US20040116046A1

US20040116046A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: US20040116046A1
Application number: US10/613,977
Authority: US
Inventors: Masami Miyawaki; Akiko Tange; Kaori Yuasa
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2002-07-09
Filing date: 2003-07-03
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: EP1380519A1; TW200400903A; TW590961B; KR20040005643A; JP2004042913A; CN1470437A; SG106693A1; JP3999588B2

Abstract

A container is adapted to taste of nursling with containing tissue papers or the like, and adapted to age of the nursling. The container is formed with a container body defining a receptacle portion receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge thereof, and a lid body engaged with the opening upper edge of the container in a condition closing the opening upper edge of the container. A toy member is attached to at least one of the container body and the lid body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

The present application has been filed with claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-199429, filed on Jul. 9, 2002. Disclosure of the above-identified Japanese Patent Application is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container for storing wet tissue paper, dry tissue paper, disposable diaper or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a container adapted for babies to young children.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wet tissue paper is frequently used for wiping hip upon changing diaper for nursling, and for cleaning hand or mouth of young children. Wet tissue papers are stored within a pillow shaped package formed from flexible sheet. By peeling off a closure seal of the pillow shaped package, tissue papers are pulled out one by one. In the alternative, the pillow shaped package is stored in a plastic container and tissue papers in the pillow shaped package are pulled out one by one through a dispensing opening of the container.

Here, the word “nursling” is used throughout the disclosure and claims to represent low age children younger than about two years old.

However, while the conventional containers have provided measure for facilitating placement of tissue papers and taking out tissue papers, they have not adapted external design to taste of nursling. Therefore, upon changing diaper and wiping hip thereafter, for example, it is a practical manner in changing diaper to hush nursling providing toys or playing tools.

On the other hand, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-156644, there has been disclosed a container for wet tissue paper which provides enjoyable appearance. In this invention, an upper surface of an empty can is removed to receive a container body housing therein wet tissue papers for permitting pulling out of wet tissue papers one by one. The empty can may be exchanged to favorite empty can. By using empty can for forming external appearance as container of wet tissue papers, the appearance can be adapted to taste of individual.

However, the foregoing invention is adapted to taste of adult and not always adapted to taste of nurslings. Also, since the empty can is used, it is feared if the nurslings can get injured by a cut edge of the can when the nurslings handle the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been worked out in view of the shortcoming of the prior art set forth above. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container adapted to taste of nursling with containing tissue papers or the like, and adapted to age of the nursling.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container comprises a container body defining a receptacle portion receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge thereof, and a lid body engaged with the opening upper edge of the container in a condition closing the opening upper edge of the container,

a toy member attached to at least one of the container body and the lid body.

In such container, since the toy member is attached to outside of the container body, a nursling may be entertained with the container upon changing diaper for the nursling, or upon cleaning hand or mouth, with taking out the content.

For example, a hole is formed in the container body, and the toy member is secured on a connecting member extending from the hole.

This type of container is adapted to taste of nursling of 6 to 11 months of age. Such age in month of nursling may play with the toy member projecting from the container during changing of diaper.

In this case, it is preferred that two holes are formed in the container body, the connecting member extends from one of the two holes to the other of the two holes across the receptacle portion, and two toy members are secured on respective ends of the connecting member extending from respective of two holes.

With such construction, when the nursling pulls out one toy member projecting from the container, the other toy member is pulled toward the container to attract further interest of the nursling.

Preferably, the hole is provided at a position above the receptacle portion and above the content received in the receptacle portion.

With such construction, the connecting member located within the container body does not interfere with placement or removal of the content into or from the receptacle portion.

In the alternative, the toy member may be a sliding member slidably provided on an outer surface of at least one of the container body and the lid body.

In this case, a pair of rail portions are provided on the outer surface in parallel relationship with each other, and the sliding member is located between a pair of the rail portions and slidably mounted along the rail portions.

Preferably, the outer surface is drawn pictures, and the sliding member is movable in front of the pictures.

Such type of container is adapted to taste of the nursling of 12 to 17 months of age.

In the further alternative, the toy member may be a handle member mounted on the container body.

This type of container is adapted to taste of the nursling of 18 to 23 months of age.

In this case, both ends of the handle member may be pivotably connected to the container body.

In the preferred construction, a dispensing opening for taking out the content is formed in an upper surface of the lid body, a small lid flap is provided on the upper surface of the lid body for opening and closing the dispensing opening, and the handle member is positioned not interfering with the small lid flap in open position, when the handle member is pivoted to a position above the lid body.

When the handle member is provided sufficient length, it permits to take out the content, such as tissue paper through the dispensing opening by opening the small lid flap in the condition where the container is hanged with gripping the handle member.

The content may be wet tissue paper, dry tissue paper or the like. In the alternative, the content may be disposable diaper for nursling, trash bag or other goods for nursling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. [0030]
In the drawings: [0031]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a container according to the present invention; [0032]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of only container body of FIG. 1; [0033]
FIG. 3 is a front elevation as viewed in a direction of arrow III of FIG. 1; [0034]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of a container according to the present invention, orienting a bottom plate frontwardly; [0035]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a container according to the present invention; [0036]
FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the container of FIG. 5 in a condition where a handle member and a small lid flap are erected; and [0037]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of container, for which the present invention is applicable.[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of the preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the present invention. [0039]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a container according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of only container body of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front elevation as viewed in a direction of arrow III of FIG. 1. [0040]
As shown in FIG. 1, a [0041] container 1 is constructed with a combination of a container body 2 and a lid body 3. In the shown embodiment, a content of the container body 2 is wet tissue papers 20 used for wiping hip upon changing diaper of nursling, for cleaning hand or mouth and so forth.
The [0042] wet tissue papers 20 are prepared by impregnating water, alcohol and so forth into sheet form substrate, such as paper, non-woven fabric or the like. A stack, in which a plurality of wet tissue papers 20 are stacked, is typically received within a pillow shaped package. In the container 1, the pillow shaped package is received.
The [0043] container body 2 and the lid body 3 are formed of plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and so forth. As shown in FIG. 1, on an upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3, a small lid flap 13 which can be opened and closed, is provided. A base portion of the small lid flap 13 is connected to the lid body 3 via a pivot shaft. In the alternative, the small lid flap 13 is formed of a resin integrally with the lid body 3, in which the lid body 3 and the small lid flap 13 are hinged at a boundary portion which is formed from thin resin strip.
In the [0044] upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3, a recessed portion 3 b of complementary shape to the small lid flap 13 and having a corresponding depth with a thickness of the small lid flap 13, is formed. At substantially center portion of the recessed portion 3 b, a dispensing opening 21 for taking out wet tissue paper is opened. While the container 1 is not used, the small lid flap 13 is engaged with the recessed portion 3 b to cover the dispensing opening 21. On the upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3, a smaller recessed portion 3 c continuous with the recessed portion 3 b is formed. By inserting finger into the smaller recessed portion 3 c, the small lid flap 13 can be lifted to open the dispensing opening 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, the [0045] container body 2 is formed with a bottom plate 4, four side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 surrounding the bottom plate 4. The bottom plate 4 and the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 are formed integrally. A space surrounded by inner surfaces 5 a, 6 a, 7 a and 8 a of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 and an inner surface 4 a of the bottom plate 4, serves as a receptacle portion 9. A portion surrounded by upper edge portions of the inner surfaces 5 a, 6 a, 7 a and 8 a is an opening portion 11.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the [0046] side plate 6 located at the front side of the container body 2, two holes 10 and 10 a extending through the inner surface 6 a and an outer surface 6 b are provided. On the other hand, in the side plate 7 located at the back side in opposition to the side plate 6 on the front side, two holes 12 and 12 a are formed therethrough. The hole 10 provided on left side of the side plate 6 on the front side and the hole 12 provided on left side of the side plate 7 on the back side are located at the same positions in the side plates 6 and 7. Similarly, the hole 10 a provided on right side of the side plate 6 and the hole 12 a provided on right side of the side plate 7 are located at the same positions in the side plates 6 and 7.
Through the [0047] right side hole 10 a provided in the side plate 6 on the front side and the right side hole 12 a in the side plate 7 on the back side across the receptacle portion 9, a connecting member 14 is extended. On both end portions of the connecting member 14, toy members 15 and 16 are secured. Similarly, through the left side hole 10 provided in the side plate 6 on the front side and the left side hole 12 in the side plate 7 on the back side across the receptacle portion 9, a connecting member 17 is extended. On both end portions of the connecting member 17, toy members 18 and 19 are secured.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the [0048] container 1, from the holes 10 a and 12 a located immediately below the lid body 3, part of the connecting member 14 and the toy members 15 and 16 are projected. Similarly, from the holes 10 and 12 located immediately below the lid body 3, part of the connecting member 17 and the toy members 18 and 19 are projected.
The connecting [0049] members 14 and 17 are cords fabricated by twisting resin fibers or cords fabricated by twisting natural fibers. In the alternative, the connecting members 14 and 17 may be expandable cord, such as elastic cord. It is preferred that section of the connecting members 14 and 17 may be circular or elliptic shape so that the connecting members 14 and 17 may be smoothly moved through respective holes.
The connecting [0050] members 14 and 17 have a length longer than a dimension between the outer surface 6 b of the side plate 6 and an outer surface 7 b of the side plate 7. By this, parts of the connecting members 14 and 17 are extended from respective holes 10, 10 a, 12 and 12 a. The toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are arranged at positions away from the outer surfaces 6 b and 7 b of the side plates 6 and 7 for facilitating playing.
The [0051] toy member 15 is a ring shape, the toy member 18 is a glove shape, and the toy members 16 and 19 are ball shape. The shapes of the toy members are not limited to the shown shapes but can be any shapes.
On the other hand, as the [0052] toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19, one having hollow space and receiving a large number of granular bodies therein so as to generate a sound as shaken, may be secured on the connecting members 14 and 17. These toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are required to be formed of resin which is safe as licked or bitten by nursling.
In consideration of security of nurslings, the [0053] toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferred to eliminate sharp corners or linear portions and have rounded shape as a whole. Similarly, the container body 2 and the lid body 3 should have no sharp corner portion and have rounded external shapes.
Sizes of the [0054] toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferred to be put into a mouth of the nursling. For this reason, the toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 are preferably of size in a range of about 15 mm to 55 mm at the maximum.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, within the [0055] receptacle portion 9 of the container body 2, a pillow shaped package 23 is received. The pillow shaped package 23 is formed from soft packaging material, such as resin film or a laminated member of the resin film and aluminum foil, wraps a stack 25 of wet tissue papers 20 and is formed longitudinal direction seal and lateral direction seal for forming a packaging bag 24. On an upper surface of the packaging bag 24, an elliptic dispensing opening (not shown) is opened, for example. Before opening the package, the dispensing opening is covered with a seal strip. With peeling off the seal strip, the pillow shaped package 23 is placed within the receptacle portion 9. Then, the lid body 3 is engaged in the opening portion 11. In this condition, wet tissue papers 20 can be taken out one by one through the dispensing opening 21 of the lid body 3 through the dispensing opening of the pillow shaped package 23.
As shown in FIG. 2, since the connecting [0056] members 14 and 17 extend across the receptacle portion 9 of the container body 2, it is possible that the connecting members 14 and 17 serve to interfere with placement of the pillow shaped package 23 within the receptacle portion 9, or the connecting members 14 and 17 are buried under the pillow shaped package 23 within the receptacle portion 9. Therefore, it is preferred to form the holes 10, 10 a, 12 and 12 a at positions higher than (on the side of the lid body 3) an upper surface 23 a of the pillow shaped package 23 received within the receptacle portion 9. When the holes are provided at this position, the pillow shaped package 23 can be placed within the receptacle portion 9 without being interfered by the connecting members 14 and 17 only getting around the connecting members 14 and 17 extending across the receptacle portion 9 upon placement of the pillow shaped package 23 within the receptacle portion 9. Therefore, the connecting members 14 and 17 may not be buried below the pillow shaped package 23.
On the other hand, when a minimum distance W[0057] 1 between the holes 10 and 10 a formed in the side plate 6 and a minimum distance W1 between the holes 12 and 12 a in the side plate 7 are greater than or equal to 70% relative to a maximum distance W2 of the pillow shaped package 23, the pillow shaped package 23 can be placed within the receptacle portion 9 without being interfered by the connecting members 14 and 17.
The [0058] container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is targeted to the nursling of 6 to 11 months of age, for example. Upon using the wet tissue paper for wiping the baby's hip in changing diaper for the nursling, for example, by placing the container 1 close to the nursling, the nursling may be interested in the toy members 15, 16, 18 and 19 projecting from the container 1 to suck, shake or pull the toy members. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, by frontwardly pulling the toy member 15 projecting outwardly from the outer surface 6 b of the side plate 6 on the front side, the toy member 16 outwardly projecting from the outer surface 7 b of the side plate 7 on the back side is moved toward the outer surface 7 b. Therefore, the nursling may play by pulling the toy member. Also, by generating a sound when the nursling pulls or shakes the toy member, the nursling may be particularly interested. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to provide other toy to entertain the nursling during wiping hip.
It should be noted that while the embodiment of FIG. 1 is directed to the connecting [0059] members 14 and 17 extending through the holes 10 and 10 a formed in the side plate 6 on the front side and the holes 12 and 12 a formed in the side plate 7 on the back side across the receptacle portion, it is possible to separate the connecting members 14 and 17 to be extended from respective holes, insert respective of separated connecting members 14 and 17 through the holes 10, 10 a, 12 and 12 a and form knots on the connecting members 14 and 17 at the position inside of the inner surfaces for restricting movement of the connecting members 14 and 17 so as not to be pulled out from the holes.
On the other hand, the holes may be provided in the [0060] side plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on right side of the container body 2. In the alternative, the holes may be formed in all of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 to select one or more holes to outwardly project the toy members therefrom. In the further alternative, the connecting members may be projected from both of the container body 2 and the lid body 3. It is also possible to project the connecting member only from the lid body 3.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment of a container according to the present invention, orienting the bottom surface side of the container frontwardly. It should be noted that among respective portions of a [0061] container 1A, like portions to those in the container 1 will be identified by like reference numerals, and detailed description of such common elements will be eliminated from the following disclosure in order to avoid redundant disclosure for simplification and facilitating clear understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, on an [0062] outer surface 4 b of the bottom plate 4 of the container body 2, rail portions 36 and 37 are projectingly formed. These rail portions 36 and 37 may be formed integrally with the container body 2 by resin. In the alternative, the rail portions 36 and 37 may be secured on the outer surface 4 b. One rail portion 36 is located in the vicinity of the side plate 6, and the other rail portion 37 is located in the vicinity of the side plate 7. Respective rail portions 36 and 37 extend along the side plates 6 and 7 with maintaining parallelism with each other.
On opposing [0063] surfaces 36 a and 37 a of the rail portions 36 and 37, recessed sliding portions 36 b and 37 b are extended in longitudinal direction (X direction as shown) of the rail portions 36 and 37.
Between the [0064] rail portions 36 and 37, a sliding member 38 as toy member is provided. Sliding end portions 38 a and 38 bof the sliding member 38 are slidably received with the recessed sliding portions 36 b and 37 b so that the sliding member 38 may be slidingly moved in X direction along the rail portions 36 and 37.
On the [0065] outer surface 4 b of the bottom plate 4 of the container body 2, graphic image, such as comic characters or the like is drawn or painted. In the condition shown in FIG. 4, a picture of “boy” drawn at the center portion of the outer surface 4 b (shown by broken line) is hidden by the sliding member 38 located at the center portion in sliding direction (i.e., X direction). When the sliding member 38 is slid toward left in the drawing, the picture of “boy” appears. Then, pictures of “bear” and “rabbit” drawn on left side of the outer surface 4 b are hidden by the sliding member 38. On the other hand, when the sliding member 38 is slid toward right in the drawing, a picture of “rabbit” drawn on right side of the outer surface 4 b is hidden by the sliding member 38.
The sliding [0066] member 38 may be constructed to slide by own weight when the container 1 is tilted. This can be achieved by engaging both sliding end portions 38 a and 38 b of the sliding member 38 and the recessed sliding portions 36 b and 37 b of the rail portions 36 and 37 with gaps.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sliding [0067] member 38 as the toy member and the rail portions 36 and 37 are provided on the outer surface 4 b of the bottom plate 4. The sliding member 38 and the rail portions 36 and 37 may be provided at least one outer surface of the side plates 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the container body 2 and also be provided on both of the outer surface of the side plate and the outer surface of the lid body 3.
When the sliding member and the rail portions are provided on the outer surface of the [0068] side plate 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the container body 2, it becomes necessary to provide the rail portions at positions not to cause interference with the lid body 3 as engaged with the container body 2. Accordingly, by providing the sliding member and the rail portions on the outer surface 4 b of the bottom plate 4 of the container body 2, area of the sliding member 38 and the sliding stroke can be wide.
On the other hand, the sliding [0069] member 38 preferably occupies about 40 to 60% of the area of the outer surface 4 b, on which the sliding member 38 is provided. If the occupied area of the sliding member 38 exceeds 60%, the picture to be uncovered may be partly concealed to make it impossible to make the whole picture visible, or the picture to be uncovered when the sliding member is slid have to be made smaller. In such case, it is possible that the nursling may not recognize the picture to lose interest.
On the other hand, if the area of the sliding [0070] member 38 is less than 40% of the area of the outer surface 4 b, portion to be hidden by the sliding member 38 becomes too narrow to lower visual effect of covering and uncovering the picture.
On the other hand, it is possible to generate a sound by abutting of the sliding [0071] member 38 and both end portions 37 c of the recessed sliding portion 37 b formed in at least one of the rail portions 36 and 37 when the sliding member 38 is slid either stroke end, to attract interest of the nursling. In order to effectively generate the sound, a left side end portion 38 c and a right side end portion 38 d of the sliding member 38 and both end portions 37 c of the recessed sliding portion 37 b are formed in parallel, and the left side end portion 38c and the right side end portion 38 d of the sliding member 38 and both end portions 37 c of the recessed sliding portion 37 b are opposed and a butted. Generation of sound can also be realized by forming the sliding member 38 of a material having relatively greater mass weight and hardness in comparison with the material of the rail portions 36 and 37.
It should be noted that the sliding [0072] member 38 is required to be formed of a material which is safe even when nursling licks the same.
In the alternative, it is possible to form a recessed portion in each of the sliding [0073] end portions 38 a and 38 b of the sliding member 38 and to form a projecting ridge portion to engage with the recessed portion on each of the opposing surfaces 36 a and 37 a of the rail portions 36 and 37 mating with the sliding end portions of the sliding members. Even with such construction, the sliding member 38 can be slid along the rail portions.
The [0074] container 1A shown in FIG. 4 may be adapted to be used for wiping hip upon changing diaper, cleaning hand or mouth for nursling of 12 to 17 months of age, for example. The nursling of such month age is interested in moving an article and also interested in variation of pictures. On the other hand, by sliding the sliding member 38, pictures of “child”, “animal” or the like can be covered and uncovered to attract interest of the nursling. On the other hand, in case of one slidingly moving the sliding member 38 by own weight, the sliding member 38 can be moved only by shaking the container 1A by hand to further attract interest of the nursling.
Therefore, during wiping hip, it becomes unnecessary to provide other playing toy to entertain the nursling only by placing the [0075] container 1A close to the nursling. Furthermore, since the container 1A has movement, the nursling may not hate to be cleaned hand or mouth by adult with tissue paper.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a container according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the container of FIG. 5 in a condition where a handle member and a small lid flap are erected. [0076]
In a [0077] container 1B, respective holes 40 and 41 extending from outer surfaces 5 b and 8 b to the inner surfaces 5 a and 8 a of the side plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on right side of the container body 2, are formed. The holes 40 and 41 are respectively formed at the centers in lateral direction (Y direction in the drawings) of the side plate 5 on left side and the side plate 8 on the right side, and are formed at upwardly inclined positions of the side plate 5 and the side plate 8. The holes 40 and 41 are formed at the same position in the side plates 5 and 8.
In the [0078] holes 40 and 41 of the container body 2, a pivotable handle member 42 is mounted as one example of the toy member. A left side end portion 42 a of the handle member 42 is inserted through the hole 40 formed in the side plate 5. A retainer member 43 is engaged with the left side end portion 42 a on the inner surface 5 a of the side plate 5. On the other hand, a right side end portion 42 b of the handle member 42 is inserted through the hole 41 formed in the side plate 8. A retainer member 43 is engaged with the right side end portion 42 b on the inner surface 8 a of the side plate 8. By this, the handle member 42 is pivotably engaged with the side plates 5 and 8 without causing loosing out.
The [0079] retainer members 43 are formed of the same material as the handle member 42, for example. The retainer members 43 and the handle member 42 may be bonded by an adhesive. Material of the handle member 42 may be those ensuring safety even when the nursling licks or places in a mouth.
The [0080] handle member 42 is pivotable from a position fallen on the side of the side plate 6 of the container body 2 to a position fallen on the side of the side plate 7. Upon placing the pillow shaped package 23 in the receptacle portion 9 or changing the pillow shaped package to new one, the lid body 3 can be removed from the container body 2 by falling down the handle member 42 either on the outer side of the side plate 6 or on the outer side of the side plate 7.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the [0081] handle member 42 is placed in vertically raised position with respect to the upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3, a height T1 from the upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3 to a lower edge 42 c of the handle member 42 is greater than a height T2 of the small lid flap 13 as opened. With such construction, when the small lid flap 13 is upwardly opened from the upper surface 3 a of the lid body 3 in the condition where the handle member 42 is placed in raised position, the small lid flap 13 may not contact with the handle member 42. Therefore, in the raised condition of the handle member 42, the individual tissue papers 20 in the container 1B can be taken out.
On the other hand, [0082] bent portions 42 d of the handle member 42 are preferably rounded. By rounding the bent portions 42 d, the nursling may not be injured even upon contacting with the bent portion 42 d.
The [0083] container 1B shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is adapted for the nursling of 18 to 23 months of age, for example. The nursling in such age may play simulated shopping with hanging the container 1B gripping the handle member 42 by hand.
Accordingly, upon wiping hip in changing diaper or upon cleaning hand or mouth at a table, the nursling may positively hand-carry the [0084] container 1B with gripping the handle member 42 and become willing to be cleaned by wet tissue paper.
While three embodiments are discussed hereinabove, the containers in these embodiments are respectively adapted to nurslings of different ages in month. These embodiments may be further modified adapting to ages in month of the nurslings. [0085]
The [0086] container 1 shown in FIG. 1 maybe used for the nursling of 6 to 11 months of age, for example. Since babies of low age in month have a tendency to put the article being right in front of them into their mouth or lick the article rather than moving the article. When the toy member is projecting from the container, the baby may be attracted interest to put the toy into the mouth or to lick the toy. Also, when the toy member generating sound, such as rattling sound, is used as toy to be moved in hand, the baby may have further interest. Furthermore, it is possible to attach a character toy on the container 1 as the toy member or to attach a toy like a tumble doll to the container 1 as the toy member.
The [0087] container 1A shown in FIG. 4 is adapted to the nursling of 12 to 17 months of age. The nurslings of such age in month have a tendency to be interested in moving the article by themselves. As an alternative of the foregoing embodiment, it is possible to embed a musical box in the lid body 3 or the container body 2 and to project a handle portion for rousing to operate the musical box outwardly from the outer surface of the lid body 3 or the container body 2. In such a case, the nursling may be interested in generating sound by rotating the handle portion. In the further alternative, a telephone receiver, a dial button and so forth may be attached on the outer surface of the container for simulating a telephone machine. In still further alternative, a mirror may be attached on the outer surface of the container to make the nursling to be interested in own existence.
The container shown in FIG. 5 is adapted to the nursling of 18 to 23 months of age. Since the nursling of such age in month can walk in stand-up condition, it becomes possible to make the nursling to carry the container by providing the [0088] handle member 42 as shown in FIG. 5. In the alternative, it is possible to form the container in a form of ride-on, such as automobile, ship or the like. In the further alternative, the container may be formed to permit playing quoits. In the yet further alternative, a magnet board or a white board may be attached on the container to permit playing painting. In the still further alternative, it is possible to attach musical instrument, such as xylophone or the like on the container.
Upon marketing the container of the present invention, by indication as “for ∘ months of age to Δ months of age”, consumers may purchase the product adapted to own child. It is also possible to market the containers adapted to nurslings of different month of age as a set. [0089]
While the containers illustrated in FIGS. [0090] 1 to 6 are substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the present invention is applicable for any shape of container. For instance, the present invention is applicable for a container 51 having a cylindrical side wall 50, as shown in FIG. 7.
Furthermore, while the content received within the container body shown in FIGS. [0091] 1 to 7 is tissue papers, such as wet tissue papers, the content in the container is not limited to the tissue papers as shown but can be disposable diaper in folded form or other goods for nursling, for example.
As set forth above, with the container according to the present invention, it becomes possible to entertain the nursling during changing of diaper or wiping of hip, thereby to make it unnecessary to provide toy or the like to make changing of diaper or wiping of hip smooth. [0092]
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the fore going and various other changes, omission and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiment set out above but to include all possible embodiments which can be embodied within a scope encompassed and equivalent thereof with respect to the feature set out in the appended claims. [0093]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a container body defining a receptacle portion receiving therein a content and opening at an upper edge thereof, and a lid body engaged with said opening upper edge of said container in a condition closing said opening upper edge of said container,

a toy member attached to at least one of said container body and said lid body.

2. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein a hole is formed in said container body, and said toy member is secured on a connecting member extending from said hole.

3. The container as set forth in claim 2, wherein two holes are formed in said container body, said connecting member extends from one of said two holes to the other of said two holes across said receptacle portion, and two toy members are secured on respective ends of said connecting member extending from respective of two holes.

4. The container as set forth in claim 2 or 3, wherein said hole is provided at a position above said receptacle portion and above said content received in said receptacle portion.

5. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said toy member is a sliding member slidably provided on an outer surface of at least one of said container body and said lid body.

6. The container as set forth in claim 5, wherein a pair of rail portions are provided on said outer surface in parallel relationship with each other, and said sliding member is located between a pair of said rail portions and slidably mounted along said rail portions.

7. The container as set forth in claim 6, wherein said outer surface is drawn pictures, and said sliding member is movable in front of said pictures.

8. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said toy member is a handle member mounted on said container body.

9. The container as set forth in claim 8, wherein both ends of said handle member are pivotably connected to said container body.

10. The container as set forth in claim 8 or 9, wherein a dispensing opening for taking out said content is formed in an upper surface of said lid body, a small lid flap is provided on the upper surface of said lid body for opening and closing said dispensing opening, and said handle member is positioned not interfering with said small lid flap in open position, when said handle member is pivoted to a position above said lid body.

11. The container as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 9, wherein said content is a tissue paper.