U.S. patent application number 10/471893 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-01 for airtight container.
Invention is credited to Yuhara, Yukitomo.
Application Number | 20040124200 10/471893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18969887 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040124200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yuhara, Yukitomo |
July 1, 2004 |
Airtight container
Abstract
A hermetically sealed container comprises sealing mechanisms
(17, 17a) wherein upper sealing surfaces (11, 11a) and lower
sealing surfaces (12, 12a) are provided in inward peripheral wall
surfaces (9, 9a) and outward peripheral wall surfaces (10, 10a),
respectively, of annular sealing grooves integrally formed with a
container body (3) misaligned from each other in the height
direction of the container body, and upper sealing parts (15, 15a)
and lower sealing parts (16, 16a) are provided respectively in
upper parts (13, 13a) and lower parts (14, 14a) of annular sealing
protrusions formed integrally with a lid body (6), and the upper
parts of the annular sealing protrusions are formed to be of high
rigidity to make the upper sealing parts frictionally contact the
upper sealing surfaces, and the lower parts of the annular sealing
protrusions are formed to be flexibly deformable and of low
rigidity to make the lower sealing parts be resiliently pressed
against the lower sealing surfaces.
Inventors: |
Yuhara, Yukitomo; (Chiba,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
18969887 |
Appl. No.: |
10/471893 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 16, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/03773 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/833 ;
220/849 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/051 20130101;
A45D 33/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/833 ;
220/849 |
International
Class: |
B65D 043/14; B65D
053/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2001 |
JP |
2001-119710 |
Claims
1. A hermetically sealed container configured to hermetically seal
an inside of a synthetic resin container body by inserting an
annular sealing protrusion, which is provided integrally with
either said container body or a synthetic resin lid body for
opening and closing said container body, into an annular sealing
groove provided integrally in the other of said two sections, said
hermetically sealed container having a sealing mechanism
comprising: an upper sealing surface provided on either an inward
peripheral wall surface or an outward peripheral wall surface of
said annular sealing groove, said outward surface and said inward
surface being opposed to and spaced from each other; a lower
sealing surface provided on the other one of said inward surface or
said outward surface misaligned from said upper sealing surface in
a direction of the height of said container body; and an upper
sealing part and a lower sealing part provided in an upper part and
a lower part of said annular sealing protrusion in the direction of
the height of said container body, said upper sealing part and said
lower sealing part corresponding to said upper sealing surface and
said lower sealing surface, respectively, wherein the upper part of
said annular sealing protrusion is formed to be of high rigidity to
make said upper sealing part frictionally contact said upper
sealing surface, and the lower part of said annular sealing
protrusion is formed to be flexibly deformable and of low rigidity
to make said lower sealing part be resiliently pressed against said
lower sealing surface.
2. A hermetically sealed container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
gap which allows deformation of the upper part of said annular
sealing protrusion is formed between the upper part of said annular
sealing protrusion and either said inward peripheral wall surface
or said outward peripheral wall surface that is provided with said
lower sealing surface.
3. A hermetically sealed container as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
wherein a plurality of said sealing mechanisms are provided.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a hermetically sealed
container having a sealing mechanism that can be formed integrally
with a container body and a lid body made of synthetic resin and is
thus low in cost and has excellent productivity features, and that
achieves high hermetic sealing capability while ensuring smooth
opening and closing of the lid body.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Some of the various types of containers, such as cosmetic
containers, that are generally formed of synthetic resin material
require extremely high hermetic sealing capability because, for
example, the contents may include volatile components. A structure
which ensures a hermetic seal for such containers is known to
comprise, for example, an annular groove integrally formed in
either a container body or a lid body, and an annular protrusion
formed which is integrally with the other of the container body or
the lid body and is inserted into the annular groove. By
maintaining close contact between the inside surface of the groove
and the surface of the protrusion, a sealing mechanism is obtained
between the container body and the lid body (See Japanese Utility
Model Application Laid-open Publication Nos. Sho61-64813 and
Sho63-15912 and Japanese Utility Model Application Examined
Publication No. Hei4-33059).
[0003] According to the above-described conventional art, since the
inside surface of the groove and the surface of the protrusion,
which are formed integrally with the container body and the lid
body formed of synthetic resin material and which are made to be in
close contact with each other for a hermetic seal, are formed from
synthetic resin material, it is difficult to bring the inside
surface of the groove into close contact with the surface of the
protrusion with no space between them, because of the rigidity of
the synthetic resin material itself. Therefore, the hermetic seals
of the above conventional art teachings are unsatisfactory in a
case where high hermetic sealing capability is required, even
though they may be satisfactory for cases where the extent of
hermetic sealing capability required is not so large.
[0004] In order to improve the hermetic sealing capability, the
dimensional settings between the inside surface of the groove and
the surface of the protrusion could be adjusted so as to tighten
the degree of contact. However, this gives rise to a problem that
the lid body can not be closed or the opening and closing of the
lid becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the degree of contact
is set loose in order to make it easy to manipulate the lid body,
then this gives rise to a problem that a sufficient sealing
capability cannot be obtained.
[0005] In view of these problems, it is possible to consider
incorporating, as a separate component, a sealing member made, for
example, of rubber which is well known as a sealing component. In
this way, a considerably high hermetic sealing capability can be
provided without impairing the operability of the lid body.
However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a sealing member
that is made of a different type of material, independent of the
container body and the lid body, which are made of synthetic resin
material, and to carry out tasks to incorporate the sealing member.
Accordingly, there arise other problems that the cost increases and
the productivity decreases.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problems, and it is an object thereof to provide a hermetically
sealed container having a sealing mechanism that can be formed
integrally with a container body and a lid body made of synthetic
resin and is thus low in cost and has excellent productivity
features, and that achieves high hermetic sealing capability while
ensuring smooth opening and closing of the lid body.
[0007] A hermetically sealed container according to an aspect of
the present invention is a hermetically sealed container configured
to hermetically seal an inside of a synthetic resin container body
by inserting an annular sealing protrusion, which is provided
integrally with either the container body or a synthetic resin lid
body for opening and closing the container body, into an annular
sealing groove provided integrally in the other of the two
sections, the hermetically sealed container having a sealing
mechanism comprising: an upper sealing surface provided on either
an inward peripheral wall surface or an outward peripheral wall
surface of the annular sealing groove, the outward surface and the
inward surface being opposed to and spaced from each other; a lower
sealing surface provided on the other one of the inward surface or
the outward surface misaligned from the upper sealing surface in a
direction of the height of the container body; and an upper sealing
part and a lower sealing part provided in an upper part and a lower
part of the annular sealing protrusion in the direction of the
height of the container body, the upper sealing part and the lower
sealing part corresponding to the upper sealing surface and the
lower sealing surface, respectively, wherein the upper part of the
annular sealing protrusion is formed to be of high rigidity to make
the upper sealing part frictionally contact the upper sealing
surface, and the lower part of the annular sealing protrusion is
formed to be flexibly deformable and of low rigidity to make the
lower sealing part be resiliently pressed against the lower sealing
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a cosmetic
container in accordance with an embodiment of a hermetically sealed
container of the present invention,
[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the cosmetic container of
FIG. 1,
[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of the cosmetic container
of FIG. 1,
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main parts
of the cosmetic container of FIG. 1,
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main parts
of a modified example of the hermetically sealed container
according to the present invention, and
[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional side view of the main parts
of a modified example of the hermetically sealed container in
accordance with the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0014] Overview of the Disclosure
[0015] A hermetically sealed container according to an aspect of
the present invention is a hermetically sealed container configured
to hermetically seal an inside of a synthetic resin container body
by inserting an annular sealing protrusion, which is provided
integrally with either the container body or a synthetic resin lid
body for opening and closing the container body, into an annular
sealing groove provided integrally in the other of the two
sections, the hermetically sealed container having a sealing
mechanism comprising: an upper sealing surface provided on either
an inward peripheral wall surface or an outward peripheral wall
surface of the annular sealing groove, the outward surface and the
inward surface being opposed to and spaced from each other; a lower
sealing surface provided on the other one of the inward surface or
the outward surface misaligned from the upper sealing surface in a
direction of the height of the container body; and an upper sealing
part and a lower sealing part provided in an upper part and a lower
part of the annular sealing protrusion in the direction of the
height of the container body, the upper sealing part and the lower
sealing part corresponding to the upper sealing surface and the
lower sealing surface, respectively, wherein the upper part of the
annular sealing protrusion is formed to be of high rigidity to make
the upper sealing part frictionally contact the upper sealing
surface, and the lower part of the annular sealing protrusion is
formed to be flexibly deformable and of low rigidity to make the
lower sealing part be resiliently pressed against the lower sealing
surface.
[0016] According to such a hermetically sealed container, a sealing
mechanism can be formed integrally with the container body and the
lid body made of synthetic resin, and thus the container is low in
cost and has excellent productivity features. Further, the upper
sealing part is brought into frictional contact with the upper
sealing surface because of the high rigidity of the upper sealing
part, and the lower sealing part is resiliently pressed against the
lower sealing surface, and therefore these two upper and lower
sealing parts can accomplish high hermetic sealing capability while
ensuring smooth opening and closing of the lid body.
[0017] Further, it is preferable that a gap which allows
deformation of the upper part of the annular sealing protrusion is
formed between the upper part of the annular sealing protrusion and
either the inward peripheral wall surface or the outward peripheral
wall surface that is provided with the lower sealing surface.
[0018] Accordingly, for example, the gap can allow the expanding
deformation of the upper part of the annular sealing protrusion,
whereby the lower sealing part and the lower sealing surface can be
pressed against each other more firmly, and thus extremely high
hermetic sealing capability can be ensured.
[0019] Further, it is preferable that a plurality of the sealing
mechanisms are provided.
[0020] By providing a plurality of sealing mechanisms, it becomes
possible to, for example, provide seals in multiple folds and it is
possible to ensure a further outstanding hermetic sealing
capability.
EXAMPLES
[0021] A hermetically sealed container in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1
through FIG. 4 show a portable cosmetic container 1, as an example
of the hermetically sealed container, filled with a cosmetic
substance C that includes a volatile component. As shown in the
figures, this cosmetic container 1 mainly comprises a synthetic
resin container body 3 formed with a storage section 2 containing
the cosmetic substance C that includes a volatile component, and a
synthetic resin lid body 6 which is pivotally coupled to one end of
the container body 3 by a hinge 4 so as to permit opening and
closing of the container body 3, and which is disengageably engaged
to the other end of the container body 3 by hook means 5 so as to
retain the container body 3 in a closed condition.
[0022] Basically, the cosmetic container 1 of the present
embodiment is configured so that annular sealing grooves 7, 7a are
provided integrally in either one of the container body 3 or the
lid body 6, that annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a are provided
integrally on the other one of the container body 3 or the lid body
6, and that the storage section 2 is hermetically sealed by
inserting the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a into the annular
sealing grooves 7, 7a. In particular, the container has sealing
mechanisms 17, 17a in which: an upper sealing surface 11 is
provided on either the inward peripheral wall surface 9 or the
outward peripheral wall surface 10 of the annular sealing groove 7,
which are provided opposed to and spaced from each other; an upper
sealing surface 11a is provided on either the inward peripheral
wall surface 9a or the outward peripheral wall surface 10a of the
annular sealing groove 7a, which are provided opposed to and spaced
from each other; each lower sealing surface 12, 12a is provided on
the other ones of the peripheral wall surfaces at a different
height from the upper sealing surfaces in the direction of the
height of the container body 3; each upper sealing part 15, 15a and
each lower sealing part 16, 16a is provided in the upper parts 13,
13a and the lower parts 14, 14a of the annular sealing protrusions
8, 8a, respectively, in the direction of the height of the
container body 3 in such a manner as to correspond to each upper
sealing surface 11, 11a and each lower sealing surface 12, 12a,
respectively; the upper parts 13, 13a of the annular sealing
protrusions 8, 8a are formed to be of high rigidity to make the
upper sealing parts 15, 15a frictionally contact the upper sealing
surfaces 11, 11a; and the lower parts 14, 14a of the annular
sealing protrusions 8, 8a are formed to be flexibly deformable and
of low rigidity to make the lower sealing parts 16, 16a be
resiliently pressed against the lower sealing surfaces 12, 12a. A
gap 18 which allows deformation of the upper part 13 of the annular
sealing protrusion 8 is provided between the upper part 13 of the
annular sealing protrusion 8 and either the inward peripheral wall
surface 9 or the outward peripheral wall surface 10 that is
provided with the lower sealing surface 12, and a gap 18a which
allows deformation of the upper part 13a of the annular sealing
protrusion 8a is provided between the upper part 13a of the annular
sealing protrusion 8a and either the inward peripheral wall surface
9a or the outward peripheral wall surface 10a that is provided with
the lower sealing surface 12a.
[0023] Referring to the figures, in the container body 3, the
annular sealing grooves 7, 7a are formed integrally in a peripheral
side wall 19, which surrounds the storage section 2 of the
container body 3, in the circumferential direction thereof. In the
present embodiment, the two annular sealing grooves 7, 7a of large
and small diameter are disposed inside and outside, respectively,
in the radial direction of the container body 3. Each of the
annular sealing grooves 7, 7a comprises the two peripheral wall
surfaces, each of which being formed by recessing the peripheral
side wall 19 considerably deeply in the direction of the height of
the container body 3. These two peripheral wall surfaces are
arranged opposed to and spaced from each other in the radial
direction of the container body 3. Of these peripheral wall
surfaces, the ones that are disposed on the radially outer side of
the container body 3 are the inward peripheral wall surfaces 9, 9a,
which face toward the storage section 2, and conversely, the ones
that are disposed on the side of the storage section 2 are the
outward peripheral wall surfaces 10, 10a, which face toward the
outer side of the container body 3.
[0024] On the other hand, the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a,
which are inserted into the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a when the
container body 3 is closed by the lid body 6, are integrally formed
in the lid body 6 so that they surround the storage section 2 in
the circumferential direction of the lid body 6. In the present
embodiment, the two annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a of small and
large diameter are disposed next to each other inside and outside
in the radial direction of the lid body 6 in a manner so as to
correspond to the two annular sealing grooves 7, 7a. Each of the
annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a has two peripheral surfaces, each
of which being formed by extend downward to a substantial extent
toward the container body 3. When these protrusions are inserted
into the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a, of these two peripheral
surfaces, the outer peripheral surfaces, which face toward the
outer side of the container body 3, face the inward peripheral wall
surfaces 9, 9a, and conversely, the inner peripheral surfaces,
which face toward the storage section 2, face the outward
peripheral wall surfaces 10, 10a.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, when the annular sealing protrusions 8,
8a are inserted into the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a, the upper
parts 13, 13a and the lower parts 14, 14a in the direction of the
height of the container body 3 are separately brought into contact
with the inward peripheral wall surfaces 9, 9a and the outward
peripheral wall surfaces 10, 10a, respectively, of the annular
sealing grooves 7, 7a so as to form the sealing mechanisms 17,
17a.
[0026] More detailed explanation will be given using the
relationship between the large diameter annular sealing groove 7
and annular sealing protrusion 8 as an example. The upper part of
the inner peripheral surface of the annular sealing protrusion 8 is
brought into contact with the outward peripheral wall surface 10 of
the annular sealing groove 7 to form the upper sealing part 15, and
the upper part of the outward peripheral wall surface corresponding
to the upper sealing part 15 becomes the upper sealing surface 11.
Further, the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the
annular sealing protrusion 8 is brought into contact with the
inward peripheral wall surface 9 of the annular sealing groove 7 to
form the lower sealing part 16, and the lower part of the inward
peripheral wall surface corresponding to the lower sealing part 16
becomes the lower sealing surface 12. The contact areas where these
sealing parts 15, 16 contact the sealing surfaces 11, 12, may
partly overlap each other, but are at least misaligned in the
direction of the height of the container body 3.
[0027] In particular, the lower part 14 of the annular sealing
protrusion 8 where the lower sealing part 16 is provided is formed
to be flexibly deformable and of low rigidity so that the lower
sealing part 16 is resiliently pressed against the lower sealing
surface 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower part 14 of the
annular sealing protrusion 8 is made rather soft by making the
thickness of the lower part 14 thin, and thereby the lower sealing
surface 12 contacts the lower sealing part 16 snugly with a
substantial resilient force, whereby a hermetic seal is formed.
[0028] Also, the upper part 13 of the annular sealing protrusion 8
where the upper sealing part 15 is disposed is formed to be of
higher rigidity than the lower part 14 so that the upper sealing
part 15 frictionally contacts the upper sealing surface 11. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper part 13 of the annular sealing
protrusion 8 is made rather hard by thickening the thickness of the
upper part 13, and thereby, when the annular sealing protrusion 8
is inserted into or pulled out of the annular sealing groove 7, the
upper sealing part 15 and the upper sealing surface 11 move rubbing
against each other, and after the insertion, they are placed in
contact with each other with a considerably strong pressing force,
whereby a hermetic seal can be ensured.
[0029] Formed on the opposite side of where the upper sealing part
15 contacts the upper sealing surface 11 and in between the inward
peripheral wall surface 9 provided with the lower sealing surface
12 and the upper part 13 of the annular sealing protrusion 8 is the
gap 18 which allows deformation of the upper part 13 of the annular
sealing protrusion 8. In the illustrated embodiment, this gap 18 is
formed by denting the inward peripheral wall surface 9 in the
radially outward direction of the container body 3 above the lower
sealing surface 12. Accordingly, even if the annular sealing
protrusion 8 is deformed to jut out when the upper sealing part 15
is forcibly pressed against the upper sealing surface 11, the gap
18 is adapted to receive the deformation without obstructing the
deformation.
[0030] The sealing mechanism 17a comprising the small diameter
annular sealing groove 7a and annular sealing protrusion 8a is
configured in the same manner as the sealing mechanism 17
comprising the large diameter annular sealing groove 7 and annular
sealing protrusion 8 except that the positional relationships
between the sealing parts and the sealing surfaces are reverse to
each other in the radial direction of the container body 3. More
specifically, the upper sealing part 15a is formed in the upper
part of the outer peripheral surface of the annular sealing
protrusion 8a, and the upper sealing surface 11a is formed in the
upper part of the inward peripheral wall surface 9a, and the lower
sealing part 16a is formed in the lower part of the inner
peripheral surface of the annular sealing protrusion 8a, and the
lower sealing surface 12a is formed in the lower part of the
outward peripheral wall surface 10a. The gap 18a which allows
deformation of the upper part 13a of the annular sealing protrusion
8a is formed between the outward peripheral wall surface 10a and
the upper part 13a of the annular sealing protrusion 8a by denting
the outward peripheral wall surface 10a in the radially inward
direction of the container body 3 above the lower sealing surface
12a.
[0031] Also, the open upper ends of these annular sealing grooves
7, 7a, the lower end parts of the gaps 18, 18a, the lower ends of
the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a, and the peripheries of the
parts in which the thickness is changed are provided with taper
surfaces 20 that guide the operations of inserting the annular
sealing protrusions 8, 8a into and pulling these out of the annular
sealing grooves 7, 7a.
[0032] In such a cosmetic container 1, as the container body 3 is
closed with the lid body 6, first, the lower parts 14, 14a of the
annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a are inserted into the annular
sealing grooves 7, 7a smoothly and without any particular
resistance, and then the upper parts 13, 13a of the annular sealing
protrusions 8, 8a are inserted into the annular sealing grooves 7,
7a. During the process of insertion of the upper parts 13, 13a of
the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a into the annular sealing
grooves 7, 7a, the upper sealing surfaces 11, 11a and the upper
sealing parts 15, 15a start to slidably and frictionally contact
with each other at the upper parts of the annular sealing grooves
7, 7a, and the lower sealing surfaces 12, 12a and the lower sealing
parts 16, 16a come into contact with each other at the lower parts
of the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a.
[0033] Thereafter, as the lid body 6 is firmly closed, the lower
sealing parts 16, 16a, while undergoing flexural deformation, are
further snugly inserted along the lower sealing surfaces 12, 12a,
and the upper sealing parts 15, 15a are forcibly rubbed against the
upper sealing surfaces 11, 11a for deeper insertion. When the lid
body 6 is completely closed and the container body 3 is in a
latched condition with the hook means 5, the upper sealing parts
15, 15a are brought firmly into frictional contact with the upper
sealing surfaces 11, 11a because of its high rigidity, and the
lower sealing parts 16, 16a are resiliently pressed against the
lower sealing surfaces 12, 12a, and therefore these two upper and
lower sealing parts can attain high hermetic sealing
capability.
[0034] Further in particular, because of the upper sealing parts
15, 15a being firmly in frictional contact with the upper sealing
surfaces 11, 11a, the upper parts 13, 13a of the annular sealing
protrusions 8, 8a are deformed to jut out, and these jutting-out
deformations are permitted by the gaps 18, 18a so that at the lower
parts 14, 14a of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a, the lower
sealing parts 16, 16a are more forcibly pressed against the lower
sealing surfaces 12, 12a, and thus, the lower sealing parts 16, 16a
are more forcefully pressed against the lower sealing surfaces 12,
12a. Therefore extremely high hermetic sealing capability can be
ensured at both the upper parts 13, 13a and the lower parts 14, 14a
of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a.
[0035] Further, since the two large and small diameter sealing
mechanisms 17, 17a are provided, more improved hermetic sealing
capability can be ensured through this multiple-fold seal.
[0036] Furthermore, the present preferred embodiment is constructed
such that the positional relationships of the sealing parts and the
sealing surfaces of the two large and small diameter sealing
mechanisms 17, 17a are reverse to each other in the radial
direction of the container body 3 with an annular wall part 21
between the two annular sealing grooves 7, 7a being interposed
between the upper sealing parts 15, 15a of the two annular sealing
protrusions 8, 8a. Such construction, in conjunction with the
structure of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a which are
disposed in proximity to each other, can double the pressure of the
frictional contact applied on the upper sealing surfaces 11, 11a by
the upper sealing parts 15, 15a through reaction forces provided at
the base ends 22, 22a of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a on
the lid side, as compared to the construction where the positional
relationships of the sealing parts and the sealing surfaces of the
two sealing mechanisms 17, 17a are the same, and thus more improved
hermetic sealing capability can be ensured.
[0037] On the other hand, when opening the container body 3,
disengaging the hook means 5 loosens both contact conditions in
which the upper sealing parts 15, 15a are firmly in frictional
contact with the upper sealing surfaces 11, 11a and in which the
lower sealing parts 16, 16a are resiliently pressed against the
lower sealing surfaces 12, 12a, and thereafter the pivoting of the
lid body 6 can smoothly remove the annular sealing protrusions 8,
8a from within the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a, and thus the lid
body 6 can be opened with easy operation.
[0038] As described above, the sealing mechanisms 17, 17a provided
in the cosmetic container 1 in accordance with the preferred
embodiment can be integrally formed with the synthetic resin
container body 3 and the lid body 6 and are thus low in cost and
have excellent productivity features, achieve high hermetic sealing
capability while ensuring smooth opening and closing of the lid
body 6.
[0039] In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, modified examples of the above
preferred embodiment are shown. Each is an example provided with
one sealing mechanism 17, and the sealing mechanism 17 of FIG. 5 is
devoid of the small diameter annular sealing protrusion 8a of the
above-described preferred embodiment. On the other hand, in the
sealing mechanism 17 of the FIG. 6, the upper sealing surface 11 of
the outward peripheral wall surface 10 of the sealing mechanism 17
of FIG. 5 is formed in the opposite inward peripheral wall surface
9, and the lower sealing surface 12 of the inward peripheral wall
surface 9 is formed in the opposite outward peripheral wall surface
10, and in association with this structure, the above described
annular wall part 21 is formed low in height to have a height
substantially sufficient to form the lower sealing surface 12.
These modified examples can also ensure substantially the same
effects and results as the above described preferred
embodiment.
[0040] In the above described embodiments, as for setting the
required rigidity the upper parts 13, 13a and lower parts 14, 14a
of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a, their thicknesses and
cross sectional areas as well were changed, but the rigidity of
these upper parts 13, 13a and lower parts 14, 14a can be set, of
course, in other known methods such as by forming the upper parts
13, 13a and the lower parts 14, 14a from synthetic resin materials
of different rigidity, and by providing the lower parts 14, 14a
with miniscule grooves which impart substantial flexibility.
[0041] The illustrated embodiment shows a case where the inward
peripheral wall surfaces 9, 9a and the outward peripheral wall
surfaces 10, 10a are formed substantially vertically in the
direction of the height of the container body 3, but if necessary,
the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a may be narrowed in the direction
of the depth to have somewhat inclined sides so that the distance
between these inward peripheral wall surfaces 9, 9a and outward
peripheral wall surfaces 10, 10a are closer at a lower part than at
a upper part.
[0042] Also in the above-described preferred embodiment, the gaps
18, 18a are formed by denting the inward peripheral wall surfaces
9, 9a and the outward peripheral wall surfaces 10, 10a in the
radial direction of the container body 3, but if the upper parts
13, 13a of the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a can have the
sufficient thicknesses, the gaps 18, 18a may be formed by thinning
said thicknesses without denting these inward peripheral wall
surfaces 9, 9a and so on.
[0043] Further, the above description has been made to exemplify
the embodiments where the annular sealing grooves 7, 7a are formed
integrally in the container body 3, and the annular sealing
protrusions 8, 8a are formed integrally on the lid body 6, but the
annular sealing grooves 7, 7a may be formed integrally in the lid
body 6, and the annular sealing protrusions 8, 8a may be formed
integrally on the container body 3.
[0044] Furthermore, the above description has been made to
exemplify the embodiments having the lid body 6 which is coupled
with the container body 3 by the hinge 4, but the lid body 6 may of
course be completely separate from the container body 3.
Industrial Applicability
[0045] As described above, for example, the hermetically sealed
container according to an aspect of the present invention is
provided with a sealing mechanism that can be formed integrally
with the container body and the lid body made of synthetic resin
and that is thus low in cost and has excellent productivity
features, and in which the upper sealing part is brought firmly
into frictional contact with the upper sealing surface because of
the high rigidity of the upper sealing part and the lower sealing
part is resiliently pressed against the lower sealing surface and
thus achieves high hermetic sealing capability in combination with
the smooth opening and closing of the lid body thanks to these two
upper and lower sealing parts.
[0046] Also, for example, the jutting-out deformation of the upper
part of the annular sealing protrusion can be permitted by the gap
so that the lower sealing part can be more forcefully pressed
against the lower sealing surface, whereby the present invention
can attain extremely high hermetic sealing capability.
[0047] Also, by providing a plurality of sealing mechanisms, it
becomes possible to attain, for example, a multiple-fold seal,
whereby the present invention can attain further outstanding
hermetic sealing capability.
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