JP7724013B2 - Container set - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a container set having a container for storing contents and a support part for supporting the container.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a container set that includes a container for storing contents and a support part that supports the container. Patent Document 1 describes a container set that includes a cup, a cup holder that covers the bottom of the cup, and a plate-shaped member that is larger in diameter than the cup holder. The cup is the container, and the plate-shaped member is the support part. The cup holder supports the bottom of the cup. The plate-shaped member has a recess that corresponds in shape to the bottom of the cup holder. The plate-shaped member is placed on a table. Patent Document 1 describes that the set can hold cups so that drinks in the glasses do not spill when serving at hotel restaurants or venues.

Utility Model Registration No. 3208327

The inventors of the present application recognized that the container set described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the support of containers with curved outer bottom surfaces, and that there is room for improvement in this regard.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a container set that can maintain the posture of a container with a curved outer bottom surface and that also enhances its decorative appeal.

The present disclosure provides a container set having a container and a base supporting the bottom of the container, wherein the bottom has an outer surface curved to protrude toward the outside of the container, and the base has a support portion contacting the outer surface, a base portion contacting a placement location, a top plate connected to the base portion, a storage space formed between the base portion and the top plate, and a lighting device provided in the storage space, and the support portion protrudes from the base portion, penetrates the top plate, and includes three or more support pins contacting the outer surface .

This disclosure provides a container set that can maintain the posture of containers with curved outer bottom surfaces and enhances their decorative appeal.

FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the container set, showing the glass and the support part separated from each other. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the container set. 3A is a front cross-sectional view of the glass shown in FIG. 1 held by a support portion, and FIG. 3B is a partial plan cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 3A. FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the container set, showing the tray and the support part separated from each other. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the container set. 6A is a front cross-sectional view of the tray shown in FIG. 4 held by a support portion, and FIG. 6B is a partial plan cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 6A. FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the container set. FIG. 8(A) is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the container set, and FIG. 8(B) is a front cross-sectional view showing the state in which the dish shown in FIG. 7 is held by the support portion. FIG. 9A is a front cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the container set, and FIG. 9B is a front cross-sectional view showing the state in which the dish shown in FIG. 9A is held by a support portion. FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the container set. 11A is a plan view showing a fifth embodiment of the container set, and FIG. 11B is a front cross-sectional view showing the state in which the dish shown in FIG. 10 is held by the support portion.

Below, several embodiments of the container set are explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings explaining the embodiments of the container set, identical parts are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

(First Example)
The container set 10 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3(A) includes a glass 11, which is an example of a container, and a base 12 that supports the glass 11. The glass 11 is for containing an object 13, and may be made of any of metal, wood, synthetic resin, glass, ceramic, and porcelain. The glass 11 includes an annular body 14 and a bottom 15 that is connected to the body 14. The body 14 and the bottom 15 are continuous. The body 14 and the bottom 15 form a storage space 16. The storage space 16 is connected to the outside A1 of the glass 11 via an opening 17. The storage space 16 can contain the object 13. The object 13 is, for example, a liquid.

The body 14 and bottom 15 are centered on the imaginary line B1. In the direction along the imaginary line B1, the body 14 is located between the opening 17 and the bottom 15. The bottom 15 is supported by the base 12. The outer surface 50 of the bottom 15 has a shape that protrudes toward the outside A1 of the glass 11. When the container set 10 is viewed from above, the outer periphery of the glass 11 is circular or elliptical, and the outer periphery of the base 12 is circular or elliptical. In this embodiment, when the container set 10 is viewed from above as shown in Figure 2, the outer periphery of the glass 11 is circular, and the outer periphery of the base 12 is also circular. Figure 3(B) also shows an example in which the outer periphery of the bottom 15 is circular.

Also, as shown in Figure 1, in a plane including imaginary line B1, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of body 14 is curved, and the shape of the outer peripheral surface of bottom 15 is also curved. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of body 14 is curved in a direction approaching imaginary line B1, and the outer peripheral surface of bottom 15 is curved in a direction away from imaginary line B1. The outer diameter of glass 11 decreases in the direction along imaginary line B1 as it approaches bottom 15 from opening 17. The thickness of body 14 is constant, and the thickness of bottom 15 is also constant. The thickness of body 14 and bottom 15 are the same.

The base 12 is provided separately from the glass 11 and from the table 18. The base 12 may be made of any of the following materials: metal, wood, synthetic resin, glass, ceramic, porcelain, etc. The base 12 has a bottom surface 20 that contacts the support surface 19 of the table 18. The support surface 19 is flat, and the bottom surface 20 is also flat. The base 12 is a plate member with a predetermined thickness, and has a top surface 21 located opposite the bottom surface 20. The base 12 has a recess 22 that opens into the top surface 21. The recess 22 is a depression in which part of the glass 11, specifically at least the bottom portion 15, is placed.

The recess 22 is centered on the imaginary line B2. The depth W1 of the recess 22 is less than the height L1 of the glass 11. The depth W1 of the recess 22 and the height L1 of the glass 11 are values along the imaginary line B1. The shape of the inner surface of the recess 22 in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary line B2 is circular or elliptical. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the shape of the inner surface of the recess 22 is circular. The inner diameter of the recess 22 decreases as it approaches the bottom 24 from the opening 23. As shown in Figures 1 and 3(A), the base 12 has a curved surface 51 that forms the recess 22 in a plane including the imaginary line B2. The curved surface 51 supports the outer surface 50 of the bottom 15. As shown in Figure 1, the curved surface 51 is curved so as to be concave in a longitudinal cross section taken along the imaginary line B2. As shown in Figure 3(B), the curved surface 51 is circular and centered on the imaginary line B2 in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary line B2. The bottom 15 of the glass 11 refers to the portion supported by the curved surface 51. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3(A), within a plane including the imaginary line B2, the annular inner surface 55 of the recess 22, located between the curved surface 51 and the opening 23, is curved in the opposite direction to the curved surface 51. The inner diameter of the inner surface 55 increases as it approaches the opening 23. The inner diameter of the inner surface 55 is larger than the inner diameter of the curved surface 51.

Next, an example of how to use the container set 10 will be described. When the base 12 is placed on the table 18, the bottom surface 20 comes into contact with the support surface 19. The imaginary line B1 of the glass 11 and the imaginary line B2 of the recess 22 are aligned coaxially, and the glass 11 is held on the base 12 with the opening 17 facing upward. The glass 11 is then lowered along the imaginary line B1, and the bottom 15 of the glass 11 enters the recess 22. The outer surface 50 of the bottom 15 and the curved surface 51 then come into contact, specifically, surface contact, and the glass 11 stops. In other words, as shown in Figure 3(A), the glass 11 is supported by the base 12.

Here, within a plane including the virtual line B2, the shape of the outer surface 50 of the bottom 15 within a predetermined range E1 in the direction along the virtual line B2 and the shape of the curved surface 51 are configured to be similar. Specifically, the curvature of the outer surface 50 and the curvature of the curved surface 51 are the same. The predetermined range E1 in the direction along the virtual line B2 includes the arrangement range of the outer surface 50 and the arrangement range of the curved surface 51. Furthermore, within the plane including the virtual line B2, neither the outer surface 50 nor the curved surface 51 are arc-shaped.

This prevents the glass 11 from changing its position relative to the base 12. Specifically, the glass 11 is engaged with the base 12, preventing the imaginary line B1 of the glass 11 from tilting relative to the imaginary line B2 of the recess 22. In other words, the concentricity of the glass 11 and the recess 22 is maintained. Furthermore, because a portion of the glass 11 is located outside the recess 22 when the glass 11 is supported by the base 12, the user can grasp and lift the glass 11 with their hand.

Furthermore, the inner diameter of the inner surface 55 is set so that the inner surface 55 and the body 14 are spaced apart when the glass 11 is supported by the base 12. Therefore, when the bottom 15 of the glass 11 is inserted into the recess 22, if the imaginary lines B1 and B2 are not coaxial, the outer surface 50 will come into contact with the inner surface 55. This causes the glass 11 to be displaced horizontally relative to the base 12, ensuring coaxiality between the imaginary lines B1 and B2.

(Second Example)
The container set 30 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6(A) includes a dish 31, which is an example of a container, and a base 32 that supports the dish 31. The dish 31 is for placing an item 33 on it. The material of the dish 31 may be any of metal, wood, synthetic resin, glass, ceramic, porcelain, etc. The dish 31 has a storage space 34 and an opening 35. The storage space 34 can store the item 33. One example of the item 33 is food.

The center of the dish 31 is represented by imaginary line B3. The center of the base 32 is represented by imaginary line B4. In a plane perpendicular to imaginary line B4, the outer periphery of the base 32 is circular or elliptical with its center at imaginary line B4, and the outer periphery of the dish 31 is circular or elliptical with its center at imaginary line B3. Here, as shown in Figure 5, an example is described in which the outer periphery of the base 32 is circular and the outer periphery of the dish 31 is circular. Furthermore, the outer surface 36 of the bottom 53 of the dish 31 protrudes toward the outside of the dish 31 so as to form part of a spherical surface. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, in the plane including imaginary line B3, the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 is curved in an arc shape. In other words, in the plane including imaginary line B3, the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 protrudes away from the opening 35. The thickness of the dish 31 is constant.

The base 32 is provided separately from the dish 31 and from the table 18. The base 32 is a tray or platter, and has a main body 37 and a lid 38. The main body 37 is hollow and may be made of any of the following materials: metal, wood, synthetic resin, glass, etc. The base 32 has a base portion 39 that is placed on the support surface 19 of the table 18. The support surface 19 is flat, and the base portion 39 is also flat.

The base 32 has a base portion 39, a top plate 46, and an internal space C1. The base portion 39 is tray-shaped, and the top plate 46 is connected to the outer periphery of the base portion 39. The top plate 46 is annular and defines a mounting hole 40. An internal space C1 is defined between the base portion 39 and the top plate 46. The dish 31 is disposed on the exterior A2 of the base 32 and is supported by the base 32. The internal space C1 is a space for accommodating a lighting device (described below). As shown in Figure 5, the mounting hole 40 is circular and centered on the imaginary line B4. The diameter of the mounting hole 40 is less than the diameter of the dish 31. As shown in Figure 4, the mounting hole 40 is provided at a predetermined distance from the base portion 39 in the direction along the imaginary line B4.

Furthermore, a lighting device 41 is provided in the internal space C1. The lighting device 41 may be, for example, a light-emitting diode lamp or a fluorescent lamp. As shown in FIG. 5 , when the base 32 is viewed from above, the lighting device 41 is disposed approximately in the center of the internal space C1 and is attached to the inner surface of the base portion 39. The power source that supplies power to the lighting device 41 may be either an internal power source provided in the internal space C1 or an external power source connected to the base 32 via a power cable. The external power source is provided outside the base 32. The internal power source is a DC power source, and the external power source may be either a DC power source or an AC power source. The DC power source may be either a secondary battery or a primary battery.

The lid 38 is fitted into the mounting hole 40. The lid 38 and the base 39 are spaced apart in the direction along the imaginary line B4. The lid 38 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as synthetic resin or glass. The lid 38 may be fixed to the main body 37, or may be removable from the main body 37. The lid 38 has a curved surface 42. The curved surface 42 supports the bottom 53 of the dish 31. The bottom 53 refers to the portion supported by the curved surface 42. The curved surface 42 and the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 have similar shapes. Specifically, the curved surface 42 of the lid 38 is recessed to correspond to a portion of a sphere.

For this reason, as shown in Figure 4, in a plane including the imaginary line B4, the curved surface 42 of the lid 25 is curved in an arc shape. In other words, the curved surface 42 of the lid 38 protrudes toward the internal space C1. If we assume that in a plane including the imaginary line b4, the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 is an arc surface centered at a first position on the imaginary line B3, and the curved surface 42 of the lid 38 is an arc surface centered at a second position on the imaginary line B4, then the radius of curvature of the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 and the radius of curvature of the curved surface 42 of the lid 38 are the same. The thickness of the lid 38 is constant.

As such, the curved surface 42 of the lid 38 defines a recess 43. The recess 43 is a depression in which part of the dish 31, specifically part of the bottom, is placed. The recess 43 is centered on the imaginary line B4. The depth W2 of the recess 43 is less than the height L2 of the dish. The depth W2 of the recess 43 is a value in the direction along the imaginary line B4 of the base 32, and the height L2 of the dish 31 is a value in the direction along the imaginary line B3. As shown in Figure 5, the inner periphery of the recess 43 in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary line B4 is circular. The inner diameter of the recess 43 decreases as it approaches the bottom from the opening 35.

Next, an example of how to use the container set 30 will be described. When the base 32 is placed on the table 18, the base portion 39 comes into contact with the support surface 19. Furthermore, the imaginary line B3 of the dish 31 and the imaginary line B4 of the base 32 are aligned coaxially, and the dish 31 is held on the base 32 with the opening 35 facing upward. The dish 31 is then lowered along the imaginary line B3, and the bottom of the dish 31 enters the recess 43. The bottom of the dish 31 then comes into contact with the bottom of the recess 43 and the dish 31 stops. In other words, the dish 31 is supported by the base 32. Furthermore, part of the dish 31 is positioned outside the recess 43.

Here, within a plane including virtual line B4, the shape of the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 within a predetermined range in the direction along virtual line B3 coincides with the shape of the curved surface 42 of the recess 43. The predetermined range in the direction along virtual line B3 includes part of the arrangement range of the bottom of the dish 31. Furthermore, the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 and the curved surface 42 of the recess 43 are in contact, specifically, surface contact. This prevents the position of the dish 31 relative to the base 32 from changing. Specifically, it prevents the virtual line B3 of the dish 31 from tilting relative to the virtual line B4 of the base 32. In other words, the coaxiality of the dish 31 and the base 32 is maintained.

In addition, light from the lighting device 41 passes through the lid 38 and is irradiated onto the outer surface 36 of the dish 31. This increases the decorativeness of the dish 31. Light also leaks through the gap between the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 and the curved surface 42 of the recess 43. Furthermore, if the main body 37 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as synthetic resin or glass, some of the light from the lighting device 41 passes through the main body 37 and irradiates the outer surface 36 of the dish 31. This increases the decorativeness of the dish 31. Furthermore, when the dish 31 is supported by the base 32, part of the dish 31 is located outside the recess 43, allowing the user to grasp and lift the dish 31 with their hand.

(Third Example)
The container set 30 shown in Figures 7, 8A, and 8B is an example in which the base 32 of the container set 30 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6A has been partially modified. In a plane perpendicular to the imaginary line B4, the outer peripheral shape of the base 32 is generally elliptical, and the outer peripheral shape of the recess 43 is also generally elliptical. Furthermore, in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary line B4, support pins 44 are provided on the outer side of the lid 38. The support pins 44 are elements that support the dish 31. The support pins 44 protrude from the top plate 46 toward the outside A2. A plurality of support pins 44, specifically, three or more and ten or less, are provided. Figure 8A shows an example in which there are three support pins 44. The three support pins 44 have the same length. The three support pins 44 are equally spaced about the imaginary line B4. Holes 45 are also provided through the base portion 39. The hole 45 is provided with the imaginary line B4 as its center.

When using the container set 30 of the third embodiment, the lighting device 41 is placed on the support surface 19 of the table 18. When the base 32 is placed on the support surface 19, the lighting device 41 is positioned across the hole 45 and the internal space C1. Furthermore, the outer surface 36 of the dish 31 comes into contact with the tips of the three support pins 44 and stops. In other words, the dish 31 is supported by the base 32 via the three support pins 44. When the dish 31 is supported by the three support pins 44, the dish 31 is not in contact with the top plate 46 or the lid 38. Furthermore, some of the light from the lighting device 41 passes through the main body 37 and illuminates the outer surface 36 of the dish 31. This increases the decorativeness of the dish 31. Note that when the dish 31 is supported by the base 32, part of the dish 31 is located outside the recess 43, allowing the user to grasp and lift the dish 31 with their hands.

(Fourth Example)
The container set 30 shown in Figures 9(A) and (B) is an example in which the base 32 of the container set 30 shown in Figures 7, 8(A), and 8(B) has been partially modified. The shape and structure of the container set 30 shown in Figures 9(A) and (B) when viewed from directly above are similar to those of the container set 30 shown in Figure 8(A). A plurality of support pins 44, specifically, three or more and ten or less, are provided to support the dish 31. Here, it is assumed that three support pins 44 are provided. The three support pins 44 protrude from the base portion 39, penetrate the top plate 46, and reach the exterior A2. The three support pins 44 are the same length. As shown in Figure 9(B), the dish 31 is placed on the tips of the three support pins 44. When the dish 31 is supported by the three support pins 44, the dish 31 does not come into contact with the top plate 46 or the lid 38. The container set 30 in the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the container set 30 in the third embodiment.

(Fifth Example)
The container set 30 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is an example in which the base 32 of the container set 30 shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B has been partially modified. The base 32 has an opening 60 formed by a top plate 46. The opening 60 is connected to the internal space C1. When viewed from directly above, the opening 60 has an elliptical shape centered on the imaginary line B4. The base 32 does not include the aforementioned lid 38. The plate 61 is also provided in the internal space C1. The plate 61 has a size and shape that prevents the plate 61 from slipping out of the hole 45 when placed on the base portion 39. The plate 61 has multiple support pins 62, for example, three or more and ten or fewer. FIG. 11A shows an example in which there are three support pins 62. The three support pins 62 have the same length. The plate 61 and the support pins 62 are integrally molded elements made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal. The plate 61 and the support pins 62 are elements configured separately from the base 32 and the dish 31, and the plate 61 and the support pins 62 can be inserted into and removed from the internal space C1 through the opening 60.

When the plate 61 is placed in the internal space C1 and placed on the base portion 39, the tips of the three support pins 62 are exposed to the outside A2 of the base 32 through the opening 60. The lighting device 41 is placed in the internal space C1 through the opening 60 and placed on the plate 61. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the dish 31 is placed on the tips of the three support pins 62. When the dish 31 is supported by the three support pins 62, the dish 31 does not come into contact with the top plate 46. Furthermore, some of the light from the lighting device 41 passes through the opening 60 and is irradiated onto the outer surface 36 of the dish 31. The container set 30 in the fifth embodiment can achieve the same effect as the container set 30 in the third embodiment.

An example of the technical meaning of the matters described in this embodiment is as follows. The glass 11 and the plate 31 are examples of containers. The bases 12 and 32 are examples of bases. The opening 23 is an example of an opening. The inner surface 55 is an example of an inner surface. The bottoms 15 and 53 are an example of the bottom of a container. The container sets 10 and 30 are examples of container sets. The outer surfaces 36 and 50 are an example of the outer surface of a bottom. The recesses 22 and 43 are an example of a recess. The curved surfaces 42 and 51 are an example of a support portion and a curved surface. The support pins 44 and 62 are an example of a support pin and a support portion. The table 18 is an example of a placement location. Figures 1, 3(A), 4, and 6(A) are examples of "planes obtained by cutting the container and support portion along the height direction." Depths W1 and W2 are each an example of the depth of a recess. Heights L1 and L2 are each an example of the height of a container. The internal space C1 is an example of a storage space. The mounting hole 40 is an example of a mounting hole. The main body 37 is an example of a main body. The lighting device 41 is an example of a lighting device. The lid 38 is an example of a lid.

This embodiment is not limited to what is disclosed using the drawings, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, the container may be any of a glass, plate, cup, bowl, bottle, and vase. The support may be any of a tray or tray. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, at least one of the lid and the main body may be made of a light-transmitting material. The light-transmitting material may be either synthetic resin or glass.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the dish 31 may be made of a light-transmitting material. Furthermore, in the second, third, and fourth embodiments, the main body 37 and the lid 38 may be integrated into a single member. Furthermore, a single base 32 may have multiple recesses 43. A portion of a dish 31 can be placed and supported in each recess 43. The same type of dish 31 may be placed in the multiple recesses 43 provided in the single base 32, or different types of dishes 31 may be placed in each recess 43. In the second embodiment, the base 32 may have a hole 45 as shown in FIG. 7. In the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the main body 37 may not have a hole 45, and the lighting device 41 may be provided in the internal space C1. Furthermore, in the third and fourth embodiments, the shape of the base 32, the lid 38, and the mounting hole 40 may be circular in a plan view of the base 32. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the shape of the base 32 and the shape of the opening 60 may be circular when viewed from above.

The container set of the present disclosure can be used as a container set having a container for storing contents and a support part for supporting the container.

10, 30...container set, 11...glass, 12, 32...base, 22, 43...recess, 23...opening, 31...plate, 36, 50...exterior surface, 37...main body, 38...lid, 39...base portion, 40...mounting hole, 41...lighting device, 42, 51...curved surface, 44, 62...support pin, 46...top plate, 50, 53...bottom portion, 55...interior surface, C1...storage space, L1, L2...height, W1, W2...depth

Claims (1)

A container set including a container and a base supporting a bottom of the container,
the bottom has a curved outer surface that protrudes toward the outside of the container;
The base is
a support portion in contact with the outer surface;
a base portion that contacts the placement location;
a top plate connected to the base portion;
an accommodation space formed between the base portion and the top plate;
a lighting device provided in the accommodation space;
and
The support portion includes three or more support pins that protrude from the base portion, penetrate the top plate, and contact the outer surface.