Receptacle

Abstract

A receptacle includes a box member having an opening, a guide rail extending along the opening, a flexible sliding lid sliding in the guide rail, a housing portion provided at an end of the box member for storing the sliding lid, and a drive device provided at the end of the housing portion for opening or closing the sliding lid. When the sliding lid is opened or closed, the sliding lid is pulled in a traveling direction of the sliding lid, and the sliding lid can be opened smoothly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A receptacle comprising: 
 a box member having an opening,    a guide rail extending along the opening of the box member,    a sliding lid slidably situated in the guide rail for opening and closing the opening of the box member,    a housing portion provided at one end of the box member for storing the sliding lid, and    drive means attached to the sliding lid for moving the same in an opening or closing direction.    
     
     
         2 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive means includes an arm having an end engaging the sliding lid and a torsion spring for urging the arm to move in the opening or closing direction.  
     
     
         3 . A receptacle according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive means further includes a damper for controlling a moving speed of the sliding lid.  
     
     
         4 . A receptacle according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive means is disposed at an end of the box member close to the housing.  
     
     
         5 . A receptacle according to  claim 4 , wherein said housing portion has a curved shape so that the sliding lid is stored therein in a curved state.  
     
     
         6 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , further comprising locking means disposed at one end of the box member for locking the sliding lid in a closed or open position.