Web container

A web container includes a web storage, a transparent plastic cover, and an intermediate layer. The web storage includes a bag which stores a foldable web and which has a first opening through which the foldable web is to be taken out. The web storage includes a take-out port which is coupled to the first opening. The transparent plastic cover has a polyhedron shape to enclose the web storage. The transparent plastic cover has a second opening provided on one surface of the transparent plastic cover. The second opening is engaged with the take-out port. The intermediate layer includes a flat sheet provided between the cover and the web storage and over at least two adjacent surfaces of the transparent plastic cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/056963, filed Mar. 13, 2013. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a web container.

2. Discussion of the Background

Tissue paper or wet tissues have widely been used for both domestic and business purposes, and the industrial fields of application have been extended. The tissue paper also merely refers to as “tissue”, which is a poorly-water-soluble daily necessity made up of a thin, soft fiber sheet. The tissue paper abounds in flexibility and is made up of soft materials, so that the tissue paper has been used for various purposes. Generally, the tissue paper is made up of a set of two fiber sheets fitted together on their back surfaces, with their front surfaces exposed to the outside to provide a smooth touch on both front surfaces. Hereinafter, a set of two sheets of tissue paper will be regarded as one sheet of tissue paper. The wet tissue is made up of fiber sheets such as a non-woven fabric impregnated with an impregnant such as agents and cosmetic material. The wet tissue is used for removing stains on hands, disinfection, cleaning a baby's bottoms, and other purposes. Hereinafter, fiber sheets such as the tissue paper and the wet tissue will be collectively referred to as “web”.

Conventionally, the tissue paper or the wet tissue is folded and stored in a bag formed of a soft film and designed to be taken out one by one through an opening formed on the bag, which makes the tissue paper or the wet tissue easy to use. Even though the bag is easy to carry about, the bag is easily deformed and lacks stability in that when the bag is placed on a desk, the bottom surface of the bag may not be flat, and the external appearance the bag may not be favorable. Thus, it may not be suitable to use the bag on a desk in a room.

In order to provide stability for desktop applications and a favorable appearance, it is common practice to use a web storage, which is a bag that includes webs, and place the web storage in a container. The container is generally fabricated in a not easily deformed manner (see, for example, JP2011-168341A).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a web container includes a web storage, a transparent plastic cover, and an intermediate layer. The web storage includes a bag which stores a foldable web and has a first opening through which the foldable web is to be taken out. The web storage includes a take-out port which is coupled to the first opening. The transparent plastic cover has a polyhedron shape to enclose the web storage. The transparent plastic cover has a second opening provided on one surface of the transparent plastic cover. The second opening is engaged with the take-out port. The intermediate layer includes a flat sheet provided between the cover and the web storage and over at least two adjacent surfaces of the transparent plastic cover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a configuration perspective view of a web container10. The configuration perspective view is partially cut out to make the interior of the web container10visible. Star symbols are designed on an intermediate layer40and visible through a cover20.

The web container10includes a web storage60in the interior of the cover20. That is, the cover20surrounds the web storage60. It is noted that the embodiment of the cover20surrounding the web storage60encompasses those cases where the cover20does not completely cover all the directions of the web storage60. The intermediate layer40is disposed in the inner side of the cover20. A coupling member32is fixed with the opening26of the cover20. The web storage60includes a multitude of webs80folded in a bag62. Another possible example of the webs80is that one continuous long sheet is folded or rolled into a layer form, and then divided apart at dividing portions provided at regular intervals on the sheet, resulting in the separate webs80. Further, in order to prevent the web storage60stored from jumping out of the cover20, it is possible to provide a bottom lid (not shown) on the bottom surface (lower surface inFIG. 1) of the web container10. The bottom lid may be a tape seal or other material.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the web container10. The dashed line shown inFIG. 2illustrates a state in which a lid34is open. The lid34is openable and closable. The web container10inFIG. 2is different from the web container10inFIG. 1in that the intermediate layer40is disposed on the inner side of side surfaces22cand22eof the cover20and in that edge lines24acand24aeare smooth.

The cover20will be described by referring toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the cover20.FIG. 3illustrates a state in which the coupling member32and the lid34are fixed on the cover20. The cover20is made up of a transparent plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The transparent plastic material is only required to provide a view of the interior through the cover20, and thus encompasses translucent plastic materials, even though the interior may be visible less clearly.

The cover20has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cover20includes an upper surface22aillustrated at an upper portion inFIG. 3and four side surfaces22b,22c,22d, and22e, which are adjacent to the upper surface22a. The cover20is left open, that is, no surface is formed, at the side opposite to the upper surface22aat a lower portion inFIG. 3. Edge lines24ab,24ac,24adand24aeare respectively defined between the upper surface22aand four side surfaces22b,22c,22d, and22e, and edge lines24bc,24cd,24de, and24beare respectively defined between the four side surfaces22b,22c,22d, and22e. Each of these edge lines is a smooth edge line without a sharp portion or a rough portion. As used herein, the term “smooth” generally means being round, without a sharp portion or a rough portion, and with a radius of curvature approximately ranging from 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 2 mm to 20 mm. With an excessively small radius of curvature, the intermediate layer40may be difficult to arrange along the cover20and easily take on creases. With an excessively large radius of curvature, it may be difficult for the cover20to store the web storage60. It is noted that the smoothness encompasses an easement curve shape, which has an incremental radius of curvature at portions of contact with the adjacent surfaces across the edge line. In this case, the minimum radius of curvature preferably falls within the above-described range. The four side surfaces22b,22c,22d, and22eare gradually inclined outward as each side surface is distanced away from the upper surface22a. Thus, the approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape includes such a shape that the cover20lacks one surface. The approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape also includes such a shape that the edge lines defined between the surfaces are smooth. The approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape also includes such a shape that adjacent surfaces are not orthogonal to each other. The surfaces may have an opening or openings other than the opening26formed on top. An opening (not shown) through which the intermediate layer40and the web storage60are inserted may be formed on any of the side surfaces of the cover20, instead of on the bottom surface.

As shown inFIG. 1, the lid34is disposed on the upper surface of the web container10and used to take out the webs.FIGS. 4A and 4Bare perspective views of the lid34integrally formed with the coupling member32.FIG. 4Aillustrates a state in which the lid34is closed.FIG. 4Billustrates a state in which the lid34is open.

The coupling member32is a member that couples a take-out port70and supports the cover20, thereby fixing the cover20. As described later, the coupling member32couples the take-out port70of the web storage60in such a manner that the cover20intervenes between the coupling member32and the take-out port70, whereby holding a state in which the web storage60is suspended on the opening26of the cover20.

When the lid34is opened and closed, a large amount of force is applied to the coupling member32. Accordingly, it is necessary to enhance the rigidity of the coupling member32. Also, elastic deformability is necessary for the joint between the coupling member32and the lid34. In view of this, a relatively thick wall of plastic material such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) is used.

Next, the web storage60will be described by referring toFIG. 2. In the web storage60, the bag62made of a soft film stores the folded webs80. The webs80are sheet-shaped and made of a fiber such as non-woven fabric. Representative examples of the webs80include, but are not limited to, tissue paper and wet tissue.

Since the webs80folded and stored in the web storage60are square, the web storage60generally has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In many cases, however, for the convenience of fabrication of the bag62, projections used for pressure bonding purposes are formed on both sides of the bag62. This, however, should not be construed as limiting the bag62, and any other structure is possible.

The bag62includes an opening64through which the webs80are taken out of the bag62. The take-out port70is disposed on the opening64at the web storage60.

The take-out port70has an outer circumference71closely coupled to the bag62on the periphery of the opening64. The outer circumference71may be adhered or welded to the bag62. Any other method is possible insofar as the take-out port70is coupled to the opening64of the bag62. While inFIG. 2the bag62is adhered to the upper surface of the outer circumference71of the take-out port70, the bag62may also be adhered to the lower surface of the outer circumference71.

The center portion of the take-out port70serves as a path through which the webs80are taken out. At a lowermost portion of the take-out port70, a resistance applying plate78is disposed. The resistance applying plate78is provided with a small hole through which to apply resistance so as to prevent a plurality of webs80from being coupled together and taken out at a time. The upper portion of the resistance applying plate78is an area of space where the tip of a raised web80is stored. The tip of the raised web80is held in the small hole of the resistance applying plate78, and thus the tip of the raised web80can easily be picked up next time the raised web80is taken out.

A tubular open-and-close receiving portion76is provided at a center uppermost portion of the take-out port70, that is, an upper portion of the storage space of the tip of the web. On the outer circumference of the open-and-close receiving portion76, a depressed groove is formed, and the depressed groove is engaged with a protruding rim of the closing member38of the lid34. This engagement mechanism ensures sealing of the web container10after use, and reliably prevents the webs80from going dry. While inFIG. 4the hinge of the lid34is integrally formed with the coupling member32, the lid34may also be integrally formed with the later-described take-out port70or may be a totally independent component. The web storage60may also be sealed by another structure such as a sticky seal (resealable). Specifically, a seal (not shown) with a tab may be disposed between the open-and-close receiving portion76and the resistance applying plate78to seal the interior of the web storage60before the use of the web container10. The seal is easily removed by pulling the tab at the time of use.

A protruding rim is formed on the outer edge74at the upper portion of the take-out port70, and the protruding rim is engaged with a depressed groove formed on the inner circumference of the coupling member32. Thus, the take-out port70is engaged with the coupling member32and holds the opening26of the cover20by catching the opening26between the coupling member32and the take-out port70.

Thus, the web container60is suspended from the cover20via the take-out port70. This ensures that even when the residual number of the webs80reduces with the bag62collapsed, the opening64, through which the webs80in the bag62are taken out, is not detached from the opening26of the cover20. Thus, the webs80are easily taken out through the opening26at all times. While inFIG. 2there is a large gap between the take-out port70and the cover20for clarity of the drawing, no gap or a smaller gap may be provided.

The take-out port70is formed of plastic material such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The configuration shown inFIG. 2should not be construed as limiting the configuration of the take-out port70, and any other configuration may also be possible. For example, the take-out port70may not be coupled with the coupling member32; instead, the take-out port70may be engaged with the opening26of the cover20or adhered to the cover20, and thus engaged with the opening26of the cover20. The lid34may be coupled to the take-out port70via the joint of the lid34.

While inFIGS. 1 to 3the cover20has been illustrated as having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, the approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape should not be construed as limiting the shape of the cover20. Any other polyhedron is possible. The surfaces of the polyhedron may include a curved surface. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the upper surface22amay be curved into three surfaces shown inFIG. 3, namely, the side surface22b, the upper surface22a, and the side surface22d. Thus, the side surface22b, the upper surface22a, and the side surface22dmay together form one surface22gin a semicylindrical shape. In this case, the thickness of the coupling member32may be adjusted in accordance with the curved surface22g, or the coupling member32may have a curved surface in accordance with the curved surface22g. The take-out port70may be formed to correspond to the shape of the coupling member32. The upper surface22aof the cover20may be caught and connected between the coupling member32and the take-out port70. The intermediate layer40may be disposed, for example, only at a portion corresponding to the surface22g. Thus, the intermediate layer40is not necessarily disposed on the entire surface of the cover20. The cover20may also have an approximately octahedron shape, in which case the side surface22band the side surface22dshown inFIG. 3, for example, each have two surfaces.

As shown inFIG. 1, the edge lines24ab,24ac,24ad, and24aeenclose the upper surface22aof the cover20. Among the edge lines24ab,24ac,24ad, and24ae, the edge lines24aband24adare smooth, while the edge lines24acand24aeare angular. Thus, some of the edge lines, namely, the edge lines22aband22admay be smooth. As shown inFIG. 1, the edge lines24ac,24ae,24bc(seeFIG. 3),24cd,24ae, and24be, which enclose the side surfaces22cand22e, are angular. This improves stability at the time when the cover20is upright with the side surface22cor22eon the bottom. That is, the web container10is easy to use even when the opening26of the cover20faces in the lateral direction.

Next, the intermediate layer40will be described by referring toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a development view of the intermediate layer40before being disposed in the cover20. The dashed lines indicate portions to be bent at the time when the intermediate layer40is placed in the cover20. The intermediate layer40has a planar shape. It is noted that the intermediate layer40is planar before the intermediate layer40is placed in the cover20, and that the planar shape encompasses a material that can be rolled and takes on a three-dimensional shape when the material is placed in the cover20. The material may be printed on the transparent plastic films such as non-stretched polypropylene (CPP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or may be printed on paper. Thus, there is no limitation to the material. For example, a transparent plastic film whose thickness approximately ranges from 0.05 to 0.2 mm is possible. When the material is printed on the transparent plastic film, a design may be printed on the top surface side or the back surface side of the cover20. InFIG. 6, the design is drawn as star symbols.

The intermediate layer40is made up of one planar sheet, and includes portions42b,42c,42d, and42erespectively corresponding to the four side surfaces22b,22c,22d, and22e. The portions42b,42c,42d, and42eare in the periphery of a portion42acorresponding to the upper surface22aof the cover20. For the webs80to be taken out of the web storage60, an opening46is formed at a portion corresponding to the opening26of the cover20. The opening46may be larger or the same size as the opening26of the cover20. Still, making the opening46larger than the opening26ensures that the intermediate layer40is not caught between the cover20and the take-out port70. While in the web container10shown inFIG. 1the intermediate layer along the side surface22cof the cover20is omitted, the intermediate layer40shown inFIG. 6has a shape suitable for the cover20shown inFIG. 1. Specifically, bending between the portion42a, which corresponds to the upper surface22aof the cover20, and the portions42band42d, which correspond to the two side surfaces22band22d, is with a large radius of curvature in accordance with the smooth edge lines42aband42ad. The plurality of dashed lines indicate the portions to be bent. At portions42cand42e, which correspond to the two side surfaces22cand22e, the outer edges corresponding to the edge lines42aband42adhave curved shapes that correspond to the large radius of curvature. The sections between the portion42aand the portion42cand between the42aand42eare easily bent along the angular edge lines24acand24ae. The intermediate layer40shown inFIG. 6can be disposed on the five surfaces of the cover20shown inFIG. 1without a gap.

FIG. 7is a development view of the intermediate layer40before being disposed in a cover20similar to the cover in which the intermediate layer40shown inFIG. 6is to be placed. InFIG. 7, a design is drawn as star symbols. The intermediate layer40has a shape suitable for the web container10shown inFIG. 2. At the portions42band42dof the intermediate layer40respectively corresponding to the side surfaces22band22d, projected portions overlapping with the portions42cand42eare provided. The projected portions prevent formation of a gap in the intermediate layer40when the intermediate layer40is placed in the cover20. The projected portions may be provided anywhere else, or no projected portion may be provided.

The intermediate layer40is not limited to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, and may be formed in accordance with the shape of the cover20. The intermediate layer40may be made up of a combination of two or more intermediate layer portions. Still, in the case of the web container10shown inFIG. 1, the shape shown inFIG. 6is preferably formed, while in the case of the web container10shown inFIG. 2, the shape shown inFIG. 7is preferably formed. This facilitates the arrangement of the intermediate layer40at a predetermined position in the cover20. Specifically, after the intermediate layer40is disposed at a lower portion where the surface of the cover20is not formed, the web storage60is put into the cover20as if to cram the intermediate layer40into the cover20. The intermediate layer40is caught between the cover20and the web storage60, and thus is arranged at a predetermined position. The intermediate layer40may be adhered to the cover20or to the web storage60. It is also possible to catch the intermediate layer40between the take-out port70and the coupling member32or between the take-out port70and the cover20, so as to arrange the intermediate layer40at a predetermined position. In the web container10shown inFIG. 1, the intermediate layer does not include the portions42cand42eof the intermediate layer40shown inFIG. 6. That is, the intermediate layer40is not disposed on the inner side of the side surfaces22cand22e. Even in this case, only an esthetically attractive surface can be seen when the web container10is viewed from a direction above the opening26(from the upper portion ofFIG. 1), through which the webs80are taken out. Further, the intermediate layer40is formed of one rectangular sheet, and this facilitates production of the web container10.

Next, the external appearance of the web container10will be described by referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare partial cross-sectional views of the web container10, illustrating its external appearance.FIG. 8Aillustrates a reflection state of light in a case where the web container10of the embodiment is exposed to the light. FIG.8B illustrates a reflection state of light in a case where a conventional web container is exposed to the light. InFIG. 8A, for the clarity of the drawing, there is a large gap between the cover20and the intermediate layer40. No gap may be provided or a smaller gap may be provided between the cover20and the intermediate layer40. Regarding the conventional web container shown inFIG. 8B, when the surface of the conventional web container is exposed to light, reflected light is merely observed on the surface. In contrast, in the web container10of the embodiment shown inFIG. 8A, the cover20is transparent and thus the light enters the cover20. Part of the light that enters through the inner wall of the cover20is reflected on the back surface of the cover20, and the rest of the light penetrates the cover20. The light that has penetrated the cover20is reflected on the intermediate layer40. The light reflected on the intermediate layer40penetrates the cover20, or is repeatedly reflected and finally penetrates the cover20. In the web container10, the light reflected on the intermediate layer40is repeatedly reflected on both front and back surfaces of the cover20. Various kinds of reflected on various surfaces are mixed together into an image gentle for an observer, providing an esthetically attractive appearance. As a result, the web container10is superior in external appearance.

When the intermediate layer40has metallic luster as with the case of a transparent film colored by aluminum vaporization, and when light is repeatedly reflected and intensified a large number of times before the reflected light reaches the observer's eyes, then the intermediate layer40provides gentle, beautiful luster. As a result, the web container10is superior in external appearance in esthetic attraction.

As shown inFIG. 9, the intermediate layer40is disposed over at least two adjacent surfaces of the cover20, and this ensures that an image gentle for observers is provided at the edge lines of the two surfaces. When the edge lines are smooth, the intermediate layer40is easily disposed along the edge lines. This is also preferable in that creases are less likely to occur on the intermediate layer40.

When the intermediate layer40is pressed against the cover20with strong force and adhered closely to the cover20, light reflectivity changes at the adhered part. In this case, the adhered part looks different from the periphery, which is not preferable. Moreover, when liquid is attached between the cover20and the intermediate layer40, reflectivity changes only at the adhered part. This influences the external appearance, which is not preferable.

When the thickness of the transparent cover20changes, the three-dimensional view of the intermediate layer40looks more intricately due to a lens effect. For example, it is preferable that the inner surface of the cover20(the side on which the intermediate layer40is disposed) be a corrugated or rough surface.

With the conventional web container, the entire container needs to be subjected to aluminum vaporization in order to obtain metallic luster, and this necessitates a large vaporization apparatus, involving huge cost. In contrast, with the web container10of the embodiment, only the flat intermediate layer40needs to be subjected to aluminum vaporization. This realizes a substantial reduction in cost. The external appearance of the web container10or of a web product including the web container can be changed merely by replacing the intermediate layers40, which is practically useful.

When the coupling member32is mounted on the cover20, a large amount of force involved in the opening/closing of the lid34does not locally act upon the cover20. This makes the cover20thinner than the coupling member32. For example, the thickness of the cover20may range from 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably, from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. This, as a result, reduces the production cost of the cover20and reduces the weight of the web container10.

The web container10of the embodiment excels in external appearance and is easy to produce at lower cost. Thus, the web container10finds applications in disposable goods. The opening through which the intermediate layer40or the web storage60is inserted may be covered with a sheet-shaped tape or similar material. By covering the opening through which the intermediate layer40or the web storage60is inserted, an object is prevented from hitting the web storage60and damaging the bag62. Alternatively, the opening through which the intermediate layer40or the web storage60is inserted may be left open.

In the embodiment, the intermediate layer is visible through the cover made of a transparent plastic member, which provides an esthetically attractive external appearance. The intermediate layer is disposed over at least the two surfaces of the cover, and this makes the intermediate layer visible through the cover made of a transparent plastic member at the edge line of the surfaces, which provides an excellent external appearance. Furthermore, the web container is easily produced.

In the web container according to the embodiment, the polyhedron shape may be an approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape as shown inFIG. 1, and the intermediate layer40may be disposed over three continuous surfaces22b,22a, and22dof the cover20. The approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape may be a hexahedral shape in general. The edge line defined between the adjacent surfaces may smoothly be formed. Also the adjacent surfaces need not be orthogonal to each other. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape encompasses a shape that widens toward the bottom surface (downward direction in the figure). Further, the approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape encompasses such a shape that the cover20lacks one surface.

With this configuration, the intermediate layer is visible through the three continuous surfaces of the cover20made up of a transparent plastic member, which provides a more superior external appearance. The approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape leads to a web container that is easy to carry around and easily stored in a box. Further, the web storage having the approximately rectangular parallelopiped shape is easily stored.

In the web container according to the embodiment, the intermediate layer40may be disposed on the upper surface22a, on which the opening26of the cover20is formed and on two opposite side surfaces22band22d, which are adjacent to the upper surface22a, as shown inFIG. 1.

With this configuration, when the web container is viewed on the opening in order to take out the web, the intermediate layer is visible through the cover made of a transparent plastic member on the front surface and both side surfaces. This ensures a web container that is superior in external appearance.

In the web container according to the embodiment, the edge line24abdefined between the two surfaces22aand22bof the cover20, over which the intermediate layer40is disposed, is smooth without a sharp portion, as shown inFIG. 1.

With this configuration, since the edge line is not angular, the intermediate layer is visible from the outside at the edge line. This ensures a web container that is superior in external appearance.

In the web container of the embodiment, the intermediate layer between the web storage and the cover made of a transparent plastic member is disposed over at least the two adjacent surfaces of the cover. This ensures such an excellent external appearance that the intermediate layer is visible through the cover made of a transparent plastic member. The intermediate layer is disposed over at least two surfaces of the cover. This makes the intermediate layer visible through the cover made of a transparent plastic member at the edge line of the two surfaces, and provides a superior external appearance. Moreover, the web container is easily produced. A further advantageous effect is that it is not necessary to print merchandise information on the cover or the bag having a complicated shape; any design or information may be printed on the intermediate layer. This ensures production of web containers of various designs. Once un-printed web containers or un-printed covers are manufactured, the design on the intermediate layer can easily be changed. This facilitates change of the design.