Patent Description:
Some of the plastic products cannot be disposed in an appropriate manner, which invites a remote cause of the marine pollution. Recently, the environmental problem is considered and thus such a movement is widely introduced that the major restaurants take on a leadership role in starting disuse of plastic straws.

The beverage container is divided into paper containers and plastic containers. In view of the above-mentioned environmental consideration, the paper containers are used in many cases. Many of the paper containers (main bodies), however, have plastic-made container lids.

In view of the above, every container maker proposes a paper container having a lid function (e.g., Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM>). Such container includes a plurality of flaps provided side by side on the upper edge of a body section, and the flaps overlap each other to cover an opening formed upside of the body section, thereby forming a simple lid. Because such container is made of paper in its entirety, it can be easily disposed. But such a paper container has somewhat a complicated structure with respect to flaps. As a result, assembling thereof is not easy.

The intermediate product of the beverage container is manufactured in a factory, whereas it is a restaurant staff who charges beverage into the container and puts a lid thereon. Therefore, such a container is preferred that the container can be assembled with ease.

With respect to the paper container, the applicant of the present application has tried to manufacture the paper container that can be assembled with ease (Patent Literature <NUM>) (Comparative Example). By the way, Patent Literature <NUM> is the Publication of Design Application which includes explanation about the appearance of the designed item but does not include much about the technical idea of the same.

<CIT> discloses another example of a paper container.

<FIG> includes schematic block diagrams illustrating a paper container <NUM> according to a Comparative Example.

The paper container <NUM> includes a bottom section <NUM>, a body section <NUM> provided to stand continuously from the bottom section <NUM>, and a right flap <NUM>, a left flap <NUM>, a collar section <NUM> and an insertion flap <NUM> which extend side by side from an upper edge of the body section <NUM>.

Each of the right flap <NUM> and the left flap <NUM> is configured to be folded inward along an arc-shaped crease <NUM> that shares a border with the body section <NUM>. The right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> each includes a slit <NUM> on the insertion flap side.

The collar section <NUM> is configured to be folded outward along a crease from the upside of the body section <NUM> at one end side of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

The insertion flap <NUM> is configured to be folded inward along a crease from the upside of the body section <NUM> at the other end side of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

Initially, the collar section <NUM> is folded outward, and the right flap <NUM> and the left flap <NUM> are arranged in such a manner that they overlap each other to cover an opening <NUM> formed by the body section <NUM>.

Secondary, the insertion flap <NUM> is inserted into the slit <NUM>. This maintains the flap overlapping state of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

A tap <NUM> is formed in the collar section <NUM>. At the time, a sharp paper end face is not exposed at a portion where the consumer's lips touch. This makes the consumer keep away from uncomfortable feeling.

As described above, the paper container <NUM> according to the Comparative Example has a lid function and a simple structure and can be assembled with ease.

The purpose of the present invention is to enhance the convenience of the container by applying improvement to the Comparative Example while maintaining the characteristics of the Comparative Example.

To achieve the above described purpose, the paper container of the present invention includes a bottom section, a body section provided to stand along from the bottom section, a right flap and a left flap formed in such a manner that the flaps are folded inward along creases from the upside of the body section, a collar section formed in such a manner that the collar section is folded outward along a cease from the upside of the body section at one end side of the right and left flaps, and an insertion flap formed in such a manner that the insertion flap is folded inward along a crease from the upside of the body section at the other end side of the right and left flaps. The right flap and the left flap overlap each other to thereby cover an opening formed by the body section. Each of the right flap and the left flap includes a slit on the insertion flap side. The insertion flap is inserted into the slit and maintains the overlapping state of the right and left flaps. Between the body section and each one of the right and left flaps, there are collaterally provided a first arc-shaped crease on the flap side and a second arc-shaped crease on the body section side.

By folding each of the right and left flaps along the first arc-shaped crease, a wide tap is formed. By folding each of the right and left flaps along the second arc-shaped crease, a narrow tap is formed. An appropriate selection of a tap width contributes to the enhancement of the convenience.

More preferably, the second arc-shaped crease is provided at a position where the first arc-shaped crease is rotated by <NUM>-<NUM> degrees with respect to a virtual rotation center in the vicinity of the end of the crease of the insertion flap.

This enables to decrease an adverse effect imposed on the insertion flap side when adjusting the tap width. More specifically, even when the shape is somewhat deformed, the effect imposed on the entire container is negligible.

More preferably, the collar section is provided with a crease corresponding to the first arc-shaped crease and a cease corresponding to the second arc-shaped crease.

With the creases, a tap whose width is selectable is formed in the collar section.

More preferably, the right and left flaps, the collar section, and the insertion flap are formed in such a manner that the outer rims thereof are on the same circular arc in a blank state.

More specifically, the blank has a schematic fan-shape, i.e., a substantially the same shape as the typical body section blank. Therefore, the conventional apparatus and the conventional method can be used.

More preferably, the slit has a width more than the thickness of the insertion flap.

With the structure, an easily insertable and hardly disconnectable insertion structure can be achieved.

More preferably, between the insertion flap and each one of the right and left flaps, a notch is provided.

More preferably, the body section has a joining part on the insertion flap side.

With the structure, deformation of the container when holding is suppressed.

To achieve the above-described purpose, in a method for using the paper container of the present invention, it is optionable if a wide tap is to be formed by folding along the first arc-shaped creases or if a narrow tap is to be formed by folding along the second arc-shaped creases.

The present invention has a lid function and a simple structure, which realizes easy assembling.

The present invention allows a selection between a wide tap and a narrow tap. When selecting a narrow tap, one can drink, e.g., a hot drink, sparely. The lid function (closing performance) also improves. When selecting a wide tap, one can drink, e.g., a cold drink, in one gulp. The selection can be readily made by a restaurant staff or a consumer. This enhances the convenience.

A structure of the present Embodiment will be described below. <FIG> includes schematic block diagrams each illustrating a paper container <NUM> according to the present Embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view when seeing diagonally from the back side, and <FIG> is a perspective view when seeing diagonally from the front side.

The paper container <NUM> includes a bottom section <NUM>, a body section <NUM> provided to stand along from the bottom section <NUM> in such a manner that the body section <NUM> comes to be an inverted truncated cone shape, and a right flap <NUM>, a left flap <NUM>, a collar section <NUM> and an insertion flap <NUM> which are provided side by side on the upper edge of the body section <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the bottom section <NUM> has a circular-shape but may have a square-shape with the corners chamfered. Alternatively, the bottom section <NUM> may have a polygonal shape.

The right flap <NUM> and the left flap <NUM> overlap each other to cover an opening <NUM> formed by the body section <NUM>. This structure provides a lid function.

Each of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> has a slit <NUM> on the insertion flap side. The insertion flap <NUM> is inserted into the slit <NUM> to maintain the overlapping state of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the collar section <NUM>, a tap <NUM> is formed.

<FIG> illustrates a developed blank of, for example, a body section. <FIG> illustrates an action of folding the flaps (folding directions of the flaps).

The body section <NUM> and the flaps <NUM>-<NUM> are formed into a single fan-shaped blank. The flaps <NUM>-<NUM> extend from the upper edge of the fan-shape of the body section <NUM>. In the fan-shaped blank of the illustrated example, arranged in the order from the right are the half of the insertion flap <NUM>, the left flap <NUM>, the collar section <NUM>, the right flap <NUM>, and another half of the insertion flap <NUM>. The outer rims of the flaps <NUM>-<NUM> correspond to the outer circumference of the fan-shape, i.e., are formed in such a manner that the outer rims are on the same circular arc.

The flat blank is rolled up, and the end parts thereof are arranged in such a manner that the end parts overlap each other and are joined together. The flat blank is formed into an inverted truncated cone-shape, resulting in being formed into the body section <NUM>. The bottom section <NUM> is formed separately and, after the formation of the body section <NUM>, is joined to a lower part of the body section. The collar section <NUM> is formed between one end sides of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>. The insertion flap <NUM> is formed on the other end sides of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

Initially, the collar section <NUM> is folded outward along a crease <NUM> from the upside of the body section <NUM>. Then, each of the right flap <NUM> and the left flap <NUM> is folded inward along an arc-shaped crease <NUM> (will be described below in detail). With the structure, the right flap <NUM> and the left flap <NUM> overlap each other to cover the opening <NUM> formed by the body section <NUM>. At the time, a slit <NUM> is provided in each one of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> at the insertion flap side.

Further, the insertion flap <NUM> is folded inward along a crease <NUM> from the upside of the body section <NUM> and is inserted into the slit <NUM>. With the structure, the overlapping state of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> is maintained.

Together with the folding of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>, the collar section <NUM> is also folded into a channel-shape to form a tap <NUM>. At the time, a portion where the consumer's lips touch is the crease <NUM>, i.e., a sharp paper end face is not exposed. Therefore, the consumer is free from the inconvenient feeling.

As described above, the paper container <NUM> according to the present Embodiment has a simple structure and thus is easy to assemble.

<FIG> illustrates a detailed structure of an arc-shaped crease <NUM>.

The arc-shaped crease <NUM> includes collaterally a first arc-shaped crease <NUM> on the flap side (upper line in <FIG>) and a second arc-shaped crease <NUM> on the body section side (lower line in <FIG>) collaterally. The same structure is applied to the left flap side.

In the vicinity of the end part of the crease <NUM> of the insertion flap <NUM>, more specifically, at a position where the extension line of the crease <NUM> of the insertion flap <NUM> and the extension line of the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> cross, there is provided a virtual rotation center <NUM>.

The second arc-shaped crease <NUM> is provided at a position where the first arc-shaped crease is rotated by <NUM>-<NUM> degrees (e.g., <NUM> degrees) with respect to the virtual rotation center <NUM>. In other words, the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> share the starting point on the insertion flap side.

The collar section <NUM> is provided with a crease <NUM> corresponding to the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and a crease <NUM> corresponding to the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> in such a manner that the crease <NUM> and the crease <NUM> extend radially in the blank state. Here, when the collar section <NUM> is folded, the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the crease <NUM> come to overlap each other, and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the crease <NUM> come to overlap each other.

<FIG> illustrates a basic action when using. With the afore-mentioned characteristic structure, a width of the tap <NUM> can be selected.

By folding along the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding crease <NUM>, a wide tap is formed.

By folding along the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding crease <NUM>, a narrow tap is formed. Further, an overlapping width of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> increases, and the lid function (closing performance) also improves.

At the time, because the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> share the starting point on the insertion flap side, the effect imposed on the insertion flap <NUM> side is negligible (will be described below in detail).

The paper container <NUM> according to the present Embodiment has a simple structure, and the selection of the tap width can be readily made by a restaurant staff or a consumer.

For example, when a restaurant staff hands over the paper container containing a drink to a consumer, the restaurant staff selects a narrow tap. This enhances the lid function. The consumer can take out the paper container containing a drink to the outside.

The customer can select a width of the tap <NUM> depending on his liking. For example, when the customer selects a narrow tap, he can drink, e.g., a hot drink, sparely. Also, there is a case where drinking sparely is preferred for children and/or old men. When the customer selects a wide tap, he can drink, e.g., a cold drink, in one gulp. Also, there is a case where drinking in one gulp is preferred for the youth and the people just finishing the exercise.

<FIG> is a Modification Example of the use method. In <FIG>, the widest tap and the narrowest tap are exemplified. The present Embodiment is not limited thereto but the tap width can be adjusted to any desired width.

When both the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the crease <NUM> are folded, a connection surface <NUM> is formed between the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM>. The way of folding the creases changes the inclination of the connection surface <NUM>. This enables adjustment of the width of the tap <NUM>.

As the connection surface <NUM> stands closer to a vertical posture, the width comes to be closer to the exemplified widest tap. As the connection surface <NUM> comes to be closer to a horizontal posture, the width comes to be closer to the exemplified narrowest tap.

<FIG> illustrates a Modification Example of the arc-shaped creases. The above-described Embodiment includes two arc-shaped ceases, i.e., the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM>, in such a manner that the creases are arranged side by side. Without being limited to this, the number of arc-shaped creases to be arranged collaterally may be three.

In the Modification Example, the third arc-shaped crease <NUM> is provided at a position where the first arc-shaped crease is rotated by, for example, <NUM> degrees with respect to the virtual rotation center <NUM>. The collar section <NUM> is provided with a crease <NUM> corresponding to the third arc-shaped crease <NUM> in such a manner that the crease <NUM> extends radially.

By folding along the third arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding crease <NUM>, a closed tap is formed. This provides more enhanced lid function.

<FIG> illustrates another Modification Example of the arc-shaped creases. In stead of the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding crease <NUM>, the third arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding crease <NUM> are provided. By changing the inclination of the connection surface <NUM>, the width of the tap <NUM> is adjusted.

<FIG> includes schematic block diagrams illustrating a paper container <NUM> according to a Comparative Example (having been described above in detail). <FIG> is a perspective view when seeing diagonally from the back side. <FIG> is a perspective view when seeing diagonally from the front side.

Taking the flexibility of paper into consideration, the Embodiment of the present application applies the Characteristic Structure <NUM> (providing the arc-shaped creases <NUM>, <NUM> side by side) to the paper container <NUM> of the Comparative Example. As a result, the effect can be produced in adjusting the tap width and improving the lid function in comparison with the Comparative Example. According to the circumstances, the tap width can be readily selected and adjusted, and thus the convenience improves.

Similar to the Comparative Example, the Embodiment of the present application has a simple structure which realizes easy assembling.

In the Embodiment of the present application, a case where the Characteristic Structure <NUM> is applied to the Comparative Example and the effect produced thereby will be described below in comparison with the Comparative Example.

The upper illustration of <FIG> shows a comparison of the main portions of the blanks (A: Comparative Example, B: present Embodiment). The lower illustration of <FIG> shows a comparison of the inserting structure.

In the Comparative Example, a slit <NUM> provided in each of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> has no width. In other words, the slit <NUM> is just a cutting line.

Compared with this, in the present Embodiment, the slit <NUM> provided in each of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> has a width (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) more than the thickness of the insertion flap <NUM>.

In the Comparative Example, the flexibility of paper is utilized to cause the vicinity of the slit <NUM> to be deformed, thereby forming a space into which the insertion flap <NUM> is to be inserted. This insertion structure works well with the linear slit.

In the present Embodiment, by folding along the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> and its corresponding cease <NUM>, the overlapping width of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> increases. At the time, because the first arc-shaped crease <NUM> and the second arc-shaped crease <NUM> share the starting point on the insertion flap side, the effect imposed on the insertion flap <NUM> side is negligible. Here, a microrotation of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> causes the linear slit <NUM> to be slightly deformed into L-shape.

At the time, if the slit <NUM> does not have a satisfactory width, it becomes difficult for the insertion flap <NUM> to be inserted into the slit <NUM>. In the present Embodiment, by widening the width of the slit <NUM>, the slit has a play. This play contributes to easy insertion of the insertion flap <NUM> even when the slit <NUM> is deformed into L-shape.

Secondary, the presence or absence of a notch will be described below.

In the Comparative Example, each one of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> and the insertion flap <NUM> are coupled together via a connection part <NUM>. The connection part <NUM> is formed into a triangle-shape enclosed by the end side of each one of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>, the end side of the insertion flap <NUM>, and the outer rim of the blank.

Compered with this, in the present Embodiment, a notch <NUM> is provided between each one of the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM> and the insertion flap <NUM>.

In the Comparative Example, the elasticity of paper is utilized for causing the connection part <NUM> to serve as a spring. When the insertion flap <NUM> is inserted into the linear slit <NUM>, due to the pressure applied by the spring, the insertion flap <NUM> is securely brought into engagement with the right and left flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

Compared with this, in the present Embodiment, the slit <NUM> has a width (play). For this reason, when the spring force imposed by the connection part is too strong, the insertion flap <NUM> tends to drop. In the present Embodiment, because the notch <NUM> is provided, the spring force is controlled. Also, the slit <NUM> is positioned closer to the insertion flap side in comparison with the linear slit <NUM>, thereby securing the satisfactory insertion length of the insertion flap <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>/<NUM> of the length of the insertion flap <NUM>). With the structure, the insertion flap <NUM> hardly drops without depending on the spring force.

In the Comparative Example, since the spring force is too strong, a power was needed to insert the insertion flap <NUM> into the linear slit <NUM>. Compared with this, in the present Embodiment, since the spring force is controlled, the insertion flap <NUM> can be inserted into the slit <NUM> with ease.

As described above, in comparison with the Comparative Example, the present Embodiment has an easily insertable and hardly disconnectable insertion structure. Here, even when the tap width is adjusted, the same effect is produced.

In the present Embodiment, there is a joint part <NUM> of the body section <NUM> on the insertion flap side. <FIG> illustrates an effect of the body section joint part <NUM>.

The tap <NUM> is seen in the back side of <FIG>. When the consumer holds the paper container <NUM> to drink beverage, the thumb is positioned in the vicinity of the collar section <NUM>. The collar section <NUM> is formed by being folded. Therefore, it has the higher rigidity than the other sections.

Four fingers other than the thumb are positioned along the body section joint part <NUM>. The body section joint part <NUM> also has the higher rigidity than the other sections.

If the container is poor in rigidity, it is afraid that the container might be deformed largely, and the contained beverage might be popped out when the consumer holds the container.

In the present Embodiment, owing to the above-mentioned parts having high rigidity, deformation of the container when it is held can be controlled.

Here, in a case where the container has satisfactory rigidity, the above-described limitation is not necessary. <FIG> illustrates a developed blank of, for example, a body section according to a Modification Example. In the Modification Example, there is the joint part <NUM> of the body section <NUM> on the right flap side.

Referring back to <FIG>, explanation of the blank will follow. In the present Embodiment, the body section <NUM> and the flaps <NUM>-<NUM> are formed based on a single fan-shaped blank. In other words, the blank of the present Embodiment has substantially the same shape as the typical body section blank. Therefore, the conventional apparatus and the conventional method can be used.

<FIG> illustrates an example of alignment of the fan-shaped blanks. Many fan-shaped blanks can be aligned in a single base paper without leaving unwanted space.

Claim 1:
A paper container comprising:
a bottom section (<NUM>);
a body section (<NUM>) provided to stand along from the bottom section;
a right flap (<NUM>) and a left flap (<NUM>) formed in such a manner that the right and left flaps (<NUM>, <NUM>) are folded inward along creases (<NUM>) from the upside of the body section (<NUM>);
a collar section (<NUM>) formed in such a manner that the collar section (<NUM>) is folded outward along a crease (<NUM>) from the upside of the body section (<NUM>) at one end side of the right and left flaps (<NUM>,<NUM>); and
an insertion flap (<NUM>) formed in such a manner that the insertion flap (<NUM>) is folded inward along a crease (<NUM>) from the upside of the body section (<NUM>) at the other end side of the right and left flaps (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the right flap (<NUM>) and the left flap (<NUM>) overlap each other to cover an opening formed by the body section (<NUM>);
wherein the right flap and the left flap each has a slit (<NUM>) on the insertion flap side;
wherein the insertion flap (<NUM>) is inserted into the slit (<NUM>) to maintain the overlapping state of the right and left flaps (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein there are collaterally provided between the body section (<NUM>) and each one of the right and left flaps (<NUM>, <NUM>)
a first arc-shaped crease (<NUM>) provided on the flap side, and
a second arc-shaped crease (<NUM>) provided on the body section side;
wherein the collar section (<NUM>) is provided with
a first crease (<NUM>) corresponding to the first arc-shaped crease (<NUM>), and
a second crease (<NUM>) corresponding to the second arc-shaped crease (<NUM>);
wherein
a wide tap (<NUM>) can be formed by folding along the first arc-shaped crease (<NUM>) and the first crease (<NUM>), and
a narrow tap (<NUM>) can be formed by folding along the second arc-shaped
crease (<NUM>) and the second crease (<NUM>).