ARTICLE HOUSING BOX

Abstract

An article housing box is an article housing box that houses an article, and includes a box-shaped body. The body has a main surface that is provided with an outlet forming portion composed of an area surrounded by a closed curve. The outlet forming portion includes a plurality of folding pieces, and a plurality of creases. The plurality of folding pieces generate an outlet for the article in the outlet forming portion by being folded obliquely upward from the main surface. The plurality of creases are creases for folding each of the folding pieces. Each of the creases is formed along the curve.

Claims

1. An article housing box that houses an article, comprising: a box-shaped body that has a main surface that is provided with an outlet forming portion composed of an area surrounded by a closed curve, wherein the outlet forming portion includes: a plurality of folding pieces that generate an outlet for the article in the outlet forming portion by being folded obliquely upward from the main surface; and a plurality of creases for folding each of the folding pieces, and wherein each of the creases is formed along the curve.

2. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein an entirety of the curve bulges outward.

3. The article housing box according to claim 2, wherein the curve draws a circle.

4. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of folding pieces is between 4 and 10 inclusive.

5. The article housing box according to claim 4, wherein the number of the plurality of folding pieces is between 6 and 8 inclusive.

6. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of folding pieces have mutually congruent shapes.

7. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein each of the folding pieces has a sector shape.

8. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of folding pieces are provided over an entirety of the area in a state of being unfolded.

9. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein front end parts of the plurality of folding pieces are apart from each other in a state in which the plurality of folding pieces are unfolded.

10. The article housing box according to claim 9, wherein the front end part of each of the folding pieces is rounded.

11. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of creases are formed along an entirety of the curve.

12. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of creases have mutually equal lengths.

13. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of creases have mutually equal curve ratios.

14. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein a curve ratio of each of the creases is between 8% and 21% inclusive.

15. The article housing box according to claim 14, wherein the curve ratio of each of the creases is between 10% and 13% inclusive.

16. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the outlet forming portion includes a straight cut line that is formed along a side end part of each of the folding pieces.

17. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the articles are housed in a state of being stacked in the body.

18. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the article is a roll of sanitary paper.

19. The article housing box according to claim 18, wherein the body includes a cutting blade for cutting the sanitary paper pulled out from the outlet.

20. The article housing box according to claim 19, wherein the cutting blade is provided at a position apart from the outlet forming portion.

21. The article housing box according to claim 20, wherein the cutting blade is provided at a periphery of the main surface.

22. The article housing box according to claim 19, wherein an entirety of the body including the cutting blade is made of a same material.

23. The article housing box according to claim 18, wherein the body includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a gap in a center part of the sanitary paper.

24. The article housing box according to claim 23, wherein the insertion portion is composed of a part of a side surface of the body.

25. The article housing box according to claim 24, wherein an outer shape of the insertion portion is a regular n-sided polygon (n is an integer of 5 or more).

26. The article housing box according to claim 23, wherein an entirety of the body including the insertion portion is made of a same material.

27. The article housing box according to claim 18, wherein the body houses a plurality of the rolls of sanitary paper.

28. The article housing box according to claim 27, wherein the main surface is provided with a plurality of the outlet forming portions that correspond to the plurality of the rolls of sanitary paper.

29. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be refilled with the article.

30. The article housing box according to claim 1, wherein line drawings for coloring are printed on an outer surface of the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an article housing box according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a plane view showing the first embodiment of an article housing box according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a plane view showing each folding piece 22.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a plane view showing each crease 24.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an article housing box 1 when in use.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of an end face along line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of an article housing box according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a plane view showing the article housing box in FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the article housing box in FIG. 7.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the article housing box in FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 11 is another side view showing the article housing box in FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a diagram for illustrating an example of a method for using an article housing box 2.

[0022] FIG. 13 is another diagram for illustrating the example of a method for using the article housing box 2.

[0023] FIG. 14 is another diagram for illustrating the example of a method for using the article housing box 2.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a diagram for illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the article housing box 2.

[0025] FIG. 16 is another diagram for illustrating the example of a method for manufacturing the article housing box 2.

[0026] FIG. 17 is a plane view showing an outlet forming portion 20 according to a modified example.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a plane view showing each folding piece 22 in FIG. 17.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a plane view showing the outlet forming portion 20 according to another modified example.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a side view for illustrating a modified example of a cutting blade 42.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a plane view for illustrating a modified example of a body 10.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of an end face along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and a redundant description will be omitted.

First Embodiment

[0033] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are, respectively, a perspective view and a plane view showing a first embodiment of an article housing box according to the present invention. An article housing box 1 is an article housing box that houses an article, and includes a body 10. Examples of the article include sanitary paper (tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, kitchen paper, etc.), gloves, and masks. In the present embodiment, a plurality of the articles are housed in a state of being stacked in the article housing box 1 (body 10).

[0034] The body 10 has a box shape. Specifically, the body 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The body 10 has a main surface 12. The main surface 12 is a surface that is provided with an outlet forming portion 20 in which an outlet for the articles is to be formed. The main surface 12 has a rectangular shape in a plane view. In the present embodiment, the main surface 12 is identical with the top surface of the body 10. However, the article housing box 1 may be used with the main surface 12 facing upwards, or with the main surface 12 facing sideways.

[0035] The outlet forming portion 20 is composed of an area surrounded by a closed curve 20a. That is, the curve 20a constitutes the periphery of the outlet forming portion 20. It is preferable that the entirety of the curve 20a bulges outward. In the present embodiment, the curve 20a draws a circle. The diameter of the circle drawn by the curve 20a is, for example, between 3 cm and 10 cm inclusive. The outlet forming portion 20 has a plurality of folding pieces 22, a plurality of creases 24, and cut lines 26. In the descriptions below, plurality of folding pieces 22 refers to all of the folding pieces 22 provided in the outlet forming portion 20. The same shall apply to plurality of creases 24.

[0036] The plurality of folding pieces 22 generate the outlet in the outlet forming portion 20 by being folded obliquely upward from the main surface 12. The plurality of folding pieces 22 are provided over the entirety of the area surrounded by the curve 20a in a state of being unfolded. That is, the plurality of folding pieces 22 are provided without gaps between them. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the state in which the folding pieces 22 are unfolded. The number of the folding pieces 22 is preferably between 4 and 10 inclusive, and more preferably between 6 and 8 inclusive. In the present embodiment, the number of the folding pieces 22 is 8.

[0037] The plurality of creases 24 are creases for folding each folding piece 22. That is, the folding pieces 22 are folded along the creases 24. Each crease 24 is formed along the curve 20a. Each crease 24 coincides with a circular arc that is a part of the curve 20a. Therefore, each crease 24 is curved so as to bulge outward from the folding piece 22. The plurality of creases 24 are formed along the entirety of the curve 20a. Therefore, adjacent creases 24 are continuous with each other. The plurality of creases 24 have mutually equal lengths. As used herein, the length of each crease 24 is defined as the length of the curve (circular arc) drawn by the crease 24. In the present embodiment, the length of each crease 24 is one-eighth of the length (circumference) of the curve 20a. The number of the creases 24 is equal to the number of the folding pieces 22.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a plane view showing each folding piece 22. The plurality of folding pieces 22 have mutually congruent shapes. In the present embodiment, each folding piece 22 has a sector shape. A rear end part 22a of the folding piece 22 coincides with the crease 24. The rear end part 22a is a part of the periphery of the folding piece 22, the part being not cut off from the main surface 12 even after the folding piece 22 is folded. In the present embodiment, a front end part 22b of the folding piece 22 corresponds to the apex of the sector. The front end parts 22b of the plurality of folding pieces 22 gather at one point (the center of the circle drawn by the curve 20a) in the state in which the folding pieces 22 are unfolded (see FIG. 2).

[0039] FIG. 4 is a plane view showing each crease 24. The plurality of creases 24 have mutually equal curve ratios. As used herein, the curve ratio is a numerical value that reflects the degree of a curve, and is defined as the value obtained by dividing a length d1 by a length d2. The length d1 is equal to the length of the short side of the minimum rectangle R1 that can include the entirety of the crease 24. The length d2 is equal to the length of the long side of the rectangle R1.

[0040] In a case where each folding piece 22 is a sector obtained by dividing a circle into m equal parts, the curve ratio of each crease 24 is expressed as (1cos )/(2 sin ). As used herein, is equal to half of the central angle of the sector, and is expressed as 360/(2m). In the present embodiment, m=8, and the curve ratio of each crease 24 is 10%. When m=4, m=6, and m=10, the curve ratio of each crease 24 is 21%, 13%, and 8%, respectively. From this, the curve ratio of each crease 24 is preferably between 8% and 21% inclusive, and more preferably between 10% and 13% inclusive.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cut lines 26 are formed along side end parts 22c of each folding piece 22. The side end parts 22c are parts of the periphery of the folding piece 22 other than the rear end part 22a or the front end part 22b. Each cut line 26 is straight, and connects the center of the circle drawn by the curve 20a and the end of each crease 24. The cut lines 26 are perforations.

[0042] It is preferable that the body 10 is configured to be refilled with the articles. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by making the main surface 12 or another surface openable. The body 10 has flexibility. As a material of the body 10, for example, paper such as cardboard can be used.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the article housing box 1 when in use. Also, FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of an end face along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the article 90 is not shown. To use the article housing box 1, first, cuts are made in the outlet forming portion 20 along the cut lines 26. Next, each folding piece 22 is folded obliquely upward along each crease 24. Thus, an outlet 30 is formed in the portion surrounded by the plurality of folding pieces 22. The article 90 can be taken out from the body 10 by pulling the article 90 that has passed through the outlet 30. Note that the outlet 30 is not provided with a plastic film in the article housing box 1, unlike a general tissue paper housing box.

[0044] The effects of the article housing box 1 will be described. The article housing box 1 is provided with the plurality of folding pieces 22 that are folded obliquely upward from the main surface 12. Folding the plurality of folding pieces 22 generates the outlet 30 for the article 90 in the outlet forming portion 20. At this time, the plurality of folding pieces 22 are folded along the plurality of creases 24, and each crease 24 is formed along the curve 20a. That is, each crease 24 is curved. In this case, unlike when folded along a straight crease, each folding piece 22 folded along the curved crease (crease 24) experiences a force (return force) that tries to return the folding piece 22 to its original state (unfolded state). For this reason, the folding angle of each folding piece 22 can be prevented from becoming too large. Accordingly, the article housing box 1 in which dust can be restrained from entering the body 10 through the outlet 30 is implemented.

[0045] By applying the return force to the folding pieces 22 in this way, the article 90 can be sandwiched between the plurality of folding pieces 22 and stably held. Thus, the article 90 pulled out through the outlet 30 becomes less likely to fall into the body 10. This is advantageous for smoothly taking out the plurality of articles 90 consecutively from the article housing box 1.

[0046] The mechanism by which the curved crease 24 restricts the folding angle of the folding piece 22 will be described in detail. Naturally, if the body 10 is rigid (not flexible), the folding piece 22 cannot be folded along a curve. In this regard, in the article housing box 1, the body 10 is flexible, so that even though the crease 24 is curved, the bending of the body 10 allows the folding piece 22 to be folded to a certain angle. At this time, the return force acts on the folding piece 22 due to the restoring force of the body 10. Thus, the folding angle of the folding piece 22 is restricted.

[0047] The outlet forming portion 20 is composed of the area surrounded by the closed curve 20a. For this reason, no matter where the crease 24 is formed on the periphery of the outlet forming portion 20, the return force can be applied to the folding piece 22 folded along the crease 24. Thus, the article 90 can be sandwiched by the plurality of folding pieces 22 from multiple directions to be held.

[0048] The entirety of the curve 20a bulges outward. In this case, it becomes easier to fold the plurality of folding pieces 22, compared to a case where there are both an outwardly bulging part and an inwardly bulging part.

[0049] The plurality of folding pieces 22 have mutually congruent shapes. In this case, it is possible to apply an equal force from each folding piece 22 to the article 90. Thus, it becomes easier to smoothly take out the article 90 from the body 10.

[0050] The curve 20a draws a circle. This contributes to enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the outlet forming portion 20 and eventually the article housing box 1. Moreover, there is also an advantage that it is easy to design the plurality of folding pieces 22 with mutually congruent shapes.

[0051] Reducing the number of the plurality of folding pieces 22 is advantageous for strengthening the return force acting on each folding piece 22. From this viewpoint, the number of the folding pieces 22 is preferably 10 or less, and more preferably 8 or less. From the same viewpoint, the curve ratio of each crease 24 is preferably 8% or more, and more preferably 10% or more. On the other hand, if the number of the folding pieces 22 is too small, the return force becomes excessively strong, and it may become difficult to take out the article 90 from the body 10. From this viewpoint, the number of the folding pieces 22 is preferably 4 or more, and more preferably 6 or more. From the same viewpoint, the curve ratio of each crease 24 is preferably 21% or less, and more preferably 13% or less.

[0052] The plurality of creases 24 are formed along the entirety of the curve 20a. In this case, adjacent folding pieces 22 come into contact with each other. This is advantageous for preventing dust from entering the body 10 through the outlet 30.

[0053] The plurality of creases 24 have mutually equal lengths. Thus, the plurality of folding pieces 22 can be arranged in a well-balanced manner.

[0054] The plurality of creases 24 have mutually equal curve ratios. In this case, the return force acting on each folding piece 22 is uniform. Thus, it becomes easier to smoothly take out the article 90 from the body 10.

[0055] The plurality of folding pieces 22 are provided over the entirety of the area surrounded by the curve 20a in the state of being unfolded. Disposing the plurality of folding pieces 22 without gaps in this way is more advantageous for preventing dust from entering the body 10 through the outlet 30.

[0056] Each folding piece 22 has a sector shape. In this case, it becomes easier to dispose the plurality of folding pieces 22 over the entirety of the above-described area.

[0057] The outlet forming portion 20 has the straight cut lines 26 formed along the side ends 22c of each folding piece 22. In the case where the cut lines 26 are straight in this way, it is possible to easily carry out the work of cutting along the cut lines 26.

[0058] In the case where the body 10 is made of paper, the outer surface of the body can be used as a canvas for drawing. Moreover, if line drawings are printed on the outer surface of the body 10 in advance, users can enjoy coloring. That is, line drawing for coloring may be printed on the outer surface of the body 10. For this reason, the article housing box 1 is also suitable as a children's toy.

[0059] In the case where the body 10 is configured to be refilled with the articles 90, the body 10 can be used repeatedly by being refilled with new articles 90 even after the articles 90 are used up, which is economical. This also leads to reducing waste (the body 10 that is no longer needed), and therefore contributes to reducing the environmental load.

[0060] In the article housing box 1, the outlet 30 is not provided with a plastic film. This also leads to reducing waste (plastic that is no longer needed), and therefore contributes to reducing the environmental load.

Second Embodiment

[0061] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of an article housing box according to the present invention. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are, respectively, a plane view and a rear view showing the article housing box in FIG. 7. Also, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are side views showing the article housing box in FIG. 7. An article housing box 2 is an article housing box that houses an article, and includes the body 10. In the present embodiment, the article is a roll of sanitary paper 92. Examples of the sanitary paper 92 include tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, and kitchen paper. As used herein, the roll of sanitary paper 92 refers to a strip of sanitary paper 92 wound around an axis parallel to its transverse direction. A cylindrical core may be provided in the center part of the sanitary paper 92, or such a core may not be provided.

[0062] The body 10 has the main surface 12, a side surface 14, and a side surface 16. The main surface 12 is provided with the outlet forming portion 20. The constitution of the outlet forming portion 20 is as described in the first embodiment. The side surface 14 and the side surface 16 are a pair of side surfaces perpendicular to the central axis of the sanitary paper 92. As used herein, the central axis of the sanitary paper 92 refers to an imaginary axis that corresponds to the central axis of a column or cylinder when the roll of sanitary paper 92 is viewed as the column or cylinder.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the body 10 further includes a cutting blade 42, an insertion portion 44, and an insertion portion 46. The cutting blade 42 is a portion for cutting the sanitary paper 92 pulled out through the outlet. The cutting blade 42 is provided at a position apart from the outlet forming portion 20. Specifically, the cutting blade 42 is provided at the periphery of the main surface 12. The cutting blade 42 is formed integrally with a side surface 18 of the body 10 (see FIG. 9). The side surface 18 is a side surface orthogonal to the side surfaces 14 and the side surface 16. The cutting blade 42 protrudes above the main surface 12 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11).

[0064] The insertion portion 44 is a portion that is inserted into the gap in the center part of the sanitary paper 92. The insertion portion 44 is provided in the side surface 14 of the body 10 as shown in FIG. 10. The outer shape of the insertion portion 44 is polygonal. The outer shape of the insertion portion 44 is preferably a regular n-sided polygon (n is an integer of 5 or more). In the present embodiment, an example where n=8 is shown. The insertion portion 44 has cut lines 44a. The cut lines 44a are composed of a plurality of line segments connecting the center of the insertion portion 44 to each vertex thereof. The cut lines 44a are perforations. After cutting the side surface 14 along the cut lines 44a, tongue pieces (triangular parts with the bases at each side of the polygon) are folded toward the inside of the body 10 along the periphery (each side of the polygon) of the insertion portion 44, so that the insertion portion 44 (the plurality of tongue pieces) can be inserted into the center part of the sanitary paper 92. In this way, the insertion portion 44 is composed of a part of the side surface 14.

[0065] The insertion portion 46 is a portion that is inserted into the gap in the center part of the sanitary paper 92. The insertion portion 46 is provided in the side surface 16 of the body 10 as shown in FIG. 11. The outer shape of the insertion portion 46 is polygonal. The outer shape of the insertion portion 46 is preferably a regular n-sided polygon, similarly with the outer shape of the insertion portion 44. The insertion portion 46 has cut lines 46a. The cut lines 46a are composed of a plurality of line segments connecting the center of the insertion portion 46 to each vertex thereof. The cut lines 46a are perforations. After cutting the side surface 16 along the cut lines 46a, tongue pieces are folded toward the inside of the body 10 along the periphery of the insertion portion 46, so that the insertion portion 46 can be inserted into the center part of the sanitary paper 92. In this way, the insertion portion 46 is composed of a part of the side surface 16. Note that the insertion portion 44 and the insertion portion 46 are disposed at positions completely overlapping with each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the side surface 14 and the side surface 16. The entirety of the body 10 including the cutting blade 42, the insertion portion 44 and the insertion portion 46 is made of the same material. Other constitutions of the article housing box 2 are similar to the article housing box 1.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, an example of a method for using the article housing box 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the article housing box 2 when in use. Also, FIG. 13 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of an end face along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, the sanitary paper 92 is not shown. To use the article housing box 2, first, cuts are made in the outlet forming portion 20 along the cut lines 26. Next, each folding piece 22 is folded obliquely upward along each crease 24. Thus, the outlet 30 is formed in the portion surrounded by the plurality of folding pieces 22. Furthermore, cuts are made in the side surface 14 along the cut lines 44a of the insertion portion 44, and cuts are made in the side surface 16 along the cut lines 46a of the insertion portion 46. After that, the insertion portion 44 and the insertion portion 46 are folded toward the inside of the body 10 to be inserted into the center part of the sanitary paper 92.

[0067] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the sanitary paper 92 is pulled out from the body 10 by pulling one end of the sanitary paper 92. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the pulled-out sanitary paper 92 is cut by being pressed against the tip of the cutting blade 42. Thus, a cut piece of the sanitary paper 92 with a desired length can be obtained.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, an example of a method for manufacturing the article housing box 2 will be described. First, a sheet 50 of sufficient size is prepared, and the sheet 50 is cut into the shape shown in FIG. 15. In this example, the sheet 50 consists of a single piece of cardboard. The cut sheet 50 includes a part 12p that will become the main surface 12, a part 13p that will become the bottom surface (the surface opposite to the main surface 12) of the body 10, a part 14p that will become the side surface 14, a part 16p that will become the side surface 16, a part 18p that will become the side surface 18, and a part 19p that will become the remaining side surface (side surfaces other than the side surfaces 14, 16, 18) of the body 10. The outlet forming portion 20 is formed in the part 12p. Inserting parts 52 are connected to three sides of the part 12p. The insertion portion 44 is formed in the part 14p. Glue parts 54 are connected to two sides of the part 14p. The insertion portion 46 is formed in the part 16p. Glue parts 56 are connected to two sides of the part 16p. The cutting blade 42 is connected to the part 18p. Note that FIG. 15 shows the inner surface (the inner surface of the body 10) of each part 12p, 13p, 14p, 16p, 18p, 19p.

[0069] Next, the sheet 50 is folded into a valley shape along a fold F1 to a fold F8. The fold F1 is located at the boundary between the part 12p and the part 16p. The fold F2 is located at the boundary between the part 12p and each inserting part 52. The fold F3 is located at the boundary between the part 13p and the part 14p. The fold F4 is located at the boundary between the part 14p and each glue part 54. The fold F5 is located at the boundary between the part 13p and the part 16p. The fold F6 is located at the boundary between the part 16p and each glue part 56. The fold F7 is located at the boundary between the part 13p and the part 18p. Also, the fold F8 is located at the boundary between the part 13p and the part 19p.

[0070] Then, the glue parts 54 are glued to the inner surfaces of the part 18p and the part 19p, and the glue parts 56 are glued to the inner surfaces of the part 18p and the part 19p. After that, as shown in FIG. 16, the inserting parts 52 are inserted into the space surrounded by the part 13p, the part 14p, the part 16p, the part 18p and the part 19p so that the inserting parts 52 overlap with the inner surfaces of the part 14p, the part 18p and the part 19p. Accordingly, the article housing box 2 (the body 10) shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 is obtained. In this example, the body 10 is obtained from the single sheet 50 in this way. Note that the inserting parts 52 may or may not be glued to the inner surface of each part 14p, 18p, 19p. In the former case, it is necessary to dispose the sanitary paper 92 in the above-described space prior to gluing. In the latter case, the body 10 having the openable main surface 12 is obtained.

[0071] The effects of the article housing box 2 will be described. The article housing box 2 is provided with the plurality of folding pieces 22 that are folded obliquely upward from the main surface 12. Folding the plurality of folding pieces 22 generates the outlet 30 for the sanitary paper 92 in the outlet forming portion 20. At this time, the plurality of folding pieces 22 are folded along the plurality of creases 24, and each crease 24 is formed along the curve 20a. That is, each crease 24 is curved. In this case, unlike when folded along a straight crease, each folding piece 22 folded along the curved crease (crease 24) experiences the return force. For this reason, the folding angle of each folding piece 22 can be prevented from becoming too large. Accordingly, the article housing box 2 in which dust can be restrained from entering the body 10 through the outlet 30 is implemented.

[0072] The body 10 has the cutting blade 42. Thus, it becomes easier to neatly cut the sanitary paper 92 pulled out from the body 10, compared to a case where the sanitary paper 92 is cut by hand.

[0073] The cutting blade 42 is provided at a position apart from the outlet forming portion 20. In this case, after cutting, the sanitary paper 92 pulled out from the body 10 remains between the outlet forming portion 20 and the cutting blade 42. For this reason, there is an advantage that the sanitary paper 92 can be easily picked up the next time it is pulled out.

[0074] The cutting blade 42 is provided at the periphery of the main surface 12. In this case, by providing the cutting blade 42 consecutively to the side surface of the body 10, the body 10 having the cutting blade 42 can be realized with a simple configuration. In fact, in the article housing box 2, the cutting blade 42 is provided consecutively to the upper end of the side surface 18.

[0075] The body 10 has the insertion portions 44, 46. Thus, the central axis of the sanitary paper 92 becomes less likely to wobble. This is advantageous for stably pulling out the sanitary paper 92 from the body 10.

[0076] The insertion portion 44 is composed of a part of the side surface 14 of the body 10. Thus, the body 10 having the insertion portion 44 can be realized with a simple configuration. Similarly, the insertion portion 46 is composed of a part of the side surface 16 of the body 10. Thus, the body 10 having the insertion portion 46 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0077] In the case where the outer shape of each insertion portion 44, 46 is a regular n-sided polygon (n is an integer of 5 or more), the outer shape is a shape close to a circle. For this reason, it becomes easier to smoothly rotate the sanitary paper 92 in the state in which the insertion portions 44, 46 are inserted into the center part thereof.

[0078] The entirety of the body 10 including the cutting blade 42, the insertion portion 44 and the insertion portion 46 is made of the same material. This contributes to reducing the manufacturing costs of the article housing box 2. Other effects of the article housing box 2 are similar to the article housing box 1.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. In the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the plurality of folding pieces 22 are provided over the entirety of the area surrounded by the curve 20a. However, as shown, for example, in FIG. 17, the front end parts 22b of the plurality of folding pieces 22 may be apart from each other in a state in which the plurality of folding pieces 22 are unfolded. In FIG. 17, the cut lines 26 are formed along the front end part 22b and the side end parts 22c of each folding piece 22. The distance from the center of the circle drawn by the curve 20a to the apex (the part of the front end part 22b closest to the above-described center) of each folding piece 22 is, for example, between 10% and 20% inclusive of the radius of the circle.

[0080] When cuts are made in the outlet forming portion 20 along the cut lines 26, a part 20b of the outlet forming portion 20 is cut out from the main surface 12. The part 20b is the part surrounded by the front end parts 22b of the plurality of folding pieces 22. In this example, the front end part 22b of each folding piece 22 is rounded as shown in FIG. 18. In the case where the front end parts 22b of the plurality of folding pieces 22 are apart from each other in this way, a hole is generated at the trace of the cut-out part 20b after the cuts are made along the cut lines 26. Thus, the sanitary paper 92 becomes easier to pull out from the body 10. In addition, the sanitary paper 92 becomes less likely to be damaged during that process. Furthermore, because the front end part 22b of each folding piece 22 is rounded, the sanitary paper 92 is unlikely to get caught on the front end portion 22b. Thus, the sanitary paper 92 becomes easier to take out smoothly.

[0081] In the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the curve 20a draws a circle. However, the shape of the curve 20a is arbitrary, and the curve 20a may draw an ellipse as shown, for example, in FIG. 19. When the major axis of the ellipse drawn by the curve 20a is 1, the minor axis of the ellipse is, for example, between 0.7 and 0.9 inclusive.

[0082] In the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the entirety of the body 10 is made of a single material. However, the body 10 may be made of a plurality of materials. For example, it is conceivable to use plastic or metal as the material of the cutting blade 42, while using cardboard as the material of the remaining portions (portions other than the cutting blade 42) of the body 10. Alternatively, it is conceivable to use cardboard as the material of the main surface 12, while using another material as the material of the remaining portions (portions other than the main surface 12) of the body 10. Examples of other materials include cardboard, CNF (cellulose nanofiber), wood, plastic, and metal.

[0083] In the second embodiment, an example is given in which the outer shape of each insertion portion 44, 46 is an n-sided polygon (n is an integer of 5 or more). However, the outer shape of each insertion portion 44, 46 may be a triangle or a rectangle. In that case, while it becomes difficult for the sanitary paper 92 to rotate smoothly, it also becomes difficult for the sanitary paper 92 to rotate in the reverse direction. For this reason, there is an advantage that the sanitary paper 92 pulled out from the body 10 is unlikely to return backwards.

[0084] In the second embodiment, an example is given in which the body 10 is provided with both the insertion portion 44 and the insertion portion 46. However, the body 10 may be provided with only either one of the insertion portion 44 or the insertion portion 46. Alternatively, the body 10 may not be provided with either the insertion portion 44 or the insertion portion 46.

[0085] In the second embodiment, an example is given in which the cutting blade 42 protrudes above the main surface 12. However, the cutting blade 42 may protrude to the side of the main surface 12 as shown, for example, in FIG. 20. In that case, the cutting blade 42 can be formed integrally with the main surface 12.

[0086] In the second embodiment, an example is given in which only one roll of sanitary paper 92 is housed in the body 10. However, a plurality of the rolls of sanitary paper 92 may be housed in the body 10 as shown, for example, in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of an end face along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21. In this example, two rolls of sanitary paper 92 are housed in the body 10. A partition portion 10a is provided in the body 10 so as to separate the two rolls of sanitary paper 92. The main surface 12 has a plurality of the outlet forming portions 20 that correspond to the plurality of rolls of sanitary paper 92. That is, an outlet for one roll of sanitary paper 92 is formed in one outlet forming portion 20, and another outlet for the other roll of sanitary paper 92 is formed in the other outlet forming portion 20.

[0087] In the case where the plurality of rolls of sanitary paper 92 are housed in the body 10 in this way, convenience for users is enhanced. For example, if different types of rolls of sanitary paper 92 are housed in the body 10, users can selectively take out the appropriate sanitary paper 92 from the body 10 depending on the application. Moreover, by providing the plurality of outlet forming portions 20 corresponding to the plurality of rolls of sanitary paper 92, the plurality of rolls of sanitary paper 92 can be taken out through separate outlets. Thus, the plurality of rolls of sanitary paper 92 are prevented from interfering with each other, and each roll of sanitary paper 92 can be taken out smoothly.

[0088] In the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the cut lines 26 are perforations. That is, the cut lines 26 are configured so that cuts are made along the cut lines 26 only when force is applied to both sides of each cut line 26. However, cuts may be made in advance along the cut lines 26. The same shall apply to each cut line 44a, 46a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0089] 1 Article Housing Box [0090] 2 Article Housing Box [0091] 10 Body [0092] 10a Partition Portion [0093] 12 Main Surface [0094] 14 Side Surface [0095] 16 Side Surface [0096] 18 Side Surface [0097] 20 Outlet Forming Portion [0098] 20a Curve [0099] 20b Part [0100] 22 Folding Piece [0101] 22a Rear End Part [0102] 22b Frond End Part [0103] 22c Side End Part [0104] 24 Crease [0105] 26 Cut Line [0106] 30 Outlet [0107] 42 Cutting Blade [0108] 44 Insertion Portion [0109] 44a Cut Line [0110] 46 Insertion Portion [0111] 46a Cut Line [0112] 50 Sheet [0113] 52 Inserting Part [0114] 54 Glue Part [0115] 56 Glue Part [0116] 90 Article [0117] 92 Sanitary Paper