Household tissue case

The length of a projection of a household tissue is suppressed without hampering the removal of household tissues situated at a depth under a frame member. The frame member (14) is attached to the perimeter of the dispensing opening (11). The frame member is made of elastic material. The opposite ends of the frame member in the short-side direction of the casing (10) in a plan view have restricting portions (14b) that extend in such directions as to cover the dispensing opening (11). The restricting portions (14b, 14b) are arranged so as not to overlap each other such that the tips thereof are staggered in the long-side direction of the casing in a plan view, thereby forming a letter-Z shaped cut in the frame member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a household tissue case for storing household tissues.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, household tissue cases for storing household tissues that are used for wiping a house floor, a toilet, a human body, etc. are known in the art.

A typical configuration of such a household tissue case has a lid at the upper face of the case for storing household tissues, and the lid is opened and closed by vertically rotating its open end. In such a configuration, however, the opened lid is placed in the upright position, which requires a certain height for opening the lid, thereby resulting in a problem of inconvenience of use in a narrow space. Further, the upright position of the opened lid in this configuration gives rise to a problem in that pulling out tissues from the backside of the lid is difficult because the lid obstructs the way.

In contrast, the configuration using a lid that is opened and closed through sliding movement (see Patent Document 1, for example) does not cause the opened lid to be in the upright position, and is thus easy to use in a narrow space. Such a configuration also allows house-hold tissues to be pulled out from any directions because of the non-obstructive nature of the lid.

The household tissue case as described above has a frame member attached to the perimeter of the opening for dispensing household tissues, which allows the household tissues to pass through the frame member from the lower side to the upper side for removal of the household tissues.

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-256322

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the frame member covers the perimeter of the dispensing opening, so that removing a household tissue through the frame member having a wide opening causes a next household tissue to stick out to an excessive extent. This gives rise to a problem in that closing an upper lid20ends up jamming the household tissue.

It is conceivable to use a lid member having a small area size opening. Such a configuration, however, creates a problem in that it becomes difficult to pick and pull out a household tissue situated deep under the frame member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household tissue case that can suppress the length of a projection of a household tissue without hampering the removal of household tissues situated at a depth under the frame member.

Means to Solve the Problem

In order to achieve the above-noted object, the invention recited in claim1includes:

a casing having a dispensing opening in an upper face thereof and configured to store household tissues therein; and

a lid configured to open and close the dispensing opening, wherein

a frame member is attached to a perimeter of the dispensing opening,

the frame member being made of an elastic member,

restricting portions being disposed at opposite ends of the frame member in a short-side direction of the casing in a plan view and extending in such a directions as to cover the dispensing opening, and

the restricting portions being arranged to avoid overlapping each other such that tips thereof are staggered in a long-side direction of the casing in a plan view, thereby forming a letter-Z-shaped cut in the frame member.

The invention recited in claim2is characterized in that, in the household tissue case recited in claim1,

the dispensing opening is situated off a center of gravity of the household tissue case in a plan view when the lid is in an open position, and

the frame member has a projection disposed on the same side as the center of gravity and extending in such a direction as to cover the dispensing opening such as not to overlap the restricting portions.

The invention recited in claim3is characterized in that, in the household tissue case recited in claim1or2,

the household tissues are folded and stored in the casing, and

a fold direction of the household tissues is parallel to the long-side direction of the casing in a plan view.

The invention recited in claim4is characterized in that, in the household tissue case recited in any one of claims1to3,

the frame member is made of elastomer resin.

The invention recited in claim5is characterized in that, in the household tissue case recited in any one of claims1to4,

the lid is slid relative to the casing to open and close the dispensing opening.

Advantage of the Invention

According to the present invention, the length of a projection of a household tissue can be suppressed without hampering the removal of household tissues situated at a depth under the frame member.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

<Configuration of Household Tissue Case>

In the following, a description will be given of the configuration of a household tissue case according to the present embodiment.

In the following description, the long-side direction in a plan view of the household tissue case is referred to as a left and right direction, and the short-side direction in the plan view is referred to as a front and rear direction, with the height direction being referred to as a vertical direction.

A household tissue case1of the present embodiment has an approximately rectangular shape having rounded upper corners in a side elevation view taken in the front and rear direction when an upper lid20is closed as shown inFIG. 1A, for example. The household tissue case1is configured to store therein wet-type household tissues P such as wet sheets, wet tissues, etc. The household tissue case1may store dry-type household tissues P such as facial tissues, kitchen papers, paper towels, etc.

Specifically, the household tissue case1includes, as illustrated inFIG. 1throughFIG. 5, for example, a dispensing opening11in the upper face thereof for dispensing the household tissues P, a bottom opening12in the lower face thereof for replenishing a tissue stack Q that is a stack of the household tissues P, a casing10for storing the tissue stack Q inside a container space S, the upper lid20disposed at the upper face of the casing10in a slidable manner for opening and closing the dispensing opening11, a chassis30for mounting the upper lid20to the casing10, a bottom lid40for covering the bottom opening12of the casing10, urging members50for urging the upper lid20toward the open position, etc.

The casing10and the chassis30serve as a case unit having the dispensing opening11in the upper face thereof for storing therein the household tissues P. Namely, the case unit includes the casing10and the chassis30fastened to the upper face of the casing10, with the upper lid20being mounted to the chassis30of the case unit.

The casing10, the upper lid20, the chassis30, and the bottom lid40are made of thermoplastic resin such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

The present embodiment uses an extension coil spring (pull spring) as the urging member50. This is, however, only a non-limiting example. The urging member50may alternately be implemented by use of any elastic member, and may be a torsion spring, a helical compression spring (push spring), or the like.

The urging member50may be an elastic member made of metal material or an elastic member made of polymer material. Elastic members made of polymer material include, for example, an elastic member made of plastic and an elastic member made of elastic body (soft material) such as rubber like silicon rubber or thermoplastic elastomer such as styrene, olefin, vinyl chloride, polyester, polyurethane, or nylon elastomer. The shape may be a helical shape, a blade shape, a tube shape, or a string shape, and may be modified as appropriate. The urging member50made of polymer material does not rust unlike an urging member made of metal, and thus can be reliably used for a long time. Especially when the household tissues P stored in the household tissue case1is a wet type, the use of the urging member50made of metal results in consequences in which the possibility of the urging member being rusted increases due to chemical solution evaporating from the household tissues P. Because of this, the use of the urging member50made of polymer material is preferable.

The upper lid20is opened and closed through sliding movements in the left and right direction (i.e., in the long-side direction in the plan view of the casing10). Namely, the upper lid20is slid from the closed-state position to one side in the left and right direction (to the left-hand side in the present embodiment) to be opened, and is slid from the open-state position to the other side in the left and right direction (to the right-hand side in the present embodiment) to be closed. The household tissue case1is configured such that upon the upper lid20being slid toward the open-state position (to the left), one side of the household tissue case1in the left and right direction (i.e., left-hand side in the present embodiment) becomes heavier than the other side of the household tissue case1in the left and right direction (i.e., right-hand side in the present embodiment). Further, the dispensing opening11is situated off the center of gravity of the household tissue case1in the plan view with the upper lid20being in the open position (i.e., deviated to the right in the present embodiment).

Hereinafter, the center of gravity of the household tissue case1with the upper lid20being at the open position is referred to as an “open gravity center”.

The tissue stack Q is a stack of tissues used as a refill having a stack of the household tissues P, for example. Tissues are interfolded to form a stack such that the household tissues P can be pulled out one after another through the dispensing opening11formed in the case unit (i.e., the casing10in the example of the present embodiment). Namely, the popup configuration is used such that pulling one of the household tissues P out of the case unit through the dispensing opening11causes a tip of the next one of the household tissues P to be pulled out from the container space S to stick out from the dispensing opening11.

The tissue stack Q may be enclosed in an enclosure T having an opening T1for pulling out the household tissues P as in the present embodiment, or may alternately be not enclosed in the enclosure T. Especially when the household tissues P stored in the household tissue case1is a wet type as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to enclose the tissue stack Q with the moisture-proof enclosure T.

As illustrated inFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B, for example, the casing10has an upper face10aconstituting the upper surface of the casing10and circumferential faces10bconstituting the circumferential surface at the front, rear, left, and right side of the casing10. The lower face of the casing10has the bottom opening12having a rectangular shape with rounded corners in the plan view. The space enclosed by the upper face10aand circumferential faces10bof the casing10and the bottom lid40that is attached to cover the bottom opening12serves as the container space S for storing the tissue stack Q.

Although the present embodiment uses the casing10having an opening at the lower face such that the tissue stack Q can be replenished from the lower-face side, this is not a limiting example. For example, a casing10having a covered lower face with an opening in one of the front, rear, left, and right faces may be used, such that the tissue stack Q is replenished through one of the front, rear, left, and right faces of the casing10.

The upper face10aof the casing10has a recess13that has a lowered surface. A bottom surface13aof the recess13has the dispensing opening11formed therein.

The dispensing opening11is an approximately rectangular opening having round corners in a plan view for pulling out the household tissues P stored in the container space S inside the casing10.

The dispensing opening11is exposed when the upper lid20is at the open position (seeFIG. 1B,FIG. 3, andFIG. 5). In such a state, the household tissues P can be pulled out one after another from the container space S through the dispensing opening11.

Further, the dispensing opening11is covered when the upper lid20is at the closed position (seeFIG. 1A,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4).

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the perimeter of the dispensing opening11has a case-side packing14attached thereto. Namely, the case-side packing14serves as a frame member mounted to the perimeter of the dispensing opening11.

Moreover, the lower face of the upper lid20has a lid-side packing21attached thereto.

The lid-side packing21is situated beneath the lower face of the upper lid20at such a position to face the case-side packing14when the upper lid20is at the closed position. The case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21are in close contact with each other when the upper lid20is at the closed position (seeFIG. 4) to maintain airtightness in the container space S. Namely, the case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21serve as an airtight means for sealing the gap between the upper lid20and the perimeter of the dispensing opening11.

This configuration serves to prevent evaporation of the chemical solution contained in the household tissues P when the household tissues P stored in the household tissue case1is a wet type as in the case of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21are made of soft material (elastic member) such as rubber like silicon rubber or thermoplastic elastomer such as styrene, olefin, vinyl chloride, polyester, polyurethane, or nylon elastomer or the like. The material that makes the lid-side packing21is not limited to these. The lid-side packing21may be made of LDPE (low density polyethylene), or may be made of hard material such as PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene). The lid-side packing21may be made of the same material as the case-side packing14, or may be made of a different material. The case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21are preferably made of a material having tolerance to chemical solution, especially when the household tissues P stored in the household tissue case1is a wet type.

The present embodiment has the case-side packing14on the casing10and the lid-side packing21on the upper lid20. Namely, both the casing10and the upper lid20are provided with an airtight means. This is not a limiting example. An airtight means may be provided only on the casing10, for example, if such an airtight means is capable of sealing the gap between the upper lid20and the perimeter of the dispensing opening11. Further, an airtight means may be provided on the chassis30when the dispensing opening11is formed in the chassis30.

In the case of the present embodiment, the fold direction of the household tissues P stored in the container space S, i.e., the direction in which the hold lines extend, is parallel to the left and right direction (i.e., the long-side direction of the casing10in the plan view).

Further, the longitudinal direction of the dispensing opening11is perpendicular to the left and right direction (i.e., the long-side direction of the casing10in the plan view).

Accordingly, the household tissues P, when pulled out through the dispensing opening11, come in contact with the long sides of the case-side packing14(i.e., the portion of the case-side packing14that is perpendicular to the fold direction of the household tissues P stored in the container space S) rather than come in contact with the short sides of the case-side packing14mounted to the dispensing opening11(i.e., the portion of the case-side packing14that is parallel to the fold direction of the household tissues P stored in the container space S).

The lower end of the case-side packing14projects further downwardly than the dispensing opening11(i.e., toward the tissue stack Q stored in the container space S) as illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example. Accordingly, the lower end of the case-side packing14comes in contact with the uppermost one of the household tissues P and the next one of the household tissues P when the uppermost one of the household tissues P is pulled out, thereby serving as resistance against the uppermost one of the household tissues P and the next one of the household tissues P. This prevents the next one of the household tissues P from sticking out and having an excessively long exposed length (i.e., the length thereof projecting from the dispensing opening11), and also prevents plural sheets of the household tissues P from dragged out in one sequence. Namely, the case-side packing14serves to impede the household tissues P such that the household tissues P are not dispensed uselessly.

The left-side portion of the lower end of the case-side packing14(i.e., the portion situated toward the open gravity center) has a projection14aprojecting in an arc shape toward the inside (i.e., in such a direction as to cover the dispensing opening11) as illustrated inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, for example.

Moreover, the opposite ends of the lower end of the case-side packing14in the front and rear direction have restricting portions14b, respectively, projecting in such a direction as to cover the dispensing opening11(in the front and rear direction) as illustrated inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, for example. Namely, the lower end of the case-side packing14has cuts C1through C4formed therein, such that the two restricting portions14band14bare separated from the opposite ends in the left and right direction. Further, the restricting portions14band14bare arranged such that the tips are staggered in the left and right direction such as to prevent overlapping with each other.

The provision of a pair of the restricting portions14band14bas described above serves to create a letter-z shaped cut in the case-side packing14. It should be noted that the term “letter-z shape” includes a reversed letter-z shape that is a letter-z shape reversed in the left and right direction.

Hold parts P1through P3formed by the projection14aand the pair of restricting portions14band14bhold the household tissues P, so that the household tissues P do not stick out excessively when the household tissues P are pulled out.

At least one of the case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21has a slip agent applied thereto. Application of the slip agent to at least one of the case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21allows the upper lid20to be smoothly slid.

In the case of the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, the dispensing opening11is displaced relative to the opening T1of the enclosure T in a plan view. Also, the center of the dispensing opening11is situated further to the right (i.e., in the opposite direction from the open gravity center) relative to the center of the opening T1of the enclosure T.

Namely, as illustrated inFIG. 4, for example, a distance L1from the left-side end of the opening T1(i.e., the left-side end of the opening T1along the longitudinal axis) to the left-side end of the dispensing opening11is longer than a distance L2from the right-side end of the opening T1(i.e., the right-side end of the opening T1along the longitudinal axis) to the right-side end of the dispensing opening11.

The chassis30is fastened to the upper face10aof the casing10such as to be accommodated in the recess13of the casing10. The upper lid20is mounted to the casing10via the chassis30.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, for example, the chassis30, which is placed at the bottom surface13aof the recess13, includes a frame31surrounding the dispensing opening11and an upper wall unit32supported on the frame31such as to be flush with the upper lid20in the closed position.

In the present embodiment, the upper lid20and the upper wall unit32together constitute a plate member that is approximately elliptical in a plan view. Further, the upper lid20and the upper wall unit32have a curved shape such as to bulge upward at the center in the front and rear direction (in the short-side direction).

The upper face of the frame31of the chassis30(specifically, connecting part31cof the frame31(which will be described later)) has fixed-side engaging parts33that engage with one ends of the urging members50as illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 8, for example.

Further, a movable-side engaging part22for engaging with the other ends of the urging members50is situated approximately at the center of the lower face of the upper lid20in the front and rear direction as illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 9, for example.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, for example, the household tissue case1of the present embodiment has two extension coil springs serving as the urging members50. The frame31of the chassis30has the two fixed-side engaging parts33. The two fixed-side engaging parts33are situated at the positions that are symmetric with respect to a predetermined line (specifically, the line parallel to the left and right direction (i.e., long-side direction) and passing through the movable-side engaging part22) when the upper lid20and the chassis30are assembled. Also, the two fixed-side engaging parts are formed on the frame31such that their distance from the movable-side engaging part22in the case of the upper lid20being at the closed position is longer than their distance from the movable-side engaging part22in the case of the upper lid20being at the open position. One end of one of the two urging members50is hooked to one of the two fixed-side engaging parts33, and one end of the other one of the two urging members50is hooked to the other one of the two fixed-side engaging parts33. The other ends of the two urging members50are hooked to the movable-side engaging part22formed on the upper lid20.

The sliding movement of the upper lid20to the right (i.e., toward the upper wall unit32) from the open position to the closed position increases the distance between the fixed-side engaging parts33hooked to the one ends of the urging members50and the movable-side engaging part22hooked to the other ends of the urging members50. As a result, the urging members50are placed in such a state as to exert an urging force to the left (i.e., toward the opposite direction from the upper wall unit32). Namely, the urging members50urge the upper lid20towards the open position thereof when the upper lid20is closed. As the force acting against the urging force of the urging members50disappears, the urging force of the urging members50pulls the upper lid20to the left (i.e., toward the opposite direction from the upper wall unit32), thereby exposing the dispensing opening11.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the present embodiment has the movable-side engaging part22situated above the fixed-side engaging parts33. Namely, the urging members50are placed at an angle relative to the height direction of the case unit (i.e., the casing and the chassis30). Specifically, the urging members50are placed such that the ends thereof engaged with the movable-side engaging part22are situated above the ends thereof engaged with the fixed-side engaging parts33. With the upper lid20being at the closed position, thus, the urging members50not only urge the upper lid20toward the open position, but also urge the upper lid20downwardly (i.e., urge the upper lid20against the case unit (i.e., the casing10in the present embodiment)). This causes the airtight means (i.e., the case-side packing14and the lid-side packing21in the present embodiment) to tightly seal the gap between the upper lid20and the perimeter of the dispensing opening11, thereby improving the airtightness of the container space S.

Conventionally, there is a household tissue case having a lid that is disposed on the upper face of the casing for storing household tissues and that is opened and closed by vertically rotating its open end. For such a case, there is a configuration known in the art that has an urging member (e.g., a hinge, torsion coil spring, or the like made of elastomer or the like) urging the lid toward the open position for the purpose of facilitating a smooth opening movement of the lid. In this type of household tissue case, the urging member urges the lid toward the open position, i.e., urges the lid in the opposite direction from the closed position, which makes it difficult to maintain airtightness. On the other hand, the present embodiment has the lid (i.e., upper lid20) that is slid in the left and right direction to be opened and closed, and has the movable-side engaging part22that is situated above the fixed-side engaging parts33so as to place the urging members50at an angle relative to the height direction of the case unit. With this arrangement, the lid (i.e., upper lid20) is not only urged toward the open position but also urged in such a direction as to be pressed against the case unit, which improves the airtightness of the container space S. This configuration reliably serves to prevent evaporation of the chemical solution contained in the household tissues P when the household tissues P stored in the household tissue case1is a wet type as in the case of the present embodiment.

The urging members50are made of an elastic member. The fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30function as a fixed point that is disposed on the case unit (i.e., chassis30in the present embodiment) and that is engaged with an end of the urging member50. The movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20functions as a movable point that is disposed on the upper lid20and that is engaged with the other end of the urging member50.

Further, the urging member50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, and the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20function as a movement mechanism that causes the upper lid20to slide toward the open position.

In the present embodiment, the fixed-side engaging parts33(i.e., fixe point) are disposed on the chassis30. This is not a limiting example, and the fixed-side engaging parts33(i.e., fixed point) may be disposed on the casing10.

In the present embodiment, the urging members50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20are placed in the recess13and covered from the above in the open state, in the closed state, and also in the middle of transition from the open state to the closed state. Because of this, no visual observation can be made from the outside of the household tissue case1.

Namely, the upper lid20covers the urging members50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, and the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20such as to prevent any visual observation thereof from the outside regardless of the state of the upper lid20. This arrangement improves the aesthetic appearance of the household tissue case1, and also prevents the urging members50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, and the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20from being touched.

In the present embodiment, further, the bottom surface13aof the recess13covers the urging members50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, and the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20such as to prevent a visual observation thereof from the inside of the casing10(from the direction of the container space S). This arrangement also prevents the urging members50, the fixed-side engaging parts33of the chassis30, and the movable-side engaging part22of the upper lid20from being touched from the inside of the casing10.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the right-hand end of the upper lid20(i.e., the end toward the upper wall unit32) has a click23projecting downwardly.

Moreover, the chassis30has a switch unit for which a portion of the upper wall unit32serves as a push pad34a. The switch unit34, which is configured to be rotatable around a rod34bserving as the rotation axis and extending in the front and rear direction, has an engaging part34cat the left-hand side thereof (i.e., the side toward the upper lid20) that engages with the click23which comes in contact therewith from the above. Further, the switch unit34is urged by an urging means (not shown) in the opposite direction to the direction of rotational movement caused by a push action.

With the upper lid20being in the open position, a force resisting the urging force of the urging members50is applied to cause the sliding movement of the upper lid20to the right (i.e., toward the upper wall unit32). This first causes the click23of the upper lid20to come in contact with the engaging part34cof the switch unit34. A further sliding movement of the upper lid20to the right causes the click23to push the engaging part34cso as to create a resisting force against the urging force of the urging means of the switch unit34. As a result, the switch unit34rotates such that the engaging part34cmoves downwardly. The force resisting the urging force of the urging means of the switch unit34disappears as the upper lid20is placed in the closed position. In response, the urging force of the urging means of the switch unit34causes the switch unit34to rotate such that the engaging part34creturns to its original position (i.e., such that the push pad34abecomes flush with the surface of the upper wall unit32). The click thus engages with the engaging part34c. With this, the upper lid20is maintained at the closed position.

With the click23and the engaging part34cbeing engaged with each other, pressing the push pad34aof the switch unit34to apply a resisting force against the urging force of the urging means of the switch unit34serves to rotate the switch unit34, such that the engaging part34cmoves downwardly. As the engagement between the click23and the engaging part34cis released in response to the rotation of the switch unit34, the urging force of the urging members50causes the upper lid20to slide to the left (i.e., in the opposite direction from the upper wall unit32) to reach the open position.

Namely, the click23and the engaging part34cserve as an engagement means capable of providing, and also releasing, a hook for keeping the upper lid20in the closed position against the urging force of the urging members50. In the present embodiment, the switch unit34that is pressed when releasing the hook of the engagement means is disposed on the chassis30. This is not a limiting example, and the switch unit34may alternatively be disposed on the casing10. In the present embodiment, part of the frame31of the chassis30serves as rails31athat guide the upper lid20along a straight line for sliding movement. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8, for example, the frame31of the chassis30includes the rails31aand31aextending in the left and right direction and arranged side by side in the front and rear direction, a support part31bfor supporting the upper wall unit32and for connecting the right-hand ends of the rails31aand31awith each other (i.e., the ends thereof situated toward the closed position of the upper lid20), and a connection part31cfor connecting the left-hand ends of the rails31aand31awith each other (i.e. the ends thereof situated toward the open position of the upper lid20).

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 9, for example, the upper lid20has slide portions24that are engaged with the rails31ain a slidable manner. When the upper lid20and the chassis30are assembled, the lower faces of the slide portions24are placed in contact with the upper faces of the respective rails31a. In such a manner, the slide portions24are connected to the lower face of vertical walls (not shown) extending downwardly from the lower face of the upper lid20, for example.

This ensures that the upper lid20is opened and closed in a smooth and reliable manner.

In the present embodiment, the rails31athat guide the upper lid20for the sliding movement thereof are disposed on the chassis30. This is not a limiting example, and the rails31amay alternatively be disposed on the casing10. As illustrated inFIG. 9, for example, the left-hand ends of the slide portions24(i.e., the ends thereof situated toward the open position of the upper lid20) have dampers24afor absorbing an impact occurring at the time of the upper lid20moving to the open position.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, the perimeter of the recess13of the casing10has lateral pockets15at such positions as to face the left-hand ends (inclusive of the dampers24a) of the slide portions24when the upper lid20is at the closed position. As the upper lid moves from the closed position to the open position, the slide portions24enter the lateral pockets15. With the upper lid20being at the open position, the dampers24aof the slide portions24abut the casing10inside the lateral pockets15. Namely, the collision of the slide portions24with the casing10serves to stop the sliding movement of the upper lid20caused by the urging force of the urging members50, with the dampers24aabsorbing the impact at the time of collision.

In the present embodiment, the dampers24aare formed in an arching line extending from the inner side to the outer side to bulge toward the left such as to deform to absorb the impact. This is not a limiting example, and the shape of the dampers24amay be modified as appropriate as long as the impact can be absorbed at the time the upper lid20moves to the open position.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the upper lid20has a movable-side touch part25that is dragged by a finger to close the upper lid20. Specifically, the upper lid20has a projection formed as the movable-side touch part25that stands upright at the right-hand end of the upper lid20(i.e., the end situated toward the closed position of the upper lid20). Further, the upper lid20has a recess formed as a downward dent in the upper surface of the upper lid20such that the recess serves as a finger placement part26on which the finger dragging the movable-side touch part25is placed. Moreover, a fixed-side touch part35is formed on the case unit (i.e., the chassis30in the case of the present embodiment) at the right-hand side of the engagement means (i.e., the engaging part34cin the case of the present embodiment), for the purpose of being touched with a finger when closing the upper lid20, for example. Specifically, the chassis30has a projection formed as the fixed-side touch part35that stands upright at an end of the chassis30(i.e., the right-hand end of the upper wall unit32in the case of the present embodiment).

Namely, provision is made such that when a finger is placed on the left-hand side of the movable-side touch part25(i.e., the opposite side to the fixed-side touch part35) to close the upper lid20, the casing10is secured, and thus prevented from moving, by placing a finger on the right-hand side of the fixed-side touch part35(i.e., the opposite side to the movable-side touch part25) to exert a force to the casing10toward the left (i.e., the force in the opposite direction to the force applied to the upper lid20). This arrangement allows the upper lid20to be closed with one hand.

In the present embodiment, the fixed-side touch part35is disposed on the case unit (i.e., the chassis30in the case of the present embodiment) and spaced apart from the switch unit34. This arrangement prevents the finger placed on the fixed-side touch part35from accidentally operating the switch unit34.

In the present embodiment, the fixed-side touch part35is disposed on the chassis30. This is not a limiting example, and the fixed-side touch part35may be disposed on the casing10.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the lower face of the upper lid20has a strip projection27having an approximately letter-L shape in a side elevation view taken in the front and rear direction such that the tip thereof faces toward the left (i.e., toward the open position of the upper lid20). As illustrated inFIG. 7, for example, the perimeter of the recess13of the casing10has a lateral pocket16at the position that faces the tip of the strip projection27(inclusive of a damper27awhich will be described later) when the upper lid20is at the closed position, such that the strip projection27enters the lateral pocket16when the upper lid20moves from the closed position to the open position. With the upper lid20being at the open position, the tip of the strip projection27of the upper lid20is placed in the lateral pocket16, which regulates the vertical movement of the strip projection27. This arrangement prevents the left-hand side of the upper lid20from moving upward such that the upper lid20is placed at an angle.

As illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, for example, the tip of the strip projection27has the damper27afor absorbing an impact generated at the time the upper lid20reaches the open position. Provision is made such that the damper27aof the strip projection27abuts the casing10inside the lateral pocket16when the upper lid20is placed at the open position. Namely, the collision of the strip projection27with the casing10serves to stop the sliding movement of the upper lid20caused by the urging force of the urging members50, with the damper27aabsorbing the impact at the time of collision.

In the present embodiment, the damper27ais formed in an arching line extending from the upper side to the lower side to bulge toward the left such as to deform to absorb the impact. This is not a limiting example, and the shape of the damper27amay be modified as appropriate as long as the impact can be absorbed at the time the upper lid20moves to the open position.

In the present embodiment, the strip projection27has the damper27a, and the slide portions24have the dampers24a. Namely, both the strip projection27and the slide portions24have dampers. This is not a limiting example, and only the strip projection27, for example, may have a damper as long as such a damper can absorb (i.e., mitigate) the impact at the time the upper lid20reaches the open position. Alternatively, only the slide portions24may have dampers, or a portion other than the strip projection27and the slide portions24may have a damper. Further, the damper may alternatively be disposed on the case unit (i.e., the casing10or the chassis30) instead of the upper lid20, or may be disposed on both the upper lid20and the case unit. In the case of the strip projection27having no damper, provision may preferably be made such that the strip projection27does not abut the casing10inside the lateral pocket16when the upper lid20is at the open position. In the case of the slide portions24having no dampers, provision may preferably be made such that the slide portions24do not abut the casing10inside the lateral pockets15when the upper lid20is at the open position.

The present embodiment is configured such that the lateral pockets15receiving the left-hand ends of the slide portions24are covered with the upper face10afrom the upper side. This is not a limiting example, and the lateral pockets15may be exposed to the upper side.

The strip projection27is provided for the purpose of preventing the upper lid20from being raised. It may be noted, however, the lateral pockets15of the present embodiment for receiving the left-hand ends of the slide portions24are covered with the upper face10afrom the upper side, so that the slide portions24serve to prevent the upper lid20from being raised. In this case, specifically, the open state of the upper lid20causes the left-hand ends of the slide portions24of the upper lid20to enter the lateral pockets15of the casing10, which regulates the vertical movement of the slide portions24, and thus prevents the upper lid20from being raised. There is thus no need to provide the strip projection27.

<Method of Making Household Tissue Case>

In the following, a description will be given of an example of a method of making a household tissue case of the present embodiment by referring toFIG. 10.

First, individual parts are made by a manufacturing method such as blow molding, injection, blow injection, or the like.

Next, the urging members50and the upper lid20are assembled with the chassis30to produce an assembled unit A.

Then, the assembled unit A is mounted to the casing10. Specifically, the assembled unit A is fit into the recess13of the casing10from the upper side and thus mounted to the casing10, such that engagement projections36(there are five of them in the present embodiment) disposed on the lower face of the chassis30are engaged with engagement holes17formed at the bottom surface13aof the recess13of the casing10at the positions corresponding to the engagement projections36. Namely, the urging members50and the upper lid20are assembled with the chassis30to produce the assembled unit A, which is then mounted to the casing10. This arrangement eliminates the need for the process of mounting the upper lid20, the urging members50, and the chassis30individually to the casing10.

In the present embodiment, the engagement projections36disposed on the chassis30are engaged with the engagement holes17formed in the casing10such as to fasten the assembled unit A to the casing10. This is a non-limiting example, and the assembled unit A may alternatively be threadably mounted to the casing10, for example.

EXAMPLE

<Test Result of Removal of Household Tissues>

In the following, embodiments and comparison examples will be used to describe the present invention in a more specific manner. It may be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

A test of removing household tissues P was conducted for the embodiments and comparison examples described below. The length of the household tissues P projecting from the frame member was then measured. Further, the ease of inserting and removing fingers with respect to the frame member was also measured.

In conducting such a test, household tissues P were used that had a size of 175 mm by 150 mm (with a fold width of 80 mm) and a basis weight of 34 g/m2. Further, the household tissues P contained an alcohol containing chemical solution. The test was conducted under the condition that the size of the dispensing opening11was 39 mm by 20 mm.

The case-side packing14(seeFIG. 6, for example) was used as the frame member attached to the perimeter of the dispensing opening11. Elastomer resin having a hardness of 70° was used as the material of the case-side packing14of the first embodiment. In TABLE 1, the mouth shape of the case-side packing14is referred to as “A”.

The case-side packing14(seeFIG. 6, for example) was used as the frame member. Elastomer resin having a hardness of 80° was used as the material of the case-side packing14of the second embodiment.

The remaining conditions and test methods are the same as the first embodiment.

The case-side packing14(seeFIG. 6, for example) was used as the frame member. Elastomer resin having a hardness of 90° was used as the material of the case-side packing14of the third embodiment.

The remaining conditions and test methods are the same as the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 1

A case-side packing having the same shape as the case-side packing14(seeFIG. 6, for example) was used as the frame member. PE, which is a hard material, was used as the material of the case-side packing of the first comparative example.

The remaining conditions and test methods are the same as the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 2

A case-side packing140(seeFIG. 11) having a different mouth shape than the case-side packing14(seeFIG. 6, for example) was used as the frame member. The case-side packing140has an extension140aformed on the left-hand side of the lower end (i.e., the portion situated toward the open gravity center) such as to extend inwardly in an arc shape as illustrated inFIG. 11AandFIG. 11B, for example. PE, which is a hard material, was used as the material of the case-side packing140of the second comparative example. In TABLE 1, the mouth shape of the case-side packing140is referred to as “C”.

The remaining conditions and test methods are the same as the first embodiment.

The test results of the first through third embodiments and the first and second comparative examples are illustrated in TABLE 1.

TABLE 1HARDNESS70°80°90°PEPEMOUTHA (FIG. 6)AAAC (FIG. 11)SHAPEFINGER⊚⊚⊚XXINSERTION& REMOVALLENGTH OF◯◯⊚⊚XSHEETPROJECTION
[Evaluation of Projection of Household Tissue (Sheet) P]
⊚: the length of the projection was extremely short (e.g., the tip being situated lower than the lower end of the upper lid20), which was able to sufficiently avoid a jam at the time of closing the upper lid20).
◯: the length of the projection was short (e.g., the tip being situated at the lower end of the upper lid20), which was able to avoid a jam at the time of closing the upper lid20).
X: the length of the projection was long (e.g., the tip being situated above the lower end of the upper lid20), which created difficulties in preventing a jam at the time of closing the upper lid20).

These three grades were used for evaluation.

As illustrated in TABLE 1, the second comparative example (in which the case-side packing140having a large gap in the dispensing opening was used) produced a long projection due to the large gap of the dispensing opening.

On the other hand, the first embodiment (in which the case-side packing14having a hardness of 80° was used) and the second embodiment (in which the case-side packing14having a hardness of 70° was used) produced a short projection due to the small gap of the dispensing opening. Further, the third embodiment (in which the case-side packing14having a hardness of 90° was used) and the first comparative example (in which the case-side packing made of hard-material PE was used) produced an extremely short projection due to the small gap of the dispensing opening and the use of the hard frame member.

[Evaluation of Ease of Inserting and Removing Finger]

⊚: it is easy to insert and remove fingers.

X: it is difficult to insert and remove fingers.

These two grades were used for evaluation.

As illustrated in TABLE 1, the first comparative example and the second comparative example (both of which used the case-side packing made of hard material PE) used the frame member that was hard and difficult to bend, and thus presented difficulties in inserting and removing fingers inside the frame member.

On the other hand, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment (all of which used the case-side packing14made of soft material elastomer resin) used the frame member that was soft and easy to bend, and thus presented no difficulties in inserting and removing fingers inside the frame member.

As illustrated in TABLE 1, the third embodiment produced satisfactory results for all the evaluated items. The first embodiment and the second embodiment also produced satisfactory results although the result for the item “Length of Projection of Household Tissue P” was not as good as in the third embodiment.

In contrast, the first comparative example produced a problematic result for the item “Ease of Inserting and Removing Finger”. The second comparative example produced problematic results for both of the items “Length of Projection of Household Tissue P” and “Ease of Inserting and Removing Finger”.

It was thus established that, for the frame member, the use of the case-side packing14made of soft material elastomer resin was preferable, and, especially, the use of the case-side packing14made of elastomer resin having a hardness of 90° was the most preferable.

The household tissue case1of the present embodiment described heretofore has the frame member (i.e., the case-side packing14) attached to the perimeter of the dispensing opening11. The frame member, which is made of elastic material, has the restricting portions14bdisposed at the ends of the frame member in the short-side direction of the case unit (i.e., the casing10) in a plan view to extend in such directions as to cover the dispensing opening11. The restricting portions14band14bare arranged to avoid overlapping each other such that the tips thereof are staggered in the long-side direction of the case unit in a plan view, thereby forming a letter-Z-shaped cut in the frame member.

According to the household tissue case1of the present embodiment, thus, the provision of the restricting portions14band14bat the frame member serves to suppress the length of a projection of a household tissue without hampering the removal of household tissues placed at a depth under the frame member.

According to the household tissue case1of the present embodiment as described heretofore, further, the dispensing opening11is situated at the position off the center of gravity of the household tissue case1in a plan view when the lid (i.e., the upper lid20) is at the open position. The frame member has the projection14aon the same side as the center of gravity such that the projection14aextends in such a direction as to close the dispensing opening11without overlapping the restricting portions14band14b.

According to the household tissue case1of the present embodiment, the household tissues P pulled out through the dispensing opening11receive an increased resistance on the same side as the open gravity center. With this arrangement, the weight of the household tissue case1on the same side as the open gravity center prevents the household tissue case1from being raised when the household tissues P are removed.

According to the household tissue case1of the present embodiment as described heretofore, the household tissues P are folded and stored in the case unit, with the fold direction of the household tissues P are parallel to the long-side direction of the case unit in a plan view. Accordingly, the household tissues P upon being pulled out are likely to be dragged by the projection14aand the restricting portions14b, which further suppresses the length of a projection of the household tissues P. According to the household tissue case1of the present embodiment described heretofore, the frame member is made of elastomer resin, so that the restricting portions14band14bare soft and easy to bend, thereby allowing fingers to be inserted and removed with respect to the frame member without a problem.

Further, the frame member is made of elastomer resin having a hardness of 90°, and is thus able to provide proper hardness for the restricting portions14band14b. The frame member can thus significantly reduce the length of a projection of the household tissues P without hampering the insertion and removal of fingers.

Specific descriptions have been provided heretofore based on the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

An example illustrated inFIG. 12, for example, differs from the case-side packing14of the described embodiment in that the projection14aextending in an arc shape is not provided.

Specifically, a case-side packing141of the first variation is made of soft material such as elastomer resin similarly to the disclosed embodiment. Moreover, the opposite ends of the lower end of the case-side packing141in the front and rear direction have restricting portions141a, respectively, projecting in such a direction as to cover the dispensing opening11(in the front and rear direction) as illustrated inFIG. 12AandFIG. 12B, for example. Further, the restricting portions141aand141aare arranged such that the tips are staggered in the left and right direction such as to prevent overlapping with each other.

The provision of a pair of the restricting portions141aand141aas described above serves to create a letter-z shaped cut in the case-side packing141.

According to the household tissue case1of the first variation as described above, the length of a projection of a household tissue is reduced without hampering the removal of household tissues situated at a depth under the frame member similarly to the household tissue case1of the disclosed embodiment.

A member may be disposed on the bottom lid40, for example, to raise the tissue stack Q in the container space S from the lower side.

In such a case, this member and the case-side packing14as well as a projection Y may have the tissue stack Q placed therebetween such as to prevent the tissue stack Q from moving inside the container space S. This arrangement allows the household tissues P to be pulled out smoothly through the dispensing opening11, and, also, efficiently prevents a portion of the household tissues P projecting from the dispensing opening11from falling into the container space S.

Further, the household tissue case1may be configured to store the household tissues P folded and stacked in such a specific manner that a tissue has a low popup height when situated closer to the upper face, and the height of a popup increases as the distance to the lower face decreases. Here, the term “the height of a popup” refers to the length of a projection of the uppermost household tissue P as measured in the vertical direction, i.e., the length from the upper face of the tissue stack Q to the tip of the projection of the uppermost household tissue P projecting from the dispensing opening11.

In the case of the manner of folding being the same throughout the tissue stack, the length of a projection of the household tissues P (i.e., the length of a projection extending from the dispensing opening11) is longer at the beginning of use, and becomes shorter toward the end of use.

The height of a popup depends on the width of folding. Accordingly, a certain manner of folding may be made such that the height of a popup is shorter at the beginning of use, and becomes longer toward the end of use. The use of the tissue stack Q folded in such a manner allows the length of a projection of the household tissues P to be substantially constant from the beginning of use to the end of use. This arrangement can thus prevent the projection extending from the dispensing opening11from falling into the container space S, and can prevent the projection extending from the dispensing opening11from jamming into the upper lid20when the upper lid20is opened or closed.

The present invention is also applicable to the configuration in which a lid disposed at the upper face of the case for storing household tissues is opened and closed by vertically rotating its open end.

Further, the details of the configuration of the household tissue case can also be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a household tissue case.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS