U.S. patent application number 10/613977 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Uni-Charm Corporation. Invention is credited to Miyawaki, Masami, Tange, Akiko, Yuasa, Kaori.
Application Number | 20040116046 10/613977 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29728428 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040116046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyawaki, Masami ; et
al. |
June 17, 2004 |
Container
Abstract
A container is adapted to taste of nursling with containing
tissue papers or the like, and adapted to age of the nursling. The
container is formed with a container body defining a receptacle
portion receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge
thereof, and a lid body engaged with the opening upper edge of the
container in a condition closing the opening upper edge of the
container. A toy member is attached to at least one of the
container body and the lid body.
Inventors: |
Miyawaki, Masami; (Kagawa,
JP) ; Tange, Akiko; (Kagawa, JP) ; Yuasa,
Kaori; (Kagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Uni-Charm Corporation
Kawanoe-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
29728428 |
Appl. No.: |
10/613977 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/491 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/421 20130101;
B65D 81/365 20130101; A47K 10/3818 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/491 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2002 |
JP |
2002-199429 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container comprising a container body defining a receptacle
portion receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge
thereof, and a lid body engaged with said opening upper edge of
said container in a condition closing said opening upper edge of
said container, a toy member attached to at least one of said
container body and said lid body.
2. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein a hole is formed
in said container body, and said toy member is secured on a
connecting member extending from said hole.
3. The container as set forth in claim 2, wherein two holes are
formed in said container body, said connecting member extends from
one of said two holes to the other of said two holes across said
receptacle portion, and two toy members are secured on respective
ends of said connecting member extending from respective of two
holes.
4. The container as set forth in claim 2 or 3, wherein said hole is
provided at a position above said receptacle portion and above said
content received in said receptacle portion.
5. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said toy member
is a sliding member slidably provided on an outer surface of at
least one of said container body and said lid body.
6. The container as set forth in claim 5, wherein a pair of rail
portions are provided on said outer surface in parallel
relationship with each other, and said sliding member is located
between a pair of said rail portions and slidably mounted along
said rail portions.
7. The container as set forth in claim 6, wherein said outer
surface is drawn pictures, and said sliding member is movable in
front of said pictures.
8. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said toy member
is a handle member mounted on said container body.
9. The container as set forth in claim 8, wherein both ends of said
handle member are pivotably connected to said container body.
10. The container as set forth in claim 8 or 9, wherein a
dispensing opening for taking out said content is formed in an
upper surface of said lid body, a small lid flap is provided on the
upper surface of said lid body for opening and closing said
dispensing opening, and said handle member is positioned not
interfering with said small lid flap in open position, when said
handle member is pivoted to a position above said lid body.
11. The container as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 9,
wherein said content is a tissue paper.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application has been filed with claiming
priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-199429,
filed on Jul. 9, 2002. Disclosure of the above-identified Japanese
Patent Application is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a container for storing wet
tissue paper, dry tissue paper, disposable diaper or the like. More
specifically, the invention relates to a container adapted for
babies to young children.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Wet tissue paper is frequently used for wiping hip upon
changing diaper for nursling, and for cleaning hand or mouth of
young children. Wet tissue papers are stored within a pillow shaped
package formed from flexible sheet. By peeling off a closure seal
of the pillow shaped package, tissue papers are pulled out one by
one. In the alternative, the pillow shaped package is stored in a
plastic container and tissue papers in the pillow shaped package
are pulled out one by one through a dispensing opening of the
container.
[0006] Here, the word "nursling" is used throughout the disclosure
and claims to represent low age children younger than about two
years old.
[0007] However, while the conventional containers have provided
measure for facilitating placement of tissue papers and taking out
tissue papers, they have not adapted external design to taste of
nursling. Therefore, upon changing diaper and wiping hip
thereafter, for example, it is a practical manner in changing
diaper to hush nursling providing toys or playing tools.
[0008] On the other hand, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 9-156644, there has been disclosed a container for wet tissue
paper which provides enjoyable appearance. In this invention, an
upper surface of an empty can is removed to receive a container
body housing therein wet tissue papers for permitting pulling out
of wet tissue papers one by one. The empty can may be exchanged to
favorite empty can. By using empty can for forming external
appearance as container of wet tissue papers, the appearance can be
adapted to taste of individual.
[0009] However, the foregoing invention is adapted to taste of
adult and not always adapted to taste of nurslings. Also, since the
empty can is used, it is feared if the nurslings can get injured by
a cut edge of the can when the nurslings handle the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been worked out in view of the
shortcoming of the prior art set forth above. It is therefore an
object of the present invention to provide a container adapted to
taste of nursling with containing tissue papers or the like, and
adapted to age of the nursling.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
container comprises a container body defining a receptacle portion
receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge thereof,
and a lid body engaged with the opening upper edge of the container
in a condition closing the opening upper edge of the container,
[0012] a toy member attached to at least one of the container body
and the lid body.
[0013] In such container, since the toy member is attached to
outside of the container body, a nursling may be entertained with
the container upon changing diaper for the nursling, or upon
cleaning hand or mouth, with taking out the content.
[0014] For example, a hole is formed in the container body, and the
toy member is secured on a connecting member extending from the
hole.
[0015] This type of container is adapted to taste of nursling of 6
to 11 months of age. Such age in month of nursling may play with
the toy member projecting from the container during changing of
diaper.
[0016] In this case, it is preferred that two holes are formed in
the container body, the connecting member extends from one of the
two holes to the other of the two holes across the receptacle
portion, and two toy members are secured on respective ends of the
connecting member extending from respective of two holes.
[0017] With such construction, when the nursling pulls out one toy
member projecting from the container, the other toy member is
pulled toward the container to attract further interest of the
nursling.
[0018] Preferably, the hole is provided at a position above the
receptacle portion and above the content received in the receptacle
portion.
[0019] With such construction, the connecting member located within
the container body does not interfere with placement or removal of
the content into or from the receptacle portion.
[0020] In the alternative, the toy member may be a sliding member
slidably provided on an outer surface of at least one of the
container body and the lid body.
[0021] In this case, a pair of rail portions are provided on the
outer surface in parallel relationship with each other, and the
sliding member is located between a pair of the rail portions and
slidably mounted along the rail portions.
[0022] Preferably, the outer surface is drawn pictures, and the
sliding member is movable in front of the pictures.
[0023] Such type of container is adapted to taste of the nursling
of 12 to 17 months of age.
[0024] In the further alternative, the toy member may be a handle
member mounted on the container body.
[0025] This type of container is adapted to taste of the nursling
of 18 to 23 months of age.
[0026] In this case, both ends of the handle member may be
pivotably connected to the container body.
[0027] In the preferred construction, a dispensing opening for
taking out the content is formed in an upper surface of the lid
body, a small lid flap is provided on the upper surface of the lid
body for opening and closing the dispensing opening, and the handle
member is positioned not interfering with the small lid flap in
open position, when the handle member is pivoted to a position
above the lid body.
[0028] When the handle member is provided sufficient length, it
permits to take out the content, such as tissue paper through the
dispensing opening by opening the small lid flap in the condition
where the container is hanged with gripping the handle member.
[0029] The content may be wet tissue paper, dry tissue paper or the
like. In the alternative, the content may be disposable diaper for
nursling, trash bag or other goods for nursling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying
drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the
invention, but are for explanation and understanding only.
[0031] In the drawings:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
container according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of only container body of FIG.
1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a front elevation as viewed in a direction of
arrow III of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of a
container according to the present invention, orienting a bottom
plate frontwardly;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a
container according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the container of FIG. 5 in a
condition where a handle member and a small lid flap are erected;
and
[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of container,
for which the present invention is applicable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in
detail in terms of the preferred embodiment of a container
according to the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious,
however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may
be practiced without these specific details. In other instance,
well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid
unnecessary obscurity of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
container according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of only container body of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a
front elevation as viewed in a direction of arrow III of FIG.
1.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, a container 1 is constructed with a
combination of a container body 2 and a lid body 3. In the shown
embodiment, a content of the container body 2 is wet tissue papers
20 used for wiping hip upon changing diaper of nursling, for
cleaning hand or mouth and so forth.
[0042] The wet tissue papers 20 are prepared by impregnating water,
alcohol and so forth into sheet form substrate, such as paper,
non-woven fabric or the like. A stack, in which a plurality of wet
tissue papers 20 are stacked, is typically received within a pillow
shaped package. In the container 1, the pillow shaped package is
received.
[0043] The container body 2 and the lid body 3 are formed of
plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), high density
polyethylene (HDPE) and so forth. As shown in FIG. 1, on an upper
surface 3a of the lid body 3, a small lid flap 13 which can be
opened and closed, is provided. A base portion of the small lid
flap 13 is connected to the lid body 3 via a pivot shaft. In the
alternative, the small lid flap 13 is formed of a resin integrally
with the lid body 3, in which the lid body 3 and the small lid flap
13 are hinged at a boundary portion which is formed from thin resin
strip.
[0044] In the upper surface 3a of the lid body 3, a recessed
portion 3b of complementary shape to the small lid flap 13 and
having a corresponding depth with a thickness of the small lid flap
13, is formed. At substantially center portion of the recessed
portion 3b, a dispensing opening 21 for taking out wet tissue paper
is opened. While the container 1 is not used, the small lid flap 13
is engaged with the recessed portion 3b to cover the dispensing
opening 21. On the upper surface 3a of the lid body 3, a smaller
recessed portion 3c continuous with the recessed portion 3b is
formed. By inserting finger into the smaller recessed portion 3c,
the small lid flap 13 can be lifted to open the dispensing opening
21.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the container body 2 is formed with a
bottom plate 4, four side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 surrounding the
bottom plate 4. The bottom plate 4 and the side plates 5, 6, 7 and
8 are formed integrally. A space surrounded by inner surfaces 5a,
6a, 7a and 8a of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 and an inner surface
4a of the bottom plate 4, serves as a receptacle portion 9. A
portion surrounded by upper edge portions of the inner surfaces 5a,
6a, 7a and 8a is an opening portion 11.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, in the side plate 6 located at the front
side of the container body 2, two holes 10 and 10a extending
through the inner surface 6a and an outer surface 6b are provided.
On the other hand, in the side plate 7 located at the back side in
opposition to the side plate 6 on the front side, two holes 12 and
12a are formed therethrough. The hole 10 provided on left side of
the side plate 6 on the front side and the hole 12 provided on left
side of the side plate 7 on the back side are located at the same
positions in the side plates 6 and 7. Similarly, the hole 10a
provided on right side of the side plate 6 and the hole 12a
provided on right side of the side plate 7 are located at the same
positions in the side plates 6 and 7.
[0047] Through the right side hole 10a provided in the side plate 6
on the front side and the right side hole 12a in the side plate 7
on the back side across the receptacle portion 9, a connecting
member 14 is extended. On both end portions of the connecting
member 14, toy members 15 and 16 are secured. Similarly, through
the left side hole 10 provided in the side plate 6 on the front
side and the left side hole 12 in the side plate 7 on the back side
across the receptacle portion 9, a connecting member 17 is
extended. On both end portions of the connecting member 17, toy
members 18 and 19 are secured.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, in the container 1, from the holes 10a
and 12a located immediately below the lid body 3, part of the
connecting member 14 and the toy members 15 and 16 are projected.
Similarly, from the holes 10 and 12 located immediately below the
lid body 3, part of the connecting member 17 and the toy members 18
and 19 are projected.
[0049] The connecting members 14 and 17 are cords fabricated by
twisting resin fibers or cords fabricated by twisting natural
fibers. In the alternative, the connecting members 14 and 17 may be
expandable cord, such as elastic cord. It is preferred that section
of the connecting members 14 and 17 may be circular or elliptic
shape so that the connecting members 14 and 17 may be smoothly
moved through respective holes.
[0050] The connecting members 14 and 17 have a length longer than a
dimension between the outer surface 6b of the side plate 6 and an
outer surface 7b of the side plate 7. By this, parts of the
connecting members 14 and 17 are extended from respective holes 10,
10a, 12 and 12a. The toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are arranged at
positions away from the outer surfaces 6b and 7b of the side plates
6 and 7 for facilitating playing.
[0051] The toy member 15 is a ring shape, the toy member 18 is a
glove shape, and the toy members 16 and 19 are ball shape. The
shapes of the toy members are not limited to the shown shapes but
can be any shapes.
[0052] On the other hand, as the toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19, one
having hollow space and receiving a large number of granular bodies
therein so as to generate a sound as shaken, may be secured on the
connecting members 14 and 17. These toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19
are required to be formed of resin which is safe as licked or
bitten by nursling.
[0053] In consideration of security of nurslings, the toy members
15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferred to eliminate sharp corners or
linear portions and have rounded shape as a whole. Similarly, the
container body 2 and the lid body 3 should have no sharp corner
portion and have rounded external shapes.
[0054] Sizes of the toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferred to
be put into a mouth of the nursling. For this reason, the toy
members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferably of size in a range of
about 15 mm to 55 mm at the maximum.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, within the receptacle portion 9
of the container body 2, a pillow shaped package 23 is received.
The pillow shaped package 23 is formed from soft packaging
material, such as resin film or a laminated member of the resin
film and aluminum foil, wraps a stack 25 of wet tissue papers 20
and is formed longitudinal direction seal and lateral direction
seal for forming a packaging bag 24. On an upper surface of the
packaging bag 24, an elliptic dispensing opening (not shown) is
opened, for example. Before opening the package, the dispensing
opening is covered with a seal strip. With peeling off the seal
strip, the pillow shaped package 23 is placed within the receptacle
portion 9. Then, the lid body 3 is engaged in the opening portion
11. In this condition, wet tissue papers 20 can be taken out one by
one through the dispensing opening 21 of the lid body 3 through the
dispensing opening of the pillow shaped package 23.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, since the connecting members 14 and 17
extend across the receptacle portion 9 of the container body 2, it
is possible that the connecting members 14 and 17 serve to
interfere with placement of the pillow shaped package 23 within the
receptacle portion 9, or the connecting members 14 and 17 are
buried under the pillow shaped package 23 within the receptacle
portion 9. Therefore, it is preferred to form the holes 10, 10a, 12
and 12a at positions higher than (on the side of the lid body 3) an
upper surface 23a of the pillow shaped package 23 received within
the receptacle portion 9. When the holes are provided at this
position, the pillow shaped package 23 can be placed within the
receptacle portion 9 without being interfered by the connecting
members 14 and 17 only getting around the connecting members 14 and
17 extending across the receptacle portion 9 upon placement of the
pillow shaped package 23 within the receptacle portion 9.
Therefore, the connecting members 14 and 17 may not be buried below
the pillow shaped package 23.
[0057] On the other hand, when a minimum distance W1 between the
holes 10 and 10a formed in the side plate 6 and a minimum distance
W1 between the holes 12 and 12a in the side plate 7 are greater
than or equal to 70% relative to a maximum distance W2 of the
pillow shaped package 23, the pillow shaped package 23 can be
placed within the receptacle portion 9 without being interfered by
the connecting members 14 and 17.
[0058] The container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is targeted to the nursling
of 6 to 11 months of age, for example. Upon using the wet tissue
paper for wiping the baby's hip in changing diaper for the
nursling, for example, by placing the container 1 close to the
nursling, the nursling may be interested in the toy members 15, 16,
18 and 19 projecting from the container 1 to suck, shake or pull
the toy members. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for
example, by frontwardly pulling the toy member 15 projecting
outwardly from the outer surface 6b of the side plate 6 on the
front side, the toy member 16 outwardly projecting from the outer
surface 7b of the side plate 7 on the back side is moved toward the
outer surface 7b. Therefore, the nursling may play by pulling the
toy member. Also, by generating a sound when the nursling pulls or
shakes the toy member, the nursling may be particularly interested.
Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to provide other toy to entertain
the nursling during wiping hip.
[0059] It should be noted that while the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
directed to the connecting members 14 and 17 extending through the
holes 10 and 10a formed in the side plate 6 on the front side and
the holes 12 and 12a formed in the side plate 7 on the back side
across the receptacle portion, it is possible to separate the
connecting members 14 and 17 to be extended from respective holes,
insert respective of separated connecting members 14 and 17 through
the holes 10, 10a, 12 and 12a and form knots on the connecting
members 14 and 17 at the position inside of the inner surfaces for
restricting movement of the connecting members 14 and 17 so as not
to be pulled out from the holes.
[0060] On the other hand, the holes may be provided in the side
plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on right side of the
container body 2. In the alternative, the holes may be formed in
all of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 to select one or more holes to
outwardly project the toy members therefrom. In the further
alternative, the connecting members may be projected from both of
the container body 2 and the lid body 3. It is also possible to
project the connecting member only from the lid body 3.
[0061] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment
of a container according to the present invention, orienting the
bottom surface side of the container frontwardly. It should be
noted that among respective portions of a container 1A, like
portions to those in the container 1 will be identified by like
reference numerals, and detailed description of such common
elements will be eliminated from the following disclosure in order
to avoid redundant disclosure for simplification and facilitating
clear understanding of the present invention.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, on an outer surface 4b of the bottom
plate 4 of the container body 2, rail portions 36 and 37 are
projectingly formed. These rail portions 36 and 37 may be formed
integrally with the container body 2 by resin. In the alternative,
the rail portions 36 and 37 may be secured on the outer surface 4b.
One rail portion 36 is located in the vicinity of the side plate 6,
and the other rail portion 37 is located in the vicinity of the
side plate 7. Respective rail portions 36 and 37 extend along the
side plates 6 and 7 with maintaining parallelism with each
other.
[0063] On opposing surfaces 36a and 37a of the rail portions 36 and
37, recessed sliding portions 36b and 37b are extended in
longitudinal direction (X direction as shown) of the rail portions
36 and 37.
[0064] Between the rail portions 36 and 37, a sliding member 38 as
toy member is provided. Sliding end portions 38a and 38bof the
sliding member 38 are slidably received with the recessed sliding
portions 36b and 37b so that the sliding member 38 may be slidingly
moved in X direction along the rail portions 36 and 37.
[0065] On the outer surface 4b of the bottom plate 4 of the
container body 2, graphic image, such as comic characters or the
like is drawn or painted. In the condition shown in FIG. 4, a
picture of "boy" drawn at the center portion of the outer surface
4b (shown by broken line) is hidden by the sliding member 38
located at the center portion in sliding direction (i.e., X
direction). When the sliding member 38 is slid toward left in the
drawing, the picture of "boy" appears. Then, pictures of "bear" and
"rabbit" drawn on left side of the outer surface 4b are hidden by
the sliding member 38. On the other hand, when the sliding member
38 is slid toward right in the drawing, a picture of "rabbit" drawn
on right side of the outer surface 4b is hidden by the sliding
member 38.
[0066] The sliding member 38 may be constructed to slide by own
weight when the container 1 is tilted. This can be achieved by
engaging both sliding end portions 38a and 38b of the sliding
member 38 and the recessed sliding portions 36b and 37b of the rail
portions 36 and 37 with gaps.
[0067] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sliding member 38 as
the toy member and the rail portions 36 and 37 are provided on the
outer surface 4b of the bottom plate 4. The sliding member 38 and
the rail portions 36 and 37 may be provided at least one outer
surface of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the container body 2
and also be provided on both of the outer surface of the side plate
and the outer surface of the lid body 3.
[0068] When the sliding member and the rail portions are provided
on the outer surface of the side plate 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the
container body 2, it becomes necessary to provide the rail portions
at positions not to cause interference with the lid body 3 as
engaged with the container body 2. Accordingly, by providing the
sliding member and the rail portions on the outer surface 4b of the
bottom plate 4 of the container body 2, area of the sliding member
38 and the sliding stroke can be wide.
[0069] On the other hand, the sliding member 38 preferably occupies
about 40 to 60% of the area of the outer surface 4b, on which the
sliding member 38 is provided. If the occupied area of the sliding
member 38 exceeds 60%, the picture to be uncovered may be partly
concealed to make it impossible to make the whole picture visible,
or the picture to be uncovered when the sliding member is slid have
to be made smaller. In such case, it is possible that the nursling
may not recognize the picture to lose interest.
[0070] On the other hand, if the area of the sliding member 38 is
less than 40% of the area of the outer surface 4b, portion to be
hidden by the sliding member 38 becomes too narrow to lower visual
effect of covering and uncovering the picture.
[0071] On the other hand, it is possible to generate a sound by
abutting of the sliding member 38 and both end portions 37c of the
recessed sliding portion 37b formed in at least one of the rail
portions 36 and 37 when the sliding member 38 is slid either stroke
end, to attract interest of the nursling. In order to effectively
generate the sound, a left side end portion 38c and a right side
end portion 38d of the sliding member 38 and both end portions 37c
of the recessed sliding portion 37b are formed in parallel, and the
left side end portion 38c and the right side end portion 38d of the
sliding member 38 and both end portions 37c of the recessed sliding
portion 37b are opposed and a butted. Generation of sound can also
be realized by forming the sliding member 38 of a material having
relatively greater mass weight and hardness in comparison with the
material of the rail portions 36 and 37.
[0072] It should be noted that the sliding member 38 is required to
be formed of a material which is safe even when nursling licks the
same.
[0073] In the alternative, it is possible to form a recessed
portion in each of the sliding end portions 38a and 38b of the
sliding member 38 and to form a projecting ridge portion to engage
with the recessed portion on each of the opposing surfaces 36a and
37a of the rail portions 36 and 37 mating with the sliding end
portions of the sliding members. Even with such construction, the
sliding member 38 can be slid along the rail portions.
[0074] The container 1A shown in FIG. 4 may be adapted to be used
for wiping hip upon changing diaper, cleaning hand or mouth for
nursling of 12 to 17 months of age, for example. The nursling of
such month age is interested in moving an article and also
interested in variation of pictures. On the other hand, by sliding
the sliding member 38, pictures of "child", "animal" or the like
can be covered and uncovered to attract interest of the nursling.
On the other hand, in case of one slidingly moving the sliding
member 38 by own weight, the sliding member 38 can be moved only by
shaking the container 1A by hand to further attract interest of the
nursling.
[0075] Therefore, during wiping hip, it becomes unnecessary to
provide other playing toy to entertain the nursling only by placing
the container 1A close to the nursling. Furthermore, since the
container 1A has movement, the nursling may not hate to be cleaned
hand or mouth by adult with tissue paper.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a
container according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front
elevation of the container of FIG. 5 in a condition where a handle
member and a small lid flap are erected.
[0077] In a container 1B, respective holes 40 and 41 extending from
outer surfaces 5b and 8b to the inner surfaces 5a and 8a of the
side plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on right side of the
container body 2, are formed. The holes 40 and 41 are respectively
formed at the centers in lateral direction (Y direction in the
drawings) of the side plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on
the right side, and are formed at upwardly inclined positions of
the side plate 5 and the side plate 8. The holes 40 and 41 are
formed at the same position in the side plates 5 and 8.
[0078] In the holes 40 and 41 of the container body 2, a pivotable
handle member 42 is mounted as one example of the toy member. A
left side end portion 42a of the handle member 42 is inserted
through the hole 40 formed in the side plate 5. A retainer member
43 is engaged with the left side end portion 42a on the inner
surface 5a of the side plate 5. On the other hand, a right side end
portion 42b of the handle member 42 is inserted through the hole 41
formed in the side plate 8. A retainer member 43 is engaged with
the right side end portion 42b on the inner surface 8a of the side
plate 8. By this, the handle member 42 is pivotably engaged with
the side plates 5 and 8 without causing loosing out.
[0079] The retainer members 43 are formed of the same material as
the handle member 42, for example. The retainer members 43 and the
handle member 42 may be bonded by an adhesive. Material of the
handle member 42 may be those ensuring safety even when the
nursling licks or places in a mouth.
[0080] The handle member 42 is pivotable from a position fallen on
the side of the side plate 6 of the container body 2 to a position
fallen on the side of the side plate 7. Upon placing the pillow
shaped package 23 in the receptacle portion 9 or changing the
pillow shaped package to new one, the lid body 3 can be removed
from the container body 2 by falling down the handle member 42
either on the outer side of the side plate 6 or on the outer side
of the side plate 7.
[0081] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the handle
member 42 is placed in vertically raised position with respect to
the upper surface 3a of the lid body 3, a height T1 from the upper
surface 3a of the lid body 3 to a lower edge 42c of the handle
member 42 is greater than a height T2 of the small lid flap 13 as
opened. With such construction, when the small lid flap 13 is
upwardly opened from the upper surface 3a of the lid body 3 in the
condition where the handle member 42 is placed in raised position,
the small lid flap 13 may not contact with the handle member 42.
Therefore, in the raised condition of the handle member 42, the
individual tissue papers 20 in the container 1B can be taken
out.
[0082] On the other hand, bent portions 42d of the handle member 42
are preferably rounded. By rounding the bent portions 42d, the
nursling may not be injured even upon contacting with the bent
portion 42d.
[0083] The container 1B shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is adapted for the
nursling of 18 to 23 months of age, for example. The nursling in
such age may play simulated shopping with hanging the container 1B
gripping the handle member 42 by hand.
[0084] Accordingly, upon wiping hip in changing diaper or upon
cleaning hand or mouth at a table, the nursling may positively
hand-carry the container 1B with gripping the handle member 42 and
become willing to be cleaned by wet tissue paper.
[0085] While three embodiments are discussed hereinabove, the
containers in these embodiments are respectively adapted to
nurslings of different ages in month. These embodiments may be
further modified adapting to ages in month of the nurslings.
[0086] The container 1 shown in FIG. 1 maybe used for the nursling
of 6 to 11 months of age, for example. Since babies of low age in
month have a tendency to put the article being right in front of
them into their mouth or lick the article rather than moving the
article. When the toy member is projecting from the container, the
baby may be attracted interest to put the toy into the mouth or to
lick the toy. Also, when the toy member generating sound, such as
rattling sound, is used as toy to be moved in hand, the baby may
have further interest. Furthermore, it is possible to attach a
character toy on the container 1 as the toy member or to attach a
toy like a tumble doll to the container 1 as the toy member.
[0087] The container 1A shown in FIG. 4 is adapted to the nursling
of 12 to 17 months of age. The nurslings of such age in month have
a tendency to be interested in moving the article by themselves. As
an alternative of the foregoing embodiment, it is possible to embed
a musical box in the lid body 3 or the container body 2 and to
project a handle portion for rousing to operate the musical box
outwardly from the outer surface of the lid body 3 or the container
body 2. In such a case, the nursling may be interested in
generating sound by rotating the handle portion. In the further
alternative, a telephone receiver, a dial button and so forth may
be attached on the outer surface of the container for simulating a
telephone machine. In still further alternative, a mirror may be
attached on the outer surface of the container to make the nursling
to be interested in own existence.
[0088] The container shown in FIG. 5 is adapted to the nursling of
18 to 23 months of age. Since the nursling of such age in month can
walk in stand-up condition, it becomes possible to make the
nursling to carry the container by providing the handle member 42
as shown in FIG. 5. In the alternative, it is possible to form the
container in a form of ride-on, such as automobile, ship or the
like. In the further alternative, the container may be formed to
permit playing quoits. In the yet further alternative, a magnet
board or a white board may be attached on the container to permit
playing painting. In the still further alternative, it is possible
to attach musical instrument, such as xylophone or the like on the
container.
[0089] Upon marketing the container of the present invention, by
indication as "for .smallcircle. months of age to .DELTA. months of
age", consumers may purchase the product adapted to own child. It
is also possible to market the containers adapted to nurslings of
different month of age as a set.
[0090] While the containers illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 are
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the present
invention is applicable for any shape of container. For instance,
the present invention is applicable for a container 51 having a
cylindrical side wall 50, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0091] Furthermore, while the content received within the container
body shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is tissue papers, such as wet tissue
papers, the content in the container is not limited to the tissue
papers as shown but can be disposable diaper in folded form or
other goods for nursling, for example.
[0092] As set forth above, with the container according to the
present invention, it becomes possible to entertain the nursling
during changing of diaper or wiping of hip, thereby to make it
unnecessary to provide toy or the like to make changing of diaper
or wiping of hip smooth.
[0093] Although the present invention has been illustrated and
described with respect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should
be understood by those skilled in the art that the fore going and
various other changes, omission and additions may be made therein
and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be
understood as limited to the specific embodiment set out above but
to include all possible embodiments which can be embodied within a
scope encompassed and equivalent thereof with respect to the
feature set out in the appended claims.
* * * * *