Flexible bottle container

Abstract

The container body has a body part including an upper part positioned closer to a neck part, a lower part positioned closer to a bottom part, and a central part positioned between the upper part and the lower part. The body part has an oval shape having a short diameter and a long diameter in a cross section perpendicular to a center axis, and includes a pair of first side surfaces disposed at both ends of the short diameter, and a pair of second side surfaces disposed at both ends of the long diameter. The body part has a pair of buckling prevention parts formed continuously in the center axis direction on the pair of second side surfaces of the central part.

Description

Flexible Bottle Container

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flexible bottle container that discharges liquid contents when the side of the bottle is pressed by a user's hand.

[0002] Flexible resin containers for holding infusions have been known. For example, in the infusion container described in Patent Document 1, the container body has a body portion with a flat cross section, and the body portion is composed of two parallel sidewall portions facing each other and two curved portions facing each other. In this infusion container, the container body deforms when the infusion liquid is discharged.

[0003] JP 2014-188193 A

[0004] Some flexible bottle containers allow the liquid content to be expelled by pressing the side of the bottle with the user's hand. In such flexible bottle containers, the side is pressed once to expel the liquid content, the container body then returns to its original shape, and the side is then pressed again to expel more liquid content.

[0005] Meanwhile, in recent years, the development of environmentally friendly containers has been progressing. Reducing the amount of resin used in flexible bottle containers means making the container body thinner (i.e., lighter). The inventors have found that when the container body is made thinner, the restoring force of the container body after the contents are discharged tends to decrease. This restoring force is sometimes called "pumping performance."

[0006] The present disclosure describes a flexible bottle container that can maintain its restoring force even when the container body is thin-walled.

[0007] [1] One aspect of the present disclosure is a flexible bottle container comprising: a mouth portion including a discharge outlet at one end in the central axis direction; a neck portion; and a container body connected to the neck portion and extending in the central axis direction, for containing a liquid content. The container body has a bottom portion located at the other end in the central axis direction, and a cylindrical body portion provided between the neck portion and the bottom portion. The body portion includes an upper portion located closer to the neck portion, a lower portion located closer to the bottom portion, and a central portion located between the upper and lower portions. The body portion has an elliptical shape having a minor axis and a major axis in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, and includes a pair of first side surfaces located at both ends of the minor axis and a pair of second side surfaces located at both ends of the major axis. The body portion has a pair of buckling prevention portions formed continuously in the central axis direction on the pair of second side surfaces in the central portion.

[0008] In the flexible bottle container of [1], the content liquid is contained in the container body. When the flexible bottle container is used, the body is held by the user's hand with the mouth facing downward, for example. The user's hand presses a first side surface at the center (or upper part) of the body, causing the content liquid to be discharged through the discharge port. At this time, the center portion temporarily bends (depresses), but the buckling prevention portion on the second side surface prevents buckling and maintains a restoring force. This allows the restoring force to be maintained even when the container body is thin-walled, allowing the content liquid to be discharged without hindrance.

[0009] [2] In the flexible bottle container described in [1] above, the buckling prevention portion may include a continuous bead on the side surface, consisting of at least one protrusion, at least one groove, or a combination of a protrusion and a groove, that is continuous along the central axis and extends over a portion of the circumference. In this case, the continuous bead on the side surface is provided over a portion of the circumference. In this specification, the term "bead" conceptually encompasses both a protrusion (i.e., a portion that protrudes from other portions and extends in a predetermined direction) and a groove (i.e., a portion that is recessed from other portions and extends in a predetermined direction) provided on a three-dimensional structure such as a flexible bottle container. The continuous bead on the side surface prevents buckling at the second side surface even when the first side surface is pressed by a user's hand and the central portion is temporarily bent (depressed).

[0010] [3] In the flexible bottle container of [2] above, the continuous bead on the side surface may be a single ridge portion as a protrusion extending in the direction of the central axis. In this case, the simple configuration of a pair of ridge portions (two) prevents buckling at the second side surface.

[0011] [4] In the flexible bottle container of [2] above, the side upper and lower continuous beads may be composed of a plurality of arc-shaped grooves as grooves each extending in the circumferential direction within a partial range in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions as ridges formed between the arc-shaped grooves and each extending in the circumferential direction within a partial range. Buckling on the second side surface is prevented by the plurality of arc-shaped grooves and the plurality of arc-shaped protrusions each extending in the circumferential direction and formed alternately in the central axis direction.

[0012] [5] In any one of the flexible bottle containers [1] to [4] above, the buckling prevention portion may be formed across the central portion and the upper portion, and may include side-limiting lateral beads extending circumferentially along a portion of the pair of second side surfaces of the upper portion. This configuration enhances the restoring force. Because the side-limiting lateral beads extend along a portion of the circumferential direction, buckling of the upper portion is prevented even if the side-limiting lateral beads are located relatively close to the pressing position. Furthermore, because the side-limiting lateral beads are located at the upper portion of the body, they do not hinder deformation due to pumping pressure.

[0013] [6] In the flexible bottle container of [4] above, the buckling prevention portion may be formed over at least the central portion and the upper portion, and may include a side-limiting square bead formed in a rectangular shape over a portion of the circumferential direction on a pair of second side surfaces of the upper portion. Furthermore, the side-limiting square bead may surround the side-limiting square bead, which is made up of a plurality of arc-shaped grooves and a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions. With this configuration, the side-limiting square bead cooperates with the side-limiting square bead and the side-limiting square bead positioned therein to more reliably prevent buckling along the entire second side surface.

[0014] [7] In the flexible bottle container according to any one of [1] to [6] above, the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the top may be 1 to 1.2 times the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the center. This configuration improves the ease of attaching a label to the first side surface.

[0015] [8] In any one of the flexible bottle containers [1] to [7] above, the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the lower portion may be larger than both the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the upper portion and the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the central portion. With this configuration, when the flexible bottle container is transported, the first side surface faces the transport surface. Because the first side surface at the lower portion resembles a flat surface, twisting of the flexible bottle container can be reduced. Note that the flexible bottle container is transported, for example, in an upright position (or a lying position, etc.).

[0016] [9] In any one of the flexible bottle containers described in [1] to [8] above, the upper and lower portions may each include a pair of flat portions on the second side surface that are perpendicular to the direction of the major axis. With this configuration, when multiple flexible bottle containers are transported, the second side surfaces of two adjacent flexible bottle containers face each other. Because the upper and lower flat portions of the two adjacent flexible bottle containers meet, twisting of the flexible bottle containers can be reduced. In this case, the flexible bottle containers are transported, for example, in an upright position (or a lying position, etc.).

[0017]

[10] In the flexible bottle container of any one of [1] to [9] above, the total length of the buckling prevention part in the central axis direction may be longer than the total length of the central part of the body. By making the buckling prevention part sufficiently long, the restoring force can be more reliably maintained.

[0018]

[11] In any one of the flexible bottle containers [1] to

[10] above, the central portion may include a reduced radius portion having the center of the radius of curvature of the first side surface on the minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis. It is believed that the more the shape of the side surface of the container being pressed is closer to a sphere, the higher the restoring force. The reduced radius portion increases the restoring force when the force is released.

[0019]

[12] In the flexible bottle container of

[11] above, the radius of curvature of the reduced radius portion may be constant over a certain section in the central axis direction. With this configuration, the restoring force when the force is released is further increased.

[0020]

[13] In the flexible bottle container of

[12] above, the reduced radius portion may be located in the same range as the buckling prevention portion in the central axis direction.

[0021]

[14] In the flexible bottle container of any one of [1] to

[13] above, the lower portion may include a circumferential bead extending over the entire circumferential range. With this configuration, the circumferential bead is provided at a position away from the pressing position (the first side surface of the central portion), thereby improving surface rigidity and reliably preventing buckling.

[0022]

[15] In the flexible bottle container according to any one of the above [1] to

[14] , the thickness of the first side surface may be greater than the thickness of the second side surface.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, even when the container body is thin-walled, the restoring force can be maintained, and the liquid content can be discharged without any problems.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front view of a flexible bottle container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the flexible bottle container 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flexible bottle container 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flexible bottle container 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a circumferential bead. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a front view of a flexible bottle container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a side view of the flexible bottle container 1 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 9. FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing an example of conveyance of the flexible bottle container of FIG. 9, and FIG. 14(b) is a diagram showing an example of conveyance of a flexible bottle container according to a reference example.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The dimensional proportions of the drawings do not necessarily correspond to those in the description.

[0026] In the following description, an example will be described in which the present disclosure is applied to a flexible bottle container having a rated capacity of 500 mL. Values ​​in units of "length," such as radius (including radius of curvature), depth, and thickness, are related to the 500 mL flexible bottle container.

[0027] First, the basic structure of a flexible bottle container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flexible bottle container 1 is a flexible resin container that contains a liquid (content liquid) such as physiological saline or water for injection. The flexible bottle container 1 is formed, for example, by blow molding using a predetermined resin material. The resin material used for the flexible bottle container 1 is not particularly limited, but can be appropriately selected taking into consideration the content liquid to be contained and heat resistance during sterilization, and is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).

[0028] The flexible bottle container 1 has a shape that extends elongated in the direction of the central axis L, and includes a mouth portion 2 and a neck portion 3 at one end in the direction of the central axis L. The mouth portion 2 includes, for example, a circular outlet 2a (see FIG. 3 ) through which the content liquid is discharged. A plug member 7 that seals the outlet 2a is attached to the mouth portion 2. The plug member 7 is removed by the user grasping and pulling the plug member 7 with their fingers at the start of use. Removing the plug member 7 opens the outlet 2a, allowing the content liquid to be discharged. The user holds the flexible bottle container 1 with their hand so that the mouth portion 2 faces downward and presses the body portion 10 with their fingers to discharge the content liquid from the outlet 2a. Note that the plug member 7 is not shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures showing the flexible bottle container 1.

[0029] The flexible bottle container 1 includes a container body 4 connected to the other end of the neck 3 (the side opposite the mouth 2) and extending in the direction of the central axis L. The container body 4 contains the liquid content. In the following description, the end of the container body 4 on which the neck 3 is provided in the direction of the central axis L may be referred to as the "upper" end, and the opposite end may be referred to as the "lower" end. The container body 4 has a bottom 6 located at the lower end (other end) and a cylindrical body 10 provided between the neck 3 and the bottom 6. The bottom 6 has a shape that protrudes toward the interior of the container body 4, but the shape of the bottom 6 can be appropriately changed based on known bottle molding techniques.

[0030] The body 10 of the container body 4 includes an upper portion 11 located closer to the neck 3, a lower portion 12 located closer to the bottom 6, and a central portion 13 located between the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12. The upper portion 11, the central portion 13, and the lower portion 12 form a single cylindrical body, with no boundary between them. However, in this specification, the meanings (scopes) of terms such as "upper portion," "central portion," and "lower portion" of the "body" are clarified. In the direction of the central axis L, preferably, the upper portion 11 is a portion corresponding to 40% of the overall length (total height) of the body 10, the central portion 13 is a portion corresponding to 30-40% of the overall length, and the lower portion 12 is a portion corresponding to 20-30% of the overall length. A shoulder portion 17, which is continuous with the neck 3 and has an expanding inner diameter, corresponds to the upper portion of the upper portion 11.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the body 10 has an elliptical shape with a minor axis A and a major axis B in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis L (or in a plan view as shown in Fig. 3). The term "elliptical" does not refer to a geometric "oval" shape, but rather to a shape that is elongated and rounded along the major axis B. Therefore, the term "elliptical shape" in the broad sense in this specification includes the term "elliptical shape" in the narrow sense. The body 10 is formed to be plane-symmetric with respect to both the plane including the minor axis A and the plane including the major axis B.

[0032] The body 10 includes a pair of first side surfaces 21 located at both ends of the minor axis A and a pair of second side surfaces 22 located at both ends of the major axis B across the entire upper portion 11, central portion 13, and lower portion 12 (i.e., the entire direction of the central axis L). The first side surfaces 21 may be referred to as minor axis surfaces, and the second side surfaces 22 may be referred to as major axis surfaces.

[0033] The body portion 10 has a cross-sectional shape S1 similar to that shown in FIG. 8 , except for the shoulder portion 17 of the upper portion 11 that continues to the neck portion 3, and the portions where the ridge portion 30, the circumferential bead 40, and the partial bead 50, which are unique to this embodiment (all of which will be described in detail later). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 1 , illustrating the lower portion 12. As shown in FIG. 8 , the cross-sectional shape S1 of the lower portion 12 smoothly connects a pair of first side surfaces 21 that are arc-shaped around a center C1 located outside the body portion 10 and a pair of second side surfaces 22 that are arc-shaped around the center C1 located within the body portion 10 (located on the major axis B). In the cross-sectional shape S1, the radius of curvature R1 of the first side surface 21 is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the second side surface 22. The radius of curvature R1 is, for example, 70 mm, and the radius of curvature R2 is, for example, 27 mm.

[0034] Next, we will explain the parts of the body 10 that are unique to this embodiment. In the flexible bottle container 1 of this embodiment, the container body 4 is made thinner and lighter to reduce the amount of resin used. For example, the thickness (average thickness at multiple points) of the container body 4 of the flexible bottle container 1 is within the range of 0.27 to 0.44 mm in the upper portion 11, 0.29 to 0.37 mm in the central portion 13, and 0.20 to 0.40 mm in the lower portion 12. In each portion, the thickness of the first side surface 21 is greater than the thickness of the second side surface 22.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of ridges 30 extending in the direction of the central axis L are formed on a pair of second side surfaces 22 in the central portion 13 of the body 10. That is, the body 10 has a pair of ridges 30 on a pair of second side surfaces 22 in the central portion 13. Each ridge 30 is formed in a straight line. As shown in Figure 5, the "ridge 30" is formed at the portion where two curved surfaces (arc-shaped curved surfaces) meet. The "ridge 30" can be said to be a portion where the slope of the tangent to the curved surface changes abruptly (discontinuously). Note that, for convenience of actual molding, the ridge 30 has an arc-shaped cross section. Desirably, the radius of curvature of the ridge 30 is 1 mm or less.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the ridge line portion 30 is formed over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L. The ridge line portion 30 may be formed longer than the entire length of the central portion 13 of the body portion 10. That is, the ridge line portion 30 may be formed over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L and the lower portion of the upper portion 11, or over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 and the upper portion of the lower portion 12 in the direction of the central axis L. The ridge line portion 30 may be formed over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L, the lower portion of the upper portion 11, and the upper portion of the lower portion 12. Alternatively, the ridge line portion 30 may be formed so as to fall within the range of the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L.

[0037] The ridge portion 30 is a continuous bead formed continuously in the direction of the central axis L on the second side surface 22, and constitutes part of the buckling prevention portion 15 described below. The ridge portion 30 is continuous in the direction of the central axis L and exists only in a partial range in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the ridge portion 30 exists only in an extremely limited range in the circumferential direction (within a width range of a few mm). The ridge portion 30 is a single protrusion extending in the direction of the central axis L. The ridge portion 30 is formed at least over the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 , the central portion 13 of the body 10 is provided with a reduced-radius portion 35 having a center C of a radius of curvature Ra relative to the first side surface 21 on the minor axis A in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis L. That is, the central portion 13 includes the reduced-radius portion 35. The radius of curvature Ra is preferably, for example, 35 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 40 mm or more and 45 mm or less. The arc-shaped wall surface based on the radius of curvature Ra extends, for example, not only to the first side surface 21 but also to the region relative to the second side surface 22 (i.e., near the ridge portion 30). The radius of curvature Ra is determined based on the dimensions of the minor axis A and the major axis B.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the radius of curvature Ra of the reduced-radius portion 35 is a constant value over a certain section Z in the direction of the central axis L. The body portion 10 has a cross-sectional shape S2 shown in Fig. 5 over the reduced-radius portion 35. The length of the certain section Z is preferably, for example, 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0040] The reduced-radius portion 35 is located in the range in the direction of the central axis L where the ridge portion 30 is located. Outside the range of the fixed section Z, the body portion 10 has a shape that connects the cross-sectional shape S2 of the reduced-radius portion 35 shown in Figure 5 with the above-mentioned cross-sectional shape S1.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6, a circumferential bead 40 extending over the entire circumferential range is formed on the lower portion 12 of the body portion 10. That is, the lower portion 12 includes the circumferential bead 40 extending over the entire circumferential range. The bead angle α of the circumferential bead 40 is preferably less than 120°, and more preferably 90° or less. The depth d is preferably greater than 3 mm. These values ​​were determined in a pumping performance simulation from the perspective of ensuring a restoring force when the force is released.

[0042] 1, 2, and 7, a pair of partial beads 50 extending only partially in the circumferential direction is formed on a pair of second side surfaces 22 of the upper portion 11 of the body portion 10. That is, the upper portion 11 includes a pair of partial beads 50. Each partial bead 50 is preferably formed in an arc shape having a center on the central axis L and a curvature radius Rb of more than 38 mm. In this case, the depth is less than 3 mm. These values ​​were determined in a pumping performance simulation from the perspective of ensuring a restoring force when the force is released. In this specification, the term "bead" may be interchangeably referred to as "rib."

[0043] In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 (not shown in FIG. 7 ) is slightly larger than the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. For example, the radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 is 1 to 1.2 times the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. Furthermore, the radius of curvature R1 (see FIG. 8 ) of the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 is larger than both the radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 and the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13.

[0044] 2 and 4, the ridge portion 30 does not reach the circumferential bead 40 but terminates slightly above the circumferential bead 40. Alternatively, the ridge portion 30 reaches the partial bead 50, for example.

[0045] In this embodiment, a pair of buckling prevention portions 15 that are continuous in the direction of the central axis L are formed by a pair of ridge portions 30 and a pair of partial beads 50. The buckling prevention portions 15 are formed continuously from the upper portion 11, past the central portion 13, to the vicinity of the lower portion 12. In other words, the buckling prevention portions 15 are formed across the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11. The pair of partial beads 50 are side-limited horizontal beads that extend circumferentially on the pair of second side surfaces 22 of the upper portion 11 in only a partial range in the circumferential direction of the container body 4.

[0046] In the flexible bottle container 1 of this embodiment, the container body 4 contains liquid contents. When the flexible bottle container 1 is used, the body 10 is held by the user's hand with the mouth 2 facing downward, for example. The user's hand presses the first side surface 21 of the central portion 13 (or the upper portion 11) of the body 10, causing the liquid contents to be discharged through the outlet 2a. While the pressing position may vary each time, it is highly likely to be within the central portion 13. That is, the pressing position is highly likely to be within the range where the ridge portion 30 is formed (or near the reduced radius portion 35). At this time, the central portion 13 temporarily bends (depresses), but the ridge portion 30, as part of the buckling prevention portion 15, prevents buckling at the second side surface 22 and maintains a restoring force. As a result, the restoring force can be maintained even when the container body 4 is thin-walled, allowing the liquid contents to be discharged without hindrance.

[0047] In conventional flexible bottle containers 1, the cross-sectional shape S1 shown in Fig. 8 was also adopted for the central portion 13. If the container body 4 were thinned while maintaining that shape, the bending rigidity would be significantly reduced, and the side surfaces (first side surface 21 and / or second side surface 22) would be prone to buckling, potentially resulting in a problem in which the buckling would not return to its original shape. The flexible bottle container 1 of this embodiment solves this problem.

[0048] The ridges 30 (vertical continuous beads) provided only in a partial range in the circumferential direction of the container body 4 prevent buckling at the second side surface 22 even when the first side surface 21 is pressed by the user's hand and the central portion 13 is temporarily bent (depressed). In addition, the simple configuration of a pair of ridges 30 prevents buckling at the second side surface 22.

[0049] The radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 is 1 to 1.2 times the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. This improves the ease of attaching a label to the first side surface 21.

[0050] The radius of curvature R1 of the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 (see FIG. 8 ) is larger than both the radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 and the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. When the flexible bottle container 1 is transported in a lying position, the first side surface 21 faces the transport surface. Because the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 resembles a flat surface, twisting of the flexible bottle container 1 can be reduced.

[0051] Furthermore, the overall length of the ridge line portion 30 is longer than the overall length of the central portion 13 of the body portion 10. When the ridge line portion 30 is sufficiently long, the restoring force can be maintained more reliably.

[0052] It is believed that the more the pressed side surface of the container body 4 is spherical, the stronger the restoring force. The reduced radius portion 35 increases the restoring force when the force is released.

[0053] The radius of curvature Ra of the reduced radius portion 35 is a constant value in a certain section Z in the direction of the central axis L. This further enhances the restoring force when the force is released.

[0054] The circumferential bead 40 provided at a position away from the pressing position (first side surface 21 of the central portion 13) improves surface rigidity and reliably prevents buckling.

[0055] The pair of partial beads 50 enhances the restoring force. Because the partial beads 50 extend only in a partial range in the circumferential direction, buckling of the second side surface 22 (major diameter surface) of the upper portion 11 is prevented even if the partial beads 50 are located relatively close to the pressing position. Furthermore, because the partial beads 50 are provided in the upper portion 11 of the body portion 10, they do not hinder deformation due to pumping pressure.

[0056] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, at least one of the full-circumferential bead 40 and the partial bead 50 may be omitted. The radius of curvature Ra of the reduced-radius portion 35 may not be maintained, and the reduced-radius portion 35 having the radius of curvature Ra may be formed at only one location in the direction of the central axis L. The reduced-radius portion 35 shown in FIG. 5 may not be provided.

[0057] Next, a flexible bottle container 1A according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13. The flexible bottle container 1A according to another embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 differs from the flexible bottle container 1 according to the previous embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that a buckling prevention portion 15A including a pair of continuous concave-convex portions 60 and a pair of side-limiting square beads 70 is provided instead of the buckling prevention portion 15 including a pair of ridge portions 30 and a pair of partial beads 50. Both the flexible bottle container 1 and the flexible bottle container 1A have in common the buckling prevention portions 15, 15A provided on a pair of second side surfaces 22, but their specific configurations differ. The flexible bottle container 1A has a hanging portion 8 (see Figure 9) provided on the bottom portion 6.

[0058] Both the buckling prevention portion 15 and the buckling prevention portion 15A have in common the fact that they are provided only in a portion of the circumferential range of the container body 4. Both the buckling prevention portion 15 and the buckling prevention portion 15A are provided only on a pair of second side surfaces 22. Both the buckling prevention portion 15 and the buckling prevention portion 15A are formed continuously in the direction of the central axis L only on the second side surfaces 22 from the lower portion of the upper portion 11 to the central portion 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 10 ). As shown in FIGS. 5 (or 7 ) and 11 , the body portion 10 of the container body 4 (both in the central portion 13 and in the upper portion 11) consists of a pair of first side surfaces 21 and a pair of second side surfaces 22. The body portion 10 is formed by connecting the pair of first side surfaces 21 and the pair of second side surfaces 22 in the circumferential direction. That is, in the oval-shaped body portion 10, for example, each second side surface 22 can be defined as a side surface extending over a range less than one-quarter of the total circumferential length of the body portion 10. The center position of each second side surface 22 in the circumferential direction corresponds to the position of the end point of the major axis B.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11 , the body 10 has an elliptical shape with a minor axis A and a major axis B in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis L. The body 10 is formed symmetrically with respect to both the plane including the minor axis A and the plane including the major axis B. In the flexible bottle container 1A, the container body 4 is also thin-walled and lightweight to reduce the amount of resin used. For example, the thickness (average thickness at multiple points) of the container body 4 of the flexible bottle container 1A is within the range of 0.27 to 0.44 mm in the upper portion 11, 0.29 to 0.37 mm in the central portion 13, and 0.20 to 0.40 mm in the lower portion 12. In each portion, the thickness of the first side surface 21 is greater than the thickness of the second side surface 22.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the barrel 10 of the container body 4 has a pair of buckling prevention portions 15A formed continuously in the direction of the central axis L on a pair of second side surfaces 22 of the central portion 13. Each buckling prevention portion 15A includes a continuous uneven portion 60 and a side surface limiting square bead 70. The continuous uneven portion 60 is a continuous bead on the upper and lower sides of the container body 4, consisting of a plurality of arc-shaped grooves 62 (grooves) each extending circumferentially in a partial circumferential range of the container body 4, and a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions 61 (protrusions) formed between the arc-shaped grooves 62 and each extending circumferentially in the partial range. The continuous uneven portion 60 is formed at least over the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11. Each of the arc-shaped grooves 62 and each of the arc-shaped protrusions 61 have the same length in the circumferential direction. The arc-shaped protrusions 61 and the arc-shaped grooves 62 are alternately arranged continuously in the direction of the central axis L. In FIG. 9, the buckling prevention portion 15A on the left side of the figure and the buckling prevention portion 15A on the right side of the figure are indicated by different symbols (although they have the same configuration) to make the components easier to understand.

[0061] The side surface limiting square bead 70 is formed at least across the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11. The side surface limiting square bead 70 is formed in a rectangular shape on only a portion of the second side surface 22 in the circumferential direction. The side surface limiting square bead 70 is a groove portion having a rectangular shape in a side view. A continuous uneven portion 60 consisting of multiple arc-shaped groove portions 62 and multiple arc-shaped protrusions 61 is surrounded by the side surface limiting square bead 70. In other words, the buckling prevention portion 15A is formed across the central portion 13 and the lower portion of the upper portion 11. As shown in FIG. 10 , the side surface limiting square bead 70 includes an arc-shaped upper short side bead 71 and an arc-shaped lower short side bead 72 that extend circumferentially in the lower portion of the upper portion 11 and the lower portion of the central portion 13, respectively. The side surface limiting square bead 70 also includes a pair of linear long side beads 73 that extend in the direction of the central axis L from the lower portion of the upper portion 11 to the central portion 13. The upper short side bead 71, the lower short side bead 72, and the pair of long side beads 73 are connected to each other to form a side limiting square bead 70. The connection portions (corners) between the "side beads" may be rounded as shown in the figure, or may be connected at right angles.

[0062] The upper short side beads 71 ​​of the side surface limiting square beads 70 are side surface limiting horizontal beads that extend in only a partial range in the circumferential direction. That is, the upper short side beads 71 ​​have the same function as the partial beads 50 in the previous embodiment. The upper short side beads 71 ​​are formed on a pair of second side surfaces 22 in the upper portion 11 of the body portion 10.

[0063] In this way, in the flexible bottle container 1A, a pair of buckling prevention portions 15A that are continuous in the direction of the central axis L are formed by a pair of continuous concave-convex portions 60 and a pair of side surface limiting square beads 70. The buckling prevention portion 15A is formed continuously from the upper portion 11 to substantially the entire area of ​​the central portion 13. The buckling prevention portion 15A may be formed longer than the entire length of the central portion 13 of the body portion 10. That is, the buckling prevention portion 15A may be formed over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L and over the upper portion of the lower portion 12. The buckling prevention portion 15A may be formed over the entire area of ​​the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L, the lower portion of the upper portion 11, and the upper portion of the lower portion 12. Alternatively, the buckling prevention portion 15A may be formed to fit within the range of the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L.

[0064] 11 , 12 , and 13 are cross-sectional views taken along lines XI-XI, XII-XII, and XIII-XIII in FIG. 9 , respectively. As shown in FIG. 11 , the central portion 13 of the body 10 includes a reduced-radius portion 35, whose minor axis A is located at the center C of the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis L. That is, the central portion 13 includes the reduced-radius portion 35. The radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13 is preferably, for example, 40 mm to 55 mm, and more preferably, 45 mm to 50 mm. The radius of curvature Ra of the reduced-radius portion 35 is a constant value over a certain section Z along the central axis L. The body 10 has the cross-sectional shape S2 shown in FIG. 11 at the reduced-radius portion 35. The length of the certain section Z is preferably, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm, and more preferably, 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0065] 12 and 13 , in the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12 of the body portion 10, the center C of the radius of curvature Ra for the first side surface 21 is located on the minor axis A. As shown in FIG. 12 , the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 is preferably, for example, 45 mm or more and 65 mm or less, and more preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. For example, the Ra of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 is 1 to 1.2 times the Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. As shown in FIG. 13 , the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 is preferably, for example, 70 mm or more and 90 mm or less, and more preferably 75 mm or more and 85 mm or less.

[0066] 11 and 12 , in the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11, the center C of the radius of curvature Ra for the first side surface 21 is located within the range of the cross section of the container body 4. As shown in Fig. 13 , in the lower portion 12, the center C of the radius of curvature Ra for the first side surface 21 is located outside the range of the cross section of the container body 4. The radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 is larger than both the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 and the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 12 , the upper part 11 of the container body 4 includes, on the pair of second side surfaces 22, a pair of upper flat portions 81 that are perpendicular to the direction of the major axis B. As shown in Fig. 13 , the lower part 12 of the container body 4 includes, on the pair of second side surfaces 22, a pair of lower flat portions 82 that are perpendicular to the direction of the major axis B.

[0068] The flexible bottle container 1A of other embodiments also achieves the same functions and effects as the flexible bottle container 1. The buckling prevention portion 15A including the continuous concave-convex portion 60 prevents buckling at the second side surface 22 and maintains the restoring force. This allows the restoring force to be maintained even when the container body 4 is thin-walled, allowing the content liquid to be discharged without hindrance.

[0069] In the continuous concave-convex portion 60 , the plurality of arc-shaped grooves 62 and the plurality of arc-shaped convex portions 61 prevent buckling at the second side surface 22 .

[0070] The pair of upper short side beads 71 ​​prevents buckling of the second side surface 22 (major diameter surface) of the upper portion 11 .

[0071] The cooperation of the side surface limiting square bead 70 and the continuous concave-convex portion 60 disposed therein more reliably prevents buckling of the entire second side surface 22 .

[0072] The radius of curvature of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 is 1 to 1.2 times the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. This improves the ease of attaching a label to the first side surface 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , a label can be firmly attached (so that it is unlikely to peel off even when pumping) to a rectangular region X on the first side surface 21. The region X on the first side surface 21 to which the label is attached is located, for example, over a large portion (80% or more) of the central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L. The region X may be located within the entire central portion 13 in the direction of the central axis L. Alternatively, the region X may be located within a large portion or the entire central portion 13 and within a lower portion of the upper portion 11. That is, the region X may be located across at least the central portion 13 and the upper portion 11. Alternatively, the region X may be located within a large portion or the entire central portion 13 and within an upper portion of the lower portion 12 (but without overlapping with the region of the circumferential bead 40). From another point of view, the region X is set at a position in the direction of the central axis L that includes at least the reduced radius portion 35 .

[0073] The radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 is larger than both the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 and the radius of curvature Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13. When the flexible bottle container 1A is transported, the first side surface 21 faces the transport surface. Because the first side surface 21 in the lower portion 12 resembles a flat surface, twisting of the flexible bottle container 1A can be reduced. Note that Figures 14(a) and 14(b) show an example (plan view) in which the flexible bottle container is transported in an upright position. The above-mentioned twisting suppression effect can be achieved not only when the flexible bottle container is transported in an upright position, but also when the flexible bottle container is transported in a lying position or in another position.

[0074] When multiple flexible bottle containers 1A are transported, the second side surfaces 22 of two adjacent flexible bottle containers 1A face each other. By forming a pair of upper flat portions 81 and a pair of lower flat portions 82 on each of the upper and lower portions 11 and 12, the upper flat portions 81 and the lower flat portions 82 of two adjacent flexible bottle containers 1A meet, thereby reducing twisting of the flexible bottle containers 1A. The radius of curvature Ra of the lower portion 12 and the effect of the upper flat portions 81 and the lower flat portions 82 in reducing twisting of the flexible bottle containers 1A can be easily understood from the state of transport by the transport device M shown in FIG. 14(a). The above-mentioned twisting reduction effect is achieved not only when the flexible bottle containers are transported upright, but also when the flexible bottle containers are transported in a lying or other position. Note that FIG. 14(b) shows the state of transport of a conventional flexible bottle container 100 by the transport device M.

[0075] Although one embodiment and other embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the vertically continuous side bead as part of the buckling prevention portion is not limited to the ridge portion 30 or the continuous concave-convex portion 60. For example, the vertically continuous side bead may be a combination of one or more ridge portions (protrusions) extending in the direction of the central axis L and multiple (or one) circumferentially extending grooves. The vertically continuous side bead may be a combination of multiple (or one) protrusions extending in the direction of the central axis L and multiple (or one) grooves extending in the direction of the central axis L. In either case, the vertically continuous side bead is continuous in the direction of the central axis L and extends only within a portion of the circumferential range of the container body 4. The vertically continuous side bead may be at least one protrusion, at least one groove, or a combination of at least one protrusion and at least one groove.

[0076] The Ra of the first side surface 21 in the upper portion 11 may be greater than 1.2 times the Ra of the first side surface 21 in the central portion 13 .

[0077] 1, 1A...flexible bottle container, 2...mouth portion, 2a...discharge outlet, 3...neck portion, 4...container body, 6...bottom portion, 10...body portion, 11...upper portion, 12...lower portion, 13...central portion, 15, 15A...buckling prevention portion, 21...first side surface, 22...second side surface, 30...ridge portion (upper and lower continuous bead on the side), 35...reduced radius portion, 40...full circumferential bead, 50...partial bead (side surface-limited horizontal bead), 60...concave and recess continuous portion (upper and lower continuous bead on the side), 61...arc-shaped convex portion, 62...arc-shaped groove portion, 70...side surface-limited square bead, 71...upper short side bead (side surface-limited horizontal bead), 72...lower short side bead, 81...upper flat portion (flat portion), 82...lower flat portion (flat portion), A...minor diameter, B...major diameter, L...central axis.

Claims

1. A flexible bottle container comprising a mouth including a discharge outlet at one end in the central axis direction, a neck, and a container body connected to the neck and extending in the central axis direction for containing a liquid content, wherein the container body has a bottom located at the other end in the central axis direction, and a cylindrical body provided between the neck and the bottom, wherein the body includes an upper portion located closer to the neck, a lower portion located closer to the bottom, and a central portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the body has an elliptical shape having a minor axis and a major axis in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, and includes a pair of first side surfaces located at both ends of the minor axis and a pair of second side surfaces located at both ends of the major axis, and the body has a pair of buckling prevention portions formed continuously in the central axis direction on the pair of second side surfaces of the central portion.

2. A flexible bottle container as described in claim 1, wherein the buckling prevention portion includes at least one protrusion portion, at least one groove portion, or a continuous bead on the upper and lower sides of the side consisting of a combination of the protrusion portion and the groove portion, which is continuous in the central axis direction and extends over a partial range in the circumferential direction.

3. A flexible bottle container as described in claim 2, wherein the upper and lower continuous side bead is a single ridge portion serving as the protrusion portion extending in the direction of the central axis.

4. A flexible bottle container as described in claim 2, wherein the upper and lower continuous beads on the side surface are composed of a plurality of arc-shaped groove portions as the groove portions each extending in the circumferential direction within the partial range, and a plurality of arc-shaped convex portions as the protrusion portions formed between the arc-shaped groove portions and each extending in the circumferential direction within the partial range.

5. A flexible bottle container as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the buckling prevention portion is formed across the central portion and the upper portion, and includes side-limiting horizontal beads extending circumferentially over a portion of the circumferential range on the pair of second side surfaces of the upper portion.

6. A flexible bottle container as described in claim 4, wherein the buckling prevention portion is formed across at least the central portion and the upper portion, and includes a side-limiting square bead formed in a square shape in a portion of the pair of second side surfaces of the upper portion, and the upper and lower continuous side bead consisting of the multiple arc-shaped groove portions and the multiple arc-shaped protrusion portions is surrounded by the side-limiting square bead.

7. A flexible bottle container described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the upper portion is greater than or equal to 1 time and less than 1.2 times the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the central portion.

8. A flexible bottle container described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the lower portion is greater than both the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the upper portion and the radius of curvature of the first side surface at the central portion.

9. A flexible bottle container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the upper and lower portions includes a pair of flat portions on the second side surface that are perpendicular to the direction of the major axis.

10. A flexible bottle container as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the overall length of the buckling prevention portion in the direction of the central axis is longer than the overall length of the central portion of the body.

11. A flexible bottle container as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central portion includes a radius-reducing portion having a center of curvature radius related to the first side surface on the minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis.

12. The flexible bottle container according to claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature of the reduced radius portion is a constant value over a certain section in the direction of the central axis.

13. The flexible bottle container according to claim 12, wherein the reduced radius portion is located in the range in the central axis direction where the buckling prevention portion is located.

14. A flexible bottle container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower portion includes a circumferential bead extending over the entire circumferential range.

15. A flexible bottle container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the first side is greater than the thickness of the second side.

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