U.S. patent application number 14/208837 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for portion container compression system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thermos K.K.. The applicant listed for this patent is Thermos K.K.. Invention is credited to Takahiro Maruyama, Shin Matsuyama, Hiroki Yokoyama.
Application Number | 20140263441 14/208837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51416810 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263441 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maruyama; Takahiro ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
PORTION CONTAINER COMPRESSION SYSTEM
Abstract
Provided is a portion container compression system capable of
preventing a portion container from being misaligned, and being
used without contaminating surrounding items even when misalignment
occurs. A content can be pushed out by squeezing the portion
container installed in a receiving portion of a system main body,
and formed on the front region of the portion container is an
easily unsealable portion. The portion container is formed into an
asymmetric shape in the front-back direction, and the receiving
portion has a misalignment-prevention portion allowing the front
region of the portion container to be aligned to the receiving
portion, but preventing the back region thereof from being aligned
to the receiving portion. The misalignment-prevention portion
prevents the ejection from a misaligned portion container. Since
there cannot be achieved the effects as those when the portion
container is correctly installed, a user may notice the
misalignment of the portion container.
Inventors: |
Maruyama; Takahiro;
(Niigata-ken, JP) ; Matsuyama; Shin; (Niigata-ken,
JP) ; Yokoyama; Hiroki; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thermos K.K. |
Niigata-ken |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Thermos K.K.
Niigata-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
51416810 |
Appl. No.: |
14/208837 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0072 20130101;
B65D 77/2036 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/95 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2013 |
JP |
2013-051359 |
Claims
1. A portion container compression system comprising: a system main
body; a portion container formed into a front-back asymmetric
shape, including an easily unsealable portion formed on a front
region thereof; a receiving portion provided in said system main
body for installing said portion container therein, thus allowing a
content of said portion container to be pushed out by squeezing
said portion container installed in said receiving portion of said
system main body; and a misalignment-prevention portion provided in
said receiving portion, said misalignment-prevention portion
allowing a front region of said portion container to be aligned to
said receiving portion while preventing a back region of said
portion container from being aligned to said receiving portion.
2. The portion container compression system according to claim 1,
wherein said misalignment-prevention portion allows the front
region of said portion container to be aligned to said receiving
portion with said easily unsealable portion being positioned
downward; and allows a misalignment of said portion container to be
recognized by a user when the back region of said portion container
is aligned to said receiving portion, by making an area of contact
between the back region of said portion container and said
receiving portion smaller than an area of contact between the front
region of said portion container and said receiving portion.
3. The portion container compression system according to claim 1,
wherein said receiving portion further includes at least one
receiving claw portions formed on a left and right regions thereof,
and said misalignment-prevention portion is provided in a center of
said receiving portion, said receiving claw portions and
misalignment-prevention portion allowing the front region of said
portion container to be positioned under said
misalignment-prevention portion when said portion container is
aligned to said receiving claw portions.
4. The portion container compression system according to claim 1,
wherein said misalignment-prevention portion abuts against a side
surface of said portion container when the back region of said
portion container is aligned to said receiving portion.
5. A portion container compression system, comprising: a system
main body; a portion container including an easily unsealable
portion formed on a front region thereof; a receiving portion for
installing said portion container; and a handle, said handle being
swung to allow a content of said portion container to be pushed out
by squeezing said portion container installed in said receiving
portion of said system main body, wherein said receiving portion is
disposed away from a center and toward said handle, and causes said
portion container to fall in a region opposite to said handle upon
swinging said handle if said portion container is misaligned.
6. The portion container compression system according to claim 5,
wherein said receiving portion further includes: at least one
receiving claw portions formed on a left and right regions of said
receiving portion; and a misalignment-prevention portion provided
in a center of said receiving portion, said receiving claw portions
and said misalignment-prevention portion allowing a part of said
portion container to be positioned under said
misalignment-prevention portion when said portion container is
aligned to said receiving claw portions.
7. The portion container compression system according to claim 5,
wherein said portion container has a substantially flat bottom
surface portion, and is installed in said receiving portion with
said bottom surface portion slanting toward said handle.
8. The portion container compression system according to claim 5,
wherein said system main body can be used as a mouth for drinking
and a plug body, and a beverage can be consumed from a hole
provided in a region opposite to said handle.
9. The portion container compression system according to claim 2,
wherein said receiving portion further includes at least one
receiving claw portions formed on a left and right regions thereof,
and said misalignment-prevention portion is provided in a center of
said receiving portion, said receiving claw portions and
misalignment-prevention portion allowing the front region of said
portion container to be positioned under said
misalignment-prevention portion when said portion container is
aligned to said receiving claw portions.
10. The portion container compression system according to claim 2,
wherein said misalignment-prevention portion abuts against a side
surface of said portion container when the back region of said
portion container is aligned to said receiving portion.
11. The portion container compression system according to claim 3,
wherein said misalignment-prevention portion abuts against a side
surface of said portion container when the back region of said
portion container is aligned to said receiving portion.
12. The portion container compression system according to claim 9,
wherein said misalignment-prevention portion abuts against a side
surface of said portion container when the back region of said
portion container is aligned to said receiving portion.
13. The portion container compression system according to claim 6,
wherein said portion container has a substantially flat bottom
surface portion, and is installed in said receiving portion with
said bottom surface portion slanting toward said handle.
14. The portion container compression system according to claim 6,
wherein said system main body can be used as a mouth for drinking
and a plug body, and a beverage can be consumed from a hole
provided in a region opposite to said handle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a portion container
compression system capable of pushing out a content of a portion
container by compressing the same.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, as such a kind of system, there have been
known a liquid feeding system as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No.
2008-520298 and a liquid feeding system as disclosed in Japanese
Patent No. 4485869. The liquid feeding system of Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT
Application) No. 2008-520298 has a communicative operation
mechanism established by providing a spike on a portion holder.
Particularly, the spike serves to bore a hole in a portion
container stowed in a concave space of the portion holder such that
a housing space of a container body and a liquid-containing section
are allowed to be communicated with each other through a
communication hole. As for the liquid feeding system of Patent
document 2, a communicative operation mechanism is established by
providing on a portion holder a cutter used to break a seal lid of
a mouth section of a portion container.
[0005] Since each of the conventional liquid feeding systems
described above has the communicative operation mechanism
established by providing on the portion holder a spike or a cutter,
the structure of each system is complex, thus making it difficult
to wash the system after use and possibly injuring hands due to the
spike or the cutter.
[0006] In view of the aforementioned problems, there has also been
known a liquid feeding system as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application Publication No. 2012-135518. This system
includes: a portion container formed by sealing a mouth section of
a container body; a portion holder having a concave space capable
of stowing the portion container; and a communicative operation
mechanism established by forming on a bottom section of the concave
space of the portion holder a communication hole for communicating
the concave space with a liquid-containing section provided
therebelow. That is, a housing space of the system main body and
the liquid-containing section are communicated with each other
through the communication hole. Particularly, the communicative
operation mechanism is configured as follows. That is, there is
also provided a compression mechanism capable of compressing the
portion container stowed in the concave space. Here, in accordance
with the way the portion container is compressed by the compression
mechanism, formed on this portion container is a peeling induction
portion allowing a content to leak out as the seal lid is partially
peeled from the container body. Specifically, with the portion
container being stowed in the concave space, the peeling induction
portion is positioned at a region of the bottom section and faces
the communication hole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The problem with the portion container disclosed in the
aforementioned patent document is that since the shape thereof is
that of an oval and is symmetrical in the front-back direction, the
portion container may be erroneously installed in the system such
that the content may be ejected when the orientation of the peeling
induction portion is not properly adjusted. Especially, an
oval-shaped object is more likely to be misaligned in the
front-back direction. Further, when squeezed in an improper manner,
the content may be spattered on surrounding items from the portion
container such that clothes or the like may be contaminated.
[0008] In view of the aforementioned problem, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a portion container compression
system capable of preventing a portion container from being
misaligned, and being safely used without contaminating surrounding
items even when the portion container has been misaligned
[0009] The invention of a first aspect is a portion container
compression system capable of squeezing a portion container aligned
to a receiving portion of a system main body and pushing out a
content of the portion container. The system includes: the
receiving portion for installing the portion container; and the
portion container, in which the receiving portion includes a
misalignment-prevention portion allowing a front region of the
portion container to be aligned to the receiving portion while
preventing a back region of the portion container from being
aligned to the receiving portion, and in which the portion
container is formed into an asymmetric shape in a front-back
direction and includes an easily unsealable portion formed on the
front region thereof.
[0010] According to the portion container compression system of a
second aspect, the misalignment-prevention portion allows the front
region of the portion container to be positioned to the receiving
portion with the easily unsealable portion being positioned
downward; and allows a misalignment of the portion container to be
recognized when the back region of the portion container is
positioned to the receiving portion, since an area of contact
between the back region of the portion container and the receiving
portion is smaller than an area of contact between the front region
of the portion container and the receiving portion.
[0011] According to the portion container compression system of a
third aspect, the receiving portion further includes at least one
receiving claw portions formed on a left and right regions thereof,
and the misalignment-prevention portion is provided in a center of
the receiving portion, the receiving claw portions and
misalignment-prevention portion allowing the front region of the
portion container to be positioned under the
misalignment-prevention portion when the portion container is
positioned to the receiving claw portions.
[0012] According to the portion container compression system of a
fourth aspect, the misalignment-prevention portion abuts against a
side surface of the portion container when the back region of the
portion container is positioned to the receiving portion.
[0013] The invention of a fifth aspect is a portion container
compression system capable of, by swinging a handle, squeezing a
portion container aligned to a receiving portion of a system main
body and pushing out a content of the portion container. The system
includes: the receiving portion for installing the portion
container; and the portion container, in which the receiving
portion is disposed away from a center and toward the handle, and
causes a misaligned portion container to fall in a region opposite
to the handle upon swinging the handle, and in which the portion
container includes an easily unsealable portion formed on a front
region thereof.
[0014] According to the portion container compression system of a
sixth aspect, the receiving portion further includes: at least one
receiving claw portions formed on a left and right regions of the
receiving portion; and a misalignment-prevention portion provided
in a center of the receiving portion, the receiving claw portions
and the misalignment-prevention portion allowing a part of the
portion container to be positioned under the
misalignment-prevention portion when the portion container is
positioned to the receiving claw portions.
[0015] According to the portion container compression system of a
seventh aspect, the portion container has a substantially flat
bottom surface portion, and is aligned to the receiving portion
with the bottom surface portion slanting toward the handle.
[0016] According to the portion container compression system of an
eighth aspect, the system main body can be used as a mouth for
drinking and a plug body, and a beverage can be consumed from a
hole provided in a region opposite to the handle.
[0017] According to the invention of the first aspect, the
misalignment-prevention portion makes it impossible for the portion
container to be positioned back to front such that the misalignment
of the portion container can be prevented. Further, according to
the first aspect of the present invention, the front region of the
portion container is obliquely positioned downward to the receiving
portion, thus also making it possible to prevent the portion
container from being misaligned.
[0018] According to the invention of the second aspect, since the
area of contact between the back region of the portion container
and the receiving portion is smaller than the area of contact
between the front region of the portion container and the receiving
portion, the user is allowed to recognize the misalignment of the
portion container.
[0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention,
since the left and right receiving claw portions and the
misalignment-prevention portion serve to hold the front region of
the portion container, it is now difficult for the portion
container to rise even when compressed from above.
[0020] According to the fourth aspect, the misalignment-prevention
portion abuts against the side surface of the portion container
such that the area of contact between the portion container and the
receiving portion can be small
[0021] According to the invention of the fifth aspect, a misaligned
portion container falls in the region opposite to the handle upon
swinging the corresponding handle, thereby making it impossible or
difficult to compress this portion container, thus allowing the
user to easily notice the misalignment of the portion
container.
[0022] According to the invention of the sixth aspect, since the
left and right receiving claw portions and the
misalignment-prevention portion serve to hold a part of the portion
container, it is now difficult for the portion container to rise
even when compressed from above.
[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
the portion container is obliquely aligned to the receiving
portion, and the slanted and substantially flat bottom surface
portion is squeezed by swinging the handle, thereby making it easy
to squeeze the portion container and also making it possible to
prevent the portion container from being misaligned. Further,
according to the seventh aspect, the obliquely aligned portion
container easily falls in when misaligned.
[0024] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the
hole can be used as a flow passage, and therefore the system can be
used as a beverage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a locking
mechanism of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking
mechanism of the first embodiment of the present invention, in
which a cross-section of a part of this locking mechanism is
shown.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an essential section of a
handle of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a side view of a region around a handle attachment
portion of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the handle
has been swung in the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing how a portion
container is pushed and squeezed in the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a region around a receiving
portion of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the receiving portion
of the first embodiment of the present invention from underneath,
with a container being cross-sectioned.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the portion
container is pushed and squeezed in the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a system main body of the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a lid body-side water
stop member of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 14A is a plane view of the portion container of the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the portion container of
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 14C is a vertical side view of the portion container of
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 14D is a side view of the portion container of the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 14E is another perspective view of the portion
container of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing how a horizontally
misaligned portion container is pushed and squeezed.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state where the
portion container is laterally misaligned.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing how the portion
container is pushed and squeezed when misaligned with a flange
portion thereof being positioned under the receiving portion.
[0046] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing how a portion
container of a second embodiment of the present invention is pushed
and squeezed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the
embodiments described hereunder shall not limit the contents of the
present invention that are described in Claims. Further, not all
elements introduced hereunder are necessarily the essential
elements of the present invention.
First Embodiment
[0048] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 17, described is a first
embodiment where the present invention is applied to a portion
container compression system. The portion container compression
system 1 can be disposed on or attached to a metal bottomed
container 2 of a handheld size. In this embodiment, the portion
container compression system 1 is detachably attached to an upper
opening section 3 of the container 2.
[0049] The container 2 has a heat-insulating double-layered
structure where an inner cylinder 5 and an outer cylinder 4 are
coupled to each other by integrally joining together the edges
thereof in the upper opening section 3, and where a space between
the outer cylinder 5 and the inner cylinder 4 is formed as a vacuum
heat-insulating layer 6. Here, formed on the upper inner
circumference of the outer cylinder 4 is a first female screw
portion 7 allowing the portion container compression system 1
(referred to as compression system hereunder) to be screwed
thereto. The compression system 1 serves to compress a portion
container 8.
[0050] The compression system 1 includes: a mouth body 10 serving
as a system main body that is made of a synthetic resin; a ring
portion 11 fitted onto the mouth body 10; a shoulder member 12 that
is provided below the ring portion 11 and is externally attached to
the upper opening section 3 of the container 2; and a handle 13
pivotally attached to one end of the shoulder member 12 all of
which are made of a synthetic resin.
[0051] The mouth body 10 is made of a synthetic resin, and is
integrally formed of an upper protruding wall 14 and a lower
cylindrical portion 16. The upper protruding wall 14 has a
cylindrical shape, and is attached above the upper opening section
3 in a manner coaxial to the central axis thereof. The lower
cylindrical portion 16 is disposed below the upper protruding wall
14 in a fashion such that the lower cylindrical portion 16 is
continuously connected to the upper protruding wall 14 through a
taper cylindrical portion 15 whose diameter shrinks downward.
Particularly, formed inside the mouth body 10 is a communication
passage 17 that is parallel to the aforementioned central axis and
serves to communicate the inner and outer regions with each other.
That is, the communication passage 17 is defined by the inner walls
of the upper protruding wall 14, the taper cylindrical portion 15
and the lower cylindrical portion 16. The communication passage 17
communicates an outer region and an inner region of the container 2
with each other. An upper end of the upper protruding wall 14 is
formed as a mouth portion 14A, and the left and right sections of
this mouth portion 14A are suitable for use in drinking.
[0052] Further, provided on the outer circumference of the lower
cylindrical portion 16 is a first male screw 18 engageable with the
first female screw portion 7. Further, a mouth body-side water stop
member 19 made of, for example, a rubber seal is provided on the
lower end circumference of the lower cylindrical portion 16. Here,
a cross-sectional surface of the mouth body-side water stop member
19 is substantially formed into a "U" shape. Further, the mouth
body-side water stop member 19 itself is formed into an annular
shape whose center is located on the aforementioned central axis.
The mouth body-side water stop member 19 is fitted onto a mouth
body-side attachment portion 20 that is annularly disposed on the
lower end circumference of the lower cylindrical portion 16 and has
a center also located on the aforementioned central axis. In the
meantime, the outer circumference of the mouth body-side water stop
member 19 is configured to be able to abut against a small-diameter
portion 3A formed in the lower region of the upper opening section
3.
[0053] The shoulder member 12 includes a cover portion 21 capable
of abutting against the upper region of the upper opening section
3; and a cylindrical portion 22 vertically extending downward from
the cover portion 21. In fact, the shoulder member 12 is formed
independently from the mouth body 10. Further, an annular
engagement protrusion 23 is provided on the inner surface of the
cylindrical portion 22, and an annular engagement concave portion
24 is provided on the outer circumference of the upper opening
section 3. That is, the shoulder member 12 is to be attached to the
upper opening section 3 in a fixed manner by engaging the
engagement protrusion 23 with the engagement concave portion 24.
The engagement concave portion 24 is formed on the outer
circumference of the outer cylinder 4.
[0054] Further, an inward annular engagement protrusion 26 is
provided on the upper section of the ring portion 11, and an
annular engagement concave portion 27 is provided on the outer
circumference of the upper protruding wall 14. The ring portion 11
is to be attached to the lower portion of the upper protruding wall
14 in a fixed manner by engaging the engagement protrusion 26 with
the engagement concave portion 27. In this attachment state, the
ring portion 11 covers the upper portion of the shoulder member 12,
and a clearance 25 is formed between the upper opening section 3
and the inner surface of the ring portion 11.
[0055] An attachment receiving portion 31 for handle is provided on
one end of the outer circumference of the shoulder member 12. This
attachment receiving portion 31 includes: a pair of left and right
attachment arm portions 32, 32 protruding obliquely upward; and a
left and right engagement arm portions 33, 33 that protrude outward
and are continuously connected to the lower sections of the
attachment arm portions 32, 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantial
"L" shape is formed due to the fact that the attachment arm
portions 32 and the engagement arm portions 33 are continuously
joined together. Further, the engagement arm portions 33 are so
formed that the front end sections thereof point obliquely
downward. In addition, a rotation center shaft 34 of the handle 13
is provided between the pair of left and right attachment arm
portions 32, 32, and the center of this rotation center shaft 34 is
located above the upper opening section 3.
[0056] The handle 13 integrally includes: an attachment portion 35
to be disposed between the left and right attachment receiving
portions 31, 31; and a substantially L-shaped handle body 36
provided on the front end of the attachment portion 35.
Specifically, the attachment portion 35 is pivotally joined to the
attachment arm portions 32 through the rotation center shaft 34. In
fact, the attachment portion 35 of the handle 13 is integrally
provided on the handle body 36 in a manner such that the attachment
portion 35 is particularly disposed in a direction opposite to the
direction along which the handle body 36 is bended.
[0057] Further, the handle body 36 includes: a handle base portion
36K that is engageable with the engagement arm portions 33; a
handle front end portion 36S extending downward from the front end
of the handle base portion 36K; and a bended portion 36C provided
between the handle base portion 36K and the handle front end
portion 36S. Furthermore, a left and right concave side walls 37,
37 are formed, in a left-right width direction, on both sides of
the handle attachment portion 35 and the handle base portion 36K,
the left and right concave side walls 37, 37 substantially
corresponding to the width of the attachment receiving portion 31.
That is, as for the handle 13, the left-right width of the section
where the concave side walls 37, 37 are formed is smaller than
other sections, and the attachment arm portions 32 and the handle
base portion 36K are disposed between the left and right attachment
receiving portions 31, 31.
[0058] At an initial position also referred to as a fixed usage
position, the handle front end portion 36S points downward, and
handle boundary portions 38 each having a clearance are formed at
front ends 33S of the engagement arm portions 33. Due to a locking
member 41 of a locking mechanism 40 for fixing the handle 13 at the
initial position, a given clearance can be secured at the handle
boundary portions 38 when locked. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the
handle boundary portions 38 are formed on the front end regions of
the concave side walls 37.
[0059] The locking mechanism 40 includes a downward protrusion 42
that is disposed on the outer circumference of the shoulder member
12 and serves as a locking engagement portion. Specifically, this
downward protrusion 42 is provided below the attachment receiving
portion 31. More specifically, a transverse part 39 is so provided
on the outer circumference of the shoulder member 12 that the
transverse part 39 protrudes substantially horizontally. Here, a
pair of downward protrusions 42 are provided on the lower portion
of the front end region of the transverse part 39 in a manner such
that a clearance is formed between the downward protrusions 42 in
the left-right direction. Further, a concave portion 43 whose base
end region and lower portion are both opened, is formed in an area
ranging from the handle base portion 36K to the upper portion of
the handle front end portion 36S. Disposed in this concave portion
43 is the locking member 41 integrally including: a substantially
cylinder-shaped shaft insertion portion 45 for an attachment shaft
44 to be inserted therethrough; and a substantially bow-shaped
curved portion 46 that is convex upward. Particularly, the shaft
insertion portion 45 is substantially provided above a central
region of the curved portion 46 in the longitudinal direction, and
a through hole 47 serving as an engagement receiving portion is
bored in the base end region (a region close to the mouth body 10)
of the curved portion 46. More particularly, the downward
protrusions 42 can engage with or disengage from this through hole
47. Each downward protrusion 42 is formed into the shape of a board
extending in the left-right direction. There, the attachment shaft
44 is to be loosely inserted through the shaft insertion portion 45
such that the attachment shaft 44 can be attached to the handle 13
on both sides of the concave portion 43. In this way, the locking
member 41 is allowed to be pivotally disposed in the concave
portion 43 of the handle 13 around the attachment shaft 44. As for
the concave portion 43, only the lower portion thereof is opened,
whereas a front-back and a left-right regions thereof are sealed.
Further, the under surface of the curved portion 46 is formed into
a curved shape conforming with the under surface of the handle
13.
[0060] In addition, the locking mechanism 40 includes a biasing
unit 48 for rotationally biasing the locking member 41. This
biasing unit 48 is a torsion coil spring fitted onto the shaft
insertion portion 45, and serves to bias the locking member 41 in a
direction allowing the downward protrusions 42 to engage with the
through hole 47. Specifically, end portions 48A, 48B of the biasing
unit 48 serve to bias the concave portion 43 and a rear surface 46U
of the locking member 41 such that an engaged state can be
maintained. Moreover, the concave portion 43 is provided with an
abutment receiving portion 49 allowing the front end of the curved
portion 46 to abut thereagainst when swinging the locking member
41. Here, the front end upper portion of the curved portion 46 is
formed as a front end-region abutting portion 50. Moreover, the
front end region of the curved portion 46 is formed as a control
portion 46S of the locking member 41. This control portion 46S is
provided with a plurality of protrusions 46D that are aligned in
the left-right direction. Particularly, the end portion 48A of the
biasing unit 48 can engage with the rear surface 46U of the front
end region of the control portion 46S. Further, a cover portion 46K
that is curved upward is integrally provided on the base end region
of the curved portion 46. This cover portion 46K has an arc-like
shape centering around the attachment shaft 44, and serves to hide
the biasing unit 48 by covering the same. For this reason, as shown
in FIG. 7 or other drawings, the biasing unit 48 is hardly visible
due to the cover portion 46K when, for example, swinging the handle
13.
[0061] Further, slanted portions 42A serving as guiding portions
are partially formed on the edges of the outer regions of the
downward protrusions 42. These slanted portions 42A allow an end
portion 46T of the base end region of the curved portion 46 to
engage therewith. This base end-region end portion 46T is
substantially formed into a curved shape that has already been
chamfered. Specifically, as a result of swinging the handle 13 of
an unlocked state toward the initial position, the base end-region
end portion 46T will abut against and engage with the slanted
portions 42 such that the locking member 41 will then swing against
the bias of the biasing unit 48, thereby allowing the through hole
47 to be clamped on the downward protrusions 42 due to the bias of
the biasing unit 48 after the base end-region end portion 46T has
passed under the downward protrusions 42. Here, the slanted
portions 42A are slanted inward (toward the mouth body 10) from top
down. Further, vertical edge portions 42B are formed inside the
downward protrusions 42. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 or other
drawings, an outer edge portion 47A of the through hole 47 is
slanted along the slanted portions 42A, and an inner edge portion
47B of the through hole 47 is formed along the vertical edge
portions 42B in the vertical direction.
[0062] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, a locked state of the
handle 13 refers to a state where the downward protrusions 42 are
engaged with the through hole 47. There, as a result of pushing the
control portion 46S upward, the locking member 41 will rotate
toward an unlocked direction against the bias of the biasing unit
48 such that the handle 13 will then be turned into the unlocked
state before the front end-region abutting portion 50 of the curved
portion 46 abuts against the abutment receiving portion 49, thus
allowing the handle 13 to be swung upward. Meanwhile, as shown in
FIG. 5, in a state where the locking member 41 is not being
operated, a base end-region upper surface 46J of the curved portion
46 abuts against a left and right lower edges 36G, 36G of the
handle base portion 36K due to the biasing unit 48, thus allowing
the locking member 41 to be positioned. Here, as a result of
swinging the handle 13 downward from such positioned state, the
base end-region end portion 46T of the curved portion 46 will be
guided by the slanted portions 42A such that the through hole 47
will then be clamped on the downward protrusions 42, thereby
allowing the handle 13 to be positioned and fixed at the initial
position.
[0063] In such case, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 or other
drawings, provided on the transverse part 39 is an elastic member
57 that is composed of a rubber packing or the like and serves to
bias the handle. This elastic member 57 integrally includes: a base
portion 57A sandwiched and fixed between the upper surface of the
transverse part 39 and the lower edge of the shoulder member 12;
and an abutment portion 57B formed as a convexly curved surface.
There, a clearance is provided between the abutment portion 57B and
the base portion 57A for the purpose of allowing the abutment
portion 57B to deform. Specifically, when the handle 13 is in the
locked state, the abutment portion 57B is abutted against by the
inner surface of a bended portion 35C located between the handle
attachment portion 35 and the handle body 36. Here, as shown in
FIG. 3 or other drawings, the abutment portion 57 undergoes an
elastic deformation such that the handle 13 can be pivotally biased
upward due to an elastic restorability of the abutment portion 57,
as indicated by an arrow marked as "Y" in FIG. 4. In this way, the
handle 13 is prevented from swinging downward such that the engaged
state of the locking member 41 and the downward protrusions 42 is
maintained. Further, the vertical edge portions 42B of the downward
protrusions 42 abut against the inner edge portion 47B of the
through hole 47 at this engaged state.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, at the initial position of
the handle 13, the under surface of the curved portion 46 is formed
into such a curved shape that it is continuous with the under
surface of the handle front end portion 36S.
[0065] Disposed inside the mouth body 10 is a receiving portion 51
allowing the portion container 8 to be detachably attached thereto.
In fact, the portion container 8 is to be obliquely mounted on the
upper portion of the receiving portion 51. Further, the receiving
portion 51 is positioned below the rotation center shaft 34.
Furthermore, the receiving portion 51 is disposed in a region
inside the mouth body 10 that is close to the handle 13, and a
transverse protruding portion 52 is provided on and protrudes
inward from one end of the inner surface of the lower cylindrical
portion 16. The area of this protruding portion 52 is about a half
of a cross-sectional area of the inner circumference of the lower
cylindrical portion 16. An inner edge 52F of this protruding
portion 52 is concavely formed outward, and is located away from
the center of the mouth body 10 in the outward direction. The
protruding portion 52 is configured as a receiving board.
[0066] Further, a central holding claw 53 is provided on a central
region of the protruding portion 52 in the left-right direction.
Furthermore, receiving claw portions 54, 54 protruding toward the
central region of the mouth body 10 are formed on the left and
right sides of the central holding claw 53 in a manner such that
the central holding claw 53 is positioned between the receiving
claw portions 54, 54. Here, each receiving claw portion 54 is
slanted upward from a region close to the handle 13 toward the
central region of the mouth body 10. Particularly, an upper surface
54J of each receiving claw portion 54 is formed at an angle of 20
to 70 degrees, preferably 50 degrees with respect to the horizontal
plane. More particularly, the front end of each receiving claw
portion 54 is formed into a curved shape. In fact, the
aforementioned angle is determined such that a virtual extended
line of the upper surface 54J may intersect with the inner
circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 5. That is, an angle
of not smaller than 20 degrees allows a content to be ejected into
the container 2 without strongly hitting the lower cylindrical
portion 16. Moreover, an angle of smaller than 70 degrees is
preferable due to the fact that an angle of larger than 70 degrees
causes the portion container 8 to be squeezed with the handle front
end portion 36S standing, though depending on the shape of the
portion container 8. Since the portion container 8 can be squeezed
with the handle front end portion 36S standing, the portion
container 8 is allowed to be squeezed from an oblique
direction.
[0067] The central holding claw 53 has: an under surface 53K that
is distant from and substantially parallel to the upper surface 54J
of each receiving claw portion 54; and a holding portion 55 capable
of holding a section of the portion container 8 that is close to a
vertical groove portion 69 such that the portion container 8 does
not rise when squeezed. This holding portion 55 is formed upward,
and a lower end 55K thereof is formed into a sharp-pointed shape.
Further, a step portion 56 is formed between the base end of the
upper surface 54J of each receiving claw portion 54 and the
protruding portion 52. Specifically, the central holding claw 53
serves as a protruding misalignment-prevention portion, and the
front end thereof is cable of entering and engaging with the
vertical groove portion 69 of the portion container 8. More
specifically, a mouth hole 58 is provided between the lower
cylindrical portion 16 of the mouth body 10 and the receiving
portion 51. This mouth hole 58 composes a part of the communication
passage 17.
[0068] An example of the portion container 8 is described
hereunder. As for this portion container 8, a flange portion 62 is
circumferentially provided on the opening section of a container
body 61 made of a synthetic resin. Further, a seal lid 63 formed of
a resin sheet such as an aluminum laminate film is adhered to the
flat upper surface of the flange portion 62 through thermal welding
or the like. Here, a container space 64 is formed inside the
container body 61. Further, the container body 61 is formed into an
accordion and cylindrical shape, and is thus capable of freely
expanding and contracting in the vertical direction. Furthermore,
formed on the forward region of the portion container 8 is a
peeling induction portion 65 serving as an easily unsealable
portion that allows the content to leak out as a result of peeling
a part of the seal lid 63 off the container body 61 when using the
handle 13 to compress the portion container 8. Particularly, the
portion container 8 is formed into an asymmetric shape in the
front-back direction. More particularly, the flange portion 62 of
the portion container 8 of the present embodiment is formed into a
symmetric shape in the left-right direction.
[0069] The container body 61 is so formed that it is smaller toward
a bottom surface portion 66 from the opening section thereof. In
addition, since a step portion 67 is also provided on the container
body 61, the section of the container body 61 that is below the
step portion 67 is formed smaller than that above the step portion
67. In fact, this step portion 67 allows the container body 61 to
be formed into an accordion and cylindrical shape. The bottom
surface portion 66 is formed as a flat surface, and may have either
a round shape or a square shape. Moreover, the bottom surface
portion 66 is formed at a slight angle with respect to the flange
portion 62. Specifically, this angle is preferably not larger than
15 degrees from the perspective of the volume efficiency of the
portion container 8.
[0070] Further, as shown in FIG. 14A to FIG. 14E, the portion
container 8 has a sharp-pointed protrusion 68 that is formed on the
side surface of the container body 61 and protrudes inward. That
is, the aforementioned peeling induction portion 65 is configured
in a manner such that a part of the seal lid 63 is to be peeled
from the sharp-pointed protrusion 68 when subjected to a force
pushing and opening the seal lid 63 outward. This force is applied
when using the handle 13 to contract the container body 61 such
that the inner pressure thereof increases. Further, since the
sharp-pointed protrusion 68 protrudes inward, the vertical groove
portion 69 concaved inward is vertically formed on the outer
surface of the sharp-pointed protrusion 68. In this way, regions of
the container body 61 that are located on both sides of the
vertical groove portion 69 protrude outward. Specifically, the
vertical groove portion 69 serves as an engagement portion for the
portion container 8.
[0071] Further, provided on the mouth portion 14A of the mouth body
10 is a cutout section 70 corresponding to the handle 13. This
cutout section 70 includes: a body-side cutout section 70A formed
by cutting out a part of the upper protruding wall 14; and a ring
portion-side cutout section 70B formed by cutting out a part of the
ring portion 11. This ring portion-side cutout section 70B is
formed into the shape of a concave portion obtained by concaving
the upper edge of the ring portion 11 and the outer circumference
thereof. The width of this cutout section 70 is formed larger than
that of the handle 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the cutout section 70
allows the handle 13 to be rotated to a position of proximity where
the handle front end portion 36S is positioned in the vicinity of
the upper end of the other side of the upper protruding wall 14.
Also at such position of proximity, the bended portion 36C is
positioned in the vicinity of the bottom portion of the cutout
section 70.
[0072] In this way, as a result of rotating the handle 13 upward,
the portion container 8 placed in the receiving portion 51 will be
compressed by an upper surface 36J of the handle base portion 36K
of the handle 13. Particularly, this upper surface 36J is formed as
a curved compression surface. Here, a clearance is formed between
the upper surface 36J and the central holding claw 53 at a position
where the handle base portion 36K abuts against the upper end of
the upper protruding wall 14.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, a lid body 71 with a water stop function
is detachably disposed on the upper portion of the mouth body 10.
This lid body 71 integrally includes a lid upper portion 72 and a
lid lower portion 73 that are made of a synthetic resin.
[0074] The lid upper portion 72 is configured as a cylindrical body
sealed by a top panel. Specifically, this lid upper portion 72
serves to close the communication passage 17 when inserted into the
mouth body 10, and integrally includes: a top panel 74; and an
outer circumferential portion 75 extending downward from the
circumference of the top panel 74.
[0075] Further, the lid lower portion 73 includes: a horizontally
outward flange portion 77 formed on the upper end of a cylindrical
portion 76; a lid inner sealing panel 78 that is disposed in the
upper region inside the cylindrical portion 76 and serves to seal
the cylindrical portion 76; and a lid body-side water stop member
79 that is provided on the lower end circumferential surface of the
cylindrical portion 76 and composed of a rubber packing or the
like. Particularly, the lid body-side water stop member 79 serves
as an elastic water stop member for lid body, and has a
cross-sectional surface substantially formed into the shape of "C."
More particularly, this lid body-side water stop member 79 is
formed into an annular shape centering around the central axis; and
is engaged with a lid body-side attachment portion 80 that serves
as an attachment portion for attaching an elastic water stop member
for lid body and is formed, as an annular member centering around
the central axis, on the lower end circumferential surface of the
lid lower portion 73. In addition, the outer circumference of the
lid body-side water stop member 79 is configured to be able to abut
against the inner circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical
portion 16 of the mouth body 10.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 13, the lid body-side water stop member 79
has a cross-sectional surface substantially formed into the shape
of "C." Here, an inner circumferential concave portion 79A of the
lid body-side water stop member 79 is tightly fitted onto and
positioned to the lid body-side attachment portion 80, thus
avoiding being unexpectedly removed therefrom. Further, vertically
formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lid body-side
water stop member 79 are curved protrusions 79B, 79B capable of
tightly abutting against the lower cylindrical portion 16.
Furthermore, each curved protrusion 79B of the lid body-side water
stop member 79 has a cross-sectional surface that is formed into
the shape of a tongue. Specifically, when engaged with the inner
circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion 16 of the
mouth body 10, the curved protrusions 79B are pressed against such
inner circumferential surface in a manner such that the curved
protrusions 79B are deformed upward.
[0077] Likewise, the aforementioned mouth body-side water stop
member 19 has the same structure as the lid body-side water stop
member 79. That is, an inner circumferential concave portion 19A
thereof is tightly fitted onto and positioned to the mouth
body-side attachment portion 20, thus avoiding being unexpectedly
removed therefrom. Further, vertically formed on the outer
circumferential surface of the mouth body-side water stop member 19
are curved protrusions 19B, 19B capable of tightly abutting against
the small-diameter portion 3A.
[0078] The flange portion 77 is fixed to the under surface of the
top panel 74 through, for example, ultrasonic welding, an adhesive
agent or forcible fitting such that the lid upper portion 72 and
the lid lower portion 73 can be integrally coupled to each other.
Further, a second male screw portion 81 is provided on the outer
surface of the upper protruding wall 14, and formed on the inner
surface of the outer circumferential portion 75 of the lid body 71
is a second female screw portion 82 allowing the second male screw
portion 81 to engage therewith. The engagement of these male screw
portion 81 and female screw portion 82 allows the lid body 71 to be
detachably installed in the mouth body 10.
[0079] The method for using the compression system 1 is described
hereunder. After removing the lid body 71, the portion container 8
is to be placed by positioning the container body 61 thereof in the
receiving portion 51. With the portion container 8 being placed in
such manner, the peeling induction portion 65 faces the
communication passage 17 (FIG. 8). That is, in such configured
state, the peeling induction portion 65 is located between the
receiving claw portions 54, 54, and a lower space 83 is formed
below the peeling induction portion 65. Particularly, this lower
space 83 is defined by the inner space of the container 2 and a
section of the lower cylindrical portion 16 that is below the
receiving portion 51.
[0080] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the aforementioned
configured state, a virtual extended line 101 of the upper surface
of the flange portion 62 obliquely stretches downward, and reaches
toward the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 5 by
passing beyond the lid body-side water stop member 79. Furthermore,
a splashing space 102 for the content to be ejected therein is
formed beyond (obliquely downward) the easily unsealable portion
along the extended line 101. Here, the upper surface of the flange
portion 62 is also a surface of a bottom section of the portion
container 8 in the configured state. Moreover, the flange portion
62 is arranged at the same angle as the upper surface 54J of each
receiving claw portion 54.
[0081] In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, with the portion container
8 facing downward, one end (front end) of the flange portion 62 of
the portion container 8 is mounted on the upper surfaces 54J of the
left and right receiving claw portions 54, 54, and the central
region of the flange portion 62 in the left-right direction is to
be inserted as well as positioned under the under surface 53K of
the central holding claw 53. There, the other end of the flange
portion 62 (left end in FIG. 8) is either in contact with the inner
surface of the upper protruding wall 14 or positioned in the
vicinity thereof. Under this circumstance, the other end of the
flange portion 62 is actually positioned below the upper end of the
upper protruding wall 14 in the upper end region thereof. Further,
in the configured state, the easily unsealable portion of the
portion container 8 is positioned between the left and right
receiving claw portions 54, 54 that are distant from each other.
Moreover, a region of the upper protruding wall 14 that is opposite
to where the handle is provided, is formed as a rear wall 14K
located on the rear side of the receiving portion 51.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 12, for example, formed on such
rear wall 14K is a bulging portion 14B for receiving the upper
surface of the flange portion 62. This bulging portion 14B includes
a placement surface 14S on which the upper surface of the flange
portion 62 is to be placed in the configured state. This placement
surface 14S slants in the same direction as the upper surface 54J
of each receiving claw portion 54; and has a dimension not larger
than 1/2, but preferably not smaller than 1/3 of the inner
circumference of the upper protruding wall 14. Further, both ends
14T of the bulging portion 14B are sharp-pointed. Furthermore, in
the region of the rear wall 14K, the placement surface 14S serves
to support the edge section of the upper surface of the flange
portion 62 in the configured state.
[0083] In this way, with the portion container 8 being positioned
in the receiving portion 51, the holding portion 55 engages with
the vertical groove portion 69 formed in the central region of the
container body 61 in the left-right direction; the front end of the
flange portion 62 is held by the receiving claw portions 54 on both
the left and right sides; and the rear end of the flange portion 62
is placed on and supported by the placement surface 14S. For these
reasons, the portion container 8 can be stably supported.
[0084] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 15, if the portion container 8
is positioned in such a fashion that it substantially horizontally
rests on the central holding claw 53, the angle at which the handle
13 comes into contact with the portion container 8 differs from
above even though the front and rear directions of the portion
container 8 remains appropriate. In such case, the handle 13 is
caused to push out the portion container 8, and is therefore
incapable of squeezing the same. Further, even if the handle 13
succeeds in pressing the portion container 8, the portion container
8 cannot be unsealed when squeezed insufficiently or falling in the
communication passage 17, thus making it impossible for the content
to be ejected. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the portion container
8 cannot be disposed in the receiving portion 51 when positioned
laterally. Here, in FIG. 16, the front and rear sections of the
portion container 8 have been turned sideways by 90 degrees in a
plane view. However, the portion container 8 still cannot be
aligned to the receiving portion 51 when not positioned properly in
the front-rear direction even by an angle other than 90
degrees.
[0085] In this way, a user is able to recognize the misalignment of
the portion container 8 whenever the portion container 8 has been
misaligned horizontally or laterally, for example. That is, not
only the erroneous usage of the system can be prevented, but since
the portion container 8 is not squeezed in such case, clothes or
other surrounding items can be prevented from being contaminated as
a result of unintentionally squeezing the portion container 8.
Here, the falling of the portion container 8 does not refer to the
phenomenon where the portion container 8 falls entirely, but refers
to a phenomenon where the portion container 8 moves down to a level
incapable of being squeezed. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, even
when the flange portion 62 of the portion container 8 is positioned
under the left and right receiving claw portions 54, the direction
of ejection even upon successfully squeezing the portion container
8 remains the same as that of the normal condition, thus preventing
the content from being ejected toward the outside. In such case,
since the portion container 8 is relatively positioned in the lower
region, the handle 13 cannot serve to sufficiently squeeze the
portion, thereby making it impossible for the user to achieve
his/her primary objective of squeezing the portion container 8,
thus allowing the same user to notice that the portion container 8
has been misaligned.
[0086] Meanwhile, when positioning the portion container 8 to the
receiving portion 51 and the rear wall 14K back to front, the
central holding claw 53 abuts against the side surface of the
container body 61, and the flange portion 62 cannot sufficiently
engage with the receiving portion 51. Particularly, the area of
contact between the flat upper surface of the flange portion 62
with the peeling induction portion 65 positioned downward and the
upper surfaces 54J, 54J of the left and right receiving claw
portions 54, 54, is smaller than that of FIG. 8 in which the
portion container 8 is installed correctly. There, the portion
container 8 will be disengaged from the left and right receiving
claw portions 54 once the handle 13 has come into contact with the
portion container 8. The portion container 8 will then either fall
in the communication passage 17 or become hardly squeezable, thus
avoiding being squeezed when installed improperly. This occurs due
to the fact that the central holding claw 53 may not be
sufficiently inserted into the vertical groove portion 69, or, for
example, the fact that the portion container 8 may fail to be
symmetrically aligned in the front-rear direction due to the
restrictions imposed by the shape of the portion container 8.
[0087] Next, the user unlocks the handle 13 by manipulating the
locking member 41 such that the handle 13 is allowed to be swung
upward. There, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface 36J of the
handle 13 will come into contact with the bottom surface portion 66
of the portion container 8 once the handle front end portion 36S
has become substantially perpendicular. At that time, by applying a
force to rotate the handle front end portion 36S downward, the
bottom surface portion 66 will be pressurized and squeezed
substantially in parallel with the flange portion 62. For this
reason, a pressure inside the container body 61 increases, thereby
causing the seal lid 63 around the peeling induction portion 65 to
be removed from the container body 61, thus allowing the content to
be obliquely ejected downward. Particularly, the direction by which
the content is ejected is either substantially along the extended
line of the flange portion 62 or slightly therebelow.
[0088] In such case, the handle 13 swings around the rotation
center shaft 34. Specifically, the user manipulates the handle
front end portion 36S such that the portion container 8 can be
pressed by the upper surface 36J that is located closer to the
rotation center shaft 34 than a manipulation point. That is, the
content is allowed to be pushed out with a small force by applying
the principle of leverage. Further, a force is easily applied since
the container body 61 is pressed by the action of pushing the
handle front end portion 36S downward.
[0089] In this way, for example, a hot water can be contained in
the container 2, and the portion container 8 may contain a
condensed soup. Here, by manipulating the handle 13 at the time of
need, the condensed soup in the portion container 8 can be mixed
into the hot water such that the user is allowed to drink a warm
soup. Further, the portion container 8 may contain a condensed
beverage. In such case, by manipulating the handle 13 at the time
of need, the condensed beverage in the portion container 8 can be
mixed into a water such that the user is allowed to drink a cold
beverage. Furthermore, the container 2 may contain a coffee, and
the portion container 8 may contain, for example, a milk and/or
sugar. There, the user, at the time of need, is allowed to drink
coffee by mixing the milk and sugar thereinto. However, the content
may be a substance other than a liquid. In fact, the content may be
a granular substance such as sugar or the like, and it is preferred
that the content be that having a fluidity such as a liquid or
granular substance.
[0090] According to the present embodiment, provided is the portion
container compression system capable of pushing out the content of
the portion container 8 by squeezing the corresponding portion
container 8 that has been aligned to the receiving portion 51 of
the mouth body 10 serving as a system main body. Particularly, the
system includes the receiving portion 51 for installing the portion
container 8, and formed on the front region of the portion
container 8 is the peeling induction portion 65 serving as an
easily unsealable portion. More particularly, the portion container
8 is formed into the asymmetric shape in the front-back direction,
and provided on the receiving portion 51 is the central holding
claw 53 as a misalignment-prevention portion allowing the front
region of the portion container 8 to be aligned to the receiving
portion 51, but preventing the back region of the portion container
8 from being aligned to the receiving portion 51. Therefore, even
when the portion container 8 is positioned on the central holding
claw 53; under the left and right receiving claw portions 54; or
back to front, the user is not only able to recognize the
misalignment of the portion container 8 due to the fact that the
misplaced portion container 8, for example, cannot be squeezed at
all or squeezed by an intended degree, but also allowed to safely
use the system without contaminating clothes or other surrounding
items.
[0091] Also, according to this embodiment, the central holding claw
53 provided in the receiving portion 51 serves as a
misalignment-prevention portion allowing the user to notice the
misalignment of the portion container 8. That is, the front region
of the flange portion 62 of the portion container 8 with the
peeling induction portion 65 positioned downward is allowed to be
positioned to the receiving portion 51. Meanwhile, when positioning
the back region of the flange portion 62 of the portion container 8
to the receiving portion 51, since the area of contact between the
back region of the portion container 8 and the receiving portion 51
is smaller than the area of contact between the front region of the
portion container 8 and the receiving portion 51, the user is
allowed to recognize the misalignment of the portion container 8
whenever it occurs.
[0092] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, provided
is the portion container compression system capable of pushing out
the content of the portion container 8 aligned to the receiving
portion 51 of the mouth body 10 as a system main body, by swinging
the handle 13 and then allowing the same to squeeze the portion
container 8. Particularly, the system includes the receiving
portion 51 for installing the portion container 8, and formed on
the front region of the portion container 8 is the peeling
induction portion 65 serving as an easily unsealable portion. More
particularly, the receiving portion 51 is disposed away from the
center and toward the handle 13. Here, the receiving portion 51 is
so configured that the portion container 8, when misaligned, will
fall in the region opposite to where the handle 13 is provided upon
swinging the handle 13. That is, when swinging the handle 13, the
misaligned portion container 8 will fall in the area of the
communication passage 17 that is close to the region opposite to
where the handle 13 is provided, thereby making it impossible or
hard for the portion container 8 to be squeezed, thus allowing the
user to easily notice the misalignment.
[0093] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the
portion container 8 has the substantially flat bottom surface
portion 66. Particularly, the portion container 8 is so aligned to
the receiving portion 51 that the bottom surface portion 66 slants
toward the handle 13. In this way, since the portion container 8 is
to be obliquely aligned to the receiving portion 51, and since the
substantially flat but slanting bottom surface portion 66 is to be
squeezed by swinging the handle 13, the portion container 8 can be
easily squeezed, thus preventing the portion container 8 from being
misaligned. Further, according to claim 1, misalignment can be
prevented when positioning the portion container 8 to the receiving
portion 51 with the front region of the portion container 8
pointing obliquely downward. Furthermore, according to claim 2,
when the obliquely positioned portion container 8 has been
misaligned, it will easily fall in.
[0094] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the mouth
body 10 serving as a system main body can be used as a mouth for
drinking and a plug body. That is, the user is able to drink a
beverage from the communication passage 17 that serves as a hole
and is formed in the region opposite to where the handle 13 is
provided, and the mouth hole 58 is used as a flow channel, thus
allowing the system to be used as a beverage container.
[0095] The effects of the present embodiment are as follows. That
is, provided is the portion container compression system capable of
pushing out the content of the portion container 8 by squeezing the
corresponding portion container 8 that has been aligned to the
receiving portion 51. Particularly, the system includes the
receiving portion 51 for obliquely aligning the portion container
8, and formed on the front region of the portion container 8 is the
peeling induction portion 65 serving as an easily unsealable
portion. More particularly, the portion container 8 is to be
positioned between the receiving portion 51 and the rear wall 14K
that is located on the rear side of the receiving portion 51, and
the lower space 83 is to be formed below the peeling induction
portion 65 as a result of positioning the front region of the
portion container 8 to the receiving portion 51. For these reasons,
the portion container 8 is subjected to compression forces applied
by both the receiving portion 51 and the rear wall 14K that is
located on the rear side thereof. Therefore, the portion container
8 is allowed to be held in a balanced manner, and the seal lid 63
at the bottom can reliably swell due to the compression forces such
that the content of the portion container 8 can then be ejected
from the easily unsealable portion.
[0096] Further, since the splashing space 102 for the content of
the portion container 8 to be ejected therein is formed beyond the
peeling induction portion 65 along the extended line 101, the
content ejected can hardly be splashed upward.
[0097] Furthermore, the receiving portion 51 includes: the
receiving claw portions 54, 54 that are formed in the left-right
direction; and the central holding claw 53 that is formed in the
center. Particularly, when positioned to the receiving claw
portions 54, 54, the flange portion 62 which is a part of the
portion container 8 is to be located below the central holding claw
53, thereby allowing the left and right receiving claw portions 54,
54 and the central holding claw 53 to hold therebetween the flange
portion 62 of the portion container 8, thus making it difficult for
the portion container 8 to rise even when compressed from
above.
[0098] Furthermore, since the rear wall 14K includes the bulging
portion 14B formed by partially expanding the inner circumference
of the upper protruding wall 14, and since this bulging portion 14B
includes the placement surface 14S, the flange portion 62 can be
stably supported by this placement surface 14S.
[0099] Also, as an effect of the embodiment, provided is the
portion container compression system including the mouth body 10 as
a system main body. Specifically, the mouth body 10 has: the
receiving portion 51 for installing the portion container 8; and
the rotatable handle 13. The portion container 8 includes the
peeling induction portion 65 as an easily unsealable portion, and
is to be compressed, when aligned to the receiving portion 51, by
swinging the handle 13. That is, by applying the principle of
leverage, the portion container 8 can be squeezed by the handle 13,
thereby improving a convenience and allowing the system to be
formed compact as compared to a rotary apparatus. Further, the
handle 13 can also be used to carry the system, thus improving a
convenience as well.
[0100] Moreover, since the portion container 8 is to be obliquely
aligned to the receiving portion 51, the content ejected therefrom
hardly splashes. In fact, not only the flange portion 62, but the
bottom surface portion 66 is to be obliquely positioned as
well.
[0101] Further, since the receiving portion 51 is located below the
rotation center shaft 34 of the handle 13, the portion container 8
is to be pushed by the handle 13 having the rotation center shaft
34 that is located above the receiving portion 51, thereby causing
the portion container 8 to be compressed by the pushing force of
the handle 13, thus allowing forces to be applied easily.
[0102] Furthermore, since the mouth body 10 serving as a system
main body can be disposed on or attached to the container 2, a
condensed beverage of the squeezed portion container 8 can be
diluted by a water or hot water. Here, when diluted by water, ice
can be added thereto whenever necessary, thus making it possible to
prepare a beverage.
[0103] Furthermore, since there is provided the mouth portion 14A
that is disposed in the region above the receiving portion 51 and
severs as a mouth for drinking, the user is allowed to directly
drink the beverage in the container 2, thus further improving the
convenience.
[0104] Furthermore, since the lid body 71 with the water stop
function is provided on the upper portion of the mouth body 10
serving as a system main body, the beverage prepared can be carried
with the lid body 71 shut, thus further improving the
convenience.
[0105] Furthermore, since the handle 13 is fixed by the locking
mechanism 40 at the initial position, the system can be carried and
the user can drink the beverage with the handle 13 being fixed.
[0106] Furthermore, since the locking mechanism 40 is disposed
under the handle 13, not only the handle 13 can be easily unlocked,
but a superior design feature can be achieved with a small amount
of influence on the appearance.
[0107] Furthermore, since the cutout section 70 is formed in the
region of the mouth portion 14A for drinking that corresponds to a
swinging location of the handle 13, not only the rotational center
of the handle 13 can be lowered, but the portion container 8 is
allowed to be installed in a deeper location, thus achieving a high
designability and saving space.
[0108] Moreover, as an effect of the embodiment, since the mouth
body 10 and the ring portion 11 are detachably attached to the
container 2, the mouth body 10 and the ring portion 11 can be
removed therefrom and then washed. Also, since the ring portion 11
is provided with the ring portion-side cutout section 70B formed at
the swinging location of the handle 13, a wide swinging range of
the handle 13 can be secured. The locking mechanism 40 serves to
automatically lock the handle 13 once the unlocked handle 13 has
been swung to the initial position. Particularly, the locked state
is established as the downward protrusion 42 engages with the
through hole 47. Further, since the locking member 41 of the locked
state is substantially received in the concave portion 43, the
handle 13 is superior in appearance and design. Further, since the
protrusions 46D are formed on the locking member 41, the location
of the control portion 46S can be easily identified by touching the
protrusions 46D. Moreover, since there is also provided the lid
body 71, the cutout section 70 can be hidden thereby. In addition,
since the concave portion 43 is provided in the lower region of the
handle 13, the locking mechanism 40 can be received therein.
Second Embodiment
[0109] FIG. 18 shows in detail a second embodiment of the present
invention, in which elements identical to those of the first
embodiment are denoted by identical symbols, and the descriptions
thereof are thus omitted. In this embodiment, the bottom surface
portion 66 is not parallel to the flange portion 62, but formed at
a given angle thereto. Particularly, the bottom surface portion 66
is so configured that the region opposite to where the peeling
induction portion 65 is formed slants toward the flange portion 62.
Here, by swinging the handle 13 toward the compression direction,
the portion container 8 can be compressed as the curved upper
surface 36J pushes the bottom surface portion 66 substantially
parallel.
[0110] However, the present invention is not limited to the
aforementioned embodiments. In fact, various modified embodiments
are possible within the scope of the present invention. For
example, although the aforementioned embodiments use a
substantially cylindrical container and system main body, a square
container and system main body may be used as well. Further, the
easily unsealable portion is not limited to that disclosed in the
aforementioned embodiments. In fact, various kinds of easily
unsealable portions can be used. Furthermore, the rotation center
shaft integrally disposed in the handle may be rotatably attached
to the container body. In addition, with regard to claim 1, the
portion container may be squeezed not by the handle, but by a
conventional method as set forth in prior arts.
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