Container

Abstract

In a bottle container, such as a pet bottle, provided with a mouth portion 2 that serves as a port extracting the content, a shoulder portion 3 extending downward from the lower end of the mouth portion 2, a rectangular body portion 4 extending downward from the lower end of the shoulder portion 3 and a bottom portion 5 extending inward from the lower end of the body portion 4, wherein a finger hanging concave portion 9 serving as a finger grip when lifting the bottle container 1 is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other in the shoulder portion 3. This structure makes easy to take out the bottle container 1 from a casing or refrigerator while avoiding a remarkable reduction in capacity and cost up.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container, such as a pet bottle, provided with a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion and a bottom portion, and, particularly, to a container of which the shoulder portion can be easily gripped.

BACKGROUND ART

A plastic bottle container such as a pet bottle is suitable to mass production because it can be easily molded and also, has such excellent characteristics that it has high mechanical strength and a light weight. Therefore, it is utilized as a container for filling various liquids in a wide field. Particularly, this container is currently used in large numbers as beverage containers for various drinks and mineral water.

As to the capacity of the bottle container, there are many types in response to requests in the market. As bottle containers having a large capacity, for example, those having about 2 litters or more are used. As to the shape of the bottle container, containers having a cross-section of rectangular or square form have been conventionally adopted in consideration of storage easiness in a refrigerator and handy-carrying easiness.

In the meantime, when a liquid is filled in a bottle container having a large capacity, the weight of the container is increased considerably due to the weight of the liquid. For this, when the bottle container is lifted in the case of, for example, pouring a content liquid, it is necessary to grip the bottle container by considerable strong force. If the gripping force is larger like this, there is the case where the container is deformed and the bottle container is slipped on the hand gripping the bottle container, posing the problem that it is difficult to lift the container.

To deal such a problem, there is a proposal of a bottle container improved in gripping ability by forming a grip concave portion (grip portion) at the body portion of the bottle container to hang fingers on the concave portion when gripping the bottle container with one hand (see, for example, the grip concave portion of a bottle container according to an embodiment of the present invention).

Also, there is a proposal of a bottle container having a grip portion at the position above the body portion (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In the bottle container described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a flat portion is formed as the grip portion at the upper portion of the bottle container.

Also, in the bottle container described in Patent Document 2, the neck portion connecting the mouth portion with the shoulder portion is formed as the grip portion.

• [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-283441
• [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-347771

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

As shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the bottle container having a grip portion at the position above the body portion has the advantage that the grip portion is not concealed even in the situation where the container is packed in a casing or stored in a refrigerator and therefore, the container is easily taken out of the box or refrigerator.

However, since a wide vertical surface is formed as the grip portion in each of the bottle containers described in Patent Document 1 and 2, there is the problem that the container is reduced in capacity remarkably compared to a bottle container having the same height in dimension.

Also, the bottle container described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that its shape and production method are specific and therefore, it is not only limited in its application but also, is produced at high costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation and it is an object of the present invention to provide a container which not only is easily taken out of a casing or a refrigerator but also makes it possible to avoid a remarkable reduction in capacity and cost up.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to attain the above object, the container of the present invention includes a mouth portion, a shoulder portion extending downward from the lower end of the mouth portion, a rectangular body portion extending downward from the lower end of the shoulder portion and a bottom portion positioned at the lower end of the body portion, wherein a finger hanging concave portion which serves as a finger grip when lifting the container, is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other in the shoulder portion.

Such a structure ensures that the container can be lifted with ease by gripping the finger hanging concave portion formed in the shoulder portion. Because the finger hanging concave portion is not concealed even in the situation where the container is packed in a casing or stored in a refrigerator and therefore, the container is easily taken out of the box or refrigerator. Also, since the finger hanging concave portion is not formed as a special vertical plane but formed by utilizing the shoulder portion and it is therefore possible to avoid the disorders including a remarkable reduction in the capacity of the container and a cost-up problem.

Also, the container of the present invention preferably has a structure in which the horizontal distance between the upper ends of the pair of finger hanging concave portions is 55 to 90 mm.

Such a structure ensures a proper distance between the grip fingers when gripping the pair of finger hanging concave portions, which can improve gripping ability.

In the container of the present invention, the vertical distance from the upper end of the finger hanging concave portion to the upper end of the mouth portion is preferably 35 to 80 mm.

Such a structure makes it easy to grip the pair of finger hanging concave portions and it is therefore easy to lift the container.

Also, in the container of the present invention, the depth of the finger hanging concave portion is preferably 3 to 15 mm.

This structure secures a depth easy for hanging fingers on the finger hanging concave portion and therefore, the reliability of the finger hanging concave portion on finger hanging is improved.

Also, in the container of the present invention, the vertical width of the finger hanging concave portion is preferably 50 mm or less and more preferably 15 to 40 mm.

Because a vertical width sufficiently enough for fingers is secured in the finger hanging concave portion, it is easy to hang fingers on the finger hanging concave portion.

Also, in the container of the present invention, the lateral width of the finger hanging concave portion is preferably 90 mm or less and more preferably 15 to 70 mm.

If the container has such a structure, plural fingers can be hung on the finger hanging concave portion, it is much easy to lift the container.

Also, in the container of the present invention, the surface on which the finger hanging concave portion is to be formed in the shoulder portion preferably has an inclination of −10 to 30° with respect to the vertical axis.

When the container is made to have such a structure, the finger hanging concave portion is easily gripped from the above and it is therefore easier to lift the container.

Also, in the container of the present invention, the inclination of the side wall surface to be formed on the mouth portion side in the finger hanging concave portion is preferably 5 to 80° with respect to the horizontal axis.

In such a structure, an angle at which fingers are easily hung on the side wall surface of the finger hanging concave portion is secured, which improves the reliability of the finger hanging concave portion on finger hanging.

Also, the container of the present invention may have a structure in which the above finger hanging concave portion has its apex on the mouth portion side and a first fold line is formed on the surface positioned between the finger hanging concave portion and the mouth portion such that it is positioned on the line crossing the above apex.

This structure makes it easy to crush the shoulder portion with the intention of reducing the volume of the bottle container when the container is treated as waste after used. Particularly, because the fold line is formed such that it is positioned on the line crossing the apex of the mouth portion side of the finger hanging concave portion, stress tends to be concentrated on the fold line, so that the shoulder portion is easily bent along the fold line when it is crushed.

Also, the container of the present invention may have a structure in which the finger hanging concave portion is provided with angular portions positioned on each of the left and right sides thereof and a second fold line extending laterally from each of the vicinity of the angular portions is formed.

In such a structure, the shoulder portion is crushed while bent along both the first and second fold lines and thus the shoulder portion is crushed more easily.

Also, the container of the present invention may have a structure in which a finger receiving concave portion having a convex curvature formed toward the inside of the container is formed on the bottom side of the finger hanging concave portion.

Such a structure makes easy to grip the finger hanging concave portion, with the result that the bottle container can be easily lifted.

Also, the container of the present invention preferably has a structure in which a second finger hanging concave portion serving as finger grip when the content is extracted from the mouth portion by tilting the container is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other at the lower end of the above body portion.

With such a structure, the tilted container can be supported stably by gripping the second finger hanging concave portion formed at the lower end portion of the body portion when the content is extracted from the mouth portion by tilting it.

Also, the container of the present invention may have a structure in which the second finger hanging concave portion is provided with angular portions positioned on each of the left and right sides thereof and a third fold line extending laterally from each of the vicinity of the angular portions is formed.

In such a structure, the lower end portion of the body portion can be crushed while bent along the third fold line.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, as mentioned above, the container can be easily lifted by gripping the finger hanging concave portion formed in the shoulder portion. Because the finger hanging concave portion is not concealed even in the situation where the container is packed in a casing or stored in a refrigerator and therefore, the container is easily taken out of the box or refrigerator. Also, since the finger hanging concave portion is not formed as a special vertical plane but formed by utilizing the shoulder portion and it is therefore possible to avoid the disorders including a remarkable reduction in the capacity of the container and a cost-up problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line X-X showing a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 4(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5(A) is a front view showing the lower portion of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5(B) is a side view showing the lower portion of a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a third embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 9(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 11(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 (A) to (F) are views showing various embodiments of a finger hanging concave portion of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a bottle container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a bottle container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing the upper portion of a bottle container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the lower portion of a bottle container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a bottle container according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a bottle container according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1. Bottle container
• 2. Mouth portion
• 3. Shoulder portion
• 4. Body portion
• 5. Bottom portion
• 7. Grip concave portion
• 9. Finger hanging concave portion
• 9a. Apex
• 9b. Angular portion
• 90. Finger receiving concave portion
• 10. Side wall surface
• 11. Bottom surface
• 13. Second finger hanging concave portion
• 13a. Angular portion
• FL1. First fold line
• FL2. Second fold line
• FL3. Third fold line

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment applied to a plastic bottle container will be explained as an example of the container of the present invention.

As the resin constituting the bottle container, an optional one may be used insofar as it is a thermoplastic resin which can be processed by stretching blow molding and thermally crystallized.

Specifically, thermoplastic polyesters such as a polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polylactic acid or copolymers of these compounds, resins of these material and blended materials obtained by blending these resins with other resins are preferable. Particularly, ethylene terephthalate type thermoplastic polyesters such as a polyethylene terephthalate are preferably used.

An acrylonitrile resin, polypropylene, propylene/ethylene copolymer, polyethylene and the like may be also used.

These resins may be compounded with various additives such as colorants, ultraviolet absorber, releasing agent, lubricant, nucleic agent, antioxidant and antistatic agent to the extent that the qualities of the molded product are not impaired.

The ethylene terephthalate type thermoplastic polyester constituting the bottle container is those in which a large neck portion, generally 70 mol % or more, of the ester repeat units are occupied by ethylene terephthalate units and which preferably have a glass transition temperature (Tg) range from 50 to 90° C. and a melting point (Tm) range from 200 to 275° C.

As the ethylene terephthalate type thermoplastic polyester, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is especially preferable in view of, for example, pressure resistance, heat resistance and heat and pressure resistance. A copolymer polyester containing, besides an ethylene terephthalate unit, a small amount of an ester unit consisting of a dibasic acid such as isophthalic acid and naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and a diol such as propylene glycol may also be used.

Also, the bottle container of this embodiment is constituted of a single (one layer) thermoplastic polyester layer and besides such a case, it may be constituted of two or more thermoplastic polyester layers.

Moreover, the bottle container of this embodiment may be provided with an intermediate layer sealed in between an inner layer and an outer layer constituted of two or more thermoplastic polyester layers. A barrier layer and an oxygen absorbing layer may be formed as the intermediate layers.

The provision of the barrier layer and oxygen absorbing layer can limit the transmission of oxygen to the bottle container from the outside to thereby prevent the content in the bottle container from being denatured by external oxygen.

Here, as the oxygen absorbing layer, an optional one may be used insofar as it absorbs oxygen to prevent the transmission of oxygen. It is however preferable to use a combination of an oxidizable organic component and a transition metal catalyst or a combination of a gas barrier resin which is not substantially oxidized, an oxidizable organic component and a transition metal catalyst.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

Next, a bottle container according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line X-X showing the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 (B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 4(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5(A) is a front view showing the lower portion of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5(B) is a side view showing the lower portion of the bottle container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

A bottle container 1 shown in these figures is a plastic bottle container formed by processing a preform made of the aforementioned thermoplastic resin by biaxial stretching blow molding and is provided with a mouth portion 2, a shoulder portion 3, a body portion 4 and a bottom portion 5.

The mouth portion 2 is a portion that serves as a mouth from which the content is taken out and is opened and closed by a cap (not shown) engaged with the screw thread in the periphery thereof.

The shoulder portion 3 is a portion having an almost pyramid form extending downward from the mouth portion 2.

The bottom portion 5 is a portion extending inward from the lower end of the body portion 4, and functions as the bottom wall of the bottle container 1 and also as a foot portion enabling the bottle container 1 to stand on its own bottom.

The body portion 4 is a portion having an almost quadratic cylinder form extending downward from the lower end of the shoulder portion 3. The sectional shape of the body portion 4 is designed to be almost rectangular wherein the short side L1 is preferably designed to have a length of 110 mm or less. With this structure, the bottle container 1 is well received in a refrigerator and the bottle container 1 can be gripped by one hand even if the bottle container is one having a capacity as large as 2000 to 3000 ml or more.

The body portion 4 may be designed to have a cross-section of an almost square sectional shape. In this case, if the length of one side of the square is designed to be 110 mm or less, good receptivity in a refrigerator and handling characteristics can be secured.

A waist portion 6 tighten along the peripheral direction is formed on the center portion in the vertical direction of the body portion 4. This waist portion 6 functions as a reinforcing portion imparting necessary strength to the body portion 4.

Also, in this embodiment, a grip concave portion 7 is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other in the body portion 4, the grip concave portion 7 serving as finger grip when the bottle container 1 is carried by one hand to enable easy handling. In the case where the lateral sectional shape of the body portion 4 is almost rectangular, the grip concave portion 7 is preferably formed on the longitudinal side of the rectangle. Also, an anti-slipping portion 8 may be formed on the bottom surface and side wall surface of the grip concave portion 7 by forming projections, convex ribs, grooves or steps.

However, when the bottle container 1 is packed in a casing or stored in a refrigerator, the grip concave portion 7 formed on the body portion 4 is concealed by adjacent bottle containers 1 and other stored materials and there is therefore the possibility that the grip concave portion 7 cannot be gripped when the bottle container 1 is taken out.

In the bottle container 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the finger hanging concave portion 9 serving as finger grip when the bottle container 1 is lifted is formed on at least one pair of surfaces opposite to each other in the shoulder portion 3. With such a structure, the bottle container 1 can be lifted easily by gripping the finger hanging concave portion 9 formed on the shoulder portion 3. Because the finger hanging concave portion 9 is not concealed even in the situation where the container is packed in a casing or stored in a refrigerator and therefore, the bottle container 1 is easily taken out of the box or refrigerator. Also, since the finger hanging concave portion 9 is not formed as a special vertical plane but formed by utilizing the shoulder portion 3 and it is therefore possible to avoid the disorders including a remarkable reduction in the capacity of the bottle container 1 and a cost-up problem.

Though no particular limitation is imposed on the capacity of the bottle container 1 formed with the finger hanging concave portion 9, the effect of the present invention is produced significantly when applied to a bottle container 1 having a capacity of 900 ml or more.

Also, when the sectional shape of the shoulder portion 3 (body portion 4) is almost rectangular, the finger hanging concave portion 9 is preferably formed on the longitudinal side of the rectangle. With this structure, the pair of finger hanging concave portions 9 can be gripped by one hand even in the case of a large capacity container.

Specifically, the lateral distance L2 between the upper ends of the pair of finger hanging concave portions 9 is preferably designed to be 55 to 90 mm. It is thereby possible to improve gripping ability because a proper distance is secured between fingers gripping the container when the pair of the finger hanging concave portions 9 are gripped.

Also, the vertical distance L3 from the upper end of the finger grip concave portion 9 to the upper end of the mouth portion 2 is preferably designed to be 35 to 80 mm. Such a structure makes it easy to lift the bottle container 1 because the pair of the finger hanging concave portions 9 can be gripped with ease.

The depth D1 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is preferably 3 to 15 mm. Such a structure brings about the situation where a depth allowing fingers to be easily hung is secured in the finger hanging concave portion 9 and the certainty of the finger hanging concave portion 9 about finger hanging is therefore improved.

Also, the maximum vertical width L4 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is designed to be preferably 50 mm or less and more preferably 15 to 40 mm. With this structure, a vertical width large enough for the fingers is secured and therefore, it is easy to hang fingers on the finger hanging concave portion 9.

Also, the maximum lateral width L5 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is designed to be preferably 90 mm or less and more preferably 15 to 70 mm. This ensures that plural fingers can be hung on the finger hanging concave portion 9 and it is therefore easy to lift the bottle container 1.

Also, the ratio L5/L6 of the maximum lateral width L5 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 to the lateral width (longitudinal side) L6 of the body portion 4 is preferably 0.7 or less and more preferably 0.25 to 0.6. This ensures that because the size of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is allowed to accord with the size of the bottle container 1, not only the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is improved but also a deterioration in the appearance of the bottle container 1 can be prevented.

Also, in the shoulder portion 3, the inclination θ1 of the plane on which the finger hanging concave portion 9 is to be formed, with respect to the vertical axis is designed to be preferably −10 to 30°. This makes it easier to lift the bottle container 1 because the finger hanging concave portion 9 is easily gripped from above.

Also, if fingers are fit to the finger hanging concave portion 9 when the inclination θ1 is in a range from −10 to −5°, the first joints of the fingers are bent deeply, which makes finger hanging better and this range of the inclination is desirable. Moreover, when the inclination θ1 is in a range from 15 to 30°, this is preferable because fingers are easily fit to the finger hanging concave portion 9 from a clearance formed above the finger hanging concave portion 9 among the bottle containers 1 stood in line in a close contact condition when the bottle containers 1 are packed in a casing.

Also, in the finger hanging concave portion 9, the inclination θ2 of the side wall surface 10 formed on the mouth portion 2 side with respect to the horizontal axis is preferably 5 to 80°. With this structure, an angle at which fingers are easily hung is secured on the side wall surface 10 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 and the certainty of the finger hanging concave portion 9 about finger hanging is therefore improved.

The finger hanging concave portion 9 of the first embodiment has a pentagonal form (the shape of a piece of Japanese chess or home plate form) as the front shape wherein the upper two sides are inclined in a mountain form by θ3 with respect to the horizontal axis, and the lateral two sides extends upward to the mouth portion from both ends of the bottom and are inclined inward by θ4 with respect to the vertical axis. Here, the angle θ3 is preferably in a range from 5 to 60° and the angle θ4 is preferably in a range from 0 to 60°. Because this improves the balance between the lateral size and vertical size of the finger hanging concave portion 9, not only the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is improved but also a deterioration in the appearance of the bottle container 1 can be prevented. When θ4 is 0, the finger hanging concave portion 9 has a home plate-type pentagonal form.

Also, an anti-slipping portion 12 may be formed on the side wall surface 10 and bottom surface 11 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 by forming projections, convex ribs, grooves or steps. Such a structure can limit slippage of fingers on the finger hanging concave portion 9 to thereby improve the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 9.

Also, a shrink label may be attached to the bottle container 1 of the present invention. In this case, it is preferable to utilize the step connecting the shoulder portion 3 with the body portion 4 as an off-stopper to prevent the upper end of the shrink label from coming off, thereby preventing the shrink label from covering the finger hanging concave portion 9.

In the bottle container 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, a second finger hanging concave portion 13 serving as finger grip when the content is extracted from the mouth portion 2 by tilting the bottle container 1 is formed on at least a pair of opposite surfaces at the lower end of the above body portion 4. When the bottle container 1 has such a structure, the tilted bottle container 1 can be supported stably by gripping the finger concave portion 9 and also gripping the second finger hanging concave portion 13 formed at the lower end of the body portion 4 by another hand when the bottle container 1 is tilted to extract the content from the mouth portion 2.

Also, when the sectional shape of the body portion 4 is almost rectangular, the second finger hanging concave portion 13 is preferably formed on the longitudinal side of the rectangle. With this structure, the pair of finger hanging concave portions 13 can be gripped by one hand even in the case of a large capacity container.

Specifically, the lateral distance L7 between the lower ends of the pair of finger hanging concave portions 13 is preferably designed to be 55 to 100 mm. It is thereby possible to improve gripping ability because a proper distance is secured between fingers gripping the container when the pair of the finger hanging concave portions 13 are gripped.

The depth D2 of the second finger hanging concave portion 13 is preferably 3 to 15 mm. Such a structure brings about the situation where a depth allowing fingers to be easily hung is secured in the finger hanging concave portion 13 and the certainty of the finger hanging concave portion 13 about finger hanging is therefore improved.

Also, the maximum vertical width L8 of the second finger hanging concave portion 13 is designed to be preferably 50 mm or less and more preferably 15 to 40 mm. With this structure, a vertical width large enough for the fingers is secured in the finger hanging concave portion 13 and therefore, it is easy to hang fingers on the finger hanging concave portion 13.

Also, the maximum lateral width L9 of the second finger hanging concave portion 13 is designed to be preferably 90 mm or less and more preferably 30 to 70 mm. This ensures that plural fingers can be hung on the finger hanging concave portion 13 and it is therefore easy to support the bottle container 1.

Also, the ratio L9/L6 of the maximum lateral width L9 of the second finger hanging concave portion 13 to the lateral width (longitudinal side) L6 of the body portion 4 is preferably 0.7 or less and more preferably 0.25 to 0.6. This ensures that because the size of the finger hanging concave portion 13 is allowed to accord with the size of the bottle container 1, not only the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 13 is improved but also a deterioration in the appearance of the bottle container 1 can be prevented.

Also, in the lower end portion of the body portion 4, the inclination θ5 of the plane on which the second finger hanging concave portion 13 is formed, with respect to the vertical axis is designed to be preferably −10 to 30°. This makes it easier to support the tilted bottle container 1 because the finger hanging concave portion 13 is easily gripped from the bottom 5 side.

Also, in the second finger hanging concave portion 13, the inclination θ6 of the side wall surface 14 formed on the bottom 5 side, with respect to the horizontal axis is preferably 5 to 80°. With this structure, an angle at which fingers are easily hung is secured on the side surface 14 of the finger hanging concave portion 13 and the certainty of the finger hanging concave portion 13 about finger hanging is therefore improved.

The second finger hanging concave portion 13 in this embodiment is designed to have an inverse trapezoidal form as the front form. However, it is needless to say that this form may be altered to an optional form.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, an example provided with the grip concave portion 7 is explained. However, this grip concave portion 7 is unnecessarily required and even if this grip concave portion 7 is not formed, this has no particular influence on the effect of the present invention.

SECOND EMBODIMENT TO EIGHTH EMBODIMENT

Next, bottle containers according to a second embodiment to an eighth embodiment in the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. The structures common to those used in the first embodiment are represented by the same symbols that are used in the first embodiment and the explanations in the first embodiment are quoted in these embodiments.

Each bottle container 1 in the second embodiment to sixth embodiment has almost the same whole shape as the bottle container 1 of the first embodiment except that the shape of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is different.

FIG. 6(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The bottle container of this embodiment is an upper side circular arc type in which the upper side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 has a circular arc form. In this embodiment, the radius R1 of the upper side circular arc portion is preferably designed to be 20 to 40 mm. Other portions are designed to be the same as those in the bottle container of the first embodiment. In the bottle container of the second embodiment constituted in this manner, the same effect that is obtained by the bottle container of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

FIG. 7(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the third embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The bottle container of this embodiment has the finger hanging concave portion 9 which shaped like a boiled fish cake (i.e. “KAMABOKO” in Japanese) in which the upper side and left and right sides of the finger hanging concave portion 9 have a circular arc form. In this embodiment, the radius R2 of the upper side circular arc portion is preferably designed to be 20 to 40 mm. Other portions are designed to be the same as those in the bottle container of the first embodiment. In the bottle container of the third embodiment constituted in this manner, the same effect that is obtained by the bottle container of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

FIG. 8(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8(C) is a side view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The bottle container of this embodiment is so designed that the inclination of the upper side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 with respect to the horizontal axis is 0° and is specifically a bottle container obtained by setting the inclination θ3 in the first embodiment to 0°. Except for this, the bottle containers of this embodiment have the same trapezoidal square shape having four sides as that of the first embodiment. Here, the upper side lateral width L10 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is designed to be preferably 20 to 50 mm. Even in this structure, plural fingers can be hung on the finger hanging concave portion 9 and it is therefore easy to lift the bottle container 1.

Also, the ratio L10/L5 of the upper side lateral width L10 to lower side lateral width L5 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is preferably 0.4 to 0.8. This ensures that because the size of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is allowed to accord with the size of the bottle container 1, not only the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is improved but also a deterioration in the appearance of the bottle container 1 can be prevented.

Other portions are designed to be the same as those of the first embodiment. The same effect that is obtained by the bottle container in the first embodiment is also obtained by the bottle container in fourth embodiment constituted in this manner.

In other examples of this embodiment in which the finger hanging concave portion 9 has a square form, modified examples having a finger hanging concave portion 9 having a rectangular form, square form or rhomboid form are considered.

FIG. 9(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 9(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The bottle container of this embodiment is so designed that the inclination θ3+θ4 of the finger hanging concave portion 9 of the first embodiment is 90°. Except for this, the bottle containers of this embodiment have the same triangular type having three sides as that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the inclination θ7 of the oblique side with respect to the bottom side (horizontal axis) in the finger hanging concave portion 9 is preferably 15 to 60°. With this structure, an angle at which fingers are easily hung is secured on the side surface 14 of the finger hanging concave portion 13 and the certainty of the finger hanging concave portion 13 about finger hanging is therefore improved. Other portions are designed to be the same as those of the first embodiment. The same effect that is obtained by the bottle container in the first embodiment is also obtained by the bottle container in the fifth embodiment constituted in this manner.

The triangular form of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is preferably an isosceles triangle (including an equilateral triangle) in view of gripping easiness and appearance.

FIG. 10(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 10(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11(A) is a plan view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 11(B) is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in these figures, the finger hanging concave portion 9 of the sixth embodiment is designed to have a circular form (including an ellipsoidal or elliptic form). Also, the bottle container 1 of the seventh embodiment has an almost square section and a heptagonal finger hanging concave portion 9 is formed on two pairs of surfaces opposite to each other in the shoulder portion 3. Even if the finger hanging concave portion 9 is formed in this manner, the same effect that is obtained in the first embodiment can be produced. In, also, the sixth and seventh embodiments, L1 to L6, θ1 and θ2 are preferably set to the same ranges that are defined in the first embodiment.

The bottle container 1 of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is different from the foregoing embodiment in the point that projections 15 continued to the side wall surface 10 of the mouth portion 2 side are formed on the upper portion of the finger hanging concave portion 9. This structure makes it possible to prevent slippage when gripping the finger hanging concave portion 9, without fail to improve the gripping ability of the finger hanging concave portion 9.

The embodiment of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is not limited to the foregoing embodiment but may be those shown in FIGS. 13(A) to (F). FIGS. 13(A) to (F) respectively show plan views and sectional views of the finger hanging concave portion 9.

Here, FIG. 13 (A) shows an embodiment in which the depth of the bottom surface of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is gradually increased, FIGS. 13(B) and (C) show embodiments in which a multistage bottom surface is formed and FIG. 13(D) shows an embodiment in which projections are formed apart from the side wall surface on the bottom surface. Also, it is possible to gradually vary the inclination of the side wall surface of the finger hanging concave portion 9 as shown in FIG. 13(E) or to make the slant surface have an arc form as shown in FIG. 13(D). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13(F), the finger hanging concave portion 9 may have such a form that the opening has a pentagonal form and the bottom surface has a triangular form.

Also, though not shown, the bottom surface of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is not limited to a flat form but may be made into various forms, for example, various three-dimensional shapes such as an inwardly convexed sphere shape.

NINTH EMBODIMENT

Next, a bottle container according to a ninth embodiment in the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. The structures common to those used in the aforementioned each embodiment are represented by the same symbols that are used in this embodiment and the explanations in the first embodiment are quoted in this embodiment.

The bottle container 1 in the ninth embodiment has almost the same whole shape as the bottle container 1 of the first embodiment except that fold lines FL1 to FL3 are formed at predetermined positions with respect to the finger hanging concave portions 9 and 13 to make it easy to crush the shoulder portion 3 and the lower end portion of the body portion 4 in the bottle container 1 with the intention of decreasing the volume of the bottle container 1, thereby attaining a decrease in the volume of wastes when the bottle container 1 is treated as waste after used.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the bottle container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a side view of the bottle container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a front view showing the upper portion of the bottle container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a front view showing the lower portion of the bottle container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

In these figures, the portions where the fold lines are formed are each enclosed by a dotted line.

The bottle container 1 in this embodiment has a pentagonal front shape in the same manner as in the first embodiment wherein a pair of finger hanging concave portions 9 each having an apex 9a on the side of the mouth portion 2 side are formed on the front side and backside of the shoulder portion 3. Then, a first fold line FL1 is formed on the surface between the finger hanging concave portion 9 and the mouth portion 2 such that it is positioned on the line crossing the apex 9a on the mouth portion 2 side of the finger hanging concave portion 9. As is illustrated, this fold line FL1 is preferably formed in such a manner as to extend to almost the center in the direction of the width of the surface between the finger hanging concave portion 9 and the mouth portion 2.

Such a structure ensures that when the surface on which the finger hanging concave portion 9 of the shoulder portion 3 is formed is pressed from the outside to reduce the volume of the bottle container 1 in waste treatment after the bottle container is used, the shoulder portion 3 is crushed while the surface positioned between the finger hanging concave portion 9 and the mouth portion 2 is bent along the fold line FL1.

The shoulder portion 3 of an angular type bottle container like the bottle container 1 of the present embodiment is designed to have an almost pyramid form and has relatively high rigidity so that it is difficult to crush the bottle container. If the bottle container is made to have the same structure as in this embodiment, the shoulder portion 3 is easily crushed. Particularly, when the fold line FL1 is formed such that it is positioned on the line crossing the apex 9a on the mouth portion 2 side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 and in other words, when the apex 9a on the mouth portion 2 side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 is positioned on the line extended from the fold line FL1, stress tends to be concentrated on the fold line FL1, the shoulder portion 3 is easily bent along the fold line FL1.

Also, in this embodiment, a second fold line FL2 is formed which extends laterally from each vicinity of angular portions 9b positioned on the right and left sides of the finger hanging concave portion 9b and preferably from each vicinity of the angular portions 9b positioned on the right and left sides of the bottom sides of the finger hanging concave portion 9b as illustrated, respectively. This structure ensures that the shoulder portion 3 is eventually crushed while bent along both the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 and the shoulder portion 3 is therefore easily crushed.

Also, in the bottle container 1 of this embodiment, a second finger hanging concave portion 13 is formed at the lower end portion of the body portion 4 in the same manner as in the bottle container of the first embodiment. Then, a third fold line FL3 is formed which extends laterally from each vicinity of angular portions 13a positioned on the right and left sides of the finger hanging concave portion 13 and preferably from each vicinity of the angular portions 13a positioned on the right and left sides of the upper side of the finger hanging concave portion 13 as illustrated, respectively. This structure ensures that the lower end portion of the body portion 4 is eventually crushed while bent along the fold line FL3.

As mentioned above, the bottom portion 5 is a portion which functions as the bottom wall of the bottle container 1 and also as a foot portion enabling the bottle container 1 to stand on its own bottom and has higher rigidity than other portions. Therefore, generally, the lower end portion of the body portion 4 near to the bottom portion 5 is a portion which is also crushed with difficulty. However, if a bottle container is formed according to this embodiment, the lower end of the body portion 4 can be easily crushed.

Also, in this embodiment, a fourth fold line FL4 is formed on each side surface of the bottle container 1 as shown in FIG. 15, which eventually makes it possible to crush the whole of the bottle container 1 more easily.

The fourth fold line FL4 formed on the side surface of the bottle container 1 is preferably, as shown in the figure, constituted of a straight line portion extending vertically through the central portion in the direction of the width of the side surface of the body portion 4, an upper Y-shaped portion that is branched in two directions on the line extending from the second fold line FL2 formed in the shoulder portion 3 and is directed to the mouth portion 2 and a lower Y-shaped portion that is branched in two directions on the line extending from the third fold line FL3 formed in the lower end of the body portion 4 and is directed to the bottom portion 5. In the fourth fold line FL4 like this, the upper and lower Y-shaped portions are made to branch on the lines extended from the second fold line FL2 and the third fold line FL3 respectively, whereby the side surface of the bottle container 1 is easily bent along these fold lines, with the result that the bottle container 1 can be crushed more easily.

This embodiment is, as mentioned above, so designed that when the fold lines FL1 to FL3 are formed, the positions where these fold lines are to be formed are predetermined positions with respect to the finger hanging concave portions 9 and 13 so as to concentrate stress on these fold lines FL1 to FL3 to make it easy to crush the bottle container 1 by bending the shoulder portion 3 and the lower end portion of the body portion 4 along the fold lines FL1 to FL3. In addition, the fourth fold line FL4 is formed on each side surface of the bottle container 1 together with these fold lines FL1 to FL3 thereby making it easy to crush the whole of the bottle container 1.

Here, though these fold lines FL1 to FL4 may be formed as a convex ridge line or concave valley line extended on the surface of the bottle container 1, it is unnecessary to form these lines such that they can be observed as distinctive lines on the surface of the bottle container 1. It is only required for these fold lines to guide so as to bend the predetermined position of the bottle container 1 along these lines. These lines may be formed as a series of intermittent lines including a convex ridge line, concave valley line or combination of these lines.

Also, the apex 9a of the mouth portion 2 side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 may be formed as one made angular to some extent in the same manner as in the first embodiment or as an arc-like upper side top portion (portion closest to the mouth portion 2) in the same manner as in second and third embodiments.

TENTH EMBODIMENT

Next, the bottle container according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. The structures common to those used in the aforementioned each embodiment are represented by the same symbols that are used in this embodiment and the explanations in each embodiment are quoted in this embodiment.

A bottle container 1 of the tenth embodiment is a large container having a capacity of 4000 ml wherein, like the ninth embodiment, fold lines FL1 to FL3 are formed at predetermined positions with respect to the finger hanging concave portions 9 and 13 respectively to thereby make it easy to crush the shoulder portion 3 and the lower end portion of the body portion 4 in the bottle container 1 and also, a fourth fold line FL4 is formed on each side surface of the bottle container 1 whereby the whole bottle container 1 can be crushed more easily.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the bottle container according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 19 is a side view of the bottle container according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In also these figures, the portions where fold lines are formed are enclosed by dotted lines to show them.

The bottle container 1 of this embodiment has the finger hanging concave portion 9 which shaped like a boiled fish cake (i.e. “KAMABOKO” in Japanese) in which the upper side and left and right sides of the finger hanging concave portion 9 have a circular arc form in the same manner as in the third embodiment. However, a finger receiving concave portion 90 curved in a convex form toward the inside of the container is formed in such a manner as to notch the bottom side of the finger hanging concave portion 9 and more specifically, the side wall surface on the bottom side of the finger hanging concave portion 9.

The formation of such a finger receiving concave portion 90 has the advantage that when the finger hanging concave portion 9 is gripped, another finger such as the middle finger or fourth finger other than two fingers including the thumb and forefinger or middle finger can be received in the finger receiving concave portion 90 with allowing the another finger to approach towards the fingers gripping the finger hanging concave portion 9 whereby the another finger is allowed to apply force. In addition, fingers can be received in such a manner as to embrace the balls of these fingers by making the finger receiving concave portion have a shape curved in a convex form toward the inside of the container.

This brings about the advantage that the finger hanging concave portion 9 in the bottle container 1 of this embodiment is easily gripped, so that the bottle container 1 can be lifted more easily by gripping the finger hanging concave portion 9.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It is needless to say that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Also, the present invention may have a structure including a proper combination of individual structures of the aforementioned embodiments.

INDUSTRIALLY APPLICABILITY

The present invention may be applied to a container, such as a pet bottle, provided with a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion and a bottom portion. The present invention is suitable to a container that needs to be easily taken out even in the situation where it is packed in a casing or received in a refrigerator.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a mouth portion;

a shoulder portion extending downward from the lower end of said mouth portion;

a rectangular body portion extending downward from the lower end of said shoulder portion; and

a bottom portion positioned at the lower end of said body portion,

wherein a finger hanging concave portion which serves as a finger grip when lifting the container, is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other in said shoulder portion.

2. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the horizontal distance between the upper ends of a pair of said finger hanging concave portions is 55 to 90 mm.

3. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical distance from the upper end of said finger hanging concave portion to the upper end of said mouth portion is 35 to 80 mm.

4. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the depth of said finger hanging concave portion is 3 to 15 mm.

5. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical width of said finger hanging concave portion is 50 mm or less.

6. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the lateral width of said finger hanging concave portion is 90 mm or less.

7. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the surface on which said finger hanging concave portion is to be formed in said shoulder portion has an inclination of −10 to 30° with respect to the vertical axis.

8. A container according to claim 1,

wherein the inclination of the side wall surface to be formed on said mouth portion side in said finger hanging concave portion is 5 to 80° with respect to the horizontal axis.

9. A container according to claim 1,

wherein said finger hanging concave portion has its apex on said mouth portion side; and

a first fold line is formed on the surface positioned between said finger hanging concave portion and said mouth portion such that it is positioned on the line crossing said apex.

10. A container according to claim 9,

wherein said finger hanging concave portion is provided with angular portions positioned on each of left and right sides; and

a second fold line extending laterally from each of the vicinity of the angular portions is formed.

11. A container according to claim 1,

wherein a finger receiving concave portion having a convex curvature formed toward the inside of the container is formed on the bottom side of said finger hanging concave portion.

12. A container according to claim 1,

wherein a second finger hanging concave portion serving as finger grip when the content is extracted from said mouth portion by tilting said container is formed on at least a pair of surfaces opposite to each other at the lower end portion of said body portion.

13. A container according to claim 12,

wherein said second finger hanging concave portion is provided with angular portions positioned on each of left and right sides; and

a third fold line extending laterally from each of the vicinity of the angular portions is formed.