CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a container, and more particularly, to a container that is capable of containing contents such as foods (e.g., natto or fermented soybeans) in a storage having an opening, and covers the opening with a lid.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, commercially available food contents such as natto may be contained and sold in a container formed of a material such as synthetic resin or paper. Among such containers, there is a container in which a film made of a synthetic resin is provided between a storage for food contents and a lid of the container. Because the film is provided so as to be stuck on the surface of the contained food contents and a portion of the food contents may be adhered to the film, peeling off and removal of the film when consuming the food contents could result in discomfort due to adhesion of the portion of the food contents to a table or a hand.

A natto container described in Patent Document 1 attempts to prevent natto, which is adhered to a film, from being further adhered to a table or a hand, by providing a hole in a lid that covers and closes an opening of a storage, making it possible to pick the film by inserting a finger through the hole, and pulling out the film through the hole.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-45427

SUMMARY

In the natto container described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to pick and pull out a slippery film from the hole in the lid. In addition, since the hole in the lid is formed large enough to allow the finger to be inserted, a portion of natto adhered to the film could be pulled out of the container through the hole and then fall, which could result in making a table or a hand dirty.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a container that enables a film to be removed readily without making a table or a hand dirty.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure concerns a container comprising: a main body that comprises a main body edge portion and a storage having an opening; a lid that comprises a lid edge portion, the lid overlapping the main body edge portion, and covering and closing the opening; and a film that comprises a film edge portion, the film being mountedly disposed on the main body edge portion, wherein the main body or the lid comprises a slit that partially exposes the film at least at the film edge portion, and that allows the film to be pulled out through the slit while the lid is closed. The lid may comprise the slit, and the slit may comprise a wide portion that partially exposes the film at least at the film edge portion.

The lid may be polygonal, and the slit may extend from the lid edge portion.

The lid may be regularly polygonal, and the slit may extend vertically from the lid edge portion toward the center of an inscribed circle that is virtually inscribed in the lid and has a length equal to or less than the radius of the inscribed circle.

The lid may be polygonal, and the slit may extend from a corner formed by mutually adjacent sides of the lid.

The lid may be circular, and the slit may extend from the lid edge portion.

The lid may be perfectly circular, and the slit may have a length equal to or less than the radius of the lid.

The main body may comprise the slit, the lid may be polygonal, and the slit may comprise a wide portion that partially exposes the film at least at the film edge portion and extends from the main body edge portion.

The slit may have a length equal to or less than half of the height of the main body.

The slit may be square or octagonal.

The container may be a natto container.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure enables a film to be removed readily without making a table or a hand dirty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a rear view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C shows a left side view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D shows a right side view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2E shows a plan view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2F shows a bottom view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2G shows a plan view showing a slit portion of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2E in a state where the film and the natto are not contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the film and natto are not contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 1, with the lid being removed.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2E, in a state where the film and natto are contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the natto container shown in FIG. 1 with the film and natto being stored, and without the lid.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view showing how a film is pulled out of the natto container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 9A shows a front view of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B shows a rear view of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9C shows a right side view of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9D shows a plan view of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9E shows a plan view showing a slit portion of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 9D in a state where the film and natto are contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view showing a manner how the film is pulled out of the natto container shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 3.

FIG. 13A shows a front view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13B shows a rear view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13C shows a left side view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13D shows a right side view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13E shows a plan view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13F shows a bottom view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13G shows a plan view showing a slit portion of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of the natto container shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the film and natto are not contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 12, with the lid being removed.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 13E in a state where the film and natto are contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic view showing a manner how the film is pulled out of the natto container shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 18A shows a front view of the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18B shows a rear view of the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18C shows a plan view of the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18D shows a plan view showing a slit portion of the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 18C in a state where the film and natto are contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic view showing a manner how the film is pulled out of the natto container shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 5.

FIG. 22A shows a front view of the natto container shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22B shows a rear view of the natto container shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22C shows a plan view of the natto container shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F shown in FIG. 22C in a state where natto is contained in the natto container shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic view showing a manner how the film is pulled out of the natto container shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 shows a schematic view of a variation of the natto container according to Embodiments 1 to 7.

FIG. 26 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 6.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic view of a natto container according to Embodiment 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a natto container 1 is made of a synthetic resin, and comprises a main body 2 which contains natto therein and a lid 3 that is integrally formed with the main body 2.

The main body 2 has a main body edge 21, and the lid 3 has a lid edge 30. The lid 3 is formed to face the main body 2 by being folded back by a hinge 4 connecting the main body edge 21 to the lid edge 30. Further, the main body edge 21 which is an edge of an upper end of the main body 2 and the lid edge 30 which is an edge of the lid 3 are formed to have opposing flat surfaces, and overlap each other when the lid 3 is closed.

Assuming that a side on which the lid 3 is provided is an upper side of the natto container 1, the main body 2 is provided with a bottom surface 20 having wavy irregularities on a side away from the lid 3, i.e., lower side of the natto container 1. When viewed from above the natto container 1, the main body 2 and the lid 3 are formed to be square.

After natto is stored in the main body 2, portions of the main body edge 21 and the lid edge 30 are bonded together by known means such as heat welding so that the lid 3 may not be easily detached from the main body 2 during transportation, and that the lid 3 may be readily removed from the main body 2 in opening the natto container 1. Furthermore, a groove 31 is formed inside the lid edge 30 of the lid 3 so as to protrude toward the main body 2.

As shown in FIG. 2E, a slit 33 is provided toward the center E (see FIG. 2E) which is an intersection of a diagonal C (see FIG. 2E) and a diagonal D (see FIG. 2E) of the lid 3 from a first side 32 which is a side of the lid 3 facing the hinge 4. The slit 33 is formed to be parallel to a second side 34 or a third side 35 adjacent to the first side 32 and the hinge 4 among the sides of the lid 3 and to have a half of the total length of the second side 34 or the third side 35. In other words, considering an inscribed circle that is virtually inscribed in the lid 3, the slit 33 extends vertically from the lid edge 30 toward the center of the inscribed circle and has a length equal to the radius of the inscribed circle.

On a plane where the lid 3 is viewed from above, the right side when the first side 32 is viewed as the base is the second side 34, and the left side is the third side 35. Further, at an end of the slit 33 closer to the first side 32, a wide portion 330 is formed to have a shape in which the lid 3 is cut out in a wedge shape such that a side near the first side 32 is wider. A portion of the slit 33 excluding the wide portion 330, that is, a portion near the center E of the lid 3 is referred to as a narrow portion 331.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the main body 2, a storage 24 is provided, which is surrounded by a bottom surface 20 and a side surface 22, and which includes an opening 23 at the upper side. The storage 24 is provided to accommodate natto in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a state of the main body 2 when accommodating natto 5 in the storage 24. A square film 6 formed of a synthetic resin is provided between the natto 5 and the opening 23. A central portion of the film 6 is disposed in close contact with the natto 5. Further, the film 6 is formed in a size such that the film edge 60 which is an edge of the film 6 is positioned between the main body edge 21 and the lid edge 30. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the film 6 is mountedly disposed on the main body edge 21 such that the film edge 60 is partially exposed from the wide portion 330.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7, a method is described of removing the film 6 to take out the natto 5 from the natto container 1 of Embodiment 1. For removal of the film 6, a portion of the film edge 60 exposed from the wide portion 330 is picked up by fingers of a person who takes out the natto 5 while the lid 3 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2E and 5. Here, the film edge 60 may be readily picked up because a sufficiently large space is secured around the wide portion 330, and fingers do not get dirty because the film edge 60 is not in contact with the natto 5.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the film 6 is picked up in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the film 6 gets into the narrow portion 331 of the lid 3 due to the shape of the wide portion 330. Then, the film 6 may be pulled out of the main body 2 via the narrow portion 331.

Because the film 6 is squeezed into the narrow portion 331 by being pulled out via the narrow portion 331, sticky strings or soybeans which are adhered to the film 6 do not fall from the opening 23 into the storage 24 and go out of the main body 2. When the film 6 is pulled out completely, the natto 5 may be taken out from the storage 24 by opening the lid 3 (see FIG. 5).

As described above, because the lid 3 is provided with the slit 33 in the natto container 1, comprising the main body 2 which comprises the storage 24 having the opening 23, the film 6 provided between the storage 24 and the lid 3, and the lid 3 provided to cover the opening 23, and the film 6 maybe pulled out through the slit 33, the film 6 may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

Further, because the lid 3 may be substantially rectangular, and the slit 33 extends from the lid edge 30 of the lid 3 and is provided with the wide portion 330 near the lid edge 30, the film 6 may be readily pulled out through the slit 33.

Further, because the lid 3 may be substantially square, and the slit 33 extends vertically from the lid edge 30 toward the center E of the virtual inscribed circle which is inscribed in the lid 3, and has a length equal to or less than the radius of the inscribed circle, the strength of the lid 3 maybe secured.

Embodiment 2

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the position of the slit provided in the lid 3 is changed. It is noted that, in the following embodiments, reference numerals which are the same as the reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 7 denote the same or similar elements, and a detailed description thereof will be thus omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a lid 3a of a natto container 1a is integrally formed with a main body 2, and a slit 33a is provided toward the center E (see FIG. 9D) which is an intersection of a diagonal C (see FIG. 9D) and a diagonal D (see FIG. 9D) of the lid 3a from the position of the corner 36 formed by a first side 32 and a second side 34 adjacent to the first side 32 at a lid edge 30 of the lid 3a.

The slit 33a is formed along the diagonal to have a half of the length of the diagonal from the position of the corner 36 when the lid 3a is viewed from above. In other words, considering an inscribed circle that is virtually inscribed in the lid 3a, the slit 33a extends from the corner 36 toward the center E at the same position as the center of the virtual circumscribed circle, and has a length equal to the radius of the inscribed circle.

A wide portion 330a is formed, at an end of the slit 33a on a side closer to the corner 36, in a wedge shape such that a side near the corner 36 is wider. A portion of the slit 33a excluding the wide portion 330a, that is, a portion near the center E of the lid 3a, is referred to as a narrow portion 331a. As shown in FIG. 10, the film 6 is mountedly disposed on the main body edge 21 such that the film edge 60 is partially exposed from the wide portion 330a. The remaining configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, when the film 6 is picked up in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the film 6 may be pulled out in the same manner as in Embodiment 1.

Thus, because the lid 3a may be substantially rectangular, and the slit 33a extends from the corner 36 formed by the mutually adjacent first side 32 and second side 34 of the lid 3a, and because the lid 3a is provided with the wide portion 330a near the lid edge 30 of the lid 3a, the film 6 may be readily pulled out through the slit 33a, peeled off and removed.

Further, because the lid 3 may be substantially square, and the slit 33a extends toward the center E at the same position as the center of the virtual circumscribed circle, and has a length equal to or less than the radius of the inscribed circle, the strength of the lid 3a may be secured.

It is noted that, while the slit 33a is provided from the position of the corner 36 toward the center E of the lid 3a in Embodiment 2, the slit 33a may be provided such that it extends from a corner 37 formed by the first side 32 and a third side 35 of the lid edge 30 toward the center E of the lid 3a. In this alternative configuration, the same effects may be obtained as in the configuration where the slit 33a is provided such that it extends from the position of the corner portion 36.

Embodiment 3

Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiment 1 in that a slit is provided in the main body 2.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, a slit 33b is provided such that the slit 33b extends from a first side 25 of a main body 2 on a side facing a hinge 4 toward a center of the main body 2. The slit 33b is formed parallel to a second side 34 or a third side 35 of a lid 3b which is adjacent to the hinge 4, and has a length equal to or less than half the height of the main body 2. Furthermore, a wide portion 330b is formed to have a shape in which the main body 2 is cut out in a wedge shape such that a side near the first side 25 is wider. A portion of the slit 33b excluding the wide portion 330b, that is, a portion near the center E of the main body 2 is referred to as a narrow portion 331b. The film 6 is disposed below a lid edge 30 such that a film edge 60 is partially exposed from the wide portion 330b. A slit is not provided in a lid 3b. The other configuration is the same as that of the Embodiment 1. The remaining configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, when the film 6 is picked up in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the film 6 may be pulled out in the same manner as in Embodiment 1.

As described above, because the main body 2b includes the main body edge 21 overlapping the lid 3b, the main body edge 21 is formed in a substantially square shape, the slit 33b extends from the main body edge 21, and the wide portion 330b is provided near the main body edge 21, the film 6 may be readily pulled out through the slit 33b, as in Embodiment 1, and the film 6 may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

Further, because the slit 33b has a length equal to or less than half of the height of the main body 2b, the strength of the main body 2b may be secured.

Embodiment 4

Next, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiment 1 in that plural slits are provided in the lid.

As shown in FIGS. 17 through 18, a cover 3c is provided with a slit 333c, a slit 334c, and a slit 335c. The slits 333c, 334c and 335c intersect at a center E (see FIG. 18C) which is an intersection of a diagonal C (see FIG. 18C) and a diagonal D (see FIG. 18C) of the lid 3c to form an intersection portion 3330. The slit 333c is provided in parallel to a second side 34 and a third side 35, and the slits 334c and 335c are provided along the diagonal C and the diagonal D of the lid 3c, respectively. In addition, the lengths of the slits 333c, 334c, and 335c are equal to or less than half of the lengths of the diagonal C and the diagonal D.

As shown in FIG. 19, a central portion of the film 6 partially protrudes, as a protrusion 61, upwardly from the lid 3c via the intersection portion 3330, and the remaining part of the central portion is disposed to be adhered to the natto 5. In addition, the film 6 is formed in a size such that the film end 60 which is the end of the film 6 is positioned between the main body edge 21 and the lid edge 30. The other configuration is the same as that of the Embodiment 1.

Next, in order to remove the film 6, the protrusion 61 protruding from the intersection 3330 is picked up while the lid 3 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18C. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the film 6 is picked up in the direction indicated by the arrow X, so that the film 6 may be taken out in the same manner as in Embodiment 1.

As described above, because the lid 3c is provided with the slit 333c, the slit 334c and the slit 335c, and the slit 333c, the slit 334c and the slit 335c have the intersection 3330, and the film 6 crosses the intersection 3330, the film 6 may be readily pulled out through the intersection 3330, as in Embodiment 1, and the film 6 may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

While the lid 3c is provided with three slits of the slit 333c, the slit 334c and the slit 335c in Embodiment 4, the number of the slits are not limited to three but may be any appropriate number of two or more as long as the slits intersects at the intersection 3330, the lid 3c has sufficient strength, and there is no problem in pulling out the film 6.

Embodiment 5

Next, Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 5 is different from Embodiment 1 in that a slit is provided in the same length as the entire length of one side of the lid 3 in Embodiment 1.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, a lid 3d of a natto container 1d is provided with a slit 33d in parallel with a first side 32. The slit 33d has the same length as the entire length of the first side 32, and is provided so as to connect positions of half the total lengths of a second side 34 and a third side 35. In other words, the lid 3d is divided by the slit 33d into a first lid 38d on the first side 32 and a second lid 39d on the hinge 4. The remaining configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

Next, referring to FIGS. 20, 23 and 24, a method is described of removing the film 6 to take out the natto 5 from the natto container 1d of Embodiment 5. In order to remove the film 6, a first lid 38d shown in FIG. 20 is removed, and the film 6 is picked up by fingers of a person who takes out the natto 5 (see FIG. 23).

Next, as shown in FIG. 24, the film 6 is sandwiched between the first lid 38d and the second lid 39d, and the first lid 38d is returned onto the lid edge 30. Then, when the film 6 is picked up in the direction of the arrow X, the film 6 is pulled out via the slit 33d as in Embodiment 1.

As described above, because the lid 3d is divided by the slit 33d into the first lid 38d and the second lid 39d, the film 6 may be readily pulled out through the slit 33d, as in Embodiment 1, and the film 6 may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

While the lid 3d is divided by the slit 33d into the first lid 38d and the second lid 39d in Embodiment 5, the position and the orientation of the slit may be modified, and plural slits may be provided.

Embodiment 6

Next, Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 6 is different from Embodiment 1 in that shapes of a main body and a lid are octagonal.

As shown in FIG. 26, a main body 2e and a lid 3e are formed to be regularly octagonal when viewed from above a natto container 1e. The lid 3e is formed to oppose the main body 2e by being folded back by a hinge 4e which is formed on one side of the main body edge 21e and the lid edge 30e, and which connects the main body edge 21e to the lid edge 30e.

The main body 2e has a side surface 22e and a flat bottom surface 20e on a side away from the lid 3e, that is, below the natto container 1e.

A slit 33e is provided from a first side 32e which is a side of the lid 3e facing the hinge 4e to a center E which is an intersection of a diagonal F and a diagonal G of the lid 3e. The slit 33e is in parallel with the second side 34e or the third side 35e, which is adjacent to a side adjacent to the first side 32e and the hinge 4e among the sides of the lid 3e, and is formed to have a length which is a half of the distance between the first side 32e and hinge 4e facing each other. In other words, considering an inscribed circle that is virtually inscribed in the lid 3e, the slit 33e extends vertically from the lid edge 30e toward the center E of the inscribed circle and has a length equal to the radius of the inscribed circle.

On a plane where the lid 3e is viewed from above, the right side when the first side 32e is viewed as the bottom is the second side 34e, the left side is the third side 35e, and the hinge 4e constitutes one of the sides of the lid 3e. Further, at the end of the slit 33e on the side closer to the first side 32e, a wide portion 330e is formed to have a shape in which the lid 3e is cut out in a wedge shape such that a side near the first side 32e is wider. A portion of the slit 33e excluding the wide portion 330e, that is, a portion near the center E of the lid 3e is referred to as a narrow portion 331e.

The film 6e is regularly octagonal, and is mountedly disposed on the main body edge 21e such that the film edge 60e is partially exposed from the wide portion 330e. The remaining configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

As described above, because the lid 3e is provided with the slit 33e in the natto container, comprising the main body 2e which comprises the storage having the opening 23e, the film 6e provided between the storage and the lid 3e, and the lid 3 provided to cover the opening 23e, and the film 6e maybe pulled out through the slit 33e, the film 6e may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

Further, because the lid 3e may be substantially octagonal, and the slit 33e extends from the lid edge 30e of the lid 3e and is provided with the wide portion 330e near the lid edge 30e, the film 6e may be readily pulled out through the slit 33e.

Further, because the lid 3e may be substantially octagonal, and the slit 33e extends vertically from the lid edge 30e toward the center E of the virtual inscribed circle which is inscribed in the lid 3e, and has a length equal to or less than the radius of the inscribed circle, the strength of the lid 3e may be secured.

Embodiment 7

Next, Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure is described. Embodiment 7 is different from Embodiment 1 in that shapes of a main body and a lid are circular.

As shown in FIG. 27, a main body 2f and a lid 3f are formed to be circular when viewed from above a natto container 1f. The lid 3f is formed to oppose the main body 2f by being folded back by a hinge 4f which is formed on one side of the main body edge 21f and the lid edge 30f, and which connects the main body edge 21f to the lid edge 30f.

The main body 2f has a side surface 22f and a flat bottom surface 20f on a side away from the lid 3f, that is, below the natto container 1f.

A slit 33f is provided toward the center E of the lid 3f. The slit 33f is formed to have a length as large as the radius of the lid 3f. Further, at the end of the slit 33f on the side closer to the lid edge 30f, a wide portion 330f is formed to have a shape in which the lid 3f is cut out in a wedge shape such that a side near the lid edge 30f is wider. A portion of the slit 33f excluding the wide portion 330f, that is, a portion near the center E of the lid 3f is referred to as a narrow portion 331f.

The film 6f is perfectly circular, and is mountedly disposed on the main body edge 21f such that the film edge 60f is partially exposed from the wide portion 330f. The remaining configuration and a method of removing the film 6f are the same as those of Embodiment 1.

As described above, because the lid 3f is provided with the slit 33f in the natto container, comprising the main body 2f which comprises the storage having the opening, the film 6f provided between the storage and the lid 3f, and the lid 3f provided to cover the opening, and the film 6f may be pulled out through the slit 33f, the film 6f may be readily pulled out and removed without making a table or a hand dirty.

Further, because the lid 3f may be substantially circular, and the slit 33f extends from the lid edge 30f of the lid 3f and is provided with the wide portion 330f near the lid edge 30f, the film 6f maybe readily pulled out through the slit 33f.

Further, because the lid 3f may be substantially perfectly circular, and the slit 33f is formed to have a length equal to the radius of the inscribed circle, the strength of the lid 3f may be secured.

In the natto containers 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f described in Embodiments 1 through 7, the films 6, 6e and 6f may be formed of known material or materials other than synthetic resins. For example, paper to which waterproof processing is applied may be used for the films 6, 6e and 6f.

While the lids 3, 3b, 3c and 3d, and the main bodies 2 and 2b are described as square in Embodiments 1 and 3 through 5 when the natto containers 1, 1b, 1c and 1d are viewed from above, aspect ratios of the lids 3, 3b, 3c and 3d, and the main bodies 2 and 2b may take any value. In addition, the lids 3, 3b, 3c and 3d, and the main bodies 2 and 2b may have a shape substantially rectangular, rather than square, such as a shape in which corners are rounded, when the natto containers 1, 1b, 1c and 1d are viewed from above. Furthermore, while the lid 3e is described as octagonal in Embodiment 6, corners of the lid 3e may have a shape in which corners are rounded, or a shape which is not regularly octagonal. Furthermore, while the lid 3f is described as perfectly circular in Embodiment 7, the lid 3f may be elliptical.

While the lid 3a and the main body 2 are described as square in Embodiment 2 when the natto container la is viewed from above, aspect ratio of the lid 3a and the main body 2 may take any value. In addition, the lid 3a and the main body 2 may have a shape substantially rectangular, rather than square, such as a shape in which corners are rounded, or may be polygonal, rather than square, such as regularly hexagonal, when the natto container 1a is viewed from above.

While the lids 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f are described as being formed flat except for the groove 31 in Embodiments 1 through 7, portions of the lid 3, which is located inside of the lid edge, may be recessed toward the natto container 24 to form a lid recess 300, and the lid recess 300 may be configured to store food products such as packaged seasonings.

While the lids 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f are described as being provided with the groove 31 in Embodiments 1 through 7, the groove 31 may or may not be provided with, or the groove 31 may have any other shape. Furthermore, the lids 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f may be provided with one or more micro holes in order to secure respiration of the natto 5.

The slits 33, 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e, 33f, 333c, 334c, and 335c in Embodiments 1 to 7 may have any length to the extent it does not impair the strengths of the lids 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3fm and the main bodies 2 and 2b. Furthermore, the wide portions 330a, 330b, 330e and 330f may be have any shape other than the wedge shape.

While the films 6, 6e and 6f are described as being in contact with the natto 5 when the natto 5 is stored in the storage 24 in Embodiments 1 through 7, configuration may be adopted in which the films 6, 6e and 6f do not contact the natto 5 when the natto 5 is stored in the storage 24. Furthermore, the films 6, 6e and 6f may have any shape such as rectangular, octagonal or circular according to shapes of the main bodies 2, 2b, 2e and 2f.

FIGS. 2G, 9E, 13G and 18D show visual features of the respective embodiments by solid lines. These features include the shapes of the wide portions 330, 330a and 330b, the shapes of the narrow portions 331, 331a and 331b, the shapes of combinations thereof, and the shapes of combinations of the slits 333c, 334c and 335c with the intersection 3330.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f: natto container; 2, 2b, 2e, 2f: main body; 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f: lid; 4, 4e, 4f: hinge (sides); 5: natto; 6, 6e, 6f: film; 23: opening; 24: storage; 30, 30e, 30f: lid edge (edge) ; 32, 32e: first side (side) ; 33, 33a, 33b , 33d, 33e, 33f, 333c, 334c, 335c: slits; 34, 34e: second side (side); 35, 35e: third side (side); 36, 37: corners; 38d: first lid; 39d: second lid; 330330a 330b 330e 330f: wide portions; 3330: intersection, center E.

While the container of the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it is understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims and their equivalents. It should therefore be understood that the exemplary embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and that reference be made to the claims rather than the foregoing description to determine the scope of the present invention.

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