13.

The peripheral wall 13 includes a constricted portion 13a and a cylindrical portion 13b. The constricted portion 13a is a portion that is reduced in diameter relative to the cylindrical portion 13b, and is located so as to extend along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 at the end of the peripheral wall 13 closer to the annular protrusion 11b. The cylindrical portion 13b connects the constricted portion 13a and the bottom wall 12 in the axial direction of the container 10.

The constricted portion 13a has a base 13a1 and an inclined portion 13a2. The upper end of the outer surface of the base 13a1 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. The base 13a1 extends along the axial direction of the container 10. The lower end of the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2 is connected to the upper end of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 13b of the peripheral wall 13. The inclined portion 13a2 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the container 10 so that its lower end protrudes outward. The lower end of the outer surface of the base 13a1 is connected to the upper end of the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cover 20 covers the upper end of the container 10 to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the upper end of the container 10 during transportation, storage, etc. The cover 20 includes a paper base material 20a and an adhesive layer 20b provided on one of a pair of main surfaces of the base material 20a. By making the base material 20a out of paper, it is possible to make a cover that is easier and less expensive to dispose of than a cover made of plastic.

The substrate 20a may be any of pure white paper, kraft paper, and cellophane, as long as it is derived from pulp. When cellophane is used, the substrate 20a can be made transparent. The substrate 20a may be provided with a varnish layer or a design print layer. In addition, the basis weight of the substrate 20a is preferably 30 g/m ² or more and 160 g/m ² or less. In this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the cover 20 from being deformed more than necessary or from being unintentionally folded in the cover 20, and it is possible to prevent the cover 20 from easily falling off the container 10. In addition, the thickness of the substrate 20a is preferably 30 μm or more and 150 μm or less when a general Western paper such as pure white paper or kraft paper is used, and is preferably 20 μm or more and 60 μm or less when cellophane is used.

The adhesive layer 20b is preferably thermally adhesive. More specifically, the adhesive layer 20b is preferably a thermoplastic resin such as a polyethylene-based, polypropylene-based, polyamide-based, acrylic-based, or polyester-based resin that has thermal adhesive properties. It is even more preferable that the adhesive layer 20b is a low-density polyethylene, acrylic acid-based copolymer resin such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, a chlorinated polypropylene resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ionomer, or the like, which is thermally adhesive at low temperatures, particularly around 70°C to 100°C.

The adhesive layer 20b may be formed by laminating it to the substrate 20a by melt extrusion coating, but it is preferable that it is applied in the form of a dispersion of an emulsion or dispersion (for example, a polyolefin aqueous dispersion "Product name: Chemipearl" by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., or a water-based emulsion of copolymerized nylon or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, etc., "Product name: Sepolsion" by Sumitomo Seika Chemicals, Ltd.) or that it contains a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol. This makes it easier to dissociate the paper fibers during recycling, improving the recyclability of the substrate 20a.

The adhesive layer 20b is not limited to a thermal adhesive, but may be made of a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol or starch, which is activated by water or humidification to bond, or it may be a rubber-based adhesive layer called a cold sealant, which bonds when the adhesive layers are joined together.

The thickness of the adhesive layer 20b is preferably 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 15 μm or less, and even more preferably 3 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

The substrate 20a may be coated with a primer or an anchoring agent, and a small amount (5% or less) of resin fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene may be mixed with the fibers such as pulp that make up the substrate 20a. In this way, the adhesion of the adhesive layer 20b to the substrate 20a can be improved.

As described above, the adhesive layer 20b is provided only on one of the main surfaces of the substrate 20a, and not on the other main surface. This configuration can prevent a heated tool or the like from directly contacting the adhesive layer 20b made of a thermoplastic resin or the like in the manufacturing method of a container with a cover described later. Note that, if the type of adhesive used as the adhesive layer 20b or the surface temperature of the heated tool or the like is appropriately selected or set, the adhesive layer 20b may be provided on both of the pair of main surfaces of the substrate 20a.

As shown in FIG. 3, before being attached to the container 10, the cover 20 is in the form of a sheet having an outer shape larger than the top wall 11 of the container 10. The cover 20 is arranged so that the main surface of the base material 20a on which the adhesive layer 20b is provided faces the top plate portion 11a of the container 10. The cover 20 is attached to cover the container 10 in the direction of the arrow AR1 in the figure according to the manufacturing method described below, and the covered container 1 becomes in the state shown in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, the cover 20 has a circular outer shape when viewed from above, but is not limited to this and may be an ellipse, or may be a regular polygon such as a square or a regular pentagon, or may have curved corners. Also, a tab-shaped protruding piece may be provided at one or more points in the circumferential direction of the outer edge of the cover 20, which makes it easier to remove the cover 20 from the container 10. Also, the tab-shaped protruding piece may be cut or perforated, which makes it even easier to remove the cover 20 from the container 10.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover 20 has an upper wall side cover portion 21 that covers the upper wall 11 of the container 10, and a peripheral wall side cover portion 22 that covers the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10.

The upper wall cover part 21 covers the outer surface of the top plate part 11a of the upper wall 11 of the container 10 and the inner peripheral surface 11b1 and upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b. The upper wall cover part 21 forms a recessed part 21a by covering the outer surface of the top plate part 11a and the inner peripheral surface 11b1 of the annular protrusion 11b.

More specifically, the recessed portion 21a has a bottom portion 21a1 and a side portion 21a2. The bottom portion 21a1 covers the outer surface of the top plate portion 11a so as to fit along the surface. The side portion 21a2 covers the inner peripheral surface 11b1 of the annular protrusion 11b so as to fit along the surface. The periphery of the bottom portion 21a1 is connected to the lower end of the side portion 21a2, and the upper end of the side portion 21a2 is connected to the cover 20, which is the portion that covers the upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b.

By configuring it in this way, a concavely curved concave portion 21a is formed in the upper wall side cover portion 21 of the cover 20. Therefore, the side portion 21a2 of the concave portion 21a is hooked onto the inner peripheral surface 11b1 of the annular protrusion 11b, so that the upper wall side cover portion 21 is engaged with the container 10.

Here, if the length L1 (see FIG. 2) of the side portion 21a2, which is the recessed portion 21a covering the inner surface 11b1 of the annular protrusion 11b, in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 (i.e., the axial direction of the container 10) is at least 1.0 mm or more, the engagement of the upper wall side cover portion 21 by the above-mentioned annular protrusion 11b can be made sufficiently strong.

The peripheral wall cover part 22 covers the outer peripheral surface 11b3 and the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b of the container 10, and a part of the outer surface of the constricted portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. The peripheral wall cover part 22 forms a constricted portion 22a by covering the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and a part of the outer surface of the constricted portion 13a.

More specifically, the narrowed portion 22a has a base 22a1 and an inclined portion 22a2. The base 22a1 covers the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and the outer surface of the base 13a1 of the constricted portion 13a. The inclined portion 22a2 covers the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2 of the constricted portion 13a. The upper end of the base 22a1 is connected to the cover 20 of the portion covering the outer circumferential surface 11b3 of the annular protrusion 11b, and the lower end of the base 22a1 is connected to the upper end of the inclined portion 22a2.

By configuring it in this way, a narrowed portion 22a having a reduced diameter is formed in the peripheral wall cover portion 22 of the cover 20. Therefore, the narrowed portion 22a is hooked onto the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b, and the peripheral wall cover portion 22 is engaged with the container 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, only the portion of the base 22a1 of the narrowed portion 22a near the annular protrusion 11b is locally deformed so as to approach the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. More specifically, the gap between the base 22a1 and the container 10 in that portion is smaller than the gap between the base 22a1 and the container 10 excluding that portion, and the gap between the inclined portion 22a2 and the container 10. By configuring in this manner, the upper end portion of the base 22a1 is securely hooked onto the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b, so that the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 is more firmly hooked onto the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b along the axial direction of the container 10.

In addition, in this embodiment, the radial dimension of the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b is 1.0 mm, but this dimension may be 0.8 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. If the container 10 is a beverage can or a food can, the peripheral wall cover portion 22 can be attached to the container 10 with ease by making this dimension 0.8 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

Here, if the length L2 (see FIG. 2) of the narrowed portion 22a covering the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and the outer surface of the constricted portion 13a in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 (i.e., the axial and radial directions of the container 10) is at least 1.0 mm or more, the engagement of the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 by the annular protrusion 11b described above can be sufficiently strong. Note that when the container 10 is a seamed beverage can or food can described above and the radial dimension of the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b is 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm, the length L2 is preferably 2.0 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably 3.0 mm to 10 mm.

As described above, the inclined portion 22a2 of the narrowed portion 22a covers the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2 of the constricted portion 13a, but does not cover the cylindrical portion 13b of the peripheral wall 13. In this way, even when the peripheral walls 13 come into contact with each other when multiple covered containers 1 according to this embodiment are lined up and transported, the narrowed portions 22a can be prevented from coming into contact with each other, which can cause the cover 20 to come off the container 10 unintentionally and damage the cover 20.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the narrowed portion 22a has overlapping portions 22ap formed by bending the cover 20 to provide the narrowed portion 22a. The overlapping portions 22ap are formed by overlapping the excess portions of the cover 20 when the cover 20 is folded, and multiple overlapping portions 22ap are located around the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13.

1 and 4, the overlapping portions 22ap are formed regularly at regular intervals, but the size, position at which they are formed, intervals, direction and shape of the folded state, etc. are not limited to being regular, and they may be formed in a mixture of various shapes, etc. In order to form the overlapping portions 22ap regularly, for example, it is assumed that a folding line is drawn in advance at the intended overlapping portion formation position of the cover 20 so that the cover 20 folds at the intended overlapping portion formation position of the cover 20.

In each of the multiple overlapping portions 22ap, the main surfaces of the base material 20a on the side where the adhesive layer 20b is provided are bonded together by the adhesive layer 20b. Here, each of the multiple overlapping portions 22ap bonded together by the adhesive layer 20b includes a portion bonded in a temporary bonding process (step S5 in FIG. 6) using an outer pressing tool 110 (see FIG. 9) described later, and a portion of the portion bonded in the temporary bonding process includes a portion in which the main surfaces of the base material 20a are bonded together more firmly by further bonding in a main bonding process (step S7 in FIG. 6) using a fixing tool 120 (see FIG. 11) described later. Note that FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the overlapping portion 22ap of the portion bonded in the main bonding process.

As a result, the shape of the peripheral wall cover portion 22 of the cover 20 after bending is maintained by the adhesive layer 20b located in the portion corresponding to the plurality of overlapping portions 22ap. In particular, the adhesive layer 20b located in the portion corresponding to the plurality of overlapping portions 22ap maintains the narrowed shape of the narrowed portion 22a described above, and as a result, the narrowed portion 22a is engaged with the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b.

As described above, in the covered container 1 according to this embodiment, the upper wall cover part 21 is formed with a recessed portion 21a, and the peripheral wall cover part 22 is formed with a narrowed portion 22a. The cover 20 is engaged with the container 10 at each of them. With this configuration, the annular protrusion 11b of the container 10 is sandwiched by the cover 20 from both sides, the upper wall cover part 21 with the recessed portion 21a, and the peripheral wall cover part 22 with the narrowed portion 22a.

Therefore, by using the covered container 1 according to this embodiment, this clamping effectively prevents the cover 20 from unintentionally falling off the container 10, compared to a conventional covered container in which the concave portion 21a is not formed and the cover 20 is engaged with the container 10 only by the narrowed portion 22a.

On the other hand, the cover 20 has an adhesive layer 20b provided on the main surface of the pair of main surfaces of the base material 20a on the side where the container 10 is located, and therefore the adhesive layer 20b is located not only in the portions corresponding to the above-mentioned multiple overlapping portions 22ap, but also all around the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. However, the adhesive layer 20b in the portion directly facing the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 is in a non-adhered state to the container 10. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive layer 20b provided on the cover 20 from adhering to the periphery of the removal portion 11a1 of the container 10. The non-adhered state mentioned above includes a pseudo-adhered state in which the cover 20 can be easily removed from the container 10.

Therefore, by making the covered container 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the cover 20 can be stably maintained attached to the container 10 without adhering adhesive to the container 10, resulting in a covered container that is more hygienic than conventional containers.

As described above, in the covered container 1 according to this embodiment, the upper wall cover part 21 has a recessed portion 21a. Therefore, except for the portion corresponding to the annular protrusion 11b, the upper wall cover part 21 is positioned at a position set back from the outermost portion of the covered container 1, so that the upper wall cover part 21 itself can be effectively prevented from being damaged by contact with surrounding objects during transportation and storage of the covered container 1.

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the covered containers shown in Figure 1 are stacked. Below, with reference to this Figure 5 and the above-mentioned Figure 2, the case in which the covered containers 1 according to this embodiment are stacked will be described.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, in the covered container 1 according to this embodiment, a ring-shaped protruding leg 12a is provided on the bottom wall 12 of the container 10. This leg 12a is positioned radially inward from the ring-shaped protrusion 11b provided on the container 10.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, by placing one covered container 1 vertically above the other covered container 1 and inserting the leg 12a of one covered container 1 into the annular protrusion 11b of the other covered container 1, these covered containers 1 can be stably stacked.

At this time, the upper wall cover portion 21 of the cover 20 of the other covered container 1 is sandwiched between the container 10 of the other covered container 1 and the container 10 of one covered container 1. However, as described above, the upper wall cover portion 21 has a recessed portion 21a, so that when the leg portion 12a of one covered container 1 is inserted into the annular protrusion 11b of the other covered container 1, the upper wall cover portion 21 does not obstruct this.

In this way, by making the container 1 with a cover according to this embodiment, good portability during transportation, storage, etc. can be ensured, and portability that is comparable to that of a container without a cover can be ensured.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram for explaining the manufacturing method of a covered container according to this embodiment, and Figures 7 to 11 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the manufacturing method of the covered container. Next, the manufacturing method of the covered container 1 according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Figures 6 to 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the method for manufacturing a covered container 1 according to this embodiment, first, a container 10 is prepared (step S1), and then a cover 20 having an outer shape larger than the upper wall 11 of the container 10 is prepared (step S2).

6 and 7, the cover 20 is positioned relative to the container 10 (step S3). More specifically, the container 10 is placed on the receiving platform 130, and the cover 20 is placed so that the main surface of the base material 20a on which the thermal adhesive layer 20b is provided faces the top plate portion 11a of the upper wall 11 of the container 10. Here, the cover 20 is held by the inner pressing tool 100, as the main surface of the base material 20a on which the adhesive layer 20b is not provided is attracted to the inner pressing tool 100. At least a part of the inner pressing tool 100 has a shape that follows the inner peripheral surface 11b1 and the upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b, and the surface is heated to about 150°C.

The surface of the inner pressing tool 100 that comes into contact with the cover 20 has multiple suction holes (not shown), and the suction holes are connected to a pressure reduction mechanism (not shown), so that the cover 20 is suctioned by the inner pressing tool 100. Note that the holding of the cover 20 by the inner pressing tool 100 is not limited to suction, and may be, for example, clamped by a clamp or the like.

6 and 8, the cover 20 is pressed by the inner pressing tool 100 (step S4). More specifically, the cover 20 is pressed in the direction of the arrow AR2 in the figure by the inner pressing tool 100, the surface of which is heated as necessary. As a result, a part of the periphery of the cover 20 is sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface 11b1 and the upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b of the container 10 and the inner pressing tool 100, and the cover 20 is folded along the inner circumferential surface 11b1 and the upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b. At that time, in the part of the cover 20 along the upper surface 11b2 of the annular protrusion 11b, multiple overlapping portions 22ap are formed along the circumferential direction of the annular protrusion 11b.

6 and 9, the outer pressing tool 110 is inserted onto the cover 20 and the container 10 (step S5). More specifically, while the pressing of the cover 20 by the inner pressing tool 100 is maintained, the ring-shaped outer pressing tool 110, which has a shape that conforms to the outer peripheral surface 11b3 of the annular protrusion 11b of the container 10, is inserted onto the peripheral wall 13 in the direction of the arrow AR3 in the figure so as to roll up the folded portion of the cover 20 onto the outer peripheral surface 11b3 of the annular protrusion 11b. As a result, a part of the folded portion of the cover 20 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 11b3 of the annular protrusion 11b of the container 10 and the outer pressing tool 110, and the cover 20 is folded back to conform to the outer peripheral surface 11b3 of the annular protrusion 11b.

At this time, multiple overlapping portions 22ap are formed in the folded portion of the cover 20 along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13. Here, the surface of the outer pressing tool 110 is heated to about 150°C, and this heat is transferred to the main surfaces of the base material 20a on the side where the thermally adhesive adhesive layer 20b is provided in each of the multiple overlapping portions 22ap, so that the adhesive layer 20b temporarily bonds the main surfaces of the base material 20a on the side where the thermally adhesive adhesive layer 20b is provided. At this time, a part of the inclined portion 22a2 of the squeezed portion 22a is formed in the peripheral portion (tip portion) of the cover 20. Note that although the above-mentioned temporary bonding may not be necessary depending on the material of the base material 20a or the ease of folding, the above-mentioned temporary bonding can reliably maintain the state in which each of the multiple overlapping portions 22ap is formed.

6 and 10, the outer pressing tool 110 is released from the cover 20 and the container 10 (step S6). More specifically, while the inner pressing tool 100 is maintaining the pressure on the cover 20, the outer pressing tool 110 retreats in the direction AR4 in the figure, thereby releasing the outer pressing tool 110 from the peripheral wall 13.

6 and 11, the cover 20 is pressed by the fixing jig 120 (step S7). More specifically, while the pressing of the cover 20 by the inner pressing jig 100 is maintained, the folded-back portion of the cover 20 that corresponds to at least a part of the constricted portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 is pressed by being sandwiched by the pair of fixing jigs 120 over the entire circumference in the direction AR5 in the figure. At this time, the pressing of the cover 20 by the pair of fixing jigs 120 is performed locally so as to follow the end of the constricted portion 13a close to the annular protrusion 11b.

Here, each of the pair of fixing jigs 120 has a semicircular cutout portion in a plan view, and the end face of this cutout portion has a shape that follows the constricted portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. In addition, the surface of each of the pair of fixing jigs 120 is heated to about 160°C. As this heat is transmitted, in the overlapping portion 22ap provided on the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 of the cover 20, in the portion pressed by the pair of fixing jigs 120, the main surfaces of the base material 20a located in the overlapping portion 22ap are permanently bonded to each other by the adhesive layer 20b. At that time, the base portion 22a1 of the drawing portion 22a is formed in the permanently bonded portion of the cover 20 and the portion nearby, and the remaining portion of the inclined portion 22a2 of the drawing portion 22a is formed. As a result, the narrowed portion 22a covers the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and at least a portion of the constricted portion 13a, and as a result, the base 22a1 of the narrowed portion 22a is engaged with the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. Therefore, by going through this process, the cover 20 is attached to the container 10 in a non-adhesive state.

The surface temperature of each of the pair of fixing jigs 120 is preferably higher than the surface temperature of the outer pressing jig 110, but may be the same as the surface temperature of the outer pressing jig 110. The surface temperature of each of the pair of fixing jigs 120 can be further lowered by increasing the pressing time. The surface temperature of each of the pair of fixing jigs 120 can be changed as appropriate depending on the thickness of the base material 20a or the adhesion temperature of the adhesive layer 20b. The fixing jigs 120 are not limited to the configuration described above, and the number and shape of the fixing jigs 120 can be changed as appropriate as long as they can press the narrowed portion 13a over approximately the entire circumference.

By manufacturing a container with cover 1 using the manufacturing method for a container with cover according to the present embodiment described above, the cover 20 can be stably maintained attached to the container 10 without adhering adhesive to the container 10, making it possible to easily manufacture a container with cover 1 that is more hygienic than conventional containers.

In the manufacturing method for a container with a cover according to the present embodiment described above, the adhesive layer 20b of the cover 20 is thermally adhesive, but the adhesive layer 20b is not limited to being thermally adhesive and may be, for example, activated by water or humidification to adhere.

(Variation 1)
Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with cover according to Modification 1. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing a container with cover according to an embodiment of Modification 1. Hereinafter, a container with cover 1A according to Modification 1 based on the above-mentioned embodiment and a method for manufacturing the same will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13.

As shown in FIG. 12, the covered container 1A of this modified example differs from the covered container 1 of the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the constriction portion 22a provided on the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 of the cover 20.

Specifically, in the covered container 1A according to this modified example, the gap between the cover 20 and the container 10 is configured to be substantially the same throughout the base portion 22a1 and the inclined portion 22a2 of the narrowed portion 22a provided on the cover 20. This is because, as shown in FIG. 13, in the method for manufacturing a covered container according to this modified example, when the cover 20 is pressed in the direction AR6 in the figure by a pair of fixing jigs 120, the shape of the pressing surface of the fixing jigs 120 is formed to follow substantially the entire constricted portion 13a. Even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain effects similar to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment.

(Variation 2)
Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with cover according to Modification 2. Hereinafter, a container with cover 1B according to Modification 2 based on the above-mentioned embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the covered container 1B of this modified example differs from the covered container 1 of the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the constriction portion 22a provided on the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 of the cover 20.

Specifically, in the covered container 1B of this modified example, the constricted portion 22a provided on the cover 20 has only a base portion 22a1 that covers the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b, and does not have a base portion 22a1 that covers the outer surface of the base portion 13a1 of the constricted portion 13a, or an inclined portion 22a2 that covers the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2 of the constricted portion 13a, as had the constricted portion 22a of the covered container 1 of the embodiment described above.

Even in this configuration, the length L2 of the narrowed portion 22a covering the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b is set to 1.0 mm or more, so that the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 can be locked by the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. The narrowed portion 22a configured as described above can be obtained, for example, by pushing the portion corresponding to the base 22a1 of the narrowed portion 22a so that it is bent along the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b by the tip of the fixing jig 120 described above.

Therefore, even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those described in the above embodiment, and furthermore, by making the cover 20 smaller, it is possible to obtain the effect of reducing material costs.

(Variation 3)
Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with cover according to Modification 3. Hereinafter, a container with cover 1C according to Modification 3 based on the above-mentioned embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the covered container 1C of this modified example differs from the covered container 1 of the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the recessed portion 21a provided in the upper wall side cover portion 21 of the cover 20.

Specifically, in the covered container 1C according to this modified example, the bottom 21a1 of the recessed portion 21a abuts against the outer surface of the top plate portion 11a of the upper wall 11 of the container 10. More specifically, in a portion of the top plate portion 11a where the removal portion 11a1 (not shown) is provided, the bottom 21a1 of the recessed portion 21a abuts against the outer surface of the removal portion 11a1, and in a portion of the top plate portion 11a where the removal portion 11a1 is not provided, the bottom 21a1 of the recessed portion 21a abuts against the outer surface of the top plate portion 11a.

When configured in this manner, not only can the effects described in the above-mentioned embodiment be obtained, but also there is no gap between the bottom 21a1 and the top plate 11a, so that the upper wall cover 21 itself can be more reliably prevented from being damaged by contact with surrounding objects during transportation and storage of the covered container 1C, etc.

(Variation 4)
Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with cover according to Modification 4. Hereinafter, a container with cover 1D according to Modification 4 based on the above-mentioned embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16.

As shown in FIG. 16, the covered container 1D of this modified example differs from the covered container 1 of the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 and the constricted portion 22a of the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 of the cover 20.

Specifically, in the covered container 1D according to this modified example, the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 does not include a constricted portion 13a, but only includes a cylindrical portion 13b, and the upper end of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 13b is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. In addition, the constricted portion 22a of the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 does not include an inclined portion 22a2, but only includes a base portion 22a1.

In the covered container 1D according to this modified example, the base 22a1 of the tapered portion 22a of the peripheral wall cover portion 22 is formed to cover the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and the outer surface of the upper end of the cylindrical portion 13b. Here, it is preferable that the length of the tapered portion 22a covering the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and the outer surface of the upper end of the cylindrical portion 13b in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 (i.e., the length L2 shown in FIG. 2) is at least 1.0 mm or more.

Only the portion of the base 22a1 of the narrowed portion 22a near the annular protrusion 11b is locally deformed so as to approach the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10. More specifically, the gap between the base 22a1 and the container 10 at that portion is smaller than the gap between the base 22a1 and the container 10 excluding that portion. The locally deformed portion of the base 22a1 of the narrowed portion 22a and the portion nearby are portions formed by being locally pressed by the fixing jig 120 in the main bonding process (step S7 in FIG. 6) using the fixing jig 120 (see FIG. 11). Even with this configuration, effects similar to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

(Variation 5)
Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a container with cover according to Modification 5. Hereinafter, a container with cover 1E according to Modification 5 based on the above-mentioned embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17.

As shown in FIG. 17, the covered container 1E of this modified example differs from the covered container 1 of the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 and the constricted portion 22a of the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 of the cover 20.

Specifically, in the covered container 1E according to this modified example, the constricted portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 does not include the base 13a1, but only includes the inclined portion 13a2, and the upper end of the outer surface of the inclined portion 13a2 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. In addition, the base 22a1 of the constricted portion 22a of the peripheral wall cover portion 22 covers only the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b. Here, it is preferable that the length of the constricted portion 22a of the portion covering the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b and the outer surface of the constricted portion 13a in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 of the container 10 (i.e., the length L2 shown in FIG. 2) is at least 1.0 mm or more. Even in this configuration, the effect similar to that described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

(Other forms, etc.)
As shown in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples, various explanations have been given regarding the shape of the cover 20, but the cover 20 may have the narrowed portion 22a of the peripheral wall side cover portion 22 extended to cover a part of the upper end side of the tubular portion 13b of the peripheral wall 13, or the narrowed portion 22a may cover only the lower end of the base 13a1 of the constricted portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 (i.e., it may not have the inclined portion 22a2 covering the inclined portion 13a2 of the constricted portion 13a).

In the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified example, the annular protrusion 11b is provided by seaming the peripheral edge of the top cover member constituting the top wall 11 and the opening edge of the body member constituting the peripheral wall 13, and the seaming structure is illustrated as being integral with the top wall 11, the peripheral wall 13, and the annular protrusion 11b, but the annular protrusion 11b does not have to be provided by seaming. In any case, it is sufficient that the annular protrusion 11b is provided on the container 10 at the portion connecting the top wall 11 and the peripheral wall 13, and the narrowing portion 22a of the cover 20 is engaged with the lower surface 11b4 of the annular protrusion 11b.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples, the container 10 is illustrated and described as having the legs 12a on the bottom wall 12 positioned radially inward from the annular protrusion 11b, but the container 10 may also have the legs 12a positioned radially outward from the annular protrusion 11b.

Furthermore, the shape, configuration, size, number, material, etc. of each part disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As such, the above-described embodiments and their variations disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to those described in the claims.

1, 1A to 1E: container with cover, 10: container, 11: upper wall, 11a: top plate portion, 11a1: removal portion, 11b: annular protrusion, 11b1: inner peripheral surface, 11b2: upper surface, 11b3: outer peripheral surface, 11b4: lower surface, 12: lower wall, 12a: legs, 13: peripheral wall, 13a: constricted portion, 13a1: base portion, 13a2: inclined portion, 13b: cylindrical portion, 20: cover, 20a: substrate, 20b: adhesive layer, 21: upper wall side cover portion, 21a: concave portion, 21a1: bottom portion, 21a2: side portion, 22: peripheral wall side cover portion, 22a: constricted portion, 22a1: base portion, 22a2: inclined portion, 22ap: overlapping portion, 100: inner pressing jig, 110 Outer pressing jig, 120 fixing jig, 130 receiving stand.

Claims (6)

A container for containing contents;
A sheet-like cover that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the container,
The cover includes a paper substrate and an adhesive layer provided on a principal surface of a pair of principal surfaces of the substrate that is located on the container side,
The container has a cylindrical peripheral wall and an upper wall and a lower wall located in an axial direction of the peripheral wall,
The upper wall includes a top plate portion provided with a removal portion for removing the contents,
A portion of the container connecting the upper wall and the peripheral wall is provided with an annular protrusion protruding outward in both the axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction,
the cover has an upper wall side cover portion that covers the upper wall and an inner peripheral surface and an upper surface of the annular protrusion, and a peripheral wall side cover portion that covers an end portion of the peripheral wall close to the annular protrusion and an outer peripheral surface and a lower surface of the annular protrusion,
the upper wall cover portion includes a concave portion curved in a concave shape so as to fit an inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion and an outer surface of the top plate portion,
the peripheral wall cover portion includes a tapered portion that is tapered so as to fit at least along a lower surface of the annular protrusion,
The drawn portion has a plurality of overlapping portions formed by bending the cover to provide the drawn portion, the overlapping portions being positioned along a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall,
A container with a cover, in which, in each of the multiple overlapping portions, the main surfaces of the base material on the side on which the adhesive layer is provided are bonded together by the adhesive layer, so that the constriction portion is engaged with the underside of the annular protrusion, thereby attaching the cover to the container in a non-adhered state. The container with cover according to claim 1, wherein the length of the narrowed portion covering the underside of the annular protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is at least 1.0 mm. The container with cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the recessed portion covering the inner circumferential surface of the annular protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is at least 1.0 mm or more. A container with cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recessed portion abuts against the outer surface of the top plate portion. A process for preparing a container having a cylindrical peripheral wall, and upper and lower walls located in an axial direction of the peripheral wall, the upper wall including a top plate portion provided with a removal portion for removing contents, and an annular protrusion protruding outward in both the axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is provided at a portion connecting the upper wall and the peripheral wall;
A step of preparing a sheet-like cover having an outer shape larger than the upper wall, the sheet-like cover having a paper base material and an adhesive layer provided on one of a pair of main surfaces of the base material;
a step of positioning the cover with respect to the container such that a main surface of the base material on which the adhesive layer is provided faces the top plate portion;
a step of pressing the cover toward the top plate portion with an inner pressing tool having a shape that conforms to the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion while the cover is positioned relative to the container, thereby sandwiching a portion of the periphery of the cover between the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion and the inner pressing tool, thereby bending the cover to conform to the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion;
a step of: in a state in which the cover is folded so as to follow the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion, while maintaining the pressing of the cover toward the top plate portion by the inner pressing jig, inserting a ring-shaped outer pressing jig having a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion onto the peripheral wall so as to wrap the folded portion of the cover around the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion, thereby sandwiching a part of the periphery of the cover between the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion and the outer pressing jig, thereby folding the cover back so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion, and forming a plurality of overlapping portions along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall in the folded portion of the cover;
a step of: while maintaining the pressure of the cover toward the top plate portion by the inner pressing jig in a state in which the multiple overlapping portions are formed, a step of pressing a portion of the folded-back portion of the cover, which corresponds to the underside of the annular protrusion and at least a portion of the end of the peripheral wall near the annular protrusion, toward the container from the outside by a fixing jig having a shape that conforms to a portion of the container, so that the main surfaces of the base material in the portions pressed by the fixing jig are bonded to each other by the adhesive layer to form a narrowed portion in the cover, whereby the narrowed portion is engaged with the underside of the annular protrusion, thereby attaching the cover to the container in a non-adhered state. A method for manufacturing a container with a cover as described in claim 5, wherein, in a process in which the cover is attached to the container in a non-adhesive state, only a portion of the folded-back portion of the cover corresponding to the underside of the annular protrusion and a portion of the end of the peripheral wall closer to the annular protrusion is locally pressed toward the container by the fixing jig so that the narrowed portion is formed corresponding to only a portion of the underside of the annular protrusion and the end of the peripheral wall closer to the annular protrusion.

Images