STORAGE CONTAINER

Info

Publication number: 20070045310
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Applicant: TDK CORPORATION (Tokyo)
Inventors: Yuji YOSHINO (Tokyo), Takateru SATOH (Tokyo)
Application Number: 11/466,840

Abstract

A storage container capable of enhancing the efficiency of a storage operation. A storage container includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole. The storage container is configured such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which flange portions of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other. The flange portions are formed with protrusion/recess portions capable of being fitted to each other in the above state. The bottoms are formed with protrusion/recess portions capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms of the storage containers are butted against each other.

Description

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage container which is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a storage container for storing a tape cartridge, there has been known a storage casing for a tape cartridge disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.2002-104568. This storage casing is comprised of a body and a lid, which are integrally formed with each other, and configured to be capable of storing a single tape cartridge having a generally square shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the study of the above-described storage casing, the present inventors found out the following problem. This storage casing can store only one tape cartridge, and therefore when a large number of tape cartridge are collectively sold, it is necessary to store the tape cartridges one by one in the respective storage casings for packing before shipment from the factory. This causes unnecessary costs. Further, when a plurality of tape cartridges are carried, it is necessary to accommodate them in the respective storage casings for storage in a larger storage box or the like. This is troublesome. To solve the above problems, recently, a storage container capable of storing a plurality of tape cartridges therein is used when the tape cartridges are sold or carried. In this case, the storage container is formed to have a shape of a tray, for example, and is configured such that a box-shaped body capable of storing a plurality of tape cartridges can be formed by butting respective openings of a pair of the storage containers against each other, and causing fitting portions thereof to be fitted to each other. In the conventional storage containers of this kind, however, the shapes of the fitting portions are asymmetric or locations where the fitting portions are arranged are asymmetric. Therefore, generally, the fitting portions of the storage containers cannot be fitted to each other unless they are butted against each other in a predetermined direction. This requires an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage containers when butting them against each other, whereby it is difficult to enhance the efficiency of the storage operation.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a storage container capable of enhancing the efficiency of a storage operation.

To attain the above object, a storage container according to the present invention includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in the state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other; and the first fitting portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the bottoms.

According to this storage container, the first fitting portions capable of being fitted to each other in the state in which the edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottoms, whereby the first fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with respect to the other storage container from a position where the first fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other. Therefore, when one storage container is placed over the other storage container to connect them to each other, it is possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage containers, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting operation. Further, the second fitting portions capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms of the storage containers are butted against each other are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottoms, whereby the second fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with respect to the other storage container from a position where the second fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other. Therefore, when one storage container is stacked on the bottom of the other storage container, it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage containers, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.

Also, a storage container according to the present invention includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in the state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other; the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that the first fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a position where the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other; and the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that the second fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a position where the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other.

According to this storage container, the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that they car also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a position where the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other, whereby when one storage container is placed over the other storage container to thereby connect them to each other, the first fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each other before and after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom. Therefore, it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage containers, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting operation. Further, the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that they can also be fitted to each other even after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom with respect to the other storage container from a position where the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other, whereby when one storage container is stacked on the bottom of the other storage container, the second fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each other before and after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom. Therefore, it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.

Also, a storage container according to the present invention includes an opening and a bottom each formed to have a generally rectangular shape, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other; the first fitting portions each comprise a first protrusion/recess portion and a second protrusion/recess portion formed in one pair of opposed ones of four edges of the generally rectangular opening, respectively, and a third protrusion/recess portion and a fourth protrusion/recess portion formed in the other pair of opposed ones of the four edges; the first protrusion/recess portions and the second protrusion/recess portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of another storage container can be fitted to each other; the third protrusion/recess portions and the fourth protrusion/recess portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of the other storage container can be fitted to each other; the second fitting portions each comprise a fifth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an upper left-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a sixth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a lower right-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a seventh protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an upper right-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, and an eighth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a lower left hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view; the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom; and the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion can be fitted to both the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion of another storage container.

According to this storage container, the first fitting portions each comprise the first protrusion/recess portion, the second protrusion/recess portion, the third protrusion/recess portion, and the fourth protrusion/recess portion. The first protrusion/recess portion and the second protrusion/recess portion are configured to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time capable of being fitted to each other, and the third protrusion/recess portion and the fourth protrusion/recess portion are configured to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time capable of being fitted to each other, whereby even after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with respect to the other storage container from a position where the protrusion/recess portions of the pair of storage containers can be fitted to each other, it is possible to reliably fit protrusion/recess portions to each other. Therefore, when one storage container is placed over the other storage container to thereby connect then to each other, it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting operation. Further, the second fitting portions each comprise the fifth protrusion/recess portion, the sixth protrusion/recess portion, the seventh protrusion/recess portion, and the eighth protrusion/recess portion. The fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion of one storage container can be fitted to both the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion of the other storage container. This makes it possible, even after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with respect to the other storage container from a position where the protrusion/recess portions of the pair of storage containers can be fitted to each other, to reliably fit the protrusion/recess portions to each other. Therefore, when one storage container is stacked on the bottom of the other storage container, it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.

In the this case, the storage container may include handles formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each have a three-dimensional shape. According to this storage container, unlike handles formed by forming holes in the edges, it is possible to suppress formations of burrs or the like on the handles. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the user from being hurt by burrs when he/she seizes the handles.

Further, the storage container may include partitions for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of tape cartridges are separated from each other. According to this storage container, even if the storage container storing the tape cartridges is vibrated during transfer thereof, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape cartridges from being rubbed together within the storage container and damaged thereby. Further, the tape cartridges are stored in storage spaces partitioned by the partitions, whereby even if the tape cartridges are not stored in all the storage spaces, that is, even if one or some of the storage spaces is or are empty, it is possible to reliably prevent the rattling of the tape cartridges.

It should be noted that the present disclosure relates to the subject matter included in Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-247237 filed Aug. 29, 2005, and it is apparent that all the disclosures therein are incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage container, as viewed from an opening side of the storage container;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the storage container, as viewed from the opening side of the storage container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container, as viewed from an outer surface side of a bottom of the storage container;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage container, as viewed from the cuter surface side of the bottom of the storage container;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 storage container, taken on line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the storage container in a state where the storage container has tape cartridges stored therein;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a storage box; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of storage boxes in a state in which one storage box is placed on another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, the best mode of a storage container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a description will be given of the construction of the storage container 1 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage container 1 is an example of the storage container according to the present invention. The storage container 1 is comprised of a bottom 2 formed to have a generally rectangular shape, and four walls 3a, 3b, Bc, and 3d erected on the respective edges of the bottom 2 (each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to as “the wall 3” when it is not required to make a distinction between the four walls), with a generally rectangular opening 10a, and has the shape of a tray as a whole. In this case, the storage container 1 is manufactured by injection molding by using PET (polyethylene terephthalate), for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the storage container 1 is configured such that a pair of storage containers 1 can form a storage box (box-shaped body in the present invention) 100 which is capable of storing tape cartridges 200 (see FIG. 5 as well) as to-be-stored bodies in the present invention, in a state in which edges (flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, described hereinafter) of the respective openings 11a of the pair of storage containers 1 are butted against each other. In this case, the tape cartridge 200 is a single-reel type tape cartridge having a single tape reel, and is formed to have a generally square shape in plan view, by way of example.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage container 1 includes the four flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d (corresponding to the edges in the present invention, each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to as “the flange portion 4” when it is not required to make a distinction between the four flange portions) formed such that they surround the opening 10a. In this case, the flange portions 4a and 1b (a pair of edges opposite to each other in the present invention) are formed with protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b, respectively. Further, the flange portions 4c and 4d (the other pair of edges in the present invention) are formed with protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d, respectively. The flange portions 4c and 4d are formed with handles 5 and 5, respectively, which are formed to have a three-dimensional shape by bending parts of the flange portions 4c and 4d toward the bottom 2. It should be noted that the protrusion/recess portions 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d (each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to as “the protrusion/recess portion 11” when it is not required to make a distinction between the four protrusion/recess portions) form a first fitting portion in the present invention.

Here, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b correspond to a first protrusion/recess portion and a second protrusion/recess portion in the present invention, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are each formed with three recesses 21 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and three cylindrical protrusions 22 capable of being fitted in the recesses 21. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the recesses 21 and the protrusions 22 of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are arranged such that they are point-symmetric with respect to a central point O (central portion in the present invention) of the bottom 2, and that, as shown in FIG. 7, each recess 21 (or each protrusion 22) of one storage container 1 and each protrusion 22 (or each recess 21) of the other storage container 1 are fitted to each other in the state in which the respective flange portions 4 of the pair of storage containers 1 are butted against each other. That is, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b of the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other.

Further, the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d correspond to a third protrusion/recess portion and a fourth protrusion/recess portion, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are each formed with two recesses 21 and two protrusions 22, by way of example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the recesses 21 and the protrusions 22 of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are arranged such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2, and that each recess 21 (or each protrusion 22) of one storage container 1 and each protrusion 22 (or each recess 21) of the other storage container 1 are fitted to each other in the state in which the flange portions 4 of the pair of storage containers 1 are butted against each other. That is, the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d of the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, protrusion/recess portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d (each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to as “the protrusion/recess portion 12” when it is not required to make a distinction between the four protrusion/recess portions) are formed in respective areas located at an upper left-hand portion, a lower right-hand portion, an upper right-hand portion, and a lower left-hand portion, of the bottom 2, as viewed in plan view from an outer surface 2a side. It should be noted that the protrusion/recess portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d form a second fitting portion in the present invention. The protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b correspond to a fifth protrusion/recess portion and a sixth protrusion/recess portion in the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b each include a protrusion 31 generally rectangular in plan view and protruding outward from the outer surface 2a of the bottom 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2. The protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d correspond to a seventh protrusion/recess portion and an eighth protrusion/recess portion in the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d each include a protrusion 32 in the form of a frame generally rectangular in plan view, and protruding outward from the outer surface 2a of the bottom 2, for example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2, and at the same time that as shown in FIG. 8, when the outer surfaces 2a of the respective bottoms 2 of the pair of storage containers 1 are butted against each other, the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d of one storage container 1 can be fitted to both the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of the other storage container 1.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rib 6 is formed on an inner surface 2b of the bottom 2. The rib 6 is formed with twenty-two partitions 7a. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, twenty-two partitions 7b are formed on the inner surface 2b of the bottom 2. Furthermore, eleven partitions 7c are formed on each of walls 3a and 3b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c have the function of separating a plurality of (twenty, in this case) tape cartridges 200 from each other for storage in the storage container 1.

Next, a method of using the storage container 1 will be described with reference to drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the storage container 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage container 1A) is placed with the opening 10a facing upward. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, one of the tape cartridges 200 is accommodated e.g., in a storage space 20 located at a lower left-hand corner of the storage container 1A, partitioned by the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c of the storage container 1A. Subsequently, the other tape cartridges 200 are sequentially accommodated in respective storage spaces 20 (see FIG. 6) partitioned by associated ones of the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c.

After that, the storage container 1A having stored the tape cartridges 200 in all (twenty, in this case) the storage spaces 20, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6, is placed over another storage container 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage container 1B”) with its opening 10a facing downward, as shown in FIG. 7. In doing this, each flange portion 4 of the storage container 1A and a corresponding one of the flange portions 4 of the storage container 1B are butted against each ether, whereby the protrusion/recess portions of the storage containers 1A and 1B are fitted to each other. This connects the storage containers 1A and 1B to each other via the protrusion/recess portions 11, whereby the storage box 100 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage box 100A”) is formed by the storage containers 1A and 1B. In this case, the tape cartridges 200 are stored in a state separated from each other by the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c, and therefore even if the storage box 100 is vibrated during transfer thereof, the tape cartridges 200 are reliably prevented from being rubbed together and damaged within the storage box 100. Further, the tape cartridges 200 are stored in the storage spaces 20 partitioned by the partitions 7a, 7h, and 7c, and hence even it the tape cartridges 200 are not stored in all the storage spaces 20, that is, even if some of the storage spaces 20 are empty, the rattling of the tape cartridges 200 is reliably prevented.

Further, in the storage container 1, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2, and at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b of the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other. Furthermore, the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d of the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other. As a result, the protrusion/recess portions 11 can also be fitted to each other even after the storage container 1B is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the storage container 1A from a position where the protrusion/recess portions 11 of the storage containers 1A and 1B can be fitted to each other. This makes it possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container 1B when the storage container 1B is connected to (placed over) the storage container 1A, whereby it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the connecting operation.

Then, similarly to the above, the tape cartridges 200 are stored in a new storage container 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage container 1C”), and another new storage container 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage container 1D”) is placed over the storage container 1C to connect the storage containers 1C and 1D to each other via the respective protrusion/recess portions 11. Thus, a second storage box 100 (hereinafter also referred to as “the storage box 100B”) having she tape cartridges 200 stored therein is formed. Subsequently, the handles 5 of the storage containers 1C and 1D of the storage box 100B are seized to stack the storage box 100B on the storage box 100A, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the outer surface 2a of the bottom 2 of the storage container 1B as a component of the storage box 100A and the outer surface 2a of the bottom 2 of the storage container 1C as a component of the storage box 100B are butted against each other, whereby the protrusion/recess portions 12 of the storage containers 1B and 1C are fitted to each other. This connects the storage boxes 100A and 100B to each other via the protrusion/recess portions 12, to thereby prevent displacement between the storage boxes 10A and 100B. In this case, the handles 5 of the storage containers 1B and 1C are formed to have a three-dimensional shape by bending parts of the flange portions 4c and 4c, and therefore unlike handles formed by forming holes in the flange portions 4c and 4d, formations of burrs or the like on the handles 5 are suppressed. As a result, in the storage containers 1, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from being hurt by burrs when he/she seizes the handles 5.

Further, in the storage container 1, the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2. Furthermore, the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d can be fitted to both the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of the other storage container 1. As a result, the protrusion/recess portions 12 can also be fitted to each other even after the storage container 1C is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the storage container 1B from a position where the protrusion/recess portions 12 of the storage containers 1B and 1C can be fitted to each other. This makes it possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container 1C when the storage box 100B is stacked on the storage box 100A, whereby it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.

Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeatedly carried out for storing the tape cartridges 200 in the storage container 1 (storage box 100).

As described above, according to the storage container 1, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2, and at the same time that they can be fitted to each other, and the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that they can be fitted to each other. Accordingly, the protrusion/recess portions 11 of the pair of storage containers 1 can also be reliably fitted to each other even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from a position where the protrusion/recess portions 11 can be fitted to each other. As a result, when the storage container 1 is placed over the other storage container 1 for connection, it is possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container 1, thereby making it possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting operation.

Further, the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that they can be fitted to both the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of the other storage container 1. Accordingly, the protrusion/recess portions 12 of the pair of storage containers 1 can also be reliably fitted to each other even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from a position where the protrusion/recess portions 12 can be fitted to each other. As a result, when the storage container 1 (storage box 100) is stacked or the other storage container 1 (the other storage box 100), it is possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container 1 (storage box 100), thereby making it possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.

Further, according to the storage container 1, the handles 5 are formed to have a three-dimensional shape by bending parts of the flange portions 4c and 4d, whereby unlike e.g., handles formed by forming holes in the flange portions 4c and 4d, it is possible to suppress formations of burrs or the like on the handles 5. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the user from being hurt by burrs when he/she seizes the handles 5.

Further, according to the storage container 1, the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c for separating the plurality of tape cartridges 200 from each other for storage in the storage container 1 are provided, whereby even if the storage container 1 (storage box 100) storing the tape cartridges 200 is vibrated during transfer thereof, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape cartridges 200 from being rubbed together and damaged within the storage container 1. Further, the tape cartridges 200 are stored in the storage spaces 20 partitioned by the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c, whereby even if the tape cartridges 200 are not stored in all the storage spaces 20, that is, even if some of the storage spaces 20 are empty, it is possible to reliably prevent the rattling of the tape cartridges 200.

It should be noted that the present invention is by no means limited to the above-described configuration. For example, although in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the example in which each protrusion/recess portion 11 is comprised of two or three recesses 21 rectangular in plan view and two or three cylindrical protrusions 22, this is not limitative, but the number and the shape of the recesses 21 and those of the protrusions 22 can be defined as desired. Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the example in which the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b each include a protrusion 31 generally rectangular in plan view, and the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d each include a protrusion 32 in the form of a frame generally rectangular in plan view, this is not limitative, but the shapes of the protrusions 31 and 32 can be defined as desired. Furthermore, although in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the example in which there is employed the storage container 1 (storage box 100) capable of storing twenty tape cartridges 200, this is not limitative, but the number of the tape cartridges 200 capable of being stored in the storage container 1 can be defined as desired. Further, the present invention can be applied to the storage container 1 for storing tape cartridges other than the tape cartridges 200, various recording media, and small articles.

Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the example in which the first fitting portion in the present invention is formed by the protrusion/recess portions 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d formed in the flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively, and the second fitting portion in the present invention is formed by the protrusion/recess portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d formed in the four areas of the bottom 2, this is not limitative, but the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion can be formed as desired insofar as the respective first fitting portions of the pair of storage containers 1 are also fitted to each other even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from a position where the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers 1 can be fitted to each other, and the respective second fitting portions of the pair of storage containers 1 are also fitted to each other even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from a position where the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers 1 can be fitted to each other, that is, insofar as the first fitting portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central point O. In this case, the shapes of the opening 10a and the bottom 2 are not necessarily required to be rectangular or generally rectangular, but they can be formed to have desired shapes.

Claims

1. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein:

the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in the state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other; and

the first fitting portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the bottoms.

2. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein:

the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other;

the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that the first fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a position where the respective first fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other; and

the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that the second fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a position where the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other.

3. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom each formed to have a generally rectangular shape, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage containers are butted against each other, wherein:

the respective edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each other;

the first fitting portions each comprise a first protrusion/recess portion and a second protrusion/recess portion formed in one pair of opposed ones of four edges of the generally rectangular opening, respectively, and a third protrusion/recess portion and a fourth protrusion/recess portion formed in the other pair of opposed ones of the four edges;

the first protrusion/recess portions and the second protrusion/recess portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of another storage container can be fitted to each other;

the third protrusion/recess portions and the fourth protrusion/recess portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of the other storage container can be fitted to each other;

the second fitting portions each comprise a fifth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an upper left-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a sixth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a lower right-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a seventh protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an upper right hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, and an eighth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a lower left-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view;

the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom; and

the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion can be fitted to both the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion of another storage container.

4. A storage container according to claim 1, including handles formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each have a three-dimensional shape.

5. A storage container according to claim 2, including handles formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each have a three-dimensional shape.

6. A storage container according to claim 3, including handles formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each have a three-dimensional shape.

7. A storage container according to claim 1, including partitions for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape cartridges are separated from each other.

8. A storage container according to claim 2, including partitions for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape cartridges are separated from each other.

9. A storage container according to claim 3, including partitions for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape cartridges are separated from each other.