Filling packaging machine, content filling container, and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a filling packaging machine that does not cause a seal failure between a sealing tape and the inner surface of a tube-shaped packaging material at a horizontal seal part based on ultrasonic seal. [Solution] A filling packaging machine 10 is provided with a tape affixing device 13, a vertical seal device 15, and a horizontal seal device 17. The tape affixing device affixes a required width portion of a sealing tape to one end edge part of one side of a web-shaped packaging material W so that a first end edge S11 positioned on an overlap part side of a tube-shaped packaging material T when seen from an inner step T11 of an overlap part T1 among both end edges of the sealing tape S and an outer step T12 of the overlap part are arranged to be deviated from each other when seen from a thickness direction of the tube-shaped packaging material.

Description

Filling and packaging machine, content filling container, and method for manufacturing the same

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a content-filled container by filling a container formed from a web-like packaging material mainly composed of paper with the contents of a liquid food or beverage, a content-filled container manufactured by this method, and a filling and packaging machine used in this method.

[0002] For example, a filling and packaging machine is known for manufacturing a container for liquid foods, beverages, etc., by filling and packaging a web-shaped packaging material, which is made by laminating a sealant layer made of thermoplastic resin on both sides of a base layer made of paper or the like, with contents such as liquid foods and beverages. The filling and packaging machine (10) includes a rewinder (11) that supports a roll of web-shaped packaging material (W), a rewinding device (12) that sequentially unwinds the web-shaped packaging material (W) from the rewinder (11), a tape application device (13) that applies a sealing tape (S) made of thermoplastic resin to one end edge of one side of the unwinded web-shaped packaging material (W) so that a portion of its width protrudes, a sterilization tank (14) that sterilizes the web-shaped packaging material (W) by immersing it in a sterilizing solution such as hydrogen peroxide, and a machine that forms a tubular packaging material (T) by overlapping both ends of the web-shaped packaging material (W) by a predetermined width and sealing them vertically, and the step inside the overlapping part (web-shaped The device includes a vertical sealing device (15) that attaches the excess portion of sealing tape (S) to the inner surface of a tubular packaging material (T) so as to cover one end surface of the packaging material; a content filling device (16) that fills the tubular packaging material (T) with liquid contents using a filling tube (16a) inserted into the tubular packaging material (T) from above; a horizontal sealing device (17) that horizontally seals the tubular packaging material (T) filled with contents in lengths corresponding to one container and cuts it in the middle of the width of the horizontal seal to form an intermediate pillow-shaped content filling container (C1); and a container finishing device (18) that molds the above container (C1) into a finished rectangular parallelepiped-shaped content filling container (C2).

[0003] The tape affixing device (13) includes a tape reel (131) around which a sealing tape (S) is wound in a roll, a tape rewinding device (132) for sequentially rewinding the sealing tape (S) from the tape reel (131), a heater (133) for preheating one end edge portion of one side of a web-like packaging material (W) to which the sealing tape (S) is to be affixed, and a pair of pressure rollers (134) for crimping and sealing the sealing tape (S) to one end edge portion of one side of the web-like packaging material (W).

[0004] The longitudinal seal device (15) includes a heater (151) for preheating both end edge portions of the web-like packaging material (W) and the sealing tape (S) in an intermediate process in which the web-like packaging material (W) is formed into a tube shape by a forming roll (not shown), and a pair of pressure rollers (152) for crimping and sealing both end edge portions of the overlapped web-like packaging material (W) and the sealing tape (S).

[0005] Known transverse sealing devices (17) include heat sealing, high-frequency sealing, and ultrasonic sealing types. As shown in Figure 17, in the case of an ultrasonic sealing type transverse sealing device (17), an ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B) are provided that are arranged to open and close while sandwiching a tubular packaging material (T). The ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B) have opposing sealing surfaces (171) and (172) that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material (T). Although not shown in the figure, the ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B) are also provided with molding flaps that pre-form the tubular packaging material (T) into a predetermined container shape (for example, a square cross-section) by sandwiching it from both sides. During lateral sealing, the tubular packaging material (T) is locally clamped and deformed at a predetermined height position by the sealing surfaces (171) and (172) of the ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B) with a predetermined pressure. With the two flattened portions of the packaging material (T) pressed together, an ultrasonic oscillator (not shown) is activated, causing the inner surfaces of the two pressed portions of the packaging material (T) to fuse together, and the sealing tape (S) to fuse to the inner surface of the packaging material (T) portion opposite the overlap portion. At this time, both ends of the sealing tape (S) are also fused to the inner surface of the packaging material (T) portion, thereby achieving excellent sealing performance. Here, the overlap portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T) is made of three layers, compared to the other portions (T2) which are made of two layers, and is therefore thicker. As a result, steps were created on both the inner and outer sides between the overlapping portion (T1) and the other portion (T2). These steps caused uneven distribution of pressure from the sealing surfaces (171) and (172) of the ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B), potentially leading to sealing failure.

[0006] Therefore, in order to make the distribution of applied pressure during lateral sealing uniform and suppress the occurrence of sealing defects, a lateral sealing device has been proposed in which, for example, an absorption section is formed on the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) to absorb the steps (T11) (T12) that occur between the overlapping portion (T1) and the other portion (T2) of the tubular packaging material (T) (see Patent Document 1 below). The absorption section of the above lateral sealing device consists of, for example, a recessed groove (173) with an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section formed in the center of the length of the sealing surface (172) so as to traverse the sealing surface (172). The recessed groove (173) is designed so that the inner step (T11) and outer step (T12) of the overlapping portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T) are located on the inclined surfaces (173a) on both sides thereof.

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-18924

[0008] However, when the tubular packaging material (T) is locally clamped by the sealing surfaces (171) and (172) of the ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B), the tubular packaging material (T) may rotate from its proper position or shift in the longitudinal direction of the sealing surfaces (171) and (172). As a result, the steps (T11) and (T12) on both the inner and outer sides of the overlap portion (T1) may not be precisely positioned on both inclined surfaces (173a) of the groove (173), and the steps (T11) and (T12) may not be pressurized with optimal pressure. As a result, in the lateral seal portion, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) located on the overlap portion side (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "SA side") when viewed from the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) may not be fused to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T), or a void may be created between the first edge (S11) and the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T). Such unfused portions or voids in the lateral seal portion raise concerns that they may lead to leakage of contents or intrusion of bacteria from the outside, especially when manufacturing aseptic products that require sterilization of the packaging material with hydrogen peroxide or the like.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a filling and packaging machine that does not cause sealing defects between the sealing tape and the inner surface of the tubular packaging material in the lateral seal portion formed by ultrasonic sealing, and to provide a content filling container and a method for manufacturing the same in which the occurrence of such sealing defects is effectively suppressed and the sealing performance is improved.

[0010] The present inventors have diligently researched the causes of sealing defects occurring in the lateral seal portion by ultrasonic sealing. As a result, they have discovered that when the first edge located on the overlapping side of both ends of the sealing tape and the step on the outside of the overlapping portion are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material, if the steps on both the inner and outer sides of the overlapping portion are not in the appropriate position of the absorption portion (groove) provided on the sealing surface such as an anvil, sealing defects are likely to occur because the stepped portion cannot be pressurized with the optimal pressure. Based on this discovery, they have completed the present invention. In other words, in order to achieve the above objective, this invention consists of the following embodiments.

[0011] 1) A filling and packaging machine comprising: a tape application device that applies sealing tape to one end edge of one side of a web-shaped packaging material so that a portion of its width protrudes; a vertical sealing device that forms a tubular packaging material by overlapping both ends of the web-shaped packaging material by a predetermined width and sealing them vertically, and that applies the protruding portion of the sealing tape to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material so as to cover any steps inside the overlapped portion; and a horizontal sealing device that is provided to open and close on either side of the tubular packaging material and has opposing sealing surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the tubular packaging material, with an absorption portion formed on the sealing surface of either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil to absorb any steps that occur between the overlapped portion and other parts, and that horizontally seals the tubular packaging material filled with contents in lengths equal to one container length, A filling and packaging machine in which a tape application device applies a required width portion of the sealing tape to one end edge on one side of a web-shaped packaging material such that the first end edge located on the overlapping side when viewed from the step on the inside of the overlapping portion and the step on the outside of the overlapping portion are offset from each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material.

[0012] 2) The filling and packaging machine according to 1) above, wherein the tape application device is configured to apply a required width portion of the sealing tape to one end edge on one side of the web-like packaging material, such that the first edge of the sealing tape is offset by 0.5 mm or more in a direction away from the step on the inside of the overlap portion relative to the step on the outside of the overlap portion.

[0013] 3) The filling and packaging machine according to 1) above, wherein the tape application device is configured to apply a required width portion of the sealing tape to one end edge on one side of the tubular packaging material, such that the first edge of the sealing tape is offset by 0.5 to 3 mm in the direction approaching the inner step of the overlap portion relative to the outer step of the overlap portion.

[0014] 4) A filling and packaging machine according to any one of the above 1) to 3) that uses sealing tape having a width of 1 to 10 times the width of the overlap portion.

[0015] 5) A filling and packaging machine according to any one of 1) to 4) above, wherein pressing protrusions for pressing the first edge of the sealing tape and the tubular packaging portion overlapping that edge, and the second edge of the sealing tape opposite to the first edge and the tubular packaging portion overlapping that edge are formed at corresponding locations on the sealing surface of either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil.

[0016] 6) The filling and packaging machine according to 5) above, wherein each pressing projection is ridged and extends along the length of the sealing surface, with a length of 1 to 5 mm, a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and a projection height of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0017] 7) A method for manufacturing a container filled with contents, comprising: a tape application step of applying sealing tape to one end edge of one side of a web-shaped packaging material so that a portion of its width protrudes; a vertical sealing step of forming a tubular packaging material by overlapping both ends of the web-shaped packaging material by a predetermined width and sealing them vertically, and applying the protruding portion of the sealing tape to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material so as to cover any steps inside the overlapped portion; and a horizontal sealing step of horizontally sealing the tubular packaging material filled with contents at intervals of the length of one container using a horizontal sealing device having an ultrasonic horn and an anvil that are provided to be openable and closable on either side of the tubular packaging material and have opposing sealing surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the tubular packaging material, and having an absorption portion on the sealing surface of either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil for absorbing the step that occurs between the overlapped portion and the other portion, wherein the tubular packaging material filled with contents is horizontally sealed at intervals of the length of one container, A method for manufacturing a content-filled container, wherein, during the tape application process, a required width portion of the sealing tape is applied to one end edge on one side of a web-shaped packaging material such that, when viewed from the step on the inside of the overlap portion of the sealing tape, the first end edge located on the overlap portion side and the step on the outside of the overlap portion are offset from each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material.

[0018] 8) The method for manufacturing a contents-filled container according to 7) above, wherein in the tape application process, a required width portion of the sealing tape is applied to one end edge of one side of a web-like packaging material such that the first end edge of the sealing tape is offset by 0.5 mm or more in a direction away from the step on the inside of the overlapping portion relative to the step on the outside of the overlapping portion.

[0019] 9) The method for manufacturing a contents-filled container according to 7) above, wherein in the tape application process, the required width portion of the sealing tape is applied to one end edge of one side of the web-like packaging material such that the first edge of the sealing tape is offset by 0.5 to 3 mm in the direction approaching the inner step of the overlapping portion relative to the outer step of the overlapping portion.

[0020] 10) A method for manufacturing a content-filled container according to any one of 7) to 9) above, wherein a sealing tape having a width of 1 to 10 times the width of the overlap portion is used.

[0021] 11) A method for manufacturing a content-filled container according to any one of the above 7) to 10), wherein in the lateral sealing process, the first edge of the sealing tape and the tubular packaging material portion overlapping that edge, and the second edge of the sealing tape opposite to the first edge and the tubular packaging material portion overlapping that edge, are pressed by pressing protrusions formed on corresponding locations on the sealing surface of either an ultrasonic horn or an anvil.

[0022] 12) A method for manufacturing the contents-filled container described in 11) above, wherein each pressing protrusion is shaped like a ridge extending along the length of the sealing surface, with a length of 1 to 5 mm, a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and a protrusion height of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0023] 13) A container filled with contents, manufactured using one of the filling and packaging machines described in 1) to 6) above.

[0024] 14) A container filled with contents, manufactured by any one of the methods described in 7) to 12) above.

[0025] According to the filling and packaging machine described in 1) above, the method for manufacturing a content-filled container described in 7) above, and the content-filled containers described in 13) and 14) above, the first edge of the sealing tape located on the overlapping side when viewed from the step on the inside of the overlapping portion, and the step on the outside of the overlapping portion, are positioned offset from each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material. Therefore, even if the steps on both the inside and outside of the overlapping portion deviate from the appropriate position of the absorption portion formed on the sealing surface of the ultrasonic horn or anvil during lateral sealing, the occurrence of sealing defects such as the first edge of the sealing tape not fusing to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material or a void being created between the first edge of the sealing tape and the inner surface of the tubular packaging material is suppressed, and the sealing performance of the lateral seal can be improved.

[0026] According to the filling and packaging machines described in 2) to 6) above, and the manufacturing methods for content-filled containers described in 8) to 12) above, the effect of suppressing the occurrence of sealing defects in the lateral seal portion described above can be obtained even more reliably.

[0027] This is a schematic perspective view of a lateral sealing device for a filling and packaging machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a front view showing the anvil of the lateral sealing device. This is an enlarged front view of the central part of the anvil's length. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lateral sealing device along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lateral sealing device along the line V-V in Figure 2. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first aspect of the positional relationship between the overlap portion of the tubular packaging material, the sealing tape, and the absorbent portion (groove) of the sealing surface of the anvil during lateral sealing. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second aspect of the same positional relationship. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third aspect of the same positional relationship. This shows a lateral sealing device for a filling and packaging machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged front view of the central part of the anvil's length. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lateral sealing device corresponding to Figure 5. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first aspect of the positional relationship between the overlap portion of the tubular packaging material, the sealing tape, the absorbent portion (groove) of the sealing surface of the anvil, and the pressing protrusion during lateral sealing. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second aspect of the same positional relationship. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third aspect of the same positional relationship. This is an enlarged view illustrating the shape and dimensions of the pressing protrusion, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view. This shows variations in the shape of the pressing protrusion, where (a-1) to (a-4) are front views, (b-1) to (b-5) are side views, and (c-1) to (c-4) are cross-sectional views. This is a perspective view showing the overall outline of a conventional filling and packaging machine. This is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the lateral sealing process by the lateral sealing device of the same filling and packaging machine. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the overlap portion of the tubular packaging material, the sealing tape, and the absorption portion (groove) of the sealing surface of the anvil during lateral sealing by the same lateral sealing device.

[0028] Next, embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0029] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows a schematic of the lateral sealing device of a filling and packaging machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2 to 5 show details of the same lateral sealing device. Note that in Figure 4, the two overlapping portions of the overlapping portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T) and the sealing tape (S) are not shown. Furthermore, the structure of the filling and packaging machine is substantially the same as the prior art described earlier with reference to Figures 16 and 17, except for the detailed structure of the lateral sealing device which will be described later, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic horn (17A) and anvil (17B) of the lateral sealing device are composed of metal bars that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging material (T) and face each other with the tubular packaging material (T) in between.

[0031] The ultrasonic horn (17A) has two upper and lower strip-shaped sealing surfaces (171) on its inner surface facing the tubular packaging material (T), extending parallel to each other along its length. A cutter relief groove (178) is provided between the two sealing surfaces (171). The ultrasonic horn (17A) is housed in a stopper (170A) made of a hollow bar with an opening on its inner surface facing the tubular packaging material (T), such that the sealing surfaces (171) protrude slightly from the opening. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the ultrasonic horn (17A) is made to vibrate at the required amplitude by transmitting vibration energy emitted from an ultrasonic oscillator, which is increased or decreased by a converter.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the anvil (17B) has two strip-shaped sealing surfaces (172) on its inner surface facing the tubular packaging material (T), which extend parallel to each other along the length and face the two sealing surfaces (171) of the ultrasonic horn (17A). A cutter (175) for cutting the lateral seal portion at the midpoint of its width is housed in a slit (174) formed between the two sealing surfaces (172), and is retractable. A step (174a) facing the ultrasonic horn (17A) is formed at the upper and lower edges of the opening of the slit (174). Each of the upper and lower sealing surfaces (172) has a horizontal groove (176) with a V-shaped cross section that extends along the length of the sealing surface (172) so as to divide the sealing surface (172) vertically. These horizontal grooves (176) are designed to allow a portion of the molten thermoplastic resin constituting the sealant layer on the inner surface of the two flattened packaging material (T) portions, which are fused together by the lateral seal, to be extruded and form resin reservoirs (R). These resin reservoirs (R) create a good lateral seal with excellent sealing properties and allow the lateral seal to be cut with a cutter (175) without hindrance. Absorbing portions (173) are formed in the length center of these sealing surfaces (172) to absorb the step difference (T11)(T12) that occurs between the overlap portion (T1) and the other portion (T2) of the tubular packaging material (T). The absorbing portions (173) consist of isosceles trapezoidal grooves (173) in cross-section that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of both sealing surfaces (172). During lateral sealing, the inner step (T11) and outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T) (in other words, the end faces of the packaging material that form these steps) are typically located on the inclined surfaces (173a) on both sides of the groove (173). The groove (173) of each sealing surface (172) is divided into upper and lower sections by a horizontal groove (176) with a V-shaped cross-section. On both the upper and lower sides of the groove (173), recesses (177) are formed that are slightly deeper than the depth of the groove (173). The absorption portion is not limited to the illustrated form and may be composed of, for example, a groove with a concave arc-shaped cross-section or a corrugated portion with a wavy cross-section.Furthermore, the absorption section may be formed on the sealing surface of the ultrasonic horn.

[0033] Figures 6 to 8 show three configurations of the positional relationship between the overlap portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T), the sealing tape (S), and the absorbent portion (groove) (173) of the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) during lateral sealing. Here, the overlap portion (T1) is set to an appropriate width according to the size of the container being manufactured, and the sealing tape (S) is generally made to have a width approximately equal to "the width of the overlap portion (T1) × 2". For example, if the overlap portion (T1) is 3.8 mm wide, the width of the sealing tape (S) is 7.5 mm. Furthermore, the SA side portion (S1) of the sealing tape (S), which is first attached to one side of the web-shaped packaging material (W) during the tape application process and located on the overlap portion (T1) side, and the LS side portion (S2), which is attached to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T) during the vertical sealing process and located on the opposite side of the overlap portion (T1) with the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) in between, were set to have approximately equal widths. Specifically, if the total width of the sealing tape (S) is 7.5 mm, then half of the value obtained by subtracting the width of the portion (S3) facing the air gap (G) that occurs adjacent to the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) (approximately 0.6 mm) from 7.5 mm, i.e., approximately 3.45 mm, becomes the width of the SA side portion (S1) and the LS side portion (S2) of the sealing tape (S) (see Figure 18). Therefore, as shown in Figure 18, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) was generally positioned so as to almost coincide with the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material (T).

[0034] In contrast, in the first embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the first edge (S11) (left edge in the figures) of the sealing tape (S), which is located on the overlap portion side (SA side) when viewed from the step (T11) on the inside of the overlap portion (T1) of the overlap portion (T1), and the step (T12) on the outside of the overlap portion (T1) are positioned offset from each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material (T). This arrangement can be ensured by appropriately changing and adjusting the width of the SA side portion (S1) of the sealing tape (S) that is attached to one end edge on one side of the web-shaped packaging material (W) during the tape application process using the tape application device (13). Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the tape application device (13) is designed to be adjustable in position by moving in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sealing tape (S), thereby allowing the relative position of the sealing tape (S) and the tubular packaging material (T) in the width direction during the tape application process to be arbitrarily changed and adjusted.

[0035] Looking at the three embodiments in more detail, firstly, in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is positioned offset by a distance (D1) of 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1 mm or more, from the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) away from the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1). In this case, the sealing tape (S) used is the same as in the conventional method, having a width approximately twice that of the overlap portion (T1). As described above, by shifting the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) by a distance (D1) of 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1 mm or more, from the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) to the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) by a distance (D1) of 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1 mm or more, even if the steps (T11) (T12) on both the inner and outer sides of the overlap portion (T1) are separated from both inclined surfaces (173a) of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) of the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) during lateral sealing, the occurrence of sealing defects such as the first edge (S11) on the SA side of the sealing tape (S) not being fused to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T) or a void being created between the first edge (S11) and the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T) is effectively suppressed.

[0036] Next, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is positioned offset by a distance (D2) of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably 1.5 to 3 mm, in the direction approaching the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T) relative to the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1). In this case as well, the sealing tape (S) used has a width approximately twice that of the overlap portion (T1), as in the conventional method. Even in the above embodiment, even if the steps (T11) (T12) on both the inner and outer sides of the overlap portion (T1) are separated from both inclined surfaces (173a) of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) of the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) during lateral sealing, the occurrence of sealing defects is effectively suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, a wider sealing tape (S) is used. Specifically, for example, if the width of the overlap portion (T1) is 4 mm, a sealing tape (S) with a width of 11 mm, approximately three times that width, is used. As a result, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is positioned offset by a sufficient distance (D1) (for example, about 3 mm) in the direction away from the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) relative to the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1). Therefore, even in the above embodiment, even if the steps (T11) (T12) on both the inner and outer sides of the overlap portion (T1) are separated from both inclined surfaces (173a) of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) of the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) during lateral sealing, the occurrence of sealing defects is more reliably suppressed.

[0038] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, in addition to the three embodiments described above, the sealing tape (S) may also be configured with a width smaller than usual. In that case, the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is generally positioned offset from the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) toward the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1), similar to the configuration shown in Figure 7. However, if the width of the sealing tape (S) is less than one times the width of the overlap portion (T1), the sealing area may become too small, potentially reducing the sealing performance. On the other hand, the sealing tape (S) may also be configured with a width even larger than that of the overlap portion (T1), as shown in the three embodiments described above, which have a width of approximately two to three times the width of the overlap portion (T1). Using a sealing tape (S) with such a large width offers several advantages. In addition to the effect of suppressing the occurrence of sealing defects as described above, using it in a container with a drinking spout that can be opened by a pull tab or the like on the top surface allows the sealing tape (S) to be used as a substitute for the inner tape used to cover the inner surface of the spout, thus eliminating the need for the inner tape. However, if the width of the sealing tape (S) exceeds 10 times the width of the overlap portion (T1), the sealing tape (S) may overlap the crease of the container. Considering these points, a sealing tape (S) having a width of 1 to 10 times the width of the overlap portion (T1) is preferably used.

[0039] [Second Embodiment] Figures 9 to 15 show details of the lateral sealing device of a filling and packaging machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The lateral sealing device of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the lateral sealing device of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, except for the following points. That is, in the lateral sealing device of this embodiment, pressing protrusions (179) are formed at corresponding locations on the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) for pressing the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) and the portion of the tubular packaging material (T) that overlaps the first edge (S11), and the second edge (S12) of the sealing tape (S) opposite to the first edge (S11) and the portion of the tubular packaging material (T) that overlaps the first edge (S12). More specifically, two pressing protrusions (179) are formed on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the horizontal groove (176) on the upper sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B), and on the upper portion of the horizontal groove (176) on the lower sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B). According to the above lateral sealing device, the first edge (S11) and the second edge (S12) of the sealing tape (S) and the inner surface of the tubular packaging material (T) are sealed more reliably, and therefore, leakage of contents due to poor sealing in that portion is more effectively suppressed. Although not shown in the figures, the pressing protrusions may also be formed on the sealing surface (171) of the ultrasonic horn (17A).

[0040] Figures 11 to 13 show in detail the locations where the pressing protrusions (179) are formed for three different positions of the overlap portion (T1) of the tubular packaging material (T), the sealing tape (S), and the absorbent portion (groove) (173) of the sealing surface (172) of the anvil (17B) during lateral sealing as shown in Figures 6 to 8. First, as shown in Figure 11, when the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is offset by a required distance (D1) from the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) with respect to the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) (as shown in Figure 6), the pressing protrusions (179) are formed on both the left and right sides of the groove (absorbent portion) (173) on the upper and lower sealing surfaces (172). Next, as shown in Figure 12, when the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is positioned offset by a required distance (D2) from the outer step (T12) of the overlap portion (T1) towards the inner step (T11) of the overlap portion (T1) (as shown in Figure 7), the pressing protrusions (179) are formed at the bottom center of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) on each of the upper and lower sealing surfaces (172), and at a location far to the right of the groove (absorbing portion) (173). Note that the pressing protrusions (179) corresponding to the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) may be offset to the left or right from the center of the bottom of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) depending on the application position of the sealing tape (S). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, when a wide sealing tape (S) is used, and the first edge (S11) of the sealing tape (S) is positioned offset by a sufficient distance (D1) from the inner step (T11) of the overlapping portion (T1) with respect to the outer step (T12) of the overlapping portion (T1) (as shown in Figure 8), the pressing protrusion (179) is formed at a location far to the left and right of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) on each of the upper and lower sealing surfaces (172).Furthermore, although not shown in the illustration, if a sealing tape with a width smaller than that of a normal sealing tape (S) (see Figures 11 and 12) is used, the pressing protrusions are formed at the bottom of the groove (absorbing portion) (173) on each of the upper and lower sealing surfaces (172), and at the location to the right of the groove (absorbing portion) (173).

[0041] As shown in detail in Figure 14, each pressing projection (179) is ridge-shaped and extends along the length of the sealing surface (172). Preferably, the dimensions of each pressing projection (179) are a length (L) of 1 to 5 mm, a thickness (TH) of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and a projection height (H) of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. If the length (L) of the pressing projection (179) is less than 1 mm, there is a risk that the edges of both ends (S11) (S12) of the sealing tape (S) and the overlapping portion of the tubular packaging material (T) may not be reliably pressed if the positions of the tubular packaging material (T) and the sealing tape (S) are misaligned during lateral sealing. On the other hand, if the length (L) exceeds 5 mm, there is a risk that areas other than those mentioned above will be broadly pressed during lateral sealing. If the thickness (TH) of the pressing projection (179) is less than 0.1 mm, the projection (179) may wear out quickly. On the other hand, if the thickness (TH) exceeds 0.6 mm, the difference with the width of the sealing surface (172) becomes small, and the above effect may not be fully obtained. Also, if the protrusion height (H) of the pressing projection (179) is less than 0.1 mm, the above effect may not be reliably obtained. On the other hand, if the protrusion height (H) exceeds 0.5 mm, the tubular packaging material (T) may burn or tear during lateral sealing.

[0042] The shape of each pressing projection (179) may be a roughly rectangular prism shape, as shown in Figure 14, with a rectangular front view, a rectangular side view, and a rectangular cross-section, or it may be a combination of the front shape, side shape, and cross-sectional shape as shown in Figure 15. More specifically, the front shape of the pressing projection (179) may be a roughly rectangular shape with four arc-shaped corners, a roughly rectangular shape with four beveled corners, a track shape with both short sides being semi-arc-shaped, or a horizontally elongated hexagon with both short sides being V-shaped, as shown sequentially in Figures 15(a-1) to (a-4). The side shape of the pressing projection (179) may be a roughly rectangular shape with arc-shaped corners on the tip side, a roughly rectangular shape with beveled corners on the tip side, a horizontally elongated isosceles trapezoid, a roughly horizontally elongated isosceles trapezoid with arc-shaped short sides, or a dome shape, as shown sequentially in Figures 15(b-1) to (b-5). The cross-sectional shape of the pressing projection (179) may be a roughly square shape with arc-shaped corners on the tip side, a roughly square shape with beveled corners on the tip side, a triangle, or a semicircle, as shown sequentially in Figures 15(c-1) to (c-4).

[0043] This invention is suitably used in a filling and packaging machine, a content-filling container, and a method for manufacturing the same, which fills and packages the contents of liquid foods, beverages, etc., into a container formed from a web-like packaging material such as paper.

[0044] (10): Filling and packaging machine (13): Tape application device (15): Vertical sealing device (17): Horizontal sealing device (17A): Ultrasonic horn (171): Sealing surface (of ultrasonic horn) (17B): Anvil (172): Sealing surface (of anvil) (173): Groove (absorbent part) (173a): Inclined surface (179): Pressing protrusion (W): Web-shaped packaging material (T): Tubular packaging material (T1): Overlap part (T11): Inner step (T12): Outer step (S): Sealing tape (S11): First edge (S12): Second edge

Claims

1. A filling and packaging machine comprising: a tape application device that applies sealing tape to one edge of one side of a web-like packaging material so that part of the tape protrudes beyond the edge; a vertical sealing device that forms a tubular packaging material by overlapping both end edges of the web-like packaging material by a predetermined width and vertically sealing the end edges, and applies the protruding part of the sealing tape to the inside surface of the tubular packaging material so as to cover any unevenness on the inside of the overlapped part; and a horizontal sealing device that has an ultrasonic horn and anvil that are arranged to be able to open and close the tubular packaging material and that have opposing sealing surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length of the tubular packaging material, and an absorbing part is formed on the sealing surface of one of the ultrasonic horn and anvil to absorb any unevenness that occurs between the overlapped part and the other part, and that horizontally seals the tubular packaging material filled with contents at the length of one container, A filling and packaging machine in which a tape application device applies a required width portion of the sealing tape to one edge of one side of the web-like packaging material so that a first edge of the sealing tape, which is located on the overlapping portion side as viewed from the step on the inside of the overlapping portion, and a step on the outside of the overlapping portion, are offset from each other as viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material.

2. A filling and packaging machine as described in claim 1, wherein the tape application device applies a required width portion of the sealing tape to one edge of one side of the web-like packaging material so that the first edge of the sealing tape is positioned at a position offset by 0.5 mm or more in a direction away from the step on the outside of the overlap portion in a direction away from the step on the inside of the overlap portion.

3. A filling and packaging machine as described in claim 1, wherein the tape application device applies a required width of the sealing tape to one edge of one side of the tubular packaging material so that the first edge of the sealing tape is positioned 0.5 to 3 mm offset from the outer step of the overlap portion in a direction approaching the inner step of the overlap portion.

4. A filling and packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing tape used has a width 1 to 10 times the width of the overlapping portion.

5. A filling and packaging machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein pressing protrusions for pressing against a first edge of the sealing tape and a portion of the tubular packaging material overlapping said edge, and a second edge of the sealing tape opposite the first edge and a portion of the tubular packaging material overlapping said edge, are formed at corresponding locations on the sealing surface of either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil.

6. A filling and packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein each pressing protrusion is a ridge extending along the length of the sealing surface, with a length of 1 to 5 mm, a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and a protruding height of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

7. A method for manufacturing content-filled containers, comprising: a tape application step in which sealing tape is applied to one edge of one side of a web-like packaging material so that part of the tape extends beyond the edge; a vertical sealing step in which both end edges of the web-like packaging material are overlapped by a predetermined width and vertically sealed to form a tubular packaging material, and the protruding part of the sealing tape is applied to the inner surface of the tubular packaging material so as to cover any unevenness on the inside of the overlapped part; and a horizontal sealing step in which the tubular packaging filled with contents is horizontally sealed along the length of one container using a horizontal sealing device that is arranged to sandwich the tubular packaging material so as to be able to be opened and closed, and has an ultrasonic horn and anvil with opposing sealing surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubular packaging, and one of the ultrasonic horn and anvil has an absorbing part on the sealing surface to absorb any unevenness that occurs between the overlapped part and the remaining part, A method for manufacturing a content-filled container, in which a required width portion of the sealing tape is attached to one edge of one side of a web-shaped packaging material in a tape attachment process so that a first edge of the sealing tape, which is located on the overlapping portion side when viewed from the inner step of the overlapping portion, and a step on the outer side of the overlapping portion are offset from each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the tubular packaging material.

8. A method for manufacturing a content-filled container as described in claim 7, wherein in the tape application process, a required width portion of the sealing tape is applied to one edge of one side of the web-like packaging material so that the first edge of the sealing tape is positioned at a position offset by 0.5 mm or more in a direction away from the inner step of the overlap portion relative to the outer step of the overlap portion.

9. A method for manufacturing a content-filled container according to claim 7, wherein in the tape application step, a required width portion of the sealing tape is applied to one edge of one side of the web-like packaging material so that the first edge of the sealing tape is positioned 0.5 to 3 mm offset from the outer step of the overlap portion in a direction approaching the inner step of the overlap portion.

10. A method for manufacturing a content-filled container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the sealing tape used has a width 1 to 10 times the width of the overlapping portion.

11. A method for manufacturing a content-filled container as described in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein in the horizontal sealing step, a first edge of the sealing tape and a portion of the tubular packaging material overlapping said edge, and a second edge of the sealing tape opposite the first edge and a portion of the tubular packaging material overlapping said edge are pressed by pressing protrusions formed at corresponding locations on the sealing surface of either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil.

12. A method for manufacturing a content-filled container as set forth in claim 11, wherein each pressing protrusion is formed into a ridge extending along the length of the sealing surface, with a length of 1 to 5 mm, a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and a protruding height of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

13. A content-filled container manufactured using the filling and packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A content-filled container manufactured by the method of any one of claims 7 to 12.

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