U.S. patent application number 11/466840 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for storage container.
This patent application is currently assigned to TDK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takateru SATOH, Yuji YOSHINO.
Application Number | 20070045310 11/466840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37802620 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070045310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOSHINO; Yuji ; et
al. |
March 1, 2007 |
STORAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A storage container capable of enhancing the efficiency of a
storage operation. A storage container includes an opening and a
bottom, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole. The
storage container is configured such that a pair of the storage
containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of
storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which flange portions of
the respective openings of the storage containers are butted
against each other. The flange portions are formed with
protrusion/recess portions capable of being fitted to each other in
the above state. The bottoms are formed with protrusion/recess
portions capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which
outer surfaces of the respective bottoms of the storage containers
are butted against each other.
Inventors: |
YOSHINO; Yuji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; SATOH; Takateru; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
TDK CORPORATION
1-13-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37802620 |
Appl. No.: |
11/466840 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/023 20130101;
B65D 25/107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/004.21 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/28 20060101
B65D006/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 29, 2005 |
JP |
2005/247237 |
Claims
1. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom, and
is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of
the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body
capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of
the respective openings of the storage containers are butted
against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings
of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions
formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in
the state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the
respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second
fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted
to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective
bottoms are butted against each other; and the first fitting
portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the
bottoms.
2. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom, and
is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of
the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body
capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of
the respective openings of the storage containers are butted
against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings
of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions
formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in
a state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the
respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second
fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted
to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective
bottoms are butted against each other; the respective first fitting
portions of the storage containers are formed such that the first
fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of
the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central
portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage
containers from a position where the respective first fitting
portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other; and
the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers
are formed such that the second fitting portions can also be fitted
to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a
half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the
other of the storage containers from a position where the
respective second fitting portions of the storage containers can be
fitted to each other.
3. A storage container that includes an opening and a bottom each
formed to have a generally rectangular shape, and is formed to have
a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage
containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of
storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the
respective openings of the storage containers are butted against
each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings of the
storage containers have respective first fitting portions formed
therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in a
state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the
respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second
fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted
to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective
bottoms are butted against each other; the first fitting portions
each comprise a first protrusion/recess portion and a second
protrusion/recess portion formed in one pair of opposed ones of
four edges of the generally rectangular opening, respectively, and
a third protrusion/recess portion and a fourth protrusion/recess
portion formed in the other pair of opposed ones of the four edges;
the first protrusion/recess portions and the second
protrusion/recess portions are formed to be point-symmetric with
respect to a central portion of the bottom, and at the same time
such that either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either
of the two protrusion/recess portions of another storage container
can be fitted to each other; the third protrusion/recess portions
and the fourth protrusion/recess portions are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom,
and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess
portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of the
other storage container can be fitted to each other; the second
fitting portions each comprise a fifth protrusion/recess portion
formed in an area located at an upper left-hand portion of the
bottom as viewed in plan view, a sixth protrusion/recess portion
formed in an area located at a lower right-hand portion of the
bottom as viewed in plan view, a seventh protrusion/recess portion
formed in an area located at an upper right hand portion of the
bottom as viewed in plan view, and an eighth protrusion/recess
portion formed in an area located at a lower left-hand portion of
the bottom as viewed in plan view; the fifth protrusion/recess
portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom;
and the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth
protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with
respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time
such that the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth
protrusion/recess portion can be fitted to both the fifth
protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess portion
of another storage container.
4. A storage container according to claim 1, including handles
formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each
have a three-dimensional shape.
5. A storage container according to claim 2, including handles
formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each
have a three-dimensional shape.
6. A storage container according to claim 3, including handles
formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each
have a three-dimensional shape.
7. A storage container according to claim 1, including partitions
for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the
to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape
cartridges are separated from each other.
8. A storage container according to claim 2, including partitions
for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the
to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape
cartridges are separated from each other.
9. A storage container according to claim 3, including partitions
for use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the
to-be-stored bodies in a state where the plurality of the tape
cartridges are separated from each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage container which
is formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of
the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body
capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of
the respective openings of the storage containers are butted
against each other.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As a storage container for storing a tape cartridge, there
has been known a storage casing for a tape cartridge disclosed in
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.2002-104568. This
storage casing is comprised of a body and a lid, which are
integrally formed with each other, and configured to be capable of
storing a single tape cartridge having a generally square
shape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] From the study of the above-described storage casing, the
present inventors found out the following problem. This storage
casing can store only one tape cartridge, and therefore when a
large number of tape cartridge are collectively sold, it is
necessary to store the tape cartridges one by one in the respective
storage casings for packing before shipment from the factory. This
causes unnecessary costs. Further, when a plurality of tape
cartridges are carried, it is necessary to accommodate them in the
respective storage casings for storage in a larger storage box or
the like. This is troublesome. To solve the above problems,
recently, a storage container capable of storing a plurality of
tape cartridges therein is used when the tape cartridges are sold
or carried. In this case, the storage container is formed to have a
shape of a tray, for example, and is configured such that a
box-shaped body capable of storing a plurality of tape cartridges
can be formed by butting respective openings of a pair of the
storage containers against each other, and causing fitting portions
thereof to be fitted to each other. In the conventional storage
containers of this kind, however, the shapes of the fitting
portions are asymmetric or locations where the fitting portions are
arranged are asymmetric. Therefore, generally, the fitting portions
of the storage containers cannot be fitted to each other unless
they are butted against each other in a predetermined direction.
This requires an operation for checking lateral and vertical
orientations of the storage containers when butting them against
each other, whereby it is difficult to enhance the efficiency of
the storage operation.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of these
problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide
a storage container capable of enhancing the efficiency of a
storage operation.
[0007] To attain the above object, a storage container according to
the present invention includes an opening and a bottom, and is
formed to have a shape of a tray as a whole, such that a pair of
the storage containers are capable of forming a box-shaped body
capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of
the respective openings of the storage containers are butted
against each other, wherein: the respective edges of the openings
of the storage containers have respective first fitting portions
formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each other in
the state in which the edges are butted against each other, and the
respective bottoms of the storage containers have respective second
fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted
to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective
bottoms are butted against each other; and the first fitting
portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the
bottoms.
[0008] According to this storage container, the first fitting
portions capable of being fitted to each other in the state in
which the edges of the respective openings of the storage
containers are butted against each other are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottoms,
whereby the first fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each
other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a half
turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with respect
to the other storage container from a position where the first
fitting portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each
other. Therefore, when one storage container is placed over the
other storage container to connect them to each other, it is
possible to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and
vertical orientations of the storage containers, whereby it is
possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting
operation. Further, the second fitting portions capable of being
fitted to each other in a state in which outer surfaces of the
respective bottoms of the storage containers are butted against
each other are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the
central portion of the bottoms, whereby the second fitting portions
can be reliably fitted to each other even after one of the storage
containers is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the
bottom thereof with respect to the other storage container from a
position where the second fitting portions of the storage
containers can be fitted to each other. Therefore, when one storage
container is stacked on the bottom of the other storage container,
it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral
and vertical orientations of the storage containers, whereby it is
possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking
operation.
[0009] Also, a storage container according to the present invention
includes an opening and a bottom, and is formed to have a shape of
a tray as a whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are
capable of forming a box-shaped body capable of storing
to-be-stored bodies in a state in which edges of the respective
openings of the storage containers are butted against each other,
wherein: the respective edges of the openings of the storage
containers have respective first fitting portions formed therewith
which are capable of being fitted to each other in the state in
which the edges are butted against each other, and the respective
bottoms of the storage containers have respective second fitting
portions formed therewith which are capable of being fitted to each
other in a state in which outer surfaces of the respective bottoms
are butted against each other; the respective first fitting
portions of the storage containers are formed such that the first
fitting portions can also be fitted to each other even after one of
the storage containers is rotated a half turn about a central
portion of the bottom with respect to the other of the storage
containers from a position where the respective first fitting
portions of the storage containers can be fitted to each other; and
the respective second fitting portions of the storage containers
are formed such that the second fitting portions can also be fitted
to each other even after one of the storage containers is rotated a
half turn about a central portion of the bottom with respect to the
other of the storage containers from a position where the
respective second fitting portions of the storage containers can be
fitted to each other.
[0010] According to this storage container, the respective first
fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such that
they car also be fitted to each other even after one of the storage
containers is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the
bottom with respect to the other of the storage containers from a
position where the respective first fitting portions of the storage
containers can be fitted to each other, whereby when one storage
container is placed over the other storage container to thereby
connect them to each other, the first fitting portions can be
reliably fitted to each other before and after one storage
container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the
bottom. Therefore, it is possible to dispense with the operation
for checking lateral and vertical orientations of the storage
containers, whereby it is possible to sufficiently enhance the
efficiency of the connecting operation. Further, the respective
second fitting portions of the storage containers are formed such
that they can also be fitted to each other even after one storage
container is rotated a half turn about the central portion of the
bottom with respect to the other storage container from a position
where the respective second fitting portions of the storage
containers can be fitted to each other, whereby when one storage
container is stacked on the bottom of the other storage container,
the second fitting portions can be reliably fitted to each other
before and after one storage container is rotated a half turn about
the central portion of the bottom. Therefore, it is possible to
dispense with the operation for checking lateral and vertical
orientations of the storage container, whereby it is possible to
sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking operation.
[0011] Also, a storage container according to the present invention
includes an opening and a bottom each formed to have a generally
rectangular shape, and is formed to have a shape of a tray as a
whole, such that a pair of the storage containers are capable of
forming a box-shaped body capable of storing to-be-stored bodies in
a state in which edges of the respective openings of the storage
containers are butted against each other, wherein: the respective
edges of the openings of the storage containers have respective
first fitting portions formed therewith which are capable of being
fitted to each other in a state in which the edges are butted
against each other, and the respective bottoms of the storage
containers have respective second fitting portions formed therewith
which are capable of being fitted to each other in a state in which
outer surfaces of the respective bottoms are butted against each
other; the first fitting portions each comprise a first
protrusion/recess portion and a second protrusion/recess portion
formed in one pair of opposed ones of four edges of the generally
rectangular opening, respectively, and a third protrusion/recess
portion and a fourth protrusion/recess portion formed in the other
pair of opposed ones of the four edges; the first protrusion/recess
portions and the second protrusion/recess portions are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to a central portion of the bottom,
and at the same time such that either of the two protrusion/recess
portions and either of the two protrusion/recess portions of
another storage container can be fitted to each other; the third
protrusion/recess portions and the fourth protrusion/recess
portions are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the
central portion of the bottom, and at the same time such that
either of the two protrusion/recess portions and either of the two
protrusion/recess portions of the other storage container can be
fitted to each other; the second fitting portions each comprise a
fifth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an
upper left-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a
sixth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a
lower right-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, a
seventh protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at an
upper right-hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view, and
an eighth protrusion/recess portion formed in an area located at a
lower left hand portion of the bottom as viewed in plan view; the
fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth protrusion/recess
portion are formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the
central portion of the bottom; and the seventh protrusion/recess
portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom,
and at the same time such that the seventh protrusion/recess
portion and the eighth protrusion/recess portion can be fitted to
both the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth
protrusion/recess portion of another storage container.
[0012] According to this storage container, the first fitting
portions each comprise the first protrusion/recess portion, the
second protrusion/recess portion, the third protrusion/recess
portion, and the fourth protrusion/recess portion. The first
protrusion/recess portion and the second protrusion/recess portion
are configured to be point-symmetric with respect to the central
portion of the bottom, and at the same time capable of being fitted
to each other, and the third protrusion/recess portion and the
fourth protrusion/recess portion are configured to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom,
and at the same time capable of being fitted to each other, whereby
even after one storage container is rotated a half turn about the
central portion of the bottom thereof with respect to the other
storage container from a position where the protrusion/recess
portions of the pair of storage containers can be fitted to each
other, it is possible to reliably fit protrusion/recess portions to
each other. Therefore, when one storage container is placed over
the other storage container to thereby connect then to each other,
it is possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral
and vertical orientations of the storage container, whereby it is
possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting
operation. Further, the second fitting portions each comprise the
fifth protrusion/recess portion, the sixth protrusion/recess
portion, the seventh protrusion/recess portion, and the eighth
protrusion/recess portion. The fifth protrusion/recess portion and
the sixth protrusion/recess portion are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central portion of the bottom,
and the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth
protrusion/recess portion are formed to be point-symmetric with
respect to the central portion of the bottom, and at the same time
such that the seventh protrusion/recess portion and the eighth
protrusion/recess portion of one storage container can be fitted to
both the fifth protrusion/recess portion and the sixth
protrusion/recess portion of the other storage container. This
makes it possible, even after one storage container is rotated a
half turn about the central portion of the bottom thereof with
respect to the other storage container from a position where the
protrusion/recess portions of the pair of storage containers can be
fitted to each other, to reliably fit the protrusion/recess
portions to each other. Therefore, when one storage container is
stacked on the bottom of the other storage container, it is
possible to dispense with the operation for checking lateral and
vertical orientations of the storage container, whereby it is
possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking
operation.
[0013] In the this case, the storage container may include handles
formed by bending parts of the edges such that the handles each
have a three-dimensional shape. According to this storage
container, unlike handles formed by forming holes in the edges, it
is possible to suppress formations of burrs or the like on the
handles. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the user from
being hurt by burrs when he/she seizes the handles.
[0014] Further, the storage container may include partitions for
use in storing a plurality of tape cartridges as the to-be-stored
bodies in a state where the plurality of tape cartridges are
separated from each other. According to this storage container,
even if the storage container storing the tape cartridges is
vibrated during transfer thereof, it is possible to reliably
prevent the tape cartridges from being rubbed together within the
storage container and damaged thereby. Further, the tape cartridges
are stored in storage spaces partitioned by the partitions, whereby
even if the tape cartridges are not stored in all the storage
spaces, that is, even if one or some of the storage spaces is or
are empty, it is possible to reliably prevent the rattling of the
tape cartridges.
[0015] It should be noted that the present disclosure relates to
the subject matter included in Japanese Patent Application No.
2005-247237 filed Aug. 29, 2005, and it is apparent that all the
disclosures therein are incorporated herein by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to
the attached drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage container, as
viewed from an opening side of the storage container;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the storage container, as viewed
from the opening side of the storage container;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container, as
viewed from an outer surface side of a bottom of the storage
container;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage container, as viewed
from the cuter surface side of the bottom of the storage
container;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 storage
container, taken on line A-A of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the storage container in a state
where the storage container has tape cartridges stored therein;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a storage box; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of storage boxes in a state
in which one storage box is placed on another.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Hereinafter, the best mode of a storage container according
to the present invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0026] First, a description will be given of the construction of
the storage container 1 with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage container 1 is an
example of the storage container according to the present
invention. The storage container 1 is comprised of a bottom 2
formed to have a generally rectangular shape, and four walls 3a,
3b, Bc, and 3d erected on the respective edges of the bottom 2
(each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to as "the wall
3" when it is not required to make a distinction between the four
walls), with a generally rectangular opening 10a, and has the shape
of a tray as a whole. In this case, the storage container 1 is
manufactured by injection molding by using PET (polyethylene
terephthalate), for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the
storage container 1 is configured such that a pair of storage
containers 1 can form a storage box (box-shaped body in the present
invention) 100 which is capable of storing tape cartridges 200 (see
FIG. 5 as well) as to-be-stored bodies in the present invention, in
a state in which edges (flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d,
described hereinafter) of the respective openings 11a of the pair
of storage containers 1 are butted against each other. In this
case, the tape cartridge 200 is a single-reel type tape cartridge
having a single tape reel, and is formed to have a generally square
shape in plan view, by way of example.
[0028] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage container 1
includes the four flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d (corresponding
to the edges in the present invention, each of which is hereinafter
also simply referred to as "the flange portion 4" when it is not
required to make a distinction between the four flange portions)
formed such that they surround the opening 10a. In this case, the
flange portions 4a and 1b (a pair of edges opposite to each other
in the present invention) are formed with protrusion/recess
portions 11a and 11b, respectively. Further, the flange portions 4c
and 4d (the other pair of edges in the present invention) are
formed with protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d, respectively.
The flange portions 4c and 4d are formed with handles 5 and 5,
respectively, which are formed to have a three-dimensional shape by
bending parts of the flange portions 4c and 4d toward the bottom 2.
It should be noted that the protrusion/recess portions 11a, 11b,
11c, and 11d (each of which is hereinafter also simply referred to
as "the protrusion/recess portion 11" when it is not required to
make a distinction between the four protrusion/recess portions)
form a first fitting portion in the present invention.
[0029] Here, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b correspond
to a first protrusion/recess portion and a second protrusion/recess
portion in the present invention, respectively. Referring to FIG.
1, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are each formed with
three recesses 21 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and
three cylindrical protrusions 22 capable of being fitted in the
recesses 21. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the recesses 21 and
the protrusions 22 of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b
are arranged such that they are point-symmetric with respect to a
central point O (central portion in the present invention) of the
bottom 2, and that, as shown in FIG. 7, each recess 21 (or each
protrusion 22) of one storage container 1 and each protrusion 22
(or each recess 21) of the other storage container 1 are fitted to
each other in the state in which the respective flange portions 4
of the pair of storage containers 1 are butted against each other.
That is, the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are formed such
that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O,
and at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions
11a and 11b and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and
11b of the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each
other.
[0030] Further, the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d
correspond to a third protrusion/recess portion and a fourth
protrusion/recess portion, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, the
protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are each formed with two
recesses 21 and two protrusions 22, by way of example. In this
case, as shown in FIG. 1, the recesses 21 and the protrusions 22 of
the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are arranged such that
they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the
bottom 2, and that each recess 21 (or each protrusion 22) of one
storage container 1 and each protrusion 22 (or each recess 21) of
the other storage container 1 are fitted to each other in the state
in which the flange portions 4 of the pair of storage containers 1
are butted against each other. That is, the protrusion/recess
portions 11c and 11d are formed such that they are point-symmetric
with respect to the central point O, and at the same time that
either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d and either of
the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d of the other storage
container 1 can be fitted to each other.
[0031] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, protrusion/recess
portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d (each of which is hereinafter also
simply referred to as "the protrusion/recess portion 12" when it is
not required to make a distinction between the four
protrusion/recess portions) are formed in respective areas located
at an upper left-hand portion, a lower right-hand portion, an upper
right-hand portion, and a lower left-hand portion, of the bottom 2,
as viewed in plan view from an outer surface 2a side. It should be
noted that the protrusion/recess portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d
form a second fitting portion in the present invention. The
protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b correspond to a fifth
protrusion/recess portion and a sixth protrusion/recess portion in
the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b each include a protrusion 31
generally rectangular in plan view and protruding outward from the
outer surface 2a of the bottom 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4,
the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the bottom
2. The protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d correspond to a
seventh protrusion/recess portion and an eighth protrusion/recess
portion in the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3,
the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d each include a
protrusion 32 in the form of a frame generally rectangular in plan
view, and protruding outward from the outer surface 2a of the
bottom 2, for example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the
protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that they
are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the
bottom 2, and at the same time that as shown in FIG. 8, when the
outer surfaces 2a of the respective bottoms 2 of the pair of
storage containers 1 are butted against each other, the
protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d of one storage container 1
can be fitted to both the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of
the other storage container 1.
[0032] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rib 6 is formed on an
inner surface 2b of the bottom 2. The rib 6 is formed with
twenty-two partitions 7a. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, twenty-two
partitions 7b are formed on the inner surface 2b of the bottom 2.
Furthermore, eleven partitions 7c are formed on each of walls 3a
and 3b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the partitions 7a, 7b,
and 7c have the function of separating a plurality of (twenty, in
this case) tape cartridges 200 from each other for storage in the
storage container 1.
[0033] Next, a method of using the storage container 1 will be
described with reference to drawings.
[0034] First, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the storage container
1 (hereinafter also referred to as "the storage container 1A) is
placed with the opening 10a facing upward. Then, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 5, one of the tape cartridges 200 is accommodated e.g., in a
storage space 20 located at a lower left-hand corner of the storage
container 1A, partitioned by the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c of the
storage container 1A. Subsequently, the other tape cartridges 200
are sequentially accommodated in respective storage spaces 20 (see
FIG. 6) partitioned by associated ones of the partitions 7a, 7b,
and 7c.
[0035] After that, the storage container 1A having stored the tape
cartridges 200 in all (twenty, in this case) the storage spaces 20,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 6, is placed over another storage
container 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "the storage container
1B") with its opening 10a facing downward, as shown in FIG. 7. In
doing this, each flange portion 4 of the storage container 1A and a
corresponding one of the flange portions 4 of the storage container
1B are butted against each ether, whereby the protrusion/recess
portions of the storage containers 1A and 1B are fitted to each
other. This connects the storage containers 1A and 1B to each other
via the protrusion/recess portions 11, whereby the storage box 100
(hereinafter also referred to as "the storage box 100A") is formed
by the storage containers 1A and 1B. In this case, the tape
cartridges 200 are stored in a state separated from each other by
the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c, and therefore even if the storage
box 100 is vibrated during transfer thereof, the tape cartridges
200 are reliably prevented from being rubbed together and damaged
within the storage box 100. Further, the tape cartridges 200 are
stored in the storage spaces 20 partitioned by the partitions 7a,
7h, and 7c, and hence even it the tape cartridges 200 are not
stored in all the storage spaces 20, that is, even if some of the
storage spaces 20 are empty, the rattling of the tape cartridges
200 is reliably prevented.
[0036] Further, in the storage container 1, the protrusion/recess
portions 11a and 11b are formed such that they are point-symmetric
with respect to the central point O of the bottom 2, and at the
same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b
and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b of the
other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other. Furthermore,
the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are formed such that
they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and
at the same time that either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c
and 11d and either of the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d of
the other storage container 1 can be fitted to each other. As a
result, the protrusion/recess portions 11 can also be fitted to
each other even after the storage container 1B is rotated a half
turn about the central point O with respect to the storage
container 1A from a position where the protrusion/recess portions
11 of the storage containers 1A and 1B can be fitted to each other.
This makes it possible to dispense with an operation for checking
lateral and vertical orientations of the storage container 1B when
the storage container 1B is connected to (placed over) the storage
container 1A, whereby it is possible to enhance the efficiency of
the connecting operation.
[0037] Then, similarly to the above, the tape cartridges 200 are
stored in a new storage container 1 (hereinafter also referred to
as "the storage container 1C"), and another new storage container 1
(hereinafter also referred to as "the storage container 1D") is
placed over the storage container 1C to connect the storage
containers 1C and 1D to each other via the respective
protrusion/recess portions 11. Thus, a second storage box 100
(hereinafter also referred to as "the storage box 100B") having she
tape cartridges 200 stored therein is formed. Subsequently, the
handles 5 of the storage containers 1C and 1D of the storage box
100B are seized to stack the storage box 100B on the storage box
100A, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the outer surface 2a of the
bottom 2 of the storage container 1B as a component of the storage
box 100A and the outer surface 2a of the bottom 2 of the storage
container 1C as a component of the storage box 100B are butted
against each other, whereby the protrusion/recess portions 12 of
the storage containers 1B and 1C are fitted to each other. This
connects the storage boxes 100A and 100B to each other via the
protrusion/recess portions 12, to thereby prevent displacement
between the storage boxes 10A and 100B. In this case, the handles 5
of the storage containers 1B and 1C are formed to have a
three-dimensional shape by bending parts of the flange portions 4c
and 4c, and therefore unlike handles formed by forming holes in the
flange portions 4c and 4d, formations of burrs or the like on the
handles 5 are suppressed. As a result, in the storage containers 1,
it is possible to reliably prevent the user from being hurt by
burrs when he/she seizes the handles 5.
[0038] Further, in the storage container 1, the protrusion/recess
portions 12a and 12b are formed to be point-symmetric with respect
to the central point O of the bottom 2. Furthermore, the
protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that they
are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and at the
same time that the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d can be
fitted to both the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of the
other storage container 1. As a result, the protrusion/recess
portions 12 can also be fitted to each other even after the storage
container 1C is rotated a half turn about the central point O with
respect to the storage container 1B from a position where the
protrusion/recess portions 12 of the storage containers 1B and 1C
can be fitted to each other. This makes it possible to dispense
with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of
the storage container 1C when the storage box 100B is stacked on
the storage box 100A, whereby it is possible to enhance the
efficiency of the stacking operation.
[0039] Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeatedly
carried out for storing the tape cartridges 200 in the storage
container 1 (storage box 100).
[0040] As described above, according to the storage container 1,
the protrusion/recess portions 11a and 11b are formed such that
they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O of the
bottom 2, and at the same time that they can be fitted to each
other, and the protrusion/recess portions 11c and 11d are formed
such that they are point-symmetric with respect to the central
point O, and at the same time that they can be fitted to each
other. Accordingly, the protrusion/recess portions 11 of the pair
of storage containers 1 can also be reliably fitted to each other
even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the
central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from
a position where the protrusion/recess portions 11 can be fitted to
each other. As a result, when the storage container 1 is placed
over the other storage container 1 for connection, it is possible
to dispense with an operation for checking lateral and vertical
orientations of the storage container 1, thereby making it possible
to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the connecting
operation.
[0041] Further, the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b are
formed to be point-symmetric with respect to the central point O,
and the protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d are formed such that
they are point-symmetric with respect to the central point O, and
at the same time that they can be fitted to both the
protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b of the other storage
container 1. Accordingly, the protrusion/recess portions 12 of the
pair of storage containers 1 can also be reliably fitted to each
other even after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn
about the central point O with respect to the other storage
container 1 from a position where the protrusion/recess portions 12
can be fitted to each other. As a result, when the storage
container 1 (storage box 100) is stacked or the other storage
container 1 (the other storage box 100), it is possible to dispense
with an operation for checking lateral and vertical orientations of
the storage container 1 (storage box 100), thereby making it
possible to sufficiently enhance the efficiency of the stacking
operation.
[0042] Further, according to the storage container 1, the handles 5
are formed to have a three-dimensional shape by bending parts of
the flange portions 4c and 4d, whereby unlike e.g., handles formed
by forming holes in the flange portions 4c and 4d, it is possible
to suppress formations of burrs or the like on the handles 5. This
makes it possible to reliably prevent the user from being hurt by
burrs when he/she seizes the handles 5.
[0043] Further, according to the storage container 1, the
partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c for separating the plurality of tape
cartridges 200 from each other for storage in the storage container
1 are provided, whereby even if the storage container 1 (storage
box 100) storing the tape cartridges 200 is vibrated during
transfer thereof, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape
cartridges 200 from being rubbed together and damaged within the
storage container 1. Further, the tape cartridges 200 are stored in
the storage spaces 20 partitioned by the partitions 7a, 7b, and 7c,
whereby even if the tape cartridges 200 are not stored in all the
storage spaces 20, that is, even if some of the storage spaces 20
are empty, it is possible to reliably prevent the rattling of the
tape cartridges 200.
[0044] It should be noted that the present invention is by no means
limited to the above-described configuration. For example, although
in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given
of the example in which each protrusion/recess portion 11 is
comprised of two or three recesses 21 rectangular in plan view and
two or three cylindrical protrusions 22, this is not limitative,
but the number and the shape of the recesses 21 and those of the
protrusions 22 can be defined as desired. Further, although in the
above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the
example in which the protrusion/recess portions 12a and 12b each
include a protrusion 31 generally rectangular in plan view, and the
protrusion/recess portions 12c and 12d each include a protrusion 32
in the form of a frame generally rectangular in plan view, this is
not limitative, but the shapes of the protrusions 31 and 32 can be
defined as desired. Furthermore, although in the above-described
embodiment, the description has been given of the example in which
there is employed the storage container 1 (storage box 100) capable
of storing twenty tape cartridges 200, this is not limitative, but
the number of the tape cartridges 200 capable of being stored in
the storage container 1 can be defined as desired. Further, the
present invention can be applied to the storage container 1 for
storing tape cartridges other than the tape cartridges 200, various
recording media, and small articles.
[0045] Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the
description has been given of the example in which the first
fitting portion in the present invention is formed by the
protrusion/recess portions 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d formed in the
flange portions 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively, and the second
fitting portion in the present invention is formed by the
protrusion/recess portions 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d formed in the
four areas of the bottom 2, this is not limitative, but the first
fitting portion and the second fitting portion can be formed as
desired insofar as the respective first fitting portions of the
pair of storage containers 1 are also fitted to each other even
after one storage container 1 is rotated a half turn about the
central point O with respect to the other storage container 1 from
a position where the respective first fitting portions of the
storage containers 1 can be fitted to each other, and the
respective second fitting portions of the pair of storage
containers 1 are also fitted to each other even after one storage
container 1 is rotated a half turn about the central point O with
respect to the other storage container 1 from a position where the
respective second fitting portions of the storage containers 1 can
be fitted to each other, that is, insofar as the first fitting
portions and the second fitting portions are formed to be
point-symmetric with respect to the central point O. In this case,
the shapes of the opening 10a and the bottom 2 are not necessarily
required to be rectangular or generally rectangular, but they can
be formed to have desired shapes.
* * * * *